Mental Health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of treatment for addiction recovery; with various approaches to recovery, numerous studies have shown time and time again that CBT can help individuals replace old, negative thoughts patterns with newer, more productive ones. If you’re currently in the beginning stages of recovery, it’s important to note that substance abuse often serves as a “solution” to the pain that we’re experiencing – but by developing healthier coping mechanisms, such as through CBT, we become better equipped to deal with challenging life circumstances.

Nearly 70% of Americans have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives, and 20% have gone on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When this condition develops, daily life becomes much more difficult to manage. Nightmares can make it difficult to sleep at night, and stress and anxiety become a “normal” way of functioning. Relationships are much more difficult to manage, and flashbacks can suddenly bring out anxiety and panic attacks. The journey to healing from PTSD is a long one, but thankfully there are many strategies that can be used to help a person heal and restore. Last year, Dr. Matthew Tull, a professor and director of anxiety disorders research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, told Very Well Mind, a website that publishes relevant information on a variety of psychological conditions, that expressive writing can improve physical and psychological health for those struggling with PTSD. He explained that journaling can reduce body tension as well as restore focus – something that many people with PTSD tend to struggle with. He suggested a number of writing prompts, such as:

As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains, personality disorders represent, “…an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture.” The symptoms associated with personality disorders can cause a lot of distress in daily life – especially with social situations or interpersonal communication. On the surface, personality disorders may seem quite similar to one another. There are underlying differences, however, that should be taken into consideration – because there are varying needs that should be addressed in treatment. Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is a Cluster C personality disorder and isn’t as commonly diagnosed. A 2018 study published in the journal Psychology Research and Behavior Management explained that in many cases, APD is considered a more severe version of social anxiety disorder (SAD). There are distinct symptoms of AVPD that differ from SAD, however:

There are a multitude of ways that addiction affects us – and even in recovery, we still need time for our mind, body and spirit to heal. There are number of reasons why individuals struggle with anxiety in addiction recovery – and concerns like panic attacks often arise either out of having a mental illness, such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a related condition, or because of their personal recovery process as a whole. If you believe you’ve been struggling with panic attacks, it’s important to know that you’re not alone – it is estimated that around 1-2% of the population experiences this, and, while that may not seem like a lot, it accounts for millions of people in the United States alone.

The movies tend to depict alcoholism in a sad, grim light – but in many cases, ourselves and our loved ones fall into unhealthy patterns of behavior without even realizing it. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and unfortunately, alcohol can appear to be a “quick fix” to masking uncomfortable symptoms when it appears there is no other way out. While most of us depict depression as simply being sad, there’s much more beneath the surface. On the outside looking in, depression may not even be noticeable; we may continue to attend work-related events, thrive in our social lives, or appear fine at home.  You’ll know if you’re experiencing sincere depression if you have:

Trauma is an unfortunately common experience for many people throughout the world, and a high rate of those in addiction recovery have struggled in the past with trauma as well. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common disorder that develops for those who’ve gone through traumatic events such as accidents, natural disasters, combat, assault and more – and all too often, symptoms like flashbacks, insomnia, anxiety and depression can make it incredibly difficult to enjoy life. Substance abuse tends to take place when a person tries to “drown out” those painful thoughts and feelings – only to realize that the pain remains there, it’s just hidden. Writing therapy can help a person heal by taking the pain that’s on the inside and putting it to paper. Dr. Matthew Tull, an associate professor and director of anxiety disorders research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, explained in 2018 that journaling can foster post-traumatic growth, which is defined as, “…the positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.” Writer’s Digest suggests that traumatic experiences can fuel one’s writing by taking that pain, anger, distress and/or sadness and putting it outwardly towards a writing project. If you’re ready to spark healing from trauma, consider taking on any (or all) of these 5 writing prompts:

We’re not always given the best coping mechanisms growing up, and sometimes we may see people, life and situations as being more “black and white” than they really are. It’s hard to get out of that mindset – and in most cases, this type of thinking can perpetuate conflicts with loved ones and can even escalate the painful emotions we’re already experiencing. Many people in addiction recovery experience this exact feeling; and, in many cases without the correct support, a person will begin to rely on substances because that seems like the only way out of anger, depression, resentment and other discomforting feelings. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) was originally created to help treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) – a disorder that can make it challenging to see the “in-betweens” or the “gray areas” of life. Oftentimes, however, people without this disorder will face such feelings – and that’s why DBT can be used to help treat a variety of conditions. WebMD explains that DBT addresses a variety of aspects of life that people have issues managing, such as:

Do you ever find yourself wanting to control aspects of your environment so that you can feel more comfortable? Do things have to be a “certain way”? Have loved ones ever told you that you’re very “particular” about where certain items need to go or how things need to be done? If so, you may have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It’s been estimated that around 2.2 million Americans struggle with OCD every year – and if it’s not treated early on, the risk of addiction may be on the horizons. New Scientist, a website that publishes information related to technology, space, physics and health, has highlighted that OCD is much like an addiction within itself; intrusive thoughts and a lack of control over the urges associated with those thoughts can be debilitating in day-to-day life – and when substances become involved in an attempt to lessen the intensity of their distress, another addiction can take place. Intrusive Thoughts is an organization that shares important information related to OCD as well as mindfulness, addiction, family and more – and they recently highlighted a study which found that 23% of participants with OCD also met the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Addiction – in an addition to OCD – can cause a person to act irrationally; other symptoms may include:

Most talk of addiction is centered on opioids, alcohol, marijuana or other related drugs – but barbiturates aren’t discussed as often and this can make it even more challenging to seek help if it’s needed. Barbiturates are depressant drugs used to treat anxiety and muscle spasms, prevent seizures and to help a person sleep; the two primary ways of using these types of drugs are injecting a liquid or by swallowing pills. Medical News Today notes that barbiturates were first developed in 1864 – and since then, benzodiazepines have taken the place of many barbiturates for treating different conditions. Recreational use of barbiturates can place a person at increased risk for addiction. There are several effects that come from barbiturate use for those who don’t need it for medical purposes:

People have used art for centuries to express themselves – and with a skilled therapist, art therapy can be incredibly healing for those in addiction recovery who’ve gone through pain. Trauma, accidents, the loss of a loved one, mental illness and more can make it that much harder to find peace in daily life – and art therapy opens up the platform for a person to express themselves, even if they can’t find the words to describe what they’re going through. Last year, writer Art Acacia told Medium, a magazine that publishes relatable information on mental health and more, that art therapy, “…provides a safe place where patients can explore unpleasant feelings such as anger, sadness, or fear. Feelings that they are otherwise reluctant to talk about.”

Phobias can develop at a young age or well into adulthood, but they nonetheless are difficult to manage – especially if treatment isn’t sought. Mental Health America (MHA) explains that while everyone feels “anxious” or “worried” from time to time, phobias are more extreme. Your heart may race, your palms may get sweaty, thoughts may seem to rush in your mind, and you may want to desperately avoid certain situations out of fear. Phobias can be downright debilitating, and can completely control a person’s life if not taken care of properly.

Do you know of someone who seems to only care about their needs, only to brush off yours? Do you know someone who acts as though they’re better than everyone else? Narcissism is a spectrum disorder, and a healthy amount of narcissism is okay – but if narcissistic levels are too high, a person may have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) without even realizing it. If you think that you or a loved one may have this disorder, it’s important to understand why this disorder is often overlooked – and with the right tools and information, you can move forward in the right direction for you or you loved one’s needs. Help Guide explains that NPD is, “…a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and behavior, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration.” Others may view someone as being manipulative, selfish, or even patronizing – but it can be hard to tell whether a person has a true personality disorder over someone who just acts on narcisstistic tendies every now and then. Earlier this year, writer Katie Heaney noted a book on The Cut titled, Rethinking Narcissism: The Bad – and Surprisingly Good – About Feeling Special; the author of this book, clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School lecturer Craig Malkin explained that narcissism is something that we all have – it’s a universal tendency that, in many cases, can help us do well in interviews, dream hard, work towards our goals and more. The disorder itself is when tendencies of narcissism get taken to the extreme – it’s the need to feel special; with this disorder, a person is typically willing to lie, steal, cheat, or do whatever it takes in order to feel at the level where they want to be. If you’re ready to restore your mind, body and spirit from NPD, substance abuse and/or other conditions, please speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.