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What is Unipolar Depression? (And How to Find Treatment)

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Unipolar Depression

Unipolar depression affects 8.4% of Americans, primarily women and people between 18 and 25. Of those with unipolar depression, close to 15 million people had a severe episode. In addition, 17%, or nearly 3 million, adolescents between 12 and 17 had at least one unipolar episode. Unipolar depression is another name for major depressive disorder. Because there are at least ten types of major depressive disorders, and each requires different treatments, it’s essential to know how to distinguish between them. What is Unipolar Depression? To be diagnosed with unipolar depression, you must lack mania. Also, you must have at least five symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM5) for two weeks or longer, including: Feeling sad or down for no apparent reason that lasts most of the day and multiple days a week. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Gaining or losing weight without trying …

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National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month 2023

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teen dating violence

By Ashley Barnes   Why National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, created to spread awareness about the prevalence of teen dating violence, to educate people about healthy relationships, and to provide support for teens who have survived dating violence.  About teen dating violence. Teen dating violence is considered to be an adverse childhood experience, a potentially traumatic experience that occurs in childhood and adolescence (0-17). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen dating violence can occur in person, online, or through technology (2022). Intimate partner violence can include the following types of harmful behavior: physical violence (when a person tries to hurt their partner through use of hitting, punching, use of physical force, etc.), sexual violence (forcing or attempting to force a partner to engage in an unwanted sexual act without consent, also including sharing explicit pictures of …

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How to Find a Good Psychiatrist for Mental Health

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How to Find a Good Psychiatrist

Are you experiencing mental health symptoms but not sure whom to turn to for help? Have you done some research but got confused over the many different titles and types of mental health professionals available? You are not alone. Around 50 million American adults experience mental illness. Each has likely asked the question, “Who can help me?” A good place to start is with a psychiatrist. Whether your symptoms are severe or mild, whether you feel like you are facing a crisis or have questions about your mental health, a psychiatrist can help. In this article, we’re exploring a common question we hear – how to find a good psychiatrist? What Is a Psychiatrist? Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They attend the same medical schools that all other doctors do. After medical school, students move on to their residencies and specialty courses, where they gain further knowledge and experience in a …

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Supporting Transgender Youth Mental Health

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teen dating violence

By Ashley Barnes, M.S.   Transgender identity. Transgender individuals are those whose sex assigned at birth does not completely align with their current gender identity; it is important to note that the identities of transgender and nonbinary are not always mutually exclusive (Price-Feeney et al., 2020). People who identify outside of the gender binary and who may or may not also identify as transgender are non-binary individuals. Non-binary gender identity can include identifying as neither male nor female, both male and female or as different genders at different times. (Richards et al., 2016). Risk Factors. While the LGBTQ+ community is often lumped together as one large unifying group, it incorporates sub-communities and identities with vastly different experiences; one such sub-community with its own unique experience is the trans-community. Though the larger LGBTQ+ community experiences stigmatization and discrimination on social and political levels, research has identified solemn truths about some of …

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Tips for Staying Sober this New Year

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tips for staying sober

Staying sober throughout the year can be challenging, especially during holidays and other events involving alcohol. However, by following a few tips, it can be possible to maintain sobriety and continue to make progress in recovery. New Year’s resolutions are a great way to focus on improving and developing yourself. Many people choose to make resolutions about their health and well-being, such as quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol. Staying sober for a year is an admirable goal that requires dedication and determination to follow through with. In this article, we’re exploring helpful tips for staying sober all year. Tips for Staying Sober  Staying sober does not mean cutting out all pleasure from your life – there are many sober activities that can be enjoyed without having a drop of alcohol involved. Taking up sports or another hobby is a great way to keep busy and stay healthy; going for …

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