Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are frequently mistaken for one another. Both of these mental illnesses come with symptoms like impulsivity and mood instability. However, they are separate conditions that require different treatments. Diagnosis sometimes takes time as the two disorders can appear very similar on the surface. The main distinction between the […]
Fearfulness, stress, and anxious feelings are common after either witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. In many cases, these symptoms lighten and eventually disappear as time passes. However, if they worsen instead of improving, this may signify the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This serious mental health condition can disrupt an individual’s day-to-day life. […]
Dealing with intense amounts of worry and/or stress can result in moments of dissociation. This condition comes as the mind’s natural coping mechanism of “pulling away” when one endures too much pressure too often. Dissociative disorders are defined as mental illnesses “characterized by an involuntary escape from reality.” This cognitive pullback looks like a “disconnection […]
Experiencing trauma at any stage in life often comes with stress, fear, and anxiety. These are entirely normal reactions from the body as a response to trauma. However, many people ignore the symptoms caused by traumatic events. When trauma is ignored or left untreated, it can wreak havoc on an individual’s mental health. In fact, […]
While anxiety is a normal part of everyday life, persistent anxiety is typically a sign of an anxiety disorder. When anxiety is accompanied by severe stress and panic on a regular basis, a panic disorder may be the source. The trademark feature of panic disorder is recurring panic attacks which are sudden unexpected terrifying feelings […]
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has always been most commonly associated with children. While this may be the general stereotype, it is simply not accurate. In 1980, autism was first recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-III). For many years this disorder was only identified in children. However, children ultimately grow up […]
Approximately 2.21% (or nearly 5.5 million) of adults in the U.S. face autism spectrum disorder (ASD) each year. ASD affects every individual differently; no two autism experiences are alike. In many cases, autism doesn’t come alone, although it is a standalone diagnosis. What Is Autism? The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) categorizes autism as […]
When faced with an excessive amount of worry or stress, the mind can have a difficult time coping. This level of stress may result in dissociation. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) defines dissociative disorders as a category of mental illness “characterized by an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, […]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 280 million people face depression worldwide. A number as staggering as this may raise a few questions. Where does depression come from and how does it happen? In many cases, depression can be passed on genetically. Other times, it develops due to environmental or situational factors. To […]
The simultaneous existence of both a mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Over 9.2 million American adults have co-occurring disorders. Facing SUD can be extremely difficult not only for the individual but also for their family members. People who have SUD are more at risk […]