About half of people living with a substance use disorder simultaneously struggle with another mental illness such as anxiety or depression. This is known as a dual diagnosis. Co-occurring mental health disorders can be driving factors behind addictive behavior, causing people to turn back to drugs or alcohol even after long periods of abstinence. Because…
An alcohol addiction is a progressive illness that can dramatically change a person’s life and the lives of those around them. Knowing how to support a loved one as they struggle with alcohol dependence is difficult, and it may seem like their drinking problem has taken over your relationship. Living with an alcoholic can be…
Despite a negative stigma, bipolar disorder is a widespread mental illness. In fact, over 5 million Americans are living with bipolar disorder. The signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder include intense periods of mania contrasted by depressive lows and, at times, simultaneous ups and downs that can be mentally debilitating without getting help for bipolar…
Detox, rehab, and traditional one-on-one counseling may all become pivotal pieces of the puzzle that a professional treatment facility will construct to encourage your long-term recovery journey. But there are other ways you can supplement your care, including art therapy, nutritional education, yoga therapy, and mindfulness. Another way to foster sobriety, healthy living, and a…
It is okay to grieve. After all, grief is the natural human response to experiencing pain and feeling the depth of sadness that often accompanies a loss. However, without adequate coping mechanisms in your toolbox, grief and addiction may come as an unwanted duo. There is no one timetable for how long your grief will…
Seasonal depression is not a myth. It is a legitimate and common form of depression that can be triggered by a change in seasons, usually at the start of fall. Additionally, you may suffer depression during the holidays caused by reliving childhood trauma and interacting with toxic individuals or being back in a triggering environment.…
If you live with anxiety and have spent any time at all searching for effective anxiety treatment, you have likely come across some of the many claims surrounding marijuana and anxiety. The fact is that plenty of people will tell you that marijuana is beneficial for anxiety. A survey of more than 9,000 Americans in…
Sadly, many people have suffered through traumatic events in their lives. Whether the trauma occurred over many years or was a single traumatic event, there is an all too common connection between trauma and addiction. The impact of trauma can cause severe psychological and physical reactions, and at times, the hurt is extreme enough to…
Emotional trauma is the end result of traumatic events, situations, and/or experiences that have left you feeling profoundly unsafe and, at times, completely helpless. This can be as a result of a single solitary event or from an ongoing series of negative experiences, such as abuse, bullying, humiliation, or discrimination. While some traumatic experiences may…
Your personality consists of the way you feel, think and behave. Upon reaching adulthood, most people have personality traits that are consistent from day to day, year to year. However, 9% of Americans, which is nearly 1 in 10 people, are affected by a personality disorder. Some could benefit from personality disorder treatment to address…
The World Federation for Mental Health was founded in 1948 to promote mental health awareness. It continues to be the only international multidisciplinary, grassroots advocacy and education organization concerned with all aspects of mental health. Together with the global community, they have come to recognize October 10th as World Mental Health Day. Since 1992, World…
With over 47,500 Americans dying by suicide in 2019, suicide ranks as the 10th leading cause of death in the country. As terrifying as that staggering figure is, it’s the 1.38 million suicide attempts in that same year that should be even more alarming and ringing the bell loudly for increased focus on suicide prevention.…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects about 8 million Americans every year. While many people deal with this disorder, still more people have been through some sort of trauma. Not everyone who experiences a trauma will have PTSD, but everyone can learn about it. The more information we have about its symptoms, potential triggers, and…
Many people struggle with an anxiety disorder, while many others misunderstand it. Anxiety’s debilitating effects can be underestimated, and those who have anxiety can feel isolated as a result. When individuals are dealing with anxiety, learning about the disorder, as well as how to treat it, can ease fears. While nobody is immune from feeling…
The symptoms of depression can present themselves in many ways, and family relationships are often adversely affected by the behaviors that depression can cause. While changes in a family member’s behavior might feel frightening, especially if they seem to be negative changes, it’s crucial to understand that family support can be life-changing for those experiencing…
There is more and more research showing that yoga can have real mental health benefits. For those struggling with anything from addiction, to depression, to bipolar, to schizoaffective disorders, yoga can provide relief from stress, tension, muscle pain, and strain, and it can calm and quiet the central nervous system to help hone and strengthen…
Dealing with the grief and devastation that comes with losing a loved one may seem overwhelming, and it may be difficult to imagine feeling happy or at peace again. Many people turn to unhealthy ways of coping with loss, such as isolating themselves, pretending that everything is fine, or turning to substance use to self-medicate.…
When dealing with overwhelming emotions or trauma, it can be easy to self-medicate in various ways to cope. Whether it is through substance use, emotional eating, or under-eating, these kinds of self-soothing mechanisms can have dangerous and even deadly effects if they are ignored and not carefully managed and treated. Because of perceived stigma and…
Living with depression isn’t easy, but it doesn’t always look the same for everyone. Depending on each person’s individual circumstances, depression can manifest itself in obvious ways or ways that are harder to spot. It may be that you or a loved one has been finding relationships, work, physical activities, or other aspects of life…
Dealing with loss, whether a loved one has passed away or you’re going through separation or divorce, can cause overwhelming feelings of grief. The symptoms of grief and its effects can impact one’s ability to maintain relationships, employment, and a positive sense of self. While it’s normal to experience intense emotions and heartbreak after suffering…