As adults, we have a tendency to see play as a frivolous, unimportant activity. When I was a case manager in the mental health system, I often heard parents complain that they didn’t feel their children were benefiting from therapy and other mental health services. “All they ever do is play,” parents would tell me [...]
In addition to dealing with struggles presented by mental illnesses themselves, those who have been diagnosed also face the perception that they are not “normal.” In fact, this stigma is based on a myth, as mental illnesses are actually very common. The Stigma of Mental Illness According to the National Institute of Mental Health: Nearly [...]
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a unique type of therapeutic intervention that can be used to treat destructive behaviors and suicidality. DBT sees destructive behaviors as learned responses that can be unlearned and replaced with a more adaptive skill. This requires the therapist to work with the client, without judgment [...]
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes known as seasonal depression, is a common condition that usually impacts people in the fall and winter months (though some people do struggle with it more in warmer weather). The more mild version of the condition is often referred to as the winter blues. Depression of a Different Type There [...]
Many adults consider mental illness to be a topic too mature for children, but there are numerous benefits in talking to children about age-appropriate aspects of mental well-being. What a typical teenager is capable of understanding far exceeds the comprehension of the average toddler, so it is important to meet your child where they are [...]
Dementia is a diagnosis commonly feared and associated with old age, but most people do not fully understand how it affects a person or their loved ones. Although a third of people over age 85 suffer from some form of disease, many people are not able to distinguish between the normal signs of aging and [...]
Sometimes, people with mental health diagnoses can start to feel like their diagnoses and the professionals who are treating them start to take over their lives. This can be frustrating and even impede progress. A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a document that empowers people with mental illness to have more choices and a [...]
If you have never experienced therapy or counseling, you may not realize that numerous types of mental health interventions fall under the umbrella of “therapy.” One of these very specific mental health therapies is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). What Can CBT Treat? The American Psychological Association (APA) describes CBT as a good treatment for: Depression [...]
Mental health is gaining more attention and understanding as healthcare professionals and others work to create awareness of mental health disorders. As people are becoming more educated about conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and ADHD, they are gaining more compassion for themselves and others who have these disorders. However, one condition remains a mystery to [...]
Emotional Intensity Disorder (EID), also sometimes called Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), is a mental health condition impacting up to three percent of Americans, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), a leading research institution for the condition. Gender Divide While 75 percent of the people who have been diagnosed with EID are [...]
