We've all popped a pimple or picked at a scab. It can be a satisfying feeling, as shown by the fact that YouTube channels are devoted to these topics with hundreds of thousands of followers. But what happens when picking at your skin becomes a compulsion — or even worse, a way to self-harm? Compulsive skin picking, or ... Read More
Featured in Mental Health
“Excoriation”: When Is It Self-Harm?
What Is ARFID? How It’s Diagnosed
Many children are picky eaters, with specific rules about what they'll eat and how their food must be served. As they age, most children grow out of these restrictive habits. However, some hold onto restrictive food tendencies and even see them intensify with age. Sometimes these tendencies are so extreme that they ... Read More
When Is Lack of Empathy a Mental Health Concern?
Empathy has become something of a buzzword in today's increasingly polarized society. Years ago, the only time most people heard about empathy issues was when psychologists talked about sociopathic serial murderers like Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy on TV crime shows. But what do psychologists mean when they make ... Read More
Worry Beads: Do They Work for Anxiety?
In a world full of high-tech solutions for mental health challenges, sometimes the most effective tools are surprisingly simple. Worry beads — strands of beads manipulated with the fingers — have been used for centuries across different cultures as a way to manage stress and anxiety. Today, these tactile tools are ... Read More
The Consequences for Pets of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse rarely affects just the individual. It tends to become a challenge for everyone in the addict's life, including the silent companions. Pets need their owners for their health and safety, often mirroring their household's stress, anxiety and even trauma. From the risks of accidental poisoning to a lack ... Read More
Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects mood, impulse control, and ability to interact with others. There are two types and a related disorder, cyclothymia, but they all involve the person experiencing cycles of hypomania (or mania in bipolar 1 disorder) and depression over time. In some cases, the ... Read More
Depression and Addiction
Depression and addiction often occur together, and people can be left wondering, does one cause the other? Which one happens first? The truth is, they're closely related and it's possible for substance abuse to exacerbate depression, while people with depression often turn to substances to self-medicate. It's a complex ... Read More
How Decluttering Can Improve Mental Health
Spring cleaning isn't just about clearing the dust and cobwebs away or going through that overstuffed junk drawer. Having a clear, clutter-free space can help you think more clearly, feel more at ease, and have more time in your life for hobbies and relationships you enjoy. Keep reading to learn how your environment ... Read More