Mental Health

Introversion and social anxiety are commonly considered to be roughly the same thing, and those who understand neither may simply call it "shyness." But introversion and social anxiety are not the same thing, although they may co-exist. Introversion is largely a personality trait, while social anxiety is a mental health issue. Both introverts and extroverts can suffer from social anxiety.

Personality disorders are mental illnesses that involve chronic patterns of unhealthy attitudes and behaviors, inflexible thoughts, and false beliefs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder that's characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deeply-ingrained need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Beneath the excessive show of confidence, people with NPD usually have an extremely fragile self-esteem and are unable to cope with even slight criticism, according to the Cleveland Clinic. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often use drugs or alcohol as a way of dealing with with the inevitable relationship problems and other interpersonal issues that result from this disorder, which also commonly co-occurs with other mental illnesses like depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. Due to the complexity of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, one of the most effective treatments for this condition is cognitive behavioral therapy, which can be modified to treat a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse and addiction, which often co-occur with NPD.

Depression is a serious mental illness that saps your energy and reduces your quality of life. Living with depression can cause other illnesses, and it can lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices, including drug or alcohol abuse. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 20 percent of American adults who suffer from depression also have a substance abuse disorder, and 20 percent of people with a substance abuse disorder are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Depression can be effectively treated with both medication and psychotherapy, although the National Institute of Mental Health notes that psychotherapy is typically the best option for mild to moderate depression in adults. Psychotherapy can be administered one-on-one or in a group setting. Group therapy is less expensive than individual therapy, and numerous studies, including one meta-analytic study published by the American Psychological Association, show that there is no difference in outcomes between group and individual therapy.

Catastrophizing is a common type of cognitive distortion, which is the umbrella term for a number of irrational ways of thinking that keep us stagnant in life and negatively impact our behaviors. Psychologists often refer to catastrophizing and other cognitive distortions as "stinking thinking," because they're almost always part of the cause of anxiety, depression, addiction, and other mental health disorders. If someone you love has a tendency to catastrophize, your initial reaction may be to simply roll your eyes and assume they're simply overreacting. But in some cases, particularly when a drug or alcohol addiction is involved, catastrophizing can do some serious damage. People who catastrophize tend to deplete your energy and take up more of your time than you can afford. You may even feel threatened at times, especially if you're on the receiving end of misguided accusations or invalid conclusions.

Substance abuse impacts the lives of every individual in a family. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1), family members face a variety of challenges and complications when a loved one abuses drugs or alcohol. Finding the right treatment approach is crucial and allows the addicted individual to focus on personal treatment goals. Gestalt Therapy for addiction recovery is proving to be a viable option. Gestalt Therapy is a holistic approach to the recovery process that allows a person to make positive changes by understanding the factors that contribute to an addiction.

A co-occurring disorder refers to an individual with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder that occurs at the same time. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (1), roughly 50 percent of individuals with a severe mental health disorder also abuse drugs or alcohol. Among individuals who abuse a substance, roughly 53 percent show signs of a mental health disorder, says the National Alliance on Mental Illness. By using integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, a person learns tools and skills to avoid substance abuse and maintain emotional well-being.

A loved one's behavior and thought patterns often change after abusing drugs or alcohol. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) says that drugs interfere with the way that the brain communicates and floods the brain's reward system with dopamine. Although the physical reactions to the substance contribute to an addiction, the psychological aspects of an addiction also play a role in the recovery process. During treatment, a loved one must address the emotional and psychological dependence that develops during an addiction. This is why the use of psychology in addiction treatment and recovery is often very effective.

When you have a loved one who struggles with addiction and a mood disorder like depression, it can be difficult to separate and understand all of the different factors at play. You may get frustrated and think, "of course you're depressed! You're making your life more difficult with alcohol and drugs!" But, depression and addiction are often deeply linked and it is necessary to take on both of them together to see a full and lasting recovery.

Mention the word ‘addiction’ and people will automatically associate it with drug and alcohol abuse. Though people often use the word in a casual way to describe anything a person might seem especially fond of, as in ‘addicted to love’ or ‘he/she is addicted to fudge sundaes’, they don’t really mean it seriously. But psychologists and addiction experts are increasingly realizing that there are many types of addictive behaviors that follow the same patterns and are possibly caused by the same physical mechanisms as observed in drug and alcohol substance abuse.

Also known as acute stress reaction, acute stress disorder (ASD) is a mental illness that resembles post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ASD arises in response to a shocking or traumatic event and is diagnosed within one month following the triggering event. It is often a precursor to PTSD, manifesting similar signs and symptoms.

Modern science puts a new spin on the word addiction. This term is traditionally reserved for dependence on a substance like heroin or alcohol, but, today, medical professionals know that certain behaviors trigger a similar brain response. The medical community now also applies the word addiction to a range of compulsive behaviors that follow a cycle. When one behavior becomes a focus of your loved one’s life, the pattern may indicate an addiction that requires professional treatment. To understand why someone you care about may have a behavioral addiction, you must know more about the brain.

The human brain controls your entire body, including your thought processes. According to Web MD1, billions of neurons connect, communicate and work together to ensure that your body works effectively and that your body moves in the way that you direct. The brain communicates through a complicated series of electrical signals and chemicals, says Web MD2. When a doctor diagnoses a mental health condition, it means that your brain does not communicate in a normal way. In some cases, it causes or contributes to an addiction to drugs or alcohol. In other situations, substance abuse directly causes your mental health condition.