Center for Emotional Health

The fall is a very interesting time – we see the leaves change through beautiful colors (depending on where you live) but know that winter is right around the corner. The changes in the amount of daylight can have a strong emotional impact. It’s very true that as the leaves change, so can our mental and emotional health. The two most common things people experience during that time are Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Autumn Anxiety. According to Psychology Today, more than 10 million Americans report being affected by SAD, and another 10 to 20 percent of the population experience mild symptoms without ever being diagnosed. Seasonal Affective Disorder typically affects four times as many women as men, and is typically diagnosed between ages 18 and 30. Autumn Anxiety and SAD share many of the same symptoms, including fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, lethargy, and a general loss of interest in daily activities. What Causes SAD and Autumn Anxiety? Despite the fact that SAD...

So, Just How Important is Sleep to my Mental Health? We have all heard the expression “waking up on the wrong side of the bed,” usually when we are not feeling our best in the morning, typically as the result of less than optimal sleep. We know we can feel out of sorts, have lower energy levels, and be more emotionally reactive. The question is- How much does sleep really affect your mental health? As it turns out, quite a bit! Researchers are continuing to study the relationship between sleep and mental health, and how exactly each can influence the other. Current research shows that the relationship is definitely bidirectional. Mental health issues can influence the amount and quality of sleep a person gets, and poor sleep can contribute to worsening symptoms or even the initiation of mental health issues. How can sleep affect mental health? According to the Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org), the proper amount of sleep – especially REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, helps the b...

Each year, World Animal Day is observed on October 4th. This celebration of the animals we share the planet with dates back as far as 1925, when Heinrich Zimmerman, who published a German animal lovers magazine, organized the very first event in Berlin. Six years later, in 1931, the event went global when the International Animal Protection Congress formally adopted World Animal Day globally. You can certainly celebrate your favorite wild creatures – wolves, bison, rhinos, kiwis, or even your favorite salamanders - but you can also celebrate a bit closer to home. At home, in fact! Our pets, it seems, are not simply pleasant companions. According to scientists, they can also be good for your health. Approximately 68% of US households have at least one pet and, for the last decade, scientists have been studying the direct health benefits of keeping pets. While different types of pets can bring differing health benefits, it seems that interacting with animals lowers blood pressure, and al...

Each year in September, we mark National Recovery Month. During this time, we recognize those who are doing the hard work of recovery, and those therapists, providers, practitioners, family, and community who support them. Another important focus during this time is making sure that those in recovery are aware of some of the resources which are available. These resources may be local, community-based resources, or regional-, state, or even federal-level resources. If you are in recovery, would like to be, or know someone who may be ready to begin the process, here are some resources you can use: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA Treatment Locator Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) If you are, or someone you know is, in crisis:  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (simply dial 988) Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, then press 1) At the federal level, SAMHSA provides a nationwide treatment locator for mental health needs, substance use, and more...

Have you noticed the signs but aren't sure how to help? Learning that someone you love self-injures can be a difficult situation to handle and understand. The most important thing you should know is that you can help them overcome this. This isn’t to say that their pain will go away easily or quickly, but your help and support will go a long way in their recovery.  People self-injure for many reasons. It could be as common as stress from school or work or something more sensitive such as bullying and abuse. Individuals who self-injure do not normally share this action because it can sometimes be labeled as “attention-seeking” and cause them even more emotional distress. If you believe someone you know or love is self-injuring, here are a few signs to look out for: self-isolation, frequent injury, multiple scaring patterns, or suddenly wearing long clothing items. People who self-harm are used to hiding these signs so it might be hard to notice these at first. The important thing is...

  The Benefits of Relationship Counseling Have you ever considered doing couples counseling but did not know if you should or need to? There are many reasons relationship counseling can be beneficial for you and your partner. Most people think that couples counseling is made for those who are married or have current issues, but in reality, it is beneficial for couples at any stage of their relationship. Couples tend to wait until there is a definite problem in their relationship before seeking guidance and tend to turn to therapy as a last resort. The purpose of this blog is for our readers to learn more about the benefits and importance of participating in couples therapy. Couples therapy can help you gain a better understanding of your relationship. By talking with you and your partner, your therapist can give you honest and unbiased feedback. This can reveal unhealthy habits neither of you are aware of and the therapist can provide ways to improve those ...

What is Therapy? Therapy is a source of support for a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Attending therapy sessions can help control troubling symptoms, so a person can achieve an overall higher quality of life and well-being. Focuses of therapy can include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impacts of trauma (medical illness or loss of a loved one), and specific mental disorders including anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.  Therapy can be beneficial for children and adults. Sessions can be conducted in an individual, couple, family, or group setting. The trust between the patient and therapist is essential in order for the treatment to be beneficial for the patient. Therapy can be short-term or long-term depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms or the complexity of the situation.  Does Therapy Work? Research has shown that most people who attend therapy sessions experience symptom relief and are be...