New Study Recommends Lower Drug Dosages and More Therapy for Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by delusions, loss of personality, and behavior that indicates an inaccurate perception of reality. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that schizophrenia affects 3.2 million people in the U.S. There is no known “cure,” but there are available treatments that can reduce symptoms and try help the […]
How Marijuana Use Affects Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder can be stressful and completely derail a normal routine. People with manic depressive disorder go through extreme ups and downs that make it hard to get through day to day tasks and maintain relationships or a stable job. Going through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout your life can cause people to […]
The Stigma Of Mental Illness And Addiction
Why understanding and eliminating stigma is so important. Stigma stands in the way of people getting the treatment they need to recover from addiction or live with a mental illness. It’s the lack of knowledge, fear of talking about their issues, and facing possible rejection or discrimination from others that all too often prevents people […]
Childhood Trauma and Vulnerabilities to Dual Diagnosis
When children experience traumatic events, it can affect them for the rest of their lives making it harder than usual to become emotionally well-adjusted and functional adults. It has long been known that childhood trauma can raise a child’s odds of developing depression or addiction or both. New studies have found specific changes in the […]
5 Practices to Help You Become Honest with Yourself
In the recovery process, few things are more important than the ability to assess yourself honestly. Knowing that you have a problem or need growth is the first step towards recovery, because you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. Other people may tell you you need to grow in a certain area, but […]
Can A Holistic Approach To Dual Diagnosis Treatment Really Work?
A dual diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction, coupled with a mental disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, will need a specialized approach when it comes to treatment and ensures long term recovery. Most treatment specialists will recommend medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers that can be very effective. But it’s a good […]
Patrick Kennedy Writes About His Struggles with Addiction and Mental Illness
As a former Congressman and part of a political legacy through his father Senator Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy found he had to live a double life by hiding a serious addiction for years that was fueled by bipolar disorder. It was only after he hit rock bottom that Kennedy had the courage to admit to […]
Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression dependent on changing seasons, that occurs in the fall and winter. The Washington Post suggests that 10 million people in the U.S. struggle with SAD. People with the condition may find that the colder temperatures and shorter days seem to zap their energy or lower […]
Narcissistic Personality Disorder And Anorexia
Narcissism is commonly associated with a variety of other disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. A person who is extremely preoccupied with their looks, body, and image will often exhibit many signs of narcissistic personality disorder as well. Because recovering from an eating disorder […]
Suicide And Addiction: How Are They Connected?
When someone you care about is an addict, there are a lot of things to worry about. Your number one concern will most likely be whether or not their addiction will end up taking their life. In addition to that, there are accidents, injuries, overdoses, and run ins with the law to worry about. Another […]