Health and Human Services Professional Development

Depression in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood by   Sierra Rhymes   on   September 24, 2013   Many adolescents and emerging adults suffer from depression although individuals tend to associate depression with middle or older adulthood. Adolescence is a time marked with rapid physical development (e.g., hormonal changes), and emerging adulthood is often characterized by increased autonomy and responsibility. These are also periods where many individuals critique themselves and explore their identity.  A variety of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes and experiences, such as the aforementioned, have been linked to depression in adolescents or emerging adults. Depression is a common condition for every age, gender and race. However, it is often unrecognized, or it may not be diagnosed, especially during adolescence and emerging adulthood. According to Arya, R., Baroilhet, S., Fritsch, R., Montero-Marin, J., and Montgomery, A. (2013) approxim...

Alive and Sleep Deprived  by  Paige Crutchley, Guest Author   on   October 24, 2013   There are many things that take up your time: class, work, volunteering…sleeping. With so many responsibilities, sleep hours are often forfeited. You may find yourself asking, “How much sleep do I really need?” Unfortunately, there is not a definitive answer for this question yet. This is partly because it is not yet understood  why  we sleep. Additionally, sleep needs can vary greatly from person to person. In fact, your own sleep needs will vary across your lifetime. On average, professionals recommend that adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Take Advantage of the Time You DO Have Set Aside for Sleep Make the most of the time you have dedicated for sleeping.  It can be quite frustrating if you are not actually sleeping for a significant portion of this time. Parenting experts recommend that bedtime routines for children include baths, reading,...

Depression May Not Be What You Think! by   Mikki Sherwood   on   February 22, 2014 Anyone can struggle with depression.  Kevin Breel discusses depression in this Ted Talks video,  “Depression May Not Be What You Think.”  He says that everyone sees him as a typical teenager, but he sees himself differently. He is an individual that battles depression. Kevin makes the point that there are misconceptions about depression, stating that those that are depressed are not just sad when a situation is negative, they are sad when everything is going well in their lives. He explains that he was often afraid to tell people he was depressed for fear they would run away. In reality, Kevin says it is better to look someone in the eye and be truthful, saying “I’m going through hell and need help.” If you, or someone you know, is depressed, this video is a resource for helping you know that you are not alone. If you believe you are depressed and need help, here ar...

Expectations vs Reality of Social Media Experiences By   Jill Bowers   on   March 23, 2014   I saw this YouTube video last year, and I thought it was brilliantly done and wanted to share. The video depicts the expectations and realities of meeting, or rather, reconnecting with a romantic interest via Facebook. Social networking use has been associated with lower levels of social well-being; for example, more social media and smart phone usage has been linked to higher levels of loneliness, social anxiety, and other areas of social-emotional wellness (see examples of research in this area below).Perhaps, having realistic expectations about your social media experiences could prevent feelings of loneliness or s ocial anxiety?! https://youtu.be/UYI1_gPGu7w?list=PL3A3DB46FC00337E6 A few examples of research findings surrounding social media, psychology, and human behavior include: Appelbaum, P., & Kopelman, A. (2014). Social media’s challenges for ...

Alive and Sleep Deprived by   Paige Crutchley, Guest Author   on   October 24, 2013 There are many things that take up your time: class, work, volunteering…sleeping. With so many responsibilities, sleep hours are often forfeited. You may find yourself asking, “How much sleep do I really need?” Unfortunately, there is not a definitive answer for this question yet. This is partly because it is not yet understood   why   we sleep. Additionally, sleep needs can vary greatly from person to person. In fact, your own sleep needs will vary across your lifetime. On average, professionals recommend that adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Take Advantage of the Time You DO Have Set Aside for Sleep Make the most of the time you have dedicated for sleeping.  It can be quite frustrating if you are not actually sleeping for a significant portion of this time. Parenting experts recommend that bedtime routines for children include baths, reading, or othe...

Expectations vs Reality of Social Media Experiences by   Jill Bowers   on   March 23, 2014   I saw this YouTube video last year, and I thought it was brilliantly done and wanted to share. The video depicts the expectations and realities of meeting, or rather, reconnecting with a romantic interest via Facebook. Social networking use has been associated with lower levels of social well-being; for example, more social media and smart phone usage has been linked to higher levels of loneliness, social anxiety, and other areas of social-emotional wellness (see examples of research in this area below).Perhaps, having realistic expectations about your social media experiences could prevent feelings of loneliness or social anxiety?! https://youtu.be/UYI1_gPGu7w?list=PL3A3DB46FC00337E6 A few examples of research findings surrounding social media, psychology, and human behavior include: Appelbaum, P., & Kopelman, A. (2014). Social media’s challenges for ps...

You Are What You Eat: Can Diet REALLY Impact Depression???? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   September 15, 2014   ********************** Julia MacKenzie, guest author   With major depressive disorder (MDD) being so prevalent in the United States today, it is imperative that researchers determine how to stop the rise of this disorder. 19% of people diagnosed with MDD live in the United States. This statistic puts America as the second leading country for prevalence of MDD. Interestingly, the countries higher in income have the greatest number of MDD cases. While antidepressants are effective in adults much of the time, they also have side effects, risks, and non-compliance to the adherence of the drugs. For this reason it may be beneficial to use diet and nutrition to assist in the treatment of MDD. A European study concluded that those consuming a high number of trans fats from fast food restaurants increases the risk for MDD by almost 50%. On the other hand...