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

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 that I’m aphantasic 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

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

guide

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

film

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

Directed by Amar Chebib

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

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

Sleep problems

guide

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

Painting of a woman reclining on a red chair against a red background wearing a black dress and holding a white cloth.

Sadness and sorrow

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Avoiding sadness can backfire, here’s how to turn towards it

Everyone has stretches of sadness. Shifting how you think about and relate to sad feelings could help you through these times

by Beth Kurland

Photo of six people sitting on a bench in a waiting area appearing bored or pensive.

Civic life

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Bureaucracy and other civic bullshit can be good for us

No one enjoys waiting in stuffy buildings or on congested roadways, but there’s an upside to our fellowship of frustration

by Joel Cox

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