A new study shows that siblings share a vulnerability to addiction, even if one abuses drugs and the other doesn’t. Researchers looked at pairs of siblings and healthy unrelated people and compared their brain structures and their ability to control their impulses — something that is known to be compromised among drug users. The study
Keep ReadingThe high-profile Jodi Arias trial has mental health and treatment professionals taking notice. As the proceedings wrap up, there has been much discussion about the DSM. Its formal name is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The latest version of this “mental health bible,” the DSM-IV-TR (fourth edition, text revision), is used by
Keep ReadingIt is a natural response to look for something to ease feelings of emotional pain, but many people fall prey to addiction, as they seek a way to dull unwanted feelings or emotions. Emotional pain can be related to memories of physical, sexual or emotional abuse by a loved one or family member. It can
Keep ReadingHistory is filled with wonderfully creative individuals who came to tragic ends. The commonality of artists struggling with alcohol, drugs or mental illness leads people to begin linking the two. But does creativity really correlate with addiction or mental health issues like depression and bipolar disorder? Is there a scientific connection? The answer is both
Keep ReadingUnless you live in a perpetually warm climate along the equator, winter means colder, shorter and darker days. This lack of sunshine can lead to depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that appears during the colder months of the year, and symptoms tend to be at their worst in
Keep ReadingWe are born with a natural instinct to survive. If someone tries to hurt us, we fight back. So why do so many who go through traumatic events feel guilt for surviving? And why do some have a harder time coping with the aftermath than others? Tragedies like the Sandy Hook school shooting, the recent
Keep ReadingAs the dialogue continues about mental health issues, researchers continue to look for new connections and causes related to mental illness. One of the causes looked at in a recent study was spanking, as researchers asked if corporal punishment could possibly cause a mental disorder. Past research has shown that severe child abuse can have
Keep ReadingThere is an ongoing debate among medical professional to determine what constitutes an addiction and which behaviors deserve the status of a full-fledged disorder. Overeating, video gaming, gambling, texting and shopping are all being scrutinized. It’s easy to see how some of those behaviors could turn into addictions (we all know someone who can’t be
Keep ReadingThe mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in idyllic Newtown, Connecticut left 20 children and 6 adults dead and sent a nation into mourning. News outlets and social media sites are buzzing with stories, conjecture, sympathy and strong opinions. Reporters were still clarifying early misconceptions – the shooter’s mother had been a teacher at
Keep ReadingMental illness is a topic that makes many people uncomfortable. We don’t know how to react to someone with mental health problems, we don’t know the right questions to ask and we worry about what not to say. This tip-toeing around, while well-intentioned, means the issue goes unaddressed, and misconceptions and stigma remain. A new
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