Last month, we examined the effects of drugs on the brain and body to better understand the behaviors of those struggling with substance use addictions. This week we look specifically at alcohol: what it does to us, what it does for us, and why we keep it around. Alcohol is perhaps the oldest substance the world has used to “feel good”. It is a unique drug …
Last month, we introduced the topic of addiction. This month, we will examine the effects of drugs on the brain and body to better understand the behaviors and reactions of those struggling with active substance use addictions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5_ is the resource professionals in the field …
Last month, we closed our series about resilience. Now, we’re starting a new series on addiction which will be made up of a two-week introduction and then several articles on specific drugs and their effects on the brain and body. Addiction can bring up different opinions and reactions from people, especially those hurt by the …
Over the past couple months, we’ve looked at what ingredients you need to cook resilience into our lives. Using Positive Psychology, we’ve focused on meaning/purpose, social well-being, and positive emotions. In this final article, we’ll explore how important accomplishments and achievements are in building resilience into our lives, and why it works. What do we …
Last month, we explored the importance of social well-being, and how relationships can affect both our physical and emotional lives. This month and next month, we will try to understand how important positive emotions are towards building resilience in our lives. First, what are emotions? Emotions are our feelings. What you feel when you love …
Last month, we looked at what resilience is and how having purpose in life can help us build more resilience. The next aspect of building resilience in one’s life is social well-being. Social well-being is defined as, “the subjective evaluation of personal life circumstances and functioning in society.”1 For now, we can think of this …
Since around 2001, our society has become influenced by social media (Myspace, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, etc.) as a way to interact with people, near and far, with the click of a button. While providing great access, freedom of expression, and communication, social media appears to cause mental health to suffer, especially in our children. …
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects people during the transition from fall to winter, usually in January and February. People may experience symptoms overlapping with major depression that can affect daily functioning. It’s thought these seasonal symptoms are caused by imbalances in circadian rhythms because of the decrease in sunlight …
Since March 2020, we have had to adapt our lives to new normals. For all of us, COVID19 has upset our daily routines, and our sense of freedom. Another result has been that we spend a lot more time isolated, either alone or with people we don’t always get along with. At Rapha Centre, we …
