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

Diet

You Know How to Eat Well, So Why Can't You?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 9, 2026 in Off the Couch

Eating specialists tell us to eat “mindfully,” to “listen to our bodies,” and to separate emotional overeating from genuine hunger. An internal map can help you figure this out.

Eating specialists tell us to eat “mindfully,” to “listen to our bodies,” and to separate emotional overeating from genuine hunger. An internal map can help you figure this out.

Emotional Intelligence

How the Emotionally Intelligent Manage Mistakes With the 3 R's

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on August 9, 2026 in Peaceful Parenting

Emotionally intelligent people often reflect deeply. They think about what led them to make a mistake, how it impacted those around them, and how to make things right.

Emotionally intelligent people often reflect deeply. They think about what led them to make a mistake, how it impacted those around them, and how to make things right.

Burnout

Ripe for a Vacation: The Wisdom of 'Urlaubsreif'

Maggie Rowe on August 9, 2026 in Bodhisattva Wannabe

What if you aren’t burnt out, but simply ripe for a vacation?

What if you aren’t burnt out, but simply ripe for a vacation?

Relationships

Love Does Not Come With an Extended Warranty

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 9, 2026 in The Unknown Mind

We guard ourselves against heartbreak in ways that may weaken the bond. Here is what the research suggests actually covers you—and it is not a promise.

We guard ourselves against heartbreak in ways that may weaken the bond. Here is what the research suggests actually covers you—and it is not a promise.

Emotions

Lake Disappointment: The Neuroscience of Feeling Let Down

Richard Dancsi on August 9, 2026 in Dear Life, Please Improve

In 1897, after months of looking for fresh water, the explorer Frank Hann found a promising body of water—but it turned out to be a salt pan. He named it “Lake Disappointment."

In 1897, after months of looking for fresh water, the explorer Frank Hann found a promising body of water—but it turned out to be a salt pan. He named it “Lake Disappointment."

Cognition

Is Creatine the Next Big Thing for Brain Health?

Karen E. Todd RD, CSCS, EP-C, CISSN on August 9, 2026 in Feed Your Brain

Creatine is moving beyond the gym into brain health. Here’s what the science says about memory, focus, aging, and where the evidence still falls short.

Creatine is moving beyond the gym into brain health. Here’s what the science says about memory, focus, aging, and where the evidence still falls short.

Academic Problems and Skills

Dysgraphia: Solving It Via Dyslexia

Coral PS Hoh Ph.D. on August 9, 2026 in Unlocking Language

As with dyslexia, the solution to developmental dysgraphia may lie in deeper understanding of its basis in the linguistic and other functional systems of the brain.

As with dyslexia, the solution to developmental dysgraphia may lie in deeper understanding of its basis in the linguistic and other functional systems of the brain.

Loneliness

Changing Yourself to Fit In Can Make You Feel More Lonely

Shannon Sauer-Zavala Ph.D. on August 9, 2026 in Self: Made

Making fast friends feels good, but constantly editing yourself can leave you wondering whether anyone really knows the real you.

Making fast friends feels good, but constantly editing yourself can leave you wondering whether anyone really knows the real you.

Parenting

Why Your "Teachable Moments" Keep Backfiring

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on August 9, 2026 in Liking the Child You Love

Explaining what went wrong while it's "still fresh" feels like good parenting. It's actually one of the most common ways parents accidentally create intense conflict.

Explaining what went wrong while it's "still fresh" feels like good parenting. It's actually one of the most common ways parents accidentally create intense conflict.

Therapy

Clinical Wisdom: Why Myths Still Matter

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on August 8, 2026 in Evil Deeds

The story of Hercules and the Augean stables can be seen as a metaphor for what happens (or needs to happen) in psychotherapy.

The story of Hercules and the Augean stables can be seen as a metaphor for what happens (or needs to happen) in psychotherapy.

Cognition

Why Vaccine Hesitancy Is Unlikely to Go Away

Robert N. McCauley Ph.D. on August 8, 2026 in Why Religion Is Natural and Science Is Not

Natural cognitive dispositions surrounding contamination avoidance may fuel vaccine hesitancy.

Natural cognitive dispositions surrounding contamination avoidance may fuel vaccine hesitancy.

Hallucination

Auditory Hallucinations: A New (Old) Treatment?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on August 8, 2026 in Mental Health Care Today

Schizophrenic and dissociative auditory hallucinations have long been thought to represent two distinct psychological mechanisms. A recent meta-analysis suggests differently.

Schizophrenic and dissociative auditory hallucinations have long been thought to represent two distinct psychological mechanisms. A recent meta-analysis suggests differently.

ADHD

A New ADHD Medication Is Here. Read the Fine Print With Me

Ryan S. Sultán MD on August 8, 2026 in Talking Scientifically About Mental Health

The FDA approved a new ADHD drug in July. The coverage says it's a non-stimulant, first-in-class, stimulant-like. I read all seven trials. Here's what survives the fine print.

The FDA approved a new ADHD drug in July. The coverage says it's a non-stimulant, first-in-class, stimulant-like. I read all seven trials. Here's what survives the fine print.

Growth Mindset

Maybe You're Not Breaking Down. Maybe You're Molting

Maggie Rowe on August 8, 2026 in Bodhisattva Wannabe

Personal Perspective: You may not be breaking down. You may simply be shedding the habits that no longer help you fly.

Personal Perspective: You may not be breaking down. You may simply be shedding the habits that no longer help you fly.

Domestic Violence

“Maybe It Isn’t That Bad”: The Psychology of Doubting Abuse

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

Cognitive dissonance can make abusive behavior difficult to recognize and respond to. Understanding what happens in the brain can help survivors make sense of their own reactions.

Cognitive dissonance can make abusive behavior difficult to recognize and respond to. Understanding what happens in the brain can help survivors make sense of their own reactions.

Relationships

Your Partner's Defensiveness Is Not Your Fault

Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. on August 8, 2026 in Inviting a Monkey to Tea

The reason your partner can't "hear" you isn't because you aren't clear.

The reason your partner can't "hear" you isn't because you aren't clear.

Addiction

What the Lottery Ticket Knows About Addiction

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

A student bought a lottery ticket so he couldn’t fail his exam: "Two bad lucks can’t happen in one day." The same certainty, in another man, proved fatal.

A student bought a lottery ticket so he couldn’t fail his exam: "Two bad lucks can’t happen in one day." The same certainty, in another man, proved fatal.

Relationships

Why Are Gifted Children, Teenagers, and Adults So Intense?

Barbara Klein Ph.D., Ed.D. on August 8, 2026 in Twin Dilemmas

Understanding the challenges of gifted, high-strung children, teenagers, and adults is the first step toward supporting them.

Understanding the challenges of gifted, high-strung children, teenagers, and adults is the first step toward supporting them.

Grief

The Process and the Practice of Grief

Susan J. Lewis Ph.D., J.D. on August 8, 2026 in Law & Disorder

Individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness often feel loss, grieving what they have not been able to have.

Individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness often feel loss, grieving what they have not been able to have.

Artificial Intelligence

Hybrid Humility: The Long Walk Toward Ourselves

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on August 8, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

A glowing bottle of radium water and a glowing chatbot play the identical trick: Both invite us to mistake borrowed capability for personal capability. It is a time to be humble.

A glowing bottle of radium water and a glowing chatbot play the identical trick: Both invite us to mistake borrowed capability for personal capability. It is a time to be humble.

Sex

"Why Won't You Initiate Sex More?"

Marty Klein Ph.D. on August 8, 2026 in Sexual Intelligence

Some people complain that their partner rarely initiates sex. They wonder why their partner doesn't initiate more. The better question might be, why are they so upset about this?

Some people complain that their partner rarely initiates sex. They wonder why their partner doesn't initiate more. The better question might be, why are they so upset about this?

Self-Harm

Why We Can’t Look Away From Perez Hilton’s Meltdown

Katherine Cullen MFA, LCSW on August 8, 2026 in The Truth About Exercise Addiction

Those who saw Hilton's livestream are warning against watching it. So why are some people still seeking it out?

Those who saw Hilton's livestream are warning against watching it. So why are some people still seeking it out?

Psychiatry

The Unfragile Mind

Gavin Francis, M.D. on August 8, 2026 in The Unfragile Mind

Mental health statistics are worsening in the West; I argue that our current discourse is overmedicalised, and our diagnostic categories are unhelpfully rigid.

Mental health statistics are worsening in the West; I argue that our current discourse is overmedicalised, and our diagnostic categories are unhelpfully rigid.

Environment

Elephant-Human Conflicts: Enabling Practical Coexistence

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

In his discussion of humans trying to share space with giants, Dr. Nitin Sekar explains the trade-offs inherent in resolving these encounters and the power of compassion for all.

In his discussion of humans trying to share space with giants, Dr. Nitin Sekar explains the trade-offs inherent in resolving these encounters and the power of compassion for all.

Parenting

Stop Bankrolling Your Adult Child's Stuck Life

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on August 8, 2026 in Liking the Child You Love

Every bailout sends a message to your adult child—and it's rarely the one you meant to send.

Every bailout sends a message to your adult child—and it's rarely the one you meant to send.

Boundaries

Why Some Fans Cross Celebrities' Boundaries

Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster Ph.D. on August 7, 2026 in Reel Relationships

Fans make celebrities famous—but how much access does that fame entitle them to? What causes fans to cross a celebrity’s boundaries, and what are the consequences?

Fans make celebrities famous—but how much access does that fame entitle them to? What causes fans to cross a celebrity’s boundaries, and what are the consequences?

Education

Doing College Like a Champ

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on August 7, 2026 in The Psychological Pundit

What should a student starting college know about the best ways to thrive? Cutting through the thicket of pedestrian advice, here are four key suggestions for college students.

What should a student starting college know about the best ways to thrive? Cutting through the thicket of pedestrian advice, here are four key suggestions for college students.

Child Development

Neuroscience of Asynchronous Development in the Bright Mind

Nicole A. Tetreault Ph.D. on August 7, 2026 in Wire Your Mind for Love

Are we doomed if we have a bright child? No, we simply have to pay closer attention to their particular ways of navigating the world.

Are we doomed if we have a bright child? No, we simply have to pay closer attention to their particular ways of navigating the world.

Relationships

Are You In a Wound Mate Relationship?

Judith Orloff M.D. on August 7, 2026 in The Genius of Empathy

A wound mate relationship can initially feel intense and intimate, like you've found your soul mate. But these relationships can potentially lead to heartache.

A wound mate relationship can initially feel intense and intimate, like you've found your soul mate. But these relationships can potentially lead to heartache.