Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder: An Overview
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the best-known and sometimes most disconcerting mental conditions. Many people wonder if they, or someone they know, suffers from BPD. Traditionally, this disorder has been identified through a fairly straightforward set of symptoms, involving problems with emotional regulation and sometimes lashing out at others. However, many people haven’t…
How Trauma Reshapes Thinking, Memory, and Response
Trauma is a physical imprint that can rewire the brain’s operating system. Terror or life-threatening experiences redesign how people think, recall, and respond to danger. These redesigns influence healing and the interpretation of behavior in high-stakes environments. A traumatized brain often defies common sense, leading to misunderstandings with serious consequences. The Neurobiology of a Threatened…
Lachanophobia: Understanding the Fear of Vegetables
Lachanophobia, or the irrational fear of vegetables, is a specific phobia, an intense and irrational fear of a thing or situation that poses no real danger. It’s important to understand that lachanophobia is much more than disliking the taste of broccoli or green beans. Those struggling with this condition may experience significant amounts of anxiety…
Emotional Resilience in Motherhood: Coping with Stress, Guilt, and Hidden Mental Health Struggles
We often describe motherhood as one of the most rewarding experiences in a woman’s life. It brings moments of love, connection, and fulfillment. Yet, many mothers silently carry an overwhelming emotional burden behind the smiles and milestones. Balancing responsibilities, managing expectations, and dealing with physical recovery after childbirth can take a serious toll on mental…
What Is the Oedipus Complex? Freud’s Theory Explained
Sigmund Freud is best known as the father of psychoanalysis. Through psychoanalytic theory, Freud attempted to explain behavior while simultaneously mapping out a way to treat mental illness. The Oedipus complex is a central concept in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. Freud believed that one’s personality and adult life were shaped and molded by important events from…
Gamophobia: Understanding the Fear of Commitment
Gamophobia is a fear of commitment and marriage. As with many phobias, gamophobia’s name has an interesting etymology. ’Phobia,’ of course, is the fear of something. Meanwhile, ‘gamos,’ is Greek for ‘marriage.’ Thus, gamophobia quite literally translates to ‘fear of marriage.’ Gamophobia is not always quite as simple as someone being afraid of getting married….
The Battle Between Mind and Body in Recovery
The process of healing is rarely graceful. It’s raw and messy, profoundly human. At its center, there’s a relationship people tend to ignore: the push and pull between the mind and body in recovery. One wants control; the other wants comfort. Neither is wrong, but both can be pretty exhausting. The battle is not won…
4 Tips for Being a Mental Health Advocate
Compared to the past, mental health has now been pushed to the forefront as more people become aware of it being a significant component of overall wellness. This comes as online resources are becoming more widely available, along with new ways for individuals to access mental health interventions that cater to their needs. Apart from…
Somnophilia: Sexual Attraction to the Unconscious
Somnophilia is a condition in which one experiences sexual arousal in response to a sleeping or unconscious person. It is a type of paraphilia: a sexual interest in uncommon objects, people, or situations. The name is derived from the Latin word “somnus,” meaning sleep, and the Greek word “philia,” meaning love. It is also known…
Are Hot Flashes in Men Anxiety-Related?
You’re a generally healthy man. But then one day, all of a sudden, you feel as if your skin is on fire. You’re sweating as if it’s 100 degrees, and you can feel your skin reddening. Your first thought might be that you’re experiencing hot flashes, commonly associated with women going through menopause. But is…
Choosing a Therapist: A Detailed Guide
Finding a therapist might seem easy, but choosing a “good” one might be a daunting experience for a lot of people. There are probably a lot of concerns you have when it comes to choosing the right person. After all, you’ll be opening up to them and relying on them to help you work through…
Why Future Social Workers Need Therapy Skills More Than Just Textbooks
Some lessons can’t be learned from a textbook. That becomes painfully clear the moment a social worker sits across from a client in distress. The theory is there. The case studies are familiar. But the emotional weight, the lived trauma, the silence between words. These moments call for something else. Not better memorization and not…
Ways to Get Yourself Ready to Approach Your Online Master’s in Counseling Psychology
Starting your master’s, no matter in which field you’re in, takes not only a lot of bravery but also a lot of preparation. This is a big move from being an undergrade because now it’s all about getting you on your own two feet, be that with clinical research or actually practicing stats. When it…
How to Approach Finding the Right Psych NP Online Program for You
Becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP) may not be an easy feat; however, it is extremely meaningful and can be of massive help to yourself and your community. When deciding whether you want to become one, you need to take a few factors into consideration. You should first understand the role of…
Sociopath vs. Psychopath: Understanding the Difference
People often use the terms “sociopath” and “psychopath” interchangeably as if they both mean the same thing, when in fact, they do not. The two terms are typically used to refer to people who have antisocial personality disorder. Clinically speaking, there is currently no classification of sociopathy or psychopathy listed in the most recent edition of the…
How to Overcome Sleeplessness Caused by Stress
We have limits when it comes to dealing with stress. Even though it’s something we can’t avoid in life, we can’t deny the impact stress has on our well-being. When we allow it to take over our mental health, we also suffer from physical conditions that can worsen over time. These include no less than…
Why Personality Disorders Can Lead to Addictive Behavior
Personality disorders affect how people think, feel, and relate to others. These conditions often create challenges with emotions, relationships, and decision-making. Research shows that personality disorders can lead to addictive behavior because individuals may turn to substances for relief, control, or escape (Stetsiv et al., 2023). Addiction can then worsen existing struggles, creating a harmful…
How Technology Is Reshaping Counseling Education at the Doctoral Level
Counseling as a profession is undergoing a fundamental shift, and technology is much of the driver. For students pursuing further studies, the incorporation of digital tools and virtual platforms is transforming the delivery, experience, and application of doctoral-level education in practice. From online classrooms to research software to teletherapy simulations, technology has emerged as a…
What Is Genetic Sexual Attraction?
Genetic sexual attraction (GSA) refers to the notion that a powerful sexual attraction can develop between blood relatives who initially meet as adults. The term GSA is used to describe this phenomenon, and genetic attraction is a related concept. This type of reunion could result from family members who were separated by adoption, immigration, or…
How Does Trauma Present in Everyday Life?
Trauma isn’t always just something you experience and set aside before carrying on with your life as usual. Despite your attempts at normalcy, it can often creep in at unexpected moments, changing how you react, respond, communicate, and function. In essence, it can impact every facet of your life. Whether you’re experiencing trauma or want…
How to Spot an Emotionally Unavailable Partner
Entering a new relationship can be both thrilling and scary at the same time. The possibility that things will progress and evolve into a long-term commitment may excite you, but it’s hard to ignore the risk that you may end up getting hurt. One common fear in new relationships is that your new partner is…
What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?
Psychologists and other researchers have long studied the impact that colors have on human life; color has been found to influence people’s ideas, perceptions, and preferences for things both obvious and discreet. Color is used in marketing and advertising to entice people to purchase products and can influence a person’s emotional state and mood. The…
The Grey Rock Method: A Guide to Emotional Protection
The grey rock method is a technique in which an individual becomes emotionally non-responsive, boring, and virtually acts like a grey rock; bland, uninteresting, and unworthy of attention. This emotional detachment strategy undermines a manipulative person’s attempts to lure and control, causing them to lose interest and grow bored. This strategy is most commonly applied…
The 8 Types of Love: What Can They Teach Us Today?
The concept of love is intricate and multifaceted. It manifests in diverse forms and relationships throughout our lives. Love can lead us to commit to and build a life with a partner, cherishing them deeply. It can evoke an unconditional, wholehearted affection towards our children. Love can also be directed towards our parents or best…
Knowing When It’s Time to Seek Therapy
Mental health conditions have long been stigmatized in our society. Individuals have been unfairly blamed for their symptoms, belittled, demeaned, and discriminated against. Ignorant and uneducated people have wrongly assumed that symptoms of mental health could be controlled better if the person only tried. Symptoms have been minimized and erroneously assumed to be insignificant or part…
Teen Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
The teenage years are a tumultuous developmental period when adolescents are making that big push toward independence. Hormones are raging, and they’re at that awkward place between childhood and adulthood. The physical and psychological shifts result in mood swings and changes in behavior, and often involve conflicts with others as they struggle to find their…
What is Regression in Psychology?
In the context of psychology, regression refers to an unconscious, emotional defense mechanism where an individual’s personality reverts to an earlier point of development. An example would be if a person were to display behaviors from childhood when confronted with threatening or objectionable situations. Individuals engaging in such behavior can be said to be regressing to previous…
Angry Crying: An Overview
Crying is a universal reaction that we experience when dealing with strong emotions. Whether you’re crying because you feel mistreated, abandoned, humiliated, or joyful, this reaction can hold different meanings depending on the circumstances. In the case of anger, crying may signal a state of emotional turmoil that results from a profound sense of injustice….
The Benefits of Crying
Contrary to the beliefs of some, crying is an important component of mental health and wellness. The benefits of crying are often unrecognized, overlooked, and under-appreciated, as it can be good for us both psychologically and physiologically. Those who consider it a sign of weakness may want to challenge this assumption and belief pattern. Both…
Venustraphobia: The Fear of Beautiful Women
Irrational fears that cause severe anxiety and impede people from functioning normally are known as specific phobias. One such phobia is venustraphobia, characterized by an excessive and persistent irrational fear of beautiful women. Individuals suffering from venustraphobia experience extreme anxiety, leading to intense fear and panic attacks. There is little evidence-based research to confirm that…
3 Signs You Could Benefit from Guided Mental Health Support
Mental illness could develop over time, making it challenging to know when you might need professional help. Most people ignore initial symptoms as stress that will go away or think that they can cope on their own. Nevertheless, there are some patterns suggesting that directed mental care could significantly improve your overall well-being and emotional…
What is Catharsis in Psychology?
The meaning of catharsis in psychology continues to evolve. Originally, it was viewed as the conscious expression of feelings repressed due to a traumatic incident. Later, the definition changes to an outburst of emotion that leads to a sense of profound enlightenment. In modern psychology, however, catharsis can be defined as any form of expression…
How Eating Disorders Affect Friendships
There is a common misconception that eating disorders only impact the people experiencing them. But the fact is, eating disorders do very much affect friendships, as well as other relationships, in dramatic ways. Individuals with eating disorders of any kind (restrictive, binge eating, compensatory, etc.) are often consumed with critically thinking about their eating behaviors…
What Is a Type C Personality?
Individuals with Type C personalities are characterized by an inward-oriented approach to managing their emotions and stress. According to psychologists, they tend to suppress not only their negative emotions but their positive ones as well. Type C personality is less known than the more common Types A and B, which are essentially opposites of one…
Can Jealousy Ruin a Relationship?
Jealousy is an emotion that very commonly creates discord and strife in romantic relationships. While the impact this emotion has on a relationship can vary, it’s usually damaging and generally leads to some level of disconnection. Jealousy can be insidious, as it can start with one partner feeling mildly concerned over a threat to their relationship,…
Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?
There is often confusion as to whether alcohol is technically considered a stimulant or a depressant. While alcohol can have a stimulating effect when consumed in small amounts, it is classified as a class of depressant drug. When people first start drinking, it acts as a stimulant on the brain. However, with continued use, alcohol…
What is Repression in Psychology?
Repression in psychology refers to the unconscious act of pushing distressing memories, thoughts, and emotions out of the conscious mind when one cannot cope with them. This defense mechanism, also known as “motivated forgetting,” is a key concept in psychoanalysis, a clinical approach pioneered by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th century. Oftentimes, whether in…
Understanding Automatonophobia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Automatonophobia is the fear of human-like figures, such as mannequins, wax figures, dummies, animatronics, or robots. Psychologists do not typically use this precise term but rather refer to this condition as a type of specific phobia, a category of anxiety disorders characterized by an irrational fear triggered by certain objects and situations. So, while the…
8 Tips for Calming Down When Life Is Stressful
Being worried and stressed is normal. Work, family responsibilities, financial challenges, and even health issues can leave you feeling stressed and living in survival mode. A little stress is good, but when you become overwhelmed with life’s demands, your ability to perform suffers immensely. Staying calm in the middle of a crisis is important. Research shows…
Is My Child a Sociopath? Know the Signs
So, your child is showing signs that have you worried. They lie with nothing to gain, show little to no empathy, and exhibit sociopathic behavior by ignoring what is right and wrong. Perhaps it has even crossed your mind that your son or daughter might be a sociopath. If this worry is lingering in your…
Cleithrophobia: The Fear of Being Trapped
Cleithrophobia is the fear of being trapped, locked in, or unable to leave. Symptoms and triggers of cleithrophobia include intense anxiety, panic attacks, and distress when a person feels confined or perceives no means of escape, often in situations involving physical or psychological barriers. It is categorized as a specific phobia, a classification of anxiety…
The Connection Between Mental Health and Access to Group Health Insurance
Conversations around workplace wellness often focus on stress management workshops, mindfulness programs, or Employee Assistance Programs. While these resources are valuable, one of the most fundamental aspects of supporting mental health in the workplace lies in the structure of employee health benefits. Comprehensive group health insurance plans not only provide physical health coverage but also…
Sociopath Meaning: Definition, Signs & Treatments
Sociopath is a layman’s term that is never utilized in a formal psychiatric or mental health diagnosis, though it is connected to a personality disorder recognized by psychologists. The most common definition of the term sociopath is someone living with antisocial personality disorder, a condition in which one ignores societal norms, possesses little to no…
What is Hebephilia?
Hebephilia refers to the primary or exclusive adult sexual interest in pubescent individuals ranging from ages 11-14. Hebephilia is differentiated from pedophilia, which involves exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children (up to age 13 according to diagnostic criteria). Both of these conditions are noted as types of chronophilia, sexual preference for a specific physiological appearance…
The Psychological Triggers Behind Self-Sabotaging Behaviors
Have you ever thought you’re somehow sabotaging yourself? Or: has anyone ever mentioned that something you do might be considered self-sabotaging behavior? Whichever the case, there’s some value in taking a closer look at how such actions form and what can be done to change them before they take complete control over your everyday life….
The Growing Need for Mental Health Support in the 21st Century
For generations, society has viewed mental health as a stigmatized set of conditions, seen it as secondary to physical health. Often, it was regarded as something anyone can snap out of within a short period. While this is relative to different individuals, the decline of people’s mental health has been connected to the post-pandemic world,…
5 Careers That Make a Difference in Mental Health
When someone is struggling with their mental health, all it takes is one person who truly listens to make them feel seen and heard. More than just diagnoses and treatments, mental health support is also about compassion and supporting others as they cope with anxiety, grief, burnout, and more. If you’ve ever considered helping those…
Understanding the Link Between Oral Pain and Mental Health
That persistent ache in your jaw or the throbbing pain from an infected tooth might be doing more than disrupting your daily routine; it could be feeding your anxiety. Chronic oral pain includes ongoing toothaches and jaw discomfort, to persistent gum inflammation that refuses to subside. When your mouth hurts day after day, your entire…
Infantilization: Causes, Signs and Risks
Infantilization is the practice of treating a teenager or adult like a child, even when they do not have any obvious disabilities that call for it. While this behavior can take place in all types of relationships, it is most commonly applied by parents to their children. Oftentimes, as inexperienced new parents begin developing their…
Astrophobia: An Overview of the Fear of Outer Space
Astrophobia is the fear of the stars, outer space, and the night sky. It may also be related to an intense fear of aliens. Astrophobia is a specific phobia, an irrational and intense fear triggered by exposure to or thoughts about a particular object or situation. This phobia has a defined object—specifically, the stars, outer…
Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Your Mental Health
Sleep is a basic biological process necessary for physical and mental recovery. However, these days, a lack of sleep is becoming increasingly common. According to global health statistics, many people sleep less than the recommended 7–9 hours per night (Chattu et al., 2018). Be it work pressure, exam stress, lifestyle choices, or a medical condition,…
The Science Behind Huggers and Non-Huggers
We all have people in our lives who are “huggers.” Some come right out and say, “I’m a hugger!” as their arms are already wrapping around you. Others don’t give very much of a warning. Hugs, while comforting for some, can be very overwhelming for others, and researchers have been attempting to discover the reasons…
The Principle of Parsimony in Psychology: An Overview
The law of parsimony, a problem-solving principle, states that the simplest explanation for something is typically the most likely. The term ‘parsimony’ comes from the Latin parsimōnia, which is rooted in the idea of acting (‘act’) sparingly or refraining from excess, emphasizing the importance of economy and restraint in explanations. When discussed in the context…
Can Extroverts Experience Social Anxiety?
In social situations or large groups, some people experience anxiety. We often associate social anxiety with introverts; people who generally prefer to be alone and stay away from groups. Extroverts, on the other hand, enjoy being around people and socializing. However, extroverts, too, can experience social anxiety. Extroversion vs. Introversion Extroversion is a personality trait…
Why Do People Engage in Risky Behavior?
Risky behaviors are those that expose us to harm or danger in pursuit of what is perceived as a positive outcome. People are willing to take a chance and engage in these behaviors because of the appeal of some reward. There is a range of risk-taking, as riding in a boat, jumping off a high…
Traits of a High-Functioning Sociopath
The term “sociopath” is typically associated with serial killers, assassins, and criminals. The actual definition of a sociopath, however, is a person with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). This condition involves engaging in behavior that harms others without remorse. Although some sociopaths do have murderous and violent tendencies, most are not destined to become convicted felons….
Common Traits to Look for When Spotting a Sadist
Colloquially, the term sadist describes a person who derives sexual enjoyment and satisfaction from inflicting pain, retribution, and shame on others. The word is derived from an 18th-century Frenchman, Marquis de Sade, who was famous for penning aggressive, malicious, and ruthless literature about sexuality. Sade was said to endorse aggression in sexuality, and thus, sadism historically referred…
20 Common Examples of Neurotic Behavior
The term neurosis is informally used by many to refer to a disorder whose symptoms include obsessive or negative thoughts and feelings. While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) does not recognize neurosis as an independent mental health condition, behaviors classified as “neurotic” are often categorized in association with generalized anxiety disorder (Lolk, 2013)….
How to Stop Worrying About Things You Cannot Control
All too often, we worry about things we cannot control. We worry about it raining on our wedding day, how our boss will react when we ask for a few days off, the way our brother-in-law will behave at Thanksgiving, and a slew of other matters that we simply can’t influence. We go through life allowing…
7 Reasons Open Relationships Don’t Work
Open relationships can seem like a great opportunity for people who want to be in a relationship but also want to explore their sexuality with multiple partners. However, as the old saying goes, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. The truth is that open relationships are extremely difficult to navigate and challenging…
Stress and Deep Sleep: Is there a Link?
Stress is an inevitable part of modern human life and is reportedly experienced by nearly half the population of US adults. While stress affects different age groups and genders in different ways, the triggering scenarios and recommended treatments are quite similar. One often overlooked factor impacting stress is deep sleep. The most commonly recommended solutions…
Midlife Depression and Long-Term Brain Health: What You Should Know
Midlife depression represents more than just a temporary emotional struggle; it’s a significant health concern that can have profound implications for long-term brain health and cognitive function. As we navigate the complexities of middle age, understanding the intricate relationship between depression and neurological wellbeing becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining mental acuity throughout our later years….
Does Briffault’s Law Apply to Human Relationships?
Briffault’s law states: “The female, not the male, determines all the conditions of the animal family. Where the female can derive no benefit from association with the male, no such association takes place”. This idea asserts that females determine whether or not a relationship takes place. Essentially, they seek to understand if the benefits outweigh the…
When Avoiding Conflict Becomes Emotional Repression
There’s something curiously noble in believing we must preserve peace at all cost, that we should trim discomfort from conversations and sand off the edges of daily life – and yet, when we treat that belief as an instruction manual for every personal exchange, we begin to compress some part of ourselves inward; what once…
The 4 Best Anxiety Apps of 2025
We may receive referral fees from providers listed below. See our full disclaimer. Now, perhaps more than at any other time in recent history, people must change how they connect and access information. Not only are we ordering groceries online, but we’re also accessing medical and mental health care through mobile apps. With their ease of…
What Is Triangulation in Psychology?
Triangulation is a psychological manipulation tactic used when one member of a two-person conflict pulls in a third person to better control the situation. Triangulation refers to a manipulation tactic where one person uses a third party to control and divide relationships, often through indirect communication and confusion. It’s problematic because the third person is…
Object Relations Theory and Therapy: An Overview
Object relations theory refers to a theoretical orientation that is used by therapists who are trained using psychoanalytic theory as a foundation. This theory asserts that our experiences early on in life with objects, including people and things, subconsciously form relationships with those objects, impacting our thoughts and standards throughout our lives as adults. Object…
Emotional Affairs: Cheating Without Sex
An emotional affair is when a person in a relationship invests more of their emotional energy into a companion outside their marriage or a committed relationship. In some ways, the individual in an emotional affair feels much closer to their new companion than their spouse or partner and may even feel chemistry or sexual tension…
Does Hot Weather Make People Aggressive?
While we all seem to have individual responses to changes in weather depending on our personal preferences, when it comes to heat, there seems to be a more consistently negative reaction among many people. In fact, researchers have found a link between heat waves and increased aggressive and violent crimes (Anderson, 1989). The summer heat…
10 Signs You Might Be a Perfectionist
Perfectionists constantly set incredibly high standards for themselves and expect nothing less than perfection. They have a relentless drive to achieve success and are continually striving to improve themselves. Many very successful people from all different walks of life consider themselves perfectionists. However, having unattainable goals can lead to an overwhelming sense of pressure and…
Birthday Depression: How to Cope With the Birthday Blues
Birthdays are usually associated with feelings of joy, excitement, and happiness. But for some people, it’s quite the opposite. Birthday depression, or birthday blues, refers to feeling sad, distressed, or disinterested in celebrating or even thinking about your birthday. Individuals with birthday depression may feel low energy, focus on the past, and get caught up…
Can Your Marriage Survive Substance Abuse and Addiction?
Marriage is a commitment between two individuals to honor each other every day until death “do they part.” While the statistics around divorce can cast doubt on the institution of marriage, many can agree that when vows are exchanged, they intend to see it through to the end. However, as many of us married folks…