In order to fully understand how to best treat mental illness, we must first understand the factors that can cause mental illness, specifically the balance between nature and nurture. It’s important to remember that psychiatric conditions are medical problems that deserve the same kind of attention, research, and treatment as any physical ailment. What Causes…
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By: Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer We all struggle through times when sleep is in short supply: when college exams, a new baby, or a financial worry prevent us from getting a peaceful night’s rest. But research continues to uncover the consequences of regularly missing out on healthy sleep and…
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Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are two mental illnesses that can cause significant disability and disruption in someone’s life. Despite being commonly grouped together or even used interchangeably in movies, TV, and other pop culture references, they are two separate and distinct illnesses that have different diagnostic criteria and require different treatments. Find out more about how…
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You may think that once you’re out of high school, you’re finished growing up. Physically, you’re probably as tall as you will ever get, and from this point forward, you may remain the same overall size throughout much of your adult life. Whether you head off to college or out to make your own way…
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People rarely view psychiatric conditions in a positive light. In the U.S. and other countries worldwide, mental illness carries a stigma. Social and perceived stigmas impact people diagnosed with a psychiatric condition in significant ways. In the U.S., fewer than half of adults with a psychiatric disorder sought out health services in the past year, which help…
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1. Mood Disorders Mood disorders include an array of illnesses characterized by shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. Mood disorders include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, among others. They often cause disability and, because they are linked to suicide, can be life-threatening. Major depression is the most common mood disorder. Between 7 and…
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