February 22, 2025
New Delhi, India
Learning

Social Comparison Theory

Comparing things, people, situations and ourselves with others is a natural thing we all do. Sometimes positively and sometimes the comparisons make life a rat race! Have you ever compared yourself with others? With whom did you compare? Okay, so how did that make you feel? Though it sounds simple, it can affect your mental

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Clinical

Understanding Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Pathways to Recovery

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about two 80 million people globally are diagnosed with depression, which is about 5% of the adult population. And in India, about 57 million people are affected by depression. Depression can be characterised by constant feelings of sadness,

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Health

Social Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Anxiety disorder is a clinical condition where a person experiences intense anxiety or worry that it might disrupt one’s daily activities. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), is a type of anxiety disorder. SAD also known as social phobia, is also a clinical condition. It is characterized by significant anxiety or fear in any social situation &

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Emotion

Understanding Limerence: The Psychology of Obsessive Love

Imagine you’re at the mall and someone attractive approaches you to ask for directions to the bathroom. Suddenly, your brain turns into a never-ending romantic montage. Every song playing in the mall seems to be about the two of you, and you start imagining what your wedding invitations might look like—even though you haven’t exchanged

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Clinical Health Psychology

Understanding Agoraphobia: Fear, Causes, and Impact

The protagonist Mehak, in the Indian psychological thriller Phobia, experiences an overwhelming and crippling fear at the mere thought of stepping outside her house. This might feel overly dramatic and fictional for people who are watching. However, this is a reality for millions of people around the world. Phobia sheds light on Agoraphobia, which is

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Health Psychology

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a pervasive disorder characterized by uncontrollable and recurrent thoughts termed as obsessions along with repetitive behaviours referred to as compulsions to combat anxiety-provoking thoughts. This causes significant distress to the individual who is affected along with disruptions in their occupational and personal lives. OCD impacts 1-3% of the global population and the

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Editor's Pick Neurotransmitters

Understanding Dopamine: From Reward Pathways to Neurological Disorders

Dopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger functioning like a reward center in the brain responsible for motivation and elevation of mood. Dopamine is released when one engages in pleasurable activities like baking cookies, social interactions, sex, or even binge- watching your favorite shows. Runner’s high is depicted by dopamine release related to boost

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Cognitive

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a recent therapeutic approach and part of the third wave of cognitive behavioural therapy. While the conceptual basis of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) lies in modifying one’s maladaptive and ineffective belief systems, thoughts and behaviour, ACT focuses on accepting them. How many times have you noticed that you are

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Cognitive

Understanding Exposure Therapy: How It Works and Why It Helps?

Therapy is a process where individuals work together with trained professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health workers to address mental health issues, emotional challenges and life difficulties. It seeks to enhance the mental health and build resilience of individuals. There are various types of therapies the most popular ones include cognitive behavioural therapy

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Development

Carol Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development

Carol Gilligan wrote in her 1982 book, In a Different Voice, “(Psychology) implicitly adopted the male life as the norm [and] tried to fashion women out of a masculine cloth” She led the feminist revolution in psychology which led the field to recognise and embrace women’s unique psychological configurations. A ‘different voice’ has been omitted

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