Misinformation can come in many forms; but at its core, it’s a biased, skewed, or flat-out wrong representation of a current event or subject of public interest. This sort of unscrupulous journalism mostly concerns politics. Outside influences are partially to blame for our susceptibility to misinformation. Our bodies experience a…
Even though we might be far away from global tragedies as they unfold, our minds tend to fixate on negative events. While doing so can help us learn to avoid danger, news fatigue can occur when we spend too much time absorbing negative content. Burnout has been a popular topic…
Humans haven’t yet adapted to facing their own reflection all the time, whether they’re looking into mirrors, taking selfies, or talking to their coworkers on Zoom. People now ask cosmetic surgeons to make their faces look more like their Instagram filters. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a serious mental health…
People are starting to feel more comfortable opening up about their mental health problems, and in turn, crushing the negative stigma that surrounds mental illness. No one is immune to mental health disorders: for example, big name celebrities and athletes struggle too and are sharing their experiences. Mental health is…
The common belief is that video games cause aggression in real life—but research shows this isn’t the case. Cultivation theory summarizes this belief; however, a University of York study shows that violent video games doesn’t influence players to behave any certain way. That said, of course gaming can still have…
Despite the credentials, skills, and experience mental health professionals possess, they are often depicted as unprofessional, unhelpful, and unqualified. In many TV shows and movies, the characters who play counselors or therapists are often portrayed as unprofessional and emotional: they engage in unprofessional relationships with their clients and let their…
It’s often scary to be diagnosed with depression or experience depressive thoughts, but it can be especially frightening for teens. Fortunately, there are helpful resources readily available to teens on their smartphones. Resources include depression discussion guides, crisis text lines, and an app that comes with a depression test and…
In late 2010, Steve Jobs was still at the head of Apple and had recently unveiled the first iPad. Jobs was well known for his personality and would often call reporters to let them know how he felt about their reviews. At times, these conversations would involve a pat on…
Every morning when I wake up, one of the first things I do is turn on The Today Show. It’s mostly background noise while I complete the rest of my morning routine, but sometimes I find myself just staring at the TV, mouth gaping. Somehow, I still can’t believe all…
We’re all guilty of it—scrolling enviously through our feeds, staring at all the pretty pictures and reading about our friends’ “glamorous” lives. But here’s the thing: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Have you ever heard someone refer to social media as a highlight reel? This means…
If you’re an avid social media user—say of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or all of the above—you’ve probably wondered at some point in your life if your habits would be considered healthy… or if there might be some room for improvement. Fortunately, Licensed Professional Counselor Julie Williamson is here to…
The capabilities and functionalities of social media are absolutely awe-inspiring. I mean, these platforms allow us to upload our thoughts and our experiences to the web in a matter of seconds; they enable us to have instant conversations with people on the complete opposite side of the world; and they…