Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: Everything You Need to Know Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition that affects between 1-5% of people.1 It causes episodes of extreme mood with symptoms that really impact people’s quality of life. People with Bipolar Disorder are more likely to have a Substance Use Disorder than others.2 Having both Bipolar Disorder and addiction can be challenging, for the person and their friends and family. Their treatment can be more complicated. That’s why it’s important that people with Bipolar Disorder and addiction get the right care. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with Bipolar…
Category: Mental Health

Borderline Personality Disorder & Addiction
Addiction and BPD Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and addiction have much in common. Their side effects and causes are similar. Having both BPD and a substance use disorder can be challenging and seeking help can be even harder. Fortunately, treatment for addiction with BPD as a dual diagnosis is available. At Castle Craig, our experienced team is here to help. Rehab Costs & Options for Alcohol | Drugs | Other addictions What is Borderline Personality Disorder? Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common mental health condition. It is a type of emotionally unstable personality disorder [1] that can have a significant impact on someone’s personal…

The Narcissist and Addiction
What is narcissism? Narcissism refers to a very specific pattern of thinking and behaving. A narcissist is defined as someone who has an unhealthy obsession with themselves. Narcissists are incredibly self-absorbed and typically lack empathy. On the surface, people with narcissism can appear confident. In reality, they’re masking fragile self-esteem. Their desperate need for validation means they behave in ways that can be difficult for those around them. Rehab Costs & Options for Alcohol | Drugs | Other addictions Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder Society uses the label of ‘narcissist’ to refer to anyone who behaves in a narcissistic manner. This includes people with…

Understanding trauma is understanding your addiction
Trauma & Addiction Trauma affects everyone differently, whether it’s a one-time event or repetitive occurrence. Rehab Costs & Options for Alcohol | Drugs | Other addictions Whilst many trauma sufferers display symptoms associated with PTSD, others will show resilient responses that fall out of the diagnostic criteria. The impact of trauma can vary. It can be subtle, insidious or outright destructive. [1] What is important to bear in mind is that traumatic stress reactions are normal – they are normal reactions to very abnormal experiences. More on trauma and addiction. Traumatic reactions Traumatic stress often evokes two rather opposite emotional extremes: Feeling too much (overwhelmed)…

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Alcoholism
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a highly complex, stigmatised, and often misunderstood mental illness. So is alcoholism. Either one can make life very difficult for a person. Having both makes for an even bigger problem. Sadly, the rate of comorbidity between BPD and addiction, especially to alcohol, is extremely high. About half of those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder meet the criteria for substance abuse or alcohol abuse disorder. BPD has one of the highest rates of dual diagnosis with alcoholism among all psychological illnesses. Rehab Costs & Options for Alcohol | Drugs | Other addictions When a person has both BPD and alcoholism, diagnosis…

Fear and Loathing After Drinking – Can Alcohol Cause Depression?
The connection between drinking alcohol and depression is real, although which comes first — alcohol or depression — is up for debate. Does alcohol cause or worsen depression? Or does depression lead to alcohol misuse and abuse?…

How Alcohol Affects Depression
Read on to find out how alcohol and depression are linked, how alcohol affects people with depression. Alcohol and drug rehab, Castle Craig, UK…

How Writing Can Help Heal Trauma
Writing about trauma has many benefits. First, it makes you aware of what you’re experiencing. Writing about trauma helps you acknowledge it and explore how it has affected your life. As you examine the emotions related to trauma, you may notice patterns and be less controlled by them. Learn more here….

Celebrations and Mental Health
Valentine’s day is here and the holiday comes with a grim connotation. If you are not wildly, madly in love during the month of February, you are essentially doomed to devastating loneliness…

Mental Health and Pets
Pets can encourage their owners to get some fresh air by going out for a walk to get exercise which helps for those with depression. Doing simple tasks like stroking your pet, playing with your pet, or just sitting down with your pet on the bed or the couch can help you feel calm and relax your mind. Learn more….

TED Talks on Mental Health Part 5
While being too absorbed in technology is not always the best, the internet can be useful in combating mental illness stigma. Here are two TED Talks of how social media can empower people to talk about their mental illness. Learn more now….

What Anxiety Feels Like
Anxiety is when you suffer extreme apprehension and worry which can affect everyday situations and relationships. Anxiety is not a disorder to take lightly as side effects include panic attacks, headaches, frequent urination, insomnia, having trouble sleeping, depression, and much more. Click here to learn more….

Selfie Addiction is a Mental Health Issue
People can take selfies to get attention in order to receive as many likes and comments as possible. Being praised for looking good in a photo can make the photographer’s self-esteem go up as well as instant gratification. Click here to learn more….

Mental Health TED Talks to Watch Part 3
TED Talks can help you to take action on issues that people tend to stay silent about. There are many misconceptions about mental illnesses being a sign of weakness and something that we should be ashamed of. TED Talks will teach listeners to inspire people with your gifts and to raise awareness towards mental health….

How to Prepare for Winter When You Have Depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a depression that occurs during late autumn or early winter. This disorder causes you to sleep longer, eat more, have less energy, and show little enthusiasm for everyday activities. Click here to learn more….

Job Loss Due to Mental Health Costing UK £99 Billion
One of the many devastating side effects of struggling with a mental illness is the difficulty in keeping a job. Job loss due to mental health issues is costing the UK big money and requires some administrative attention….

Foods to Eat in the Winter to Improve Mental Health
Diet and nutrition are important to your overall wellbeing and certainly for mental health. Here are some foods to eat in the winter to improve mental health and overall wellness….

Signs of Mental Health to Watch Out For
It’s important that we all look out for one another to ensure optimal health and happiness. These are the signs of mental health to watch out for if a loved one is in recovery….

More Mental Health TED Talks to Enjoy – Part 2 of a Series
Educating yourself with internet resources is a boon of the modern age, so explore these mental health TED Talks and expand your understanding of the changing landscape of mental health treatment worldwide….

How to Use the Five Senses to Calm Anxiety
Humans are multi-sensory creatures and take in a great deal of information through our five senses. Learn how to use the five senses to calm anxiety and heal trauma….

Mental Health TED Talks to Listen to
TED Talks are excellent video speeches and keynote talks available to share on YouTube and other video streaming services. We’ve suggested some great mental health TED talks to listen to….

Depression Season is Coming: How to Prepare for Change
Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Depression when the gloomy grey clouds of winter roll in, so start preparing for change now and ready yourself to combat depression before it sneaks up on you….

Aromatherapy for Everyday Mental Health Needs
The sense of smell is very stimulating and emotional for the brain, which is why addiction treatment often includes aromatherapy for everyday mental health needs….

Mental Health Should be Worked on By Everyone
Mental health is not something that belongs only to the therapy community or those with diagnosed mental health disorders. Mental health and personal wellbeing should be a focus for everyone….

Using Therapy Skills For Coping With Recovery Anxiety
In the process of dealing with recovery anxiety and relapse temptations, therapy skills will be useful in helping a patient work through and conquer anxious moments….