Mental Health Topics

When I was in college, I studied abroad for a semester. The first two months were spent in Switzerland—although, each weekend I traveled to a new-to-me city in Europe—and the last month was spent in Rwanda. When it was finally time to come home at the end of the most…

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes an individual to experience uncomfortable sensations in their legs, of which can typically be alleviated by movement. These sensations usually occur at night, when the individual is sitting or lying down and can have serious implications on their sleep quality. RLS is currently classified as…

Back in my college days, there was a period of time—maybe two to three weeks—when I couldn’t sleep. I’d lay down, pull the covers up to my chin, and close my eyes tight. But nothing would happen. Or, at least, what I wanted to happen wouldn’t happen. Instead of drifting…

There’s a man chasing me through the woods. I hear him gaining on me with every step I take. Then suddenly, I hear nothing. The footsteps are gone. I decide to take a moment to catch my breath before carrying on… except, wait, where am I? And where am I…

Socializing plays a huge role in our health and wellbeing—unfortunately, many of us fail to fulfill our social needs in the cold days of winter. Why is socializing so important? Because it brings us pleasure, helps us stay active (which is also important to overall health and wellbeing), and fights…

New research shows that if parents want to successfully reduce their children’s screen-time, they should cut back on their own screen-time. Kids are spending more and more time playing on iPads and sitting in front of the TV, which feeds an increase in obesity among children. The researchers sought to…

Many of us struggle during the winter months with stress and anxiety, which stems greatly from deviation in routine. Fortunately, if we take a few extra steps to take care our mental health and wellbeing, we can get back to a happy place. You should start by making self-care a…

Let’s face it, sometimes the holidays aren’t always a time for fun and celebration. They can be a time of increased depression because we are alone, or they can be filled with anxiety because we have to be around family or people we don’t always get along with. Regardless of…

While there isn’t a cure for personality disorders, there are effective treatment methods out there for those who struggle with these conditions, such as therapy. These clients can often be described as “change-resistant” as they have a particularly difficult time making changes, even when those changes will benefit them. That…

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…