Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can be intimidating when you don’t fully know what they’re for or how they work. Once you understand them, though, you’ll appreciate how they can be a strategic way to make services like mental health care more affordable and accessible. Check coverage The bottom line is this: being able to pay for therapy with FSA funds is well worth the time you’ll invest in demystifying the process....

Prioritizing your mental health care can be life-changing, but the high cost of therapy is an unfortunate barrier for many people seeking help. If you need mental health treatment and support but worry that therapy is too expensive, you should know there are a range of viable solutions that can reduce your therapy cost. Check coverage Continue reading to understand why therapy is expensive for some people and to explore effective strategies and resources that can make getting mental health care more economically feasible....

Both disorders can lead to social challenges, such as difficulty understanding social cues, engaging in reciprocal interactions, and maintaining friendships. Key Points Rationale Previous research has demonstrated that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience significant social difficulties (Barkley, 1998; Cervantes et al., 2013). When these disorders co-occur, an additive effect on symptom expression has been observed (Ames & White, 2011; Factor et al., 2017). However, limited research has focused on the specific impact of ASD+ADHD comorbidity on social functioning, and existing studies have reported inconsistent findings (Factor et al....

Mindfulnessinvolves maintaining present-moment awareness with openness, curiosity, and acceptance. Mindful parenting applies these principles to parent-child interactions, encouraging parents to be fully present and attentive to children’s emotions and behaviors without judgement. This conscious, compassionate style of parenting emphasizes understanding the child’s experience,regulating emotionsbefore reacting, and fostering mutual respect. Key Points Rationale Prior research shows parenting behaviors significantly influence child adjustment and behavior problems (Aunola & Nurmi, 2005). However, the processes underlying this association are unclear....

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s social communication,social interaction, and behavior. Autistic individuals exhibit a widerange of characteristicsand support needs, highlighting the diversity within the autism spectrum. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that autistic individuals possess a varied set of strengths and challenges. The concept of neurodiversity recognizes autism as a natural variation in human brain development rather than a disorder or deficit....

Key Takeaways‘Pure O’ or ‘purely obsessional’ OCD is a term used to describe people who experienceunwanted, intrusive thoughts(obsessions) without any visible ritual behaviors (compulsions).So, while the term “Pure O” is still sometimes used, multiple research studies suggest that true purely obsessional OCD does not exist.When you carefully assess for mental compulsions and subtle reassurance-seeking, almost everyone withOCDappears to have both obsessions and compulsions. It’s just that the compulsions aren’t always obvious, visible actions, likehand washingorchecking....

Existential concerns in OCD refer to deep-seated fears related to death, meaninglessness, isolation, identity, and guilt that may underlie obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Research suggests these concerns are associated with OCD severity and may be especially relevant to aggressive and sexual obsessions. thanatophobia Key Points Rationale Existential concerns have been argued to play a role in various mental health issues, including anxiety disorders andOCD(Iverach et al., 2014; Weems et al., 2004). In particular,death anxietyhas been repeatedly associated with OCD (Menzies & Dar-Nimrod, 2017; Menzies et al....

In today’s fast-paced world, it is common to experience moments of anxiety or stress. Whether it iswork deadlines causing anxiety, social pressures, personal challenges, or everyday worries, anxiety can quickly spiral and leave you feeling overwhelmed and powerless. For individuals prone to frequent bouts of anxiety, such as those with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), having strategies in place tomanage and alleviate symptomsis essential. Having an “action plan” (a personalized toolkit of techniques and practices) for dealing with anxiety can help you regain control and calm your racing mind when anxiety strikes....

Cognitive-behavioral models suggest that abnormal object attachment in hoarding disorder may be an attempt to compensate for unmet interpersonal needs or attachment difficulties. Hoarding disorder is associated with reduced social support, possibly due to stigma, family conflicts, and negative experiences in relationships. Perceived criticism, shame, and trauma are potential factors influencing social support in hoarding disorder. Social support plays a crucial role in maintaining mental well-being and recovering from hoarding disorder....

A meticulous arrangement of colored pencils, sorted by hue and perfectly aligned, visually representing ‘Just Right’ OCD, a subtype characterized by an intense need for things to feel ‘perfect’ or ‘just right’. Key Points Rationale According to this prevailing model, individuals with OCD experience intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that provoke anxiety, and engage in compulsive behaviors to reduce this anxiety and prevent feared outcomes (Abramowitz, 1997; Salkovskis, 1985). The OCD Cycle...

Antidepressants can be a lifeline for people living with depression and anxiety. Knowing how long it takes for an antidepressant to work is crucial, whether you’re takingdepression medicationfor the first time or switching to a new drug.An antidepressant medication timeline will help you know what to expect, which can be especially important if a drug isn’t working and addressing your depression symptoms as intended. As you start your journey toward improved mental health, make sure that you keep in close contact with your doctor so they can monitor how any antidepressant medication is working for your depressive symptoms....

Bullying comes in many forms. It’s no longer just the stereotypical physicaltype of bullyingmany of us once thought of. Bullies can use verbal or psychological tactics to terrorize their victims — and with the advent of the Internet, cyberbullying on social media is yet another dangerous form we need to address when we talk about how to deal with a bully.Bullying can have a severeimpact on mental healthand should never be taken lightly....

Learning how to deal with a parents’ divorce is never easy. Whether you’re 10, 15, or 30 years old, your parents’ divorce is a seismic shift in life. Parental divorce can trigger a whirlwind of emotions, and there’s no right or wrong way to feel. It’s normal to experience everything from grief to relief to anger to guilt in the midst of divorcing parents — and sometimes, it seems like you’re feeling all that at once....

While the thought of talking about mental health with your parents might feel overwhelming, it’s a conversation that may end up being one of the most important ones you’ll ever have with them.Recent researchshows that more than 4 out of every 10 teens feel persistent hopelessness or sadness, and almost a third are dealing with poor mental health. To say the topic of mental health struggles is relevant is a gross understatement, and although its sensitive nature can make going into the discussion scary, youcando this....

On This Page:ToggleMedicationPsychotherapySelf-Help TechniquesConclusion On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Individuals with GAD often struggle with restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties, alongside their tendency to catastrophize and ruminate. Going through daily life feels emotionally draining or overwhelming. Fortunately, research supports using both psychotherapy and medication interventions to effectively improve GAD symptoms like chronic apprehension, somatic distress, and functional disability for many patients. This article outlines recommended first-line treatments for managing generalized anxiety disorder across psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and self-help approaches....