The Problem of Underage Drinking in the US Adolescent IssuesBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 30, 2012A 2011 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that fewer teens today are drinking alcohol than in previous years. Things are looking up, but teens are still in jeopardy of harming their health, their future life, and endangering the lives of others because of alcohol use. According to the Substance…
Depression and the Holidays Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 28, 2012Holiday cheer can be particularly difficult to muster when you’re prone to or currently battling depression. If you’re already living with symptoms of depression like fatigue, insomnia, sadness, or severe pessimism, this time of year can make you feel even more overwhelmed than usual. Even if your symptoms are generally under control, holiday strain has…
Peer and Family Relationships Impact Development of Depression Adolescent IssuesBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 27, 2012The transition to the teenage years is marked with a significant change in the influences over a young person’s life. An individual may have had only their parents as major forces contributing to their thoughts and decisions as they completed elementary school. When it is time to go on to middle and high school, teens…
Reducing PTSD Impact by Controlling the Narrative Trauma & PTSDBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 26, 2012With a literal and figurative wave of natural disasters on our shores and an uptick in violence against U.S. citizens and soldiers around the globe, understanding how to best treat PTSD is vital. The condition is triggered by experienced trauma, but it can quickly grow in severity as the person mentally rehearses the event(s) over…
Bullying and PTSD Trauma & PTSDBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 24, 2012Stories of violence or suicide related to bullying have gained national attention in recent years. While school bullies have been around as far back as the one room schoolhouse, the impact of bullying seems to have intensified. Even if the victim does not succumb to violence in response, the damage done can be significant. A…
Male Anorexia and Gender Bias Eating DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 21, 2012Though predominantly a female problem, anorexia nervosa is not exclusively a female one because men do suffer from the condition as well. Yet, some wonder if there are subtle gender biases which prevent the condition from being recognized in men. Further, the public image of the condition as an overwhelmingly female problem may prevent men…
Antidepressant Side Effects – The Downside of Mood-Boosting Medications Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 20, 2012Antidepressant medications are often used in the treatment of major depression, anxiety disorders, and many other psychiatric conditions. They are most effective when used in combination with other treatments. By helping to alleviate troubling symptoms, they can help you live a more normal life.
Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder Mental HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 19, 2012Bipolar disorder is a challenging psychiatric condition. Formerly called manic depression, this chronic and potentially debilitating disorder is known for causing severe swings in mood and energy levels. People who suffer from bipolar I disorder, which is the most severe form of the disorder, don’t have the normal ups and downs most people experience in…
Understanding the Impact of Diet on ADHD Mental HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 18, 2012You’ve read the news stories, watched the talk shows, and explored all the relevant blogs you and find. Now you need the facts: Does diet play a role in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? If so, how much direct impact does it have? After all, whether you live with ADHD or you have a child who…
Compulsive Skin Picking – Understanding the Painful Challenges of Dermatillomania Mental HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthDecember 17, 2012Compulsive skin picking (CSP) is an impulse control disorder. It compels people to damage their skin by picking at it repetitively. If you live with this challenging condition, you know exactly the kind of raw and painful toll it takes – both physically and emotionally. Also known by the tongue-twisting name dermatillomania, this form of…
