Author Archives: JOSHUA BRIDGES

I consider myself a mental health advocate, but what does that actually mean? It probably means different things to different people, but let’s chat … What Makes Someone a Mental Health Advocate?

The new study, published by researchers at UC San Diego in the journal, Brain Stimulation, has investigated the effect that the nervous system might have on mechanisms of PTSD and trauma in the brain by practicing ‘non-invasive stimulation’ of the vagus nerve in participants who then had a series of brain scans via fMRI. OneContinue reading “Perceived threat, PTSD and the vagus nerve”

Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentionsContinue reading “Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts”

We immunize. We require seat belts in the car and helmets while biking. We insist on sunscreen. We do just about everything we can to ensure that our kids are healthy, safe, and primed for success. But when it comes to drinking alcohol or even smoking marijuana, why does it seem so easy to shrugContinue reading “Is Substance Use a Part of “Normal” Teen Behavior?”

TO LEAVE A COMMENT, SCROLL DOWN

Some days, doing “the best we can” may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect-on any front-and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else. -Fred Rogers TO LEAVE A COMMENT SCROLL DOWN

What is depression? Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects your whole body including your mood and thoughts. It touches every part of your life. It’s important to know that depression is not a weakness or character flaw. It’s a chemical imbalance in your brain that needs to be treated. If you have oneContinue reading “Major Depression”

To help you recognize depression that warrants concern, whether in yourself or a loved one, here are eight depression symptoms — some of which you might even find surprising — that you shouldn’t ignore. Trouble sleeping Although depression can sap energy and motivation during the day, a person may often lie awake at night, unable toContinue reading “8 Depression Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore”

It’s not easy to commit to something new and this applies to our relationships too. When the magical allure of the initial attraction wears off, and when it’s time to decide whether you want to be with this person or not, a brief period of indecisiveness is quite normal. But for many people, this periodContinue reading “How relationship anxiety could play havoc with your love life”

Tanya Albert Henry Contributing News Writer Alcoholism wasn’t always seen as a disease needing treatment, and the American Medical Association’s work was on the forefront of changing how the court system viewed and treated those who cannot control their alcohol consumption. Over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has looked to AMA policies and an amicus briefContinue reading “Court listened to AMA on defining alcoholism as a disease, not a crime”

Introduction Zuclopenthixol (brand names Cisordinol, Clopixol and others), also known as zuclopentixol, is a medication used to treat schizophrenia … What is Zuclopenthixol?

People (Births) 1933 – Benedict Groeschel, American priest, psychologist, and talk show host (d. 2014). Benedict Groeschel Benedict Joseph Groeschel,… On This Day … 23 July

“Happiness is a choice.” It’s a message that you probably come across fairly often. While it’s probably meant to be motivational and positive most of… Happiness Is Not a Choice

People (Births) 1881 – Augusta Fox Bronner, American psychologist, specialist in juvenile psychology (d. 1966). 1893 – Karl Menninger, American … On This Day … 22 July

A while back, a post about choosing to be positive came up in my WP Reader feed. The blogger mentioned that “our mind is something we do and can have… How Much Control Do You Have Over Your Mind?

Have you ever wondered why antidepressant side effects seem to be worse at the beginning, or why it takes so long for them to actually start doing … Antidepressant Side Effects & Delayed Therapeutic Effect

Introduction If you’ve been following my blog for a while now you are probably aware that I suffer from anxiety and depression. I haven’t talked too … Natural Remedies For Depression

Probably many of us living with mental illness have wondered at some point where the heck it came from. Nature? Nurture? A hodgepodge of both? … The Role of Heredity in Mental Illness