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Anxiety and depression affect more than forty million adults age 18 and over, making them two of the most common mental health concerns in the United States. Since these illnesses involve a complex set of emotional and functional challenges, they require a holistic treatment for anxiety that addresses more than symptoms.

At first consideration, the concepts of “acceptance” and “change” seem diametrically opposed. Acceptance implies that something is suitable or satisfactory, whereas the need for change indicates that something is inadequate or lacking in some way. Yet these two opposite components form the core of dialectical behavior therapy.

Neurofeedback therapy is a biofeedback technique that focuses on helping a person learn to directly affect their own brain function. The approach is a reputable and scientifically proven technique practiced by specially trained psychotherapists. Drawing on the growing knowledge from the field of neuroscience, doctors are trying to reach beyond the symptoms of mental illness to address the circuits that cause them.

We’ve all heard the saying, “you are what you eat,” and it’s no mystery that proper nutrition is an essential building block for healthy living. When it comes to nutritious eating, not all foods are created equal. Some foods contain such an abundance of beneficial nutrients that scientists have dubbed them “superfoods.” These powerhouse foods are not only helping make people healthier, but they are being used to help people overcome addictions and to repair the damage done to their bodies by the abused substances.

Bipolar disorder has become something of a mental health buzzword, and the disorder is even sometimes associated with creativity and charisma. This may be due, at least in part, to the number of celebrities and artists who have been publicly open about their own struggles with the condition. When it comes to multiple personality disorder, however, there still seems to be a cloud of ignorance and confusion. This highlights the need for further education and dialog about both disorders to help improve public awareness, understanding and compassion.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was once thought to be a rare mental disease, but research has revealed it is far more common than previously believed. Statistics indicate that approximately 2.3 percent of the population between ages 18 and 54 suffers from OCD, making it even more prevalent than other common mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or panic disorder. Based on these statistics, approximately 3.3 million people in the United States have OCD; that’s about one out of every 200 adults. The prevalence of this disorder has raised the question for some about whether or not their own tendencies or habits may indicate a form of OCD. Although only a trained therapist can accurately diagnose OCD, understanding the disorder can help you think properly about its symptoms and effects. It’s important to note that simply being detail-oriented or having perfectionist tendencies does not indicate the presence of a disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is more than just being meticulous or wanting to keep things neat and tidy.

The word “phobia” is a direct conversion of the Greek word for “fear.” The term is sometimes used conversationally to indicate a general fear or dislike of something. These common fears are simple, everyday anxieties that nearly everyone experiences. However, phobias are more involved and complex.

Hundreds of books are available dealing with the subject of introvert personalities. With titles such as “The Introvert Advantage,” “Introvert Power” and “The Upside of Being an Introvert,” the clear indication is that having an introvert personality is definitely something normal and positive. But what if a person’s shyness, preference for solitude or tendency to be concerned about their own thoughts and feelings becomes debilitating? Some amount of shyness or avoidance is completely normal, for both introverts and extroverts. But when introversion and avoidance become a problem that interferes with your life, it could indicate a more serious condition known as avoidant personality disorder.

Even in this day of advanced medical technology, distinguishing different medical conditions can be difficult due to the myriad details of the physical body and the wide variety of illnesses or diseases. The process is more complicated when trying to distinguish mental health disorders, since many of them share similar symptoms or may occur alongside other disorders. The complexity of psychological disorders also contributes to misunderstandings about them. An example of this can be seen in the frequent confusion between mood disorders and personality disorders. While the two types of disorders share common symptoms, they also have key aspects that can help identify how they are unique.

Although there is a stigma attached to many mental illnesses, schizophrenia may be the most mischaracterized. Unlike common portrayals in movies or television, people suffering from schizophrenia are not violent psychopaths with multiple or split personalities. In reality, schizophrenia is one of the most disabling and puzzling mental disorders, causing it to be severely misunderstood in American society.

Nearly everyone likes to be the center of attention once in a while. At one time or another, most people are guilty of showing off or doing what they can to get others to notice them. People with histrionic personality disorder take these behaviors much further and act in a highly emotional manner in hopes of drawing attention to themselves. These individuals have a pervasive and consistent pattern of seeking the spotlight and behaving in excessively dramatic ways.

Substance abuse can have a devastating impact on your body, on your life and on the lives of those around you. While you are pregnant, the choices you make can impact the future health of your baby. If you use drugs while you are pregnant, there is a chance that your baby will develop neonatal abstinence syndrome. Understanding the effects of your substance abuse on the health of your child can help you make the best choice for you and your baby.