Depression

Counseling at UCLA: Interview with Dr. Daniel Zamir

Dr. Daniel Zamir discusses the treatment model offered at the Counseling Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also describes various therapy groups available at UCLA and the importance of students feeling that “You are not the only one.” TREATMENT MODEL OFFERED AT THE UCLA COUNSELING CENTER The following transcript contains part of… Read more »

When Life Becomes a Death Sentence

My brother now exists only in memory, form and features erased from the physical world. I can hear his staccato laugh, recall his smile and remember the tone and cadence of his voice, but I cannot touch him, squeeze his shoulders or even give him a friendly jab on the arm. I cannot ask him… Read more »

Adolescent Suicide: Speaking Up for Our Children

Our children need adults and health professionals to step up, evaluate their problems, advocate for them, and provide support so that they can become healthy adults. Suicidal thinking among adolescents, typically known to be vibrant and carefree citizens, is a reality that we adults would rather ignore. However, ignoring the problem only perpetuates lack of… Read more »

PTSD, Iraq Veterans, Veterans mental health

As Iraq Ends, a New Battle with PTSD Begins

Following Obama’s recent announcement that all U.S. Troops will be brought home from Iraq by the end of the year, one can’t help but wonder about the emotional trauma that will follow many of these soldiers home. Studies show that between 11 to 20 percent of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic… Read more »

The Anti-Self Vs. The True Self

For a long time we’ve speculated the falling economy could mean a rise in the suicide rate, and now, new research has given us some indication. In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a release stating the overall suicide rate rises and falls in connection with the economy. This conclusion was drawn from… Read more »

Eight Ways to Actively Fight Depression

When you’re depressed, it often feels like nothing in the world can make you feel better. Depression is a devious disorder, because the symptoms it creates can discourage you from completing the very actions or seeking the help that would begin your recovery. Lack of energy, low self-esteem and dwindling excitement are some of the symptoms… Read more »

Sleep Deprivation, sleep and mental health, insomnia

Why Sleep is So Necessary and in Such Short Supply

Lack of sleep can lead to Anxiety, Depression, Decreased Immune Function, Weight Gain, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Cancer. We are a deeply sleep deprived society relying more and more on pharmaceuticals to correct this dysfunction. Myths and Beliefs about Sleep to Mention and Clarify: That we don’t need that much sleep as we get older… Read more »

The Joy of Sadness

Upon exploring my psychological issues rather late in life I discovered something entirely unforeseen: that while I had been unconsciously avoiding feeling “sad” my entire life this emotion was not only satisfying but a key to who I really am. I had until then said my goal in life was to be “happy”. After this… Read more »

A Parent’s Shorthand Guide to the College Transition

High school graduation is a culmination of emotions, a push-and-pull of opposing feelings on the human psyche. There’s a mixture of anxiety and excitement, happiness and sadness, regret and expectation, and relief and concern. And this doesn’t just apply to the grad either; parents are equally if not oftentimes more immersed in this emotional tug-of-war…. Read more »

The Gifts of Depression

The term depression tends to be slung about carelessly these days. We wake up in a funk, things didn’t go well at work today or we missed the most recent episode of Mad Men and we’re “depressed.” Technically, we’re not depressed. If we want to be nit-picky, we would clarify that we feel disappointed or… Read more »