It’s natural to feel down or anxious from time to time. However, prolonged feelings of hopelessness and despair are not natural. When these emotions grab hold and won’t let go, you may likely have depression. Depression makes every day a constant challenge. You no longer…
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP)? If so, you’re not alone. It is estimated that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is highly sensitive. Scientists now believe there is a gene behind this trait. But what does it mean to be highly…
When a loved one is depressed, it’s often difficult to know what to say. Even with the best intentions, friends and family can often say the wrong thing, making the person feel misunderstood and even more isolated. If you’ve never suffered from depression, you may…
You’ve probably heard of mindfulness meditation, but what is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)? This therapy uses mindfulness practices like breathing exercises and meditation to help clients break free of negative thought patterns. What Can MBCT Treat? MBCT was first developed to prevent individuals struggling with repeating episodes…
Dating is challenging for everyone. But when you suffer with depression, dating can feel scary and overwhelming. Not only do you feel particularly raw and vulnerable to possible rejection, but should a connection be made, you have the added burden of figuring out how and…
There are plenty of things that occur in our daily lives that cause us stress: commuter traffic, hassles at work, and tension in our personal relationships to name just a few. If we don’t find healthy ways to deal with this stress, it can fester,…
We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist.…
Many parents experience clinical depression each year. As if the disease weren’t enough, recognizing its effects on your children can be quite painful. Studies have shown that children of depressed parents are at greater risk of not only developing depression themselves, but also of poor physical…