Dysthymia is a psychiatric condition that belongs to a larger group of conditions known as depressive disorders. People with the disorder have somewhat less severe forms of some of the symptoms found in people with major depressive disorder (major depression). However, by its very nature, dysthymia lasts for extended periods of time, and its overall…
Adjustment disorder is a general term used to describe several related forms of mental illness that can occur when people don’t recover from the effects of traumatic or stressful events within a certain amount of time. The specific symptoms of these conditions vary according to the severity of a person’s adjustment difficulties and the particular…
According to statistics, nearly 15 million adults in the U.S. struggle with depression. While that number alone is staggering, it doesn’t even tell us half the story when it comes to the condition’s actual impact. You see, the depression that directly afflicts millions also has a significant effect on those around them – their spouses,…
Living with a psychiatric disorder is challenging enough; interacting with people who are fearful or hold negative views of mental illness can make life even more difficult. If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you may find that it impacts the way others interact with you due to the stigma often associated with…
Psychiatric disorders can be especially frightening and confusing when they involve a loss of touch with reality. In clinical terms, this is known as psychosis. There are several types of psychotic disorders, with schizophrenia being one of the most common. Individuals with schizophrenia often experience hallucinations (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and…
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…
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…
Approximately 2.5 million Americans suffer from compulsive gambling, and the gambling issue in the United States is growing with the legalization of gambling in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. People lose millions of dollars every year from gambling. Whether you are dealing with moderate gambling or gambling frequently, you may wonder how to…
If you have a loved one in early alcohol recovery, you know how hard it was for them to get here. You may feel both hope and concern about the future. You’d probably do just about anything to keep them from spiraling back into the devastation of alcohol abuse. While you can’t do the work…
Most people with addiction could not pass a pathological liar test. This is because lying is a hallmark of addiction. The disease of addiction hijacks the brain and steals empathy, clarity and awareness of one’s problems and the suffering of those around them. It fosters narcissistic behavior and loss of moral compass. And it leads…
