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Depression

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How to Respond to a Suicide Risk

May 16, 2017

By Andrew McNaughton LCSW CADC What determines the significance and urgency of the risk if someone expresses suicidal ideation or intent? It is important to recognize it as a cry for help, not a cry for attention. Assessing for suicide risk requires a trained observer. However, in a crisis situation, it is important to be able to communicate the extent of the risk to 911. Do not hesitate to call 911 if your loved one has expressed…

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The Power of Your Breath

May 9, 2017

If you have ever taken a yoga class, you have probably heard the instructor say things like, “Just breathe,” or “Focus on your breath.” Breathing is an essential element of yoga. Yoga involves intentional breathing – breathing with purpose and in a controlled manner – a technique which may also help with anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. Making breath the focus while practicing yoga can deepen relaxation and enhance a mind-body connection, as it has…

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You Don’t Have To Believe Everything You Think

April 18, 2017

If you have ever felt consumed or overwhelmed by your thoughts, the concept that you do not have to believe everything you think can seem foreign. Without awareness of the problem, it can sometimes feel like you are a slave to your thoughts. I often hear people say that they cannot shut their minds off or that they cannot escape their thinking, which causes them a great deal of anxiety and distress. Many people feel like they…

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How Can You Help Me With Money? You Aren’t an Accountant!

April 11, 2017

When I tell people that I am a Certified Financial Social Worker, the typical response I get is, “How can you help people with their money issues? You aren’t an accountant or financial planner.” While this might be true – I do not have the training or credentials to give financial or investment advice, create detailed budgets or plans, or offer financial services – there is much more to having a healthy relationship with money than those…

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How to Communicate Well with Yourself

April 1, 2015

When you think of communication, what do you imagine? For most of us, we conjure up an image of two people talking to one another, engaging in a conversation. However, in addition to this interpersonal dialogue, we are also always communicating with ourselves. We sometimes do this through self-talk – the things that we say to ourselves out loud or the inner dialogue that runs through our minds. Beyond this, our choices of behavior, our thoughts, and…

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Is someone you care about depressed?

October 18, 2014

Have you ever felt that those closest to you don’t always understand you, or see what you are really feeling inside? Chances are they could be feeling the same. Familiarity can sometimes breed complacency and a lack of recognition when a loved one is suffering emotionally. While a close bond can create synchronicity and a symbiotic understanding of another person, it can also narrow the window of perspective, making it difficult to see beyond what you think…

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How can you tell if your partner is depressed?

March 27, 2014

Maybe you’ve noticed something different in your partner. He or she may be acting sadder than usual, may not be taking pleasure in the things that he or she usually enjoys, or may even be talking about death a lot. It could be your partner just down in the dumps, or these symptoms could be pointing to something much more serious – depression. While it’s normal to be sad, especially when there’s loss involved, depression is a…

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