What Is a Substance Use Disorder? Before examining the relationship between OCD and substance use disorders, we first need to outline what a substance use disorder is. There are two main kinds of substance use disorders: substance dependence and substance abuse. Substance Dependence To be diagnosed with substance dependence, you must have three or more of the following symptoms at any time within the same year: Greatly increased tolerance, meaning that you need more and more of the substance to get the desired effect....

According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), which measures the relationship between life events, stress, and susceptibility to illness, divorce is considered one of the most severe life stressors. Number one on the list is the death of a loved one. Given these statistics, some wonder whether the trauma of divorce can lead to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Defining PTSD Once referred to as “combat stress reaction” or “battle fatigue”, PTSD gained official recognition as a mental health condition in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-lll)....

How to Breathe Properly It may sound strange, but many people actually don’t breathe properly. Natural breathing involves your diaphragm, a large muscle in your abdomen. When you breathe in, your belly should expand. When you breathe out, your belly should fall. This is known as diaphragmatic breathing. Over time, people forget how to breathe this way and instead use their chest and shoulders, causing short and shallow breaths, which can increase your stress and anxiety....

Why Self-Monitoring is Helpful One of the reasons self-monitoring is so helpful is that it can be very difficult to recall thoughts, feelings, or behaviors after some time has passed. In the moment self-monitoring makes it possible to get an accurate picture of what is really going on with your eating behavior. This can be an important tool whether you are working to change a behavior or problem on your own (self-help), or while working with a therapist....

Your relationship might be mostly free of conflict, but you still might find yourself feeling unsatisfied, tired, or just plain uninspired. So can you inject some excitement back into a monotonous relationship, or is it time to move on and find a fresh start? This article discusses some of the signs you are in a boring relationship and some of the reasons why the shine often starts to wear off....

In order to meet need in an affordable way, many therapists offer sliding scale fees, which means that a client’s fee is based on their ability to pay rather than a standard rate. If a client does not have insurance (or cannot afford their deductible), their therapist might offer reduced out-of-pocket fees to make therapy more affordable. Although therapists are not required to offer a sliding scale, the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines encourage psychologists to reserve a number of spots in their practice for reduced rate or pro bono services....

While the convenience is undeniable, new research makes it more clear that mindlessly checking our phones and social media profiles has become the fast food of fuel for the mind, providing for the most part only empty calories and leaving us even less satisfied than before. A recent study measured levels of boredom and fatigue throughout the workday and phone usage during work breaks. When comparing the two, negative feelings weren’t remedied after time spent scrolling....

Scientists have identified a tentative link between stress and anxiety, and anemia. With both conditions, a chicken and egg scenario seems to exist in the sense that some researchers believe that stress could cause anemia. In contrast, others believe that anemia causes stress and anxiety. Both scenarios are factual to some degree. This article examines both scenarios and the link between stress and anemia. It also covers how to treat and cope with both conditions....

Now, as we enter a summer that has the potential for more normalcy, parents are preparing to send their kids off to camp once again. Yes, for many, summer camp is back on the menu—and the benefits that come with it could be more important than ever. The Many Benefits of Summer Camp Summer camp was first introduced in the late 1800s as a boys’ getaway from a world that was becoming increasingly urbanized....

Panic attacks occur very quickly and can last anywhere between five and 20 minutes. In some cases, however, they can last for hours. A panic attack feels most intense about 10 minutes after it begins, after which you might begin to feel better. What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like? When you get a panic attack, you feel the same emotions your body will typically elicit when exposed to fear or danger....

You may experience withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and insomnia during the detox process, particularly if you drink heavily or regularly. Some people may experience a severe form of withdrawal, known as delirium tremens. This article explores the symptoms of alcohol detox, as well as some strategies to manage the symptoms at home or at a treatment facility. Why Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Occur? Harvard Medical School notes that if you stop drinking suddenly, your brain is like a racing vehicle without brakes....

By contrast, hypomania (often described as “mania-light”) is a type II bipolar disorder which neither has the range nor severity of symptoms that classic mania has. If left untreated, bipolar mania can spin out the control and affect your ability to function on a daily basis. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward seeking the appropriate treatment and care. Symptoms The appearance of one or two symptoms of mania doesn’t necessarily mean that you have bipolar disorder....

With brains that are still developing, kids and teens have less capacity to cope with stressful situations and are more likely to internalize that stress. These factors contribute to an increased risk of conditions like anxiety and depression as the pandemic stretches into 2021. What Is Executive Functioning? The concept of executive functioning is a widely accepted theory that describes the mental skills of daily life that dictate how individuals navigate, communicate, and solve problems....

Most meditation programs call for people to sit down—often with their legs crossed on the floor. This position can be uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time, which is why meditation cushions can add an entirely new layer of comfort to your meditation practice. Take your pick of a Zafu or Zabuton style cushion, to elevate the hips or cushion the knees, respectively. While the height and shape of Zabuton cushions are relatively universal, Zafu pillows offer a wider variety of options....

This article discusses four of the major perspectives on personality, the theorists associated with each theory, and the core ideas that are central to each perspective. Learning more about these theories can give you greater insight into the many different aspects of human personality. Psychoanalytic Perspective The psychoanalytic perspective of personality emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences and the unconscious mind. This perspective on personality was created by psychiatrist Sigmund Freud who believed that things hidden in the unconscious could be revealed in a number of different ways, including through dreams, free association, and slips of the tongue....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. People who have experienced a traumatic event and/or have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to attempt suicide. Trauma, PTSD, and Suicide In a survey of 5,877 people across the United States, it was found that people who had experienced physical or sexual assault in their life also had a high likelihood of attempting to take their own life at some point:...