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

Optimism

How to Remain Optimistic When Life Gets Tough

Sheila Kohler on February 6, 2025 in Dreaming for Freud

Personal Perspective: When all seems hopeless, the news depresses you, and others are disappointing or distant, reach out and try not to isolate yourself.

Personal Perspective: When all seems hopeless, the news depresses you, and others are disappointing or distant, reach out and try not to isolate yourself.

Workplace Dynamics

Happiness Is a Terrible Life Goal—at Work or Anywhere Else

Dayna Lee-Baggley Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in The Psychology of Weight Loss

Chasing workplace happiness? Think again. Real engagement comes from meaning, not free snacks. Here’s why purpose beats perks every time.

Chasing workplace happiness? Think again. Real engagement comes from meaning, not free snacks. Here’s why purpose beats perks every time.

Consciousness

If Humans Had Souls, Would They Be Quantum?

Lisa Broderick on February 6, 2025 in Where Physics Meets Psychology

Quantum computing challenges our understanding of time, consciousness, and reality.

Quantum computing challenges our understanding of time, consciousness, and reality.

Artificial Intelligence

Can AI Make Doctors Think Deeper?

John Nosta on February 6, 2025 in The Digital Self

AI isn't replacing doctors—it's helping them think more deeply and may even rekindle the joy of medicine.

AI isn't replacing doctors—it's helping them think more deeply and may even rekindle the joy of medicine.

Sport and Competition

The Dead-Simple 3-Step Formula for Recovering From Mistakes

Alex Auerbach Ph.D., MBA on February 6, 2025 in Building Momentum

Learn the science-backed, 3-step framework pro athletes use to let go of mistakes and keep their heads in the game.

Learn the science-backed, 3-step framework pro athletes use to let go of mistakes and keep their heads in the game.

Career

A 3-Step Process to Building Your Purpose

Megan Dalla-Camina on February 6, 2025 in Real Women

Ready to discover your true purpose? There's no need to wait for a lightning-bolt moment. Instead, begin a journey of small steps, empowered by resilience and self-reflection.

Ready to discover your true purpose? There's no need to wait for a lightning-bolt moment. Instead, begin a journey of small steps, empowered by resilience and self-reflection.

Race and Ethnicity

Why Black History Matters for All Men’s Mental Health

Jewel Woods MSW on February 6, 2025 in Male Behavioral Health

We must prioritize the mental health needs of men and boys for the same reasons we must recognize the significance of Black history.

We must prioritize the mental health needs of men and boys for the same reasons we must recognize the significance of Black history.

Cannabis

"Medical" Marijuana and Chronic Pain

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 6, 2025 in Addiction Outlook

Most states allow some form of "medical marijuana." It is especially popular with pain patients, many of whom do not have medical access to opioids.

Most states allow some form of "medical marijuana." It is especially popular with pain patients, many of whom do not have medical access to opioids.

Happiness

Chasing Joy: How Happiness Shapes Your Choices

Adi Jaffe Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in All About Addiction

Happiness isn’t just an emotion—it’s your key to better choices. Learn how building joy first makes breaking bad habits easier and leads to lasting change (hint—it requires action).

Happiness isn’t just an emotion—it’s your key to better choices. Learn how building joy first makes breaking bad habits easier and leads to lasting change (hint—it requires action).

Education

How to Spot and Support Highly Sensitive Children at School

The School of Psychology at the University of Surrey on February 6, 2025 in Surrey Minds

About 30% of children in class will be highly sensitive to their environment. Teachers can use a questionnaire to identify these children and adapt their teaching accordingly.

About 30% of children in class will be highly sensitive to their environment. Teachers can use a questionnaire to identify these children and adapt their teaching accordingly.

Body Positivity

Ozempic for the Rich, Body Positivity for the Poor

Nafees Alam Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Pop Culture Mental Health

The role of socioeconomic status in conditioned public perceptions of health.

The role of socioeconomic status in conditioned public perceptions of health.

Politics

Liberal vs. Conservative: How Can We Understand Each Other?

Kenneth Barish Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Finding Common Ground

It's not about who is right and who is wrong. It's about how we can have a better national conversation.

It's not about who is right and who is wrong. It's about how we can have a better national conversation.

ADHD

5 Less-Known ADHD Symptoms

Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Brain Curiosities 

ADHD symptoms are not limited to inattention and hyperactivity. Learn about 5 other symptoms that encompass the core ADHD experience.

ADHD symptoms are not limited to inattention and hyperactivity. Learn about 5 other symptoms that encompass the core ADHD experience.

Relationships

You're Great Roommates, but Are You Soulmates?

Duygu Balan LPCC on February 6, 2025 in Un-Numb

When affection feels routine and passion is missing, your connection may be fading.

When affection feels routine and passion is missing, your connection may be fading.

Anxiety

Somatic Mimics: How Anxiety Tricks the Body

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on February 6, 2025 in Am I Dying?

Anxiety-driven physical sensations can mimic more serious medical conditions but we can learn to differentiate between true emergencies and mere feelings of discomfort.

Anxiety-driven physical sensations can mimic more serious medical conditions but we can learn to differentiate between true emergencies and mere feelings of discomfort.

Sex

From Oppression to Pleasure

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Why Good Sex Matters

Sexual liberation is about more than personal pleasure; it’s a path to equity, justice, and cultural transformation. Pleasure activism is more important now than ever.

Sexual liberation is about more than personal pleasure; it’s a path to equity, justice, and cultural transformation. Pleasure activism is more important now than ever.

Workplace Dynamics

3 Signs That You're Facing 'Tall Poppy Syndrome'

Mark Travers Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Social Instincts

The first flowers to be picked are always the most beautiful ones. Here's how to tell if others are trimming you down.

The first flowers to be picked are always the most beautiful ones. Here's how to tell if others are trimming you down.

Health

The Surgeon General's Report Does Not Show Alcohol Causes Cancer

Nigel Barber Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in The Human Beast

The Surgeon General warns us that even moderate alcohol consumption causes several cancers. However, the causal case lacks rigor.

The Surgeon General warns us that even moderate alcohol consumption causes several cancers. However, the causal case lacks rigor.

Self-Help

3 Truths That Still Shock Me After 33 Years as a Therapist

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Liking the Child You Love

After 33 years as a therapist, I’ve seen patterns repeat, pain resurface, and resilience shine. Here are the three most powerful truths I’ve learned.

After 33 years as a therapist, I’ve seen patterns repeat, pain resurface, and resilience shine. Here are the three most powerful truths I’ve learned.

Cognitive Dissonance

Fork in the Road: The Psychology Behind the Federal Workforce Reform

Jaimie L Lusk Psy.D. on February 6, 2025 in Threshold

President Trump's federal workforce reform presents employees with a stark choice, triggering a complex interplay of psychological principles shaping this challenging decision.

President Trump's federal workforce reform presents employees with a stark choice, triggering a complex interplay of psychological principles shaping this challenging decision.

OCD

OCD and the Paradox of Doubt

Joshua Fletcher MSc, PGCert on February 6, 2025 in And How Does That Make You Feel?

OCD thrives on doubt, making certainty feel impossible. Learn how reassurance fuels the cycle and how ERP and ICBT can help retrain the brain.

OCD thrives on doubt, making certainty feel impossible. Learn how reassurance fuels the cycle and how ERP and ICBT can help retrain the brain.

Education

Contrast Sets: The Importance of Anticipating Confusion

Gary Klein Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Seeing What Others Don't

Training should not just be about presenting material. Trainers need to anticipate where people can get confused and then skillfully introduce contrast sets to foster expertise.

Training should not just be about presenting material. Trainers need to anticipate where people can get confused and then skillfully introduce contrast sets to foster expertise.

Self-Talk

Rewiring Our Inner Critic: Cultivating Kindness and Positivity

Nigel R. Bairstow Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Disconnection Dynamics

Struggling with a harsh inner critic? Discover practical ways to transform your self-talk and cultivate kindness.

Struggling with a harsh inner critic? Discover practical ways to transform your self-talk and cultivate kindness.

Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness in Our Intimate Relationships

Chandra Khalifian, Ph.D. and Kayla Knopp, Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in Expansive Relationships

Forgiveness is a choice that can release past pain. It’s a continuous process, not for others but for your own peace—and psychedelic medicine can support that journey.

Forgiveness is a choice that can release past pain. It’s a continuous process, not for others but for your own peace—and psychedelic medicine can support that journey.

Bipolar Disorder

Let's Get the Record Straight on Bipolar: 5 Myths

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on February 6, 2025 in Beyond Mental Health

Do you know what bipolar disorder involves? Are you sure? Psychiatrist David Medina helps separates the myths from the facts.

Do you know what bipolar disorder involves? Are you sure? Psychiatrist David Medina helps separates the myths from the facts.

Anxiety

America’s Purpose Crisis

Jordan Grumet M.D. on February 6, 2025 in The Regret-Free Life

Struggling to find your purpose? You’re not alone. Social media, ads, and society push false dreams—learn how to break free and build a purpose that truly fulfills you.

Struggling to find your purpose? You’re not alone. Social media, ads, and society push false dreams—learn how to break free and build a purpose that truly fulfills you.

Eating Disorders

The Importance of Families in Eating Disorder Recovery

Melissa Gerson LCSW on February 6, 2025 in The Road to Recovery

Family involvement plays a key role in eating disorder recovery. Families can help create a structured, supportive environment that fosters healing and long-term recovery.

Family involvement plays a key role in eating disorder recovery. Families can help create a structured, supportive environment that fosters healing and long-term recovery.

Coaching

When Advice Is Most Helpful

Timothy A Carey Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 in In Control

Personal Perspective: Finding ways to put those who are being helped in charge of the help they receive, including how they receive it, might be the most helpful thing we can do.

Personal Perspective: Finding ways to put those who are being helped in charge of the help they receive, including how they receive it, might be the most helpful thing we can do.

Body Image

Fairy Tale or Trap? How Beauty Ideals Imprint Young Brains

Tahir Rahman M.D. on February 5, 2025 in Clinical and Forensic Dimensions of Psychiatry

Why do beauty standards feel inescapable? Neuroscience and epigenetics reveal how our brains imprint cultural ideals—shaping body image and eating behaviors for life.

Why do beauty standards feel inescapable? Neuroscience and epigenetics reveal how our brains imprint cultural ideals—shaping body image and eating behaviors for life.