5 Things Not to Say to Someone Struggling With Anxiety
There are moments where it feels like I cannot breathe, and like I have no control over anything. However, for years I classified it as just a normal reaction to a situation, not real anxiety. The word “anxiety” conjures up a different definition depending on who you ask. Anxiety can be as simple as the . . . . Continue Reading
How Breathing Patterns Affect Emotions and Memories
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathing is not just for oxygen anymore. More and more studies are revealing the multitude of benefits around breathing. Breathing has been linked to brain function and behavior. Now, for the first time, scientists have found that breathing creates electrical activity in the brain that enhances emotional judgments. The rhythm of . . . . Continue Reading
Blackouts: A Lesson on Alcohol, Memory, and the Brain
Those who struggle with alcohol dependency may be all too familiar with blackouts. Suddenly, you wake up with absolutely no recollection of what happened the night before. What exactly IS a blackout? A blackout is a drug-related amnesia. Chances are you know someone who has had one, or you have had your share of blackouts. . . . . Continue Reading
The Three Kinds of Depressive Episodes
If you struggle with depression, you more than anyone that depression is far from just normal sadness. Depression is a disease. Unfortunately, most people do not look at it that way. The medical community describes depression as a “treatable medical condition. “ However, because the condition is so heavily stigmatized, people can go years . . . . Continue Reading
4 Ways We Reject Love and Why
Do you reject love? If the answer is no, you might be in denial. Most people do not naturally reject love, but subconsciously we might be doing just that. The good news is by learning behaviors that push away potential partners; we can shift those behaviors and improve the dynamics of our relationship. More importantly, . . . . Continue Reading
Drum Circles: The Therapeutic Effect of Drumming
It was a little over a year ago. I had made a few “out of character” decisions, and I was eager to do something to gain mental clarity. This was not anything unusual. From meditation retreats, yoga binges, to poetry circles, I have done it all. I tend to have a mini-life crisis that leads . . . . Continue Reading
5 Ways I Overcame My Social Anxiety
From a young age, I had severe social anxiety. In kindergarten, I spoke maybe two sentences, not including, of course, the daily “Here!” that I murmured when my teachers read the attendance list. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is when a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. A . . . . Continue Reading
PSA Reveals the 9 Truths About Eating Disorders
Keanu Reeves and Lily Collins will soon be starring in a new “dramedy” film about eating disorders titled “To the Bone.” The film is written and directed by Marti Noxon who struggled with eating disorders is her early years. In honor of the first-ever World Eating Disorders Action Day, a PSA was published that raises . . . . Continue Reading
Kristen Bell Opens Up About Her Anxiety and Depression
Actress Kristen Bell recently admitted to suffering from anxiety and depression. Personally, I love Kristen Bell and have way before the movie Frozen existed. Why? Two words: Veronica Mars and one more word: obsessed. Most people know Bell from her role as Princess Anna in Frozen and her part as Veronica in Veronica Mars. On set, . . . . Continue Reading
5 Common Misconceptions about Antidepressants
I’ll be honest, the first time I heard about someone close to me taking antidepressants, I responded with an uninformed misconception. While I was empathetic towards the situation, having dealt with depression and anxiety issues myself, I assumed taking the medication was a quick-fix solution. You had to be tough in this world, right? Taking . . . . Continue Reading