"Am I depressed?" It’s a question many people ask from time to time. Most people go through periods of stress during life. Sometimes, it seems easy to snap out of it and get on with the good in life. At other times, you may have a lingering depressed mood. Knowing whether this is true depression or just a few days ... Read More
Behavioral & Mental Health
Approximately 18.5% of adults in the U.S. have experienced mental illness. These disorders include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder among others. This learning center explores the reality of mental health and the treatment needed. The stigma surrounding this issue prevents people from reaching out for quality help when a better life is possible. Our mental health licensed professionals treat patients with a variety of conditions and inform our topics found in this section.
Am I Depressed? How to Distinguish Between a Case of the Blues and Signs of Clinical Depression
Is Perfectionism Triggering Your Anxiety or Depression?
Many people set high goals for themselves and those around them. They expect not to just accomplish a task, but to do it perfectly. Some may say this is a personality trait; that they're a perfectionist. However, being a perfectionist can go too far. When it does, it can create an increased risk for depression and ... Read More
Beyond the Movie Myths: The Truth About Antisocial Personality Disorders
Despite the frequency with which the term "antisocial" is used in both casual conversation and armchair diagnoses, the reality of antisocial personality disorder is far different than commonplace usage of the word indicates. A personality disorder that often manifests as a general disregard for the thoughts, feelings ... Read More
At Sixes and Sevens: The Overlap of Alcoholism & Gambling
One of the issues that makes addiction more complex than some other chronic diseases is the potential for addiction to more than one substance or behavior at one time or for two addictions to play off of each other in dangerous ways. Such connections are common with addictions to gambling and alcohol. These ... Read More
A Thousand Cuts: Self-Harm’s Temptations and How to Address Them
Self-mutilation, or self-injury, is defined as any type of injury a person creates without any intention of suicide. Deliberately harming your body like this can create an emotional release for some people. Most people who cut or burn themselves do so not because they want to kill themselves but as a way of managing ... Read More
Vicious Cycle: How Drug Abuse Turns to Dealing
Drug addiction often starts slowly, with a little sampling at a party or prescription use that spirals out of control. For those who enjoy the initial rush, use may increase, spreading from getting high solely at parties or during nights out to daily doses, perhaps at night to unwind or in the morning to get going. ... Read More
Help! I’m Addicted to Shopping: Compulsive Buying and You
Can shopping become an addiction? Shopping without the ability to stop can be a form of addiction. Compulsive buying disorder is a disease. For some people, it begins as a need to have the latest item or fashion accessory. Over time, indulging in those items creates a positive feeling and compels a person to continue ... Read More
Is Addiction a Mental Illness?
It’s a question many people have asked, and most don’t understand: Are drug and alcohol addictions a mental illness? In some cases, addiction can be considered a mental illness. However, because of the physical components of addiction, it can never just be called a mental health disorder. Nevertheless, it’s a disorder ... Read More
















