The holidays are a time for making memories, but sometimes those memories aren’t pleasant or joyful. As a child, I remember counting presents to make sure I had more than my twin brother on Christmas day. It was frustrating having a birthday near Christmas and getting gifts with a tag…
Author: Ty Bishop
Wellness Wednesday: Fasting and Weight Loss
While nearly 2/3 of the nation is overweight or obese, there is a constant search for the “magic” weight loss method. Many people have turned to various forms of fasting to lose weight, often called intermittent fasting. While some studies have found intermittent fasting to be more effective than continuous…
ADHD Awareness Month: Understanding the Disorder in Children and Adolescents
October is ADHD Awareness Month. The nationally recognized effort was established in 2004 to help bring knowledge and awareness to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to encourage compassion and understanding for those living with ADHD and their loved ones. An estimated 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults in the United…
National Coming Out Day: Being Your Authentic Self
October 11th marks the 35th anniversary of National Coming Out Day (NCOD). Activists Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary created the celebration in 1988 to acknowledge, honor, and support the LGBTQ+ community and give encouragement to those who wanted to “come out” and reveal their sexual orientation to someone. NCOD is…
The Connection Between Mental Health and Chronic Pain
Researchers have found that there is an overlap between physical pain and mental health problems. People living with chronic pain are at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety, and people with depression, anxiety, or a history of trauma are at an increased risk of experiencing chronic pain. Pain…
Preventing Suicide: Being Aware and Involved with Loved Ones
As we recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, we are reminded of the startling statistics about the number of people who choose to end their own lives. Tragically, the World Health Organization estimates that approximately one million people die from suicide each year around the world. Here in…
Promoting Responsible Social Media Use for Youth
As a therapist working with young people, I see the powerlessness parents and guardians face when trying to referee their children’s screen use. Battles are fought, lost, and sometimes won, over the seemingly simple task of trying to get their children’s attention back to the “here and now”. Over the…
Recognizing Mental Health Concerns in Your Teen
Communicating with small children is hard because often they can’t tell you how they feel. Instead, they may cry to show they are upset or get whiny when they are hungry. I remember when my kids were small and I would worry that I might miss one of their non-verbal…
Helping Teens Navigate the Stress of a New School Year
For some, the start of a new school year can lead to feelings of excitement and opportunity. For others, it can lead to increased stress and feeling lost on how to manage. Stress is a normative human experience and our body’s way of navigating life's demands. However, when not managed…
Wellness Wednesday: Eid al-Adha
Today, June 28, 2023, marks the start of the second major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, Eid al-Adha. This is a 4-day long celebration that coincides with the end of hajj, or pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha translates to “Festival of Sacrifice” as it commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim’s son, Ismael,…