Shadows of the Mind: Understanding Depression in Iraq’s Diverse Landscape

Introduction Imagine waking up each day feeling trapped under a heavy, invisible weight. This is the reality for millions of people worldwide suffering from major depressive disorder. While discussions around mental health often focus on Western contexts, understanding depression in diverse cultural and geopolitical settings is equally crucial. This brings us to an illuminating [research […]

Understanding the Power of Self-Compassion: A Journey into the Emotional World of Australian Psychologists

Introduction What happens when those who are trained to heal others need healing themselves? This question lies at the heart of an intriguing research paper titled [‘Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation and Stress among Australian Psychologists: Testing an Emotion Regulation Model of Self-Compassion Using Structural Equation Modeling’](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133481). While we often think of psychologists as the ones managing […]

Revisiting Self-Compassion: Unpacking the Self-Compassion Scale’s Total Score

— Introduction: The Double-Edged Sword of Self-Kindness Imagine facing a setback at work or in your personal life. As self-doubt creeps in, you find yourself caught between two voices: one that offers kindness and understanding and another that harshly criticizes every misstep. This inner dialogue reflects a fundamental struggle in the human psyche—the balance between […]

Peering Into the Mind: Understanding Self-Stigma and Attentional Bias in Mental Illness

Introduction: Breaking the Chains of Self-Stigma Imagine waking up each day and feeling like a shadow of yourself, consumed by an inner-critic echoing the harsh judgments imposed by society. For many people living with mental illness, this isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a challenging reality shaped by self-stigma, the internalization of negative societal perceptions. […]

Unraveling the Early Shadows: The Impact of Maternal Depression on Child Suicidal Thoughts

Introduction: A Hidden Connection Imagine a young teenager grappling with thoughts of ending their life, thoughts so heavy and dark that it seems there’s no escape. Now, imagine that long before these thoughts emerged, there was a journey—a journey that started in their early childhood and was largely shaped by their mother’s battle with depression. […]