It's not clear at this point what the underlying causes of panic attacks are, although there are indications that both genetics and biochemical makeup play a part. Although there is little that can be done to address the underlying causes without a better understanding, panic attacks can be treated with medication, therapy or both, and it is... Read more
Before my own depression was diagnosed, I dated a man who suffered from clinical depression and alcoholism. Of course, I wasn't aware of this when I started dating him, or I never would have started. I don't have a burning need to "fix" people. A couple of months after I started treatment for my depression, we split up. Although I think it was... Read more
About ten years ago, my best friend called me, very shaken. "I think I may have just had a panic attack," she blurted out, as soon as I answered the phone. "I couldn't breathe all of a sudden and I just freaked out." I was surprised, as I had known her for many years, and she'd never had one.
My friend had been in therapy for a few... Read more
"Summertime, and the living is easy." Amen to that. I love summer. Credit it to spending much of my childhood in Florida, but I actually like being hot and sweaty. My absolute favorite place to be is on a beach with sun on my face and my toes digging into hot sand. I crave and need sunshine like a growing plant. And I think it's safe to say that... Read more
1. Recognize that clinical depression is a disease. Internalizing this fact will help your child in two ways. One, it will hopefully keep you from blaming yourself or your child. This is no one's fault. Second, if you think of depression as a disease instead of a choice your child is making, you won't say anything stupid like, "Why don't you just... Read more