When did we start believing that expert help is required for life’s stress and struggles? I recently heard a radio segment on eco-anxiety, and at the end of the story, the radio announcer advised people who felt emotionally impacted by climate change to contact a mental health professional. I countered out loud for people to first try building their psychological … Read More
How to Support Someone Who’s Depressed
Andrew was tired. Tired of how much effort even the smallest tasks took, tired of feeling inadequate, tired of the aches and pains in his body, and tired of well-intentioned friends and family saying things like, “You just have to think positively and count your blessings” or “You have so much going for you, why are you so sad?” Most … Read More
4 Common Questions About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a term I hear many people use conversationally or as slang, without understanding what it means. But bipolar disorder is more than just wide mood swings. Learning accurate information about this disorder is the first step to getting help for yourself or others who may suffer from it. Here are some experiences or characteristic feelings often reported … Read More
10 Ways to Get Along with Anxiety
Anxiety is our body’s natural alarm system. It is a normal and useful emotion when we feel under threat. It can save your life when you run to make it across the road because a car is speeding too fast towards you. However, when the threat is in our minds rather than a real physical danger, problems arise. Most times … Read More
9 Strategies for Supporting Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder
If you have a friend or family member with borderline personality disorder, you know the stress of this difficult problem. And you may be at a loss for how you can respond helpfully. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) involves emotional instability, interpersonal difficulties and impulsive, often self-destructive, behaviors. People with BPD experience intense emotions and often distrust themselves and others, making … Read More
Alcohol Use Problems: 4 Steps to Moving in a Positive Direction
Many people love a glass of wine or pint of beer with friends. Alcohol is part of celebrations and sharing. On a bad day, friends may suggest going to get a drink to talk it over. Alcohol use is interwoven into the routine daily life for so many people. There are many individuals who engage in drinking in a respectful … Read More
How to Manage the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Physical symptoms of anxiety can be frightening and upsetting – their overwhelming nature can rock your world within minutes, leaving you fearful and drained. Maybe you feel your heart wildly beating in your chest, experience chest pain that makes you think you’re having a panic attack, or have the overwhelming feeling you are going crazy. The sudden onslaught of symptoms … Read More
3 Tips to Manage the Winter Blues
Every year, the summer turns to fall, and the fall turns to winter. A lot of us have been going to the same job, doing the same work, and talking with the same people. However, as the days are filled with increasing darkness and dropping temperatures, those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may notice feelings of sadness or depression. So, … Read More
4 Keys For Helping Someone With a Mental Illness
Someone you care about has a mental illness – what do you do? The temptation is to try to persuade the person to think or act differently, but that doesn’t work very well. You end up arguing and talking in circles, only to get frustrated with each other. What now? 1. It’s all about the relationship If your goal is … Read More
5 Pillars to Support Someone with FASD
Imagine wearing a pair of badly fitting shoes day in and day out. What would this do to your walk, to your well-being? You’d develop blisters and foot pain. Continuing to wear the shoes would hamper your movement – you’d likely change how you walk, maybe limp a bit. You’d be frustrated, a little more irritable and you would definitely … Read More
