Mental Health Blog
A space dedicated to sharing information about anxiety and depression, including proven strategies & expert advice to help you improve your overall mental health.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Harm OCD is one of the most misunderstood forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People who experience it often suffer in silence, terrified that their intrusive thoughts mean something is deeply wrong with them. But here is the truth: having disturbing thoughts about causing harm does not make you dangerous. In fact, individuals with harm OCD are […]
Is OCD an anxiety disorder? This question has sparked significant debate among mental health professionals for decades. For many years, obsessive-compulsive disorder was classified alongside conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. However, in 2013, the mental health field underwent a major shift when the DSM-5 reclassified OCD into its own category. Understanding this […]
OCPD vs OCD: These two conditions sound remarkably similar, and many people use the terms interchangeably. However, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder vs OCD represents two fundamentally different conditions with distinct symptoms, causes, and treatments. Confusing them can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment, which is why understanding the differences between OCD and OCPD is so important. […]
Real event OCD is one of the most misunderstood and isolating forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Unlike other OCD subtypes where fears center on hypothetical future events, real event OCD involves obsessive rumination about something that actually happened. This can make it especially difficult to recognize as OCD, leaving many sufferers trapped in cycles of guilt, […]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as simply liking things clean or organized, but in reality, it is a complex mental health condition that can present in many different ways. Understanding the main categories of OCD helps normalize these differences, reduce stigma, and make it easier to identify when professional support may be helpful. What […]
What are intrusive thoughts? These unwanted, disturbing thoughts that seem to come from nowhere affect nearly everyone at some point. For most people, they pass quickly without causing lasting distress. But for others, particularly those with OCD or anxiety, intrusive thoughts can become persistent, frightening, and overwhelming. If you have ever wondered why disturbing thoughts […]
When people take a break from drinking whether it’s for Dry January or just curiosity they’re often surprised by one thing: They miss it. And also… they don’t. Both can be true at the same time. Missing parts of drinking doesn’t mean you made a mistake by stopping. It doesn’t mean you “have a problem.” […]
Taking a break from alcohol or other substances during Dry January isn’t just about physical health, it’s an opportunity to explore how these substances fit into your life, how they affect your mood, and how therapy can support change. Reflection: What would you want to talk about in therapy if you were exploring your relationship […]
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually, often so slowly that people don’t realize it’s happening until they’re deep in it. If Dry January has made you think about your relationship with alcohol—even just a little—this is worth understanding: what increases the risk of developing AUD, what decreases it, and how to […]
Take a free assessment to see how Brightside can help you on your mental health journey.
Start Free AssessmentIf you're in emotional distress, text HOME to connect with a counselor immediately.
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 emotional support.
If you're having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER.
