Partha Nandi MD, FACP
Mental health refers to our emotional well-being and how we manage our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. It is important to have a healthy mental approach to life and to manage stress in order to maintain mental health. Maintaining a healthy mental approach to life means accepting that life isn’t perfect and that you won’t get everything you want. It also means being open to new experiences and trying new things even if you’re afraid. Managing stress means recognizing when you’re feeling stressed and taking steps to reduce that stress. Everyone experiences stress, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Stress can be helpful because it can motivate you to take action and push you to exceed your limits. However, too much stress can have negative consequences on your mental health.
The exact cause of depression is unknown. What is known is that there are some common factors that may actuate depression and depressive symptoms. The following five factors may be related to your depression: Physical illness can be associated with depression. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, cancer, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, chronic, incurable, and painful conditions…
Ever notice how silly someone else’s worry seems to you? How many times have you told someone to stop making mountains out of molehills? Unfortunately, if worry has become your knee-jerk reflexive response to life challenges, then mountain-making is what you do best. And when you’re making mountains out of molehills, the strangest things can…
Anxiety can creep up on us when we least expect it. One minute, you’re calm and in control. The next, your fight or flight response kicks in and throws you off your game. I shared 5 ways to reduce your social anxiety in a recent article. This topic resonated with so many of you that I wanted…
Putting yourself out there, making friends, and socializing should be fun. But for many people, these things are easier said than done. If you suffer from social anxiety, you know that these situations bring on more than just minor nervousness or butterflies. They’re a source of distress, anxiety, self-doubt, and fear. If you are struggling…
You can’t tell the difference between anger and depression. Psychiatrist Judith Eve Lipton nailed it when she said they “go together like peanut butter and jelly.” We all feel angry and depressed at times. Both can be harmful to your health, so it’s essential to recognize the signs and figure out how to deal with…
It isn’t always easy to differentiate between sadness and depression. But there are significant differences between the two, and it’s essential to understand them. Otherwise, you risk overreacting to what might just be a couple of bad days or failing to take action when there is an actual cause for concern. Sadness is a common…
It feels like you’re constantly being pulled in 15 different directions in today’s world. There are demands at work, deadlines to meet, and a nasty boss to please. There’s a great deal of pressure at home with bills to pay, windows to wash, and laundry to put away. And then there’s life with your partner,…
While no one thinks twice if they are getting butterflies in their stomach before going on stage or the ache in their chest if your crush throws you a smile. When you start talking about emotions causing physical pain, people look at you like you’re talking about voodoo. Yet emotions, both good and bad, have…
Everyone has bad days when they’re down, sad, and don’t feel like doing anything. You struggle to get out of bed. You don’t smile. And you just want to be left alone to wallow in your misery. For most people, these days are just that – bad days. The sadness is circumstantial and not an…
