Tag Archives: depression

Treating Anxiety Disorders — Behavioral & Lifestyle Changes.

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In addition to traditional treatments like psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies can play a vital role in managing anxiety disorders. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation can significantly improve symptoms of anxiety. These lifestyle choices not only help in reducing the severity of anxiety symptoms but also contribute to overall physical and mental well-being.

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“ Anxiety disorders are not just common; they are a widespread concern that affects approximately 34% of individuals in the United States over their  These disorders encompass a range of conditions, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Each of these conditions can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work, maintain relationships, and engage in everyday activities …. Choosing the right treatment for anxiety disorders is not a one-size-fits-all process …. This patient-centered approach ensures that the treatment aligns with the individual’s unique needs and circumstances, thereby enhancing the likelihood of a positive outcome. Patient preference plays a significant role in treatment adherence and success. When individuals are actively involved in their treatment plan and their preferences are respected, they are more likely to be committed to the treatment process. This involvement can range from choosing between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to selecting a specific type of therapy or medication …. In addition to traditional treatments like psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies can play a vital role in managing anxiety disorders. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation can significantly improve symptoms of anxiety. These lifestyle choices not only help in reducing the severity of anxiety symptoms but also contribute to overall physical and mental well-being …. It’s important for individuals struggling with anxiety to remember that they are not alone, and help is available. By understanding the nature of anxiety disorders and the various treatment options, individuals can take an active role in their journey toward better mental health. “Anxiety Disorders.” Atlantic Magazine (Feb. 15, 2026).

 

New Technology and Mental Health Treatment — Some Early Promise.

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“There is an emerging frontier of mental health treatments using new technologies that are offering promising early results and possibilities. Motivated in part by the limitations of existing treatments — mostly involving drugs or talk therapy with a psychologist — many researchers are looking to develop digital tools to treat mental health …. Technology treatment may be in its infancy and will need to undergo rigorous and much bigger testing. But it illustrates how the next generation of therapies has the potential to be far more accessible and straight forward than before — with implications for the many people seeking help for mental health. You don’t need medication for that, you don’t need a psychologist to talk about your life  …. It’s so simple — just sitting in front of a computer.” ”Tech-Powered Treatments.” Financial Times (December 18, 2024).




LONELINESS & STRATEGIES TO AOID IT — NEW FRIENDS.

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     It is well known that chronic loneliness has become a public health crisis in the United States. A recent article in the New York Times offers some strategies to combat this. One suggestion for individuals is to make new friends — especially ones with similar interests. Another one, my opinion, to develop an even closer relationship if you’re a couple. Here are a few excerpts from this recent article ……….

 

 

  • Everyone feels lonely from time to time — after, say, a move to a new school or city, when a child leaves for college, or following the loss of a spouse.
  • Some people, though, experience loneliness not just transiently but chronically. It becomes a personality trait, something that’s pretty sticky.
  • Research is mounting that entrenched loneliness is bad for our health …. chronic loneliness affects the brain, and some strategies to address it.
  • Small, transient episodes of loneliness really motivate people to then seek out social connection.  But in chronic episodes of loneliness, that seems to kind of backfire because people become especially attuned to social threats, which can then make it scary or unpleasant for them to interact with others.
  • For years, scientists have known about a connection between loneliness and Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
  • The more general way in which loneliness affects mental and physical health may also factor into cognitive decline. The feeling is closely linked to depression, another condition that increases the risk for dementia. And people who are lonely are less likely to be physically active and more likely to smoke cigarettes.
  • One of the most common recommendations is a little obvious: Try to make new friends (and it’s easiest with persons of shared identities). Whether that’s through art classes, sports teams, support groups or volunteer opportunities, the goal is to put yourself in places where people come together.
  • The strategies may sound simple, but they’re easier said than done. Otherwise, I don’t think we would have the report from the Surgeon General saying we need to figure this out.           

            “Loneliness Shapes Our Behaviors.” New York Times (May 10, 2024).

Anxious Parents & University Students — Are Anxious Parents Part of the Problem?

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Mental health issues on camps are exploding. A good piece appeared today in the New York Times. It focuses on the anxiety of parents, as a newer development. The bottom line is that parents need to listen and to be supportive. Do not jump in. Mostly, student anxiety is situational. Students need a responsible adult to show them the way. This is good advice for new students, graduate students, law students and all students — and their parents. Universities, the economy and society are becoming more anxiety producing. Here is some basic advice and a few good quotes …………

 

  • Parents are allowing their anxiety to take over, and it’s not helping anyone, least of all their children …. Anxiety about anxiety has gotten so bad that some parents actually worry if their student isn’t anxious. This puts a lot of pressure on unanxious students — it creates anxiety about anxiety about anxiety.
  • As for your kids, I would like to help you with some age-appropriate remedies. If your child calls during the first weeks of college feeling anxious, consider saying any of the following: You’ll get through this; this is normal; we’ll laugh about this phone call at Thanksgiving. Or, say anything that was helpful to you the last time you started something new. Alternatively, you could say nothing. Just listening really helps.
  • I worry that the current obsession with mental health awareness is disempowering parents from helping their adult children handle ordinary things. People are increasingly fearful that any normal emotion is a sign of something serious.
  • But if you send your adult children to a mental health professional at the first sign of distress, you deprive yourself of the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with them. 
  • This is the beginning of their adult relationship with you. Show them the way.
  • The transition to college is full of excitement and its cousin, anxiety. I enjoy shepherding young people through this rite of passage. Parents should try enjoying it, too.

                “Anxious Parents Need Help.” New York Times (April 11, 2024)

Mental Illness is Our Most Urgent Problem — Anxiety & Depression — Action Needed.

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Mental Health
    A great commentary by Martin Wolfe of the Financial Times arguing that mental health is our most urgent health problem. He states “Depression and anxiety cause more misery than physical illness ….” We need to take needed action, says Martin Wolfe. Yes, this is long overdue. “Mental Illness.” Financial Times (July 17, 2014).

Prescription Medication and ADHD — Better Oversight Needed.

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Depression

The Sunday New York Times (Feb. 2, 2013) printed a lengthy article today about the downside of treating ADHD by medication and the abuse of medication by some patients. The real problem to me, as the article makes clear, is the lack of oversight by doctors prescribing them. This needs to be seriously addressed as a public health problem.

“Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions.” New York Times (Feb. 3, 2013).

See my website at www.Counseling-Connection.net and E-Mail at SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net