Just as wild animals display signs of distress when removed from their natural habitats, humans may experience depression as a signal that their deeply ingrained social and environmental needs are not being met.

In our evolutionary past, stories began as rituals that helped us navigate our minds and social environment.

When left unchecked, this critical voice can lead to several mental health problems, making it the top vulnerability factor for these issues.

This perspective on ADHD not as a simple disorder but as a set of traits that were potentially advantageous for survival in nomadic environments underscores the potential for evolutionary psychology to foster a more compassionate and nuanced understanding of ADHD.

Research shows that practicing self-compassion and other-compassion can significantly reduce burnout by replenishing essential psychological resources, making them powerful strategies to integrate into therapy for those looking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

When choosing a therapist from a social work background, consider their training in evidence-based practices and their understanding of scientific principles like falsifiability—the ability of a theory to be disproven through empirical evidence.

Evolutionary psychology increases compassion by providing insights into the adaptive origins of human behaviors and emotions, fostering understanding and empathy toward clients' experiences and struggles.