Mental Health Information

Assumptions are a part of our everyday lives. Every decision we make is based upon them. The problem occurs when we make decisions based on assumptions that we have not validated or proven correct.

When you think of "shock therapy", what comes to mind? Chances are it bears limited resemblance to the modern reality of electroconvulsive therapy.

What are the signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction? Learn how to recognize if someone you know might have a problem.

How do you cope with anxiety when it becomes a way of life for you? Are you a worrier who does not know how to relax?

Fear is limiting; phobias, even more so.

Do you fear being alone and think you cannot cope without someone else by your side? You may have dependent personality disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, disturbing thoughts and repetitive behaviors. There are, however, effective treatments for OCD sufferers.

Questions couples may have when considering couple's therapy.

Grief is a journey unique to the individual, generally experienced in cycles. There is no time frame with grieving, however, there are distinct stages that occur throughout the process. Understanding these stages can help a person come to terms with their feelings and eventually heal from the loss.

Understand what causes cornstarch cravings and how important it is to get help before the problem progresses. Learn about other non food cravings and the role nutrition plays.

Depression and anxiety commonly exist together. Can it make a primary mental illness diagnosis worse?

People who have a mental health disorder have to live with stigma and discrimination. The popular use of slang terminology doesn't help.

What happens when stress builds to gigantic proportions? What happens when stress converts itself into a physical manifestation? Nonepileptic seizures explained.

If a person repeatedly overdoses on pills but always survives... and yet claims it is because of a desire to die, does it necessarily mean their intent is false? Is it attention-seeking behaviour?

Panic disorder can only develop if you have a negative first panic attack experience. What turns a panic attack into panic disorder?

Many people believe that narcissists are incapable of experiencing empathy but research suggests this may not be true.

Psychodynamic therapy evolved from Freud's psychoanalytic theory. Learn more about this approach, which focuses on unconscious thought processes and childhood experiences.

Are you considering therapy? Find out how you can get help for emotional/mental problems and behavioral conflicts through psychotherapy.

A summary of what alcohol use disorder is, including symptoms, factors that influence development, health risks of alcohol consumption, how it is treated, and some resources to help find treatment.

Have you ever wondered if you might be an alcoholic? Learn about some of the signs that indicate you may have a problem.

For many of us, admitting that there is a substance abuse problem leads to fear, shame, and embarrassment. A willingness to break through the denial, however, can lead to live-saving perspectives.

A quick look at what borderline personality disorder is and why so many in prison seem to have it.

Fictional account of a counselor working to establish rapport with a sullen teen. Suggests verbal/nonverbal techniques and also discusses the implications of unintended reactions. Short story format.

This article explores the experimental diagnostic category of malignant narcissism, one of the most destructive and inhumane of all psychiatric illnesses.

Munchausen Syndrome is a mental and behavioural disorder where the person deliberately fabricates an illness in order to feel a sense of acceptance. They do have an awareness of what they are doing but cannot control it.

Cyberbullying has become an epidemic. In order to fully understand the reasons why and its consequences, awareness programs should be set up in schools and workplaces.

The decision to seek mental health counseling can be overwhelming with uncertainty as to how to begin. These four tips can assist in creating a map for navigating those first steps on the journey toward mental health and wellness.

How can you support a loved one through their grieving process? As people grieve, they need the assurance and support of those closest to them.

A brief overview of the name changes that have occurred for some of the more well known mental health diagnoses.

How can you cope with a fear of choking when you have a chronic anxiety problem?

Those working towards recovery from victimization by a personality disorder have a clear triage of needs.

When used in moderation, social media has the ability to impact positively on our daily lives, however, it is important to acknowledge the detrimental effect of these powerful online platforms on our mental health.

Labeling those with addictions can dehumanize them. The term "addict"suggests everything about the person results from the addiction, whereas "person with an addiction" puts the person first.

When does the oral curiosity about our surroundings in childhood cross the line into a medical problem? Pica is an eating disorder that is characterized by non-food cravings.

A severe anxiety problem or bout of depression can produce many odd symptoms. Depersonalization and derealization are two of the worst symptoms a sufferer may encounter.

Information regarding heroin, including how it affects the body, addiction, overdosing, and treatment options.

Hoarding Disorder is a mental health condition where a person acquires an excessive number of items and displays ongoing resistance to discarding them. Difficult to treat, further research needs to be undertaken in order to fully understand the psychology of this disorder.

Depression, itself, is enough to change your behaviour and impede your functioning. Psychosis can exacerbate those changes and make the experience terrifying. Learn about how it can be treated.

More than just the 'baby blues', postnatal depression is a mental illness causing anxious thoughts and extended feelings of hopelessness. Recovery is a gradual process, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to navigate this confusing mental maze.

Diagnosing yourself by reading information online can often lead to erroneous conclusions. Mental health diagnoses should be made by trained professionals.

There are various therapies to help those with mental health problems, but do you know which one is best for you?

Cognitive therapy emerged in the 1960s leading to a large number of cognitive-behavioral models. The core concept of these models is that people's cognition affects their feelings and behavior.

Noticing signs of suicide risk is not always straightforward, but learning which signs to look for could be life-saving. Learn about the signs of suicide risk.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can merge to become a disorder known as schizoaffective. Coping can be very difficult.

The secret means that narcissistic predators use to exploit others.

Are you having a panic attack? Learn how to stop it in its tracks with these simple steps.

If there is an opposite of addiction, it might be mindfulness. While addiction often involves running from feelings and numbing pain, mindfulness involves learning to stay with and accept pain and discomfort. Practicing mindfulness skills during treatment can help maintain sobriety beyond treatment.

Playing video games for many can be an innocent form of entertainment, and many can game without developing problems. The intent of this article is to provide information about the pitfalls—the "dark side"—to video gaming, and the growing addiction concerns.

The 11th revision of the ICD added "gaming disorder" as a potential mental health diagnosis. Is this controversial decision the way forward in treating technology abuse? How will clinicians diagnose and treat the condition?

People take going shopping for granted. What happens when this everyday activity brings such fear that you totally avoid doing it?

Instagram has placed more pro-eating disorder hashtags on an "unsearchable" list after a BBC investigation showed that users were able to get around the platform's filters. The site continues to be criticized for not doing enough.

With the increase of music in our lives from new technological gadgets, the cases of rare auditory hallucinations, termed musical hallucinations, will likely become more prevalent.

Do bad thoughts pop into your mind for no reason? Do you think about hurting other people—or yourself? Do your thoughts embarrass you? If so, you may suffer from intrusive thoughts. Learn more here.

Bowen family systems therapy takes a multigenerational approach to treating the family system. It emphasizes the need for unresolved emotional fusion to be addressed for healthy family functioning.

Do you want to enhance your mental well-being? Follow these 12 steps to improve all areas of your life, including the quality of your relationships, work, and how you cope with life's challenges.

There is an expectation of quality service when you are paying for those services. The same goes for getting therapy. Learn what to expect, what happens when you go, and what your therapist should and should not do in therapy.

Mental illness affects one in four adults. In some cases, commitment to a psychiatric facility is the best process to protects all parties. Here are the facts about involuntary commitment.

This article describes the traits of antisocial personality disorder, medication and treatment recommendations, and suggestions for loved ones and healthcare professionals. Real-life examples of traits and patient care are provided.

Do you or someone you know hate to be touched? Touch aversion and tactile sensitivity can be complex. Our guide will help you understand aversion to touch and provide answers to your questions...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an extreme anxiety disorder characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions. Challenging and debilitating, this condition often requires long-term treatment. Staying focused on recovery goals and reaching out to a support group will make the journey less challenging.

Notoriously difficult to diagnose, bipolar disorder is as debilitating as it is destructive. The symptoms, causes and types are wide-ranging and extreme. Therefore, a strong support network is vital for those who struggle with this complex disorder.

The stigma suffered by users of psychiatric services can be more disabling than the actual mental health problems. This article discusses how professional staff unintentionally stigmatise their patients.

Disturbing thoughts can be a major problem for those who suffer with anxiety disorders. Why do you get them and how can you deal with them?

Beat your narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) by kicking the parasite out of your head.

Family therapy pays attention to how family members influence each other’s behavior. This approach uses a wide range of techniques to improve family functioning.

Did you know that it's possible to get addicted to nasal sprays? Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. This is what I did to break my dependence.

Can you stop yourself spiralling into a pit of depression?

People struggle with various emotional and psychological challenges, and psychotherapists use different approaches, including Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), to address these issues.

Cognitive therapy is one of the approaches for the treatment of depression. According to Aaron Beck, depressed persons consistently view themselves, the future, and the world in a negative way.

While starting any business is challenging, setting up a counseling practice tends to prove especially daunting. This type of practice requires both stamina and openness to innovation.

This article corrects the misconceptions about narcissism and discusses differences between covert (inverted) and overt narcissists. The contributions of self-efficacy and self-esteem to these types are discussed and a more inclusive model of the disorder presented.

Some people who experience extreme trauma develop PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks and disturbing dreams. Although it is not possible to predict who will develop PTSD, there are some risk factors.

Frustrations and sadness can lead to angry outbursts, but consider the negative impact on your life and relationships. Take these nine steps to manage your anger.

Surviving an abusive childhood is tough. The emotional and physical scars have the potential to ruin a person. This article discusses how to have a better life after surviving childhood abuse.

This article discusses how to find the right psychologist for you. It also includes a list of questions to ask a potential provider to ensure they are qualified and are the best match for your needs.

Read about what experts currently know about the causes and treatment of bipolar disorder.

Requiring lifelong treatment, schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating types of mental illness, affecting 1% of all adults globally. The causes of this disorder are not yet fully understood, however, early detection is the key to the right treatment, and understanding is the key to acceptance.

A basic introduction to the definitions of drug abuse, addiction, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal. Recovery from substance use disorders is also discussed.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is an extreme mental disorder characterised by obsessive thoughts about appearance and body image. Recognised as a hidden disorder due to its shame and stigma, BDD occurs equally in both sexes and adversely affects the person’s quality of life.