Manic depression is the former term for bipolar disorder. The change was made in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the industry standard for diagnosing mental health disorders. Manic depression was initially used to refer to any mental illnesses centered on mood or emotional problems. The…
There are numerous reasons young Americans choose to enlist in the armed services, including a sense of patriotism, a family tradition of service, education opportunities, and financial incentives. Many recruits are high school graduates with limited options, and enlisting seems like an opportunity to learn skills and have a job. The reality often ends up…
Rates of substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders are disproportionately higher among people on the LGBTQ+ spectrum than in other sectors of society. Studies show that those who identify as LGBTQ+ are twice as likely as heterosexual or cisgender adults to experience substance use disorders and mental health disorders. Despite growing acceptance, individuals…
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…
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disorder symptoms. Schizoaffective disorder is divided into two categories based on the type of mood disorder involved: bipolar disorder type and depressive type. There is no cure for schizoaffective disorder, but individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and…
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic mental health disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD impacts millions of people every year. We are all different, so not everyone who shares the same trauma will develop PTSD. However, anyone can develop PTSD at any age. For most…
Eye movement reprocessing and desensitization (EMDR) is a powerful interactive therapy. It is highly effective in helping people recover from trauma and other distressing experiences that can lead to maladaptive behaviors, including substance abuse and addiction. EMDR was initially developed to treat PTSD but has been proven effective in treating many mental health disorders. At…
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) originally developed in the late 1980s to treat borderline personality disorder better. Since then, it has been adapted to help treat several other mental health disorders and is commonly used to treat substance use disorders. DBT therapy places emphasis on the connection between social…
Kratom is a tropical tree that is native to parts of Southeast Asia, where it has been used in herbal medicines since at least the 19th century. The tree leaves contain compounds that can produce pain-relieving, euphoric, or psychotropic effects, depending upon the dosage. Due to its ability to produce an opioid-like high, kratom has…