Articles
Coping Strategies for the Highly Sensitive Student
The term “Highly Sensitive Person” (HSP for short) refers to someone whose nervous system is wired differently from others. They are deeply affected by sensory information, like excessive noise, bright lights, or violent movies. The highly sensitive person also tends to observe and “ingest” the emotions of those around them, embodying others’ feelings for long periods. This trait affects people of all ages and backgrounds and can prove to be burdensome and draining. Nowhere is it more of a burden than in high school or college, however. The high-volume workloads, deadlines, and complex relationships that take place in the life of [...]
Spiritual Fitness: Creating a Realistic New Year’s Resolution
Most of us could not escape the commercialism throughout the holiday season without hearing how to get physically fit or healthy living or joining a gym will improve our life! So what makes our lives better? Spiritual fitness! How does that happen – and what does it look like in real life? The answer is given through Proverbs 3:1 “Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands.” God insists that we trust Him fully and not try to figure out everything on our own. Once we build our faith and our relationship with God, that strengthens [...]
Understanding ADHD Symptoms in Children
Parenting, caregiving, or teaching are difficult tasks. It doesn’t matter how healthy or well-mannered or obedient your child is; it is never easy to train up a child in the way he or she should go. Though some behaviors can appear similar to ADHD symptoms that result from lack of proper structure, sleep, and healthy discipline, a clinical ADHD diagnosis can create challenges in child-rearing. Consequently, when concerns arise about your child’s development, mental health, or behavior, it is easy to become overwhelmed and uncertain of how to move forward. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, you may have [...]
What to Do When You’re Facing Money Problems
When you have money problems, you can experience significant stress. We wonder whether we can take care of hospital bills, whether we’ll have a roof over our heads, what we and our children will eat, and so much more. God is sympathetic to all this and the needs and concerns you have: “and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:32 HCSB). God wants us to have peace, even when we’re going through a tumultuous time. In For The Love of Money, the O’Jays warned us about the things that people are willing to do for money. “For the [...]
What Does it Mean to Be Neurodivergent?
When people hear the word neurodivergent initially they think of autism spectrum disorder, a neurological condition characterized by differences in social communication, as well as, sensory-motor behaviors that may be restricted or repetitive. While ASD is one of the primary diagnoses of neurodivergent persons, it is not the only one. ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, and other developmental conditions also fall under the neurological conditions that an individual is born with. The term “neurodivergent” is used to describe normal and naturally occurring differences in the brain that can present in both challenging and positive ways. An individual who is considered neurodiverse exhibits [...]
Different Types and Effects of Trauma
Trauma is the response to something - usually one or more events - that overwhelms a person's ability to cope with it. Everyone experiences and reacts in different ways and the effects of trauma can include feelings of anguish, fear, helplessness and loss of control. Due to the difficult nature of these events, trauma is often hidden, unreported or denied. There are many reasons for this, including fear of getting in trouble, shame, guilt, or guilt about the event or fear of the perpetrator. Many young people who experience it learn to cope with the effects of trauma, but sometimes extra [...]
Is Adult ADHD Real? Most Common Misunderstandings About ADHD Explained
If we are going to explore some of the most common misunderstandings about adult ADHD, we should first decipher what adult ADHD is. In summary, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental neurocognitive disorder that is first present in childhood. Thus, adults who have ADHD also had it in childhood. Whether it was diagnosed in childhood or later as an adult, one of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD is that symptoms began in childhood and were present in two or more environments. Further, the inattentive or hyperactive symptoms (or a combination of the two) must have had a significant impact [...]
8 Signs of a Codependent Friendship
Codependency is one trait in toxic friendships. Just like romances, friendships may also be unhealthy, so not all friends are healthy for you. The definition of codependent friendships, how to spot them, and how to recover are all provided here. What is a codependent friendship? Co-dependent connections are so intimate that all boundaries have entirely melted away, even though close friendships are necessary. Boundaries let us distinguish between our wants and feelings and those of other people by defining our personal limitations. Codependent friends lose these boundaries and grow dependent on one another, becoming "enmeshed" in their friends’ lives. In romantic [...]
Alcohol Dependence: How Do I Know When I Have A Problem?
The topic of alcohol consumption and dependence is a sensitive subject. Addressing the topic with a friend or family member can lead people to push away or even sever the relationship out of denial, embarrassment, or anger. Yet, as both a sober person and a therapist, it is a topic I often receive questions about. People are constantly asking, “How do I know if I am drinking too much or too often?” “How do I know if I have a problem?” Thoughts such as these consume so many minds, especially in a post-pandemic world. Statistics related to the soaring levels of [...]