When feelings of intense sadness, anger or stress get the better of us, it’s human nature to seek relief from our pain — even if it hurts us. Self-harm, also known as nonsuicidal self-injury, refers to deliberately injuring yourself without suicidal intent. People use self-harm as a “release valve” to externalize the emotional pain that […]
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Scandals have made headlines recently involving sexual abuse of minors in major organizations such as the Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Boy Scouts of America, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s no surprise, then, that thousands of people are living day to day with highly traumatic memories. Trauma, particularly in children,
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Recovery is a multifaceted process. Giving up drugs and alcohol — and staying clean — isn’t always a straight path. There may be obstacles and difficulties on the journey to the new and improved you. However, it’s a road worth traveling and one others have successfully traversed. Recovery quotes may help you gain strength and
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Recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be a long journey. For many who choose to stop drinking, the path is strewn with obstacles and detours. Dry drunk syndrome is one of the stumbling blocks that can impact people on this journey. What is a dry drunk? Alcoholics Anonymous coined the term to describe someone
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If you had a personality disorder, would you know it? More importantly, would you know how to manage it? The term “personality disorder” might feel like a burden or an embarrassment, but it’s nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. About 9% of American adults have some kind of personality disorder, and plenty of folks
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You’ve decided to enter substance abuse treatment, or you’re looking into the possibilities. This is a huge but intimidating step in the recovery process — you should be proud of yourself for acknowledging you need help. However, once you’ve made the choice, it can be difficult to know which route is the one for you.
Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Read More »
If you’re part of the 29% of U.S. adults diagnosed with depression, you know how difficult it is to live with. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that negatively affects how you think, feel and behave. You may have persistent feelings of sadness and struggle to complete day-to-day activities. If these symptoms sound
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Did you know that a recent study found that more than half of respondents used at least one emotional defense mechanism? Many people use these mechanisms to help them deal with circumstances their brains find traumatic or uncomfortable, like perceived threats, guilt, shame or anxiety. While some of these mechanisms can be beneficial, others can
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Serotonin is one of the “feel good” chemicals the body uses to regulate mood. When your serotonin levels are normal, you tend to sleep better, have a good appetite, feel less anxiety and generally feel calm and balanced. When serotonin levels are low, you might feel down and have low energy. After all, your sleep
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Have you ever lived with someone who avoids all perceived conflict? Maybe a roommate dodges your calls when you’re upset or won’t talk about household issues. Passive-aggressive behaviors can include everything from giving you the silent treatment to sulking or playing the victim. What Is Passive Aggression? Before you can start working on passive-aggressive habits
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