Battling mental illness can be lonely, especially if you keep your struggles to yourself. That's why when well-known figures from minority backgrounds are willing to open up about their mental health difficulties, it can have a positive ripple effect and promote real community healing. Read on for mental health stories ... Read More
Can You Be Addicted to Coffee?
If you're like most people, your day just doesn't start until you've had a cup of coffee. Its benefits are substantial: more energy, improved mood and better physical performance. But how many of your "caffeine addiction" jokes are steeped in reality? Is coffee addictive like other stimulating substances? Yes, and ... Read More
Can You Be Addicted to Sugar?
Sugar dependency shares many parallels with behavioral addiction. Although sugar isn't a drug, the cravings and withdrawals are similar to drug addiction. Sugar releases the feel-good hormone dopamine, which means the brain's reward center is activated whenever you reach for a sugary snack. This immediate release of ... Read More
PTSD and Substance Abuse: What’s the Link?
Research suggests a strong link between trauma and addiction. Learn how people with PTSD can break the cycle and find healthier coping mechanisms. After a traumatic event, some people find they can't relax. They jump at small noises, stay awake all night, and have panic attacks in ordinary situations. Eventually, ... Read More
When to Leave Someone Because of Addiction
Watching a loved one battle addiction can take a huge toll on someone's mental and physical well-being. When you're in a romantic relationship with an addict, you may find yourself no longer recognizing the person you once fell in love with. You want to be compassionate and supportive and help them through the ... Read More
How Society’s Male Gender Expectations Are Tough on Men’s Mental Health
In 2019, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that women are almost twice as likely to seek therapy as men. While 24.7% of women sought help, only 13.4% of men attended counseling. Around 20% of women took medication compared to only 10.7% of men. It seems like masculinity and mental ... Read More
How to Get the Correct Diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder
If you feel disconnected from reality and suffer from manic episodes and major depressive episodes, you might have bipolar disorder. Finally, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and receiving the correct medication can be life-changing. Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder affecting 2.8% of Americans aged ... Read More
Tangled Up in Clutter: How Hoarding Becomes an Addiction
If you're a sentimental person, you likely have certain items you'd never get rid of. You might display a handful of items on shelves or have a few dozen things stored away in keepsake boxes to look at when you're nostalgic. But what happens when you begin to attach value to every item you come across and can't part ... Read More
