What Is a Demisexual? A person who is demisexual experiences sexual attraction only when they feel a true emotional bond with another person. For instance, they may not feel sexually attracted to a person they randomly see at a coffee shop, but if they were to start talking to that person and form an emotional connection, they might then become sexually attracted over time. The earliest instance of the term demisexual dates back to 2006, according to Dictionary....
Heteroflexibility emerged as a term to describe people who identify as predominantly straight (and do not identify as gay, bisexual, pansexual, or another queer label) but sometimes have sex with people of the same gender. The term can be controversial, as some suggest that it contributes to bi-erasure and bi-invisibility. Others suggest that such claims minimize the identities of those who use the heteroflexible label. Heteroflexibility describes the sexual behavior of someone who identifies as straight but sometimes has sex with people of the same sex....
The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes feelings of unease or discomfort. The inconsistency between what people believe and how they behave motivates them to engage in actions that will help minimize feelings of discomfort. People attempt to relieve this tension in different ways, such as by rejecting, explaining away, or avoiding new information....
What Is Self-Loathing? Self-loathing, or self-hatred, is extreme criticism of oneself. It may feel as though nothing you do is good enough or that you are unworthy or undeserving of good things in life. Self-hate can feel like having a person following you around, all day every day, criticizing you and pointing out every flaw, or shaming you for every mistake. Typical self-hatred thoughts may include: “I knew I would fail....
There are so many health professionals who can diagnose and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that finding one can feel overwhelming and confusing. Before you start looking for a doctor or healthcare professional, be clear about your goals. There are some important questions you should consider. Do you need an ADHD diagnosis? What type of treatment do you prefer? For example, are you looking for a professional who can prescribe medication, or for someone who can teach you or your child practical ways of coping with ADHD?...
Afiyah the Succulent To buy: Afiyah the Succulent Squishmallow, $20; amazon.com Each Squishmallow has its own name and backstory already provided, which makes imaginative play even more fun. Afiyah the Succulent is 12 x 8 x 14 inches and she loves to sing and dance with her partner, Oz the Succulent. This cuddly friend is a great pick for kiddos and the plant lovers in your life Drow the Dragon To buy: Drow the Dragon Squishmallow, $20; amazon....
Early labor, also called latent labor, is the earliest part of the first stage of labor. It is characterized by mild but consistent contractions that, unlike Braxton Hicks contractions, continue to grow closer together and stronger over time. Early labor is often the longest part of labor, sometimes lasting for days. Contractions may be sporadic at first and be up to 20 minutes apart. Since early labor can be very long, relaxation and distraction can be important tools during this phase....
By the time you are 19 weeks pregnant, you might be feeling a little abdominal pain as your uterus stretches. Meanwhile, your baby is developing hair on their head and a protective skin coating. Your Baby’s Development at 19 Weeks At 19 weeks, your baby measures about 6 1/4 inches (15.8 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of the buttocks (crown-rump length). Their height is approximately 9 inches (22....
There’s no doubt early in the pandemic, healthcare workers were pushed to their limits. Crowded hospitals required doctors and nurses to work long hours caring for patients suffering from an unprecedented and unpredictable COVID-19 virus. The pressure and demands of the situation put a physical and mental strain on those seeing patients. According to a 2021 survey published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine of more than 500 healthcare workers and first responders, a substantial majority of respondents reported experiencing clinically significant psychiatric symptoms, including:...
At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby is still developing, but they’re focusing more and more on weight gain than in previous weeks as they prepare for birth. Meanwhile, you’ll want to be sure to check in with your mental health while you juggle your to-dos, which may include pre-registering with your chosen birthplace and looking into options like cord blood banking. Your Baby’s Development at 30 Weeks At 30 weeks, a baby is around 10 3/4 inches (27....
Living with ADHD can present challenges for any person, but children with ADHD may have a particularly difficult time managing it. They haven’t yet learned the needed life skills for basic living, let alone the ability to work through learning difficulties. An ADHD diet involves both foods to eat and foods to avoid. Ahead, we’ll discuss what exactly comprises an ADHD diet and whether it can help kids living with ADHD....
Arachibutyrophobia is actually not the fear of peanut butter as an object, but the situation of having it stick to the roof of your mouth. It is often rooted in a more generalized phobia of choking (pseudodysphagia) or of sticky textures, but it may also occur alone. It’s not uncommon to have more than one phobia or to misdiagnose your condition without professional help. Like all phobias, arachibutyrophobia varies in severity from person to person....
What Is Astraphobia? Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightning. Storms are natural phenomena that inspire strong emotions in both humans and animals, including fear. At times, this fear may represent astraphobia. It tends to be more common in children, but it is also not uncommon for adults to have this fear. Astraphobia is not a recognized mental health condition but is considered a specific phobia. Specific phobias involve an extreme fear of a particular object or situation and are one of the most common types of mental disorders....
Xanax is a short acting prescription medication that is sometimes prescribed to people with a variety of anxiety disorders, as well as for those who have been through upsetting experiences, such as the death of a loved one, to help calm them down and help them sleep. As it is potentially addictive, some people ask the question, “Will I get addicted to Xanax when it has been prescribed by my physician?...
Melatonin is a hormone your brain produces to control your sleep-wake cycle. This hormone can also be made synthetically and is available as a dietary supplement that can help you sleep. Melatonin supplements come in the forms of pills, capsules, and liquids and can be effective in helping to control your sleep cycle. Melatonin is also naturally occurring in fruits such as tomatoes, almonds, and oranges, but only in very small amounts....
When it comes to bullying, most people want to believe that it won’t happen to their child. But bullying happens more often than you might realize. In fact, some experts estimate that as many as one out of every five kids—or 20% of kids—are bullied. And while there are some kids that seem to be targeted more than others, every child is at risk for bullying. Even confident kids with a large social circle can be targeted....
Most parents know what to expect during the flu season. Runny noses, sore throats, and fevers are all part of navigating this time of year. One big difference this year is being able to find medication to help alleviate the symptoms our children are experiencing. Key Takeaways Children’s Tylenol and Motrin are in short supply due to an increased demand resulting from the high number of respiratory illnesses. If you can find them, parents and caregivers can use generic forms of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen as they are just as effective in treating fever and pain....
With so many options and varieties, choosing a baby formula that’s best for your child can be as difficult as it is important. Your decision on what to use will hinge on several factors, from your baby’s health needs to cost, and many things in between. But most of all, it will depend on what your child will accept. Breast milk or formula should be your baby’s exclusive source of nutrition for the first six months of life and the primary source (supplemented with solid food) for the first year....
What Is Conversion Disorder? Conversion disorder (also known as functional neurological symptom disorder) is a psychological condition that causes symptoms that appear to be neurological, such as paralysis, speech impairment, or tremors, but with no obvious or known organic causes. In the past, these events were often referred to as “hysterical blindness” or “hysterical paralysis.” Conversion disorder is a relatively rare mental illness, with 2 to 5 out of 100,000 people reporting symptoms per year....
Kids love summer break. They can cast off restraint, relax, trade in their schoolbooks for video games, and spend their days lounging. What’s not to love? However, that freedom and lack of restraint come with a price—mostly for parents. Parents have to put a lot of time and effort into finding activities that keep kids’ minds (and bodies) occupied, keep them safe and secure, help them stay out of trouble, and throw a little fun into the mix....
