Mental Health Topics

Our team at Thriveworks recently interviewed one of our clinical experts to find out more about what it means to “play the victim,” why people do it, and how to deal with someone when they play the victim. These insights are provided by Dr. Brandy Smith, a Licensed Psychologist with…

Q: How can I handle feeling excluded from my dance team at a dance competition? A: Hi there,  I’m hearing how difficult this is for you, and I commend you for reaching out for support. Feeling excluded is one of the more challenging experiences for us as humans, given that…

Separation anxiety is a set of symptoms characterized by intense anxiety when separated from a support system or loved one. If symptoms are intense enough and begin to interfere with one’s daily life, it can be a sign of a deeper issue called separation anxiety disorder — a disorder with…

When it comes to diagnosing autism, several distinctions are made by clinicians, which separate the disorder into the three levels of autism. This condition is recognized as a spectrum disorder. The purpose of delineating these levels is to provide clinicians with insight into the severity of symptoms and the level…

Fathers are a big part of our lives, as they raise us and teach us about life — both directly and indirectly. There’s a lot to love about our fathers, but they are often also someone with great potential to do us emotional harm. As research shows, having a strong…

We all have our fears, but sometimes they can be disproportionately intense, no matter how dangerous the situation actually is. In these cases, we might not have the tools to manage them on our own, the feelings of fear being too overwhelming to function. One such fear, or phobia, that…

Navigating relationships with parents can be complex and challenging, especially with so many deep, intense feelings involved. Not every mother/child relationship is loving and understanding, and sometimes an understanding can’t be reached, for one reason or another. With all the history between mothers and their children, it can be hard…

The LGBTQIA+ community is a diverse group of individuals — specifically, those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, and a host of other identities. Despite outdated perceptions and unwarranted prejudice from others, cultural norms are shifting and society is becoming increasingly supportive of the community, thanks in…

Q: Seeking Guidance on Husband’s Unconventional Therapist I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out seeking advice and insight. My husband has been struggling with depression and anxiety, and he started therapy a few months ago. The way he chose his therapist is a bit unconventional and…

Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors — including stress. Stress can have a huge impact on both our mental and physical health, and sometimes, chronic stress can manifest in the form of anemia. Through effective stress management and medical treatment such as iron supplements, stress-caused anemia can…

Trauma can have huge impacts on the life of the person who experienced it, but it can also have echoes in families for generations. Generational trauma occurs when someone experiences a traumatic event and the impact it has on that person is “passed down” or continues to be experienced by…

The honeymoon phase of relationships is full of excitement, love, passion, and anticipation. Often, you feel like you can’t get enough of each other. Eventually, though, this phase comes to an end. You settle into the relationship and everything becomes normal and, sometimes, you and your partner start to drift…