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But is this idea just a stereotype, or does it actually contain a grain of truth? Both artists detailed their mental illness in writing. This article explores the paradoxical association between creativity and mental illness. Artist Vincent van Gogh suffered from mental illness, famously cutting off his ear and eventually taking his own life.Fine Art/ Getty Images It also discusses some of the potential mental health benefits of creativity and artistic pursuits....

Hormonesare chemical messengers secreted by our endocrine glands. Almost all of your hormones affect your mood, emotions, and mental health in one way or another. What Are the Main Hormones? Photo by Rafa Elias/Getty Images. Hormones are secreted by a group of endocrine glands found throughout the body. Heres what to know about some of the hormones that have the most impact on your mental health. Serotonin Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood and behavior....

At a Glance Lithium can cause weight gain. Does Lithium Cause Weight Gain? Additionally, several factors can influence the likelihood of gaining weight while you’re taking lithium. Miguel Sanz / Getty Images Additionally, evidence suggests that the risk of lithium-related weight gain could be dose-dependent. This means that the likelihood of weight gain increases along with the amount of lithium in your bloodstream. Several theories have been proposed. These processes may work alone or in combination to cause weight gain in people on lithium therapy....

Suicide rates are high among people with schizophrenia, about 12 times greater than that of the general population. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Lilly Roadstones / Digital Vision / Getty Images For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Both disorders tend to manifest with symptoms around the end of adolescence....

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Photographer is my life. / Getty Images For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is a chronic mental illness that can be associated with significant disability and suffering....

PTSD is a reaction to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. For example, 20% to 30% of people with PTSD report problems with pain. Patients with migraine or tension headaches report high rates of exposure to traumatic events. ONOKY - Eric Audras / Getty Images In addition, about 17% have symptoms consistent with a PTSD diagnosis. Another study found that 32% of OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD say that they have problems with headaches....

Understanding PTSD PTSD may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed trauma. The experience of obsessions causes considerable distress and anxiety for a person. It’s important to understand that the obsessions in OCD are not just worries about real-life problems. moodboard/Getty Images Yet people with OCD cannot suppress or ignore their obsessions. Like obsessions, a person with OCD knows that these compulsions are illogical, which causes further distress. Treating Trauma-Related OCD Psychotherapy is often used to treat both OCD and PTSD....

Angerand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often occur together. When that happens, you may become aggressive toward others or even harm yourself. That doesn’t always happen, however, and not everyone with PTSD lashes out angrily. This article discusses the connection between anger and PTSD and some of the effects it can have. It also discusses treatments and coping strategies that can help. Anger is only one symptom of PTSD. While people with PTSD may experience anger, it is not a requirement for receiving aPTSD diagnosis....

Some Phobias Have a Religious Component Astrong religious faithcan bring comfort to some. Here we distinguish between religion fear and phobia, also discussing various types of religious phobias. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. DanHenson1 / Getty Images While some people experience fears related to religion, a phobia is more than a typical fear. Symptoms of a specific phobia include: Recap Phobias are not the same as normal fear....

Kajetan Kandler / Getty Images Separation anxiety disorder and depression share many symptoms. You may be less familiar with separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and its relation to depression. This article covers the difference between separation anxiety and SAD, as well as the symptoms of SAD. Kajetan Kandler / Getty Images Separation Anxiety vs. SAD affects approximately 1% to 4% of children. Adults with SAD must have disruptive symptoms that persist for at least six months....

Witthaya Prasongsin / Moment / Getty Images Life can be full ofstress. Situations arise in everyday life that cause sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, and excitement. Many people who experience stressful situations turn to alcohol to cope with that stress. Witthaya Prasongsin / Moment / Getty Images The problem with that is alcohol itself can cause stress on the body’s physiological balance. What Is Stress? Physiologically, stress is defined as anything that challenges the body to function in its usual fashion....

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Getting Migraines? There is no definitive answer to what causes migraines, and scientists are still studying the causes. There has been strong evidence that stress and migraines are linked. JGI/Tom Grill/Tetra/Getty Images Researchers suggested that acute stress created a biological reaction that lowered the threshold of susceptibility to a migraine attack. What Are the Warning Signs of Stress and Anxiety? When the situation is resolved, stress disappears....

This persistent belief is likely because there seems to be a link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in children. The evidence does suggest that there is a positive association between sugar intakeparticularly from sweetened beveragesand specific ADHD symptoms. However, association does not mean one causes the other. Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images So, determining the role that sugar specifically played is hard. So, its still worth cutting back on sugar and replacing processed foods with more nutritious items....