Author: Ladan Nikravan Hayes

Contributor

How to Be Brave About Your Mental Health

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Lion lying down

Talking about intimate experiences, of any type, is tough. You’re being vulnerable, unsure of your audience’s reaction, worried about oversharing or making your audience uncomfortable. But to end the stigma surrounding mental health, those with mental health issues are being encouraged to be more honest and brave, and open up about their mental health needs.

This kind of transparency can help remove the taboos and stigma associated with mental health and make society more comfortable talking about it. After all, when it comes to physical wellness, we understand that health is a broad spectrum. Some people wear glasses. Some have bad knees. Why not be as open about our mental health and the conditions associated with that? Why feel ashamed? Continue reading How to Be Brave About Your Mental Health

How to Tell if You’re “Clingy” and What to Do About it

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Koala hanging from tree

When it comes to a new relationship, some love the chase, others find it exhausting. Once it’s more solidified, some enjoy spending every free moment with their partner, others need their space.

Figuring out how to act from day one in a relationship isn’t easy — do you text again or give him space? Do you see him on Friday and Saturday or figure he needs a night off? Is it normal to analyze his social media activity or are you inching toward obsessive danger? Continue reading How to Tell if You’re “Clingy” and What to Do About it

How to Go on Dates When You’re Anxious

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Couple sitting inside restaurant with foggy windows

Dating is anxiety-provoking regardless of whether you have an anxiety disorder or not. You’re starting a new relationship, spending time with a stranger, opening yourself up to someone new — it can be frightening for even the most secure of people.

But, if you have an anxiety disorder, the anxiety that comes with dating and going on dates can be overwhelming. On a day-to-day basis you’re plagued with fears you’ll make a fool of yourself in front of someone, and now you’re at risk of being in an uncomfortable position in front of someone you want to like you. It’s something out of a nightmare. Continue reading How to Go on Dates When You’re Anxious

3 Signs that Self-Doubt is Getting in Your Way

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Nervous Monkey

At home, I’m the ideas woman. I’m full of suggestions to improve my house, streamline my schedule, and make sure I’m making the most of every ounce of free time I have. I watch Shark Tank and throw my hands in the air — you call those innovations? I’m full of ideas for better ones.

But at work, in an environment that urges workers to “fail fast, fail often,” I mostly sit silently in meetings. “I’m sure someone has already thought of this,” I think when fresh ideas come to mind. “If it was a good idea, we’d already be doing it…” It’s an ever present self-doubt that keeps me from voicing my thoughts. Continue reading 3 Signs that Self-Doubt is Getting in Your Way

5 Ways to Break Out of a February Funk

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Disco ball head

There are a few things I can always rely on in life: death, taxes, my sister not returning the clothes she borrows, autumn anxiety, and a February funk in the middle of winter gloom.

Even though a count of its days says differently, February feels like the longest month of the year every year. And if I don’t do anything about it, I’m expecting the same this year. Continue reading 5 Ways to Break Out of a February Funk

5 Types of Therapy to Treat Schizophrenia

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
Rainbow on eye

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by hallucinations (auditory, visual, olfactory, or tactile) and delusions. It’s a serious mental illness that affects a person’s thinking, emotions, relationships, and decision making. Because the hallucinations and delusions feel as real as the world around them, a person with untreated schizophrenia can sometimes have trouble distinguishing actual reality from the altered reality that their brain is describing.

Though traditional schizophrenia treatment often involves high doses of anti-psychotic medications — which can be effective but often come with unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, grogginess and emotional numbing — many people are now seeking therapy for schizophrenia. As a result, as many as a quarter or more of people with schizophrenia stop taking medication within the first year. And that’s where therapy can help. In addition to medications, many people with schizophrenia also benefit from some form of psychotherapy or social support treatment. Continue reading 5 Types of Therapy to Treat Schizophrenia

4 Ways to Ditch the Comparison Game on Social

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
two women take a selfie while one blows a bubble

The 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, famously once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This couldn’t be more true now that comparisons take place 24/7 online. When you compare, your view becomes distorted — you diminish your own value, disconnect yourself for your own life and relationships, and feel depleted — and yet we all do it and can’t stop.

Continue reading 4 Ways to Ditch the Comparison Game on Social

5 Ways to Bounce Back if You Get Fired

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
A red fire extinguisher on a red wall

History is filled with trailblazers who were fired — often publicly — before finding success in their chosen field.

Steve Jobs was a wealthy, global celebrity when he was forced out of the billion-dollar company he had sacrificed everything to build. Oprah was fired from a reporter role early in her career, which led her to a more junior role. Walt Disney had a similar story, being fired from the Kansas City star for “lack of imagination and no good ideas.”

We read these stories, and so many more like them, and hope the best is likely yet to come. But finding out you are being forced out of your job is difficult, no matter how many inspirational stories you hear.

Continue reading 5 Ways to Bounce Back if You Get Fired

7 Ways to Deal with Your Anger

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
A woman screaming in anger

In the middle of a fight, have you ever asked yourself how to deal with anger? Everyone has experienced feelings of blind, red hot rage at an injustice or aggression aimed at them at some point in their lives. If you haven’t gotten angry, you aren’t human. Everyone gets angry, and that’s OK. For the most part, anger is a normal, healthy emotion. But it’s unhealthy when it flares up all the time or spirals out of control.

Uncontrolled anger can take a toll on both your health and your relationships. That’s why knowing how to deal with anger is key. Continue reading 7 Ways to Deal with Your Anger

4 Different Types of Bipolar Disorder, and How They’re Treated

Author By Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Contributor
Posted:
A woman holds a phone with a smile image in front of her mouth

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in a person’s mood and energy level. While everyone experiences ups and downs, and depending on the type of bipolar disorder, there are severe shifts in mood and behavior that can seriously impact on a person’s life.

Continue reading 4 Different Types of Bipolar Disorder, and How They’re Treated