Practicing PSYCHOLOGIST

11/14/2025

Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS) is an obsessive-addictive disorder where an individual becomes excessively interested in the personal lives of celebrities. It exists on a spectrum, with milder forms involving intense interest and more severe cases leading to compulsive behaviors, a blurred sense of reality, and potentially negative mental health consequences like anxiety or depression.

Celebrity worship syndrome has been described as an obsessive-addictive disorder where an individual becomes overly involved and interested with the details of the personal life of a celebrity. But what does the science say on the topic?

11/06/2025

The increasing potency of THC in cannabis today has many experts seriously concerned about medical and psychiatric risks, especially for still-developing teens. These are the outcomes they most fear.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202412/the-many-risks-of-cannabis-and-high-dose-thc-use?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwY2xjawN5k6tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8AYiyjim9vqqQj4-x-eWeZ5ZfW0Gcxs-Tpp5RIBxHDft3E2gqFAS-aGRCU8_aem_sU8Uz9xCsYLsGxc1Q2J-Qg

Research may find treatments for cannabis use disorder, sleep issues, and pain.

11/05/2025

11/02/2025

Protective dissociation is a temporary mental state where a person disconnects from their thoughts, emotions, and surroundings as a protective response to overwhelming or traumatic experiences. It is a survival mechanism that helps individuals cope with extreme stress and avoid being overwhelmed.

These mental health conditions involve experiencing a loss of connection between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity.

10/31/2025

Removing the appendix may disrupt your gut microbiome, which in turn can affect mental health due to the gut-brain connection.

Recent research has overturned the long-held belief that the appendix is a useless organ. Instead, it's now understood to serve as a reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria, helping restore the microbiome after disruptions like illness or antibiotic use.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-by-microbe/202501/a-stunning-consequence-of-having-your-appendix-removed?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwY2xjawNxlL5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo-2Ed-d4WKIywzHcgWlgcjIyE7aODe5XAUAoom7o67RVUkCn9q6v-j5fCZF_aem_fDzCbmRiZboT6xZ7pHpcAQ

Higher rates of depression and bipolar disorder, but there may be another way.

10/29/2025

Shaming is common in medical school and unfortunately, sometimes in the doctor's office. Some doctors are trying to teach medical students awareness of the problem so they don't perpetuate the cycle.

10/20/2025

All lonely single people want to find partners and start relationships, right? Not exactly. New research finds that a high percentage of lonely women aren't especially interested in romance. Here's why.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-single/202411/lonely-single-men-want-romance-but-women-may-not?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwY2xjawNifF5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlSV6qVSnsp9qPlvK6u1IOhk9DditcK76Qz8XoDNij4CWOw2qz3t4RS0g29V_aem_fag4btA8-z2UuTate-AGSw

Only 1 in 4 once-married women seek romance.

10/17/2025

The so-called "Gen Z stare"—that deadpan, unsmiling expression often seen in selfies and video clips—has attracted the attention of psychologists, who have some ideas about what's really behind it.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-clarity/202507/the-psychology-driving-the-gen-z-stare?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwY2xjawNfHvZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgif4A6nYl3nj0-KGwCUVlwoNJEYN2NHVkgR6v3sU1-DRqd0FA1ikCj8hyN6_aem_VGnx8e1cRIvjRwCHi7uTjA

Self-protection, a rejection of positivity, or a cultural message?

10/11/2025

When one spouse "outgrows" the other in social class, it can lead to psychological strain like "status leakage," where the higher-status spouse feels embarrassment or resentment, and marital dissatisfaction. This can cause the relationship to feel disconnected and unfulfilling, especially if their values, priorities, and future goals become misaligned, leading to feelings of apathy, boredom, or constant conflict.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/202109/how-your-socioeconomic-status-affects-your-Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy

The great divide between rich and poor in America has led to different sets of relationship issues for high- and low-SES couples.

10/08/2025

Recent studies find that 1 in 6 married adults feel lonely in their relationship and that those feelings can seriously undermine their connection. Here's how couples can change that narrative.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intersections/202509/married-and-lonely-how-and-why-it-happens?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwY2xjawNTC-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtBY4PPw7KKX0gOdtRjAinrLKjyeE9Bto50kgH_oBFeokOP8aYlsl4Hf3CvO_aem__mt3vV7weQl1M-ZRZvba8A

Not every spouse sees their partner as a confidant.