Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by short, intense outbursts of anger that can leave destruction in their wake. People with IED may have brain abnormalities that foster impulsivity. IED can be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To calm someone during an…
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…
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10th in over 100 countries to promote mental health awareness and advocate for individuals with mental health issues. Since its inception in 1992, World Mental Health Day has helped to expand knowledge, advocate against social stigmas, and support people suffering from…
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in every 5 adults in the US suffers from mental illness. And those who don’t suffer personally, likely know someone who does. This means that, inevitably, your kids will at some point encounter a mental illness, be it a personal…
First and foremost, the decision to begin therapy is highly personal. Sure, certain circumstances might mean that therapy can be incredibly beneficial to you—say, if you’re struggling with a diagnosed mental illness like depressive or anxiety disorders or other mental health issues such as an unhappy relationship or a traumatic…
New research found a link between poor air quality and higher rates of bipolar disorder as well as major depression in the U.S. and Denmark. Additionally, it found a link between exposure to poor air quality in the first 10 years of life and a two-fold increase in schizophrenia and…
Depression is the most common mental disorder in the world today, and it can affect all people, but it is significantly widespread among women. Research shows that women are diagnosed with depression almost twice as often as men, which begs the question “why?” Multiple factors are involved, including biology, hormones,…
As our loved ones grow older, we tend to worry about physical ailments, such as an increased risk for heart attacks and memory problems like dementia. However, we often fail to recognize threats to their mental health—for example, the elderly often suffers from depression and anxiety. These are common illnesses…
Mental illness is more common in people who live alone. This, according to researchers from University of Versailles. This study analyzed data from 20,500 individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 who completed National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys. Data included weight, height, level of social support, feelings of loneliness, and…
Individuals with narcissistic traits (which sometimes signify a personality disorder called narcissistic personality disorder) are self-centered, boastful, and arrogant. They can have a serious impact on those around them, especially those they spend ample time with, like their coworkers and family members. If you work with a narcissist, you can…
Assuming too much responsibility could increase your chances of developing OCD and anxiety. Researchers from Hiroshima University surveyed American college students about their feelings related to three types of responsibility: responsibility to prevent or avoid harm, responsibility for negative results, and responsibility to resolve a problem. The team found that…
The majority of individuals who have a mental illness do not seek or receive treatment. While there are multiple reasons why, one is the fact that people avoid or forego mental health treatment, due to judgment, doubt, pride, fear, misinformation. Individuals fear judgment, change, the unknown, and what they might…