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Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment for reducing the number and intensity of nightmares, such as those experienced by people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares or terrifying dreams are among the most common PTSD symptoms. IRT focuses directly on helping to make nightmares less intense for people with PTSD. If you’ve ever had a nightmare, you probably woke up just at the moment when it felt most frightening....

It all started in 2015 when Riley Kinnane-Petersen, then 5 years old, began selling handmade jewelry at her summer lemonade stand in Atlanta, GA. What began as a casual hobby eventually blossomed into fashion and accessories brand Gunner & Lux, which is now sold at nationwide retailers, including J.Crew and Maisonette. While Riley is the creative mind and Instagram star of the brand, she could not have done it without the support of her business partner: her father, John Petersen....

Infertility, or the ability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, is an issue that affects all people, despite misconceptions that prevail. And while there are many factors involving the female reproductive system that could lead to pregnancy challenges, it is important to note that male infertility is a factor in 40-50% of all couples who are having trouble conceiving. “We recommend male [fertility] assessment if a couple has been trying to get pregnant for a year,” says Jennifer Knudtson, MD, an OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist with AspireFertility in San Antonio, Texas....

No doubt, the pandemic has brought to light the public’s mistrust in science. Key Takeaways A recent study shows negative stories without context can reduce trust in science.Understanding how science is conducted, and allowing transparency in the scientific community can reduce some of the mystery associated with the profession.A key to building trust may be found in ensuring accurate, unbiased reporting of science topics and studies by media. However, a lack of trust existed before COVID-19....

In connection with World Mental Health Day, social media platform Pinterest recently announced the launch of a new feature, Havens. Pinterest reports that the online space will serve as an “anti-burnout oasis” and feature relaxing imagery, Pinterest Creators’ Idea Pins focused on rest, and co-curated content from the employees of Pinside Out, the company’s “internal mental health community.” According to the announcement, content may include anything from journal prompts to imagery of stunning waterfalls....

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can occur after someone has experienced a traumatic event. It involves four clusters of symptoms: re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative changes in mood and brain function, and hyperarousal symptoms. However, sometimes PTSD can also occur with psychosis. Psychosis involves losing connection with reality, which can lead to symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and incoherent behavior. One study suggested that around 2.5% of people with PTSD also have psychosis....

What Is Resilience? Resilience is the ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. People who remain calm in the face of disaster have resilience. People with psychological resilience are able to use their skills and strengths to respond to life’s challenges, which can include those related to: Death of a loved one Divorce Financial issues Illness Job loss Medical emergencies Natural disasters Instead of falling into despair or hiding from issues by using unhealthy coping strategies, resilient people face life’s difficulties head-on....

From the time my son was a toddler, he showed signs of being gifted. He is now four years old and will be starting school next year. Will he be challenged in our public school or should I look for a private school? Whether a school is public or private really doesn’t matter. What is important is whether the school and its teachers are willing to accommodate the needs of gifted children....

A double-blind study is one in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment. This procedure is utilized to prevent bias in research results. Double-blind studies are particularly useful for preventing bias due to demand characteristics or the placebo effect. For example, let’s imagine that researchers are investigating the effects of a new drug. In a double-blind study, the researchers who interact with the participants would not know who was receiving the actual drug and who was receiving a placebo....

The word intimacy is derived from the Latin word “intimus,” which means ‘inner’ or ‘innermost.’ In most romance languages, the word for intimate refers to a person’s innermost qualities. Intimacy allows people to bond with each other on many levels. Therefore, it is a necessary component of healthy relationships. Intimacy is a feeling of closeness and connection in an interpersonal relationship. It is an essential part of intimate relationships, but it also plays an important role in other relatinships with friends, family members, and other acquaintances....

Memory refers to the psychological processes of acquiring, storing, retaining, and later retrieving information. There are three major processes involved in memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Human memory involves the ability to both preserve and recover information. However, this is not a flawless process. Sometimes people forget or misremember things. Other times, information is not properly encoded in memory in the first place. Memory problems are often relatively minor annoyances, like forgetting birthdays....

Often it’s easy to tell what someone’s racial background is by looking at them. For example, a person may have the physical features we associate with being Black, White, Asian, or Native American. Some people, though, appear to have features that fit more than one racial group. When someone cannot be easily placed in a racial category, they might be considered racially ambiguous. This article defines racial ambiguity, the advantages and disadvantages of being racially ambiguous, and discusses how those who are racially ambiguous can be allies to those who are of a discernible race....

What does it mean when your child lets you know they identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community? For some, this may be yet another milestone, a developmental marker of identity formation and one worthy of celebration, at that. For others, this may be a moment filled with fear. Perhaps you’re nestled in a state rife with anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and community members who fear the pure authenticity of those who embrace their whole identity....

Experiencing a miscarriage or pregnancy loss can be a difficult experience to go through. And it can become even more stressful if you experience complications or your healthcare provider suggests a D&C to collect fetal tissue for further analysis—especially if you don’t know what to expect. Generally speaking, a D&C is a routine procedure that healthcare providers use to help your body heal and return to its pre-pregnancy state. Below, we walk you through what a D&C is, what to expect, and how long your recovery will take....

Your due date is one of the first things that will be calculated in your prenatal care. The due date guides you and your provider in gestational age-appropriate prenatal care, testing, and ultimately your baby’s birth. That’s why it’s important that your due date is as accurate as possible. However, it’s not always straightforward. You might find yourself being told that your due date is a different date than you originally expected....

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s dementia could be apparent even in teenagers and people in their 20s, according to research recently presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The risk of Alzheimer’s is disproportionately apparent in African Americans, largely due to cardiovascular health and societal issues. Key Takeaways Health issues in adolescents and young adults could be a sign of higher Alzheimer’s risk later in life.Because they have higher prevalence of these health problems, African Americans are at increased risk....

All kids occasionally do wrong, break the rules, and test limits. That’s part of being a kid and learning proper behavior. It’s the parents’ role to set boundaries and offer effective discipline to discourage undesirable behavior and reinforce the good. Parents know this, but the job is often much easier said than done. In fact, just about every parent will admit that figuring out the best way to react to misbehavior can be really challenging, especially in the heat of the moment....

After you quit smoking, you might have moments when you think: Maybe I’ll have just one more cigarette. There are plenty of rationalizations your mind can come up with for having a cigarette, especially if you’re under stress. It’s helpful to understand what the most common rationalizations are, identify what situations might be triggering them, and learn healthy coping mechanisms to keep you smoke-free. When you accept that it’s normal to think about smoking from time to time, you can generate more understanding and self-compassion....

What Does the Term ‘Alcoholic’ Mean? AUD is a condition that needs proper treatment and management. Labels such as ‘alcoholic’ do nothing to help a person with the disorder get the help they need. While many people may use the term “alcoholic” to describe someone who has an alcohol addiction, the term is offensive and outdated. It’s more appropriate to say “a person with alcohol use disorder” or “substance use disorder....

What Is Anger Management Therapy? Anger is a normal human emotion that most people experience every now and then. However, if you find yourself feeling angry very often or very intensely, it may start to become a problem. “Rage, persistent anger, or angry outbursts can have detrimental consequences for physical health, quality of life, and relationships,” says Erin Engle, PsyD, a psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center. “Anger management is an approach designed to help you manage the emotional and physiological arousal that accompanies anger....