Experiencing a shift in mood and periods of sadness during the winter is common. However, for nearly 16 million Americans, these changes are more than “winter blues.” Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that is impacted by shorter, less sunny days. Despite so many people experiencing SAD, there are still a… Continue reading The Lies Surrounding SAD
For National Family Health History Day, consider your family’s invisible tether to you: genetics and mental health. Family health history questionnaires are common in doctor’s offices when being treated for physical ailments. For example, if your parents, siblings, or grandparents have experienced blood pressure issues or heart disease, your doctor may recommend eating heart-healthy foods… Continue reading The Importance of Family Health History
A lot of progress has been made in mapping the human genome, gleaning information from our own DNA and our ancestors’. However, it is important to keep in perspective the reality of our health and well-being versus what our genetics predict. Genetics and genetic history can inform healthcare providers about a person’s current condition. For… Continue reading Mental Health & Genetics
Believe it or not, our bodies are not fully evolved to deal with the daily stressors of modern life. As Robert Sapolsky, a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford, describes, the stress response our bodies use today to deal with modern life is essentially the same one we used to outrun and outsmart prehistoric… Continue reading National Stress Awareness Day
No one wants to believe their child could bully others. But even with the best guidance, some children may act out against their peers as a way of coping with their own difficult emotions or experiences. Here are a few signs you may need to have a chat with your child: Previous victim of bullying… Continue reading Is My Child a Bully?
Children can be naïve and innocent to the world’s ugly truths. However, one truth they may be too familiar with is bullying. We are aware that bullying happens at all ages and shouldn’t be disregarded. It can take on many forms like physical, verbal, emotional, or virtual. According to the Child Mind Institute, bullying not… Continue reading Is My Child Being Bullied?
This World Mental Health Day, Valley Oaks Health is joining the World Health Organization in sharing the importance of mental health as well as the work being done in our community to provide support and healing. The importance of mental health Mental health helps determine how we approach life, handle stress, build relationships, and make… Continue reading World Mental Health Day
September is Pain Awareness Month, and at Valley Oaks, we understand the connection between chronic pain and mental health. You may be familiar with the 0-10 pain scale a doctor shows patients when they’ve experienced an injury. This helps the doctor better understand how to appropriately treat the pain. However, pain can be elusive and… Continue reading Physical Pain’s Impact on Mental Health
More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, and for each person that dies, it’s estimated that 20 others attempt. It’s time we break the myths and misunderstandings around suicide to help everyone struggling find hope. Myth: People who consider suicide will always find a way. Many people who consider suicide are unsure about… Continue reading Demystifying the Struggle with Suicide
The word “addiction” is thrown around for a lot of things. I’m addicted to my phone. My child is addicted to video games. But when it comes to substance use, how can you know when a habit has become harmful? What is addiction? The American Psychiatric Association defines substance use disorder, a form of addiction,… Continue reading When is it Addiction?
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