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
Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that centers on romantic relationships. Instead of focusing on contamination, harm, or symmetry, the obsession attaches to love, attraction, compatibility, and certainty. People with relationship OCD experience intrusive doubts about their partner or relationship that feel urgent, distressing, and impossible to resolve, even when the relationship […]
You made it. Thirty-one days. A full month. Whether you did it perfectly, mostly, or imperfectly—you did something most people never attempt. Before you move on to February and whatever comes next, take a moment to recognize what you accomplished. Not in a self-congratulatory way, but in a clear-eyed way that acknowledges both what was […]
When people think about taking a break from substances, they often expect one of two things:either they’ll feel amazing right away or completely fall apart. What actually happens is usually somewhere in the middle. Whether you’re stepping back from alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, or other substances, your brain goes through a period of adjustment. Understanding what’s […]
February 1st is a decision point, not a finish line. Here's how to use what you've learned to make intentional choices about drinking going forward.
Every January, many people take part in Dry January, a month-long commitment to avoid alcohol. But what if we expanded the idea to all substances, including recreational drugs or other mood-altering substances? A substance-free month can be a powerful reset for the body, mind, and social life. Today’s reflection: Which activities or hobbies might you […]
Most people know alcohol has calories. Fewer people realize that alcohol affects nutrition in ways that go far beyond the calorie count on a beer label. Alcohol changes how your body absorbs nutrients. It depletes specific vitamins and minerals. It affects blood sugar. It alters appetite and eating patterns. These effects compound over time in […]
Contamination OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by an intense and persistent fear of germs, illness, dirt, or being “contaminated.” These fears are not simply about hygiene or cleanliness; they are driven by intrusive thoughts that trigger overwhelming anxiety and compel a person to engage in repetitive behaviors such as excessive cleaning, avoidance, […]
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 […]
Take a free assessment to see how Brightside can help you on your mental health journey.
Start Free AssessmentCall 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.
