Bethany Biron, Author at #1 Mental Health Blog

8 Ways to Maintain Friendships When in a Relationship

By Bethany Biron, Contributor
March 15, 2019March 12, 2019

Nothing beats the “can’t eat, can’t sleep, reach for the stars” feeling of new love.

We all know how it goes. Suddenly you’re so smitten, there’s no one else you’d rather spend time with than your new beau. Hanging out one night a week quickly turns into seven, and next thing you know you’re leaving a toothbrush at their apartment and wearing each other’s clothes.

Despite the sheer bliss of the start of a new relationship, navigating the early stages of love can be immensely overwhelming and all-consuming. They say love is like a drug, and it turns out there’s a chemical reason for that: It causes the brain to release a flood of dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria. It feels good, and you can’t get enough. Continue reading 8 Ways to Maintain Friendships When in a Relationship

6 Tips for Applying for Jobs When You’re Depressed

By Bethany Biron, Contributor
March 4, 2019

When you’re depressed, everything — from the most basic activity like getting out of bed to more arduous tasks like paying bills on time — can feel impossibly challenging. Add sudden unemployment, recently graduating from college, or undergoing a major career transition to the mix, and every day can feel like summiting Mount Everest.

As someone with anxiety and depression who has personally experienced various career changes, I understand firsthand how demoralizing the job hunt can be when you’re struggling with your mental health. It’s difficult to put your best foot forward when you’re not feeling like your best self. When you’re feeling down in the dumps, going through the motions of scouring job posts, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews can be extremely draining. Continue reading 6 Tips for Applying for Jobs When You’re Depressed

How Therapy Helps With Eating Disorders

By Bethany Biron, Contributor
February 26, 2019

In middle school, one of my best friends stopped eating. Though she was a notoriously picky eater, suddenly her penchant for munching on trail mix for every meal became less quirky and more concerning as the ziplock baggies of nuts grew smaller and smaller.

Exacerbating the issue, she competed in an image-based performance sport, in which size and appearance were paramount. One day, we were sitting in my living watching the movie Center Stage for the millionth time, when we reached a scene in which an aspiring ballerina battling bulimia throws up a meal in a bathroom stall. I tensed up, wanting to pause the movie and say something, anything, but I didn’t know how. Continue reading How Therapy Helps With Eating Disorders

Why Therapy Isn’t Just for “People with Problems”

By Bethany Biron, Contributor
December 17, 2018December 18, 2018

I recently had a discussion with a friend considering therapy for the first time. Though she had been ruminating on it for a few months, she remained hesitant.

“I just feel like there’s nothing really that wrong with me, you know? All things considered, I’m doing alright. I should just deal with it,” she told me.

I did know. Just a few years ago, I was in the same boat. Despite lifelong anxiety and years of depressive episodes, I was convinced I didn’t need therapy. The ups and downs were normal, just a part of life. I managed to tell myself that my particularly bad stretches were merely situational: a response to the challenges of graduating college and navigating the real world, of tackling work stressors, and dealing with failed romantic endeavors.

This worked for awhile. Until it didn’t. Continue reading Why Therapy Isn’t Just for “People with Problems”