If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. Nighttime anxiety is a problem for many people with anxiety disorders, who find that their evenings are filled with a sense of uneasiness, worry, and apprehension. Anxiety at night can keep you from sleeping, while lack of sleep can increase your anxiety. Luckily, there are ways to manage your anxiety so you can rest, function the next day, and live a fulfilling life....
Are you or is someone you know a picky eater? Some extremely picky eaters may have an eating disorder, known as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). In most cases, picky eating does not interfere with weight status, growth, or daily functioning. However, people who experience consequences such as these as a result of extremely picky eating may need treatment. ARFID vs. Picky Eating It may be helpful to understand the characteristics of picky eating typically seen in children at different stages of development and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder....
Certain medications used to treat anxiety disorders fall under the legal classification of “controlled substances.” Benzodiazepines, a class of medications commonly used for their tranquilizing and anti-anxiety effects, are considered a Schedule IV controlled substance. (Ativan and Valium are examples of benzodiazepines. Though some people mistake it for an opioid, the Xanax drug class is also benzodiazepine.) But, what exactly does it mean to be a Schedule IV controlled substance?...
Co-sleeping, or sharing a family bed, can be a controversial topic in parenting circles, and it can raise additional concerns for parents of multiples such as twins or triplets. On top of co-sleeping, parents of multiples already have other sleep-related decisions to make, such as whether or not their twins should share a crib, how to effectively put them down at naptime or bedtime, among general safety concerns. Overview Co-sleeping proponents argue that sleeping with an infant is a time-honored custom practiced in other cultures for centuries and claim many benefits, including healthier self-esteem for children who sleep with their parents as babies....
When you’re expecting a baby, buying the right car seat is typically near the top of the registry list. But the number of options available to new parents—infant seats and convertible car seats in dozens of brands and models—can feel overwhelming, especially for a purchase designed specifically to keep your baby safe in the event of a car crash. And when your baby becomes a toddler, mom and dad may re-live the initial car seat stress again....
As a parent, it can be really frustrating when your child appears not to be listening, or worse yet, seems to outright ignore you. You may wonder what you’re doing wrong or if your child is particularly rebellious. But the truth is there are a number of reasons why kids don’t listen, including they just haven’t developed this skill yet. Regardless of the challenges you’re experiencing when it comes to your child’s listening skills, it helps to understand a few of the reasons behind their inability to listen....
The pandemic has caused loss, stress, and unemployment for people all over the world. However, women—mothers in particular—are experiencing the effects to a higher degree. Key Takeaways The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, especially for women.The combined pressure of job loss and familial responsibility has increased stress.Juggling family responsibilities is a source of stress for both women who are in the workforce and for those who are not....
Meal planning is important when you are pregnant with diabetes, whether with gestational diabetes or pre-existing type 2 diabetes. Women with diabetes are often asked to obtain tighter control of blood sugar levels in pregnancy. There are extra diet challenges and considerations when you have diabetes in pregnancy. Pre-Planning Your Diet During Pregnancy with Diabetes Ideally, you should have your blood sugar levels within good control three to six months prior to pregnancy....
There are several ways you can help your tween make friends and keep them. Friendships at this point in life are so important, because tweens are preparing to pull away from their parents, and they need the acceptance and support of their friends as they do. If your tween is having social problems you may need to step in to help her make friends and keep them. Below are a few simple strategies that will help you guide your tween through these difficult social years....
Herbal supplements are sometimes used to help relieve anxiety. Below is a list of some of the more popular herbal supplements that may be used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD). While herbal supplements are not a substitute for evidence-based treatments for SAD, you may find that they help with particular symptoms. Herbal Supplements Commonly Used to Relieve Anxiety The following supplements are often used in an attempt to ease the symptoms of SAD....
How long you should breastfeed your baby each time depends on several factors, including your baby’s age and your breast milk supply. An average feeding might last 10 to 20 minutes, but a baby can breastfeed anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes at each session. Of course, the timing truly depends on the age of the baby; newborns can cluster feed for 25-45 minutes, which is normal and expected. Here’s a guide to help you get an idea of how many minutes newborns and older babies spend breastfeeding, what changes breastfeeding times, what short and long feedings can mean....
Baby oil is a fantastic moisturizer for both you and baby. It locks in moisture and makes the baby’s skin super soft and hydrated, while being gentle. A warm baby oil massage is the perfect post-bath-time ritual because it soothes baby and gets them ready for bed. How to Heat Up Baby Oil Baby oil that comes right out of the bottle is cold; not exactly what you want to put on baby’s skin after they’re warm and cozy from a bath....
When parents hear about self-harm, it can be tempting to ignore the topic or assume that it could never happen in their family. But, unfortunately, self-harming behaviors are occurring more frequently than you might imagine and should be added to the list of things you need to discuss with your kids. “Self-harming or what we in the mental health world label as Non-Suicidal Self Injurious (NSSI) behaviors are unfortunately very common,” says Dean Aslinia, PhD, LPC, NCC, the associate dean at the University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Psychology and Human Services....
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological condition that manifests as problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. About 4% of adults and 9% of children in the United States live with ADHD, and many deal with symptoms throughout their lives. This article will describe the current understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, as well as available treatments. It will also explore the idea of a cure for ADHD and whether or not such a thing is possible....
In today’s world, many moms work both inside and outside of the home. We want it all and we should be able to have it, but is it realistic? Achieving a perfect work-life balance would assume that both parts are created equal, 50/50, and that you can divide your time accordingly. Doing so will result in satisfaction and happiness both at home and at work, right? The reality is that whether you work from home, part-time, full-time, or have a flexible or rigid schedule, it can’t be perfect all the time....
Undocumented immigrants face unique mental health challenges as a result of the barriers that they face every day living in the United States. It’s important to learn the causes of their mental health concerns, the kinds of mental health challenges that they face, and ways to help improve their mental well-being. Who Is an Undocumented Immigrant? The United Nations classifies refugees as a protected group. If the country that is entered offers asylum, then these persons gain automatic legal status in their new country....
When heavy or frequent drinkers suddenly decide to quit “cold turkey” they will experience some physical withdrawal symptoms—which can range from the mildly annoying to severe and even life-threatening. The severity of these withdrawal symptoms is usually dependent upon how “chemically dependent” the chronic drinker has become. Those who drink heavily on a daily basis, of course, have developed a high level of dependency, but even those who drink daily, but not heavily and those who drink heavily but not daily, can also be chemically dependent upon alcohol....
Constipation is common after giving birth. Characterized by difficult or infrequent bowel movements, many people experience constipation during pregnancy, and it can continue after delivery, or it may occur for the first time after delivery. Generally, constipation is defined as fewer than three bowel movements a week and/or less often than your normal bathroom habits. This condition may persist for a week or longer until your body’s elimination system gets back on track....
A congenital abnormality or genetic disorder is a health condition that a baby is born with. It can be caused by a chromosomal, hereditary, or environmental issue. However, in some cases the cause of a genetic disorder is not known. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3% of babies are born with congenital abnormalities. Here is an overview of some of the genetic disorders that often worry parents-to-be, along with the causes, risk factors, and prenatal tests that screen for and diagnose genetic problems....
The mood-stabilizing drug lithium remains an effective mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder—but unfortunately, it can cause weight gain. Although the possibility of gaining weight while taking lithium is well known, this side effect does not affect everyone who takes the medication. Approximately 25% of people gain weight from taking lithium, according to a review article published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. After analyzing all relevant published medical studies, the authors reported an average weight gain of 10 to 26 pounds among those who experience this troubling side effect....
