You may be familiar with a Boy Scout rule that encourages cleaning up after yourself: “Leave the campground better than you found it.” This isn’t always easy in practice, especially for those whose behaviors in the throes of addiction left chaos and damage in their wake. To begin anew, taking inventory can be an enlightening …
Taking Inventory of the Relationships in Your Life Read More »
Approximately 10 percent of people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a severe trauma, while others go on to experience varying levels of emotional stress. Around one-third of those who develop PTSD will have symptoms for the rest of their lifetimes, while others are able to recover fully from a severely traumatic event …
Why Are Some People More Resilient After Psychological Trauma? Read More »
Sometimes the best advice we could receive is the advice we’d give others. That’s why the guidance in the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and its offshoot support groups could be just as helpful for therapists as it is for their patients.
Sometimes we’re our own worst enemies. Even worse, we aren’t always willing to acknowledge the damage we cause to our own well-being. For example, imagine a man whose upbringing was overshadowed by a parent’s alcoholism. He determined he wouldn’t fall into the same addictive patterns, yet he thinks nothing of drinking daily as an adult. …
Why We Hurt Ourselves and Others — and How to Stop Read More »
Gambling is a habit that can ruin your life. For most people who gamble, the activity is just a hobby or an occasional form of entertainment. If you have a tendency to be impulsive, seek risks and become addicted, you may find that gambling becomes a bad habit you can’t stop. Before long you find …
Take These Steps to Beat Your Gambling Addiction Read More »
A team of American researchers has identified several treatments that can help people recover from various symptoms of an amphetamine overdose or an overdose triggered by an amphetamine-related substance. Amphetamines are powerful stimulants that can produce a range of serious, severe or life-threatening symptoms related to the onset of an overdose. In a study review …
What Are the Best Treatments for Amphetamine Overdoses? Read More »
“Change is inevitable, change is constant.” — Benjamin Disraeli Humans never stop changing — which means we never stop coping with change. From the moment we’re born, we must learn to adapt to our environment in order to live and thrive, often without even being conscious of this instinct. By the time we’re old enough …
Control vs. Surrender in the Face of Life Change Read More »
Up to one-third of all women with polycystic ovary syndrome will develop symptoms of depression, largely irrespective of their age, according to recent findings from a group of Polish researchers.
Recent findings from a team of American researchers point toward a telltale shrinkage in brain size in women who have late-stage bipolar I disorder. Current evidence indicates that the effects of various bipolar illnesses can grow substantially worse over time, and researchers note clear differences between early-stage cases of these illnesses and late-stage cases. In …
Brain Shrinkage Seen in Women With Late-Stage Bipolar Disorder Read More »
While your spouse is in rehab for addiction, you may feel helpless and lost, unsure of what to do to help him or yourself. Instead of stewing in sorrow, self-pity or guilt, take action and take steps to heal and to be prepared for his return after rehab. Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict. It …