3-C Family Services

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

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It’s easy to get the blues in the winter. The gloomy weather, post-holiday food comas, and post-holiday return to routine can really get you down. But most of us continue on with our daily lives, dreaming of warmer days.

For some people though, the winter blues are more than an inconvenience. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a legitimate mental illness where sufferers experience anxiety or depression during a certain season. It may sound too crazy to be true, but it’s a legitimate “course specifier” for major depressive disorder in the DSM-V!

With winter in full swing, it’s the perfect time to learn about SAD.

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Understanding Self-Harm

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When life is at its most challenging, coping with adversity can be emotional and difficult. Many people resort to self-harm as a way to handle conflict. The reasons for it are complex and varied, and treatment can be a long process. But one thing is clear: it’s not the answer.

What is Self-Harm?

Self-harm is a coping mechanism in which people purposefully hurt themselves, often becoming a habit whenever emotionally difficult situations arise. Cutting, punching, and scratching are common methods. People who self-harm tend to do it in private, hiding scars or marks with long sleeves or pants. Self-harm is frequently inflicted on the wrists, inner thighs, and other easily concealed areas. While self-harm is intended as a coping mechanism, the physical and mental anguish associated with it can actually exacerbate these issues.

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The Psychology of Triggers, PTSD, and Mental Illness

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The term “trigger” has been a hot topic recently. Take the debate over trigger warnings in academia, alerting students of content that could be harmful to those with mental illnesses. Passion about the issue, combined with a contentious political atmosphere, has made finding the facts difficult.

Despite the topic’s popularity, triggers have been around in psychology for a very long time. Today, we’re going to examine triggers and what defines them, in the hopes of clearing the fog.

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Getting Started With Meditation

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When you think of meditation, you might laugh! It conjures pictures of old white yogis or Buddhist monks with loud, constant chants. The reality is much different.

At its core, meditation is a way of gaining control of processes your body normally does on its own. It’s a way of turning off auto-pilot and re-centering yourself in the moment. While it sounds rather philosophical, the effects are anything but: lowered heart rate, lowered stress level, and better concentration. Naturally, meditation can seriously benefit your mental health.

Meditation’s effect on anxiety depends a lot on its source. However, in combination with therapy, it can be helpful for reducing mental stress. If you want to get started on your own or just try it for fun, here are some helpful tips.

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Popular Myths About SSRIs

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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), more commonly known as antidepressants, are often misunderstood. Sensationalized stories and stigma of mental health issues have contributed to their sometimes negative reputation.

The reality is that like all other medicines, SSRIs require professional guidance to use responsibly. There are a number of cultural myths about them. These myths can hurt patients who could benefit from use of the medications, but are scared away by misconceptions.

Before you make a decision with your doctor, you should probably know some important truths about them.

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3-C Family Services, P.A.
P: (919) 677-0101
F: (888) 608-9661
E: info@3cfs.com
Morrisville Office:
1 Copley Parkway, Suite 480
Morrisville, NC 27560