Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most widely misunderstood mental health conditions, especially in the way it’s portrayed in mainstream media. Too often, OCD is reduced to a punchline or depicted only in terms of cleanliness, organization, or repetitive checking behaviors. While those symptoms...
I remember it, even now, 20 years later, as clearly as if it happened yesterday. It was a morning during my college years when I got a text from a high school friend. The message was short and brought me to my knees: One of our classmates, someone we had grown up with, laughed with, shared memories with, had died by suicide.
The jump from high school to college can feel like stepping into a whole new world. For many, it’s the first taste of real independence, managing your own schedule, laundry, meals, and decisions. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and sometimes overwhelming. But like any big life change,...
The Power of Being Heard: The Importance of Validation and the Harm of Invalidation in Relationships In every human relationship—romantic, familial, professional, or platonic—the need to feel heard, understood, and accepted is fundamental. This need is met through a process known as validation, a powerful...