The word "depression" has become highly normalized in modern culture. Saying things like "I feel depressed today" or "today is so depressing" have become colloquial ways to comment on a downward trend in mood or an unfortunate time when things didn't go according to plan. However, for those living with bipolar disorder ... Read More
How Louis Armstrong Got Entangled with Weed, Laxatives and the Mob
Louis Armstrong is widely considered one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. When he was 11 and living in New Orleans, Armstrong was arrested for firing a gun during a New Year's Eve celebration and was sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys, where he learned to play the clarinet and, as Armstrong later ... Read More
The Power of Transparency in Therapy
Transparency - one of the most valuable traits to acquire as a human, yet every molecule in my body rejects the thought of it. I think it’s fair to say that any individual, addict, or non-addict, that has experienced any form of trauma can relate to the detestable feelings associated with vulnerability and ... Read More
The Dangers of Combining Tramadol and Ativan
Ativan and Tramadol are two fairly common prescription medications that you may find together in your medicine cabinet at some point. While Tramadol is typically prescribed to manage symptoms of physical pain, Ativan is commonly prescribed for managing anxiety. Tramadol is an opioid, and Ativan is a benzodiazepine. ... Read More
How the DSM Became the Defining Authority on Mental Disorders
There's no question that the mental health treatment community — as well as society at large — is always learning about mental illness. Every year, new research comes out that shifts our thinking slightly about certain conditions. These changes may be so incremental we hardly notice them. But a look back at how the ... Read More
How Perfectionism Affects Mental Health
Before we dive into the direct connection between mental health and perfectionism, I have a confession to make. I am unequivocally a perfectionist. Maybe it’s the thrill of chasing an unattainable outcome, or perhaps it dives deeper into my psyche and taps into the part of me that feels perfection is the only ... Read More
4 Most Realistic Depictions of PTSD in Hollywood
Often, Hollywood dramatizes serious mental health conditions to a point that can be damaging and misleading. For example, portrayals of dissociative identity disorder (DID) are often highly exaggerated and have spread misinformation about the condition. Another mental health condition that's sometimes not represented ... Read More
How the Media Can Normalize Weed Use
Updated July 18, 2023 It seems like marijuana use is everywhere you look today. It's on television and in movies, as the focal point of discussions about legalization and legally used in more homes than ever before. And not only is it being talked about more, but it's also gained a more widespread level of ... Read More
