August 6th, 2025
Mental health awareness is at an all-time high, and with good reason. Taking care of your mental well-being is just as crucial as taking care of your physical health. But navigating the world of mental health terms and mental health disorders can feel overwhelming.
The landscape of mental health is continuously evolving, bringing new insights and challenges into the spotlight. In an age where information is just a click away, we’re your one-stop guide to the most searched and talked-about mental health topics in 2025.
This guide is designed to provide you with an overview of the most popular and frequently searched mental health disorders and terms in 2025, helping you stay informed and proactive about mental wellness. From emerging generational terms to popular mood disorders, we’re going to dive into what people are seeking to understand this year within mental health.
Whether you are a mental health professional or simply someone looking to learn more about mental health, this guide offers a comprehensive snapshot of the key terms and disorders making headlines and shaping conversations around mental health today. Keep reading to explore these trending topics in the world of mental health!
Here is a list of the most searched mental health disorders of 2025 and what they mean:
As the most common type of mental health disorder, searches for anxiety disorders remain high. People are seeking information on symptoms, treatments, and coping strategies for managing various forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders encompass a group of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. These disorders alter how a person processes emotions and behave, also causing physical symptoms. Common types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
To learn more about anxiety, head over to our blog “ What is Anxiety? A Guide to Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment”.
This condition continues to capture widespread attention, with many searching for the latest treatment options, including pharmacological advancements, TMS therapy, psychotherapies, and alternative therapies like mindfulness and yoga.
So what is depression? Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
To learn more about clinical depression check out our blog “What is Clinical Depression?”
Increased global awareness about PTSD, especially in the context of recovery from the pandemic and other societal stresses, has led to a surge in searches for diagnosis and treatment methodologies.
What is post traumatic stress disorder? PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape, or other violent personal assault. PTSD can cause intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended.
Head to our blog “What is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 101” for more information on PTSD.
With new therapeutic options emerging, individuals are searching for information on innovative OCD treatments beyond the traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
OCD is a chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over. Common compulsions include excessive cleaning, repeated checking, and strict routines or rituals.
Head to our blog “What is OCD? Your Expert Guide” for more information on OCD.
There is a growing interest in understanding the nuances between its various types and the effectiveness of mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics in managing this disorder.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are several types of bipolar disorder, each defined by a pattern of mood swings between periods of extremely "up" (manic) moods and "down" (depressive) moods.
Head to our blog “Bipolar Disorder: Breaking the Stigma” for more information on Bipolar Disorder.
Here is a list of top trending and newer mental health terms we are seeing a lot of in 2025:
Amidst the hustle of modern life, mindfulness remains a popular search term, with more people looking to incorporate mindful practices into their daily lives to enhance mental health and overall well-being. Mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing have become increasingly popular for reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment. It often involves meditation techniques and is used to reduce stress, enhance focus, and contribute to improved overall emotional and physical health.
Check out these two blogs “What Is Mindfulness In The Workplace?” and “PHP & IOP: Mindfulness Practices for Anxiety & Depression” for more information on mindfulness.
Teletherapy is the delivery of therapy services via telecommunications technology, such as video conferencing. This allows clients to receive psychological counseling and support remotely, providing accessibility to those who cannot attend in-person sessions due to geographic, physical, or time constraints.
Online therapy is rapidly growing in popularity since it offers convenient and accessible mental health care for many people .
Check out these two blogs “Is Online Therapy Effective?“ and “How to Prepare for a Telehealth Appointment” for more information on teletherapy.
As society moves towards greater inclusivity, searches for neurodiversity have spiked, reflecting a shift in perception towards understanding and appreciating cognitive differences.
Neurodiversity is a concept that recognizes and respects neurological differences as a natural and valuable form of human diversity. This includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological configurations, advocating for the acceptance and inclusion of all brain types.
Check out our blog “What Does Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, & Neurotypical Mean?“ for more information on neurodiversity.
The popularity of the term "neurodivergent" reflects a broader cultural shift towards recognizing and valuing all types of cognitive and neurological differences as integral to human diversity. As awareness and understanding deepens, more people are identifying as neurodivergent or learning about neurodiversity.
Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals whose brain functions differ from what is considered typical or average, often in the context of neurodiversity. People who are neurodivergent might have conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. It’s an adjective describing a person’s neurological makeup.
Openly discussing mental health is becoming more common, but stigma still exists.
Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors directed towards individuals experiencing mental health issues. This stigma can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and can prevent people from seeking help due to fear of judgment.
Check out these blogs “The Stigma of Emotion”, “How Mental Health Stigmas Affect Men”, and “Discussing Mental Health Stigmas in the Latinx Community” to learn more about mental health stigma.
This term has gained traction as remote therapy continues to be a staple for many seeking mental health support, especially in underserved areas.
Telepsychiatry is a branch of telemedicine/online therapy that involves the use of video conferencing tools to provide psychiatric assessments, therapy sessions, and consultations remotely. It enables psychiatrists to reach patients in remote areas, enhancing access to mental health care services.
The ongoing emphasis on self-care underlines the recognition of its importance in preventive mental health care. People continue to seek new and effective ways to prioritize self-care.
Self-care involves activities and practices that individuals engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance their short- and long-term health and well-being. Self-care is crucial in managing stress, preventing burnout, and promoting overall mental health.
Head to our blog “ How to Create a Self-Care Routine That Supports Your Mental Health" to learn more about self-care.
Love-bombing is a manipulative tactic often used by narcissists or other manipulative personalities where excessive affection, attention, and admiration are used to influence or control another person, typically at the beginning of a relationship.
More simply put, love-bombing tries to overwhelm the other person with excessive affection, compliments, and gifts in the early stages of a relationship to gain control.
Head to our blog “ What is Love-Bombing? Top Signs To Look For " to learn more about love bombing.
Trauma-bonding refers to the emotional bond that can develop between a victim and an abuser, formed through a cycle of abuse, devaluation, and positive reinforcement. The psychological response to a cycle of abuse and dependence makes it difficult for the victim to leave the unhealthy relationship.
Head to our blog “What is Trauma bonding ? Signs To Look Out For” to learn more about trauma bonding.
Trauma dumping is the act of sharing traumatic or intensely negative emotional material with someone without prior consent, warning, or consideration of the recipient's capacity or willingness to handle such information.
A situationship is an informal and undefined romantic relationship that lacks a clear commitment or label, despite involving emotional or physical intimacy. It's more than casual dating but less than a committed relationship. Situationships can be confusing and leave both partners feeling insecure.
Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation technique used to make someone question their own reality, sanity, memory, or perceptions. It often leads the victim to doubt themselves and can be a form of emotional abuse. Some who gaslights will deny events, lie blatantly, and make the victim feel like they're overreacting.
Head to our blog “What is Gaslighting?” to learn more about gaslighting.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Burnout can lead to cynicism, detachment, and decreased productivity.
Brain mapping is the study of the anatomy and function of the brain and nervous system through imaging technologies. It aims to understand brain structure, function, and various abnormalities to assist in diagnosing and treating neurological conditions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of A form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mental health problems. CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, and phobias by helping patients understand how thoughts and feelings influence behaviors.
Head to our blog "What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exactly?" to learn more about CBT.
Intensive Outpatient Care is a treatment program for mental health conditions that provides several hours of therapy per week. It treats conditions like addictions, depression, and other dependencies that do not require detoxification or round-the-clock supervision. It allows patients to live at home and maintain a regular commitment to family and work while still participating in a rigorous treatment schedule.
Head to our blog "Teen IOP: How Do Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs Work?" and "PHP vs IOP Part 1: What does it all mean!?" to learn more.
Partial Hospitalization is the most intensive level of outpatient mental health care. It provides structured, full-day treatment—typically 5 days a week—for individuals experiencing severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or other mental health conditions.
PHP is ideal for those who need more support than weekly therapy or IOP can provide, but do not require 24/7 inpatient care. Patients return home in the evenings, allowing them to continue living in their community while receiving comprehensive therapeutic support during the day.
Head to out blog " PHP vs IOP Part 2: My Therapist Recommended IOP/PHP...Now What!?" to learn more.
At Clarity Clinic, we believe everyone deserves access to quality mental healthcare. Our team of dedicated therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists near you are here to support your journey towards emotional well-being.
We understand that navigating mental health challenges can feel overwhelming. That's where we come in. With a wide range of specialties and approaches, we can create a personalized treatment plan that fits your unique needs.
Ready to take the first step towards a healthier you?
Book an appointment today! You can easily schedule a consultation online or call us at any of our clinic locations such as the Loop, River North, Evanston, Lakeview Belmont, Lakeview Broadway, and Arlington Heights.
Whether you are looking for the best therapy near you or the best psychiatrist in Chicago, Clarity Clinic has got you covered. From getting the best depression treatment, couples therapy, online therapy, or anything in between, we can help. Our friendly staff is always happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process.
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