Let's be real - going home for the holidays can be a mixed bag. Sure, there's the comfort of familiar faces and maybe some phenomenal home cooking. But for many of us, it also means stepping into a minefield of family dynamics, differing values, and this year, the added spice of rising political tensions. Fun times, right? … Hear us loudly when we say: Your feelings are valid, whatever they may be.

At the heart of our social media habits is the powerful neurotransmitter called dopamine. Often misunderstood as simply a "pleasure chemical," dopamine actually plays a crucial role in motivation, learning, and reward-seeking behavior. This connection between dopamine and social media use is a key factor in understanding dopamine addiction in the digital age.

"'You're in pain when trying to have an intimate evening with your husband? Have you tried drinking more wine?'

This is a real quote from a real medical provider to one of our clients experiencing a chronic illness of the pelvis.

Besides the obvious concerns that there are medical providers who may suggest imbibing alcohol as a substitute for digging more into a potentially complicated diagnosis, highlighting medical gaslighting is extremely important when talking about the effects it can have on mental health.