When the revelations went live, with dozens of women telling stories of his disrespectful and aggressive behavior, I felt happy he was exposed, yet ashamed I hadn’t listened to my gut instincts. I blamed myself for overlooking his boorish behavior and letting my hope that he could end up being a decent guy take precedence over the warning bells clanging in my head. Giving that man the benefit of the doubt was not my fault....

In an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence in the U.S. and across the globe, October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This time of the year is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of these issues, share resources, and most importantly, support survivors. But, while it’s a great time to do so, it isn’t the only time. Domestic Violence Awareness Month — How Far We’ve Come For example, the act led to the creation of the Office on Violence Against Women, whose 25 grant programs support domestic violence shelters,sexual assaultcrisis centers and hotlines, and legal support for victims, among many other programs....

Depression Because depression can present as both long-lasting or as recurring, depression can severely interfere with a person’s ability to function at work or school and can have a negative impact on relationships. At its most severe state, depression can lead tosuicidal thoughtsand actions. To effectively treat depression in some cases,cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and antidepressant medication can be valuable. Anxiety It is not uncommon for a person experiencing depression to also have anxiety (and vice versa), a disorder that affects40 million adultsin the U....

It is human nature to compare yourself to others, whether favorably or unfavorably. Favorable comparisons enhance self-esteem and make people feel better about their life circumstances, while continually comparing yourself negatively to others can have the opposite effect. People compare themselves to others in all arenas of life. Mental health is no exception. Unfortunately, comparing your own mental health issues to those of your friends, family, colleagues, or celebrities can lead to a worsened emotional state....

Being the friend or loved one of someone with a mental illness can be emotionally difficult. While you wish to remain open, objective and compassionate, sometimes your reserves of patience become too drained and make it difficult to maintain a reciprocal relationship. You may even begin to feel taken advantage of. You may feel guilty for being angry at someone who is suffering. But, if you’re wondering if you can feel both compassion and anger at someone suffering from a mental illness, the answer is yes....

I lived most of my life in shame of who I was — diagnosed with conditions I’d never share even with some of my closest friends. Labels I’d neverdarethink about wearing across my chest or around my neck out of embarrassment. But now, these same labels I avoided for years have becomedeep inhaleA FASHION STATEMENT!sharp exhaleWhat in the world has changed? Fashionable or Exploitation? I remember seeing that shirt for the first time and thinking it was good fun....

My husband and I spent last weekend with our families. On our way out the door from my parents’ house my mom complimented my new blazer. “This thing?” I said about a blazer I had been eyeing for months, saved for, and finally splurged on after refreshing the retailer’s site 722 times over Labor Day weekend in hopes of my size restocking. “It’s not that nice. It’s too heavy. And shorter than I thought it would be....

Have you ever become spiteful after hearing about someone else’s accomplishments, and felt like a complete jerk? Maybe you’ve felt your heart sink a little bit when someone shares their own good news in the form of an “I’m so excited to announce…” Facebook or Instagram post. Chances are, yes, you’ve felt a little terrible at least once when you’ve watched someone’s success from the sidelines. You find yourself looking at your phone, feeling like a failure, even though you’re not!...

Coming outis the process of acknowledging both internally and socially that you are LGBTQ. Unfortunately, we live in a world in which “coming out” is still demanded of LGBTQ folks, as heterosexuality is seen as the default (read: normal) sexuality. As a result, we often push people to come out, especially publicly. Let’s explore some of the nuances of coming out, and how this important step in an LGBTQ individual’s life can be both beneficial and challenging....

Often in therapy, clients come in prepared to discuss a single issue, and one that’s relatively minor in their eyes. However, it can quickly become evident they are struggling with severe mental health issues they likely aren’t aware of. Relatedly, people may come in with a family member or partner who urges them to get help for a specific issue, but the client is defensive about the very idea of having this issue....

Have you ever overheard a friend or coworker declare “I’m an INFJ!” or another seemingly random four-letter combination? It’s likely they’re talking about their Myers-Briggs test results. This personality-related test was developed in the 1940’s, yet continues to be discussed and applied in modern instances. Why has it become so popular over the years, and how can you take the test yourself? Answers below! What is the Myers-Briggs Test? Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)is a personality test, typically based on psychological attributes and is used to determine differing strengths and types of personalities in a workplace or other setting....

Updated 06/12/2024For most people, a sneeze is just a sneeze. But for those living with hypochondria, every sneeze, cough, or ache can spark a cascade of anxious thoughts, leading them down a rabbit hole of fear and uncertainty about having a disease. Imagine a life where a simple sneeze becomes a sinister signal, a benign mole transforms into a harbinger of doom, and every minor ailment is a source of paralyzing dread....

Cohabitation is the practice of living with another person while in a relationship, typically of a romantic or sexual nature. Cohabitation is relatively common these days, with some past estimates (from 2012) indicating that as many as 7.8 million couples were living together, unmarried. This number has dramatically increased in the past few decades as our culture has shifted from a more religious and conservative stance to a more progressive and practical (though anxious) one....

Relationship meltdowns happen to the best of us (and they’ve certainly happened to me). As humans it’s only natural that we make mistakes, have freak-outs, and overreact sometimes. Lots of things can cause us to have a meltdown, from fear of abandonment to jealousy issues. We can’t control the past, and once we freak out, what’s done is done. Luckily, wecancontrol how we act after we have a meltdown, and that’s what’s going to make all the difference....

Breast Cancer Can Negatively Impact Mental Health If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you know firsthand that a diagnosis can have long-lasting mental health effects. Fromanxietyabout the future to the stress of treatment, it’s totally normal to feel a mix of intense emotions after a breast cancer diagnosis. While normal, this turmoil can cause long-term mental health challenges.Studies showthat a majority of people with breast cancer will subsequently develop symptoms of PTSD, and these symptoms tend to last longer than a year....