Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Gaslighting

Do Gaslighters Accuse Others of Gaslighting?

Seth Meyers Psy.D. on March 26, 2023 in Insight Is 20/20

Being gaslit by a gaslighter can create confusion and peak disbelief.

Being gaslit by a gaslighter can create confusion and peak disbelief.

Autism

Avatars as Health Heroes in the Metaverse

Srini Pillay M.D. on March 26, 2023 in Debunking Myths of the Mind

The metaverse is more than just video games. Studies show that avatars can have profound effects on health and health-related behaviors.

The metaverse is more than just video games. Studies show that avatars can have profound effects on health and health-related behaviors.

Narcissism

4 Types of Toxic Friends

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Peaceful Parenting

Know how to safely navigate emotionally unsafe and emotionally intelligent friends.

Know how to safely navigate emotionally unsafe and emotionally intelligent friends.

Sleep

How to Sleep Consciously

Jessica Del Pozo, Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Being Awake Better

Do you have anxiety at bedtime or feel a flush of anxiety upon waking? Three ways to make these transitions in and out of consciousness easier for a more peaceful day.

Do you have anxiety at bedtime or feel a flush of anxiety upon waking? Three ways to make these transitions in and out of consciousness easier for a more peaceful day.

Relationships

The Fine Line Between Helping and Rescuing

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on March 26, 2023 in Fixing Families

Often, a fine line between helping and rescuing leads to frustration, burnout, and resentment. How to tell the difference.

Often, a fine line between helping and rescuing leads to frustration, burnout, and resentment. How to tell the difference.

Trauma

Signs You Are Trauma-Bonded to Someone

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Here, There, and Everywhere

A trauma bond can make it difficult to leave a toxic relationship. Learn if you may be experiencing this consequence of abuse.

A trauma bond can make it difficult to leave a toxic relationship. Learn if you may be experiencing this consequence of abuse.

Relationships

3 Ways to Communicate Better Amid Uncertainty

J. Ibeh Agbanyim Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Humanizing the World of Work

Are you having challenges getting your words across to your team members? A few suggestions can go a long way.

Are you having challenges getting your words across to your team members? A few suggestions can go a long way.

Parenting

Nurturing Imaginative Minds

Jessica Koehler Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Beyond School Walls

Does your parenting style influence your child's creativity?

Does your parenting style influence your child's creativity?

Relationships

Dispelling One Myth of Courtship Behavior

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Let Their Words Do the Talking

Men think they are in charge of the courtship ritual, but that is not the case.

Men think they are in charge of the courtship ritual, but that is not the case.

Career

20 Tips for Successful Meetings

Joe Navarro M.A. on March 26, 2023 in Spycatcher

Conducting meetings is an art form; highly effective ones don’t just happen. Check out these 20 tips to prepare and have great meetings.

Conducting meetings is an art form; highly effective ones don’t just happen. Check out these 20 tips to prepare and have great meetings.

Emotion Regulation

Using Temporal Distancing to Cope With Stress

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Your Future Self

If someone asked how you cope with stress, what would you say? Would you imagine how you would react in the future to a nerve-wracking situation you’re dealing with right now?

If someone asked how you cope with stress, what would you say? Would you imagine how you would react in the future to a nerve-wracking situation you’re dealing with right now?

Self-Esteem

The Self-Esteem Debate: Is It a Trait or a State?

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Liking the Child You Love

The more we appreciate the complexities of self-esteem, the easier we can shift it in a positive direction for ourselves and others.

The more we appreciate the complexities of self-esteem, the easier we can shift it in a positive direction for ourselves and others.

Self-Esteem

The Perils of Public Praise

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Why Bad Looks Good

Even if your compliments are authentic, consider who else may be listening.

Even if your compliments are authentic, consider who else may be listening.

Anxiety

Simple Secret to a Happy Life

Robert Puff Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Meditation for Modern Life

Why is it so difficult to be present? As we navigate life, good things happen, like enjoying delicious foods and falling in love.

Why is it so difficult to be present? As we navigate life, good things happen, like enjoying delicious foods and falling in love.

Relationships

A One-Syllable Word That Could Improve Your Relationships

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Growing Friendships

A Personal Perspective: How one word can put partners on the same side, rather than against each other.

A Personal Perspective: How one word can put partners on the same side, rather than against each other.

Anxiety

Surprising Ways You Might Be a Reassurance Seeker

Bonnie Zucker Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Liberate Yourself

If you struggle with anxiety, you might not even be aware of how you seek reassurance.

If you struggle with anxiety, you might not even be aware of how you seek reassurance.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder and Social Isolation

Daniel S. Lobel Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in My Side of the Couch

Does your loved one try to separate you from your friends, loved ones, and associates? You might be triangulated.

Does your loved one try to separate you from your friends, loved ones, and associates? You might be triangulated.

Denial

Hypersensitivity and the Psychology of Denial

Bruce Wilson Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Explorations in Positive Psychology

Being authentic requires some basic truths about our real-self. Our values do not give in to external pressure.

Being authentic requires some basic truths about our real-self. Our values do not give in to external pressure.

Trauma

Healing Trauma in Marginalized Youth

Felipe Mercado Ed.D, MSW on March 26, 2023 in The Authentic Self

Trauma can have lasting effects on mental health and well-being—and youth of color and those living in poverty are especially vulnerable.

Trauma can have lasting effects on mental health and well-being—and youth of color and those living in poverty are especially vulnerable.

Depression

Why Thinking About the Future Can Improve Depression

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Living Forward

Traditional therapy focuses on talking about the past, but research has shown that focusing on the future may be the key to feeling good.

Traditional therapy focuses on talking about the past, but research has shown that focusing on the future may be the key to feeling good.

Career

How to Overcome the Trauma of Teamwork

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Positively Different

Bad collaboration experiences can turn us into lone wolves.

Bad collaboration experiences can turn us into lone wolves.

Trauma

How Family Retreats Can Help Law Enforcement Families Heal

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Cop Doc

Behind many cops is a spouse or significant other who is suffering in isolation and often filled with despair. There is a retreat setting designed to help.

Behind many cops is a spouse or significant other who is suffering in isolation and often filled with despair. There is a retreat setting designed to help.

Sleep

Questions to Identify Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on March 26, 2023 in Urban Survival

What is revenge bedtime procrastination? Is choosing "me" time over bedtime signaling deeper issues?

What is revenge bedtime procrastination? Is choosing "me" time over bedtime signaling deeper issues?

Philosophy

How Science Began

Neel Burton M.D. on March 26, 2023 in Hide and Seek

In the 4th century BCE, Aristotle took to doing philosophy from the ground up.

In the 4th century BCE, Aristotle took to doing philosophy from the ground up.

Education

What Does It Mean to Draw?

Seymour Simmons III, Ed.D. on March 25, 2023 in Why Draw?

When we hear the word "drawing," we often think of pencils and charcoal, or crayons for children. Now, a "bigger picture of drawing" includes digital media—even AI.

When we hear the word "drawing," we often think of pencils and charcoal, or crayons for children. Now, a "bigger picture of drawing" includes digital media—even AI.

Chronic Illness

Why Disability Rights Are Everyone's Rights

Chris Prange-Morgan M.A., MSW on March 25, 2023 in Full Catastrophe Parenting

A Personal Perspective: Think "disability rights" are only for those with mobility impairments? Think again.

A Personal Perspective: Think "disability rights" are only for those with mobility impairments? Think again.

Anxiety

An Antidote to Self-Blame

Ashley Maier, MSW, MPA on March 25, 2023 in Psychology in the Real World

It’s one thing to examine our role and behavior in a situation; it’s another to take it so personally that we drown in self-blame.

It’s one thing to examine our role and behavior in a situation; it’s another to take it so personally that we drown in self-blame.

Family Dynamics

Family Stories Are the Ties That Bind Us

Robyn Fivush Ph.D. on March 25, 2023 in The Stories of Our Lives

There is no secret to happy families. Just tell stories.

There is no secret to happy families. Just tell stories.

Self-Harm

Self-Harm on Social Media

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on March 25, 2023 in Understanding Addiction

Why do people post about self-harm on social media, and what's the problem with it?

Why do people post about self-harm on social media, and what's the problem with it?

Anger

Exploring Complex Feelings Towards Your Narcissistic Parent

Hannah Alderete MA, LMHC on March 25, 2023 in Already Good Enough

Do you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster with your narcissistic parent? Learn why your anger is drowned by compassion and guilt and how to understand it.

Do you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster with your narcissistic parent? Learn why your anger is drowned by compassion and guilt and how to understand it.