Self-identifying as autisticmeans recognizing and accepting that one’s traits, experiences, and way of being align with the characteristics ofautism, even without a formal clinical diagnosis. People may self-identify as autistic for various reasons, such as facing barriers to accessing a professional assessment, finding that the label helps them make sense of their lifelong experiences of difference, or connecting with the autistic community and identity. Self-identification can be an important step in developing a positive autistic identity and accessing support, regardless of formal diagnostic status....

Mental health isn’t what it used to be. Only a few years ago many people saw depression and anxiety as something to hide and therapy as reserved for people with major problems. Receiving therapy or other mental health care required hunting for a provider with availability, taking time away from work or life for an appointment, and, often, lying on a couch.But the past decade has seen a whole lot of progress in the world of mental health....

Contamination OCD is a common subtype ofOCDwhere a person experiences unwanted obsessive thoughts and fears of being physically contaminated, contaminating others, or contracting and spreading an illness. They can spend hours a day preoccupied with these fears. The fear is primarily related to the actual presence of tangible dirt or germs. In response to these fears, a person with Contamination OCD will attempt to repress their unwanted thoughts, or neutralize them, through ritualistic and repetitive behaviors known as compulsions....

The assessment for an officialautism diagnosisoften includes a detailed developmental history, direct observation of the individual’s behavior andsocial interactionskills, cognitive and language testing, and input from parents, teachers, or other informants. In contrast, self-diagnosis typically involves an individual recognizingautistic traitsin themselves based on their own lived experiences and knowledge gained from resources such as books, online articles, and interactions with the autistic community. This article will discuss the potential reasons why someone may self-diagnose themselves as autistic and whether self-diagnosis is valid....

Key Points Rationale Attachment theory, originally focused on the relationship between infants and caregivers, has been extended to understand adult romantic relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). While research onattachment stylesand marital satisfaction has been conducted in Western cultures, there is a lack of studies examining these concepts in non-Western contexts like Malaysia (Sümer & Güngör, 1999). Cultural beliefs and norms may influence attachment patterns and relationship dynamics differently across societies (Rothbaum et al....

Forautistic people, their diagnosis can be a significant social identity. However, as autism is often stigmatized, autistic individuals face a dilemma when deciding whether to disclose their diagnosis. On one hand, disclosure can lead to understanding, accommodations, and a sense of belonging with other autistic people. On the other hand, it can also result in negativestereotyping, discrimination, and social rejection. Key Points Rationale Disclosing anautism diagnosisis a complex dilemma for autistic adults, as autism is a stigmatized social identity (Cooper et al....

This year Talkspace is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month with a simple, inclusive, call to action: Talk it out! Our goal is to shine a light on the power of therapy to improve symptoms, prevent mental health problems, and change lives. We’re elevating real stories and hard science that reveal the magic that happens when you keep up the therapy conversation. The Benefits of Talking It Out with a Therapist When you open up to a therapist you don’t know quite what to expect, or which feelings and discoveries therapy will bring up for you on a given day....

Anxietyis a common mental health issue linked to romantic relationships. People with insecure attachment styles (fearful or distant) tend to have more anxiety. Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the present moment without judgment, might be a way to help. This study explores how mindfulness in romantic couples can influence anxiety linked to attachment styles. Key Points Rationale Prior research consistently links adult insecure attachment orientations and anxiety symptoms (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2012)....

On This Page:ToggleAimsProcedureFindingsConclusionStrengthsLimitations On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Mary Ainsworth (1970)conducted most of her research in the USA, but child-rearing practices vary considerably from place to place regarding environment, traditions, and beliefs about children. To systematically examine the extent of intracultural versus cross-cultural variation, a broader analysis aggregating data from multiple samples in different countries was needed. Two Main Types of Cultures Aims How does attachment work in different cultures?...

As the dating landscape evolves and people move away from traditional relationship structures, many of us are asking: could an open relationship be for me? An open relationship is a romantic partnership where both individuals consent to engage in sexual or romantic connections with other people outside of the primary relationship while maintaining honesty and communication with their partner. Transitioning to an open marriage requires very open communication, ample time to process the change, and a strong foundation in the primary relationship to handle the complex emotions involved....

ADHD is characterized as an attention deficit disorder, meaning individuals struggle to sustain focus and are easily distracted. For example, someone with ADHD may have trouble completing tasks, following conversations, or sitting still. However, some people prefer viewing ADHD as attention dysregulation rather than a deficit. Those with ADHD may argue that they are capable of intense focus at times, especially on interesting tasks (known as hyperfocusing), but have difficulty controlling their attention....

Receiving a diagnosis later in life can be a significant event, prompting individuals to re-evaluate their self-concept and experiences through the lens of autism. This process of incorporating autism into one’s personal identity may involve challenges such as coming to terms with being different, navigating social stigma, and finding a sense of belonging within the autistic community. However, anadult autism diagnosiscan also lead to increased self-understanding, self-acceptance, and access to support....

According to Aardema and Wong (2020), OCD symptoms arise from a fear-of-self, which is a fear of who one might be or become. Individuals with OCD often fear being corrupted, culpable, or malformed (Aardema et al., 2021). They magnify these self-related fears through inferential confusion, a dysfunctional cognitive process involving fixation on imagined possibilities, denial of sensory information, and reduced self-trust (Aardema et al., 2005; O’Connor et al., 2005). Key Points Rationale Previous research has established significant relationships between a general feared self andcontact contamination concerns in OCD, especially when considering the influence of mental contamination (Krause et al....

Receiving anautism diagnosisas an adult can be a life-changing experience that brings a mix of emotions and challenges. For many, it may provide a sense of relief and validation, finally offering an explanation for the struggles and differences they have experienced throughout their lives. However, the journey of self-discovery and navigating life as a newly diagnosed autistic adult can also be overwhelming and confusing. With a fresh diagnosis, this is the perfect opportunity to take time for yourself and reflect on your experiences with an autistic lens....

Trauma-focused psychotherapies, such as prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, are themost effective forms of treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a therapeutic approach that gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations within a safe environment. Through this therapy, individuals are guided to identify and challenge these distortions, ultimately aiming to change how they view themselves, the world around them, and the traumatic event itself....