Entries by Alter Health

I Was in Foster Care: Could That Contribute to My Mental Health?

Every person is exposed to unique risk factors that influence their vulnerability to developing substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental health disorders. Experiences of trauma can increase one’s risk of these health complications, even if these memories are repressed. Individuals who grew up in the foster care system likely have a traumatic past that […]

Can Gender Dysphoria Be the Reason Behind Other Disorder Symptoms?

An article from the American Journal of Public Health estimates that there are about one million transgender adults in America, with numbers increasing annually. Transgender individuals are particularly vulnerable to experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition marked by severe psychological distress that occurs when an individual’s biological sex does not match their gender identity. Such distress […]

How Do I Heal From Family Trauma in a Treatment Program?

Trauma is an umbrella term that describes lasting symptoms of a problematic event, circumstance, or set of circumstances that occur over time. Unfortunately, we are all at risk of experiencing traumatic events throughout our lives. A particularly uncommon experience that individuals must process, navigate, and overcome is family trauma. If you are looking to heal […]

Can I Raise My Child Successfully While in Treatment for PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating condition that can impair your sense of well-being as well as interfere with your interpersonal relationships. If you are a parent with PTSD, you may have concerns about your ability to parent well while you are in treatment. First and foremost, recognize that your concerns are valid. Although […]

Are Prescription Medications Needed to Heal From a Mental Health Disorder?

Individuals that are seeking healing from a mental health disorder can benefit from learning about the wide range of therapeutic approaches available for recovery. To some, the thought of using prescription medication for symptom management is intimidating. However, medication can be profoundly effective, depending on the type and severity of a person’s disorder. While pharmacotherapy […]

Depression: Listlessness When Pursuing the Hobbies You Love

“Depression” is often used as an umbrella term to describe symptoms of listlessness. It is also used to describe specific forms of depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, etc.  Whether you are diagnosed with a depressive disorder or are exhibiting related symptoms, you are not alone. […]

How Biological Factors Contribute to BPD Diagnosis

If you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), do not be discouraged. There are professional treatment programs available that can provide you with an accurate diagnosis as well as an individualized treatment plan, setting you up for lasting success in recovery. Whether you have a BPD diagnosis or not, […]

Where Can I Get Depression Treatment in Laguna Beach?

There have been 15 million doctor visits that result in the diagnosis of depression in the last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Depression is a serious psychological disorder that can sneak up on you. Sometimes it is hard to detect, as some people may think they are feeling down […]

Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy for Treating ADHD

In recent years, the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become increasingly common. According to an article in the Journal of Personalized Medicine, “ADHD has a global prevalence of 5.9% to 7.1% in children and 1.2% to 7.3% in adults.” Several theories aim to address the increasing prevalence of ADHD, including greater public and professional […]