By the third week of January, most New Year’s resolutions have already faded. This isn’t because people lack commitment. It’s because they attempt to move forward while dragging unresolved problems with them. Unproductive habits, draining commitments, and outdated ways of thinking don’t magically disappear on 1 January. They get carried forward — quietly undermining every new goal. If you want 2026 to stand apart, you need more than reflection. You need a systematic review  t

Why the New Year Can Trigger Anxiety The turn of the year often brings a mix of excitement, reflection, and expectation. For many people, it is a time to celebrate achievements, set resolutions, and look forward to the months ahead. However, it can also trigger anxiety, stress, or feelings of pressure. Social expectations, comparison with others, and the sense that “everything must change” overnight can make the New Year feel overwhelming rather than uplifting. Anxiety at thi

Why the Holidays Can Be Draining The festive season is often portrayed as a time of endless socialising, family gatherings and joyful celebrations. While this can be enjoyable for some, it can also feel exhausting for many, especially those who are sensitive to social overstimulation, introverted, or navigating recovery from mental health or eating challenges. The pressure to attend events, make conversation, and maintain appearances can leave people feeling depleted rather t

Why the Festive Season Can Be Challenging The festive season is often portrayed as a time of indulgence, family gatherings and celebration. For many, it is a joyful period full of shared meals, treats and traditions. Yet for people with a history of disordered eating, holidays can bring anxiety, guilt or increased preoccupation with food. Social expectations, family pressures and the abundance of celebratory food can feel overwhelming, making it harder to maintain a sense of

When the Festive Season Feels Difficult The festive season is often portrayed as a time of happiness, indulgence and constant togetherness. Images of celebration and shared traditions can create the sense that joy should come easily to everyone. For those in recovery from an eating disorder or mental health difficulties, however, this time of year can feel emotionally complex and overwhelming. Recovery does not pause for the holidays. Increased focus on food, disrupted routin

The Holidays Can Be Harder Than They Look For many people, the festive season is associated with joy, togetherness and celebration. However, for someone living with an eating disorder (ED), this time of year can feel overwhelming, triggering and emotionally exhausting. Festive periods often centre around food, social gatherings, comments about bodies or eating, and unspoken expectations to “just enjoy yourself”. While usually well-intentioned, these dynamics can leave someone

Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two different mental health conditions, yet they can look surprisingly similar. Because some symptoms overlap, figuring out which one you’re dealing with can be challenging—even for professionals. Getting the right diagnosis, however, is key to choosing the right treatment and improving daily life. What Bipolar Disorder Looks Like People with bipolar disorder experience major mood shifts. These shifts us

Advice for parents supporting siblings Eating disorders can lead to huge changes within the family and affect day to day life for everyone. Meal times can become tense and ‘normal’ family activities such as trips out or holidays may be cancelled or become less enjoyable. Supporting siblings Parents may understandably direct a lot of their time and attention to the child with the eating disorder. Often siblings describe experiencing a wide range of feelings including confusion

The Promise and the Paradox Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming mental health care — from chatbots that offer crisis support to algorithms predicting emotional distress. But one question continues to divide experts and the public alike: Can AI ever truly replace face-to-face therapy? The short answer is no — but it can complement it powerfully. Where AI Excels AI tools can make mental health support more accessible, especially for people who face barriers suc

Rethinking the Narrative In recent years, awareness around neurodiversity  — including autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences — has grown significantly. However, an important area that still receives limited attention is the connection between neurodiversity and eating disorders. While eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) have long been viewed through a psychological and social lens, growing resear

According to mental health experts digital technology is helping contribute to rising suicide rates in the UK.  The warning comes as the...

October is recognised across the UK as ADHD Awareness Month , a time dedicated to increasing understanding, challenging misconceptions,...

In today’s world, dieting is everywhere. From social media influencers promoting the latest “miracle” plan, to friends and colleagues...

Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide. These complex conditions are not just about food; they can seriously impact...

People with eating disorders sometimes take diuretics (also known as water retention tablets) because they believe that the weight lost...

In an age where social media contributes to our daily interactions, it also significantly shapes our perceptions of self-image and...

Fear of death, or thanatophobia, is an intense fear of death or the dying process that goes beyond normal apprehension about mortality....

Many people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia find themselves abusing laxatives that is, taking more than the recommended dose, or...

Social media has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, transforming how we connect and view the world. While it offers many...

At Flourish, we believe in the incredible power of the human brain to adapt, and evolve, throughout life. Neuroplasticity is at the heart...