Understanding Depression: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), depressive disorders include: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition Other Specified Depressive Disorder Unspecified Depressive Disorder The DSM-5 explains: "The common

The popular phrase says, “Worry is the thief of joy.” I believe that statement is true because worry and joy cannot exist in the same moment. When we choose to worry, we choose to surrender our peace and happiness. Many people push back on this idea by saying, “I just like to be prepared.” However, being prepared and worrying are not the same thing. Preparation is productive. Worry is not. Preparation focuses on what you can do. Worry focuses on what might happen. Several yea

People have different experiences or situations in life that lead them to feel depressed, anxious, worried, or angry. Everyone is unique. However, people generally have similar ways of processing or interpreting their experiences, which leads to them having negative moods or worsening their negative moods. Likewise, people who are generally in happier or more pleasant moods have similar ways of processing or interpreting their experiences, regardless of the differences in

Practical approaches to managing and understanding seasonal depression Understanding Winter Depression: The Science Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and winter blues affect millions each year. The reduced sunlight can disrupt your body's internal clock, cause drops in serotonin levels, and disturb your natural melatonin balance. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward managing them effectively. Throughout this email, I'll share evidence-based strategies that can

INGREDIENTS FOR A GOOD SELF-ESTEEM CUPCAKE (THE DO'S) Being Reassured By Others - This means changing the way you think about yourself based on what a trustworthy person tells you. This means to have a new truth about you. To give enough trust to another trustworthy person to believe what they are telling you. To be teachable. I have a few examples to highlight this point. If someone is 15 minutes late to an appointment with me and they feel bad about it and apologize

"When you choose to worry, you choose not to have joy or happiness. You will not be experiencing both worry and joy at the same time" --Dr. O Generalized Anxiety Disorder In the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association), there is an anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder. The diagnostic criteria for this disorder include: Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurri