Problems associated with alcohol and depression are closely correlated. People who suffer from depression may turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication. Long-term use may result in dependency. Every time a person gets depressed, they may reach for the bottle to cope with the symptoms of their condition. Alcohol abuse can, in turn, intensify…
From red-haired curls to dimpled cheeks, certain characteristics run in families. But not every inherited trait is as harmless as a dimpled cheek. Some families struggle with a darker legacy: depression. People who live with this mental illness aren’t just blue-they often feel hopeless, helpless, and, in the most serious cases, suicidal. The symptoms are…
What happens when you or someone you love no longer lives in reality? From imagining enemies around every corner to experiencing confused thoughts that make normal life impossible, schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that makes it hard to tell what’s real-and what’s not. Schizophrenia is a very complex illness that almost always requires ongoing mental…
Intrusive thoughts that won’t go away. Disturbing impulses. Compulsive behaviors that don’t make sense. No matter how hard you try to stop or control them, you can’t. That’s the nature of the challenging and complex anxiety disorder known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD for short. OCD can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from…
Anxiety is the body’s way of alerting a person that danger is near. As such, it is a normal reaction to stressful situations. However, when anxiety gets out of control, or when a person feels anxious all of the time, it is possible that they have a disorder. The signs of anxiety will eventually surface,…
A huge closet full of clothes. An endless array of shoes. Multiple pets. In popular culture, it’s common to accuse women of “hoarding” certain types of objects. While oftentimes the female “pack rat” image is merely a joke, there are many instances in which the behavior indicates a serious disorder. Compulsive hoarding, which is often…
Opiates and opioids — we’ve used and heard these terms used interchangeably, but are they the same? If not, what is the difference between opiate and opioid drugs? With all the many news reports about the opioid crisis, you may have wondered which drugs or medicines these were. It’s important to have an understanding of…
Since alcohol is lawful to purchase and consume in the United States, it is more accessible than other substances like cocaine, opiates, and benzodiazepines. Even though alcohol is legal, it poses the risk of physical dependency, making many of those struggling with a drinking problem wonder how to stop drinking. Alcohol is the most commonly…
In 2017, 19.7 million Americans ages 12 and older met the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. Long term effects of meth can lead to not only addiction and physical dependency, but also an untimely death. Taking too much meth at once, which is more likely to occur if you are an intravenous user, can…
Roughly 46% of all Americans will struggle with a mental health disorder in their lifetime, while another 5% of adults struggle with a mental health disorder each year. Mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety, can cause disabling symptoms when left untreated. Depression and anxiety can make it difficult to work or further your education,…
