Married Life & Intimate Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Married Life & Intimate Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

How Your Personality Shapes Your Love Story: A Therapist's Perspective

Is it just your partner's quirks that make or break your relationship, or could the real key be... you?

Well, buckle up, because fresh research suggests that your own personality might be calling the shots in your love life more than you think.

A study published in Personality & Individual Differences finds that who you are—especially your quirks, anxieties, and, yes, how well you remember to put the toilet seat down—can make a bigger impact on your long-term relationship satisfaction than anything your partner does. (I know, it's a lot to take in.)

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Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw Signs of Trouble Daniel Dashnaw

Psychopathy vs. Sociopathy: How Cultural Narcissism Normalizes These Traits

In today’s world, where self-promotion and individualism are celebrated, cultural narcissism has reached new heights.

This shift has blurred the lines between "normal" and antisocial behaviors, making traits once deemed dangerous now appear almost mainstream.

As a marriage and family therapist, I often witness how society's acceptance of narcissistic behaviors complicates our understanding of psychopathy and sociopathy.

Let’s explore the differences between these terms and how cultural trends may be contributing to their normalization.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

The History of AD4K Memes: A High-Resolution Take on Hyperactivity

Memes have always thrived on cultural relatability, especially when they zero in on everyday experiences with a humorous twist. The "AD4K" meme captures this dynamic perfectly, blending lighthearted humor with the challenges of hyperactivity and ADHD.

Let’s dive into the history of this meme, its roots, and why it has gained such traction in online communities.

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Daniel Dashnaw Daniel Dashnaw

Understanding the Humor of auADHD Memes: A Deep Dive into Neurodivergent Experiences

In recent years, memes about ADHD and autism (collectively referred to as auADHD) have become a vibrant part of online culture.

These memes offer a humorous yet revealing glimpse into the experiences of those with these conditions, blending humor with self-reflection and building a sense of community for neurodivergent folks.

This post explores the most popular auADHD memes, their themes, and what makes them so relatable.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Are You a High-Masking Autistic? Understanding the Invisible Struggle

Autism is a spectrum, and while many people have a mental image of what autism looks like, reality is often far more nuanced.

One of the most complex aspects of autism is "masking"—the practice of concealing autistic traits to blend in with neurotypical peers.

For some, masking is a way to cope with a world that doesn’t quite fit their way of thinking, but it often comes at a high cost: burnout, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self.

High-masking autistic individuals are those who become particularly skilled at hiding their autistic traits. But what does this look like in daily life, and what does the research say about the impact of masking?

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

You Might Not Be Autistic If… A Guide to Understanding Essential Neurotypical Traits

Navigating the world of neurodiversity can be a bit like walking through a very specific museum—some rooms make total sense, while others leave you scratching your head.

Autism, with its unique traits, is one of those beautifully complex rooms. So, how do you know if you’re more of a neurotypical visitor in this museum?

This post explores some everyday experiences that might suggest you aren’t autistic. Let’s dive in!

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Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Social Media and Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Polyamory Memes: The Emerging Internet Critiques

Polyamory, the practice of engaging in multiple romantic relationships with the consent of everyone involved, has been gaining more visibility in recent years.

As a lifestyle, it promises freedom, open communication, and, ideally, lots of love to go around. But as with anything that steps out of the norm, the internet has a lot to say—especially in the form of memes.

While many celebrate polyamory as a new frontier in love, others poke fun at its challenges, quirks, and contradictions. Here’s a closer look at what these memes are saying, with a warm yet occasionally sarcastic twist.

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Married Life & Intimate Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Married Life & Intimate Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Love, Luxury, and Large Age Gaps: Why Some American Men Marry Younger Women (and What It Means for Marital Bliss)

Let’s talk about a common American phenomenon that keeps both psychologists and dinner party conversations buzzing—accomplished older men marrying women who are, let's say, a couple of decades (give or take a few years) younger.

While it’s easy to assume these relationships are all about luxury and adventure, social science reveals a more nuanced picture.

This blog will delve into the complexities of age-gap marriages, with a special focus on evolutionary psychology, marital satisfaction, and the everyday ups and downs that come with living life alongside someone in a different stage of it.

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Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw Marriage and Mental Health Daniel Dashnaw

Navigating Relationship Challenges Unique to Australia

Relationships are shaped by the environments in which they exist, and Australia’s unique blend of cultural diversity, vast geography, and shifting societal norms creates distinctive challenges for couples.

From the demands of long-distance living to the complexities of multicultural relationships and the pressures of work-life balance, this post probes key relationship issues in Australia and offers insights on navigating these challenges with resilience and empathy.

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Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw Neurodiverse Couples Daniel Dashnaw

Couples Therapy with a Screenwriter and His Neurodiverse Attorney Wife: A Drama in Three Acts

Therapists don't typically look for drama, but sometimes it finds us.

Especially when the couple in front of you is David, a scriptwriter who tries to live life in beats and scenes, and Sophie, an autistic attorney whose mind is a courtroom, always looking for evidence.

It’s not your usual story—more of a character study than a blockbuster, with dialogue that could only come from two people who see the world in starkly different shades.

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Daniel Dashnaw Daniel Dashnaw

Navigating Relationship Challenges for Couples in Japan

Japan’s rich cultural heritage and unique social dynamics make it a fascinating place to live, but these factors also create a distinct set of challenges for couples. Critical challenges, frankly.

Among these, the country's plummeting birth rate has become a major concern, reflecting deeper societal trends and posing significant implications for the future of relationships, family structures, and the country’s economy.

Let’s consider the key relationship dynamics in Japan, the impact of the declining birth rate, and what it all means for the road ahead.

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Intercultural Relationships Daniel Dashnaw Intercultural Relationships Daniel Dashnaw

Relationship Challenges in Spain: Unpacking What Makes Love Unique in the Land of Tapas and Flamenco

When it comes to love, every country has its quirks—and Spain is no exception.

From the warm embrace of family traditions to the spicy dance between modernity and old-school values, relationships in Spain come with their own set of unique challenges.

So, what makes love in Spain different, and how do couples navigate these rocky roads while keeping the romance alive?

Let’s dive into the heart of relationship problems in Spain and see what makes them so distinctly... well, Spanish.

Generational Tug-of-War: Living with Mom and Dad Until... Forever?

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