Once the acute withdrawal symptoms subside, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may set in. Symptoms of PAWS PAWS can be a major barrier for many pursuing recovery from addiction. PAWS is unique as compared to other withdrawal issues because of how extensive it is; PAWS can last from six months up to two years after the person stops using the substance. Common symptoms include: Irritability, aggression or hostility Depression, sadness, and anxiety Mood swings with severe highs and lows Low energy Fatigue or insomnia Thought fog Limited ability to focus Lack of interest in sex Chronic pain...

This disorder is marked by mood swings that alternate between depression and mania, which is an elevation of energy that presents with irritability, impulsivity, or euphoria. While this is can be a challenging mental illness to manage, there are treatment options available that are highly effective and can contribute to a balanced and well lifestyle. Read on to learn about bipolar disorder, just how prevalent it truly is, its causes, and treatment....

What Is Pristiq? Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) belongs to a class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications reduce the absorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and were first used to treat mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). SNRIs were later found to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. Today, in addition to being used to help treat MDD, they are also prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and social phobia....

Although sociopath and psychopath are often used interchangeably and may overlap, each has its own clear lines of distinction. For example, sociopathy is the unofficial term for antisocial personality disorder (APD), while psychopathy is not an official diagnosis and is not considered an APD. Differences Between Sociopath vs. Psychopath Psychopaths are classified as people with little or no conscience but are able to follow social conventions when it suits their needs....

What Is Psychosis? Psychosis involves a disruption to a person’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to distinguish between what is real and what isn’t. However, it’s important to know upfront that psychosis is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The severity of psychosis varies. One person may have mild impairment while another struggles with activities of daily living due to their symptoms. Psychosis generally stems from various psychiatric disorders, although it may also appear in the course of certain medical and neurological conditions....

Some people with bipolar disorder will alternate between manic and depressive episodes once or twice a year. Others may only experience this once every few years. However, a small subset of people will have rapid cycling, in which the mood swings come fast and frequently. Rapid cycling is considered one of the more severe form of bipolar disorder. The condition can seriously impair ability to function as well as quality of life....

It’s helpful to note that paranoia was originally a term used to describe a symptom of psychosis, which occurs in mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. Its definition, however, has evolved to apply to anxiety or worry that people experience in everyday situations—which is how the term is generally used in “relationship paranoia.” Paranoia as a symptom of psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, and may result in harm to the person experiencing it and/or others around them....

Sleep Problems in PTSD People with PTSD may experience a number of different types of sleep problems. Many people with PTSD have difficulties falling asleep as compared to people without PTSD. In fact, one study of Vietnam veterans found that 44% of those with PTSD said that they have trouble falling asleep at night, whereas less than 10% of combat veterans without PTSD said that they have this problem. Of course, nightmares are also very common among people with PTSD....

Essentially, an ecosystem in distress can create significant, chronic distress in the people who call these places home. Examples of the types of situations that may induce the condition of solastalgia include: DroughtForest fireFloodingDroughtClear-cuttingMiningSmogExtreme weatherOther causes of property destruction or change Overview When someone experiences solastalgia, their sense of place, home, security, value, and self are undermined. Generally, this mental health condition, which is sometimes also referred to more broadly as climate anxiety, interferes with the normal interplay between the well-being of our physical environments with that of our mental health—and as researchers, therapists, and doctors are increasingly becoming aware, damage to one tends to negatively impact the other....

Strengths-based therapy can be utilized in conjunction with other orientations, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, and narrative therapy. Therapists might also use a strengths-based approach if they are engaging in solution-focused therapy, brief motivational interviewing, or interpersonal therapy. The aim of strengths-based therapy is to improve the client’s mindset and instill a positive world view so they can perceive themselves as resourceful and resilient when they are experiencing adverse conditions....

Substance or medication-induced sleep disorder is also different from the temporary insomnia or exhaustion that often affects people straight after alcohol or drug use, which is a normal response to the substance, or the activities of people who use alcohol or drugs, such as staying up later than your usual bedtime or participating in tiring activities during the time that alcohol or drugs are used (such as dancing). In contrast to these normal responses to alcohol or drugs, substance/medication-induced sleep disorder interferes with sleep more significantly, and the negative effects last for much longer....

In this article, we’ll look at what the science says about the link between sugar and ADHD and what you can do about your sugar intake if you feel it’s negatively impacting your mental health. Sugar Does Not Cause ADHD Sugar can cause a burst of energy popularly known as a sugar rush, but this should not be confused with ADHD-related hyperactivity. Studies on the connection between sugar and ADHD have found little to no evidence that sugar influences ADHD symptoms, let alone causes the neurodevelopmental disorder....

Research published by the journal JAMA Psychiatry in late August found that telepsychiatry in undeserved rural areas was “a resounding success” among people with bipolar disorder and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results provide more evidence for the effectiveness of virtual therapy, which has become an increasingly important way for people across the country to receive support during the pandemic, and offers insights on how to reduce disparities in mental health....

“A good sensory toy should have some weight or texture to it that the user can focus on," says Elizabeth Hankin, MA., L.M.F.T., licensed marriage and family therapy therapist at Whole Health Psychological Center. “Movement of the toy causes instant grounding effects by taking the user out of their head and refocuses them back to the present moment,” she adds. Anxiety, nervous energy, boredom, and fidgeting can be a thief of concentration and productivity in the workday, leading to unwanted habits such as leg shaking, nail-biting, skin picking, and checking our phones too often....

Sleep is critical for the mind and body to function properly, and a lack of adequate sleep can deprive you of the recovery your body needs to reach peak mental and physical performance the following day. Insufficient sleep comes with dangers, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, among other complications. However, lifestyle changes—like finding a suitable pair of pajamas—can help you relax in preparation for bedtime, leading to a more productive day....

Granted, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when it comes to setting up your ideal sleep conditions. While what bedding you use and the drapes covering your windows to block out light are entirely up to you, sound may not be as easy to control. It’s no wonder why we’re seeing more and more earplugs for sleeping (and technical advancements for them) on the market. Whether you live in a busy city with excess street noise or simply share your bed with a partner who snores, the right earplugs can help reduce the impact of extra sound on your sleep....

Differences in the ADHD Brain ADHD is a condition that comes under a lot of scrutiny. Naysayers question if it is real or say it is caused by lack of motivation, willpower, or bad parenting—none of which is true. However, if you or your child has ADHD, you can feel vulnerable to these comments. Knowing that there are biological differences in the ADHD brain—compared to the brain of a person who does not have ADHD—can be validating for someone dealing with the condition, as it provides additional evidence of the realities of ADHD....

The problem with trying to find an answer to how much rehabilitation will cost is that there are so many variables involved, including the type of treatment you need and the length of time you will need to be in the treatment program. On top of that, the price that addiction treatment programs charge for the exact same services can differ greatly from one facility to the next, depending on the location of the facility and the “extras” that the program may provide basic services....