Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD is a condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and behaviors. The popular conception of someone with OCD is that she keeps a meticulously clean house, arranges everything by color, size, or place in the alphabet, and simply must straighten an unlevel picture. In reality, OCD can take many different forms. The…
Most people are aware that many women suffer from postpartum depression. In the months after giving birth, many women become deeply depressed and even suicidal. This is caused by a combination of massive hormonal changes, constant anxiety, too much stress, and too little sleep. Postpartum depression affects about 10 to 15 percent of mothers within…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a dangerous or frightening event. We often associate PTSD with combat veterans, but most people who suffer from the condition are civilians. PTSD can be caused by a physical or sexual assault, an accident, such as a car wreck, a…
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people alternate between extremes of depression and elevated moods. Someone with bipolar disorder may barely get out of bed for months, then spend days or weeks with lots of energy and little need for sleep. Bipolar is a difficult condition to live with, both for the person who…
Bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression, is a condition characterized by alternating depressive and manic episodes. Nearly six million American adults struggle with bipolar disorder. It is a difficult condition that often leads to problems with work and relationships. It also frequently leads to addiction. More than half of people with bipolar…
Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes. It’s normal to feel anxious before a test or a job interview, but if you feel anxious most of the time and about relatively minor things, you may have an anxiety disorder. Signs of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, phobias, constant worry, and insomnia. Anxiety isn’t just unpleasant or inconvenient. It…
Addiction and borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a common dual diagnosis. BPD is characterized by unstable emotions, self-image, and behavior. This can lead to impulsive behavior and relationship problems. Not only do people with BPD have unstable moods and self-image, but they tend to think in extremes. They may think a friend is completely…
The majority of people struggling with addiction have another mental health issue too. This is called a dual diagnosis. Often, the other issue is what leads to addiction in the first place. People often use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with mental health issue, or to self-medicate. Sometimes they use drugs or…
There has been a lot of research into the link between schizophrenia, or psychosis more generally, and marijuana use. A statistical link has long been evident. By some estimates, about half of people diagnosed with schizophrenia struggle with addiction too. Two recent studies shed some light on the complicated relationship between marijuana and schizophrenia. The…
Music therapy may be an effective complementary treatment for people recovering from addiction. It is led by a someone trained in music therapy and is meant to be part of a comprehensive treatment program. Music therapy has been shown to be most effective for people who don’t respond well to other forms of treatment. It…
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