Experiencing a trauma trigger is not just being upset by disturbing content. It’s a response wired into our brain by a past event, causing thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and behaviors that often feel automatic and out of one’s control.
How to Conquer a Phobia
When was the last time you felt an overwhelming sense of fear? You may have felt your breath get shallow, your heart rate quicken, or even experienced dizziness or chest pain. We all experience fear and/or panic sometimes. Those feelings can even be useful, alerting us to approaching threats or keeping us from making risky… read more
When Help Causes Harm: The Impact of Medical PTSD
Brenda Denzler, a North Carolina writer, recounts in the online magazine Cure the abject fear that gripped her as she prepared for surgery. “Fear and anxieties so intense that they bordered on hysteria emerged,” writes Denzler. Luckily, the surgery went well and her fears subsided. Then in 2018, she was diagnosed with cancer. “I was… read more
How to Practice Mindfulness
What’s a single practice that’s been credited with reducing anxiety, treating depression, decreasing implicit age and race bias and increasing body satisfaction? Mindfulness.
Mindfulness encourages people to pay attention to the present moment, acknowledging and accepting their thoughts and sensations, without making judgments. It can help to heighten awareness of our emotional, cognitive, and physical experiences.
The Queer Mental Health Movement
How Have LGBTQA Rights Progressed? It’s been 50 years since Stonewall, the moment that launched the queer civil rights movement, and there is a lot to celebrate. In the areas of work, housing, marriage, and access to queer-sensitive health care and HIV treatment, progress has been nothing short of astounding. At the same time, there… read more
4 Tips for Becoming a Grandparent
Becoming a Grandparent: A New Role We all know that the aging process impacts us physically and mentally. Many of us adopt new habits in response to these changes, such as eating healthier or exercising more. We might change occupations as we age, or think about preparing for retirement.These are important considerations as we get… read more
The Power of Music Therapy
Music therapy is defined as “the use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs” of groups or individuals. It can include playing or listening to music, writing songs, or doing guided imagery. Music therapy degrees are available to grads and undergrads, and all music therapists have to pass a rigorous certification. Practitioners work to address emotional issues, such as depression or grief, to cognitive conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
What Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Teaches Us About Unhealthy Relationship Patterns
Have you ever found yourself repeating relationship patterns that you don’t like or understand? If so, you’re definitely not alone—and Attachment Theory may shed light on what you’re experiencing. Therapist Jacky Casumbal, LGSW, explores the topic below. “We must look at ourselves over and over again in order to learn to love, to discover what… read more
The Key To Happiness
When we do things that we enjoy and are skilled at, like practicing a new sport, writing a legal brief, or birdwatching, we enter a trance-like state where we are completely immersed in the activity. We lose track of time and become less self-conscious.
5 Ways to Resolve Anxiety-Related Insomnia
Have you ever lain awake in bed feeling like your thoughts were running through your head nonstop? Has looking at the clock and seeing how long you’ve been trying to fall asleep made you feel even more wound up?
Many of us experience anxiety-related insomnia, and our attachment to nighttime use of our phones and TVs only exacerbates the problem. Luckily, there are strategies you can try, especially before bedtime, to help reduce anxiety and improve your sleep.
