The Grouport Journal

Explore all things mental health. Check out some of our latest journals below.

10 Simple Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

Personal Growth

10 Simple Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep is a vital element of our lives that often gets overlooked amidst our busy routines. Quality sleep is critical to our overall health and well-being, enhancing our mood, energy, productivity, and even our ability to manage stress. Yet, many people struggle to achieve consistent, restful sleep. This article provides ten simple tips to improve your sleep, promoting better health and well-being.

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Have Eating Disorder, Will Travel

Personal Growth

Have Eating Disorder, Will Travel

I just got home from Vegas. My husband and I trekked through the chilly Pittsburgh airport, triumphantly remembered where we parked our car, hit the road for home, and now I’m nestled comfortably on the couch in between two snoring dogs sans bra. I’ve only just posted “I’m happy to be in you, Pgh” on Facebook and people have messaged me about where we’re going next. Everybody loves to travel, right?‍‍Except me. Well, that is until recently. For most of my life I’ve harbored the very unpopular op

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Can Journaling Help My Mental Health?

Personal Growth

Can Journaling Help My Mental Health?

You might hear the words “personal journal” and immediately conjure an image of an angsty teen sitting in their room, scribbling away in a diary, lamenting about an unrequited crush or a failed test. However, if you're like me and you’ve carried on with the practice of journaling into adulthood, you know that sitting down to write in your journal can provide a much needed moment of clarity. Journaling allows me to organize my thoughts in the good times and can help me release some anxiety in the

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Empowering Connections: A Guide to Improving Social Skills

Personal Growth

Empowering Connections: A Guide to Improving Social Skills

Strong social skills are more than just a necessity in a world deeply rooted in human interactions—they're an asset. Effective communication and social abilities are fundamental to personal relationships, professional collaborations, or networking opportunities. This article delves into ways to enhance social skills, offering tips that can help create more meaningful, successful connections.

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Developing Social Skills in Adults

Personal Growth

Developing Social Skills in Adults

While often associated with childhood development, social skills remain integral to adult life. They play a significant role in personal relationships, professional success, and overall well-being. However, developing these skills later in life can seem daunting to many. This article provides insights into how adults can effectively and confidently enhance their social skills.

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Court-Ordered Anger Management Classes: A Path to Better Self-Control

Mental Health

Court-Ordered Anger Management Classes: A Path to Better Self-Control

Court-ordered anger management classes are a common resolution for various legal situations involving aggressive or violent behavior. This strategy helps individuals understand and manage their anger better, promoting healthier interpersonal relationships and aiding in the reduction of conflicts and aggression in society.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Rumination: A Deep Dive into Mental Cycles

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Rumination: A Deep Dive into Mental Cycles

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). One of the less obvious but debilitating aspects of OCD is rumination, a persistent dwelling on certain thoughts or themes. This article aims to shed light on the nature of OCD rumination, its impact, and coping strategies.

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Healing the Wound of Abandonment: Understanding and Overcoming Emotional Trauma

PTSD

Healing the Wound of Abandonment: Understanding and Overcoming Emotional Trauma

The sense of being left behind or discarded, also known as the wound of abandonment, is a profound emotional trauma that can significantly affect a person's life. Rooted in experiences of loss, neglect, or rejection, this wound can shape one's relationships and self-perception. This article will explore the concept of the abandonment wound, its impact on mental health, and strategies to heal.

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The New Horizon: Innovations in Therapy and Mental Health

Mental Health

The New Horizon: Innovations in Therapy and Mental Health

The world of mental health therapy has seen significant strides and developments in recent years. While traditional forms of therapy, such as psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, continue to be widely practiced, there's a growing interest in innovative therapy methods. These innovations range from the incorporation of technology to new approaches in understanding and addressing mental health. This article will delve into the transformative world of innovative therapy, discussing its potential benefits and challenges.

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The Intensifying Struggle: Understanding Why OCD May Get Worse

OCD

The Intensifying Struggle: Understanding Why OCD May Get Worse

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a mental health condition that causes recurring unwanted thoughts, images, or sensations (obsessions) and the urge to do something repetitively (compulsions). While every individual's experience with OCD is unique, a common concern among many is that their OCD symptoms seem to worsen over time. This article delves into why OCD may get worse and discusses strategies for managing the intensifying symptoms.

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The Healing Journey: Time Frame of Trauma Therapy

Mental Health

The Healing Journey: Time Frame of Trauma Therapy

Trauma is a deeply disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, causing feelings of helplessness, reducing their sense of self and their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. Trauma therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to address the emotional and psychological effects of such experiences. However, a common question asked by many considering this route of healing is: "How long does trauma therapy take?" This article aims to provide insight into the time frame of trauma therapy, emphasizing that the healing journey is highly individual and unique.

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Confidence vs Narcissism: Unraveling the Complexity of Self-Perception

Relationship Issues

Confidence vs Narcissism: Unraveling the Complexity of Self-Perception

In the realm of psychology, understanding the distinction between confidence and narcissism is crucial. Both are associated with a strong sense of self, yet they differ significantly in their origin, manifestation, and impact on relationships. This article explores the differences between confidence and narcissism, helping readers distinguish between these two distinct facets of self-perception.

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Triggers for Dismissive Avoidant Attachment: Uncovering the Patterns

Mental Health

Triggers for Dismissive Avoidant Attachment: Uncovering the Patterns

One of the four attachment styles identified by psychologists is the dismissive avoidant attachment. This style is characterized by emotional unavailability and independence to the point of isolation. While individuals with this attachment style often prefer solitude and may have trouble connecting with others, certain triggers can exacerbate their dismissive tendencies. This article explores the key triggers for dismissive avoidant attachment, aiding in better understanding and managing this attachment style.

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Navigating the Dilemma of Being Too Honest

Relationship Issues

Navigating the Dilemma of Being Too Honest

Honesty, a virtue valued in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional settings, is often lauded as a cornerstone of good character. It helps build trust, fosters open communication, and creates an atmosphere of authenticity. However, is it possible to be too honest? Can excessive honesty harm rather than help? This article delves into the intriguing topic of being overly honest, its implications, and ways to balance honesty with empathy and tact.

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Ignoring a Gaslighter: The Outcomes and Consequences

Relationship Issues

Ignoring a Gaslighter: The Outcomes and Consequences

Gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation in which a person is led to question their sanity or perception of reality, is an insidious tactic often employed by narcissistic personalities. Victims of gaslighting can feel confused, anxious, and powerless. A common question is: what happens when you ignore a gaslighter? This article delves into the potential outcomes of ignoring a gaslighter and the consequences it might have on your mental wellbeing and your relationship with the manipulator.

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Confronting the Anger Demons: Understanding and Managing Deep-Seated Rage

Anger Management

Confronting the Anger Demons: Understanding and Managing Deep-Seated Rage

Anger is a common and normal human emotion. However, when it becomes chronic and uncontrolled, it transforms into a demon that not only affects an individual's mental and physical health but also disrupts their relationships and quality of life. This article aims to explore the concept of 'anger demons,' their origins, impacts, and how individuals can effectively manage and overcome them.

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Living with Loss: Navigating the Pain of Losing a Son

Grief & Loss

Living with Loss: Navigating the Pain of Losing a Son

Losing a child is a grief so profound that it is often beyond words. It's a sorrow that shakes one's existence to its core, leaving an abyss that seems impossible to cross. This article will explore the grief journey of a parent who misses their son, focusing on the depth of this unique pain, the phases of grieving, and possible coping mechanisms for such a significant loss.

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Can Abusers Change? A Complex Dynamic of Power and Control

Relationship Issues

Can Abusers Change? A Complex Dynamic of Power and Control

Abuse, whether emotional, physical, or sexual, is an all-too-common occurrence in society. It is a destructive pattern of behavior that seeks to gain power and control over another person. The question of whether abusers can change is a complex one, often brought up by those who have experienced or witnessed abuse. This article will explore the possibility of change for abusers, the conditions necessary for transformation, and the challenges faced in the process.

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Understanding Anger Triggers: Causes and Consequences

Anger Management

Understanding Anger Triggers: Causes and Consequences

Anger is a powerful, natural human emotion that can have significant effects on our lives if not properly managed. As a protective response to perceived threats or injustices, it can serve a purpose; however, when provoked too easily or too frequently, it can lead to numerous personal and social problems. This article delves into the triggers of anger, explores the psychological and physiological aspects, and provides insights into coping mechanisms.

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Winning Your Husband Back: Rekindling Love

Relationship Issues

Winning Your Husband Back: Rekindling Love

In any relationship, ups and downs are a part of the journey. There are times when discord may lead to temporary or extended separation, creating a sense of loss and longing. If you find yourself in such a situation and are looking to win your husband back, it's essential to approach the situation with understanding, patience, and genuine intent. This article provides practical steps to help you navigate this emotional terrain and work towards rebuilding your relationship.

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Navigating Through Pain: The Role of Infidelity Support Groups

Relationship Issues

Navigating Through Pain: The Role of Infidelity Support Groups

Dealing with the aftermath of infidelity in a relationship can be an incredibly challenging and emotionally draining experience. In such a situation, the support and understanding of others who've walked a similar path can offer invaluable comfort and guidance. Infidelity support groups serve this critical function, providing a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to share their experiences, gain insights, and begin the healing process. This article explores the role of infidelity support groups and how they can aid in navigating the tumultuous aftermath of infidelity.

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Silent Scars: Understanding and Coping with Verbally Abusive Parents

Relationship Issues

Silent Scars: Understanding and Coping with Verbally Abusive Parents

The impact of verbal abuse by parents, often overshadowed by its physical counterpart, is profound and can lead to long-lasting effects on a child's psychological well-being and development. Unlike physical abuse, verbal abuse leaves no visible marks, making it harder to identify and address. This article delves into the realm of verbal abuse from parents, exploring its forms, impacts, and coping strategies.

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Understanding and Benefitting from Anger Management Classes

Anger Management

Understanding and Benefitting from Anger Management Classes

Anger, when unchecked or uncontrolled, can lead to a host of issues, both personal and interpersonal. It can strain relationships, impair judgment, and have significant health impacts. Anger management classes provide tools and techniques to better understand and control anger, paving the way for healthier emotional regulation. This article explores the concept of anger management classes, their benefits, and what one can expect when participating in them.

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Oppressive vs Suppressive: Exploring the Landscape of Mental Health

Mental Health

Oppressive vs Suppressive: Exploring the Landscape of Mental Health

In the realm of mental health, language is of utmost importance. The words we use can significantly influence the way we perceive and approach our mental well-being. Two such terms, often used interchangeably but possessing distinct connotations, are 'oppressive' and 'suppressive'. In the context of mental health, understanding these terms can bring valuable insights about different experiences and coping mechanisms.

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Understanding Clinginess: An Examination of Attachment and Need

Relationship Issues

Understanding Clinginess: An Examination of Attachment and Need

In the complex world of relationships and human interaction, one term that frequently surfaces is 'clingy'. Often used in a negative context, it is important to understand what being clingy truly entails, the psychology behind it, and how it can affect relationships.

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