Author name: Mary Joan Brinson

Our modern lives have many advantages that previous generations did not. Advanced medical care and treatments, improved opportunities for women and minorities, greater awareness of children’s needs, to name a few. Unfortunately, the importance of good mental health is not quite as elevated as it should be yet. This means that our modern lives can […]

You have probably heard a lot about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the media. This disorder is a mix of symptoms that develop after a traumatic event. It’s commonly associated with individuals who have been in combat, survived terrible accidents, abuse, and sexual assaults. But PTSD can also develop after other upsetting, life-altering experiences. It

In many cases, you probably think of trauma as being something that you experience individually on your own. You may falsely assume that it does not affect your relationships with other people. It is normal to focus on trauma’s painful effects on yourself, of course. Perhaps you experience overwhelming anxiety about completing tasks that other

If you’ve never experienced anxiety, you may not realize how difficult it is for your loved one to live with it. When someone you love experiences fears about things that seem normal to you, it can be hard to understand what is going on. Maybe you get frustrated because they are afraid to travel on

Although there is hope on the horizon that the pandemic is nearing its end, you are probably still living with and dealing with the effects of the pandemic. Many people have experienced depression for the first time during the loneliness and uncertainty of the pandemic. Others who already lived with depression have found it even

Anxiety is common. And since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, more people are experiencing anxiety than ever before. Anxiety can impact every area of life, and in more moderate and severe cases, it creates significant suffering for those experiencing it. If you live with the reality of anxiety, you know this suffering is real.

If you struggle with anxiety, you know it can be sneaky. Whether you have a generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or specific phobias, anxiety can strike out of nowhere. You might be perusing the aisles at the grocery store, taking your kids to the playground, or at work. No matter where you are, the discomfort

Living with depression is never easy — both for those with it and those who love them. Depression can affect every single facet of daily life, making even the simplest of things feel impossible. You probably watch your loved one struggling and wish you knew what you could do to help. You see their loss

Depression’s effects are numerous. It can leave you exhausted, anxious, lonely, and stuck in a mental fog. Handling normal tasks such as housework, errands, and work can seem impossible. Many days, you struggle to get out of bed and cry at the drop of a hat. You feel more irritable with your kids and partner,

When you meet and fall in love with a new partner after a divorce or breakup, blending your families may be the last thing on your mind. After all, you are enjoying the emotional high of a new romance. You are thrilled to have found someone else to love and spend your life with. You