Mental Health and Addictions
While public discourse about mental health has increased and the stigma surrounding having a mental illness has decreased, there are nonetheless many pervasive misunderstandings about the nature, cause, and treatments for conditions including depression, anxiety disorders including OCD and PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more complex psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and psychosis.
The scientific literature supports that the most effective treatments for mental health conditions are, in fact, some combination of therapy, medication, and self-directed tools and behaviors — the exact treatment protocol will vary based on the individual and specific mental health issue. The neurobiology of substance abuse, for example, involves many of the most hard-wired pathways in the human brain, so recovery requires comprehensive support in the modalities of treatment programs, behavioral therapy, “detox” from the addictive substance, and social support.
The content below delves into a variety of topics, and our hope is that by sharing both the brain chemistry that influences mental health issues and evidence-based treatment options to explore, you’ll have tools to navigate your mental health journey.
*If you are in acute mental distress or are having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line or 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
