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Many of us have heard horror stories on the news or seen terrible events occur on television shows such as “Law and Order: SVU”. Much of society and pop culture labels the perpetrator as a “psychopath”, and this term has stuck for years. While the term “psychopath” has gained popularity, and is used quite casually even do describe people we don’t particularly like, it’s used far off kilter. Psychology Today notes that psychopathy is one of the most difficult disorders to recognize, mainly because the characteristics of a person with psychopathy seem “normal” – even likable. By understanding the reality of what “psychopath” really means, perhaps we can discuss crime and people more appropriately. Terms such as “psychopath” and “sociopath” are often used interchangeably, but there are key notable differences. Psychopathic traits are more innate, and sociopathic traits are centered more around antisocial tendencies as they pertain to social and environmental factors. Many individuals classified as psychopaths tend to be charming, self-centered, dishonest and undependable, and may engage in reckless behavior for the sheer fun of it. Those with psychopathy often don’t feel guilt, empathy or love, and routinely offer excuses or place the blame on others for their dangerous decisions. The Scientific American notes, however, that most people classified as psychopaths are not violent, and most violent people are not psychopaths. They provide an example of the 2007 killer Seung-Hui Cho being classified in the newspaper as a “psychopath”, but those who knew him said he was markedly shy, withdrawn, and peculiar. These characteristics contradict that of a psychopath is defined as. Another common misconception is that psychopaths are psychotic.  Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, often involve people losing touch with reality – people who are considered psychopaths often do not lose touch with reality, however. They are very rational, and often recognize their actions are viewed as wrong in the eyes of society, but they do not care. There are conflicting beliefs about whether psychopathy can be cured. According to Yale University, “There is no pill that can instill empathy, no vaccine that can prevent murder, and no amount of psychotherapy that can change an uncaring mind.” Psychology Today claims that psychopathy lies on a spectrum, and some researchers believe that psychotherapy (talk therapy) has benefits for those with psychopathy. While we may not understand the acts of someone with psychopathy, we can learn to use the term in it’s appropriate context.

According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of musical interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” Music therapy can be used to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of an individual. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that music therapy can provide a variety of benefits. First, what does music therapy consist of? The AMTA states that musical therapists assess their clients’ emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication skills, and cognitive skills through musical response. Therapists will often design music sessions that involve music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. Treatment centers, agencies for disabilities, community health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers and nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practices all typically offer music therapy. In a meta-analysis of 400 studies, researchers found that music improves the body’s immune system and reduces stress. Previous research has also shown music therapy to relax patients before surgery – even more so than prescription drugs. In a 2013 study, researchers from the University of Alberta explored the benefits of music therapy on 42 children, ages 3 to 11. They found that both listening to and playing relaxing music while getting an IV inserted made the children feel significantly less pain, while some children even reported experiencing significantly less distress overall. How is music so beneficial to our health? Doctors from Harvard Medical School state that humans are rhythmic beings; our heartbeat, breathing, and brain waves are all rhythmic. Our brain and nervous system are constructed to identify music as separate from noise, and we can respond to rhythm and repetition, tones and tunes. Music therapy has been shown to help stroke victims, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, acute and chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and more. Music Therapy Connections, an organization that promotes music therapy for recovery, states that music therapy can be used by all: children, adolescents, adults, and elderly.

We can’t help to look at other people. What they have, who they are, their accomplishments – most of these is displayed very eloquently on social media networks such as Facebook or Instagram. When we view these, sometimes we may be so excited for someone we love and care about, but other times we may experience feelings of jealousy, envy, sadness, and even hatred. Our judgments don’t just stop at social media, however. First impressions cause us to judge someone, and those judgments aren’t always correct. The Scientific American states that we judge based on two qualities in first-interactions: warmth (whether the person is friendly and well intentioned) and competence (whether the person can deliver on their intentions). It’s not a debate that we judge others, but why do we do that? Maria Moraca, writer for Tiny Buddha, states that our judgments are often an extension of our own self-criticizing. When our internal dialogue is critical and demanding, we become critical and demanding of others. Are we supposed to stop judging others altogether? That is impossible. As Dr. Marwa Azab tells Psychology Today, we have two components of the brain: our logical, conscious system and our reflexive, non-conscious one. Our logical system is controlled, intentional, voluntary, and what we are actively aware of. Our reflexive system is involuntary and outside of our awareness – much of the thoughts that occur here are reactive and irrational. Tiny Buddha has noted three main causes for judgment on others:

Beginning your journey to recovery can be nerve-wracking. You may feel fear regarding the unknown, may have hope for the future, or may be experiencing pressure because you want to know that you’re doing the right thing. Seeking help is always the best step that you can take towards your recovery, and detox is the very first component of this. According to Rehab International, detox is the removal of toxins from the body naturally. Although detox may seem frightening, it’s crucial for your overall health and must be completed before you can truly begin your journey to recovery. Here is some valuable information regarding detoxification:

Gestalt therapy is a client-centered approach to psychotherapy that helps the client focus on the present and what is really happening in their lives right now instead of what they perceive to be happening based on experience. Clients may be asked to re-enact past experiences rather than simply talk about them and through this, may become more aware of how their negative thought patterns are blocking their way to true happiness. Psychology Today notes that gestalt therapy has been proven effective for depression, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and even small physical ailments such as headaches and back spasms. Gestalt therapy aims to bring people into awareness; the belief is that once a person is made aware of their problem, they can learn to deal with it effectively. California State University states that therapists often ask “what” and “how” instead of “why” because they want to promote present awareness. Becoming aware means making connections with emotional and physical needs – activities often help us recognize our true feelings regarding a situation or may help us understand others. A 2016 study explored gestalt therapy’s effectiveness on a client with substance use and bipolar disorder. This person was a part of an in-patient program and was facing an open criminal charge, was regarded as having antisocial personality disorder and he stated that he also had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After 18 sessions of gestalt therapy, the researcher found that the patient could more closely connect with himself and his environment. This ultimately contributed to his success in rehabilitation, reintegration with society and decreased his relapses, both with drugs and criminal activities. Gestalt therapy helps people become more connected to themselves and their feelings, and gestalt practitioners heighten and illuminate each person’s experience of life, self and others. A variety of techniques are used in gestalt therapy. Good Therapy, an online therapist directory, notes the “empty chair technique” as a way for the client to engage in dialogue and explore their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Exaggeration exercise is another common technique, where the person is asked to physically exaggerate their emotions so that they can recognize how they feel a little more clearly.

There is no doubt that depression can make us feel hopeless, sad, empty, and isolated – but can depression cause physical health problems? A researcher from Oxford University in the United Kingdom found that depression can lead to physical health problems, such as stroke and cardiovascular disease. Psych Central also notes that depression can lead to coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and maybe even type 2 diabetes. What aspect of depression causes these health issues? Contributor Alice Walton from Forbes Magazine states that when we’re depressed, we’re less likely to take steps towards bettering our physical health; we are more likely to be sedentary and make poorer few choices, which can lead towards physical problems. Stress and inflammation often found in depression - according to doctors - can lead to damaged arteries and plaque buildup, which explains the relationship. Some studies suggest that depression may contribute to low bone mass by reducing the amount of calcium and other minerals that are deposited throughout the body as we age. According to writer Jane Collingwood of Psych Central, depression in addition to another physical conditions can worsen symptoms as well. For example, if a person has depression and heart disease, they are twice as likely to reduce their social interaction. Combinations not only affect a person, but one can exacerbate the other. Professor David Goldberg of the Institute of Psychiatry in London expresses this by stating, “Depression and chronic physical illness are in a reciprocal relationship with one another; not only do many chronic illnesses cause higher rates of depression, but depression has been shown to antedate some chronic physical illnesses.” Not to mention, the symptoms of depression can be damaging in and of themselves. A study conducted by a researcher at the University of Texas Southwest Medical School stated that depression can cause a person to feel chronic joint pain, limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, tiredness, sleep disturbances, psychomotor activity changes, and appetite changes. With these physical ailments arising due to depression, it makes sense that these can worsen if not treated. The best way to prevent and reduce the symptoms of depression is to seek treatment for it – psychotherapy is a form of “talk therapy” that includes one-on-one interaction with a therapist. Many people find this beneficial to work through their problems and develop tools to counteract their symptoms.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By addressing these patterns, the client and therapist can develop tools to replace those unhealthy thoughts with more positive, productive ones. Previous research has shown that CBT has been an effective treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Anyone can use CBT, and there are many techniques that you can easily do at home:

For people who are beginning their journey to recovery, treatment may seem daunting. With several options available, such as in-patient (residential) treatment, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and others, it may be easy to feel overwhelmed. A common concern for those considering residential treatment is what they can expect – the anxiety of a new beginning can create fear and worry. Luckily, residential treatment means that you will be taken care of by a dedicated health care team that will be there for you 24/7. Bradford Health Services, American Residential Treatment Association, and Rehab International have indicated several wonderful components that you can expect while you are in residential treatment:

Tramadol is a pain medication that serves to moderate severe pain intensity, and is part of a class of drugs called opiate narcotic analgesics, which work by changing the way the brain responds to pain. Tramadol used to be considered relatively safe, but it is becoming clearer just how dangerous it is. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the estimated number of tramadol-related emergency visits due to misuse or abuse rose 250%, from 6, 255 visits in 2005 to 21,649 visits in 2011. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in 2014 that tramadol has the same chemical structure as codeine. This medication has an extended form used for around-the-clock treatment rather than a “take as needed” basis. Also in 2014, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that tramadol has been placed into schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This was due to the concern of abuse, misuse, addiction and overdose of opioid analgesics. While tramadol can be safe if taken as prescribed by the doctor, it is highly addictive and can be very dangerous. Firstly, there are a wide range of side effects with this drug that can be very unpleasant: itching, headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness, to name a few. More serious side effects include seizures, serotonin syndrome, depressed breathing, fatal skin reaction, and more. Tramadol is not safe when mixed with alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications. Due to the similar chemical structure of codeine, tramadol can become habit-forming. The Wall Street Journal claims that tramadol has been known to be as addictive as morphine – when taken, the drug increases the production of neurotransmitters in the brain such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and other hormones, such as endorphins. WHO reports that tramadol enters the bloodstream immediately, with effectiveness peaking in 1-4 hours and extended-release tramadol peaking in 4-6 hours. Withdrawal symptoms begin to appear within about 12 hours of the last dose. The DEA states that 90% of people who withdrawal from tramadol experience traditional opioid symptoms.

According to News Week, about 42.5 million Americans experience mental illness, which ranges from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration noted in 2014 that more than half of those people are seeking treatment, but only 2.6 million of the 22.5 million Americans struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and addiction received treatment. Many people who do not seek treatment choose to self-medicate, and here’s why:

According to Douglas Gentile, a psychologist from Iowa State University, approximately 3 million children ages 8 to 18 are addicted to video games. His study involved 3,034 children and revealed that on average, people are spending approximately 20 hours a week playing video games. The number of children playing estimates that approximately 72 percent of American household play video games. Nine percent of the children studied had symptoms that correlated with video game addiction. Video games aren’t just for children, though – many adults play as well. Video games can become addicting for several reasons:

We’ve all heard it – sober living can be great. For those of us who have already been down the path of addiction, most of our friends and family have said it. “You should just stop drinking so much – life is so much better,” they’ve said. Maybe you’ve scowled at these phrases before. While most of our loved ones sound cliché when saying it, there truly are some benefits to sober living. Maybe you’re just beginning your road to recovery, or perhaps you’re contemplating it. We won’t just provide you with simple reasons, though. Here are some real, honest, pure reasons from individuals who have already gone through addiction and have found sobriety through their recovery: