Medical professionals have recognized the disease of addiction for decades, but it’s been a longer road to acceptance for law enforcement and society. The stigma associated with addiction keeps people from getting the help they need and undermines the effectiveness of treatment and recovery. People living in recovery shouldn’t feel powerless against feelings of shame; […]
When a loved one decides to seek treatment and start the recovery process for addiction, you naturally may feel extremely positive and optimistic. But as supporting a loved one along this journey can also be incredibly challenging, it’s important to manage your expectations and be prepared for the impact his or her recovery process will […]
It can be difficult to know what to say when a friend or relative is going through treatment for a drug or alcohol problem. You want to encourage and cheer them on, but sometimes it can feel like a verbal and emotional minefield where it’s all too easy to step your foot in and inadvertently […]
The news reports of PTSD on the rise often cite instances of veterans who develop the disorder after being deployed overseas. But a new study shows that even a stressful life-changing event can precipitate a mental disorder. You don’t even need to leave the country. A cross-country move, job change, hospital stay or new baby […]
It is a natural response to look for something to ease feelings of emotional pain, but many people fall prey to addiction, as they seek a way to dull unwanted feelings or emotions. Emotional pain can be related to memories of physical, sexual or emotional abuse by a loved one or family member. It can […]
Since the 1999 school shooting in Littleton, Colorado that left 15 Columbine High School students dead and 21 injured, there have been more than 20 mass school shootings across the United States.1 The most recent, in Florida at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, saw 17 killed and 14 wounded at the hands of a […]
When it comes to healthcare, we often focus on physical ailments, but there are many psychological issues that affect millions in the US. These mental health concerns impact work and home life and cost our country billions of dollars. OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 2.2 million American adults each year […]
It’s a disease like cancer or diabetes, but when someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is often shrouded in secrecy. The people carrying this burden have to worry not just about getting well, but also about the sort of reaction they will get if they disclose their condition. Will it hurt their careers? Relationships? […]
There were 61,561 infants born in 2010 with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). While those babies were no doubt seen as gifts to their parents who had struggled with infertility, a new study shows that fertility treatment is stressful – even for those who manage to conceive. The process is so stressful, in […]
Hormone Replacement Therapy’s benefits have long been touted for regulating imbalances, but do they also help women avoid addictive urges? When women reach “a certain age,” there can be a lot of talk about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Female hormones are potent modulators of brain chemicals, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. When these hormones and […]