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Eating disorders and borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently occur together, but until recently, very little was known about the relationship between the two. Recent research is revealing how often BPD and eating disorders co-occur, why they may be related and how to treat these two types of disorders when they do co-occur. What Are Eating Disorders? Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders characterized by severe problems with eating behavior and related thoughts and emotions....

Herpetophobia is a fear of reptiles, specifically snakes and lizards. The severity of this relatively common specific phobia can vary drastically, making it difficult to decide without guidance from a mental health professional whether you have a clinical phobia or simply a fear. Specific phobias are an irrational fear of a situation or object, and their boundless number is only limited by the number of nouns in any language. All types of phobia are forms of anxiety disorders and affect nine percent of people in the United States....

There are many reasons you might want to forget a memory. Some memories can make you cringe with embarrassment, while others may be more distressing or traumatic. Maybe you just don’t want to be reminded of certain people or things from the past as you go about your day. For some, memories fade away with time. However, especially if you have an anxiety condition such as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or a trauma-related disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it may feel like you’re constantly reliving moments from the past that you’d rather forget....

There is an old adage that says friends are the family you choose, and there is a lot of truth to that. Consider what your own life would be like without your inner circle of close confidantes—the people you turn to when in need of a good laugh, advice, or a shoulder to cry on. It would feel pretty bleak, right? That’s because friendship is incredibly important to our mental health, and that starts from a young age....

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of sexually transmitted infections. They vary in symptoms and severity. While some people with the condition might never know they have it, others might develop things like genital warts. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the world. When you come in contact with the HPV virus, it could take weeks, months, or even years before you exhibit any symptoms. There are many types of HPV....

In the past, infidelity was a matter of clandestine meetings, lies about “business trips,” awkward excuses about the scent of perfume on a dress shirt. Now it’s possible to become involved with someone other than your spouse or partner by hooking up online. But while it may seem innocent enough—after all, you aren’t in physical contact—online cheating really is just that: cheating. If you’ve been grappling with this question for any reason (you’ve been “seeing” someone over the internet or you’re looking for a sexual outlet and are considering surfing around online for it), here’s why you should think twice before you log on if you’re married or in a committed relationship....

Depression is a widespread mental health concern that affects an individual’s ability to function on a daily basis. If you’ve experienced depression in the past, you may be worried about the potential for relapse. While treatment for depression such as therapy or medication has been shown effective, research has also shown that about one-third of individuals who discontinue treatment will experience relapsing depression within one year. While it is possible that those who relapse will experience the same symptoms they did during their first depressive episode, it is also possible that the symptoms that they experience will be entirely different the next time....

What Is Lewy Body Dementia? A protein called alpha-synuclein makes up Lewy bodies. In people with LBD, this protein forms in clumps on brain neurons. These clumps disrupt the regular functioning of neurons. Eventually, these neurons die. A build-up of this protein also affects chemical messengers in the brain. Lewy Body Dementia Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of dementia that’s caused by abnormal deposits of Lewy bodies in the brain, which affects its chemical messengers and leads to issues in cognitive function....

Parents should take steps to make sure that fifth grade is a successful year for children because this typically marks the last grade students will spend in elementary school. Fifth-graders may already have their sights set on middle school. They may have different teachers for each subject for the first time and be expected to take more responsibility for organization and long-term planning. Prepare children for fifth grade with these tips on dealing with school refusal....

Children with musical training had increased activation in cognitive control areas of their brains and performed better on auditory and visual memory tasks than children without musical training, a new study published in October 2020 found. Key Takeaways Musical training can improve children’s executive functioning and have social-emotional learning benefits.There is also evidence that musical training helps kids with developmental and learning disorders.While the main developmental benefits happen when you start musical training from a young age, it’s never too late to learn....

Newborn breathing has a distinct set of sounds and patterns. You’ll need to become familiar with these sounds before you bring your newborn home. As a new parent, you want to be able to tell the difference between normal newborn breathing sounds and those that mean you need to call your pediatrician. Get to Know Your Newborn’s Breathing One of the best (and easiest) things that you can do is simply spend time with your baby and quietly listen to them breathe....

The pandemic has dealt a one-two punch to therapists across the country. Not only are they dealing with a swell in demand from the ongoing mental health crisis, but they’re also experiencing burnout and stress. The situation is taking a toll on individual providers and may pose a threat to the country’s mental healthcare system at large. Key Takeaways The pandemic has led to a spike in anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health concerns....

As more and more people are vaccinated and the nation loosens pandemic restrictions, people are excited to venture outside of the home for all the activities and places they’ve missed. For many, that includes taking their kids for a refreshing swim in the pool, which makes water safety crucial. Key Takeaways A recent report notes that both fatal and non-fatal incidents of child drownings remain high, with most fatalities happening to children under 5....

When most parents think about teaching manners, they envision telling a preschooler to say ‘please’ and ’thank you.’ But, good manners goes far beyond those words and it’s important to make sure you’re teaching your child good manners into the teen years. Unfortunately, in the digital age, many teens aren’t learning basic social skills, like cellphone etiquette. And there are many manners teens often forget even though they’ve learned them in the past....

If you’ve lost someone, you would probably be willing to give anything to bring them back. Alternatively, you may wonder whether being a better person, or doing something differently could have prevented the loss. You may even experience these thoughts if you’ve lost something important to you, such as a business, a job, a friendship, a relationship, a physical ability, or a sense of control or independence. You’re not alone if you feel this way....

There are so many websites, books, and products offering different ideas about child discipline that it can feel overwhelming. However, while there’s no one right way to discipline, there are many proven techniques to try that tend to get positive results. Family, friends, family counselors, and your child’s pediatrician are all potential resources for effective discipline practices. However, it can be tricky to know which ones are most likely to work with your kids....

John Bowlby (February 26, 1907 - September 2, 1990) was a British psychologist and psychoanalyst who believed that early childhood attachments played a critical role in later development and mental functioning. His work, along with the work of psychologist Mary Ainsworth, contributed to the development of attachment theory. Bowlby believed that children are born with a biologically-programmed tendency to seek and remain close to attachment figures. This provides nurturance and comfort, but it also aids in the child’s survival....

Chances are that if your child is between 5 and 11 years old, you have been frenetically watching the news and waiting for the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine in children. However, now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for emergency authorization, many parents have a host of questions they want to be answered before bringing their child for their shot. Update As of December 2022, the FDA has approved updated bivalent booster shots for everyone ages 6 months and up....

The combination pill is a type of birth control pill. It’s a hormonal method of oral contraception that is taken daily to prevent pregnancy. The combination pill contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone (progestin). These hormones stop the ovaries from releasing an egg, thicken the cervical mucus, and thin out the lining of the uterus. This prevents pregnancy from occurring by keeping the egg and sperm from reaching each other and implanting in the uterus....

One of the best discipline techniques is prevention. If you can prevent behavior problems before they start, you’ll end up with a much happier family. Preventing behavior problems does require some extra time and effort; however, it can be a worthwhile investment that can save you time in the long run. Develop a Healthy Relationship If you don’t have a healthy relationship with your child, your child is much less likely to be motivated to behave....