Cardiff University Mental Health Research
Cardiff University’s Mental Health Research Institute leads world-class research into mental ill health and neurodegenerative disorders, translating innovation into better therapies across the lifespan.
Living with FND: One Young Man’s Journey of Resilience, Awareness, and Hope
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can change a life in an instant. One man’s courageous journey reveals the hidden reality of living with a condition that disrupts the brain’s ability to send and receive signals—despite normal scans and test results. Through weakness, tremors, mobility challenges, and daily unpredictability, he has discovered resilience he never knew he had. By sharing his story, he hopes to break the stigma, raise awareness, and empower others who feel unheard. His message is simple: FND is real, recovery is possible, and no one should face it alone.
Erasing Memory: The Possibilities and Challenges of Selective Forgetting
Managing distressing memories through existing therapies, mindfulness, and support networks remains the most accessible path. As research continues, the dream of selectively forgetting the bad while keeping the good may one day become a reality. Until then, moments of natural relief, like forgetting an OCD trigger and finding the anxiety has passed, remind us of the brain’s capacity to heal itself.
Neurodiversity and Mental Health: Promoting Awareness, Acceptance, and Tailored Support
Neurodiversity refers to the concept that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others, are natural variations of the human brain rather than disorders that need to be cured.
Can Forgetting Compulsions Help Heal OCD and Trauma?
Stress can play a major role in memory lapses, especially for people living with OCD and trauma. When the mind is overwhelmed by anxiety, daily pressures, or too many competing tasks, it can become harder to focus on intrusive thoughts or compulsions. Preoccupation with other responsibilities may naturally push the urge into the background, allowing it to fade over time. In this way, stress and distraction, although challenging, can sometimes disrupt the cycle of OCD by creating moments where the compulsion is forgotten.
Understanding the Different Types of Migraines, Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Migraines are not just “bad headaches”; they are a complex neurological condition that can take different forms, often mimicking other medical problems. Understanding the different types, their causes, and how to manage them can make a huge difference to your quality of life, especially if you suffer frequently.
The Mystery of Phantom Perfume Scents
Have you ever suddenly caught a waft of a perfume you haven’t worn or owned in years, and there’s no obvious source? The scent lingers under your nose for moments at a time, taking you back to a different place or reminding you of someone. You’re not imagining it. This fascinating and often emotional experience is known as phantom smelling, and it can have many layers, scientific, emotional, and even spiritual.
Disability and Poverty: Breaking the Cycle of Inequality
Disability and poverty are deeply intertwined, and when they co-exist, the barriers multiply. Families with disabled children are more likely to experience financial hardship, social exclusion, and mental health challenges, yet they often receive the least support. According to recent research, including findings from The Childhood Trust, the cost of living crisis has placed even more strain on already stretched services, making it harder for social workers to meet the needs of families with disabled children.
Can You Forget Trauma?
Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to an event—or series of events—that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It’s not just about what happened, but how it made you feel: unsafe, powerless, or deeply shaken. Trauma can stem from a one-time incident like an accident or loss, or from long-term experiences like abuse, neglect, or living in constant fear.
Uncovering the Mystery of Havana Syndrome: A Global Medical Enigma
As the investigation into Havana Syndrome continues, the global community remains uncertain about its cause. While some point to nefarious forces or secret weapons, others argue that the truth may lie in something more human — the pressures of a high-stakes, high-risk profession. For now, the mystery persists, and those affected are left to face a reality that is as puzzling as it is painful.