a man asks his therapist about the relationship between unemployment and addiction

Does Unemployment Cause Addiction?

Much of the media coverage of the opioid crisis in the US calls addiction a “disease of despair” and points to the high levels of unemployment in the areas most heavily affected by opioid addiction. There does seem to be a significant overlap between between addiction and unemployment, but does that mean unemployment causes addiction?…

a woman hides behind a sunflower and thinks about how ocd may not be what you think it is

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

With the days getting shorter and colder, many people will experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression caused by the change of seasons. People who have struggled with depression or bipolar disorder are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms of SAD include feeling depressed most of the time, having little energy or motivation,…

a man sits on a bench and looks out to sea as he thinks about misconceptions about depression.

4 Misconceptions About Depression

With more than 16 million American adults suffering a depressive episode every year, there’s a good chance you or someone close to you will be affected. Public awareness of depression has spread in recent years, but some misconceptions still persist. Here are some of the most important ones. Depression is just sadness. It’s true that…

a woman drinks coffee and wonders what is paws

What is PAWS?

Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, is when you experience lingering mental health issues after acute withdrawal at the start of recovery. Most people experience PAWS as depression, lack of motivation, inability to feel pleasure, emotional numbness, insomnia, impaired concentration and memory, irritability, and anxiety. Some people develop panic disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is little scientific…