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

Low Sexual Desire

Want to Have More Sex? Here's How

Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Falling in Love Is Easy

Waiting until you’re “in the mood” may be killing your sex life. Learn how responsive desire and planned intimacy can help bring passion back.

Waiting until you’re “in the mood” may be killing your sex life. Learn how responsive desire and planned intimacy can help bring passion back.

Trauma

We're Asking Sexual Trauma Survivors the Wrong Questions

Stacey R Pinatelli Psy.D. on October 8, 2026 in Hope and Healing

When survivors speak up, we often ask why they waited, stayed, or didn't fight back. But what if we asked a different question: What made it so hard to speak?

When survivors speak up, we often ask why they waited, stayed, or didn't fight back. But what if we asked a different question: What made it so hard to speak?

Fear

Why We're in a New Golden Age of Horror Movies

Mathias Clasen Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Why We Love Horror

Why are horror movies everywhere right now? One reason may be psychological: Scary movies help us cope with a scary world.

Why are horror movies everywhere right now? One reason may be psychological: Scary movies help us cope with a scary world.

Relationships

When "Let's Agree to Disagree" Becomes a Cemetery

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in The Unknown Mind

"Let's agree to disagree" can end an argument without ending the problem. Some disagreements can wait. Trust and fidelity cannot.

"Let's agree to disagree" can end an argument without ending the problem. Some disagreements can wait. Trust and fidelity cannot.

Aging

What Keeps Women Growing as They Get Older?

Dale V. Atkins, Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Women Aging Well

Curiosity may be one key to living our later years with meaning and purpose.

Curiosity may be one key to living our later years with meaning and purpose.

Social Media

What We Don't Mention on Facebook

Eliezer Sobel on October 8, 2026 in The 99th Monkey

Most of us are preoccupied with how we are perceived by the world; witness the magically happy lives depicted on the average Facebook feed. What are people omitting?

Most of us are preoccupied with how we are perceived by the world; witness the magically happy lives depicted on the average Facebook feed. What are people omitting?

Anxiety

Do You Ruminate?

Robert L. Leahy Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Anxiety Files

Are you stuck asking, “Why did this happen?” Here are eight steps to stop ruminating and get back to living life.

Are you stuck asking, “Why did this happen?” Here are eight steps to stop ruminating and get back to living life.

Artificial Intelligence

How You and Your Team Build Judgment in the AI Era

Paula Davis JD, MAPP on October 8, 2026 in Pressure Proof

AI is erasing the tasks that once helped build judgment on the job. Here are six research-backed practices to deliberately develop it in yourself and your team.

AI is erasing the tasks that once helped build judgment on the job. Here are six research-backed practices to deliberately develop it in yourself and your team.

Gratitude

5 Ways to Move Gratitude From Your Head to Your Heart

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D. on October 8, 2026 in Everyday Resilience

Gratitude can be more than a mental checklist. Here's why it matters for well-being and how to really feel it in your body, your outlook, and your everyday life.

Gratitude can be more than a mental checklist. Here's why it matters for well-being and how to really feel it in your body, your outlook, and your everyday life.

Animal Behavior

Wild Minds and the Value of Diversifying Brain Research

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Animal Emotions

In her riveting new book, Kelly Lambert blends the latest neuroscience with vivid storytelling to open new pathways for understanding neuroplasticity and advancing mental health.

In her riveting new book, Kelly Lambert blends the latest neuroscience with vivid storytelling to open new pathways for understanding neuroplasticity and advancing mental health.

Depression

Depression as a Functional Signal

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in The Biology of Human Nature

A new theory suggests depression may be a signal and explains why it can be so paralyzing.

A new theory suggests depression may be a signal and explains why it can be so paralyzing.

Health

Pesticides Threaten Farmers' Mental Health

Robert T Muller Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Talking About Trauma

Pesticides may harm mental and neurological health, with exposure linked to depression, gut-brain disruption, developmental risks, and health concerns.

Pesticides may harm mental and neurological health, with exposure linked to depression, gut-brain disruption, developmental risks, and health concerns.

Relationships

Who Are the Second Moms in Your Life?

Rick Miller LICSW on October 8, 2026 in Unwrapped

We put a lot of weight on our biological mothers to meet our every need. But many other mother figures in our lives can give us love and acceptance.

We put a lot of weight on our biological mothers to meet our every need. But many other mother figures in our lives can give us love and acceptance.

Grief

The Four Needs of the Grieving

Stephanie Sarazin M.P.P. on October 8, 2026 in Soulbroken

Whether we're mourning a loved one, a relationship, or a life we once knew, four fundamental needs often emerge: to remember, release, reconnect, and be recognized.

Whether we're mourning a loved one, a relationship, or a life we once knew, four fundamental needs often emerge: to remember, release, reconnect, and be recognized.

Grief

Examining Loss and Life Five Years Later

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on October 8, 2026 in Journey to Healing

Personal Perspective: Grief is a mixture of disbelief, sadness, and elements of acceptance, all entwined with a deep love for the gifts from my dear sister and best friend.

Personal Perspective: Grief is a mixture of disbelief, sadness, and elements of acceptance, all entwined with a deep love for the gifts from my dear sister and best friend.

Pessimism

Why Does It Feel Like We Are Living in the Worst of Times?

Gurnek Bains Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in A Global Lens

Why does the present feel uniquely doomed? Psychology shows how we misread progress, amplify threats, and compare today's crises with a resolved past.

Why does the present feel uniquely doomed? Psychology shows how we misread progress, amplify threats, and compare today's crises with a resolved past.

ADHD

How I Learned to Give ADHD Strategies a Fair Chance

Caroline Maguire M.Ed. on October 8, 2026 in Friendship and Connection 

"Acting as if" can be a powerful mindset shift for trying out ADHD solutions.

"Acting as if" can be a powerful mindset shift for trying out ADHD solutions.

Parenting

Shhhhh...Neurodivergence Is Not Your Diagnosis to Make

Lisa Sheinhouse M.A. on October 8, 2026 in Retrain Your Brain

It's never your place or responsibility to diagnose or label someone else's child, even if you're trying to help. Here's how to stay in your lane while finding ways to offer support.

It's never your place or responsibility to diagnose or label someone else's child, even if you're trying to help. Here's how to stay in your lane while finding ways to offer support.

Social Media

Big Tech and the Limits of the Caveat

Yalda T. Uhls Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in The Power of Storytelling

A Personal Perspective: A film about Meta changed how I thought about the limits of scientific nuance and what happens when Big Tech’s power collides with young people’s lives.

A Personal Perspective: A film about Meta changed how I thought about the limits of scientific nuance and what happens when Big Tech’s power collides with young people’s lives.

Authenticity

'Coming Out' Isn’t Disclosure; It’s Transactional

Frank Spinelli M.D. on October 8, 2026 in Decoding Shame

'Coming out' is a transaction, not simply a matter of disclosure. Here's what to ask yourself first, and the story of the night it finally happened for me.

'Coming out' is a transaction, not simply a matter of disclosure. Here's what to ask yourself first, and the story of the night it finally happened for me.

Trauma

How to Face Life’s Challenges With Greater Courage

Dan Roberts MBACP on October 8, 2026 in The Calm Self

It takes a great deal of strength and courage to face painful thoughts, feelings, and past experiences. But courage is a skill that can be developed with a little effort.

It takes a great deal of strength and courage to face painful thoughts, feelings, and past experiences. But courage is a skill that can be developed with a little effort.

Mania

How Mania Empties the Room

Patrick William Kelly Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Minds at War

My cruelty drove my family and friends away, and the system kept them out. By the time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, no one was left in the room.

My cruelty drove my family and friends away, and the system kept them out. By the time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, no one was left in the room.

Confidence

Borrowed Confidence: The Hidden Price of Liquid Courage

Jeanette Hu MS on October 8, 2026 in Sober Curiosity

I used to enjoy a little liquid courage. Here’s what I wish I knew sooner.

I used to enjoy a little liquid courage. Here’s what I wish I knew sooner.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Is Changing How Children Learn. Parents Need to Pay Attention

Liz Nissim Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Special Matters

Children need opportunities to struggle, make mistakes, form their own ideas, and figure things out because that is how learning happens.

Children need opportunities to struggle, make mistakes, form their own ideas, and figure things out because that is how learning happens.

Domestic Violence

Why Telling Abuse Survivors to “Just Leave” Isn’t That Simple

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on October 8, 2026 in Invisible Bruises

“Just leave” sounds simple. But leaving an abusive relationship can be one of the most dangerous times for a survivor—and support matters.

“Just leave” sounds simple. But leaving an abusive relationship can be one of the most dangerous times for a survivor—and support matters.

Environment

Supporting Decision-Making for Climate Action

Joseph Plummer M.S., M.Ed., M.B.A. on October 8, 2026 in Resilient Humanity

Consumers’ choices can only be as good for the environment as the options made available to them by policymakers and business leaders.

Consumers’ choices can only be as good for the environment as the options made available to them by policymakers and business leaders.

Emotion Regulation

A Better Buzz: The Ideal Time to Drink Coffee

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on October 8, 2026 in Why Bad Looks Good

Love coffee? Your buzz from the popular mood booster may depend on when you drink it, and with whom.

Love coffee? Your buzz from the popular mood booster may depend on when you drink it, and with whom.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Marginalized and Misunderstood: The Outer Edges of Columbine

Nina E. Cerfolio M.D. on October 7, 2026 in Esprit

Beyond the headlines of the "Trench Coat Mafia" lies a raw story of trauma, hidden cries for help, and survival.

Beyond the headlines of the "Trench Coat Mafia" lies a raw story of trauma, hidden cries for help, and survival.

Friends

5 Active Listening Skills to Build Stronger Friendships

Mia Nosanow MA, LP on October 7, 2026 in College Mental Health

We build quality relationships by demonstrating interest through asking thoughtful questions and showing awareness, understanding, and empathy in our listening.

We build quality relationships by demonstrating interest through asking thoughtful questions and showing awareness, understanding, and empathy in our listening.