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The Discomfort Zone

Navigating contemporary relationships

Autism
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance in Autism

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on October 9, 2024

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA), linked to autism, causes anxiety-driven avoidance of tasks. Discover how reducing pressure and offering choices can make a big difference.

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA), linked to autism, causes anxiety-driven avoidance of tasks. Discover how reducing pressure and offering choices can make a big difference.

Therapy
Revolutionizing Mental Health: Psychedelics and TMS

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on September 3, 2024

Cutting-edge therapies like psychedelic-assisted treatment and TMS are revolutionizing mental health care, offering new hope for conditions like PTSD and depression.

Cutting-edge therapies like psychedelic-assisted treatment and TMS are revolutionizing mental health care, offering new hope for conditions like PTSD and depression.

Trauma
Childhood Trauma Shapes an Under- or Over-Active Inner World

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on August 26, 2024

Childhood trauma shapes coping, leading to hypervigilance or retreat into a rich inner world. Healing requires balancing these responses through therapy and mindfulness.

Childhood trauma shapes coping, leading to hypervigilance or retreat into a rich inner world. Healing requires balancing these responses through therapy and mindfulness.

Depression
Reaching Out to a Friend Who Is Depressed

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on August 25, 2024

Supporting a friend with depression through lighthearted, consistent communication. Avoid pressure, emphasize shared joy, and remind them they’re valued beyond their struggles.

Supporting a friend with depression through lighthearted, consistent communication. Avoid pressure, emphasize shared joy, and remind them they’re valued beyond their struggles.

Relationships
Expectations: Are We Asking Too Much of Others?

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on August 16, 2024

Aligning expectations with individual abilities fosters healthier relationships and reduces stress. Emphasizing strengths, setting realistic goals, and open communication are key.

Aligning expectations with individual abilities fosters healthier relationships and reduces stress. Emphasizing strengths, setting realistic goals, and open communication are key.

Perfectionism
Overcoming Perfectionism

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Perfectionism, fueled by societal pressures, can harm mental health. Understanding its causes and effects enables individuals to embrace imperfection and lead a more balanced life.

Perfectionism, fueled by societal pressures, can harm mental health. Understanding its causes and effects enables individuals to embrace imperfection and lead a more balanced life.

Trauma
Born in the Basement: How to Overcome a Difficult Childhood

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on August 2, 2024

"Born in the basement" describes overcoming a tough childhood. Key to resilience are support, growth mindset, therapy, and emotional intelligence, fostering strength and growth.

"Born in the basement" describes overcoming a tough childhood. Key to resilience are support, growth mindset, therapy, and emotional intelligence, fostering strength and growth.

Trauma
Recognizing the Impact of Big T and Little T Trauma

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on July 26, 2024

Big T traumas are major life events causing immediate distress. Little T traumas are chronic stressors with cumulative impact. Both need recognition and therapeutic intervention.

Big T traumas are major life events causing immediate distress. Little T traumas are chronic stressors with cumulative impact. Both need recognition and therapeutic intervention.

Relationships
How to Rebuild Trust After Betrayal in a Relationship

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on July 16, 2024

Rebuilding trust after betrayal includes taking responsibility, demonstrating reliability, communicating openly, seeking professional help, and fostering personal growth.

Rebuilding trust after betrayal includes taking responsibility, demonstrating reliability, communicating openly, seeking professional help, and fostering personal growth.

Therapy
Managing Couples Therapy With a Neurodiverse Partner

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on June 27, 2024

Couples therapy for neurodiverse partners focuses on improving communication and using techniques like structured exercises and sensory regulation for better relationship dynamics.

Couples therapy for neurodiverse partners focuses on improving communication and using techniques like structured exercises and sensory regulation for better relationship dynamics.

Burnout
Dealing With Academic Burnout

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on June 26, 2024

Academic burnout affects students' mental and physical health, leading to emotional exhaustion and decreased performance. Learn to recognize the signs and promote good habits.

Academic burnout affects students' mental and physical health, leading to emotional exhaustion and decreased performance. Learn to recognize the signs and promote good habits.

Forgiveness
Apology Analysis 101

Cara Gardenswartz Ph.D. on January 8, 2024

Discover the art of sincere apologies, avoid gaslighting traps, and build stronger connections. Unveil the keys to genuine remorse and transformative relationships.

Discover the art of sincere apologies, avoid gaslighting traps, and build stronger connections. Unveil the keys to genuine remorse and transformative relationships.