Author: Dr. Shruti Bhattacharya

Last updated: July 5, 2025 As a mental health blogger at Guilt Free Mind, I’m passionate about sharing science-backed strategies to help my readers feel calmer, happier, and more resilient. One tiny gut bacterium, Akkermansia, has recently caught my attention for its powerful impact on mental health. This post explores why this gut microbe is a game-changer for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. If you’re curious about how your gut influences your mood, read on to learn how this gut microbe can unlock emotional balance. What Is Akkermansia Muciniphila? A Gut Superhero Akkermansia muciniphila is a beneficial bacterium that lives in the mucus…

Important: This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a prescription medicine; please never start, stop or change the dose of any medicine without talking to your doctor. Quick answer: Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant that works mainly on dopamine and norepinephrine rather than serotonin. It is approved for depression, for preventing seasonal depression and (as Zyban) for quitting smoking. Research shows it works about as well as SSRI antidepressants for depression, with fewer sexual side effects and less weight gain. It is not a mood stabilizer and is not a first-choice treatment…

Published on June 21, 2025 Welcome to Guilt Free Mind, where I help my readers navigate mental health with compassion and clarity. Today, I’m diving into a topic close to my heart: neurodivergence. Here, I will help you understand the neurodivergent minds and the beauty of neurodiversity. If you’ve ever wondered about the neurodivergent meaning, felt different in how you think or process the world, or want to support someone who is neurodivergent, this post is for you. As a mental health blogger, I aim to provide practical insights and tools to empower my readers, whether you’re exploring types of neurodiversity, curious about ADHD neurodivergent traits, or seeking…

Quick answer: The most effective response to gaslighting is not to win the argument. Stay calm, say what you remember in one short sentence, refuse to debate your own reality, and leave the conversation if it starts going in circles. Over time, protect yourself by writing things down, checking your perceptions with people you trust, setting firm boundaries and getting support. If gaslighting comes with control, threats or fear, treat it as abuse and plan for your safety. You walk away from a conversation feeling confused. You were sure about what happened, but now you are not. You find yourself…

Last updated: June 20, 2025 Ever feel like you’re juggling a million tasks, losing track of time, or overwhelmed by emotions, but can’t figure out why? Many women live with these struggles for years, wondering if something deeper—like ADHD symptoms in women—is at play. As a mental health blogger at Guilt Free Mind, I’ve seen how ADHD symptoms in women are often missed or misunderstood, leaving many feeling stuck. This guide dives into ADHD symptoms in women, from subtle signs to practical self-care strategies, to help you gain clarity and confidence. With illustrative examples, you’ll learn how to identify ADHD…

Last updated on: June 16, 2025 Try This Now: 1-Minute Deep Breathing for Anxiety Feeling anxious right now? Take 1 minute to inhale deeply for 4 seconds, hold for 4, and exhale for 6. This quick technique can instantly calm your mind—try it and feel the difference! Watch our 1-minute 4-7-8 breathing video or listen to the audio guide below for guided practice. Discover the gentle power of deep breathing for anxiety to calm your mind and reclaim a sense of peace. Anxiety can creep in during busy days or overwhelming moments, leaving you searching for relief. Deep breathing offers…

Quick answer: A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone with a temperament trait called sensory processing sensitivity: they notice subtle details, process experiences deeply, feel emotions strongly and get overwhelmed more easily by noise, crowds or busy schedules. It is not a disorder or a diagnosis. Research suggests roughly a quarter to a third of people are highly sensitive. HSPs thrive with enough rest, gentle boundaries, a calm environment and self-compassion, and they often benefit more than others from good support. Do you need quiet time after a busy day, notice moods in a room before anyone speaks, or feel…

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a personality disorder marked by a long-standing pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking. People with HPD feel uncomfortable when they are not the centre of attention, express emotions in a dramatic but shallow way, and often use their appearance, flirtation or theatrics to draw others in. It usually begins by early adulthood, affects roughly 1–2% of adults, and is one of the four “Cluster B” (dramatic, emotional or erratic) personality disorders in the DSM-5. In this guide, I explain the 8 official symptoms in plain language, what causes HPD, how it is diagnosed, how it…

Last Updated: Ever feel like life’s chaos—tight work deadlines, family responsibilities, or endless worries—leaves you drained? Stress, anxiety and low mood can zap your energy, leaving you searching for simple ways to recharge. That’s where relaxation music comes in, a powerful self-care tool that soothes the mind and restores balance. As a mental health blogger at Guilt Free Mind, I often recommend relaxing music because it can help with everything from calming anxious thoughts to improving sleep. In this post, I’ll guide you through relaxation music, its benefits for anxiety, depression, focus, and more, and share practical steps to make…

Last updated: June 9, 2025 Life can feel like a whirlwind—tight deadlines, family demands, or persistent worries stealing your peace. Maybe stress, anxiety, or low mood are draining your energy, and you’re 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 want to look honestly at what this simple, mantra-based technique can — and can’t — do. 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…