Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is by no means a new mental health condition. However, the heightened public awareness of anxiety and depression in recent years has many people re-evaluating their relationship with mental health and looking to improve their interactions and make life more manageable for others. Educating ourselves about PTSD is important not just […]
Our Latest Blogs
21
May
May
When you’re busy juggling lots of tasks and priorities, it can be difficult to look after yourself, and you might feel that you’re not in control. Whatever else is going on in your life, it’s helpful to focus on a few key things to help keep your mind and body happy. In this article, we’ve […]
29
Apr
Apr
Mental health disorders and brain injury are often seen and treated as two completely separate diagnoses and are sometimes even confused as being the same. While brain injury and mental illness can be entirely different issues, traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to the development of mental health concerns. It is also possible for the […]
28
Apr
Apr
First, What is social anxiety? Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders in the world today. SAD is a serious and complex mental health condition that makes a person constantly fear social situations. Social anxiety is nothing new to psychologists. However, current data suggest that the number of […]
27
Apr
Apr
Underlying the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is another public health crisis that has devastated American lives for decades: alcohol misuse and addiction. For years, medical professionals and organizations, including the American Cancer Society, have warned against excessive consumption. Now, the isolation, uncertainty, and stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated alcohol misuse, as more […]
26
Apr
Apr
There is no way to sugarcoat that parenting a child with a mental health disorder (such as anxiety, OCD, depression, etc.) puts a significant strain on one’s marriage. This can occur for many reasons. First, the mental health issue can be exhausting for parents. Tears, meltdowns, tantrums, and obsessive rituals can become so time-consuming and […]
24
Apr
Apr
Journaling can improve mental health. The chaos and sunkenness that come with mental health disorders are nearly impossible to interpret and understand on the fly. Unfortunately, when struggling with mental health, we can’t effectively “figure everything out” simply by ruminating for a day or two. Negative thoughts, emotional pain, fears, issues, triggers, and potential solutions […]
21
Apr
Apr
Bulimia nervosa is a prevalent eating disorder that can’t be identified just by looking at someone. For family members and others who are worried that their loved one has bulimia nervosa, it may seem like a challenge to determine if they need to seek out eating disorder treatment centers. Here, we’ll outline some common symptoms […]
20
Apr
Apr
If you have not experienced the benefits of meditation, it’s time to rethink your mindfulness practice. While you might enjoy hiking, weight lifting, and running to reduce stress and improve your health, mindfulness is another way you can strengthen your mind and even improve your motivation. Mindfulness is not just sitting in a dark room […]
12
Apr
Apr
I woke up nauseous, with a splitting headache again for the third morning in a row. I couldn’t blame it on being sick or anything else because only my bad decision-making was responsible for the state I was in. You see, I was a functioning alcoholic. I was in a high-stress military job where the […]
09
Apr
Apr
There are over 43 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S., which means you probably know someone caring for a family member, either within your own family or in your circle of friends. Caring for an elderly or disabled family member is one of the most rewarding parts of many people’s lives, but it can also […]
05
Apr
Apr
Spending just 15-20 minutes each day writing down your thoughts in a journal can dramatically improve your mental and physical health. Coincidentally, this is a chunk of time that can easily be slotted into your lunch break at work or school. There are many benefits to keeping a journal. Sometimes, though, it can seem daunting […]
02
Apr
Apr
There is no single aspect of healthcare in the modern digital world that is not impacted by technology. Like most things in life, there is a duality at play regarding the positive and negative role of technology on personal well-being. Relying on the media consumed via smartphones and tablets, people can either improve their mental […]
31
Mar
Mar
There are different forms of anxiety, with some being more complex and others lighter. For example, some may worry that they will not be successful, and others that they are too successful, such as the singer Adele. Once during a Rolling Stones interview, Adele admitted that she has stage fright and tries to avoid large […]
29
Mar
Mar
I started struggling with anxiety and depression when I dropped out of university. I had spent one day in my new dorm, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and felt an overwhelming dread. I asked my dad to pick me up, and when I got into the car, I immediately broke down in tears. When my parents […]
25
Mar
Mar
Windhorse Integrative Mental Health is a nonprofit service provider committed to providing mindfulness-informed, compassionate, team-based care to individuals experiencing life-disrupting psychiatric distress.
24
Mar
Mar
Family connections are usually our closest relationships in life and have the greatest impact on our well-being. When a family member suffers from the disease of addiction or mental illness – everyone in that family suffers. Our thoughts can quickly become consumed with worry and anxiety due to both the illness and the challenges our […]
17
Mar
Mar
The Dance I’ve been doing the dance for a while now. This constant back and forth motion to find where I fit in with the virtual world. Do I fully engage on the popular social media platforms? Do I simply post? Just scroll? Or should I cut it out completely? I can’t be like everyone […]
15
Mar
Mar
Being a young adult isn’t easy. Late teens to early twenties mark a stage in life when many people struggle with developing a healthy sense of worth in a world that feels like it is constantly changing. On top of that, young adults have to deal with pressures from external sources such as their parents, […]
12
Mar
Mar
Are you feeling that life is dreamlike or that everything is strange and unreal? You are not alone. The current lockdown has increasingly caused people to develop dissociative symptoms. If you’re one of them and are interested in getting back to normal, then keep reading. The lockdown resulting from COVID-19 has been extremely stressful on […]
11
Mar
Mar
Judgment Detox: Release the Beliefs that Hold You Back from Living a Better Life Book by Gabrielle Bernstein “You’ve judged yourself five times, and you’ve only been here about 8 minutes.” My counselor told this to me in a not unkind way as I sat in a session. As someone diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and […]
08
Mar
Mar
After centuries of stigmatization, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment, mental health awareness has finally become a huge talking point in recent years. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people suffered from depression, anxiety, and similar conditions. Now, nearly one in five adults lives with a mental health disorder — and that doesn’t even include those living […]
05
Mar
Mar
If you spend your life surrounded by people you can rely on, sharing thoughts and feelings probably comes naturally. In an atmosphere of mutual trust and care, staying mentally healthy often seems like a goal that’s not too difficult to accomplish. Unfortunately, not every environment is equally affirming. In some cases, people who feel anxious, […]
21
Feb
Feb
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook Authors: Kristin Neff, PhD, Christopher Germer, PhD Have you ever wanted the tools to comfort yourself with compassion and kindness? Do you resist experiencing emotions? Do you find yourself getting stuck in patterns of worry? If so, this book is for you. I picked this book up one desperate day in […]
15
Feb
Feb
Say the acronym “PTSD,” and an image will probably emerge in your head. Most likely of a veteran. Most likely of someone who’s White. And though trauma studies began with White soldiers in WWI’s aftermath, trauma is not racially exclusive. Or is it? PTSD: A Historical Overview Though historical accounts of nightmares following ancient battles […]
14
Feb
Feb
Seeing your partner go through a panic attack can feel overwhelming. You want to help, but you aren’t sure how. Maybe you’ve tried so many different ways – but it usually doesn’t feel that helpful. You’ve tried reminding him to breathe, maybe even breathing with him. You’ve tried telling him that “everything is okay” and […]
12
Feb
Feb
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one in eight children is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (Boyle, 2016, p 520). Anxiety affects many aspects of children’s lives. It will appear in their thought processes, causing them to believe they are in constant danger or under a constant threat. Anxiety manifests itself in […]
10
Feb
Feb
I glanced down at the speedometer and realized that I was driving at 80 mph – way faster than usual. After slowing to a more reasonable speed, the engine still revving absurdly, I felt my heart thumping fast. I tried calming myself, but I just couldn’t. A phone call from my boss demanding me to […]
08
Feb
Feb
It can be challenging to get your life back on track when you are dealing with problems in your mental health. It can take some time to get your anxieties and fears under control. As you become better able to manage your mental health, you also need to find a way to enjoy life in […]
03
Feb
Feb
What do you want to be when you grow up? We’re all asked this seemingly harmless question from a very young age. But the truth is this is such a loaded question. Most who ask this question are interested in what type of job we want to do or field we’d like to work in. […]
27
Jan
Jan
It might sound like a cliché, but youth really are the future. Unfortunately, it seems that mental health issues are on the rise among children and teens. All over the world, more and more young people are reporting issues with mental health. According to mental health experts Cheree Ashely, Founder of Bright Future Recovery, the […]
22
Jan
Jan
Many parents send a child to residential treatment centers because they want their kid to change. More often than not, the family system is what needs to change, not necessarily just the individual. Residential treatment centers facilitate that growth in the family, as well as the individual. What is residential treatment? Residential treatment is inpatient […]
20
Jan
Jan
If you’ve ever felt a boost of happiness after a big hug with a loved one, you’re surely not alone. In fact, science has much to say about why that might be. Closeness with someone you care about is certainly a contributing factor, but a flood of positive brain chemicals released during your embrace can […]
15
Jan
Jan
2020 was a challenging year not only for Americans but for almost everyone. People’s mental and emotional wellbeing took significant hits throughout the year. 2020 featured several full-blown moments which drained many people’s mental state, from a series of natural disasters to the global pandemic and multiple political and social issues. Not to mention that […]
11
Jan
Jan
Yoga has long been recognized for its healing effects for a variety of health issues, but can it be applied in the recovery from eating disorders? In recent decades, the popularity of yoga has grown to such an extent that it is a hugely recognizable part of our cultural wallpaper, from classes at the gym […]
03
Jan
Jan
2020 brought changes to all of us. For me, it was the year when my baby boy was born just as the pandemic took control over the world; I had him just before the lockdown started. Coping with the anxiety of being a new mother and the extra stress Covid-19 brought to our life wasn’t […]
02
Jan
Jan
Meditation and mindfulness exercises are used globally by drug and alcohol addiction centers as a complementary form of treatment to help patients improve physical and mental health. Substance abuse can cause problems ranging from kidney failure to depression to parasitic relationships. While professional help is the best course of action for treating addiction problems, meditation […]
30
Dec
Dec
The past year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, massive wildfires, brutal heatwaves, and even the recent presidential election, it’s likely your mental health has taken quite a hit. Unfortunately, extended periods of stress, coupled with other mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression, can do serious damage to your overall health and impact your quality […]
26
Dec
Dec
My life with bipolar disorder II has included six periods of success and six periods of failure. The worst began in 1980 when I was 42 years old. I had purchased a small guest ranch in Wyoming with the woman I loved. The ranch, which faced the Continental Divide at 8,000 feet, was to be […]
23
Dec
Dec
Elizabeth Courtney-Seidler, PhD, founder of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies of Ridgefield, is a licensed psychologist in New York and Connecticut. Dr. Courtney-Seidler works with children, adolescents, adults, and families and specializes in the practice of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
23
Dec
Dec
EMDR or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a unique psychotherapy technique. It is incredibly useful in treating various kinds of anxieties. All around the world, psychotherapists have used EMDR in their work as a complement to traditional treatment methods. The technique is effective for those patients who have experienced different emotional traumas. Up to the […]
16
Dec
Dec
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has put a major dent in the mental health of people across the world. Whether we look at what’s gone viral – back when everything on the internet was cake – or follow the impacts on mental health and substance use, it is clear that this year will […]
14
Dec
Dec
How cannabis abuse aggravated my borderline personality disorder to the point of medical intervention. Marijuana is a controversial topic when it comes to mental health. I have friends who have been self-medicating for years, insisting that weed cures their anxiety and helps them cope with their depression. I also have friends who refuse to touch […]
11
Dec
Dec
Imagine walking into your doctor’s office and leaving with a prescription to attend an art class, debt management program, gardening project, or meditation session. With growing concern within the medical profession (and beyond) that health services currently fail to address the holistic picture of social, economic, and wellbeing factors that contribute to a person’s health, […]
10
Dec
Dec
A 2020 study conducted by health insurer Cigna revealed a curious truth about Americans and loneliness: more than 3 out of 5 consider themselves lonely. Though for some, loneliness is a fleeting feeling that they have every once in a while, it can be more serious for others. In psychology, loneliness is defined as the […]
09
Dec
Dec
For many, Christmas is a time for celebration, eating, drinking, and spending the festive period with loved ones. From a child’s perspective, nothing compares to the joy that comes from the season. The magic, fun, and presents all add to the experience. The nostalgia we feel as adults is all constructed from our formative years. […]
07
Dec
Dec
All the fun and festivities aside, the “most wonderful time of the year” can be rather challenging for many people. There are added responsibilities, long shopping lists, draining activities, and numerous situations that can feel overwhelmed. Seasonal depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. Some people feel extra isolated watching TV and scrolling through […]
04
Dec
Dec
“In World War One, they called it shell shock. Second time around, they called it battle fatigue. After ‘Nam, it was post-traumatic stress disorder.” ― Jan Karon, Home to Holly Springs Shell shock, battle fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Same symptoms, different names. Throughout time, people have suffered things that affected their bodies and minds in […]
30
Nov
Nov
Everyone has experienced ups and downs at some points in their lives. The occasional blues and lethargy that you experience may be an aftermath of too much stress after a tiring day. However, if these emotional encounters are happening more regularly and in a recurring pattern, it should be a cause of concern. In particular, […]
29
Nov
Nov
Christmas and the holiday season bring joy and a sense of hope to many people worldwide, but for a person in addiction recovery, the holidays can also be a stressful time. If you’re new to sobriety, you may be dreading the holiday season, from events that have a heavy alcohol presence to avoiding relapse during […]
27
Nov
Nov
One-third of our lives are spent sleeping, but over time, sleep has become unappreciated. In the world’s current pace, everybody is consumed in using their 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sleep has become such an interference in our daily activities that we often forget its benefits and the implications of its loss. […]
25
Nov
Nov
There are millions of individuals living with various forms of mental health disorders. The figure stands at about 1 in 5 people, so chances are you have a relative experiencing an issue. There are multiple elements crucial to managing and recovering from mental health conditions, and one is you lending a helping hand to your […]
24
Nov
Nov
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means this is the season of giving. When the holiday season arrives, people tend to be more generous, giving their closest friends and family gifts. With so much to be received in this time, gratitude may come easily. What about the rest of the year, though? Finding gratitude […]
23
Nov
Nov
The 2020 pandemic meant that many of those seeking mental health help were unable to meet their therapists and counselors face-to-face. The need for access to online mental health treatment was needed more than ever before. Online counseling was already in use, but when popularity spiked, demand increased. Internet searches for ‘counseling online’ have increased […]
20
Nov
Nov
Can you hide in a cave until January 2? If the holidays mean nothing but stress, you might feel tempted. However, most people don’t have the luxury of skipping office parties and family gatherings. Others battle feelings of isolation and despair. How can you manage your mental well-being amid the holiday madness? Here are eight […]
17
Nov
Nov
The holidays are a joyous time, whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or New Years. However, every year millions of Americans battle substance use disorders and co-occurring issues like anxiety and addiction. The time from Thanksgiving to New Years is rough for people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and anyone in recovery. Along […]
17
Nov
Nov
Rumination Do you ever find yourself replaying a situation over and over in your head? Questioning what went wrong and the consequences? This is rumination. Rumination usually occurs when there is an inconsistency between the goals you want to reach and what you have actually achieved. It will continue until you come closer to your […]
16
Nov
Nov
Roughly 2000 years ago, the emperor of the Roman Empire sat in his tent to clear his head. He had plenty of reasons to decompress. Ugly border disputes threatened his legacy. Untrustworthy warlords schemed behind his back and unrelenting family issues from the premature passing of his wife and a difficult relationship with his only […]
13
Nov
Nov
The experience of being in a car accident can be traumatic and frightening, so it should come as no surprise that car accidents are the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population. Unfortunately, car accidents are not an uncommon occurrence, with about six million happening in the U.S. every year, about […]
11
Nov
Nov
Veterans Day is a day set aside to remember and honor military veterans who have served and are serving our country. It is a celebration of gratitude for servicemen and women who willingly sacrifice and serve America near and far. Veterans are heroes who share similar military lifestyles. They’ve been trained to serve and protect. […]
11
Nov
Nov
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fact that toilet paper, bottled water, and disinfectant wipes sold out nearly everywhere was common knowledge. What you may not know is that in some communities baking yeast was just as hard to find. During a time of complete and utter panic, many people turned to baking […]
09
Nov
Nov
It’s fair to say that, in 2020, we’ve all had a lot to contend with, and that has no doubt taken a toll on our mental health. Being constantly bombarded with bad news is bound to make anybody anxious, and it’s not always straightforward to know where to turn if you’re in the thick of […]
06
Nov
Nov
Sadly, it is all too common for war veterans to develop mental health problems after serving in the military. An estimated 20% of U.S. servicemen and women deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) each year. This is just one mental health issue that can surface as a result of serving at […]
05
Nov
Nov
It can be difficult to quit drinking alcohol or using drugs. However, we can use the power of our mind and thoughts to stop. We can do this by focusing our thoughts on the long-term positive benefits and negative consequences of drinking compared to the short-term benefits. Although it may sound counterintuitive, it can actually […]
04
Nov
Nov
Today’s world is a world of constant controversy. No one seems to agree—on anything. No wonder anxiety plagues so many of us! I often wonder if I will ever get better—less depressed, less anxious, less paranoid, with this current state of things. It reminds me that although I was personally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, […]
03
Nov
Nov
Recovery works best when it is a self-directed experience based on a mental health consumer’s own priorities and values. Values are principles we care about that guide our behavior. Examples of values people hold include integrity, choice, a positive attitude, independence, and financial security. Whether we think about it or not, values play a large […]
02
Nov
Nov
Researchers and clinicians have made tremendous strides in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Yet, for all this progress, which should be a source of hope for individuals and families affected by mental illness, there is still a large gray area when it comes to diagnosing some disorders. A case in point: schizoaffective disorder versus […]
30
Oct
Oct
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects adults as well as children. Moreover, 60-80% of youngsters affected by ADHD will have the condition in adulthood.
Adults with ADHD exhibit many of the same symptoms as children.
