The holidays are a stressful time of year for many, especially those who are susceptible to bouts of anxiety and depression. While the holidays are filled with family get-togethers, delicious food, and cheer, they can also be quite stressful. People often resort to bad habits when the holidays hit, something which many pay for once the merry season is over. There are numerous reasons for this, but for one, people tend to experience heightened emotions during the holidays. These emotions can be both good and bad – ranging from loneliness and angst to happiness and elation. This juxtaposition of emotions can wreak havoc on the mind and body, which is why it is important to learn how to manage your anxiety during this busy time of year. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), almost half of all women in the United States experience high levels of stress during the holidays. This doesn’t just impact how they are feeling day-to-day, but it can put their health at risk. Unfortunately, many people turn to food and alcohol when stress levels are high. While this may seem like a good way to “take the edge off”, it can actually do more harm…
Family dynamics can be difficult, no matter how close you are and how well you have raised your children. When families are happy, healthy, and in good spirits, it may seem like nothing could get them down. However, not all families are stable, and events happen in life that can create turmoil and issues amongst family members. This is especially true in today’s modern age, where we are constantly exposed to negativity, acts of violence, and other crises that can harm your family dynamics. So, how do you know when it is time for your family to seek therapy? First of all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help and guidance for your family. There is a stigma around therapy and counseling that we must fight every single day. Luckily, it seems more and more people are understanding – and embracing – the benefits of therapy and how it can help shape a healthier life and self. There are many reasons why a family may want to look into therapy, from raising children with disabilities, financial stresses, behavioral challenges, and the various stages of different children and family members that may need some outside assistance. While many families are…
Therapy has helped millions of people cope with a wide range of emotional and mental problems, including anxiety, stress, grief, and depression. This form of treatment can be incredibly effective, as long as you are working with the right therapist for you and your needs. Finding a good therapist may not happen right away, and that’s OK. It is important that you take your time and make sure you are working with someone you trust and who makes you feel cared for and understood. You may want to look for someone who specializes in the type of emotional problem you are experiencing, or perhaps take a recommendation from a doctor or other person in your life who knows what you have been going through. A good therapist will work closely with you, helping you address your problems and become a stronger, healthier, more self-aware individual. That being said, it is important to note that a therapist cannot ‘fix’ you or do everything for you. You must be willing to work on your concerns and approach each session with an open and honest attitude. One of the first steps to getting better and gaining more control over your emotions and your…
Social media is everywhere these days. Not only is it a way to stay connected with long lost college roommates and friends from another era, but it has become a marketing tool for businesses and brands. There is simply no escaping it in our society today. Many people find themselves aimlessly scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter throughout the day and evening – this has become a common scene in our society that we just can’t seem to break away from. While this may seem harmless enough, social media can actually have a negative effect on us in many different ways. Social media is filled with birth announcements, engagements, beach vacations, job promotions, relationships, breakups, political viewpoints, and so on. All of this can be overwhelming and cause us to get sucked into a wide array of emotions, from jealousy and competitiveness to depression and anxiety. The fact that a large majority of our population (both young and old) choose to spend the few spare minutes they have a day mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds is a problem and leading to issues with our collective psychology. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, our kids and teenagers are at…
Gratitude is something we talk about often and a subject that is getting more and more attention from many different schools of thoughts in recent years. Thanksgiving is notoriously the time of year where the general public focuses on gratitude and what we are thankful for. However, gratitude is something we should practice every single day in order to live a happier, healthier life. The benefits of practicing gratitude and being truly grateful for the various aspects and people in your life are tenfold and can impact your quality of life in many different ways. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the power of gratitude. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude isn’t as difficult as you may think, and it will bring a lot of strength and positivity to your life. But you don’t have to take our word for it – there is actually scientific proof that gratitude makes healthier and enhances our quality of life. If you take the time to invest in yourself and change the way you see the world, chances are you will be better off. Sure, we understand it is unrealistic to think we can walk through life and every situation it throws at us with a…
A person’s teenage years are some of the most trying and difficult. It is no wonder that many teens experience mood swings and depression, especially in today’s society where social media and the internet play such an instrumental role. As hormones change and puberty hits, teens go through a roller coaster of emotions and upheaval within their own bodies. Unfortunately, many teens become depressed and feel as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel. While some are able to get through this difficult time with the love and support of their family and friends, for others depression is just too much. This is where therapy comes in. It is becoming increasingly popular for parents and teens to seek counseling help to get through these difficult years. Teenage depression isn’t just a phase, it is a serious health concern that causes a wide range of emotions, including sadness, isolation, loss, and lack of hope. There is no exact formula for preventing teenage depression, but there are a handful of things you can do as parents and adults to help them get through this trying time. As kids get older, their problems become more complex and it becomes…
There are a lot of reasons why teenagers turn to drugs. Whether it’s peer pressure, experimentation, curiosity, stress, depression, boredom, rebellion, problems at home or at school, or a combination of the above, unfortunately, it does happen. Once it has happened though, what is most important is making sure it doesn’t become a habit, addiction, or regular occurrence. If it is past that point and it has become a recurring thing, there is no reason to give up hope, and one of the best decisions you can make as a parent is to give them the option to talk to somebody about it. They may be hesitant at first towards the idea, but the realization will soon come, that regardless, it is nice having someone to talk to about what they are going through and how they are feeling. Some of the habits/addictions that teens struggle with can include the following: Alcohol abuse Smoking/Nicotine use Marijuana Synthetic Marijuana Other Illicit drug abuse Salvia Adderall Narcotics Xanax Hydrocodone Other prescription drugs abuse Here are some tips as to how you should handle it if you believe or know that your child is struggling with one of the above… Talk to them…
Abuse can be physical, mental, emotional, verbal, or sexual, and often a combination. And just because you aren’t being physically hit, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t a victim of abusive behavior. Words that cause mental and emotional anguish are also consistent with an abusive relationship, as is being with someone who is excessively jealous, or someone who is excessively controlling. One of the number one things a person who isn’t in, or who hasn’t been in an abusive relationship will inquire about in regards to someone who is, is why don’t you just leave the relationship? But, people who aren’t in the situation usually fail to understand what it is like, and how difficult it can be to just up and leave for the person that’s involved. So, why is it so difficult for someone in an abusive relationship to get out? Many times, in severe cases, it’s fear. Fear of the abuser, or fear of being alone. And it can be difficult for some people to understand, but many times, the person either doesn’t fully know or acknowledge consciously that they are in an abusive situation, or they are in denial and justify their partner’s abusive actions. This…
Our self esteem is very intently linked with our happiness. When you have low self esteem, it affects how you are able to be you. It doesn’t allow for your true self to shine through. Sometimes we become used to living a life with no confidence and low self-esteem, but whenever we get a small kick or boost, we realize the difference it makes in our overall well-being. There are different levels of low self-esteem, ranging from severe to mild, but the emotional symptoms are similar, just different in terms of severity. If you have low self-esteem, you may not value yourself, or perceive yourself as worthy or good. Let’s look at a few of the common feelings that go through the mind of someone with low self esteem: You don’t feel worthy, you’re not good enough You feel unassertive or indecisive You don’t like yourself, you may even hate yourself You always feel at fault, even when you aren’t to blame You feel guilty for doing anything nice for yourself You aren’t able to pinpoint your strengths and good qualities You feel like you are not deserving of happiness You don’t feel like you have any confidence Your self…
The problem with unhealthy relationships, is sometimes we are in them, and we don’t even realize it. We don’t even realize how much we are hurting; or that deep down we are constantly in a numbing state of pain. The thing we tend to forget, is what it’s like to be happy, or we forget or don’t realize that love isn’t supposed to feel this way. When you are with someone for a while, you can become quite desensitized to the unhealthy signs, and sometimes you may not even realize how truly unhappy you are. You tend to justify the unhappy feelings with how much you love them or how much they love you, or you justify the bad times with the “good” times. There are all different levels of unhealthy in relationships, from a lack of respect to abuse. But the most important thing, is to make sure you are not in a relationship where you are mentally or physically abused. Let’s take a look at some of the signs that you may be in an unhealthy relationship, and may be in need of relationship therapy in Carrolton… They try and control you If your partner often tries to…
