As spring approaches, you might have the urge to thoroughly clean your home. Known as “spring cleaning,” this ritual commonly involves getting rid of items you no longer need and paying attention to areas that you often miss during regular cleaning sessions (for example, your baseboards, grout, and window treatments). Spring cleaning offers numerous physical […]
Stress is a reaction that occurs when someone feels pressured or threatened, and while some amount of stress can energize you and motivate you to complete tasks, too much of it can negatively affect your mental and physical health. Even if you regularly experience stress, you may be unaware of the numerous ways in which […]
You’ve probably heard about the many benefits that nutritious foods can offer for your physical health—for example, eating a healthy diet can strengthen your bones, support your immune system, and lower your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and various other conditions. But did you know that your diet can also affect your mental health? […]
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another. What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what […]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can cause a person to have recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or repetitively perform certain actions (compulsions). But did you know that there are numerous types of OCD? Below are five of the most common forms of this disorder. 1. Checking OCD This type of OCD causes someone to repeatedly check […]
You’ve likely heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause someone to experience anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms after living through a traumatic event. But did you know that the mental health community commonly divides PTSD into five stages? They are: Impact – This stage occurs immediately after someone experiences […]
You might have heard that happiness is a choice and wondered if that’s actually true. Unfortunately, for some individuals, mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder make it difficult for them to feel happy. There can also be several factors outside someone’s control—such as their age, physical health, or geographic location—that could make it […]
Dissociation is a mental process that involves disconnecting from your own thoughts, feelings, memories, or personal identity, often in response to a traumatic event. It can cause you to: Believe that the world around you is distorted or unreal Experience sudden mood swings Have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or handling intense emotions Experience anxiety or […]
You’ve probably heard of meditation, a practice that focuses on clearing your mind to improve your overall well-being. But how familiar are you with it? Here are three things you never knew about meditation. 1. Meditation Has Been Around for Thousands of Years While meditation has grown increasingly popular in the United States over the […]
In many cases, yes, depression can be considered a disability. According to Section 12102(1)(A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person can be disabled if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Under this standard, depression will generally be considered a disability if it substantially […]
You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a recent trend that involves devoting one day a week to nourishing your mind and body. Whether you want to start practicing self-care on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or every day—good for you! Depending on the practices you adopt, self-care can boost your mental and emotional health, enhance your physical health, […]
Rumination involves obsessively thinking about negative experiences and feelings. Some people relive past events, while others worry about potential future scenarios. Rumination tends to have a snowball effect—certain mental health conditions (including generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) can cause someone to ruminate, and rumination can in turn worsen the symptoms of those conditions. Rumination […]
Many people are familiar with depression, but only some are aware that there are actually numerous different forms of it. Below, we explore four of the most common types of depression. 1. Major Depressive Disorder For someone to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, they must have experienced at least five symptoms of depression for […]
Social media offers a number of benefits. It can help us feel more connected to our loved ones, introduce us to like-minded individuals who have similar interests, keep us updated on news and current events, and inspire us to try new things, just to name a few. Unfortunately, social media can also make it easier […]
Do you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks? If so, you may be looking for ways to recognize when these attacks are taking place and offer your support. We’ve got the answers you need below. How to Recognize a Panic Attack Even if you’ve experienced panic attacks yourself, it can […]
You’ve probably heard of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that causes someone to have recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or repetitively perform certain actions (compulsions). But did you know that certain things can cause OCD symptoms to worsen? Here are four potential causes of OCD flare-ups: Stress and anxiety – When someone with OCD is […]
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder that can cause excessive movements, lead to poor impulse control, and make it difficult to focus. Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes ADHD, but studies suggest that certain foods and beverages can worsen symptoms. If you have ADHD, you may want to stay away […]
Many people use the terms “psychology” and “psychiatry” interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different areas of practice. Psychologists and psychiatrists are both trained to identify and treat mental health issues, and both regularly treat patients using psychotherapy (talk therapy). However, because psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed medical school and a residency, they […]
Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders. Unfortunately, failing to get enough high-quality sleep on a regular basis can impact your mood, impair cognitive function, and increase your risk of […]
If a friend or family member has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you probably want to do whatever you can to help them. But if you’ve never dealt with this disorder yourself, you might have a hard time figuring out what to say. Your goal should be to empathize with them and offer support, so with that […]
The brain has three main executive functions: working memory (which helps you remember what you’re doing at the present moment), cognitive flexibility (which helps you shift your thinking from one topic to another), and inhibition control (which helps you focus and stop yourself from saying and doing certain things). Executive dysfunction disrupts these functions, making […]
If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels? Exercise can: Increase endorphin production – Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce endorphins, hormones that […]
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be […]
If you’re looking to improve your mental health and overall well-being, one of the best things you can do is track how you’re feeling. Not only does this allow you to identify any issues you might be experiencing and set goals for how to resolve them, but it can also help you analyze how you’re […]
Mixed matches are often very romantic relationships. The novelty of being with someone not like the boy or girl next door adds an element of excitement. Novelty is one of the spices of life, and its power can distract people from focusing on the ordinary problems that are part of every relationship. When a relationship […]
There are so many different approaches to therapy out there. It’s hard to make sense of it all. But, no matter what kind of intervention a therapist offers, no matter what technique they employ, all of therapy is really just about helping people be more aware and more connected with their authentic selves. What does […]
Jewish and interfaith relationships face many of the same challenges that affect all marriages in today’s world. The Jewish family, which a generation ago had a well-earned reputation for stability, has now become distressingly “normal.” Between one-third and one half of all new Jewish marriages will end in divorce. One-third of Jewish children will have […]
What love conceals, time reveals. Important life cycle passages can illuminate the challenges a couple may face in defining a clear identity for their family. Planning a wedding, the birth of a child, deciding whether to have a bar mitzvah or a baptism, or the death of a parent can all trigger a crisis. Discussions […]
Psychiatric care is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions. Delivered by licensed professionals, such as psychiatrists, physician assistants, and psychiatric nurse practitioners, this form of care addresses a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders through both medical and therapeutic interventions in Los Angeles, California. The […]
