Tag: mental-health
-
Suicide Prevention Month: ADHD and a Risk We Need to Talk About
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember those we have lost, support people who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and make sure people know where to turn when they need help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes September each year as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with an…
-
ADHD in Women: 12 Signs That Often Go Undiagnosed Until Adulthood
For many women, ADHD doesn’t look like the stereotype. There may have been no bouncing off classroom walls, constant disciplinary problems, or obvious hyperactivity. Instead, ADHD may have looked like daydreaming, procrastination, losing things, staying up all night to finish assignments, or working twice as hard as everyone else just to stay organized. Some women…
-
Podcast Episode: ADHD in College: Getting Assessed for Academic Accommodations
Pip: Valerie Holcomb writes about ADHD, and this week she covers two territories where the stakes are genuinely high: getting the institutional support college requires, and understanding why a single critical email can feel like the floor dropping out. Mara: Right — we have college accommodations on one side, and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria on the…
-
Do I Have ADHD? Signs of ADHD in Adults
Do you start things but struggle to finish them? Lose track of time? Forget why you walked into a room? Put off simple tasks until suddenly they become emergencies? Maybe you can focus for hours on something that interests you—but answering an email you’ve been avoiding for three days feels nearly impossible. At some point,…
-
Complex PTSD and the Nervous System: Understanding Trauma Through a Polyvagal-Informed Lens
When your body keeps responding to danger long after the danger is gone, it can be difficult to understand what is happening. You may know intellectually that you are safe, yet your body doesn’t seem to agree. Your heart races. You become hypervigilant. Small changes in someone’s tone can feel enormous. You may shut down…
-
Heart Rate Variability (HRV): The Secret Language of Your Nervous System
When most people think about heart health, they focus on Heart Rate—the number of times your heart beats per minute. However, there is a much more nuanced metric that offers a direct window into your mental health and resilience: Heart Rate Variability (HRV). What is HRV? A healthy heart does not beat with the mechanical…
-
Why Your Mind Needs to “Air Down” Before the Trail Gets Rough
If you’ve ever taken a rig off the pavement and onto a washboard forest road or a rocky shelf in the high desert, you know the feeling. At highway pressure—say, 35 or 40 PSI—the ride is efficient and fast on smooth asphalt. But the second you hit the dirt, that same pressure becomes your worst…
-
The Gray Rock Method: Protecting Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse
When dealing with a narcissist, every conversation can feel like walking through a minefield. Their need for control, attention, and emotional reaction often leaves victims drained and anxious. One of the most effective strategies survivors of narcissistic abuse use is called the Gray Rock Method. This technique isn’t about winning an argument—it’s about taking away…
-
Breaking Up with a Narcissist: A Therapist’s Guide to What to Expect
Breaking up is rarely easy, but when the person you’re leaving is a narcissist, the experience can be uniquely painful, confusing, and even traumatic. As a therapist, I’ve worked with many individuals navigating this difficult process, and I want to prepare you for what to expect—both emotionally and practically—so you can protect yourself and heal.…
-
Navigating Anxiety After the Inauguration: A Time of Uncertainty and Change
Inauguration days are often full of hope and anticipation, signaling a new chapter for a country or organization. They bring with them the promise of change, the optimism of new leadership, and the belief that a better future is on the horizon. But for many, the days following the inauguration can also bring an unexpected…
