Relationship NewsFeed

Love Amidst Compulsive Chaos with Emily Wilson

The author, who was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at age 16, has struggled with compulsions since childhood. Despite the counterintuitive nature of OCD symptoms intensifying around people they're comfortable with, the author has learned to accept and fight their compulsions in relationships. They've found that while supportive partners can exacerbate OCD symptoms by accommodating their needs, this approach is unfair to both the partner and the individual. The author has made progress in resisting compulsions, such as not asking their partner to repeat themselves or check locks multiple times, and recognizes that interpersonal relationships are crucial in managing OCD. With acceptance and support from their partner, they feel grateful for a path forward despite the disorder's ongoing presence.

https://www.insider.com/ocd-symptoms-more-intense-worse-people-love-2025-3

Caroline's Struggle with Mental Health Revealed by Lou

Lou, who had been caring for her friend Caroline, was left heartbroken when Caroline took her own life shortly after Lou left their home in February 2020. Since then, Lou has slowly rebuilt her life and recently started dating footballer Andy. In a recent post on Instagram, Lou shared her struggles with helping Caroline cope with mental health issues, saying she did "her best". However, a fan's comment highlighted the complexity of the issue, stating that nothing can stop someone who is intent on suicide.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14398437/Caroline-Flacks-best-friend-Lou-Teasdale-portrait-Valentines-Day.html

February 10, 2025

Dr. Patric Gagne Debunks Sociopath vs Psychopath Myths

Dr. Patric Gagne, a former therapist and clinical psychologist with a doctorate from The Chicago School, discusses the nuances between sociopaths and psychopaths in her work, drawing parallels with fictional characters like Wednesday Addams and Dexter Morgan. She argues that while often used interchangeably, these terms refer to distinct conditions, with sociopathy being more related to emotional dysregulation and psychopathy characterized by a lack of empathy. Gagne shares her expertise on how to communicate effectively with loved ones about sociopathic tendencies, aiming to reduce stigma surrounding the condition.

https://www.insider.com/how-sociopathy-works-according-to-therapist-diagnosed-sociopath-2025-2

Trump's Narcissism Sparks Mental Health Concerns

Several mental health professionals have described Donald Trump as having narcissistic personality disorder. Harvard University's Howard Gardner and clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis are among those who have made this assessment. A 2016 article by Northwestern psychology professor Dan McAdams in The Atlantic and a New York Times article by Jennifer Senior, titled "We Are All at the Mercy of the Narcissist-in-Chief," also support this characterization.

https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/trumps-narcissism/

February 5, 2025

Friendships Bring Inconvenience, Lasting Life Benefits

A relationship-based therapist notes that true connection requires effort and that embracing friendships means accepting the varying levels of inconvenience they bring. Research has shown that people with close relationships experience higher wellbeing and increased life satisfaction. The therapist suggests that despite the potential challenges, the benefits of friendships are well established, citing a 2023 review of 38 research articles on adult friendship.

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-best-six-ways-to-make-your-friendships-easier-and-more-fun-20250203-p5l94r.html

January 31, 2025

Mothers Bear 71% of Household Mental Load

A new study published in the Journal Of Marriage And Family found that mothers take on a significant portion of household mental load tasks, accounting for 71% of all such tasks. These tasks include planning meals and activities, managing finances, and keeping track of daily responsibilities such as laundry and childcare. In contrast, fathers tend to focus on episodic tasks like home repairs. The study's authors, including Dr Ana Catalano Weeks from the University of Bath, emphasize that this mental load is a significant strain on mothers, who often carry out unseen but crucial work to keep family life running smoothly.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14344231/Mothers-carry-familys-mental-load-fathers-seat-study-shows.html

January 25, 2025

Dr. Suglani's 15 Signs of Childhood Neglect

Dr Suglani, a psychologist, has identified 15 signs that may indicate someone is suffering from childhood emotional neglect as an adult. These signs include difficulty recognizing one's own emotions, preferring to be alone and having trouble forming close relationships, setting unrealistically high standards for oneself, and doubting one's worth and feeling inferior to others. Other signs include pushing oneself excessively in work or other areas to gain approval, being suspicious of people's intentions, avoiding conflict, experiencing emotional numbness, prioritizing others' needs over one's own, having difficulty setting boundaries, and being overly harsh and critical of oneself. Dr Suglani suggests that these unresolved wounds from the past can shape how individuals interact with their partners in romantic relationships, leading to patterns such as trust issues, fear of abandonment, or difficulty with intimacy.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14287575/Psychologist-reveals-everyday-fear-mean-felt-unseen-child-20-signs-adulthood.html

January 22, 2025

Grant Mitchell Returns to EastEnders as Phil

Grant Mitchell is returning to the BBC soap after a nine-year absence to play his brother Phil, who is struggling with depression following the collapse of his marriage to Kate and his cousin Teddy's new relationship with Sharon. As Phil's mental health deteriorates, he experiences vivid hallucinations and becomes suicidal. The storyline aims to raise awareness about mental health issues, according to Joe Levenson, Head of Media at Mind, who notes that on-screen portrayals can influence how people think and feel about their own mental health.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-14310069/EastEnders-Phil-Mitchell-attempts-suicide-depression-spirals-new-hard-hitting-mental-health-storyline.html