My alarm clock sounds and I wake up feeling drained. I can’t remember what’s on my schedule for the day and I can barely focus on any of my tasks. I go through the motions and feel unmotivated in everything I do. This was the mental state of survival mode that I lived in for […]
For some people, the idea of spring or summertime coming is a welcome joy, but others may dread the hotter months of the year. They may even experience feelings of depression or sadness during the spring or summer months, which can be symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sometimes referred to as seasonal depression or […]
School is inevitably a stressful time for teens. Balancing school work, extracurriculars, and a social life poses many stressors. To find out more about the stress that teens experience, I interviewed 12 high school students from grades 8 through 12 about their mental health, stress levels, and what affects them. The students interviewed were from […]
TW: Sexual violence, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, depression, and PTSD. April marks the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year, the focus of awareness is on building connected communities to help us “reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.” By focusing on connection within our communities, we can promote safety and look […]
As young adults, we’re expected to keep up with so many different aspects of life that the importance of sleep can slip off our radars. For me, it was a struggle to balance college classes, homework, friends, a part-time job, and extracurriculars. That’s not to mention the added stress of living away from “home” for […]
CW: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, homicidal urges, mentions of depression and anxiety. Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The following explains my experience with OCD. When you hear the term “OCD”, you may think of lining everything up in order or keeping your room extremely clean. You may even picture Jack Nicholson’s character in […]
TW: Mention of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, mass shootings, and violence. The stigma around anxiety and depression has impacted my healing journey. At 17, it discouraged me from asking my parents for help, ended my friendships, and left me feeling alone. At 22, it caused me to doubt my ability to be successful. At 25, […]
As we welcome 2024, we may choose to embark on a journey towards self-improvement. Often, this includes setting “New Year’s Resolutions” to enhance our quality of life. Resolutions are ubiquitous and vary from person to person. There is no “right” or “wrong” resolution, as each person is unique in their aspirations and desires. The term […]
*Disclaimer: I do not have personal experience with intrusive thoughts, so the following piece is drawn strictly from other resources. According to NBCNews, 94% of people have faced intrusive thoughts at least once in their lives. While I wouldn’t consider myself to fall within this percentage, such a sweeping number suggests a need for a […]
Practicing gratitude is an effective way to consciously think about what you’re thankful for. It can be a simple daily practice that helps boost your mood, improve sleep, and increase empathy. When struggling with your mental health, it can be increasingly difficult to focus on the positives in your life. Depression and anxiety can leave […]