Simone Paget — Senior Editor

Two people hold hands during a supportive conversation.

Abuse and Its Impacts

Learn how abuse affects mental and emotional health, and how support can guide healing and recovery.

The Brains of Porn Addicts

Learn how pornography impacts the brain, causing physical, psychological, and behavioral changes that may contribute to emotional instability.

A woman speaks with a counselor in a bright consultation room.

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What is Psychology?

Explore psychology to learn what psychologists do, how they help people, and how the field supports mental health and well-being.

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A Portion of Our Revenue Supports Charities That Create Positive Impact

MentalHealth.com promotes well-being through compassion and community while supporting causes chosen by our team to create lasting impact.

A healthcare professional stands in a bright clinical setting.

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What is Psychiatry?

Learn what psychiatry is, its history and subspecialties, and how psychiatrists use medicine and therapy to support mental health.

People raise their hands during a group workshop.

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Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is not a flaw. It is a natural response. Learn how it develops and discover paths to self-understanding and connection.

A woman discusses her concerns with a counselor.

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Bulimia Nervosa

Learn how bulimia nervosa impacts mental and physical health, and how treatment can restore balance, self-image, and overall wellness.

A person pauses beneath flowering branches in a spring garden.

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How Diabetes Impacts Mental Health

Discover how diabetes affects mental health and why caring for both body and mind leads to stronger, more effective treatment.

A child smiles while showing hands covered in colorful paint.

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Long-Term Psychological and Social Issues in Adopted Children

Discover how adoption affects mental health through its impact on attachment, identity, and emotional regulation.

A woman sits beside an open laptop with her hands resting at her temples.

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The Biology of Stress

Learn how stress affects the body over time through the General Adaptation Syndrome, including hormones, brain activity, and health risks.

A student stands apart from a group in a school corridor.

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The Long-Term Effects of Bullying

Learn how bullying causes lasting psychological and emotional harm, and why early support is key to long-term well-being.

A woman rests her chin on her hand beside a window.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Major Depression

Discover how omega-3 fatty acids may reduce depressive symptoms by supporting brain function and lowering inflammation.

One person holds another person's hand during a quiet conversation.

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Bipolar II Disorder and Bipolar Disorder NOS

Learn about Bipolar II Disorder, defined by depressive and hypomanic episodes and often linked to social difficulties and related conditions.

A man opens his arms while standing in a sunlit park.

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The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Discover how exercise supports mental health by lifting mood, easing anxiety, and strengthening cognitive function and emotional resilience.

A woman walks along a tree-lined path in a green park.

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How Exercise Can Help Reduce Anger

Learn how regular exercise can help you manage anger more effectively, ease stress, and improve your overall emotional well-being.

A woman raises her hand to the sunlight beneath green trees.

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Herbalism and Mental Health

Herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort and ashwagandha may support mental health, although some herbs can interact with medications or have side effects.

A couple sits together and holds hands while talking.

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The Connection Between Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Intelligence

Discover how Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects cognitive functioning across IQ levels, challenging myths and revealing unique strengths and challenges.

An adult and child work together with colorful learning materials.

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Discover how the DSM-5 offers diagnostic criteria for 19 mental disorders, improving treatment accuracy and communication.

A person reads quietly on a sofa beside a window.

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The DSM-5 Dimensional Approach to Personality Disorders

Discover how the DSM-5 and Kernberg’s models explain personality disorders using traits and functioning instead of categories.

Older friends smile and gesture while sitting together on a sofa.

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Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

Learn how Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed using clinical evaluations, cognitive testing, and established diagnostic criteria.

A child writes on paper while an adult helps with a learning activity.

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Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Discover how the WAIS assesses adult cognitive abilities through five key indices, offering insight into overall intellectual functioning.

A person looks at an illuminated phone while lying down.

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Internet Addiction and Mental Health

Discover how internet addiction affects relationships and activities, manifesting in gaming, cybersex, and compulsive internet use.

A person wearing headphones rests beside a tree in a green outdoor space.

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Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction

Mindfulness meditation reduces stress by promoting relaxation and emotional regulation through techniques like breathing and body scans.

A woman sits quietly beside a sunlit window.

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Ways to Escape the Cycle of Rumination

Discover five practical strategies to break the cycle of rumination, quiet overthinking, and improve mental well-being.

A caregiver and older woman smile together in a garden.

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Social Health and Aging

Discover how meaningful social connection can support memory, reduce dementia risk, and improve emotional health as we age.

A couple sits apart on a sofa, each looking thoughtful.

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Why We Miscommunicate With Loved Ones

Learn why communication with loved ones can be difficult, according to Dr. Boaz Keysar’s research, and how to avoid common misunderstandings.

A man speaks during a small group conversation.

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Healing With the Empty Chair Method

Discover how the Empty Chair Technique helps people process emotions, gain insight, and find resolution through guided dialogue.

A group of colleagues speaks together on a video call.

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Men’s Mental Health and Stigma

Discover how stigma around male mental health discourages help-seeking, despite high rates of anxiety and depression.

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The Link Between Substance Use and Anger

Explore how drugs and alcohol can contribute to anger and aggression, and uncover the science behind substance-related emotional reactions.

A woman lifts her arms while looking toward a warm evening sky.

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How to Build True Confidence

Learn how to build real confidence through self-awareness, challenge, and purpose without relying on perfection, performance, or outside approval.

A person forms a heart shape with their hands.

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The Cultural Dimensions of Family

Explore how family, culture, and tradition influence mental health and ways to nurture resilience.

An older patient speaks with a healthcare professional beside a window.

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Transformative Benefits of Completing Drug Rehab

Explore the benefits of drug rehab, from breaking addiction and understanding triggers to building healthy habits and setting boundaries.

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Body Rhythms and Bipolar Disorder

Learn how to fix your circadian rhythm and manage bipolar disorder symptoms with practical tips for better sleep and mental well-being.

A child watches closely as an adult points to colored pencils.

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The Causes of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Discover how genetics, brain development, and environmental factors work together to shape the causes and symptoms of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Children run together in an open field at sunset.

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Children of Alcoholic Parents

Explore how parental alcoholism affects children’s emotional and psychological health, and discover key strategies for support.

Young adults take part in a group learning activity.

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DSM-5 Criteria for Identifying Intellectual Disabilities

Learn how intellectual disabilities are diagnosed using DSM-5 and AAIDD, with focus on intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits.

A woman sits quietly on a sofa with her arms resting on her knees.

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Postpartum Depression and Nutritional Factors

Learn about the causes and treatment of postpartum depression (PPD), including the role of neurotransmitter imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.

A woman sits thoughtfully at a table with a bowl in front of her.

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Personality Traits in Eating Disorders

Discover how personality traits like perfectionism and neuroticism influence the onset, symptoms, and treatment outcomes of eating disorders.

A doctor talks with a person during an appointment.

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The Risks of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health

Discover the risks of self-diagnosis in mental health and the importance of professional evaluation for accurate treatment.

A woman sits calmly with her hands resting in her lap.

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Anxiety Related to Medical Conditions

Discover how anxiety from medical conditions affects daily life and how combined medical and therapeutic care supports effective management.

A woman listens thoughtfully to another person in a counseling room.

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Classification of Intellectual Disability by Severity

Discover how severity codes in intellectual disability help classify functional needs and guide appropriate interventions and support.

Adults concentrate on written work in a classroom.

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Assessing Cognitive Abilities

Discover how cognitive tests measure memory, attention, and language to aid diagnosis and treatment in neurological care.

A woman sits thoughtfully on a sofa with her hands near her face.

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Conditions Similar to Bipolar Disorder

Discover how bipolar disorder’s mood swings overlap with other conditions, making accurate diagnosis essential.

Adults sit in a circle during a support group discussion.

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Family History and the Risk of Addiction

Discover how genetic and family factors influence addiction risk and how awareness and early prevention can help manage it.

A man speaks with a woman during a quiet conversation indoors.

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What Happens During Group Therapy

Explore how group therapy works, its key benefits, and why it’s a powerful setting for emotional healing.

Two adults and an older woman talk together indoors.

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Crisis Intervention

Find immediate support during a mental health crisis with resources, hotlines, and guidance for identifying risk and taking next steps.

A woman pauses with a warm drink in a sunlit armchair.

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Emotional Health

Learn what emotional health means, how it differs from mental health, and why caring for emotions is key to personal growth and resilience.

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Managing Stress Effectively

Learn how managing stress helps prevent burnout, reduces anxiety, and protects long-term emotional and physical health.

A person sits quietly on a sofa beside a window.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Learn about PTSD symptoms, causes, and effective treatments for recovery from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A woman takes a thoughtful pause during a conversation in a bright room.

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Medical Conditions and Mental Health

Discover how medical conditions and mental health connect, and why this information helps to improve well-being, build resilience, and bring hope.

A healthcare professional writes notes while speaking with an older patient.

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Barbiturates

Discover how barbiturates are used, their effects on the brain, and the risks linked to misuse and dependence

A couple shares a close, comforting embrace.

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Sexual Disorders

Learn how understanding and treating sexual disorders can improve mental well-being, strengthen relationships, and support a healthier sense of self.

A healthcare professional talks with a young child.

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Early Childhood Mental Health

Discover how nurturing early childhood mental health supports emotional development, strengthens family bonds, and lays the foundation for lifelong well-being.

Two women talk across a table in a bright counseling room.

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Clonazepam Uses, Effects, and Risks

Learn how clonazepam works, when it’s prescribed, and the risks to watch for with long-term use.

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The Link Between Bath Salts and Violent Behavior

Explore how bath salts affect the brain, altering mental states and triggering dangerous psychological reactions.

A healthcare professional explains information to someone during a consultation.

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Causes of Cognitive Disorders

Explore the causes of cognitive decline, from lifestyle choices to medical conditions, and why awareness is key to protecting brain health.

A person rests a reassuring hand on another person's arm.

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Family Influences on Eating Disorders

Discover how family dynamics, including parental and sibling influences, shape the risk of developing eating disorders.

A group of adults talks together in a comfortable counseling room.

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Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction

Discover how dual diagnoses combine mental health and addiction disorders, sharing risk factors and complicating treatment.

A woman raises her crossed hands in front of her as a boundary gesture.

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How We Generate Emotions

Discover how emotions are formed through bottom-up and top-down processes and why understanding these systems can improve emotional regulation and well-being.

A woman closes her eyes and breathes in the evening light.

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Three Errors in Judgment We Are All Too Inclined to Make

Discover how three common cognitive biases subtly shape your decisions and how to recognize them before they lead you astray.

A man sits with his hand near his mouth.

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Depression and Emotional Distance

Learn how depression distorts emotional perception in relationships and how recognizing it can help restore connection.

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Emotional Intelligence

Learn about emotional intelligence, how to measure and improve EI skills, and develop techniques for personal and professional success.

A child and adults gather around a piggy bank.

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Social Determinants of Mental Health

Explore how education, income, housing, and community shape health outcomes, and why addressing these factors is key to health equity.

A woman laughs beneath the green leaves of a tree.

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Self-Comfort With Transitional Objects

Explore how transitional objects, from childhood blankets to cherished keepsakes and pets, ease stress, support self-comfort, and enhance emotional well-being.

A couple embraces outdoors beneath a cloudy sky.

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Sexuality and Mental Health

Explore the link between sexuality and mental health, and how factors like stigma, identity, and sexual well-being shape psychological health.

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Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health

Learn how intellectual disabilities affect emotional health and require personalized support for learning and social engagement.

A woman smiles as she listens to another person during a conversation.

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Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders

Discover how substance use disorders are diagnosed and why early recognition leads to better treatment outcomes.

A man sits cross-legged beneath leafy trees with his eyes closed.

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Mindful Thinking for Better Mental Health

Discover how mindful thinking protects mental health, reduces stress, sharpens focus, and nurtures emotional well-being for a more balanced life.

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Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD)

Learn how schizotypal personality disorder affects thinking and behavior, and how treatment can improve daily functioning and connection.

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Porn Exposure and Confusion

Learn how porn exposure can shape self-identity, reduce sexual fulfillment, and influence the quality and depth of romantic relationships.

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Pornography and Behavioral Health

Pornography and behavioral health are inextricably linked, fueling mental health struggles in people of all ages.

Two friends sit close together and talk on a sofa.

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The Effect of Porn on Marriage

Learn how pornography can contribute to marital challenges, strain relationships, and increase the risk of separation or divorce.

An older couple shares a laugh outdoors.

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Porn and Depression

Porn consumption can worsen depressive symptoms, leading to emotional numbness, reduced motivation, and deeper social isolation.

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What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Anxiety

Simone's journey reveals the power of diagnosis, therapy, and self-care, offering hope for those facing mental health challenges.

A woman listens carefully to another person during a conversation.

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Co-Occurring Disorders

Explore co-occurring disorders, their causes, treatment options, and recovery strategies with support for dual diagnosis.

A child covers their eyes with both hands.

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Causes of Childhood Disorders

Discover the most common childhood disorders, their root causes, and how to recognize symptoms and seek the right support.

Prescription medicine containers stand beside one another.

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Side Effects of Prescription Stimulants

Learn the side effects of prescription stimulants, signs of misuse, and treatment options to support recovery.

A couple embraces while standing outdoors beneath a wide sky.

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Understand STDs and their impact on physical and mental health while learning practical ways to reduce risks and seek supportive care.

A woman sits on a sofa in a warmly lit room.

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Binge Eating Disorder

Explore the complexities of binge eating disorder, including its causes, symptoms, mental and physical effects, and evidence-based treatments for recovery.

Two women sit together and discuss something at home.

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Why Suicide Can Feel Like the Only Option

Explore powerful insights about suicidal thinking patterns, risk factors, warning signs, and life-saving interventions for those in crisis.

Two adults comfort one another while sitting on a sofa.

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Triggers of Suicidal Behavior

Learn the risk factors, triggers, and warning signs of suicide as well as practical strategies, therapies, and resources for hope and healing.

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Mood Disorders

Learn about mood disorders, including their prevalence, key symptoms, common types, and effective treatments options to support stability and recovery.

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The Nature of Adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Understand the nature of adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including key symptoms, potential strengths, and strategies for managing its challenges.

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Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Discover the traits of narcissistic personality disorder and how understanding them can support healthier relationships and treatment.

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Sexual Health

Discover how physical, emotional, and mental aspects of sexual health influence overall well-being, from intimacy and relationships to personal identity.

Parents and a child sit together thoughtfully on a sofa.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Learn how autism spectrum disorder varies across individuals, influences daily life, and benefits from early diagnosis and meaningful support.

An adult sits with hands clasped during a conversation.

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Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction Recovery

Explore how MAT supports long-term addiction recovery by reducing cravings, easing withdrawal, and improving treatment outcomes.

A father and young child build together with colorful blocks.

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Developmental Disabilities Across the Lifespan

Explore developmental disabilities, early diagnosis, and lifelong support, including therapies and family resources.

A healthcare professional rests a reassuring hand on a patient's knee.

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Antiemetics

Discover how antiemetics improve psychiatric care by managing nausea, supporting adherence, and enhancing treatment success.

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Porn and Anxiety

Pornography has been shown to worsen anxiety and depression symptoms, contributing to harmful brain changes over time.

An adult helps a child explore emotions using colorful cards.

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Support Groups

Learn what support groups are, how they work, and their benefits. Discover different types, what to expect, and how to find the right fit.

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Emotional Recovery After an Affair

Learn how to navigate affair recovery with patience while rebuilding trust and deepening emotional connection.

Education

Topic Communities

References

Contributions

Abuse and Its Impacts

The Brains of Porn Addicts

What is Psychology?

A Portion of Our Revenue Supports Charities That Create Positive Impact

What is Psychiatry?

Social Anxiety

Bulimia Nervosa

How Diabetes Impacts Mental Health

Long-Term Psychological and Social Issues in Adopted Children

The Biology of Stress

The Long-Term Effects of Bullying

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Major Depression

Bipolar II Disorder and Bipolar Disorder NOS

The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

How Exercise Can Help Reduce Anger

Herbalism and Mental Health

The Connection Between Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Intelligence

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The DSM-5 Dimensional Approach to Personality Disorders

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Internet Addiction and Mental Health

Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction

Ways to Escape the Cycle of Rumination

Social Health and Aging

Why We Miscommunicate With Loved Ones

Healing With the Empty Chair Method

Men’s Mental Health and Stigma

The Link Between Substance Use and Anger

How to Build True Confidence

The Cultural Dimensions of Family

Transformative Benefits of Completing Drug Rehab

Body Rhythms and Bipolar Disorder

The Causes of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Children of Alcoholic Parents

DSM-5 Criteria for Identifying Intellectual Disabilities

Postpartum Depression and Nutritional Factors

Personality Traits in Eating Disorders

The Risks of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health

Anxiety Related to Medical Conditions

Classification of Intellectual Disability by Severity

Assessing Cognitive Abilities

Conditions Similar to Bipolar Disorder

Family History and the Risk of Addiction

What Happens During Group Therapy

Crisis Intervention

Emotional Health

Managing Stress Effectively

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Medical Conditions and Mental Health

Barbiturates

Sexual Disorders

Early Childhood Mental Health

Clonazepam Uses, Effects, and Risks

The Link Between Bath Salts and Violent Behavior

Causes of Cognitive Disorders

Family Influences on Eating Disorders

Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction

How We Generate Emotions

Three Errors in Judgment We Are All Too Inclined to Make

Depression and Emotional Distance

Emotional Intelligence

Social Determinants of Mental Health

Self-Comfort With Transitional Objects

Sexuality and Mental Health

Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health

Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders

Mindful Thinking for Better Mental Health

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD)

Porn Exposure and Confusion

Pornography and Behavioral Health

The Effect of Porn on Marriage

Porn and Depression

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Anxiety

Co-Occurring Disorders

Causes of Childhood Disorders