DEFINING ADDICTION
The term “addiction” can mean many things to many people. In this article, we define addiction as thus: Addiction is the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable. Counselors should not confuse this definition of addiction […]
DEPRESSION: RECOGNISING SIGNS & SEEKING EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. While depression can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, it is a highly treatable condition. Understanding […]
MANAGING PARENTING STRESS
Being a parent is something most people look forwards to with delight. However, being a parent comes with a lot of responsibilities and demands. Sometimes these demands could get so overwhelming that the couples might feel incapable of coping with them and thus causing them a lot of distress. Parenting stress occurs when parents feel […]
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH RESILIENCE
As humans, life always presents us with adversities and challenges such as illnesses, the demise of a loved one, financial difficulties, problematic relationships, abuse, loss of one’s job, a fatal accident, and other difficulties that cause us a lot of stress. The experience of these challenges stirs up different kinds of thoughts, feelings, and reactions […]
SUICIDAL IDEATION & PREDISPOSING FACTORS
In our society today, people are faced with diverse challenges and difficulties. Some can manage these challenges and difficulties whereas others find it quite tough scaling through life’s obstacles and they begin to look for a way of escape. In escaping these difficulties, some persons turn to drugs and other substances, while others find the […]
SOME COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS IN AFRICA
A mental disorder is suffering or a disability associated with an abnormal pattern of thought, behavior, or emotional state that is not socially or developmentally normal. Mental disorders are generally defined by a combination of feelings, behaviors, and experiences that interferes with a person’s ability to function in daily activities of life (Jenkins & McCulloch, […]
YOUR MIND YOUR WEALTH
Did you know that mental health is not just the absence of psychological disorders? Well, to know what mental health is, it is important to know what constitutes health as a whole. The World Health Organization defines health as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease […]
CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Work is still being done to determine the direct causes of substance abuse and mental health issues. While there is still much to be discovered, it is known that a number of factors play into the development of these disorders, and many of these factors are similar across both mental health and substance abuse issues. […]
SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviors and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.People with alcohol use disorder may engage in the following behaviors: drinking alone, drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol (having a high tolerance), becoming violent or angry when asked about their drinking habits, […]
Sex Addiction Versus Porn Addiction
Porn addiction and sex addiction are not the same disorder. Addiction to porn is considered to be a type of sex addiction and can manifest itself differently than other types of sex addiction. Like “sex addiction,” “porn addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 yet. However, an addiction to porn can lead to […]