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Psychosis

"Delulu" Is Not a Mental Illness

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on October 30, 2024

If you think "delulu" is synonymous with the actual delusions of mental illness, think again. Learn how to differentiate this pop culture term from a real psychiatric symptom.

If you think "delulu" is synonymous with the actual delusions of mental illness, think again. Learn how to differentiate this pop culture term from a real psychiatric symptom.

Self-Harm

Why Self-Injury Can Be Hard to Quit

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 24, 2024

Self-injury is often seen as repulsive and manipulative, perpetuating stigma and shaming would-be help seekers. Would understanding biological contributors encourage more empathy?

Self-injury is often seen as repulsive and manipulative, perpetuating stigma and shaming would-be help seekers. Would understanding biological contributors encourage more empathy?

Mental Health Stigma

An Effective Way to Fight Mental Illness Prejudice

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on August 21, 2024

Pop culture ideas of mental illness can create stigma. Reading biographical accounts of sufferers can encourage empathy by immersing readers in accurate portrayals of the struggle.

Pop culture ideas of mental illness can create stigma. Reading biographical accounts of sufferers can encourage empathy by immersing readers in accurate portrayals of the struggle.

Psychosis

Mental Illness Isn't Just About Chemical Imbalances

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on July 26, 2024

Have you ever wondered why mental illnesses often can't be cured with medications alone? Psychosocial conflicts may be stronger influences than they're given credit for.

Have you ever wondered why mental illnesses often can't be cured with medications alone? Psychosocial conflicts may be stronger influences than they're given credit for.

Trauma

Dissociation Isn't Always About Trauma

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on June 29, 2024

Dissociation spans everyday experiences and many psychiatric disorders. See how it is more common than you might think and understand it's treatability.

Dissociation spans everyday experiences and many psychiatric disorders. See how it is more common than you might think and understand it's treatability.

Hallucination

Can Someone Negatively Hallucinate?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on June 1, 2024

Hallucinations aren't always sensory perceptions of things that aren't there. Whether from hypnosis or psychosis, people can also "negatively hallucinate/"

Hallucinations aren't always sensory perceptions of things that aren't there. Whether from hypnosis or psychosis, people can also "negatively hallucinate/"

Depression

Why Mental and Medical Illnesses Co-Occur

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on May 14, 2024

If you've ever wondered why mental and physical illnesses often co-occur, understanding their bidirectional nature can help.

If you've ever wondered why mental and physical illnesses often co-occur, understanding their bidirectional nature can help.

Depression

3 Signs of Depression That Often Go Unnoticed

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on April 10, 2024

2. Uncharacteristic irritability.

2. Uncharacteristic irritability.

Depression

Springtime Can Instigate Seasonal Mood Problems

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on April 3, 2024

If you think seasonal affective disorder is limited to winter depression, think again. See how expansive it can be and what can be done about it.

If you think seasonal affective disorder is limited to winter depression, think again. See how expansive it can be and what can be done about it.

Autism

Is Masking Correlated to Suicide Risk in Autistic Girls?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on March 3, 2024

Autistic girls have an uncanny ability to mask their symptoms. While this might seem adaptive, it leads to missed diagnoses and higher rates of suicide.

Autistic girls have an uncanny ability to mask their symptoms. While this might seem adaptive, it leads to missed diagnoses and higher rates of suicide.

Mental Health Stigma

Ignore Popular Culture Portrayals of Mental Illness

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on February 13, 2024

Pop culture portrays unpredictable and violent mental illness profiles, fueling stigma. The most stigmatized disorders are often much more subtle than their actor representations.

Pop culture portrays unpredictable and violent mental illness profiles, fueling stigma. The most stigmatized disorders are often much more subtle than their actor representations.

Personality

Could Treatment-Resistant ADHD Be a Matter of Personality?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on January 31, 2024

Restless, easily frustrated, irritable, stimulation-seeking—sounds a lot like ADHD. But, think again! The hypomanic personality may hold the key to "treatment-resistant" ADHD.

Restless, easily frustrated, irritable, stimulation-seeking—sounds a lot like ADHD. But, think again! The hypomanic personality may hold the key to "treatment-resistant" ADHD.

Depression

The Difference Between Treatment-Resistant Depression and a Depressive Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on December 22, 2023

Chronic pessimism and sadness and not responding to depression treatment may seem treatment resistant, but think again. It might be time to consider a depressive personality.

Chronic pessimism and sadness and not responding to depression treatment may seem treatment resistant, but think again. It might be time to consider a depressive personality.

Therapy

Narrative Therapy in Maternal Mental Health Care

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on November 27, 2023

Sharing stories of perinatal struggle, with support, can accelerate healing.

Sharing stories of perinatal struggle, with support, can accelerate healing.

Depression

A Practical Guide to Major Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on November 22, 2023

Studying major depression subtypes in depth is challenging. Develop a foundation by reviewing one paragraph of the most salient information for each of the eight subtypes.

Studying major depression subtypes in depth is challenging. Develop a foundation by reviewing one paragraph of the most salient information for each of the eight subtypes.

Depression

Social Media Activities Can Reveal Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 27, 2023

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Personality Disorders

3 Big Signs of Avoidant Personality Disorder

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 13, 2023

The avoidant personality isn't uncommon but gets little clinical attention. Sufferers often endure silently and with comorbid depression, making recognition an important issue.

The avoidant personality isn't uncommon but gets little clinical attention. Sufferers often endure silently and with comorbid depression, making recognition an important issue.

Psychosis

Paranoia May Not Be What You Think It Is

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on August 11, 2023

Paranoia is a projective process existing on a spectrum requiring careful clinical examination, for it's not fear or conspiracy theory, but not always a harbinger of psychosis.

Paranoia is a projective process existing on a spectrum requiring careful clinical examination, for it's not fear or conspiracy theory, but not always a harbinger of psychosis.

Borderline Personality Disorder

3 Overlooked Signs of Borderline Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on July 3, 2023

The borderline stereotype often fails to take into account symptoms that aren't immediately observable. Don't jump to conclusions without evaluating for these three features, too.

The borderline stereotype often fails to take into account symptoms that aren't immediately observable. Don't jump to conclusions without evaluating for these three features, too.

Depression

10 Common Causes of Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on June 24, 2023

There's a misconception that depression is either due to a life conflict or a serotonin imbalance. The truth is, it's not always "about" something, nor is serotonin a lone culprit.

There's a misconception that depression is either due to a life conflict or a serotonin imbalance. The truth is, it's not always "about" something, nor is serotonin a lone culprit.