Over the last few years, depression has become much more widespread. We’ve all heard it before, “mental health issues don’t discriminate,” and that quote couldn’t be more accurate. Depression impacts people in the suburbs and on farms, in inner cities and refugee camps, in boardrooms and in classrooms. It is estimated that over 300 million […]
Our Latest Blogs
19
Sep
Sep
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of people globally. Meanwhile, managing MDD is sometimes difficult — even for those who use medication. How Is Medication Used to Treat Depression? Antidepressant medications are among the most common depression treatments. They are prescribed by doctors and help patients alleviate depression symptoms, such as: Anxiety Irritability Lack of concentration […]
21
Aug
Aug
Looking for 2019’s hottest new depression treatments, but tired of one-off non-reproduced experiments, industry-biased interpretations, and overstatement from tenure-chasing university faculty? Then bring some meta-science into your life. Below, a list of 6 biological treatments for major depressive disorder, and the systematic reviews & meta-analyses that (kinda) tell us whether they work. SSRI’s Psychiatry’s go-to […]
07
Aug
Aug
Depression is a major disorder that affects a person negatively and causes impairment in daily life. Many people have undergone depression at some point in their lives. Depression can be identified and treated. However, there are severe stages of depression that change a person’s life completely. Catatonic depression is one of the severe kinds of […]
02
Aug
Aug
College is an exciting, eye-opening, fun-filled, chaotic and sometimes stressful time. College students not only work hard but often play hard too, and this lifestyle of burning the candle at both ends, combined with often not eating as well as they should, can lead to exhaustion and feelings of stress. In more severe cases, due […]
24
Jul
Jul
Anyone can be affected by depression and anxiety – even children. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that generalized anxiety disorder affects 6.8 million people in the United States, with the number being much higher across the world. It is difficult to live with depression. The symptoms can affect your mental health, generate […]
19
Jul
Jul
“If you know someone who’s depressed…Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.” ― Stephen […]
17
Jun
Jun
“2:48 am” My body lay still as a doll as I dully gazed at the clock on my desk. My slow, sad, depressing music reverberated and echoed off the walls in my bedroom. I could not sleep. I did not want to get up, move, or feel anything at all. These long restless nights had […]
05
Jun
Jun
Clinical depression is more than just having a bad day. Depression is a real illness that impedes a person’s daily life and normal functioning. It causes pain both for those affected and the people close to them. Depression is one condition that is often overlooked or ignored because of the stigma and connotations associated with […]
31
May
May
As early as grade school, I remember struggling to gather up the energy and motivation I needed to get out of bed in the morning and go to school. Some days it was so bad that my mom had to nearly drag me out of bed. I had no problems in school and no real […]
29
May
May
Depression doesn’t only affect your mental health and personality but also causes very noticeable harm to your physical health. Constant stress, emotional struggle, sleep disturbances, and unhealthy lifestyle related to depression can negatively impact the immune system. This makes the body vulnerable to different kinds of diseases and infections. Consequences of Self-Harming Behaviors There are […]
15
May
May
Evan had just returned home from his final race of the season when I caught up with him. We decided to take a hike up to a ridge on the outskirts of his city. He was quick to smile, and you could see his eyes dance with animation when we discussed his recent activities. But […]
11
May
May
I have had a lifetime of experience with depression beginning when I was 16. I have been treated for depression many times with both psychotherapy and drugs. In 2002, I became a student of depression treatment because I was tired of cycling in and out of misery. I am an organizational psychologist and in the […]
08
May
May
Divorces are devastating. They are a turning point in the lives of both the partners. Waking up one day without the one person who mattered to you the most, the one you loved more than anything a few days ago, and realizing that he or she won’t be ever coming back in your life can […]
22
Apr
Apr
When we are trying to understand the roots of alcohol and drug addiction, we often must investigate brain chemistry and the history of the individual. There are many risk factors that may lead to the overindulgence of alcohol and use of drugs to self-medicate or manage moods. It is common to see depression coincide with […]
17
Apr
Apr
As a teenager, have you been irritable and moody lately? Are you in a bad mood or is it something else? While most teens bounce back from a bad mood, others will feel hopeless and miserable for weeks or longer. Teens who suffer from depression are at higher risk for self-injury and suicide. What causes […]
04
Apr
Apr
Roughly 45 million American adults are living with mental illness every year. But adults aren’t the only ones dealing with these issues. Teens also grapple with illness such as anxiety and depression, and these conditions can make life even more difficult for individuals going through a transitional period of life. Depression The National Institute of […]
02
Apr
Apr
Feelings of depression and anxiety can come seemingly out of nowhere, and they can be debilitating when they do. Knowing how to fight them off is important. There are a number of ways to redirect your mind when these feelings come creeping in and help you to learn how to combat depression and anxiety. Keeping […]
14
Mar
Mar
Have you ever felt like the world is tearing apart in your mind? That every fabric of your existence is questioning why you feel like this? You shout inside your mind and all that echoes back is your depression prancing around like a demon. Most of us confuse being sad and moody with being depressed. […]
07
Mar
Mar
I’m Jo, artist, writer and Renaissance Soul with a potty sense of humor. For over thirty years, I suffered from depression and anxiety, a result of my toxic upbringing followed by post-natal depression. It was a pain in my posterior because I really, really wanted to indulge in my creativity and the Renaissance Soul side […]
21
Feb
Feb
If you’re dealing with depression and/or anxiety, chiropractic care may help. Generally speaking, chiropractic care involves a mind-body approach that favors adjusting physical symptoms in order to improve mental ones. A chiropractor is well-equipped to take a holistic approach to your mental health, looking at all possible ways to make you feel better. New studies […]
07
Feb
Feb
There is a close relationship between migraines and the mental health issues of anxiety and depression. This relationship is expressed as comorbidity, and there is a definite increase in the development of anxiety and depression by migraineurs when compared to the general population. This article provides an overview of both mental health conditions and migraines, […]
29
Jan
Jan
Most people are aware of the physical benefits of exercise. However, other than getting a rocking body, building muscles, increasing energy, and improving cardiovascular health, regular exercise improves mental health as well. Some of the mental health benefits of exercise include increased self-esteem and self-confidence, better sleep, improved cognitive function, relief of stress, increased relaxation, […]
15
Jan
Jan
Depression. What a loaded word. Not a word I used to let myself say or really think about. A word that used to make me unbearably uncomfortable and filled with shame. A word that people can joke about and may not completely understand. Ten letters that convey so much. Depression. Depression and I were not […]
10
Jan
Jan
Despite the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders in the United States, mental illness and its treatment still have a stigma attached to them. Due to this stigma, people are willing to consider various possibilities for symptoms they are experiencing while overlooking the possibility of a mental health problem. To further complicate the picture, […]
03
Jan
Jan
Do you wake up in the morning and, within moments of opening your eyes to a day full of opportunity, think “what’s the point?” You are not alone. This feeling of constant dejection, that complete inability to feel any sense of self-belief or confidence, is something that often leaves you feeling weak and timid. Such […]
13
Dec
Dec
You may have heard about the benefits of keeping a diary or journaling and how that can help in different areas of your life, but you might be wondering if there are any benefits that the art of writing can bring to your life if you’re suffering from depression, and if so, how? Today, we’re […]
29
Nov
Nov
I wake up with the feeling that my head is full of cotton wool. At least, that’s how I describe it. It’s hard to put the feeling into words. Thoughts seem sluggish and disoriented. “You need to get out of bed,” a quiet voice whispers. I glance at the clock. It’s 11 am and well […]
25
Oct
Oct
“2:32 am” I stared down at my empty shot glasses. The night was as silent as a graveyard. I stumbled to the edge of the mall rooftop and peered off at the city lights in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was a 20-year-old college student at the time and I had taken the semester off from […]
13
Sep
Sep
“A drinking man’s someone who wants to forget he isn’t still young and believing.” – Tennessee Williams, author of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” It may come as a surprise to you that according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information 64% of people addicted to alcohol actually meet all the criteria for […]
12
Jul
Jul
Depression is a silent killer when ignored. Many people suffering from depression never seek medical attention during their entire lives. They choose to absorb the burden of depression into their different body systems. This can lead to physical symptoms and various diseases at a later stage. This is a more serious issue than you might […]
24
May
May
It is very common to feel helpless and anxious after an accident. These symptoms can speak to the development of post-traumatic depression. Depression occurs when one feels powerless over upsetting surges of negative emotions. While this involves different emotions for different people, most of those entering rehabilitation services while suffering from post-accident depression report a […]
22
Mar
Mar
The Benefits of Yoga on Mental Health Depression is a common disorder that affects people from every nationality, religion, and gender. Depression does not discriminate when it chooses its victims. According to the University of Southern California, as of 2016, mental health and well-being was among the top five public health concerns in the United […]
20
Mar
Mar
Just about everyone has experienced a chapter in his or her life when things just looked bleak. An occasional bout with the blues is a normal aspect of the human condition and our physiological and psychological response to hitting a patch of difficult challenges. For most people, the depression symptoms will resolve in a timely […]
08
Mar
Mar
Charlie Brown’s comic creator, Charles Schulz, maintained that “happiness is a warm blanket.” Sadness, though, is a wet blanket. It envelops you—making it difficult to breathe, to see the sunlight, to function on an everyday basis. It need not be debilitating, though. There are ways to come out from under. Here are seven realities for you to think […]
27
Feb
Feb
Workplace stress affects millions of individuals—ones without depression and anxiety disorders. So what do you do when you have a mental health or mood disorder like anxiety or major depressive disorder and you’re dealing with a lot of workplace stress? You have to work to pay the bills, but you don’t want to compromise your […]
23
Jan
Jan
What is the significance of truancy? When students are repeatedly absent from school, the potential consequences are endless. Lower achievement, higher risk of dropout, legal troubles, and suffering relationships are a few on the individual level. On the national level, truancy means a less-educated and less-prepared workforce. Less education has implications for our communities when […]
21
Nov
Nov
When my psychiatrist first diagnosed me with depression, I put some real thought and preparation into how to tell my closest friends and family. It’s not something one can easily bring up in casual conversation, (i.e.: “Hey, did you catch the ball game last night? By the way, I’m depressed.”) It was not an easy […]
16
Nov
Nov
Panic Attacks It is estimated that at least 18% of the US population suffer from panic attacks. Panic attacks are different from other anxiety disorders due to their relatively short and sudden nature. Panic attacks affect people differently, although they can still be treated effectively with a variety of methods as described below. Cognitive Behavioral […]
12
Oct
Oct
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a month-long observance to encourage communities nationwide to unite and raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, and education. In recognition of this event, www.rtor.org has engaged psychologist Todd Griffin, Director of TG Psychology in Penrith, Australia to write a guest blog on bullying and depression in teens. […]
05
Sep
Sep
Depression is a mood disorder that can wreak havoc on your life. It comes with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, numbness, and isolation. It is this numbness, the inability to feel anything at all, that drives many people to substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol provide a shock to the brain so that suddenly, after months of […]
29
Aug
Aug
Physician-led Support Group
Greenwich, CT
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) providers information and support to those living with a depression or bipolar diagnosis.
11
Jul
Jul
We are fortunate to all be living in an age when mental illness has significantly less stigma attached to it than it once did. Anyone who is suffering from depression can be forthcoming about their condition as well as be openly proactive in finding ways to mediate their symptoms and strive towards living with their […]
04
Jul
Jul
Psychologists have identified anywhere between 6 and 10 basic emotions experienced by humans. The American psychologist Paul Ekman who developed an “atlas of emotions” mapping more than 10,000 facial expressions, identified six universal or “primary” emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise. It will come as a surprise to no one that the primary emotion in […]
06
Jun
Jun
Almost half of those who live with a mental health disorder also experience a substance use problem (SAMHSA). Today’s guest author, Parker, lived with depression and addiction issues until he was able to find recovery. Parker’s inspiring story shows that there is hope and that recovery is possible. Thank you, Parker, for sharing with us at www.rtor.org. […]
09
May
May
Today’s post comes to us from blogger, Erica Silva. Her article breaks down teenage depression and its treatment options into simple terms that any teenager could find helpful. If you are a parent of a teenager who might be experiencing depression, this post could help him or her better understand what is going on with […]
25
Oct
Oct
Have you noticed that the days are much shorter and darker this time of year? These changes in weather and light can affect our mood and energy levels. Over 10 million Americans are estimated to have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression. The cold days, long nights, and isolation of winter can make […]
10
May
May
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are inviting one guest writer a week in the month of May to write about their perspectives on mental health. Today’s guest blog post comes from Debi Strong who currently has an art exhibit, 365 Days of Gratitude, that is touring several venues around the country. Her post covers her struggles with life-long depression […]
17
Mar
Mar
As a follow up to last month’s post Quotes About Anxiety I’ve selected a collection of quotes on coping with depression. Many people who experience serious depression refer to it in terms of deep emotional and spiritual pain. The writer John Styron in Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness describes his depression as an assault on […]
10
Dec
Dec
Depression is a common mental health disorder that tends to be cyclical in nature. Some people experience a single episode after a difficult event or period in their lives, while others struggle with it over the course of a lifetime. The following is a list of notable people who have experienced major depression or a […]
02
Oct
Oct
In May of 2013 a Canadian comic named Kevin Breel gave an 11-minute TEDx Talk that went instantly viral with more than 3 million views to date. Two big things about the speech “Confessions of a Depressed Comic” account for its success: the speaker’s age and the message he delivered. Kevin might downplay the […]
09
May
May
Those involved in Mental Health Awareness Month have done a lot to break the stigma that exists about people living with mental health disorders. Yet, one disorder is the target of extensive social shaming and victim blaming: Postpartum Depression. The cause of Postpartum Depression is not entirely clear; the research points to a combination of […]
25
Nov
Nov
Alcohol addiction is commonly associated with serious life disruptions, strained relationships, and noticeable declines in health. However, some individuals manage to maintain a steady job, active social life, and outwardly stable lifestyle despite drinking heavily. This phenomenon, often referred to as “high functioning alcoholism,” raises questions: Is it possible to be a functioning alcoholic, and […]
21
Nov
Nov
Sometimes, getting direction seems like a solid first step toward self-awareness and development. Therapy is a transforming tool for negotiating challenging emotions, habits, and life transitions. It is not only for crises. Anyone can benefit from talking about deeply felt experiences, ideas, and emotions with someone who listens without judgment. Identifying the signs that you […]
18
Nov
Nov
In recent years, the conversation around mental health has evolved, with greater emphasis on the importance of authenticity and emotional well-being. While positivity can enhance our well-being by cultivating an optimistic mindset, too much positive thinking can lead to toxic positivity. But what is toxic positivity, and how does it affect people who feel pressured […]
05
Nov
Nov
Much is known about the physical benefits of exercise, but its positive impact on mental health is just as powerful, if not more so. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress, anxiety, and depression are on the rise, incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can be a simple yet effective way to enhance your mental […]
31
Oct
Oct
Potentiation is a term widely used in psychiatry, pharmacology, and the study of substance use. It is the process by which one substance enhances the effects of another when used together, resulting in amplified therapeutic benefits or increased risks of adverse effects. Potentiation plays a significant role in psychiatric medication management, substance use, and understanding […]
28
Oct
Oct
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Trevor Crow LMFT, MBA, EFT Marriage & Family Therapist Cos Cob, CT Trevor Crow is a Certified Executive Coach, Author, Talk Show Host, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), and ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT). Trevor’s therapy practice focuses on high-conflict couples and blended step-families. She is an expert […]
28
Oct
Oct
There has been a rise in awareness of narcissistic abuse in the past decade. Countless pop psychology videos can be found explaining the zero-sum game of the pathological narcissist, helping victims sort through the disorienting fallout of a psychologically abusive relationship. Many professionals have attempted to discredit these influencers, calling it unwarranted panic. The prevalence […]
15
Oct
Oct
College is often described as a formative period filled with learning, self-discovery, and personal growth. However, it is also marked by significant challenges that can have a profound impact on students’ mental health. According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), more than 60% of college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety, while nearly 40% experienced […]
03
Oct
Oct
In today’s world, mental health and addiction issues are pervasive challenges that affect millions of people across various demographics. Despite increasing awareness, the barriers to seeking help for these conditions remain significant. A major contributor to these barriers is stigma, which often prevents people from pursuing treatment due to fear of judgment, discrimination, and isolation. […]
30
Sep
Sep
Suicide is an issue that affects families, friends, and communities across the globe. It’s hard to believe, but someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the United States. Still, despite the prevalence of suicide, it’s often a topic shrouded in silence and shame. Today, we hope to break that stigma by providing a guide […]
26
Sep
Sep
Personal boundaries are essential for protecting emotional well-being and mental health. They define the limits between ourselves and others, helping us navigate relationships while maintaining a firm sense of self. Respect for boundaries creates a strong foundation for emotional stability, self-respect, and healthier connections. Without clear boundaries, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, drained, or resentful. […]
19
Sep
Sep
City living offers many fantastic opportunities. Urban centers provide greater employment, amenities, and social diversity than smaller towns. Urban living on your own can be exciting, but it can also be quite challenging. One thing to be mindful of during your solo urban experience is your mental health. The stress and pressure of living alone […]
16
Sep
Sep
Brain science and the latest technologies are rapidly reshaping how we understand and treat mental health conditions. Traditional methods, while still valuable, are now being complemented by innovative solutions addressing the diverse needs of individuals seeking support. Today, we’ll explore these cutting-edge therapies and treatments and the exciting possibilities for enhanced mental well-being. The Rise […]
02
Sep
Sep
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is growing in popularity. Therapists value its strength-based and compassionate approach, while clients appreciate its action-oriented results. Although a Licensed Therapist is trained and qualified to help diagnose and treat mental health disorders, you can implement techniques of ACT into your own life. By practicing the skills taught in ACT, […]
29
Aug
Aug
As adolescents with chronic mental health conditions approach adulthood, they often face significant changes in their care, including different treatment approaches and potential gaps in services. The shift from the supportive, family-oriented environment of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to the more autonomous framework of Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) can be disorienting […]
26
Aug
Aug
The early years of childhood are some of the most memorable in a person’s life. Still, as children start branching into adulthood, they’ll likely face many challenges as they learn to navigate the physical and emotional feelings they experience. For young adolescent girls, these challenges can be difficult to handlle without the right level of […]
