seasonal affective disorder - Healthier Me Today
General Wellness Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

The Most Effective 5 Ways to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder, also called seasonal affective disorder, is depression (SAD). It usually begins in the late fall and is brought on by the change of seasons.

Sadness, a lack of energy, a loss of interest in daily activities, excessive sleeping, and weight gain are a few symptoms. Treatment options include antidepressants, talk therapy, and light therapy.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)?

pexels-andre-moura-6096339-225x300-3071891Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Is It? Seasonal affective disorder better known as SAD, is a type of depression frequently associated with the arrival of a fall.

Seasonal depression often worsens in the late fall or early winter before ending in the lighter spring days.

A less severe variation of SAD, known as the “winter blues,” can also happen. Winter is a season when melancholy is frequently felt.

You might be confined inside because it gets dark so early. The seasonal affective disorder is also known as seasonal depression. Such a depression does exist.

Complete SAD, however, goes beyond this. Unlike the winter blues, SAD impacts your daily life, including how you feel and think. Fortunately, therapy can help you get through this difficult time.

Can People Get Seasonal Affective Disorder In The Summer?

One uncommon SAD variant that some people experience is “summer depression.” It often starts in the late spring or early summer and ends in the fall. It happens less frequently than a seasonal affective disorder that is winter-specific.

How Common Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)?

In the US, 5% of adults experience SAD. Usually, it starts in early adulthood (usually between 18 and 30).

Between 10% and 20% of Americans may experience a milder form of the winter blues. However, scientists are unsure why women experience SAD at a higher rate than men.

Who Is At Risk For SAD?

pexels-inzmam-khan-1134204-1-1024x705-6294017The seasonal affective disorder is more likely to affect young people and women (SAD).

Additionally, you are more vulnerable if you:

  1. Have a different mood disorder, like bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.
  2. SAD, other types of depression or mental illnesses like major depression or schizophrenia are present in one’s family.
  3. Reside very far north or very far south of the equator. Reside in a gray area. Wintertime daylight hours at these latitudes are shorter.

What Are The Symptoms Of SAD?

This type of depression also includes seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The American Psychiatric Association has classified SAD as a major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns.

As a result, depressive symptoms like the following may be present if you have the seasonal affective disorder:

  1. Feelings of worthlessness or despair.
  2. Having trouble focusing
  3. They are aggravated or irritated.
  4. Arm and leg limbs that are heavy.
  5. A decline in interest in typically enjoyable activities, including a withdrawal from social activities.
  6. Sleeping issues (usually oversleeping).
  7. Thoughts of suicide or death.
  8. Sadness, feeling down for the majority of every day.
  9. Anxiety.
  10. Weight gain and cravings for carbohydrates.
  11. Extreme exhaustion and lack of vitality.

Summer SAD sufferers may encounter the following:

  1. Violent outbursts of behavior
  2. Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
  3. Restlessness and agitation.
  4. Anxiety.
  5. Reduction in appetite and loss of weight.

The Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)

Why does seasonal affective disorder occur? Researchers are unsure of the precise cause of seasonal depression.

seasonal affective disorder - Healthier Me TodayLack of sunlight may worsen your condition if you are predisposed to it. The suppositions claim:

  1. Your internal clock governs your hormones, mood, and sleep. When the amount of sun you are exposed to drops, your biological clock adjusts. When the day length shifts, you cannot adapt because you are out of sync with your daily routine.
  2. In the brain, neurotransmitters that communicate between nerves are out of balance. One of these chemicals, serotonin, promotes happiness in its users. Your serotonin levels may already be low if you are prone to SAD. Serotonin levels could further drop and cause depression. Because sunlight regulates serotonin, the lack of the sun in the winter can worsen the issue.
  3. Serotonin levels are also increased by vitamin D. Because vitamin D is produced in part by sunlight, a lack of sunlight during the winter can cause a vitamin D deficiency. Your mood and the level of serotonin may be affected by that change.
  4. A chemical called melatonin affects your mood and sleep patterns. Lack of the sun may cause some people to produce too much melatonin. You might experience drowsiness and lethargy during the winter.
  5. People with SAD frequently feel stressed and anxious and have pessimistic thoughts during the winter. According to researchers, these negative thoughts could be the reason for or the effect of seasonal depression.

How Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad) Diagnosed?

A more serious mental health issue frequently includes seasonal affective disorder in its symptoms. If you experience symptoms, do not try to self-diagnose seasonal affective disease (SAD). For a thorough evaluation, consult your healthcare provider. Another element could bring on your depression.

You might be advised to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist or your doctor. These mental health specialists will question you about your symptoms. When determining whether you have seasonal depression or another mood disorder, your symptom pattern will be considered. You might need to answer a questionnaire to determine if you have SAD.

What Tests Are Required To Diagnose Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)?

pexels-keenan-constance-2865901-1-300x200-2506401There is no blood test or scan that can detect seasonal depression. However, your doctor might suggest testing to rule out other conditions with comparable symptoms, like determining whether your thyroid is functioning normally.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Diagnosis

If you have the following symptoms, your doctor may conclude that you have SAD:

  1. Severe depression symptoms.
  2. During specific seasons, depressive episodes last for at least two years.
  3. A particular season of the year is more likely than the rest to experience depressive episodes.

Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)

Seasonal affective disorder therapy

seasonal affective disorder - Healthier Me TodayYou and your doctor will talk about your treatment options. You might need a combination of therapies, including:

  1. Light therapy: Using a unique lamp, bright light therapy can assist in treating SAD.
  2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a talk therapy component. According to research, it effectively treats SAD and has the longest-lasting effects of any treatment method.
  3. Antidepressants: Sometimes doctors will suggest taking antidepressants for depression alone or in conjunction with light therapy.
  4. Spending time outside: More sun exposure can aid in the resolution of your symptoms. The amount of sunlight entering your home or business should be increased. Try to leave in the daytime.
  5. Vitamin D: Supplementing with vitamin D may make you feel better.

How Does Light Therapy Work?

You will need to purchase a unique lamp for light therapy or phototherapy. It has white fluorescent light tubes covered in a plastic screen to block ultraviolet light. The light is about 20 times as bright as typical indoor lighting. 10,000 lux is the minimum amount of light that can be produced.

When using phototherapy, keep your eyes away from the light. You should only be exposed to sunlight indirectly. Place the lamp two to three feet away while you read, eat, work, or do anything else.

What Time Of Day Should Light Therapy Be Used?

It may be less effective depending on what time of day you use light therapy. The best light treatment is done in the morning. For 15 to 30 minutes every morning, 10,000 lux is advised by many health professionals. Utilizing light treatment later in the day might keep you awake.

How Long Does It Take Light Therapy To Work?

When using lamps to treat SAD, people frequently see improvements within two to four days. You may not feel all of its advantages for about two weeks.

How Long Should I Continue To Use Light Therapy?

pexels-pixabay-278303-1-1024x678-2089685Medical professionals frequently suggest using light therapy all winter long. When light therapy is discontinued, SAD symptoms may return suddenly. If you continue the treatment, you can feel your best the entire season.

Is Light Therapy Safe?

Light therapy is typically safe and well-tolerated. If the following conditions apply to you, you may need to consider other treatment options:

  1. Have diabetes or retinopathies – If you are diagnosed with diabetes or retinopathy, the retina, the back of your eye, is vulnerable to damage.
  2. Use medication – Some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can make you more sensitive to sunlight. Light therapy might then be harmful.

Antidepressants and bright light therapy can cause hypomania or mania, uncontrollable mood swings, and energy spikes if you have bipolar disorder. This will affect the way you approach treatment. If you have bipolar disorder, let your doctor know.

Are There Side Effects Of Light Therapy?

You may experience the following:

Tanning Bed Instead Of Light Therapy

Don’t use tanning beds to treat SAD. Tanning beds do produce enough light, but they also carry additional risks. They have many UV rays, which are bad for your skin and eyes.

Antidepressants That Can Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad)

seasonal affective disorder - Healthier Me TodaySelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can treat SAD (SSRIs). By controlling serotonin levels in your body, they elevate your mood.

Examples of SSRIs include:

  1. Fluoxetine (Prozac®).
  2. Escitalopram (Lexapro®).
  3. Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva®).
  4. Sertraline (Zoloft®).
  5. Citalopram (Celexa®).

Another well-known antidepressant, bupropion, is also available in extended-release tablets. Taking it regularly from late fall to early spring can aid in preventing episodes of seasonal depression.

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder…

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as depression, is a condition that affects people every year during a particular season, usually the winter.

Two signs are a lack of energy and a feeling of helplessness. The good news is that seasonal depression is curable. Speak with your healthcare professional. They are available to help.

Anxiety icd 10 | Healthier Me today
Health News Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Depression and Anxiety ICD 10!

Anxiety ICD 10 and depression! There are plenty of people out there that suffer from at least one type of mental health illness and in today’s times, it’s very common to find someone that has a similar mental health struggle yourself. Depression had been around for many years and had sadly affected the lives of countless people in different ways. It is one of the worst forms of mental illness and can prove fatal if not properly managed and treated.

However, there are many other aspects to this illness that aren’t often focused on such as anxiety. Generalised anxiety and anxiety disorder on their own has drummed up a lot of awareness however it isn’t always linked or seen as part of depression. Depression isn’t a straight line and there are different kinds and degrees.

Many people who are diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety and they aren’t always seen as intertwined and more so as two different illnesses. Either can be diagnosed without the presence of the other but it is very common for this combination that is found in a large group of people. So it begs the question of whether these two are causes of the other appearing in the same person. Does anxiety lead to depression and vice versa? 

What is Depression? 

Anxiety icd 10 | Healthier Me today
Depression is a horrible medical illness stemming from mental health problems. It’s chemicals in the brain that often aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be. Depression can be brought on by different causes such as hereditary, trauma or current situations. It affects your ability to properly function in the outside world as well as negatively impacts your mental, emotional and physical well-being. It can warp your reality and unfortunately take a hold of how you perceive, think and feel. It has many unpleasant symptoms that can range in severity but are commonly felt with all ranges and forms of depression such as;

  • Lack of interest in activities and likes.
  • Change in appetite and relationship with food.
  • Fatigue and decrease in energy levels.
  • Feelings of guilt.
  • Feeling of being worthless or useless.
  • Difficulty focusing and concentration.
  • Unable to make decisions and choices.
  • Thoughts of self-harm.
  • Thoughts of committing suicide in severe cases.
  • Sleeping too much or barely sleeping at all. 

Sometimes these symptoms can be felt without the presence of depression however they aren’t as severe or last long and can be from a fleeting situation. Symptoms should be felt for longer than 2 to 3 weeks to possibly be diagnosed as depression. 

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety icd 10 | Healthier Me todayAnxiety icd 10 is a common mental health problem many people face. Anxiety icd 10 can make it difficult to get through your day and go to events or even out in public. It can sometimes be very crippling in worse cases as you struggle to live life properly because you have immense feelings of fear and uncertainty.

Anxiety disorder is brought on when someone experiences frequent and long-lasting symptoms of anxiousness. Anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety are two different things as generalized anxiety icd 10 is less severe or occurring than an anxiety disorder. It is more likely to experience more anxiety attacks having a disorder as well which can have long-lasting effects after its past. The symptoms of anxiety ICD 10 are generally as listed;

  • Heart palpitations 
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • The tension of the muscles
  • Nausea
  • Feelings of uneasiness and panic
  • Obsessive thoughts 
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Flashbacks to traumatic events
  • Shaking and trembles
  • Feeling faint
  • Dryness of mouth 
  • Repeatedly fidgeting 
  • Inability to stay calm

Anxiety can thankfully be treated with several forms of treatment and can be worked on by the individual by making changes and facing fears. Anxiety icd 10 can be triggered by many causes such as public places, stress and change. 

How are Depression and Anxiety Related? 

Anxiety icd 10 | Healthier Me today
It is a cycle that occurs between anxiety and depression. If a person suffers from depression then they will likely experience large amounts of anxiety and uneasiness which can bring on the chance of developing an anxiety disorder on top of already having depression. When a person has an anxiety ICD 10 disorder they can feel like a failure and become frustrated and sad about the fact that they can’t help the way they feel or function as people without anxiety disorders do. This can be a gateway to depression as these feelings often spiral and deepen turning into self-loathing, feelings of immense sadness and in turn depression. 

These mental health illnesses do go hand in hand as they tend to trigger the other and it becomes a vicious cycle. Those with existing depression are often filled with unpleasant emotions and very often one of these is anxiety. Due to the frequency and symptoms felt it often leads to the diagnosis of anxiety ICD 10 disorder. Anxiety disorder also harbors a tremendous amount of negative thoughts and frustration at oneself for the inability to do certain things and feeling powerless to their disorder. These feelings often turn into gloom leading to the onset of depression. 

Can You Be Treated if You Have Both Anxiety ICD 10 and Depression? 

Anxiety icd 10 | Healthier Me todayThis is what is often referred to as a dual diagnosis. Having both of these mental illnesses can be extremely debilitating and the best option you can make is to seek out immediate medical assistance and treatment. Luckily this dual diagnosis can be treated simultaneously. Due to this not being a surprising combination there are treatment plans that can help treat both the depression and anxiety experienced as a whole. Some of these treatments include the following;

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Also known as CBT this is when patients’ root causes of anxiety and depression are identified and then worked on to help them cope and manage their emotions and symptoms. 

Medication

It is common for people suffering from both to be put on medications such as antidepressants. Many antidepressants on the market today have ingredients that also help combat anxiety such as anti-anxiety and antidepressants in one. The trick is to find the right medication as this can often be trial and error until the correct one is found. 

Relaxation Techniques 

This is often where patients learn coping mechanisms that evolve finding mindfulness and peace. Activities such as yoga and meditation have been proven to help patients suffering from both disorders to become calmer and able to handle their symptoms better.

Double Trouble

Depression and Anxiety icd 10 are bad enough on their own but unfortunately, there are high chances of them becoming a dual-diagnosis. Thankfully some treatments can help patients cope with both disorders effectively. 

Anxiety Symbol | Healthier Me Today
General Wellness Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Anxiety Symbol: 8 Things to Avoid with Anxiety Disorder

The anxiety symbol and what you should know about anxiety overall! Anxiety is a very common emotion felt by the majority of people and it can be a normal response to stressful and scary situations. However, some people suffer from an anxiety disorder which is a much worse and more severe case of anxiety and it isn’t only felt on occurrence. The symptoms felt when having anxiety disorder compared to normal anxiety are much worse and last longer. In recent years anxiety has been made more aware of and spoken about much more openly which has brought a lot of awareness across the internet and in social environments. 

Anxiety disorder has also gained a lot more attention in the medical sense and many mental health professionals are fully equipped to deal with this common disorder as well as doctors who often refer patients to these professionals to find proper care and treatment. Thankfully there are plenty of ways that anxiety disorder can be managed and treated both with medication, activities and therapy. When being diagnosed with anxiety disorder the focus is mainly on getting better and what will be the correct course of action but another important aspect that should be considered is to learn triggers and either avoid or work through them and they should be mentioned and spoken about in depth.

The Anxiety Symbol

Anxiety Symbol
Anxiety Symbol

Triggers and Solutions Will the Anxiety Symbol Work?

When anxiety attacks come on they can either be triggered by a current trigger or be a side effect of too much happening and occur later on with no apparent or present trigger but there will always be a reason for them. These attacks can last for a while and have lingering symptoms afterwards. The best way to help cope with anxiety disorder and attacks is to identify triggers. By doing this you can then find solutions for avoiding the recurrence of an attack happening or having your anxiety increased. Oftentimes it is many different causes and some can be fixed with simple changes. Let’s look at some of the most common triggers of anxiety;

  • Health – discovering that you have an unpleasant health issue can cause a lot of anxiety as you feel afraid of what’s to come or the idea of being sick. This is a very common reason for the development of anxiety disorder. 
  • Certain medications – there are medications out there that have main and active ingredients that trigger anxiety and feeling of being unwell such as birth control and diet tablets.
  • A negative frame of mind – if you tend to focus and speak of the negative then it is more likely that you will develop high levels of anxiety which will eventually lead to anxiety disorder. 
  • Financial struggles – this is a big cause of stress and anxiety in many households and can lead to many unpleasant ailments including anxiety disorder. 
  • Conflict – this occurs in many homes and you can arrange the past struggles you faced as a child through to adulthood. Bring exposed to conflict as a child or teenager can have long-lasting effects on your well-being and it can have you to develop anxiety disorder due to this. 

Treatments For Anxiety Disorder with the Anxiety Symbol

Anxiety Symbol | Healthier Me Today
When it comes to anxiety disorder and how the anxiety symbol works there are different kinds and the treatment that is often prescribed is to target and treat these different types of the disorder. However, there are generalized treatments that can work for more than one of these categories. Here are some of the treatments that you can expect to be prescribed when suffering from an anxiety disorder;

  • Anti-anxiety medications 
  • Antidepressants 
  • Beta-blockers
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Exposure therapy
  • Support groups

These are generalized and effective treatments for anxiety disorders but it isn’t the only form of help you can receive for it. You can do certain activities and make changes in your life that can also substantially limit your anxiety attacks and help to conquer your triggers. 

Changes to Make and What to Avoid – Anxiety Symbol

Anxiety Symbol | Healthier Me TodayLiving with anxiety disorder can often make you feel crippled as you’re limited to doing many things that could potentially bring you joy as you are scared that it may trigger an anxiety attack or make you feel uneasy. This can be an unpleasant way to live life and in turn, can heighten your likelihood of attacks and increased anxiety as you are unhappy with your state of mind and way of life.

However, there are ways in which you can manage and successfully get over your fears at home and by yourself. You may need assistance with medication or other forms of clinical treatment but that doesn’t mean that you are unable to still make these switches and better yourself and your disorder at the same time. 

As someone suffering from anxiety you may have different outlooks on seemingly normal activities such as going to the grocery store or being in public places as a whole. Agoraphobia is a very common side effect of anxiety but it can be overcome on your terms. Another is the food and drinks we consume, we may not know this but they have a huge impact on our anxiety and how our brain and body function.

It is all connected and when you feel unwell or aren’t nourishing your body correctly it can have negative effects on your hormones and brain. Which in turn can worsen and cause anxiety, depression and panic disorders. As well as health issues which can also cause anxiety. It can feel safer to avoid the things that cause us anxiety such as leaving the house, going to events, eating in general or being around people that negatively affect our self-esteem and confidence. Here is a list of the things that you should be avoiding to help you cope better with your anxiety whether it be generalized anxiety or a disorder;

1. Unhealthy Foods and Drinks

Food can have a massive impact on our mental health just as much as our physical health. The items we choose to consume can have effects on our hormones and brain functionality which is why it is important to fuel your body and mind with foods that encourage health and are good for well-being. Being overweight or underweight can also take a massive toll on our mental health which is why we often develop mental health disorders such as anxiety. Make sure to change up your diet by decreasing your intake of unhealthy and processed foods and replacing them with healthy alternatives and increasing your consumption of healthy and healing foods. Do you think the anxiety symbol will work?

2. Overcoming Your Fears with the Anxiety Symbol

Anxiety Symbol | Healthier Me TodayWe tend to avoid situations where we may find ourselves in panic or having our anxiety triggered. There are pros and cons to this as it is important to avoid things such as spending time with people who don’t add value and belittle you or places you know won’t be beneficial for your health. However, it is important to overcome the fears that hold you back from living a full life such as fearing leaving the house.

Agoraphobia can be cured with and without medical assistance. Taking it slow and one step at a time can be very rewarding in the long run. Finding coping mechanisms when in public places can also be a great way to get over your fear such as having someone with you that you trust and feel safe with or an item that you can fidget with. 

3. Stress and Negativity 

It’s important to avoid negative spaces or being with people that cause you to stress as it can evoke anxiety. Make sure not to take on any unnecessary stressors that can cause you to feel anxious. Try to eliminate things that in your daily life where you feel the most pressure or are unhappy about and this will help you to feel calmer and handle your anxiety easier. Head wrap for stress.

Anxiety Avoiders: The Anxiety Symbol

Anxiety Symbol | Healthier Me Today
Anxiety disorder and anxiety symbol can limit your ability to handle situations properly and live your life to the fullest. Thankfully there are ways that you can overcome and manage these symptoms by avoiding certain situations that make anxiety worse.

Read More From Healthier Me Today!

  1. What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast
  2. Alternatives to Telemedicine
  3. Foods to Avoid with Trulicity
Is yoga for anxiety? | Healthier Me Today
Health News General Wellness Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Yoga for Anxiety – This is What You Should Know!

Is Yoga for Anxiety? Having anxiety can prove difficult. It sets limitations and stunts the ability to enjoy many moments in life. Experiencing feelings of anxiousness is natural, but it is often short-lived and brought on by nerve-induced events such as public speaking, waiting for medical results, or big life changes. On the other hand, some have anxiety on a much more severe level, and feeling anxious can be from even the smallest of situations. 

Anxiety symptoms are both internal and external, and this is why Yoga for Anxiety is one of the most recommended forms of exercise and treatment for those prone to anxiety and anxiety attacks. Yoga for Anxiety calms the mind while creating a bond between body and mind. It’s an ancient method that has been used to soothe and ease many illnesses, both physical and psychological.

Exercise as a whole can be very therapeutic, and there are several different kinds to choose from. Still, yoga is unique from the rest as it focuses on improving your relationship with your body through postures and breathing techniques. It has been used by celebrities, royalty, and people of all kinds to improve their way of living.

What is Yoga for Anxiety Exactly?

Yoga for anxiety | Healthier Me Today

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. It originated in India and has become very popular all over the world. It is a wonderful way for people of all ages to get in touch with themselves and stay healthy.

It can be used as a warm-up, cool-down, or as a session on its own. It’s filled with many health benefits both for the mind and for the body. It’s a gentle way to bring calmness and discipline into one’s life. It helps with relieving stress and clearing the mind; it’s a series of stretches or postures that help strengthen and tone muscles. It’s accompanied by breathing exercises that aid in overall well-being.

Many classes can be attended, and the instructor will demonstrate proper execution of the poses, which are also known as asanas. The same style of yoga isn’t always practiced by the same instructor, and there are a wide variety of different kinds you can attend. If you’re unable to take these classes, there are thousands of online classes or asana systems that you can do from the comfort of your home. Yoga isn’t just any normal form of exercise. It focuses strongly on combining the body and mind. By doing this, not only do you feel better physically, but it eases many mental or emotional struggles as well.

What Are the Symptoms and Risks of Anxiety?

Yoga for anxiety | Healthier Me Today

Many people feel anxiety. It is a normal reaction to situations that make us feel nervous or uncomfortable. However, feeling excessive amounts of anxiety can indicate that there may be a problem, such as anxiety disorder. Having high amounts of anxiety does not always mean that you may have an anxiety disorder, but it does put you at risk. The symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorder are the same, but it’s the severity and frequency that separates the two. Let’s look at the standard symptoms of anxiety;

  • Feelings of fear or dread
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Fatigue
  • Avoidance of places or events that may cause anxiousness
  • The tension of the muscles
  • Feeling on edge
  • Dizziness 
  • Insomnia 
  • Nausea or stomach issues
  • Heart palpitations 
  • Finding it difficult to focus

Although anxiety is felt by a majority of people and is considered a normal response to unpleasant situations, many people suffer from extensive anxiety, but those who are most at risk are;

  • Had or had severe shyness in their childhood.
  • Those exposed or dealing with traumatic experiences.
  • Having mental illnesses run in their family.
  • Dealing with stressful physical issues.

Those who suffer from these symptoms and who are at risk will often have limitations on their way of living if not treated. 

Yoga for Anxiety- How Yoga Can Help…

Yoga for anxiety | Healthier Me Today

Practicing yoga has been proven to reduce stress and other negative feelings such as depression and anxiety. By helping battle overwhelming emotions, yoga is highly recommended for those who suffer from mental illnesses. 

Due to its zen nature, yoga can be very effective in relieving the symptoms of anxiety. Practicing yoga can aid in finding coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety and anxiety attacks. It promotes feelings of connectivity to oneself which in turn helps with the control of emotions.

To make matters even better, there are classes and yoga instructors that focus primarily on combating the negative side effects of anxiety as well as panic disorder and depression. These special classes are equipped with powerful learning opportunities to help you find the tools and skills to manage your mental health. 

What Are the Benefits of Yoga for Anxiety?

Yoga for anxiety | Healthier Me Today

The understanding of yoga and its intentions is that it is a great way to find inner peace while at the same time strengthening your body. It has many wonderful attributes that anyone can benefit from. It doesn’t matter what shape you are in, as there are many beginner classes as well as easier alternatives to the more challenging poses. It is no secret that yoga offers an abundance of helpful techniques, but when it comes to anxiety, it provides a special range of benefits;

  • Regulates your breathing
  • Lowers muscle tension
  • Promotes relaxation 
  • Helps with bodily awareness 
  • Interrupts cycles of worry
  • Promotes self-compassion 
  • Helps accept discomfort 
  • Self-acceptance 
  • Reduces stress hormone levels 
  • Reduces heart palpitations 
  • Boosts endorphins 

The health benefits of yoga are plentiful and are especially useful for managing the overall effects of anxiety and similar mental health conditions.

Yoga for Anxiety can be considered an all-in-one package as it targets the mind, spirit, and body. It builds a healthy connection to your individuality while healing any worries and problems you may be facing.

Yoga for Anxiety is highly beneficial for treating mental illnesses such as anxiety. It focuses on learning how to be one with your body. With its effective breathing techniques and calming movements, it aids in the risks of anxiety attacks and eases the onset of symptoms.

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast | Healthier Me Today
Parenting Children's Health Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast: Key Insights

What children lose when their brains develop too fast – Learn more with Healthier Me Today! Watching our little ones grow before our eyes can be a joyous experience. We often wish to slow down the clock and appreciate their littleness for a moment longer.

So many proud events take place, which come with an array of mixed emotions. As parents hearing your child’s first words, witnessing their first steps, and watching them explore new foods can be exhilarating.

However, at the same time, they’re also reminders that our babies are becoming less and less dependent on us. 

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast?

Have you ever wondered what children lose when their brains develop too fast? When rearing children, we become aware of certain milestones that need to be met with their growth. We record and try our best to help them along in the hopes that they reach them correctly.

Many parents become fearful when their child takes longer than others to meet these milestones, and on the other hand, other parents pride themselves and their children on being fast learners.

We’ve become familiar that the longer it takes, the more likely there might be something wrong, but we don’t ever question the effects that may occur when our children develop before their time.

What is the Process a Child’s Brain Goes Through?

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast | Healthier Me Today

When having children, we rely a good amount on their pediatrician to give us the green light on their health and inform us on what children lose when their brains develop too fast. This is completely normal, but it is also vital to know certain things about our child’s development off hand.

We can become overly worried at the slightest changes and are quick to think that there is a problem. This is why knowing the stages that they will be going through are important.

From infancy up until five years of age is when their brain will form and develop the most in their life. These short years are crucial as their future ability to learn depends on them.

Making sure that they are set up adequately for the rest of their life will come down to what happens during this time.

Learning About Your Childs Cognitive Development

Parents should take the time and learn about what their child’s brain will go through and need at each stage in their development.

In doing this, they can assure that every step is met and that they’ll have a healthy head start in life. It is often not known or underestimated how much a child’s brain and the body go through.

Before they start preschool, it is said that 90 percent of their development will take place and that children lose when their brains develop too fast. There are name four stages that happen in a child’s overall life.

These are called:

  1. The sensorimotor stage 0 – 2
  2. The preoperational stage 2 – 7
  3. The concrete operational stage 7 – 11
  4. The formal operational 12+ 

The sensorimotor and preoperational stages are considered the most important and will be the base for the rest of their developmental stages to come. 

How To Know Your Child’s Brain is Developing Too Quickly

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast | Healthier Me Today

Sometimes it can go unnoticed that a child is growing up beyond their years. It’s overlooked and seen as being intellectually advanced; however, this is more commonly caused by the child’s environment. It is important to know what children lose when their brains develop too fast.

With early stages being missed and replaced with more mature actions and ways of thinking, this will cause the child to act differently from others.

Some of these traits can look like the following;

  1. Early-onset puberty
  2. Inability to properly absorb new information 
  3. Lessened sense of possibility 
  4. Anxious
  5. Stressed and tense

There will be quite a few more ways to realize that they are developing quicker than they should, and this can differ from child to child.

This makes it even more important for parents to know what children lose when their brains develop too fast.

The Negative Side Effects of What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast | Healthier Me Today

Studies show that there are great consequences that happen when a child’s brain develops too quickly. When there is the possibility of having a long and uninterrupted childhood, this has long-lasting health effects. It gives for a much better start in life and overall health.

When children are forced to grow up too fast, it can leave out crucial stages of development. With these stages not being met, it can prove to be difficulties and hardship later on in life.

What tends to happen is the child will replace important milestones with others that will leave gaps in their development.

These negative side effects will namely be:

  1. Feelings of stress and anxiety
  2. Inability to cope properly in certain situations
  3. Not knowing how to do basic things 
  4. No or very limited imagination
  5. Brain becoming too large too quickly
  6. Not being able to adapt to new information
  7. More likely to develop chronic illnesses 

As we can see, when a child has a fulfilling childhood, they are much more adaptable to life’s challenges. When a child develops too quickly, it can make things extremely difficult for them.

This usually happens when a child is exposed to abuse, constant arguments, and traumatic experiences. 

How To Avoid This From Happening

What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast | Healthier Me Today

There are many ways we can help our children succeed in life and give them the tools they need to develop correctly. It starts from birth. Learning as much information as possible about how to aid your baby in sensory development is the best way to start a healthy childhood.

Which is exactly what it comes down to. The more you can prolong the time that is needed for them to have a happy first few years of their life, the more they will be able to reach all their developmental needs.

Unfortunately, there will be times when we are unable to shield ourselves from the downsides that life offers. This is where we as parents need to step up and ensure that it has not or does not affect them, and if so, we need to give the reassurance and resources needed to help them get back on track to having a pleasant childhood.

We may often feel like we are not doing all we can or enough for our children, which is a perfectly normal part of parenthood. We need to learn that feeling like we are failing can also have effects on not only ourselves but our children too.

Giving Our Children What They Need

what children lose when their brains develop too fast - Healthier Me TodayWe hope to do our best, and that is all we can do. Our children will show us daily what they need along with some self-study.

Paying attention to how our children react to certain instances and when they are achieving their milestones will tell us that what we are doing is helping them to build a stable basis for the years to come. 

If you do, however feel that you need some guidance, then speaking to your child’s pediatrician or doctor will help put your worries at ease and also enable you to make changes and adjust to their current needs. They can also help you better understand what children lose when their brains develop too fast.

Important Facts About Children’s Brains Developing Too Fast…

What do children lose when their brains develop too fast? When a child’s brain develops too quickly, it can have a negative impact on the years to come. It can be caused by a number of reasons but will most likely occur when a child has gone through negative experiences in their early years or first few months.

There are many signs of this, and it is our job as parents to be vigilant of these and understand what children lose when their brains develop too fast. The key to preventing this from happening is to ensure your child has a long, healthy, and happy childhood. 

For More Healthier Me Today Articles, Check Out:

1. Foods to Avoid with Trulicity
2. Shailene Woodley Illness

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today! Mental disorders are known as mental conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may happen on occasion or be long-lasting. They can affect your ability to “normally” relate to others and function each and every day.

Mental Disorders are Usually Due to a Single Cause – You Should Know About Mental Disorders!

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • bipolar disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Psychotic disorders

What causes mental disorders? – Mental health disorders are usually due to a single cause

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

There is still no single cause or reason for mental illness. However, there are several factors that can contribute to the risk for mental illness:

  • Your genes and family history
  • Your life experiences
  • A traumatic brain injury
  • Feelings such as isolation
  • A medical condition such as cancer
  • Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
  • Biological factors

Mental illnesses, in general, are caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Character flaws do not cause mental disorders. 

Who is at risk for mental disorders?

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

Mental illness can, unfortunately, affect anyone regardless of age, gender, income, social status, race, religion, sexual orientation, background, or another aspect of cultural identity.

Mental illness is considered more common in people who have relatives struggling with any form of mental illness! In addition, exposure to environmental stress, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to a mental illness.

Mental Health Disorders Disrupt Everyday Activities – Seeing a Doctor!

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

If you or anyone you know are showing any signs or symptoms of any type of mental illness, see your health care provider or mental health professional. Most mental conditions will unfortunately not improve on their own; they need treatments or therapy sessions. If untreated, a mental condition could deteriorate and cause severe damage to your mental and even physical health!

The steps to getting a diagnosis include:

  • A medical history
  • A physical exam and lab tests
  • A psychological evaluation. 

You will answer questions about what you are thinking and what you are feeling, and they will examine your everyday behavior. Untreated mental illness can cause emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. 

Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:

  • Unhappy the entire time
  • Causing family conflict
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Social isolation
  • Problems with tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
  • A Form of Homelessness
  • Harm to others

What are the treatments for mental disorders?

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

Treatments depend on which mental disorder you have and how serious it is. You and your health care provider will work on a treatment plan just for you. It involves some type of physical and mental therapy. You may also take different types of medicines to see what works best with your disorder.

There could be a case where more intensive treatment depends on how bad your disorder is. Being sent to a psychiatric hospital for professional help may be necessary. The main reason for this could be because of severe mental illness complications, and medication can’t work. You will go for therapy and get the proper help you need. You will be sent there because you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else near you.

Prevention Is Important

As of now, medical professionals have found no certain way to prevent mental illness. However, there are few steps you could take to control stress, increase your self-control, and boosting lower self-esteem that can aid keep your symptoms under control—working with your doctor or therapist to learn what triggers your mental health symptoms.

Make a plan to know what to do if your symptoms return. Don’t skip your doctor’s checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren’t feeling well. Mental health disorders can be harder to treat if you wait until your symptoms get worse. Enough sleep and a good diet combined with some physical activity are extremely important when you have a mental health disorder.

It can make you feel better until your next trip to the doctor or your next counseling session. Ensure you take good care of yourself even when you don’t feel like it.

Mental Health Disorders are Usually Due to a Single Cause

Mental Health Disorders Are Usually Due To A Single Cause | Healthier Me Today

With mental illness, suicidal thoughts can be an unwanted but common repercussion! If you think you may hurt yourself, it’s imperative that you seek help from a friend, family member, or medical professional! Go on google and search your nearest hospital or emergency room to call for help, or dial one of your suicide hotline numbers in your area to get the help you need.

They are there for a reason. That reason is to guide you through your thoughts and help you stop thinking about hurting yourself or killing yourself. If there is someone you know that is showing signs of mental illness, ensure that you have an open and honest discussion with them about your concerns.

It’s unlikely that you can force someone to get professional help, but you can offer encouragement and support from your side so that they can see that they are loved, someone wants to help them, and someone cares for them and how they are feeling.

You can help your loved one find a qualified mental health professional and make an appointment if you don’t know what to say to them about what’s going on inside of their heart and mind.

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Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar

Borderline personality disorder VS bipolar – What you should know! BPD is characterized by extreme mood swings, unstable relationships, and impulsiveness. Borderline Personality Disorder patients suffer from low self-esteem and frantic efforts to avoid real or perceived abandonment, which leads to impulsive actions such as self-harming and suicidal behaviours.

Borderline personality disorder symptoms are often triggered by conflict in relationships. People with borderline personality disorder would likely have suffered from mild to extreme childhood trauma, and this could be a severe trigger!

Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms:

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

  • Unstable relationships
  • Self-destructive behaviours
  • Self-Harm
  • Emotional Swings
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness
  • Explosive Anger
  • Feeling out of touch with reality

Treatment:

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

Treatment mainly involves specific forms of therapy, such as behaviour therapy or therapy that is aimed at helping people manage impulses like:

  • Suicidal urges
  • Tendencies to harm when upset
  • Feelings of distress, anger, and emotional oversensitivity to interactions with people.

Medications can be used to help with these symptoms. Although they are not always effective with some people and are not considered to be the main focus of treatment for borderline personality disorder, doctors usually recommend getting therapy before giving out daily medication, depending on how severe the symptoms are in the person with the disorder. Sometimes the doctor recommends the patient with the disorder should stay a few nights in the hospital for supervision just so the doctors know what they are dealing with and they can discuss how to treat it.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression; it causes swings in mood, energy and the ability to function during the day.

BPD and bipolar disorders are often talked of as interchangeably, but they are not the same thing in the medical community. They can both cause impulsive behaviour outside of the person’s normal habits, but there are some clear differences.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms:

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

  • Feeling sad, hopeless or irritable for a majority of your time!
  • No energy to do anything
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
  • Loss of interest in the things you enjoyed
  • Feeling empty or worthless
  • Feeling guilt and despair
  • Self-doubt 

These symptoms can last for days and weeks, even months.

Bipolar disorder can look very different with different people depending on how bad the person with bipolar disorder has it.

Depression associated with bipolar disorder can look like depression on its own. Both disorders cause a lot of different moods. People with bipolar disorder may have periods of time where they don’t appear to be showing unusual behaviour to other people.

People with a borderline personality disorder don’t seem to have a baseline personality between each episode like those with bipolar. However, it has a consistent effect on their everyday life. 

Identifying the causes that trigger the disorder may help identify the illness. In the case of BD, not being able to identify any triggers may be a clue to what it is. Researchers aren’t clear on what causes it yet; however, genetics and trauma may be the main cause in some cases of the disorders.

Some people with these disorders have to go through traumatic experiences to cause these disorders, and some just inherit them from genetics.

Treatment:

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

Most people with bipolar disorder will need treatment their entire life to keep their condition managed. This includes medicine like mood stabilizers and medications such as antipsychotics or antidepressants.

Therapy is very helpful for people with BD to understand it and develop skills to handle it and what to do when they have a bipolar episode.

The Focus Of Borderline Personality Disorder

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

When determining Borderline Personality Disorder, a person’s personal relationships should be studied more closely, as they are the identifier of the condition. One of the differences between these two disorders is the role that other people play in them too.

Bipolar symptoms can flare up without any human interaction. Stress and conflict can be the trigger. Borderline personality disorder centres on how the patients interact with other people and how they see themselves.

Borderline personality disorder symptoms are usually known to be more reactive. This is because of a result of a psychologically salient, which is a feeling of frustration, rejection or a sense of abandonment.

Who is at Risk of Becoming Bipolar?

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

Those who are more at risk include those who have a first-degree relative who has bipolar disorder, a parent or sibling who is bipolar, having periods of high stress and anxiety from trauma and drug abuse can be the main risk factors of becoming bipolar. You are more likely to develop borderline personality disorder if you have a close relative with a similar disorder. However, other contributing factors could include things like a stressful childhood, particularly being abused or neglected.

The person’s caregiver may have also had a substance abuse problem, a person’s natural personality can contribute to having a borderline personality disorder, impulsiveness and aggression may play a main role in the development of borderline personality disorder.

Getting A Diagnosis

Borderline Personality Disorder VS Bipolar | Healthier Me Today

There are nine symptoms of Borderline personality disorder, and identifying five of them should be enough for a medical professional to give a diagnosis. Though this is not a simple task, getting a diagnosis for bipolar disorder is just as complicated, if not more. A medical professional may need to do a physical exam, psychiatric assessment, and mood charting to keep a record of your moods and sleeping patterns to determine whether a patient is bipolar or has a borderline personality disorder. BP can appear in kids and is often confused with ADHD.

There’s no biological factor to distinguish between the two disorders, but it’s important to understand what condition is present. Misdiagnosed patients have a higher risk of getting worse symptoms and complications from the disorder or mistreatment, or even worse, suicide. Researchers are continuing to find ways to diagnose each condition more easily every day.

Everything You Need To Know About Borderline Personality Disorder And Bipolar Disorder

However, there is not enough research that suggests that borderline personality disorder and bipolar are related. There are some features that are the same. There are also some marked differences between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder.

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Notes On Suicide – What You Need to Know

Notes on suicide: what you should know! Suicide is a death caused by self-inflicted injury with the intention to die.

Suicide is the most common cause of death in the world. One person dies by suicide almost every 10 minutes.

The Situations That Could Lead To Suicide Attempts

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

  • He or she becomes calm after a period of depression or anger.

You might not know what might have caused a friend or a loved one to attempt suicide. There are some characteristics to be aware of.

  • Attempted suicide in the past.
  • Has a mental health condition
  • Has money or legal problems.
  • Has violent or impulsive behaviour.
  • Has alcohol or other substance abuse problems.

Most Common Suicide Warnings

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

If you want to know or have any sort of suspicions about your loved one wanting to take their life, here are a few things that may stand out as telltale signs!

  • Loss of appetite.
  • He or she chooses to be alone and avoids friends or social activities. 
  • He or she loses interest in activities they enjoyed.
  • Attitude and behaviour changes
  • become less concerned about how they look no matter where they go. 
  • Sleeping much more or barely sleeping at all.

Every suicide threat should be taken seriously. Everyone’s life matters and the mental condition that may result in an individual feeling this way should not be taken lightly!

Can Suicide Be Prevented?

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

Suicide can be prevented! There are a number of ways you can do this:

  • Be alert to any signs of depression and other mental health conditions.
  • Recognize suicide warning signs.
  • Provide proper caring support.
  • Ask if the person has considered hurting themselves.

People who get proper support from friends and family and who have access to mental health services are less likely to attempt or even constantly think of suicide, unlike those who have no one to talk to about their feelings or worries!

Notes on Suicide

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

Suicide and suicide attempts cause extreme emotional and physical impacts on everyone and everything. People who attempt suicide and survive may cause serious lasting mental health issues. On the physical side, a person may suffer from things like liver injuries (Depending on the method used).

The long-term effect on their overall health may be a serious consequence they may need to live with!

Sometimes people who attempt suicide do not succeed in their attempt. When this does happen, a person will likely be hospitalized and first treated for any injuries that occurred during the attempt. Thereafter, mental health hospitalization is likely to take place!

Suicide and suicide attempts affect the health of friends and family. When people pass from suicide, the family and friends left behind experience heartbreak, shock, anger, guilt and even develop mental health problems themselves because of it!

Notes of Suicide and Prevention!

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

  • Research what suicide is and what causes it
  • The situations and risk factors of suicide.
  • Suicide warning signs.
  • Can suicide be prevented?
  • The impact of suicide on people’s lives

What You Should Know

If you know of someone who is showing warning signs of suicide, please, don’t be afraid to talk about depression openly. If the individual has thoughts about hurting themselves or committing suicide, ask them what’s wrong and listen clearly to what they are saying without judging them and don’t interrupt them or cut them off while they are speaking to you, everyone wants to cut in to give advice or keep asking questions, don’t or they might not open up to you again or to anyone else when they want and need help, they need all the love and support they can get at their time of need.

Your Loved Ones

Your friends and family members need to know that you care about them and are willing to listen to them talk about how they are feeling and what is making them feel that way.

Talking to a Loved One in a Depressive State!

Notes on suicide | Healthier Me Today

Try your best to give them advice on how to handle the situation they are in once they have finished speaking and ask them if they want advice or not, because sometimes people just need to let go of what’s bothering them without getting any advice they just want that heavy burden lifted off their shoulders from keeping their problems and feelings bottled up inside and tell them they are not alone in their situation but if you don’t know what to say to them in their time of need, tell them that there are places they can go to with people who know how to help them with what’s going on and that there are call lines that can help them in their time of need and give them the treatments and advice that they need, remind them that they are dearly loved and cared about more than they think they are.

Depression Room - Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Depression Room – The Four Corners Of My Mind

Depression Room - Healthier Me TodayDepression Room – The Four Corners Of My Mind!

Many people don’t understand depression, mainly because it is too hard to imagine, but also, it could be that they don’t want to understand it, but let me explain it to you, this is what it’s like inside of a depressed person’s mind.

When you are depressed, there is a heavy feeling in your chest, it’s exactly the same feeling you feel when a loved one has passed away, but no one has passed away, only you have, and that feeling is always there. It just refuses to go away.

When you stare into a mirror and see your reflection, you just see yourself as a ghost, you’re living, but it doesn’t feel like it. You feel and look dead inside. You try endlessly to see some type of life in your eyes, but you only see dead eyes. There’s no light and no hope in them, and you start to ask yourself, how can you live for another day, week, or month? 

Then you just stop thinking about that and start asking yourself if you will even be able to survive the day you woke up to. You just feel defeated every single day.

The Horrid Depression Room – How it Feels!

Depression Room - Healthier Me Today

It’s almost as if all the storms that could exist are happening right inside of your mind, and you can’t think straight, it’s just dark and stormy in there, you know you can’t survive it, but there’s nothing you can do about it.

Even if nothing has happened, everything just seems so wrong. Suddenly you just think no one is loving or caring anymore. Everyone and everything just irritates you so much you can’t stand it. You don’t want to work because it feels as if you can’t. It feels like you aren’t giving it your all, but you are, yet that voice inside your head keeps telling you a thousand different things to torture you.

Everything you do takes so much more effort. What you thought was difficult to do feels too overwhelming. What makes you sad is so unbearable. What feels like a bit of joy feels so pleasureless. It all just feels like you’re drowning in an ocean of pain, and you’re sinking deeper and deeper, and you can’t swim back up, almost as if you have so much weight tied to your feet it’s pulling you down into the darkness.

What Does Depression Feel Like? – Inside the Depression Room

Depression Room - Healthier Me Today

Depression can be hard to explain or express how it feels to someone who has not experienced it. There is one misunderstanding people make about depression: to compare it to feeling sad or down in the dumps.

Yes, people with depression feel sadness, but it feels more intense than normal sadness.

Depression feels like intense pain that can’t be identified in any particular part of the body. It is more painful than any type of physical pain you can ever experience, and no one can see it. 

It’s like you’re trapped in a totally different universe. People seem so far away that you can reach or call for help, and it’s the feeling of screaming, and no one can hear you. You start to feel like no one cares about you and no one wants to help you. What does depression feels like and how does it feel to be stuck in a depression room?

  • Depression Room - Healthier Me TodayThere is no pleasure or joy in life: No matter what you do or try to do, you just don’t feel pleasure in doing things, and the things you don’t bring you joy.
  • Concentration and focus become harder: When you make decisions, sit in class and read or watch television, it seems overwhelming because you can’t focus or think clearly. 
  • Everything in life seems hopeless: There is just no way to feel better. Depression may make a person feel like there is o way to ever feel good again.
  • Self-Esteem is absent half of the time: People with depression feel like they are worthless and are a failure at everything. They dwell on everything and cannot see any positive qualities in themselves.
  • Sleeping is a problem: Falling asleep and staying asleep is almost impossible for those in a depressive state! A person may wake up continuously and not be able to go back to sleep. Others sleep too much but still wake up tired, despite the extra hours of sleep.
  • Energy levels are almost non-existent: Some people feel like they can’t get out of bed. They feel that they are too exhausted to do their simple daily tasks.
  • Loss of appetite: People with depression feel like they don’t want to eat anything. When they force themselves to eat, they get nauseous and stop eating, and this causes them to lose a lot of weight which is unhealthy.
  • Food may be used as a comfort or coping mechanism: some people with depression don’t want to eat, others overeat and crave unhealthy foods to comfort them. This can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
  • Aches and pains: Some people experience headaches, nausea, body aches, and other pains with depression. 

Many people seem to believe that being depressed is a choice or that they need to have a positive attitude. Friends and family get frustrated and don’t understand why a person can’t snap out of their depressive state. They love to tell the person who is depressed that they have nothing to be depressed about.

What it Means!

Depression Room - Healthier Me Today

Depression is an actual mental illness. People who have depression cannot simply decide one morning when they wake up that they will stop being depressed. 

Unlike normal sadness or worry, depression feels like it’s eating you alive, and you feel hopeless.

If you know of anyone with depression, speak to them and comfort them as best as you can because this is exactly how someone with depression feels, and this is what goes on inside their mind. Depression isn’t just a phase. It is an illness. A lot of things can cause depression, so don’t be quick to judge and push your friends and family with depression to one side. Depression is the darkest illness to exist on this planet.

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

Will A Mental Health Academy Aid In My Well-Being?

Will A Mental Health Academy Aid In My Well-Being? Having good mental health and living well is extremely important to every single one of us, whether we are mentally ill or just struggling with everyday emotions.

What is Mental Healthmental health academy | Healthier Me TodayMental health is related to the social and emotional well-being of individuals.

The culture related to mental health relates to:

  • Enjoyment of everyday life.
  • Having the ability to cope and get back to reality from stress and sadness.
  • Being able to set and complete daily goals.
  • Build and maintain relationships with others daily.

Tips for mental health and well-being!

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

It is so easy for us to take our mental health for granted, to prioritize other things. In our minds, we set tasks for ourselves, and when the time comes to do them, we set them aside, thinking it is too hard to do at the moment. But it’s not. There are things everyone can do, even if it’s at their own steady pace. 

Use the following tips to get started on your journey!

Sleep and Rest!

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

Sleep will affect your physical and mental health, but it is the first thing we give away when we get too busy or stressed.

  • Take time out for things you enjoy. Balance is very important. Taking time out of your schedule for things you enjoy will make a difference in how you think and feel.
  • Be active and eat well. Our physical and mental health are linked together, so adding exercise and nutritious food to your everyday diet will make you feel better.
  •  Connect with others. Our connection with others is what builds us as people and keeps us going.
  • Learn to manage stress. If you have trouble winding down or handling your thoughts, you may find relaxation, or writing what you are feeling down can be helpful.
  • Get involved. Being part of a group with your common interests provides a feeling of belonging, so find out about sports, music, or community groups in your local area.
  • Build confidence. Learning new things improves your mental fitness, and taking on a new challenge every day or every other day can build confidence and give you a sense of achievement.
  • Be comfortable in your own skin. Everyone is unique in their own way. Know who you are, and do what makes you happy no matter what.
  • Set realistic goals and deal with these tasks one at a time. It is good to be specific when you set a goal to help keep you on track.
  • Ask for help should you need it. Everyone needs support. Talk to a close friend, a family member, or one of the many services available can make all the difference.

Why Mental Health And Well-Being Should Be Promoted In a Mental Health Academy 

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

For some people, mental health issues emerge when they are young, half of all mental disorders will rear by the time people are 14 years old and the other half its head by 25 years old, this is the same period when most people are busy educating themselves, and that is when people have the most stress and anxiety from studying and getting up to no time for themselves because they are too busy creating a future for themselves some make time for themselves and some don’t because they have to carry the weight of their families being disappointed in them if they don’t do a good job in university, and that makes a lot of people feel worthless and carry stress on their shoulders!

As well as increasing a person’s opportunity and decisions in life, promoting mental health and well-being as a secondary role in education helps students:

  • Succeed better in their education journey.
  • Build strength against difficult situations.
  • Develop protective factors for mental health.
  • Provide them with confidence to seek help early.

Aiming To Raise Quality And Standards Across The Entire School

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

This involves everyone in a mental health academy, teachers, staff, and parents to place a safe and inclusive learning culture and environment, including:

  • Providing social and emotional skill programs.
  • Providing prompt support for those with additional needs.
  • Involving students and families in decision-making. 

Strength Building For Students

Strength is the ability to cope and thrive in the face of negative events or challenges. However, this is a skill that can be developed!

  • Positive social connections.
  • Safe Environments.
  • Life skills such as positive coping and problem-solving skills.
  • Pro-social values.
  • Positive self-respect.
  • A sense of purpose and responsibility.

Health and Physical Education Learning Area

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

This focuses on students enhancing their own and other people’s health, safety, well-being, and physical activity participation in varied and changing contexts. This specific curriculum focuses on helping students develop the understanding and skills required to make safe choices that will enhance their own and other people’s health and well-being.

Personal and Social Capability

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

This involves students:

  • Learning to recognize and regulate emotions.
  • Develop compassion for others and understand relationships better.
  • Establish positive relationships.
  • Work effectively in teams!

A Mental Health Academy

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

Your mental health is considered equally as important as your physical health.

You often can’t see it with your eyes. Mental illness problems can cause serious damage to a person’s well-being, mentally and physically! For us to work on mental health issue prevention, we need to raise awareness about these problems. A mental health academy is definitely one of the main places where mental health awareness needs to be spread.

Mental health awareness in schools is enormous. Let’s take a detailed look at why we need schools to spread awareness about mental health.

Closing the Gap

mental health academy | Healthier Me TodaySchools are supposed to help our younger generation prepare for the world that awaits at the end of their schooling days and all the obstacles they will run into.

Most schools of today teach:

  • Physical health.
  • Health education.
  • Nutrition.
  • Sex education.

However, there’s a massive hole when it comes to mental health. Without being properly educated students won’t know how to:

  • Recognize the problem that they’re experiencing.
  • Opening up about it.
  • Look for help when it gets bad.
  • Help other people with similar or other mental health problems.

This hole needs to be closed soon, and the children need to have a chance of dealing with their mental health problems just like they’ll deal with any other problem they have.

Suicide & Mental Illnesses

mental health academy | Healthier Me TodaySuicide is and has always been one of the leading causes of death among the ages of ages 10-25 worldwide. Raising awareness of suicide will immediately lower the rates of such tragic event happening!

Talking and learning about mental health illnesses will leave a positive impact on the students struggling:

  • They will learn about therapy and how to treat their problem correctly.
  • They will be more ready to talk about it than bottle it in.
  • They will acknowledge that they have a problem.

Everything in the statements above will hopefully lower the suicide rate and offer young people a solution other than ending their life.

Early Intervention

mental health academy | Healthier Me TodayLike any other disease or health problem, early interventions are just as important in mental health.

Teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, and everyone else has to learn about it.

  • Early detection of mental illness or suicidal tendencies!
  • Spotting the meaningful changes in someone’s everyday behavior
  • Act upon any signs of mental illness promptly!
  • Social Media Influence

 We all love using social media to get information, find entertainment, and connect with our friends and celebrities. There is a rather ugly side to it that not many people are not actually talking about.

The truth is, social media does have consequences and can leave extremely deep scars in the minds of the users who use it on an everyday basis, especially the younger generation of today.

Watching rich, famous, and successful people on social media can cause mental health problems in young children, causing:

  • Low self-esteem.
  • Self Perception.
  • Depression.
  • Anxiety.

Since social media is on the rise each year, with nearly 3.5 billion + active users worldwide, the effect it has on the younger generation around our schools is mind-blowing.

This is a threat. Schools will need to raise the bar in mental health awareness and ensure their students are learning about:

  • Self-Love.
  • How they should value themselves.
  • Loving one another.
  • Not judging one another.
  • Talking About their insecurities.

This would be an advantage for the proper development of students and prevent them from feeling demoralized or depressed.

Eliminating the Cause

mental health academy | Healthier Me TodayIt’s important to learn and be educated about the negative effects of mental health issues and how to treat them. It’s important to learn about the main causes as well.

Learning about the causes of stress, depression, and anxiety is important, and school can be a a negative or positive trigger for most students experiencing mental health issues.

Students feel stressed out due to:

  • School pressure.
  • Peer pressure
  • Bullying at school
  • Strict teachers
  • Homework Overload
  • The pressure of having high grades.

If everyone in schools knew what stressed out the students the most, they would find a way to eliminate these stress factors and create a calmer atmosphere at school for the students.

This will help the children find their peace and balance and get rid of the feeling of anxiety, and stress, which could, later on, develop into even more severe mental health issues.

Mental Health And Awareness and a Mental Health Academy 

mental health academy | Healthier Me Today

It’s very important to raise mental health awareness in schools and this may be why a mental health academy may help since younger people are affected daily by their mental health issues. They desperately need a system that they can rely on and some source of information to get them through the process of dealing with their inner issues on a daily basis. Schools need to make changes and get as many people as possible to work on raising mental health awareness.

How To Take Care of Your Mental Health Post Covid-19 | Healthier Me Today
Mental HealthbyHMT News Team

How To Take Care of Your Mental Health Post Covid-19

Covid-19 has brought out the worst in those who have a mental illness. Unfortunately, the pandemic affected those who have always had excellent and robust mental health. There is nothing wrong with admitting that Covid-19 has had a negative effect on your mental well-being. It is a natural response to such stressful times. 

Why Did The Pandemic Affect My Mental Health?

The pandemic has negatively impacted both those who have mental illness and those who do not. There are various reasons as to why so many have been mentally affected. First, the pandemic caused a lot of uncertainty. No one knew what would happen or who would be infected. 

Many people suffered significant losses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some had lost loved ones. Others had lost jobs and housing. In addition, the pandemic caused many to go into debt as the stay at home orders caused businesses to close. Some companies closed temporarily. Others closed permanently. For businesses that closed permanently, staff were left without income. The lack of income has been one of the most significant contributing factors to depression during Covid-19. 

For social butterflies, stay at home orders, and social distancing caused feelings of isolation and anxiety. For those who were already suffering from anxiety and depression, having no reason to leave the house or leave their bedrooms caused a lack of self-care. This worsened the mental states of many. 

The uncertainty caused people to live in fear. Daily routines could be no more, and human contact had been frowned upon. Yet, humans need to have a social life and outside contact. Not being able to receive it will affect your mental health negatively. 

Taking Care of Your Mental Health Post Covid-19

How To Take Care of Your Mental Health Post Covid-19 | Healthier Me Today

It could be hard to find the motivation to take care of yourself when things go back to the new normal. Taking things easy and easing into a new routine will help your mental health recovery. 

It’s important to note that it is okay to feel how you are feeling. For example, feelings of anxiety, depression and fear are normal in the current circumstances. Therefore, you should not feel ashamed for how you are processing Covid-19. 

Investing in a hobby could be beneficial. Having something to do could act as a distraction and help you relax. Finding a way to relax is crucial when dealing with mental health. 

Talk to family and friends about your feelings. Discussing your fears with someone could help ease your mind and put things into perspective. The social setting will also benefit you. 

Meditation and Yoga have also shown benefits in improving mental health. Yoga stretches the muscles to release tension, and meditation helps you connect. Other exercises will also benefit your mental health. It is essential to stay as active as possible.

Other methods include:

  • Drinking a lot of water
  • Taking walks
  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Take long showers/baths. 

When to See a Professional

Dealing with the stress and anxiety that comes from Covid-19 is not easy. Everyone processes emotions differently. If you feel like you are no longer coping or have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s essential to speak to a professional. A licensed therapist or psychiatrist will guide you and give you healthy coping mechanisms. There is no need to go through all your emotions and fear alone. 

Your Need for Professional Help

There has been a stigma around receiving professional help for mental health. There is, however, no shame in taking care of yourself and your mentality. Seeing a therapist or mental health professional has many benefits. Having someone to talk to allows you to know your feelings and emotions. If Covid-19 has caused you any form of trauma, speaking to a professional will help you work through it. 

Say Yes to Self-Care

Improving your mental health begins with taking care of yourself—practice self-care by doing what you need to do to feel better. Take a long bath or spend time on your hobby. Covid-19 has been a stressful time. Take your time to process the whole ordeal. 

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