Through the Looking Glass: Edition 2 By Our Beloved Staff The stigma of having any mental disorder is very much more prevalent than we think. Growing up in Jamaica; disgrace and forlornness were always associated with any individual with mental illness. Without knowing better, I had grown in acceptance of this idea. When I…
Stigma and Mental Health Stigma- A negative stereotype. Mental Health – conditions that affect your mood, thinking and behavior Society’s Acceptance – Very Low Why? – Ignorance and a lack of Empathy Being diagnosed with a condition that affects the brain, which one has no control over, leaves so many answered and unanswered questions by…
Bipolar disorder may be a difficult diagnosis to live with, and finding successful personalized treatments is challenging. Oftentimes, treatment targets shift, patients are non-adherent to medication regimens, and comorbidity rates are extremely high.[1] Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is also associated with high rates of suicide, usually with more lethal means than other mental…
Embracing the “Failure” of Relapse Let’s get something straight relapse is not part of the process! It does happen often but let’s not get confused. Now if perhaps, you do relapse in recovery there is always something you can learn from this. “It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” – Ellen DeGeneres.…
A majority of persons affected by alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are also affected by a co-occurring mental health or medical problem, with the prevalence statistically being between 25 and 50 percent.[1] Co-occurrence of more than one mental disorder is also not unusual[2]. According to Kessler’s The Epidemiology of Dual Diagnosis, the National Comorbidity Survey reports…
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are a widely prescribed class of drugs that are commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders.[1] In fact, listed among the top 100 commonly prescribed drugs are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).[2] Generally, they are known to be safe, producing almost immediate effects and are commonly prescribed…
Most people have heard of bipolar disorder, and many know at least one person who suffers from some form of the condition. Few, however, understand its full effects or how it is treated. If you have a loved one who is dealing with the disorder of any severity, it can be helpful to better understand…
Bipolar disorder can be difficult for many patients and their families to understand. Like diabetes, the disorder has two primary types: bipolar disorder 1, which is the more severe form of the condition, and the comparatively more moderate bipolar disorder 2. Contrary to what some might believe, however, that second form of bipolar disorder can…
If you or someone you know suffers from bipolar disorder, the condition can often be difficult to understand and even more difficult to manage without effective intervention. The condition can cause extreme emotional volatility and impact energy levels, as well as several other symptoms. To make matters worse, of the roughly 3 percent of Americans…