News & Research
The Siggy Blog
Expert articles on medications, conditions, and the future of mental healthcare, from the team building it.
Moral Injury: Why It's Not the Same as PTSD
Moral injury involves guilt, shame, and betrayal, not fear. Learn how it differs from PTSD, who it affects, and what treatment actually looks like.
Contamination OCD: Symptoms and What Actually Treats It
Contamination OCD is more than a fear of germs. Here's how it's diagnosed, why ERP works, and where medication fits into real treatment.
Inattentive ADHD: Signs That Often Get Missed
Inattentive ADHD looks like daydreaming, not hyperactivity, which is why it's diagnosed later and missed more often, especially in women.
Eating Disorders and Psychiatry: When to Seek Medical Help
Most eating disorders come with a co-occurring psychiatric condition. Here's how to recognize the warning signs and know when it's time to get help.
Grief vs. Depression: Understanding the Real Difference
Grief and depression share symptoms but aren't the same thing. Here's how clinicians actually tell them apart, and when grief needs treatment.
Hormonal Depression: When Your Cycle Affects Your Mood
For some people, depression is not constant. It rises and falls with the menstrual cycle. Here is the biology behind that pattern and what actually treats it.
Is Depression Neurodivergent? The Debate Explained
Depression changes how the brain works, but major diagnostic manuals still separate it from neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism. Here is what the science actually shows.
Mental Health and Testosterone: What's the Real Connection?
Low testosterone is linked to depressive symptoms, but testosterone therapy is not a proven depression treatment. Here is what the actual trial evidence shows.
Sensory Processing Disorder vs ADHD: What's the Difference?
ADHD and sensory processing differences overlap heavily, but they are not the same thing, and the difference changes what a good treatment plan looks like.
Cyclothymia: The Mild Form of Bipolar Disorder Explained
Cyclothymia causes chronic mood swings that rarely reach full mania or depression, which is exactly why it goes undiagnosed for years. Here is what to look for.
ADHD and Anxiety: Why They So Often Occur Together
ADHD and anxiety disorders co-occur in nearly half of adults with ADHD. Here's what drives that overlap, why it complicates diagnosis, and what treatment actually looks like.
ADHD and Depression: When Both Show Up at Once
ADHD and depression co-occur far more often than most people realize. Learn how they connect neurobiologically, why they're hard to separate, and what treatment looks like when both are present.
Can You Have ADHD and OCD at the Same Time?
ADHD and OCD co-occur in 20-30% of cases, but they are often misdiagnosed as one or the other. A clinical guide to what makes the dual diagnosis distinct and why treatment must address both.
Depression vs. Sadness: How to Tell the Difference
Learn the clinical signs that separate depression from normal sadness, including the 9-symptom checklist doctors use and what anhedonia really means.
How Long Does Untreated Depression Last? What the Research Actually Shows
Untreated depression episodes last 6–12 months on average. Here's what the clinical evidence says about duration, recurrence risk, and what changes when you get care.
Hypomania vs Mania: Understanding the Difference
Hypomania and mania share symptoms but differ in duration, severity, and functional impact. Getting the distinction right changes treatment, since Bipolar I and II require different approaches.
Is Alcohol a Depressant? What It Means for Your Mental Health
Alcohol is a CNS depressant that disrupts GABA, glutamate, and serotonin. Learn how it affects depression risk, anxiety, and why the biology matters for treatment.
Is OCD Genetic? What the Research on Heredity Actually Shows
OCD has a phenotypic heritability of around 50%. Here's what family studies, twin research, and the largest-ever OCD genome-wide analysis tell us about genetic risk and what it means for your family.
OCD vs. Perfectionism: How to Tell the Difference
OCD and perfectionism share surface features but differ fundamentally. Learn the clinical distinctions between OCD, trait perfectionism, and OCPD, and when to seek professional evaluation.
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: What It Is and How It's Treated
Rapid cycling bipolar disorder means four or more mood episodes in a year. This clinical guide explains the definition, risk factors, treatment challenges, and what prescribers consider when managing it.
Autism vs ADHD: Differences, Overlap and Co-Diagnosis
Autism and ADHD share overlapping symptoms and frequently co-occur. A clinical guide to how they differ, how they overlap, and what a dual diagnosis means for treatment.
Bipolar Depression vs Regular Depression: How to Tell Them Apart
Bipolar depression and major depression look nearly identical during a depressive episode. The differences that matter are clinical, and getting the diagnosis right changes everything about treatment.
What Is Bipolar Psychosis? Signs and What to Do
Bipolar psychosis affects more than half of people with Bipolar I. Learn the signs, how it differs from schizophrenia, and what to do when it happens.
Childhood Trauma and Adult Mental Health: What the Research Shows
Childhood trauma alters brain chemistry, stress hormones, and disease risk across decades. Here is what ACE scores actually measure, what the neuroscience shows, and what helps.
Marijuana and Bipolar Disorder: What You Need to Know
Cannabis use is common among people with bipolar disorder, but research consistently links it to more manic episodes, lower remission rates, and faster mood cycling. Here is the clinical picture.
ADD vs ADHD: What's the Difference?
ADD is no longer a medical diagnosis. Since 1987, the condition has been called ADHD, with three distinct presentations. Here is exactly what changed, what stayed the same, and what it means for your evaluation or diagnosis.
Can OCD Go Away on Its Own? What the Data Shows
OCD does not reliably resolve without treatment. A 2022 meta-analysis found only 4 percent of untreated OCD cases achieved spontaneous remission. Here is what the evidence says about the natural course of OCD and what improves outcomes.
Depression Test: Signs That It Is Clinical, Not Just Sadness
Not every low mood is depression. A validated depression test shows which symptoms matter clinically, how to interpret your score, and when to start care.
Does PTSD Go Away? Understanding Long-Term Outcomes
PTSD does not reliably resolve on its own, but recovery is possible with treatment. Here is what the clinical evidence says about long-term outcomes, remission rates, and what actually determines whether PTSD improves.
Dysthymia: When Depression Becomes Your Baseline
Dysthymia, now called persistent depressive disorder, is a form of chronic depression that lasts two years or longer. Here is what makes it different from major depression, why it goes undiagnosed, and what treatment actually works.
Health Anxiety (Hypochondria): When Worry Becomes a Problem
Health anxiety, now called illness anxiety disorder in DSM-5, is excessive worry about having a serious illness despite normal test results. Here is what drives it and what actually works.
Is ADHD a Learning Disability? The Legal and Clinical Truth
ADHD is not a learning disability under clinical criteria, but it qualifies as a disability under federal law. Here is what that distinction means for school, work, and getting the right support.
Is ADHD a Mental Illness? How to Think About the Diagnosis
ADHD is listed in the DSM but classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, not a mental illness in the traditional sense. Here is what that distinction means and why it matters for how you approach the diagnosis.
PMDD Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and What Actually Treats It
PMDD is not severe PMS. It is a distinct mood disorder driven by abnormal brain sensitivity to hormonal shifts. Here is what the science says about diagnosis and treatment.
Pure O OCD: When OCD Lives Only in Your Mind
Pure O OCD looks like overthinking, not rituals. But the compulsions are real, just internal. A clinician explains what purely obsessional OCD actually is, why it gets missed, and how ERP therapy treats it.
Is ADHD Neurodivergent? The Brain Science Behind the Answer
ADHD is considered neurodivergent because it involves measurable, heritable differences in brain structure and function present from childhood. Here is what the research shows and why the framing matters.
How Long Does PTSD Last? Timeline and Recovery Factors
PTSD doesn't last forever for most people. A licensed PA explains the clinical timeline for PTSD recovery, what the data shows about natural remission, and what factors make the difference between a shorter and longer course.
Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary? Genetics, Risk, and What It Actually Means for Families
Bipolar disorder has among the highest heritability of any psychiatric condition. Here is what twin studies, family studies, and genome-wide research actually say about genetic risk.
Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder? What Psychiatrists Now Say
OCD was classified as an anxiety disorder until 2013. A psychiatrist explains why it was reclassified, what that means for diagnosis and treatment, and what OCD and anxiety share.
OCD and ADHD: When Both Conditions Co-Occur
Can you have OCD and ADHD at the same time? Yes, and it happens more often than most people realize. A licensed PA explains the comorbidity, why it's frequently missed, and what treatment looks like when both are present.
What Is Seasonal Depression? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Seasonal depression (SAD) affects millions each fall and winter. Learn the symptoms, causes, light therapy, and medication options that actually help.
What Causes OCD? Genetics, Brain Chemistry, and Environment
OCD does not have a single cause. The largest genetic study ever done on OCD identified 30 gene regions and key brain circuits. A licensed PA explains what this means for you.
High-Functioning Depression: Signs You Might Be Missing
High-functioning depression is not a clinical diagnosis, but the experience it describes is clinically real. A Psych PA explains the signs, the closest clinical equivalents, and why being good at hiding it makes it more dangerous.
What Causes Anxiety? The Biology and Environment Behind It
Anxiety is not weakness or worry. It is the result of specific biological systems: the amygdala, HPA axis, GABA, and norepinephrine. Here is what drives it and why treatment works.
Complex PTSD vs PTSD: What the Difference Actually Means for Your Care
C-PTSD and PTSD share the same trauma core but diverge in three critical ways. Understanding the distinction changes which treatment you need and why.
Is OCD Neurodivergent? What the Science Actually Says
OCD is not officially classified as neurodivergent in DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. But the brain science tells a more nuanced story. Here is what the research shows and why the answer matters for how you understand yourself.
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? Signs and Treatments
Social anxiety disorder is not shyness. It is a clinical condition where fear of social scrutiny causes significant distress and avoidance. A licensed PA explains the signs, what separates it from ordinary nerves, and how it is treated.
What Is Postpartum Depression? Signs, Causes, and Treatment Explained
Postpartum depression affects 1 in 8 new mothers in the U.S. A prescriber explains the difference from baby blues, what causes PPD, and which treatments are safe while breastfeeding.
ADHD in Men: How Symptoms Show Up Differently
ADHD in adult men often looks like restlessness, anger, and impulsive risk-taking rather than the hyperactive child stereotype. What the clinical evidence shows.
ADHD Test: How to Know If You Have ADHD
An ADHD test is not a 5-minute online quiz. Here is what clinical ADHD testing actually involves, which validated screening tools clinicians use, and how to take the right next step toward a real evaluation.
Do I Have OCD? Signs Beyond the Stereotypes
OCD is not about being neat or organized. Most people with OCD struggle with intrusive thoughts, mental compulsions, and a cycle of anxiety they cannot interrupt with willpower alone. Here is what OCD actually looks like.
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
GAD affects 2.7% of U.S. adults and causes chronic, difficult-to-control worry that interferes with daily life. Here is how it is diagnosed, what distinguishes it from normal anxiety, and what treatment pathways actually work.
What Causes Depression? The Science Behind It
Depression is not a simple chemical imbalance. Here is what current neuroscience, genetics, and environmental research actually show about what drives major depressive disorder.
Atypical Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and How It Gets Missed
Atypical depression affects up to 40% of people with MDD, yet it is routinely misdiagnosed. Learn how mood reactivity, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity define it.
Bipolar 1 vs Bipolar 2: Key Differences Explained
Bipolar I and bipolar II are not the same condition on a severity scale. The differences in mania, hypomania, and depression course shape diagnosis, treatment, and daily life in distinct ways.
Depression in Men: Signs That Look Different From the Textbook
Depression in men often shows up as irritability, anger, overwork, and risk-taking rather than sadness. Over 6 million men are diagnosed annually, and millions more go undiagnosed. Here is what the research shows.
What Is Manic Depression? A Clinical Guide to Bipolar Disorder
Manic depression is the older term for bipolar disorder. Here is what it actually involves, how the four types differ, and what happens when the wrong treatment is used.
The 4 Types of OCD Explained by a Psychiatrist
OCD is not one disorder with one face. Clinicians describe four main symptom themes, each with distinct patterns, compulsions, and treatment considerations. Here is what each one actually looks like.
What Is ADHD? A Complete Guide for Adults
ADHD in adults looks different from childhood. This guide covers DSM-5 criteria, the three types, why adults go undiagnosed, comorbidities, and how treatment works.
What Is Depression? Symptoms, Causes, and Why Getting the Right Help Takes So Long
Depression affects 21 million U.S. adults, yet most wait years for help. A psychiatrist explains what depression is, its symptoms, causes, types, and how continuous care changes outcomes.
What Is Neurodivergent? A Plain-English Guide to Neurodiversity and Mental Health
Between 15% and 20% of people are neurodivergent. But the term confuses many people who've heard it. A clinician explains what it means, what conditions it covers, and why neurodivergent people are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
What Is OCD? Symptoms, Types, and Treatment Explained
OCD affects 1-3% of people worldwide but is dramatically undertreated. A clinician explains the obsession-compulsion cycle, all four symptom types, how OCD is diagnosed, and what evidence-based treatment actually looks like.
What Is PTSD? Symptoms, Causes, and Evidence-Based Treatment Options
PTSD affects about 5% of U.S. adults in any given year. Here is what it involves, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments the latest clinical guidelines actually recommend.
PMDD vs PMS: What the Clinical Difference Means and When to Get Help
PMS affects up to 90% of menstruating individuals. PMDD affects 3 to 8% and is a formal DSM-5 psychiatric diagnosis with effective, evidence-based treatment. Here is how to tell them apart.
What Is Anxiety? Symptoms, Types, and When to Get Help
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the US, affecting more than 40 million adults. This guide explains the types, symptoms, and how effective treatment works.
What Is Bipolar Disorder? Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
Bipolar disorder involves distinct manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar I requires one full manic episode. Bipolar II involves hypomania. Here is the complete clinical picture across all three types.
How to Deal with Depression: From Symptoms to a Treatment Plan That Works
Depression is treatable. This guide covers what depression actually feels like, how it is diagnosed, and the evidence-based treatment steps that make the difference between managing and recovering.
How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult: What the Evaluation Actually Involves
Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult requires a clinical interview, rating scales, and ruling out other conditions. Here is what the process looks like and what to bring to your evaluation.
What Is Major Depressive Disorder? Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
MDD is more than feeling sad. Here is what the DSM-5 criteria say, how clinicians diagnose it, and which treatments have the strongest evidence.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression? Signs You Have It and What to Do Next
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as depression that doesn't improve after two or more adequate antidepressant trials. About 30% of people with major depression meet this definition. Here is what comes next.
Bipolar Pattern Tracking: How Daily Data Predicts Mood Episodes
Daily sleep, mood, and activity data can predict bipolar mood episodes days before they fully develop. Here is what the research shows and how tracking changes clinical outcomes.
Bipolar Sleep Tracking: Why Sleep Loss Predicts Mood Episodes
Sleep disturbance is the most common early warning sign of a manic episode in bipolar disorder, reported by over 77% of patients. Here is the evidence, what the patterns look like, and why tracking sleep is one of the most clinically useful things a bipolar patient can do.
Bipolar Medication Guide: Mood Stabilizers, Antipsychotics, and Antidepressant Cautions
Bipolar disorder is treated with multiple medication classes, each with a different role. Here is what mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants actually do, and why antidepressants require extreme caution.
Living With PTSD Long Term: Why Treatment Needs to Evolve With You
PTSD is not a fixed condition. Symptoms shift, life changes, and the treatment that helped at year one may not be enough at year five. Here is what adaptive long-term PTSD care looks like.
How to Manage PTSD Between Appointments: A Pattern-Tracking Approach
PTSD symptoms shift daily, but your appointment is weeks away. Here is how pattern tracking between visits gives your care team the data to act before the next crisis.