Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder characterized by impaired functioning, serious personality changes, and emotional lability People with this condition typically struggle to maintain stable relationships and self-image. BPD is associated with numerous other psychiatric conditions, including depression, substance use disorder, and anxiety disorders. Environmental and social factors…
The widespread use of the term “vibe” has taken the concept of human “energy reading” mainstream. You can explain vibe awareness in some intriguing ways, attributing emotional transfer to everything from precognitive perception to panpsychic reality. Certain holistic therapies like Reiki and acupuncture aim to work directly with the…
Journaling enables us to express and process our emotions as well as our thoughts without judgment. However, the act of journaling is more difficult for some than others. If you’re interested in journaling but unsure where or how to start, mental health prompts can provide direction and offer health benefits,…
Many people know the basics of bipolar disorder, but they may lack insight into how it actually feels to experience cycles of mania and depression. These quotes from memoirs, essays, and celebrity interviews on the bipolar experience can help shed light on what it means to have this mental health…
Bipolar 2 disorder is a class of mood disorder characterized by at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. Bipolar 2 is distinguished from the other mood disorders bipolar 1 (manic depression) and cyclothymic disorder by hypomania, which is a period of elevated mood that doesn’t…
Stress, poor sleep, and a shortage of alone-time can all be creativity killers–and it’s a rare artist who doesn’t feel stuck, frustrated, or burnt-out right now. But the creative brain is characterized by its ability to widen its perceptual field and invite new experiences. The creative brain draws meaning from…
Exercise improves self-esteem and mood of patients in psychiatric care facilities. This, according to researchers at the University of Vermont. Researchers built a gym in the university medical center’s inpatient psychiatry unit and introduced 60-minute exercise regimens into each patient’s treatment plan. The team surveyed patients on their mood, self-esteem,…
Every single year, millions of Americans suffer with a mental illness. By definition, a mental illness is a disorder that negatively affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, mood, and/or behavior. Examples include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Each individual has a unique experience, as far as which symptoms they…
During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we could. That’s…
Depression is marked by intense feelings of despair and a loss of interest in daily activities—the remaining symptoms can vary and even resemble the flu. Depression and the flu share physical symptoms like fatigue and changes in weight or appetite; additionally, victims of both illnesses can experience similar changes in…
I am kind. I am smart. I am important. It might sound like I’m bragging, but I assure you I’m not—I’m just practicing some positive affirmations! Have you ever heard of these? They’re basically positive statements or phrases that you say to give yourself a boost of confidence. And once…
When my little brother turned 10 years old, he expressed a sudden interest in playing football. This was a shock to say the least, as my siblings and I grew up living and breathing soccer, basketball, even tennis—basically every sport but football. And the unchartered territory made us nervous. Even…