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Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category

Daylight Savings Time & Depression

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Seasonal DepressionAs the days grow shorter, it’s more important than ever to get outside, especially for those in recovery for drug or alcohol addiction.

As the days grow shorter and it’s dark before you even begin your evening commute, there’s a tendency to want to huddle inside where it’s warm and hibernate. The gray days of late fall and winter lead to a seasonal depression for many people. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of the natural light the season does offer. (more…)

Mental Health Moving Forward

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Mental TherapyMental health disorders are on the rise, but are training and treatment methods keeping pace?

While the number of those with mental health disorders in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, some wonder if training for the experts treating those disorders is keeping pace with the growing problem.

There are questions about whether that treatment — administered by clinical psychologists and therapists — is done using out-of-date methods that lack scientific rigor. (more…)

Mental Health & Addiction

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Mental health and addictionMore people are suffering with mental issues than previously thought, and those issues, especially when untreated, can contribute to addiction problems.

There may be twice as many people struggling with mental health issues than previously thought, according to a new study completed by two Duke University psychologists in partnership with colleagues from the U.K. and New Zealand and published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Anxiety, depression and substance dependency were all found to be much more common than health professionals thought, according to data from a long-term study of more than 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 32.

Part of the reason for the discrepancy may be the fact that mental illness is vastly underreported because of the stigma attached to psychological disorders. Studies to track the incidence of anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence and marijuana dependence are costly, which means they are very rare.
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Noah’s Notes: Strength and Weakness

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Rock ClimberEmotional pain is part of emotional health, and every one of us has found our own path to our own pain. If that’s tough news, tough. It’s also reality therapy. So however you think you got here in your life, or who you think got you here, and whether you’re suffering from the need to please, the blame game, or simply sitting there wearing a feeling-sorry-for-yourself party hat at your own pity party, it’s time you knew the party is over.

Character isn’t how we live the life we intend but how we live the life destiny intends. We’re all hurting. What’s hurting you is where your work begins. You’re not expected to finish the work, but neither are you excused from it. It’s time to get busy.
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Mental Health Parity

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

ScaleYou’d have to be living at the North Pole to not hear about the financial bailout package that went before the congress late last year. What you may not have heard about is the mental health “parity” bill that was tacked onto the bailout package before it passed. That landmark law requires employers to provide mental health insurance benefits comparable to their medical coverage. This will affect 113 million Americans, providing them with the parity in insurance benefits, making treatment for mental disorders and addiction affordable.

“The new law would bar insurance plans from setting higher co-pays or deductibles for mental health or substance abuse treatment than for medical care,” USA Today reports. “Lower benefit limits also would be illegal, along with caps on the number of outpatient therapy sessions or inpatient treatment days.”
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Anxiety & Addiction

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Man rubbing templesWhat does anxiety possibly have to do with addiction? Studies show that up to 65.5 percent of people with a substance dependence disorder have at least one mental disorder and 51 percent of people with a mental disorder have at least one substance abuse disorder. Add to that the fact that anxiety disorders are the most common group of psychiatric disorders, and the connection becomes clearer.

The term “anxiety” refers to the sensations of nervousness, tension, apprehension and fear that emanate from the anticipation of internal or external danger. “Anxiety disorders” describe different clusters of signs and symptoms of anxiety, panic and phobias ranging from panic attacks and specific phobias (insects, heights, public speaking) to generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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