PsychologyInfo members can contribute to any of the Mental Health Blogs. Our members are Mental Health Researchers, professors of psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, counseling, sociology, health or a related field, and licensed mental health professionals. Each Mental Health Blog focuses on a specific topic, and information about the education, experience and credentials of our authors can be found in the PsychologyInfo Mental Health Directory. This page provides links to our current Mental Health Blogs, with a brief description of each blog.
- Addictions
- Addiction problems have increased significantly in recent years. This blog addresses issues related to addiction research and treatment. For example, a discussion of different types of treatment programs, complicating factors in treatment and recovery, and information on available treatment programs. Substance abuse and gambling issues are addressed here.
- Anxiety
- Occasional anxiety is a part of life and is not considered a mental health disorder. However, anxiety disorders are extremely common. The NIMH reports that each year, approximately 19 percent of adults report symptoms of an anxiety disorder. In addition, about 31 percent of adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Women experience anxiety disorders more often than men. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder and Phobia-related Disorders. This blog focuses on research and treatment of all types of anxiety disorders.
- Assessment & Testing
- Assessment and Testing is used to identify broad psychological adjustment problems, diagnosis neuropsychological and intellectual deficits, evaluate learning problems and other developmental issues, and to identify specific personality traits. This blog focuses on describing and explaining how specific assessment tools are used to identify and treat mental health and educational problems.
- Children & Adolescents
- Topics focus on current and recent research on assessment and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems, explanations of different types of treatment services, and how treatment can assist in remediating child and adolescent problems. Posts can focus on specific treatment approaches, specialized treatment programs and research about assessment and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems.
- Cognitive Therapy CBT & DBT
- Cognitive Therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that focuses on helping people change thinking and behavior that contributes to life adjustment problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized form of Cognitive Therapy that has been successfully used to treat serious mental health problems. It focuses on changing negative thinking patterns and teaching people positive behavioral coping skills. This blog focuses on the research and treatment of mental health problems using these two related treatment approaches.
- Couples and Families
- Marital distress and conflict in relationships is only one aspect of couple and family counseling. Other mental health problems, like depression, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder also have an impact on family members. The way family members react to the mental health problems of one family member can also lead to an increase in symptoms. This blog focuses on relationship problems and how mental health problems affect couple and family relationships.
- Culture, Race & Mental Health
- You culture and race affect how you are treated by your peers, family, social group, teachers, the police, shop keepers, prospective employers, health care providers and other people and groups you encounter. These factors also affect how you react to the world, the attitudes you form about others, and in a very general way, your adjustment to the world. This blog explores how these factors affect mental health and adjustment.
- Depression
- The NIMH reports that about 7 percent of the adult population in the United States has had at least one major depressive episode. Pervasive Depressive Disorder, which involves a cluster of depressive symptoms for at least two years, occurred in about 1.5 percent of the US adult population in one year in a recent study. This suggests that depression is one of the most common types of mental disorders. Depression occurs more often among women, and more often in adults between the ages of 18 - 25. This blog focuses on research and treatment of all types of depression.
- Developmental Issues
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication, behavior and the ability to function in school, work or other areas of life (NIMH). Approximately 3 percent of boys and 0.7 percent of girls are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is one of a group of developmental disorders that results in a dysfunction in attention, memory, perception, language development, social interaction or problem solving ability. Other developmental disorders are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual disability, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Rett's syndrome. This blog focuses on research and treatment of these disorders.
- Eating Disorders
- The NIMH describes Eating Disorders as serious and often fatal illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people's eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. This blog focuses on research and treatment of Eating Disorders.
- EMDR
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) was developed to reduce stress from recalling traumatic memories. EMDR is still controversial, but has been shown to be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. EMDR has also been used to treat addictions, eating disorders, panic disorder and anxiety. Several professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, have endorsed the use of EMDR for treating PTSD. This blog focuses on research and treatment related to EMDR, including critical assessment EMDR in specific treatment settings.
- Forensic Mental Health
- This blog addresses the interface between mental health professions and the legal system. Criminal, Family and Civil court cases often require mental health experts to evaluate individuals and families involved in court proceedings, provide counseling related to court issues, or offer consultation regarding jury selection, mental health factors affecting criminal behavior, parent-child relationships, competency, dangerousness, or sexual behavior. This blog focuses on any interface between mental health and the courts.
- Gender/Gender Identity
- Your Gender and Gender Identity affect how you are treated by your peers, family, social group, teachers, the police, shop keepers, prospective employers, health care providers and other people and groups you encounter. Your personal identity also affects how you react to the world, the attitudes you form about others, and in a very general way, your adjustment to the world. This blog explores how gender and gender identity affect mental health and adjustment.
- Group Therapy
- Group Psychotherapy helps people address their problems by sharing their experiences and feelings with other group members and a therapist. The therapist guides the group, models and encourages positive interactions and responses to others, and identifies conflicts while encouraging members to talk about their reactions to other group members. Some groups focus on specific topics or problems, such as parenting, relationship issues or addiction, while other groups include people with a variety of problems. This blog focuses on research and treatment related to group therapy.
- Health and Wellness
- Health Psychology, Behavioral Medicine, and Medical Psychology are often used interchangeably to address the impact of biology, psychology, behavior and social environmental factors on health and illness. This blog addresses research, education and treatment related to these issues.
- Medical Mental Health
- Medical assessment and treatment of mental health and behavioral issues. Research and evaluation of the relationship between brain function and behavior, as well as medical intervention and rehabilitation. This includes the use of medication and medical procedures to treat mental health and behavioral problems, as well as the impact of cognitive, developmental, and other psychological research. Assessment and treatment of the behavioral effects of brain trauma and disease are addressed as well.
- Mental Health Topics
- Information about current mental health research and treatment. This blog addresses all mental health topics not addressed in one of the other mental health blogs. Members can also post articles in this blog that address two or more mental health topics.
- Personality in Focus
- Personality disorders represent “an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture” per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These patterns tend to be fixed and consistent across situations and leads to distress or impairment.
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychoanalysis is an intensive and long-term treatment approach that focuses on the importance of the unconscious mind. It is a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating emotional problems by encouraging a person to talk freely about personal experiences and childhood memories. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is based on psychoanalytic theory, but is more short term and less intensive than psychoanalysis. It focuses on the effect of unconscious processes on a person's current behavior. This blog addresses research and treatment issues in both areas.
- Trauma and PTSD
- Trauma is a deeply disturbing and frightening event, or events, that involves experiencing serious physical or emotional harm or viewing another person experiencing trauma. Trauma affects people differently than other types of life problems and crises. Some traumas are specific events, such as an accident or an assault, while others involve chronic exposure to trauma, such as domestic violence or child abuse, being involved in combat or living in an place where there are regular threats of violence. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a specific mental health problem that frequently develops when someone is exposed to trauma in their life. Some other responses to trauma include depression, anxiety, and anger. This blog explores research and treatment related to trauma.