Therapeia

Expert insights and practical help in dealing with the emotional and psychological challenges of life

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

Photo of a woman walking past a mural of large teeth and lips on a brick wall.

Hallucinations and delusions

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If you hear voices, here are some empowering ways to respond

Hearing voices isn’t always a problem – but if they’re stressful or frightening, it is possible to regain a sense of control

by Mark Hayward

Parenting and families

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Trapped with no escape: the hidden problem of sibling bullying

When brothers and sisters victimise each other, the harms can be serious. But it’s never too late to heal old wounds

by Kristen Cvancara

Illustration of a person pushing a boulder on a wooden boat that is tipping over from the weight, in wavy blue waters against a pale background.

Forgiveness

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How to forgive (even if they’re unrepentant)

Feeling ill will toward someone who harmed you is natural but draining. You can let it go, whether you reconcile or not

by Richard S Balkin

A young man with a serious expression wearing a grey hoodie outdoors at dusk, with a blurred landscape and lights in the background.

Depression

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Why Darius is testing mind and body to run 100 miles in the cold

Directed by Amar Chebib

Blurry photo of a vibrant bar scene with a table of drinks, red lighting and indistinct figures moving around.

Neurodiversity

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Living without mental imagery may shield against trauma’s impact

Discovering I have aphantasia helped me understand my response to being assaulted and why I wasn’t debilitated by PTSD

by J B Smith

Abstract painting of a woman with geometric shapes in pastel colours, featuring a blend of blues, greens and yellows.

Psychiatry

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What a psychiatric diagnosis means – and what it doesn’t mean

With stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health, it’s vital to know the benefits and limits of a formal diagnosis

by Awais Aftab

A person lying on their back, silhouetted against a blue background with dim lighting, creating a contemplative mood.

Sleep problems

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How to sleep when you’re a perfectionist

As a high achiever, your problem-solving skills can backfire at night. You need a different way to beat insomnia

by Nick Wignall

Illustration of a young woman with a bob haircut, red skin and two different coloured eyes. She holds her hands up to her cheeks.

Mental health

film

Fixating on her body, a woman grapples with strange distortions of the self

Directed by Chenghua Yang

Illustration of a nurse pouring a drink for a seated man at a table with flowers and books.

Cultural diversity

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What we lose by being overly scientific about healthcare

Empirical studies tell us about treatment outcomes, but they overlook the cultural dynamics that can help us feel better

by Ana Todorović

A woman in sunlight with eyes closed, wearing a pink top sitting by a shadowy wall and green plant.

Death and dying

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It’s not foolish to foster hope in the face of illness and death

As a great loss loomed, I feared straying too far from the hard truth. But I learned to distinguish denial from hope

by Christiana Boules

Photo of five burned matchsticks with blackened, charred tips, arranged in a row on a white background. The order shows partially burnt matches through to a fully burnt match.

Mental health

guide

How to recover from burnout

Feeling worn down, checked out, or bitter about work? The answer is not to ‘just work harder’. Try these steps instead

by Debbie Sorensen

A man wearing an eye mask lies on a bed while another person observes; a monitor and lamp are on the nearby table.

Emerging therapies

film

What does ketamine-assisted therapy look like? Inside one firefighter’s journey

Directed by Brandon Kapelow