May is Mental Health Month, led by Mental Health America (MHA), and this year’s theme is “Risky Business.” The organization aims to educate people about habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or could be signs of mental health problems themselves.
Here are a few that may (or may not) surprise you:
Smoking pot: Marijuana may increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, or worsen symptoms (anxiety, depression, sleep disorders) in people who already have psychosis.
Prescription drug misuse: Opioid pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives all have the potential to lead to addiction. Abrupt changes in dosage have been linked to depression, anxiety, sleep problems and even psychosis.
Compulsive exercise: When exercise becomes an obsession or is used to “purge calories,” it can have a negative impact on your mental health. In fact, between 39 to 48 percent of people with an eating disorder also struggle with exercise addiction. And nearly 50 percent of individuals with an eating disorder (ED) are also abusing drugs and/or alcohol -- a rate fives times greater than the general population.
Internet overuse: Adolescents who struggle with Internet addiction often have other mental health problems like alcohol and substance use, depression, suicidal ideation, ADHD, phobias, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or aggression. In addition, people with Internet addiction can experience negative emotions or withdrawal symptoms when their Internet access is restricted.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment for Young Adults
If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health issue and a substance use disorder, we can help. As one of few CA addiction treatment centers equipped to treat dual-diagnosis patients, Hope Academy works with outside physicians and practitioners to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. To learn more, call 866-930-4673.
