What Can Help When You’re Feeling Hopeless

What Can Help When You’re Feeling Hopeless

written by Amy Morin, LCSW, posted on Very Well Mind

Hopelessness, by definition, is the belief that things aren’t going to get better or that you can’t succeed.

Whether you feel hopeless about your ability to get out of debt or you feel hopeless about almost everything in life, it is an awful feeling.

Feeling stuck in a place of hopelessness makes life really tough.1Fortunately, there are some things you can do when you’re feeling hopeless to make life a bit better—no matter how bad things might seem.

Consider That Your Brain Might Be Lying to You

Your brain might tell you that things are awful, horrible, and dreadful. It may try to convince you that you can’t succeed or tell you that there’s no chance things are going to get better.

But just because you think it doesn’t mean it’s true. Your thoughts may be distorted, inaccurate, or downright wrong.

Hopeless feelings fuel hopeless thoughts. And it’s easy to get caught up in a negative cycle that makes it hard to see that things can get better.2

You might even think things like, “I’ve tried everything already and nothing works!” But that’s probably a cognitive distortion. You may have tried a few things—or even 10 things—but you likely haven’t tried everything.

At least be open to the idea that the way you’re thinking might not be accurate. There may be more hope than you imagine.

The Loneliness Epidemic is Fueling Mental Illness & Substance Abuse: Resources To Support Wellness

The Loneliness Epidemic is Fueling Mental Illness & Substance Abuse: Resources To Support Wellness

posted on T.R.U.E.  Addiction & Behavioral Health

This comprehensive guide breaks the silence on the loneliness epidemic. Take a closer look as we explore the disconnect, the causes, and how to treat this surge in solitude.

Loneliness is not a diagnosable condition. Yet, research has shown that it has the same impact on death rates as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

You can feel alone on a crowded elevator or standing in line at the post office. Loneliness is a person’s satisfaction with the level of connection they desire versus the reality of what they have or don’t.

Americans feel more alone now than ever before. This seclusion is a powerful force that impairs many parts of our lives. It can be as harmful as obesity, cigarettes, or a drug or alcohol addiction.

Individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction face mental health challenges. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know which problem happened first. People can start misusing drugs because of their mental illness. Or they developed mental illness after starting to misuse drugs. We call this dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.

Loneliness Stats and Insights

Raising awareness makes it easier to progress. Lives are impacted every day. It’s essential to understand the facts behind this public health concern.

Physical Health Effects

Research from the AARP Foundation showed the physical effects of isolation and loneliness on nursing home resident’s quality of life are alarming:

  • 50% increased risk of developing dementia
  • 32% increased risk of stroke
  • Nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients

A lack of in-person socialization can heighten dementia symptoms in seniors, according to neuropsychologist Neil H. Pliskin, a professor of clinical psychiatry and neurology at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.

Mental Health Effects

The same cross-sectional study evaluated a group of 18 to 34-year-olds. Researchers found a relationship between loneliness and depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and drug use during COVID-19.

  • Almost 80% reported significant depressive symptoms
  • 61% reported moderate anxiety
  • Feeling lonely results in a 60% increase in the risk of mental decline and a 45% greater risk of death.

McLean’s Guide to Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays

McLean’s Guide to Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays

posted on McLean Hospital Website

Elvis once crooned about feeling blue at Christmas time—and we’re here to tell you: It’s perfectly normal to feel that way.

There are a variety of reasons why your days may not be merry and bright around the holiday season. It can be the jam-packed social calendar, deadlines at work, the loss of a loved one, sunless winter days, or all of the above.

According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons given include lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted that 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions worsened around the holidays.

However, there are ways in which we can prepare ourselves and hopefully deflect some of the increased stress of the holidays. It’s important to realize that we do have more control than we think we do.

However, it’s equally important to realize that even if we put these ideas into practice and continue to feel overwhelmed or depressed, professional help is available.

6 Signs You May Be Struggling Around the Holidays

We’ve identified six common issues that come up this time of year, as well as suggestions from our mental health experts for ways to address them.

1. You’re Lacking the “Holiday Spirit”

Being surrounded by cheeriness can be stigmatizing when you don’t feel the same level of enthusiasm as others.

The pressure to be social, happy, and present can make it difficult to speak up if you feel otherwise. You may also feel left out if your spiritual traditions aren’t the dominant ones on display this time of year.

10 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues For The Whole Family

10 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues For The Whole Family

by Ashley Wehrli

While the wintertime may involve some people’s favorite holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it can also be a hard time for a lot of people. The weather is getting colder, and wetter and there are just not enough hours of daylight anymore. The winter blues can happen to everyone in the family. Mom and dad who are working can be discouraged when they leave for work in the morning and it is dark, only to leave the office at the end of the day and it is dark. They then have to come home to children who have been stuck inside.

Children need to be out and having fun, and this can be harder to do in the winter months. Some days may be tolerable, but others are filled with blowing wind, storms, and even power outages due to winter storms. It is easy to see how anyone could lose motivation and feel more tired. When everyone is stuck inside all day, it is easy to get irritable and sad, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We have found 10 ways that the whole family can beat the winter blues this year.

30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts

30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts

posted on healthline.com

Grounding is a practice that can help you pull away from flashbacks, unwanted memories, and negative or challenging emotions.

What are grounding techniques?

Grounding techniques are exercises that may help you refocus on the present moment to distract yourself from anxious feelings.

You can use grounding techniques to help create space from distressing feelings in nearly any situation, but they’re especially helpful for improving:

 

Stop Scrolling: 5 Meditations That Take 1 Minute and Will Relieve Your Holiday Stress

Stop Scrolling: 5 Meditations That Take 1 Minute and Will Relieve Your Holiday Stress

8 Tips for Coping with Depression During the Holidays

8 Tips for Coping with Depression During the Holidays

written by Jerry Joseph, M.D., posted on Hackensack Meridian Health

Joy. It’s a word most would associate with the holiday season, yet for many of the 320+ million people worldwide suffering from depression, joy might feel nearly impossible this time of the year. According to one study, 38 percent of people surveyed said that their stress levels increased during the holidays.

The holidays tend to be a difficult time for those battling depression. Often this is because of triggers like increased stress, navigating family dynamics and burnout due to a packed schedule of holiday activities and commitments. There are certain coping mechanisms that prove helpful in managing depression during the holidays, but before we get into them, it’s important to remember that feeling blue — or down and out – is different from suffering from depression*.

The Post-Pandemic Back to School Blues

The Post-Pandemic Back to School Blues

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, posted on Psychology Today

I think we can all agree that the beginning of this school year has been an “interesting” one, right? Here we are, post-pandemic, two and a half years since we were shut down and isolated, and our worlds were truly turned over, upside down and inside out.

The vibe in my house has been a bit off since the start of the school year and I know I’m not alone. We are all still trying to hold on to the summer barefoot mentality (the warm weather has been helping) so we are all struggling to embrace the new school year and the fall season.

A couple of thoughts come to mind. We haven’t had a “regular” back-to-school season since September 2020. That’s three start-of-the-school-years that we have held our breath for and waited to see how it would turn out. For our anxious kids, teens, and young adults, this is exactly what our anxious nightmares are made of. For years now, we have been grappling with the following ideas: virtual vs. in-person; mask vs. no-mask; vaccinated, boosted or not, ride the school bus or drive by car, and so on. Exhausting.

There’s another huge factor that has been at play which is a bit of the elephant in the room. Our teachers and administrators are relying on pre-pandemic standards for academics, behavior, dress codes, and everything else, but we have lived through a pandemic and returning to what was doesn’t make sense without acknowledging that we have all been to war and back, perhaps traumatized, and yet no adjustments or accommodations have been made.

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"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
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"Thank you, Dr. Liz. Although we have told you countless times, it will never feel enough. You have listened when J could barely speak and continued to listen when he was sad, angry and confused. You've challenged him and directed us in our roles as parents. You've helped J face his fears while the list evolved and changed, and yet you've stayed committed to 'the course.' We pray that your children realize that time away from them is spent helping children learn and that vulnerability is a sign of strength and bravery."
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