Special care is needed after a potential or confirmed concussion. Depending on the severity, you may have to reduce your activity level for your concussion recovery. You might have to wait a few hours before sleeping and remain under supervision until the short-term symptoms resolve. You may also be told not to drink ... Read More
What Causes Hallucinations and What’s the Treatment?
A Beautiful Mind. Take Shelter. Ironweed. Hallucinations are frequently presented in the media as a convenient plot device, but the reality of hallucinations is often quite different. As such, hallucinations are largely misunderstood by the general public, including people who have experienced them. For those who ... Read More
What Are the Treatments for Germophobia and OCD?
The advent of COVID-19 drastically changed social mores regarding hygiene. The prospect of contracting the coronavirus sensitized many Americans—who would usually not think much about germs—to their reality and the dangers of minimizing them. It is no wonder that rates of germophobia and, relatedly, ... Read More
Understanding the Common Gateway Drug Paths
There's long been a theory about "gateway drugs" and how they serve as common pathways to "hard" addictions. This article will introduce readers to these most common gateway drugs, and through anecdotal stories, talk about some of the ways people have gone on to hit their "rock bottom" with harder, more addictive ... Read More
How to Stop the Anxious Ruminating at Night
As many as 30 percent of adults in this country suffer from insomnia, according to statistics from the Sleep Foundation. The disorder, which is characterized by persistent problems with falling asleep, staying asleep or getting good sleep, can be caused by various factors such as stress, worries, or ... Read More
The Diatheses-Stress Model: Life Events That Can Trigger a Disorder
Many of us are aware that our genetics may predispose us to certain conditions. For instance, we know that not everyone who develops a cigarette habit will develop cancer or that not all people who live in a smog-filled city will suffer from respiratory problems. In a similar vein, there are certain genetically ... Read More
SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome – What Everyone Should Know
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — or SSRIs — can be an incredible help for people diagnosed with depression. They're also considered very safe, with little potential for abuse because of their long-term effects. But while this is true, just like with other drugs, taking SSRIs isn't completely risk-free. When a ... Read More
The Humors: Ancient Perspectives on Mental Health
Hippocrates and Mental Health Humans have been aware of mental illness since about 6500 BCE. Back then, of course, they didn't refer to it by that term. Superstition ruled over views of what we know as mental illness in ancient times. A mentally ill person had been possessed by an evil spirit or, on the other hand, ... Read More