The After period of FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers) presents its own unique set of challenges. The anxiety and depression that sneaked in AFTER my breast cancer treatment was a real shocker. Once I was done with treatment, I thought I was done. However, yet again, FBC laughed right in my face! The fantastic organization, Living Beyond Breast Cancer recently addressed anxiety and depression issues in a webinar (have you ever done a webinar? They are so great!) with psychiatrist Ruth H. Steinman. Dr. Steinman assured us that although conflicting emotions can be confusing to you and those around you, anxiety and depression after breast cancer is absolutely normal…

  By Susan Antilla updated 9:49 AM EDT, Tue May 27, 2014 STORY HIGHLIGHTS Two high school students tried to tell stories about teen mental illnesses   Susan Antilla: Schools need to have open conversations about mental health She says kids suffering from mental illness crave information that can help them Antilla: A town in Connecticut has seen good results when it fosters discussion Editor's note: Susan Antilla is an award-winning financial writer and author of "Tales From the Boom-Boom Room: The Landmark Legal Battles That Exposed Wall Street's Shocking Culture of Sexual Harassment." Follow her on Twitter @antillaview. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the…

      If you've been wondering whether or not you should get a pet, here's a pretty good reason to: A new study reveals that young adults who have a strong connection with a pet also experience social and relationship benefits.         Posted: 02/03/2014 8:51 am EST "Our findings suggest that it may not be whether an animal is present in an individual's life that is most significant but rather the quality of that relationship," said the paper's author, Megan Mueller, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and research assistant professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, in a statement. “The young adults in…

    By Barbara Bronson Gray HealthDay Reporter Copyright © 2014 HealthDay.    THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Feeling a little fat after the holidays? Beware. Reading a news story that seems to devalue people who are overweight might make you more likely to reach for snacks to soothe your anxiety.      Media stories that focus on topics such as the financial impact of obesity on society or the importance of better self-control for weight loss could spur weight gain among women, a small new study of college students contends.   When women who considered themselves overweight read news articles that appeared to put down overweight people, they…

    The holiday season is a festive time to celebrate, enjoy family and be thankful for those things in life that we sometimes take for granted.   Written by  Tom Watkins Filed Under Opinion Columnists     But along with this joyous time comes two major issues that affect so many people — stress and depression. We tend to put so much responsibility on ourselves during this time of year with holiday parties, buying gifts, cooking, cleaning, entertaining family, decorations, not to mention the everyday tasks of work and family life. So, when do we have time to take a mental break? The answer is … we don’t. The…

        The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and if the past is prologue, then many Americans' stress levels will soar during the next couple of months. Who wouldn't want less stress during the holidays? Below are some tips and insights to keep stress down. Research tells us that about half of consumers will experience increased stress related to holiday shopping. But the cause isn't that consumers hate to shop for gifts. Rather, it's shaky personal finances. The state of consumers' finances is a big issue. The National Financial Capability Study found that roughly 60% of consumers report that, month after month, they find it…

Sunday, Sept. 22 marks the official start of Fall, meaning it's once again time to trade in swimsuits for cozy sweaters and iced teas for Pumpkin Spice Lattes. But instead of mourning the end of carefree summer days, triggering a case of the September blues, try taking some of the health- and happiness-boosting summer habits with you into Autumn. We tend to think of the summer season as a time to take a break from the stressors of work and everyday life, enjoying opportunities to rejuvenate with leisure activities and time outside. But there's no reason that all needs to end when Fall rolls around. You don't have to lose…

  Back-to-school jitters are normal, but it's important parents know when a child's anxiety is something more serious. By Dr. Sanjay Gupta   When School Makes Kids Anxious  Heading back to school can be stressful for children, especially younger ones separated from their parents for the first time and kids changing grades or schools. Periods of stress are normal, but research shows that children with excessive anxiety may miss out on valuable social experiences or perform poorly in the classroom. Parents need to know the difference between back-to-school jitters and more serious anxiety disorders. “School-based anxiety can go under the radar for parents because the child isn’t causing any problems…