Mental Health Topics

New research says that superheroes can inspire us to want to be helpful and perform altruistic acts. Researchers sought to understand how our heroes—specifically fictional heroes—might affect how we approach life. Study participants were exposed to different images; one group saw images, which included subtle visuals of superheroes, while another…

Personality disorders are characterized by unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that make everyday functioning significantly difficult. The 10 personality disorders have each been analyzed and defined; however, there is still much to understand, such as how and why these disorders develop. Many experts agree that both genetic and environmental factors are…

Pessimists and optimists are polar opposites; the former focus on the downside, while the latter tend to look on the bright side. While neither of these mentalities are classified as mental illnesses, they each can have some seriously negative effects on our mental health. First, optimism isn’t always the way…

When one is hurt by the world—initially by our parents or caretaking environment—it is a natural human reaction to try to control our external environment. Having a controlling personality is not considered to be a personality disorder; however, contemporary psychodynamic theory and practice see DMS-V personality disorders as being environmental…

The big 5 personality traits make up a five-factor model, used to evaluate an individual’s main qualities; these qualities include openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Those who score high on the openness scale enjoy new experiences and are curious in nature; their downfalls can include unpredictability and a lack…

One major problem many people have with their desk jobs is, well, the fact that they sit at a desk all day; and they struggle to get in daily physical activity. Fortunately, if you decide you want to be more active at your desk job, you can be! It’ll just…

Think About the “Why” “It’s important to look critically at what their motivation really is—what’s driving their interest, and will it really be helpful to them?” –Joe Casey, Executive Coach and Retirement Coach “Each person has their own unique journey toward meaning and happiness. We must each ask ourselves: where…

Do you work well with others? If your answer is no and it’s affecting your job, consider a few different personality types that have a more difficult time collaborating with others. Depressive personalities are hypersensitive and don’t take feedback well; if this sounds like you, you can improve your skills…

Everybody needs a break from work—but it isn’t always easy to tell whether the real need is a vacation from your job or a new job altogether. Fortunately, you can use several techniques to help you determine where your needs lie: such as the 3, 2, 1 Method. The 3,…

Every job comes with obstacles, but those obstacles aren’t always worth it; sometimes the right thing to do is quit your job and move on. So, how can you determine if it’s time? The key is to consider your own role in your happiness at work; are you utilizing all…

We all have those days where you get next to nothing done at work—fortunately, we all also have the power to ensure the days that ensue are more productive. First, you should eliminate all detectable distractions: your phone, email or social media notifications, and noise in the office. Also, prioritize…

A new study says that your imagination can help you overcome your fears; this involves imagining an encounter with the fear and realizing it is not a threat. Researchers sought to understand how fears are learned and unlearned; this goal led to their conducting an experiment that involved auditory threat…