Category Archives: Articles

Suicide, or taking one’s own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful situations, grief and trauma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12.3 million Americans contemplated suicide in 2021 alone. Of those people, over a quarter put together a plan for taking their life, and about 14 percent attempted suicide. While […]

Personality disorder types are sometimes mentioned in news accounts, often inaccurately. Many people do not understand different personality disorders and find media and social references confusing, alarming, or complex. But what if you think you have a personality disorder? How do you know? Importantly, what should you do? Understanding Personality Disorders: Defining Different Types and […]

Do I have PTSD? Not everyone who wonders whether they could have the disorder has had a childhood trauma test or any PTSD test. Yet, many of us may be plagued by nightmares or recurring and upsetting thoughts, anxiety, guilt, or blame. When and how do you know if it is PTSD? Understanding PTSD: Defining […]

Mental health and relationships can be challenging to navigate. Yet, understanding how they are intertwined is essential to building a lasting and secure bond and sharing a life. Healthy relationships thrive with good mental health and can quickly deteriorate if one or both partners has an untreated mental health issue. If my partner’s mental health […]

Nurses have a vital role in health care, particularly inpatient care. In most cases, they spend more time with their patients than doctors do, they translate medical jargon to help patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options, and they often serve as their patients’ most powerful advocates. It’s not surprising that most people who’ve spent […]

Aileen Wuornos is remembered as a serial killer who murdered seven men during a killing spree in Florida between 1989-1990. Having grown up in extremely dysfunctional circumstances, Wuornos could almost be said to have been ‘groomed’ for violence and crime. However, her psychological makeup may have left her vulnerable to powerful instincts. Wuornos experienced substantial […]

The English language is full of idioms that connect the weather to one’s mood and emotions: “rain on my parade,” “on cloud nine,” “the winter blues,” “under the weather,” “a breath of fresh air.” While everyone is affected differently by the weather—some people love dark, rainy days while others find them depressing—the impact is undeniable. […]

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medication prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Originally intended as an antipsychotic drug, buspirone failed in clinical trials to relieve symptoms of psychosis. However, researchers noted that buspirone did reduce anxiety symptoms. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1986 for the treatment of anxiety, buspirone is now […]

Everyone experiences anxiety on occasion. This is a normal part of life and nothing to be concerned about. However, if anxiety worsens, continues unabated, or begins to cause problems in everyday life, it may be a sign to seek help. Recognizing the Signs: Identifying Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders If you’re asking yourself questions like […]

Our environments can have a massive effect on our bodies and brains, especially when it comes to our mental health. Both culturally and linguistically, we associate “fresh air” with feelings of relief. Whenever we’re having a bad mental health day, the go-to advice is to step outside and get some fresh air. In fact, many […]