A Conversation With Journalist and Author David Adam About OCD
I spoke with journalist and author David Adam over Zoom about the hurdles to OCD treatment, depictions of the disorder in the media, and how people experiencing it can feel less alone. David Adam is an award-winning freelance journalist and author of the best-selling book about OCD, The Man Who Couldn’t Stop. I’ve had OCD since […]
TruHealing to Attend Lowcountry Mental Health Conference
Tomorrow, TruHealing staff members will be attending the Lowcountry Mental Health Conference! This is an annual conference that began in 2012 with 180 people and has since expanded to over 1,600 attendees. At the Lowcountry Mental Health Conference, prominent healthcare professionals give educational talks to help people working in the mental health field grow […]
On Neurodiversity, Neurodivergence, and Mental Health Disorders
The term “neurodiversity” means that differences in our brains are just that—differences, not deficits—and that variation in the way each person thinks is to be expected. It was first coined in 1997 by Judy Singer, a sociologist, author, international speaker, and autism advocate who describes herself as being “in the middle of three generations of […]
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Everyone has mental health, even those who don’t have mental health disorders. It is a broad term to refer to how we think, feel, and relate to others. Mental health can change over time, and a person can experience poor mental health without having a mental […]
What is Social Skills Training?
Social skills training is a type of therapy that helps people with mental health and developmental disorders improve social functioning. It helps them build communication and listening skills, as well as work through anxiety about social interactions. In social skills training, the therapist will ask you which social situations you find most challenging, and which […]
What is Self-Medicating?
In recent decades, there’s been more of a consensus that addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders should be treated together. This is in part because people who have an untreated mental health disorder may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Self-medicating is using substances to cope with the symptoms of a mental health disorder. For instance, […]
What are the Links Between Depression and Alcohol Use?
Alcohol use disorder and depression often co-occur. People who are struggling with symptoms of depression may use alcohol to self-medicate. Then, chronic alcohol use can cause or exacerbate symptoms of depression. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows your system down and reduces stimulation. It interacts with—and throws off the balance of—various […]
Can Depression and Anxiety Co-Occur?
Depression and anxiety are separate mental health disorders, but they commonly co-occur. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an estimated 60% of those with anxiety also have depression, and that number is similar for those experiencing depression.[1] Depression and anxiety both also have a high co-occurrence with addiction. Anxiety and depression may […]
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. This campaign brings awareness to the need for affordable and accessible screenings for depression and other mental health disorders. All mental health disorders are treatable, but people need to have an accurate diagnosis in order to take steps towards recovery. Depression is common, both in America […]
Is There More Stigma About Mental Health Disorders or Addiction?
While things are getting better, there is still stigma about both mental health disorders and addiction. A study in the journal Psychiatric Services assessed whether people had more negative views towards one or the other.[1] Half of participants were given a survey about their beliefs on drug addiction and half about their beliefs on mental […]