Around 50-60% of all people experience trauma at some point during their lives. Trauma can unquestionably disrupt your life and affect your emotional well-being. In addition, it's a precursor for numerous mental health issues like substance use, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma denial refers to suppressing, rationalizing, or even disregarding that trauma occurred. It can...[ read more ]
How many quality friendships do you have? Who are the treasured people who support, validate, and encourage you to live a good life and be a good person? If you're struggling with your answers, you're not alone. Friendships undoubtedly become more challenging as we get older. In fact, research shows that nearly half of adults in middle age report feeling...[ read more ]
Does it seem like one bad thing keeps having one after another? Have you experienced multiple losses in quick succession? Are you perpetually angry, sad, or tired- and do these feelings trigger an overarching sense of stuckness? Bereavement overload- also known as grief overload- can happen after enduring several losses. The "overload" effect may compromise your physical and emotional well-being....[ read more ]
Everyone experiences stress, but chronic stress or stress that persistently feels difficult to overcome may indicate unresolved trauma. It may also speak to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which isn't always obvious. Understanding and taking care of stress well is key to managing your mental health. Here are some emotional and physical symptoms that often go under the stress...[ read more ]
It’s often said that grief comes in waves. This speaks to the fluctuating feelings and thoughts that accompany a significant loss. You may not feel a persistent sense of sadness or anger, but certain experiences may trigger those emotions. It’s also common for people to have both good days and bad days. In some moments, the grief may not seem...[ read more ]
Sometimes discerning the differences between anger and depression isn't so obvious. Most of the time, when people think about what depression looks like, they focus on symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, or a general sense of apathy. And when they think about anger, they imagine someone who's dysregulated when they get triggered. However, one of the more common symptoms of...[ read more ]
How to Release Perfectionism in Middle Age We all know that perfect is the enemy of good, and yet so many people struggle with the desire to overachieve, perform well, and have everything under control. There's nothing wrong with striving for excellence or having goals. However maladaptive perfectionism can make it difficult to rest and enjoy the present moment. It...[ read more ]
Even though everyone feels occasional shame, chronic or persistent shame can affect every part of your life. Shame coincides with feeling unworthy, which can deeply affect the quality of your relationships. Unfortunately, shame persists and shows up in insidious ways. It can erode even a healthy relationship, and it sometimes contributes to patterns of unhealthy interpersonal dynamics. Shame also often...[ read more ]
Amid the grief process, people move through various emotions and stages that are unique to each loss. However, compassion fatigue sometimes overlays with cumulative grief, and this can present unique challenges throughout your healing journey. If you are struggling, it's important to remember that you're not alone. Seeking help during this time can provide you with reassurance and safety during...[ read more ]
Nostalgia and grief often go hand-in-hand, as both can entail a sentimental longing over a significant loss. Nostalgia is a specific social emotion that refers to experiencing affection for the past. Stronger nostalgia often coincides with a desire to relive or reconnect to those older experiences. When it comes to grief, nostalgia can sometimes act as a source of comfort....[ read more ]