When someone receives a dual diagnosis, it usually means they will require treatment for a mental health condition and for substance abuse. These disorders are frequently associated with each other and increase the damaging effects on a person’s well-being. Another name for this connection is a co-occurring disorder that combines the effects of having two…
Schizophrenia vs Bipolar Disorder: How to Get the Support You Need
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are two chronic mental health conditions and can often be confused with each other. It is important to understand they have different diagnoses, and treatment is unique for each one, even with their similarities. There are some symptoms that may cause confusion, so it’s vital to understand the difference between the…
Self-Harm Doesn’t Always Look the Same: When to Seek Help
Self-harm is often kept secret and may be more prevalent than you think, especially in young adults or adolescents. This type of behavior is usually not suicidal but rather a way of dealing with emotional pain or anger. It provides relief for a short period of time, followed by bouts of guilt or shame. This…
Knowing and Acting on the Signs of Suicidal Ideation
Suicide or taking one’s own life occurs too often when someone is overwhelmed by intense emotional pain. It can leave a family devastated and wondering what they could have done differently. When thoughts of suicide are not part of your thought process, you may not be aware of the signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation. …
Types of Substance Abuse and Strategies to Overcome Addiction
Many of us use substances to relax, unwind, and enjoy ourselves. Though there are also those who use them for other reasons, including escaping the stresses of life, masking emotional pain, or eliminating chronic anxiety. But the comfort provided by drugs, alcohol, or other substances is often nothing more than a band-aid for deeper mental…
4 Signs You Grew Up in a Toxic Family and How to Overcome it
Psychological trauma is not always a result of growing up in a toxic family environment, although it can be a contributing factor. A child can experience a car accident resulting in a parent’s death which may cause psychological trauma. On the other hand, someone can grow up in a dysfunctional family, which can do extreme…
How Burnout Can Lead to Mental Breakdowns
The world is in upheaval with the COVID-19 pandemic as there has been a growing number of concerns about everyday life. This is creating an increase in daily stressors, life disruptions, work distractions, and major feelings of burnout. Due to this consistent and chronic state of fear, stress, and anxiety, mental health issues are becoming…
New Year: Why Don’t I Feel Happier?
The beginning of the year is often associated with high expectations of happiness and enthusiasm to find joy and contentment. But these feelings can create emotions on the opposite end of the spectrum depending on a person’s circumstances. Depression between Christmas and the New Year can be a major problem for many who find themselves…
Top 10 Signs of Bipolar Disorder and How to Get Help
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant mood swings, including emotional highs and lows. Most people with this condition, also known as manic depression, are usually diagnosed in their twenties as symptoms start appearing. Dealing with the signs of bipolar disorder can be overwhelming, and it is important to get help as…
Impact of COVID-19 on Anxiety: Situational Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder
The years 2020 and 2021 have been ones we will never forget, as so many lives were turned upside down with the mention of a new virus: COVID-19. The changes that occurred brought a new way of life where you couldn’t watch the news, get on social media sites, or drive down the street without…