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People say mean things all the time. But that doesn’t make it acceptable. In fact, mean words and phrases are often one of the most hurtful forms of bullying. Yet they are the most difficult to recognize. Many times victims of bullying do not even realize the insidious nature of these words and phrases. But identifying them for what they are is a critical first step in preventing bullying. If your teen has a friend who uses these phrases frequently, it is important that she is able to see through the words to the intent behind them....

“Please, Mom? Can we?” Those words repeated over and over again can wear down even the most resolute parent. But whether your child is begging you to stay up an hour later or he’s repeatedly pestering you to go to the playground, all kids pester their parents at one time or another. The way you respond to pestering and begging is key. If you’re not careful, you may inadvertently encourage it to continue....

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a term that is sometimes used for one of the presentations of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurological disorder that causes a range of behavior problems such as difficulties with attending to instruction, focusing on schoolwork, keeping up with assignments, following instructions, completing tasks, and social interaction. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), this condition is officially known as “attentional deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation....

Understanding Credentials When you look at therapy directories or you start researching therapists in your community you’re likely to see a variety of initials after their names—LCSW, LPC, LDAC. Psy. D, LMFT, etc. In the “Ask a Therapist” series, I’ll be answering your questions about all things mental health and psychology. Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, coping with anxiety about a life situation, or simply looking for a therapist’s insight, submit a question....

What Is Automatonophobia? Automatonophobia is the fear of automatons, wax figures, humanoid robots, audio-animatronics, or other figures designed to represent humans. Automatons are considered a hallmark of new technology and are proudly displayed in many types of locations, ranging from museums and theme parks to carnivals. Automatonophobia is a specific phobia, which is an irrational fear of something that actually isn’t dangerous. While it is relatively common to feel nervous around human-like figures (a phenomenon called the uncanny valley), a phobia disrupts a person’s life....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) doesn’t just affect adults; in fact, between 0.25% and 4% of children develop OCD. The average age of onset of childhood OCD is approximately 10 years old, although children as young as 5 can be diagnosed. In rare cases, children show symptoms around age 3. The similarities between adult-onset and childhood-onset OCD are many, but there are important differences, too. If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, knowing the signs of OCD in children may help....

Self-harm manifests both physically and psychologically, and adolescents are particularly at risk of displaying these behaviors. For this demographic, a relatively new method of self-aggression may be appearing more frequently. Key Takeaways Digital self-harm, or the anonymous posting of hurtful comments about oneself on the internet, is on the rise in adolescents.A recent study examined the connection between digital self-harm and the negative emotions caused by bullying. Digital self-harm refers to the anonymous or pseudonymous posting of negative or hurtful content toward oneself on the internet or social media platforms....

Over the last decade or so, with the help of social media, we’ve become increasingly aware of the ongoing challenges people of color face in the United States as a direct result of systemic racism. Key Takeaways A UCLA study tallies up the cost of being Black in the USResearchers have identified a “Black tax” paid by Black men by way of discrimination This tax has both financial and physiological effects on Black families Whether that is someone bird watching in a park, entering an apartment building, or driving during rush hour, viral videos have shown us that an ordinary day can turn into a hostile situation caused by unconscious bias and someone being seen as threatening....

Most people, whether they like it or not, can self-identify as a morning lark or night owl when it comes to their sleep schedule. While genetics might play a role in determining this circadian typology, or chronotype, it is possible to shift that pattern when done so with care. Key Takeaways Our sleep schedules are genetically influenced—some people are wired to wake up early, while others prefer to stay up late....

Eating one’s placenta is known as placentophagy. It is practiced by most mammals in the animal world, including many primates. This excludes the majority of humans, although it is done by some. Women have been known to cook placenta, dehydrate it and turn it into edible powders, blend it into smoothies—even eat it raw. There are some who say that eating human placenta can help with health concerns, both pregnancy-related and otherwise....

A Freudian slip is a verbal or memory mistake linked to the unconscious mind. Also known as parapraxis, these slips supposedly reveal secret thoughts and feelings that people hold. Typical examples include an individual calling their spouse by an ex’s name, saying the wrong word, or even misinterpreting a written or spoken word. What Are Freudian Slips? It was the famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud who described a variety of different types and examples of Freudian slips in his 1901 book, “The Psychopathology of Everyday Life....

Are you wondering about the genetic causes of borderline personality disorder? You’re not alone. Many people wonder why they or a loved one has borderline personality disorder (BPD). Unfortunately, there are no easy answers, but research is getting closer to understanding the causes of BPD. Genetics or Environmental Causes Studies of BPD in families show that first-degree relatives—meaning siblings, children, or parents—of people treated for BPD are ten times more likely to have been treated for BPD themselves than the relatives of people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder....

Many gifted children are highly sensitive individuals. They may take things personally and become upset by words and deeds that other children may easily ignore or get over quickly. How can parents help their emotionally sensitive children cope with these intense emotions? Here are some suggestions that might help. Understand What’s Behind the Sensitivity People often misunderstand sensitive children and think they’re just being melodramatic and making a fuss over nothing....

Ask any man, and he’ll probably be able to tell you about a time his manhood was challenged—be it at the playground, the gym, or the workplace. This is what inspired recent research from Duke University, led by Adam Stanaland, a PhD candidate in psychology and public policy. Key Takeaways When their manhood is threatened, some men respond aggressively, but not all. New research from Duke University suggests that younger men whose sense of masculinity depends heavily on other people’s opinions may be more triggered by threats against their manhood....

Approximately 9% of the general population has a personality disorder. Despite the high prevalence, many individuals with personality disorders don’t know they have one, let alone understand how to cope with one. Information presented in this article may be triggering for some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Friday Fix: Episode 185 Sometimes our thoughts are extremely negative. In those instances, it’s important to reframe those thoughts with more realistic ways of thinking. But sometimes our negative thoughts aren’t exaggerated....

Any parent knows that it’s in kids’ nature to test limits; it seems to be something all kids are born knowing how to do, like breathing or reaching for something that they shouldn’t. The upside to this challenging behavior is that pushing boundaries is an important part of growing up and becoming more independent, and one day, thinking for themselves and (hopefully) making good choices. Kids need to flex their boundary-pushing muscles now, and sometimes challenge you and disagree with you so that they can assert their individuality more and more as they grow....

If you are someone who’s made the decision not to have kids, you are far from alone. Studies have found that as many as one in five adults are voluntarily childless, and most choose this path early in life. Still, understanding your own feelings can be one thing, but sharing them with others—especially close family members—can be stressful. In fact, some people say that the hardest thing about not having kids is telling their family about this decision....

Got an arts-and-crafts lover in your family—maybe a child who’d rather draw pictures or string beads than play sports any day? Those fine motor activities are good for his brain and body, but he also needs large motor skills activities: projects that really get his arms, legs, and trunk moving. The good news is that you can use his creative passion to inspire active, muscle-building play. Projects That Build Creative and Large Motor Skills Try one of these crafty projects that stretch both creative and large motor skills....

“Difficulty of balancing two different cultures” has been shown to be associated with mental health problems among 1.5 and 2nd-generation Asian American young adults. As a child of Chinese immigrants, I grew up with a dual identity: one at home and one at school. I didn’t feel like I belonged in either, only desperate to impress whoever was around me at the moment. I was lost between two worlds, facing the dilemma of choosing who I truly was every time I stepped through the doors of my home....