A patient asks his therapist "What is dual diagnosis?"

What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Dual diagnosis is a term that treatment professionals use to identify mental illness and co-occurring substance use. Both conditions form a symbiotic relationship in which one either contributes to or draws from the other. For instance, a client may self-medicated to cope with a mental illness. Likewise, excessive substance use can intensify the symptoms of… Continue Reading What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

A woman smiles as she thinks about the question, can OCD be cured?

Can OCD Be Cured?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and rituals meant to relieve the anxiety created by those thoughts. Typical obsessive thoughts include fear of germs or contamination; unwanted taboo thought, often about sex, religion, or harming oneself or others; or having things perfectly symmetrical or in some specific order. To… Continue Reading Can OCD Be Cured?

A rainbow image of the brain reminds viewers about how addiction and depression may share brain circuitry

Addiction and Depression May Share Brain Circuitry

Depression and addiction often go together. While about 10 percent of the general population will develop a substance use disorder, in people diagnosed with depression that number is around 30 percent. The connection between substance use and depression is complicated. Depression can lead to addiction as a form of self-medicating and addiction can also lead… Continue Reading Addiction and Depression May Share Brain Circuitry

A woman hugs a pillow to her face as she thinks about how deep brain stimulation may relieve depression symptoms

Deep Brain Stimulation May Relieve Depression Symptoms

Depression affects about 16 million Americans every year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. While many people with depression can be treated effectively with medication and psychotherapy, as many as 30 percent of people don’t respond well to conventional treatment. A new study shows promise for treating severe depression with deep brain electrical… Continue Reading Deep Brain Stimulation May Relieve Depression Symptoms

A woman leans against a wooden board and wonders how long do drug cravings last

6 Beliefs that Keep You From Seeking Help for Depression

Depression affects more than 16 million American adults every year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, disturbed sleep, physical aches, slow movements, poor concentration, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide or death. Depression is inherently unpleasant and pretty much everyone with depression… Continue Reading 6 Beliefs that Keep You From Seeking Help for Depression

A woman caresses her dog on a beach after she hears that a recent study shows adopting a pet can reduce symptoms of depression

Recent Study Shows Adopting a Pet Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression

Depression affects more than 16 million American adults every year and is the leading cause of disability in the world. Symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, slow movements, poor concentration, anxiety, and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression is typically treated with some combination… Continue Reading Recent Study Shows Adopting a Pet Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression