Tag: depression

In recent years attitudes toward aging have changed drastically—although there is no escaping the inevitable difference which age brings. While some jokingly assert that menopause really signals a pause from men, it need not spell the death of sexual desire. For women who are premenopausal (the period before the onset of actual menopause), a gradual decrease in the hormones estrogen and testosterone can, for some, begin the slow and painful trek toward diminished sexual desire.

The symptoms of depression and anxiety can be easy to miss until you’re in the thick of things. With busy schedules and ongoing demands, important issues such as depression can go unrecognized until the day your sweetheart can’t get out of bed.

In the same way, an anxiety disorder can be all but ignored until the onset of a major panic attack that leads to an emergency room visit. If a battle with anxiety or depression is affecting your marriage, take heart. You are surely not alone! According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 18% of the U.S. population over age 18 is affected by an anxiety disorder.

The word acceptance is a loaded term that is used in all types of media. It is utilized in self-help circles and the psychotherapy world. It is tossed around on talk shows and in relationship books. Folks forever strive for this magical place, but they are generally unclear about the true definition of the word. As a culture we are addicted to reaching this mythical state of acceptance.

We falsely learn that acceptance is a state that you have to be worthy enough to reach. If you are not a good girl or boy, you will be forever ostracized from "acceptanceville." Instead of instilling good feelings, this search leads to decreased self-confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and feelings of hopelessness.

Identify theft is real, and it is awful. But there is a worse thief that lurks in the secret recesses of our private thoughts. And that person is called, the "Joy Thief."

Negativity is the name of the "Joy Thief’s" game, and it is a deadly one.

The Joy Thief, when allowed into our hearts, can ruin the best of marriages—the joy that is our natural birthright, whether it come from the beauty of a sunset, the glow of pride from a job well done or the warmth of a smile. All these pale and turn cold when negativity overwhelms our lives.

The alarm rings.

You get up, you brush your teeth, you take a shower, you hug your spouse, you pack the kids/dog/cleaning in the car, you drop them off, you go to work, you do your job, you get in the car, you pick up the kids/dog/cleaning, you make dinner, you clean up, you go to bed, you kiss your spouse good night, you sleep, the alarm rings, you get up, you brush your teeth, you take your shower, you hug your spouse, you pack the kids/dog/cleaning in the car... and so it goes.

With its sparkly decorations, family traditions, and festive get-togethers, this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many of us, the holidays are the most woeful time instead. During this period, breakups, overindulgence in alcohol, financial pressure, overall stress, and even mortality rates spike.

Sure, each holiday season comes with its bright spots and good memories, but if you still find yourself wishing you could just fast-forward through the next few months, you’re not alone. The truth is that the holidays are full of stressors and triggers that leave many of us feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or even unable to cope.

As a kid, the month of December was always packed with wonder for me. I couldn't wait to get the tree up, decorate, and down some of those festive holiday cookies. I loved looking at all the lights and gazing at the store décor. I got a special kick out of putting the dollar bill my dad slipped into my pocket into the Salvation Army bucket.