The Cost of Untreated Mental Illness: An Interview with Faisal Tai, MD

Postpartum depression (PPD) can evolve into clinical depression if left untreated or inadequately managed. PPD is a specific form of depression that occurs after childbirth, but if the symptoms persist and become more severe over time, it may develop into clinical depression. Factors such as hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the stress of new parenthood…

Stress often has a very negative effect on healthy sleep, impacting quality and duration. It does this in a number of ways, including extending how long it takes to get to sleep and fragmenting sleep. A lack of healthy sleep can then actually increase your stress levels and have a severe impact on physical and…

For many years mental health professionals like myself have been aware of the “gut-brain axis” or GBA, which refers to the belief that prolonged psychological stress can create intestinal conditions that are experienced as similar to Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As the National Institutes of health puts it: “The gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between…

Emotional maturity is characterized by the ability to think through issues and interact with others in an appropriate manner, with the goal being to make a given situation better, not worse. The best way to do this is to accurately recognize emotions in yourself, as well as others, and respond constructively. Emotional maturity is usually,…

It’s true that you can feel better just by receiving another’s affectionate touch. After all we all have receptors in our skin that send messages directly to the brain. Just think about the last time you were given a hug or a pat on the back or someone putting their arm around your shoulders. And…

“Long periods of stressful activities can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. As a mental health professional I know that research shows that small, positive, daily activities can make a big, positive difference in our wellness. This data has been published in numerous places including BBC Radio 4’s program ‘The Anatomy of…