Your teenager may seem aloof and independent, but they need you now more than ever. Here are some of the challenges your teen may be facing and how you can support them through the psychological changes that come with adolescence.
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As someone who splits my time between dog training and mental health advocacy, I’m often asked about the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals (ESAs). Each type of dog has a different purpose, which means each type of dog is covered by different rules or laws. Unfortunately, many people are a little fuzzy on the difference, especially when it comes to mental illness-related disabilities. I thought it would be helpful to jump on here and share some of the things that separate these different types of dogs.
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We asked our therapists, who live and work all around San Diego County, about their favorite weekend self-care activities. They all replied with outdoor activities that are not only super relaxing, but also fairly cheap or even free. If you’re looking for a way to boost your mental wellness this weekend, check out our list of cheap self-care ideas in San Diego from our therapists.
I love that I get to help everyone who calls find someone who can be their therapist, whether it is at Integrity Counseling Group or if that means referring them elsewhere. So as you’re thinking about making that phone call, sending that e-mail, or shooting us a text message, I want to give you a few pieces of information that will take a bit of the unknown out of that initial conversation for you.
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It’s okay if the holidays fill you with equal parts joy and anxiety. This season is not easy, especially if you have a history of mental health struggles. This is the time to dig out the tools that have served you well in the past, and perhaps try some new ones.
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I’ve never been formally diagnosed with seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But as someone prone to bipolar depression, I have always noticed that my mood dips as the days get shorter, usually starting around my birthday in October (sad, I know!).
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When your thoughts focus on suicide, it's easy to feel like there are no answers. Here's how to get emergency help when you're not sure where you can turn.
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Predators like lions never take down a group of animals (for example, a herd of sheep). What a lion does instead is this: he lures one of the sheep out of the herd by frightening the herd with a chase. The sheep are safer if they can stick together. Support groups, also known as therapy groups, provide you with similar benefits.
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You may feel afraid to be around your loved one, especially if they have expressed suicidal thoughts. This is a perfectly normal way to feel. You love this person, and it’s scary to think that they are suffering and might do irreversible harm to themselves. The important thing in this situation is to stay calm and stay with your loved one. You don’t need to talk about the depression the whole time you are together—you don’t even need to make it better.
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The brain is surprisingly malleable. By addressing your teen’s depression early, you will help them form new patterns that they will be able to use going forward in times of stress and sadness. If you wait, your teen is less likely to respond to treatment and will be more likely to relapse into subsequent depressive episodes.
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Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital in Kearny Mesa created the GRAPES tool to help people with depression overcome their inertia. If you’re struggling with depression, using a fruit-themed mnemonic device may not sound very appealing, but stick with us. We promise it will help!
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