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Defense mechanisms were first described by Sigmund Freud in his psychoanalytic theory. According to Freud, these mechanisms protect the conscious mind from contradictions between the animalistic id and the idealistic superego, ultimately contributing to “mental homeostasis.” Defense Mechanism Definition Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological responses that protect people from feelings of anxiety, threats to self-esteem, and things that they don’t want to think about or deal with. Here we explain the 20 most common defense mechanisms, some of which include denial, projection, dissociation, and humor....

Substance use increased during the pandemic. According to a 2020 national survey, an estimated 25.9 million people had higher rates of alcohol consumption after COVID-19 than before and 10.9 million had increased drug use. One potential consequence of increased substance use is the development of addiction or, if in recovery, addiction relapse. If you are finding it difficult to cope with a new or existing addiction after COVID-19, here are nine things you can do....

All addictions, whether to substances or to behaviors, involve physical or psychological processes. Each person’s experience of addiction is slightly different, but there are generally some common symptoms to watch out for, including behavior changes like lying, extreme changes in mood, and changing social groups, as well as physical symptoms like changes in weight, sleep, and energy levels. This article discusses some of the signs and symptoms of addiction. It also explores some of the different types of addiction....

If you are looking to enroll your child in a private school—either for their early education needs or as a place for them to attend for the long-haul, you have likely considered a Waldorf school. Waldorf schools have been esteemed for decades as the perfect place for a family who is looking for a free-form style education that emphasizes arts, outdoor play, spirituality, screen-free learning, and that takes a more holistic approach to grading and assessments....

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder that affects close to 3% of people in the United States. This condition can cause people to experience severe fluctuations in mood, energy levels, concentration, thought patterns, and behavior. Bipolar Depression Bipolar depression is a period of low mood, fatigue, and lack of motivation that someone with bipolar disorder may experience. People with bipolar disorder have different types of mood episodes, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder....

Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples can raise a lot of questions both for the pregnant person and for everyone around them. Being pregnant with more than one baby is called a multiple pregnancy. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions. You can be prepared to answer friendly queries and satisfy your own curiosity. How Do Multiples Happen? Twins and other multiples can happen naturally in two ways....

Pseudodysphagia, or the fear of choking, is sometimes confused with phagophobia, or the fear of swallowing. Although both conditions involve the act of swallowing, the difference is in the precise nature of the fear. Those with phagophobia are afraid of the swallowing process, while those with pseudodysphagia worry that swallowing might lead to choking. Some medical conditions also cause difficulty with swallowing and eating, so before self-diagnosing with a fear of choking, it is important to rule out physiological causes like certain neurological issues and conditions of the esophagus....

A corpus luteum cyst is a type of ovarian cyst (a small, fluid-filled sac). The corpus luteum itself is a vital, but temporary temporary endocrine structure. It forms from cells in the ovarian follicle wall during ovulation. This type of cyst happens when the corpus luteum continues to grow rather than break down as it typically does. Also called a corpus luteal cyst, this condition often occurs during pregnancy. It can also appear at other times, primarily during the reproductive years....

If you’re like most parents, you’re just learning how to decipher your teen’s emotional needs in real life, let alone online. But, as social media becomes a bigger part of your child’s life, it’s worth being aware of a new term—sadfishing—and how it can impact your tween or teen. Here’s what you need to know. What Is Sadfishing? Journalist Rebecca Reid coined the term sadfishing in 2019 in a situation involving Kendall Jenner....

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that causes memory loss and confusion. It also affects your behavior. While it commonly affects older adults above the age of 60, roughly 10% of all people with Alzheimer’s start to experience symptoms in their 30s or 40s, which is referred to as early-onset or young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible condition, which means it gets worse over time and cannot be cured....

If you notice vaginal discharge that is similar in color and consistency to raw egg whites, you are likely about to ovulate. Egg white cervical mucus is the most fertile kind of cervical mucus, and it is frequently abbreviated as EWCM on fertility charts and forums for those trying to conceive. While cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle, EWCM is the most fertile and signals the best time to have sex for pregnancy....

Many people dread shopping for maternity clothes. One of the top worries is that there won’t be a lot of comfortable—and attractive—options to choose from. However, the stereotype of tent-like dresses or otherwise unflattering designs is just no longer true. Today, there is a huge range of pregnancy clothing choices and many designers have taken maternity wear to the next level. In addition to finding out where to source easy-to-wear, nice-looking pregnancy outfits, you may also wonder when to start wearing maternity clothes, how to feel good about your wardrobe (and body) as your shape changes, where to shop, and how much you’ll need to spend....

If you’re feeling lost, you may feel disconnected from everything around you. You may wonder what the point of life is and what you should do next. It can feel like your life has no purpose, direction, or movement. This feeling can be confusing and frustrating, and you may wonder what to do with it. If you’re feeling this way, don’t worry, everyone feels lost from time to time. “It’s a natural emotional process that signals a need for change or an opportunity for growth,” says Angeleena Francis, LMHC, executive director for AMFM Healthcare....

Fluid vs. crystallized intelligence is one of many theories of intelligence in psychology. Fluid intelligence involves the ability to reason and think flexibly, whereas crystallized intelligence refers to the accumulation of knowledge, facts, and skills that are acquired throughout life. The theory of fluid vs. crystallized intelligence was first proposed by psychologist Raymond Cattell; he further developed it along with his student John Horn. The theory suggests that intelligence is composed of different abilities that interact and work together to produce overall individual intelligence....

What determines how a child develops? While it is impossible to account for each and every influence that contributes to who a child eventually becomes, what researchers can do is look at some of the most apparent factors. These include things such as genetics, parenting, experiences, friends, family, education, and relationships. By understanding the role that these factors play, researchers are better able to identify how such influences contribute to development....

Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs that may be prescribed for controlling seizures, acute migraine, and in medical anesthesia. They are very hazardous when interacting with alcohol, opiates, and other sedating drugs. If you are prescribed barbiturates, you need to know how to avoid interactions and overdoses. How Long Barbiturates Remain in Your System If you have been prescribed barbiturates and you will be having a toxicology screen for employment or other purposes, be sure to disclose to the testing authority which medications you are taking....

Habits play an important part in health and well-being. Creating new habits can help you boost your health and achieve your goals. However, building lasting habits takes effort and time. How long does it take to build a habit? The good news is that even if it takes longer than average to build a new habit, you can still be successful as long as you stay consistent and committed. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed right away....

You may think that the way you treat or talk to your spouse is normal, but there are times when this behavior may be damaging or even abusive. Sometimes, it is hard to tell if you are, as you may not have the level of insight needed to think about your actions objectively. Or, you may think your behavior is “normal” because you grew up in a household where abusiveness, dysfunction, and negativity were normalized....

As they grow and begin to understand the world better, kids begin to ask tough questions. Besides the “Where do babies come from” question, many parents dread the day one of their kids asks, “Is Santa real?” It will likely catch you by surprise, but there are several ways you can handle it. Recognize Age Matters It can be hard for parents to accept that their children are growing up and letting go of childhood traditions and notions....

The FAST alcohol screening test screens patients for hazardous drinking in busy medical offices and emergency rooms. It’s specially designed to make a fast assessment. Many patients who take the FAST test only have to answer the first question. So, depending on your response to the first question of the test, you might not need to answer the other questions at all. This is what makes the FAST test potentially the shortest hazardous drinking screening tool available today....