Category Archives: Mental Health

Nearly 350 million adults around the world suffer from the mood disorder known as major depression. About 16 million adults in America, or 6.9 percent of the population, are said to have had at least one major depressive episode as of 2012. A new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ...click here to read more

The holidays are a time to get together with loved ones, share a few meals and embrace togetherness. But standing in mall line-ups, spending all day in the kitchen cooking, and trying to ensure you have the most perfect holiday season ever can turn you into a festive ball of stress! In theory, the holidays ...click here to read more

Suffering from depression is more serious than being sad from time to time. Depressed patients can suffer from issues with sleep, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and even have suicidal thoughts. For the most part, major depression has been commonly treated using a single type of medication known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ...click here to read more

How is your mood? Would you say you’re feeling happy? Or are you sad, angry or even indifferent? The events currently going on in your life can have a large impact on your mood. If you just received good news you’ll probably be feeling happy or excited. If you just experienced a loss you may ...click here to read more

If you have ever suffered from a stroke, you are most likely on a regimen of medication aimed to reduce the chances of it happening again in the future. One of the types of medications used, known as blood-thinning drugs, has been found in a recent study not only to reduce the risk of stroke, ...click here to read more

The false illusion is that as we age, we must feel tired and become weaker—this is not necessarily true. Sure, we may slow down as we get older, but feeling tired and weak doesn’t have to be a part of aging. In fact, these symptoms may actually mean something more serious, especially if they are ...click here to read more

We would all like to increase our brain power, but many brain training exercises available today aren’t really beneficial. However, new research at Johns Hopkins University suggests that while brain training may not necessarily make you smarter, it is possible to train the brain with targeted workouts. While overall intelligence may not be improved, the ...click here to read more

Drug use has always faced the stigma of being associated with crime and abuse, often leading users down a spiral of criminal behavior and self-destruction. However, new research suggests that the opposite may be true for a particular group of recreational drugs. Psychedelic drugs such as magic mushrooms (psilocybin), LSD, and peyote (mescaline) have been ...click here to read more

Those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have constant unwanted and disturbing thoughts, images, or urges that intrude their minds, causing them a great deal of anxiety and discomfort. These are often ritualistic compulsions, taking the form of checking the stove multiple times or washing their hands repeatedly. Some may even have difficulty throwing things away. ...click here to read more

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and it is a time for raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and supporting mental health efforts. We at Bel Marra believe that mental health is an important issue that doesn’t get much recognition, so we have taken the time to compile a list of ...click here to read more

Agitated depression is a common mental illness among the elderly and is often described as a state of both depressive symptoms and mania. People who suffer from agitated depression are often irritable, have insomnia, panic attacks, or have suicidal thoughts. Unlike other depressive conditions, agitated depression can be rather severe and debilitating. The best agitated ...click here to read more

Getting regular exercise helps to maintain weight, strengthen bones, and even reduces your risk of some cancers. While most people want to get out and do some physical activity, allocating the time for it is the challenge. Physical health may not be the only benefit of getting regular exercise. A new landmark study has revealed ...click here to read more

Do you suffer from a leaky bladder? Are you constantly looking for the nearest bathroom? Do you become anxious at the thought of leaving your house in fear of an accident? If this sounds like you, rest assured that you’re not alone. There are many people who share these fears, anxieties, and stresses. Although bladder ...click here to read more

National Depression Screening Day is held during the Mental Illness Awareness Week every October. It is a time to promote mental health education and to connect with support services if you find yourself in need. To do our part, we here at Bel Marra want to make our readers aware of the impact that mental ...click here to read more