karol stefanski rpmrylds unsplash

“Normal” Emotions vs. Mental Illness

Overview Most people struggle with anxiety, depression, panic, and/or trauma at some point in their life. Many people experience occasionally intense “highs” (ex. Anxiety), and, occasionally, intense “lows” (i.e., depression).  It’s often difficult for people to know when their mental struggles are significant enough to seek out help. We hope to help clear some confusion…

Read More

pci blog post

Returning to Normal

Returning to Normal Overview At the time of writing of this article it is September 18th, 2020. It has been quite a journey making it through the COVID-19 pandemic since March, 2020. Intense fear/anxiety, massive job loss, increases in substance use disorder problems, and suicide have occurred for the past six months. As the lockdowns…

Read More

jacqueline munguia pawjicdc unsplash

Respect

Why Respect Matters Overview We live in an increasingly confusing and complicated world. As we all learn more about the intricacies of social issues, mental health, and addiction, we begin to see that people (and their treatment) is more complex than just: person X has an Alcohol Use Disorder, Moderate. Over the last 20 years…

Read More

nik shuliahin bunwpblnc unsplash

Top 5 Myths About Addiction

Overview It’s often the case that people struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs), especially the most severe cases, which we typically call “addictions,”have learned some myths about what “addiction” is and how it “should” be treated. In this article, we’re going to explore briefly our Top 5 Myths about substance use disorders and their treatment….

Read More

common signs of mental illness

9 Common Signs of Mental Illness

The topic of mental illness has become widespread in our current culture. The stigma of being thought of as crazy or abnormal for struggling with issues pertaining to mental wellness has diminished, and society is much more open when it comes to discussing what prevents us from achieving a life that is successful, peaceful, and…

Read More

alcohol addiction treatment

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Benefits You Must Know

History is full of stories about people who drank too much, depicting “partying” all the time – such as with the Greek deity Bacchus. Or its counter-opposite is portraying them as needy and homeless. The reality is that many people who need alcohol addiction treatment fall somewhere in between these two extremes. During the COVID-19…

Read More

join family night

Join Family Night – An Online Discussion Every Tuesday

As a part of ongoing efforts to support our community amid the outbreak of COVID-19, PCI is offering an open and interactive virtual discussion with Dr. Miriam Hamideh and Dr. Joshua Diamond to patients, friends, and family to provide helpful information and respond to any concerns. We will be discussing what measures PCI is taking…

Read More

how to help someone with drug addiction and depression

How to Help Someone with Drug Addiction and Depression

Helping someone with drug addiction and depression is difficult but necessary undertaking in order to restore a healthier lifestyle. A struggle with addiction and mental health disorder affects more than just the individual who is diagnosed. Friends and family members may feel continually stressed, guilty, or helpless while watching a loved one grow more distant…

Read More

common relationship problems

Common Relationship Problems and How Therapy Helps

There are several common relationship problems to consider. Do you feel that you are experiencing relationship problems? While every relationship may be unique, there are a few common relationship problems most people experience from time to time. In most cases, a couple can work through issues in a way that improves both your communication and…

Read More

types of depression disorders

Types of Depression Disorders and Treatment

Humans have struggled with depression throughout history. Long before depression became a clinical diagnosis, well-known individuals were observed as suffering from the sorrow, melancholy, and hopelessness that characterizes this condition. As our society progresses, data indicates that the occurrence of depression is progressing, too. More people are struggling with it and at younger ages. Types…

Read More

What are the Different Types of Addiction

What are the Different Types of Addiction?

What are the different types of addiction? An addiction is currently recognized as any activity that a person thinks about and engages to the point that it negatively affects other areas of life. In historical times, the term first referred to being a slave. It then evolved to describe the experience of being strongly attached…

Read More

online cognitive behavioral therapy

Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Benefits

Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is here. As the world has shifted into the structure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are learning how to approach problems in a new way. Social distancing and virus containment measures mean that work, school, recreation, and healthcare require adapting to a world that is much different than it…

Read More

how to prevent relapse

How to Prevent Relapse and Stay Sober

Studies have consistently shown that around 50% of people who set out on the journey to sobriety will experience at least one incident of relapse. The occurrence is so common, that some substance abuse professionals are even considering that the concept of relapse should be included in addiction treatment. One of the tenets in Narcotics…

Read More

telehealth counseling

Telehealth Counseling: How to Get Help During Quarantine

Restrictions on social interactions as prompted by the pandemic of COVID-19 on American soil are being slowly lifted. As many governmental leaders are repeatedly emphasizing, this easing of social distancing guidelines doesn’t mean that life is returning to the way it was, before. People are still being encouraged to keep a good distance between themselves,…

Read More

how to take care of your mental health

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During Quarantine

Reports of mental health disorder had been concerning before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with as many as 1 in 5 people in the United States reporting symptoms. As of April of this year, it is estimated that nearly half of Americans report that their mental health has suffered, and that number is expected to increase…

Read More

loneliness quarantine

Loneliness: Why Some Are Struggling More During the COVID-19 Quarantine

Many argue that we have had a long-standing loneliness epidemic in this country. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and mandated social distancing/quarantine many people are now forcibly isolated and feeling alone. You’ll see news articles indicating this much. But what is a more scientifically integrated take on loneliness and quarantine? Recently, medical professionals…

Read More

online anxiety therapy

The Benefits of Online Anxiety Therapy

Anxiety is characterized by a sense of fear, worry, or dread about the future. Under normal conditions, severe anxiety affects at least 40 million people in the United States each year. With the disruption to routine and uncertainty about the future that the current COVID-19 pandemic brings, that number is likely much higher. Of those…

Read More

alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline And Treatment

Overcoming alcohol addiction may result in withdrawal symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline so you know what to expect. Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline Can Vary For Each Individual Addiction to alcohol can have detrimental…

Read More

signs of substance abuse

8 Signs of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse often leads to addiction, which often has a detrimental impact on various aspects of life. If you suspect you or a loved one may be abusing substances and developing an addiction, it’s important to address the problem sooner than later. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the common signs of…

Read More

what is teletherapy

What is Teletherapy?

Often, technology advances more rapidly than do our approaches to effective treatment. While many therapists and medical practitioners have been promoting the benefits of telehealth treatment for some time, it is only during this current tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic that regulation boards are having to take a serious look at it as a viable…

Read More