Brainstorm

Health

How Muslim Americans Are Fighting Mental Health Stigma

Psychology Today Editorial Staff on April 18, 2019

People in faith communities can face distinct challenges in dealing with mental illness. Mental health practitioners and advocates are finding ways to meet them.

Trauma

Do Trigger Warnings Actually Work?

Abigail Fagan on April 17, 2019

Early research finds little evidence that they prevent distress.

Psychosis

Should We Worry About Cannabis Use Causing Psychosis?

Devon Frye on April 13, 2019

A new study finds further evidence of an association between cannabis use—particularly heavy use—and a risk of developing psychosis. But questions about causality remain.

Agreeableness

Do You Know How Others See You Right Now?

Psychology Today Editorial Staff on April 11, 2019

A recent study examined the awareness—or lack thereof—people have about in-the-moment personality impressions.

Health

How Lauren Shippen's Fantasy Shines a Light on Mental Health

Psychology Today Editorial Staff on April 5, 2019

The creator of "The Bright Sessions"—a podcast about therapy for people with superpowers—shares her insights on storytelling, escapism, and diversity.

Depression

FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Postpartum Depression

Abigail Fagan on March 20, 2019

The new treatment could alleviate symptoms of depression in under three days.

Ketamine

New Drug for Depression, Derived From Ketamine, Is Approved

Devon Frye on March 6, 2019

Esketamine will soon be available to patients with treatment-resistant depression. While its novel formula achieved FDA approval, some are voicing concerns about limited data.

Health

Is Tech Really Hurting Teens?

Devon Frye on February 22, 2019

Two new studies cast doubt on previously reported associations between digital technology use and adolescent mental health problems.

Sexual Abuse

Male Sexual Assault: The Reckoning That Never Happened

Abigail Fagan on February 12, 2019

A new film underscores the challenges faced by male victims of sexual abuse.

Intelligence

How Brain Communication Differs Between Humans and Monkeys

Abigail Fagan on February 8, 2019

Exchanges between neurons have become more complex but less reliable—which could help explain both our skills and vulnerabilities.

Psychopharmacology

How Genetic Testing Can Help Match Patients with Medications

Abigail Fagan on January 29, 2019

Genetic clues could reveal which patients will be helped or harmed by antipsychotics.

Placebo

Learning One’s Genetic Risk Might Affect Eating and Exercise

Devon Frye on January 25, 2019

Thinking about genetic risk for obesity-related traits — whether or not that information is true — may trigger placebo and nocebo effects.

Loneliness

A New Look at Links Between Isolation and Mortality Risk

Psychology Today Editorial Staff on December 13, 2018

A large study allowed researchers to investigate the relationship between social isolation and mortality among white and black men and women.

Autism

How Many Children Have Autism? Estimates Continue to Rise

Abigail Fagan on December 13, 2018

New analyses also find that nearly a third of children with autism may lack treatment.

Bias

How Sexism Ruins Relationships

Devon Frye on December 12, 2018

A study finds that men with “hostile sexist” views perceive female romantic partners as having the upper hand — and may be more likely to act aggressively towards them as a result.

Psychiatry

Is Cognitive Tourism a Near Frontier?

Kaja Perina on November 29, 2018

I’d love to someday see tools that viscerally channel the minds of people with stigmatizing psychiatric diagnoses.

Narcissism

Why Do Narcissists Make Positive First Impressions?

Devon Frye on November 20, 2018

Narcissists are well-liked—when people first meet them. A new series of studies posits that this strong first impression may be partly due to the perception of high self-esteem.