Co-occurring substance abuse and depression aggravate symptoms in older adults

Co-occurring substance abuse and depression aggravate symptoms in older adults

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The importance of mental health as a key component of one’s overall well-being is amassing global support and awareness. This is primarily because of the fact that more and more people are getting aware of the close relationship between mental health and overall well-being. Slowly but surely the rough tides are turning in favor of those living with a mental disorder due to the above-mentioned reason. Compared to the earlier times, a new consciousness is rising that is tolerant and empathetic toward individuals who suffer from a mental illness. Read more

Effects of street drugs on mental health

Effects of street drugs on mental health

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Street drugs are the highly addictive and dangerous drugs that can be obtained illegally from the streets and are used for their mood-altering and sedative effects. The streets are in fact, flooded with illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, meth, MDMA, ecstasy etc. which can be detrimental to an individual’s physical and mental health. As drugs can alter one’s perceptions, it leads to several issues related to the body and the mind, such as hallucinations, delusions, muscle spasms, etc. According to a 2014 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately eight million American adults battled with co-occurring disorders, including both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder at the same time. Read more

Increase in dual diagnosis patients admitted to emergency departments

Increase in dual diagnosis patients admitted to emergency departments

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Hospitals in the United States have increasingly come under the scanner for showing apathy and negligence toward psychiatric patients, including those with dual diagnosis, a condition in which people struggle with alcoholism and/or drug addiction in addition to a serious mental health disorder. For people with dual diagnosis and severe mental illnesses, the emergency department (ED) is not an ideal atmosphere for treatment and recovery. Chances of symptoms getting aggravated and requiring unnecessary hospitalization are heightened in the chaotic and disruptive environment of ED. For instance, people with a mental health condition like anxiety find the settings of an ED highly demotivating, which can result in the worsening of the existing symptoms. Read more

Curious case of sociopathic behavior and addiction

Curious case of sociopathic behavior and addiction

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Sociopathic behavior, an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), is a mental disorder in which individuals exhibit traits such as complete disregard for others, aggression, erratic conduct and frequent violation of the law. Sociopathic behavior is often thought to be the same as psychopathy. Although both are forms of ASPD, sociopathic behavior is considered less severe than psychopathic behavior. According to a school of thought, psychopathy is a result of genetic predispositions whereas sociopathic behavior is the result of environmental factors. Read more

Is antisocial behavior associated with addictive behavior?

Is antisocial behavior associated with addictive behavior?

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A sociopath is a person who has little regard for the feelings of others. Such a person not only disregards the feelings of others, but also tends to take perverse pleasure in causing hurt to others. People with sociopathic tendencies are known to break laws and bend rules in order to get their way. Unfortunately, while the arrogance and cruelty of sociopaths are highlighted, it is generally overlooked that even people with this kind of personality disorder need love and affection. Owing to their repelling nature, most people generally avoid having friendly terms with a sociopath. Thus, lack of nurturing relationships and bonds drive most sociopaths toward depression. They are also most likely to suffer from guilt and often feel they are inferior to others because of their inability to get along. Read more