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

Narcissism

Are You the Victim of Narcissistic Abuse?

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on June 14, 2025 in Why Bad Looks Good

Can selfishness be dangerous? Research reveals the unfortunate answer.

Can selfishness be dangerous? Research reveals the unfortunate answer.

Artificial Intelligence

How Emotional Manipulation Causes ChatGPT Psychosis

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on June 14, 2025 in Dancing With the Devil

There's a scary new phenomenon called ChatGPT-induced psychosis. The chatbot is causing people to break with reality because it turns our own emotional needs against us.

There's a scary new phenomenon called ChatGPT-induced psychosis. The chatbot is causing people to break with reality because it turns our own emotional needs against us.

Father's Day can be challenging for grieving children and teens. Watching movies that feature father loss can help youth feel less alone.

Dark Triad

The 4 Building Blocks of the Dark Triad

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on June 14, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

The dark triad, consisting of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, may have its origins in four very basic conditions, according to a new international study.

The dark triad, consisting of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, may have its origins in four very basic conditions, according to a new international study.

Therapy

Wired for Wellness

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on June 14, 2025 in Common Sense Science

By 2050, psychotherapy will incorporate AI, biosensors, and immersive technology to monitor and address mental and physical health in real time. Psychotherapy will be transformed.

By 2050, psychotherapy will incorporate AI, biosensors, and immersive technology to monitor and address mental and physical health in real time. Psychotherapy will be transformed.

Relationships

Why I Gave Up My Smartphone

Elizabeth Earnshaw, MA, LMFT, CGT on June 14, 2025 in The Relationship Realist

In today’s world, the idea of giving up your smartphone can feel almost unthinkable. But maybe it's time to rethink how much we really need them and at what cost.

In today’s world, the idea of giving up your smartphone can feel almost unthinkable. But maybe it's time to rethink how much we really need them and at what cost.

Parenting

More Fathers Are Stepping Up, But Are Stressed About Money

Meg A. Warren Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Better and Happier

More fathers are stepping up to take on household chores and caregiving responsibilities, but money worries are hurting their mental health.

More fathers are stepping up to take on household chores and caregiving responsibilities, but money worries are hurting their mental health.

Parenting

How Fathers Teach Virtue By Example

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in One Among Many

The story of fatherhood is mixed. It is tempting to focus on the troubles; so let’s not do this today.

The story of fatherhood is mixed. It is tempting to focus on the troubles; so let’s not do this today.

Parenting

Why 1-on-1 Time With Your Child Matters

Thomas Lickona, Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Raising Kind Kids

A big part of parenting is bonding with our child. Emotionally intimate time is a key way to do that. One-on-one time can help. Here are ten ways to provide it.

A big part of parenting is bonding with our child. Emotionally intimate time is a key way to do that. One-on-one time can help. Here are ten ways to provide it.

Creativity

How to Boost Your Creativity

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in The Science of Self

Creativity is a whole-brain activity that we can foster through open, loose attention.

Creativity is a whole-brain activity that we can foster through open, loose attention.

Shame

Shame: The Taboo Emotion We Need to Befriend

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on June 13, 2025 in Intimacy, A Path Toward Spirituality

When we bury shame, it drives narcissism, numbness, and disconnection. Befriending it with compassion opens the door to healing, empathy, and deeper connection.

When we bury shame, it drives narcissism, numbness, and disconnection. Befriending it with compassion opens the door to healing, empathy, and deeper connection.

Anxiety

Aparna Nancherla Stands Up to Anxiety

Nichole Force M.A. on June 13, 2025 in Humor Rx

Scientists and stand-ups reveal the power of laughter to ease anxiety.

Scientists and stand-ups reveal the power of laughter to ease anxiety.

Leadership

Learned Helplessness at Work: What Leaders Can Do

Ashley C. Jordan Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Leading With Connection

If your team feels stuck or disengaged, learned helplessness might be why. Here's what you can do to help them get unstuck!

If your team feels stuck or disengaged, learned helplessness might be why. Here's what you can do to help them get unstuck!

Decision-Making

A Systems Approach to Decision-Making Under Extreme Stress

Gill Harrop Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Bystander Intervention in Action

Here's how we make quick decisions to escape danger.

Here's how we make quick decisions to escape danger.

Sport and Competition

Why Athletes Do (and Don't) Report Abuse in Sports

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on June 13, 2025 in In the Trenches

Athletes often stay silent about abuse due to fear, power dynamics, and disbelief. This post explores why they don’t report and how to create safe pathways to disclosure.

Athletes often stay silent about abuse due to fear, power dynamics, and disbelief. This post explores why they don’t report and how to create safe pathways to disclosure.

Neuroscience

Biophotons May Shed New Light on Body and Brain Activity

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in The Behavioral Microbiome

Living organisms emit light due to biochemical reactions. This phenomenon raises the question of whether the electromagnetic waves emitted by living tissues contain information about those tissues. This is especially fascinating in the brain emission.

Living organisms emit light due to biochemical reactions. This phenomenon raises the question of whether the electromagnetic waves emitted by living tissues contain information about those tissues. This is especially fascinating in the brain emission.

Masturbation

Is Prone Masturbation Dangerous?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Women Who Stray

Online sensationalist media blames prone masturbation for sexual dysfunction. The actual research and medical issues here are murky and don't clearly suggest that it's harmful.

Online sensationalist media blames prone masturbation for sexual dysfunction. The actual research and medical issues here are murky and don't clearly suggest that it's harmful.

Dementia

The Grace of a Grandfather

Greg O'Brien on June 13, 2025 in On Pluto

Today in the throes of Alzheimer’s, I find myself digging deeper—the waters of life forever flowing over me, as I recall the role model of my late maternal grandfather.

Today in the throes of Alzheimer’s, I find myself digging deeper—the waters of life forever flowing over me, as I recall the role model of my late maternal grandfather.

Shame

How Silence and Shame Impact Maternal Mental Health

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Motherhood Made Real

When mothers speak the truths they were taught to hide, healing begins—for themselves, and for generations to come.

When mothers speak the truths they were taught to hide, healing begins—for themselves, and for generations to come.

Identity

How to Psychologically Prepare to Write a Book

Judith Fein on June 13, 2025 in Life Is a Trip

The questions to ask yourself before writing about yourself and your identity.

The questions to ask yourself before writing about yourself and your identity.

Trauma

Is Improv a Healing Balm or Misery Loving Company?

Michael Alcee Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Live Life Creatively

Can improv actually improve mental health? The story of Darrell Hammond suggests that in some cases, it might just save your life.

Can improv actually improve mental health? The story of Darrell Hammond suggests that in some cases, it might just save your life.

Authenticity

Instead of Trying to Be Perfect, Choose to Be Authentic

Leon Garber LMHC on June 13, 2025 in Perfectionism

While we may believe that we need to hide our flaws from ourselves and the world, the existential philosophers argue that authenticity provides a meaningful life.

While we may believe that we need to hide our flaws from ourselves and the world, the existential philosophers argue that authenticity provides a meaningful life.

Sexual Orientation

What Will You Say and Do If Your Child Comes Out LGBT?

Joe Kort, Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Understanding the Erotic Code

Personal Perspective: When your child comes out to you, the words you choose can echo for a lifetime. For LGBTQ youth, family acceptance isn't just meaningful—it's life-saving.

Personal Perspective: When your child comes out to you, the words you choose can echo for a lifetime. For LGBTQ youth, family acceptance isn't just meaningful—it's life-saving.

Cannabis

Is Cannabis a Sex Drug?

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on June 13, 2025 in Queer Relationships, No Straight Lines

Cannabis is the most common drug in the LGBTQ+ community, yet its associations with sex and risk receive less attention than other drugs.

Cannabis is the most common drug in the LGBTQ+ community, yet its associations with sex and risk receive less attention than other drugs.

Relationships

Love Thrives When We're Open to Pain

Aigerim Alpysbekova MPH on June 13, 2025 in Trauma, Growth, and the Search for Meaning

Avoiding pain might feel like protection—but it could be the reason you’re not feeling love fully. Here’s how pain can be the key to deeper connection and healing.

Avoiding pain might feel like protection—but it could be the reason you’re not feeling love fully. Here’s how pain can be the key to deeper connection and healing.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

When Repetitive Behaviors Look Alike

Marla W. Deibler Psy.D., ABPP on June 13, 2025 in From Surviving to Thriving

Repetitive behaviors may look alike, but their function and impact may differ. Understand the critical differences between stereotypy and body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Repetitive behaviors may look alike, but their function and impact may differ. Understand the critical differences between stereotypy and body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Parenting

College Student Summer Break: The Smart Parent’s Guide

Rob Danzman NCC, LCMHC on June 13, 2025 in Campus Crunch

Summer break for college students is an opportunity for them to relax, work, and prepare for the next semester. With a little organization and planning, students can do it all.

Summer break for college students is an opportunity for them to relax, work, and prepare for the next semester. With a little organization and planning, students can do it all.

Media

Revisiting "00 Trees in Russia"

Sylvia R. Karasu M.D. on June 13, 2025 in The Gravity of Weight

Although we desire certainty, we often do not know which facts are accurate.

Although we desire certainty, we often do not know which facts are accurate.

Forgiveness

Father’s Day and Forgiveness

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on June 13, 2025 in Life as a Negotiation

Father’s Day often involves negotiating peace with the past, particularly when the relationship with a father figure is marked by difficulty, absence, or ambiguity.

Father’s Day often involves negotiating peace with the past, particularly when the relationship with a father figure is marked by difficulty, absence, or ambiguity.