An upset stomach. Nightmares. Unrelenting desire to avoid school. Difficulty sleeping. Temper tantrums and crying outbursts. These are all examples of how anxiety can manifest in children. Sometimes, these signs of anxiety are attributed to other causes i.e., a stomachache from eating a rich meal before bed. Anxiety can be hidden in plain sight, but as we enter back-to-school season, you might...

Mental health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are noting “historic rises” in anxiety and depression cases, but anxiety and depression aren’t the only two mental health conditions impacted by the pandemic. Individuals with OCD may be particularly triggered. One of the more prominent obsessions associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is...

Perhaps you’ve noticed that e-readers, smartphones, and other tablets have an option called “night mode” — have you ever wondered what “night mode” is and why the screen turns orange? What’s up with these warm-colored lights? There’s a lot of discussion about warm-colored lights and how they affect your ability to get a good night of sleep. Getting a...

Fair fighting?! It might seem like an oxymoron, but the reality is that there are rules to fighting fairly. At some point, all couples experience a blip in the road of marital bliss. Whether you’re fighting about the division of chores or finances, the reality is that disagreements occur in all marriages. The key is to arm yourself with problem solving skills and conflict resolution...

It’s normal to experience occasional nervousness in social situations. For example, you might feel butterflies if you’re going on a first date, or if you have to give an important presentation at work. However, occasional nervousness isn’t the same thing as social anxiety disorder. With social anxiety disorder, everyday social situations can create stress and anxiety that...

When people think of depression, they commonly think of someone who feels sad, lonely, has a bleak outlook on the future, and experiences thoughts of death, dying, or killing themselves. However, depression is a complex mental illness and, while these symptoms are valid and true, there are a host of other ways that you or someone you love may present that also indicates a potential problem...

Is your child new to telemedicine? Here at Next Step 2 Mental Health, we are proud to offer a variety of services through telehealth – and not just for adults. Children don’t have to miss their sessions due to social isolation. If your child is already familiar with apps like FaceTime or Skype, he or she already has a good idea of what a telehealth session is like. Still, the idea of a virtual...