Most people experience joyful emotions around the holidays. The days are filled with holiday parties, social gatherings and time spent with family and friends. But for some of us, this time of year starts a steady progression of anxiety, depression, sadness, self-reflection and isolation.
Why do some people react with joy and others with dread? [...]
To family members, friends, and other observers, it may seem to be a “no-brainer” that a woman who is abused by her partner should leave the relationship. But, in fact, research indicates that leaving a relationship that involves intimate-partner violence is a complex and, often, dangerous process. First, empirical studies suggest that a [...]
Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder. Patients suffering from the disorder experience episodes of mania, hypomania, major depression and/or mixed moods. Once considered an adult disorder, more recent research and anecdotal reports suggest that the onset of the disease for many may begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Unfortunately, evidence [...]
With the return of our soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan and an increasing concern about how mental health professionals may help these courageous men and women overcome the traumatic effects of war has come a resurgence of public interest in an intervention called mindfulness. Mindfulness is a form of meditation that actually has been taught [...]
During these difficult economic times, a frustrating paradox occurs. The stress of the realities associated with a struggling economy (e.g., reduced income, mortgage failure) create and exacerbate psychological and behavioral problems, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Many individuals suffering from such problems receive relief from psychotherapy. Yet, therapy may be [...]
In his 1997 book, Taming the Tiger, Dr. Peter Levine introduced Somatic Experiencing © (SE) as a short term and naturalistic form of therapy aimed at healing the psychological and physical sequelae of both single-episode trauma (e.g., a natural disaster, a car accident, a rape) and ongoing developmental trauma (e.g., ongoing childhood neglect ). [...]
Over the last several years, researchers have reported that depression is associated with life-threatening conditions. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR, 2000), up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. In addition, depression frequently co-occurs with other mental disorders that carry [...]
Bipolar Disorder is a serious psychological disorder that tends to be chronic and disabling despite significant advances in pharmacological treatment. Many patients experience recurrence of their symptoms even when they take their medication as prescribed. According to an article written by David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D. and published in the most recent American Journal [...]