Mental Illness & Addiction Awareness
Hey all! This blog started out as an outlet that I used to cope with life's stresses and it slowly turned into a means of sharing what I was doing at school (mostly because I was too busy doing homework to share anything personal!). One of these days I'll get back to writing regularly, but... Continue Reading →
While the relationship between genes and addiction is a complicated one, there is a clear link between genetics and addiction.
High protein diets are likely popular because they do cause weight loss and allow us to eat all of those meats and cheeses that we love. Some examples of these diets include Atkins, Zone, and South Beach Diet.
In studying neurobiology, we learn that our behavior and perception stem from neurotransmitters, hormones, receptors, and synapses that constantly create senses and perceptions from information in our environment.
To understand recombinant DNA technology and genetic modification, we must first understand DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA, our genetic material, is a double helix made of nitrogenous bases, held together by hydrogen bonds and a sugar-phosphate backbone. This double helix, with antip
An advantage of this recombinant DNA technology is the ability to produce these life-saving treatments for worrisome genetic disorders. A diagnosis of type-1 diabetes once came with an expiration date, now individuals with type-1 diabetes can live long, healthy, lives.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found that I have had readers from over 61 countries! It's wonderful that people around the world are reading about mental health!
Past research shows risky behavior and impulsivity as a hallmark trait of bipolar disorders and many other, often comorbid, disorders. Impulsivity in this context is defined by the tendency to make decisions based on hedonic, pleasure-driven behaviors even when this behavior contradicts long-term optimal outcome and the lack of the self-control associated with delayed-gratification. Past research has shown specific br
Addiction can occur to many different substances, even when they have no similarities in structure. The common denominator in addiction is sudden increase of the neurotransmitter dopamine and how it affects the mesolimbic pathway (often referred to as the reward pathway).
One of the primary issues is that this stress response evolved for short term use and if used to much it can cause many health issues. The stress-response essentially shuts down the “long-term projects” in order to mobilize energy and increase cardiovascular activity to push that energy.
Of the 4 cell groups of the interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus, the 3rd group ( in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area—or PO-AHA), is referred to as being responsible for sexual dimorphism in reference to sexual orientation. INAH-3 is generally found to be larger in the male brain than the female brain; however, this study indicates the region is smaller, in general, in homosexual males than in heterosexual males.
In obese individuals, reward systems were activated during hypoglycemic and euglycemic states without PFC, higher order thought process, activation. The study found that obese individuals may be more affected by food related striatal activation when their blood sugar starts to drop.
EEG patterns and what they represent about cortical activity during wakefulness and the stages of sleep and REM sleep. A little luck often goes a long way regarding scientific discovery. In chapter two, we learned about Otto Loewi, who discovered the role of acetylcholine because of a dream he had. He even stated that if... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately I haven't had nearly enough time for blogging these days. I want to continue sharing my journey and my knowledge. What I share has been less about my personal struggles and triumphs and more about what I am learning and how it is helping me grow as a person. Learning about the brain, anatomy... Continue Reading →
"Hippocrates's theory was that personality traits and human behaviors are based on four temperaments associated with fluids that he called humors. Choleric temperament or yellow bile from the liver, melancholic temperament with was the black bile from kidneys, sanguine which was red blood from the heart and finally phlegmatic temperament which was white phlegm from the lungs" (Clark & Watson, 2008; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1985; Lecci & Magnavita, 2013; Noga, 2007). YUCK!
There are so many threats to our existence today and they bring me great anxiety at times. I struggle to stay positive but always try. When I first heard of the coronavirus, I felt panic set in. The worst thought that came to mind is the idea of losing loved ones and what may happen to my baby girl.
for the last few months I've been feeling very overwhelmed, lost, like a deer in the headlights. I have so many opportunities and wonderful options in my life that I just don't know what to do. When my daughter was an infant I didn't have much time to do anything other than care for her, mostly due to sleep deprevation; she's over a year old now and I have some choices to make.
I was watching a television show today, and one of the characters--a surgeon, posed like a super-hero before performing a surgery. They said "it inspires confidence and improves performance". I had to look it up, and sure enough: “it alters hormone production; lifting the power hormone and reducing the stress hormone. As science demonstrates, body... Continue Reading →
Guest post by Chelsea Nicole I woke up this morning. Today is my 25th Birthday. The sun was already shining when I opened my eyes. What an absolute blessing it is that I am alive to see this day. The beautiful gift of life has been something I have taken for granted for far too... Continue Reading →
I write a lot about bi-polar, PTSD and self-medicating. It's kinda my thing! I've been accused of using mental illness as an excuse or a crutch, and I feel the need to explain why I think it's important to recognize a "diagnosable" mental disorder. I'm sure many people use mental illness as an excuse but... Continue Reading →
Alfred Nobel was a man who dedicated his life to the development of explosives for warfare and construction. Newspapers had confused Ludvig Nobel’s death with Alfred’s, and published obituaries that read, “The Merchant of Death, is dead.” Upon reading these, Alfred was so torn by these obituaries that he amended his will, leaving almost all of his fortune to the cause of celebrating humanity: he created the Nobel Prize.
My journey towards becoming a therapist began when I was a junior in undergrad. I was diagnosed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and went through my own counseling and psychiatric process. As I am also a Christian, I looked to my faith to help me through that time as well.
Kelci Jayde Gwatkin is more than just a beautiful woman, she is a woman who has endured trauma that most couldn't imagine. She has shared her journey, after losing her baby boy shortly after he was born. She has taught me so much about the grieving process, by simply documenting her life. She continues to... Continue Reading →
I've been having a torrid love affair with Reddit since we met, not long ago. One awesome bloggers tool I found there was Blog Wondering. A large part of blogging is networking, if you want to get your blog out there, that is. There is a community of bloggers and you can learn a lot... Continue Reading →
The most important thing I have learned from her is that if you appreciate what you have and focus on the good in life, you will be free to enjoy your blessings.
Enter the Altruistic Blogger Contest for a chance to win $25 and to have your post featured on MyAria!
My therapist always encouraged me to write. She gave me a journal—a few actually, which I always lost somehow. I liked the idea of keeping a journal but I didn't know how to make it fun. “I had eggs for breakfast. I sat down to journal at 10 a.m., et cetera...et cetera” I liked the... Continue Reading →
I sit here, curled up in a blanket on the couch, my computer on my lap. Yesterday something happened that lead to a new experience. My brain is racing and I feel as though my body is disassociated from my mind. The words I write just poor out of my head onto what I perceive... Continue Reading →
I met Sarah when she was working in my little town as a teacher. I met her at a party when I was still drinking. Our first conversation consisted of me trying to convince her that she had to be older than me because I graduated in 2006 and she graduated in 2008—hello—6 is smaller... Continue Reading →
I have known Gaylene since middle-school. I always saw her house a place of comfort when things weren't as good at my home. I thought she was Superwoman--and I still do. She works hard in every aspect of her life. She's kind--generous--beautiful--healthy--and smart. She has this quality about her that can't be explained, you... Continue Reading →
Darlene Starr is an all around amazing person. She is modest and doesn't understand why I think so much of her. It's hard to explain--she is just one of those people who uplifts others and never brings anyone down. She has inspired me with her attitude and as much as I know about the way... Continue Reading →
My goal in doing Share Your Truth was to share stories and values from other people. I've learned from so many people and I want to offer as much helpful information on coping, grief, health, and strength--while using positive rhetoric to uplift the soul. I want to engage a wide audience in order to touch as... Continue Reading →
This month alone my blog as been viewed by readers in the United States, Kenya, Ireland, Canada, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Spain, and New Zealand. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to reach people in so many places. I don't know, honestly, if I've truly helped anyone. I am hopeful and the outlook... Continue Reading →
Indecent Exposure Sometimes writing about my life candidly makes me feel free and empowered. Other times, like now, it makes me feel naked—vulnerable—exposed. I feel like everyone is looking at me and laughing. Why didn't I keep my secrets as my own? Then no one would have the power to use them to hurt me.... Continue Reading →
Shooting Up To Success: My husband is my hero I have made leaps and bounds in my recovery. Not only did I straighten my life out but I have exceeded every personal expectation, finally reaching a peaceful state. There are many cogs that were essential in achieving success. Therapy, hard work, and using my medication... Continue Reading →
A portrait of me as a child that hung on my grandmothers wall The focal point of many therapy sessions, dreams, journal entries and the source of many insecurities, has been "the night my dad went bad". I remember my mom always referring to it as such. I've analyzed the event over and over. I... Continue Reading →
A calorie is a unit, based on the measurement of energy provided by food. While we all need a certain number of calories per day, it is certain that all calories were not created equal.
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