What’s Behind the Rise in Benzodiazepine Abuse, Dependence, and Addiction?

Benzodiazepine medications are traditionally prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD), but people may also find them useful for the treatment of other mental health conditions, as well as insomnia. These medications include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and…

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The Realities of Moving Abroad

Moving abroad can be an exhilarating and life-changing decision, opening you up to new sights, people, relationships, and experiences. It can take you from a familiar culture to one that is vastly different. This new culture that you immerse yourself in may turn out to be much more aligned with your values, lifestyle, and plans.…

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In What Way is Depression Painful?

Depression is not normally a condition that is associated with pain. When we think of pain, we might think of the acute pain of stubbing your toe, the more sustained and intense pain of breaking a bone, or the chronic pain of a physical disease or condition. But depression is painful. It’s just a difficult…

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Looking After Your Mental Health During Long-Term Travel

Solo long term-travel has its ups and downs. The lows just come with the experience: the constant goodbyes, disappointments, exhaustion, sickness, injuries, lack of privacy, homesickness, a missed flight, or getting lost, robbed or scammed. These lows are valuable in their own right, but you may find yourself so low and fed up that you…

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The Difference Between Loneliness and Aloneness

Many people believe that spending long periods of time in solitude is a lonely experience. And it certainly can be. But there are some important differences between loneliness and aloneness. The former is an unpleasant and painful situation, something we struggle with all too often. The latter, on the other hand, involves a comfortable state…

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