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Mental Health America: Welcome

Mental Health America: Welcome

Depression What Is Depression? Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. There are several forms of depressive disorders. Major depression,—severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. Persistent depressive disorder—depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years. Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is not as common as major depression or persistent depressive disorder. Causes Most likely, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Some types of depression tend to run in families.

28 Ways To Move On From A Past Relationship | Janet Ong Zimmerman When a relationship is over, let go and move on in a healthy way to attract the right one for you. "Have faith that true love is meant to be and one day love will come shining through. No matter how sad your heart is, the love that you wish for will come true...if you believe." How To Use Your Breakup To Create The Love You Desire When a relationship is over, it's time to let go. 14 things to stop doing now: In addition to stopping the above things, the following practices will help you transition and move forward with more ease and grace. 14 things to start doing now: Be patient and gentle with yourself during this time.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment can help many people, including those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Medications Certain medications can help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder. The most common types of medications that health care providers prescribe include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. Although bipolar depression is often treated with antidepressant medication, a mood stabilizer must be taken as well—taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer can trigger a manic episode or rapid cycling in a person with bipolar disorder. People taking medication should: Talk with their health care provider to understand the risks and benefits of the medication. It is important to talk to a health care provider before stopping a prescribed medication. Psychotherapy

3 More Reasons You Can’t Win with a Narcissist | World of Psychology In a previous post I wrote about three reasons you can’t win with a narcissist. Here are three more reasons you’re bound to lose when you’re dealing with a profoundly selfish person who lacks empathy, makes you feel small and robs you of the happiness you deserve. 1. Narcissists make you feel guilty when you experience happiness because they expect you to put their happiness first. When you reward yourself with a vacation or something else you’ve earned, are you suddenly filled with guilt? You feel like you’re somehow shirking your duties or being irresponsible. Your vacation is nothing to them. 5. “Contrary to the common misperception, narcissists aren’t arrogant even if they act arrogant,” explains Pavel G. Despite incalculable self-importance, the narcissist doesn’t have high self-esteem. That unwavering self-confidence is as brittle as an eggshell. People in the narcissist’s life have to go to great lengths to secure their approval, if that’s even possible. 6. Misery loves company.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger. PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. Causes Genes. Stathmin, a protein needed to form fear memories. Brain Areas. The Next Steps for PTSD Research 1. 2. 3.

3 Reasons You Can’t Win with a Narcissist | World of Psychology We’ve all met one at some point. A man or woman who seems to believe they are the center of the universe. Arrogant, callous and manipulative, they force the world around them to accommodate this belief. Self-important and conceited, the narcissist exaggerates accomplishments, requires endless praise, and has an uncanny ability to quash the achievements of others. The narcissist believes they’re entitled to everything, including your time, your emotions and your self-esteem. The dramatic attempts to hold your attention make your life seem tragic and fraught with anxiety. I remember when I realized I was dealing with a narcissist. When did I get so negative? Whether it’s your boyfriend, your mother, or your best friend, you may find yourself living in their narcissistic delusion, subjugating your own needs and feeling downright terrible most of the time. Here are a few things you must realize if you want to unhook from the narcissist in your life: 1. 2. 3. But what about what you want?

Complex PTSD The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) accurately describes the symptoms that result when a person experiences a short-lived trauma. For example, car accidents, natural disasters, and rape are considered traumatic events of time-limited duration. Complex PTSD, however, is the result of long-term trauma. These are chronic traumas that continue for months or even years at a time. The reason complex PTSD is separated from PTSD is that doctors and researchers have found that the current PTSD diagnosis often does not capture the severe psychological harm that occurs with such prolonged, repeated trauma. For example, ordinary, healthy people who experience chronic (long-term) trauma can experience changes in their self-concept and the way they adapt to stressful events. During long-term traumas, the victim is generally held in a state of captivity. Examples of captivity include:

Nine Truths Narcissists Will Never Tell You | Narcissism Decoded Narcissists dwell in an alternate reality. They value winning, feeling superior and being the center of attention instead of compassion, equality or empathy. Most narcissists are profoundly insecure. Desperate to avoid feeling ridiculed or not good enough, they try to disguise their insecurities by manipulation and distraction. The last thing they want is to be open or transparent about their motives. If narcissists were to be completely honest about how they approach life, they would likely admit the following: The truth is whatever I say in the moment. While we can have compassion for narcissists and their emotionally barren inner worlds, it doesn’t mean we should allow them to take advantage of us. For example, instead of wondering “Why did he do that?” Knowledge is power. © Copyright 2017 Dan Neuharth PhD MFT Photo by Totallypic / Shutterstock

5 Damaging Lies We Learn From Narcissistic Parents | HuffPost Codependency and Narcissism, Narcissism and Codependency by Darlene Lancer, MFT It’s easy to fall in love with narcissists. Their charm, talent, success, beauty, and charisma cast a spell, along with compliments, scintillating conversation, and even apparent interest in you. Perhaps you were embarrassed when your mate cut in front of the line or shuddered at the dismissive way he or she treated a waitress. Once hooked, you have to contend with their demands, criticisms, and self-centeredness. The relationship revolves around them, and you’re expected to meet their needs when needed, and are dismissed when not. What it’s Like. After a while, you start to lose self-confidence. Narcissists have no boundaries and see you as an extension of themselves, requiring that you’re on call to meet their needs – regardless of whether you’re ill or in pain. Do Narcissists love? Sometimes, you might think they love only themselves. Early Beginnings. Diagnosis. 1. Of all the narcissists, beware of malignant narcissists, who are the most pernicious, hostile, and destructive.

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