Emotional Health Help

25 Drug-Free Therapies to Treat Menopause Depression, Anxiety - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

2012-02-02T18:44:00.001-05:00

Anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome): I struggle with each of these issues to a varying degree. For seven years I took the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine), but I began to put on weight at an alarming rate. When I entered menopause a few years ago, it felt like I had PMS every day. My depression and panic attacks escalated. I decided to quit and find ways to treat emotional distress without medication. Here are 25 drug-free therapies that have kept me off antidepressants and helped me to lose weight and feel better. Read more at: 25 Drug-Free Therapies to Treat Menopause Depression, Anxiety

Healthy Grieving and Coping with Loss Patterns

2012-01-19T15:06:00.001-05:00

Healthy Grieving and Coping with Loss Patterns A friend who lost the love of her life shared recently that she had no idea that grief could be so pervasive or take so long to heal. I hold a degree in psychology and have grief counseling experience; none of that prepared me for the horrific and sickening vacuum that loss of a loved one left in my soul. Here are thoughts about coping with loss and helping others heal from their grief, collected from numerous personal grief experiences along with walking with friends on the healing journey. Read on...

Self-Help Tricks, Mental Health Tips to Quit Antidepressants

2012-01-03T01:02:00.001-05:00

Self-Help Tricks, Mental Health Tips to Quit Antidepressants For seven years, I took Paxil (paroxetine) to relieve anxiety and depression. I began to put on an alarming amount weight and with extended use, the antidepressant didn't work as well, either. I decided to quit. I have been antidepressant-free for 16 months. Here are self-help tips and mental health strategies for quitting SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Some of these tips may fly in the face of conventional medical thinking, but I recommend them because they worked for me. I would also add another, that I remembered after writing this: journal your progress. Do your mental health homework. If you have bad days, don't worry. It happens. It's like the Rodney Atkins song says "If you're going through hell, keep on going, don't slow down. If you're scared, don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there." When you quit antidepressants, some days will feel like hell. But there were days I felt like hell even with the drugs. Those days don't last forever and they get fewer and farther between. If you can't or don't want to quit, don't beat yourself up. Some people need these meds. Some antidepressants are more effective with fewer side effects, too. I just found my life better without the Paxil. Read on...

Strategies for Coping with Holiday Stress-Induced Relationship Problems

2011-12-19T15:27:00.001-05:00

Strategies for Coping with Holiday Stress-Induced Relationship Problems It's one of life's enigmas; the winter holiday season, which is supposed to bring the greatest joy, sometimes causes more feelings of depression and anxiety. Relationships and marriages , says family therapist Rachel Sussman, often suffer holiday-related setbacks. Here's a look at holiday relationship issues, with some first-hand advice about ways to cope. Read on...

Cognitive-Behavioral "Talk Therapy" Helps Teen Depression, Suicide, Schizophrenia

2011-10-11T19:43:00.003-04:00

Schizophrenia Talk Therapy Success Encouraging for Teen Depression, Suicide New research shows that talk therapy, or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, is having success with schizophrenics, many of whom are teens and young adults. These findings are encouraging for parents; they demonstrate that CBT can help with teen depression and suicide prevention, too. Here's how.

Kate Hudson, Chaz Bono, How Parents Can Hurt or Help Kids

2011-09-19T18:28:00.001-04:00

Kate Hudson, Chaz Bono: A Tale of Two Celeb Kids and Their Parents Kate Hudson and Chaz Bono: two celebrities with little in common except parents making news about their kids. Kate's estranged dad Bill Hudson came out with a tell-all book calling her a "spoiled brat." Transgender Chaz Bono's mom Cher, on the other hand, is supporting him on DWTS.
Parents have a lot of control over their kids emotions, even adult kids. What might be blown off from another adult, hurts deeply if it comes from mom or dad. Even if kids know that mom or dad isn't emotionally healthy, their actions are still hurtful. Let's look at these two celebs and see what can be learned about helping or hurting. Read on...

Antidepressants Reduce Cancer, Alzheimer's but Increase Obesity, Diabetes Risk

2011-09-04T17:57:00.002-04:00

Antidepressants Reduce Cancer, Alzheimer's but Increase Obesity, Diabetes Risk Antidepressants are making headlines in several ways. Tricyclic drugs have been shown to cut the risk of bowel and brain cancer. Antidepressants may also combat Alzheimer's disease. Antidepressants are linked to weight gain, liver problems and Type 2 diabetes, however. Read more...

TWLOHA Helping People in Depression, Self-Abuse, Addiction, Suicidal Thoughts

2011-08-17T12:35:00.001-04:00

'To Write Love on Her Arms' Helping People in Depression, Self-Abuse, Addiction, SuicideTo Write Love on Her Arms' is an edgy, endearing program designed with the purpose of reaching out in love to those suffering from depression, addiction, self-abuse and suicidal thoughts. TWLOHA crosses religious, social and cultural boundaries with one goal in mind: to save the suffering. Thank God for TWLOHA. Read all about it...

Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Disaster Victims - Yahoo! News

2011-03-27T21:08:00.002-04:00

Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Disaster Victims
With all that's happened in the world recently, earthquakes, tsunamis, oil spills and disasters, it's easy to forget the emotional impact while tending to the physical. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, shock, exhaustion, depression run rampant with disaster victims. Here are resources to help disaster victims cope and find emotional and mental healing.

AA Slogans: "Let it Begin with Me" Apology vs. Defensive Co-Dependent

2011-02-28T20:16:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry" may one of the most inappropriately used phrases in the English language. Having said that, there are times when a heartfelt well-timed confession and apology vs. defensiveness can bring emotional healing to the injured and the offender. Emotional healing is also possible even if the person apologizing has done nothing wrong. The key to healing is the attitude of the person confessing and apologizing. Read on...

Natural Herbal Anti-Depressant and Anti-Anxiety First Aid Remedies

2011-01-27T19:04:00.001-05:00

I've struggled with anxiety and depression all of my life. For seven years I took the SSRI anti-depressant Paxil (Paroxetine). After weaning myself I turned to homeopathic and herbal remedies. Here is my herbal and homeopathic first aid kit. Read on...

Daily Strength: Online Support Group When You Can't Make a 12-Step

2011-01-20T16:58:00.000-05:00

I write many articles on self-help, emotional health, physical health, relationship issues and 12 Step programs. In exploring emotional, physical and psychological health issues, I always want to provide resources. DailyStrength.org is one such resource. Dailystrength.org (click here) is a comprehensive online support group network. Dailystrength.org links people with hundreds of online support groups on everything from parenting issues, health issues, addiction recovery, substance abuse, survivor issues, mental health, 12 step programs and every kind of support group in between. Read more...

Online Dietary Supplements May Contain Steroids

2011-01-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, the FDA sent warning letters to dietary supplement manufacturers stating that many weight loss products, body-building products, sexual enhancements contain undeclared and deceptively labeled drugs, analogs and synthetic steroids. Further, many of these products are labeled as "herbal" and "natural" which misleads and confuses consumers. Read on...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101217/hl_ac/7425578_fda_warns_of_steroidtainted_dietary_supplements#

Emotional Health Strategies in Disciplining Children: Choose Your Battles

2011-01-04T21:26:00.000-05:00

Developmental psychology is a fascinating study, but we have to be careful that when explore child psychology that we don't lose the child in the study. Each child is unique and individual; the whole of a child is greater than the sum of the parts. One of the most important lessons that I have learned in dealing with children is to choose your battles. Here's what I mean...

How to Set Boundaries for Holiday Guests and Be a Good Guest

2010-12-21T20:23:00.000-05:00

The holidays represent different things for different people. For many people, the holidays mean parties, entertaining and house guests, which means extra work and preparation. Can you be a good hostess and set boundaries for house guests? Absolutely. In fact, if you don't set some expectations, you may wind up in your local hospital psych ward with HSD - Holiday Stress Disorder (term mine). Here is a list of expectations, boundaries and protocol for house guests. Read more...

Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction Surgery Improves Rest, Sleep, Breathing and Health

2010-12-10T11:02:00.000-05:00

I have always suffered from breathing problems, sinus pain and sleep disorders. I began using a CPAP breathing machine to reduce sleep apnea. I noticed great improvement in sleep and breathing after undergoing a septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction surgery. Read on...

Veteran's Day Google Doodle Controversy

2010-11-14T18:56:00.000-05:00

Google Doodle Veteran's Day 2010 Controversy: Muslim Crescent Moon or Red 'e'?
Veteran's Day 2010 was a time for gratitude and remembrance. For some it was about misplaced patriotism when the Google Doodle showed an American flag draped over 'Google', obscuring the red ending 'e' and making it look like the Muslim crescent moon.
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Best Books for Children (and Adults) About Bullying

2010-11-03T16:50:00.000-04:00

Bullying: 10 Books for Home and School
Ten witty and ingenious books for kids and adults to address the problem of bullying at home and school. Read as bullied underdogs take on their persecutors in proactive, bully-busting ways.
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Age and Maturity Determine Fear Factor of Scary Movies

2010-10-27T11:12:00.000-04:00

How Age and Maturity Level Determine Which Movies Will Scare People
I have a theory about fear in general and horror movies in particular: the age a person is when they experience any particular 'horror' movie will affect how scary they believe it to be. I believe that maturity and developmental level affect fear.
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Helping Your Kids Avoid Bullies

2010-10-18T13:34:00.000-04:00

How to Help Your Children Deal with Selfish Mean Kids
Every children's play group or social club has them. That one family that lets their children run wild. They behave as if their children can do no wrong. These children are hurtful. They don't play nice or fair. And mom is oblivious to them.
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Panic Attacks as Coping and Defense Mechanisms

2010-10-08T20:31:00.002-04:00

Panic Attack as Coping and Defense Mechanism for Stress and Crisis
'Existential crisis' refers to experiences of extreme stress or that shake a person's core convictions. In response to 'existential crisis' stress, the mind may go into safety mode. Panic attacks can be defense and coping mechanisms.
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Relationship and Communication Issues: Respond in Love vs. React in Anger

2010-10-02T19:45:00.000-04:00

Relationships and Communication: Responding Kindly is Healthier Than Reacting Angrily
We've all seen (or been in relationships) where one person gives most of the positive while the other partner selfishly takes the positive but gives negative. However 'what goes around comes around' doesn't work. Here's why.
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Codependent Recovery: Let Pain Be Your Guide

2010-09-20T16:14:00.000-04:00

Emotional and Co-Dependent Recovery: Let Pain Be Your Guide
It's so easy, when facing a painful situation, to hide from negative feelings. But anger, frustration, pain, suffering guide us. Doctors say when recommending treatment to 'let pain be your guide'. This works in co-dependent recovery, too.
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Co-Dependent Recovery: Don't Volunteer to Be a Victim

2010-09-15T19:41:00.000-04:00

Co-Dependent Recovery: Stop Volunteering to Be the Victim
It's foolish and cruel to say that people 'bring pain on themselves.' We aren't given the ability to foretell the future, so there is no way to know what direction any given situation will take. However, we don't have to volunteer to be a victim.
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AA and Al-Anon Slogan and Recovery: But for the Grace of God

2010-09-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

AA and Al-Anon Slogans: But for the Grace of God
The 12 Step AA and Al-Anon programs describes their beliefs this way: 'spiritual but not religious'. We recognize a Higher Power in AA and Al-Anon, whom some of us choose to call God. 'But for the Grace of God' refers to our higher power.
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