Timothy is fearful of strangers and afraid to join other children in play. When his mother drops him off at preschool he wails inconsolably and clings to her leg. When he eventually settles down he spends most of his time watching other children play or interacting with the teacher. He is afraid to join in show and tell and becomes easily upset. Is Timothy experiencing normal childhood fears or does he suffer with social anxiety?...
Pregnancy is filled with lists of do’s and don’ts to keep parents and babies safe. Individuals who are expecting are told to take precautions to stay healthy, from following the doctor’s orders to helpful advice in online forums. Key Takeaways A new study notes that drug and alcohol poisoning-related deaths are increasing among those who are pregnant or were recently pregnant.Homicide is also a rising cause of maternal death.While preexisting conditions can also contribute to maternal death, it’s important to take action with lifestyle choices that are within your control....
This past June, the Supreme Court issued an interpretation that declares that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity, noting that these aspects of life are inherently connected to the concept of sex. This new interpretation protects many vulnerable queer people, including transgender athletes. Key Takeaways The Title IX statute refers to a broad anti-discrimination law which protects people in educational institutions on the basis of sex.Title IX is often associated with sports, and this recent interpretation prevents trans youth from being excluded in sports or activities that align with their gender identity....
Health anxiety refers to fear related to developing a dangerous health problem or already having one. In those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), this fear can be persistent and hard to let go, even after medical tests show nothing is wrong and the doctor has reassured you that your health is fine. Health anxiety is also known by other names such as hypochondriasis, somatization disorder, or illness anxiety disorder. All these disorders are related in that there is a fear of something being terribly wrong with your body....
Many current high school and college students hardly remember what “normal” school—or the way we might have thought of it pre-COVID—is like anymore. For them, school means a series of remote periods followed by in-person periods, or an interminable time of hybrid instruction. Key Takeaways Teens and young adults are presenting with depression and anxiety symptoms at higher levels than in previous years, and the spike has continued throughout the pandemic....
June is a month for many celebrations—Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and (one of our favorite) Pride! The latter—in addition to being a time to break out the rainbow face paints, glitter, and glow-in-the-dark gear—is an important awareness holiday to teach children about acceptance and love. If you and your family would like to take part in the Pride festivities, we have rounded up five fun ways to do it. Get ready to parade, craft, and share stories....
Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Iskra Lawrence Iskra Lawrence is a British model who has been included in campaigns for major brands without her photos being retouched (something that is quite rare in the modeling industry)....
The National Institute of Mental Health (NAMH) estimates that 31% of U.S. adults may experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. The upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic has only added fuel to that fire. While stress and anxiety might be inevitable as we navigate the natural ebb and flow of life, there are effective ways you can self-soothe and manage your anxiety. We’re outlining a few exercises below....
When pregnant, your body expands to accommodate your growing baby. However, you probably had not anticipated that your feet could swell along with your waistline. Feet swelling, sometimes referred to as edema, affects approximately eight out of 10 pregnancies. It’s usually caused by the increased fluids circulating around your body. Sufferers tend to notice swelling of their hands, arms, feet, or even face in their second or third trimester, though feet swelling particularly can happen at any time....
Many people don’t take vacations often enough. One study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association found that American workers had 768 million unused vacation days in 2017. Now with increasing frequency, when people do take vacations, they often bring work along with them. This keeps people essentially still in the work mindset they are trying to escape. This is unfortunate for several reasons. Promote Creativity A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best....
If your hCG level is high during pregnancy, this could be due to a variety of factors. During pregnancy, your body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It can be detected via a blood or urine test approximately 12 to 15 days after conception. The hCG level usually reaches its peak between the second and third months of pregnancy and then drops. There is a wide range of normal when it comes to hCG levels in healthy pregnancies, and abnormally high levels are not usually a concern....
A new study published in the Journal of Children and Media found that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) television programming for children lacks diversity, especially when it comes to female and Latinx representation. Key Takeaways Children’s programming around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lacks diversity, especially when it comes to female and Latinx characters.This mirrors real-life shortcomings in STEM fields today.All children need exposure to diverse characters in STEM programs not only to identify with and aspire to but also to recognize these fields as equal opportunity professions....
Major depressive disorder, also known as depression and clinical depression, is a medical condition that affects over 8% of people in the United States. Classified as a mood disorder, depression can affect the way you think and feel. It can cause severe symptoms, to the point where it can make it difficult for you to function on a daily basis. You may feel low for weeks or months, and lose interest in things you previously enjoyed....
Dysgraphia is a type of learning disability affecting the ability to write letters and words on paper and to understand the relationship between sounds, spoken words, and written letters. In the language of federal special education regulations, dysgraphia is considered a subtype of specific learning disability, specifically a disability in written expression. Characteristics People with dysgraphia have substantial difficulty with written language despite having formal instruction. Their handwriting may include reversals or spelling errors, and it may be illegible....
Say your pain isn’t controlled, has worsened, or that you’re running out of your current prescription. You know that a doctor may be hesitant to prescribe more, whether that means a higher dose, or a new, more effective drug. You’re probably aware of the many reasons doctors are reluctant, or why they may just say “no.” There are strict laws your doctor must follow regarding controlled substances. Nonetheless, you are in pain, your pain is real, and you need to do something to relieve it....
Marijuana (cannabis) addiction is a pattern of marijuana use characterized by many of the typical signs and symptoms of any substance addiction. The technical name for this condition is “cannabis use disorder” and it is included in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition” (DSM-5). You might hear it called cannabis or marijuana dependence, cannabis or marijuana abuse, or cannabis or marijuana misuse. These terms have fallen out of favor, even in the medical profession....
Field sobriety tests (FTSs) are groups of three tests used by police to determine if a driver is impaired. The tasks assess balance, coordination, and the ability of the driver to divide his attention to more than one task during the field sobriety test. The tests have been scientifically proven to validate legal intoxication in drivers suspected of drunken driving in 90% of cases if administered by a trained officer. Results of the test are admissible as evidence in court....
People who frequently use dating apps might have more symptoms of social anxiety and depression, a new study found. Key Takeaways A new study found a positive association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and the extent of dating app use.The research adds more context to our relationship with online dating applications and social media platforms, which are becoming increasingly linked with poorer mental health outcomes. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, the study evaluated the relationship between social anxiety, depression, and dating app use....
Hiking is a challenging but rewarding way to exercise. One tool that can help elevate your experience is walking poles, also known as trekking poles. Walking poles provide stability, joint protection, and comfort as you conquer any sort of terrain. It’s important to find poles that are lightweight and durable enough to last through any season. When shopping for walking poles, look for poles that are properly sized. Some poles are adjustable but others come as a fixed size....
Most people can easily meet their protein needs through food, and many consume more protein than they need on a daily basis. However, using protein powders can be helpful for people who have higher protein needs—such as athletes, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and people with certain medical conditions. It may also be beneficial for those who follow restricted diets such as vegans or vegetarians or those who don’t like many protein-rich foods....
