a man holds up a picture of himself and wonders is schizophrenia related to marijuana use

Is Schizophrenia Different in Men and Women?

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…

scan of the brain makes the viewer wonder how does ptsd affect your brain

How Does PTSD Affect Your Brain?

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…

a woman meditates and thinks about risk factors for depression

7 Risk Factors for Depression

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…

an unhappy teen leads his parent to ask should you drug test your teen

Should You Drug Test Your Teen?

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…