Let’s be honest- regardless of where you stand on how people are reacting to this- it has been a very stressful experience so far. From overall anxiety about health issues to childcare to financial insecurity to possibly running out of toilet paper- we have seen some extreme behaviors in the last several weeks. Accept it- … Continue reading Surviving COVID-19: The Mental Health Edition
Relationships change. Boundaries change. One of the “problems” with setting boundaries is that sometimes we end up losing relationships that were part of our support system. Our sanctuary changes and it feels uncomfortable -- because it’s hard to understand or accept the shifts in those relationships. It is a very painful experience, but a necessary … Continue reading Safety planning to stay sane
How do you define anger? When I ask my clients “what is anger”, most talk about the violent aspect they have witnessed. According to the American Psychological Association, “Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong.” So basically, it’s resentment or hostility you have toward … Continue reading Coping with Anger
You have a great life. You love your career. Your relationship with your parents has improved tremendously. You are in a good place romantically. But you still struggle with anxiety. You repeat the mantra you grew up with: “there are so many others who have it much worse than you; be thankful for what you … Continue reading Are you even allowed to have a mental illness?
We have often heard that the meaning gets lost in translation. The intensity of an experience can definitely get diluted in the balancing act of living a bi-cultural life. In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, I would like to offer some culture-specific examples that may help with understanding the importance/impact of these experiences. … Continue reading Understanding the unhealthy norms
In the list of unknown reasons for someone experiencing mental health disorders, Munchausen Syndrome or Factitious Disorder listed in DSM 5 peaks curiosity. What is Factitious Disorder? In simple terms, it is presenting self or someone else (by proxy) as sick or impaired in some way. It includes signs and symptoms that may not have … Continue reading Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
During my years working with ‘victims’ of domestic violence, I noticed a common theme- most did not recognize that emotional abuse was a form of abuse. The best way I could describe emotional abuse was by comparing it to an accident. It’s easy to treat the physical cuts or bruises because you can see it … Continue reading Recognizing Emotional Abuse
How many times in your life have you heard the word “no”? How many times have you said “no” to someone else? Even yourself? Does that mean you are not enough? Does that mean that someone else was unworthy? In this instance, the answer is a resounding “NO.” There are many types of rejection that … Continue reading Dealing with rejection
We all make numerous decisions every single day- from what to wear to what to eat for lunch. Early on, we become experts at decision-making such that, generally, small decisions are no longer mentally taxing. However, making a large life decision can be anxiety-inducing and cause tension in our relationships. Humans are incredibly complicated creatures. … Continue reading When decisions conflict
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