Have you ever considered nutritional counselling? For many people, that seems like an unnecessary luxury. But learning to eat healthily can positively impact your life in many ways.
What you put into your body directly impacts your physical health, and it's not just about staying fit or getting the figure you want. Here are some reasons why you should prioritize a healthy diet. Stronger Immunity Eating a balanced diet can do wonders to improve your immune system. Your body needs a ton of vitamins and nutrients to operate. Failing to get the essentials can affect several biological processes, hurting your immune system. A diet full of empty calories, processed snacks and fatty treats do you no favours. While treating yourself is okay, you must learn to find that balance. Your immune system needs vitamins and minerals to continue protecting your body. Otherwise, you may experience the pitfalls of constant illnesses and infections. Disease Prevention A bad diet can also increase your risk of life-threatening diseases. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent around the world, and it's often a result of eating an unhealthy diet full of saturated fats. Diabetes changes the way your body uses glucose as fuel. Many people with diabetes gain weight and experience a heightened risk of organ failure. But that's not all. A poor diet can also make you susceptible to heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Simple changes make a big difference, and nutritional counselling can help you eat better. More Vitality Are you someone who's always dealing with low energy? Maybe you want to work out and get healthy, but your body's lack of vitality prevents you from making actionable changes. If that's the case, it's time to change your diet. What you eat impacts your overall vitality. Fatty foods might provide a short-term energy spike, but that always ends in a subsequent crash. Eating healthy can give you a constant energy supply, allowing you to do more. It's the first step in making positive changes. Once you learn how to eat, you can take other steps to improve your health across the board. Read a similar article about virtual psychiatry appointment here at this page.
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Whether you're grappling with the effects of menopause or are in a relationship going through a period of intimacy issues, navigating conflicts in your sex life can be tough. Fortunately, you don't have to settle. There are many ways to improve your sex life, helping you achieve more meaningful and nuanced sexual experiences. Here are a few tips that can make all the difference.
Consider Sex Therapy Working with a therapist is a fantastic way to confront intimacy issues. Therapists can assist couples in many ways, addressing many problems. Challenges with sexual satisfaction can stem from medical issues, physiological problems and personal mental health hurdles. Whatever the case, sex therapy can help you overcome them. Therapists can get to the root of the problem and encourage you to change your perspective about sex and what it means for you and your partner. Create Time for Experiences As you get older, it's common for sexual response to slow down. Life gets in the way, forcing sexual experiences to stay on the back burner. Meanwhile, it takes longer to experience satisfaction and reinvigorate your sex drive. One way to combat those issues is to set aside time for you and your partner to have sex without interruptions and distractions. Working these moments into your schedule allows you to devote your attention and energy to lovemaking, encouraging you to try new things and rekindle the passion you once had. Listen to Your Body Always listen to your body. Many things change as you age. Women approaching menopause may experience vaginal dryness that makes sex painful. Meanwhile, those encountering intimacy issues may react strongly to physical touch. To improve your sex life is to listen to your body. Don't force things. Instead, take extra precautions to remain comfortable while maintaining physical contact with your partner. Try Something New Finally, don't be afraid to try new things. Consider writing down your fantasies and sharing them with your partner. You can also use new positions and toys to change up your sex life. Sometimes, new experiences are all you need to boost your sex drive. Read a similar article about claustrophobia counselling here at this page. When the winter season rolls around, many people experience a decline in mental health. It's more prevalent at higher altitudes when seasonal changes are more dramatic. The combination of less sunlight, colder temperatures and not-so-great weather can create debilitating mood issues.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, colloquially known as SAD, affects an estimated 15 million adults in the United States. But is this condition the same as depression? Do you need to see a therapist for seasonal affective disorder? Understanding SAD SAD is no longer considered a standalone mood disorder. Instead, diagnostic guidelines classify it as a subset of depressive disorders. While many individuals brush off SAD as nothing more than the winter blues, it can impact your life in many ways. Believe it or not, the symptoms of SAD and depression are strikingly similar. They can be nearly identical and affect people the same way. However, the distinction between SAD and depression comes in its timing. Think of SAD as depression with a seasonal pattern. It occurs during the fall and winter months as opposed to the entire year. Mental health professionals typically diagnose SAD when the patients have two years of symptoms that worsen during a specific time of the year. The seasonal symptoms must be significantly worse than nonseasonal symptoms to get a proper diagnosis. What are the Symptoms of SAD? Contrary to popular belief, SAD is not a "mild" form of depression. The symptoms can be just as debilitating as standard depressive disorder. Individuals can experience noticeable mood changes, excessive drowsiness, loss of interest in the things they normally love and increased hopelessness. Many will also start to gain weight. In severe cases, SAD can lead to suicidal thoughts. Getting Help Fortunately, you don't have to face SAD alone. Help is available. If you're experiencing symptoms of SAD or depression, therapists are available to help you get through it. A therapist for seasonal affective disorder can recommend a treatment plan that works for you. There's not much difference between the treatment of SAD and depression. Many of the same techniques apply, including cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness exercises and medication. Read a similar article about talk therapy here at this page. Dermatillomania is a unique condition that falls under the umbrella of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. It's also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder. This condition is psychological and results in individuals compulsively picking at their skin.
Occasional picking is normal; many people will fidget with marks and imperfections on their bodies as they appear. But a professional consultation for excoriation disorder is necessary when the issue graduates to compulsive behaviour that causes distress and dysfunction in an individual's life. The Symptoms of Dermatillomania This condition belongs to a category of disorders called body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs). Many possible symptoms could indicate that the problem exists, but the DSM-5 includes three criteria for diagnosis. These include:
When those three criteria are met, mental health professionals can diagnose Dermatillomania. At that point, they may suggest a consultation for excoriation disorder. Is It Curable? Unfortunately, like many other psychological disorders, there are no known cures. However, that doesn't mean individuals shouldn't seek help. The proper treatment can make the condition more manageable. Many patients will learn to manage Dermatillomania, going for months or years without picking at their skin. That said, it is a lifelong battle. That's why treatment and professional counselling are necessary. Treatment for Dermatillomania There are a few different approaches to helping individuals with excoriation disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a common choice. During therapy sessions, professionals work with individuals to change their perspective on the behaviour and find ways to cope. Many people with Dermatillomania also see success with acceptance and commitment therapy and habit reversal training (HRT). Mental health professionals may also recommend medication. Certain antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and nutraceuticals have shown great promise. Healthcare providers might also recommend a course of antibiotics to treat lesions and prevent the risk of infection. Read a similar article about counsellor for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder here at this page. Everyone stutters on their words now and again. But when it becomes a significant problem, stuttering can prevent individuals from leading normal lives. Stuttering interferes with a person's ability to learn and socialize. If not addressed, it can hold kids back and create snowballing self-esteem issues in adults.
The good news is that therapy for stuttering exists. Speech therapy is a great way to help stutterers overcome this unique issue and gain the confidence to speak clearly. How Speech Therapy Works Before therapists can work with you or your child, they will ask questions to understand the root cause of the stuttering better. This issue is more complex than it seems at face value. For some individuals, stuttering is a byproduct of an underlying health problem. Many neurological conditions exacerbate it. It can also be a product of emotional trauma or past experiences. Whatever the case, therapists will want to learn more. Then, they'll often gather a baseline. That may involve having the patient read passages out loud or having a conversation. The point here is to allow the therapist to identify patterns and determine the extent of the issue. After ruling out possible medical troubles, therapy for stuttering can commence! Speech therapy is about learning how to slow down words. The concept is straightforward. Slowing down words lets patients identify what triggers the stutter. It helps them spot what sounds create problems and what they need to overcome. Conversations will start unnaturally slow, but repeated therapy sessions can get you or your child to a regular speech pattern in no time. Other Forms of Therapy It's not just speech therapy that helps with stutters. Providers may recommend cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) depending on the patient's unique needs. CBT can be life-changing for those who stutter due to stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues. CBT is about reframing one's perspective. Patients can learn about why they stutter and change their way of thinking. It resolves stress and addresses the potentially dark thoughts that manifest through stuttering. Read a similar article about therapy for amnesia here at this page. Everyone gets lonely from time to time, but for most, a support network of friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers can help to combat loneliness. Unfortunately, not everyone has these support network resources available. These people often end up suffering in silence, and some experience mental health conditions like depression as a result.
One tool that therapy professionals have touted as a potential solution to this problem is the use of emotional support service animals. These are animals that have been specially trained to provide comfort and assistance to those in need, and they may be able to offer companionship to individuals who lack access to other support network resources. What Makes a Good Emotional Support Animal? Dogs and cats are among the top choices for emotional support service animals, and dogs are especially featured in loneliness therapy. The reason dogs make such good animals to use in loneliness therapy is that dogs are naturally eager to please their owners. Dogs are loyal and protective, and they also provide companionship by staying with their owners wherever they go. Other animals, however, can be used for emotional support, and some people have gone so far as to own support alpacas, support mini-pigs, and even support lizards. At the end of the day, what counts as a support animal isn’t as important as the support that the animal provides. Travelling With an Emotional Support Animal Because emotional support animals provide an invaluable service to people suffering from loneliness, they often travel with their owners. If you do travel with an emotional support animal, it would be a good idea to contact any transportation company and your accommodations provider ahead of time to let them know about your animal. In most cases, arrangements can be made to ensure that your animal can stay with you. It may be a good idea to get a letter from your doctor documenting the medical need for a service animal, just in case anyone questions you. Remember that having a certified service animal is protected under various disability laws, so you should know and understand your rights to protect them. Read a similar article about anger management therapy here at this page. Attitudes towards therapy and mental health care are much different now than a decade ago. Today, people are more conscious of their mental health, and the stigma of getting help is long gone. But even still, getting into a therapist's office isn't easy.
In-person therapy is a big time and cost investment. Furthermore, many people don't feel comfortable opening up in unfamiliar environments. Fortunately, a modern alternative is making mental health counselling more accessible than ever! What is Virtual Therapy? Thanks to fast Internet speeds and ultra-secure software, you can request a consultation with virtual therapist services without ever leaving your home! Virtual therapy allows you to get help through video calls. You get the same face-to-face interaction with an expert therapist without any other hurdles. It's a more cost-effective option that you can do anywhere. As long as you have a compatible device, help is just a video call away. Why Do Online Therapy? There are many reasons why you would consider doing online therapy. While in-person visits work well for some people, they can be an uncomfortable nightmare for others. Taking steps to improve your mental health is a big deal! It's not easy, and the key to success is approaching this process on your terms. Going into a cold, unfamiliar office to meet a stranger can feel intimidating. Some people find the prospect of in-office visits so awkward that they don't consider getting help and suffer in silence. Online therapy offers a comfortable medium. You can get help at home, where you're comfortable opening up. It's a way to get treatment how you want. Meeting with a therapist online is also more affordable. Sessions often cost less because there's no office space to rent. Plus, you don't have to worry about the commute or taking time off work. It's the epitome of convenience and accessibility. It doesn't matter what issues you're facing. Request a consultation with virtual therapist service providers and get the help you need without any headaches and anxieties accompanying traditional in-person visits. Care for your mental health on your terms. Read a similar article about psychosis therapy here at this page. A lot of people dread going to the doctor. Some people have had such a negative patient experience in the past that they avoid doctors altogether. And who can blame them when the average ER wait time in the US is around 103 minutes read more
Neurodevelopmental disorders are widely misunderstood. Attitudes towards these conditions are much better now than a decade ago, and the stigma of getting help from a therapist for ADD is not as widespread. But there is still significant confusion over these conditions and how they affect children and adults.
In this blog, we're going to dive into the differences between two often misused terms: ADD and ADHD. What is ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's the modern medical term used to describe a few neurological conditions. In the past, ADHD was the go-to term for naming behavioural problems with symptoms that included hyperactivity and impulsivity. However, the medical community has evolved. Now, ADHD is more of an umbrella term for neurodevelopmental disorders. There are three types of ADHD. The first is Primarily Inattentive. We'll get into this condition in the next section. The second type of ADHD is Primary Hyperactive-Impulsive. This is the type of ADHD that most people think of when imagining stereotypes. It causes people to act impulsively and exhibit hyperactive behaviours. Symptoms include:
The final type of ADHD is called "Combined." It includes symptoms of both Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive conditions. What is ADD? ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. This term formerly described a condition where individuals have trouble paying attention or managing their time. You can still see a therapist. However, experts no longer treat it as a separate neurodevelopmental disorder. Now, it's part of the ADHD umbrella and is referred to as Primarily-Inattentive. As the name implies, this condition generally causes apathetic behaviours in kids and adults. Individuals become "spacey" and disinterested in everything. Common symptoms include:
To summarize, ADHD is the modern term describing conditions affecting attentiveness, hyperactive behaviour, and impulsiveness. Meanwhile, ADD falls under the ADHD umbrella. If you suspect that a child or adult in your life has one of these conditions, don't be afraid to reach out to a therapist. A therapist for ADD and ADHD can help individuals cope and live productive lives. Read a similar article about therapist for body dysmorphia here at this page. Bringing a baby into this world can be one of the most joyful events of a mother's life. But many women will go through a wide range of emotions shortly after giving birth. It's common to go from crying out of pure happiness to wallowing in sadness within the same afternoon.
But when does that emotional rollercoaster turn into something that requires more help? At what point do you speak to a postpartum depression therapist? About the Baby Blues The term "baby blues" is something you'll frequently hear around pregnancy circles. It's a common occurrence that puts new mothers into a darker mindset after giving birth. Between bouts of happiness, mothers often experience overwhelming sadness. Those feelings may also come with periods of irritability and fatigue. If you're worried about the baby blues, don't fret. They are completely normal. The body goes through some intense things when giving birth. Suddenly, your hormones are adjusting to the event. Estrogen and progesterone levels decrease quickly, leading to these unexpected mood swings. The good news is that the baby blues are usually manageable. The mood swings only occur a few hours out of the day. They also subside about two weeks after birth, making it much easier to manage your emotions. When Baby Blues Turns into Postpartum Depression While similar to baby blues, postpartum depression is an entirely different beast. The symptoms are far worse, and experts often compare them to what people go through when suffering from major depression. The issue is long-lasting, going beyond the standard two-week window of the baby blues. Around 10 to 15 per cent of women experience postpartum depression. The signs can occur anywhere from four weeks to several months after giving birth. It's not always instant. What's worse is that it can last up to a year. Symptoms can vary from woman to woman, but postpartum depression usually causes aggression, higher stress levels, and overall feelings of detachment from the baby. Getting Help Learning to identify the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression is crucial. A postpartum depression therapist can help women overcome their emotions, manage their feelings, and improve their mental well-being. But the first step is knowing when to seek help. Read a similar article about book online paediatrician appointment here at this page. |