One of the few bright spots early in the pandemic was that numerous animal shelters across the country reported that they didn't have enough animals to keep up with the demand. In some consistently overcrowded shelters and humane rescue groups, the number of requests for dog adoptions doubled. Newfound free time ... Read More
No More Shame Story: April Sonier
When April Sonier was only 16, she had to have her gallbladder removed. The year was 2006. That’s also when she began using the prescription painkiller Vicodin. “It was my first surgery ever, and I didn’t realize it was going to be that painful,” she said in a recent interview. “Vicodin helped me feel better, and ... Read More
Why Drinking With a Concussion Is Not Safe
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














