Over the past decade, countless lives have been affected by an addiction or abusive use of a widely available substance across America. It has led to overdoses, shattered families, and even the deaths of innocent people due to impaired driving. You might think I’m talking about the ongoing epidemic of opioid addiction sweeping the country,…
ReadThe hereditary risk of conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been established. Families with a child with ASD are typically notified that siblings or other close members of a family may have an increased risk for the disorder. Similarly, siblings of children with ADHD are more likely to…
ReadCould a common childhood infection make you more likely to develop a mental health issue later in life? According to a new study from Denmark, that may just be the case. According to research published in JAMA Psychiatry, a wide range of childhood infections like bronchitis may be tied to a higher risk of mental…
ReadIt is all but undeniable that America has a growing issue with mental health and lack of treatment. The latest estimates suggest that nearly one-in-five Americans live with some form of diagnosable mental illness, however, less than half receive regular treatment. There are a number of factors that contribute to the low rates of mental…
ReadSelf-harm such as cutting is typically considered a sign of mental illnesses such as depression, social anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder. But new findings suggest that self-harm may be linked to brain changes most similar to a different mental illness – borderline personality disorder. The report, published this month in the journal Development and Psychopathology,…
ReadWhile we all understand the broad strokes of substance abuse, many of the finer details about how addiction forms and functions have escaped even the most talented researchers. However, new research published in the journal Translational Psychiatry could help us understand the mechanisms beneath substance dependence and find new targets for treatment. As the report…
ReadSchizophrenia is perhaps one of the most talked about mental illnesses, but it is also the most poorly understood. Rather than the multiple personalities many associate with schizophrenia, the brain disease is actually characterized by hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and cognitive impairments. While research has helped uncover some factors that can help predict those at risk…
ReadAs Facebook has grown, much has been made of the potential link between social media and mental health. Several studies have suggested that spending more time on social media could potentially increase someone’s risk for depression or anxiety symptoms. However, no one has been able to draw a direct connection – until now. A new…
ReadWhile there are several issues believed to be contributing to America’s ongoing opioid epidemic, new research suggests one of the biggest factors could be that doctors are overprescribing painkillers after surgery. A study published in JAMA Surgery says that many surgeons are giving more than four times the necessary number of opioids to patients after…
ReadYou could be forgiven for thinking Lady Gaga has always been outspoken about her experiences with mental illness. For the last few years, she has been one of the most visible celebrity advocates for better mental health care and wider accessibility of treatment. As the singer and actress shared last night while receiving an award…
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