Explainers7 min read
What We Mean by Holistic — and What We Don't
Holistic care means treating the whole person alongside evidence-based medicine, not instead of it. Here is where Dorf draws the line.
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Journalism by practitioners, peers, and holistic professionals on mental health and the habits, science, and relationships that shape a healthy, balanced life. Written for readers interested in mental health, whether you are seeking understanding, support, or practical guidance.
Body & Mind9 min read
Medication and Weight Gain: The Conversation Nobody Starts Early Enough
Weight gain is one of the most common reasons people stop psychiatric medication — and one of the least discussed before the first prescription. What the evidence says, and what to ask for.
Serious Mental Illness12 min read
Explainer: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD and Complex Trauma
Four conditions that are frequently described badly
Lived Experience6 min read
What No One Tells You After a Diagnosis
The appointment ends, the letter arrives, and then you are on your own. Readers describe the first months after a serious diagnosis — and what actually helped.
Body & Mind9 min read
Body and Mind: Why Physical Health Markers Matter in Serious Mental Illness
People with severe mental illness die 10 to 20 years earlier than average — mostly from preventable physical illness. What monitoring you are entitled to in Germany and the UK.
Lived Experience5 min read
A Conversation About Recovery: Notes From Our First Episode
Recovery is not the absence of illness. Highlights and transcript notes from the launch episode of the Dorf podcast.
Relationships8 min read
Relationships and Serious Mental Illness: What Partners, Parents and Friends Get Wrong
Loving someone through a serious mental illness comes with no manual, so most people improvise — often getting it backwards in ways that come from fear rather than carelessness. From constant symptom-watching to total avoidance, here's where good intentions tend to go wrong, and what actually seems to hold these relationships together.
Serious Mental Illness7 min read
Myth vs Evidence: Five Claims About Serious Mental Illness That Do Not Hold Up
erious mental illness carries some of the most persistent misinformation in public conversation — repeated confidently, rarely checked. Here are five claims that keep circulating, and what the evidence actually says.
Guides & Resources11 min read
A Starter Guide for Someone Newly Diagnosed
The first ninety days
Body & Mind5 min read
Finding Calm in a Restless World
An exploration of how small practices can steady us when life feels overwhelming.
Explainers5 min read
Understanding Anxiety: More Than Just Worry
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health experiences, yet it is often misunderstood. Learn what happens in the body and mind during anxiety.
Body & Mind6 min read
The Deep Connection Between Sleep and Mental Health
Poor sleep and mental health challenges can form a vicious cycle. Here is what the research says and how to break it.
Relationships5 min read
How to Talk to Children About Big Feelings
Helping kids name and navigate emotions builds resilience for life. These conversation starters make it easier.
Lived Experience7 min read
Grief Is Not Linear
There is no roadmap for loss. Understanding the many shapes of grief can offer comfort when you need it most.
Guides & Resources10 min read
Therapy Approaches Explained
CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT — what do these letters actually mean? A plain-language guide to finding the right fit.
Relationships6 min read
Setting Boundaries Without Burning Bridges
Healthy boundaries protect your energy and your relationships. Here is how to set them with clarity and kindness.