Latest news with #ChoosingTherapy
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
YouTube, TikTok, And Short Video Addictions Among Emerging Adults
Social media applications According to a 2025 report on a website dedicated to search engine optimization, YouTube is consistently a top-rated online search term. Some professionals have warned against the excessive use of YouTube Shorts. For example, an outline site for mental health articles, released a report in 2023 describing how the compulsive urge to watch videos on YouTube can lead to disruptive sleep, neglecting personal responsibilities, and diminished interest in offline activities. This report acknowledged that 'YouTube Addiction' is not an official clinical term but stated that excessive use can lead to symptoms such as heighted anxiety, loss of self-control, and even withdrawal. Short Video Addiction (SVA) is a term used by researchers, and this is separate from excessive general internet use. A 2025 report in the journal of NeuroImage highlighted how SVA represents an uncontrolled use of short-video platforms (e.g. YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels) to consume rapid information in which the content is personalized by algorithms. According to this report, SVA has a negative impact on brain functioning, including increased reward processing and decreased top-down cognitive control, which could affect attention and emotional regulation. Why SVA Awareness Is Important For Emerging Adults A 2024 report by Frontiers in Psychology described college students as the primary users of internet applications and digital apps. According to this report, nearly half of emerging adults visit social websites daily and spend more than one hour per day viewing short videos. However, it's a misconception to think that the dangers of SVA are limited to excessive waste of time. As stated, studies suggest that SVA can alter brain and neural functioning, which is especially alarming for emerging adults whose brains are still developing. For example, a 2025 study by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that SVA among college students was associated with higher risk-taking tendencies, greater sensitivity to loss, and a heightened sensitivity to video cues. The report in Frontiers of Psychology also revealed a connection between SVA and personality traits among college students and found that depression and anxiety were critical meditators of this relationship. The Role Of Misinformation In SVA A special consideration with SVA is the amount of misinformation found on short-video platforms. Producers of short videos are usually not rewarded by the quality of their content but rather by the number of consumers. Thus, the temptation to sensationalize and exaggerate reality is high. This is reflected in a 2023 report by Capitol Technology University, which explained that roughly a fifth of TikTok videos contain significant misinformation. Perhaps more concerning are results from studies, such as a 2025 study in Computers in Human Behavior, which consistently show that young adults often struggle to detect misinformation on digital platforms, even though they tend to express high confidence in their ability to do so. Preventing SVA In Emerging Adults Encouraging emerging adults to assess their use of short-video platforms is an essential first step in preventing SVA. Not only should the time on these platforms be measured, but also any emotions that follow. Feelings of insecurity, anxiety, or regret are signs of maladaptive use. It's also important for emerging adults to be intentional about their use of short-term platforms. Having consistent and scheduled times to view short videos is the antithesis of impulsive use. Furthermore, emerging adults will likely benefit from vetting information and prioritizing offline activities. Those with significant struggles will likely find help from a mental help professional who is well-versed in treating SVA. Short-video platforms provide emerging adults with the opportunity to access unlimited information and better connect with the world. For some, the rapid consumption of content that has been personalized by an algorithm can result in excessive use that takes a toll on brain functioning, emotions, and behavior.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ramit Sethi: Here's the ‘Biggest Red Flag of All' When It Comes to Money and Relationships
Most people look for a romantic partner who shares their financial values and has similar life goals, whether that means living a life of luxury or embracing a minimalist existence. Incompatibility in these areas is often a deal breaker or 'red flag.' Learn More: Consider This: Personal finance expert Ramit Sethi says there is an even bigger red flag that people tend to overlook. The number one financial red flag isn't having different values — it's being unable to talk about money at all. 'If your partner simply will not talk about money, you have a huge problem,' Sethi explained in an interview on Instagram. Many people get uncomfortable when it's time to talk about money. Fortunately, there are some tried and true ways to get better at having those important conversations. Sethi stressed that it's OK to have different values and approaches to dealing with money, but it is essential to talk to your partner about it. Not only that, but talking about money shouldn't be a one-time event. Ideally, 'we want to have lots of conversations about money,' Sethi said. If your partner refuses to talk about money, they're not just avoiding one big conversation. They're avoiding an ongoing dialogue that should be a regular part of your shared life. Therapists agree that couples must be able to talk effectively about money, according to Choosing Therapy. Issues like income levels and spending habits may be important, but they're not as important as the ability to discuss finances. Transparency and openness about money are very important for your relationship. Be Aware: Most people don't love talking about money, but some are more avoidant than others. Sethi said, 'Avoiders hate talking about money. And they will use a series of conscious and unconscious techniques to avoid talking about money.' Those techniques may include downplaying the importance of finances, procrastinating or outright refusing to make financial decisions. All of these approaches can create an unfair situation and can breed resentment. Guess who's stuck making those decisions when your partner refuses to have the tough conversations? If you have a financially avoidant partner, don't despair. There are still ways to get them into a conversation about finances. Therapists suggest setting up a specific time to talk about money, ideally when you're both relaxed and don't have any major problems weighing on you. In other words, don't wait until your car breaks down and the roof springs a leak. Plan out exactly what you'll discuss, and don't try to talk about everything at once. It can also help to meet somewhere neutral, like a coffee shop. Remember to be compassionate and kind. Money is a red-button issue for many people, and talking about it can trigger major insecurities. Do your best to reassure your partner that the two of you are on the same team and that you don't want an adversarial relationship. Hopefully, this attitude will help get the financial conversation going forward! More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on Ramit Sethi: Here's the 'Biggest Red Flag of All' When It Comes to Money and Relationships
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women Who Always Get Played By Men Ignore 15 Red Flags
Some women seem to attract the same type of man over and over—emotionally unavailable, manipulative, or flat-out dishonest. And while it's easy to blame the men (fair), there's also a pattern in what these women ignore. The truth is, many women who end up getting played overlook small but glaring red flags, the ones that seem harmless at first but quietly set the stage for heartbreak. The problem isn't that they don't see these signs; it's that they convince themselves they don't matter. Here are the 15 red flags women who always get played tend to ignore—until it's too late. When a man gives you the most sanitized, surface-level version of his past but never really opens up, it's a major red flag. According to Choosing Therapy, emotionally unavailable people often keep their history vague as a way to avoid accountability. If he won't talk about his last relationship, his family dynamics, or his life before you, he's not building intimacy—he's avoiding it. You think you're being understanding, but you're actually missing the warning signs that he's hiding something. A man who's emotionally mature doesn't dance around his past—he owns it. When you don't get the full story, you're left guessing, which is exactly where a player wants you: off-balance, unsure, and willing to accept scraps of his truth. And that's how the cycle of being played begins. A player knows how to turn on the charm—but he can't keep it up. As explained by Simply Psychology, inconsistent communication and behavior are classic signs you're dealing with a player. He'll be amazing on a date, texting you with flirty banter, making you feel like the center of his universe… and then go dark for days. You tell yourself he's just busy, but the inconsistency is the real story. A man who's serious about you doesn't disappear without explanation. That hot-and-cold pattern is not a personality quirk—it's emotional manipulation. He's conditioning you to crave his attention, making you chase the highs he controls. And women who get played often mistake that rollercoaster for chemistry, when it's actually a slow erosion of your self-worth. If you've been seeing someone for weeks or months and he still dodges the 'What are we?' talk, that's not romantic mystery—it's a strategy. According to The Atlantic, commitment-avoidant men often keep things vague to maintain control. He benefits from the ambiguity while you're stuck in limbo, hoping he'll eventually step up. By the time you realize he's never going to give you what you want, you've already invested too much to walk away easily. That's how you get played—by staying too long in a situation where you were never going to win. A man who's always the victim in his past relationships is waving a giant red flag. When he trashes his exes, calls them 'crazy,' or blames them for everything, it's not just venting—it's a preview of how he'll talk about you someday. As Psychology Today points out, this is a classic tactic to avoid accountability and manipulate new partners. He's painting himself as the innocent one, which conveniently absolves him of any responsibility. Women who get played often see this as a chance to be the 'exception,' thinking they'll be different. But if he's been the victim in every relationship, he's probably the common denominator. And you're next in line for that same narrative. As highlighted by Verywell Mind, men who are evasive about their whereabouts or who they're spending time with are often hiding something—whether it's another woman, another life, or just the fact that they're not as invested as you think. If he gets defensive when you ask simple questions or deflects with vague answers, it's not about respecting his privacy—it's about controlling the information you get. You tell yourself you're just respecting his space, but in reality, you're ignoring a glaring red flag. A man who cares about you wants you to feel secure, not suspicious. And if you constantly feel like you're in the dark, it's because he's keeping you there. A player will subtly make you feel like your emotional needs are 'too much.' When you express a boundary or say you're upset, he'll brush it off as no big deal—or worse, make you feel like you're the problem for even bringing it up. Over time, you start shrinking, minimizing your feelings to avoid pushing him away. This dynamic is a power play: he's training you to accept less, so you're easier to manipulate. And women who get played often confuse this with being 'low-maintenance,' when in reality, it's emotional neglect. Men who can't stop flirting with other women—even while they're with you—are testing your boundaries. They're seeing what they can get away with, and they want to keep you in a state of insecurity. That little flirtatious comment, the lingering touch, the 'Oh, we're just friends' line—it's all part of the game. Women who get played often downplay this behavior, telling themselves he's just 'friendly' or 'social.' But it's a pattern of disrespect that never stays innocent. And if you let it slide, you're teaching him that he doesn't have to respect you. Some men are addicted to the thrill of pursuit, but the moment you start wanting something real, they retreat. They love the high of winning you over, but they have no interest in actually building a relationship. The second you stop being a challenge, they lose interest. This is how women end up getting played: they mistake the chase for genuine connection. But real love doesn't evaporate the moment you get close—it deepens. If a man only wants you when you're just out of reach, he's not looking for a relationship—he's looking for a game. A man who subtly makes you feel like he's a prize you're lucky to have is playing a dangerous psychological game. He'll talk about how 'most women can't handle him' or how 'he's not like other guys,' subtly making you feel like you need to work hard to keep his attention. That dynamic creates a power imbalance where you're constantly trying to prove your worth. Women who get played often buy into this narrative, thinking they need to be 'good enough' to keep him around. But the truth is, any man who makes you feel like you're lucky to be with him isn't someone you should want to be with in the first place. A man who showers you with over-the-top affection, grand promises, and intense declarations early on is waving a major red flag. Love bombing feels intoxicating in the moment, but according to Psychology Today, it's often a manipulation tactic used to create dependency. It's a way to hook you emotionally before you have time to notice the inconsistencies or red flags. Women who get played often mistake love bombing for genuine passion. But real love grows over time—it doesn't come crashing in like a hurricane. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is. Players are masters of the excuse. He's busy with work, his phone died, his family situation is complicated, his life is just so chaotic. There's always a reason why he can't show up for you, and it's always just believable enough to make you doubt your gut. Women who get played often ignore the pattern because they get caught up in the details of each excuse. But the truth is, if a man wants to be with you, he'll make it happen. Consistently failing to show up isn't bad luck—it's a choice. A man who's not asking you questions about your dreams, your values, or even your day isn't invested in you—he's invested in what you can give him. That lack of curiosity is a quiet red flag that often gets overlooked. Women who get played tell themselves he's just 'not a talker,' but real interest shows up in small ways: thoughtful questions, remembering details, following up. If he's not making an effort to get to know you beyond the surface, it's because he's not planning to stick around. And the longer you pretend otherwise, the deeper you get into a relationship that's never going to give you what you need. A player's favorite topic is himself. He'll dominate the conversation, tell endless stories about his accomplishments, and leave little room for you to share your own life. It's subtle at first—you might even find it charming—but over time, it becomes clear that there's no space for you in the relationship. Women who get played often excuse this as confidence or charisma, but it's really narcissism in disguise. If he's not making room for your voice, he's not building a partnership—he's building an audience. Big promises, big plans, and no action—that's the classic player script. He'll talk about taking you on trips, meeting his family, or building a future together, but somehow, those plans never materialize. Women who get played often hold onto those promises, thinking they're proof of his intentions. But words are cheap—especially from a man who's not backing them up with real effort. If his actions aren't matching his words, that's not potential—it's a pattern. And the longer you stay, the more you're investing in an empty story. The biggest red flag isn't something he does—it's the feeling you get when you're with him. That pit in your stomach, that nagging sense of unease, that voice in your head telling you to pay attention—that's your intuition trying to protect you. According to PsychCentral, ignoring your gut instincts is one of the most common ways people get trapped in toxic relationships. Women who get played often silence that voice because they want to believe the potential, the charm, the fantasy. But your gut knows the truth, even when your heart doesn't want to hear it. And the longer you ignore it, the deeper the damage.
