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Many people reach a point where life looks “fine” from the outside—but internally, something feels heavy, stale, or constricting. You may find yourself thinking, “I’m tired of being this person,” even if you can’t fully articulate why. This experience is often described as identity fatigue: emotional exhaustion that arises from long-term identification with roles, expectations, or versions of yourself that no longer fit.

Loneliness is often imagined as a lack of people—being isolated, single, or socially disconnected. But many people experience a different, quieter kind of loneliness: feeling emotionally unseen or unsupported despite having relationships, responsibilities, and a full life. This experience is known as emotional loneliness, and it can be deeply confusing. You may have friends, a partner, family, colleagues, or children—and still feel an underlying sense of emptiness or disconne

Hyperarousal refers to prolonged activation of the body’s stress response system. When the nervous system perceives threat, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, preparing the body for fight or flight. This response is essential for survival. Chronic hyperarousal occurs when this system remains activated over time—without adequate opportunities to return to a regulated baseline.

When people think of grief, they often imagine something clear and definitive: the death of a loved one, a funeral, a period of mourning followed by gradual healing. But many forms of loss don’t come with closure, rituals, or a clear ending. Instead, they linger—uncertain, unresolved, and often misunderstood. This type of grief is known as ambiguous loss. It occurs when what has been lost is unclear, incomplete, or psychologically present but physically or emotionally altered

Have you ever reached the end of the day feeling completely depleted—not because of one big problem, but because everything felt hard to decide? What to make for dinner. Whether to answer an email now or later. How to respond to a text. Whether to speak up in a meeting. When even small choices feel exhausting or paralyzing, you may be experiencing decision fatigue.

Emotional Avoidance: The Invisible Habit Keeping Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout Alive Many people believe that emotional health means not feeling overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or uncomfortable. From an early age, we are often taught—explicitly or implicitly—to “stay strong,” “push through,” or “not dwell on feelings.” Over time, this can lead to a subtle but powerful habit known as emotional avoidance.

Starting therapy often comes with hope: relief, clarity, change. For many people, therapy does lead to meaningful improvement. But for others, there comes a quieter, more confusing moment—when sessions feel stagnant, progress slows, or the same patterns keep showing up despite effort. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why isn’t therapy helping?” or “Am I doing something wrong?”—you’re not alone. Feeling stuck in therapy is more common than people realize.

We live in a world where information is constant, content is endless, and stimulation never slows down. Phones buzz, inboxes refill, news alerts glow, and social media updates keep us scrolling. While technology offers convenience and connection, it also brings something else: a persistent sense of pressure, comparison, and emotional overload.

Most people overthink from time to time—but when your mind gets trapped in repetitive loops, replaying conversations, analyzing decisions endlessly, or mentally rehearsing worst-case scenarios, it becomes something more: rumination. These spiraling thoughts can feel uncontrollable, exhausting, and deeply distressing. The good news: rumination is a treatable process. With evidence-based therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

As a psychologist, I often talk with patients about the importance of social connection, the benefits of novelty, and how powerful it can be to bring more joy, play, and presence into our lives. What I don’t always share is how much these same practices matter in my own life — and how meaningful it has been for me lately to try new things purely for connection, curiosity, and fun.

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for today’s teens. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat can help adolescents stay connected with friends, discover new ideas, and express creativity. However, research increasingly shows a connection between heavy social media use and teen mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, body image struggles, and sleep problems (Twenge & Farley, 2021). For parents, the challenge lies in striking a balan

Learn how to manage rejection sensitivity (RSD) with evidence-based strategies. Support for ADHD, trauma, and emotional sensitivity from Upper East Side Psychology.