Mental Health Topics, Narcissism Signs of an introverted narcissist: How to spot their subtle tactics of manipulation by Jason Crosby on Oct 8, 2021 Perhaps it’s something about the magnetic allure of narcissistic personalities — or maybe it’s our own dark, inner desires to focus intensely on ourselves that spark interest in narcissism. Whatever the case, we know a lot about the extroverted, grandiose persona typically associated with narcissists — but introverts can be…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships An extra scoop of ice cream saves my marriage: The little stuff that will make or break us by Shannon Kersey, LPA on Oct 6, 2021 When I first met my now-husband’s friends, we all went out to dinner. When we were eating dessert, one of the wives said, “I have known several girlfriends through the years, and he never shares his dessert with anyone. He must really like you!” I laughed, thinking she was kidding….
Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Self-Care Let’s hear it for the forest state of mind: Nature therapy and forest medicine by Wistar Murray on Oct 5, 2021 You’ve probably heard about forest medicine, how spending time in the woods can lower your stress levels, improve your mood, bolster your immune system, and perhaps literally recharge your body (when you’re barefoot). It all seems so obvious, considering that homo sapiens evolved in tandem with their ecosystem. But if…
Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, PTSD How can therapy help people overcome PTSD? by Stanley Clark on Oct 4, 2021 People who have gone through traumatic events may experience some mental and emotional disturbances. They may not be able to perceive things positively and live life as they did before. There might be flashbacks, anxieties, and fears that may continue to affect their ability to function daily, which are common…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships Advice for dating a roommate: Cohabitant hookups and the proximity principle by Wistar Murray on Oct 1, 2021 Dear Unlicensed Psychoblogger, My roommate is extremely attractive and I’m starting to feel an emotional connection. Would it be a humongous mistake to hook up? Sincerely, Writer’s Imaginary Friend (WIF) Dear WIF, This is a tricky question. Fortunately, I’m abundantly qualified to answer it because I’m currently raising a kindergartner…
Coping Skills, Media Use, Mental Health Topics Do you feel drained by negative news headlines? Learn to cope with news fatigue and cut back on doomscrolling by Jason Crosby on Sep 28, 2021 Your shoulders are hunched and your breathing is shallow, thumb propelling you through a dismal newsfeed with expert strokes. Each headline spells disaster for another city, species, or group of people, and we sink a little deeper into the tarpit known as doomscrolling. It’s a familiar scene: Whatever you name…
Disorders, Media Use, Mental Health Topics Can we blame filters and “Instagram face” for body dysmorphic disorder? by Wistar Murray on Sep 27, 2021 The other day I was watching an Instagram video of a woman’s nose job. (On Instagram, I’m always watching either cosmetic surgery before-and-afters or slow pans around dollhouse interiors.) The woman was adorable. Then she did this time-lapse thing with bandages on her nose and dark circles under her eyes….
Alcohol & Drugs, Mental Health Topics, Women's Issues Women and alcohol: Why we drink and how we can empower our sober curiosity by Wistar Murray on Sep 27, 2021 So you’re thinking about getting sober. Maybe your body can no longer rebound from red wine hangovers. Maybe the wellness industry has finally hammered home the contradiction in eating quinoa for lunch, then drinking a bottle of toxins at night. Maybe you’re worried about your liver health, or premature aging,…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships Solo life and singlism: How much does relationship status matter? by Wistar Murray on Sep 24, 2021 I’m a happily partnered mom, but no one has to explain to me the benefits of being single. I’m not talking about the joys of online dating and casual sex. I’m talking about keeping your own hours, eating what you want, and TRYING TO WRITE A SENTENCE WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE’S…
Mental Health Topics, Research Thriveworks reveals the top 10 mental health terms for 2021 by Jason Crosby on Sep 21, 2021 Thriveworks conducted an in-depth analysis of over 54,000 data points to identify the Top Mental Health Terms for 2021, determined by how each term has grown in usage over the past five years. This research assessed how 71 mental health terms were used across online, print, and broadcast sources. The…
Mental Health Topics, Parenting, Self-Care Meditation doesn’t do the dishes: Self-care tips for parents with burnout by Wistar Murray on Sep 14, 2021 This is not a parenting advice column. Most parents don’t need more parenting tips. They just need a break from taking care of their kids. I took an informal poll over the weekend, asking my parent-friends how they practice self-care. Their answers: They drink, they smoke weed, they play video…
Media Use, Mental Health Topics, Self-Care How to spot toxic self-care tips on social media by Jason Crosby on Sep 14, 2021 Self-care is a topic that’s been riding a perpetual tidal wave of popularity across social media. Self-care accounts on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter grew swollen with followers, as many people sought refuge in anything seeming remotely wholesome during the dark ages of 2020. This has given rise to toxic self-care—where…