“Neat Freak” vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
“Neat Freak” vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In today’s popular lexicon, people often use the term “OCD” to describe someone who is particularly tidy or organized. For example, people may declare that the Mari Kondo trend fed into everyone’s OCD, meaning Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Unfortunately, this popular use of the term is not only inaccurate, but it also minimizes the real struggles that people with OCD face. While…
What to Expect at Your First Anger Management Session
What to Expect at Your First Anger Management Session Anger is a healthy, normal part of everyday life. However, it can reach unhealthy levels in some people and become difficult to control. This can lead people to act out against themselves, others, or property. This process can be difficult for everyone involved. The good news is that there is hope if you find yourself…
Understanding Schizophrenia in Teens
Understanding Schizophrenia in Teens Although a person can develop schizophrenia at any point in life, the symptoms are most likely to start between the ages of 12 and 40. More specifically, males tend to see start seeing symptoms in their teen years and early 20s, while females are most likely to develop symptoms in their 20s and 30s. Sadly, less than 20 percent of…
Dangers of Untreated Schizophrenia
Dangers of Untreated Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that causes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts, isolation, and bizarre behaviors. While a stigma keeps many people from talking about schizophrenia, approximately 3.5 million people in the United States live with the disorder, or 1.1 percent of the population. Due to the nature of the disorder, the stigma surrounding treatment, and several…
How to Tell If Someone Has Schizophrenia
How to Tell If Someone Has Schizophrenia Approximately one percent of the world’s population lives with schizophrenia, which is a serious mental health disorder that requires lifelong treatment. If you know even 100 people through family, work, school, and friends, you have a good chance of knowing someone who lives with this disorder. Only a mental health professional can diagnose someone with schizophrenia (or…
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder? Television shows and movies often refer to characters with antisocial personality disorder as “psychopaths” or “sociopaths.” Such characters are almost always serial killers or other violent criminals. While some people with this condition are violent criminals, not all are. In fact, about three percent of men and one percent of women live with this disorder. However, there are only…
Understanding the Three Clusters of Personality Disorders
Understanding the Three Clusters of Personality Disorders The concept of personality disorders dates back to 1801, when psychiatrist Philippe Pinel described a condition in which patients had outbursts of rage without psychosis. By the end of the 1800s, mental health professionals pinpointed seven antisocial personality traits and described what was then known as “psychopathic personality.” In the years since, the understanding of personality disorders…
Loving Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder
Loving Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder If someone you love has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), you know that this disorder affects everyone around the patient as well. The relationship with your loved one may feel plagued by conflict and unstable at times. You may feel like you need to walk on eggshells to avoid a major outburst. It can feel like…
Busting Myths About Agoraphobia
Busting Myths About Agoraphobia According to the American Psychiatric Association, about two percent of American adults live with agoraphobia. While this may seem like a small number, it means that if you know 100 adults, you likely know two people with this disorder. Despite this, several myths persist about agoraphobia. Spreading awareness about this disorder can help people recognize the symptoms of agoraphobia and…
How to Prepare for TMS
How to Prepare for TMS While medication and therapy work for many patients with depression, these treatments are not 100 percent effective. For example, someone may not react well to medication and need treatment in addition to therapy. As such, some people with depression must turn to alternative treatment methods. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a clinically-proven way to treat depression in these cases.…
