Advice & Information About Mental Health

This article explains why depression must be understood as more than a social stigma. People should know it as a true medical illness far more serious than we may think.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some little-known facts about AA.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders that causes seizures.

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.

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.

Many find addiction recovery within a well hiked path, others find it on the road less traveled. Yet some will find recovery where no one has traveled before. The differences are many, but no path is superior to the other.

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?

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.

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

Students with ADHD have problems with poor academic performance, conduct disorders, and higher risk-taking behaviors. MRI research helps shed light on symptoms and behaviors.

Bipolar disorder affects millions every day. The caretakers, family, and loved ones don't know what to do. Here are some tips on how to understand and help.

Learn about the complex post-traumatic stress that is often experienced by children of an alcoholic parent.

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

The destructive effects of bipolar disorder can be minimized when properly treated. Recognize the symptoms and seek treatment before it destroys your life and the lives of those you love.

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.

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

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

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

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.

My personal story struggling with trypophobia and an explanation of what may cause it...without the triggering, anxiety-inducing images that usually accompany trypophobia articles.

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.

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.

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!

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?

If you have ever considered or attempted suicide, you are not a bad person. Suicide is terrible and often stigmatized. Know that you are strong and able to think for yourself. Your life is yours.

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.

In 1975, Swedish researcher Marie Asberg found a direct relationship between low serotonin levels in depression and aggressive behavior. How do SSRIs help with depression?

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

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.

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.

Here are 8 ideas for coping with depression and getting onto the road to recovery.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

A bipolar woman’s experience going through a depressive episode due to medication, suicidal ideation and hospitalization to get help.

There is no question that our world gets faster and crazier by the day. Information is flying at us at an alarming pace and working adults struggle to balance work and family life. Learn 5 strategies, recommended by experts, to help the busy adult relieve stress and regain control.

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.

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

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

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.

Hoarding is often a taboo subject. Hoarders tend to hide their behavior. In addition to affecting their quality of life, hoarding also has a deleterious affect on their loved ones. Familial relationships become strained or non-existent, furthering the isolation and attachment to things vs people.

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.

Is the narcissist in your life really trying to destroy you? Read on to find out.

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

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.

Are narcissists like children? What does this mean? Read on to find out.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Are you unsure if you should take medications to help your mental health issues? This article offers guidelines on when a prescription is a must as well as other times when it might be helpful.

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.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that can be treated with medication and therapy. I've personally experienced this condition, and this article is meant to share my knowledge. And how I have learned to cope with symptoms and mood swings.

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.

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.

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

This article sheds light on a new medical discovery, namely adult neurogenesis in the human brain, that offers promising alternative treatments for depression.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Will cannabidiol providers be able to finally offer a solution to various substance abuse?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.