Addiction and eating disorders often go together. One study found that people diagnosed with an eating disorder were five times more likely to have a substance use issue, and more than a third of people with substance use issues had eating disorders too. As with any co-occurring disorder, the relationship between addiction and eating disorders… Continue Reading How is Anorexia Related to Addiction?
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… Continue Reading New Mothers and Fathers Have Higher Risk of Depression
Someone with anorexia eats very little food, and is very particular about what food she does eat. Anorexia can result in severe weight loss, which can endanger the patient’s health and even cause death by starvation. In addition to the physical danger of not eating enough, anorexia is highly correlated with anxiety, depression, addiction, and… Continue Reading Can You Spot the Signs of Anorexia?
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… Continue Reading 5 Myths About Bipolar Disorder
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… Continue Reading Do You Know the Signs of PTSD?
The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences in anyone’s life. It’s a situation that’s both painful and impossible to change. It often leads to depression and, for people recovering from addiction, it might lead to relapse. As difficult as it is to work through grief, it doesn’t have to… Continue Reading How to Avoid Relapse while Grieving
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… Continue Reading Do You Know the Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
Relapse is common among people fighting addiction. Rates of relapse depend on the substance, but typically the rate is higher than 50 percent, and for opioids, the relapse rate may be at least 80 percent. That might seem discouraging, but there are several things to keep in mind. First, a relapse doesn’t mean you’ve failed.… Continue Reading What Happens Before a Relapse?
It’s often said that addiction is a family disease. Addiction doesn’t just affect the person with the substance use issue. It affects everyone close to her, and especially her family. Addiction makes you unpredictable and unreliable. The people around you constantly have to guess which you they’re getting. That can be especially stressful for children.… Continue Reading The 5 Roles People Play when a Family Member is Addicted
ADHD is a major risk factor for addiction. Having ADHD makes you about 50 percent more likely than the general population to develop a substance use issue, most commonly alcohol. People with ADHD often have racing thoughts that jump from one topic to another, which can be exhausting. They often try to turn down the… Continue Reading Can You Take ADHD Medication while Recovering from Addiction?