(866) 588-2795 | contact@drteresalsmith.com

Dr. Teresa Smith

My WordPress Blog

by Leave a Comment

Is Happiness Really a Choice?

You might have heard that happiness is a choice and wondered if that’s actually true. Unfortunately, for some individuals, mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder make it difficult for them to feel happy. There can also be several factors outside someone’s control—such as their age, physical health, or geographic location—that could make it harder for them to achieve happiness. With that said, many people can take affirmative steps to cultivate happiness over time.

How to Find Happiness in Your Life

If you’re looking for ways to feel happier in your day-to-day life, you may want to:

  • Focus on positives rather than on negatives.
  • Think about all the people and things that you’re grateful for.
  • Smile more often (studies have shown that the physical act of smiling can release hormones that increase happiness and reduce stress).
  • Implement a morning routine that incorporates stretching, meditating, journaling, and eating a healthy breakfast.
  • Increase your activity level (be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen).
  • Sleep more (most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night).
  • Connect with friends and family members, either in person or over the phone.
  • Spend more time in nature.
  • Volunteer at an organization that’s meaningful to you.

Start Living a Happier Life

If you struggle with depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition or you simply want to be a happier person, one of the best things you can do is reach out to an experienced therapist. Luckily, you can get the help you need from the caring team at our practice. We understand how difficult it can sometimes be to achieve happiness, but we’ll supply you with personalized tips and tools that can help you start experiencing a better quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a therapy session at a date and time that fits into your schedule.

by Leave a Comment

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Causes & Symptoms

Do you tend to start feeling unhappy around the same time each year? If so, you might have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that the American Psychiatric Association estimates affects about 5% of U.S. adults. Below, we explore what causes SAD and describe the symptoms that it often produces.

What Causes SAD?

Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes seasonal affective disorder. However, studies suggest that SAD may be connected to circadian rhythms, melatonin levels, and serotonin levels, all of which can be affected by the changing seasons.

What Are the Symptoms of SAD?

As its name suggests, seasonal affective disorder is related to the change in seasons, beginning and ending around the same time each year. Most people with this condition tend to feel depressed in fall and winter, but some grow depressed in spring and summer. When SAD occurs, it can make someone:

  • Feel agitated, anxious, guilty, hopeless, irritable, listless, sad, sluggish, tired, or worthless
  • Lose interest in their favorite activities
  • Find it difficult to focus
  • Sleep more or less than usual
  • Lose their appetite or overeat (particularly carbohydrates), leading to weight loss or gain

In some especially severe cases, individuals with SAD may experience suicidal thoughts.

Do You Have SAD?

If you’re experiencing the seasonal affective disorder symptoms listed above, you could benefit from speaking to a therapist with experience treating this condition. Our team has worked with numerous patients living with SAD, and we’ll be glad to meet with you and discuss the issues you’ve been experiencing. And if we determine that you do have SAD, we’ll recommend a customized course of treatment. Contact us today to schedule your first therapy session.

by Leave a Comment

What Causes Shopping Addiction?

Is shopping always on your mind, whether you’re thinking about items you plan to buy or feeling guilty about previous purchases? Do you often feel a sense of euphoria after buying something, causing you to turn to shopping whenever you feel sad or stressed? Has shopping caused you to rack up credit card debt, or do you feel compelled to hide unnecessary purchases from your loved ones?

If any of this sounds familiar, you may have oniomania (commonly referred to as shopping addiction). As with other types of addiction—including drug and alcohol addiction—shopping addiction can result from surges of neurotransmitters. When someone shops, their brain releases dopamine and endorphins, and the feelings produced by these neurotransmitters can gradually become addictive.

You may have an increased risk of developing shopping addiction if you:

  • Have low self-esteem
  • Are anxious or depressed
  • Feel lonely or isolated
  • Are materialistic
  • Feel like you don’t have control over other aspects of your life

Are You Addicted to Shopping?

If you think you might have a shopping addiction, it’s important that you consult with a therapist who has experience treating this issue. Luckily, you can get the help you need at our practice. We understand the effect that shopping addiction can have on a person’s life, and we’ll develop a course of treatment that’s tailored to your personal circumstances. Contact us today and let us know that you’d like to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to meeting with you.

by Leave a Comment

3 Things You Never Knew About Meditation

You’ve probably heard of meditation, a practice that focuses on clearing your mind to improve your overall well-being. But how familiar are you with it? Here are three things you never knew about meditation.

1. Meditation Has Been Around for Thousands of Years

While meditation has grown increasingly popular in the United States over the past few decades, it has a much longer history. In fact, according to an article published by Psychology Today, wall art from the Indus Valley indicates that meditation may have been used as early as 5,000 B.C.E.

2. Meditation Can Have Long-Term Effects

It’s common for people to turn to meditation when they’re already feeling stressed. But studies suggest that meditation doesn’t just relieve stress in the moment—consistently practicing meditation over a long period of time can reduce the inflammatory response to psychological stressors, making someone less reactive to stress and better able to recover from it.

3. Therapists Can Help With Meditation

Many people think of meditation as being something that you do on your own, but therapists often use meditation to treat patients who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep problems, anger management, and various other issues. An experienced therapist can guide patients through meditation sessions and offer advice for how to practice mindfulness at home.

Fortunately, residents of this area won’t need to look far for professional help with meditation. Our therapists regularly incorporate meditation into their practice, and they can recommend the approach that’s most appropriate for your needs. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.

Client Portal

Click Here To Login

Connect with me

Contact Information

(866) 588-2795
contact@drteresalsmith.com