By: Melanie McCabe, PhD The holidays are coming. Instead of joy you feel sad, worried, angry, or a mix of those. You might not even feel anything at all. It makes sense! Here we are, months into a pandemic and we are still learning what the new normal is for us all. The new normal shifts every few weeks. I have spoken with families from all walks of life and three things are common to them all. They want this to end, they are suffering, and they want a taste of n

College is an important, exciting, and confusing time. At the intersection of adolescence and adulthood, people who recently needed permission to use the toilet are now forced to make life-altering decisions. Coupled with social temptations and increasing student debt, it’s enough to unseat even the sturdiest person. Thankfully, college students are not alone. Universities, the government, and students themselves have built a valuable network of resources. If you’re a college

Mental health has evolved as both a study and a societal function. We’ve come a long way from lobotomies and two-dimensional characters in straitjackets. Unfortunately, the scars of those misconceptions linger, and as a result, people may not realize when they’re experiencing a legitimate problem. They may dismiss it as a phase, a one-off episode, or as some kind of intangible “craziness.” Because of their numerous symptoms and forms, panic attacks are one of the most misunde

When a family member becomes seriously ill, the entire family is affected. Everyone needs to learn how they can best cope with it. Don't let the disease become your identity You can manage an illness, or it can manage you. Are you becoming a full-time patient instead of a human being with a disease to manage? Investigate every avenue of rehabilitation and create the highest quality of life. Do 100 percent of what you can do. Communicate If you don't talk about your feelings o

It's important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don't notice how much it's affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently. Not only can