Mental Health Topics

Race and mental illness can be highly stigmatized topics. For many of us, both subjects can often feel too complex or touchy to talk about. But the truth is that mental health and race are intertwined, whether we like to think about them that way or not. This July, Minority…

When it comes to being a parent, many may feel the expectation to be bullet-proof, tireless, and a fearless leader of their household. But the reality is that parents are human—and will struggle like anyone else. And if pushed beyond their limits, parental burnout can occur. Parental burnout is a…

“Laziness” is a term that is often placed on “unproductive,” undesirable behavior, though it’s relatively rare that someone doesn’t want to be active or productive solely because they prefer not to.  Rather, when someone avoids tasks or has a hard time getting things done, they may be experiencing symptoms from…

If you’re wondering how to best take care of yourself, self-care may seem like the obvious answer. But exactly how self-care should be executed might not be clear. It’s a process that’s about more than looking good or feeling better than we did the day before. Self-care is about sustainability—on…

When we think of grief, often the first thoughts that come to mind are of the emotional waves that come crashing down. Feelings of powerlessness, disbelief—and even shock. These powerful and dysphoric emotions are not just limited to their impact on the mind. In fact, researchers have long known that…

Personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses characterized by unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, which can seriously hinder someone’s everyday functioning. Some of these disorders have familiar names, like borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or schizoid personality disorder. However, you might not be familiar with their distinguishing clusters. Each personality…

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a psychological condition that can develop in those who have experienced prolonged and/or repetitive traumatic events in their lives. In a CPTSD vs. PTSD matchup, these conditions may seem similar, but in reality, they are different in many ways. Take a closer look with…

Do you feel like you’re falling behind everyone else? Are you disappointed with your life today? If you’re in your mid-twenties or early thirties and you feel disappointed with your life—seeing where your friends or family are or were at this point in their lives and starting to despair about…

Self-sabotage in relationships involves engaging in self-destructive patterns of behavior—whether unconsciously or consciously—which threaten to end a romantic relationship. This may involve distancing yourself, ignoring your partner, or putting emotional walls up. Often, self-sabotaging is related to past experiences or trauma.  Self-sabotage can harm or even end relationships that would…

Right now, millions of people are suffering from depression—and some might not even know it. Despite being one of the more well-known mental health conditions, not everyone understands the signs.  You may ask yourself: “Am I depressed? How can I be depressed and not know it?” That question has many…

“Only child syndrome” is a popular but controversial term used to describe a set of perceived negative traits or characteristics that are thought to be common among children who grow up without siblings. These traits may include selfishness, loneliness, introversion, difficulty sharing, and an overdeveloped sense of independence.  However, it’s…

When we feel disconnected and isolated from others, loneliness can start to take hold. Loneliness is a natural but emotionally and physically intense response to feeling disconnected from other people. That said, even when we’re surrounded by others, it’s still possible to wrestle with loneliness.  Loneliness has an intrinsic connection…