Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about one percent of people. Schizophrenia is characterized by psychosis, which may include hallucinations or delusions. Psychosis is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia, as opposed to negative symptoms, or the absence or disruption of normal mental functions. These positive symptoms are what usually come to mind…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that can lasts months or years after a traumatic event. Although it is typically associated with combat soldiers, PTSD more often affects civilians. It may be caused by an accident, a robbery, a sexual assault, domestic abuse, the unexpected death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or…
Whether or not it’s necessary or advisable to drug test your teen is a controversial issue. Some parents feel like it’s intrusive and sends the signal that they don’t trust their children. Other parents feel like it’s their responsibility to protect their children from serious mistakes that could have long-term repercussions, even if that means…
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is characterized by quick changes in mood, unstable self-image, and erratic behavior. People with BPD often act impulsively and have difficulty in forming healthy relationships. They may be prone to intense anger, depression, or anxiety. People with BPD tend to view things and people as either all good or all…
THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Its structure is very similar to a chemical called anandamide, which occurs naturally in the brain. Anandamide is a kind of neurotransmitter called an endogenous cannabinoid, meaning it’s a cannabis-like chemical made by your brain. Anandamide affects various brain areas, including those related to pleasure, memory, concentration,…
Men account for about two thirds of all people who suffer from depression, but they are much less likely than women are to talk about it with friends or seek professional help. Instead, men tend to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, engage in risky behavior, or spend all their time working. Even worse, men are…
The belief that alcohol kills brain cells is a persistent myth. Although it is a myth, it is an understandable one. A few drinks can can impair your coordination, speech, and judgment. You might wake up with a headache so bad you would swear you lost some brain cells. Alcohol’s effects on the brain are…
The opioid epidemic in the US continues to get worse. In 2017, the number of opioid-related deaths in the US increased by about 16 percent–an acceleration in a decades-long trend. The opioid epidemic has been driven by the excessive prescription of opioid medication starting in the mid 1990s with a marketing campaign to convince doctors…
Some jobs have much higher addiction risk than others. This is something to consider if you are struggling with addiction, or you have gone through treatment and are trying to stay sober. Factors that often increase addiction risk include high stress, irregular hours, and easy access to drugs and alcohol. Many people find that in…
Needle exchange programs have been around for decades, but they have never been popular with the public. The basic idea of needle exchange programs is that IV drug users can dispose of used needles and pick up sterile needles to replace them. This is meant to reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases such as HIV…
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