Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Certain events, situations, or even people result in a twinge of fear or discomfort about what is to come—job interviews, big tests, first dates, new schools, etc. The list of potential anxiety-producing circumstances is long. For most people, the feelings of anxiety that result from day-to-day events subside…

Although a significant portion of brain development takes place during early adolescence, the teen years are also a time of substantial change and development. The growth that takes place during these critical years can have a significant impact on their thinking and behaviors. Essential aspects of their day-to-day lives such as sleep, activity, socializing, and…

Substance abuse of any kind can trigger a psychotic episode. Teens who struggle with substance use disorders and addiction are also prone to experiences of psychosis due to substance use. Episodes of drug-related or drug-induced psychosis often include scary symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. In many cases, such symptoms are short-lived but often harmful….

If your teen struggles with a paranoid personality disorder, they struggle with feelings of paranoia and an unrelenting mistrust and suspicion of those around them. These feelings are not reserved for strangers or community members. They also extend to family, friends, and loved ones the teen may know well. These feelings occur even when there…

Across the United States, the opioid epidemic continues to touch the lives of teens and adults. Whether a friend or family member, it is (likely) safe to say that almost everyone has been impacted in some form by an addiction to opioids. Adults and teens alike have watched as a friend, loved one, or next-door…

Conversations about cannabis (weed, pot, marijuana, etc.) often introduce many different schools of thought. Opinions differ, often significantly around the topics of right and wrong, legal or illegal, harmful or not. Those who support marijuana use but whether recreationally or medicinally, often point to many arguments that “prove” marijuana is safe for at the very…

Like opioid abuse and misuse, amphetamine abuse has become a significant challenge facing teens and adults across the nation. Prescription stimulants such as Adderall, drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and illegal amphetamines such as methamphetamine and ecstasy are highly addictive and potentially dangerous when used recreationally. Understanding more about how these medications…

People turn to drugs and alcohol for various reasons. Often, it is to feelings of pleasure and happiness. But what happens when alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications make you feel worse instead of improving your mood? Alcohol-induced (or substance-induced) mood disorders occur when using substances such as alcohol results in new or worsening depression. The…

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of teens across the nation. Teen depression is actually more common among adolescents and teens than many realize. In teens, depression causes persistent and sometimes overwhelming feelings of sadness. These are often accompanied by a loss of interest in everyday activities, which formerly brought joy…

2020 has been wrought with challenges. Nine months ago, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in our nation and nothing has been the same since. Adolescents and teens across the United States have missed out on fundamental milestones in their development. Many missed out on graduations, prom, first dances, and perhaps most importantly, time spent in a…