Depression Misconceptions Depression is a brain dysfunction that affects mood and emotions. It is a mood disorder characterized by strong and persistent negative emotions. These emotions can have a negative impact on people’s lives, causing social, educational, personal and family discord. Depression is different from sadness or feeling “down.” Clinical depression is a medical condition […]
Our Latest Blogs
22
Nov
Nov
Recovery from addiction is said to be simple, but not easy. I have no doubt that for many people this holds true. But for some, like myself, there is more than one illness of the mind to fight. Going through recovery with a dual diagnosis adds an extra layer to addiction recovery and can make […]
08
Oct
Oct
Even individuals with sunny dispositions have their dark times. It is therefore not a stretch to imagine that people who suffer from depression go through excruciating intervals of suffering when their mood takes a nosedive. The root-causes of depression can be manifold: they can be genetic, stress-related, caused by an ailment, or even diet. However […]
04
Oct
Oct
Ellen Forney has a wonderful sense of humor about the various afflictions and difficulties that she chronicles in her candid and affectingly raw graphic memoir Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me. Her ability to see the comic side of so much of the darkness that she encountered in her battle with bipolar disorder, and all […]
20
Sep
Sep
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
14
Jul
Jul
When a service member returns home, the transition to civilian life can be filled with both relief and unexpected challenges. For many veterans, the burdens of military service don’t end when deployment does. Some carry visible wounds, while others struggle to heal from invisible ones, including addiction. Families often find themselves standing at the front […]
07
Jul
Jul
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and that’s especially true when your kids hit young adulthood. The rules change, the challenges deepen, and the previously clear parent-child dynamic is suddenly more complicated than ever. If you’ve been losing sleep searching for answers on how to connect with and guide your twenty-something child, you are not […]
03
Jul
Jul
When we talk about eating disorders, most people picture young women battling anorexia or bulimia. But the reality is much broader and far less recognized. About one in three individuals with an eating disorder is male. In the U.S. alone, millions of boys and men will struggle with food, body image, and disordered eating at […]
30
Jun
Jun
More middle-aged women are dying from opioid overdoses, with a 260% increase in fatalities, according to research by Pathways Recovery Center. This research highlights the rising impact of opioid overdoses on middle-aged women, revealing a concerning link between the lack of targeted addiction treatment and increasing mortality rates in this group. For many women, the […]
26
Jun
Jun
Have you ever found yourself reacting strongly to something and not understanding why? Maybe it was a smell, a sound, or a certain situation—and suddenly, you felt anxious, angry, or overwhelmed. It’s possible that what you experienced was tied to a repressed memory. But what exactly are repressed memories, and how do they affect your […]
13
Jun
Jun
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Emma Kate Freatman, LPC Psychotherapist Wilton, CT Emma Kate Freatman is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Wilton, CT. Emma Kate most recently worked at Silver Hill Hospital (SHH), where she managed, developed, and facilitated Intensive Outpatient groups for adults and adolescents struggling with addiction, mood disorders, trauma, and emotional […]
12
Jun
Jun
Mental health is a deeply complex and personal experience shaped by everything from genetics to our daily environment. While therapy, medication, and social support are all powerful tools in building emotional resilience, there’s another factor that often gets overlooked: what we eat. Nourishing the body and brain with the right foods can be a critical […]
09
Jun
Jun
Have you ever struggled to recall a painful memory, only for it to resurface unexpectedly—raw, vivid, and emotionally intense? You’re not alone. This phenomenon, often referred to as repressed memories, is common among trauma survivors. But why does the brain choose to hide certain experiences? Is it a survival tactic, a neurological glitch, or something […]
06
Jun
Jun
Peer pressure can feel like an invisible hand steering decisions—especially for teens and young adults. Whether it’s the urge to fit in, avoid rejection, or gain approval, this social pressure often pushes people toward choices they wouldn’t make on their own—including experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Understanding how peer influence works and why it’s so […]
29
May
May
Behavioral issues in teens and adolescents are often rooted in underlying mental health challenges. Recognizing this connection enables schools to provide better support for students. When educators and caregivers understand that such behavior is not merely a disciplinary issue but a sign of deeper struggles, they can respond with empathy and appropriate interventions. This approach […]
27
May
May
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Johanna Rayman, LCSW Psychotherapist Westport, CT Johanna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of clinical experience. She brings deep expertise in working with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship challenges, LGBTQ+ concerns, grief and loss, and substance abuse. Johanna is deeply […]
26
May
May
Mental health recovery is not a fixed destination — it is a journey with moments of progress, pausing, and resilience. Whether recovering from depression, anxiety, or trauma-related challenges, the process impacts not only individuals but their loved ones as well. This guide provides practical strategies, based on international clinical research and experience, to help patients […]
22
May
May
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Its effects on the brain are both immediate and long-lasting, often resulting in severe physical, emotional, and cognitive damage. Understanding how meth alters brain function is crucial for recognizing the dangers of use and the challenges faced […]
19
May
May
Anger is a normal, healthy emotion—when expressed constructively. It helps us recognize injustice, protect boundaries, and advocate for our needs. But when anger becomes intense, chronic, or hurtful, it can erode trust, damage relationships, and take a serious toll on mental and physical health. Unmanaged anger isn’t just about outbursts—it’s often a sign of deeper […]
15
May
May
First responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military personnel, often face high-stress situations that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nature of their work exposes them to repeated trauma, making effective mental health treatment essential. However, many first responders struggle to find care that fits their demanding schedules. This is where Intensive […]
12
May
May
Millennials are rewriting the narrative around mental health. Born between 1981 and 1996, this generation approaches psychological well-being with unprecedented openness and self-awareness. They view therapeutic conversations as opportunities for deep self-understanding, personal development, and increased emotional intelligence. Research and clinical observations reveal several recurring themes that emerge during millennials’ therapy sessions and explain why […]
05
May
May
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and addiction are closely linked, creating significant challenges for individuals struggling with both conditions. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can contribute to an increased risk of substance use disorders (SUDs). Understanding the connection between ADHD and addiction is essential for developing effective treatment strategies that […]
28
Apr
Apr
Have you ever felt alone, even when surrounded by people? Do you struggle to connect with others, feeling that you don’t match their energy or vibe? If you constantly feel emotionally drained, unheard, or uninterested in conversations, you’re not alone. Many people experience these emotions, often leading to deeper feelings of isolation and loneliness. If […]
25
Apr
Apr
Growing from an overlooked subject to a major topic of healthcare debates, mental health has achieved significant visibility in recent years. Trauma, stress, and emotional struggles affect almost every aspect of modern life, impacting our relationships, productivity, and general well-being. More people are actively seeking help as awareness of mental health issues rises. Mental health […]
23
Apr
Apr
Children don’t always have the words to say, “I’m struggling.” Sometimes, their silence says it for them. Behavioral changes such as slamming doors, sleepless nights, or the sudden loss of interest in things they used to love may be more than moodiness or growing pains. They can be warning signs, and ignoring them can have […]
21
Apr
Apr
When struggling with your mental health, pushing yourself to help others might not be at the top of your to-do list. But supporting other people around us can be a form of self-care, improving our happiness, confidence, and self-worth. Here’s how helping others can improve your mental health and some simple ways you can start […]
16
Apr
Apr
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Amir Garakani, MD, DFAPA Psychiatrist Greenwich, CT Based in Greenwich, CT, Amir Garakani, MD, employs a compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to psychiatric care. He specializes in treating young and emerging adults as well as older adults, offering psychiatric consultations, psychotherapy, and medication management with a focus on anxiety […]
