[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ental illness affects 1 in 5 Americans, a fact that may surprise you. You may hear that a friend, neighbor or family member is ill, but it likely will be discussed in hushed tones as if this kind of illness could have been avoided or perhaps indicates a serious aberration in a person’s constitutional or…
Depression Is Not a Weakness in Character [dropcap]Millions[/dropcap] of Americans — almost 19 million, or 10 percent of our population, according to 2012 statistics — suffer from depression. An estimated 11 percent of adolescents, 30 percent of college students, 14 percent of new moms and 10 percent of adults 65 and older have been affected…
Recognizing an Eating Disorder By Rebecca F. Ward, LCSW, MSW & Angela E. Thomas [dropcap]In[/dropcap] my profession, there are few diagnoses that have a mortality risk. Eating disorders are one of them. Eating disorders affect up to 30 million people of all ages and genders in the United States. Theses disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and…
The stigma of having a mental illness has improved over the years. [dropcap]Mental[/dropcap] illness affects 1 in 5 Americans, a fact that may surprise you. You may hear that a friend, neighbor or family member is ill, but it likely will be discussed in hushed tones as if this kind of illness could have…
[dropcap]When[/dropcap] I was a newbie therapist eons ago, I had difficulty asking a couple, who were in the office for marital therapy, about their sex life. Raised way before the sexual revolution and when bras were never mentioned, much less burned, sex had always been a somewhat taboo subject and certainly not a topic one…
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, drawing attention to a disease that can often be difficult to identify, especially early on. What follows is valuable information regarding both symptoms and statistics, information that could be the first step in helping someone get much-needed help. [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n my profession, there are few diagnoses that have a…
By the time you read this, you’ll be in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle, but it’s not too late to enjoy the season. [dropcap]Eight[/dropcap] weeks is a long time to maintain the energy it takes to continue a “normal life,” as well as the addition of all the activities involved in holiday…
[dropcap]Yes,[/dropcap] I am a foodie, born and bred. More than likely, you are, too — if given permission by doctors and society. There are very few skills with which we first enter this world, wailing and protesting our removal from the all-providing womb, but we do have the ability to eat! Put a nipple near…
[dropcap]Some[/dropcap] might find it curious, but I really enjoy working with some of the narcissists who come into my office. They are mostly charming and engaging at the start; however, many do not last long past the “beginning-to-see-the-light” phase. It is then that the dark side of this particular personality will emerge — and it…
[dropcap]Any[/dropcap] week I can look at my schedule of appointments and note that I will see someone because alcohol was used to excess. The person or persons are in my office because they had an alcoholic parent or sibling or even a grandparent who caused chaos to family members. Or the person is here because…
