Although we may all agree diversity is a positive thing for our society, it’s no secret that it presents some unique challenges too, especially for providers of health care services. This is why culturally competent healthcare has become so important these days. The USA is a melting pot of cultures, and people from all over […]
People often use the terms “addiction” and “dependence” interchangeably when talking about substance abuse. In reality, the terms refer to two different sides of the same coin. Someone who is addicted to a substance may or may not have a physical dependence on that substance. Having a physical dependence on a substance does not necessitate […]
During pregnancy and after it, your mind and body go through a lot of changes. The physical and emotional upheaval can take its toll, and in some women, postpartum depression is the result. This type of depression is often misunderstood and it takes many women by surprise. After all, being a new mom is supposed […]
44 million Americans care for older adults and adults with disabilities who live in the community. These caregivers receive no pay. Instead, they selflessly dedicate much of their lives to taking care of family members, helping them lead full and happy lives despite physical limitations. However, as Suzanne Mintz, President and Co-Founder of the National […]
Seven percent of the U.S. population will have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetimes, while nearly six percent of the U.S. population will have borderline personality disorder (BPD). But how many of these diagnoses overlap? Research consistently shows that having one mental health condition makes you more likely to develop another. However, it appears […]
At least 30 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder at any given time, with 0.9 percent of women suffering from anorexia nervosa (or anorexia for short) in their lifetime. Anorexia is the most deadly mental illness, with 1 in 5 deaths associated with anorexia owing to suicide. To someone who […]
If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, it may feel as if virtually everything around you is a trigger. These triggers often seem to be inescapable and impossible to be ignored. Rather, they come unannounced and unbidden in the sights and sounds of daily life. Triggers for an eating disorder come in a […]
Depression is a surprisingly common illness which affects how we think, feel and act. Around 6% of all women are likely to experience depression during their lives at some point, but the number increases to 10% in pregnant women. Women have a greater risk of depression during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes that affect […]
You may have heard stereotypes about eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and who they affect. Many people wrongfully assume that only upper-class white women suffer from bulimia — but in reality, that could not be farther from the truth. The patient population that suffers from bulimia nervosa is as racially and ethnically diverse as […]
Anyone who has ever carried out research to work out whether somebody in their life is a narcissist will probably have seen articles that suggest all narcissists are evil and will never change. However, such assumptions don’t take into account the complexity of narcissism. Everybody can change. However, many narcissists simply lack any desire to […]