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Depression

3 Signs of Hidden Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on April 10, 2024

Sighing, frustration, and agitation deserve a look beneath the surface. They could be the tip of the depressive iceberg.

Sighing, frustration, and agitation deserve a look beneath the surface. They could be the tip of the depressive iceberg.

Depression

Springtime Can Instigate Seasonal Mood Problems

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on April 3, 2024

If you think seasonal affective disorder is limited to winter depression, think again. See how expansive it can be and what can be done about it.

If you think seasonal affective disorder is limited to winter depression, think again. See how expansive it can be and what can be done about it.

Autism

Is Masking Correlated to Suicide Risk in Autistic Girls?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on March 3, 2024

Autistic girls have an uncanny ability to mask their symptoms. While this might seem adaptive, it leads to missed diagnoses and higher rates of suicide.

Autistic girls have an uncanny ability to mask their symptoms. While this might seem adaptive, it leads to missed diagnoses and higher rates of suicide.

Mental Health Stigma

Ignore Popular Culture Portrayals of Mental Illness

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on February 13, 2024

Pop culture portrays unpredictable and violent mental illness profiles, fueling stigma. The most stigmatized disorders are often much more subtle than their actor representations.

Pop culture portrays unpredictable and violent mental illness profiles, fueling stigma. The most stigmatized disorders are often much more subtle than their actor representations.

Personality

Could Treatment-Resistant ADHD Be a Matter of Personality?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on January 31, 2024

Restless, easily frustrated, irritable, stimulation-seeking—sounds a lot like ADHD. But, think again! The hypomanic personality may hold the key to "treatment-resistant" ADHD.

Restless, easily frustrated, irritable, stimulation-seeking—sounds a lot like ADHD. But, think again! The hypomanic personality may hold the key to "treatment-resistant" ADHD.

Depression

The Difference Between Treatment-Resistant Depression and a Depressive Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on December 22, 2023

Chronic pessimism and sadness and not responding to depression treatment may seem treatment resistant, but think again. It might be time to consider a depressive personality.

Chronic pessimism and sadness and not responding to depression treatment may seem treatment resistant, but think again. It might be time to consider a depressive personality.

Therapy

Narrative Therapy in Maternal Mental Health Care

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on November 27, 2023

Sharing stories of perinatal struggle, with support, can accelerate healing.

Sharing stories of perinatal struggle, with support, can accelerate healing.

Depression

A Practical Guide to Major Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on November 22, 2023

Studying major depression subtypes in depth is challenging. Develop a foundation by reviewing one paragraph of the most salient information for each of the eight subtypes.

Studying major depression subtypes in depth is challenging. Develop a foundation by reviewing one paragraph of the most salient information for each of the eight subtypes.

Depression

Social Media Activities Can Reveal Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 27, 2023

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Personality Disorders

3 Big Signs of Avoidant Personality Disorder

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 13, 2023

The avoidant personality isn't uncommon but gets little clinical attention. Sufferers often endure silently and with comorbid depression, making recognition an important issue.

The avoidant personality isn't uncommon but gets little clinical attention. Sufferers often endure silently and with comorbid depression, making recognition an important issue.

Psychosis

Paranoia May Not Be What You Think It Is

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on August 11, 2023

Paranoia is a projective process existing on a spectrum requiring careful clinical examination, for it's not fear or conspiracy theory, but not always a harbinger of psychosis.

Paranoia is a projective process existing on a spectrum requiring careful clinical examination, for it's not fear or conspiracy theory, but not always a harbinger of psychosis.

Borderline Personality Disorder

3 Overlooked Signs of Borderline Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on July 3, 2023

The borderline stereotype often fails to take into account symptoms that aren't immediately observable. Don't jump to conclusions without evaluating for these three features, too.

The borderline stereotype often fails to take into account symptoms that aren't immediately observable. Don't jump to conclusions without evaluating for these three features, too.

Depression

10 Common Causes of Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on June 24, 2023

There's a misconception that depression is either due to a life conflict or a serotonin imbalance. The truth is, it's not always "about" something, nor is serotonin a lone culprit.

There's a misconception that depression is either due to a life conflict or a serotonin imbalance. The truth is, it's not always "about" something, nor is serotonin a lone culprit.

Psychiatry

Why This Type of Schizophrenia Is Often Overlooked

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on June 9, 2023

Not everyone with schizophrenia presents prominent hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization. Some suffer more silently, turned inwards, and it's about what's not present.

Not everyone with schizophrenia presents prominent hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization. Some suffer more silently, turned inwards, and it's about what's not present.

Psychosis

3 Types of Hallucinations You've Probably Never Heard Of

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on May 30, 2023

Hallucinations usually evoke ideas of voices and visions, but they span the five senses and beyond.

Hallucinations usually evoke ideas of voices and visions, but they span the five senses and beyond.

Depression

3 Overlooked Causes of Treatment-Resistant Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on May 12, 2023

Treatment-resistant depression doesn't mean it's unresolvable. In stubborn cases, providers should consider addressing something beyond the symptoms of depression.

Treatment-resistant depression doesn't mean it's unresolvable. In stubborn cases, providers should consider addressing something beyond the symptoms of depression.

Suicide

Is Suicide Hereditary?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on April 14, 2023

Many think of depression as the root of suicide. Modern researchers, though, say it's an epigenetic, bio-psycho-environment equation.

Many think of depression as the root of suicide. Modern researchers, though, say it's an epigenetic, bio-psycho-environment equation.

Personality

2 Things You Shouldn't Say to Someone With Borderline Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on March 30, 2023

People with BPD have intense emotional experiences that can affect others. Our reactions often dictate if they decide to let go. See how avoiding two particular phrases can help.

People with BPD have intense emotional experiences that can affect others. Our reactions often dictate if they decide to let go. See how avoiding two particular phrases can help.

Depression

The Challenge of "Double" Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on March 17, 2023

Do you know someone with a generally gray mood who periodically gets very depressed? If so, it could be "double depression," requiring special clinical attention.

Do you know someone with a generally gray mood who periodically gets very depressed? If so, it could be "double depression," requiring special clinical attention.

Bipolar Disorder

Can Bipolar Disorder Be Detected Early?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on February 11, 2023

Contrary to popular belief, moodiness is not a harbinger of a developing bipolar disorder, but certain depression presentations can be.

Contrary to popular belief, moodiness is not a harbinger of a developing bipolar disorder, but certain depression presentations can be.