Emotional Health + Original Articles

Make your management of bipolar disorder comprehensive. Find out which edibles can improve or exacerbate your condition. Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental health condition that provides experts plenty of food for thought. In fact, mental health experts agree there are foods that are helpful and foods that are harmful in dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.

Don't let your blood sugar swings result in mood swings. Use these preventative tips to keep an even keel. Could the old saw "you are what you eat" have a bearing on your mood? Possibly. If you have mood swings, especially if you have diabetes, you may want to evaluate your food choices. They may be affecting your blood sugar levels. Blood Sugar When we digest carbohydrate foods, they break down into glucose, a simple sugar that easily converts to energy and reaches cells via the blood stream.

Not only does holding a grudge affect your relationships, but it can also hurt your health. Here's how to begin letting go of resentment. Forgiving another individual can be hard, but if you learn to do so, the benefits are rich and varied. For one thing, it can "turn your focus to the joyful experience of relationships and values-driven living that can heal both mind and body," says Jeanie Tse, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer at the Institute for Community Living, a non-profit behavioral health organization in New York City.

It's the fear of being out of cell phone contact, and two out of three adults have this phobia. Are you one of them? Donna Talarico, who works in marketing at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA, realized she was addicted to her cell phone when it "died" and she had to leave it charging in her car. That night, as she listened to a band at a nightclub, Talarico found herself clutching a small rectangular box of crayons "for comfort" while she didn't have her phone.

With so many stigmas surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it's especially important to separate fiction from fact. Public health experts recommend that you protect yourself against germs that can make you sick. But if you find yourself taking this advice to the extreme by washing your hands repeatedly until your skin is raw and avoiding contact with others so much that this focus interferes with your daily activities, you could have a condition called obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD.

In small doses, worrying can keep you in check. But in excess, it can be downright debilitating. Anxiety isn't all bad. Being anxious can have a purpose. It can motivate you to be well prepared for an important presentation, test, or job interview. In addition, worry warts are often conscientious workers and make wonderfully attentive friends. But there's nothing good about excessive anxiety.

Curb emotional eating by adhering to these tips and tricks. If you're like most people, you don't just eat when you're hungry. You also turn to food when you're bored, fatigued, or stressed out. Experts call this "emotional eating," and it can exact a heavy toll both on your weight and your sense of well-being.

Here's how to measure normal daily emotions against mania and depression. Everyone's mood fluctuates during a typical day. "It's normal to have mood swings," says Alan Manevitz, MD, clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.  For an individual with bipolar disorder, however, mood swings can be so intense and extreme that they have a negative impact on daily functioning.

Dysthymia is a depressive condition that isn’t quite as severe as full-blown depression, but lasts longer and can affect your life in many of the same ways. When you've been feeling down for a long time, and your dark mood is accompanied by at least two other symptoms, such as sleeping too little or too much, eating too little or overeating, low self-esteem, lack of focus, difficulty making decisions, or feelings of hopelessness, you may not be deeply depressed, but you're more than a little bit sad.

In a time of high-tech medicine, can a simple technique involving nothing more than the power of your own mind be the key to health and happiness? Some would argue that the only way to achieve inner peace and outer health is by going within. That's the theory behind Ho'oponopono, an ancient Hawaiian healing technique that's proving life- changing for those who practice it. Ho'oponopono is a ritual of reconciliation that originated centuries ago in many island cultures.

We all have our ups and downs; however, if they're too extreme, it may be indicative of a larger issue. Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive Illness, is a serious mental health condition, and the sixth leading cause of disability among 15 to 44-year olds. Complicating things, many individuals with bipolar disorder also have high rates of co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions.

Think you always have to be the one in charge? It's time to think again. If you are like many women today, there's a lot on your plate. You work, care for family, run a household, cultivate relationships with friends and colleagues. But there's an underlying part that really drives you—the feeling that you must do it all, and do it perfectly.

Listening to your loved ones is an essential way to gain trust and respect. You may think you're really listening when your spouse, child, or friend is talking to you. You may even look as if you're hearing every word. But the truth is (yes, admit it!), you often tend to zone out and not really focus on what the other person is saying.

Today's senior residences are bustling hotbeds of activity and energy, offering more options for fun and healthful recreation. Forget the old-fashioned senior community that offered little more than a tired-looking swimming pool, a weedy shuffleboard court, and a weekly shuttle bus to the supermarket. Today's retirement communities are bustling hotbeds of activity and energy, offering more options for fun and healthful recreation than many resorts.

Looking to rekindle some of the closeness between you and your partner? Try a little TLC. If you and your partner often tend to take each other for granted (which given the pace of most people's lives, is very easy to do), chances are that you both feel underappreciated from time to time. But it's not hard to show your tender side, and you don't have to spend a lot of time and money to do so.

Paying attention to your breath could put you on the fast track to stress relief. What if there was a quick, easy, no-cost way to relieve stress? There is, and you're already doing it-every single day. This magic remedy is breathing. Breathing is automatic and something we don't think about. However, the simple act of taking a few moments to be mindful of our breathing can be transformative.

While some symptoms of neurotic behavior are natural, displaying too many could have a negative effect on your relationships. Although you rarely hear the expression anymore, mental health professionals traditionally used the term neurotic to refer to conditions associated with poor functioning, anxiety, and depression. Diagnosing mental health conditions, such as personality disorders, is generally not as straightforward as it is with many illnesses.

This approach may help improve language comprehension, social behaviors, and motor skills in children with autism. A host of therapies are available for people with autism, and music is one that is gaining attention. Used as a complementary therapy to early educational intervention, it can be a valuable tool in advancing the skills and decreasing the isolation of the autistic child.

Many programs and resources are available to help provide financial assistance. An expert discusses some of the options. If you've recently been in the hospital, you may feel overwhelmed by the staggering amount of medical bills for co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles that you owe after your health insurance pays its part. This is a common situation, according to Nicholas Newsad, MHSA, author of The Medical Bill Survival Guide: Easy, Effective Strategies for People Experiencing Financial Hardship.

There are five main categories of intense, unrealistic fears about certain things and situations. If you find yourself feeling intensely anxious and unrealistically fearful in certain situations, you may be living with a phobia. The most common type of anxiety disorder, a phobia can be so intense that it interferes with an individual's ability to socialize, work, or even get through the day, says Leah Lagos, Psy.

While bipolar disorder symptoms are similar to signs of regular depression, they are more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings. Bipolar disorder, a serious mental health condition, is the sixth leading cause of disability among 15 to 44-year olds. Complicating things, many individuals with bipolar disorder also have high rates of co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions.

If someone you care about is plagued by chronic pain, consider sharing these thoughtful gifts. For someone who lives with chronic pain, simple tools and treatments can provide the ultimate gifts—less pain, reduced stress, and more comfort. Check out these five pain relief gift ideas and tools for tight muscles: Gift certificates for massages are always the right size for every body.

New research reveals that how you handle such emotions can make a big difference in your well-being. Next time you're tempted to wallow in negative feelings, it may be wise to look around and compare your situation to others who are worse off than you are. This may show you that things aren't quite as bad as they seem, according to researchers from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

In the wake of Sandy, be aware of the psychological impact such a disaster can bring. Manmade and natural disasters certainly test our resilience. In just the last decade or so, we've experienced terrorist attacks, major hurricanes, wars, and now, superstorm Sandy. Relief efforts for Sandy are in the early stages, and professionals and volunteers are focusing on restoring basic services and fulfilling victims' needs for food, safety, and medical care.

Prevent feeling overcome by the season of stress with these tips. The holidays generate a mixed bag of emotions for many of us, not the least of which is anxiety. A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that people in the U.S. are more likely to feel stress during the holidays than those in other countries.

In order to grow, you have to be honest with yourself. Here's how to get back on track. Nearly everyone is guilty of being less than honest with themselves at some point. It's an easy behavior to fall into, and can be a hard habit to break. "Lying to yourself is a defense mechanism, designed to help keep us going when things get tough," says Tina B Tessina, Ph.

Some anxiety is healthy. But these signs mean it's time to get support. Final exams, job interviews, public presentations, athletic performances. These events can make anyone anxious for a short time and, in fact, a certain level of anxiety helps us perform better by making us more alert and focused on our task. However, for some individuals, anxiety is a way of life and can be debilitating.

Whether it's a romantic, familial, or friendly union, these red flags signal danger ahead. Nearly all relationships—whether with your spouse, your co-workers, or your friends—go through some bumpy times. But sometimes, a relationship can be so toxic that it simply may not be worth continuing. Here are some tips for how to spot negative patterns in relationships.

Approach this sensitive situation with these steps. Suicide is a significant-and growing-public health problem. Between 2000 and 2009, suicide rates increased and in 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ranked suicide as the 10th leading cause of death. The increase in suicides may be partially due to ongoing U.

Distinguish the signs of mental illness from other behaviors that may seem odd. Mental health and mental illness fall on a continuum and there is no clear dividing line between what is normal and what is unhealthy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his own abilities, can cope with normal life stresses, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his community.

For most people, getting enough exercise is a major challenge. For some, it's a dangerous obsession. Here are the danger signs. Exercise bulimia, also known as compulsive exercise, is a lot like an eating disorder, but instead of vomiting or using laxatives, people with exercise bulimia spend hour after hour working out. But isn't exercising a good thing? Not for people who exercise themselves to death.

Oh, go ahead, let your mind wander. Did you know it's actually good for your mental health? If while in a meeting you find yourself staring out the window fantasizing about your upcoming vacation, or thinking about how glorious your post-work yoga class will be, you may be considered a bit of a daydreamer. For the most part, daydreaming has a bad wrap—teachers labeled it as "not paying attention" or a lack of mental discipline.

It's more than just a party trick. Hypnosis has been shown to deliver real mental health benefits for some. Anxiety is a stressful, debilitating condition. Fortunately, there are many non-pharmaceutical ways to manage and reduce anxiety. For example, according to Gerard V. Sunnen, MD, hypnosis is a potent anti-anxiety tool. Dr. Sunnen is a physician and psychiatrist who regularly incorporates medical hypnotherapy into patient care.

It isn't an easy condition to diagnose. Here's how to discern if your drinking habits, or those of someone you love, are becoming problematic. You love having a glass of wine at dinner or kicking back with a beer while watching TV at night. Lately, though, that one glass is becoming two, and the beer tastes so good it's hard to stop at one. Is there any way to know whether the alcoholic beverage you enjoy every night is a problem? Could you be gradually drifting over the line between enjoyment and abuse where alcohol is concerned? Alcohol use disorders are bona fide medical conditions.

If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, helping them find the support they need can be frustrating, complicated, and necessary. If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or some other mental health condition, it's difficult to know how to ease their pain and sadness. Mental disorders are prevalent in the U.S., affecting tens of millions of individuals who have conditions that range from depression and generalized anxiety disorder to bipolar disorder.

Review these red flags to determine if you're dealing with sociopathic behavior. Before he stepped into a darkened theater and started pumping bullets into moviegoers last month, James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado shootings, didn't seem to display any signs that he would soon commit mass murder. Many Americans are left wondering whether any behavioral red flags could have let on that he was a dangerous sociopath.

Listen. Stay calm. Ask questions. Follow these tips to benefit from feedback and not just become defensive. Being criticized is a part of life that everyone needs and no one likes. Criticism is essential to intellectual growth and self-improvement. If teachers refrained from commenting on your essays and tests, it would stunt improvement in the classroom. Without parents applauding their children's good behavior and condemning misbehavior, many would have difficulty learning right from wrong.

By looking at patterns of mental illness in families with twins and those who have experienced trauma, researchers have uncovered new answers. According to experts at Stanford University, at least 10 percent of people in the U.S. will experience major depression at some point in their lives. Because depression is prevalent, it's important to understand what causes and influences it so we can appropriately identify and treat people suffering from this debilitating condition.

Statistics paint a worrisome picture when it comes to aging Americans and mental illnesses like depression. According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, roughly 5.6 to 8 million (1 in 5) older Americans have at least one mental health and substance abuse condition. Depressive disorder and dementia-related behavioral and psychiatric symptoms are the most common.

Commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, statins may also lower the risk of major depression. Approximately 36 million Americans are eligible to take statins for the prevention of coronary heart disease, making them the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Many of these drug names are familiar, such as Crestor, Lipitor, Vytorin, and Zocor, even to people who don't take them.

It's now a proven fact. Being in and around nature makes people feel good. Mother Nature rules when it comes to improving your physical and mental health. More and more, studies show what most of us know intuitively: being in and around nature just makes us feel good. A recent paper published in Environmental Science Technology reviewed 10 earlier studies evaluating the self-esteem and mood benefits of green exercise (exercise done in nature).

Thanks to TV ads erectile dysfunction is no longer under the covers. Still, misconceptions remain. Learn what causes impotence and ways to reduce your risk. Between 15 and 30 million men suffer from some form of impotence or erectile dysfunction. At first glance this range seems wide, but it's due to the fact that some health professionals use the term "impotence" to include a host of sexual problems in men—not just the total inability to have or maintain an erection.

Stress can stir up an emotional appetite that can lead to overeating. The best solution is to find something other than food to take the edge off. Have you ever eaten an entire a pint of ice cream (or your go-to food of choice) when you're feeling stressed? You're not alone. Studies suggest that psychological stress and food consumption are related. Physiology of Stress and Eating Eating when stressed disrupts your digestion, even if you're eating healthy food.

Stress and bipolar disorder go hand in hand; each can trigger and exacerbate the other. What are the basics behind this mental health condition? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition in which patients alternate between episodes of manic (euphoric) and depressive moods. Sometimes there are periods of stability between the mood swings. Bipolar Disorder Overview Mental health experts suspect a chemical imbalance in the brain is behind Bipolar Disorder.

As many as 25 percent of teens suffer from a form of anxiety. Use these tips to help your child cope. As many as one-quarter of teens ages 13 to 18 have met the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the most common anxiety disorder, is characterized by general chronic worrying, nervousness, or tension.

Not only is it emotionally painful, grief takes a toll on your physical health as well. Grief is the experience of loss and affects all aspects of our lives, and at some point, everyone suffers from it. Not only is grieving painful, it can take a toll on our mental and physical health. According to an excerpt from the book Coping With Grief and Loss: A Guide to Healing, grief goes hand in hand with a wide range of physical and mental problems, including memory impairment, difficulties concentrating, nutritional deficiencies, and poor work performance.

Surprise! A different day might be worse, but you can lighten your load any day of the week. The alarm rings, and the first thing you do is groan. It's Monday and there are 40 plus hours separating you from the stress-free weekend. Often, we think of Mondays in a negative light, and rightfully so. A study conducted by British food company Marmite and reported in The Telegraph found that many people don't smile on Mondays until 11:16am, and more than half of workers won't arrive at work on time.

People who live with depression often also suffer from headaches. What's the link? There is a strong association between depression and headaches, particularly migraine headaches. In fact, depression tops the list of co-existing conditions linked to migraines. The exact mechanism for this overlap is still unclear, although many experts believe the disorders share some biology.

Strip away the stigma and misconceptions. Here are four common myths debunked. Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," is a widely used and often highly effective treatment for depression, particularly for people with mild to moderate depression. If you're suffering from severe depression, your physician may recommend psychotherapy along with antidepressant medications.

Single? Married? Divorced? Your answer may have a direct impact on your health. Want to live a long, healthy life? You may stand the best chance if you're happily married. Married folks are less likely to get heart disease, cancer, and even dementia, according to research reported in The New York Times.  But don't think you'll stay healthy if you're in a toxic relationship.

What are common concerns about these highly-prescribed drugs? Antidepressants are one of the primary treatments for depression and the second most prescribed drugs in the U.S. More than 11 percent of Americans 12 and older take at least one of the two dozen FDA-approved antidepressant medications. However, many people who might benefit from antidepressants are reluctant to take them—or fail to take them as prescribed—due to fears and concerns.

Broken Heart Syndrome can be harmful to your mind and body, and it can be treated. Chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and generalized weakness are all well known symptoms of a heart attack. However, they may also indicate a condition called Broken Heart Syndrome—officially called takotsubo cardiomyopathy. While this condition sounds like something straight out of a blues ballad, it is very real.

Get the real story on America's most prevalent mental illness—from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment. Depression has been called the "common cold of mental health"—and is it any wonder? Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or 9.5 percent of the U.S. adult population, suffer from a depressive disorder each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

It's not always easy to pinpoint ADHD in adults, but spotting the symptoms is the first step toward getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is usually associated with children. And given the statistics, it's no surprise: The condition affects up to 9 percent of school-age children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Rosacea, which often causes constant redness in the face, can be frustrating and difficult to treat, but there are steps you can take to manage the condition. Rosacea is a common, long-term skin disease that affects more than an estimated 16 million Americans. The condition may produce persistent redness, or flushing; acne; and visible blood vessels in the center of the face. What's more, these symptoms can eventually spread to the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose.

For students, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can present a host of unique challenges and opportunities. Inattention. Hyperactivity. Impulsivity. Distractibility. These are just some of the characteristics that can make it difficult for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to succeed in school, according to experts. What's more, contending with the many misperceptions surrounding the disorder can be a challenge.

Learn how to spot the warning signs and break the vicious cycle. Controlling spouses, unstable siblings, friends you just can't trust. Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you may be in a toxic relationship—and you're not alone. According to experts, most Americans have struggled with at least one unhealthy social bond by the time they're in their late teens, and sadly, many continue to endure these connections throughout their lives.

Get the skinny on tricks that really work. At any given time, one out of every three Americans is on a diet. Unfortunately, most of them fail, and those who do shed pounds usually gain them back within five years. The good news: It doesn't have to be that way. According to the National Weight Control Registry, people who manage to lose weight and keep it off share these common strategies.

Learn important strategies to help your child flourish in the classroom and beyond. Have you ever wondered why some children always make the honor roll and others seem to struggle? The difference, according to the Harvard Family Research Project, may be family involvement. As the researchers found, family engagement promotes educational success for children of all ages.

These healthy eating tips will help you make it to New Year's without the extra pounds or the guilt. A healthy diet can be difficult to maintain at any time of year, but once the holiday season rolls around, the task becomes ten times harder. It all begins at Thanksgiving dinner with freshly carved turkey, mashed potatoes with sour cream, corn-bread stuffing, and of course, the all-American apple pie.

Learn how to find the middle ground between being accommodating and being stepped on. According to a University of Iowa study, excessively nice people often feel as if they have no control over their decisions, thoughts, or opinions. As a result, they can become resentful, frustrated, even depressed. Are you too nice for your own good? 1.

You've probably heard you should "forgive and forget." But new research shows old standard is flawed logic. Here's a better way to process your emotions. The old saying "to err is human; to forgive divine" are good words to live by. The act of forgiving others provides powerful health benefits. In fact, even renowned medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic advocate forgiving as a sound strategy for good mental health.

Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, can suffer a relapse. When you seek treatment for depression, you want all of your symptoms to go away—and stay away. Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, suffer an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment.

These strategies can help you cope with the most common caregiver emotions. When you're caring for an elderly loved one, it's normal to feel sad or discouraged from time to time. Ignoring your feelings won't make them go away; in fact, it may even make them grow stronger. Instead, try these six suggestions from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to help deal with the diagnosis and cope with the holidays and every day. Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) means that each new day brings a unique set of challenges. Coping with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior can become overwhelming at times. Not surprisingly, research has shown that caregivers often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.

Not so black and white: study concludes bipolar disease is more of a spectrum disorder. A 2007 study supports earlier findings that bipolar disease is underrecognized, often improperly treated, and may be more accurately characterized as a spectrum disorder than a black-and-white disease. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationwide survey of mental disorders among 9,282 Americans ages 18 and older.

Study shows that preparedness makes all the difference when it comes to caregiving. Findings from the CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today 2007 "Caregiver Insights Study: Well-Being and Care Management" indicate that family caregivers find the caregiving experience more enjoyable than expected. Findings further revealed that those caregivers who were better prepared to fill the caregiver role and responsibilities had more positive experiences than those who were unprepared.

Feeling stressed out? Regain your calm with these tips. Sometimes daily life can get the best of us, and our stress levels can zoom off the charts. Family issues, workplace worries, and day-to-day obligations can take a toll on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. To ease feelings of anxiety or tension, try these methods of stress reduction: 1.

So you're ready to adopt a pet? Before you open your home to a furry friend, find out exactly what you need to have in place. Are You a Dog Lover or a Cat Lover? Both kinds of animals have great benefits. Dogs can be quite affectionate but are high maintenance. Cats may demand less attention and are more independent. Regardless of which one you prefer, Dr. Goldstein, Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and owner of Mobile Vet Squad in Westchester County, NY, says that it's important to understand that when you take home a new pet, you're making a long-term commitment.

When you're sleep-deprived, you're more likely to take chances and make reckless decisions. What do brain scans reveal about being overtired? Your ability to make smart decisions can be lost when you lack sleep. You may take chances you wouldn't ordinarily take, have a false sense of what you can accomplish, and if you're a gambler or an over-spender, the results could be disastrous. When getting a good night's sleep is difficult, engaging in risky behavior such as mindless spending is that much easier because you don't have the wherewithal to stop yourself.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis works by training your body to relax and your thoughts to focus. This deeply relaxed state can leave you open to changing your usual behavior. Touted by some as a cure for all kinds of medical and behavioral problems, hypnotherapy or hypnosis has the stamp of approval from both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association as a valid medical procedure. The National Institutes of Health also approve it as a treatment for chronic pain.

Studies demonstrate that proper napping techniques can relax your mind and focus your thoughts. What's the right way to catch some z's? If you have a cat or dog, you may envy their ability to nap throughout the day. Unlike our pets and most other mammals, however, humans sleep during specific blocks of time. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it's not clear this is our natural pattern.

Strange, wild, passionate, frightening. Your dreams may provide insight into who you really are. You're plummeting naked from an airplane after failing an important test. Your teeth are falling out and a dinosaur is chasing you. You awake suddenly, relieved it was just a dream. We all dream, and while the scientific community may not agree if dreams really say something about you, many people believe they do.

Mind over matter: You've heard it so many times, it may seem meaningless. But new research shows how emotional therapy helps to make pain symptoms easier to bear. Can mind-power reduce power chronic pain has over you? Experts say it can and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is among the best keys to do it.    What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?   The National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists defines CBT as "a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do.

Persevering through trying times may have long-term benefits, new research suggests. What can you reap from life's difficulties? Martin Luther King, Jr. said the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. King, of course, was speaking of adversity and the power to overcome it.

While some disobedience is a normal part of a child's development, overly troubling behavior is not. Watch out for these signs. As any parent can attest, certain stages of children's developmental process include periods where they are especially difficult, such as the so-called terrible twos. However, sometimes children exhibit troubling behavior that's beyond what we'd normally expected at that age and stage of development.

Bringing a pet into your home is a big commitment, but it can come with serious rewards including a potential reduction of your pain. Pet owners love their companions for a variety of reasons. But can having a pet relieve your chronic pain? In fact, studies have found that, yes, pets can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with chronic pain conditions and help patients live better lives.

Balancing office and home life can create conflicts between demands and stress from both sides. But there may also be healthy benefits to working outside the home. Several recent studies have demonstrated that working, especially part time, provides mental health benefits for women. A study in the December 2011 issue of the Journal of Family Psychology examined several aspects of well being in mothers who worked part time compared to those who worked full time or not at all.

What do the experts say about using medicinal marijuana to alleviate symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD)? There is growing interest in the possible benefits of medical marijuana in treating ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Unfortunately, the scientific research is sparse, in part because marijuana is illegal in most of the U.

Depression related lethargy is frustrating and can interfere in your daily activities. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact. We all have days when our energy flags. However, persistent lethargy is one of the diagnostic criteria for depression. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact of lethargy: 1. Get enough sleep This seems obvious enough in theory; however, if you're depressed, this may be easier said than done.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not weak for men to show emotions. As a matter of fact, research found that the more "macho" a man is, the less likely he is to be healthy. Diet and exercise aren't the only parts of overall health. Here's how to sharpen your mental and emotional skills. Lack of emotion has long been considered a sign of strength. The most masculine—or macho—men don't reveal or discuss their feelings and are admired for their toughness. Real men don't ask for directions, don't go to the doctor, and rarely (if ever) shed a tear.

Chronic pain doesn't just affect your body but your emotions as well. In fact nearly 30 percent of pain patients suffer from depression. Anyone who lives with chronic pain knows that the aches don't just occur on your knee, your shoulders, or the area you were injured. Chronic pain affects your whole life. It impacts your ability to work, enjoy yourself, interact with people, and engage in your normal daily activities.

The goal of depression treatment is to put patients in remission so they are free depressive symptoms. But how can you tell if your treatment is working? Read on to find out. Depression is a highly treatable mental health disorder. While there are numerous ways to treat depression, the most frequently used are psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, or both. If you've recently been diagnosed with depression, you may be wondering how to know if your treatment is working.

Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Read on to find out how your may be affected. Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Genes are units of information within cells that transmit characteristics, such as hair or eye color, from one generation to the next.

For many adults, there's nothing like a good, hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Few people, however, know the profound effect caffeine has on their mood. For many adults, there's nothing like a good, hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Caffeine, the ingredient in coffee that helps to wake you, is the most widely used stimulant in the United States. Americans consume about 80 percent of their caffeine in coffee.

In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, follow these tips to work toward better quality of life. In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, insecurities about your appearance can negatively affect your quality of life and mental well-being.

Sadness is the most widely recognized symptom of depression. But it is possible to be clinically depressed without being sad. Could you or someone you know be suffering and not know it? Sadness is the most universal and widely recognized symptom of depression. And, while sadness is a significant symptom in many cases, individuals can be clinically depressed without being sad. Depression vs. Sadness: What's the Difference? The criteria mental health professionals use to diagnose depression include the appearance a depressed mood or loss of interest in once enjoyable activities, plus at least four of these additional symptoms.

A recent study provides more evidence for what most of us know intuitively--getting along with people at work is good for you. The study reports that having a positive relationship with coworkers has long-term mental and physical health benefits. A recent study in the journal Health Psychology provides more evidence for what most of us know intuitively—getting along with people at work is good for you. The study reports that having a positive relationship with coworkers has long-term mental and physical health benefits.

While clenched fists and gritted teeth may seem like the anger response of a toddler, new research suggests this reaction can set you at ease. While clenched fists and gritted teeth may seem like the anger response of a toddler, new research suggests this reaction can set you at ease. In a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research that was conducted at National University of Singapore and the University of Chicago, participants were better able to withstand physical pain when clenching their muscles—squeezing their fists, clenching their teeth, or scrunching facial muscles.

Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders and society's increasing awareness of them, stigmas about mental illness persist. Follow these tips to get past the misnomers. Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders and society's increasing awareness of them, stigmas about mental illness persist. The Mayo Clinic defines stigma as someone judging you based on a personal trait. Stigmas can be subtle or direct, but generally reflect a lack of understanding.

Despite the proliferation of in-law jokes, when in-laws come between husband and wife, it's no laughing matter. In-laws...love 'em or hate 'em. Unlike choosing a spouse, you didn't have a hand in selecting them. Your wife loves them and they're part of your life—like it or not. Of course not all in-law relationships are fraught with tension, but if yours is, learning how to peacefully co-exist can improve your marriage as well as your emotional well-being.

A new observational study uncovered why men seem to struggle when it comes to talking about their problems. Read on to get the scoop. The media and popular books, such as John Gray's Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, lead us to believe that men and women have very different communication styles. This is only partially true. Men and women are actually more similar than not in how they communicate in close, personal relationships.

Depression is particularly prevalent—and overlooked—in older adults. Despite the high incidence among seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging. Depression is particularly prevalent--and overlooked--in older adults. Despite the high incidence in seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging. Seniors often suffer from serious or chronic health conditions. This makes it difficult to separate depression from drug side effects or other disease-related symptoms, so depression often goes undiagnosed.

All couples experience some moments of uncertainty, but if your spouse possesses too many of these 10 traits, he may not be the right man for you. All couples find each other maddening at times, and it's certainly not uncommon to have occasional disagreements and spats. But if you're miserable more than you're not, and you increasingly find yourself wondering if the guy you're sitting across the table from is the same guy you married once upon a time, it may be time to reassess your future with him.

If you're newly single, you may be feeling a whole range of emotions, both negative and positive. Still, assessing yourself honestly is an essential step to avoiding future relationship blunders. If you're newly single, you may be feeling a whole range of emotions, both negative and positive. On the negative side, you may be lonely. On a positive note, you may be relieved that the constant fighting between you and your partner has stopped. You also may be experiencing such emotional overload that you're resistant to the idea of stopping and taking stock of where you are--and where you're going.

Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict. Saying "I do" may have more effect on your health than you might expect. Humans are social creatures and we need close, intimate relationships. Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict.

Strong parenting and emotional well-being are closely connected. Dr. Gerald Newmark, author of the book "How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children," offers his top child-rearing strategies. "For reasons having to do with the peculiarities of our civilization, we pay a great deal of attention to our scholastic educations, which are formal and supervised, and we devote much less public thought to our emotional educations, which are unsupervised and haphazard.

Getting the most out of a loving relationship takes time and effort, but the personal satisfaction that results from it is well worth it. Getting the most out of a loving relationship takes time and effort, but the personal satisfaction that results from it is well worth it. Being your best self means taking charge of your physical as well as your mental well-being so you can share a long, healthy life with those you love.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Read on to get the comprehensive information you need to navigate the condition. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Up to two percent of adults, mostly young women, suffer from this illness. BPD often occurs with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Mental health disorders such as depression permeate every aspect of your life, and may cause a multitude of other complications, some of which are even life threatening. Most, however, are easily avoided. Mental health disorders, such as depression, permeate every aspect of your life. If the mental and emotional symptoms weren't enough, depression can wreak havoc on your energy and health. Relationships and work-life can suffer. What's more, depression may cause a multitude of other complications, some of which are even life threatening.

Flipping through magazines, you see page after page of impossibly skinny and perfect people. Many magazines use photography angles, effects, and techniques to alter what you see, but could these photos be subconsciously affecting your confidence and self-image? Flipping through magazines, you see page after page of impossibly skinny and perfect people. Many magazines use photography angles, effects, and techniques to alter what you see, but could these photos be subconsciously affecting your confidence and self-image? Scientists say yes.

Vitamins play a critical role in mental health. And insufficient intake of certain vitamins have been linked to mood disorders. So, which deficiency is resulting in your symptoms? Find out here. Hippocrates is quoted as saying, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food." This age old healer knew what many physicians know today: humans require sufficient doses of vitamins and minerals, mostly obtained from food, for optimal health and disease prevention.

While medication generally provides significant relief from depression, many patients find their symptoms persist. A variety of factors can contribute to treatment-resistant depression; however, with a bit of know-how, you can find a treatment regimen that works. While antidepressant medications generally provide significant relief from depression, 10 to 30 percent of patients find their symptoms persist. Some patients experience only minimal improvement; others find their symptoms don't subside at all or return after a brief improvement.

Many things can temporarily derail a relationship, including an episode of depression. It is possible, however, to get relationships back on track after treatment. Many things can temporarily derail a relationship, including an episode of depression. Although mental health issues can take a toll on your relationship with your spouse, children, extended family, friends, and coworkers, they do not have to cause permanent damage.

If you're suspicious that your partner has broken your trust, it can be a heavy burden to carry around. Get at the truth by looking for these ten tell-tale signs. If you're suspicious that your partner has broken your trust, it can be a heavy burden to carry around. After all, trust is what your entire relationship is built on. Without it, you may well wonder what the two of you have. "The two biggest things people hide from a partner are definitely an affair or money problems," says Stacy Kaiser, MA, MFT, author of How to Be a Grownup.

Your partner is undergoing a traumatic experience. You want to be supportive, but he's not the easiest person to help. Here's what to do. Your partner is undergoing a painful, traumatic experience—the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a business failure. While you want to be supportive, he's not the easiest person to help. So the two of you start going at it, and before you know it, you've got a crisis brewing between you that just seems to grow worse by the day.

Using music as a tool to heal dates back to Aristotle and Plato. But can the right tunes address modern day emotional woes? Read on to find out. How many times have you instinctively turned on music to soothe and distract you during times of stress or emotional pain? Using music as a tool to heal dates back to Aristotle and Plato. Its modern day renaissance began after World Wars I and II when musicians performed for wounded veterans and physicians found it significantly enhanced their recovery.

An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Many of them will turn to a tanning salon to see if a shot of artificial sun can help banish their blues. If you’re tempted to join them, think again. An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Many of them will turn to a tanning salon to see if a shot of artificial sun can help banish their blues. If you're tempted to join them, think again. Winter depression can range from mild blues to full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Women simultaneously give their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more. They work inside and outside the home and somehow find time for everyone...except the one person who is most important: Herself. What if Superwoman were overweight, depressed, anxious, and crabby? What if she was forgetful, distracted, and downright unhappy? Would we still consider her a superhero? That's what millions of women worldwide experience when they try to do it all; simultaneously giving their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more.

Every once in a while, allergy symptoms can be overwhelmingly intolerable. But can it be so intolerable that thoughts of suicide emerge? There may be times when you feel so overwhelmed by allergy symptoms that you simply can't tolerate them for another minute. But have you ever felt so desperate that you thought about suicide? The latest research shows that a small link exists between severe allergies and suicide.

If a friend or relative has gone through a tough situation recently, you may be wondering what you can do to help. Can anything you say or do really make a difference? Yes, if you take the time to understand the different ways in which people react to trauma. If a friend or relative has gone through a tough situation recently, you may be wondering what you can do to help. Can anything you say or do really make a difference? Yes, if you take the time to understand the different ways in which people react to trauma.

Millions of women go undiagnosed with an extremely common mood disorder called the Body Blues. Instead of showing up as sadness or depression, Body Blues are often signified by weight gain, fatigue, and a low sex drive (among other symptoms). Millions of women are undiagnosed with an extremely common mood disorder, called the Body Blues. Instead of showing up as sadness or depression, Body Blues shows up as weight gain, fatigue, and a low sex drive (among other symptoms).  What's going...

You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder. Typically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with soldiers who have returned from combat; however, new information has found that the most common cause of PTSD is car accidents. Car accidents are also the most frequent kind of trauma experienced by American men and the second most frequent trauma experienced by American women.

Joint pain may seem to naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis, but there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Although it may seem that joint pain should naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis or other conditions, there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Specifically, anxiety disorders have been targeted as the culprit in many cases of joint pain, both anecdotally by arthritis sufferers and by scientists officially studying the phenomenon.

You can look great without wearing uncomfortable, constricting clothing. Here's how you can be stylish and still stay comfortable. Even if your daily wardrobe consists of loose jeans and sweatshirts, chances are you'll be attending at least one holiday party this season. And that means getting out of your comfort zone and dressing up. Perhaps you've got a slinky number hanging in your closet from last year.

Learn when to be alarmed about your child's misbehavior and if it can be linked to a mental health illness. Your normally calm and complacent child suddenly begins experiencing extreme mood swings and starts getting in trouble at school. This causes you to wonder: Is this a typical part of her childhood development or could it be a sign of something more? The Scope of Mental Illness Affecting Children The term mental illness encompasses a wide array of issues ranging from emotional, behavioral, and eating disorders to attention deficit, hyperactivity, and panic/anxiety challenges.

Flip through any fashion magazine and you're sure to find an array of beautiful, thin, celebrities gracing the glossy pages. But while they may be pretty to look at, do you worry about what message such idealized images are sending to your child or teen? Flip through any fashion magazine and you're sure to find an array of beautiful, thin, celebrities gracing the glossy pages. But while they may be pretty to look at, do you worry about what message such idealized images are sending to your child or teen? The fact is that many children and adolescents use these celebrities to measure their own body shape and appearance.

If your child is the victim of a bully at school or in your neighborhood, did you realize that the effects may be taking a toll not just on his psyche but also on his health, too? For years parents have told kids who were bullied to stand up for themselves and fight back. But now the experts recognize that this advice may not be enough to help children at the mercy of their peers. For years parents have told kids who were bullied to stand up for themselves and fight back. But now the experts recognize that this advice may not be enough to help children at the mercy of their peers. As a result, the victims of bullying may end up suffering a variety of ill effects later in life.

If you're diagnosed with prostate cancer, there is a lot you'll need to consider. Read on for tips on how to cope with the most common complications. Prostate cancer treatment affects each man differently. Some sail through treatment with few, if any, side effects or complications. Others are may experience a litany of treatment related issues. The good news is that most problems caused by prostate cancer can be managed and often disappear following treatment.

You have the power to change your attitude for the better. It's not easy to be around people who are downers. But if you're the type who sees the bad in everything, you might be hurting more than just your social life. Several studies have revealed that those who think positive actually live better and longer than those whose glass is perpetually half empty.

Lying isn't always a bad thing. Q: I've always been taught that lying is wrong. When is it okay, or even beneficial, to lie? A: When we were young, we were taught not to lie.  Yet, as it turns out, there are benefits of lying—and sometimes it's even a necessity. The "white lies" we tell to others serve as the social glue that allows us to sustain and enrich our relationships.

Recent research has shown that those with a sunnier disposition may live longer. We all have that one co-worker, friend, or neighbor who is constantly (and maybe even annoyingly) happy.  And while some believe that people are just born optimists, recent exciting studies have shown that happiness is learned-much like crocheting or table tennis.

Friendships come and go. Learn how to regain the meaningful ones. A difficult truth to cope with is the fact that friendships fade. Distance takes its toll, disagreements happens, priorities shift and change. Life adjusts course. As we grow, friendships are gained and lost, and although it may seem easy, maintaining healthy, lasting friendships take a lot of commitment and energy.

Not feeling yourself? Your eating habits could be the reason. We all have them at times-days when life really tests us. Your car gets a flat on the way to work, you flub an important report, you can't help your child with his math homework, and to top it all off, you burn dinner. Your mood? Lower than this week's stock market, and understandably so.

From causes to treatments, learn more about this common problem. If you've got a "grumpy old man or lady" in your life, he or she may be depressed. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF), depression affects 15 percent of Americans seniors. Depression is a serious illness characterized by a combination of symptoms that disrupt normal living.

Eight Celebrities Who've Turned Flaws Into Trademarks Hollywood has always had its quirky-looking stars. And although their ranks may be thinning in this age of nose jobs and Photoshop, we've rounded up eight celebs who've stuck to their guns — and refuse to shy away from their individuality. Tyra Banks.

Follow these tips on how to actually keep your New Year's Resolutions. Everyone makes them, few keep them. That's right, it's the New Year Resolution, so popular that it has its own Wikipedia entry and a page on the government's Web site. Come January 1, everyone wants to lose weight, pay off debts, and quit smoking. But we're not interested in which resolution you're making or which one is most popular.

Here, we explore some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the season. Are the holidays really the happiest time of the year? Does everyone really gain at least five pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's? During a season ripe with fantasy, it can be hard to separate myths from reality. Here, we dispel four bogus holiday health myths.

Do you find yourself speeding, honking, or constantly changing lanes? If so, you may have road rage. Read on to spot the top 10 signs. Consider this: Americans spend 100 hours a year commuting but take only 80 hours of vacation annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Is it any wonder that many of us have road rage? Even so, road rage isn't acceptable. Aggressive driving, which includes speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and not paying full attention to the road, puts many people at risk.

We all feel a little bummed from time to time, but could your diet be the cause? Find out here. In our modern American society, anxiety, stress, and depression can play a large role with respect to work, relationships, and money. In fact, 33.9 percent of adults report having poor mental health, according to the Kaiser Family Health Foundation. Many people eat when they're depressed, but few realize that what they eat may be at the cause of their woes.

Don't worry, be happy. And you can be—if you follow these helpful tips. With the cost of living skyrocketing, the stock market plummeting, and a recession looming, it can be pretty hard to stay optimistic these days.  Yet according to ongoing research, a positive point of view will not only help you cope with adversity, it can also keep you healthier than your pessimistic peers.

Could you have cause for concern? What ever happened to the notion of "'Til death do us part"? With America's divorce rate sitting at sky-high levels, "'Til divorce do us part" is perhaps a more realistic wedding day exchange. But amid the startling statistics, it's important to remember that marriages rarely die overnight.

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, they can also be a time of stress and depression. Find out how you can avoid the holiday blues. Many of us will attend or host a winter holiday party this season. We have to balance normal work and home demands with special holiday events and shopping for gifts. Festive lights, warm fires, and family gatherings are common during the holidays, but unfortunately so are stress, anxiety, and sometimes, depression.

Here, some of the most unbelievable reasons people have found themselves searching for new employment. If there was ever a time when simply being qualified for a position was enough to prevent you from being fired, this most certainly is not it. In fact, there are entire websites devoted to people telling their most ridiculous stories of being let go. From posting a comic strip to talking behind a coworker's back, here are six of the craziest reasons people have ended up on the unemployment line: 1.

Don't let these toxic types bring you down. There are probably a few people you wish you could avoid--your mother-in-law, your nosy neighbor, or the woman at church who always asks you for a favor. Although you may not always enjoy their company, you know in your heart they mean well and that you shouldn't stay away from them entirely.

Find out how to control your excessive spending. Americans just love to spend money. The average American has about five credit cards. Our national debt is more than $10 trillion. A political campaign spent a reported $150,000 on a vice presidential candidate's wardrobe. Because of our culture, it can be easy to laugh off or ignore excessive spending habits.

These important tips could help you escape a dangerous situation. It's late and it's dark, and you're finally leaving the office for the night. You're tired, frustrated, and just want to get home. As you're walking to your car in the deserted parking lot, you think you hear a noise behind you. You whip around, only to be forcibly grabbed.

When you've been wronged, can you forgive and forget, or do you need to exact revenge? Many of us love good revenge stories—tales in which victims ultimately become victors by wielding vengeance on all who've wronged them. But in real life, retribution isn't always all it's cracked up to be. In fact, according to experts, letting go of revenge fantasies may be one of the best things you can do for your health.

Feelings of depression are significantly more common in people with chronic back pain. Find out more about how to manage your pain and your emotions. Chronic pain and depression are two of the most common health problems Americans face. What's more, studies have found that these two conditions are often linked, afflicting the same sufferers. Close to 6 million American adults report suffering from back pain, and studies have shown that depression is four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in those without.

Ending a relationship can be a painful. Follow these tips to bounce back from a broken heart. It's often said that breaking up is hard to do--and anyone who's been through a split, separation, or divorce knows exactly how hard it can be. You might feel hurt, lonely, resentful, angry, confused, or jealous. And what's worse, you may experience all of these emotions at the same time.

Learn about the symptoms of alcoholism and what kinds of treatment are available for this disease. Most Americans can't go a whole day without viewing a beer ad on the television, passing the neon signs of a bar, or glimpsing a billboard promoting the newest brand of vodka. Alcohol permeates American culture, and it's unlikely to change anytime soon.

There is currently no cure for epilepsy, but with the right treatment, most people with the condition can lead normal, fulfilling lives. More than 2 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). But as common as epilepsy is, stigmas about the condition have only recently begun to be dispelled.

Some shades are calming, others inspire conversation. Find out how colors can improve your surroundings and your mood. Have you ever wondered why a clear blue sky puts you in a good mood? Or how the off white walls of your office seem to put you to sleep? Studies show that colors have a profound affect on our emotions. Marketing companies and advertisement campaigns have long used color schemes to sway our mood in one direction or another.

By giving thanks for what you have and not dwelling on what you don't, you'll be happier this holiday season. Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time to reflect on people and events you are grateful for, but this year, with so much bad news about home mortgages, increased heating prices, and the reality of job cuts, it may seem hard to find reasons to be thankful.

Genetics plays a role in many of our health matters and actions, including learning from out mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. But the way people deal with their errors is often vastly different. While some people dwell on their missteps or simply refuse to acknowledge them, others view their blunders as unique opportunities for self-improvement and personal growth.

A sense of humor and perspective can help you maintain your dignity—even in the most humiliating circumstances. You mistakenly sent a scandalous email about your love life to your entire company. Your mother-in-law accidentally walked in on you in the bathroom. You received an award, then tripped and fell on your way to the podium. Some embarrassing scenarios are unavoidable, while others can be prevented.

For years, researchers had been debunking the age-old notion of a midlife crisis. But a new global study may prove them wrong. Do you feel confused about who you are and where you're going? Do you feel trapped by your career, lifestyle, family, and friends? Do you find yourself second-guessing decisions you made years ago or even questioning the meaning of life? Not long ago, if you answered yes to these questions and were between the ages of 30 and 60, most experts probably would have chalked your feelings up to a midlife crisis.

Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms. Some 10 million Americans are suffering with bipolar disorder. Also known as manic-depression, the disease is characterized by intense periods of elevated mood, or mania, alternating with periods of depression. Sufferers may seem euphoric one minute and despondent the next.

Nearly 7 percent of Americans suffer from depression, but the disease is often misunderstood. Here, we separate fact from fiction. Persistent feelings of hopelessness, mood disturbances, sleep problems, weight gain or loss these are just some of the symptoms that characterize clinical depression. Also known as major-depressive disorder, the condition affects approximately 14 million Americans each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

An ever-growing topic among psychologists, emotional intelligence can play a significant role in your job, your relationships, and your own self-worth. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a hot topic these days. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and why is it so important? According to Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, while intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measurement of cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence is more difficult to quantify.

The way you view your body can affect your health. Follow these tips for an instant body-image boost. At some point, most of us have wished that we were thinner, more muscular, or better looking. After all, in today's world, we're constantly bombarded with images of celebrities and models. After a while, many people want to be like them or even believe they're happier because of the way they look.

Follow these 10 tips to live a healthier lifestyle in the new year and beyond. Many people ring in the new year with the best of intentions. They resolve to hit the gym, improve their eating patterns, and kick their bad habits to the curb. But just a few weeks later, those resolutions are usually forgotten, and they've reverted back to their old ways.

Follow these basic strategies to manage your time more efficiently in the coming year. As the end of each year approaches, we tend to think back over the past 12 months and wonder, Where did the time go? Many of my clients have difficulty answering this question. It seems as if they never had enough time during the past year to get things accomplished.

Parkinson's disease doesn't have to keep patients from living full and active lives. Follow these seven tips to help manage your symptoms. Parkinson's patients spend more than $5 billion on treatment each year. Drug treatments have improved so much that doctors are now less likely to recommend surgery to people with Parkinson's. These tips can help you manage your symptoms and maintain an active lifestyle, but it's important to consult with your doctor, too.

A national survey recently examined 21 major occupational categories and found that people who change diapers, tend to the elderly, and wait tables have the highest rates of depression, while the lowest rates occur among engineers, architects, and surveyors. Are you a daycare worker, caregiver, or full-time waitress? If so, you may be at a higher risk of becoming depressed. A national survey recently examined 21 major occupational categories and found that people who change diapers, tend to the elderly, and wait tables have the highest rates of depression, while the lowest rates occur among engineers, architects, and surveyors.

An estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form--a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But for some, the season can bring on feelings of intense stress and sadness. In fact, an estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form--a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Spotting the signs and getting an accurate diagnosis are the first steps toward treatment. Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling brain disorder that affects about 1 percent of Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Although experiences and behaviors vary from person to person, the mental illness is most often characterized by impaired perception and/or expression of reality.

Crowded and bustling malls, repeated trips to the airport to fetch long-lost relatives, and the constant shuffling of cookies and turkey out of your oven can translate into one reaction—stress. Crowded and bustling malls, repeated trips to the airport to fetch long-lost relatives, and the constant shuffling of cookies and turkey out of your oven can translate into one reaction—stress. So how do you stop from flying off the handle at this supposedly glorious time of year? Sometimes holiday festivities can become overwhelming.