Learning that a friend or family member is engaging in self-harm can be deeply upsetting. You may feel frightened for their safety and confused or angry about why they are doing this to themselves. For a long time, self-injurious behavior was wrongly categorized as “attention-seeking” behavior. On the contrary, most self-harm individuals go to great…
According to estimates, nearly one in five adults in the United States is suffering from a mental health disorder at any given time. Of the millions affected, roughly half will never receive treatment. For those who seek treatment, the different levels of care and types of programs to choose from can make selecting the best…
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that usually manifests in early adulthood. People with borderline personality disorder have difficulty managing their behavior and emotions, which often results in significant impairment in their daily functioning. Individuals with BPD also struggle to maintain healthy relationships. As with most mental health disorders, there is no…
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, and in normal doses, can be beneficial to our overall well-being. When anxiety is chronic or persistent, though, it is harmful to our mental and physical health. Every year, tens of millions of Americans suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder…
Schizoaffective disorder is a relatively rare chronic mental health disorder affecting less than one percent of the population. Those affected exhibit symptoms similar to schizophrenia (hallucinations and delusions) and bipolar disorder (mania and depression), though not necessarily at the same time. Because of this, individuals suffering from schizoaffective disorder are often initially misdiagnosed and improperly…
Mental health therapy is a crucial part of the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. There are five broad types of psychotherapy: psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies; integrative or holistic therapy; humanistic therapy; cognitive therapy; and behavioral therapy. Each of these approaches has its own goals, utilizes its different techniques, and has its benefits. Behavioral therapy…
The cannabis plant, from which marijuana is derived, is one of the oldest crops in the world. It is no wonder then that marijuana has a long history and is the most commonly used drug in the United States and around the globe. Proponents of marijuana have long lobbied for its legalization, and it has.…
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based talk therapy often used to treat substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders. Evidence-based means that CBT is clinically proven to be effective. Many traditional therapies rely on the therapist-patient relationship to uncover past events that might impact current behavior. However, CBT focuses on how changing current patterns…
Contrary to the beliefs of many, addiction recovery involves much more than detoxing from drugs or alcohol. The simple fact is that detox is the first step in the recovery process. Substance use and mental health disorders are diseases whose roots are commonly intertwined. Under particular circumstances, a mental health disorder can come to light…
In addiction treatment, relapse refers to a return to the addictive behavior following a period of sobriety. Addiction is a complicated disease, and relapse is a common part of recovery. A relapse prevention therapy program is an integral part of overall addiction treatment. Creating a relapse prevention plan does not guarantee that you will not…