Mental Health

In our world today, there lies plenty of uncertainty. No matter what location you are currently residing in, this time can feel very frightening. Mental health experts have reported possible increases in anxiety and depression during the Coronavirus pandemic, so it is imperative to be aware of any symptoms associated with these conditions. Fortunately, there are also some tips and tricks you can utilize to help during these periods of adversity. Symptoms to look out for include:

Different types of therapy are available to patients with mental illness, especially in the 21st century. Psychodynamic therapy is one of the three main types of treatment in combating depression. The other two are cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is the type of treatment most people visualize when they think of how a psychologist treats patients. It is designed to help patients experience their full range of emotions. In particular, the goal is to access feelings that a patient is not aware of. Professionals accomplish this goal by accessing the unconscious part of patients' lives. This helps people understand why their mood and behavior become affected by unconscious feelings they are not aware of.

Right now is the best time to be living in society — a time where people can start to speak up against issues like abuse, toxic relationships, sexual harassment, discrimination, and gender inequality, to name a few. This time that allows for more personal expression has created a place where traditionally marginalized groups can speak out. Victims of abuse are now confronting their abusers. Mental health and substance use disorders are more understood. This freedom of speaking what is in your heart can be extremely helpful and beneficial. It can also lead to some intricate situations that leave you questioning how much you should reveal about yourself and how knowing about someone else's personal life can change your perspective about them. For most of us keeping a wall up around parts of ourselves, we don't want anyone to look at is pretty common. It is a way to protect ourselves and shield ourselves from possible "harm". This is also a form of trying to create boundaries. Some of us are more hyper-aware about raising those boundaries than others, which can also lead to discomfort and conflict because it is harder to keep others' revelations out than it is to keep our own within ourselves. When we think of the word boundary, we immediately go to a self-oriented concept like this is "my" boundary. What's also important to look at there is what you're willing to let in as well. In many healthy relationships — romantic or friendships — we gauge people's boundaries by making progress in the trust arena. Like when you first open up about something that may be uncomfortable to talk about. If the other person listening doesn't engage or say anything back, chances are, you would stop right there and not open up further. This "progress" can be hindered when the openness isn't reciprocated. It can feel as if you are not safe with that person. The problem also lies in the fact that we like telling others about ourselves. The Illinois State University conducted research where they put previously unacquainted participants together and instructed them to ask each other questions. In one group, people took turns and one person would speak for about ten minutes while the other person listened. Then they would switch roles. In the second group, individuals engaged in a reciprocal back and forth, responding to each other in the moment. In the reciprocal version, the subjects liked each other a lot more. When we start to get to know a person we find that what we are enjoying about it the most is when our idea of self-disclosure feels balanced. They are sharing with us as much or around as much as we are sharing with them. When someone goes on about themselves non stop it can be off-putting. On the other hand when someone won't talk about themselves at all, it can lead our thinking to question why they are reluctant to be open with us. Another negative encounter can occur when you are on a first date with someone new and they grill you with very personal questions about your life. This may even make you feel uncomfortable. People who score high in the personality trait of agreeableness are particularly susceptible to this type of boundary blindsiding. They are more likely to accept someone who overshares and reciprocates that response because they do not like conflict or don't like the other person to feel in the wrong. For people who have a hard time with this concept, it may be helpful to practice being a bit disagreeable. Allow those moments of awkward silence to linger. Decline to answer anything that may feel like a prying question. This is important because it does protect your privacy, but it enables you to get some important information about other people. "If their reaction is not particularly kind, that will teach you that this person may not be someone you can engage in tricky conversations with. If they sit there and validate what you are feeling or apologize, that means they are more willing to hear you out than to argue. In this manner, you are more likely to trust them. For example, friends who are interested in gossiping all the time or who ask you intimate, personal questions. It is best in the moments of discomfort to just say you don't want to talk about it because it is not your thing. Saying it that way allows for others to understand that there is no shame or blame, just you don't like talking about other people. If you apologize instead, it makes it awkward rather than being direct and bringing confidence into the picture. Another example can be if you are friends with people who at one point had a friendship or were in a romantic relationship and are not at odds. They may constantly bring the other up and feel like they have to unload all of this onto you because you understand. It is important to say that you care about them deeply, however, you don't want to be involved in hearing it any longer. When you say it in a certain way, it can be very beneficial for not only your well-being, but the other person's, as well.

Its our natural instinct to act selfish and think about our self interests first. There was a speech that was recently made by a famous psychiatrist named Karl Menninger where he explained to an audience member that had asked him how to handle someone with a nervous disposition. What should the person do if they feel like they're about to have a nervous breakdown. He replied with a simple statement. To leave your house, find someone in need, and help them. That direction is simple, yet extremely profound. Giving during this time is especially important because of how erratic everything seems like. Some ways to practice this include:

In our world today, we are inclined to form virtual relationships. We spend a lot of time on social media and the internet in general, which prompts us to obsessively watch for how many likes or retweets we are getting. The more we do that, the less interested we become in forming relationships in person or making friends the old fashioned way. Harvard University researchers surveyed and scrutinized a group of 724 men from 1939 to 2014, and arrived at a simple, yet important conclusion. Harvard professor Robert Waldinger, director of the center conducting the study, described it this way: "Good relationships keep us happier and healthier, period." The determining factor of how happy and healthy these men were throughout their lives was the presence of good relationships. Success, where they lived, what they drove, and how smart they were didn't matter compared to successful, deep relationships. The barometer of what constitutes a "good relationship" is simply the quality of the friends you have. It doesn't matter how many friends you have or whether you are in a committed relationship. The quality and closeness of your relationships are what matters. What this means is that enjoying the benefits of an intimate and supportive relationship is equal to enjoying the benefits of your relationship with a family member, friend, or colleague. The importance of these relationships is evident in plenty of other studies. Worldwide, there is an increase in the amount of research that focuses on well-being on a national scale. Countries across the globe are beginning to look at Gross National Happiness as a measure of national health, in addition to the Gross National Product. Some of the "happiest countries in the world" include Denmark, Norway, Columbia, Israel, and Australia. When researchers asked why these specific countries were selected, the answer they discovered was that people living in the happiest countries enjoy high levels of social support. This support can be the result of deep interpersonal connections with families, intimate friendships, or a sense of communal spirit. In these countries, the emphasis is always on relationships. It may seem strange or unusual that this is where happiness comes from. However, cultivating these types of relationships isn't difficult. The difference lies between virtual and real relationships. It may seem as if relationships have transitioned onto an online platform, but the important ones are the ones that are nourished with a deep personal connection. Right now, the world is in an unsure place, since we are all under stay-at-home orders. It is difficult and not possible to go see those friends in person. However, there is still the distinction of a superficial relationship versus a deep one. It doesn't need to be practiced in person to be a meaningful relationship. We live in a current society that has lost a lot of its old structures and modalities. We need to establish some new structures and new modalities. That looks like setting time out of our day every day to check on a friend. See how a family member is doing. Reach out to someone we wouldn't normally reach out to. Get honest and vulnerable with people because right now, that is something that can benefit the world.

Confidence is something that everyone is attracted to. Someone who feels confident in their person are typically seen as leaders or are highly respected. When a person is confident in what they are saying it leads people to believe it without question. It is hard to exude confidence when you are someone who usually experiences low self-esteem or a lot of insecurity. The following are some way to build yourself up so that you can feel better about yourself. The first one is to stop comparing yourself to others. Social media and television in general constantly recycled images of wealth, fitness, and success. It is easy to look at other people and feel envy when in reality social media is very deceptive. Something you can try is appreciating the abundance that you have in your life and not concentrating on what you lack. When you pay attention to what you lack you will only view the world that way. Taking care of your body. This physical action can stimulate positive mental health. Whether its your diet what you eat, or getting enough sleep. Your body will physically feel tired or overwhelmed if you don't take care of it properly. This will lead to you feeling low about yourself. Practice self compassion. The constant negative self talk we allow to occur in our minds is harmful to our self-esteem. When we are overly critical and in constant worry we set ourselves up to fail. Start focusing on the strides your making. When you do fail don't beat yourself up. Acknowledge the mistake and try to view it in a playful matter instead of seeing it as the end of the world. Embrace your self-doubt. Doing these things together can create a boost in your self-confidence. A lot of time the reason we don't do things is because we experience extreme self-doubt. We think we could be good at playing an instrument or we want to start a new career, yet we think "What's the point? I'm going to fail anyway". This type of thinking will only perpetuate more self-doubt. Taking chances, even if they don't go how we expect them to go, is important. The more often you do this the more confidence you will build because you will walk through the fear and see that there is nothing to fear.

For the last hundred years or so, employers have sought to apply some sort of systematic approach to employee selection, and they have utilized various assessments of personality characteristics. For example, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the DISC personality test are used all the time. Critics contend that their ways of sorting people into these discrete types of categories are not valid psychologically. That there is no evidence that typologies can predict anything meaningful about a job or performance. Furthermore, there is no evidence that shows there could even be a system that could measure this, since people go through changes all the time; therefore, their traits change. We also don't know if work ethic or performance is a part of the core trait that is natural and exists in humans.

A necessary aspect to the recovery program is the relationship between you and a higher power. When some people first hear that they get discouraged. You may have an idea that tells you what a higher power looks like. Most people find out that the connection to nature is easier to digest. Nature can include anything from the ocean to a forest. There are studies that have shown the positive correlation between mental health and the relationship to nature. Being outside amongst nature can help ground you. Being in nature is good for the mind and the body. In some cultures it is a right of passage and requirement. Many people look to nature as a place of healing or personal growth. There have been studies conducted in search of the reason why as humans are we drawn to nature. What researchers have found is that dating back centuries, we enjoy being around beautiful, natural spaces because they are resource-rich environments. Ones that provide optimal food, shelter, and comfort. The evolutionary need explains why children are drawn to elements and natural environments. It also explains why we enjoy nature-inspired architecture. Over 100 studies have shown that being in nature, living in nature, or even viewing nature in paintings and videos can have positive impacts on the brain, bodies, feelings, thought processes, and social interactions. When we view nature or are physically in the middle of it, there is an overwhelming feeling of calmness to our nervous system. There is a cascade of positive emotion as well that occurs. Positive Emotions have many benefits in the social world. For example it increases trust, cooperation, and closeness with others. Being surrounded by nature provides you with a sense of yearning. Typically it is found that people will wonder about their purpose in life and other deeper rooted thoughts. What this provides is a sort of "soul searching". Especially if you are surrounded by an ocean or large rocks. It has been studied that being around natural creations that are much larger than the person can help you feel small and helps relieve worry. This helps you see that your problems are not actually that big and it provides a sense of security. This can help diminish obstacles between self and others. Another common find is the ability to remain still and in awe. For people who have a hard time staying still or concentrating on tasks, being in nature can help focus your attention by being completely present.

We live in a society where in this very moment many things seem uncertain. From a global pandemic to social rights movements and political rifts, there seem to be many reasons for tears in friendships and relationships. Right now is a time where as a society it is better to band together and remember what is most important. If you feel like you're struggling to make friends or keep up friendships and aren't sure why, the following may help you take a look at what the cause could be. Loneliness is a feeling that has become more common as time has passed. In 2018 a study of 20,000 Americans showcased that half of them felt left out or alone and over 25 percent of them reported they felt as if there was nobody that could understand them and felt lonely. The first is being introverted. This can be feelings of insecurity, especially when meeting new people. People that are shy experience uneasiness when put into new situations. Introverts need to recharge after being around people. People typically make them feel drained or exhausted after a lot of interaction. It can be difficult for them to interact how extroverts naturally act. Another reason is the fear of rejection. It is helpful to use fear at times to prevent you from saying something you don't mean or getting into a fight with someone. However, fear of rejection can be crippling. It limits your ability to connect with people because you're constantly worried about what they're thinking about you. This leads to feeling inadequate or less than a lot of times. Sometimes people feel like they can't be heard because they're afraid of speaking up for themselves. Another reason briefly mentioned already, is insecurity. People that feel insecure or have low self-esteem believe themselves worthless. This causes fear or worry about getting close to people because they typically feel that people don't really like them. Last reason is low trust. Some people have had a bad experience and struggle leaving that in the past. Letting people in is difficult and getting vulnerable can feel uncomfortable at times. It can cause a person to think they're too picky as well. Mostly because they have expectations of people who are impossible to meet. They may think that they are limiting their time to specific situations or people who make them comfortable. In reality they are just afraid of letting people in.

Anxiety is a mental health disorder that affects millions of Americans every day. It affects young children up to grown adults. Anxiety can cause an individual to have problems in the workplace or prevent longevity in relationships. It is constant nervousness and worries that one experiences daily. Anxiety can affect a person in a very negative way. It can prevent them from engaging in daily routines that are necessary for normal function. Anxiety is much more than a feeling. It is a product of the body's fight or flight response, anxiety also involves a wide range of physical symptoms that include:

We are currently in a strange place no matter where you are located in the world. You may be feeling anxious, depressed, or unsure of what to do during this pandemic. Now that it has been prolonged and we are not completely back to normal, you may be feeling restless or irritable. Feelings of economic insecurity might be rattling in your mind consistently. However, now is the perfect time to start your recovery process and take steps towards self-improvement. Most of us have a lot of time on our hands and that can be a bad thing for our mental health.

SMART Recovery is an abstinence oriented support program that helps individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. It is helpful for some individuals to utilize this adaptation of recovery after or during treatment. Its main objective is to help you become confident and self-empowered. Your substance use disorder does not define you and in fact, SMART recovery does not use labels like "addict" or "alcoholic" to identify you. It provides global support and meetings for anyone that may be struggling with substance usage. It uses a scientific 4 point program to help you become independent of your substance usage. Their model is based on a four-point program in behavioral change. This includes, building and maintaining the motivation to change, coping with urges to use, managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an effective way without addictive behaviors, and living a balanced, positive, and healthy life. The motivation they use is the awareness that we all have human problems. We don't want to experience pain and we want to experience happiness as much as possible. Our substance use minds want this, yet do not see the long term effects. We are impulsive and mainly focus on short term goals that can sabotage us in the long run.