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These people expect to be rejected all the time. And as they anxiously look for signs that someone doesn’t want to be with them, they often behave in ways that push other people away. This behavior creates a painful cycle that can be difficult to break. Signs of Rejection Sensitivity Individuals with high rejection sensitivity constantly look for signs that they’re about to be rejected. They tend to respond dramatically to any hint that someone doesn’t want to be with them....

In reality, the illusion of choice is a false sense of control that can lead to suboptimal decision-making. History of the Illusion of Choice The illusion of choice is a relatively new concept. The term was first alluded to by American philosopher and psychologist William James in his lecture “The Will to Believe” first published in 1896. In the essay, James argues that choices can be forced or avoidable, and that “every dilemma based on a complete logical disjunction, with no possibility of not choosing, is an option of this forced kind....

Bipolar disorder is a treatable condition, and some therapies and medications can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. However, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder can be scary and confusing. Understanding the different types can help in determining the best treatment path for you. This article covers the differences between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder and discusses the treatment options available for each. Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II Disorder Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder....

Meet Amir Levine Dr. Amir Levine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University. He’s a leading researcher on molecular processes unique to the developing brain. His research has uncovered findings that may lead to changes in how mood disorders and addictions are treated in adolescents and adults. He’s also the co-author of a popular book, “Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love....

Understanding your own love language and the love language of your partner can help you both get what you need from the relationship. Here we will take a closer look at the love language of gift-giving and gift-receiving and what this means for your partnership. Chapman’s 5 Love Languages Giving and receiving gifts is just one love language. It’s helpful to know all five of Chapman’s proposed love languages. They are:...

Your brain has limited attentional resources. If you have ever tried to focus on multiple things at once, you have likely discovered you could not fully pay attention to all of them. In some cases, you might even notice that some things seem to simply slide past you unnoticed. In one well-known demonstration of attentional blink, a series of letters and numbers are flashed on a screen in a rapid sequence....

Friday Fix: Episode 75 There’s a voice inside your brain that narrates everything throughout your day. We get so used to hearing that voice sometimes that we forget how much of a difference that voice makes in our lives. The way you think affects how you feel and it affects how you behave. One slight change to the way you think might make a huge difference in your life. If you’re like most people, you might think in the first-person....

The Shame of Having ADHD Many people feel shame for having ADHD. Do you? When you feel ashamed of having ADHD, you are ashamed of a part of yourself. You try to keep up a facade, so people won’t know your struggles behind the scenes. This can be exhausting and lonely; because you can’t get the support you need or feel close to the people in your life. It would be great if you could be as comfortable with having ADHD as you are with your eye color....

Withdrawal can be unpleasant and potentially dangerous in some cases. For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before stopping or reducing your substance use. Symptoms of Withdrawal What does it feel like to go through withdrawal? Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug you were taking. Some symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal include: Changes in appetite Changes in mood Chills or shivering Congestion Depression Fatigue Irritability Muscle pain Nausea Restlessness Runny nose Shakiness Sleeping difficulties Sweating Tremors Vomiting...

You might always be trying out new ideas or personas to see if they fit. Or you might find yourself changing in response to other people. If you ever find yourself thinking “I don’t know who I am,” you might wonder why you might feel this way and what you can do to change that. How Identity Forms Identity is shaped by the experiences people have during their lives, particularly during childhood and adolescence....

Avoidant Personality Disorder If you have avoidant personality disorder (APD), you will experience many of the same symptoms as someone with SAD. However, your symptoms will be broader and more severe. There is overlap between the two disorders, which means that it is possible to be diagnosed with both APD and social anxiety disorder. One of the key defining features of avoidant personality disorder that tends not to be present to the same degree in SAD is a lack of trust in the motives of others....

More rigorous in approach than 12 step groups, the SMART Recovery program may provide more safety for participants in its facilitated and standardized approach to overcoming addiction The meetings follow a standard structure that includes both teaching and participant input. The SMART Recovery Program differs from 12 step groups, but many people choose to be involved in both groups. SMART Recovery Program Overview The SMART Recovery program is a community-based self-help program, which can be an alternative to, or complement to, 12 step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA)....

What Is Brain Fog? Sometimes referred to in research as “sluggish cognitive tempo,” brain fog is characterized by the following symptoms: Mental fatigue Forgetfulness An inability to pay attention to what you’re doing or what’s happening around you (not because you’re distracted by something else, but because your brain is struggling to do so) Slow physical movement Difficulty finding words to express yourself Incoherent or jumbled thoughts that you struggle to make sense of Careless (and sometimes strange) mistakes like leaving the stove on when there’s nothing cooking or putting your keys in the freezer....

This fear often leads to persistent avoidance behaviors, in which the person begins to stay away from the places and situations in which they fear panic may occur. For example, a person with agoraphobia may avoid driving a car, leaving the comfort of home, shopping in a mall, traveling by airplane, or simply being in a crowded area. Due to these avoidance behaviors, the life of a person with agoraphobia can become very restrictive and isolated—greatly affecting their personal and professional life....

Parents struggling with alcoholism (which experts call “alcohol use disorder” or AUD) may be surprised or concerned to learn about the affect their drinking can have on their children now and through adulthood. Their kids, however, may find relief knowing what may have contributed to some of the issues they may face today. Psychological and Emotional Effects Unfortunately, the effects of growing up around alcohol use are sometimes so profound that they last a lifetime....

The condition, formerly known as Asperger’s syndrome (now referred to as an autism spectrum disorder), is mainly characterized by social and communication difficulties. Meanwhile, ADHD is characterized by problems with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention. This article discusses the similarities and differences between Asperger’s and ADHD in more detail. Symptoms Symptoms of Asperger’s and ADHD can overlap, but there are also some key differences. Both conditions can cause social difficulties, but people with Asperger’s typically have more significant problems in this area....

Maureen Canning, MA, LMFT is a child abuse survivor, recovered sex addict, and relationship therapist who identifies ten key characteristics of a healthy sexual relationship after sex addiction treatment in her book Lust, Anger, Love: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Road to Healthy Intimacy.

Also known as cognitive reframing, cognitive restructuring is a useful process for identifying and understanding unhelpful thoughts and for challenging and replacing our automatic thoughts. These thoughts are called cognitive distortions. The average person usually brushes off cognitive distortions within a few minutes. If you live with a mental illness like SAD, however, you may have a difficult time letting go of these thoughts. In these cases, cognitive restructuring can help you minimize the occurrences and effects of these negative thoughts....