Advice & Information About Mental Health

Surprisingly, there isn't one bit of evidence or research for the popular idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. The pharmaceutical companies makes lots of money out of it, though.

Quick and simple self care ideas for giving your mood an instant boost without draining your wallet.

Discusses imaging techniques determining causal factors of addiction, as well as a study showing that signs of cravings are apparent for days, and possibly even weeks or months, after death.

Quitting smoking cold turkey is tough, but you can maximize your chance of success by planning ahead.

This question usually comes from a misunderstanding of the difference between pathological narcissism and "normal" narcissism. The Little Shaman explains the difference here.

To be a good caregiver for a patient with dementia, the person needs energy, determination, courage, and understanding. However, they also need insight, self-motivation, and enormous amount of self-care. A carer who doesn't care enough for themselves will emotionally and physically burn themselves out.

How do you shut a narcissist down in an argument? How do you prevent arguments from happening in the first place? Read on to find out.

For anyone who wants to either cut back on their use or give up altogether, a handy guide on redefining your relationship with cannabis.

If you can think of it, there is probably a person who has, or had a fear of it. From aquaphobia to trypophobia, the list is endless. Here are 10+ weird fears and phobias you probably didn't know existed.

This article discusses and reviews several books on the topic of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) - a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention.

I am a recovered agoraphobic. This is the 10-step program I used to help overcome the fears that had taken control of my life.

There can be many different causes of social anxiety disorder: biological, environmental, unpleasant life experiences, current life stresses, and difficulties coping with different life stages.

As a third generation child of narcissism, I am speaking from experience, not education. All accounts are from my own experience and observation of the family dynamic.

Some little-known facts about AA.

This article explores some of the reasons behind addictions to nicotine, food, and alcohol, as well as the potential to overcome and recover from their control.

What does a gambling addict look like? Read about the worst stereotypes of people with gambling disorder and addiction.

Cognitive distortions are irrational or unhelpful patterns of thinking that anybody can start to follow, whether or not they are aware of them. If these thoughts are not identified and addressed, they can have devastating effects on your mental and physical health.

Warning signs are those symptoms and behaviors that occur before a mental health crisis event. Each person has a unique set of symptoms. Know your signs and what to do if you experience them.

How to recognize covert narcissistic (emotional and mental) abuse and stealth psychological manipulation perpetrated by narcissists.

Burnout Syndrome. A recently recognized disorder in which chronic stress results in both physical and mental exhaustion, putting a damper on many aspects of an individual's life, whether academic, social, romantic, or professional.

How easy is it to overdose on nicotine? Not as easy as one would think. Learn to recognize the warning signs and symptoms, as well as how to treat a potential overdose.

For a long time, methadone detox/maintenance coupled with Narcotics Anonymous meetings was the only way to treat drug abuse long-term on an outpatient basis. A discussion of suboxone and subutex.

What are the 10 commandments that prevent gambling addiction? Explore what an addict should and shouldn't do to promote rehab and recovery.

Death is an inevitable part of life, but if you're suffering from necrophobia, the fear of death may feel overwhelming. In this article, we'll talk about some practical ways to overcome necrophobia.

I am often asked how I felt, and what I did, when I first found out about my daughter’s failing mental health. What follows is an account of my gut reactions and thoughts when it was revealed.

You may think of PTSD as an extreme condition suffered by soldiers traumatized by war. In reality, PSTD can be caused by many different types of trauma, and it is more common than you might realize.

Sociopaths can be very charming, which makes them hard to spot. Even the smartest among us can be duped by a sociopath.

With TV shows like Hoarders putting the national spotlight on hoarding, much has been learned about this debilitating disorder. But is hoarding more than just an anxiety disorder?

Do you have a loved one with borderline personality disorder? Have you ever wondered why they seem to see you as their enemy, no matter what you do to prove you're not? This article explains why.

What is passive-aggressive behavior? How does it relate to narcissism? Read on to find out.

In cutting-edge research, an American neuroscientist is trying to understand the brain function of the serial killer.

What's the difference between an alcoholic and a heavy drinker? Can you really stop any time you want ? Have you crossed the line from social drinking to alcoholism? A simple test can tell you...

Therapy can be very difficult for borderline patients. In this article, we examine why this is and clear up any confusion about what borderline personality disorder (BPD) is—and what it isn't.

This article explains why I believe that enablers of narcissistic abuse are not so innocent.

Like any drug, alcohol is dangerous to the abuser's body, brain, and nervous system. In order to repair the damage, it is important to understand the effects of alcohol abuse.

About 10% of the population suffers from an irrational fear of needles and injections. Medical phobias—fear of blood, injections, and injury—differ from other types of phobias in key ways.

Find out what it is like to have post-traumatic stress disorder from a psychologist who has treated it. Then, watch the video of one of the best description of a PTSD frame of mind that’s ever been recorded.

I spent half my life suffering with panic disorder. Although I haven’t had a panic attack in years, I remember them all too well. This article discusses the techniques that worked for me.

Can children be narcissists? In this day and age, many have this question. Learn about narcissism in children, during development, and how it can carry over into adulthood.

Behaviors can be analyzed clearly through the useful tool of behavioral chains. Because thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, behaviors can be traced back to thoughts and feelings.

Coffee and tea are adored worldwide, and provide many people with daily energy and motivation. However, regular caffeine consumption has a darker side and can result in severe addiction and depression. This article tackles the problem of drinking caffeine when you are bipolar- or mania-prone.

Covert narcissists, also known as stealth or closet narcissists, get away with mental and emotional abuse. They are mastermind manipulators and work behind-the-scenes to control their victim.

Despite all the myths and facts, people with a seemingly dangerous disease such as schizophrenia can live normal lives just like healthy people. It’s all about the right treatment and support.

Highly Sensitive Men are often an "invisible" subset of the HSP spectrum. Learn more about the highly sensitive man and the challenges he faces.

Find out how to cope with stress more effectively by knowing what kind of stress you're experiencing!

Many people make the mistake of thinking depression is just a period of time where someone is sad. This way of thinking is not only wrong, but can be very dangerous to those who suffer from this debilitating illness.

The disease of alcoholism is baffling (actually, it's cunning, baffling and powerful). To the outside observer, the drinker's self-destructive behavior makes no sense. To the drinker him/herself, it doesn't make much sense, either. Perhaps as...

This article is about how the media portrays mental illness. Over time, portrayals of mental illness have become more realistic, but there is room for more improvement.

This article is about what is referred as the silent treatment—when a person intentionally refuses to talk to another person—and its effects on those individuals and relationships.

Maybe you've heard the term Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, and wondered what it means, and whether it applies to you. There's a lot more to being an HSP than just getting your feelings hurt easily.

For many, changes in the weather affect mood. For some this can lead to serious issues, such as seasonal affective disorder. Learn more about these effects and what you can do to combat them.

The stigma surrounding methadone as treatment for opiate addiction is strong. This article seeks to dispel some of the myths related to MMT, which I successfully used to conquer my heroin addiction.

Why is it important to communicate about mental health? Why do many people tend to avoid the subject? Tips for how to have a conversation about mental health.

Why do narcissists say the things they say? Why do they believe the things they seem to believe? Read on to find out.

Imagine suffering from anxiety and depression so much you started believing you were dead. For sufferers of Cotard Delusion, this is exactly what happens.

Gambling addiction is one of the hardest problems to stop. It can be an all-consuming behavior that can result in some very bad consequences. Here are ten ways to stop gambling forever.

Dermatillomania is a disorder in which one has the urge to pick at one's skin, especially in times of anxiety or stress. I've experienced this condition since I was a child.

What is reality testing and why do narcissists have so much trouble with it? Read on to find out.

The author writes a letter to his six-year-old self, explaining the origins of his emetophobia.

These are the tools I have used to help attenuate my anxiety and regain my sense of self.

Bed bug related anxiety, paranoia, and stress can be difficult to deal with. Learn how to cope with the stress with the stress of having bed bugs. Understand how bed bugs cause stress and anxiety in both yourself and your children.

Dogs, cats or horses as therapists? Can animals heal or significantly support the healing of mental illnesses? There are numerous reports and studies that suggest that. It's commonly known as the "pet effect". Particularly in the case of depression, pets could be helpful and loving companionss.

Everyone knows that cigarette smoke is bad for you, but what do cigarettes actually do? How does it cause cancer and what inside it makes it bad for you?

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprogramming) therapy is useful in treating many anxiety and panic disorders. Learn how to self-administer this therapy anytime and anyplace.

Five distraction techniques you can use to help you to overcome urges to self harm and help you in your journey of recovery.

Workaholics' lives are out of balance because they spend most of their time working, or thinking about work. This work focus could affect their physical and emotional health and relationships.

The side effects of quitting smoking can be diverse, but this article will help you better understand how to survive these symptoms.

Leading mental health educational groups is challenging. These are some ideas to help you lead a successful group and help people understand and acquire skills that you want to teach.

Do you know everything you should about your anti-anxiety medication? Do they help? Are they a cure?

This is the story of my experience of quitting smoking. It's now been six months, and I feel great.

How can you control negative thinking, avoid negative thoughts and emotions, and release stress? Here are 30 tricks to help you feel more positively about life.

Could you recognize someone with narcissistic personality disorder? Is your co-worker, family member or lover a narcissist? Learn how to spot the telltale signs of narcissism, before it's too late!

Often our embarrassment of being seen naked keeps us from participating in events that we would otherwise enjoy. Here are my tips for how to handle public showers.

Do you know someone who you suspect to be a sociopath? Or do you wonder if you yourself may be a sociopath? Review the common symptoms below and put your speculation to rest!

Anxiety and OCD can affect the mind in various ways. Derealization and depersonalization (DPDR) sufferers feel totally detached from reality and in a dream-like trance. I wish to demystify and tackle the terrifying phenomenon of anxiety-induced dissociation.

Limerence is an overwhelmingly strong romantic experience, triggered in obsession-prone people; the 'limerent' cycles between destabilizing euphoria and despair. In this article, I shine a light on the psychology accompanying this neurochemical phenomenon and share how you can overcome the pain.

What do you do when the malignant narcissist in your life is attempting to cause you problems, turn other people against you, and ruin your life with lies? Read on to find out.

Structural Family Therapy (SFT) is an approach that focuses on the family structure, its interactions, and its hierarchy—in order to influence change in individuals and the entire family.

Smoking affects older and younger smokers in different ways, and the two groups may think differently about quitting smoking. But the ultimate effect is the same. Smoking kills.

Automatonophobia refers to an irrational fear of objects that falsely imitate a living, conscious being. Common examples include dolls, wax figures, puppets, and ventriloquist dummies.

Although you may have the best intentions and mean well, enabling an addict actually contributes to their addiction. Learn the warning signs of enabling behavior and how to break the toxic cycle.

People who are close to someone with anxiety may feel helpless when they watch friends or family members suffer. Learn 5 practical tips for helping someone with anxiety right now.

This is a list of positive and negative coping skills. Positive coping skills benefit you while negative coping skills cost you something. Use these coping strategies to help you manage stress.

Use the Johari Window to increase self-awareness and self-esteem, and to decrease anxiety. This communication tool can help improve relationships.

Do you have a narcissist in your life? Tips on recognizing it, coping, and information about treating narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)

What is magical thinking and how does it relate to narcissism? We clear that up right now.

An informative article about depression from someone who is dealing with the day-to-day struggle of this condition.

What happens when you quit smoking? Whether you go "cold turkey" or use smoking-cessation aids, you will likely experience side effects. Learn what they are and how to alleviate the symptoms.

A night of heavy drinking can often lead to an overwhelming feeling of temporary depression the morning after. Let's explore this phenomenon and uncover treatment methods and preventive options.

The factors leading to and consequences of opiate addiction in a 23 year old male following surgery for a back injury sustained while playing rugby are discussed. A treatment plan is presented.

YouTube videos can be used as an engagement and educational tool for mental health educational groups. Use these tips to get the best results.

Panic attacks can cause a range of physical problems that may be frightening.

Dealing with a narcissist is an irritating and draining experience. Living with one is even worse. In this article, I share what I've learned about how to avoid falling prey to a narcissist.

There is tremendous stigma around the use of psychiatric medications. I'm here to say that I take medications for my mental illness, and that does not define me.

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class medication that is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some eating disorders, and panic attacks.

Coping with social anxiety is challenging. These seven tips are helpful tools in learning to manage anxiety in social spaces.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2.2 million American adults. What is OCD, what does it feel like to have the disorder, and what's new in the world of treatment?

Are Spice and K2 safe alternatives to marijuana? Read on to find out the possible dangers of synthetic marijuana.

Research shows a strong correlation between obesity, hoarding, and obsessive behaviors. The culprit may be an amino acid variant in the brain that is genetic.