Whether you are a parent, teacher, or student, the beginning of a school year and the end of the summer season can bring about a mix of emotions. A schedule change and new activities bring added workload and pressure into the picture.
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We know that the social & political climate we are living in can have damaging effects on our ability to maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated. Still, it turns out that the physical climate can have a negative impact too.
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In this article, Dr. Mason breaks down 5 common myths about mental health and therapy. Myths that reinforce the stigma around mental health make it more difficult for individuals to seek treatment and invest in their mental well-being. Let’s destigmatize mental wellness together!
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The holidays are a time where our social media timelines are filled with photos of joy and gatherings. This can bring out feelings of “FOMO” or inadequacy.
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The holidays are a time where our social media timelines are filled with photos of joy and gatherings. This can bring out feelings of “FOMO” or inadequacy.
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November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and at The Mind Spa, we want to do our part in educating our community on the relationship between mental health and Alzheimer’s disease.
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October is Health Literacy Month, and at The Mind Spa, we are humbled by the role we play in our community to help embrace the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellness.
1 in 5 adults (or 20%) suffer from mental illness. That means that mental illness is a lot more common or “normal” than people realize. Let’s reduce the stigma by learning about the three most common mental health conditions today:
When it comes to some of these symptoms, many of us may have experienced them at some point in our lives, whether we were in a high-stress situation or environment. However, for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder or GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), multiple symptoms can linger at once for a prolonged period – without an identifiable trigger.
When looking for treatment, always seek the guidance of a medical professional first. They will be able to do a thorough examination and prescribe a tailored solution. Treatment for anxiety disorder may include medication such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy). Alternative therapies may also include hypnosis and more.
Resource: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/education-awareness/shareable-resources-on-anxiety-disorders
These symptoms may or may not originate from a traumatic event in a person’s life, and sometimes, they may not appear to have any cause at all. Regardless, it is important to reach out to a medical professional if these symptoms are persistent.
When looking for treatment, always seek the guidance of a medical professional first. They will be able to do a thorough examination and prescribe a tailored solution. Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder may include antidepressants and other psychotropic medications. Complementary therapies such as psychotherapy may also be recommended. Emerging treatments also include alternative therapies such as DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) and more.
Resource: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/education-awareness/shareable-resources-on-depression
When it comes to these symptoms, these can originate from environmental and genetic factors. It is important to reach out to a medical professional if these symptoms are persistent.
When looking for treatment, always seek the guidance of a medical professional first. They will be able to do a thorough examination and prescribe a tailored solution. Treatment for bipolar disorder may include mood-stabilizing medications such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Complementary treatment options such as psychotherapy are also recommended.
Resource: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/education-awareness/shareable-resources-on-bipolar-disorder
Additional resources: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics https://www.achn.net/about-access/whats-new/health-resources/3-most-common-mental-health-disorders-in-america/
If you have had difficulty managing emotional discomfort over the past 18 months, know you are not alone.
In the United States, we have seen an unimaginable spike in mental illness over the past year. It is reported that 40% of adults have experienced an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms – compared to just 10% of individuals reported in 2019 by the CDC Household Pulse Survey.
Here at the Mind Spa, we understand the many challenges individuals face living under the uncertainties of a global pandemic. If you have found yourself struggling to manage your mental well-being during this time, feel free to read our 3 – step mindfulness approach below for managing feelings of discomfort during this crucial time.
It is not uncommon to feel frustration, despair, sadness, or hopelessness during this time.
Many of us have had our livelihoods, social activities, work settings, and time with family stripped away from us. Some of us have lost loved ones to the virus itself, while others have lost others to conflict about the best ways to manage the virus (e.g., masks vs. no mask, vaccine vs. no vaccine, etc.).
Almost all of us are struggling to establish or re-establish balance in our lives, whether it be working at home while homeschooling or keeping our households safe. At the same time, our unvaccinated children attend school in the spirit of maintaining a healthy level of socialization and education for them.
During this time, it is beneficial to acknowledge these life-changing events to know exactly how to address these related feelings and manage them for a better future.
If you have carried feelings of guilt or shame for being unable to perform as you may have wanted to over the past 18 months, know that you are not alone.
Many individuals have reported feelings of guilt and shame during this time; much of it is related to work productivity, career advancement, financial stability, family well-being, socialization, and more.
During this time, it may be beneficial to sit with any pandemic-related feelings you may be experiencing, judgment-free.
Accepting these feelings without attaching labels or shame to them can bring a much-needed form of self-care into the picture.
Too often, we are quick to judge and blame ourselves for unforeseen circumstances that occur in life. However, it is important to remember that you are experiencing these feelings, but they do not define who you are, and with the proper support, it is possible to move past them.
If you have been unable to take actionable steps to support your mental health during this time, do not worry. Too often, when larger-than-life situations occur, we as human beings become paralyzed as to what steps to take next.
Thankfully, we have the resource of mental health professionals who can help us create a safe space to acknowledge, accept and act for our well-being.
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It’s easy to feel cynical and left out from what can seem like a giant party for twos, if you think of the day as a celebration of only romantic love.
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