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.

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What is Somatic OCD? Symptoms, Examples & Treatment

What is Somatic OCD? Symptoms, Examples & Treatment

If you have ever become suddenly aware of your own breathing and then could not stop noticing it for hours, or felt trapped in the rhythm of your own swallowing, or fixated on your blinking until it felt completely unnatural, you have experienced something close to what people with somatic OCD live with daily. The […]

Is PTSD a Disability? Qualification Criteria and Social Benefits

Is PTSD a Disability? Qualification Criteria and Social Benefits

If you or someone you love is living with post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be wondering: Is PTSD a disability? The answer is nuanced. PTSD can be recognized as a disability under several federal programs and laws, but whether it qualifies depends on the severity of your symptoms, how they affect your daily life and […]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Medication

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Medication

If you or someone you love is living with post-traumatic stress disorder, understanding your treatment options is a critical step toward recovery. While trauma-focused psychotherapy is considered the first-line approach, PTSD medication plays an important role in managing symptoms, particularly when therapy alone isn’t enough, or when symptoms like severe anxiety, depression, or nightmares make […]

PTSD Symptoms in Women

PTSD Symptoms in Women

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people each year, but research consistently shows that PTSD symptoms in women often look and feel different from those experienced by men. Women are roughly twice as likely to develop PTSD, with lifetime prevalence rates of approximately 10-12% compared to 4-6% in men. Yet despite being more affected, many […]

Is PTSD a Mental Illness?

Is PTSD a Mental Illness?

Is PTSD a mental illness? It’s a question that carries significant weight, not just for clinical classification, but for how people understand their own experiences, whether they seek treatment, and how society responds to those living with the condition. The language we use to describe PTSD matters. For some, calling it a mental illness feels […]

Is PTSD an Anxiety Disorder?

Is PTSD an Anxiety Disorder?

Is PTSD an anxiety disorder? This is one of the most common questions people ask when they or someone they love is navigating a PTSD diagnosis. The confusion is understandable; PTSD and anxiety disorders share many overlapping symptoms, including persistent worry, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties, and avoidance behaviors. For years, PTSD was actually classified alongside anxiety […]

CPTSD (Complex PTSD): Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

CPTSD (Complex PTSD): Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

If you’ve experienced prolonged or repeated trauma, such as ongoing childhood abuse, domestic violence, or captivity, you may be living with a condition called CPTSD, or complex post-traumatic stress disorder. While CPTSD shares many features with standard PTSD, it involves a broader set of symptoms that affect not only how you process traumatic memories, but […]

CPTSD vs PTSD: What’s the Difference?

CPTSD vs PTSD: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been researching trauma-related mental health conditions, you’ve likely encountered the terms PTSD and CPTSD and wondered what sets them apart. Understanding the difference between CPTSD vs PTSD is important. Post traumatic stress disorder and complex post traumatic stress disorder, while closely related, have distinct symptom profiles, causes, and treatment considerations. Getting the right […]

What Is False Memory OCD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What Is False Memory OCD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

You remember putting the knife back in the drawer. Or do you? Now you’re picturing something else, something alarming, and you can’t tell if it actually happened or if your mind is playing tricks on you. This relentless cycle of doubt and fear is the reality for people living with false memory OCD. Is OCD […]

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