Depression Archives

SADNESS IS NOT DEPRESSION :: UNDERSTANDING HOW TO NAVIGATE DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS

Sadness is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at times. Depression represents something much more. In today’s day and age, the description of feeling “depressed” seems to be thrown around often. But what does it really mean? Depression is diagnosed when individuals experience extreme sadness or despair for at least two consecutive weeks. It interferes …

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Taking Antidepressants: Start to Finish

Depression / By themhcollective

Starting antidepressant medications is a big decision. Taking psychiatric medications often requires a great deal of consideration as to the best time to start medication, the right medication to choose, what to expect, and also how to know if and when it is time to taper. These are questions that are best discussed with a …

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When is it Time to Consider Depression or Anxiety Medication?

Anxiety, Depression / By themhcollective

It is normal for all of us to experience ups and downs as part of life, and as part of being human. Some of us may also experience periods of depression or anxiety as well. So how do we know when to seek professional treatment, and also when to consider medications? It can be a …

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Pandemic Era Increases Diagnosable Mental Illness Rates | Dr. Anna McCarthy

Anxiety, Depression / By themhcollective

At The Mental Health Collective, we seem to be seeing an upswing in complex clinical presentations, with somatic issues accompanying them. The million dollar question is, WHY? It is near impossible to say with 100% certainty what the causal factors are. Having said that, many sources of reliable research data are showing that not only …

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How Do I Stop Blaming Myself For Mental Health Issues?

Anxiety, Depression / By themhcollective

It isn’t easy for most people to share that they struggle with mental illness. More often than not, the stigma that surrounds this highly sensitive medical topic induces fears of rejection and humiliation. Unfortunately, this often results in feelings of self-hatred and self-blame as individuals begin to judge themselves as harshly as they think that …

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Five Pandemic Hacks for Mental Health

Depression / By themhcollective

Covid-19 has increased depression and anxiety over the last several months. Besides the physical damage that it does to the body, this tiny virus has induced insomnia, fear, sadness, motivation, and a multitude of other symptoms that are severely affecting the mental health of people around the world. While fear is understandable, we don’t have …

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Five Tips for Strengthening Relationships During Bouts of Depression

Depression / By themhcollective

Depression is a mental illness that can affect people of all ages. Sometimes, depression occurs whenever a person experiences an event that negatively affects their mood, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. But most cases of depression are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, due …

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The Social Dilemma + Depression

Depression / By themhcollective

Netflix’s new docudrama, The Social Dilemma, has spurred a collective realization of sorts, shedding light on the drawbacks that social media platforms have incurred since their initial debuts. What was intended to bring people together also has the possibility to drive people apart — an important distinction, and one of the movie’s integral takeaways. While …

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Depression During A Digital Semester

Depression / By themhcollective

College is often a time of excitement, opportunity, and self-exploration, which is what makes college during a pandemic particularly devastating for those now navigating an age of digital courses, social isolation, and more time at home. During this era of uncertainty, society is starting to question the widespread impact COVID-19 will have on mental health …

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Put Your Hand On Your Heart

Depression / By themhcollective

How do I love me? Let me count the ways. With February in the air, many of us have Valentine’s Day on our minds and hearts. And while many of us simply consider Valentine’s Day as another day, for others, it can be an emotional trigger, a reminder of past and present painful relationships and …

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