A woman asking a mental health care provider about seasonal depression.

Managing Seasonal Depression: Causes and Treatments

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As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, many people notice a dip in their mood and energy levels.

This phenomenon is referred to as seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it affects 10 million people a year. SAD follows a predictable, seasonal pattern linked to changes in daylight and weather.

While you can’t control the changing of the seasons, you can take steps to reduce the impact this type of depression has on your mental health.

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A mental health professional helping a teenager work through their mood swings.

When Should You Be Worried About Teenage Mood Swings?

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Watching your child change over time can be challenging. One moment, they’re open, full of life and laughter, and suddenly, almost overnight, everything feels different. Before you know it, they seem distant, overwhelmed, and hard to reach. They’re more withdrawn, prone to tears, and shout unexpectedly, making every conversation feel like walking through a minefield.

The teenage years are a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you wondering what’s normal and when to worry. Teenage mood swings are a natural part of child development, but for some teens, these emotional fluctuations may indicate more significant mental health issues.

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A new mom with postpartum depression.

Finding Effective Postpartum Depression Treatment

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Having a baby is a momentous experience, especially for first-time moms and dads. It’s supposed to feel joyous and exciting. But for many new moms, it can also be challenging.

Sleepless nights, constant worry about the new baby, isolation from social situations, and increased pressure can take their toll.

You may find yourself worrying that you don’t feel the way you “should.” Maybe it’s just your hormone levels or the baby blues. Maybe you’re simply exhausted. But, it could be more. You may need postpartum depression treatment.

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A mother talking with a doctor about her child’s pediatric bipolar symptoms.

Spotting Pediatric Bipolar Symptoms in Your Child

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Your child’s mood can be unpredictable. Sometimes, they’re full of energy and giddy to the point of being reckless — then suddenly, they’re sad and withdrawn. It’s only natural for these mood swings to cause you to worry.

While those changes can be completely normal, they can also represent several mental health conditions including pediatric bipolar symptoms. If you’re a parent or caregiver concerned about your child’s symptoms, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different ways mental health disorders present themselves.

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An integrated behavioral health provider collaborating with a primary care provider.

Why Integrated Behavioral Health Care Leads to Better Results

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For a long time, traditional medical care systems kept mental health and physical health concerns and treatment plans separated. This attitude is now shifting due to a deeper understanding of the link between mental health and physical health conditions. Now, the need for integrated behavioral health services is clearer than ever.

This new model of collaborative care is an essential patient-centered approach. It provides you and your loved ones with comprehensive, whole-person healthcare.

Understanding the role of integrated behavioral health services in today’s medical care landscape is essential to finding the best possible care for you and your loved ones.

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A man experiencing a headache, one of the signs of depression in men.

How to Spot Signs of Depression in Men

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Everyone struggles with their mental health from time to time. In fact, studies show that half of the population will develop a mental health disorder within their lifetime.

Clinical depression is one of the most common disorders that men and women suffer from. However, signs of depression in men are harder to spot — and they’re far less likely to seek help when they need it.

Mental health is a crucial part of everyone’s well-being. It’s important to treat depression like any other medical condition and seek treatment when you are struggling.

*If this is an emergency, call 9-1-1.

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A woman who suffered relationship trauma forming new relationships in a support group.

How Relationship Trauma Affects Your Mental Health

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Relationship trauma, especially in your youth, can severely disrupt your well-being and ability to form new relationships. Through adulthood, it can affect your emotional responses and potentially lead to trust issues, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or mental health conditions.

When a child or adolescent goes through toxic relationships during their formative years, it can affect them throughout their entire life if not addressed.

With the right coping strategies and professional help, it is possible to overcome the traumatic experiences caused by toxic relationships.

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A mental health professional helping a woman cope with her PTSD triggers.

Learning to Navigate PTSD Triggers

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make it hard to navigate daily life. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely avoid PTSD triggers, which is frustrating since encountering them can be extremely debilitating.

However, if you or a loved one are suffering from PTSD, there are some coping skills and therapies that can help manage PTSD symptoms so you can live day-to-day life without fear. 

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A chiropractor administering an adjustment, one of many holistic healthcare approaches.

Explaining Holistic Healthcare: What Does It Really Mean?

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Holistic healthcare has become synonymous with alternative medicine or non-conventional medicine – but is that actually what it means? There are a lot of misconceptions about the term “holistic,” and, as a result, people may avoid certain practices labeled “holistic therapies.”

However, many of these practices are widely accepted as an effective way to treat underlying causes of disease and manage chronic pain. Let’s explore what holism actually means when it comes to the medical system and your well-being.

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An adolescent girl looking at her phone next to the words “How Does Social Media Impact Mental Health?”

Let’s Talk about the Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

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Online socialization is part of everyday life. Thanks to smartphones, the internet is always just a tap or two away, leading to a drastic increase in the amount of time adolescents and young adults spend online. According to the Pew Research Center, nine in ten U.S. teens use social, with close to half admitting to high levels of screen time.

There’s no two ways about it – social networks impact the mental health of teens and young adults who are constantly online. It’s now a regular part of young people’s lives, so it’s important to understand the real-life consequences when it comes to excessive use of social media (and how to support those who are feeling the effects).

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