Eating disorder is quite common. It is known to affect 9% of the global population and 28.8 million Americans are likely to suffer from this in their lifetime. The condition itself is quite baffling at times, which makes it difficult to tell fact from fiction. Further, low levels of mental health literacy have added on to the misconceptions. This makes it quite difficult to identify and diagnose and go for early intervention. The most common disorders are destructive eating behaviors like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, which show symptoms such restriction of food intake, feelings of depression and compulsive exercising, according to experts at Institute For Personal Growth. The good news is that professionals like dieticians, psychotherapists and primary care physicians can coordinate to offer appropriate care. However, it is crucial to understand the myths to be able to seek timely help. Myth: It is a Matter of Choice People tend to believe that an individual chooses to eat excessively more or less. However, studies have found that genetics have 80% role in this condition developing. Further, personality traits like neuroticism, perfectionism and impulsivity are often linked to a higher risk of eating disorder, according to an… Read more »
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6 Tips to Stay Positive During Difficult Times
Challenges are a part and parcel of life. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cope during tough times. One effective way is positive thinking. Studies have found that it reduces the risk of several serious diseases, including stroke, respiratory complications and heart issues, while ensuring better psychological health and lower rates of depression, according to an article by Healthline. So, the key is to try to remain optimistic, enter a “survival mode,” if required, and be realistic about the whole situation. Further, take a look at a few other therapeutic but simple ways to stay positive through hard times. 1. Stress Therapy Stress and anxiety can be too much to handle at times. In case you are unable to deal with it, set up an appointment with a professional therapist, trained to help people understand and manage their stress for positive outcomes, according to experts at the Institute for Personal Growth. This way, you are less likely to face a crisis situation. 2. Small Goals One of the best ways to stay motivated is to set short term goals. These are usually ones you can accomplish quickly, without too much effort. For example, finishing a school assignment or achieving… Read more »
Why There is No “Right” Way to Grieve
Every loss is different. Whether it is a death of a loved one, losing a job or the end of a relationship, each loss is not the same. Loss is one of the most difficult emotions to cope with, and every individual has their own way of dealing with the grief. However, it is important to understand that grieving isn’t a single experience, it is an emotional process to make peace with the loss and might take a long time to recover from, says an article by the American Cancer Society. Every person goes through a period of grief at some point in their life but none of us experience it in quite the same way. 5 Stages of Grief Life transitions can often bring about symptoms which might look a lot like anxiety and depression, even in the healthiest person, say experts at the Institute for Personal Growth. This might just throw a person off balance, resulting stress and grief. In her book, On Death and Dying, Elizabeth Kubler Ross proposed 5 stages of grief. 1. Denial This is the first stage where the person does not want to believe that a loss has occurred. This begins right after… Read more »
Getting Rid of the Stigma Surrounding Therapy
With one in five individuals in the United States suffering from mental illness, there are an estimated 46.1 million people living with AMI (Any Mental Illness) in the country, according to information on The National Institute of Mental Health. Despite so many people being affected by mental health issues, there is unfortunately still a stigma associated with seeking psychotherapy and counseling. A lot of this has to do with myths and misconceptions that have historically plagued mental health. If you or a loved one is finding life difficult to cope with, seeking professional help could be the best choice to improve quality of life. However, research also shows that people often wait for long periods before seeking therapy, with couples waiting for seven years on average before seeking help, according to experts at the Institute for Personal Growth. If the fear of stigma is a hurdle in doing so, here are some things you should keep in mind. You are NOT “Weak” Mental health issues need to be viewed in the same way as we do physical illness, such as a fever or even high blood pressure. When dealing with any illness, it is recommended to seek professional help, rather… Read more »