High-functioning depression, or dysthymia. may be harder to detect than major depressive disorder (MDD) because the people living with it are often high achievers who make you think everything is all right all the time.
Over 6.7% of adults in the United States—16.2 million!—endure at least one major depressive episode annually. While the stigma against seeking mental health treatment is lessening, there remain some dangerous myths. Such as that if depression isn’t severe and persistent—involving frequent bouts of uncontrollable weeping, emotional paralysis, and suicidal thoughts—then there isn’t a real problem and one should just tolerate pain with stiff-lipped silence.

For people with high-functioning depression, the “invisible illness” aspect of the mental state can feel particularly searing. A few years ago, after shoulder surgery, my arm was in a sling. People fell over themselves to cluck with sympathy at my pain—socially sanctioned pain.  It felt good to be the object of so much caring.
But on the days when listening to the sorrows of others exacerbates my own and I feel spent, I typically stay silent, not wanting to advertise my own vulnerability. Why is it so much easier to let others in on pain when it’s physical?

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Becoming a parent triggers an array of emotions, from joy and excitement to anxiety and fear. Baby blues are fairly common among new moms, but how do you cope with postpartum depression, a long-lasting and severe mood disorder? 

 Postpartum depression affects around 1 in 7 women. It can have an adverse effect on the well-being of both the mother and child, yet 1 in 5 women keep quiet about their symptoms and therefor remain untreated. 

Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression rarely disappears on its own. The condition can occur days or even months following the birth of your child and last for many weeks or months without treatment.

Postpartum depression is a treatable psychological disorder. It can be managed effectively, and you will feel better. But first and foremost, it is important to reach out to your health care provider and seek help. Do not struggle with postnatal depression alone. It is not your fault that you are depressed, and being depressed does not make you a bad parent. Here are some tips and tricks to help you better deal with postpartump depression:

1. Build a secure bond with your baby. 

Emotional bonding is the secure attachment that forms between parents and children. Successful bonding allows the child to feel safe enough to develop fully, and having this bond will affect the way in which they communicate and form relationships throughout their life. A secure bond forms when you tune in and respond to your child's needs or emotional cues, such as picking them up, soothing them, and reassuring them when they cry. Being that dependable source of comfort allows your child to learn how to manage their own feelings and behaviors, which, in turn, helps to strengthen their cognitive development. 

Postpartum depression can have a significant impact on early bonding, making it difficult to get through each day and hindering your ability to look after both your baby and yourself. Some parents feel an instant rush of love the moment they set eyes on their baby, while for others, it takes time. If you have not yet bonded with your baby, do not feel anxious or guilty. Sometimes, it can takes weeks - or even months - to feel an attachment, but it should come with time.

2. Skin-to-skin contact

Regardless of whether you breast feed or formula feed your baby, try doing so while their bare skin is against your own. If the room is cool, wrap a blanket around your baby's back to keep them warm. You can also cradle your baby skin-to-skin. 

Skin-to-skin contact relaxes both you and your baby, as well as enhances the bond between you. Additional benefits of skin-to-skin contact includes prolonged periods of sleep and alertness, less cold stress, improved weight gain, better brain development, decreased crying, and an earlier discharge from the hospital.

3. Baby Massage

 Touch is an important part of your childs development and helps to support the bonding process. Baby massage has been shown to decrease the symptoms in mothers with postpartum depression. Learn how to properly massage your baby by signing up for a class, finding information or videos online, or reading a book.

4. Smile

Your baby will likely loose their reflex smile and give you their first real one between the ages of 6 and 12 weeks. Research has found that when a mother sees her baby smile, areas of her brain that are associated with reward light up. Hold your baby approximately 8-12 inches from your face - so that they can see you properly - give them a wide smile, and offer them a warm "hello" in a happy tone to coax a smile.

5. Sing

Regardless of the tempo, key, and whether you are the best or worst singer in the world, singing to your baby has many benefits. Engaging with your child through song is just as effective as reading them a book or playing with toys in keeping their attention, and it is more effective then listening to recorded music. Singing to your baby not only provides them with sensory stimulation that they  need to focus their attention but also provides a distraction for you from the negative thoughts associated with depression, while simultaneously empowering you as a parent. 

6. Try psychotherapy & Medication

If you have tried self help, made lifestyle changes, and sought support but have experienced no improvement, your doctor may suggest that you try medication, psychotherapy, or both. Psychotherapy, also called mental health counseling or talk therapy, can help you to discuss your concerns and feelings, set goals that are manageable, and learn to respond to situations positively. Antidepressants may be recommended if your depression is severe or when other treatments have not improved your symptoms. Your doctor will take into account if you are breast-feeding when prescribing medication. 

If you are thinking about harming either yourself or your baby, put your baby down in their crib immediately and call a family member, friend, or one of the following helplines: 1-800-suicide (1-800-784-2433) 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)  1-800-PPD-MOMS (1-800-773-6667)

Most people experience feelings of anxiety or depression at times. Grief, loss of a job, divorce, illness, and other stressors can lead to feelings of sadness, worry, frustration, and loneliness. These are normal reactions to difficult life situations.
Some people experience these feelings daily, without a known stressor. This can interfere with the ability to carry out every day activities such as getting to work on time, proper self-care, or caring for children. In this case, people might be suffering from depression, anxiety, or a combination of the two.
Depression and anxiety can co-occur. Studies show that between 10% and 20% of adults in any given 12-month period will visit their primary care physician during a depressive or anxiety disorder episode, and that nearly 50% of them will suffer from a co-morbid, secondary depressive or anxiety disorder.
The presence of co-occurring depressive and anxiety disorders is associated with greater chronicity, slower recovery, increased rates of recurrence, and psychosocial disability.
It’s always helpful to know what symptoms to watch for and the most effective treatments.

Symptoms of major depressive disorder
The essential feature of major depressive disorder is a period of two weeks during which there is either depressed mood most of the day nearly every day or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. Other potential symptoms include:

• Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain and changes in appetite
• Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Impaired ability to think or concentrate, and/or indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a plan, or a suicide attempt or suicide plan

The symptoms of major depressive disorder cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety DisorderThe essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities. The intensity of the worry is out of proportion to the likelihood of the anticipated event. The excessive worry or anxiety occurs more days than not for a period of at least six months.
Anxiety and worry are associated with at least three (or more) of the following symptoms, with at least some symptoms present more often than not during the six-month period:

• Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
• Easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbance

To meet the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, the anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause significant distress in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
There are several features that separate generalized anxiety disorder from nonpathological anxiety.

• Worries are excessive and typically interfere with psychosocial functioning
• Worries are more pervasive, pronounced, and distressing
• Worries have longer duration
• Worries are more likely to be accompanied by physical symptoms (restlessness, keyed up)

People with generalized anxiety disorder are likely to experience somatic symptoms (sweating, nausea, diarrhea), muscle tension, and an exaggerated startle response.
Treatment of anxiety and depressionA treatment plan for co-occurring anxiety and depression should be designed to help the person manage and reduce symptoms of both disorders at the same time.
Several forms of psychotherapy are widely available and effective for both anxiety and depression.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This short-term therapy works to replace negative and unproductive thought patterns with more realistic and useful ones. This treatment focuses on taking specific steps to manage and reduce symptoms.
• Interpersonal “talk” therapy: This attachment-focused therapy centers on resolving interpersonal problems and symptomatic recovery.
• Problem solving therapy: This treatment helps people learn tools to effectively manage the negative effects of stressful life events.

Both anxiety and depressive disorders respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications.
Long-term, combined treatment (psychotherapy and medication management) is typically recommended for people with co-occurring anxiety and depression.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is neurodevelopmental condition that develops when the brain and central nervous system suffer impairments related to growth and development. A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may struggle throughout the day to maintain their attention. He or she may appear restless and engage in hyperactive or impulsive behaviors.

For kids, ADHD can interfere with their school work, their relationships with other people, and how they view themselves in the world. These symptoms can persist into adulthood, causing work and relationship problems.

Symptoms have been detected in children as young as 3, and they typically start before the age of 12. ADHD is more common among boys than girls, and the symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. The condition may also manifest differently depending on the individual. Some people experience mainly symptoms of inattention, which is known as the predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD. The predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype describes individuals who mainly experience symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Finally, most people with ADHD experience a combination of all symptoms and fall under the combined subtype.

If you think you might be suffering from ADHD or someone you know and love is suffering Insight Therapy Solutions is here to help! You no longer have to suffer from ADHD alone or let it control your life. Just give us a call we are accepting new clients as we speak 702-685-0877
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