Is Taking Kava for Anxiety or Sleeplessness Worth the Potential Risk?

In case you’re not familiar with kava, it is made from the root of the kava plant (Piper methysticum). It has been used by Pacific Islanders for medicinal and ceremonial purposes for at least 3,000 years.

What Is Agoraphobia? How Can We Be Proactive?

Recently, Kim Basinger shared with the world her mental health condition – agoraphobia.

Top Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Puts a Needed and Timely Spotlight on Social Anxiety

The sports world was stunned recently when four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open for mental health reasons. Osaka revealed that she has battled depression and social anxiety, the latter of which was exacerbated by the media conferences and interviews that players are required to do when they compete in these types of tournaments. She said she felt “vulnerable and anxious” and that she decided for “self-care” to skip the post-match press conference. After being fined for doing so, and seeing the commotion this step caused, she decided to leave the tournament all together.

How Gisele Got Her Panic Attacks Under Control

She appeared to have it all: beauty, youth, the perfect body, fame, a-list celebrity boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio and a $25 million modeling contract with renowned lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret.

Show Me How to Live: 8 Minerals that Can Help You Cope with Depression

Iconic singer and frontman of the famous rock bands Audioslave and Soundgarden Chris Cornell died this past Thursday day from what appears to be a suicide. He was 52-years-old.

Where can vets turn when VA hospitals fail to provide psychiatric care?

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the U.S., serving 8.76 million veterans each year. But as we’ve seen over the last few years, the system is far from perfect, with its fair share of scandals such as long wait times and cover-ups.

9 life-saving resources anyone can use to take action now to feel better during Mental Illness Awareness Week

Did you know October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week? Tens of millions of Americans are affected by mental illness. This week is all about bringing more awareness to mental health issues and replacing stigma with hope. In fact, you can start being proactive by taking the #StigmaFree pledge at www.nami.org/stigmafree.

PTSD linked with mental decline and dementia among September 11 first responders

On Sept. 11, 2001, selfless rescuers and first responders rushed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. It was a day of terror in New York City, rattling the nation as many of us watched the scene unfold on TV. As rescue efforts continued amidst the rubble, stories of hope emerged, thanks to the efforts of first responders. Now, over a decade later, the aftermath still lingers in their minds -- and it’s affecting their health, according to a recent study.

A new option for reducing anxiety and depression - probiotics!

Anxiety disorders and depression are among the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., with anxiety affecting 18 percent of the adult population and depression affecting an estimated 1 in 10 U.S. adults. These conditions take a toll both now and in the future. In fact, some scientists have noticed anxiety and depression cause shorter telomeres in DNA -- a telltale sign of a shorter lifespan. So, what to do?

Get to the root cause of anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. It can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and disrupt important activities of daily living, and it may sometimes overlap with panic disorder and depression.

Perk up your mood and energy with light therapy

Light has always had a powerful effect over human life. You are probably well aware of the important role sunlight plays in bone and heart health, autoimmune diseases and cancer. But did you know that –besides sunlight, artificial light can also be used as a form of wellness therapy? It appears that artificial light affects brain chemicals linked to mood and dementia.