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

Memory

The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers

Heather Rose Artushin LISW-CP on February 2, 2024 in Well Read

Screens are replacing paper when it comes to nearly every aspect of communication, including reading books. But is it good for our mental health? Here's why paper books are better.

Screens are replacing paper when it comes to nearly every aspect of communication, including reading books. But is it good for our mental health? Here's why paper books are better.

Sport and Competition

Learn What We Control and Don't Control in Sports

David Udelf Psy.D. on February 2, 2024 in Sport Between the Ears

"Control the controllable" is a popular sports adage. Discover what it means, its application, and its critical importance for optimal athletic performance.

"Control the controllable" is a popular sports adage. Discover what it means, its application, and its critical importance for optimal athletic performance.

Testosterone

Does Testosterone Boost Risk of Depression and Suicide?

Michael Castleman M.A. on February 2, 2024 in All About Sex

Some physicians advocate testosterone supplementation to give men "new vigor." However, a recent large study links T supplementation to increased risk of depression and suicide.

Some physicians advocate testosterone supplementation to give men "new vigor." However, a recent large study links T supplementation to increased risk of depression and suicide.

Relationships

One-Sided Relationships

Dianne Grande Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in In It Together

Are you always giving in to what others ask of you? Feeling taken advantage of? Learning when to give and when to say "no" is part of building a healthy relationship.

Are you always giving in to what others ask of you? Feeling taken advantage of? Learning when to give and when to say "no" is part of building a healthy relationship.

Family Dynamics

The Club Sandwich Generation

H. Colleen Sinclair Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Unpacking Social Relations

Economic strains and post-pandemic life have led to changes in the make-up of American households, with families taking in additional adults. Welcome to the club sandwich generation.

Economic strains and post-pandemic life have led to changes in the make-up of American households, with families taking in additional adults. Welcome to the club sandwich generation.

Anxiety

The Anxiety Paradox

Carolyn Karoll LCSW-C, CEDS-S on February 2, 2024 in Eating Disorder Recovery

Discover the pitfalls and practical alternatives in managing anxiety by unraveling common thought patterns.

Discover the pitfalls and practical alternatives in managing anxiety by unraveling common thought patterns.

Autism

Autism, Dynamic Disabilities, and Spiky Profiles

Louise Taylor Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in The Neurodivergent Therapist

Personal Perspective: Is it time we started thinking differently in terms of neurotypes and health?

Personal Perspective: Is it time we started thinking differently in terms of neurotypes and health?

Vagus Nerve

How the Polyvagal Theory Inspired My Parenting

Bozena Zawisz MA on February 2, 2024 in Nurturing Self-Esteem in Autistic Children

Polyvagal theory inspires an appreciation of the impact of my nonverbal cues and emotional practices on nurturing cues of safety and calm in my children.

Polyvagal theory inspires an appreciation of the impact of my nonverbal cues and emotional practices on nurturing cues of safety and calm in my children.

Happiness

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Daniela E. Miranda Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Fair Play

Does having more money mean more happiness?

Does having more money mean more happiness?

Happiness

What We've Learned About Our Quest for Happiness

Latoya C. Conner Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Decolonizing Happiness

Happiness isn't purely an inside job; many external factors, including the culture we live in, can influence how happy we feel.

Happiness isn't purely an inside job; many external factors, including the culture we live in, can influence how happy we feel.

Sex

Early Romantic Memories of Straight Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Sex, Sexuality, and Romance

Many young men recall romantic encounters or feelings as their first memory, reminding us that men, as well as women, are romantic from an early age.

Many young men recall romantic encounters or feelings as their first memory, reminding us that men, as well as women, are romantic from an early age.

Relationships

How to Deal with Projections in Relationships

Christine B. L. Adams M.D. on February 2, 2024 in Living on Automatic

Psychological projections are seductive but can create chaos in relationships. Discover how to lessen the distress by identifying when you and others project.

Psychological projections are seductive but can create chaos in relationships. Discover how to lessen the distress by identifying when you and others project.

Child Development

The Power of Play

Kat Scherer, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Sylvester, Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Relationship-Based Parenting

The impact of children's play is truly remarkable, nurturing social grace, emotional intelligence, and improving academic and physical abilities—all while having a good time!

The impact of children's play is truly remarkable, nurturing social grace, emotional intelligence, and improving academic and physical abilities—all while having a good time!

Mating

Ready to Play This Valentine's Day?

Assael Romanelli Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in The Other Side of Relationships

This Vvalentine's Day, try a different approach to dating: play dates. Play-dating will help you be more yourself, have fun, and quickly assess whether the person is the right one for you.

This Vvalentine's Day, try a different approach to dating: play dates. Play-dating will help you be more yourself, have fun, and quickly assess whether the person is the right one for you.

Memory

Psychology and the Importance of Perfect Practice

Bernard J. Luskin, Ed.D., MFT on February 2, 2024 in The Media Psychology Effect

Habit replacement and development is a process by which new behaviors effectively become automatic. Automatic means that you have succeeded in establishing a new normal.

Habit replacement and development is a process by which new behaviors effectively become automatic. Automatic means that you have succeeded in establishing a new normal.

Psychiatry

Our Biggest Mistakes When Debating Mental Health

David Rettew M.D. on February 2, 2024 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry

The media is full of passionate debate on what drives our mental health. To make these conversations more constructive, it’s time to get past some basic and inaccurate assumptions.

The media is full of passionate debate on what drives our mental health. To make these conversations more constructive, it’s time to get past some basic and inaccurate assumptions.

Sleep

What My Psych 101 Students Really Need to Know

Dorothy Chin Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in A Different Lens

Among all the subjects taught in Psych 101, students need to learn about the importance of sleep.

Among all the subjects taught in Psych 101, students need to learn about the importance of sleep.

Mindfulness

How We Can Communicate Across Differences and Build Bridges

Ilene Berns-Zare PsyD on February 2, 2024 in Flourish and Thrive

Conversations across differences and and contrasting viewpoints can be quite challenging. These strategies may help you communicate more calmly and effectively.

Conversations across differences and and contrasting viewpoints can be quite challenging. These strategies may help you communicate more calmly and effectively.

Relationships

6 Simple Questions to Strengthen Your Relationships

Chris Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Heal the Mind to Heal the Body

How to decrease stress and increase happiness by asking your loved ones those 6 questions on a regular basis.

How to decrease stress and increase happiness by asking your loved ones those 6 questions on a regular basis.

Health

How Poor Communication Can Cause Harm

Sara Gorman, Ph.D., MPH, and Jack M. Gorman, MD on February 2, 2024 in Denying to the Grave

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a confusing report on GMOs. It's important for us all to think more carefully about our communication and not stoke panic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a confusing report on GMOs. It's important for us all to think more carefully about our communication and not stoke panic.

Artificial Intelligence

The Social Interoperability of Artificial Intelligence

John Nosta on February 2, 2024 in The Digital Self

Here's what could happen with a social network of interconnected AI minds.

Here's what could happen with a social network of interconnected AI minds.

Stress

Stress: Good, Tolerable, or Toxic?

Lawson Wulsin M.D. on February 2, 2024 in Deep Dives

As a culture, we’re doing just fine with the tolerable stressors of modern life. But we have not yet figured out how to recognize and manage toxic stress.

As a culture, we’re doing just fine with the tolerable stressors of modern life. But we have not yet figured out how to recognize and manage toxic stress.

Trauma

The Real Reasons You Feel Triggered by Your Child’s Behavior

Jen Lumanlan M.S., M.Ed. on February 2, 2024 in Parenting Beyond Power

Triggered responses to our children’s behavior sometimes come from our own past traumas. When we heal from these and meet our needs more, we will likely feel triggered less often.

Triggered responses to our children’s behavior sometimes come from our own past traumas. When we heal from these and meet our needs more, we will likely feel triggered less often.

Social Media

Elmo's Mental Health Check-In

Elana Premack Sandler L.C.S.W., M.P.H on February 2, 2024 in Promoting Hope, Preventing Suicide

Personal Perspective: Elmo's check-in engaged fans in sharing about their mental health.

Personal Perspective: Elmo's check-in engaged fans in sharing about their mental health.

Therapy

What Therapy Can and Can’t Do

Seth J. Gillihan PhD on February 2, 2024 in Think, Act, Be

Most people find psychotherapy to be beneficial. Bringing realistic goals and expectations to therapy can help you get the most out of it.

Most people find psychotherapy to be beneficial. Bringing realistic goals and expectations to therapy can help you get the most out of it.

Mating

6 Most Important Things to Look for When You’re Dating

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on February 2, 2024 in Fixing Families

Dating is about finding out whether you are compatible. But too often, couples avoid conflict and being honest. Here's what they should do instead.

Dating is about finding out whether you are compatible. But too often, couples avoid conflict and being honest. Here's what they should do instead.

Emotions

Emotions as Waves

Amy Saltzman M.D. on February 2, 2024 in Find Your True Flow

Observing emotional waves in ourselves and others allows us to improve our communication, teamwork, relationships, and find flow in sports, in business, and in daily life. 

Observing emotional waves in ourselves and others allows us to improve our communication, teamwork, relationships, and find flow in sports, in business, and in daily life. 

Relationships

St. Valentines: A Special Day to Celebrate Friends and Love

Sybil Geldart Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Dr. Sybil on Solitude

St. Valentine's Day is customarily celebrated by romantic couples in love. But there are benefits in taking this special day to remember and appreciate love in all its forms.

St. Valentine's Day is customarily celebrated by romantic couples in love. But there are benefits in taking this special day to remember and appreciate love in all its forms.

Family Dynamics

Do You Do Too Much for Your Adult Child?

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on February 2, 2024 in Emptying The Nest

Taking on responsibility is a key constituent of adulthood, but re-distributing responsibility so the adult child carries the lion's share can be a challenge.

Taking on responsibility is a key constituent of adulthood, but re-distributing responsibility so the adult child carries the lion's share can be a challenge.