Author: Janet Warren

 

Source: rawpixel.com

Sadness can be a hard feeling to manage, not only because of the pain it produces but also because of the elements that have caused the sadness. Sadness can be a consequence of disappointment, helplessness, or loss, among other things. It is vital to keep in mind that sadness is among the most usual and natural human feelings. It is something that will eventually help people seize happy moments.

On the other hand, sadness can become more profound, indicating that you are experiencing a type of depression. If you feel like you are becoming sadder and sadder and feel as if your sadness is tough to explain, information related to depression may actually help.

Depression Explained

Depression is an illness demonstrated by extreme sadness, decreased motivation, and lack of interest in things previously enjoyed. It is typical to have feelings of misery and sadness as a reaction to unfavorable life situations. Such situations may include major life transformations, disappointment, loss, or stress. In most circumstances, the sad emotions subside as you begin to adjust to the transformations in your life. In events like bereavement, these emotions may continue for months and return at certain times, like anniversaries and birthdays connected to the lost person. But if you do have times when you can enjoy yourself, this sadness is not an indication of depression.

Depression is not uncommon. One out of three people will suffer from major depression at some point in their lives. Most instances of depression are minor, but about one out of ten will suffer from moderate to severe depression.

Source: rawpixel.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I cheer up?

You can cheer up by trying these simple strategies:

• Be thankful for everything that you have.
• Manage a smile. Research reveals that wearing a smile may cause an almost instant surge of endorphins even if you force it.
• Listen to inspiring music or music that pleases you.
• Practice meditation.
• Hug someone.
• Get soaked in the sun.
• Practice positive affirmations.

How can I lift my mood?

If you are seeking ways to lift your gloomy mood, here are some ways to do it.

• Walk around the neighborhood and get some sun while you’re at it.
• Find something to laugh about.
• Listen to beautiful and relaxing music.
• Organize and declutter your room – or your home.
• Think about the good things that made you happy.
• Permit yourself to express how you feel.

How do you calm down a depressed person?  

• Let them know that how they feel makes sense.
• Be a witness to their true emotions.
• Provide physical support and comfort if needed.
• Show the other person that you acknowledge how they feel, and enable the development of his own recognition of these feelings.
• Don’t try to stop their pain or minimize their sad emotions.
• Suggest actionable strategies.

What are the 4 major causes of depression?

The four most common causes of depression include abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, sexual), genetics, loss or death of a loved one, and certain medications that can lead to depression.

How do u make someone happy?

Make a person happy now by:

• Thanking them through text, call, or email.
• Smiling at them, so they feel the warmth.
• Assisting them with what they need, such as carrying something for them.
• Ask them how they are doing.
• Cook their favorite meal.
• Clean for them or with them.
• Give them flowers.
• Crack a joke and make them laugh.

What do you do when your friend is sad?

Below are some tips on how to comfort a sad friend:

• Let them know that you understand their feelings.
• Show him that you truly feel for him, and recognize the deepening of these feelings.
• Provide physical and emotional affection if necessary.
• Do not attempt to dismiss the pain that your friend is going through.
• Recommend steps that you can act upon.

How do you calm yourself down while crying?

Calming yourself down while you are crying can be easily dealt with. You can begin by focusing on your breath by doing deep, slow breathing. This will help you regain your control. Gradually move and blink your eyes to keep the tears from falling. Also, try to get rid of that lump distracting your throat. Finally, exercise your facial muscles to achieve relaxation.

What to say to someone who has been crying?

Some effective phrases that will work when talking to a person who is crying are as follows:

• “It’s really fine to feel sad.”
• “You should know that you can always talk to me about anything.”
• “I’m always here for you.”
• “Let’s find ways to solve this – the two of us.”
• “You can call me anytime you need someone to talk to.”
• “Do not hesitate to seek help.”
• “I’m available to listen when you need an ear.”

How does depression affect synapse?

Studies reveal that depression is linked to decreased brain areas that control cognition and mood, including the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, and reduced neuronal synapses in these particular brain areas.

What is the number 1 cause of depression?

Several factors heighten the risk of causing teen depression, including obesity, bullying, decreased self-esteem, and physical, emotional, and verbal abuse.

What are the 4 types of depression?

The four major types of depression include:

• 1 – situational
• 2 – biological
• 3 – psychological
• 4 – existential

How do you cheer up a dog?

Find engaging activities to do with your dogs, such as exciting tricks, games, and basic training. Always find time to connect with your dog. You could also give your dog time to play with your friends’ dogs or attend doggie daycare. You must pay extra attention, especially when your dog is depressed.

What food can cheer you up?

Eating dark chocolate is one of the things that can cheer you up. It is loaded with mood-boosting ingredients and tryptophan, a specific amino acid that your brain utilizes to create serotonin, a neurotransmitter that increases happiness emotions.

How can I pick myself up?

You can pick yourself up and overcome your adversities by:

• Focusing on the present
• Being mindful
• Recognizing and acknowledging adversity
• Exercising your mind and body
• Trying your best not to be defeated by your fears
• Practicing positive self-talk
• Challenging yourself to be better every day.

Source: rawpixel.com

The great news is that treatment can definitely help resolve symptoms of depression. This includes medication, counseling, self-care, and classes. If, however, you or someone you love has suicidal ideations, thoughts of self-harm, or if treatments at home don’t help improve your mood or behavior within two weeks, contact a mental health provider as soon as you can.

 

 

Psychologists are no different from other professionals, in the sense that we need to attend various seminars to learn about psychological innovations and mingle with everyone. Last year, I went to four different conventions across the country with my colleagues. Aside from nurturing our knowledge, we also managed to connect with psychologists from other states.

I personally loved attending mental health conferences because it allowed me to stray away from my hectic schedule. I know that professionals are not supposed to say that, but we tend to experience work burnout from time to time, too. That’s especially true if you are the only psychologist for two mid-sized towns. Although professional fees come in abundance, even doctors need a break, which conventions can offer.

Despite that, ever since the coronavirus outbreak happened, all types of mass gatherings became prohibited. It meant that the four seminars I was set to attend this year could not commence. While I wanted everyone to be safe, I could not help but feel sad about it.

Imagine, those were my only breaks in a year. I did not have kids or a husband to keep me company, so going to conferences had been my idea of having fun for years. Now that I cannot do that, it has honestly bummed me out.

Enter The Online Mental Health Convention

During the community quarantine, I lived a mundane life. None of my patients scheduled appointments at the time in fear of contracting coronavirus, so I stayed at home most of the time. The only thing I liked about it was that I could do yoga and meditation for hours. Other than that, I missed going out like everyone else.

Then, my spirit awoke one day while browsing through my email. One of the psychological associations that I was a part of was about to hold an online conference for all of us. They apparently invited a celebrity host and a couple of singers to facilitate the program and do intermission numbers, respectively. Within seconds of reading the newsletter, I already signed up for it.

Below is a detailed account of my experience with virtual conventions.

Pros

I Didn’t Need To Dress Up

The first thing that made me adore the online setup was that I didn’t need to buy new clothes for the occasion. For conventional conferences, I remembered spending my entire salary for three to four outfits only. It sucked for my savings, but I had to do it to avoid looking like a beggar in front of my colleagues.

When I attended the virtual seminar, I put on a simple white shirt. I thought it was the safest bet, considering they did not mention a dress code in the newsletter. Thankfully, it was a smart decision since I forgot that I would merely be seen from the chest up.

Traveling Was Not Required Either

Although I expressed my love for mental health conferences, I hadn’t told you about my lack of enthusiasm for traveling. I often got car sick unless I was sitting behind the wheels. Whenever I went on a plane, I had to take an anti-anxiety pill at least an hour before that.

Now, since this particular conference took place in the virtual world, I didn’t worry about traveling. I woke up, brushed my teeth, ate some breakfast, and turned on my computer. That’s it!

I Got A Digital Copy Of The Conference

It became an unwritten rule to bring a pen and notebook to conventions so that we could write down every new information we wanted to apply to our practice. Of course, it was challenging to remember everything while trying to pay attention to the speakers, so my colleagues and I ended up comparing notes later.

Nevertheless, that’s not something I had to worry about during a virtual conference. According to the facilitators, the attendees would receive a digital copy of the program. It saved me from needing to take note of anything.

Cons

Socializing With Fellow Psychologists Was Out Of The Question

What saddened me about the online conference was that I did not get to socialize with my fellow psychologists. After the conventions back then, we used to go a bar or restaurant and have fun. At the end of the night, we would already be friends.

Unfortunately, when the virtual convention ended, the line immediately went dead. There was no way to continue talking to other attendees, even though I would see their faces in the conference’s digital copy.

Final Thoughts

Attending a mental health conference online has been an interesting experience. I liked that I didn’t need to leave my town—much less my house—to learn something new about the psychological world. My savings also stayed intact, considering I didn’t have to buy clothes. Despite that, socializing with people in my field remains essential, so I would not exchange a real conference with a virtual version of it anytime.

 

 

Source: picpedia.org

A family crisis happens when changes must happen to a family. It means that one or all of the family members are at a crossroads – from here, things will become better, or they might become worse. At times, everyday struggles can be overwhelming and lead to too much stress.

What are some situations or events that may cause a family crisis? One is an unexpected circumstance, such as the sudden death of a loved one or losing a job. Changes like these are not easy for families, as they need family members to go through the loss. If you lose your job, you’ll have to manage the emotions and the financial difficulties that follow after the loss. If someone in the family dies, the ones left will grieve and perhaps be forced to stand and take responsibility for whatever is needed to survive and thrive.

Studies have proven that most families that undergo a crisis often have family conflicts as well. For others, though, they learn to support one another and build better and stronger relationships.

 

Developmental Crisis

This happens before people get married, have kids, have their kids start school, retirement, children going through teenage difficulty or leaving home, or living with a terminal illness. Some changes are slow and elusive, while others still are intense and sudden. However, these crises are often considered as normal, and stress experienced by the family because of these events may manifest without their awareness. Adjusting to teens leaving home or having an additional family member can be quite challenging for most families.

Source: rawpixel.com

• These ‘normal’ circumstances can lead to stress and anxiety because they force the family members to try and rearrange themselves and their lives. They’ll have to make adjustments to the family rules and regulations and change family roles to be able to keep the peace among each other.

 

• When someone in the family goes into their puberty stage, almost all family members are affected. Teens then learn to make their own decisions and do their own thing, and this has an impact on everyone, especially the parents.

 

Structural Crisis

A structural type of crisis is one where the family refuses to change to meet the requirements of a developmental or sudden crisis. When this happens, existing arguments and conflicts worsen and may lead to a lot of things that hurt you and the rest of the family. Infidelity, alcoholism, divorce, sexual or physical abuse, and drug use are some examples of structural crises.

 

• These behaviors are frequently manifestations of a family’s incapability to familiarize with change and to fix the family’s problems and concerns efficiently.

Source: rawpixel.com

• This crisis may also lead to the family becoming very messy to the point that it will not be able to withstand it. In cases like these, seeking help from a mental health professional is crucial. Undoubtedly, any type of family crisis is exhausting and stressful. Any crisis requires some kind of modification in the family, and the modification itself is what causes stress. Families that become stressed usually argue about who’s right or wrong and are not eager to spend quality time with each other. Additionally, the children do not want to interact with their parents, and the parents do not interact well with each other as well. They also:

 

• Suffer from sleeplessness, disorientation, weight loss, anxiety, and depression.

 

• Open up freely and honestly, particularly the well-adjusted families. Conversely, non-functional families keep things to themselves and do not discuss anything profound with each other.

If you and your family get stuck in the mud of confusion, conflict, and mess, you should talk to a professional for help. Can you imagine living a life like this forever? If your answer is no, then work things out with a mental health professional to create a plan to resolve the crisis.

 

Stress In Kids

When there is a family crisis, it means that everyone is affected – the children too. Often, the older members of the family think that children are unaffected and unaware of what’s happening, but in reality, they, too, feel the tension and become stressed as well. Here are some signs that they are experiencing stress and anxiety due to a family crisis:

They misbehave more frequently than normal.

Their teachers report fights and other school problems.

They tell you they can’t sleep.

They worry about the whole family crisis.

Source: rawpixel.com

Consequently, because they can be stressed from all the family drama, they also need help in dealing with it. As parents, you can do this by talking to them about the problem in ways that they can better comprehend. Let them know that they don’t need to be concerned about the problems of adults, especially if it’s about money. Let them understand that some family problems are not theirs to solve or fix. You can also teach them how to calm themselves down when they feel troubled. Let them listen to their favorite music or do an activity that they are interested in, like drawing, singing, or dancing.

The most crucial thing you can do for your children in times of crisis is to listen to them when they talk about how they feel. Be aware of their actions. They may not be agreeable with you changing the family rules or adding a new one without explaining it to them. Be gentle with them and show them love and affection in times when they most need them. A family crisis is something that you should be able to overcome – and you will if you deal with it together.

 

 

Perhaps you are also one of the majority of people worried about the Coronavirus’s toll on the economy. With all the uncertainty and no clear forecast of what might happen to the world’s financial system, we can all expect failure in various ways. Countries will have to deal with the situation differently where they will try to come up with a better solution to keep a steady flow of what they still have. These include their money, resources, goods, and services, as well as people.

Source: pexels.com

An Instant Pull To Economic Failure

Of course, one of the best ways to flatten the curve of the virus is to eliminate or lessen possible host. That explains why mandatory safety protocols, such as social distancing and home quarantine, get ordered. However, with those specific measures, the world experiences a global financial downfall. All countries healthy economy is now suffering due to the life-saving stay-at-home orders. Yes, most governments can still provide the needs of their people. However, the question is, until when? We all know that resources and financial capabilities are limited. So what are we going to do if in case we don’t have enough funding to support us globally?

Source: pexels.com

Unfortunately, in case not all people are aware, there are issues regarding the process of economic recovery. Luckily, some companies can function even if the spread of the virus continues. These include machinery, construction, factories, and software labors. But for those smaller businesses, some of them can no longer operate due to lack of customers and financial support. That said, closing it impacts not only the business owner but also the employees as well. As a result, it becomes a factor in adding economic burden due to unemployment.

Source: pexels.com

Economic Shock Shapes

Another reason why productivity might take a longer time to recover is due to shock shapes. It explains the continuation of credit flow with less labor and productivity. One example of this is using the government’s saved money without replenishing it. Meaning, with people trying to keep up with stay-at-home orders, they won’t be able to go to work and contribute to the country’s tax collection. So imagine the fall when there is a rise in unemployment.

Another shock shape is much more costly. It is where the economy allows a drop in the credit flow to compensate and use only what is available. Though it may sound promising, there is a drawback to that. Once the economic flow gets disrupted, there is a 100% possibility that the economy will never return to its original state. Therefore, it will stick to its pre-crisis path and will damage the economy’s supply-sides. With that, people will soon have to get used to the limits of the situation.

Then there is the worst type of shock shape where the financial credit is severely disrupted. It is where the country suffers from very few or little to zero investments. Usually, examples of this are countries prone to wars, infectious diseases, and those isolated ones. It is an economic shock that drags a country down to a pit because no one recovers from this state due to the decline of growth. It leaves permanent structural damage to the country that not even their capital growth can save them.

Source: pexels.com

Takeaway

We might think that we are still financially okay today, but we must not get too confident about it. We are now dealing with an uncharted pandemic that causes a double risk of financial system shock and freeze of the global economy. And with social distancing still, on the table, the risk of financial shock and economic freeze can feed off each other in harmful ways. But despite that, we must think about what’s best for the future. Thus, all-out support for innovations and research is what we can do.

The COVID-19 pandemic brings a lot of challenges to all people around the globe. It created an unprecedented change that no one imagined. It causes constant fear, anxiety, as well as uncertainty for a lot of reasons. It makes people worry about their loved ones all the time and raise concerns about their livelihoods. Its pandemic situation requires an immediate response from everyone around the world. There is no right way to handle this situation, to be honest. Whether we follow safety measures such as social distancing and disinfection, there is still no assurance of exemption from the infection of the virus. That is why we get caught up in these unwanted emotions.

Source: rawpixel.com

Anxiety

This pandemic messes with our thoughts. All of us worry about the future, and we all wanted this pandemic to end. We do not want our family and friends to get infected. Before, we only worry about not getting sick. But now, the things in our heads turn into terror. There’s this unbearable fear of going outside and getting infected with the virus. We know that anytime and anywhere, things can get worse. We are not capable of stopping the coronavirus. That is why we follow safety measures. We distance ourselves from everyone, even if we don’t know if it is working or not. It causes us anxiety.

Source: rawpixel.com

Insomnia

In times like this, carelessness is a crime. We all feel like there is no tomorrow, so we always need to stay alert. No matter how exhausted we feel and how mentally and emotionally draining everything is, we force ourselves to energize. Sleep gets terrible because we think of too much negativity. We’ve been through a lot already, and we feel like there is no time to waste. Some of us force themselves to stay awake to assist those others who need medical help.

Grief

This situation creates an immeasurable amount of grief in us. We feel so lost and empty because so much has changed. We are not allowed to go outside and not even allowed to hang out with other people. We are locked up. The pandemic affects our mental health because we keep on thinking about the things we usually do. We want things to go back the way they were because the situation makes us miss out on the special events in our lives as well. We worry about life and the future. We feel scared and lonely.

Source: rawpixel.com

Depression

There are days that we feel okay and that we accept the situation with all our hearts. However, we can’t deny the fact that sometimes we are only trying our best to adjust. And no matter how much we attempt not to focus on the negativity caused by this situation, we can’t help but cry. We feel this unfairness that makes us question, “why is this happening to the world?” Most of the time, we feel like we don’t know how to keep it together. We lose track of our sanity and often get ourselves heartbroken. It brings us deep sadness due to isolation.

Source: rawpixel.com

Anger

In this situation, most of us find ourselves angry. There is confusion everywhere as to why we can’t do anything to end this crisis. We often feel the need to blame certain people for the spread of the virus as well. We ignore humanity because we are too focused on survival. We are continually struggling to face the reality that there is nothing we can do. That is why we put pressure on those people who are working hard to create a solution.

This COVID-19 situation makes us lose ourselves because it just seems hopeless.  But then again, we are all going through this fight against the pandemic. It is essential to understand that no one is alone in this feeling right now. All of the above-mentioned mental health illnesses are not to be ignored. If you need someone to talk to during these challenging and dark times, you can always do so in the comfort of your own homes. Reach out to one of the professional counselors at BetterHelp. By subscribing to the app, you have the opportunity to get matched with a counselor that’s focused on guiding you into better understanding the particular problem that you need help with. Connect with them today.

 

Finding the best possible venue for the conference is essential to the overall success of the event. At times, it can be overwhelming to decide and will usually be overwhelming. However, in order to succeed and conquer the hurdles, seasoned event planners or amateurs alike should take it as a fun challenge. There are important factors to consider other than the kind of conference that you are organizing and its reason when selecting the appropriate venue.

Continue reading The Perfect Venue: Your Essential Tips in Finding One

 

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is the product of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) progression inside the body. It breaks down the immune system that predisposes the individual to infections, diseases, and disorders. There are currently no remedies for this disease, and everyone that is sexually active is susceptible to this kind of condition. The proper awareness and knowledgeable information are the only way that can help in stopping it from spreading.

 

How The Infection Starts

There are various ways to get AIDS and HIV. The most common is the practice of having unprotected sexual contact with an infected person due to the primary carriers of the disease such as the sexual fluids from the body. An individual can also get it from sharing injection needles and blood contact from a person with the said disease. Blood transfusion from an infected person is less likely, but it is somehow possible. Babies are also at risk of infection during their mother’s pregnancy and childbirth if the mother happens to acquire the virus. Read more information here: https://www.familyhype.com/children/babies/do-babies-fart-in-the-womb-the-answer-here.html.

 

Symptoms

HIV and AIDS don’t have specific symptoms, and most of the manifestations are due to other diseases that infect the body when the immune system starts to weaken. It may be due to bacteria, parasites, fungi, or other viruses, which are usually prevented by a healthy immune system.

Most individuals with HIV will have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 6 weeks after the infection. There are also rare cases where individuals do not show any symptoms after several months or years after contracting the virus. However, there are specific signs of early HIV infection, which may include a red rash, chills, fatigue, fever, night sweats, sore throat, gland enlargement, severe weight loss, and muscle pain.

An individual during the last phase of the infection can become very receptive to severe diseases, which sometimes cause him to feel an extreme immune degeneration. However, it usually takes ten years for HIV to progress and become life-threatening AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS include the following:

• Chronic diarrhea
• White spots in the mouth area
• Breathing problems
• Swelling of glands for long durations
• Chronic fever
• Blurry vision
• Night Sweats
• Severe tiredness and weakness
• Severe weight loss

 

Testing For HIV And AIDS

Blood testing is the best way to determine HIV and AIDS infection. The ELISA test is the most widely used form of HIV blood testing that may take three months to show results. As such, it is ideal to take the test after three months of the last sexual contact. A positive result from ELISA indicates HIV infection. However, professionals highly advise that a person should undergo the test twice to be able to get accurate results.

 

The Treatment

Even with our current technology, there is no cure for AIDS. However, there are treatments that can help HIV and AIDS infected individuals to live long and healthy lives like normal people. The treatment and medicine can help lower the risk of transferring the disease while suppressing its progression.

Help fight the spreading of HIV and AIDS by knowing how to prevent it. Visit clinics, organizations, and medical facilities and try to learn more about the disease.