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People who struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may feel like they cannot control the thoughts, obsessions, and impulses that flood their minds. OCD can be a debilitating experience and make people feel as if their brain is not their own.

Anxiety can get in the way of being able to feel calm and at peace in everyday life, even when there is not anything “wrong.” Many symptoms of anxiety are emotional and psychological, but they can also manifest as somatic (physical) symptoms, which can exacerbate feelings. The somatic symptoms of anxiety can often worsen anxiousness, as it is confusing to not know why you are experiencing physical symptoms in the absence of a physical illness.

You believe that talking to a friend is just as good or better than seeing a therapist, but is this true? A friend's ear is valuable in some situations but inappropriate in others. Therapists have strengths in certain areas, so they bring something different to the discussion that a friend often cannot. This article will elaborate on five essential differences between talking to these two social support groups and highlight why you should not be ashamed to "see a therapist."

Working to actively prevent relapse after you have begun to make strides in your recovery is essential. Although relapse does not mean the end of recovery, it is still important to take steps to minimize your chances of relapse. Below are some practices you can cultivate in your life that serve as a protective layer against relapse.

Part of recovering from mental illness and substance use includes getting to know who you are outside of those things. Experiences such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses can cloud your sense of self and block you from knowing your true self. You may use these conditions as protective layers that distract you from your power, purpose, and truth. You may have lived with a mental health condition or substance use disorder for so long that the symptoms have become familiar to you. Finding yourself without them can be a disorienting experience. It can be liberating to get to know yourself outside of mental illness through reconnecting with your inner voice, doing what brings you joy, and experiencing life outside the box of your diagnosis.

Recovery from mental illness and substance use is only possible with a focused recovery mindset. This can be done by having a recovery mentality that you create space for yourself to reach fulfillment in your goals, your relationships, and your life.

Delusions are unusual ideas about the world that a person sticks to despite solid evidence that they are misled. Several mental health conditions share delusion as a symptom, including psychotic and mood disorders. Finding treatment for delusions is essential because they can be harmful to the person experiencing them and those they interact with.

Beginning to integrate movement into your life to focus on your physical health, along with mental health, can be valuable as you begin treatment for substance use and mental illness. At Avalon Malibu, we take a holistic approach to healing and incorporate physical fitness programs into recovery plans to help you reach the goals you have for yourself. Exercise is an outlet that allows you to build strength in your physical body. This strength can facilitate healing in mental health and allow your spirit to follow.

Although often overlooked, the state of your finances and how you handle them is an integral part of your holistic well-being. While financial wellness looks different for everyone, it has some shared fundamental principles.

If you have ever gone on a diet or struggled with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or negative body image, you end up binge-eating, telling yourself you will start over tomorrow only to have the same experience a few days later? Although these moments can feel full of failure, shame, and self-judgment, it is important to know there is nothing wrong with you and that you did nothing wrong; biology points to this fact.

The continued Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone's approach to social life in various ways. Whether dealing with frigid temperatures or few hours of daylight in Winter, your thoughts of going outside are polluted with a checklist of preparations and dangers that may be present. This can compound to a “learned agoraphobia,” or fear of entering crowded or open spaces as you stay inside and cope with the changing world outside. However, this mentality can come with its own risks and unhealthy coping strategies. As your social needs are not met and self-isolation becomes prevalent, the use of drugs or alcohol to pass the time creates a dangerous precedent for addiction as a result.

Relapse is a common experience in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness. Although relapsing may feel as if you are backpedaling, you could also view it as a chance to deepen your relationship with yourself and your healing.