Introduction "Attention-seeking." "Manipulative." "Too much." If you've ever heard Borderline Personality Disorder described, chances are it was described using one of these words , rarely by someone who actually has it, and rarely with any real understanding of what's happening underneath. BPD is one of the most misunderstood conditions in mental health, surrounded by stereotypes and stigma that make it genuinely difficult for people to seek help, or to feel understood o

Introduction Have you ever heard someone say: "I'm so OCD because I like keeping my room clean." Or: "My books have to be organized perfectly. I'm definitely OCD." These statements are common, but they can create misunderstandings about what Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, actually looks like. OCD is not simply about being organized, liking cleanliness, or wanting things to look perfect. For many people, OCD involves unwanted and distressing thoughts, intense anxiety,

Introduction You're sitting quietly, watching television, working, or trying to fall asleep when suddenly you notice your heart beating faster. Immediately, you start wondering: "Why is my heart racing?" "Is something wrong?" "Why is this happening when I'm not even stressed?" A racing heartbeat can feel frightening, especially when there is no obvious reason for it. Anxiety and stress can sometimes contribute to a faster or more noticeable heartbeat because of the close conn

Introduction Imagine you're sitting quietly when suddenly your heart starts racing. Your chest feels tight, breathing becomes difficult, and you feel an intense sense of fear. You may wonder: "Am I having a panic attack or an anxiety attack?" People often use these terms interchangeably, but they do not always describe the same experience. A panic attack usually involves a sudden wave of intense fear or discomfort that can peak quickly. The term "anxiety attack" is commonly u

Introduction Depression, in the popular imagination, looks a specific way. It looks like someone who cannot get out of bed. Who cries constantly, visibly, without being able to explain why. Who has withdrawn entirely from life from work, from people, from any semblance of routine. Who looks, unmistakably, like someone who is not okay. And because this is the image most people carry, an enormous number of people who are living with depression don't recognise it in themselves.