Depression

If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, then that first cool hint of air untinged by the humidity of summer doesn’t make you feel excited for the beginning of Fall.  Where others become inspired by the changing colors of Fall foliage, the flavors and spices of seasonal recipes, and the anticipation of the holiday season just around the corner, you begin to fear […]

“I’m Tired of Taking These Pills!” You want to stop taking your medication. It’s too expensive.  You’re feeling the stigma at the pharmacy, thinking people are looking at you differently, wondering why you’re taking them. You’re sick of the side effects.  You’re tired of having to put up with so much to get a little relief. You say you

Pets for Mental Health Pets add immeasurably to the quality of life…. so much so that I have often advised clients to get one in order to improve their mental health. Pets can give you a reason to get up in the morning if you suffer from depression or grief. Pets can help lower blood pressure and relieve

Why Can’t My Psychiatrist Be More Like My Therapist? “My psychiatrist doesn’t listen to me!” “I just walked out with 2 more prescriptions!” “15-minute med checks… give me a break!” These are some of the complaints I hear on a weekly basis from clients who see psychiatrists for psychotropic medications to help them manage symptoms of anxiety, depression,

Many people feel shame and want to know what they can do about that awful black feeling inside, with good reason. Feeling shame is toxic. It affects how a person thinks and feels about themselves, their self-worth, what and who they deserve in their life, and harboring feelings of shame can lead to self-destructive choices and behaviors if

Everyone is looking for a good “life hack,” something that makes life easier and better. Here is one that definitely does both: it’s what I call “Decide on the Daily.” It’s short for “decide how to get the things done that you deal with on a daily basis.” Here is what it means in practice. The “Dailies” Think

I know there’s no such thing as a “happy 🙂 pill.”  But for some people, there are some medications that come close. The issue of psychotropic medication (that’s medication to help with mental health symptoms) comes up frequently in my line of business.  Opinions about taking these meds run the gamut from the idea that medication is evil

For those who suffer from depression, mornings are often the worst time. Once the day gets started, a person’s mood usually lifts and energy will return. But those first few moments of having to adjust to a day when everything feels bleak is beyond challenging. Here are 6 proven ways to make depressing mornings easier! 1.  Use Light

The Submarine Expert My husband tells this awesome story: Something’s gone wrong on a nuclear submarine and they call in “the expert” to help figure it out and fix it.  So he comes aboard and spends about an hour walking up and down the entire submarine, finally bends down and takes out a small hammer and puts one

Have A Crappy Day! One of the good things about positive psychology is that it encourages individuals to view the glass as half full instead of half empty. Seeing the silver lining in dark clouds can help you cope with the flood of an emotional monsoon season. DON’T Make It Better! But another effective way of coping with a bad day