Healthy Mind

If you have taken diclofenac for pain and felt unusually tired, you are not alone. Many people wonder if this common anti-inflammatory drug causes drowsiness. The short answer is that drowsiness is not a typical side effect of diclofenac, but it can happen in some people for specific reasons. Clinical studies and drug safety labels … Read more

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges in the United States. If you are looking for what to avoid with anxiety foods habits and more, the short answer is this: limit caffeine, alcohol, added sugar, and processed foods. Avoid habits like doom-scrolling, skipping meals, and poor sleep. And steer clear of self-diagnosis … Read more

You have probably wondered if your anxiety or depression qualifies as a disability. The short answer is yes, it can. But the longer answer matters more. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) both recognize certain mental health conditions as disabilities. The catch is that not everyone who has anxiety … Read more

Figuring out if you have a mental illness is not something you can do with an online quiz or a checklist. The only reliable way to know is to see a licensed mental health professional — a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker — who can do a full evaluation. Self-diagnosis can lead you down … Read more

Yes, hormones can cause depression symptoms, but it is rarely the whole story. Hormonal changes from puberty, pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and menopause are linked to higher rates of depression. The evidence is strongest for thyroid hormones, cortisol, and reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Treatments that address the underlying hormone imbalance often help, but most … Read more

Yes, sleep deprivation can directly cause anxiety. Research shows that missing sleep changes how your brain processes emotions. The part of your brain that controls fear and worry becomes more active. At the same time, the part that helps you think clearly and stay calm slows down. This combination makes anxiety more likely to appear … Read more

Mental compulsions are the hidden side of OCD and anxiety that many people don’t talk about. Unlike visible rituals like hand washing or checking locks, mental compulsions happen entirely inside your head. They are repetitive thoughts, mental checking, rumination, or silent reassurance-seeking that feel impossible to stop. The good news is that research has found … Read more

Inpatient mental health care is for people who cannot keep themselves safe or meet their basic needs due to a mental health condition. This level of care provides 24-hour medical supervision in a hospital setting. It is not a first step or a quick fix. It is a structured, short-term intervention for the most serious … Read more

Anxiety problems are not just feeling nervous before a big meeting. They are a group of mental health conditions where fear and worry become intense, frequent, and hard to control. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that about 19% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the past year. For many, these feelings … Read more

Test anxiety is not automatically a disability under US law, but it can qualify as one if it meets specific legal criteria. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, test anxiety must be a diagnosed condition that substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning or concentrating. … Read more