Mental health: motivation & psychological advices

“Your answers lie inside you. The answers to life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.” — Dr. Cherie Carter Scott Have you ever felt lost in a sea of shoulds and could haves? Drowning in a cacophony of external advice, unsure of the path that truly resonates […]

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I’d been with Chris for 11 years since we were 18. He’d always been the class clown and a bit of joker, but it all changed when Covid hit. Our son Ted was born in January 2020 and the lockdown started a couple of months later.

Your thoughts can carry you forward. But weak thoughts don’t have the strength to carry you far.Attaching to the wrong thoughts and acting on them is one of the most common barriers to living a relatively happy and productive life.

Women with ADHD suffer from serious comorbid conditions with more frequency and severity than do men with ADHD or the neurotypical population. A staggering 93% percent of women with ADHD report at least one related diagnosis, according to a 2023 ADDitude survey.

The most effective parenting style balances warmth and clear limits. Experts call it “authoritative parenting,” and it has been found to be positive for a child's overall development.Parents raising neurodivergent children — kids with ADHD, autism, learning disorders, and other conditions — generally benefit when they apply a wider range of these strategies more frequently and over a longer period of time.

Deciding to further your education or career prospects by moving abroad is a life changing decision. Whether you’re contemplating studying overseas to enhance your academic portfolio or considering migration for broader educational and work opportunities, it’s crucial to understand the different pathways and legal frameworks that govern these choices. A good starting point is to […]

During a phenomenal workshop recently, I was witness to the power of that connection and the energy that gets unleashed when the inner child is finally seen and heard.  That child is the powerhouse that has been keeping you going for decades, pulling on to keep herself or himself safe from the trauma and wounded […]

Divorce, while often necessary, can leave deep emotional scars, impacting one’s sense of self worth and well being. The process of rebuilding and healing is not just about legal separations or custody arrangements facilitated by divorce lawyers, but also about addressing the internal turmoil and rediscovering one’s value. In this journey, life coaching strategies play […]

Navigating the complexities of parenting post divorce can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right mindset and strategies, it is possible to create a positive environment for your children and maintain a healthy relationship with your ex partner. Seeking professional advice is often a wise first step. For those based in the East […]

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A small study suggests that menstruating people with ADHD may achieve more effective and consistent symptom control by increasing the dosage of their prescribed stimulant medication in the luteal phase, when estrogen levels hit their lowest point.There is a dearth of research examining the changes in ADHD symptoms and medication efficacy during all phases of the menstrual cycle, and during other times of hormonal change.However, one 2023 study published in Front Psychiatry found that increasing a patient’s dosage of stimulant medication during the week prior to menstruation can significantly improve cognitive and emotional symptoms of ADHD during this notoriously difficult phase in the menstrual cycle.1 The study was the first of its kind to examine the impact of adjusting stimulant medication dosages during the menstrual cycle for women with ADHD and co-occurring depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – a severe form of PMS.Prior to the study, these women experienced “diminished response to amphetamines in the late luteal phase” and an “exacerbation of their ADHD and depressive symptoms in the premenstrual week” that was not helped by their regular ADHD medication. This experience was echoed in ADDitude’s 2023 survey of nearly 2,000 women with ADHD, two-thirds of whom said they experienced intense symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or PMDD, beginning, on average, at age 14 and lasting for up to 40 years.

The following is a personal essay reflecting the opinions of the authors.May 5, 2024Every ADHD expert that we know believes that girls and women with ADHD are underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed.In 1994, a meeting of ADHD experts was convened at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to make recommendations about ways to better meet the needs of girls. This committee strongly recommended the creation of diagnostic criteria designed to better identify girls with ADHD.

Not available May 28? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Many boys with ADHD struggle to cultivate and sustain in-person friendships.

It’s a new week, and that can bring with it a sense of excitement and possibility or a sense of dread about your overwhelming responsibilities. Sometimes for me it’s both.

A good morning, and thus a good day, aren’t just experiences that magically happen — they are created consciously.Most of us are distracted from the get-go every morning. Trivial activities like checking social media, watching TV, and worrying about things we can’t control often set the tone of the day.

Rugs are not just floor covers. They’re pieces of art that preserve memories and reflect people’s personalities. But as delicate, valuable pieces, they require mindful care and attention.

Divorce can be a challenging and emotionally turbulent experience for any family, but it can be particularly complex when children with special needs are involved. Parents facing divorce must navigate not only the emotional and logistical challenges of separating their lives but also the unique financial considerations and caregiving responsibilities associated with raising a child with special needs.

I’ve put together something special for you: my Top 32 Procrastination Quotes.Did you know that Procrastination is not about you being Lazy? There’s something much deeper going on in your subconscious. I create. a quick 3 min quiz you can take to discover which of the 6 procrastination types you are, you can take the quiz here: DoQuiz.comThese procrastination quotes aren’t just your everyday quotes; they’re power-packed nuggets of wisdom to kick procrastination to the curb and get you moving.Drawing from my years of coaching and diving deep into what makes us tick (or what stops us in our tracks), I’ve crafted these quotes to light a fire under you.

Asking the right questions is often the answer.In a recent email newsletter I wrote, “Calm your mind today. Don’t just think outside the box; think like there is no box.”And to my surprise, 97 people quoted that line and responded with the same general question: “How?”I’ve spent the morning thinking about how to answer their collective question in the most universal way possible, and I’ve decided that the simplest explanation I can give is this: Ask yourself better questions — questions that focus your thoughts and filter out the excess noise that’s been cluttering your mind.The calming and healing power of a positive imagination is unleashed by constraining your focus.

What habits can truly transform your life? That’s what you’re here to uncover. In our no-nonsense guide, we’ll introduce you to 15 habits to change your life, each with the power to improve your day-to-day existence.

“What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need, what you make of them is up to you. The choice is yours.” — Dr. Cherie Carter Scott Do you ever feel like life is happening to you, rather than you actively creating it? Perhaps you […]

As we get older, we tend to get clearer on what matters most to us in life. For me, it’s self-care and relationships. If you share my top values, you’re in luck, because today’s special offer honors both of those things!

And if you want even more inspiration for the rest of the week then check out this post with Wednesday blessings and also this one with Thursday blessings.“Tuesday morning blessings to you, my friend! Have a wonderful day.”“To make this a lovely Tuesday, think about what you can do to make it a sweet Tuesday for someone in your life.”“An attitude of gratitude is an easy way to make this a fabulous Tuesday.”“You are the light of my life, my Tuesday blessings and every day of the week blessings.”“Good morning, Tuesday blessings to all the people I love and to you especially.”“Tuesday morning can be a tough one. I recommend some upbeat and motivating conversations over breakfast or getting those things from a podcast on your way to work to energize yourself.”“Have a great morning, friends! I wish you all a successful and love-filled day full of God’s grace and abundant blessings.”Dave Ellis“Happy Tuesday! We are responsible for peace and order in our lives! When your world is constantly filled with chaos, then it’s time to take a look at yourself!”Tracey Edmonds“Good morning on this blessed Tuesday! My promise to myself today is to not stress out about the little things.”“You can influence your own little world around you quite a bit.

Do you impulsively unload private details to new acquaintances? Do you feel an inexplicable urge to break awkward silences or build connections by divulging intimate, sometimes inappropriate, information about yourself? Do you find it difficult to stop oversharing, even when you know that you’re making others uncomfortable?Neurodivergent minds like ours are prone to oversharing because we love to immediately zing with people. We enjoy giving, sharing, and feeling like someone is our best friend after five minutes of meeting them.

A quarter of adults in the U.S. right now are feeling the “sandwich generation” squeeze as they perform the tireless and often thankless feat of simultaneously caring for their aging parents and raising their growing children.

Play is the unsung hero of stress management and wellbeing. Intentional and regular practice of playfulness is vital for busy ADHD brains that field many competing interests at a time – from careers and families to household obligations, symptom management, and more. Play, unfortunately, is often pushed to the bottom of the priority list.Play – engaging in a fun, amusing, entertaining, activity for the joy of it – is an effective way to boost the feel-good hormone dopamine that so many ADHD brains crave.

If you grew up in the ‘90s like me, you undoubtedly watched sitcoms featuring the Dumb Dad. From Homer Simpson and Ray Romano to Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, the Dumb Dad trope was as much a part of our generation as were chunky heels and butterfly clips.On the flip side, mothers were portrayed as multitasking heroes who kept their families and homes from falling apart. Sure, these are stereotypes, but they’re mostly grounded in real-life expectations.

May 2, 2024The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a proposal to reclassify marijuana from the most tightly regulated Schedule I category to the less stringent Schedule III group of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Facing an investigation by Child Protective Services (CPS) can be a distressing and overwhelming experience for any parent or caregiver.

My pregnancy and birth were very traumatic for me, which triggered postnatal depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I was diagnosed when Jasper was 14 months old. I wish I’d asked for help sooner, but I didn’t want anyone to know I was ill.

“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” — Bruce LeeThe biggest and most draining disappointments in our daily lives are often the result of misplaced expectations. This is especially true when it comes to our relationships and interactions with others. So don’t lower your standards, but do remember that removing your expectations of others is the best way to avoid being utterly disappointed and drained by them.Which means it’s time to…You deserve to find joy in your own way.

“Every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, ‘This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!’ And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart, and say, ‘No. This is what’s important.’” ~Iain Thomas

Diesel engines are known for their durability, reliability, and impressive torque output. However, to truly maximize your diesel engine’s performance, you can implement several strategies and solutions. This article will explore various ways to optimize your diesel engine for peak efficiency and power.

When I was in my early teens, I was finding things tough. I found social situations difficult to manage, and started drinking. I was hospitalised at 15 for the first time through alcohol poisoning.

When you look at business leaders like Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Sir Richard Branson, and philosophers like Bertrand Russell, Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Bohm, C. S. Peirce and inventors like Nikola Tesla, Paolo Soleri, Harvey W.

Research tells us that women experience distinct and distinctly impairing symptoms of ADHD, which they are more likely to mask and hide due to shame.Though clinical and research bias has historically overemphasized young male presentations of ADHD, Patricia O. Quinn, M.D., and Manisha Madhoo, M.D., emphasize in a 2014 review that, “several characteristics are unique to the expression of ADHD in women and girls.”1 A review of 41 articles and studies led Quinn and Madhoo to conclude that women are more likely than men to have inattentive ADHD and…These findings were echoed in a 2021 report by Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D., director of the Berkeley Girls and ADHD Longitudinal Study (BGALS) — the only longitudinal study on females with ADHD conducted to date.2 That report concluded that “Females with ADHD experience, on average, serious impairments, with a particularly heightened risk for problems in close relationships and engagement in self-harm.” He notes that clinicians may overlook symptoms and impairments in females because of less overt — but nonetheless impairing — symptom manifestations that girls and women frequently mask. Several experts posit that gender norms and expectations may explain why girls and women with ADHD mask their symptoms.

Parenting has changed dramatically over the last century or so. It has evolved from raising obedient children — often using harsh, authoritarian techniques — to raising happy, well-adjusted, resilient kids whose emotional and cognitive development is a priority.

ADHD is a significant risk factor for the development of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and postpartum depression (PPD), both of which are debilitating and potentially life-threatening conditions that disproportionately impact women with ADHD.Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a more serious form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes clinically significant and impairing depression, anxiety, mood swings, and uncomfortable physical symptoms in the week leading up to the onset of a period. PMDD impacts about 2% of the general population of women (though actual prevalence rates may be higher)1, often requires medication (typically, hormonal birth control and antidepressants), and is associated with an elevated risk for suicidality and suicide attempts.Research on PMDD and ADHD is limited.

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause intensify ADHD symptoms, revealing a direct correlation between estrogen and dopamine levels.Estrogen is the hormone responsible for the sexual and reproductive development of girls and women. It also manages important neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, which is central to executive functioning; serotonin, which regulates mood; and acetylcholine, which aids memory.

It is indefensible how little is known about ADHD in women today. Research is nearly non-existent in the way ADHD symptoms change with the hormonal fluctuations of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and beyond.

Research tells us that girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed much later in life than are boys and men due to misunderstood symptom profiles in women 1, outdated gender stereotypes, strong coping mechanisms among women, poor clinician awareness, and a high prevalence of comorbidities. 234Studies on gender differences show that ADHD is consistently under-diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or undiagnosed in girls and women for the reasons above — and many more.

The wild hormonal swings of perimenopause and marked estrogen drop of menopause correlate to more severe and sometimes new symptoms of ADHD in women. As they enter perimenopause around age 47, women will begin to experience irregular, extreme, and worsening drops in total estrogen and progesterone levels.

For as long as I can remember, I've always felt different and didn’t really know why. I didn’t fit in with people and felt like an outcast.I have struggled with my mental health since 2007 when I was 14 years old, and I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act at 18 following an overdose.My experiences of mental health services have been largely negative, so the support I received from Mind has been a lifeline, creating a safe space for me to talk about my challenges and helping me to understand my symptoms.“When I accessed the Mind website, I could really relate to it. It made me understand who I am because I didn’t before.”I remember reaching out to Mind for the first time when I was struggling.

As a young person trying to learn about the mental health system, it was very confusing. Mental health is not taught in schools. Teachers should be talking about mental health to young children and teenagers in school, so they're not as confused."I would say talk to everyone – friends, family, a supportive teacher.

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ~Lao Tzu

“Others are only mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself. Each reflection is an opportunity for growth.” — Dr. Cherie Carter Scott Ever felt a surge of annoyance towards someone who seems to embody your least favorite traits? […]