Blog
Archive
Search Blog
Category Archives: Mental Health
Straight, No Chaser: Life, Death and Grief
It’s never easy discussing death. Bereavement is the state of mourning and sadness we endure after the death of a loved one. Grief is that process we endure, either in antici
Straight, No Chaser: Mass Trauma, Community Stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
If you’ve been following the Straight, No Chaser series on post-traumatic stress disorder, it may have occurred to you that episodes that some might be able to handle when
Straight, No Chaser: The Effects of PTSD on Children
This is part of a series on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For a review of PTSD signs, symptoms and those at risk, click here. For a review of PTSD diagnosis and treatment
Straight, No Chaser: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
Review this previous Straight, No Chaser post for a review of PTSD signs, symptoms and those at risk. Fortunately, not every traumatized person develops post-traumatic stress di
Straight, No Chaser: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Signs, Symptoms and Those at Risk
Memorial Day serves to honor our fallen heroes. Part of that involves caring for our soldiers still with us. Understanding and acknowledging the mental components of their sufferin
Straight, No Chaser: The Spectrum and Specter of Autism
Autism. Small word. Big effects on families. Previously, we discussed the scope and recent explosion of autism diagnoses. Here we delve into the disorders. Autism spectrum disorde
The Rapid Explosion of Autism Diagnoses – A Good or Bad Thing?
Introduction In this post, we discuss autism diagnoses and look and the recent jump in frequency. The Fear Associated with Autism Regarding autism, it is a condition that strikes f
Straight, No Chaser: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The irony of the name “irritable bowel syndrome” (IBS) is found in the connection between stress (in some cases, irritability) and symptoms. This can become a vicious cycle. Yo
Straight, No Chaser: Lowering Your Risk of Being Sexually Assaulted
Rape occurs in many different situations. Although the stereotype involves a stranger pulling a victim into a dark, isolated place, more common situations involve being assaulted
Straight, No Chaser: Learning the Risks and Signs of Abusive Head Trauma
This part of the conversation is not about spanking. It’s not even about abuse. It’s about learning who is most likely to cause harm to your child, intended or not, and what pl
Straight, No Chaser: Abusive Head Trauma aka Shaken Baby Syndrome
The discussion regarding the line between parental discipline and child abuse has proven to be a passionate one. Without wading into opinions, let me elaborate and give a concrete
Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse
In a previous Straight, No Chaser, we provided a pictorial demonstration of the physical signs of child abuse. Unfortunately for many, the emotional signs are even more dangerou
Straight, No Chaser: Questions and Answers About Problem Gambling
Whether or not you’re willing to admit to a gambling addiction, the presence of a gambling problem should concern you. This Straight, No Chaser takes information adapted from t
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part II – Bulimia
If you read Part I of this conversation on eating disorders (anorexia nervosa), you will recall that eating disorders are a mix of an abnormal body image combined with abnormal b
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part I – Anorexia
Simply put, our society doesn’t do the job it should in promoting a normal image of health at either end of the body size spectrum. The typically promoted American ideal of b
Straight, No Chaser: Stalking
Introduction Stalking awareness conversations aren’t held very often. However, the scope of stalking is wide enough that you should know about it. Stalking is a serious endeavor.
Straight No Chaser: Your Stress Management Plan
The path to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” isn’t as simple as the old song suggests, but if the song had a heart, it would be in the right place. Today’s contribution to your Ne
Straight, No Chaser: Pass The Stress Test
Let’s agree not to go into the New Year filled with last year’s tension or without a plan to avoid new stress. In fact, let’s take this time to lay the groundwork for one now
Straight, No Chaser: Depression – How to Avoid It, When to Get Help
This is the third post in a series on depression and suicide. In our first post, we focused on the magnitude of clinical depression and suicide. In the second post, we provided
Straight, No Chaser: Are You Depressed and/or Suicidal?
In our first post on clinical depression and suicide, we looked at the scope of the disease, and in the next post we will provide tips for you to address depression and an inclina
