Category Archives for Mental Health

What Causes Depression?

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes depression as a common mental disorder that causes the sufferer to have depressed and pessimistic mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, irritability, restlessness, body aches and pains, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities....

What Causes Crying Jags?

A jag is described as overindulgence in an activity such as crying hence the term crying jag. Crying jags are uncontrolled bouts of crying which may last for long periods and can be cathartic. Developmental psychologist Dr. Aletha Solter states that “crying removes excess stress-related chemicals from the body and serves the purpose of restoring the body’s chemical balance after a stressful event has occurred. Crying is a beneficial physiological process that allows people to cope with stress...

Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety is otherwise known as generalized anxiety disorder. It is usually characterized by exaggerated and excessive anxiety about ordinary events in life. Usually there are no reasons behind such excessive worries. In fact, there aren’t even any obvious reasons why a patient has to worry. The people who suffer from this disorder have that tendency to expect certain disaster. Some of the common things that people with this disorder worry about include family, money, health, school, and work....

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attack is a medical condition wherein patients experience a sudden episode marked by intense fear triggered by no clear reason. Patients usually think that they are dying, losing control or suffering from heart attack. Possible causes include changes in brain functions, stress and genetics. Help fight the different minor and major panic attack symptoms by taking a closer look at the diagnosis and treatments for this particular condition. Signs of Panic Attack Amongst the numerous symptoms...

What Causes Shortness of Breath?

Definition Few sensations are as frightening as not being able to get enough air. Although shortness of breath, known medically as dyspnea — is likely to be experienced differently by different people, it’s often described as an intense tightening in the chest or feeling of suffocation. You may experience shortness of breath just once or have recurring episodes. Causes of shortness of breath Anxiety People who talk for long periods of time while teaching, reading aloud, working on the telephone,...

15 Ways to Improve Your Memory

The brain is a quirky organ. No matter the extent of brain research over the years, many of the secrets of this body part remain unknown. Memory retention is a crucial brain function that affects mental acuity, and improving the human ability to absorb, store and retrieve information is critical to your achievements in life. Memory enhancement requires an understanding of basic brain processes and the factors that may affect these processes. Photo by Pixabay 1. Understand the memory system Psychologists...

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US) describes the disease as a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms differ in individuals and may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable. Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances...

Depression Treatment

There is more to depression than just a feeling of being sad or a feeling of impending doom, lifelessness, emptiness, and apathy. Depression is no ordinary feeling as most would describe. It engulfs one’s life day in and day out. It often interferes with the ability to sleep, study, work, and eventually have fun. Depression treatment will require one to understand what depression is in order to cope with it. Symptoms/Signs of Depression Part of the initial stages of depression treatment is identifying...