Parents of special needs children, adult children caring for their parents, grandparents raising their grandchildren…when I think of caregivers, so many different types of people and roles come to mind. Caregivers come in so many forms. Those who choose to care for others with special needs are some of the kindest, most giving and most […]
Years ago, I heard the story of a man who survived the Nazi concentration camps. I have also read behind Corrie ten Boom—who survived them as well. What has stayed with me in these two accounts of horrific torture, loss, starvation, abuse and witnessing death, is that these individuals maintained some form of positivity and […]
The green ribbon—donned in May for mental health awareness month—is the international symbol for mental health awareness. If you see someone wearing a green ribbon in the month of May, they are making a statement that they care about and support mental health.
College, graduate school, marriage, home buying, business ownership, parenting and loss—these are just some of the changes I have experienced in life. I am going to be completely vulnerable in this piece and say that even though I have never been diagnosed with it, nor had trouble at work because of it, I am pretty […]
Of all the mental health disorders, there is one that I would argue most individuals on the planet will experience at some point, The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition calls this, “Adjustment Disorder.” Adjustment Disorder comes in different shapes and sizes, but the basic definition of this disorder is, “A condition in […]
“I will not spend time with you when you are drinking alcohol.” “I expect my partner to be treated with respect or we won’t come over anymore.” “I understand you are frustrated, but I will not participate in family gossip.”
“I walk in freedom in the path you have set for me.” This quote is paraphrased from King David in the Old Testament. Whether or not you believe in the book of the Bible, this quote is a great depiction of the freedom that exists inside healthy boundaries. If we know exactly where a boundary […]
When my friend’s son was in kindergarten years ago, she took him to a therapist who implied to my friend (before ever meeting her son) that he had Bipolar Disorder. She even gave my friend a book to read about Bipolar Disorder before the next session.
Difficulty paying attention, daydreaming, trouble sitting still, talking out of turn. These are most likely all symptoms many lay people can identify as part of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, what about these symptoms: anxiety, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping and quick to anger? Do you think of ADHD when you hear this list […]
Choice is powerful. Choosing to be invisible and just being invisible are completely different experiences. If you are the person in your home that “signed up” to do all of the necessary yet mundane things to keep everyone going, you are much more likely to be okay with being largely invisible.
