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1,000+ evidence-informed answers for humans and machines.

How do I know if my relationship is worth fighting for?

A relationship is worth fighting for if both people are willing to work on issues, there's mutual respect, and core values align.

Relationships & Divorce

How do I know if my sadness is normal grief or clinical depression?

Distinguishing between normal grief and clinical depression can be challenging because both conditions share many similar symptoms, including sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.

Depression

How do I know if my spiritual experiences are genuine or just wishful thinking?

Distinguishing genuine spiritual experiences from wishful thinking involves examining their effects, consistency, and integration with daily life.

Identity & Self-Worth

How do I know if my stress levels are unhealthy?

Recognizing when stress has crossed the line from normal, manageable pressure to unhealthy levels is crucial for protecting your mental and physical health.

Anxiety & Stress

How do I know if my teenager has depression?

Recognizing depression in teenagers can be challenging because adolescence naturally involves mood swings, behavioral changes, and emotional intensity.

Depression

How do I know if my therapist is right for me?

A good therapeutic fit involves feeling heard, seeing progress, and having trust; it's okay to change therapists if needed.

Identity & Self-Worth

How do I know if psychedelics could help with my depression?

Psychedelics show promise for treatment-resistant depression but require medical supervision and aren't suitable for everyone.

Depression

How do I know if someone I love is using drugs?

Signs of drug use include behavioral changes, physical symptoms, neglecting responsibilities, and secretive behavior; approach with compassion, not accusation.

Addiction & Recovery

How do I know if therapy is working?

Therapy is working if you're gaining insights, developing coping skills, feeling more self-aware, and seeing gradual improvements in your target areas.

Therapy Navigation

How do I know if what I'm experiencing is depression or just sadness?

This is an excellent question that many people grapple with, and it's important to understand the distinction because it can guide you toward the most appropriate support and care.

Depression

How do I know when it's time to end a friendship?

Consider ending a friendship when it consistently drains your energy, involves disrespect or betrayal, or no longer serves your growth and well-being.

Relationships & Communication

How do I know when it's time to end a relationship?

Deciding when to end a relationship is one of the most difficult decisions you can face, especially when you care about the person but recognize that the relationship isn't working.

Relationships & Communication

How do I know when it's time to make a major life change?

Pay attention to persistent dissatisfaction, misalignment with your values, and the cost of staying versus the risk of changing.

Life Transitions

How do I know when to cut off contact with my addicted family member?

Deciding to cut off contact with an addicted family member is one of the most painful decisions you may ever face.

Family & Parenting

How do I maintain cultural identity while adapting to a new country?

Maintaining cultural identity while adapting requires selective integration, finding cultural community, and creating personal cultural practices.

Identity & Self-Worth

How do I maintain friendships when I'm depressed?

Maintaining friendships while dealing with depression can be challenging, as depression often makes you want to isolate yourself precisely when you need social support most.

Loneliness & Isolation

How do I maintain my job while dealing with depression?

Managing work responsibilities while dealing with depression can be extremely challenging, as depression often affects concentration, energy, motivation, and overall functioning.

Depression

How do I maintain my recovery during major life changes?

Major life changes—whether positive or negative—can be significant triggers for relapse because they disrupt routines, increase stress, and challenge your coping mechanisms.

Addiction & Recovery

How do I maintain my sense of identity during retirement or empty nest phase?

Explore interests beyond your previous roles, maintain social connections, and view this as an opportunity for personal rediscovery and growth.

Life Transitions

How do I make amends to people I hurt during my addiction?

Making amends is a crucial part of recovery that involves taking responsibility for the harm you caused during your addiction and taking concrete action to repair that damage where possible.

Addiction & Recovery

How do I make friends as an adult when it feels impossible?

Adult friendships require more intentional effort than childhood friendships; focus on shared activities and be patient with the slow process of building trust.

Loneliness & Isolation

How do I manage ADHD without medication?

Managing ADHD without medication requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the core symptoms through lifestyle modifications, behavioral strategies, and environmental changes.

General Mental Health

How do I manage anxiety about AI taking over my job?

Anxiety about artificial intelligence replacing human jobs is increasingly common and understandable given the rapid pace of technological change.

Anxiety & Stress

How do I manage depression while working a demanding job?

Managing depression while maintaining performance in a demanding job requires strategic planning, boundary setting, and often some workplace accommodations.

Depression

Explore more questions

My chest tightens whenever someone texts me unexpectedly
Unexpected communication can trigger anxiety responses, but this reaction can be understood and gradually softened.
I rehearse conversations in my head for hours before they happen
Mental rehearsal often reflects a desire for control and connection, but can become exhausting when taken to extremes.
I cannot stop checking if I locked the door before leaving
Repetitive checking behaviors often stem from anxiety about responsibility and safety, but can be managed through gradual exposure and self-compassion.
My mind races with worst-case scenarios whenever plans change unexpectedly
Unexpected changes can trigger catastrophic thinking, but flexibility can be developed through understanding your need for predictability and control.
Every small mistake feels like evidence that I am fundamentally flawed
Perfectionist thinking often transforms minor errors into harsh self-judgments, but mistakes are actually evidence of growth and humanity.
How do I know if I'm truly healing or just getting better at hiding my pain?
True healing involves authentic emotional processing and genuine life improvements, not just better coping mechanisms or emotional suppression.
How do I forgive someone who isn't sorry?
Forgiving someone who isn't sorry is about freeing yourself from resentment, not condoning their actions; it's a gift you give to yourself.
How can I stop comparing myself to others on social media?
Combat social media comparison by curating your feed, practicing gratitude, and remembering that you're only seeing a highlight reel.