Center for Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorders

The Growing Childhood Obesity Epidemic

overweight child eating pizza whie looking at a laptop

Growing up in the United States, many of us enjoyed a childhood filled with fun and games. Whether it was playing tag on the playground or challenging our friends at sports competitions, we had an abundance of energy that frequently seemed inexhaustible. Today, however, that is often not the case, as more and more children […]

How To Reduce Holiday Stress

woman in santa hat screaming

The holidays are a time to enjoy family, friends, and good cheer, but as we go through this joyous season, many of us struggle with mental health challenges and stress due to a combination of social obligations, financial burdens, and other factors. From going to festive events we may have little interest in attending, to […]

Children and the Benefits of Mindfulness Training

These days, children often have stressors that come at them from all directions. Schools are sending more homework and projects home with children, kids are busy after school with extra-curricular sports and activities, and there are video games, social media, and cell phones all competing for their attention. In addition, they may have to deal with being picked on at school or may be coping with the pressures of divorcing parents or the arrival of a new sibling in the home. With all that kids have to contend with, it’s no wonder that children who engage in mindfulness exercises tend to be happier kids who are more able to self-regulate and calm themselves during periods of stress.

Mood Disorders: Bipolar Disorder

We’ve all had “those days” at work or at home – days when we feel exhausted, irritable, or out of sorts and when nothing seems to go our way. Conversely, we’ve all also experienced days when we are chock full of energy, when we feel like we can take on the world, when ideas seems to flow effortlessly, and we feel joyful and optimistic. For most of us, those feelings of the “blues” or of being happy will ebb and flow from one day to another and they don’t really change our daily lives. But, for people with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), the swings between emotional highs and lows are chronic and can fluctuate broadly from extreme euphoria, overconfidence, and boundless energy, to the other end of the spectrum and despair, anger, and deep depression. People can also experience a mixture of the two extremes.

How to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues

Even though many people greet the new year with excitement, there are also many who find themselves suffering from the post-holiday blues. Here are some tips to help you beat depression after the holidays.

Fear of Public Speaking

Glossophobia (the fear of public speaking) is the number one fear reported by people in the United States. This anxiety comes from a worry about being judged and often has origins in social anxiety. Speech anxiety has increased in today’s cyber-world of communication where we are often “faceless” and can remain relatively anonymous by sending emails or texting instead of speaking directly to people.

Resilience Training

Resilience training can be used to minimize negative thoughts and help you learn ways to bounce back effectively from life’s setbacks.

Insomnia and Anxiety/Depression

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has longer-lasting, more sustainable effects on insomnia and depression. This is because it teaches you a skill set that you can use for the rest of your life.