According to this article {here], confidence can help with anxiety and depression, affecting how your brain’s cells function. It can also help with memory, immune system and brain functioning. The article also includes some tips for boosting confidence. Other researchers have found that some types of vitamin B that are found in foods such as Marmite can also affect brain chemistry in a way that helps with anxiety symptoms. However, the study (as described here) used very much higher doses than are found in usual Marmite portions.
The process of seeking psychology help
The article from The Guardian [here], describes one person’s decision-making and experience in regard to seeking and receiving psychological help. Many forms of therapy are not as long as this person’s. For instance, typically in the English National Health Service, usually 16 sessions is sufficient to address most common problems.
More about sleep
There are many reasons why you may not be getting a good night’s sleep. Some of them are described here. An awareness of the cause is usually a first step in finding a solution. This article [here] describes a tip that may be helpful if you wake in the night and find it difficult to get back off to sleep. The ‘15 minute rule’ is an element of sleep hygiene which I have linked to in a previous entry here. Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that can result in tiredness, concentration difficulties and mood swings. Some details about this condition are described here.
Could your depression be something else?
It is wise to ask your family doctor to check to see if your symptoms of ‘depression’ are in fact caused by a physical health issue. Thyroid and hormonal problems as well as some dietary issues can cause such symptoms. This article [here] describes them being triggered by ‘genetic heart failure’.
Are you addicted to social media?
Social media can encourage a form of app dependency which impacts a proportion of users. Social media can have a negative effect upon mental health and so this kind of dependency is likely to be unhealthy. This article [here] provides some signs and symptoms that indicate that your social media use could be dysfunctional. It also offers some ideas for alternative, healthy activities. A week long break from social media [see here] meant more free time as well as lower levels of anxiety and depression for those involved in the study.
The impact of the cost of living crisis
Rising inflation and household bills will be at the forefront of many peoples’ minds at the moment. There are some useful and practical tips here about how to manage in these challenging times.
Impact of poor sleep and the power of sleep hygiene
The healing power of nature
Spending time in ‘green spaces’ has long been considered to have a positive impact on mental health. This article [here] describes how one service has harnessed this power to good effect.
Staying mentally healthy whilst working from home
Many of work practices have changed in that many people are now either working from home or are involved in some form of ‘blended’ approach (a blend of home and on-site). Working much more from home can leave us open to some forms of stress. This article [here] offers some useful ways of protecting ourselves. Working from home can offer an increased opportunity to over-indulge in social media. An article which details both how this can negatively affect upon mental health and how this impact can be reduced, is available here.
More information about sleep
There have already been a number of posts on this blog about sleep. Use the search bar at the bottom of the home page to find these. Here is another article about how to sleep well. I can’t vouch for what it says about supplements, but the psychological advice seems generally sound. For a full programme for treating insomnia, I can recommend this book [here]. The approach described in the book (CBTi) is also very briefly described in this article [here]. This other article [here] describes the sleep disorder: sleep apnoea. This is a potentially dangerous condition which can be treated.
The mind-body connection in depression and anxiety disorders
Mental health issues may be assumed to be based purely in the mind. However, the body also has a role to play in anxiety disorders and depression. As such, the body is explicitly included in psychological treatment approaches such as Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy. This article [here] talks about some aspects of this mind-body connection.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
In my own practice, I seem to be seeing more people who are wondering if their issues might be linked to them having Autism Spectrum Disorder. This article [here] has some information about the disorder and possible intervention approaches.
About agoraphobia
What is cognitive behaviour therapy?
Menopause and mental health
The changes in hormones resulting from the menopause can lead some to experience symptoms that are associated with mental health issues. This article [here] describes some of the possible effects.
New guidance for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Finding the right therapist
‘Clinical psychologist’ is a protected term which means that in the UK it is illegal to use this in a personal description or CV, without the individual having a recognised training from a course recognised by the British Psychological Society. However, other terms such as ‘counsellor’, ‘therapist’ or ‘psychotherapist’ are not protected. This means that it is difficult to determine the level of competence and training of such individuals. This clip [here] offers some helpful advice when it comes to choosing a therapist. Some useful links are also here.
Treatment of depression through use of brain implants
This article [here] seems to describe a possibility of radical and more experimental form of therapy for those with a ‘severe and ‘intractable’ form of depression.
More on 'chronic fatigue syndrome'
Social media, mental health and Facebook products
Previous posts on this blog have noted the potential harmful effects of social media, for instance here. As we find [here] that almost 1 in 5 teens and young adults ‘often feel depressed’, a whistle blower at Facebook seems to have evidence that Facebook ignores internal research associated with its negative impact (see here). If this is the case, hopefully some positive change will result from the disclosure.