How I learnt to talk to my parents about mental health

I’ve never been one to shy away from the spotlight. As a child, I was known to “sermonize” from the pulpit in church, and I’d always volunteer to read out loud in class.

“In elementary school my parents told me it didn’t matter what I did when I grew up, so long as it made me happy. ‘Happiness is the whole point of life,’ my father said. ‘But it doesn’t always come easy. Your mother loves to help people in need, so she became a psychiatric nurse. I love reading, writing and poetry, so I became an English teacher. We both find happiness in the hard work we do each day.’A few years later when I was in junior high, my sixth-grade homeroom teacher put me in detention for ‘being difficult.’ She went around the classroom and asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. When she got to me, I told her I wanted to be happy. She told me I was missing the whole point of the question. I told her she was missing the whole point of life.”That’s an old parable my grandmother recited to me countless times when I was a kid.

Not available February 28? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that often go undetected and untreated. An estimated 28 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime, but only some of these individuals will receive the care they need. Given the high rate of comorbidity between eating disorders and ADHD, it’s important for families, caregivers, and individuals with ADHD to be well-informed about the symptoms and treatments for different types of eating disorders. This is particularly true for diagnoses that are relatively new or understudied like atypical anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).In this webinar you will learn:Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.Dr. Christine Peat is the Director of the National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (NCEED) and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As the Director of NCEED, Dr. Peat is focused on broadly disseminating education and training on eating disorders to healthcare providers across a variety of disciplines. Her scientific research has focused on evidence-based treatments for eating disorders and the physiological comorbidities associated with these conditions.Dr. Peat is also a licensed psychologist in North Carolina and continues to be an active clinician at UNC serving patients with eating disorders, supporting healthcare providers in the UNC Wellbeing Program, and providing behavioral medicine interventions to patients in various medical settings.

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Dumbbells, timeless tools in the realm of strength training, offer a versatile means to initiate beginners to the world of fitness. Suited for a wide range of exercises, they provide an ideal starting point for those looking to enhance muscle tone, improve balance, and increase overall strength. Even with a minimal setup, newcomers can execute a full-body workout, targeting everything from major muscle groups to the stabilizing muscles that are crucial for joint health and injury prevention. This introduction to dumbbell workouts simplifies the process of getting started, breaking down the essentials of weight training at a beginner’s pace, and ensuring safety and effectiveness in building a solid foundation of fitness.

Small studies suggest that an individual with trauma may be predisposed to ADHD, just as anyone with a history of trauma is predisposed to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The task of a good diagnostician is to identify a patient’s current diagnoses and treat them, focusing particularly on the most pressing and problematic symptoms. If all of those appear to be symptoms of PTSD, we treat that with a different kind of therapy called trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

As the final curtain draws, the decision of how to leave this stage of life looms large. Recent years have seen a marked shift from burial to cremation. What’s motivating this transformation, and what does it mean for those in the funeral industry as well as individuals making their final arrangements? This post unpacks the evidence behind this changing tide, delving into economics, evolving cultural norms, and more.

Emotions of Normal People laid the groundwork for the DiSC assessment and personality model, which today, after a bit of evolution in the hands of University of Minnesota researchers, creates better connection and understanding in the workplace among teams and organizations. The DiSC assessment is a personal assessment tool based on behavioral and emotional theory to help , productivity and teamwork in the workplace.

If you want even more uplifting blessings and accompanying images then check out this post with weekend blessings and this one filled with Sunday blessings.“Good morning, God bless you and your loved ones on this beautiful and early Saturday morning.”“I wish for you to focus on the things that are most important in your life on this Saturday morning. And that you stop worrying about or working towards the things that aren’t. I wish for a wonderful and happy day for you, my friend.”“Good morning, God bless you on this Saturday! A new morning, a beautiful miracle lies in front of you.

In today’s digital reading scene, selecting the perfect ebook format is super important for both authors and their audience. The format you go for plays a huge role in how your book looks on everything from e-readers to cell phones. Among the sea of formats, EPUB, MOBI, and PDF stand out as the big three. Each one brings something unique to the table, influenced by what you need it for, how well it plays with different devices, and what your readers like. If you’re thinking about turning your writing or any document into an ebook, getting the lowdown on these options is pretty crucial. Luckily, there are ebook conversion services out there that make this switcheroo a breeze, helping your book land in the hands of as many readers as possible.

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The most important decision you will ever make is what to do with the time that’s given to you.I recently received a thank you email from a reader named Hope. She said our work helped motivate her through an arduous recovery process following a serious car accident last year. Although her entire story was both heartbreaking and inspiring, this one line made me pause and think:“The happiest moment of my life is still that split-second a year ago when, as I laid crushed under a 2000 pound car, I realized my husband and 9-year-old boy were out of the vehicle and absolutely OK.”Dire moments like this force us to acknowledge what’s truly important to us.

Co-parenting requires cooperation, communication, and organization across households, especially when caring for children with ADHD, who thrive on structure. But it’s rarely a smooth operation. When we polled ADDitude readers about co-parenting challenges during a live webinar on the topic, about 25% of respondents said that working with an uncooperative co-parent was their biggest challenge.

Not available February 22? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Executive function (EF) skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus our attention, remember instructions, stay organized, and successfully manage our time.

“If only…” These two words paired together create one of the saddest phrases in the English language.In the end, more than anything else, we regret the small chances we didn’t take, the priceless opportunities we were too busy to nurture, and the good decisions we waited too long to make. Angel and I have learned this over the past 15 years from the countless hours we’ve spent coaching hundreds of clients, students, and live event attendees from around the world.

Online courses have become so popular that they’re now a standard for many people. Whether it’s college courses or just something fun people want to learn, many are now choosing to pursue online education exclusively. This includes people with professional licenses who need to earn regular continuing education units (CEUs) to stay current.

Finding a healthcare provider who is both well-versed in ADHD and a good fit can is the Number One barrier to quality ADHD care, according a recent ADDitude reader survey. The right professional can make a world of difference — a personal touch goes a long way — but with rising mental health concerns and a limited number of clinicians trained to address them, not everyone has been so lucky. Add waitlists, stimulant shortages, skewed research, and outdated guidelines, and it’s easy to understand why many patients with ADHD — adults and caregivers — are eager for more guidance.The comments below are a true testament to the difference a trained provider can make in your ADHD journey.

And if you want more motivation and in inspiration for your day then have a look at this post with 107 inspiring Friday quotes and also this one with more Friday blessings, images and quotes.“Let your Friday morning be blessed with joy, gratitude and positivity.”“Good morning on this blessed Friday, my friend! Wishing you a day of unlimited opportunities and more blessings than you can count!”“Happy Friday, my love. May your day be filled with moments that bring you happiness and a big ole smile.”“Embrace the early morning blessing of a quick workout and let it set the energetic tone for your whole day.”“May the light of the Lord guide you through the obstacles of today and protect you on this blessed day.”“Many blessings for a focused Friday morning, my dear.

Selecting the most suitable baby formula is a critical decision that new parents face, which can have long-term effects on their child’s health and development. With the multitude of options on the market, it’s essential to understand factors such as nutritional content, potential allergens, and the baby’s specific needs. This guide aims to navigate the complex world of infant formulas to help you make an informed choice that will nourish your baby and support their growth during these crucial early stages of life.

I’ve always been long-winded. As a chatty kid, I saw myself (I’m embarrassed to say) in Donkey, the talkative motor-mouth and sometimes annoying character from Shrek who could not and would not shut up. I suppose the rest of my family and friends, to my chagrin, also saw the uncanny similarities between myself and that hyperactive little sidekick.Though I excelled in classes that relied heavily on participation and creative thinking, my enthusiasm – in the form of constant hand-raising and oversharing – wasn’t always appreciated.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”As you age you will learn to value your time, genuine relationships, meaningful work, and peace of mind, much more. Little else will matter.Deep down you know that already, right?Yet on most days, just like the majority of us, you are distracted by so many others things.

Fraud in the workplace is a problem of gigantic proportions. Everything from a little light skimming of the cash register to fraud at a corporate level represents extreme risks that organizations need to guard against.While each industry has unique risks that it must mitigate against, there are plenty of common threats that a robust and structured anti-fraud policy can help prevent.Understanding these risks and how to protect your business against them is a critical step in mitigating fraudulent employee risks.Let’s be clear, understanding the size of the problem will not make pleasant reading.

Una Singh is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her strength of character and the vast toolbox she carries with herself. She is a former musician who found her true calling as a coach amidst the turbulence of the pandemic. […]

Throughout the ups and downs of each spin and deal there exists an intertwining of destiny and a higher power guiding the action. In this article we will delve into the captivating connection, between spirituality and the world of slot machines and online casino exploring how beliefs in luck, fortune and divine forces influence games […]

A flat tummy isn’t just good for physical appearance, it promotes better posture and reduces strain on your back. If you are tired of struggling with stubborn belly fat and want a flat stomach, you are not alone. One study done by the Joint Commission On Healthcare found that nearly two thirds of Virginians were […]

Death is terrifying, in part, because it’s impossible to imagine ‘nothing.’ Instinctually, our brains and bodies actively reject the unknown. I suspect this is why so many cultures and religions have formed beliefs and stories about the afterlife — to give death some boundaries, some purpose, and some meaning. Still, death is arguably the only thing in life you can’t reject, escape, or deny.

Are you an avid word game player? Do you love the thrill of finding new words and competing against others in a friendly game? If so, then you probably know just how important it is to have the right tools at your disposal. Whether it’s for online or in-person games, having the right resources can make all the difference in your gameplay.

To what extent can parents’ experiences before conception influence their offspring’s development, behavior, and long-term health? It’s an increasingly common question that scientists can’t answer — at least not yet.The link between parental experiences and child outcomes is well established, but research has generally focused on the prenatal period (e.g., the effects of smoking, stress, or diet during pregnancy) or the postnatal period (e.g., the impact of different parenting practices). More recent is the idea that parents may influence their children’s lives and health even before conception.

How often do you try to persuade people and convey your ideas to others?For students working on essays or professionals engaging in a debate, it’s a regular activity. They know the principles of argumentative writing inside and out, and they use them.For others, those principles can become an efficient practice to enhance self-confidence.

Today’s world has become increasingly fast-paced. Many of us must keep up with hectic lifestyles and demanding work schedules to sustain ourselves and our families. However, continuously staying in these high-stress situations might entail sacrificing other aspects of our lives.

FREE WEBINAR ON FEB. 28, 2024:Register for “Eating Disorders Comorbid with ADHD: What to Know About ARFID, Anorexia, and Others” Can’t stand mushy bananas? Hate the taste of cilantro? Avoid foods that smell or look a certain way?If you answered yes to any of the above, then you share a lot in common with our ADDitude readers, many of whom experience strong sensory reactions to food based on taste, texture, smell, and/or temperature. Sensory sensitivities, after all, commonly occur with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence.Aversions to certain foods can create minor inconveniences around eating, but in extreme cases — as is the case for some of our readers — food aversions and selective eating are due to avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a condition wherein food avoidance or restriction is based on sensory characteristics and qualities of food, concern about aversive consequences of eating, and/or a lack of interest in food.

Oftentimes we don’t even realize we’re blocking our own present blessings by holding on so tightly.Letting go is not giving up. Letting go is surrendering any needless attachments to particular outcomes and situations. Surrender means showing up in your life with the intention to be your best, and to do the best you know how, without expecting life to be ideal.

The gold standard for a great divorce when you have kids with ADHD is one in which both parents are working together, amicably. In an ideal world, all parents adopt the same healthy approach to managing ADHD, along with the same schedule and routine.But this smooth, coordinated ideal is difficult to achieve when co-parenting children with ADHD after divorce.We know that children with ADHD have executive functioning challenges. Divorce may heighten those struggles largely because the prefrontal cortex, the command center for executive functioning, is now also trying to manage frequent transitions amid a changing family dynamic.Transitioning between home, school, and another home brings changes in routine and possible parental conflict.

Self-confidence is an essential inner quality in any career, but in many areas (for example, in tech where I work) just because you are a woman, your abilities might be questioned before you even start your job.I used to hate interviews; they really scared me. To help me get through them with less fear, I started picturing the way one of my colleagues handled interviews and pressure in general.

February 2, 2024As if the ADHD medication shortage wasn’t frustrating enough, patients are now forced to contend with higher prices that could further derail treatment. Certain ADHD medications have doubled or tripled in cost since the shortage began in October 2022, according to a report published in USA TODAY.The newspaper analyzed the prices that retail community pharmacies pay for common ADHD prescriptions.

 Dr. Dolores Fazzino, Nurse Practitioner, Medical Intuitive, Energy Whisperer Embark on a transformative journey in this episode of The Dr. Dolores Show. Join Dr. Dolores as we unveil the secrets to finding serenity in the midst of chaos and empower you with practical strategies to dance with the unknown. This episode delves into the rollercoaster […]

The intricate link between the mind and the body has long fascinated the medical community, particularly in understanding the etiology of excess weight. Psychosomatics, a field that explores how psychological processes affect physiological conditions, offers valuable insights into why some individuals struggle with weight management. This article delves into the psychosomatic connections with excess weight […]

Recently, a significant shift towards healthier eating habits, emphasizing reducing sugar intake, has been happening. Many seek ways to maintain a healthy diet this New Year, and sugar-free beef jerky is emerging as a popular choice. 

Welcome to your ultimate guide to achieving beautiful, healthy skin that radiates vitality from the inside out. We understand how confusing and overwhelming the world of skincare can be, with its endless array of products and regimens. That’s why we’ve distilled everything into 7 essential steps for a glow that’s not just skin-deep, but a reflection of whole-body health.

Did you know that the man who co-founded one of the first and largest internet service providers also created a specialty coffee brand, disrupted the air travel industry, and loves to surf? These Sky Dayton trivia fun facts are the kind of cool celebrity backstory people who trade in trivia love to learn and share, so we’ve provided a round-up of the best sources for all manner of minutiae:

Hi, Joel Brown here. As the person behind Addicted to Success and Mind Strong, I’m often asked about tackling procrastination and making swift, effective decisions. It’s a common struggle in today’s world, where distractions are endless.Procrastination often creeps in when we’re bombarded with social media notifications, breaking news, and the hustle of daily life. This leads to a fear-driven indecision, where we’re paralyzed by the thought of failure or judgment.

On of our editors who is from Ukraine was speaking recently about his partner. She opened up about dating sites and how it helps to meet new people. One of the sites she was using is Ukraine dating ladies and in the digital landscape of Ukraine, this site has transformed the way people connect and […]

Hey there! I’m Joel Brown, a procrastination mindset specialist. In my world, it’s all about guiding my students through repatterning exercises to break free from the shackles that prevent them from scaling new heights in life.Now, you might hear ‘perfectionist’ and think, “Ah, they’re destined for success!” But here’s the real deal: perfectionism is far from a superpower. It’s a sneaky villain in disguise, sapping emotional and physical strength, disrupting sleep, and fueling an endless cycle of rumination—all in the pursuit of getting everything ‘just right.’ This relentless chase is what we call the ‘Obsessive Idealist‘ procrastination type.If you don’t know which out of.

“A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.” ~Buddha

, the Big Game’s projected economic impact on the city is more than $600 million. The organization is also forecasting 330,000 visitors to the city throughout Super Bowl week, and at least 5,000 full- and part-time jobs have been generated for the event.

“Until we transform ourselves, we are like mobs of angry people screaming for peace. In order to move the world, we must be able to stand still in it.” ~Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

thrilling when planning your Valentine’s Day date.For the partners who are looking for something a bit more experiential, check out these unique Valentine’s date ideas that the two of you will be raving about for years to come. Shake things up by learning how to mix your favorite cocktails or mocktails together as a couple. offers in-person cocktail classes in several cities across the country, and virtual classes, if that’s more convenient.

Loss is confronting. But I ask you to please walk beside me while I address this most challenging aspect of life.