Adil Farooq - Psychiatry Magazine

What Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)?

Introduction: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that combines principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices. Developed in the 1990s by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale, MBCT was initially designed to help prevent relapse in individuals with recurrent depression. Over time, its applications have expanded to include […]

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment, Therapy & Medication

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction: Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and often chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of everyday events. Unlike the transient anxiety most people experience, the worry in GAD is disproportionate to the situation and difficult to control, often lasting six months

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Borderline Personality vs Bipolar: A Clear Comparison

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction: Two Disorders Often Confused but Clinically Distinct Emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and unpredictable mood changes—these symptoms can make Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Bipolar Disorder seem similar at first glance. Both involve intense emotional experiences that disrupt relationships, self-image, and daily functioning. However, the root causes, patterns, and treatments of these disorders are entirely

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What Is Compassion Fatigue and How to Treat It.

Mental Health Awareness / Adil Farooq

In a world where empathy and caregiving are vital, compassion fatigue has quietly become one of the most common yet least discussed emotional challenges. People who dedicate their lives to helping others—nurses, therapists, doctors, teachers, first responders, and caregivers—often find themselves drained not only physically but emotionally. This exhaustion is known as compassion fatigue, a

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Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Mental Health Awareness / Adil Farooq

Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can feel like a constant battle between your thoughts and your peace of mind. While everyone experiences occasional worries or repetitive habits, for people with OCD, these thoughts and behaviors can take over daily life — shaping routines, relationships, and emotions. OCD isn’t about being “too clean” or “too organized.”

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Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder.

Therapies / Adil Farooq

Introduction Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the most challenging and emotionally intense mental health conditions to treat. Characterized by unstable moods, self-image issues, impulsivity, and turbulent relationships, BPD affects not only the individual but also their loved ones and treatment providers. For decades, psychotherapy has been the foundation of recovery for people with

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Somatic Symptom Disorder : DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) represents a significant evolution in how psychiatry conceptualizes the relationship between physical symptoms and psychological distress. Historically labeled as “psychosomatic” or “somatoform disorders,” the DSM-5 reframed this group of conditions to focus less on whether symptoms can be medically explained and more on how individuals experience and interpret them. According

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Psychotherapy for Avoidant Personality Disorder .

Therapies / Adil Farooq

Introduction: Understanding Avoidant Personality Disorder Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition characterized by pervasive social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals living with AvPD often avoid social interactions, not because they lack interest in others, but due to an intense fear of criticism or

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Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) in Children

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction – Understanding Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Children Childhood is meant to be filled with curiosity, laughter, and learning. Yet for some children, emotions can feel unpredictable, overwhelming, and explosive. When anger and irritability become a daily struggle — far beyond typical tantrums — parents often begin to worry something deeper may be happening.

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Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms: And Treatment

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction – Understanding Major Depressive Disorder Depression is more than sadness — it’s a deep, often invisible weight that can affect how a person thinks, feels, and lives. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness,

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Gender Dysphoria: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction – Understanding Gender Identity and Dysphoria Gender identity is one of the most personal and powerful parts of who we are. It describes how we see ourselves — male, female, both, neither, or somewhere in between. For most people, gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth. But for some, this alignment feels

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What Is an Intellectual Disorder? DSM-5 Classification.

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction: Understanding the Mind Beyond Labels Intellectual disorder—also known as intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) under the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)—is more than a clinical term. It represents a lifelong condition that affects how individuals learn, reason, solve problems, and adapt to everyday life. While society often uses outdated or

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Existential Depression: Meaning and Causes.

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction – When Meaning Fades: The Hidden Depth of Existential Depression There are moments in life when sadness takes on a deeper shade—when emotions stretch beyond everyday stress or loss and become rooted in profound questions about existence itself.Questions like “What is the purpose of my life?”, “Why do I feel empty even when everything

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Overthinking Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction – The Silent Struggle of Overthinking Overthinking is often described as the art of creating problems that don’t exist. Yet for millions of people, this habit is not a mere quirk—it’s a deeply ingrained mental pattern that can feel impossible to control. When thoughts spiral endlessly, replaying the past or predicting the future, the

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Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction: The Silent Side of Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often portrayed as loud, explosive, and chaotic—an emotional storm that others can see and feel. But not everyone who lives with BPD expresses their struggles outwardly. Some experience an equally painful version that unfolds quietly, hidden beneath a calm surface. This lesser-known

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Workplace Anxiety Disorder: Job-Related Stress

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction Workplace anxiety disorder is an increasingly recognized mental health concern in modern professional environments. As work demands intensify and the boundaries between professional and personal life blur, more individuals experience persistent stress, fear, or worry related to their jobs. Unlike temporary nervousness before a big presentation, workplace anxiety is chronic, often accompanied by physical

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Toxic Stress Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction Stress is a normal and adaptive part of life. It helps humans respond to challenges, motivates performance, and ensures survival. However, when stress becomes chronic and overwhelming, it stops serving its protective purpose and begins to harm both the mind and body. This harmful form of sustained stress is known as toxic stress. Toxic

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High-Functioning Anxiety: Understanding the Silent Struggle

Psychological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges worldwide, affecting millions of people across different ages and backgrounds. Yet, not all anxiety presents in the same way. While some individuals experience visible panic, avoidance, or emotional distress, others appear calm, organized, and highly accomplished — all while fighting constant internal tension. This

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Relationship OCD (ROCD): Symptoms and Recovery

Blog / Adil Farooq

Introduction: When Doubt Takes Over Love Falling in love is supposed to be joyful — full of connection, laughter, and warmth. But for some people, love feels like walking through a maze of endless doubt and anxiety. You question your feelings, your partner’s love, and even the relationship itself. You might think, “What if they’re

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Beat Digital Burnout and Restore Your Focus

Mental Health Awareness / Adil Farooq

Introduction Technology has transformed our world in remarkable ways. From instant communication to remote work, from endless entertainment to constant access to knowledge, our digital lives are deeply woven into every part of daily existence. Yet, this convenience comes at a cost — digital burnout. Digital burnout is more than feeling tired after scrolling through

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The Fight or Flight Response: Your Body’s Stress Reaction

Mental Health Awareness / Adil Farooq

Introduction: When Stress Becomes Survival Have you ever noticed your heart racing before a big presentation, your palms sweating before an argument, or a knot forming in your stomach during moments of uncertainty? Those sensations aren’t random — they’re part of your body’s ancient survival mechanism called the fight or flight response. The fight or

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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Understanding (RSD)

Physiological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction Have you ever felt crushed by even the smallest hint of criticism or rejection? Do you find yourself replaying negative comments in your head for days, feeling an intense wave of shame or sadness? If so, you might be experiencing something called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, or RSD — a condition that causes overwhelming emotional

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Emotional Numbness: Understanding Causes, Symptoms.

Physiological disorders / Adil Farooq

What Is Emotional Numbness? Emotional numbness is a state where a person feels disconnected from their emotions, unable to experience joy, sadness, or even anger. It often feels like living behind a glass wall — watching life happen but not feeling part of it. Many people describe it as “being on autopilot,” where emotions seem

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Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery

Physiological disorders / Adil Farooq

Introduction: What Is Acute Stress Disorder? Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a short-term mental health condition that develops in response to a traumatic or life-threatening event. It is the body’s immediate reaction to extreme stress, often surfacing within days of experiencing or witnessing trauma. People with ASD may feel detached, anxious, or emotionally numb, and

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Chronic Insomnia ICD-10: The Code Behind Sleepless Nights

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction Have you ever spent night after night staring at the ceiling, your mind refusing to quiet down while the world around you sleeps? For many, this isn’t just an occasional restless night—it’s a condition known as chronic insomnia. When sleeplessness becomes a long-term struggle, it can affect every part of life—from mood and energy

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Neuroplasticity: Brain’s Power to Rewire, Adapt, and Heal

Clinical Insights / Adil Farooq

Introduction For decades, scientists believed that the human brain was fixed — that after childhood, its structure and abilities could no longer change. But modern neuroscience has completely transformed this view. Today, research reveals something extraordinary: the brain is not static but dynamic, adaptable, and capable of reshaping itself throughout life. This remarkable ability is

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Trauma Recovery: 7 Steps to Heal, Rebuild, and Thrive

Therapies / Adil Farooq

Understanding Trauma Recovery: Healing from Within Trauma is not simply an event — it is the emotional wound that remains after the event has passed. It can arise from a single incident such as an accident or loss, or from ongoing experiences like abuse, neglect, or chronic stress. Whatever its origin, trauma can deeply affect

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Emotional Intelligence: Master Your Emotions

Mental Health Awareness / Adil Farooq

What Is Emotional Intelligence (EI)? Emotional Intelligence (EI), also known as Emotional Quotient (EQ), refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions — as well as the emotions of others. Unlike Intelligence Quotient (IQ), which measures cognitive ability, emotional intelligence focuses on the emotional and social competencies that influence how effectively

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Author name: Adil Farooq