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Symptoms of a disorder may arise during childhood or early adulthood, but you may not learn about them unless your symptoms have begun significantly impacting your daily life. Recognizing early signs can be beneficial because the earlier you seek help, the earlier you can develop skills to better manage your symptoms and can better understand yourself and how you view the world. The American Psychiatric Association has identified several key signs that you may have a disorder:

Many people with mental illness experience stigma and discrimination because they are misunderstood. Improper representations in the media can perpetuate stigmas, and those who don’t know someone personally with a mental illness may have difficulty empathizing with those who work daily to manage their symptoms. Bipolar disorder is one mental illness that is often misunderstood. By learning about what many people with bipolar disorder experience, we can educate others to end stigma and provide more support to our loved ones who have the disorder. Healthline, a website aimed at providing medical and mental health information, shared one person’s story of having bipolar disorder. He described the two aspects of the disorder: mania and depression. Mania involves the person feeling very positive, energetic, and talkative. The individual in the story described his mania experience as this: “The mania part is awesome. I have tons of energy and don’t want to stop. The best part about mania is that I’m so optimistic about everything.” Mania isn’t always positive, however. Some people view mania as very frightening and out of control, and some may experience psychosis and hallucinations. Mania may also cause a person to experience racing thoughts, and that may keep them up at night. It may also lead to someone spending all their money or drinking too much – making risky decisions and compromising one’s safety. Another person who described her experience for Medical Daily explained mania as, “….as terrifying as it gets… so it’s frightening when it gets out of control.” The depressive side of bipolar disorder can cause a person to feel the completely opposite – feelings of sadness, extreme fatigue, inability to decide, lack of interest in activities, and sleeping problems may occur. As one person explained their experience with depression, “It’s a deadening lethargy coupled with an agitation and restlessness at times, but it’s the sense of having no energy, no interest, no passion, no life…and the pain is agony, it just is unrelenting…” Depression can cause a person with bipolar disorder to feel completely isolated and may cause them to have suicidal thoughts. Some people with bipolar disorder self-harm due to the severity of their depression. Many people with bipolar disorder are easily able to manage their symptoms through therapy and medication. They should not be treated any differently, and should be given love and support. As one person explained, “I managed to get through my art degree. I have to remind myself that I’m more than my diagnosis, but with the right help and support it does become a lot easier.”

One of the most challenging aspects of recovery involves learning to forgive and love ourselves unconditionally. Perhaps you grew up with family that didn’t make you feel loved unconditionally, or maybe you’ve made some choices that makes you feel like you don’t deserve love, not even from yourself. Recovery is a wonderful time to work on this, because it’s a time for you to solely work on getting better and making healthier choices that reflect a loving, balanced, happy inner soul. Deepak Chopra, author of more than 75 books, including 22 New York Times best-sellers, has provided the Huffington Post with some wonderful steps towards unconditional love towards the self:

Jacob Levy Moreno is the founder of psychodrama, a type of therapy that can be used both in groups or in individual psychotherapy. Psychodrama utilizes deep action and movement to work through pressing issues and to develop our understanding of ourselves and others. The Birmingham Institute for Psychodrama states that psychodrama is practiced in more than 100 countries, and was developed alongside Dr. Moreno’s wife, Zerka Moreno. Psychodrama was first recognized as a form of group therapy and then later extended itself into other forms of psychotherapy. In Moreno and Moreno’s book titled, “Psychodrama: Vol 3: Action therapy and principles of practice”, they stated, “Psychodrama enables the protagonist to build a bridge beyond the roles he plays in his daily existence, to surpass and transcend the reality of life as he lives it, to get into a deeper relationship with his existence, to come as close as possible to the highest form of encounter of which he is capable”. Psychodrama therapy allows the person to reenact the past to improve the future. When roles are assigned, the person is encouraged to announce the truth out in the open. This transforms the actor into a truth-speaker who can confront issues with confidence rather than someone who may have viewed themselves as voiceless and unheard before. The feelings that one experiences during role play allows them to transform and gain a unique perspective, whether it be on their own actions and thoughts or the potential actions and thoughts of others that were involved in the situation. Some group therapists may also incorporate group phrases, such as everyone inviting one person back into the circle or the group explaining to a person why they should be a part of the group rather than sit in the corner. Additionally, the therapist may ask the individual to finish sentences related to why they may be sitting in a corner and/or why they should leave the corner and join the group. This allows for the individual to make new connections and to break old patterns of behavior and thought.

Many people who suffer from anxiety and depression may benefit from writing. In a way, writing can serve as a tool that provides insight into thought patterns, and may help us explore why we are feeling a certain way. Writer Christopher Bergland from Psychology Today explained expressive writing as, “writing freely about your deepest thoughts and innermost feelings with the understanding that it will never be read by anyone else”. In doing this, we can learn more about ourselves and relinquish some of those most worrisome thoughts. A study conducted earlier this year by Schroder, Moran and Moser explored the therapeutic benefits of expressive writing in individuals who suffered from severe anxiety. The researchers held two groups, one which was asked to practice expressive writing and the other group which did not. They explained that error-related negativity (ERN) often occurs most in people with anxiety. The group that completed expressive writing found a reduction in ERN, meaning that expressive writing may serve to offset worries from active memory, helping those who suffer from anxiety. Harvard Health expressed in 2011 the benefits of expressive writing as a flexible approach that may help people organize thoughts, express and regulate their emotions, relax, and more. Expressive writing is very popular because of its low cost – all you need is a pencil and paper. Engaging in this exercise means that it can be done practically at anytime, anywhere – and individuals can partake in it whenever they feel it will be helpful to them. Researchers Baikie and Wilhelm from The Royal College of Psychiatrists identified in 2015 several long-term benefits of expressive writing: fewer stress-related visits to the hospital, improved immune-system functioning, improved lung functioning, fewer days in the hospital, improved mood, feeling of greater psychological well-being, reduced depressive symptoms, and more. Other long-term impacts could be fewer absenteeism from work, improved working memory, improve sport and grade performance, and more. Expressive writing can transform our patterns of thought and help us to learn more about ourselves. Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, expressive writing could be very beneficial to you. The best way to know is to try it for several months. Get a piece of paper and a pen, and begin writing. Write about whatever you want – whatever is on your mind, and know that you are the only one reading this. Who knows – you may be able to work through some issues that you didn’t even realize were affecting you.

“Avoidants themselves, unaware that they have a problem, continue to annoy, frustrate, and hurt themselves and the others in their lives. Some avoidants are isolated individuals who, unmindful of the pathological nature of their avoidance, cite, and live by, its presumed advantages, and eventually even come to believe that their isolation from family, friends, and potential intimates is a good thing.” This is a direct quote from author Martin Kantor’s book titled Distancing: Avoidant Personality Disorder (revised and expanded). This quote provides a compelling glance into the common misconceptions that many people have about avoidant personality disorder. For people who are undiagnosed, their isolation and shyness may be “normal” to them, causing them to feel as though their symptoms do not require any treatment or help. While many people may feel shy, those who suffer from avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) feel shyness at more extreme levels. Psychology Today estimates that 2% of the population suffers from this disorder – making it difficult for them to interact socially and professionally. Avoidant personality disorder involves feelings of extreme inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and sensitivity to rejection. Those who have AVPD may only form relationships with people who they are certain will not reject them – they will often choose loneliness over risking connection with someone whom they are not certain will like them. WebMD explains that a person with AVPD may fear speaking up in fear of criticism and may anxiously study those around them for signs of approval or rejection. Furthermore, writer and editor Caitlyn Flynn from Bustle has listed self-loathing as a common theme in people in AVPD. If a person is spending a lot of time believing they are inferior to others, afraid of being embarrassed, and isolating oneself due to fear of being around others, they likely suffer from AVPD. If untreated, AVPD can limit someone’s potential for happiness and success. Treatment for AVPD typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a therapeutic approach that helps people restructure their thoughts to more positive, productive thoughts. If you suffer from avoidant personality disorder, you should speak with a doctor and/or therapist to receive help. Speaking with someone about your problems may help you to learn more about yourself and your disorder – you will also be able to develop tools to help you in everyday life. There are many people out there who want to help you and see you succeed. Take the first step and call a healthcare professional today.

Shrooms are a type of fungus also known more formally as psilocybe cubensis. Shrooms have been used for over 9 thousand years, but are used more recreationally today. They are known to produce “magical” effects on one’s brain. When taken, the hallucinogenic and euphoric effects start taking place within approximately 30 minutes, and the effects last for about 4-6 hours. For some people, the effects can last up to a few days after consuming them. Shrooms that produce these effects are small brown and tan mushrooms, but could easily be mistaken for other poisonous mushrooms. Typically consumed as a brewed tea or prepared with food, however dried mushrooms can be grinded into a powder and put in capsule form. Dried shrooms contain 10 times higher of active ingredients than fresh shrooms. Psilocybin is the main psychoactive ingredient in shrooms and once consumed, the body breaks this down into a mind-altering substance called psilocin. From there, the chemicals interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters, increasing the amount of serotonin produced. This stimulation causes a variety of psychedelic effects, such as hallucinations, euphoria, altered thinking, synesthesia (when one sense is simultaneously perceived as being one more other senses), and spiritual awakening. Physical effects may include numbness and an increased heart rate. Shrooms have been prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, and addiction. This is because they cause a person to feel happy and laugh more, feel an intense flow of creativity, enhanced insightfulness, uplifting sensations and more. Awareness, memory retrieval, energy, and dilation of pupils are among the more neutral side effects of shrooms. Some negative side effects that one may experience are headaches, intense fear or phobia, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, disrupt attention, blood pressure problems and more. The Guardian noted last year that shrooms are one of the “safest” drugs that people can take recreationally. This was concluded from the 2017 Global Drug Survey that compared magic mushrooms to methamphetamine, synthetic cannabis, alcohol, MDMA/ecstasy, amphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and cannabis in regard to emergency medical treatment and found that shrooms caused less than 10,000 emergency visits among the 119,846 people surveyed. However, some people have experienced “bad trips” with shrooms, causing them to recall traumatic events in their lives or feel extreme fear or panic.

Sex addiction only seems to come up in the public dialogue when sexual scandals involving celebrities and other high profile people erupt in the news. The person involved has not only hurt those in their circle, but has violated public trust. Reporting runs from informing the public of wrongdoing to feeding the gossip machine. Often several waves of this lead to the person implicated acknowledging they have a problem with sex addiction and are seeking treatment. Some hearing this news will be very angry and say that the person is claiming sex addiction to justify their appetites and excesses, evading harm done. Others will say the guy ‘was just being a guy’ or the person was ‘just being human,’ and got caught doing things many people do. Some will doubt the sincerity of the person under scrutiny, believing he or she has simply found a way to steer the conversation away from outrage toward compassion. Those who understand addiction will have noted the signs of sex addiction long before the celebrity held up that flag. Whether a PR statement is sincere or insincere, sex addiction is real and the addict is suffering. There is understanding about how mood altering substances can pull someone into an addictive cycle. Processes that blunt reality have just as much potential to be addictive. While the addict may want to believe theirs is a heightened reality, those closest to them will often have noticed the sex addict’s absence in meaningful life. In moments of clarity the addict feels this emptiness too. The intense pleasure of the sex act, a perpetual hunt for partners, fantasies playing out in their minds when their attention is needed elsewhere can all remove reality in sex addiction. Tasks of life are neglected. A nurturing sexual bond with an appropriate partner is missed. What likely began as an escape from pain or trauma has become compulsion. The addiction is in control. Those who gain recovery from sex addiction look back and see how many truly satisfying life experiences were missed and left by the wayside as the addiction seized more and more of their time and resources. It can be an invitation to healing when the addiction becomes bigger than the person’s capacity to manage, whether a public scandal or a private breakdown. There is a way to a life of hope and presence for those recovering from sex addiction.

The Gottman Method, developed by Dr. John Gottman and his wife, Julie Gottman, is a form of couple’s therapy that draws on building the elements that make a relationship last. The Gottman’s spent 40 years exploring these elements, regarding all types of couples, no matter which phase of life they are in. One major insight to this method is that negative emotions like defensiveness and contempt have more power to hurt a relationship than positive emotions can help a relationship. In a 2016 Business Insider article written by associate editor Rachel Gillett, it seems the most successful couples take elements from the Gottman Method. Psychology Today notes that the method focuses on helping couples develop understanding and other skills so that each partner can maintain fondness and admiration of the other. The Gottman Method teaches people to lean on each other to get their needs met – especially in times of need, to manage conflict together, help each other when they make mistakes, and to follow their dreams. The Gottman Institute notes seven crucial principles that are typically shaped and customized to fit each couple’s patterns and challenges:

When the US Drug Enforcement Administration released a public safety report related to numerous opioid-related deaths in Sacramento California in April of 2016 they linked the “powerful synthetic opioid” Fentanyl to many of the overdoses. DEA described Fentanyl as “an odorless substance considered to be 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin, and 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine,” adding that “Fentanyl is potentially lethal, even at very low levels.” Forbes contributor on health, medicine, psychology and neuroscience, Alice G. Watson, fleshed out why Fentanyl has become an unfortunate opioid addiction game changer in her article “Why Fentanyl is So Much More Deadly Than Heroin.” Watson’s article first sets forth the fact that Fentanyl functions exactly like other opioids in that it crosses the blood-brain barrier to bind with specific receptors, called µ opioid receptors, in the brain. But she lays out three reasons Fentanyl use is increasing the dangers in an already challenging field of addiction: 1) Fentanyl reaches µ opioid receptors more rapidly than other opiates. 2) A much smaller dosage—micrograms as opposed to milligrams—of the drug is needed to produce the same effect as other opiates. 3) The illegal drug trade, with the chaotic mixing and misrepresentation of what goes into street drugs, does not take these first two points into account. More addicts are being rapidly created, and grave harm is accumulating to them quickly. The effects of Fentanyl that accompany the intense euphoric high are sedation, vomiting, analgesia, and respiratory depression. Since opiate deaths are caused by respiratory arrest, a street trade incorporating Fentanyl in unregulated doses is very precarious. Media images of parents unresponsive in their car while children in the back seat try to wake them are harrowing testimonies to this. Dealers can buy Fentanyl from China through Mexico, and while some mix it with heroin and sell it to unsuspecting heroin users, some are pressing it into pill form and selling it as if it were something else entirely, such as the hydrocodone and acetaminophen mix called Norco. One target to combat our nation’s opioid epidemic is to look at prescribing practices of physicians. But another area to explore is the field of addiction treatment and recovery. As we gain understanding of opioid addiction causes, and the facets of healing needed to bring people back to functional living, the message of hope can become louder than the voice of the street dealer whose pills promise relief but may bring death.

Recovering from an addiction, whether it be substance or drug addiction, can be scary. When we take the courageous leap towards recovery, the future may seem unpredictable, and we may feel very vulnerable. One major fear of many who enter recovery is relapsing. Relapse is defined as the recurrence of a condition that was previously overcome. Relapses are a quite normal part of recovery, and do not mean that the person has failed. However, relapse prevention therapy is often used to help decrease the chances of a person relapsing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse prevention therapy (RPT) is based on cognitive-behavioral principles and seeks to address the problem of relapse through the development of self-control strategies.  Here are several aspects of RPT:

According to NBC News, approximately 1 in 5 young Americans suffers from a personality disorder. Personality disorders are often characterized by rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, bipolar personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder are just a few disorders that many have heard of. Understanding the diverse types of personality disorders and getting an official diagnosis from a licensed health professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by the following: