People often use OCD as a reason for excessive or even obsessive cleaning habits  – but does this make any sense? Focus on OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most commonly portrayed mental health conditions in movies and on television. Usually, characters on television who have OCD obsessively clean or have a fear of germs (often both). So, many people believe that unless they’re super clean, they can’t have OCD. Yet, contrary to popular belief, many people who have OCD don’t have spotless homes. So, is OCD cleaning real? We’ll get into what OCD is–and what it isn’t–b ..read more

A third of carers with poor mental health have considered suicide or self-harm, new research has shown. A third of carers with poor mental health have considered suicide or self-harm, according to new data. Figures given to the Liberal Democrats political party by the charity Carers UK reveal that many of the UK’s millions of carers who look after relatives have bad mental health, with some “at breaking point”. In a survey of nearly 11,000 unpaid carers, the vast majority said they were stressed or anxious, while half felt depressed and lonely. More than a quarter said they had bad or v ..read more

New research shows that magicians are less prone to mental health struggles than other types of performers or artists – but why? Creative types such as musicians, painters, and writers are often regarded as a tormented and difficult bunch, but a study has revealed that at least one subsection of the artistic community may have grasped the trick of staying well-balanced. A study of magicians around the world, led by Aberystwyth University’s psychology department, suggests that illusionists may be less prone to mental health difficulties than other creatives and the general populatio ..read more

Women should be offered talking therapy instead of, or as well as, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for problematic menopause symptoms, new draft guidance for the NHS says. New guidance issued Women should be offered talking therapy instead of, or as well as, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for problematic menopause symptoms, new draft guidance for the NHS says. The advice, which is the first update in almost a decade, says cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help with hot flushes, sleep, and mood changes. Health watchdog The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NI ..read more

We focus on friendships, but encounters with those we hardly know are vital too Talking with strangers Sometimes we can find ourselves getting involved in conversations about aspects of our life that we wouldn’t share with our nearest and dearest, yet we do so willingly with strangers. Maybe it feels more natural to speak intimately with a stranger when you both might be out of your comfort zones, without the boundaries of your home, family or other place of ‘safety’. Maybe it’s more natural for your mind to turn to existential questions when you’re away from familiarity, in a situation wher ..read more

Women’s mental health is significantly more affected by burnout and stress caused by the current state of the world than men, according to new research. Introduction Women’s mental health is significantly more affected by burnout and stress caused by the current state of the world than men, according to new research. Over 10,000 people in 12 countries, including more than 1,200 in the UK, were asked about their health, emotional well-being, physical security, and other key factors, by health services giant Cigna Healthcare, as part of its 2023 Vitality Study. Details of the research The stud ..read more

We all need some self-control. But when does it become too much, and how does too much affect our mental health? Self-control – A good thing? Having high self-control is often seen as a good thing. It’s believed to be crucial to success in many aspects of life – whether that’s getting a promotion at work, sticking to your workout regime or resisting the temptation of a sweet treat when you’re watching what you eat. But as suggested by a theory published by Lynch in 2018, high self-control may not always be a good thing – and for some, it could be linked to specific mental health problem ..read more

Volunteering is a great way to give your mental health a boost – My Mind News investigates further. Background Volunteering can be great for your soul and your mental health. But not enough young people are choosing volunteering as a way to give their wellbeing the boost it needs. If you’re aged between 25 and 34, you’re part of the age group least likely to take part in volunteering. Only 19% of 25-34 year-olds in England volunteered at least once in 2021-22. By comparison, 29% of 16-24 year olds volunteered in the same period, and the average for all age groups was 27%. Ther ..read more

The phenomenon of hoarding can be destructive and demoralising. But why does it happen, and what can be done to help those who hoard? What is hoarding? Hoarding disorder is an under-recognised serious mental illness that worsens with age. It affects 2.5% of the working-age population and 7% of older adults. People who hoard and their families often feel ashamed and don’t get the support they need. Clutter can make it hard to do things most of us take for granted, such as eating at the table or sleeping in bed. In the gravest cases, homes are completely unsanitary, ei ..read more

Grandparent childcare for toddlers doesn’t have an impact on the wellbeing of their mothers, a new study suggests. Childcare on demand As many of us reach school half term week, some will reach out to our parents to take over the childminding task while we continue to work. But how does this affect the mental wellbeing of mothers and their relationship with their children? Researchers have found that extra help from another generation alone doesn’t help mother-child closeness or reduce mother-child conflict. Researchers who examined information from a sample of mothers could find no statist ..read more