Self-medicating and the mental health care gap in Black America
Self-medicating means using alcohol, drugs or other substances on your own to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma or stress, without a doctor’s guidance. It can feel like relief in the moment. Over time, it tends to make mental health symptoms worse and can lead to dependence, addiction and dangerous withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal, for example, can […]
Early puberty carries a mental health toll that is hitting girls hardest
Scientists have long searched for explanations behind the rise in mental health challenges and substance use among teenagers, pointing to factors ranging from parenting environments to genetic vulnerability. A new series of studies now adds meaningful detail to another contributor that has received growing attention: early puberty. The research, conducted through Aarhus University in Denmark, […]
Why Patients skip the hard conversations and pay for it later
Most people see a primary care physician once or twice a year. That limited window makes accurate, complete communication more important than it might seem during a routine visit. Yet physicians consistently report that patients forget relevant details, minimize symptoms, or avoid certain topics altogether, often the ones that matter most to their long-term health. […]