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Central Florida is home to the nation’s first accredited higher-education institution dedicated to serving students with learning disabilities. Beacon College was created more than 30 years ago specifically catering to those with learning differences such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. It was while working at Beacon College that Darryl Owens, Associate Vice President of Communications and Engagement, considered ways to expand the school’s reach. “It came to me that one of the ways we might be able to approach that effort would be to launch a television show,” Owens told Verywell Family....

Are you looking for a rare and lovely name, or perhaps a name that is associated with great English literature? The name Ophelia is an awesome choice. The name was most likely derived from the ancient Greek “ōphéleia” (ὠφέλεια) meaning “aid” or “benefit,” but it is best known as the name of Shakespeare’s tragic heroine in his play “Hamlet.” How Popular Is the Name Ophelia? The name Ophelia was not uncommon in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century....

Pornography addiction is a compulsive need to view pornography despite negative consequences. While many health and psychiatric professionals do not consider compulsive porn use a true “addiction,” the signs and symptoms are often strikingly similar to those of behavioral addictions. What separates a porn addiction from a keen interest in porn is the negative consequences of the behavior. With porn addiction, you spend an inordinate amount of time watching porn instead of interacting with others or completing important tasks....

Breastfeeding rates in the U.S. have risen over the last 25 years, but Black mothers continue to have the lowest breastfeeding rates. In 2019, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 69% of Black mothers breastfeed, compared to 85% of white mothers. This issue is examined in a special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine. Key Takeaways Studies show that Black mothers have lower breastfeeding rates than white moms....

School buses are fairly safe forms of transportation compared to other vehicles. A school bus’ size, structure, and design make it one of the best vehicles for passenger protection, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA).Many parents may not realize that, in fact, the biggest school bus safety risks are posed to a grade-schooler when he or she is near a bus, not while riding inside it. Over 1000 children 14 or younger die each year in passenger vehicle accidents....

When it comes to social media, there are a number of positive aspects. For instance, teens can keep up with friends who move away and make connections with others who have similar interests. They can even leverage social media to build a positive online reputation — one that colleges and prospective employers find impressive. But there are some negative aspects of social media. Aside from cyberbullying, oversharing and sexting issues, social media also can put negative pressure on friendships, especially when one friend is very active about posting pictures, status updates and opinions that hurt others....

More than 6 billion people worldwide use smartphones, and that number is expected to climb each year. We use our cell phones for literally everything—from simple phone calls and texting to booking reservations and driving directions. Key Takeaways A new study found reducing your smartphone usage by just an hour a day for a week can improve your mental health.Monitoring your smartphone usage and how it impacts you can help you to make positive changes....

Solomon Asch was a pioneering social psychologist who is perhaps best remembered for his research on the psychology of conformity. Asch took a Gestalt approach to the study of social behavior, suggesting that social acts needed to be viewed in terms of their setting. His famous conformity experiment demonstrated that people would change their response due to social pressure in order to conform to the rest of the group. “The human mind is an organ for the discovery of truths rather than of falsehoods....

Ativan, known by the generic name lorazepam, is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family. It has a tranquilizing or quieting effect on the central nervous system. It has actions similar to other medications in this family such as Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Librium (chlordiazepoxide). Indications Ativan is FDA approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders and for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. Ativan is also used to treat anxiety associated with depression....

Protein needs for women vary based on your age, activity levels, and overall health. Studies show that consuming protein before and after exercise supports muscle growth and recovery, although total daily protein intake is most important. While you can get all the protein you need from foods such as meat, poultry, fish, tofu, and legumes, a protein powder can be a convenient way to help you meet your needs. “​​For people who have a hard time meeting their protein needs via their diet, protein powder can help fill that gap....

Rollerblades mean different things to different people. For some, rollerblading is a sport. Whether you’re speed skating, slalom skating (performing technical tricks), or aggressive skating (doing tricks like grinds and jumps), you need skates optimized for performance. For others, rollerblading is a way to have fun, get around, or work out. “Rollerblading is a fun activity, but it still targets muscles and improves balance and coordination,” Cristian Plascencia, NSCA-CSCS, sports and performance coach at 1AND1 LIFE, says....

The tension between the inner self and outer self is common in the modern world. Each of us is tugged in multiple directions every day and our actions and behaviors do not always align with our core values as a result. However, becoming aware of your inner self and how it balances with your outer self is the foundation for good mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is why it is an important aspect to consider when working on a good balance in your life....

The baby bath is the perfect vessel in which to wash up your little one, but at what point does your child outgrow it? There’s really no fixed rule about when you should stop using a baby bath, but most babies are ready for the bathtub at around 6 months or whenever they’re able to sit up and support themselves on their own. Your child’s size might have a lot to do with why you haven’t switched....

Bingeing new Netflix series, movie trilogies, or reality shows has become nothing short of an American pastime. But what effect does so much TV time have on our cognitive health? Key Takeaways Watching television provides entertainment and escape in a very passive, accessible way.However, new research shows that older adults experience greater cognitive decline if they report higher levels of television-viewing.Adjusting what you watch and how much you watch can support brain health....

What Are Aspirations? While the term is often used synonymously with goals, there are some important differences. Goals tend to be backed by actions and are often centered on the short-term or near future. Aspirations tend to be much more future-focused and are often more general. Aspirations are dreams, hopes, or ambitions to achieve a life goal. They can be thought of as overarching life goals that can help provide a sense of purpose and direction....

Ketsueki-gata is considered a pseudoscience, a body of thought that appears to be based on scientific principles but is not actually rooted in fact. Although there’s no real proof that blood type influences personality, the belief is widespread in Japan and other Asian nations. It is also increasingly garnering interest in Western countries such as the United States. Blood type personality is a Japanese concept called ketsueki-gata that posits that blood type shapes one’s temperament....

What Are Mommy Issues? “Mommy issues” is a term used to describe the issues females face later in life due to the relationship they had with their mothers as a child. When referring to males, having mommy issues can mean being too close to their mother or seeking a partner who is like their mother, often comparing the two. While these challenges can manifest differently in males and females, they’re no less real....

An antidepressant can work wonders for people dealing with symptoms like low mood, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, ennui, and lack of energy. This is especially true of those who have moderate, severe, or chronic depression; mild depression isn’t as responsive to medication. However, an antidepressant is not a miracle cure, nor is it a permanent fix. Some studies suggest that the rate of relapse while using an antidepressant is about 23% during a two-year period....

In the “Ask a Therapist” series, I’ll be answering your questions about all things mental health and psychology. Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, coping with anxiety about a life situation, or simply looking for a therapist’s insight, submit a question. Look out for my answers to your questions every Friday in the Healthy Mind newsletter. Types and Severity of Depression Depression is used as an umbrella term to describe a lot of different symptoms....

Some parents develop nicknames for their baby during pregnancy. You might use an unborn baby nickname before finding out the sex or maybe you’ll use it for the entire pregnancy. If it takes you some time after your baby is born to finalize a name, you might even use the name in the first days after birth. Popular Baby Nicknames to Use in Pregnancy Some people use nicknames that mean something to them, like an obscure family name....