Mental Health and Wellbeing

Can anxiety be prevented Everything from your activity level to your social life affects anxiety. Set the stage for success by making a conscious decision to promote relaxation, vitality and a positive mental outlook in your everyday life. Learn about anxiety. In order to overcome anxiety, it’s important to understand the problem. Cultivate your connections with other people. Loneliness and isolation set the stage for anxiety. Make it a point to see friends; join a self-help…

Self-diagnosis If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, ask yourself the following questions. If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder and you need to consult a doctor. Are you constantly tense, worried or on edge? Does your anxiety interfere with your work, school or family responsibilities? Are you plagued by fears that you know are irrational, but can’t shake? Do you believe that…

There are different types of anxiety. The six most common anxiety disorders are: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): A person feels anxious on most days, worrying about lots of different things, for a period of six months or more. If patients have GAD, they can feel worried all the time and this can seem out of control. They may feel this way though there is no real reason for worry. Patient might feel ‘on edge’ and very alert to surroundings a lot of the time. This can affect day-to-day life.…

Signs and symptoms of anxiety In moderation, anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, anxiety can help you stay alert and focused, spur you to action, and motivate you to solve problems. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with your relationships and activities, it stops being functional - that’s when you’ve crossed the line from normal, productive anxiety into the territory of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions rather than a…

Anxiety Disorder can be caused by some of the following: Family history: People who experience anxiety often have a history of mental health problems in their family. However, this doesn't mean that a person will automatically develop anxiety if a parent or close relative has had a mental illness.  There is a two to threefold greater risk of having this disorder if a first-degree relative has the disorder.  Ongoing stressful events: Stressful events can trigger symptoms of anxiety.…

Depression is a major mental health issue that affects many men and women worldwide each day, but it's not uncommon for their symptoms to be confused with chronic fatigue syndrome. In her book The Exhaustion Breakthrough, Dr. Holly Phillips touches on why this diagnosis can be so tricky. She also shares in this interview with Huff Post Live  "One of the most common signs of depression is fatigue, a lack of motivation, a change in mood, a change in appetite, but also if…

“My anxieties have anxieties,” said Charlie Brown echoing many of us. Stress is a part of life, but why and how do some deal with it better than others? Savita Narayan breaks it down with practical tips for fortifying your inner strength.   “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.” Shantideva, 8th century Buddhist teacher “Stress comes from the way you relate to events or situations.” ― Chris Prentiss, Zen and the Art…

By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com contributing editor Caring for an aging parent or other loved one in your home usually begins with the best of intentions. Over time, however, a good thing can disintegrate into a tough, tense situation. Knowing the top trouble spots can help you make changes that can delay or avoid the need to move on to out-of-home placement. Here are five big "sore points" that undermine family caregiving -- and what to do about them: Sore point #1: Lack of privacy…

Sleep deprivation is rampant. A 30 minute nap is beneficial to your health!  This article specifically talks of the negative effects of sleep deprivation in caregivers :  forgetfulness, lowered alertness,premature aging,  decrease creativity, lower immune system, increased risk of stroke, diabetes, unwanted weight gain and increased possibility for a heart attack. Caregiver statistics show caregivers are often exhausted at the end of the day. Many  find that they…

In collaboration with WHO to mark World Mental Health Day, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the “black dog of depression”. Probably the only dog video on the Internet that will make you reflect. Millions of people around the world live with depression, a frightening, debilitating condition at its worst. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and don’t know where to turn for help. Recognizing depression and…