Welcoming a new baby into the world is a joyful experience, but can also be stressful for new parents. The new responsibilities and changed dynamic of adding a new person into a household can create challenges for a couple and the hormone changes that the mother experiences can also create additional stress as she navigates …
The Effects of a Partner’s Emotions Following Premature Birth of a Child Read More »
Experts estimate that approximately three to four percent of Americans will struggle with depression at some point of their lives. Not everyone will receive treatment due to various factors, from cost limitations to lack of social support network.
Compulsive hoarding affects the lives of millions of people. While it can severely disrupt the life of the hoarder, it also inevitably impacts his or her loved ones as well. It can make life especially difficult for a spouse, family members, or anyone else who shares their home with a compulsive hoarder.
Most people know someone who’s a “packrat” – You know the type: they have a hard time discarding certain items, claiming those items all have “sentimental value” or because they’re certain they’ll find some good use for them down the road. They may have several boxes in the basement or garage that haven’t been opened …
Compulsive Hoarding (Part I) – Signs, Causes, and Complications Read More »
Agoraphobia is a serious psychiatric disorder that afflicts millions of adults. If you or someone you love struggles with agoraphobia, you know that it can be a severely debilitating disorder. Individuals with this disorder are frequently portrayed as having “a fear of everything.” However, the underlying issue for agoraphobics is the often paralyzing fear that …
Social anxiety disorder is a challenging psychiatric condition that affects tens of thousands of Americans. Those who suffer from it find normal social interactions extremely uncomfortable. As a result, they go out of their way to avoid interacting with others, often to the point that it interferes with their daily life.
Cutting is a form of self-mutilating behavior that involves intentionally harming oneself with a sharp object. It belongs to a larger group of behaviors, known collectively as self-injury or self-harm, which most commonly appear in teenagers. Despite the violence involved, people who engage in these behaviors are not typically trying to kill themselves. Instead, they …
When a child gets a “boo-boo,” parents respond promptly with a Band-Aid and sympathy. If we see someone in the grocery store hit their child, we shake our heads and question their parenting skills, and perhaps report them to child services. But when parents ignore their kids’ mental and emotional needs, we often don’t even …
All in Your Head? Mental Abuse as Damaging for Children as Physical Abuse Read More »
Addiction stems from a complicated blend of psychological, social and physiological factors. But is there a recipe for addiction? Are some of us doomed to predispositions toward addiction? While some experts say that addiction is far more complex than a list of personality traits, most agree that there are commonalities worth mentioning.
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it would be understandable if you are feeling a combination of things. Relieved that there is finally an explanation for your behavior the last few months or even years can be followed by dread. Manic one moment could find you shopping as if it were an Olympic …