Advice & Information About Mental Health

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.

Some little-known facts about AA.

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.

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

We often talk about victims giving their power away. But they are not the only ones who do this. Read on to find out more.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn steps to understand and conquer the things that scare you the most in life.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

How do you know if you're depressed? What's the difference between depression and just being down in the dumps about something? Take the quiz below to test yourself, and also have a look at the symptoms below—though nothing beats seeing a professional for diagnosis and help, this guide might help you make an initial analysis.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

The article lists signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome and the drugs associated with serotonin syndrome. Risk and prevalence rates show a rising risk that is going unrecognized. Legal considerations are included. Serotonin syndrome can be prevented only by educating providers and patients.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The very characteristics that make the steps model challenging are the things that make it work.

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.

Here are some easy and Natural methods to help relieve your stress and anxiety.

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

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.

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.

Amid the fairy-tale trappings, Disney's animated Snow White offers up a useful metaphor for how anxiety attacks manifest for some people. Understanding this metaphor allows for greater understanding and empathy for those who battle intrusive fearful thoughts.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

The psychological roots of anxiety and practical tips for managing it. When you understand the psychology of anxiety, you will be better equipped to manage its physical symptoms.

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

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

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 dramatic PTSD frame of mind that’s ever been recorded.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

I have written a 12-step programs for depression. These are the things that helped me get well and enjoy life again. They are not easy steps to take, but the rewards are amazing.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

This article is about the "moral injury" that many veterans experience, which may lead to or be accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A wide range of distressing experiences such as physical injury, illness, death, and natural disasters could cause trauma. But while your life might never the same again, you can recover.

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.