Major depressive disorder, or clinical depression, is characterized by a constant feeling of sadness and a lack of interest in once-loved activities. Children can indeed be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and the National Institute of Mental Health reports that its incidence is growing – possibly due to the increasing awareness of its symptoms and
Read MoreMental Health Treatment Martinsville VA
Ask a Therapist: How Does Homelessness Impact Mental Health?
Currently, homelessness and mental health disorders are two serious public health concerns in the United States. Unfortunately, homelessness and mental health issues often occur simultaneously, and homelessness can worsen the mental health concerns. Let’s talk about homelessness, the relationship between homelessness and mental health, and where you can go in Richmond, VA, for world-class mental
Read MoreIMPACT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness. If you or someone you care about is currently struggling with addiction, it is important to know the impact substance abuse has on one’s mental health and
Read MoreWhat Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
If you’ve been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, you will experience both mood symptoms – such as mania or depression – and schizophrenia symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations. “Schizoaffective” is a combination of the prefix “schizo-” and the adjective “-affective,” referring to the psychotic and mood symptoms, respectively. Approximately three out of every 1,000 people
Read MoreIs a mental health counselor the same as a therapist?
Licensed professional counselors and therapists provide mental health services, but they differ in education and training. A therapist usually holds a master’s degree or higher in counseling, which is not always the case with a mental health counselor. In addition, licensing requirements vary from state to state regarding who can use these titles, what credentials
Read MoreWhat is the Difference Between Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder?
Mental health disorders are highly misunderstood. Most people don’t know the difference between even the most common conditions. Two conditions that are often confused are schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Schizophrenia causes patients to see things that do not exist and hear voices that aren’t real, referred to as hallucinations and delusions. Schizoaffective disorder comes in
Read MoreAre You Depressed? 5 Early Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Depression is a very common condition that causes a person to think, feel, and act differently. Most people don’t notice they have depression until it becomes a serious enough problem to see a doctor or mental health specialist. Diagnosing and treating depression early can save you a lot of time spent feeling miserable – and
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder
Formerly called “manic depression,” bipolar disorder involves a dramatic shift in mood, behavior, and energy level that disrupts a person’s life. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than 10 million people in the United States are bipolar. The impact of bipolar disorder varies among individuals because everyone who has it experiences
Read MoreCommon Questions Mental Health Patients Get Asked at Their Appointment
Our mind and body work in coordination, so mental health is a key part of overall health. Having good mental health is more than just the absence of mental disabilities and disorders – indeed, it’s proactively maintaining a balanced psychological state. But that’s easy to say, not so easy to do. Many people deal with
Read MoreHere’s What to Do When You Think Someone Is Suicidal
Depression is a surprisingly common condition. It can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms can vary from person to person – and even from one period of your life to another. The most alarming symptom of depression is suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts can also occur after a traumatic event or hearing tragic news.
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