Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month

What is Stress Awareness Month? Stress Awareness Month has been recognized during the month of April since 1992; it spreads awareness of the ways in which stress impacts our mental and physical health as well as urges us to find healthy ways to manage our own stress. What is stress and how does it impact us? We often talk about stress, but what does it really mean? According to the American Psychological Association, stress is defined as “the physiological or psychological response to internal or external stressors. Stress involves changes affecting nearly every system of the body, influencing how people feel and behave” (2020). Put simply, stress is our own response to stimuli (stressors). Stress can be acute (responses to short term stressors) or chronic (response to ongoing, long term stressors), and not all stress is bad. Some stress can help us better navigate situations such as job interviews or …

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National Autism Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month

What is National Autism Awareness Month? National Autism Awareness Month spans the month of April with the purpose of spreading awareness, breaking the stigma, and providing support and hope to those who have or support someone with Autism. Starting in the 1970s, Autism Awareness Week was celebrated, later growing into the entire month of April.  What is Autism? According to the American Psychological Association (APA), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with “social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns in behaviors, interests, and activities” (APA, 2021). The term spectrum is used to highlight the wide variation in presentation and severity of symptoms. ASD is understood to occur across all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups (CDC, 2020). Statistically speaking, ASD is four times more likely in boys than girls and approximately 1 in 44 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) …

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How to Support World Bipolar Day

World Bipolar Day

March 30th is a special day. It marks the anniversary of World Bipolar Day. This date was chosen because it is the birth date of Vincent Van Gogh, who is thought to have struggled with bipolar disorder. There are 5.7 million Americans who can relate to Van Gogh. Out of that 5.7 million, 89% have severe symptoms. There are likely many more people with bipolar who, for different reasons, do not seek treatment. One way to change this and encourage everyone to get help is to bring about awareness of bipolar disorder, like supporting World Bipolar Day. Below are simple ways you can get involved in spreading the word and breaking the stigma of bipolar disorder. 1. Understand Bipolar Disorder Before you celebrate World Bipolar Day, take the time to learn everything you can about bipolar disorder, like that it is a mental health condition that causes a person to have mood …

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Different Types of Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

A family participating in therapy for bipolar disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM5) defines bipolar disorder as changes in mood, ability to function, and energy levels. These changes can range from mild to severe in mania, depression, or both. Nearly 3% of Americans meet the criteria for bipolar disorder. The DSM5 criteria for mania include three of the following symptoms for at least one week: Decreased need for sleep Inflated ego Talked fast and a lot Distracted easily Engaged in risky activities Uncontrolled racing thoughts The DSM5 criteria for depression states a person must have five or more of the following in two weeks: Feel depressed most of the time Lose interest in activities you once enjoyed Change in appetite or weight Move around without purpose Feel tired or lack energy Feel worthless or hopeless Trouble concentrating or making decisions Thoughts about suicide or past attempt Does Bipolar Treatment Work? Bipolar disorder can be treated successfully …

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Adolescent Mental Health

Adolescent Mental Health

Impact. One of the populations that the pandemic has impacted the most is adolescents ages 10 to 19, as their experience in the last couple years has shifted dramatically in terms of school and social development. The pandemic has resulted in school behind screens, less opportunity to interact with friends, and perhaps a general sense of isolation. While teens may have been connected to wifi, that doesn’t mean that they felt connected mentally or emotionally. Many adolescents report missing out on opportunities they would have otherwise gained from being in person, feeling isolated, feeling depressed, and many also report experiencing anxiety pertaining to returning to in-person school. According to the CDC, “more than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40 percent increase since 2009” (CDC, 2021). This percentage is expected to have increased in light of the challenges in …

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