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Psych Central

@psychcentralofficial

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Mental health is a journey, and we are here with you every step of the way. 🏔

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Share this to remind others that they matter. You never know who's struggling and might need to see this.💛⁠
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Many life circumstances can bring us to a place of hopelessness or apathy. Family issues, injustice, bullying, and just feeling stuck in the daily grind can leave you wondering, “Is it even worth it?”⁠
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Whatever the cause, your feelings are valid. What’s important is how you choose to handle them. Hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts don’t last forever, unlike suicide itself.⁠
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If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 9-8-8. This is the number for the U.S. National Lifeline. When you call or text it, you will be connected with a trained counselor who can provide confidential support — you are not alone.🤍⁠
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🔗For more reasons to keep going, visit the link in bio.⁠
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#healthline #psychcentral #suicideawarenessmonth by @psychcentralofficial

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3 years ago

In this episode, we sit down with Helen Blair Simpson, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (@columbiapsychiatry), Director of the Center for OCD and Related Disorders, ADAA Past President, and ADAA Ambassador for Women's Mental Health. Gabe and Dr. Simpson talk about why women face anxiety and depression at twice the rate of men, and why so many answer "I'm fine" when they're not. Together, they unpack:

• How to tell everyday stress from a condition worth treating: persistence, distress, and impairment

• Why stigma, lack of awareness, and hard-to-reach care keep women suffering in silence

• Why asking for help takes strength, and doesn't cost it

• How loved ones can open the conversation without pushing

Take a free self-assessment and find evidence-based resources at https://bit.ly/47TS1Nf. Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.
This episode is brought to you by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. Educational funding for this episode was provided by Lancôme. by @psychcentralofficial

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2 days ago

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Schettino, PhD, ADAA member expert, licensed psychologist, and research psychologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, to talk about how psychedelics went from illegal drugs to serious clinical science — and what that research actually shows. Together, they unpack:

• Why a standardized dose matters: a Big Mac is a Big Mac anywhere, a deli sandwich is a gamble
• What happens during psychedelic-assisted therapy — and why it isn't just "tripping"
• Whether adding psychotherapy makes the treatment work better (the jury's still out)
• Retreats, underground providers, and what to look for when there's no oversight

Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. by @psychcentralofficial

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16 days ago

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It" and Sanjay Mathew, MD, ADAA President, for Suicide Prevention Month to talk about why men are dying by suicide at far higher rates — and what actually reaches them. Together, they unpack:

• Why "you're so together" keeps men out of the therapy room
• Mental health care as maintenance, not crisis response — you don't skip the gym because you're fit
• The message men rarely hear, and need most: we need you

Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. by @psychcentralofficial

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a month ago

💬 Comment PANIC for the full breakdown, including when it’s something else worth checking with a doctor.

😵‍💫 The dizziness is real, but blacking out during a panic attack is rare.

When panic kicks in, your body shifts into fight-or-flight mode. Your heart rate and breathing can change quickly, which can leave you feeling lightheaded, dizzy, weak, or like you’re about to lose consciousness.

And that "I’m going to faint" feeling can be very convincing. But feeling faint doesn’t necessarily mean you’re actually going to pass out.

Swipe through to see why panic can make you feel this way and what’s actually happening in your body. 👆

#panicattacks #panicdisorder #anxietysupport #mentalhealth

Before you read it, we reviewed it.
Article Medically Reviewed By: Kelsey Nank, PA-C
Article Review Date: 8/10/2026
Source: Wigley, S. (August 10, 2026). Can You Pass Out From a Panic Attack? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-pass-out-from-a-panic-attack by @psychcentralofficial

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a month ago

Health anxiety isn't caused by symptoms. It's fueled by uncertainty and the endless search for reassurance." — Karen Cassiday, PhD.

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Cassiday, PhD, former ADAA president and author of "Freedom from Health Anxiety," to talk about what actually drives health anxiety — and what helps. Together, they unpack:

• Why over-testing rarely brings peace of mind
• The reassurance-seeking cycle (and how to break it)
• Why health anxiety is highly treatable, even if it can't be "cured"

Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.
This episode is brought to you by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. by @psychcentralofficial

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a month ago

Everyone worries - bills, family, work, the future. Anxiety is a normal human experience, but when does everyday stress cross the line into Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

In this episode, @askabipolar sits down with therapist and anxiety specialist Ben Eckstein, LCSW (author of Worrying Is Optional). Together, they unpack:
How GAD is actually diagnosed
Why avoidance feeds anxiety (and makes it worse)
How CBT and medication can help you reclaim your life

Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. Educational funding for this episode was provided by Otsuka. by @psychcentralofficial

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2 months ago

😮‍💨 Racing heart. Shortness of breath. A looming sense of dread.

It might be anxiety, or it might be something else wearing anxiety's symptoms as a disguise.

Conditions like POTS, thyroid issues, and PCOS can all produce physical symptoms that look a lot like a panic attack: rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue. That overlap means it's possible to have one of these conditions and get misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder, or to have both at once.

⚠️ If your symptoms don't feel quite right, or they're changing, persistent, or keep coming back, it's worth talking to your doctor. A conversation can help you get closer to the right diagnosis. 🔗 More at the link in bio.

#anxietyawareness #mentalhealth #healthtips #chronicillness #medicalmisinformation

Before you read it, we reviewed it.
Article Medically Reviewed By: Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP
Article Review Date: 7/10/2025
Source: Ferguson, S. (July 10, 2025). 10 Health Conditions Mistaken for Anxiety. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/medical-conditions-that-mimic-anxiety by @psychcentralofficial

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2 months ago

Can your smartphone become part of your mental health treatment? Prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) promise to do exactly that.

🎙️In this episode, @askabipolar sits down with digital psychiatry expert Dr. John Torous and clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Patriquin to break down what PDTs actually are (and aren't), how mental health apps fit into real treatment, and how to tell an FDA-cleared tool from a wellness app that just looks official.

🔗Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. by @psychcentralofficial

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2 months ago

💬 Comment "BURNOUT" for a guide on setting boundaries to help avoid burnout.

Stress and burnout can look similar, but they're not the same.

⚡ Stress often feels like too much: too many tasks, too much pressure, too many demands. You may still feel like you can push through.

🪫 Burnout feels like not enough: not enough energy, motivation, or emotional capacity to keep going. It can leave you feeling exhausted, detached, and overwhelmed.

Recognizing the signs early can help you make changes before stress turns into burnout.

#mentalhealth #burnoutprevention #stressmanagement #boundaries #worklifebalance

Before you read it, we reviewed it.
Article Medically Reviewed By: Matthew Boland, PhD
Article Review Date: 3/4/2026
Source: Bahou, C. (March 4, 2026). How to Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-set-boundaries-to-avoid-burnout by @psychcentralofficial

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3 months ago

Most people have heard of bipolar disorder. But do you actually know what mania feels like from the inside or how easy it is to miss?

🎙️In this episode, @askabioplar sits down with psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Bruce M. Cohen to break down the realities of bipolar disorder, mania, depression, warning signs, and the differences between bipolar I, II, and cyclothymia.

🔗 Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. We would like to thank McLean Hospital for providing educational support for this episode. by @psychcentralofficial

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3 months ago

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored — leaving many people feeling isolated, frustrated, and afraid to speak up.

🎙️In this episode, we share the deeply personal story of Sherland Peterson, a woman living with tardive dyskinesia, while exploring the physical, emotional, and social impact of this complex movement disorder.

🔗 Listen to the conversation now at the link in bio.

This episode is brought to you by Anxiety and Depression Association of America (@anxietyanddepression_adaa). ADAA is dedicated to informing the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. Educational funding for this episode was provided by Teva Pharmaceuticals. by @psychcentralofficial

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3 months ago