Persistent fatigue and low energy are among the most common symptoms associated with depression. When you’re depressed, certain brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine, primarily) are often out of balance. These brain chemicals regulate various things, including sleep, energy, focus and motivation levels. When these chemicals are off, sleep tends to suffer in one of two… CONTINUE
Signs of Depression in Men
How common is depression in men? According to the American Psychological Association, about 30% of men will experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. However, depression tends to effect men and women differently, and often goes undiagnosed in males. Whereas depressed women are more likely to report feelings of sadness and episodes of crying,… CONTINUE
How to Make the Most of Counseling and Therapy
If you are already in counseling, or you are considering working with a psychologist or therapist, four tips will help maximize your therapy process: 1. Take personal responsibility. On the one hand, counseling is a perfectly appropriate place to “vent” about your boss, your spouse, etc. On the other hand, you don’t want to get… CONTINUE
Holiday Driving: Is Being Generous Really Worth It?
There’s a reason grandma got run over by a reindeer. Holiday driving can be a challenge. More than any other time of the year, the highways are jam-packed with people heading somewhere in a hurry. A new study found that “drivers are 175% MORE aggressive during the holidays than compared to the rest of the… CONTINUE
Getting Unstuck
When you watch an episode of a scripted TV show, you’re following an A story and a B story. In the A story, for example, Bill is trying to pull off one last big heist. But no matter how much he racks his brain, he can’t figure out a way to get into the bank… CONTINUE
Balancing Your Relationship
In most romantic relationships, there are two roles: the pursuer and the pursued. When these roles are out of balance, the relationship suffers. The pursuer wants more togetherness. She wants more quality time with her partner, more communication, more physical and emotional closeness. She wants more commitment, and often feels she isn’t the main priority… CONTINUE
How Common is Cheating?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC Did you know that about 25% of American couples will experience one or both members cheating at some point in their relationship? Although men were historically more likely to cheat, this gap is narrowing. Female infidelity is on the rise, with women cheating nearly as… CONTINUE
Show Appreciation — Even if You Have to Fake it at First
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC If you’re in a serious romantic relationship and you’re not complimenting your partner every day, you’re missing the low-hanging fruit. Relationships are hard work, but this part can be easy–if you let it. So your spouse can’t keep a job. This is a problem. But your spouse also makes… CONTINUE
Why Are Relationships So Depressing?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC When you’re going through a breakup, or even an intense fight with your romantic partner, it can feel like a catastrophe. Your work suffers, you’re moody, you’re appetite and sleep patterns are out of whack. You may feel a deep sense of loss or grief, as if you are losing… CONTINUE
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – Avoiding Relationship Quicksand
May 7, 2015 Should I Stay or Should I Go? You ask yourself this question when you encounter fundamental challenges in a romantic relationship. Do these challenges indicate you simply need to work harder on your relationship? Or are these challenges a sign that it’s time to move on? You eventually arrive at one of… CONTINUE