Explore the latest news, research, and experiences in the evolving field of mental health.
“Pure O” OCD, or Purely Obsessional OCD, is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that cause significant anxiety, without the visible compulsions typically associated with OCD. Instead, a teen or young adult with Pure O may engage in mental rituals, such as rumination or seeking reassurance, to cope with distressing thoughts. It…
It’s natural to assume that anxiety and depression are very different. The sadness and lethargy typical of depression seems nothing like the fearful agitation associated with anxiety disorders. Indeed, they appear in separate chapters of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Consider this scenario: An anxious teen avoids a challenging assignment or an…
Parenting an angry teenager can feel overwhelming, but understanding the role of mental health and encouraging healthy coping skills can make a world of difference. Remember, it’s normal for teens to experience big emotions during adolescence, but ongoing anger issues may be a sign of a deeper mental health problem. Don’t hesitate to seek professional…
Even if you’re not a violent person, you’ve likely experienced violent thoughts. But knowing you’d never act on them, you quickly forgot about them and moved on. However, some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are plagued by thoughts of hurting others or themselves. This manifestation of the disorder is known as harm OCD. To cope…
Are you constantly replaying awkward conversations in your head, regretting past mistakes, or worrying about how you might avoid potentially difficult situations in the future? Then you’re not just thinking. You’re ruminating. We all have experiences and fears that gnaw at us. It’s natural to look back on what we could have said or done…
An intrusive thought is any unwanted image, urge, impulse, or feeling that arises in your mind. These thoughts can be triggered by environmental factors or appear seemingly out of nowhere. And for children and teens, they can feel distressing, overwhelming, and scary. Understanding more about intrusive thoughts in children and teens, including causes and how…
Getting recognized for your accomplishments should be cause for celebration. So why does it sometimes feel like your successes have made you the target of criticism, gossip, or downright sabotage? You may be experiencing the social phenomenon known as “Tall Poppy Syndrome.” Young adults are particularly vulnerable to Tall Poppy Syndrome. Competition for grades and…
Being a teenager is challenging—and so is being the parent of a teenager. When a teenager’s behavior becomes rebellious, defiant, and unruly, parenting them can be very difficult. Although teenage defiance is a natural part of human development, figuring out how to deal with a defiant teenager can be frustrating and confusing. But defiant teens…
Traumatic events can be emotionally damaging for teens for a long time after the initial event occurs. Even when teens witness trauma rather than experiencing it first-hand, it can cause severe and long-lasting psychological harm. To begin the healing process, teens need to process the traumatic experience. However, this can be difficult for both teens…
