Anxiety is a normal, inevitable, and often helpful human emotion. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the world. Yes, these two facts can be true. And yes, these facts alone feel like cause enough to feel anxious! However, understanding your own experience primarily comes down to the degree to which you feel anxiety. You may … [Read more...]

Overworking is far too often considered to be a positive and highly recommended trait. It’s positioned as a factor related to values and ethics. However, it can be a very dangerous trend steeped in both perfectionism and anxiety. Because of our general perception, someone with anxiety-caused overwork syndrome may not seek help. The … [Read more...]

Everyone faces potentially traumatic events. In some cases, these experiences result in trauma which can turn into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Those struggling with this condition may have to deal with anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, hyper-vigilance, substance abuse, social withdrawal, depression, and thoughts of death or … [Read more...]

Most folks are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Well, they are familiar with the standard representation of the condition. For example, they will probably associate it with returning war veterans. This makes sense since about 20 percent of those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan will be diagnosed with PTSD. We know about … [Read more...]

Ask someone about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and they may talk about soldiers or victims of abuse. But what about the widespread reality of natural disasters? You may be an earthquake, a wildfire, or a flood survivor. Living through tornados or hurricanes or tsunamis is becoming a more frequent experience as well. Such experiences can be … [Read more...]

It’s hardly breaking news that your menstrual cycle can affect your mood. For example, you may find yourself fluctuating between irritation, anxiety, and depression. Recent research, however, has explored a related link to trauma. Women with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are reporting variations in their PTSD symptoms throughout their … [Read more...]

On some level, many of us understand that exercise benefits our mental well-being. Not surprisingly, however, this can be lost in the shuffle of busy schedules and myriad obligations. Amidst the endless parade of fitness crazes and trends, too, not enough focus is given to exercise benefits beyond toned biceps and bottoms. Overall, physical … [Read more...]

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” Powerful quote, right? If you are a fan of the “America’s Got Talent” TV show, you may have seen an Audrey Hepburn look-a-like called Nightbirde. She took the stage and mesmerized the audience and judges with her original song entitled “It’s Okay.” Her actual name is … [Read more...]

The holiday season often comes with loads of invitations to attend social gatherings. It also means there will be some gatherings you’d prefer to skip. Why? The reasons are many, yet, this year, you may prefer to say “no” to events based on Covid vaccination status. At best, the evidence is mixed and evolving as to how risky dining, parties, … [Read more...]

Why is what you don’t know more important than what you do know? Let me give a couple of examples. When walking home in Manhattan during a recent heatwave, I saw an older woman who had fallen on the concrete at the bottom of a short flight of steps. A crowd had gathered, and I asked if anyone had called 911. A young man shook his head and … [Read more...]