Education & Insight
Helping You Understand Mental Health Conditions
At The Healing Porch, we believe that understanding is the first step toward healing. Whether you're supporting a loved one or navigating your own mental wellness journey, we're here to provide simple, compassionate, and informative overviews of some of the most commonly treated mental health conditions.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
MDD is more than just feeling sad—it's a medical condition that affects mood, thinking, sleep, and daily functioning. Symptoms may include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and changes in appetite or sleep. With the right treatment, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle support, many people experience significant relief.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD involves excessive worry that is difficult to control and impacts daily life. People may feel restless, fatigued, tense, or have difficulty concentrating. It's not just "being a worrier"—it's a chronic condition that responds well to therapy, medication, and stress management techniques.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD affects focus, organization, and impulse control. While it's often diagnosed in childhood, it can persist into adulthood. Common signs include forgetfulness, distractibility, and restlessness. Treatment may include behavioral strategies, coaching, and sometimes medication.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves shifts between depressive lows and manic or hypomanic highs. These mood changes are more extreme than everyday ups and downs and can affect relationships, work, and safety. Treatment typically includes mood stabilizers, therapy, and ongoing support.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as abuse, assault, combat, accidents, or natural disasters. It may cause flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, irritability, and avoidance of reminders.