The Mental Compass

For decades, the dominating conceptualization of depression has been through the prism of serotonin deficiency, or the "chemical imbalance" theory. Yet, even though serotonin, among other neurotransmitters, remains an important piece of the puzzle, recent scientific progress has started to change the landscape in the understanding of depression. Emerging evidence points to a prominent role for inflammation and brain-cell dynamics at the roots of this complex disorder, particularly within young adults facing unique biological and environmental challenges. Although this model has led to the development of many different types of antidepressants, it is only partially explanatory. Increasingly, psychologists and neuroscientists are beginning to think of depression as a complex, multivariate illness that also involves the immune system and problems in the functioning of brain cells. This conceptual shift is especially important for young adults, whose brains and psychological deve...

Human relationships often end suddenly, through breakups, friendship fallouts, family conflicts, or even professional betrayals. When this happens, many of us feel an overwhelming urge for closure. We crave answers, explanations, apologies, or just one final conversation to help us make sense of what went wrong. Psychologically, closure isn't just an emotional desire; it’s a deep cognitive need to complete an unfinished story. This article explores why closure feels so essential, why we often chase it from the very people who hurt us, and how real-life situations reveal just how powerful unresolved endings can be. The Psychology of Closure: Why the Mind Craves Completion  Closure is rooted in what psychologists call cognitive closure,  that sense of relief that comes from certainty and a finished narrative. Our brains don’t handle ambiguity well. When a significant relationship ends unexpectedly, our minds keep searching for missing pieces, trying to fill in the gaps. Several ...

There is a common assumption whispered in classrooms, offices, and even casual conversations that philosophy belongs to people with comfort, leisure, and financial security. According to this belief, only those who have extra time and extra stability can afford to sit and think about the meaning of life. Everyone else must focus on getting through the day. But this idea is not only wrong. It is deeply unfair. Philosophy was never meant to be a luxury. It was born out of confusion, pain, wonder, and the ordinary struggles of people. It is not a subject reserved for the privileged. It is a way of seeing life that belongs to every human being who has questions in the heart and thoughts that refuse to stay silent.  To understand why this belief exists, we must look at how modern society views thinking. We live in a culture that values speed, productivity, and visible results. If something does not create money or show clear output, people assume it has no value. Thinking quietly is see...

There’s a strange kind of exhaustion that comes not from doing too much, but from doing the same things every day. It’s not burnout. It’s not laziness. It’s that quiet fading of motivation that creeps in when life becomes too predictable, when every day looks like a copy-paste version of the last. Many people don’t talk about this feeling because it sounds ungrateful. “ Your life is stable. What more do you want?” they’ll say. But stability and fulfilment are not the same thing. Predictability may keep us safe, but it doesn’t always keep us alive inside. The Psychology Behind the ‘Why Bother?’ Feeling Motivation thrives on dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical released when something feels new, challenging, or meaningful. When life becomes a routine loop, your brain stops releasing the little bursts of anticipation that keep you moving. It’s like running on a treadmill that never speeds up, never slows down, never changes scenery. You’re not tired, you’re under-stimulated. Humans are ...

American actress Dakota Johnson made headlines when it was discovered that the bowl of limes shown in her Architectural Digest home tour was actually a prop and not for use, given that she later revealed in another interview that she is allergic to limes. While the moment became a subject of online scrutiny for its supposed “fakeness,” it raises an important psychological question about how people behave in social and interpersonal settings. Often, individuals divide their actual self from the persona they put forward when interacting with others. This phenomenon is not limited to public figures like celebrities or influencers; it exists everywhere and is largely universal in nature An important concept in social psychology that helps explain this is Role Theory. Role theory suggests that daily interactions with others are shaped by socially constructed roles that people learn, internalize, and perform based on context. For instance, within a household, the highest earner often assumes...

"Sesame Street" is more than just a beloved children's television show; it also offers valuable psychological lessons for mental health that can benefit viewers of all ages. The show's characters and stories are designed to teach children about emotional regulation, empathy, and resilience in a simple yet impactful manner.  For example, characters like Big Bird and Elmo often face everyday challenges that mirror real-life struggles, providing young viewers with relatable scenarios to understand their own feelings. This approach helps children develop emotional intelligence early on, which is crucial for mental well-being. One of the key psychological lessons from "Sesame Street" is the importance of expressing emotions healthily. Through various storylines, the show encourages children to identify and communicate their feelings, whether they are happy, sad, or frustrated. This can reduce feelings of isolation and promote emotional resilience.  Additionally, ...

There is a particular kind of silence that doesn’t come from peace, but from fear. It sits in classrooms where students smile through panic attacks, in offices where burnout is worn like a badge of honour, and in homes where sadness is dismissed as weakness. This silence is not accidental, it is learned, reinforced, and shared. And psychology has a name for it: the Spiral of Silence. At its core, mental suffering is not just an individual experience; it is a social one. What we choose to express and what we suppress, is deeply shaped by our environment. Many people don’t stay silent because they don’t have pain. They stay silent because they fear what will happen if they speak. Understanding the Spiral of Silence The Spiral of Silence theory, proposed by German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, explains how individuals often withhold their opinions when they believe they are in the minority. The driving force behind this silence is the fear of isolation. Humans are social b...

For decades, mental health in India has existed in the margins of policy conversations, acknowledged during crises, but rarely centred in sustained action. The recent Union Budget’s renewed focus on mental health, however, signals a possible shift. With dedicated allocations, the announcement of new national-level mental health institutes, and the expansion of existing frameworks like NIMHANS, the budget invites a larger question: Is this the beginning of a mentally healthier India, or just another well-intentioned promise? From a psychological standpoint, budgets are not just financial documents. They are mirrors of collective priorities. When a government allocates resources to mental health, it communicates something powerful to its people: your psychological wellbeing matters. This validation alone can influence public attitudes, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviour, an often-overlooked psychological impact of policy decisions. What’s Changing in the Mental Health Bu...

Affective Differentiation Consider Sarah, who is juggling the balancing act of her fast-paced job and personal relationships, topped by life's little surprises. After a really exhausting evening, one day she felt overwhelmed—this indistinct and heavy cloud of discomfort. She knew she was upset, but it was only "stress," that catch-all word she had used for anything that felt bad. She shrugged it off and pushed through, hoping it would pass. Now, imagine another scenario where Sarah stops herself and asks: What am I feeling exactly? Is this frustration, disappointment, anxiety, or maybe sadness? She slows down and articulates her emotions precisely; thus, she starts to see a clearer picture of her inner world. She realizes that frustrations arise because of unmet expectations at work, anxiety is associated with an upcoming presentation, while sadness is born out of disconnectedness with friends. The Psychology Behind Emotional Granularity From a psychological perspective, ...

Written by Dr. Jaikumar Velayudham, Consultant Psychiatrist, Chennai and Vellore Dr. Jaikumar Velayudham is a consultant psychiatrist with a deep interest in the intersection of history, psychology, and leadership. Through his writings, he explores the minds of iconic figures to uncover timeless mental health insights. He is a regular contributor to Mental Health Compass Magazine When we think of Julius Caesar, we often imagine military triumphs, political brilliance, and that fateful betrayal on the Ides of March. But beneath the laurel wreath and public spectacle was a complex, charismatic, and profoundly human man.  In recent years, mental health experts and historians alike have revisited Caesar’s life through a neuro - psychological lens, uncovering valuable insights into leadership, personality disorders, and the psychology of power. The Assassination: A Fall from the Summit On March 15, 44 BCE, Caesar was invited by senators to a routine meeting, only to be brutally stabbed ...

You open Instagram to watch just another reel for five minutes. The next time you see the time, an hour has passed! This is something that happens to all of us very often. Time feels faster. With each minute feeling like seconds passing by in an instant. This could be attributed to nostalgia for the peace in the older days or even poor time management. However, the explanation goes deeper and lies in how we, as a collective generation, perceive and experience time. One of the most well-researched reasons why time seems to pass by more quickly with age is the novelty effect. In childhood and adolescence, life is filled with first experiences. First school, first friendships, first heartbreaks, first achievements. The brain pays close attention to new experiences, laying down rich, detailed memories. As we age, though, our adult routines take over, from commutes, meetings, and monotonous conversations. According to neurology, routine requires less conscious processing, which means fewer ...