Articles

Thomas, a middle-aged man who feels insecure about his body and appearance, is scrolling through his Instagram when he sees a post from a local fitness instructor encouraging everyone to “find appreciation for their bodies.”  Brooklyn, a woman in her mid-20s who’s always felt shame about her body, is getting dressed for the day. After changing her outfit multiple times and countless checks in the mirror, feeling defeated and upset, she tries to recall her friend’s advice to…

Do you experience shyness or nervousness when meeting new people? Do you find yourself thinking about how others may perceive you or overpreparing for a presentation? That’s normal! So how can you tell if you are experiencing some pre-happy hour jitters or social anxiety?

It may seem that more people than ever are feeling stressed, and that perception may actually reflect the reality that more people, in fact, are experiencing higher levels of distress. Studies show that anxiety disorders are up to 28.3% globally and that prevalence rates of anxiety disorders have been increasing over time (as cited in Kim & Kim, 2018).

The human mind can be so brilliant, constantly inventing, creating, and problem-solving. This is because our minds generate thousands of thoughts in a single day. Of those thousands, some produce groundbreaking new ideas that change the world. Other thoughts that pop into our mind are joyful or pleasant, many are neutral and produce little to no emotion, and then naturally some thoughts are more difficult to experience- self-judgments, negative predictions, doubt, and…

We are social beings that require connection.  In fact, when we are born, the millisecond we are born, we require connection and dependence upon another to care for us and to keep us alive.

1. OCD is not simply a matter of being overly neat or organized It is a complex anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress.

“No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness” – Aristotle Isaac Newton, Vincent Van Gogh, Winston Churchill, and Ludwig Van Beethoven. These are a few of many important historical figures whose contributions shaped society the way we know it today. But do you know what else these prolific individuals have in common? Biographical records suggest that their lives were touched by a mental health condition known in the modern day as “bipolar disorder.5”

February is National Self-Esteem Month, a time to reflect on the importance of cultivating a positive self-image and nurturing self-worth. Self-esteem plays a crucial role in mental health and wellbeing. Individuals with healthy self-esteem are better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of life, assert their needs, and pursue their goals with confidence. In addition to the psychological benefits of self-esteem, evidence suggests there are physical benefits as well.