Mental Health Topics

Boundaries are a popular topic right now, especially on social media. But if you consider yourself a people pleaser, you might find it stressful—if not impossible—to set them. I’m here to convince you that setting healthy boundaries is worth the effort, both for your own well-being and your ability to…

Have you given any thought to your cortisol levels lately? The so-called “stress hormone” is a popular topic that’s often blamed for a wide range of symptoms, including exhaustion, bloating, anxiety, brain fog, muscle cramps, and lack of focus. However, as with any health “issue” that gains traction on social…

Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe deep feelings of distress, unease, and discomfort because one’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity, or the gender they feel they innately are. Gender dysphoria is a condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),…

When you’re stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or all of the above, there’s nothing less helpful than being told to “calm down,” even if it’s your own internal monologue. Whether you’re drowning in work, trying to balance parenting with your own needs, or grappling with the loss of a relationship, sometimes life…

James Lavino’s first big break came by way of Winnie the Pooh. Spending his 20s in New York (circa the late 1990s), Lavino found himself composing scores for his friends’ documentary films and dipping his hand in whatever creative endeavors came his way—including editing at the literary magazine “The Paris…

You probably know someone living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), considering more than 15 million adults have been diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder that affects focus and executive function. But despite being very common, many girls and women struggle to get a diagnosis, in part because ADHD symptoms present differently in…

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five U.S. adults is living with a mental illness right now. Yet, a large portion of this group never seeks help. Why? This statistic accounts in part for those who lack access to mental health services—but this doesn’t provide…

You’re standing in the kitchen, making coffee as you scroll through your Instagram feed and reply to a quick work email. Then—ding!—a reminder about tomorrow’s dentist appointment pops up, immediately followed by a breaking news notification and two direct messages from your boss. Suddenly, the lights seem a little too…

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion due to an excessive amount of stress. Many people might experience burnout after working long or taxing hours at a job, but it can also have other causes, like conflict with a significant other or an especially busy or chaotic…

“Take your thoughts less seriously.” I was scrolling through Instagram one day when I came across this quote from Dr. Jenny Taitz, a clinical psychologist and author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes.  It stopped me in my feed. Her broader message was that…

Existential therapy is a branch of humanistic therapy that focuses on human beings as a whole and how we fit into the world: our capacities, aspirations, and limitations. Centered around perpetual issues that each person faces (loneliness, responsibilities, etc.), it works to dissect fear and anxiety, creating meaningful change by…

A recent survey of people in North Carolina commissioned by Thriveworks reveals interesting patterns surrounding residents’ emotional state and what they do to improve their mental health. Check out the insights below, including which factors impact mental health most, who they turn to for support, and more. North Carolina’s Mental…