The Cost of Untreated Mental Illness: An Interview with Faisal Tai, MD

When we exercise, a complex chemical reaction takes place in your brain which can help boost your mood. These chemicals include endorphins and endocannabinoids, which can actually work in tandem to fight depression. Exercise also often gets us out of the house, into the company of others and forces our mind to focus on things…

It’s true that you can feel better just by receiving another’s affectionate touch. After all we all have receptors in our skin that send messages directly to the brain. Just think about the last time you were given a hug or a pat on the back or someone putting their arm around your shoulders. And…

Fluoxetine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is commonly sold under the brand name Prozac. Fluoxetine is primarily prescribed to treat conditions like: Fluoxetine works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in regulating…

What is psychological projection?Psychological projection is a defense mechanism that involves attributing one’s own thoughts, feelings, or traits to someone else. What causes projection?Psychological projection is a way for individuals to cope with uncomfortable or unacceptable thoughts or emotions by externalizing and attributing them to others. What are the effects of projecting?Psychological projecting distances, a…

Depression and menopause and both challenging, and often painful, experiences in life. So it can be very trying when they are experienced at the same time, which happens for approximately one in five women. But we should not be surprised that these two conditions often overlap, since we know there is a relationship between hormonal…

“Long periods of stressful activities can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. As a mental health professional I know that research shows that small, positive, daily activities can make a big, positive difference in our wellness. This data has been published in numerous places including BBC Radio 4’s program ‘The Anatomy of…