Loneliness is bad for your health. Frequently feeling lonely can raise your levels of the stress hormones, cortisol and norepinephrine. This has a number of negative effects on your health. It increases blood pressure, putting you at higher risk for heart disease, it impairs your immune system, leading to more frequent illnesses, and it increases… Continue Reading 5 Ways to Deal with Loneliness
Generally speaking, everyone is different and everyone has different needs in addiction treatment and recovery. However, there are significant differences in between what men and women need from treatment and recovery. While any treatment is better than no treatment, a program that recognizes and adapts to these differences will have a better chance of success.… Continue Reading Do Women Have Different Needs in Addiction Treatment and Recovery?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that can lasts months or years after a traumatic event. Although it is typically associated with combat soldiers, PTSD more often affects civilians. It may be caused by an accident, a robbery, a sexual assault, domestic abuse, the unexpected death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or… Continue Reading How Does PTSD Affect Your Brain?
The decision to get treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is never easy. Many people know that addiction is messing up their lives but they’re still reluctant to get help. Many fear the stigma of being labeled an addict. This may be even harder if you have kids. It’s not easy to admit you need… Continue Reading How to Tell Your Kids You’re Entering Treatment
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about one percent of people. Schizophrenia is characterized by psychosis, which may include hallucinations or delusions. Psychosis is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia, as opposed to negative symptoms, or the absence or disruption of normal mental functions. These positive symptoms are what usually come to mind… Continue Reading Is Schizophrenia Different in Men and Women?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 20 percent of American adults report having had an anxiety disorder in the past year, and about 30 percent of Americans will have an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,… Continue Reading 7 Ways Anxiety can Affect Your Life
Addiction doesn’t just affect you; it also affects the people around you, including your friends, your coworkers, and your family. One of the most common reasons people give for getting help for addiction is that they realize how addiction has hurt their families. This is especially true of kids, who are still growing and are… Continue Reading 4 Ways Your Drinking Might Affect Your Kids
Whether or not it’s necessary or advisable to drug test your teen is a controversial issue. Some parents feel like it’s intrusive and sends the signal that they don’t trust their children. Other parents feel like it’s their responsibility to protect their children from serious mistakes that could have long-term repercussions, even if that means… Continue Reading Should You Drug Test Your Teen?
Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. It affects your relationships, your career, and your quality of life. Depression and substance use frequently overlap, and each can make the other worse. Although depression can affect anyone, the following factors increase your risk of having a depressive episode. Genetics Genes are a major factor… Continue Reading 7 Risk Factors for Depression
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is characterized by quick changes in mood, unstable self-image, and erratic behavior. People with BPD often act impulsively and have difficulty in forming healthy relationships. They may be prone to intense anger, depression, or anxiety. People with BPD tend to view things and people as either all good or all… Continue Reading Do Men Suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder?