What Are 3 Ways Secondary Eating Disorders Can Affect Primary Mental Health Issues?

February 1, 2024September 2, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Disordered eating can affect a person’s mental and physical health. According to the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, “Though relatively rare in the general population, the individual impact of [eating disorders] can be quite debilitating, and long-term treatments are often expensive.” After receiving treatment for disordered eating, many people with complex co-occurring mental health issues … Read more

When Worry Turns Into An Anxiety Disorder

December 14, 2023September 1, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Have you ever found your mind racing when considering a new job or starting school? If not, have you experienced restlessness or continuously felt worried? Being worried is a normal response, and you are likely to experience it in your life. Less common is having an anxiety disorder, where the effects inhibit you from being … Read more

Am I More Likely to Develop an Addiction if I Have a Mental Health Disorder?

January 31, 2024July 18, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Mental health is not always synonymous with addiction. However, having a mental health disorder can make you more susceptible and you can develop an addiction. Substance use disorders often co-occur with various mental health disorders especially when they have gone unaddressed. Some individuals have a blanket understanding of how mental health and addiction affect one … Read more

What Is the Connection Between Addiction and Homelessness in California?

February 1, 2024July 16, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Addiction and homelessness are connected in a way that can easily be overlooked. Any day, you may come across someone struggling with addiction but not appear to be. You can also come across someone homeless who does not appear to be. This is why sometimes the connection between addiction and homelessness goes unnoticed. Have you … Read more

Can My Body Heal From the Harm Addiction Caused?

December 14, 2023July 12, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Healing from the harm addiction caused you is essential to your recovery. The physical harm that addiction causes can be detrimental if gon unaddressed. Unfortunately, some individuals suffer physically from their addiction and do not make it out. Sometimes, due to the outward-in view, people only see the exterior damages of addition. The loss of … Read more

Examining Destructive Behavior Patterns in Addiction Recovery

January 31, 2024July 6, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

When you’re facing trauma and mental health issues, your brain can sometimes redirect your feelings into unhealthy behaviors. This is somewhat normalized in our culture. How many times have you heard someone say “I could use a drink” after a particularly taxing day? Although it is common, if the problem persists, you could develop destructive … Read more

Can Family Therapy Resolve the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma?

January 31, 2024June 23, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

It is no news that exposure to traumatic experiences may increase people’s vulnerability to substance use disorders. Scientific research has proven the high correlation between trauma and addiction. When these adverse and traumatic experiences occur in childhood and within the home environment, the negative health impacts can be even more long-lasting. In general, people who … Read more

How to Recognize a Mental Health Crisis

February 1, 2024May 23, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Did you know that around 50% of American adults will suffer from a mental health crisis at some point during their lifetime? We all face daily stressors that may build up to trigger a mental health crisis. It is important to recognize warning signs of worsening mental health before we break down. Defining a Mental … Read more

How to Cope With Grief in Recovery

February 1, 2024May 20, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Life events such as losing a loved one still happen when you are in recovery. When someone you care about passes, the emotional reactions can be intense. The heaviness of grief can linger and hinder your progress. To prevent relapses from happening when you experience grief, you need tools to better cope with it. Grief … Read more

5 Communication Skills That Will Save Your Life From Addiction

February 2, 2024May 19, 2023 by Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT

Good communication is an essential skill that can help you maintain recovery progress. Restoration of communication skills is part of recovery. Communication is your main channel for getting external support from health professionals, family, and friends. Your communication skills can be strengthened through different therapies and peer group interactions. Let’s look at some of the … Read more