Therapeutic writing is an avenue to write about your thoughts and feelings and in turn become more self-aware. It involves taking a deeper look and gaining a better understanding of our wants and wishes. According to Lynda Monk, “Writing is a way to express our authentic voice,
Read more →Is it possible for the bacterial community in your gut to actually be related to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? Research on the human microbiome and its effects on health and illness has exploded into the worlds of medicine and research. It is increasingly
Read more →For our purposes, we will define effective feedback as that which is clearly heard, understood and accepted. Those are the areas that are within your power. You have no control over whether the recipient chooses to act upon your feedback, so let’s put that aside. So how
Read more →The key feature of bipolar disorder is mood fluctuations. Individuals with the disorder go from manic or hypomanic to depression to remission in a most unpredictable way. Ultimately, these shifts in mood are not constant and not permanent aspects of a person’s personality. Recognizing personality traits consistent
Read more →Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. When we practice mindfulness, our awareness is placed on what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or
Read more →Growing up in an emotionally neglectful household can take its toll and leave a legacy that is carried into adulthood. As a child, when no one sufficiently notices what you are feeling or what you need, you receive covert messages that are never stated outright, but will
Read more →Last week we discussed the nature of shame, shame-based thinking, and how shame is formed. As was previously mentioned, it is not advised to open the wound of shame without knowing what to do with it, how to talk about it, and how to gradually and incrementally
Read more →As the old adage goes, one needs to “let the air get at it.” It is only when shame reaches the light of day that the healing process can begin. Ultimately, many of our feelings are simple reactions to specific events that we perceive as pleasant or
Read more →The gastroenterology section at Baylor College of Medicine witnessed a growing number of patients with mental health needs who were not getting the psychological care they needed. The patients were not always comfortable bringing up psychological issues, and the physicians found it difficult to find psychologists with
Read more →Trauma happens. It happens in everyday life. If not discharged and dealt with properly it can seep into our bodies and minds. Trauma morphs and over time the symptoms of trauma become far removed from the traumatic event, to the point where it may be difficult to
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