Career: Resources, Treatment, Symptoms, and More

How to Foster a Mentally Healthy Office Culture

By Kelsey Gillhooley
September 27, 2019September 30, 2019

Americans spend over 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetimes, so it’s not shocking that work environment plays a role in employees’ mental health. Careers can impact burnout, stress, and feeling overwhelmed in your day-to-day life. Some even consider walking away from their careers in order to protect their mental health.

Whether you’re a manager, an executive, or part of a team, there are ways — both big and small — you can help to improve the overall culture of your office, which can have a big impact on both productivity and morale. Continue reading How to Foster a Mentally Healthy Office Culture

How to Manage Employees Without Harming Their Mental Health

By Tiffany Dyba
September 26, 2019September 30, 2019

manger giving instructions kindly to employee

We have all been stressed at work at one time or another. If you are someone who manages direct reports or a team, it is important to be cognizant of their emotional well-being while still ensuring they perform well in their role.

Whether an employee has a diagnosed mental health issue or not, it is necessary to support their mental health by promoting a supportive and inclusive environment. A healthy work environment can be great for mental health, however, a poor work environment can perpetuate existing anxiety or create unnecessary stress. It can even cause depression or burnout.

Let’s take a look at ways you can support your team while creating a healthy work environment and still effectively managing their performance. Continue reading How to Manage Employees Without Harming Their Mental Health

How To Deal With Controlling People

By Brittney Saline
September 23, 2019September 23, 2019

“No, this restaurant is better.”

“Why would you go that way? My way is faster.”

“I told you to tell me before you use the credit card.”

“You didn’t tell me you had plans with friends this weekend.”

Some of these statements may sound familiar. The trouble with controlling relationships is that they seem normal at first. Maybe that restaurant really is better or that route really is faster.

But when the corrections come at every turn, when your friend, partner, or even your supervisor questions every decision you make and dictates every action you take, you might be dealing with a controlling person. Continue reading How To Deal With Controlling People

5 Ways to Combat Burnout

By Tiffany Dyba
August 28, 2019August 27, 2019

Have you ever felt incredibly fatigued? Maybe you notice you are getting a lot of migraines as of late? You are finding it difficult to concentrate, and are irritable and unhappy. You could be suffering from burnout: chronic workplace stress that you’re not successfully managing.

Burnout is not considered a psychological disorder, however that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated with sensitivity and care. Continue reading 5 Ways to Combat Burnout

A Guide to Surviving the Workplace Crush

By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
June 17, 2019June 13, 2019

coworkers hanging out at the office laughing

The only time I was actually excited to go to my old job was when I knew my work crush was going to be there. It was a retail job at a shoe store —not a typical 9-5 — so I didn’t see him everyday. But when we did work the same shifts…oh boy.

My mood was totally different on those days. I was excited to go to work and even happy to be at the store. I had a pep (or, um, maybe a sexy strut?) in my step. There was something to think about other than how boring and miserable work was. Finally, I had a reason to go to work. Continue reading A Guide to Surviving the Workplace Crush

5 Signs You Need to Handle Stress Differently

By Dr. Samantha Rodman, Clinical Psychologist
June 4, 2019

woman with head against window with arms stretched behind her

Stress is an overarching theme in most of our lives. Though we’re all busy, everyone finds time to talk about being stressed, unable to meet the competing demands of work and family, not to mention friends, hobbies, and self-care.

This is a difficult way to live — and whether or not our culture requires such stressful excess — maintaining a breakneck pace can sabotage your ability to enjoy your day-to-day existence. Everyone handles stress differently, but some people are less able to adapt to it than others.

Continue reading 5 Signs You Need to Handle Stress Differently

How to Manage Work While Coping With PTSD

By Jen Mediano, Contributor
April 30, 2019April 29, 2019

When I got to work that morning, I had to stand to keep myself calm. I couldn’t sit down. I couldn’t concentrate. My vision was blurred. A coworker peeked her head into my cubicle to say good morning and I almost jumped out of my skin. I texted my husband to tell him what was going on. He texted back to say that he’d made an appointment with my primary care doctor and he was leaving work to take me there.

In the doctor’s office, I started off calmly describing these symptoms, but when she had me describe the car crash I’d been in a few weeks before, I unexpectedly burst into tears. I hadn’t been sleeping and when I did, I’d dream about my teeth flying out of my mouth from the force of the crash. I took crazy routes to avoid the exit where crash had happened, but I’d downplay the crash to anyone who’d asked. Everyone told me they’d been in worse accidents. What was wrong with me? Continue reading How to Manage Work While Coping With PTSD

How to Actually Communicate

By Tamara Stevens, Clinical Psychologist
March 13, 2019March 12, 2019

As much as we talk, sometimes we’re pretty bad at actually communicating. As social beings, though, our well-being depends upon effective communication. In fact, studies show good communication not only helps us meet our basic needs for food and shelter, but it’s key to establishing trusting relationships and achieving higher personal goals such as self-fulfillment.

Communication may be a vital part of our day-to-day interactions, but that doesn’t mean we automatically know how to do it effectively. In fact, in my practice, I find one of the biggest sources of relationship distress centers on communication. So how should you actually communicate? Continue reading How to *Actually* Communicate

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