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Ideas

Stigma and taboo

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Evaluating therapiesHistory and philosophy of mental healthHistory of psychology and psychiatryLaw and mental healthMental health across culturesMind-body interactionsSocioeconomics of mental healthStigma and tabooTherapeutic relationships
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A blurred black cat jumps on dirt ground in the foreground, with a distant statue of Pope John Paul II with arms outstretched against the sky in the background

Values and beliefs

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Cultural taboos arise from a basic feature of the human mind

Unquestioned community rules on marriage, dining and even black cats often stem from our hunger to explain random events

by Kevin (Ze) Hong

Photo of two people sitting at a wooden table each holding a mug, with a blurred outdoor background.

Psychotherapy

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Think someone should see a therapist? Here’s how to bring it up

Your suggestion could be invaluable, and it doesn’t need to be perfect. These steps will help you get a caring message across

by Kathryn Gordon

Black and white photo of a man smoking at a desk as a woman with glasses looks at papers beside him in an office setting.

Personality disorders

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Popular views of narcissism are distorted and too pessimistic

As therapists, we’ve treated people with narcissistic personality disorder. We have a more hopeful story to tell about them

by Giancarlo Dimaggio & Igor Weinberg

A smiling neurodiverse child holds a red balloon. In the background people hold balloons of various colours

Neurodiversity

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Essentialism is insidious – but it might also be helpful

Stereotypes are obviously bad, but believing you share an essence with others could help people who feel marginalised

by Ariana Orvell & Alexa Lebrón-Cruz

Photograph of a person lying on a floral sofa wearing jeans socks and an ankle monitor with a red cushion nearby.

Stigma and taboo

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The families of people who commit sex crimes need care and support

While they deal with a kind of grief, the relatives of those who harm others sexually are subject to blame and judgment

by Azadeh Nematy

Photo of a fluffy black dog lying on a sofa with a person in a red checkered shirt sitting behind on the left.

Personality disorders

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There’s a growing case for renaming ‘personality disorders’

The concept of personality disorders has been around for centuries but it’s flawed and needs both a rethink and a new name

by Matt Huston

Abstract painting of a dark silhouette on a textured brown and blue background with areas of peeling, suggesting age or decay.

Personality disorders

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People with BPD need compassion yet even clinicians stigmatise them

Both clinicians and laypeople misunderstand and stigmatise borderline personality disorder. Those who have it deserve better

by Sara Rose Masland & Hannah E A Peeples

Photo of a person walking, casting long shadows on a paved ground near a wall. Shadows of other unseen people are also visible.

History of ideas

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Worried you’re not normal? Don’t be – there’s no such thing

The history of ‘normal’ tells a tale of prejudice and bad maths. The most usual thing about people is how much we differ

by Sarah Chaney

Photo of two men walking at night beside a street with yellow taxis and shops lit by streetlamps, with city lights in the background.

Stigma and taboo

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It’s a fraught choice: come out, or conceal yourself?

For those who face the threat of prejudice, the possibility of concealing their identity means weighing up conflicting goals

by Joel Le Forestier

Photo of a busy city street with blurred pedestrians and taxis at dusk, reflected in a glass window.

Disability

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A few simple steps could empower the world’s largest minority

What makes people like me disabled is not our bodies but the societies we live in. Let me inspire a rethink in your attitudes

by Paras Shah

Photo of a person having their throat examined with an otoscope, wearing glasses and a patterned shirt, mouth open.

Therapeutic relationships

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Homeless, delusional, and brave, Mrs A taught me a powerful lesson

How a homeless woman with frostbitten feet taught me what it means to stand up for another when the stakes are high

by Patricia Steckler

Black and white photo of a topless person covering their chest with a hand wearing a bracelet.

The body and physical health

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I chose to go flat after breast cancer surgery. I have no regrets

Breast reconstruction following surgery to remove cancer owes more to the cosmetic industry than to medical science

by Sarah Cretch