After years of struggling with the painful effects of addiction, we’d like to think that our recovery will magically solve all of our problems and lift our depression right out of us. The recovery process, however, is not as simple as that. Recovering from our addictions means healing from the deep mental and emotional health…
Most people who develop substance use disorders have some kind of dual diagnosis. They don’t just have an addiction; they have an addiction and something else. That ‘something else’ might be an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or schizophrenia. A very common dual diagnosis is addiction and depression. For most…
While few people are extremely extraverted or introverted, a slight majority of people see themselves as extraverts. A simplified but reasonably accurate description of the difference between the two is that extraverts get energy from being around other people while introverts get energy from being alone. As a social species, it makes sense that we…
It’s common for people to say they’re depressed when they’re sad. Also, when most people think of depression, sadness is the first thing that comes to mind. We sometimes use these words interchangeably, but sadness and depression are not the same thing. Depression continues to be a misunderstood condition and it’s one that affects about…
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects about two million Americans. It’s best known symptoms are auditory and visual hallucinations, but other symptoms include delusional thinking, disordered or incoherent thinking or speech, social withdrawal, or diminished affect in speech or facial expressions. Although most people know something about schizophrenia, many people misunderstand the condition, leading…
Anyone who has spent too much time on social media knows what it’s like to come away feeling anxious, irritable, despondent, or angry. Interacting with friends, acquaintances, and strangers online can provoke emotions ranging from envy to outrage. Many people often lament that social media platforms have replaced meaningful social interaction with superficial sharing, which…
Most people who struggle with addiction have another mental health issue to go along with it. This is called a dual diagnosis. Common dual diagnoses include depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. One common anxiety disorder is social anxiety disorder, which is intense anxiety caused by social situations. About 15 million Americans suffer…
With marijuana legalization for either recreational or medical use spreading across the US, Americans’ attitudes towards marijuana are quickly changing. More people see marijuana use as safe and socially acceptable. While marijuana does appear to be safer and less addictive than many substances, especially when only used occasionally, there are still risks associated with it,…
Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. About 16 million American adults suffer a depressive episode every year. Common symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, lack of motivation, feelings of hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide. Depression obviously has a negative impact on your quality of life, so much so that…
Every kid looks forward to the holidays. It’s a time when you can open presents rather than go to school. However, for adults, holidays often mean stress, anxiety, and sometimes, depression. If holidays are a tough time for you, here are some ways to keep depression from taking over. Manage your commitments. Perhaps the most…
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