Category Archives: Mental Health

Mental health is something many of us take for granted. Learn more about mental health conditions and how to seek the help necessary to deal with them here at the Families.com Mental Health Blog.

Genes are not destiny?

I read that in an article today. Genes are not destiny. Funny, that is not the impression I get when data is presented to show how genetics dictate options. Women have their breasts removed voluntarily due to genetics. People avoid ever drinking even a taste because of genetics. This is because we are often told we can’t fight genetics. Choices don’t come into play. So where was this I read “genes are not destiny”? From a psychologist at UCLA, while discussing a gene’s link to self-esteem and optimism. Funny how things just grab your attention sometimes. I feel like “it’s … Continue reading →

Drug Use in the US – Stats

Some people don’t like to think of drug use as mental health issue, but it is. When determining if someone has an addiction we use the same manual as we do to determine if someone has bipolar. It is a medical model of addiction – addiction is a disease similar to any other chronic disease where a combination of genetics and choices contribute to the problem. Think diabetes, heart disease, etc. Many disorders in mental health are looked at through the same lens, because as pieces of the disease are out of our control, pieces are also within our control … Continue reading →

Anger Management

Every couple of months I receive a local magazine sponsored by some area churches. The magazine has regular features plus local stories. One of the regular features is a couple who conduct pre-wedding counseling for a few churches; for the feature, a couple sends their question/concern to them and they respond, using their experience as pre-marriage counselors to guide them. I always find it an interesting read, and although the advice is simple it is always on target. The concern in the latest issue really hit at my heart. A woman wrote in expressing concern over her fiancee’s explosive temper. … Continue reading →

Anxiety-Fueled Depression: Patricia’s Story (Is It Yours Too?)

For those living with chronic anxiety, there often comes a time when it just gets to be too much. You can only ride the ups and downs of anxious thoughts for so long before a sense of hopelessness creeps in. A heaviness of depression blankets every anxious thought. Paralysis sets in. Patricia’s story is a perfect example: Patricia lay in bed, dreading waking up, let alone getting up. At least in sleep she could escape for just a little while. Waking up meant gearing up, gearing up to somehow face another day. Patricia didn’t know exactly how she was going … Continue reading →

Married Young…and Mentally Ill?

According to a new study, women in the US who marry during their teen years (before age 18) make up about 9% of married women, and that 9% had a 41% increase in psychiatric problems over women married later. The most common disorders were anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. This was a first of a kind study on mental health and adolescent brides in the US. Other issues it addressed were that young brides also tend to come from rural areas, have lower levels of education and income, and are more likely to be smokers. Although the occurrence of marrying … Continue reading →

Autism Spectrum Disorders and School

I came across an article in the US News & World report health section today that caught my eye. They were discussing a study published in Psychiatric Services last month (August 2011). The research looked at the use of mental health services by adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder. They were looking at data from a longitudinal study that covered a 10 year period, and discovered that about half of those who received mental health services received them at school. Obviously school plays an important role in the lives of those with autism spectrum disorders. Normally these students would be … Continue reading →

New CDC Stats on Mental Illness

A summary report discussing how the CDC measures mental illness and the statistics that go with it was released on 9/02/11. This report focused on adults in the US, and the primary diagnosis it looks at is Depression, leaving Anxiety (which may have a higher rate of diagnosis) out of the equation. The actual CDC report can be cumbersome to get through, but they have some interesting data tables including state-by-state data that was eye-opening. A better look at this report was summarized by Dr. John Grohol from PsychCentral. He pointed out the significance in missing anxiety as a primary … Continue reading →

Sadness Takes Its Toll

Maybe this should say “madness” instead. I am just not sure. Like many in this country I was recently laid off. It was unexpected, and overwhelming. I now get up every morning and take my kids to school, and then wander around the house wondering what to do with myself. After reading the job postings for the day and applying to any I actually qualify for (not a lot of jobs in mental health out there) I feel lost. Sure, I made a list of all of the things I would accomplish during this time: organize my bathroom, go through … Continue reading →

Recast Anxiety: Setting the Stage for Peaceful Scenes in Your Life

If anxiety plays a starring role in your life, it’s time to recast. You deserve the starring role. Anxiety need be little more than a subplot. Make that a cameo. No, even that draws too much attention to it. Anxiety should be one of those characters like “woman on bus” or “man reading newspaper.” You’re aware it’s there, and it serves a purpose, but once the scene’s over, you never think about it again. Certainly, this is an ideal scenario; it’s much easier said than done letting anxious thoughts go for good. But try to remember, you call the shots. … Continue reading →

ADHD Myths

ADHD is not something I tend to focus on, primarily because it can be controversial with no “winning” side. I have seen kids with severe ADHD and the struggle the parents have in getting them the right help appears overwhelming. It seems there are so many “things” working against them, not the least of which is public opinion. I hear people say things like “Don’t all kids have some kind of ADHD?” My favorite is when people blame ADHD on a lack of spanking. So why does ADHD have a bad rap? Why do so many think it isn’t real, … Continue reading →