Kate Motaung

Depression is more than feeling unhappy or down in the dumps for a few days. It is a real mental health condition that affects mood and ability to function. It can vary in intensity from mild to severe, be brought about by numerous reasons, and impact you in unique ways. Although the exact cause of depression is not fully known, risk factors include a family history of depression, abnormal brain chemistry, significant losses, chronic stress, and life circumstances. Typically,

When life gets hectic, we take stress for granted. Who does not experience stress at some point in their lives? Yet, mental stress can create problems with well-being and lead to more severe disorders. The mental aspect does not exist in a vacuum, either. If your mental health is in jeopardy, your physical and emotional states may also be. Learn how to deal with mental stress and improve your mental health to avoid worsening conditions like anxiety and depression.

Teenage life is often a lot of fun and there are many articles discussing the positive developments that occur in the life of a teenager. It is equally important to be aware of the issues, sometimes big issues, that can make a teen swerve into unhelpful behavior and development. Some of these teenage problems will include the risks of body shaming, bullying, anxiety, and social media, to name a few. A strong family environment and culture will certainly assist

Traumatic events are unpredictable and devastating. They can happen any time and anywhere, leaving the people who experience them with significant struggles as they try to process and recover from the memories of the event. Some people are gradually able to come to terms with what happened, but others are not. People whose symptoms do not go away may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Their symptoms may become so pervasive that they interfere with their ability to

Do you feel like you and your spouse just cannot get through to each other? Or as if you are speaking different languages? Do you often feel unheard or misunderstood? Are you battling with a silent spouse, one who withdraws or avoids conflict, or even the opposite - one who just seems to push all your buttons? Perhaps there are certain important conversations that you just don’t feel that you can have anymore with your spouse without tempers flaring

Take a read through this article and see how many of these causes for resentment in marriage you identify with. While this may not be a checklist you want to score well on it may be useful to know what specifically needs work from you as well as your spouse. One contributes more than the other. Between household chores, time with the children, the school run, and the financial contribution to running a household, there are many areas in

This article will address what it means to be a real man. I will be touching on three themes: worldview, biblical view, and therapeutic view. My wife just asked me “How are you doing” I replied, “I am living a life of quiet desperation.” This is a well-known quote from Henry David Thoreau. “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Growing up in the United States I learned

The conversations you have with yourself, in your mind or out loud, can either dial up or dial down the amount you worry about. “Inner talk is one of the most effective, least-used tools available to master the psyche and foster life success,” says Psychologist Ethan Kross. Times have changed since we thought others were crazy for talking to themselves. Many of us are doing it, and self-talk is recognized as an exceptionally useful tool as we navigate our

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of anxiety or terror distinguished by sweating, shallow breathing, and the nervous system being on high alert. These spells can occur unprovoked and without the presence of any danger or threat. It can take anywhere between ten minutes and an hour for a panic attack to pass. Afterward, it is not uncommon to experience a sense of guilt, shame, exhaustion, and emotional drain. Although singular occurrences are common, most people who experience

The holidays bring a string of values and emotions to many: thanksgiving, love, kindness, generosity, and wonder. But, unfortunately, to some, it also brings stress in the form of financial budgets, gift-giving, and unavoidable toxic extended family members. Your mental wellness is an integral part of your overall health. Yet, people spend three months in a stressful fight or flight response to the holidays every year. Make this season different. Enjoy the holidays for the real reason we celebrate:

If you have been around friends who attend church regularly or you grew up in a Christian environment, you may have heard the phrase “take every thought captive” before. To apply this to everyday life, it’s important to know what it means, how to do it, and why to do it. What does it mean to take every thought captive? The phrase originates from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion

Stress affects everyone. Daily stressors are a fact of life, and some pressure can be good. However, when you experience high levels of mental stress for prolonged periods, it can cause exhaustion and burnout. The symptoms of mental stress. The symptoms of mental stress are similar to other mental health conditions. You may want to consult a therapist to rule out other disorders and learn strategies to ease mental fatigue. Symptoms include: Sensations of dread and hopelessness. Feeling overwhelmed