Healthy Mind

You look at a crowded room and somehow pick out your friend’s face. You read this page and the black letters stand out against the white background. This everyday mental skill is called figure-ground perception. In psychology, figure-ground perception is the ability to separate what stands out (the figure) from what recedes into the background … Read more

Sleep is not a luxury. It is a biological necessity, as essential as food and water. Getting a good night’s sleep comes down to aligning your habits with your body’s natural rhythms: keep a consistent schedule, get morning sunlight, and create a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom. That is the straightforward answer. The harder part … Read more

Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an FDA-approved medication for major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, but it is not specifically approved for anxiety disorders. Some psychiatrists prescribe it off-label for anxiety when other treatments have not worked. Research shows it may help some people with anxiety, especially those who also have depression, but the evidence is not as … Read more

It can feel strange and unsettling when anxiety shows up in your feet. You might feel tingling, coldness, tension, or a restless urge to move them. This is not in your head. Anxiety is a full-body experience, and your feet are often a target because they are far from your heart and rich in nerve … Read more

Yes, you can have seizure-like episodes from anxiety, but they are not the same as epileptic seizures. These events are called psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). They look like seizures but are caused by psychological distress, not abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Understanding the difference is critical for getting the right treatment and avoiding unnecessary … Read more

Depression can feel like a trap where every thought and action keeps you stuck. The way out is not one big leap but a series of small, deliberate steps that interrupt the downward spiral. Research shows that breaking the cycle of depression requires a combination of behavioral changes, cognitive shifts, and professional support. The most … Read more

Waking up with a stiff neck that won’t turn is a common problem. The quickest way to relieve neck pain from sleeping wrong is to apply gentle heat, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, and do slow range-of-motion stretches within your pain-free limits. Most cases improve on their own within 24 to 48 hours, and … Read more

Envy is absolutely an emotion, and psychology has studied it in depth for decades. It is a complex, painful feeling that arises when you lack something another person has and either want it or wish they did not have it. The American Psychological Association classifies envy as a distinct emotion, separate from jealousy, with its … Read more

Telling someone with anxiety to “just calm down” is about as useful as telling someone with a broken leg to “just walk it off.” It does not help. It often makes things worse. What does help is understanding what anxiety actually feels like and knowing what to say instead. This article covers what not to … Read more

Puberty depression does not simply “go away” on its own for most teens, but with the right support, the majority recover fully. Research shows that about 70% of teens with depression will get better within a year if they receive treatment. Without help, symptoms can last much longer and may return in adulthood. Recovery looks … Read more