Navigating The Challenges Of Dual Diagnosis: Mental Health And Substance Abuse | Online Docs

Many people with mental health issues also suffer from substance abuse, and vice versa. This is known as "dual diagnosis" or "co-occurring disorders." It is estimated that more than 20% of people who have a mental illness also have a substance use disorder. The reason for this high rate of dual diagnosis is not entirely apparent, but it's thought to be connected to genetics, environment, and other factors.

 A person who has both mental health issues and substance abuse problems will likely need specialized treatment approaches to address their needs effectively. Here's what you need to know about dual diagnosis:

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis is when someone has a substance abuse problem and a mental health disorder at the same time. It's important to know that this isn't the same as having two separate issues. Instead, they are related by the fact that they both involve emotional distress and behavioral problems.

Mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia, and more. Some people may also have more than one condition at once--for example, someone who suffers from both bipolar disorder and alcoholism. These conditions create difficulties in everyday life that make it hard for them to function well without help from others or support systems like treatment programs explicitly designed for dual-diagnosis patients.

The Problem with Dual Diagnosis

Oftentimes, the client may have a substance abuse problem and also a mental health disorder. In other cases, the client may have a mental health disorder without any drug or alcohol issues. This can be challenging because it's more difficult to treat both problems at once--and even more so when you don't know which came first.

In addition to those situations where both problems exist simultaneously in one person (dual diagnosis), there are also those cases where one condition leads directly into another: For example, someone who has been abusing drugs for years might develop an anxiety disorder after being arrested for possession of illegal substances; this could then lead him down an even darker path toward depression or suicide ideation if left untreated by professionals who specialize in treating dual disorders.

Who Is Affected by Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is a complex issue, but the first step in overcoming it is understanding who is most at risk of developing both conditions.

As with any mental health condition, those who have a family history of substance abuse or addiction are more likely to be affected by dual diagnosis. For example, if your mother struggles with alcohol or drugs and you feel that her behavior has had an impact on your own life (or vice versa), then it may be more difficult for you to abstain from these substances.

However, even if this does not apply directly to you or someone close to you personally--and even if no one else in your family has struggled with substance abuse before--you still might find yourself struggling with dual diagnoses at some point in life due to other factors like genetics or environment exposure during childhood years.

Why Does Substance Abuse Occur Alongside Mental Health Issues?

The reasons for this overlap are complex. Mental illness can cause people to feel depressed, anxious, or stressed. It may also make it difficult for them to cope with stress or anxiety. People with mental illness may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating their symptoms--and vice versa: Drug use can worsen existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders. 

Finally, some drugs (such as opioids) have effects that mimic those of certain psychiatric medications used to treat mental health problems such as severe depression or bipolar disorder; this means that people who take these medications might be more likely than others not taking them--or even those who do not have any diagnosed disorder at all--to develop substance abuse problems later on down the road if they begin using illegal substances regularly enough over time.

What Are the Challenges of Working With a Dual Diagnosis Client?

When working with a dual-diagnosis client, it's essential to be aware of some of the challenges that come with treating both mental health and substance abuse issues in the same person. Your client may not understand the treatment plan or be able to follow through with it, which can make it difficult for you as a therapist or counselor. The client might also lack motivation and focus on their recovery process because they don't know where to start or what steps they need to take next.

How to Manage a Case with a Client with Both Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues

When working with clients who have both mental health and substance abuse issues, it's important to remember that each client's case is unique. You should use a comprehensive assessment to identify the individual needs of each person. Then, create a treatment plan based on the results of your assessment and any other information you may have about the client.

In addition to using these tools in your daily practice as a therapist (or other professional), there are other things you can do as well:

• Work with your client's primary care provider(s). Your clients will likely see their primary care providers more often than they see you--and those visits could provide vital information about their mental health or substance abuse history that could be useful when developing plans for treatment.
• Use case management software in order to keep track of all aspects related to each patient's care.
• Utilize peer support groups within or outside our facility if appropriate for this particular situation.
• Consider family involvement whenever possible; we often find family members play an important role when trying to help loved ones overcome addiction problems.
• Refer clients who need dual diagnosis treatment programs if necessary because these specialized programs offer extra services specifically designed for people suffering from both conditions simultaneously!

People with mental health disorders are at higher risk of developing a substance use problem than those without.

People with mental health disorders are at higher risk of developing a substance use problem than those without. The link between mental health and substance abuse is complicated, however, and not always clear-cut. Some people with mental illness may be more inclined to use drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism; others may begin using substances because they believe they'll help their symptoms (which is false).

There are also some medications used to treat certain psychiatric conditions that can cause cravings for drugs or alcohol--this can be especially true for antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can also have other psychiatric conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or depression.

It's not uncommon to suffer from both mental health and substance abuse issues. In fact, someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can also have other psychiatric conditions like ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), anxiety, or depression.

It can be difficult for people with dual diagnosis because they may feel that their mental health condition makes them less deserving of help or treatment for their addiction.

For example, A person with ADHD who uses drugs might think they don't deserve treatment because they "already have enough problems." Or someone with depression may use drugs as an escape from the pain they feel inside--but then struggle with guilt over their actions later on because they know it isn't good for them, either physically or emotionally.

Substance abuse and mental health issues often go hand in hand because they both have similar symptoms.

People with mental health issues are more likely to develop substance abuse problems, and vice versa. A person with bipolar disorder may be more likely to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, while someone struggling with anxiety or depression might turn to substances in order to feel better. In either case, it's essential that you get help for both your mental health condition and your substance abuse problem at the same time--if not sooner!

If you have been diagnosed with a dual diagnosis (a combination of two illnesses), then there are some things we need to address right out of the gate:

• Don't wait until one problem gets worse before seeking treatment for another one; this will only make matters worse overall. You should always seek treatment as soon as possible if either condition begins impacting your life negatively enough that it affects other areas like work performance or relationships at home/school/workplace, etcetera.
• Make sure doctors know about any medications currently prescribed so they don't prescribe something else that interacts negatively with those medications.

We hope this article has helped you better understand what dual diagnosis is, how to spot it, and what treatments are available. If you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, please reach out for help. When you decide to seek out help, you are prioritizing your mental well-being above everything else, and we would like to make your journey a little easier. At Online Docs, we will guide you through every step and help you access world-class mental health therapy. Our excellent team of psychiatrists and therapists at Online Docs are well equipped to help you get better with the treatment that is best suited for you. There are also many resources available, including hotlines staffed by trained counselors who can talk through any concerns or issues that may arise during treatment.

The Use Of Virtual Reality Therapy For Treating Mental Disorders | Online Docs

Virtual reality therapy is a new treatment that uses virtual environments to help treat mental disorders. How does it work? Virtual reality therapy has been successfully used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What are the benefits of VR therapy over other treatments? One advantage of VR therapy is that it provides a safe environment for patients in which they can experience their fears and learn how to cope with them. Is it costly to provide this type of therapy? Another benefit is the cost-effectiveness associated with providing this type of treatment -- compared with more traditional types of treatment like medications, which may have side effects or be ineffective in some cases; psychotherapy sessions (which can be time-consuming and expensive), and hospitalization.

Virtual reality therapy is a new treatment that uses virtual environments to help treat mental disorders

Virtual reality therapy is a new treatment that uses virtual environments to help treat mental disorders. Virtual reality (VR) is an interactive computer-generated experience taking place within a simulated environment that can include sensory experiences such as sight, sound, and touch.

VR therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to treat mental disorders. It has been used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and phobias such as arachnophobia or fear of heights by exposing patients gradually over time through repeated exposure sessions.

How does it work?

VR therapy allows patients to experience their fears in a safe environment, allowing them to confront their anxieties. This can be used as part of treatment for a variety of mental disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorders.

It's also cost-effective compared with other methods of treatment, such as medication or talking therapy. The cost of the equipment needed for VR therapy is far less than that required for specialized equipment like MRI scanners (which are very expensive).

Virtual reality therapy has been successfully used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

One of the most common mental disorders is anxiety, which affects about 20% of people at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry, fear, and other symptoms that can interfere with daily life and cause distress.

Other common mental illnesses include depression, bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions affect millions of Americans every year--and many don't receive treatment because they don't know where to start or how much it would cost them.

The good news is that virtual reality therapy has been successfully used to treat a variety of these conditions: It's noninvasive; safe for patients who have trouble speaking out loud about traumatic events; allows patients to practice controlling their emotions without feeling judged by others around them; gives them tools for managing symptoms when they're not in therapy sessions; promotes feelings of empowerment over time because patients feel like they're taking charge over their own recovery process instead being controlled by outside forces like medication side effects or doctors' orders; doesn't require long hours spent driving back-and-forth between appointments so people can keep working through lunch breaks without losing paychecks due workdays lost due missing time off work.

What are the benefits of VR therapy over other treatments?

VR therapy is a new treatment that uses virtual environments to help treat mental disorders. It's more effective than traditional treatments for anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

One of the main benefits of VR therapy over other treatments is that it gives you an opportunity to practice dealing with situations that make you feel anxious or afraid without putting yourself in real-life danger. You can do this without having anyone else know what's going on or watching you struggle through an experience they might be able to offer support during if they were there in person with you.

One advantage of VR therapy is that it provides a safe environment for patients in which they can experience their fears and learn how to cope with them

One advantage of VR therapy is that it provides a safe environment for patients in which they can experience their fears and learn how to cope with them. For example, if you have a fear of heights or spiders, you can use VR technology to go up on the roof of your house and face your fear head-on. A therapist can guide you through the virtual environment by asking questions like "What do you see?" or "What does this feel like?", helping you understand how rational fear vs. irrational fear works so that next time when faced with a similar situation in real life, your brain knows how to react appropriately without freaking out completely.

Is it costly to provide this type of therapy?

While virtual reality therapy is an emerging field, it's not necessarily more expensive than other types of treatment. The cost of VR equipment is dropping as more companies enter the market and competition increases. Meanwhile, mental disorders are costly to treat--the American Psychiatric Association estimates that depression alone costs American employers $43 billion annually due to absenteeism and presenteeism (when employees show up but aren't productive).

With all this in mind, we think that virtual reality therapy will become increasingly common among mental health professionals who are looking for ways to make their patients' lives better while keeping costs down.

Another benefit is the cost-effectiveness associated with providing this type of treatment -- compared with more traditional types of treatment like medications, which may have side effects or be ineffective in some cases; psychotherapy sessions (which can be time-consuming and expensive), and hospitalization.

The cost of VR therapy is a fraction of the cost of hospitalization. A typical session could be completed within 30 minutes to an hour, compared with traditional therapy sessions that often last for 45 minutes to an hour as well as requiring multiple visits per week for several months on end (or longer). The use of virtual reality also reduces travel time and expense associated with visiting a therapist's office regularly.

Virtual reality therapy has proven effective in treating mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, and phobias without causing side effects for patients

Virtual reality therapy is a new treatment that uses virtual environments to help treat mental disorders. It's become increasingly popular in recent years as more research has been done on its effectiveness, and it's now one of the most promising treatments for anxiety, PTSD, and phobias.

Virtual reality therapy works by immersing patients in scenarios where they might face their fears or recall traumatic events. For example, suppose someone has a social phobia (a fear of interacting with other people). In that case, they could be placed in several different situations where they have to talk with others - perhaps at work or school - while wearing a virtual reality headset that makes them feel like they're really there. As they go through these experiences over time and become less anxious about them, their symptoms will improve as well.

Virtual reality therapy is an exciting new treatment that can be used to treat mental disorders. It's a safer and more cost-effective way of treating patients than traditional methods like psychotherapy or medications, which may have side effects or be ineffective in some cases. The use of VR therapy has proven effective in treating anxiety disorders without causing side effects for patients, and we believe it will be adopted by more healthcare providers as time goes on.

Exercise And Mental Health: Effects And Mechanisms | Online Docs

 

Introduction

Exercise is good for your physical health. Exercise is also good for your mental health. In fact, exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, sleep better and feel more energized during the day--all of which are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and well-being.

Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing endorphins (the "feel-good" hormones) in the brain while decreasing cortisol (a stress hormone). Physical activity also releases serotonin in the brain, which makes us feel relaxed; this chemical reaction can be even more vital when we exercise with others!

Physical activity can also help us manage stress, anxiety, and depression. And regular exercise has been shown to improve self-esteem.

Exercise and its relation to mental health

Exercise has a positive effect on mental health. It can improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, help with depression, and improve memory and cognition. Exercise reduces the risk of developing mental health problems such as depression or anxiety by promoting better sleep quality and lowering levels of cortisol (the hormone released during stress).

It also increases dopamine in the brain, which is associated with feelings of pleasure or reward - this can help to reduce cravings for things like alcohol or drugs that might make you feel good temporarily but have detrimental effects on your long-term health.

How does exercise affect the brain?

Exercise is a powerful tool for improving your health. Research has shown that it can help you manage stress and anxiety, improve your mood, increase energy levels, and even boost brain power!

But what exactly happens in the brain when we exercise? New research suggests that exercise may have a positive impact on both physical and mental health by changing how our brains function--and even making them bigger!

The brain is a very active organ. It has its own blood supply, receives messages from all over the body, and transmits signals back out again. These functions require a lot of energy, which comes from glucose (sugar). The brain also needs oxygen to function correctly. When we exercise, our muscles use up their stores of glucose and oxygen more quickly than usual. As a result, these substances are diverted to the brain so that it can keep working usually.

Mechanisms underlying the benefits of exercise on mental health

Exercise may improve mental health by increasing the production of certain neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in your brain that send signals from one neuron to another, and they're responsible for regulating your moods and emotions. Some studies have found that exercise can increase levels of serotonin (the "feel good" hormone), dopamine (the chemical associated with motivation), and norepinephrine (which helps regulate blood pressure).

Exercise may improve mental health by reducing stress hormones. When you're stressed out or anxious, your body releases cortisol--a hormone that helps us stay alert when we need it but also makes us feel stressed out or anxious if we have too much over time. Getting enough exercise can help reduce those stress hormones, so they don't build up as much over time!

Exercise can improve affect and reduce anxiety

Exercise is a form of mental health therapy. It can help people feel better about themselves, more confident and relaxed, less stressed, and happier. Exercise might improve affective states such as depression, anxiety, and stress in people with mental health problems such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Exercise can help vulnerable individuals avoid depression or anxiety

In a study of older adults, those who exercised regularly were less likely to develop depression. The study found that people who engaged in regular physical activity had a lower risk of developing depressive symptoms than those who did not.

Another study of over 2,000 middle-aged men showed that those who participated in vigorous physical activity were less likely to develop depression than men who did not engage in any type of vigorous exercise at all.

Exercise can help improve cognitive function in older people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Exercise can prevent cognitive decline and increase cognitive function in old age

In old age, exercise can help prevent cognitive decline and increase cognitive function. Exercise can improve short-term memory, long-term memory, and attention span. It also improves problem-solving skills and planning ability.

Physical activity can help improve memory and learning ability. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which brings oxygen and nutrients that are essential for optimal brain function. This is especially important as people age because it helps prevent cognitive decline associated with aging.

Social interactions may be a mechanism by which exercise improves mental health

It's not just the physical benefits of exercise that matter. Exercise can also help you feel more confident and connected to others, which may be a mechanism through which it improves mental health.

For example, one study found that people who participated in an aerobic exercise program with other people reported better social functioning than those who did not participate in such programs.  Another study found that children who played sports had higher self-esteem and lower depression levels than those without sports involvement.

The positive effects of social interactions on mental health are likely due to the fact that they provide opportunities for us to have positive experiences with others (e.g., feeling good after winning), build our skills at communicating effectively with others (e.g., learning how to negotiate), develop trusting relationships over time (e.g., developing friendships), receive support when needed (e.g., knowing someone will listen if you're feeling down), become more empathetic towards others' struggles.

Exercise may have some protective effects on stress systems

As you might expect, exercise has been shown to reduce stress and cortisol levels in humans. It also helps people cope with stress more effectively, which can lead to a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Aerobic exercise can improve sleep quality by increasing slow-wave sleep (the most restorative phase of slumber) while decreasing REM sleep (which is associated with dreaming). Exercise also helps manage pain by stimulating the release of endorphins--natural painkilling chemicals produced by the brain--and other neurotransmitters like serotonin that play an essential role in regulating moods. Finally, research has shown that regular physical activity may help people recover from trauma because it increases self-esteem and confidence while improving coping skills for future stressful situations.

Exercise has a very positive effect on mental health, and there are many different ways might have this effect

• Exercise has a very positive effect on mental health, and there are many different ways might have this effect.
• Exercise can improve affect and reduce anxiety, which is essential for those who are vulnerable to depression and anxiety.
• Exercise may help people with mood disorders avoid relapses by improving their physical health and increasing their ability to cope with stressors in their environment, such as work demands or family responsibilities.

Conclusion

Exercise is a very powerful tool for improving mental health. It can reduce anxiety, improve mood and prevent depression in vulnerable individuals. Exercise also has positive effects on cognitive function in old age, as well as helping to protect against cognitive decline. It's important to note that these benefits are not limited only to those who are already suffering from mental illness or stress-related disorders - exercise can be used by anyone who wants to improve their mental health!

The Intersection of Mental Health and Technology | Online Docs

Introduction

As a society, we're increasingly dependent on technology. We use it to communicate with each other, work from home, and connect with friends on social media. It's also easy to fall into the trap of spending hours scrolling through Instagram or texting friends while ignoring the people who are right in front of us—and that can have an impact on both our mental health and relationships with others.

The intersection between mental health and technology is a complicated one: Some studies show that technology can help improve attention spans by reducing distractions; other research suggests there's no clear link between screen time and an increase in ADHD diagnoses among kids today; still, more suggest that smartphones are actually making us better multitaskers by allowing us to switch tasks more efficiently than ever before.

Focus is an issue.

Focus is a problem for many people. It's easy to get distracted by email and social media notifications, the endless stream of news headlines, or even just your own thoughts.

But there are ways to help yourself stay focused--and they don't have to be complicated or time-consuming. If you're looking for an easy way to stay on task without losing momentum, try these three tips:

• Set a timer when working on something important. This will help keep distractions at bay because once it goes off, it's time for something else!
• Create separate spaces at home where different activities happen (e.g., work vs. play). This way, there won't be any overlap between them, so each space feels more special than another location might feel if used for multiple purposes throughout the day/week/etc.

Technology can help or hurt.

Technology can hurt your mental health. It's a fact of life, but it doesn't have to be that way. The key is to recognize when technology is being used as a tool for good or bad and then use that knowledge as a tool for self-care.

For example, if you find yourself feeling anxious or depressed after scrolling through Instagram feeds filled with people who look like they have their lives together (and maybe even better than yours), try turning off the app for a few days--or weeks! You might find that not having constant access makes those feelings go away on their own.

On the flip side, if you've been struggling with anxiety or depression and feel like there's no way out, consider using technology as an aid in your recovery process by seeking out apps like Calmly Meant, which offer guided meditation exercises explicitly designed for people dealing with mental health issues or MoodKit which provides supportive feedback based on input provided by users themselves.

Technology can make it hard to take time off from work.

Technology can be used to help you relax and stay connected with friends and family, and your community. It can also be used to help you stay connected with your job.

Technology has made it easier for people who are feeling stressed out or depressed to take time off from work by allowing them to remotely access their email accounts and other programs that they need in order for them to do their jobs efficiently. However, this convenience comes with a severe downside. There are many studies showing that extended periods of screen time lead directly or indirectly (through lack of sleep) toward depression and anxiety issues, as well as other mental health problems such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Technology can help manage anxiety and depression.

Technology can help you manage your anxiety and depression by tracking your symptoms, finding support, and providing information about your condition.

• Track your symptoms: Apps like Apple's Health app can be used to track moods and other symptoms of mental health conditions. This can be helpful for both people who have been diagnosed with a disorder as well as those who are concerned that they may be experiencing one but aren't sure how severe it is or what treatment options might be best suited for them.
• Find support: There are many social media platforms explicitly dedicated to mental health issues, such as Facebook groups, where individuals share experiences and provide each other with support through comments on posts or private messages (if the group allows). These groups also sometimes feature experts who offer advice based on their professional experience working in this area--but always remember that everyone's experience when dealing with these issues will differ!

Digital overload affects attention spans.

The average person checks their phone over 150 times a day. The average person spends over two hours a day on their phone. The average person spends over three hours a day on their phone. The average person spends over four hours a day on their phone.

This is what we call digital overload, and it's affecting our attention spans in ways that are making us less productive, less creative, and less happy than ever before in human history--and yet we continue to engage with technology at an unprecedented rate because we feel like we can't live without it!

Taking a break from technology can benefit mental health.

• It's easy to get lost in the digital world, especially when you're on social media or using your phone. Taking time off from these activities will help you focus on what matters most in life and make you feel more relaxed.
• If you have trouble disconnecting from the internet, try taking some time off from social media or limiting how often and how long you use apps like Facebook or Instagram. You may be surprised by how much better it makes you feel!

Technology is affecting our ability to process information.

According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, there are several ways in which technology is changing our brains. For example, we're now more distracted by technology than ever before. This means that we have less time and energy available for processing information effectively--and this can lead to mistakes or forgetfulness on your part. In addition, because of this constant distraction from the world around us (and inside us), many people experience depression as well.

We have the power to manage our tech use in ways that can enhance our mental well-being.

Take breaks. When you're on social media or messaging apps, take breaks every once in a while. Get up from the computer, go outside, and do something active for at least 20 minutes--that could be anything from going for a walk with friends to playing basketball with them! Even if it's just five minutes away from the screen, taking a break will help refresh your mind so that when you get back into it again, you'll feel refreshed and ready to engage with others. Limit Screen Time

Limit how much time each day (or night) that you spend looking at screens like TVs; computers; phones; tablets etc. Try setting limits for yourself, such as "no more than two hours" or even just 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes for me personally before you start feeling tired/bored/distracted by what else might be out there rather than focusing solely on whatever task you are supposed to be doing right now which could mean working out instead watching Netflix binging all night long! Use Technology To Help You Relax & Focus This one may seem counterintuitive at first glance but hear me out: sometimes using technology can actually help us relax by providing a distraction from stressors around us while also helping us focus because now we have access to information quickly without spending hours researching something similar which used to happen before when searching through books took weeks rather than seconds.

Living with a daily awareness of the impact technology has on your mental health can help you manage its effects on you.

• Be aware of how technology affects you. Take breaks from technology and limit screen time, especially when it comes to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
• Use technology to help you manage your mental health. Apps like Headspace and Calm are great for meditation, which can be helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and even depression if taken regularly over time--mainly if used in conjunction with other treatments such as therapy or medication! There are also apps available specifically designed to help people with depression find support groups near them (eHarmony), or connect with others who understand what they're going through.

The relationship between new technology and our mental health is complicated and, at times, contested, but there are plenty of ways to use it for good.

The relationship between new technology and our mental health is complicated and, at times, contested. There are plenty of ways to use it for good, but you can also fall into the trap of blaming technology for your problems when it's really just a tool, not a solution.

The key is to keep in mind that while your phone might be an excellent device for helping you stay organized or track your workouts, it's not going to fix all of your emotional issues magically. It's important not just what kind of apps or gadgets we use but how they fit into our lives overall--and whether they're actually making us feel better or worse in the long run (or even just during those moments when we're using them).

Conclusion

As we've seen, the relationship between new technology and mental health is complicated and, at times, contested, but there are plenty of ways to use it for good. As always, focus on what matters most: the people in your life and yourself. And remember that taking time away from your devices can be therapeutic as well!