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Stigma and taboo

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

Creativity and the arts Spirituality and transcendence

Evaluating therapies History and philosophy of mental health History of psychology and psychiatry Law and mental health Mental health across cultures Mind-body interactions Socioeconomics of mental health Stigma and taboo Therapeutic relationships

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Black and white photo of a person with a backpack standing in front of a textured glass surface, appearing to look through it.

Stigma and taboo

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Let’s avoid talk of ‘chemical imbalance’: it’s people in distress

The ‘chemical imbalance’ trope is appealing but dehumanising, and has heightened stigma towards people with mental illness

by Joseph E Davis

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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

Black and white photo of a person in 19th-century attire with a hat and cape, hand on chest.

Stories and literature

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There is nothing so deep as the gleaming surface of the aphorism

The aphorism has been a way to express strong feelings without placing emotional demands on the listener

by Noreen Masud

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 child and adult blowing dandelion seeds in a green outdoor setting, both looking joyful and focused.

Neurodiversity

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Autistic people shouldn’t have to use ‘camouflage’ to fit in

If society were more tolerant and understanding of autistic people, they could ditch their camouflage and be themselves

by Francesca Happé

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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

Person wearing an electronic ankle monitor, resting on a floral-patterned sofa with a red cushion and a book beside them.

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 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 lying on a bed with a small dog on their chest. A sunset picture is mounted on the wall behind them.

Psychiatric medication

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The media bias against antidepressants is harming patients

Antidepressants work and they can complement psychotherapy, yet the media coverage of the drugs is overwhelmingly negative

by Anushka Pathak & Lizzie Lim

A small black puppy lying on a couch with a man in a red checkered shirt sitting in the background.

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

Two office workers, one standing and reviewing papers, the other seated and smoking, in a 1970s-style office with a telephone and stacks of paperwork.

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

Photo of a woman and two children sitting in an armchair in a dimly lit room with red curtains and a framed painting.

Socioeconomics of mental health

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Rural life can intensify the stigma and loneliness of mental illness

Heightened stigma, a lack of privacy and inadequate support services add to mental health challenges in rural communities

by Allison Crowe