a group of people hold hands and talk about how to change negative beliefs about yourself

How to Change Negative Beliefs About Yourself

Negative beliefs about yourself can cause many problems in your life. They make you prone to developing anxiety and depression, they keep you from taking on new challenges, and they harm your relationships. They may keep you mired in depression, anxiety, or addiction if you believe there’s no way you can get better. Even if… Continue Reading How to Change Negative Beliefs About Yourself

a man talks to friends about how to keep your young adult child from getting addicted to drugs or alcohol

6 Ways to Keep Your Young Adult Child from Getting Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol

All parents worry about their young adult children for many reasons. They’re becoming more independent, getting ready to leave home–if they haven’t already, and dealing with the pressures of getting started in life. Parents may also worry that their young adult children are using drugs or alcohol. Parents often feel conflicted on this topic. Most… Continue Reading 6 Ways to Keep Your Young Adult Child from Getting Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol

a family talks about turning holiday triggers into a healthy outlook for the new year

Turning Holiday Triggers into a Healthy Outlook for the New Year

The holiday season is stressful for many people. It can be especially stressful for someone recovering from addiction. In addition to the stress of travel, buying presents, and dealing with family, there are often holiday parties and gatherings with lots of alcohol. The holiday season is full of triggers for someone trying to stay sober.… Continue Reading Turning Holiday Triggers into a Healthy Outlook for the New Year

a man holds up a black and white mask and asks his therapist what causes mood swings in people with bipolar disorder

What Causes Mood Swings in People with Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of depression alternating with periods of elevated mood, sometimes mania that requires hospitalization. Each of these periods may last weeks or months and may change without warning. Someone can be so depressed she can hardly get out of bed and a few days later she may have a lot… Continue Reading What Causes Mood Swings in People with Bipolar Disorder?

a woman cries as she talks to a group about how depression affects your decision making

How Does Depression Affect Your Decision Making?

When we think of depression, we typically think of prolonged sadness, lethargy, disturbed sleep, and suicidal thoughts. However, depression has effects beyond your energy level and mood. One of these effects is that depressed people have a harder time making good decisions. Interestingly, antidepressants don’t appear to improve decision making even when they improve mood.… Continue Reading How Does Depression Affect Your Decision Making?

a group of people hang out and talk about ways to socialize without alcohol

8 Ways to Socialize without Alcohol

One reason it’s so hard to quit alcohol is that it’s so readily available. Most Americans drink at least occasionally and there are many occasions when it’s expected. When quitting other substances, it’s typically a good idea to distance yourself from people who still use them, but with alcohol, that’s often not practical, or even… Continue Reading 8 Ways to Socialize without Alcohol

a therapist comforts her patient as they talk about why some people get ptsd while others dont

Why Do Some People Get PTSD While Others Don’t?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition characterized by flashbacks, avoidance, anxiety, disturbed sleep, nightmares, memory impairment, and excessive feelings of guilt following a traumatic event. The traumatic event could be combat in war, a natural disaster, a sexual assault, a robbery, an accident, or the unexpected death of a loved one. Studies show… Continue Reading Why Do Some People Get PTSD While Others Don’t?