All Articles

By: Lauren Goldhamer, M.Ed

(Originally published in the Summer issue of Moods Magazine, 2006)

I have battled with my weight for many years. As a chubby young child, my family frequently commented about my size and teased me about my "baby fat."  When I got a bit older, my mother put me on various diets and I was often denied the same desserts and treats that my siblings were allowed. At school I was teased because of my size. I had few friends.

By: Lauren Goldhamer, M.Ed

(Originally Published in Winter issue of Moods Magazine, 2009)

Researchers, clinicians, and those affected have long noted the similarities between eating disorders and addictions. Behaviours such as self starvation, frequent bingeing and purging, or compulsive exercise can be so self-perpetuating that some have asked if eating disorders are actually a form of addiction.

By: Marta Durski, DMIN, RMFT

(Originally Published in the Spring issue of Moods Magazine 2008: www.moodsmag.com )

By Edith Sworobowicz, MSW, RSW

(Originally published in the Fall issue of Moods Magazine, 2006)

Most people know the dangers of drugs and alcohol, particularly when they lead to addiction. Teachers, families, the media and our government have provided these awareness messages. We have all been exposed to ‘say no to drugs' campaigns and have been
relatively well informed about the excess use of substances and their negative effects to our physical and mental health, our relationships, our work life, and our communities.

By: Trevor Swanson

(Originally published in the Winter issue of Moods Magazine, 2010)

The disease of addiction permeates all aspects of the individual including their mental, social, and physical health. Addiction is also a spiritual disease, but it is not always considered as such.

By Sara Aharon, EDD, CPSYCH

(Originally published in the Fall issue of Moods Magazine, 2008)

The fact that the cycle of addictive behaviour passes down through generations and is related to family dysfunctions is well known in the field of addiction . Indeed, substance abusers have a higher incidence of parental substance abuse.

By: Sara Aharon, PhD

(Originally published in the Winter issue of Moods Magazine, 2007)

The impact of psychological trauma on mental health has been under-estimated. Clinical experience and a growing body of research is linking trauma to chronic depression, bidpolar disorder, anxiety disorders, dissociation, anger and rage, attachment disorders, personality disorders and even psychosis.

(Originally Published in the Journal of the Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association, Fall Issue 2003)

Ask any businessperson what they believe determines the success of their organization, and almost always they will point to the importance of their employees.

By: Nadia Vaughan , M S W , R S W
(Originally published in Winter issue of Moods Magazine, 2007)

Anger is a natural, human emotion. Our ability to feel anger is built into our bodies. It is a signal to us that something is wrong and it gives people around us the indication that we are experiencing some kind of distress. Thus, anger can help us become more in tune with ourselves and become better aware of others.

By: Edith Townsend

(Originally published in Spring issue of Moods Magazine, 2010)

The image is not an uncommon one, an adolescent boy hunched over his computer in the middle of the night, his room in disarray, pale, and dishevelled, eyes red after staring at his computer screen for the past 10 hours. He had spent all this time in the world of Azeroth, battling orcs and trolls with his guild. This was his fantasy world, and it demonstrates the power of online video game addiction, an emerging problem that has been receiving attention in the media and the mental health field.