Humans subscribe to patterns of behavior that are influenced by their thoughts, and their thoughts are influenced by their patterns of behavior. For instance, we might wash our hands (an action) because we want to cleanse them of germs (a desire). Or we might start thinking of ourselves negatively (a…
The word “narcissism” comes from a Greek myth where an attractive man named Narcissus looked at his reflection in a pool of water—and fell in love with it. You may know somebody like Narcissus. They might think about the world of themself and all of the great things they accomplish…
As toddlers and young children, we quickly and naturally form strong emotional bonds with our parents or caretakers. As a result, being apart from them at an early age is often accompanied by a level of anxiety. These feelings of distress are a normal stage of childhood development—but sometimes, our…
Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder II, characterized by emotional ups and downs. With cyclothymic disorder, an individual might feel great one week, and then low or down the next. Without treatment, the time in between these mood swings might feel fine—but when their symptoms flare, they…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that approximately 1 in 36 children will be born with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is one of the more common neurodevelopmental disorders—and you might be wondering, especially if you or another family member has ASD, if autism…
For people who are curious about antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the possibility of weight gain is sometimes a concern. Celexa, the brand name of the generic drug Citalopram, is a common type of SSRI that may be associated with a small gain in weight. If you’ve…
Even if you don’t know how they work (or how they’re prescribed), chances are, you’ve heard about antidepressants. Perhaps you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed yourself—and you’re now wondering how to get antidepressants. Psychiatric providers prescribe antidepressants based on mental health criteria that they’re trained to treat and diagnose. This…
It’s normal to feel exhausted at the end of a long day—or after working out, traveling, or even some vigorous spring cleaning. But what about when we’re depressed? Could depression actually affect our energy levels? Can Depression Make You Suddenly Tired? Mental health professionals typically agree that it can. Remember,…
Over 40 million Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder. And for those who seek treatment, anxiety medication is often the foundation of successful symptom management, alongside therapy. If you’ve been diagnosed with a form of anxiety, or if you think you may have a form of anxiety, you might be curious…
Living with ADHD isn’t always easy. This condition, which may feel like a superpower at certain points, may also feel like a burden on other days. For adult men with ADHD, their hyperactivity or inattentiveness may be expressed in specific and unique ways compared with women. Men are often expected…
Nicotine-containing products, alongside caffeinated beverages like coffee, are some of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in the U.S.—though we rarely think of them as drugs. Even though tobacco and nicotine use has steadily dropped in the U.S. since 2005, many of us know someone who smokes, chews, or uses…
Like a cold blast of air, seasonal affective disorder (also known as seasonal depression) hits hard for those who experience it. There’s more to this emotional disorder than just feeling down in the winter, though. We’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of seasonal depression, and find…
