A young man slings his bag over his shoulder and wonders the difference between a good mood and a manic mood

What’s the Difference Between a Good Mood and a Manic Episode?

Bipolar disorder affects nearly six million Americans every year. Bipolar is characterized by both episodes of major depression and episodes of mania or hypomania. Symptoms of depressive episodes are identical to those of unipolar depression and include sadness, lethargy, disturbed sleep, slow movements, feelings of hopelessness, poor concentration, physical aches, losing interest in things you… Continue Reading What’s the Difference Between a Good Mood and a Manic Episode?

A man and his friend watch a video on his phone about how ADHD can lead to addiction

How ADHD Can Lead to Addiction

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has three main characteristics: Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD have difficulty focusing for very long, often bouncing from one train of thought to another or becoming distracted by something in the environment. They are often restless, with excessive energy that can make it hard to sit still or sleep. They… Continue Reading How ADHD Can Lead to Addiction

A man is comforted as his comforter tells him the difference between social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder

What’s the Difference Between Social Anxiety Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder are both conditions that cause people to feel extremely anxious in social situations. People with these conditions will avoid social interaction as much as possible, despite the fact they typically desire social connection and close relationships. Both conditions can significantly impair one’s ability to form relationships and hinder… Continue Reading What’s the Difference Between Social Anxiety Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder?

A woman sleeps peacefully after she reads that a new study supports the importance of adequate sleep

New Study Support the Importance of Adequate Sleep

Of the elements that form the basis of a healthy lifestyle–adequate sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise, positive relationships–sleep is perhaps the most essential. Past studies have found that even getting too little sleep by as much as an hour or two for several nights in a row can have negative consequences such as reduced self-control,… Continue Reading New Study Support the Importance of Adequate Sleep

A woman sits on a couch and wonders what is avoidant personality disorder

What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?

People with avoidant personality disorder have low self-esteem and consequently have an intense fear of being judged or criticized by others. This fear makes them extremely uncomfortable in social situations and therefore they avoid social situations whenever possible. Avoidant personality disorder affects about two and a half percent of the population and it affects men… Continue Reading What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?

A man talks to his therapist about 3 mental health issues that are frequently misdiagnosed

3 Mental Health Issues that Are Frequently Misdiagnosed

Although we’re learning more about mental illness all the time, brains are extremely complex and there is still much we don’t understand about how they work and what can go wrong. What’s more, everyone is different and symptoms often present differently in different people. These differences can be related to age, sex, culture, background, and… Continue Reading 3 Mental Health Issues that Are Frequently Misdiagnosed

A woman sits in a chair with a cup of tea and wonders if bipolar disorder is different in men and women

Is Bipolar Disorder Different in Men and Women?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by both episodes of depression and episodes of mania, or less intense manic episodes called hypomania. During a depressive episode, someone typically exhibits all the classic symptoms of depression, including sadness, hopelessness, lethargy, sleep disturbances, aches, poor concentration and memory, and thoughts of suicide or death. The manic episodes, on the… Continue Reading Is Bipolar Disorder Different in Men and Women?