Somatoform disorders are a group of diagnosable mental illnesses that lead to medical complaints that don’t actually match your physical condition. Current guidelines in the U.S. refer to these illnesses as somatic symptom and related disorders. No one knows exactly why such conditions occur. However, doctors and researchers have identified a range of factors that …
Distorted thoughts and beliefs are at the root of many mental health issues, from eating disorders to addiction. Those who struggle with unhealthy thinking may have an inner dialogue that tells them they’re not good enough or their pain will never go away, which can engender unpleasant emotions. The combination of negative thoughts and feelings …
Everyone experiences some form of sadness or grief at different points in their lives. It is a normal reaction to losses or changes. However, when the low moods do not go away and start interfering with daily life, it may be depression. Depression is more than just feeling blue for a few days. It is …
Those who are addicted to love live in a chaotic world of desperate need and emotional despair. Fearful of being alone or rejected, love addicts endlessly search for that special someone that will make them feel whole. Ironically, these individuals oftentimes have had numerous opportunities for the truly intimate experience they think they want. But they are …
What Are the Most Common Indicators of Love Addiction? Read More »
It’s no secret that exercise benefits the body and the mind. Vigorous exercise improves circulation, strengthens the heart, helps maintain weight, relieves stress, sharpens the mind, and aids in sweating toxins out of the body. Researchers are now exploring how exercise can specifically help those individuals who are enrolled in substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Here …
The Effects of Exercise on Drug or Alcohol Rehab Read More »
Many people mistakenly associate the word routine with an activity that is boring and repetitive. When you’re in recovery, however, the word takes on entirely different connotations. The truth is that establishing and adhering to a routine can help someone in recovery in many different ways. What are those ways? How does routine help in …
When an individual is struggling with substance use disorder or drug abuse, getting professional help is key. Often, individuals abusing drugs also suffer from an underlying mental health issue. This, combined with their addiction, creates what medical professionals call a co-occurring disorder. It is addressed through dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis is a term that …
Post-traumatic stress disorder is sadly common among veterans, and the problem is especially acute in the African American veteran population. Studies breaking down the incidence of PTSD by race and ethnicity are still rare among those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the Vietnam-era generation has been studied extensively, and this work has confirmed …
Understanding love addiction is tricky. It isn’t easy to recognize in yourself because it seems like you are in love with love or deeply in love with your partner, and what’s wrong with that? Love addiction is an unhealthy obsession with love that can cause negative consequences in various aspects of your life. One way …
Do you ever feel like you’re not making progress in therapy? Maybe you return with the same concerns every few weeks and can’t seem to move past them. Perhaps you feel uninspired by your therapist or are tired of talking things over all the time. This “therapy rut” is a frustrating place to be. You …
