Author: Dr. Shruti Bhattacharya

Last updated: June 9, 2025 Life can feel like a whirlwind—tight deadlines, family demands, or persistent worries stealing your peace. My readers often reach out, sharing how stress, anxiety, or low mood drain their energy, searching for a way to recharge. That’s where transcendental meditation shines as a powerful self-care practice. As a mental health blogger at Guilt Free Mind, I’ve seen how this simple, mantra-based technique transforms lives, including mine. In this post, I’ll walk you through this meditation, its benefits for stress, depression, and productivity, and practical steps to start, whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen…

When Sarah first reached out to me through email, her question was straightforward but weighted with hope: “Can clinical depression be cured completely, or am I stuck with this forever?” It’s a question I’ve received countless times from readers who have battled the persistent darkness of depression—sometimes for years—and desperately want to believe there’s an endpoint to their suffering. The truth about whether clinical depression can be cured isn’t simple, but it’s something every person dealing with depression deserves to understand clearly. Defining Clinical Depression vs. Other Depressive Disorders Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), is significantly different…

Have you ever wondered if what you’re feeling is just a case of the blues or something more serious? One of my readers, Sarah, recently emailed me about this exact question. After losing her job, she experienced weeks of intense emotions and began questioning whether what she was feeling was clinical depression or sadness. “Some days I can barely get out of bed,” she wrote. “Is this just a normal reaction to losing my job, or should I be concerned?” Sarah’s question touches on something many of us experience but find difficult to articulate. The line between clinical depression and…

Last week, Sarah emailed me about her struggles with clinical depression. “I’ve been taking medications for six months,” she wrote, “but I feel like something’s missing. I want to feel like myself again, not just a muted version of me.” Her story echoes what many of my readers share – a desire to explore comprehensive approaches to managing clinical depression. As a mental health blogger who’s spent years connecting with people navigating depression, I’ve learned that healing often requires more than just one approach. While medication can be life-saving for many (and you should never stop taking prescribed medications without…

The email that landed in my inbox last week broke my heart. Sarah, one of my regular readers, wrote about facing her first Valentine’s Day since her divorce. “Everyone keeps asking about my plans,” she shared, “but honestly, I’m just trying to make it through the day without breaking down.” Her words echo what many of you have told me as February 14th approaches. So here are some Valentine’s day ideas especially focussed on maintaining good mental health. Let’s be real – Valentine’s Day isn’t just about heart-shaped chocolates and romantic dinners. Through years of running this blog and hearing…

According to recent studies, 87% of high-performing students attribute their academic success to a well-structured morning routine. Whether you’re in high school or college, your morning routine serves as the foundation for daily achievement and well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to create and maintain a morning routine that not only boosts your academic performance but also enhances your overall quality of life. Why Your Morning Routine Makes or Breaks Student Success The first hours of your day significantly impact your cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and academic success. Research from leading universities shows that students with consistent morning…

I never thought I’d write about this topic, but after receiving hundreds of messages from readers sharing their experiences on dealing with psychopaths, I realized we need to have this conversation. These weren’t just stories about difficult colleagues or challenging relationships – they revealed patterns that went far deeper and were far more disturbing. Dealing with Psychopaths: Why This Matters to Everyone Let me share Anna’s story, which arrived in my inbox last month. “I always prided myself on seeing the best in people,” she wrote. “That’s how I ended up working closely with someone who nearly destroyed our entire…

Are you aware that the prevalence of psychopathy has increased to roughly 15-25% among the jail population, compared to the general population, which is around 1%? Characteristics of the personality disorder known as psychopathy include an absence of empathy and guilt, as well as outspoken, narcissistic, and self-centered tendencies. The severity of this disorder can vary greatly from one person to another, making it a spectrum disorder.Several factors make it vital to understand psychopathy. It aids in the detection and control of people with these characteristics, lessening the danger they might represent to the community. Furthermore, it helps in the creation…

Sarah sat across from me on the zoom call, clutching her coffee cup so tightly her knuckles had turned white. “I feel crazy,” she whispered. “One minute I was living my best life, and the next… it’s like I don’t even recognize myself anymore.” Her story of healing from psychopathic abuse echoes through my practice daily – unique in its details but familiar in its impact. Understanding Psychopathic Abuse: Beyond Regular Trauma When Jenny first reached out about healing from psychopathic abuse, she thought she was just going through a bad breakup. “He love-bombed me for months,” she explained. “Then…

Can psychopathic tendencies be cured? Psychopathic tendencies represent a complex neurological phenomenon that challenges our understanding of human emotion and behavior. Far from the one-dimensional portrayals in popular media, psychopathy is a nuanced spectrum of psychological and neurological characteristics that demands a sophisticated, empathetic approach to understanding. The Emotional Complexity of Psychopathic Tendencies A Personal Narrative: Beyond Stereotypes Sarah’s experience with Mark illustrates the intricate nature of psychopathic traits. A charismatic and successful partner, Mark could precisely read emotional cues yet remain emotionally detached during moments of profound personal grief. This stark contrast reveals the critical distinction between cognitive and…