Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health

06/14/2024

What is matrescence? A developmental passage where a woman transitions through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period and beyond.

In this article, we discuss Matrescence, the developmental phase of new motherhood. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/05/17/matrescence-the-developmental-phase-of-new-motherhood/

06/11/2024

Getting good grades at school, attending a respected university, having interesting friends, building an impressive career, marrying well, raising your kids properly… From an early age, societal and cultural norms push us to fit the mold of perfection. And in the current era of social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, the pressure to be flawless has never been higher.

In this article, we discuss the psychology of perfectionism. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/05/19/the-psychology-of-perfectionism/

06/10/2024

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.

In this article, we discuss the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/05/31/the-difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease/

05/09/2024

“When it comes to politics, there can be a trade-off between feeling good and doing good,” said Brett Q. Ford, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. “Protecting oneself from the stress of politics might help promote well-being but it also comes at a cost to staying engaged and active in democracy.”

In this article, we discuss Politics and its effect on Mental Health. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/03/18/politics-and-its-negative-affect-on-mental-health/

05/08/2024

According to the National Institute of Health, shared psychotic disorder is a rare disorder characterized by sharing a specific delusion among two or more people in a close relationship.

In this article, we discuss Shared Psychotic Disorder and its causes and treatment. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/05/06/shared-psychotic-disorder/

04/25/2024

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), morbid obesity is rising around the world. It can cause unpleasant appearance and body image. Most of the studies have aimed to evaluate the psychopathology of overweight and obesity and paying attention to mental well-being in morbid obese individuals is rare.

In this article, we discuss body image and psychological well-being. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/04/04/body-image-and-psychological-well-being/

Learn about the complex connection between body image and mental wellness. Learn strategies for building a positive self-image.

04/23/2024

Has your child been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or does he or she exhibit symptoms of autism? According to the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism (SDCA), you may learn that your child has Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD). Recently added to the most current fifth edition of the DSM (Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), the signs and symptoms of ASD are very similar – and even overlap – with those of social pragmatic communication disorder, even though the two conditions are different.

In this article, we discuss the difference between Autism and Social Communication Disorder. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/04/18/the-difference-between-autism-and-social-communication-disorder/

04/15/2024

How come we feel so drawn to these individuals who dare to show up authentically, flaws and all, yet when it comes to us, it’s a totally different story? Welcome to the paradox of emotional vulnerability! Even though it’s the secret sauce to bonding with others and supporting our emotional well-being, we’re often too afraid to walk the walk and be vulnerable with others.

In this article, we discuss 3 Pillars of Cultivating Emotional Vulnerability. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/04/04/3-pillars-of-cultivating-emotional-vulnerability/

04/10/2024

In a world that glorifies youth, it can be challenging to get excited about getting older. Rather than treating aging as a fantastic privilege, it’s viewed as a hindrance that paints a dark vision of the future ahead filled with bodily aches, dips in metabolism, lower s*x drive, and mood swings.

In this article, we discuss menopause & andropause. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/04/04/what-you-need-to-know-about-menopause-andropause/

03/18/2024

If you were to look back on your life, chances are your thoughts would travel back to those milestone moments and big days. However, statistically speaking, this is just a tiny part of our lives. Most of our time spent here, on Earth, boils down to the daily humdrum reality, the mundane and boring stuff like being stuck in traffic, working in the office, walking your dog, etc. Fulfilling these responsibilities day after day can feel endless, overwhelming, or even depressing. But there definitely is a silver lining to discover in that monotony.

In this article, we discuss how to create a “feel good” daily routine in 5 steps. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/03/01/create-your-feel-good-daily-routine-in-5-steps/

Create your perfect 'feel good' daily routine effortlessly with our 5-step guide. Increase your happiness and productivity starting today!

03/15/2024

No matter how much we wish it to be true, our growth could never be linear. Something that’s an inherent part of our shared human experience is not only witnessing moments of pure bliss, happiness, and joy but also facing challenges, hardships, and painful situations.

In this article, we discuss cultivating psychological resilience, a powerful skill that can help you accept that while you can’t stop the waves of life, you certainly practice the art of riding them with grace. Learn more: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/03/01/the-art-of-building-psychological-resilience/

02/29/2024

Conversion disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by signs and symptoms affecting sensory or motor function inconsistent with patterns of known neurologic diseases or other medical conditions and significantly impact the patient’s ability to function.

In this article, we discuss the symptoms, causes, treatment, and diagnosis for Conversion Disorder. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2023/12/17/conversion-disorder-functional-neurologic-disorder/

02/28/2024

Mainstream media often paints an inaccurate picture of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as pretty eccentric individuals who need to keep their environment clean, wash their hands excessively, and worry just about anything. While this stereotype has a grain of truth, it’s mostly based on assumptions, projections, and myths.

In this article, we discuss OCD. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/01/14/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/

02/27/2024

Society treats psychiatric medication completely differently than pills one would need to take to treat a chronic illness or the flu. As a result, we’re too embarrassed, bottling our struggles up and not reaching out for professional help when we need it most. The best way to unveil the taboo of psychiatric medication, decrease anxiety, or overcome any shame around it is by staying informed and educating yourself on this topic.

In this article, we discuss Psychiatric Medication Management and what to expect. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/02/07/psychiatric-medication-management-what-to-expect/

02/26/2024

Technology has opened a new frontier in mental health care and data collection. Mobile devices like cell phones, smartphones, and tablets are giving the public, healthcare providers, and researchers new ways to access help, monitor progress, and increase understanding of mental well-being.

In this article, we discuss Psychotherapy and Technology. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/02/07/psychotherapy-and-technology/

02/25/2024

As we grow older, it’s natural to feel concern about changes in our mental abilities. We want to carry out our daily routines, be self-sufficient and relive the most treasured moments of our lives – without having to worry about our memory and, in particular, dementia.

If you are experiencing difficulties with memory, know that they may not be signs of dementia. It could be memory loss as a part of normal aging.

In this article, we discuss normal aging versus dementia. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/02/19/normal-aging-versus-dementia/

02/08/2024

What differentiates couples who break up from couples that stay strong together is the ability to navigate the murky waters of conflict. As it turns out, it’s all about our communication habits.

In this article, we discuss 4 Common Relationship Mistakes to Avoid. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/02/07/4-common-relationship-mistakes-to-avoid/

01/30/2024

What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively. On one hand, this ability to express and control emotions is essential, but on the other hand, so is the ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others.

In this article, we discuss the 4 components of emotional intelligence and how it's measured. Learn more here: https://harbormentalhealth.com/2024/01/14/emotional-intelligence/