Category Archives: Mental Health

Cannabis use is touted as being a great stress reliever, yet stories of extreme paranoia and anxiety often accompany its use. Medical marijuana has been legal in some states for awhile now. Its use has primarily been regulated for the treatment of pain, providing much relief to patients suffering from the symptom. Many who use ...click here to read more

Listening to music has long been known to have an emotional effect on the listener. It can put us in a great mood, or it can make us feel depressed and isolated. Without a doubt, music holds a great power over us, and new research suggests that playing music can help older adults retain their ...click here to read more

June is National PTSD Awareness month. More specifically, June 27th is PTSD awareness day. This is a condition stemming from a tragedy that leaves an impact on a person’s life. About 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women are expected to experience a traumatic event at least once in their lifetime. So, to ...click here to read more

Diverticulitis is a condition that results from the inflammation of diverticula—pouch-like bulges that are found in the lower part of the large intestine. Diverticula in themselves are not harmful and are actually commonly found in adults over the age of 40, but when these pouches become infected, it can lead to the diagnosis of diverticulitis. ...click here to read more

Living through a natural disaster can be a harrowing experience. Earthquakes, tornados, and floods can destroy homes, separate families, and can even be fatal. Surviving a natural disaster can leave a lasting impression as well. Researchers at Binghamton University have been studying disaster-related stress and the risk of depression. They believe that the presence of ...click here to read more

Occasionally, rational people display symptoms of paranoia, delusional thoughts, and believe they hear voices, but these instances are generally one-offs and can be explained sensibly after the episode has passed. This isn’t the case for those who suffer from severe mental illness (SMI), as it encompasses a wide range of chronic mental health conditions that ...click here to read more

Sadness is something we all experience from time to time. It could be due to more acute circumstances, like a recent breakup, or even have a slow burn effect, slowly chipping away at your well-being. If left to propagate, this sadness may turn into its more clinical form called depression, leading to symptoms that may ...click here to read more

Depression can take a huge toll on a person’s life. It differs from occasional sadness as it is persistent, preventing you from experiencing enjoyment at all times. Chronic cases of depression can even manifest as physical symptoms such as frequent back pain or constant headaches. While anti-depressive medication can be an effective treatment, there are ...click here to read more

Watching your children grow up and leave the house to start their own lives and have children of their own is an exceptionally rewarding time. To see them change from being children to adults not only means that you’ve succeeded as a parent, but unfortunately, it means that they will become busy with their own ...click here to read more

There comes a time when we all think about retirement. We often dream about spending the rest of our days in luxury, perhaps in a warm climate country, leisurely strolling down the beach. Retirement is supposed to be a time free of stress. But sadly, according to a recently published paper, this fantasy only ever ...click here to read more

Talking to yourself and speaking incoherently to an invisible entity is seen as extremely odd and is the definition of crazy in most people’s eyes. But these are symptoms of a severe mental disorder called schizophrenia, which involves a range of problems with thinking, behavior, and emotion. Schizophrenia affects nearly 24 million people worldwide and ...click here to read more

May is mental health month and a time for all people to recognize the effect that mental illness can have. We at Bel Marra think it is important to educate people about the various conditions that may lead to an impacted mental well-being. We have taken the time to provide all who are interested with ...click here to read more

We all get tired from time to time, whether it’s after a long day’s work or taking care of some rambunctious children all day—our physical and mental state often feel completely drained to a point where we look forward to shutting our eyes for a few moments to recoup some of that lost energy. This ...click here to read more

Mental exhaustion is a common occurrence and is a result of brain over-activity. Feelings of being overwhelmed by tasks at work or responsibilities to children and family members can leave you with feelings of frustration and mental unrest. You may also find yourself becoming envious of others you perceive as being more relaxed or laid ...click here to read more