Every single year, millions of Americans suffer with a mental illness. By definition, a mental illness is a disorder that negatively affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, mood, and/or behavior. Examples include depression, anxiety, and…
Mental Illness
We all cope differently with our struggles, such as mental illness—but an often-effective method that many can benefit from is humor. Humor can help us be more resilient when life doesn’t go our way; it enables…
Autism spectrum disorder is defined as a neurological and developmental disorder that begins in childhood and affects the individual for the duration of his or her life. This disorder can have damaging effects on one’s life from hindering social…
Sometimes, symptoms of depression are accompanied by signs of aggression, which can signify agitated depression. Agitated depression isn’t a distinct depression type, but rather a clearer explanation for cases of depression that also include acts of aggression….
While there isn’t a cure for personality disorders, there are effective treatment methods out there for those who struggle with these conditions, such as therapy. These clients can often be described as “change-resistant” as they…
Personality disorders are characterized by unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that make everyday functioning significantly difficult. The 10 personality disorders have each been analyzed and defined; however, there is still much to understand, such as how…
Pessimists and optimists are polar opposites; the former focus on the downside, while the latter tend to look on the bright side. While neither of these mentalities are classified as mental illnesses, they each can…
The media is known for getting mental health wrong: they stigmatize mental illness by making those who suffer with said disorders look weird, crazy, and dangerous. One mental illness that is commonly stigmatized as well as misunderstood is dissociative…
Depression is marked by intense feelings of despair and a loss of interest in daily activities—the remaining symptoms can vary and even resemble the flu. Depression and the flu share physical symptoms like fatigue and changes in weight or appetite; additionally, victims of…
Dysthymia is a form of depression characterized by less intense symptoms and feelings related to depression; it can be summarized as a general sadness or lack of interest/pleasure in life. Additional symptoms of dysthymia include anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, feelings of hopelessness,…
Teens and other young individuals overuse the term depression: they say they’re “depressed,” when they’re anything but perfectly happy. This is a problem, as it blurs the line between being experiencing normal emotions and being…
Counselors are seeing a rise in young people seeking counseling for depression. One reason so many young people are dealing with depression is because they’re socially isolated thanks to increasing social media use. The good…
