It is not uncommon to hear someone state that they (or a loved one) have an addictive personality. But what does that mean? And is an “addictive personality” a real thing? The idea of someone having addictive tendencies is not new. However, it is essential to remember that labeling someone as having an addictive personality…

Video games can provide entertainment for people of all ages. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops have removed the need for bulky desktop computers or console devices. Today, video games of all types and formats are accessible on portable devices allowing everyone to play, no matter where they are. Early video games required boot discs, time, and…

As parents, caregivers, or guardians, we place the highest priority on making sure our children are happy, healthy, and thriving. The years they are in our care seem to fly by, and the time we have to provide guidance and support feels quite limited in some cases. Parents try their best to protect their children…

As children begin their academic careers, tasks such as reading, writing, comprehension, and focus become parts of their everyday lives. As youth progress from pre-school to college, these tasks become more complex yet increasingly vital aspects of one’s ability to succeed both in school and beyond. Because reading, writing, and math skills are part of…

Many teens struggle with mental health challenges. Mood disorders are one such challenge that is frequently seen in adolescents and teens. However, mood disorders present a challenge for parents and caregivers. The teen years are a time of changing stressors and frequent (sometimes drastic) changes in mood for many youths. It can be difficult for…

How long does it take to become addicted is a frequently asked question. However, it is not easily answered. There are many factors that contribute to addiction development—these range from medical and mental health risk factors to one’s substance of choice. There are certain characteristics unique to the individual or environmental factors that increase the…

Marijuana goes by many names. Commonly referred to as weed, pot, dope, reefer, and more, but all reference the same drug derived from the cannabis plant. Like several other drugs, marijuana can be used in many different ways. Depending on the individual, it may be vaped, eaten, brewed in a tea, or, likely the most…

The term mood disorder is an umbrella term used to describe all types of bipolar disorders and depressive disorders. Mood disorders are severe mental health struggles that can impact anyone of any age. Like many other mental health conditions, how mood disorders present in children and teens will look different than when they present in…

The Internet has turned how we communicate upside down. Not so long ago, one had to wait for the nightly news or even the Sunday paper to come out to learn about what was happening locally and on the other side of the world. As technology advanced and with it the World Wide Web, the…

People of all ages play video games. Today’s technology has made access to video games of all types and styles easier. When video games first gained popularity, the gaming console was the primary gaming method of choice. While desktop computers could run some games, many needed to be booted from floppy drives via command prompts….