Anxiety disorders are already the most common mental health condition on the planet. However, it’s more than likely that the numbers are higher than imagined. You see, high levels of anxiety can be present in your life without you knowing it. Many people have learned to live with abundant stress and anxious thought ...

Life is filled with both ups and downs. Trauma is something that no one ever wants to deal with, but it’s likely to happen to them at some point throughout their life. Traumatic events are complex. They can cause signs and symptoms that tend to stay with a person for weeks, months, or even ...

At first glance, it may appear that no one meets potential partners the old-fashioned way anymore. But there’s plenty of fake news out there. You see, folks are not relying solely on scrolling and swiping. Real-world interactions still count for a lot, and many relationships begin as such connections did 25 years ago. Traditional ...

Communication should be a top priority for all couples. It’s the cornerstone of a healthy relationship, no matter what other challenges you might face together. Unfortunately, many couples struggle with communication because they fall into certain traps and make common mistakes. Some of those mistakes have to do with different communication styles. Others are ...

For those in the LGBTQ+ community, embracing their identity can be a liberating journey. However, this process can be complicated by societal pressures, stigmas, and the ingrained beliefs that contribute to internalized homophobia. Understanding what internalized homophobia is and recognizing its signs are important steps towards self-acceptance. What is internalized homophobia? Internalized homophobia refers to ...

As a woman, you’re likely all too familiar with the juggling act of balancing work and home life. It’s like trying to keep multiple plates spinning at once. With more women entering the workforce, the pressure to excel professionally and personally has intensified. You’re expected to be a nurturing mom, a supportive partner, ...

Narcissism and codependency have become popular buzzwords over the past couple of years. However, social media posts rarely equate to useful knowledge. In the case of these two terms, it’s rarely discussed that there is an association and overlap to consider. Such an interplay may at first seem counterintuitive, but, in reality, it’s ...

It’s hardly breaking news that parenting is stressful. What else could it be when you’re fully responsible for the well-being of a helpless child, but you still have to tend to all your other obligations at the same time? So yeah, by definition, parenting is stressful. But things do seem to be escalating ...

There is no single medical test for ADHD. It’s not something that can be diagnosed with a blood draw or some kind of scan. Rather, ADHD is often diagnosed through a series of assessments and evaluations. As a result, you’re not going to receive a diagnosis in a day or two. It can often ...

For many people, the calendar year is marked by a mix of anticipated joys—birthdays, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, relationship milestones, and more. For some, however, certain dates serve as painful reminders of past losses and negative experiences. Grief is a complex journey. Recurring grief adds another layer of challenge, forcing us to ...

There are plenty of stereotypes about men and high sex drives. Unfortunately, these tropes can do more harm than good when we see them in movies, television shows, and even when they’re talked about in social circles. The reality is that around 1 in 5 men experience low libido. The stereotypes often portrayed in ...

If your PMS symptoms seem so much worse than what your friends dealt with, you may not be suffering from PMS at all. Instead, you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). You dread this time of the month because you know that you’re about to endure a week or more of emotional turmoil. Rather ...

There’s no denying that life is stressful. Schedules are busy. Obligations seem to never end. Maybe you’re overloaded at work or running around every second of the day with the kids. Whatever is causing you to feel constantly overwhelmed, you’re not alone. You also don’t have to tell yourself it will never end. Feeling overwhelmed ...

Trauma doesn’t always refer to a single event. Relational trauma is characterized by ongoing mistreatment, abuse, or abandonment within a relationship. In other words, it’s trauma that occurs in relation to someone whom you relied on. The effects of relational trauma can be profound. Many people experience relational trauma as children, when the same ...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common but often misunderstood condition. Its name can be unfairly used as shorthand for anyone who has moments of distraction or forgetfulness. Perhaps a more useful way to look at ADHD is as a collection of symptoms and coping mechanisms. It’s almost as if there’s an internal battle ...

Social anxiety isn’t just shyness—it’s a complex mental health condition that can affect anyone, even extroverts. It’s characterized by an intense fear of judgment in social situations, often disrupting daily life. From selective mutism to avoidant personality disorder, social anxiety exists on a spectrum. Post-pandemic, many are experiencing heightened social difficulties, reminding us of ...

Perfectionism is often misunderstood. While striving for excellence is an admirable trait, perfectionism goes beyond it, which leads to harmful thought patterns and behaviors. Understanding perfectionism’s effects on mental health is crucial for managing its impact and developing a healthier mindset. What Is Perfectionism? Perfectionism can look different for many people, but it’s essentially the ...

When a child is struggling with anxiety, it can be difficult for parents, caregivers, and teachers to know how to help. Often, anxiety presents in ways that are hard to understand, making it tough to offer the right support. However, some strategies can make a big difference. Let’s learn more about how to ...

Have you ever wondered where your relationship style comes from? No two relationships are the same. How you find, start, engage, and act in relationships is unique to you, depending on your style and preferences. You might choose partners who are similar to the people you observed while you were growing up, such as ...

The past few decades have seen a growth in awareness of trauma. In particular, you might regularly see the term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as you scroll each day. When trauma and PTSD are placed in an accurate, helpful manner, this is a positive trend. That said, it rarely includes parallel issues like ...

No matter when you grew up or hold old you are, you’re probably familiar with the American sitcom from the 70s, The Brady Bunch. This series centered around a large blended family of a mother with three girls and a father with three boys, making a total of six children. Family dynamics can already ...

The teen years aren’t easy. It’s a time of rapid brain development and intense change, both internally and externally. In addition to navigating bodily changes such as growth spurts, body hair, acne, and voice changes, teens have to adjust to a changing environment. This usually includes new schools and shifting social groups. Change isn’t ...

Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can feel like quite the challenge, especially when dealing with trauma triggers that affect your emotional well-being. PTSD triggers are different for everyone. However, some common ones may be exposure to certain sounds, sights, smells, or places. These triggers can bring a person back to their most ...

The holiday season can bring joy, celebration, and cherished memories, but for many, it also brings a significant amount of stress. As we move into this new year, you might still be suffering from holiday anxiety or feeling overwhelmed by the tasks, chores, and to-dos that a new year brings. The good news is ...

Living in an environment that fails to affirm your identity can be emotionally taxing and psychologically challenging. Whether you’re facing discrimination due to your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or beliefs, navigating a non-affirming space requires resilience and strategic coping mechanisms. A non-affirming environment can take many forms, from living in a conservative ...

For many, if not most, kids, the holidays can be stress-free. Sure, you have plenty of joyous memories as you move through life, but your anxiety level seems to inch upward every single year. Prices rise, airports get more crowded, family drama in the social media age is off the charts, and you ...

It can seem like some families just “click” when it comes to communication. Everyone is open and honest and has no problems showing vulnerability. But that is not the case for everyone. Family communication does not always come naturally. Personalities can be a factor, as well as family history or simply the dynamic everyone ...

Everybody wants to fit in. As human beings, finding a way to feel included in your culture is important. Whether you have a specific ethnic background rooted in tradition, or you simply want to feel a sense of belonging in your social group, cultural expectations can dictate a lot about the way you ...

In today’s digital world, there are so many online websites, applications, or social media platforms that advertise dating. It’s so common that it actually may feel like you can’t find love without using them. While dating apps have their perks, meeting someone in the real world can feel more organic, personal, and meaningful. ...

The discovery of infidelity and emotional betrayal can ruin the foundation of trust and love in a relationship, stripping it bare and leaving an open, festering wound. The pain can be so intense it may feel like you will never heal. Yet, for many, it can also be a turning point—an opportunity to ...

Seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can leave you feeling drained and disconnected from the world around you. As the seasons change, shorter days and less sunlight can lead to shifts in mood, making it harder to stay positive. While the typical advice like getting more sunlight or exercising regularly ...

Grief can impact people in many different ways. While we often associate it with extreme sadness and emotions like denial and anger, the lingering effects of grief can do so much more. The grieving process can even contribute to “brain fog”, affecting your memory and cognitive processes as you try to work through your ...

Anxiety tends to be fueled by the “what ifs” in life, and that includes questions that arise from things that haven’t happened yet. This is often referred to as anticipatory anxiety. If you feel a sense of worry or dread about a future event, it can cause you to become anxious before that situation ...

An interesting blend of trends is facilitating an increase in blended (or step) families. The divorce rate in the U.S. regularly hovers around 50 percent. Hence, this is an ever-present pool of adults who may decide to remarry. About half the time, their second marriage involves one or both of the spouses already ...

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. Therapy is often the best way to manage symptoms and eventually overcome depression, but because of how common it is, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which type of therapy is right for you. One of the most popular modalities ...

Have you ever felt down when the days get shorter? You might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that’s more than just “winter blues.” This mood disorder is tied to seasonal changes, typically kicking in during late fall and sticking around through winter. Millions face SAD each year. It’s ...

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person perceives the world, interacts with others, and communicates. While many people are diagnosed as children, there’s a growing recognition that autism often goes undiagnosed until adulthood. This is especially true for people who learned to mask their symptoms or who ...

Navigating romantic relationships can be a complex journey. Each partner must balance supporting their significant other while asserting their own needs. When one person experiences stress, it often ripples through the relationship. Add children, careers, and financial obligations to the mix, and it’s no wonder many couples face challenges. There’s no universal blueprint for ...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) isn’t just about being organized or cleanly. It’s a complex, diagnosable mental health condition that can be a struggle to live with. Children are difficult to diagnose, because they may not yet have the vocabulary to articulate what they’re going through. Here are the signs of OCD in children to ...

You might be surprised to learn that depression affects men and women differently. While both men and women share common symptoms, understanding these distinctions is crucial. Women are twice as likely to develop depression, partly due to biological factors like hormones and genes. They’re often more in tune with their emotions and better ...

Perfectionism is a complex trait rooted in both genetics and environment. You may recognize it as an admired quality, often associated with high achievement and success. It encompasses characteristics like meticulousness and persistence, which can be advantageous in academic pursuits. However, perfectionism isn’t solely about striving for excellence. It’s a multifaceted concept stemming ...

Did you know that the teenage brain is still a work in progress? It’s true! While we’ve long recognized that teens can be impulsive and emotional, it’s only in the last 30 years that science has revealed how much their brains are still developing. This “under construction” phase explains a lot about teenage ...

There have always been political differences. But 24/7 news cycles, social media, and AI algorithms are all relatively new. Developments like these have ramped up the passion and tension when it comes to our beliefs — and how we defend them. As a result, we’ve collectively become less tolerant of opposing viewpoints. This ...

Perhaps you’re frustrated with your life’s direction. Maybe you haven’t reached the same milestones as your friends, or you’ve fallen short on several important goals that you had hoped to achieve by now. You might be disappointed in your career or academic progression, struggling to save money, or mourning the loss of relationships ...

You never thought you’d be here. No matter how long you and your partner were together, you never thought it would come to this. No matter how many scenarios you played in your head, this one never came up. Living in the aftermath feels like a false sense of reality. You’re questioning whether you’re ...

Anxiety often leads to spiraling thoughts that feel real and overwhelming, even though they aren’t always based on facts. These thought patterns, known as thought traps, keep you stuck in a cycle of worry and stress. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in anxious thoughts that make you feel out of control, you’re ...

Ever wonder why some people seem to effortlessly navigate social situations while others often struggle? The secret ingredient might just be self-esteem. How you feel about yourself plays a huge role in how you interact with others. Whether you’re a social butterfly or more of a wallflower, your self-esteem impacts every conversation and relationship ...

High-functioning anxiety can feel like a double-edged sword. On the outside, you may appear calm, accomplished, and in control, while on the inside, you’re constantly battling overthinking and self-doubt. Unlike other forms of anxiety, high-functioning means that people still feel productive, or “in control,” but the emotional toll it takes is real. Overcoming ...

Bringing a new life into the world is often portrayed as a joyous, magical experience. But the reality is that childbirth can be physically and emotionally challenging, even under the best circumstances. For some women, it can be downright traumatic, affecting their mental health and ability to care for themselves and their newborns. You ...

Connection is a main component of the human experience. It can be just as important as food, water, and shelter. However, it can be a struggle for some. Social anxiety is a type of anxiety that many people experience. Social anxiety is an intense fear of being embarrassed or judged in social situations. This ...