September 17, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
Having a bout of depression in whatever form that takes, can take a toll on a person’s level of motivation. Sometimes it is not even a lack of motivation, the individual may want very much to get things accomplished, to mark things off of a list, or to meet a deadline. However, depression often makes even the smallest task or responsibility seem impossible.
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September 12, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
Many children struggle with mental illness. However, unlike adults, the symptoms are different and can be more difficult to recognize. Sometimes parents are unaware of the warning signs of mental illness in children, and if it is recognized, they may not know who to turn to. Mental health issues affect children in school, at home and in the community, and left untreated can cause delays in development in those domains.
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There are many causes for mental illness, including biological, social, and emotional factors. Being a single mother can be incredibly stressful, and stress can contribute to the development of mental illness, or aggravate existing mental health problems. In one study, single mothers were found to have more incidences of moderate to severe mental disability than women who had partners to help with parenting. Financial hardship and lack of social support were two factors thought to contribute to the increased incidence of mental illness Crosier, Butterworth, & Rodgers, 2007).
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August 30, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
The United States is currently involved in a number of combat situations in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is increasing awareness among researchers and mental health professionals that there are a number of health and mental health problems that returning veterans are experiencing in their return from combat. Many returning veterans are presenting to medical professionals with emotional distress that is primarily being attributed to their experiences in these violent situations. Researchers are beginning to analyze what this means for this demographic, and how to best assist them in navigating the difficulties that they are experiencing.
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August 14, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
Sleep disturbances are common in the United States population. Harvard Health Publications (2009), estimate that sleep problems are prevalent in at least 50% of patients receiving psychiatric treatment. This can be compared to the general population in which about 10% report sleep problems. What is not entirely clear is whether or not sleep disturbance is a symptom or a risk factor for mental health presentations.
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August 11, 2014
by Dr. DeeAnn Visk
Quick: what do bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and attention-deficient hyper-activity disorder all have in common? A portion of each of them can be attributed to the same genetic mutations (Cross-Disorder Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, 2014). It is not at all surprising that psychiatric disorders can be inherited. What is eye-opening is that the same genetic mutation is implicated in more than one mental illness.
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August 7, 2014
by Dr. DeeAnn Visk
Studies have shown that depression-like behavior in mice correlates with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. By modulating these electrical signals, researchers have fixed the brains of these mice and returned their behavior to normal. Scientists were startled to find that cells in the brain have an inborn ability to modulate their electrical signals back at a more normal pattern.
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June 5, 2014
by Christie Hunter
As financial afflictions persist in the world, there is no denying the fact that a sudden job loss can lead to grave consequences. Not only can it affect a person financially, but the constant stress can impact the metal health of a person. Often people suffer from depressive disorders or mental trauma after losing jobs, but the emotional impact of unemployment is often overlooked (Myers, 2011).1 One should keep in mind the fact that with increasing competition, it has become difficult for people to get another job quickly.
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May 10, 2014
by Christie Hunter
Postnatal depression, often misdiagnosed as chronic stress or bipolar depression, is one of the most common forms of depression encountered by women all across the world. Women go through mild to extreme depressive disorder after giving birth. The depression starts immediately after the delivery and it may last from 3 months to 1 year, if treated properly (Cohen et al., 2010). In case of wring treatment or misdiagnosis, the depression may last for several years.
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April 28, 2014
by Christie Hunter
According to Worthington et al. (1999), unforgiveness can be defined psychologically as the emotional imbalance due to delayed response towards a transgressor. However, the expression (anger, hatred, frustration or violence) depends on the mental state of a person. Worthington and Scherer (2004) in the research study concluded that as unforgiveness is a type of stress response, it has a direct impact on the mental health and psychology of a person. The study also suggests that unforgiveness can be viewed as a state which a person is confined in a stressful state of mind.
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