Mental Health and Addiction - Management
Mental health conditions are very common and affect millions of Americans. Here's a look at some of the most common disorders and how they are treated.
Three mental health experts offer tips on keeping your cool when life gets frustrating.
How bottled up stress can damage your physical and mental health, with five strategies to cope.
Relationships between animals and humans offer countless benefits to both species. But some animals can also provide unique forms of therapy to children and adults suffering from mental health conditions.
6 expert tips for managing mental illness.
Panic attacks can be terrifying. But if you know what s happening, it may be easier to cope.
For some, even positive life changes can bring on bouts of severe anxiety or depression. But there is good news.
Not only is access to mental health care declining, a new study finds the majority of psychiatrists don t accept health insurance.
There's a common belief that writers and artists are more likely to have mental health issues than the general population. We explore if there is any truth to this relationship.
Think you may have ADD, depression, or another psychiatric disorder? Learn how this type of assessment differs from other psychological tests—and why it may give you the insight you need.
What are you afraid of? We ask a few pros for their top tips on working through what scares them.
One study has found that moderate consumption of wine may improve your mental health. But don't uncork that bottle of Chardonnay just yet!
Both talk therapy and medication can help with persistent sadness. Here's how to get started.
While some people are at higher risk, nervous breakdowns can happen to anyone. Here's what to look for.
Find out why new moms are at increased risk and how to get help.
Learn how changing your diet to eliminate sweet treats can help improve your mental health.
What benefits come from a strong support network, and where can you find one of your own?
It's not just your internal organs that can be harmed by excess drinking; your skin, hair, and nails can suffer as well.
Living with bipolar disorder presents an array of challenges. What if there was a way to prevent its onset?
It's the fear of being out of cell phone contact, and two out of three adults have this phobia. Are you one of them?
With so many stigmas surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it's especially important to separate fiction from fact.
Discovering new treatments for mental health diseases is a complicated endeavor with plenty of dead ends. Sometimes, however, an impractical finding opens the door to new possibilities.
Dysthymia is a depressive condition that isn t quite as severe as full-blown depression, but lasts longer and can affect your life in many of the same ways.
There are five main categories of intense, unrealistic fears about certain things and situations.
New research reveals that how you handle such emotions can make a big difference in your well-being.
Combining education, medication, and psychotherapy shows promise.
Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it is common. Be aware of these triggers.
Some anxiety is healthy. But these signs mean it's time to get support.
Distinguish the signs of mental illness from other behaviors that may seem odd.
It's more than just a party trick. Hypnosis has been shown to deliver real mental health benefits for some.
It isn't an easy condition to diagnose. Here's how to discern if your drinking habits, or those of someone you love, are becoming problematic.
If someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, helping them find the support they need can be frustrating, complicated, and necessary.
Review these red flags to determine if you're dealing with sociopathic behavior.
By looking at patterns of mental illness in families with twins and those who have experienced trauma, researchers have uncovered new answers.
This medication can be a blessing and a curse. Here's how to tell if you, or a loved one, have crossed the line into addiction.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe, but with the right treatments, patients can manage the disease. Here's a look at bipolar disorder by the numbers.
Here's how to find helpful resources and know the right questions to ask.
Your condition is real. Here's what to say and do when people say your depression is "all in your head."
One startling example of the mind-body connection is the link between back pain and depression.
Commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, statins may also lower the risk of major depression.
When it comes to mental health disorders such as anxiety, there are big differences between the genders.
It's a real and hidden danger among the older generation. Here are ways to combat isolation.
Typically diagnosed based on questions and answers, it's possible that the blood holds the truth about who is depressed.
This sleep disorder can do more than interrupt your rest.
Smoking is a significant risk factor for lung (and other) cancers and is responsible for almost 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths. However, we all know individuals who smoke for a long time and never develop cancer.
It's now a proven fact. Being in and around nature makes people feel good.
How do doctors measure and diagnose conditions from anxiety to personality disorders, especially when there is more than one condition involved?
Learn how to keep your head up during these frightening economic times.
For millions of Americans, depression is more than just a bout with "the blues"; it's a serious psychiatric disorder. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers.
Stress can stir up an emotional appetite that can lead to overeating. The best solution is to find something other than food to take the edge off.
Stress and bipolar disorder go hand in hand; each can trigger and exacerbate the other. What are the basics behind this mental health condition?
Not only is it emotionally painful, grief takes a toll on your physical health as well.
Strip away the stigma and misconceptions. Here are four common myths debunked.
What are common concerns about these highly-prescribed drugs?
Get the real story on America's most prevalent mental illness from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment.
Follow these tips to help reduce the likelihood of a manic episode.
Learn how to spot the warning signs and break the vicious cycle.
Get the top eight signs, and learn how to break the cycle.
It's common for seniors to experience sadness and grief, but when these feelings are persistent, they may be a sign of depression.
Find out if you're sending the right signals.
Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases, can suffer a relapse.
Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenge, but these tips can make it easier.
Feeling stressed out? Regain your calm with these tips.
An estimated 5.7 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Here's one man's story of despair, diagnosis, treatment, and hope.
Not so black and white: study concludes bipolar disease is more of a spectrum disorder.
Painkillers are powerful medicines, but with them come the real risk of abuse. Understand the myths and determine how to use painkillers safely.
Studies demonstrate that proper napping techniques can relax your mind and focus your thoughts. What's the right way to catch some z's?
Strange, wild, passionate, frightening. Your dreams may provide insight into who you really are.
Persevering through trying times may have long-term benefits, new research suggests. What can you reap from life's difficulties?
Mind over matter: You've heard it so many times, it may seem meaningless. But new research shows how emotional therapy helps to make pain symptoms easier to bear.
Depression related lethargy is frustrating and can interfere in your daily activities. Here are simple steps you can take to lessen the impact.
Neuroeconomics, a relatively new branch of science, is slowly unraveling how specific gene variations influence how we make decisions. Read on to find out how your may be affected.
In a society obsessed with beauty, most of us don't want to stand out because of our appearance. Whether you have a physical deformity, or are just unhappy with some aspect of how you look, follow these tips to work toward better quality of life.
For many adults, there's nothing like a good, hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Few people, however, know the profound effect caffeine has on their mood.
Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders and society's increasing awareness of them, stigmas about mental illness persist. Follow these tips to get past the misnomers.
Depression is particularly prevalent and overlooked in older adults. Despite the high incidence among seniors, it's definitely not a normal part of aging.
Research shows that people in stable, supportive marriages are generally mentally and physically healthier than couples in relationships fraught with conflict.
Everyone copes with loss in his or her own way. If you've lost a child, you can find a multitude of organizations, books, blogs, and support groups to help you. Behind them all, you'll find parents who have also suffered the same loss.
During the Great Depression, suicide rates hit their highest level ever, increasing almost 23 percent over the four years of the depression. Since then, suicide rates have consistently risen during times of economic downturns.
Sure, there may be a laundry list of activities that make you happy, but when it comes to reconnecting with your partner, these are key (and the reason is chemical).
Some mental health experts believe social networking can increase stress and anxiety, and they've have even coined names to describe this phenomenon, such as Social Media Anxiety, Social Networking Anxiety, and Facebook Depression.
Does summertime make you sad? While most people welcome the warm weather, long days, and opportunities for outdoor activities, a small percent of the population feels depressed instead.
One of the challenges in diagnosing mental health disorders is that symptoms of different diseases tend to overlap. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are two related conditions that are easy to confuse.
While talking to a trained mental health professional can be invaluable for many patients, nothing compares to talking to others who are going through the same experience. But can the Internet substitute quality interpersonal dialogue?
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Here, a guide to the transition to life without depression medication.
Work in the United States has become a 24-hour phenomenon. Working irregular hours may also lead to a condition characterized by insomnia, excessive sleepiness during work, difficulties concentrating, headaches, and lack of energy.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) to combat widespread prescription painkiller abuse. How will it impact patients who take prescription medications for chronic pain? Get the facts here.
The topic of hoarding might make good fodder for TV program ratings and mindless entertainment for viewers. But it's a real problem that affects real people. Is it possible that you're among the 15 million who suffer from it?
Being sensitive can be an admirable trait. However, if you're highly affected by other people's moods and actions, you could be too sensitive.
Sure, expressing your emotions in positive ways can be a challenge, but keeping them bottled up is likely to lead to an explosion down the road.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Read on to get the comprehensive information you need to navigate the condition.
Mental health disorders such as depression permeate every aspect of your life, and may cause a multitude of other complications, some of which are even life threatening. Most, however, are easily avoided.
The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey.
Do you tend to worry too much about everyday things, even when there's no real reason for worry? Do you have trouble relaxing, concentrating, or sleeping? Are you plagued with unexplained aches and pains? If you answered yes, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
If you've struggled with giving up a bad habit, or trying to create a new one, don't be too hard on yourself; it's not a personal weakness or lack of self-control. Turns out, there's a whole science behind habit formation.
Does a loved one suffer from a Cluster A Personality Disorder? If so, coping with his actions may not always be easy. Here, a guide to help you understand and cope with the condition.
Appropriate treatment not only makes you feel better and improves the quality of your life, it helps prevent a relapse in the future. Read on for 7 tips to guarantee you're receiving the treatment you need.
Has your unconscious come to surface and forced you into a sticky, embarrassing situation? If so, worry not. There are ways to bounce back.
Personality is a combination of thoughts and behaviors that are unique to each individual. It is the way everyone views the world and yourself. In general, individuals with personality disorders have different perceptions of life and thought processes.
You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder.
If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), there may be a way to ease your symptoms.
Chronic stress is a villain that causes a host of problems ranging from sleep and digestive disorders to depression. Stress can affect your concentration, lead to weight gain (or loss), weaken the immune system and even contribute to heart disease.
Psychotherapy is noted to be very beneficial for individuals struggling with substance abuse. The delivery model can be individual or group.
Forensic Psychologist Debra Warner, Psy. D. explores cocaine's effect on the psyche.
For every news report touting the mental or physical health benefits of a supplement, there is another discrediting it, or, worse, warning that it is dangerous. With so many conflicting reports and persuasive marketing promotions, how do you know if what you read is true or just hype?
Over time, it takes more and more medication to ease the pain and not all the pain is necessarily physical. What do you do when a loved one has a painkiller addiction?
Research has demonstrated that substance abuse (illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco) is one of the most serious health problems in the nation. Here, the role the media plays in our understanding of substance abuse.
Moderate drinkers have better overall health than non-drinkers, a recent study shows.
The stigma of alcohol and substance addiction is lifting as scientists learn more about the biology behind addiction. Understanding what drives people to become addicted can help you develop strategies for staying sober.
About six million men in the United States suffer from depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While the stigma of mental health disorders is fading, some men are still reluctant to talk about, or seek help for, depression.
It s difficult to watch someone you care about hurting. Here are a few tips to help you cope when a loved one is self-medicating.
As its name implies, individuals with this mental health disorder alternate between obsessive thoughts and behaviors, and compulsive rituals to try to control the obsessions. This cycle is disruptive and causes stress and anxiety. In many cases, OCD interferes in an individual s ability to engage in work, school or other daily activities. Approximately 2.2 million Americans suffer from OCD.
What happens after the presents are opened, the eggnog is finished, and all the relatives have gone? You don t have to lose yourself to the post-holiday blues this year. Try out some proven strategies to keep post-holiday happiness alive.
Have you or a loved one survived a life-threatening disease? Are you currently struggling with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, or other health-related condition? Have you gone to extraordinary lengths to help someone in a health crisis? If so, we want to hear from you!
Studies show a daily routine may make a big difference for people with bipolar disorder.
New treatment for depression may be possible based on study that shows how this mood disorder affects areas of brain involved in pleasure.
Feeling anxious? Regain a sense of calm with these easy tips.
You have the power to change your attitude for the better.
Boredom? Conflict? Communication breakdown? Learn how to solve some of the most common relationship killers.
When it comes to treating depression, is there a better option?
If you re thinking of moving, these cities might not be the best for your mood.
From causes to treatments, learn more about this common problem.
Some simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve your mood.
Sweet tooth or addiction? Find out for yourself.
We all feel a little bummed from time to time, but could your diet be the cause? Find out here.
Find out how to control your excessive spending.
In these metropolitan areas, inebriation abounds, and residents rarely find themselves thirsty.
When you've been wronged, can you forgive and forget, or do you need to exact revenge?
Feelings of depression are significantly more common in people with chronic back pain. Find out more about how to manage your pain and your emotions.
Learn about the symptoms of alcoholism and what kinds of treatment are available for this disease.
A sense of humor and perspective can help you maintain your dignity—even in the most humiliating circumstances.
When it comes to decision-making, relationships, and even health, intuition may be one of the greatest tools to have.
As it turns out, heartbreak may be more than just a metaphor.
For years, researchers had been debunking the age-old notion of a midlife crisis. But a new global study may prove them wrong.
Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms.
An addiction to your job could compromise your health. Find out whether you're a workaholic, and get on the road to recovery.
Everyone worries from time to time, but too much worrying can affect your health. Here, 10 ways to stop stressing.
Nearly 7 percent of Americans suffer from depression, but the disease is often misunderstood. Here, we separate fact from fiction.
An ever-growing topic among psychologists, emotional intelligence can play a significant role in your job, your relationships, and your own self-worth.
For centuries, we have attempted to decode our dreams. Here, find out what experts say they could symbolize.
Want to lose weight, quit smoking, or start saving this year? These simple tips can help you achieve your goals.
Like many things in life, New Year's resolutions are easy to make but hard to keep. Follow these tips to make lasting changes.
A national survey recently examined 21 major occupational categories and found that people who change diapers, tend to the elderly, and wait tables have the highest rates of depression, while the lowest rates occur among engineers, architects, and surveyors.
An estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form--a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Schizophrenia affects millions of Americans, but the illness and its causes are often misunderstood. Here, we dispel the disease's most common myths.
Research points to a complex combination of known factors.
Spotting the signs and getting an accurate diagnosis are the first steps toward treatment.
There is currently no cure for schizophrenia, but new research is improving the outlook for patients.