Do we have our priorities straight? On May 24, 2022, 19 children were brutally murdered at their elementary school by a mass shooter. The children’s bodies were so torn up by the assault weapon that parents had to provide DNA samples so the corner could identify the bodies. All the funerals had to have closed…
Many people assume Father’s Day is a happy day for people because they can honor their father. However, due to the pandemic and deaths due to the pandemic, Father’s Day this year maybe a very difficult day. We have many adults and children who are grieving the death of their father or grandfather due to…
Many clients come to me searching for help dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some realize they are suffering with it, while others may not be aware of the severity of it. PTSD occurs when someone has been the victim of or has witnessed a terrifying event where there was a threat of death, serious injury,…
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a mental health condition that results in extreme mood swings and emotional highs and lows (depression). When patients ask me, “what causes bipolar,” there is no simple answer. Underlying causes or factors can include genetic predisposition or sudden and chronic stressors such as drug/alcohol abuse, financial struggles, losing a…
The holidays are an excellent time to bond and strengthen family relationships, however they can also be stressful particularly when dealing with family conflict and differing personalities. Some conflict can arise spontaneously, while other times there may be hurt feelings from the past that present themselves again when you reunite. Today I want to focus…
Grief is a natural response to loss–both universal and personal. Individual grief can vary depending on the nature of the loss and can be caused by the death of a loved one, ending of a relationship, loss of a job or independence, diagnosis of an illness, etc. Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion that…
Do you feel like your teenager shuts you out, ignores you, or even hates you at times? Is it hard to have a conversation or do you feel like you can’t get them to open up? If you’re feeling this way, it probably isn’t your imagination. For many parents, this happens during the adolescence period…
Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million Americans, making it the most common mental illness in the U.S. We all have some anxiety, but it becomes a disorder when that excessive fear and worry continues beyond one event and starts interfering with daily activities and sleep. What is sleep anxiety? Sleep anxiety is a type of…
Anxiety in teenagers can look different from kids and adults. It can be hard to notice it in teens because they are good at hiding their feelings, and symptoms can also vary from person to person. Some teens might hide their feelings while others lash out or act irritable. And oftentimes, anxiety can lead to…
Unfortunately, with a mass shooting occurring every day in the United States (CDC), adults, teens and children are having to deal with grief on a regular basis. In addition to family members and friends, first responders such as EMTs and Emergency Room staff are dealing with grief due to these mass shootings. Adults may have…