Theravive Home

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. [More]

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. [More]

The Paralympic games are both a welcome reminder of the amazing potential of physically challenged athletes as well as the innate human ability to transcend our physical boundaries. These athletes prove time and again that mind does take precedence over matter in the end. The brain is unlike any other organ in the human body. There are trillions of neurons whizzing by at near light speeds in billions of synaptic nerves in the brain flooding us with the information about the outside world. [More]

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. [More]

For individuals with mental illness, dealing with all of the associated problems is difficult. Having to face the judgment from themselves and from others can often compound the problem. Mental illness is still something that people do not generally want to talk about in positive and productive ways. The silence is often born of the worry about the stigma attached to it. [More]

In management circles, there is a popular saying that you are as good as the people you hire. Corporations are social entities that harness the extraordinary power of the collective, rather than relying on a few good individuals to gain prominence. True, there are few distinguished performers in all companies that act as the face of the enterprise, but that does not discount the contributions of a wide cross section of employees whose efforts and skills are indispensible to the corporation. For every Steve Jobs there are whole cadres of software programmers, project managers, product designers among others who help realize the company’s vision. [More]

Mental health emergencies can occur both in individuals who are receiving treatment, and in those who have never had a mental health issue in the past. The difference between a need for treatment and an emergency can be difficult to discern. However, there are some well documented warning signs that can help to determine what type of intervention is best suited to an individual. [More]

Emotionally healthy individuals have a firm control over their emotions and responses. These people better understand their surroundings and thus are better able to tackle challenging situations. These abilities give them the strength to quickly recover from setbacks and build strong relationships with others. There are few in the world who inherit this talent, otherwise it takes conscious efforts to build and sustain good emotional and mental health. [More]

Apart from stress and known eating disorders, addiction to food has also been a topic of major studies. The Rudd Report (2007)4 states that these studies have revealed that there are striking similarities in use and withdrawal patterns of sugar and of classic drugs of abuse. Addiction to food can also be triggered as people move away from other substances like tobacco and alcohol, and there is a possibility that food and classic addictive substances compete for the same brain pathways. Indeed, many food additives can affect the brain in ways similar to drug abuse. [More]

Contrary to the perception that balanced nutrition is only important for physical health; it also plays a vital role in emotional well-being (Bamber, 2007).1 It is a fact that a number of people don’t know that nutrition plays a major role in preventing hormonal imbalances and ensuring good mental health. There is no denying the fact that factors like therapies, counseling and discussing problems with people are very important for peace of mind but without nutritional support, no therapy is effective enough to ensure complete mental health. This article will discuss and highlight some of the major emotional issues due to malnutrition and highlight the importance of proper diet for improved mental health and emotional well-being. [More]