When this happens, when the past is so painful it’s intolerable and the future is so scary you’re not ready to go there, focus on the NOW.
Here’s how to build self-esteem
Many people feel bad about themselves at times. Self-esteem is a complicated entity, influenced by many factors, including morality, spiritual beliefs, the approval of family and friends, environment, childhood experiences, and general sense of well-being. Negative life events, physical illness, problematic relationships, and loss of control can all undermine self-esteem. If you believe you suffer […]
First aid for panic attacks
by Kim Rosenthal, MDBlog, “Mental Health and You” Panic is a sudden attack of intense fear that typically lasts 10-15 minutes, although these attacks can last longer. They often leave the sufferer so distressed they change their routine to avoid having another. Episodes of panic are more common than you’d think: one in ten Americans […]
For fiction writers: 4 steps to writing your way out of depression
“I believe that words are strong, that they can overwhelm when what we fear seems more awful than life is good.” –Andrew Solomon, The Noonday Demon Writing as a weapon Depression is an evil companion. It challenges us with a duel to the death but takes away the very weapons we need to fight back: […]
Cognitive therapy: mind conquers mood
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” — Oprah Winfrey Cognitive therapy (CT) is a powerful technique therapists use to help their clients deal with life’s tougher moments. It’s used worldwide to help individuals overcome psychiatric problems like phobias, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, […]
Strategies that kill depression
An article by Kim Rosenthal, MD kimrosenthalmd.com Depression hurts. It robs you of hope and motivation and makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning, never mind cope with the pervasive agony that comes along with it. At times it seems hopeless. There’s no “pulling your socks up.” It isn’t that easy. […]
150+ fun things to do when you have no idea what to do
by Kim Rosenthal MD, from Outside-the-Box Recovery. You’re bored, life’s come to a halt, and you need relief right now. It could be boredom. It could be depression. Or it might just be that you need an idea to jump-start you along. Here are 150+ things to do when you don’t know what to do. […]
How to relax your muscles
Muscle relaxation can be helpful for anxiety, as well as for anger, stress, insomnia, and agitation. People with stress or anxiety often feel so keyed up during the day that they don’t even remember what it’s like to be calm. Muscle relaxation exercises release the tension in the muscles and help a person relax, lowering […]