A woman in her thirties sits forward on the couch with her hands clasped loosely as the radiator hisses in a therapy office in Brooklyn on a gray afternoon. She is not in tears. That is the issue. She tells her therapist, “I should feel something.” Two months ago, her father passed away. She hugged family members, gave a eulogy, and went to the funeral. However, the grief has not yet arrived. Neither is joyful. “Everything seems to be on mute.” This story is increasingly being told to therapists. CategoryDetailsResearch InstitutionNational Institutes of HealthClinical FocusEmotional blunting in Major Depressive Disorder…
Author: Michael Martinez
A boy sits at the kitchen table on a sunny suburban Chicago elementary school morning, staring at his homework while the cereal gets soggy. The change starts ten minutes after a tiny capsule is swallowed with orange juice. He straightens his back. His gaze becomes more piercing. The seemingly insurmountable worksheet suddenly appears doable. This scene is familiar to millions of families. For many years, doctors have prescribed ADHD medications, especially stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medications. Once the right stimulant and dosage are identified, roughly 80% of children respond favorably, according to Cleveland Clinic clinicians. Concentration gets better. Impulsivity…
A group of teenagers silently makes their way past the school nurse’s office on a weekday afternoon in suburban Ohio. For headaches, some people go there. Others for inhalers. Before algebra class, some are taking something less obvious: medicine to calm racing thoughts. They are holding tiny paper cups filled with water. According to the most recent data, this scene is no longer unusual. About 16% of teenagers say they take prescription drugs to help with their emotions, focus, behavior, or mental health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 4.5% of teenagers and young adults between…
A group of men wearing high-vis jackets file into a small brick building off Deansgate on a soggy Tuesday night in Manchester. They avoid looking at each other. Phones are examined. Hoods remain up. It might appear to be a standard meeting from the outside. It’s group therapy inside. British masculinity used to look like this. In the UK, men were taught to get on with it for decades. Not only was the stiff upper lip a folktale, but it was also a practiced policy that was upheld in pubs, workplaces, and schools. However, in 2026, a change occurred. Silently.…
In the US and the UK, between 10% and 20% of adults have used antidepressants at some point. The magnitude of contemporary distress can be inferred from that figure alone. Despite their widespread use, antidepressants are still viewed with suspicion. In clinics, online forums, and late-night discussions, one fear keeps coming up: Will this alter who I am? It’s an incredibly human query. Personality is a significant characteristic. It’s the quiet intensity a person brings to a dinner conversation, the way they laugh at a joke, and the patience they display in traffic. The idea that a pill could rewrite…
In aviation, twenty-five years is a long time. Passengers have become nearly forensic in their value calculations, airlines have failed, and loyalty programs have changed. However, the collaboration between American Express and British Airways has persisted, subtly converting utility and grocery bills into companion vouchers and long-haul upgrades. The two have now introduced what is being promoted as a 25% Avios boost in honor of their silver anniversary. The BA Amex 25th birthday bonus seems generous at first glance. Get 1,500 bonus Avios when you spend £4,000 on the Premium Plus card by April 8, 2026. Get 500 bonus Avios…
A typical day on board the International Space Station changed on January 7, some 250 miles above Earth. The first medical evacuation in the station’s 25-year history was brought on by what NASA would later refer to as a “medical event” involving veteran astronaut Mike Fincke. The words have a clinical sound to them. It was probably much more tense in reality. After landing back on Earth, Fincke, who was a member of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission, acknowledged that he had suffered from a condition that needed his crewmates’ immediate attention. There isn’t an emergency room down the hall in orbit.…
At first glance, the story of PC Kennett’s egregious misconduct may seem almost unbelievable: a police officer operating a coffee shop out of a West Sussex bike shop while suspended on full pay. Pastries, lattes, and catering for events. Instagram pictures that highlight the “experience” of a well-brewed cup. However, there was nothing fanciful about the February hearing room. In April 2024, 31-year-old Stanley Kennett applied to register The Coffee Cycle as a business interest while he was off duty. The application was turned down. There is no question about that. The Metropolitan Police tribunal claims that what transpired was…