World-renowned addiction expert, Tom Horvath, Ph.D., on the tragic death of Robin Williams and celebrity depression and addiction. Are you or a loved one in need of addiction treatment? Call us: 1-800-977-6110. We can help! Get connected! Sign up for our newsletter for recovery support and mental health tips!

In the wake of the tragic death of Robin Williams, we are left to reflect on how somebody who brought so much laughter to so many could actually be struggling with such intense pain. The truth is that depression and addiction do not discriminate based on age, gender, or economic status; these disorders can affect anybody. And sadly, both of these disorders can be deadly, which we are reminded of when we see the life of a beloved celebrity come to a tragic end. What can be learned from this? First, it brings to mind the importance of recognizing early warning signs. Early warning signs tell us to reach out for help before our problems become worse. Know what your triggers are so that you can be prepared to handle them. Know what the earliest signs of depression and/or relapse are so t...

By Dalea Alawar, Post-Doc at Practical Recovery As I’ve gotten more comfortable in my therapeutic style, I’ve found myself increasingly using humor in my group and individual therapy sessions. Considering that this had not always been a part of my style, I decided to do some research regarding the costs and benefits of using humor in therapy. The costs seemed rather obvious- if used at the wrong time and place, it can be viewed as inappropriate, insensitive, and demeaning. The benefits were quite surprising, however. Aside from the general physical health benefits of laughter, there are several advantages of using humor in therapeutic settings in terms of mental health. Not only can it reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, even if only in the moment, but using humor in therap...

How could believing addiction is a disease be bad? There are now several studies suggesting that individuals who believe their behavioral problems (either addiction or mental health) are a disease may have more trouble recovering from them. The most recent study found that individuals who believe obesity is a disease are less focused on weight loss. If someone views himself or herself as having an addictive disease, there seems little benefit in trying to change that view (and possibly much to lose). However, if someone does not view addiction as a disease, is attempting to instill that view worthwhile? Given that viewing addiction as a disease may be a high-risk belief, promoting that belief is inconsistent with promoting recovery. Unfortunately, many US addiction treatment faci...

Finding Bipolar Expertise When You Need It Author: Tom Horvath, PhD, ABPP Last week I had the pleasure of hearing a presentation by Tom Jensen, MD, at an International Bipolar Foundation event, Of Mind and Men: Mental Health, Addiction and Hope. Dr. Jensen, an expert on bipolar disorder and the Medical Director of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), presented a thorough and easy-to-follow review of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder. He included over-the-counter options as well. He showed us that discovering the best medication and a good dosage for each individual is a process that can takes months and months. Bipolar disorder is complex. It makes sense to seek out a specialist to work with. Dr. Jensen can be reached at 619-225-2220. The IBPF is the world...