When a loved one has a mood disorder like major depression, it can be hard to know how to love and support them. The condition—and its causes, symptoms, and effects—can be hard to understand. Sometimes mental health and life challenges can be difficult to navigate. Sometimes they can be overwhelming. As a licensed ... Read More
Kristina Robb-Dover
Kristina Robb-Dover
Kristina Robb-Dover is an Atlanta-based writer, editor, and author of two books with publishing houses. She has degrees from Yale College and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Job Hurting Your Mental Health? How to Tell Your Boss
The “Great Resignation” isn’t over. The mass exodus from work that began during the pandemic appears to be continuing. One in five workers are planning to leave the global workforce in 2022, according to the World Economic Forum, citing a survey of more than 52,000 workers in 44 countries. Why are so many people ... Read More
What It’s Like to Experience Bipolar Episodes
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that's characterized by extreme mood swings. These mood swings include periods of deep depression and manic, high-energy periods. People with this condition also experience periods between these two extremes when they feel quite "normal," but various factors can ... Read More
Should I Get an Emotional Support Animal?
From miniature pigs to ducks to marmosets, emotional support animals have become an accepted part of human society in the 21st century. Just a few decades ago, the term "emotional support animal" did not exist. Instead, it was common to see disabled individuals relying on assistant dogs (usually Labrador retrievers) to ... Read More
Chronic vs. Acute Night Terrors: Are They Treatable?
Waking up to a partner or child screaming and finding them thrashing under the covers can be very alarming. It's upsetting to see a loved one in distress, especially when there doesn't appear to be a clear cause or simple solution. While these episodes are rarely troubling to the person experiencing them firsthand, ... Read More
Sleepwalking, Nightmares, and Night Terrors— The Mental Health Connection
Sleep disorders involving night terrors, nightmares, and sleepwalking are clinically referred to as "parasomnias." A parasomnia interferes with non-REM and REM sleep by causing a person to awaken themselves with sometimes vigorous physical actions or verbal outbursts. While parasomnias are common, especially among ... Read More
What It’s Like to Battle Suicidal Impulses
It can be extremely difficult to understand and navigate a loved one's suicidal impulses. Family members often wonder why their loved one can't see how much they have to live for or why words of encouragement and hope don't seem to get through to them. Of course, any person struggling with suicidal thoughts needs ... Read More
A Reading List for Family Members Facing Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a life-changing condition that affects millions of people in this country—and not just those who have the illness but their friends, family, and loved ones. Loving or living with someone with bipolar disorder can feel at times like a roller coaster. The ups and downs and sudden drops and climbs can ... Read More
