Category Archives: Disorders

Are you bipolar and spending money on items you don’t need during a manic episode? If so, you’re not alone. Compulsive shopping is common among people diagnosed with bipolar disorder as part of their erratic behavior during a manic episode. Someone who’s bipolar and spending money on expensive items they don’t truly want or need […]

Everyone lies at some point in their life, whether to spare the feelings of another or avoid facing consequences for their actions. Small white lies usually aren’t harmful. However, telling major lies that negatively impact an individual’s life or the lives of others without understanding the harm they’re causing can indicate a problem. Pathological liars […]

What are the real mental illness and violence facts you need to know? Find out what the relationship is between the rise in violent crime and mental health. Nearly one in five Americans (52.9 million) has some kind of mental illness. The vast majority of people with such a disorder live peacefully and generally don’t […]

Suicide is a tragic event that impacts thousands of Americans and their families annually. According to the CDC, suicide rates in the United States increased roughly 30% between 2000 and 2018. It’s a leading cause of death in America, with one person dying by suicide approximately every 11 minutes. Understanding what causes suicidal thoughts, which […]

What’s the best emotional support animal for depression, and how can they help? Learn about different ESAs, their benefits and how to get one. When depression strikes, we can find comfort in the people around us — from licensed therapists to friends and family members. But what if you’ve exhausted all those support systems and […]

Learn about dissociative disorder and how it can affect people. Find out what its symptoms are and what treatments are available. You may have seen dissociative disorder in a popular Hollywood film or best-selling novel, as fictional characters frequently have multiple personalities or forget who they are. People suffering from dissociative identity disorder (DID), one […]

Movies rarely portray mental illnesses well. If they aren’t making fun of people with mental conditions, they mix up the symptoms purely for dramatic flare or as a plot device. More often than not, movies with characters with schizophrenia fall into the latter category, focusing more on sensationalizing the condition rather than showing the nuanced […]

Picture yourself at a social outing with your closest friends and acquaintances. In the company of those we’re comfortable with, we often let our defenses down, opening ourselves to playful banter and friendly ribbing. However, in the midst of all the innocent fun, you feel one of their jabs cut a little too deep. Are […]

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is also known as an attention-seeking disorder, which is an apt description. People with this disorder live for attention and will do whatever they can to stay in the spotlight. Their sense of self-worth is dependent on the approval of others. HPD sufferers are viewed as overly dramatic, emotional and unpredictable. […]

Throughout Mary’s childhood, her father Joe was chronically ill and would lie in his darkened room for weeks at a time. Joe would go to the emergency room complaining of headaches. Many tests were run, but the results always came back normal. The entire household revolved around Joe’s care: the family’s diet, activities, noise level, […]