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Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, nearly 1 million people die by suicide, which is equal to 1 in every 100,000 people. While many people don’t realize it, media does play a key role in the way suicide is perceived, discussed, and thought about. For example, shows like “13 Reasons Why” received a lot of backlash from the mental health community because the storyline of the show seemed to almost “glamorize” suicide – no preventative measures were provided until viewers spoke up. There are many ways in which media doesn’t take the right stance on suicide prevention:

Therapeutic relationships are similar to other professional relationships in that it takes time for both parties to come to an understanding of one another. At first, you may have an idealistic view of your therapist – but these perceptions may fluctuate over time as you move forward with therapy. Sometimes it’s a clash between preferred approaches in therapy, and other times it’s based on perceived dissimilarities. Either way, it’s important that you give your therapist a fair shot at working with you because, just like any collaboration, it takes time to develop a solid understanding – unless, of course, unrealistic or inappropriate situations are taking place – always keep your safety number one. If there are very clear, distinct differences that are going to have a major impact on your success in recovery (for example, if you believe wholeheartedly that addiction is a disease but your therapist explicitly states on their information pages and handouts that addiction is a personal choice) there’s a likely chance that this professional relationship will not work well together. There are four main phases of therapy:

Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. Death by suicide has been rising dramatically all over the United States; according to the National Public Radio (NPR), approximately 45,000 lives were taken in 2016 by suicide. More celebrities and high-profile individuals are losing their lives, including fashion designer Kate Spade, chef, author, and host Anthony Bourdain, Alan O’Neill, Verne Troyer from Austin Powers, and more solely in 2018, as stated by U.S. Magazine. Suicide is devastating and effects everyone – friends, family, coworkers, and more, as the entire world suffers with each life that is lost. By recognizing the signs that someone may need help, you could save a life. Recognizing that someone may be having suicidal thoughts can be difficult because you may really have to pay attention to subtle cues. If you notice that your loved one is doing any of the following, these could be warning signs that they need immediate help:

It’s normal to feel worried about relapse – in the addiction and mental illness recovery realm, many people fear relapse because it is seen as this horrible sign of failure, even though it isn’t. In fact, many recovery experts say that temporary relapses provide individuals with clues as to what’s working and what’s not; in this way, you can discover whether or not certain components of your treatment program need to be altered or emphasized more effectively. Relapse occurs for about 40-60% of those in addiction recovery, according to a study highlighted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that for those in mental illness recovery, 48% of people relapse if they do not have family involvement, whereas 28% of people relapse if their family is involved in their recovery journey. As you can see, relapse occurs quite often. There are a variety of steps that are taken to help individuals avoid this, however; relapse prevention treatment programs provide specific tools and resources to assist clients in identifying triggers when they arise, and an action plan to enact when they feel they’re high-risk. Most often, it really is about finding the people, places, thoughts, and situations that cause you to want to use or spiral; a 2015 study published in the journal of Qualitative Health Research involved focus groups with women in treatment for substance dependence to find the factors that both enabled and impeded their recovery. Results from the study showed that both adding supportive people to their recovery networks and avoiding or distancing oneself from those who were not conducive to their recovery proved crucial to their success. Psychiatrist Dr. Chad Coren stated on the The Fix, ““Any high-risk situation or stressor that sparks off a thought, feeling, or action to use drugs or alcohol. This spark, which is experienced as a temptation to use, is called a 'craving' or 'urge.' Triggers lead to cravings, and urges to use.” Rather than fearing relapse - which can produce feelings of anxiety, ultimately perpetuating the very outcome you’re trying to avoid - focus on your healing. Your recovery. Your action plan for when tricky situations arise. Work closely with your healthcare team if you are a reputable treatment center – they are meant to provide you with support during this time. Recovery is possible – you can do this. Don’t give up on yourself.

When it comes to recovery, self-compassion can be challenging sometimes. Perhaps you’ve gotten into this never-ending reel of doubt, fear, and negativity; thoughts such as “I don’t think I can do this” may plague your mind as you try to determine whether or not recovery is truly for you. No matter what you’re thinking, the good news is that you’re here. You’ve arrived. Recovery is meant for you, and you have everything you need to move forward with it. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have been led to this path. There are many techniques and approaches that can be used in recovery, including medicine and therapy. These are the two most popular options – but holistic therapy activities such as music therapy or psychodrama don’t get discussed as often. Psychodrama gives people an opportunity to work through past or future issues and gain new perspectives from others’ experiences as well. As explained by the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP), psychodrama involves 3 stages: 1) the warm up, in which a theme is identified and characters are established, 2) the action, in which the problem is acted out in a dramatic way and the protagonist identifies ways of resolving the problem, and 3) the sharing, in which group members are allowed to explain their personal connection with the drama and the protagonist’s strategies. A 2017 study published in the journal Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process, and Outcome sought to explore how psychodrama could assist those with mental illness. Twenty-two females and eight males participated in the study, engaging in 40 psychodrama sessions total, with 1 session per week. Results from the study indicated a significant improvement in symptoms that participants were experiencing; what type of activities in psychodrama could promote self-compassion? A 2015 piece published in The Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy addresses 4 activities in psychodrama that enhance this:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most commonly known self-help groups out there – with weekly meetings, individuals from all walks of life can come in and talk about their experiences while learning of new tools and resources to help them on their journey to recovery. Other self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and even non-12 step programs such as SMART Recovery and Women for Sobriety offer group support to those who need a community of people with similar problems or experiences. Self-help groups can provide much-needed support, but they are typically best when used in addition to a reputable treatment program. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), self-help groups often provide an “added layer of community-level social support to help people achieve and maintain abstinence and other healthy lifestyle behaviors over the course of a lifetime.” When deciding on which self-help group to add to your treatment regime, it’s important to look at each group and determine which one most closely aligns with your beliefs, values, and attitudes towards recovery. Don’t disregard non-12 step self-help groups, however; a 2018 study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment sought to explore whether or not non-12 step groups were just as successful as 12-step groups – 651 participants were involved, and the study showed that either one provides a number of benefits. Prominent levels of participation, satisfaction, and cohesion among members were found, making it ultimately a choice determined by you. At this point, you may be wondering, what are the differences? In your research, you’ll notice that some groups emphasize religion while others don’t – you’ll also find that some programs are more structured in agreed-upon ground rules or promises, while others are a bit more open. All in all, what truly matters is that you attend something that is conducive to your recovery – something that uplifts, motivates, inspires, and provides you with the support you need to get through challenging times. Some treatment centers host self-help groups at their location, meaning that you can talk to the coordinators at your treatment center to see about attending one of them in addition to your daily structure of therapy and activities.

Schizophrenia is a spectrum disorder that affects around 3.2 million Americans. A highly stigmatized disorder, schizophrenia may include disorganized thinking and speech, odd patterns of behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and more. As emphasized by the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA), around 50% of all people with the disorder do not seek treatment. This is often due to fear of stigma, as many people in the healthcare industry still have misconceptions. When selecting a reputable treatment center, it’s important that you find a place where you feel respected and heard. There are many centers that place emphasize on individual experiences – often by providing a wide range of holistic approaches. Music therapy has been a major component of addiction and mental illness recovery for several years now; it typically consists of either lyrical analysis, instrument playing, listening to music, composing music, or something similar. These opportunities provide clients with a sense of grounding and clarification – often giving individuals depth and uncovering of thoughts and feelings that may have been tucked away beneath their addiction or mental illness. Although schizophrenia often required medication to treat symptoms, holistic therapies such as music therapy can be a great addiction to a person’s treatment regime. For instance, a 2013 study with 57 adult females with severe mental illness participated in a 13-week music therapy intervention; results from the study showed that participants experienced increased self-esteem, enjoyment in the music therapy group activities, and a greater appreciation towards therapist sand peers.

Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the symptoms and taking them very seriously. Too many times, we see the warning signs but overlook them – thinking that somebody else is helping our loved one, that we are inaccurate about our assumptions, or that we can’t make that much of a difference in our loved one’s life. If you suspect that your loved one is having suicidal thoughts, it’s time to speak up. Act now. Provide support. Share the love. Doing this could save your loved one’s life. First, you may want to let your loved one know that you’ve noticed signs that something is wrong or that they’ve been acting differently; then, you will want to ask your loved one questions to understand what they are going through a little better. This may include asking questions such as:

Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects nearly 350 million worldwide, and 16 million people in the United States specifically, according to Healthline. Many people don’t get treated for depression, causing them to experience extended pain and suffering such as insomnia, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, isolation, and more. If you’ve been struggling with depression, treatment is possible, and you are not alone. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and holistic activities such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and more have all been incorporated in many reputable treatment programs to help individuals restore their mind, body, and spirit. Hypnosis has often been misunderstood, as movies and media portray hypnosis as “not having control” and “succumbing to the will of another person”. While this portrayal is often in reference to magic, hypnosis for mental illness and addiction recovery treatment is quite difference. In sum, hypnosis is a powerful, therapeutic technique that can assist a person in reaching a state of consciousness in which they can focus their mind on a particular thought or feeling, or rather to uncover thoughts or feelings that may have been suppressed over the years. As emphasized by the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is safe, and you have complete control – meaning that you can “awaken” or “snap out of it” any time that you so choose. Gestalt therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on an individual’s insight and responsibility to the present moment; gestalt therapists utilize various creative strategies to enhance clients’ freedom, awareness, and self-expression. A 2017 study conducted by researchers from Mexico sought to explore whether or not hypnosis and gestalt therapy were beneficial to those experiencing depression; one group was tested strictly with hypnotherapy, another group strictly with gestalt therapy, and yet a last group to serve as a comparison group. Results from the study showed that both hypnotherapy and gestalt therapy yielded significant improvement to those with depression – meaning that either or both could be an excellent option for treatment. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today. Depression is treatable – just like other mental illnesses and addictions. Don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 828,000 people reported using heroin in the United States in 2015, and the numbers have likely increased from there. Heroin is a synthetic but highly addictive opioid that produces feelings of euphoria; individuals may smoke, inject intravenously, or snort this drug in order to achieve varying levels of intensity and at different rates of speed. Individuals who abuse heroin often exhibit a number of symptoms, including: drowsiness, slowed breathing, slowed heart rate, flushing of the skin, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. If you or someone you know has taken a lot of this drug, overdose is a grave concern. As emphasized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), users who experience overdose cannot survive without medical attention, which is why you need to dial 911 immediately if you or a loved one has overdosed. Signs of this include:

A common attack thrown at an individual in today’s society typically involves “you’re so narcissistic”. This unfortunate and misguided stereotype fails to address narcissism for what it really is – U.S. News states that 1 in 16 Americans experience narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) at some point in their lives, but in fact we all have narcissism. How is this? Despite common beliefs, narcissism is a spectrum – and only if a person is on the severe side do they meet the criteria for NPD. NPD is characterized by an excessive need for admiration, a disregard for others’ feelings, an inability to handle criticism, and an overall sense of self-entitlement. The symptoms experienced with this disorder are more intense than typical narcissism, however. At healthy levels, narcissism helps us maintain a good appearance, perform well a job interviews, land a date with a potential love interest and more – we all need to have some form of self-interest and self-confidence to be able to portray the best version of ourselves in front of others, especially when the outcome could involve something that we desire for ourselves. Unhealthy levels of narcissism, however, are what lean more towards the NPD side – which can greatly affect aspects of daily life, such as school, work, family, and social relationships. A 2015 study published in the Psychological Bulletin sought to explore gender differences regarding NPD; researchers analyzed 355 studies, with 470,846 participants in sum. The researchers identified gender differences of NPD in three principal areas: Exploitative/Entitlement – manipulation; has no problems “stepping” on others in order to get what they want Leadership/Authority – motivation, desire, and belief that one holds a position of power; individuals with this type of NPD enjoy having authority over others. Grandiose/Exhibitionism – vanity, self-absorption, and the desire to be the center of attention If you have been diagnosed with NPD, treatment is an option and often includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of treatment that helps individuals understand their disorder and their thinking patterns and how this influences their actions. If you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder, it’s important that you seek help from a reputable treatment center.

Growing up in a family where addiction is ever present can feel like a never-ending cycle that you’re destined to repeat. For many, addiction is all they’ve ever known – whether you’ve had to take on additional roles as a child or you’ve witnessed or experienced abuse, neglect, violence, or general family dysfunction due to addiction, you’ve likely been weary that this, too, could become your future. Previous research has shown that children who grow up in dysfunctional families are prone to mental illnesses and addiction later on down the line – there are, however, steps that you can take to ensure this doesn’t become part of your storyline. A 2014 study published in the journal Child & Family Social Work sought to explore recent mothers who were substance dependent and were navigating their way to achieving stability and breaking their family’s cycle of addiction as they worked through motherhood. Six mothers who had been diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) and were enrolled in an inpatient treatment program were interviewed; researchers asked the participants questions relating to their understanding of their child, their own childhood experiences, the reason behind their substance abuse, and the changes they believe they need to make. Three themes emerged relating to changes they needed to make: