Category: Mental Health

Where did I put my keys? When was my doctor’s appointment? With hectic daily schedules, misplacing something or forgetting one appointment of many is inevitable. However, when we begin asking these questions of ourselves with regularity, there is one central question that needs to be addressed: Is it simple forgetfulness or could it be dementia?…

Love it or hate it, Idina Menzel’s now-legendary Disney mantra holds water — letting go of anger doesn’t just free the mind, it can actually save your health. There are the obvious side effects, like increased stress and headaches, that come from your constant state of rage, but myriad hidden health issues can arise from…

Feeling blue is normal: We all have down periods as a result of our day-to-day struggles and major events that challenge us. While sometimes those going through even periods of extreme stress and disappointment may call themselves “depressed,” depression is far more than just feeling sad. Depression is a very real illness that can significantly…

Do you like puzzles or word games? Online games may help challenge your mind and improve memory. They can give your brain a workout while having fun. The newest trends are to go online to participate or watch TV shows that will help keep your memory sharp. This may include words, puzzles, shapes and color…

Do you wake most mornings with a feeling of dread, or an overwhelming feeling that something bad is going to happen? Does your heart race, and do you have an uncomfortable feeling of anticipation? You may worry excessively and unnecessarily, with possible psychological and physical damage. Now, worrying is a fact of life. It involves…

One in four adults will have anxiety problems sometime in their lifetime. Severe anxiety strikes about 19 percent of Americans. For those of you unlucky enough to know what moderate anxiety feels like, skip the next section. But for the approximately 75 percent of Americans who don’t report problems with anxiety, read on. What is…

Biofeedback is a mental technique used to focus on body functions, such as heart rate and breathing. Using your thoughts, you can focus on specific changes you wish to affect and the results you wish to obtain. The technique requires you to be hooked up to electric sensors that will monitor certain body functions, enabling…

Autism is a brain development disorder that causes difficulties in communication, social interaction and verbal responses. The autism spectrum disorder describes a range of behaviors for those who are afflicted with the condition, and terms include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, pervasive development disorder-not otherwise specified, and childhood disintegrative disorder. Like its many names, the condition…

Everyone has things they do repetitively from time to time. You may feel that your hands aren’t quite clean, so you go back and wash them to your satisfaction. Or you may get in the mood to clean your house, even though you just did a thorough cleaning. These are normal behaviors, but people suffering…

The National Alliance for Caregiving reports that more than 65 million Americans will serve as caregivers for family members during this year. That’s approximately 30 percent of the estimated number of American adults. Seven of 10 caregivers are non-Hispanic whites, 13 percent are African-American and the majority are female. While men provide assistance, female caregivers…