Self-Help Articles and Overviews

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Our self-help articles on topics like relationship problems, understanding depression, and personality disorders offer background information that might help you decide what to do next.

In addition to our self-help articles included in this section, be sure to see our extensive section of tools for testing yourself and generating insights about what you’re experiencing: “Psychological Self-Tests and Quizzes”.

A separate guide to formal symptoms used in diagnosis is also available separately at the Mental Health Reference site.

Understanding Personality Disorders in Relationships

Chances are, you’re dealing with an individual with a personality disorder somewhere in your life — whether it’s your spouse, your parent, your co-worker…even your child. Dr Carver’s introduction to personality disorders in relationships puts the reality in plain English; more than just a list of diagnostic criteria, this explanation describes what it’s really like to be dealing with a personality disorder and offers tips for victims.

Photo of Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD

Are You Dating a Loser? Identifying Losers, Controllers and Abusers

If you’re dating a ‘loser’, you may recognize in your partner some of these characteristics described by Consulting Clinical Psychologist Joseph M. Carver, PhD. This article continues with a note on dangerous versions of the ‘loser’ and offers guidelines for detachment. Also see the new “Relationship Quiz: True Love or True Loser?”, which may help you to identify and highlight experiences of concern within your relationship.

Emotional Memory Management: Positive Control Over Your Memory

Every second we are alive, our brain functions. At a very basic level it maintains our breathing, our blood flow, our body temperature, and other aspects that allow us to stay alive and thinking. Emotional Memory Management, or EMM, is concerned with the thinking and memory part of brain functioning — and how we can use it to lead happier lives. This article by our Consulting Clinical Psychologist Dr Joseph M. Carver offers a non-technical look at emotional memory and provides practical tips which can help you establish positive control over your emotional memory.

All clinical material on this site is peer reviewed by one or more clinical psychologists or other qualified mental health professionals. This specific article was originally published by on and was last reviewed or updated by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on .

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