Depression is more than just feeling really, really, really sad. Depression is also something that can come and go in your lifetime depending on certain human needs not being met. Think of depression as a cluster of symptoms affecting you all at once. Symptoms such as: fatigue, crying spells, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and low self-esteem to name a few. If you’ve been experiencing this for more than 6 months, it may be time to seek some type of treatment.
How Trauma Impacts Our Nervous System
In light of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, I feel compelled to share information regarding how traumatic stress can impact a person’s life. Also, how one can overcome the life threatening event(s) when all hope is lost. There’s a moment when you watch an interview with one of the survivors from the school shooting soon after the event took place, and see that their hands are trembling, their thoughts are scattered, and muscles are tense. In this moment, you are seeing someone experience a dominant sympathetic nervous system.
"Healing the Angry Brain" - Dr. Ronald Potter-Efron
I've recently read a fascinating book by Dr. Ronald Potter-Efron titled, "Healing the Angry Brain." Dr. Ronald Potter-Efron provides the reader with the ability to understand the science behind how you're brain operates when angry and the coinciding behaviors associated with the emotion. Additionally, he breaks down the Six Stages of Anger and describes what can go wrong and when.
The Silent Stigma Behind Mental Health
"Just suck it up," "Move on already," "Get over it!" I'm sure many of you are familiar with these phrases. We heard these messages growing up from our parents and continue to hear these phrases from some of our peers today. It would be nice if simply saying these comments to ourselves would solve whatever is causing our distress. Unfortunately, telling yourself, "Get over it," doesn't quite make things any better.