Many people feel bad about themselves at times. Self-esteem is a complicated entity, influenced by many factors, including morality, spiritual beliefs, the approval of family and friends, environment, childhood experiences, and general sense of well-being. Negative life events, physical illness, problematic relationships, and loss of control can all undermine self-esteem. If you believe you suffer […]
Behavioral Therapy: why you shouldn’t drive by your ex’s house
When was the last time you did something you regret? Like drive by that old boyfriend’s house just “because.” It starts out innocently enough. There’s that old yearning and a little curiosity, and you hope by God you see him. He’ll have gained weight, have an enormous beer belly, and his hair will be filthy […]
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First aid for panic attacks
by Kim Rosenthal, MDBlog, “Mental Health and You” Panic is a sudden attack of intense fear that typically lasts 10-15 minutes, although these attacks can last longer. They often leave the sufferer so distressed they change their routine to avoid having another. Episodes of panic are more common than you’d think: one in ten Americans […]
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Free: The Outside-the-Box Recovery Relapse Prevention Plan
The Outside-the-Box Recovery Relapse Prevention Plan Re-introducing the Outside-the-Box Recovery Relapse Prevention Plan. (This link will take you to the store, where you can download a clean and updated version for free!) The handout includes 4 pages: Page 1 is a checklist identifying warning symptoms and triggers, negative effects of drugs/alcohol, and the good stuff […]
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Addiction: 4 ways to battle cravings
You’re trying to escape an addiction. That could be food, drugs, alcohol, gambling, or smoking. One of the biggest challenges you’re dealing with, especially at the beginning of your recovery, could be those urges to “feed” the addiction. You’re bound to have cravings. It happens to all recovering addicts, and it isn’t easy. But remember, […]
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For fiction writers: 4 steps to writing your way out of depression
“I believe that words are strong, that they can overwhelm when what we fear seems more awful than life is good.” –Andrew Solomon, The Noonday Demon Writing as a weapon Depression is an evil companion. It challenges us with a duel to the death but takes away the very weapons we need to fight back: […]
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Ways to deal with PTSD triggers
We all come across things that trigger difficult memories, but for people with PTSD, these memories jumpstart a cascade of internal events that washes on panic, horror, or rage. Then there are the triggered thoughts. Sometimes they’re clear and distressing (“it’s happening all over again” or “I deserve this”), at other times a jumbled […]
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Asperger’s: tips for talking to neurotypicals
Neurotypicals (the Asperger’s term for people without autism) are complex, fascinating, and frustrating, and communicating with them often feels like you’re playing a complicated game without knowing the rules. To help simplify things, here are some guidelines about communicating with the non-Asperger’s society. Look them in the eyes. In simple terms, the rule (at least […]
