Major depression is a severe mental health disorder marked by a perpetual depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, and impaired daily functioning. Treating depression involves a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Most people are aware of the emotional symptoms of depression, but depression has physical symptoms as well. Many people, including doctors, often miss the…
Addiction is a complex disease that has a history rooted in stigma. Historically addiction has been viewed as a moral failing of people who actively chose to relinquish self-control. Thankfully, modern science and medical research have proven that addiction is a chronic, progressive brain disease, which has helped to alleviate much of the stigma previously…
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, EMDR, is a therapeutic process that helps people free themselves from the harmful memories, negative thoughts, and upsetting emotions connected to past trauma that hinder their ability to lead healthy, productive lives. EMDR is non-invasive, evidence-based psychotherapy that has been clinically proven to be effective for treating trauma, PTSD,…
Learning that a friend or family member is engaging in self-harm can be deeply upsetting. You may feel frightened for their safety and confused or angry about why they are doing this to themselves. For a long time, self-injurious behavior was wrongly categorized as “attention-seeking” behavior. On the contrary, most self-harm individuals go to great…
Schizoaffective disorder is a relatively rare chronic mental health disorder affecting less than one percent of the population. Those affected exhibit symptoms similar to schizophrenia (hallucinations and delusions) and bipolar disorder (mania and depression), though not necessarily at the same time. Because of this, individuals suffering from schizoaffective disorder are often initially misdiagnosed and improperly…
Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans from all walks of life. Opioids are a class of drugs that impact the central nervous system by blocking pain and creating a sense of euphoria. Unfortunately, they have the potential to become highly addictive, especially when improperly used. While most people are aware…
We all experience difficult times when we feel overwhelmed by feelings like stress, anger, frustration, and sadness. However, it can be a challenge for many to find ways to cope with these feelings healthily. People who suffer from substance use or mental health disorders can especially struggle to utilize appropriate coping mechanisms. Unfortunately, turning to…
Mental health therapy is a crucial part of the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. There are five broad types of psychotherapy: psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies; integrative or holistic therapy; humanistic therapy; cognitive therapy; and behavioral therapy. Each of these approaches has its own goals, utilizes its different techniques, and has its benefits. Behavioral therapy…
The cannabis plant, from which marijuana is derived, is one of the oldest crops in the world. It is no wonder then that marijuana has a long history and is the most commonly used drug in the United States and around the globe. Proponents of marijuana have long lobbied for its legalization, and it has.…
If you have made the difficult decision to commit to a drug or alcohol detox program, the next step is to think about how to be best prepared. Especially if you are entering detox in Florida for the first time, you might not know what to expect. The admissions team at Harmony Hills will help…