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Mental Health

Sleep Awareness Week 2024

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S.   What is Sleep Awareness Week? Sleep Awareness Week was launched in 1998 and is the National Sleep Foundation’s public education campaign with the aim to spread awareness about the importance of sleep as it relates to physical and mental health. This year, Sleep Awareness week will be March 10th through March 16th. Prepare your pillows and blankets! The Importance of Sleep. Many of us don’t recognize the importance of sleep until we discover the difficulties we face when we are sleep deprived. We may not acquire enough sleep due to staying up late cramming for an exam, staying up late to finish work, or struggling with sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Lack of sleep tampers with our mood, memory, and health in very impactful ways.  In terms of mood and mental health, studies have discovered that lack of sleep induces heightened levels …

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What Causes Mental Health Problems?

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
man reading about what causes mental health problems

There are several factors to consider when evaluating what causes mental health problems. Mental health problems can arise from genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. These elements interact in complex ways, with life experiences such as trauma, stress, and societal pressures playing significant roles. Understanding this multifaceted nature is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Understanding what causes mental health problems can help people approach the treatment needed. Mental health issues can profoundly impact individuals’ lives, yet their origins often remain misunderstood, leading to ineffective treatment approaches and persistent stigma. Without a clear understanding of the underlying causes, efforts to address these conditions may only scratch the surface, leaving root issues unresolved and individuals struggling in silence. The stigma surrounding mental health further exacerbates the situation, making it difficult for those affected to seek help. By delving into the causes of mental health problems, including genetic, environmental, and psychological …

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6 Ways to Help a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is hoarding disorder? Hoarding disorder (HD) is a mental health disorder where an individual collects a large amount of possessions and experiences difficulty parting with possessions to the point where parting with possessions prompts profound emotional distress. Approximately 2% to 6% of people in the United States have hoarding disorder (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) previously classified hoarding disorder as a subtype of OCD, “however, healthcare providers were encountering people with hoarding behaviors who didn’t have any other mental health conditions. After more research, hoarding disorder was included as an isolated condition, in the OCD spectrum, in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which is the most recent edition” (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  Similar to many of us, people with hoarding disorder keep objects due to their sentimentality, aesthetics, and usefulness. These …

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7 Common Mental Disorders in Children

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
mental disorders in children

Common mental disorders in children include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders (such as separation anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder), behavioral disorders (like oppositional defiant disorder), autism spectrum disorder, and mood disorders (including depression). These disorders can significantly impact a child’s daily functioning and development, necessitating early identification and appropriate intervention. Diagnosing mental illness in children is much different than in adults. Children are constantly growing and changing, and as a result, they encounter physical and psychological changes.  It is critical to seek treatment from a mental health professional to determine if a child has a mental disorder or if it is just part of growing up. In this article, we explore seven common mental disorders in children. Common Mental Disorders in Children Currently, 5 million children in America have a mental disorder. Below are seven of the most common mental health disorders among children between three and seventeen.  Some disorders …

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Workplace Stress, Burnout, and the Stress Cycle: 9 Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Stressors and Stress Stressors are what activate the stress response in the body and stress is the neurological and physiological shift that happens when you encounter one of these stressors. For so many of us, work-related stressors activate our stress response. Whether it’s searching for a job in our current economic conditions, experiencing burnout from working long hours without adequate rest, or working a high pressure job, work stress can permeate our daily lives – in and outside of work. Emily Nagoski PhD’s book, “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,” describes stress as “an evolutionarily adaptive response that helps us cope with things like, say, being chased by a lion or charged by a hippo. When your brain notices the lion (or hippo), it activates a generic ‘stress response,’ a cascade of neurological and hormonal activity that initiates physiological changes to help you survive…this …

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