Substance use disorder occurs when a person's use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to health issues or problems at work, school, or home. This disorder is also called substance abuse. Causes The exact cause of substance use disorder is not known. A...

PTSD Isn't About Being Weak Post-traumatic stress disorder develops when the brain's threat-response system gets stuck. After a genuinely frightening or life-threatening experience, most people feel shaken — that's normal. PTSD is what happens when that response...

Bipolar Disorder Is More Than Mood Swings Everyone has good days and bad days. Bipolar disorder is something else entirely. It's a condition where your brain cycles through distinct emotional states — periods of intense highs and then lows — that can last days, weeks,...

Anxiety That Doesn't Go Away On Its Own Feeling anxious before a hard conversation, a big presentation, or a medical appointment is normal. An anxiety disorder is what happens when that response doesn't switch off — when the worry is constant, the fear is out of...

What Is Depression? Depression is more than a stretch of low moods or a tough week. It's a medical condition that changes how the brain regulates emotion, energy, sleep, appetite, and thought. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric...