top of page


On Psyche
A column exploring the intersection of psychology, contemporary culture, and social issues. Through current events and cultural trends, it highlights psychology as a powerful lens for understanding the present.


When the Chatbot Fuels Psychosis: Psychological Mechanisms, Clinical Cases, and Implications for Practice
Introduction In autumn 2023, Danish psychiatrist Søren Dinesen Østergaard raised a question in Schizophrenia Bulletin that many considered premature: could generative AI-based chatbots trigger psychotic episodes in predisposed individuals? (Østergaard, 2023). Two years later, that question has ceased to be speculative. Clinicians, psychiatrists, and researchers around the world are confronting a new phenomenon — still lacking a shared nosographic name, yet already present in
Mar 138 min read


Valentine's Day and the Pressure of Romantic Expectations:A Psychological Perspective on Performative Love
Abstract Valentine's Day represents a culturally significant moment that can generate social pressure and unrealistic expectations in romantic relationships. This article examines how performative expectations, fueled by idealized romantic narratives, can negatively influence the quality of intimate relationships. Through the analysis of attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), love languages (Chapman, 1992), and empirical research on couple dynamics (Gottman & Silver, 1999), it is
Feb 136 min read


The Impact of Parental Words on the Psychological Development of Children:An Analysis of Scientific Evidence
Abstract Parental language represents one of the most influential factors in children's psychological, emotional, and cognitive development. This article reviews the scientific evidence on the impact of parental verbal communication on children's and adolescents' identity formation, self-esteem, and cognitive abilities. Through an analysis of recent literature in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and attachment theory, it emerges that parental words do not constitute si
Feb 313 min read


Sexuality and ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Psychological Perspective on Development, Risk, and Prevention
Article written in collaboration with @VALENTINA.TUTOR1 Introduction: ADHD, Development, and Sexuality as an Emerging Topic Sexuality represents a central dimension of human development and manifests from early childhood through bodily curiosity, exploration, and the progressive construction of affective and relational identity. In children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this process may take on specific characteristics related to the ne
Jan 308 min read


The Relationship Between Parents and Adolescent Children in Contemporary Society
Article written in collaboration with @ psicologa_giuliamoretti Parents and Adolescents in Contemporary Society Raising an adolescent child in contemporary society represents a complex challenge that involves psychological, relational, cultural, and social dimensions. Parents are required to perform their role within a context characterized by rapid change, where values, educational models, and normative references are less stable than in the past. The family is no longer the
Jan 2010 min read


Neurodivergence and Executive Functions: A Contemporary Reading Between Clinical Practice, Contexts, and Social Responsibility
Article written in collaboration with @spazioemozione Introduction: Why Talk About Executive Functions and Neurodivergence Today In recent years, the concept of neurodivergence has gained increasing visibility both in scientific debate and in public discourse, profoundly reshaping the way neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism, and specific learning disorders are understood. This shift concerns not only the language used, but also implies a substantial revision o
Jan 77 min read


Anxiety in the Digital Age: Understanding, Managing, and Transforming Your Relationship with Technology
Article co-authored with @thealmightybreath We live in an age where the boundaries between online and offline living are increasingly blurred. Smartphones, social media, notifications, and digital platforms structure our daily lives, influencing our body rhythms, relationships, and the way we perceive ourselves. It is not surprising, therefore, that digital anxiety has become one of the most discussed phenomena by both scientific research and mental health professionals. Anxi
Dec 26, 20254 min read


Psychotherapy doesn't change your life: unrealistic expectations and real processes of change
Post written in collaboration with @lastanzadellapsy Introduction: The expectation of immediate transformation Many people enter therapy with the hope that the psychotherapist can provide clear answers, direct suggestions, or some sort of magical indication capable of dispelling complex doubts and dilemmas. This expectation does not arise from naivety, but from an understandable desire to quickly alleviate suffering and regain stability. In contemporary culture, oriented towa
Dec 5, 20254 min read


Suicide and social stigma in women: understanding silence and building prevention
Talking about female suicide means addressing a complex topic, intertwined with biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects. Despite advances in mental health, suicide in women remains one of the most underestimated and stigmatized phenomena. Public narratives often focus on male suicide —statistically more frequent — but overlook the peculiarities of female suicidal experience, which require a specific and informed approach. 1. Epidemiological data and trends Globall
Nov 7, 20258 min read


The New ISS Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Childhood and Adolescence
In 2025 (I refer to the update performed on 29/10/2025), the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS) released the updated version of the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children and Adolescents . The document, developed by a multidisciplinary working group coordinated by Maria Luisa Scattoni and Primiano Iannone , constitutes an essential reference for clinical practice and the organization of
Oct 31, 20254 min read


Teenagers and Social Media: What Really Happens Behind the Screen?
Introduction In the digital age, adolescent girls spend a substantial part of their time on social media: these tools are no longer just means of entertainment, but central environments of socialization, identity exploration, and communication. At the same time, an intense scientific and public debate has emerged on the role that these platforms can have in relation to the mental health of adolescents. In this paper, the following are explored: the extension of social media u
Oct 31, 20258 min read
bottom of page