It's important to remember that you are not alone in this journey. There are many resources available to help you cope with anxiety and stress during pregnancy. Consider reaching out to a psychiatric nurse practitioner or therapist. They can provide you with coping strategies and support throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

The holidays are not merry and bright for everyone. Especially for those who have lost loved ones, are alone or recently experienced a break up. Those with dysfunctional family dynamics can also face the holiday season with dread and sadness. If you can relate, don’t despair. You can still find ways to make it through the season and even enjoy yourself.

There was once a time – no matter how long ago it may seem – that you were joyful. Dedicated. Healthy. Whole.

Now, you’re feeling down. You find yourself lacking the motivation to go about your day or carry out the simplest tasks.

You’ve lost interest in activities that once brought you happiness, finding yourself crying constantly.

You’re refusing to leave your house, or even get out of bed, neglecting your personal hygiene or self-care. You may even be experiencing sleep disturbances (poor sleep or sleeping too much) and/or appetite changes (poor appetite or overeating).

You’re feeling as though your world is crumbling and you have no control of your emotions.

All of this can, and has been, described by many as the loneliest sadness and emptiness imaginable.

That’s depression.

It’s easy to feel as though anxiety always wins; and that agitation, irritation and frustration are the only guarantees in life. In some ways, this mindset makes sense; after all, we’re all biologically wired to see and focus on what’s negative – what hurts, what stings, what worries – so that we’re protected, long-term, from being hurt again. It’s negativity bias, and it’s a survival tactic that’s kept us alive for as long as we’ve existed.

Guilt and confusion deepened as I knew these thoughts were irrational. Yet they persisted, despite my overwhelming desire to protect and love my daughter. As these thoughts clouded over me, I also began questioning my sanity. I asked myself where these thoughts could be coming from? How could I, a loving mother who wanted nothing more than to care for and protect my baby, have a brain that was generating these dark thoughts?

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I have dedicated most of my professional life supporting others through emotional struggles. Like many, I have experienced major tragedies. I wanted to take a moment to share the lessons that have helped me navigate my own grief. My hope is that this blog post may resonate with others who are experiencing their own journeys of loss.

Have you ever felt like the term "patient parenting" is an oxymoron? We can all agree that parenting is a tough, 24/7 job that requires patience, understanding, and a whole lot of love. But when your little ones are throwing tantrums, refusing to eat, or just generally pushing your buttons, staying patient can feel like an impossible feat.

As we have a wealth of information readily available through an easy search, it’s often tempting to self-diagnose any issues we may have. While I somewhat agree with professional colleagues who discourage investigating your symptoms through a Google search, if it gets you in for a proper assessment, then I celebrate it.

Working parents often experience a rollercoaster of emotions as they navigate balancing a career with family responsibilities.

Moms are literal super heroes when it comes to multitasking but doing it all can be overwhelming and cause burnout.