Many people have trouble falling or staying asleep. In fact, according to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 33.2% of US adults reported short sleep duration. Insomnia, which is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep, despite having the opportunity to…
What Is Mental Health? Mental health encompasses a broad spectrum of well-being and functioning. It is the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of the individual’s life and can be referred to as the state of well-being in which the person copes with the stresses of life, their work productivity,…
Psychotic disorders are prevalent and can negatively impact one’s quality of life but despite its prevalence, there continues to be misconceptions and stigmas surrounding psychosis. Psychosis is characterized by a disconnection from reality, manifesting in various symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired insight. These symptoms than effect…
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that can affect individuals who have experienced trauma. The impacts of trauma can exacerbate other mental health conditions, not only for the person experiencing it but also for their loved ones and the community at large. Symptoms of PTSD arise…
Bipolar disorder is attributed to emotional instability, frequent mood swings or fluctuations in energy levels. Symptoms of bipolar disorder overlaps with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality and mood disorders, or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The misunderstanding of symptoms can lead to self-diagnosis by individuals which contributes to self-stigmatization pushing…
In the stillness of the night, when the world around you has slipped into an effortless slumber, you might find yourself tossing and turning, unable to shut off your mind, battling with insomnia. Of course, as a human, from time to time, you may struggle with sleep especially when dealing…
Welcoming a new life into the world is a profound and beautiful, yet challenging experience. It is often portrayed as a time of unconditional joy and happiness however for many new mothers, the reality may be different. Postpartum depression (PPD) involves persistent and severe symptoms that can last for extended…
What is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions), or both obsessions and compulsions aimed at alleviating anxiety. These thoughts are unwanted, and compulsions are taxing, consuming a significant amount of time and interfering with work, school,…
What is ADHD? ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting areas of the brain related to attention, impulse control, and executive functions. Unfortunately, its symptoms are often misunderstood to be a result of poor discipline, lenient parenting, or laziness; however, we must clarify that ADHD is not a…
Understanding Depression Have you ever experienced a time when the weight of life’s demands felt overwhelmingly heavy? A time when you felt trapped and hopeless, feeling like you could not escape the burden of life? As humans, it is okay to feel saddened by the loss of a loved one,…