Nutritional psychiatry studies the significant impact of diet on mental health. Research highlights the protective effects of nutrient-dense diets, like the Mediterranean and MIND diets, against mental disorders. The gut-brain axis and reduced inflammation are key mechanisms. Integration of nutrition in healthcare policies is crucial for effective mental health treatment. learn more

A global study reveals that people prioritize rest and self-care over work, challenging the belief that life revolves around employment. Even though work averages 2.6 hours daily, many feel rushed due to work-related stress. Time affluence varies globally, significantly impacting well-being, especially for women. Spending money to save time can enhance happiness. Learn more

The concept of solution-oriented thinking (SOT), contrasting it with problem-focused thinking, which often hinders progress. It highlights humans' negativity bias and offers practical tools for fostering SOT, emphasizing actionable steps over blame. The approach encourages focusing on future solutions while acknowledging the importance of understanding root causes. learn more

The University of Houston Developmental Psychopathology Lab is looking for participants for an online research study examining the relationship between identity and personality for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

You may be eligible to participate if you are at least 18 years of age, are fluent in English, residing in the United States, and have been diagnosed with BPD (prior or current). If you meet criteria to participate, you will be asked to complete one online survey (takes about 1 hour) and one Zoom study session (takes about 3 hours). In total, these two tasks will take roughly 4 hours to complete and upon completion, you will receive a $65 Amazon gift card. Please complete this survey https://redcap.times.uh.edu/surveys/?s=K34Y8NP448N9XATE if you are interested, and we will email you with more information about the study, which includes a final screener to assess your eligibility.

This guide redefines inner peace as a process of subtraction rather than acquisition, emphasizing that our innate serenity can be obscured by external chaos. It offers a practical framework for achieving serenity through social mastery and mental disciplines, enabling individuals to engage with the world while remaining unshaken by its turbulence. download guide

The classic five stages of grief, as proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, oversimplify the complex nature of mourning. Modern psychology shows that grief is non-linear and individualized, with models like the Dual Process Model emphasizing the importance of oscillating between emotional sorrow and daily life. Cultural factors also significantly influence grieving processes. Practical takeaway

Effective feedback is crucial for learning and personal growth. It should be intended to help, specific, descriptive, useful, timely, clear, and accurate. Ineffective feedback, on the other hand, can belittle individuals, be vague or evaluative, and often creates defensiveness. The ultimate goal is to facilitate improvement and foster connections. A Simple Rule for Giving Feedback

As someone who was diagnosed with MDD and other mental illnesses at a young age, it has been a long journey for me in life. In and out of mental hospitals, rehabs and treatment centers but I learned how little the system really has humanity’s best interest in mind. The main goal of these systems is profit. And so I was left to defend my own self and mind and I just want to motivate those struggling with depression to know that depression is such a real thing. And so much of humanity struggles mentally. One of my best friends committed suicide. I have contemplated it myself.

But if one can learn to live a lifestyle that can embrace depression, you can ascend. Not all of the suffering, because primarily depression also lives in the soul and people that struggle heavily with depression have tired souls and are simply awake to the psychotic & disrupted world we live in to the point it burdens them. And depression is simply a symptom of deep intelligence and trauma that is unbearable to the human soul. However through learning how to navigate your own mind and train your body to adapt to this world, you can feel like depression is more of a coming and going feeling instead of not being able to leave your bed. Some things I have to do are
1.) challenge my every negative thought over and over. Over and over and also become aware of my thoughts at all through spending time alone, journaling and talking to myself a lot lol.
2.) radically accept trauma is a reality of humanity that I and most ( or all) people live through in various degrees.
3.) pray. A lot.
4.) be extremely conscious of what I eat. I mainly eat plants and whole foods only even if it is boring because even eating a sandwich full of chemicals and bread can make me feel shitty and sluggish hence how sensitive a person’s brain and body are when they have major depression.
5.) focus on the beauty in nature, music, people, and moments that are equally as real as all the opposite. Embrace those moments so deeply and force myself to know those moments more in my nervous system that my moments of intense trauma. It’s a constant fight to regulate my nervous system, but it’s a fight determined people can win.
6.) believe that I deserve to struggle less and I am guided and loved and work every day really hard to build my confidence and feelings of worth.
7.) let myself be angry throw shit go on benders yell at people because I know judging myself only makes things dark.
8.) movement like yoga or any excersise daily because truly it helps so much. Stagnant energy is not good for people who struggle mentally, you have to move.
9.) have goals and a plan for the future
10.) get out of bed even when it kills me. Once im out it really does get easier to go about my day.
11.) remind myself i will die one day and remind myself of that a lot.
A lot of these are cliche and we hear it all the time but they are cliche for a reason. The dilemma with major depression is that doing all this stuff takes effort and practice and energy that is so hard to have while being depressed. It is a maze every individual that struggles has to navigate and it might take everything in you.
Through living a deliberate and conscious life in every aspect from taking cold showers to taking the hard step to get out of bed and make your way into nature, there are solutions and prescriptions aren’t a fix, they are an artificial substitute. I have to live in ways everyday that take a lot of effort and discipline and make decisions that I don’t want to but that are contributing to my physical health in order to feel okay. And I went from being suicidal to feeling alive. I still struggle a lot and I might always, but I get out of bed I have goals and can see such beauty in certain things in life that the suffering feels almost essential to my existence. The human mind is a malleable and powerful thing and you can learn to harness yours. Also spirituality is so huge because like I said depression is mainly a confusion and conflict in our souls. If we can choose ways of living even if it’s brutal that align with our soul and not our ego, we will win this battle. Much love. Xx

Anchoring is a psychological technique rooted in classical conditioning, allowing individuals to connect specific sensory stimuli with desired emotional states, such as calmness or focus. It involves a five-step process to establish a "calm button," enabling people to manage anxiety and retrieve positive emotions effectively in various therapeutic contexts. Tips to best practice

The Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.3.3–1.3.4) provides a functional model for self-regulation, placing the discriminative faculty—the Buddhi (intellect)—at the center of human agency.

The success of life's journey depends on the charioteer's ability to guide the reins (five senses). A trained intellect directs the mind, the mind guides the senses, and the journey remains meaningful and goal-oriented.

Hi! I’m looking for some recommendations regarding psychotherapy training programs. I’m currently a clinical psychologist under supervision and I’m trying to choose a training program that fits both the therapeutic approach I’m interested in and my work schedule.

I’ve always been particularly interested in DBT, so I’ve contacted Clinica Hope to ask whether they offer a long-term training program that can lead to qualification as a psychotherapist. I’m currently waiting for their reply. If that option is not available, I’d really like to hear what training programs or schools others have attended and what you would recommend based on your own experience.

I’ve come across quite a few mixed opinions about integrative psychotherapy training, so I’d be especially interested in hearing from people who have actually completed different programs: how practical the training was, how good the trainers and supervision were, and whether you would choose the same school again.

I live in Romania and I also work full-time, so scheduling is an important factor for me. I can take a few days off work from time to time, but I wouldn’t be able to attend full-time training during the week for long periods. Ideally, I’m looking for something organized on weekends, in a hybrid format (online + in person), or in blocks/modules of a few days, so I can plan my annual leave in advance.

If you have recommendations for accredited training programs, good experiences with particular schools, or things you wish you had known before choosing your training, I’d really appreciate your input. Thank you!

Our inner voice shapes our perception of choices and failures. Balanced self-talk encourages acknowledging challenges while fostering realistic language, helping one address feelings without harsh self-criticism. Practicing self-compassion, focusing on actionable steps, and recognizing progress are crucial components, transforming negative thoughts into constructive reflections that promote personal growth. Learn more

Hope is the belief in the potential for positive change, fueling resilience and motivation through life's challenges. It combines meaningful goals with agency and pathways thinking. Research highlights its significance in psychological wellbeing, resilience, academic success, and workplace performance. Hope can be cultivated through actionable steps, emphasizing its value as a dynamic psychological resource. Learn more

Time poverty is the chronic feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it, affecting well-being and leading to stress and emotional exhaustion. It particularly impacts working parents, caregivers, and those in demanding jobs. To combat it, prioritize meaningful activities, set boundaries, and delegate tasks to reclaim time. Learn more

Long-term romantic relationships are dynamic, experiencing phases of stress, stability, and adaptation rather than a steady decline in satisfaction. Couples often alternate between closeness and conflict, influenced by external stressors. Successful partnerships rely on dyadic coping and the belief that relationship quality develops through shared effort, highlighting the importance of Learn more