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Supporting Men’s Mental Health

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men's mental health

By Ashley Barnes Why it’s important to discuss men’s mental health. While it is important to be sensitive and attentive to the mental health challenges of all identities and genders, men’s mental health has historically gone unnoticed and unattended to. This is largely in part due to the way that men have been socialized, especially in American culture. Due to gender roles, men are often socialized to be “tough,” and to not show emotions that may communicate any vulnerability. Internalizing. Because expressing deeper feelings of hurt may not be deemed acceptable by society, men may turn toward more socially acceptable ways of expressing their emotions such as anger. Men experience the same emotions that other genders do and it is time we break down the stigma that harms men’s mental health. Statistics. According to statistics recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Women are roughly three times …

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Can Anxiety Cause Schizophrenia?

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Can anxiety cause schizophrenia?

Anxiety and schizophrenia are two distinct chronic brain disorders with risk factors, some of which are the same — genetics, for example. However, when exclusively talking about the two, can anxiety cause schizophrenia? If so, what are the symptoms, and what are the triggers? Anxiety and Schizophrenia Risk Factors People who have relatives with anxiety or schizophrenia may be predisposed. Genetics, as the only contributing factor, only happens about 50% of the time, even in twins. The environment in which you live, misusing alcohol or drugs, and early trauma are a few factors that play a role in developing a mental illness. Several studies show childhood stress, even prenatal stress, is a risk factor for schizophrenia. Prenatal stressors can occur when the mother does not gain enough weight during pregnancy. Other factors include emotional, sexual, or physical abuse and lack of nurturing from their parent or caregiver. Also, if the pregnant …

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Depression and How You Can Support Your Partner

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men's mental health

By Ashley Barnes Depression and relationships. Depression often impacts a person’s functioning in several spheres of their lives including but not limited to employment, education, tasks of daily living, and our interpersonal relationships. Romantic relationships in particular can take the brunt of depressive hardship. Many people report that their romantic relationships have become strained as a result of living with depression. This strain may be due to the relationship dynamic being impacted by a combination of depression symptoms and a lack of understanding. Understanding depression. Understanding what your partner experiences, even if you haven’t personally experienced depression, can help foster a deeper sense of empathy. Some people best understand depression through metaphors. One such metaphor is that depression feels like being stuck at the bottom of a well. Your partner, at the bottom of the well, feels stuck, isolated, and too exhausted to climb out. They may try to start …

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How Does Substance Abuse Affect Families?

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How does substance abuse affect families

How does substance abuse affect families? The answer is complex, but in short, it has the potential to impact familial relationships in several ways. In fact, one myth about substance abuse is that it only affects the person misusing drugs or alcohol. Ask any family with a loved one struggling with addiction, and they will tell you how they have all been affected. Current reports suggest over 20 million American adults have a diagnosable substance use disorder. That means around 20 million families are impacted by a loved one’s addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) reports one in eight children lives with at least one parent with a substance use disorder. How Does Substance Abuse Affect Families? Whether you are a child, sibling, parent, or extended family member of a person with a substance use disorder, you can be impacted physiologically and psychologically. Changes Family Roles Each family …

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6 Ways Ketamine for Mental Health is Therapeutic

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6 ways ketamine for mental health is therapeutic

Some people avoid going to mental health treatment because they have tried it in the past, but it did not help. They may have taken medicine, attended therapy, and followed through with all recommendations by the therapist, but their symptoms did not improve – also called treatment-resistant mental illness. However, the good news is that for this barrier, ketamine for mental health can be a solution. Mental Health America reports that over 50 million American adults struggle with mental health disorders, with nearly 5% having a severe mental illness. The National Health Interview study found only 21% of adults with mental illness receive treatment, an increase from previous years. Barriers to treatment can be psychological, physical, and even financial. Some may not go because they are in denial and do not believe they have a problem, despite experiencing consequences. Others may not think they can afford mental health services, lack transportation, time …

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