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Currently, the exact cause of panic disorder remains unknown. However, there are several theories that take different factors into account when examining the potential causes of panic disorder. Read ahead to learn more about the biological theory of panic disorder. The Biological Theory of Panic Disorder Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are chemicals that act as neurotransmitters or messengers in the brain. They send messages between different areas of the brain and are thought to influence one’s mood and anxiety level....

In November 2020, BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx, Canada’s first nature prescription service and educational resource. It provides medical professionals with detailed instructions on how best to prescribe their patients with time in nature. Key Takeaways Canadians can qualify for nature prescriptions, a doctor recommendation to spend time in nature.Thanks to a new partnership, patients can access natural parks for free when receiving a nature prescription.Similar initiatives are popping up in countries across the world....

Cognitive psychology–the study of how people think and process information–helps researchers understand the human brain. It also allows psychologists to help people deal with psychological difficulties. What Is Cognitive Psychology? Cognitive psychology involves the study of internal mental processes—all of the workings inside your brain, including perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and learning. This article discusses what cognitive psychology is, the history of this field, and current directions for research....

It’s a question parents and professionals across the nation are asking: Does zero tolerance work in schools? Zero tolerance began as law calling for expulsion for bringing a gun onto school property. However, it’s quickly morphed into a policy that deals with bullying, drugs, alcohol, and any act of violence, be it physical, verbal, or attitudinal. In some school districts, zero tolerance has slowly become synonymous with “we don’t want to put up with any sort of nonsense....

Learning that one is to become a grandmother is one of those watershed moments in a person’s life. Your child bringing another life into the world is beyond exciting. And taking on the role of grandma typically is a joyful transition. Usually, the grandmother-to-be begins to wonder almost immediately about what to choose as their grandma name. Of course, you can just go with Grandma but there are lots of other choices as well....

Whether or not hot yoga is safe to practice while pregnant is up for debate among prenatal health and yoga experts. More often than not, pregnancy advice tends to err on the side of caution with the experts recommending to discontinue hot yoga during pregnancy. Choosing to refrain from a potentially risky activity during pregnancy, such as hot yoga, is never a bad decision. However, for some women after a discussion with their obstetrical provider and making certain modifications may be able to consider continuing their hot yoga practice....

Many parents focus attention on their children’s grades and extracurricular activities, such as by making sure kids study, do their homework, and get to soccer practice or dance lessons on time. But all too often, we forget to put time and effort into nurturing another component of child success and development—one that is just as important, and perhaps even more essential—being a good person. It can be easy to forget the importance of countering the pervasive messages of instant gratification, consumerism, and selfishness prevalent in our society....

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition that causes you to experience symptoms such as mania, delusions, and hallucinations. There is currently no cure for this condition, with symptoms expressing themselves in different ways across the lifespan. However, effective treatment options combine psychotherapy and medication to make living with the condition more manageable. Without treatment, symptoms of this condition tend to worsen in severity and could lead to problems with functioning and an increased risk for suicide....

The phrase “psychological well-being” is used to describe an individual’s emotional health and overall functioning. The author of a study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well‒Being describes psychological well-being as “the combination of feeling good and functioning effectively.” Researchers also have found that the absence of distress doesn’t necessarily indicate a person has high psychological well-being. High psychological well-being is about feeling happy and doing well. People with high psychological well-being report feeling capable, happy, well-supported, and satisfied with life....

In a time when many middle school kids carry around $600 phones that they take for granted, teaching gratitude can feel like an uphill battle. But despite the challenges you might face in helping kids feel grateful in a world that seems to value overabundance, it can be worthwhile. Research and Evidence A 2019 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that gratitude is linked to happiness in children by age 5....

Many new parents treasure the idea of using an antique crib for their newborn that has been passed down a generation or more. Others search for a beautiful antique crib or a super thrift store find. However, old cribs can be dangerous for babies if they don’t meet modern crib safety standards.​ The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an agency of the U.S. government, is charged with protecting the public from dangers associated with more than 15,000 types of consumer products, including cribs....

After a year of virtual instruction, hybrid schedules, and restricted in-person school experiences, students across the country are looking forward to a fresh start this fall. Although they’ve become accustomed to learning with a myriad of COVID safety precautions in place, everyone is ready for fewer restrictions, more in-person socialization with their friends, and to leave behind Microsoft Teams and Zoom classrooms. For our Perspectives series, we are interviewing diverse kids from around the country on how they feel about the upcoming 2021-2022 school year....

Childhood screen time is a point of conversation in many families. And, according to a new study published in PLoS ONE, it could be beneficial in unexpected ways. Researchers from the Institute for Behavioral Genetics assessed data from the ongoing Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. It is the largest long-term study of child health and brain development ever conducted in the United States. Researchers found that kids who spend more time on screens tend to have more close friends....

Girls usually start puberty between the ages of 8 and 13; for boys it’s ages 9 to 14. When kids experience puberty on this timeline, their minds and bodies have a chance to experience healthy growth and development. But when the body is pushed into puberty before it’s ready, it can have a negative impact on a child’s mental health and emotional maturity. Key Takeaways Early puberty in girls begins before age 8, and before age 9 in boys....

Foremilk is the breast milk your baby gets at the beginning of each feeding when your breasts are full. Foremilk is high in lactose (milk sugar) and low in fat and calories. It’s thin, watery, and it looks white or bluish. Here is what you need to know about foremilk. Foremilk When you place your baby on your breast to start breastfeeding, they begin to drink foremilk. As your baby nurses, the low-fat foremilk slowly changes over to high-fat, high-calorie breast milk called hindmilk....

A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. “Detoxing” from digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without distractions. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress that stems from constant connectivity. Before you decide if it is right for you, consider some of the potential benefits and methods of doing a digital detox....

In today’s culture, we can’t help but be concerned about weight. And often, this attitude extends to the realm of pregnancy weight gain. But when it comes to pregnancy, it’s important to consider suggested guidelines based on individual needs. Suggested Weight Gain During Pregnancy Based on BMI No matter what you weigh prior to pregnancy, you must gain some weight. Women who are considered to be clinically obese still need to gain a minimum of 11 pounds, while women who are underweight need to gain more than 25-35 pounds....

Self-esteem is your subjective sense of overall personal worth or value. Similar to self-respect, it describes your level of confidence in your abilities and attributes. Having healthy self-esteem can influence your motivation, your mental well-being, and your overall quality of life. However, having self-esteem that is either too high or too low can be problematic. Better understanding what your unique level of self-esteem is can help you strike a balance that is just right for you....

Among other anti-vaccine myths and conspiracy theories, one that is popular is that the chickenpox vaccine is responsible for a surge in shingles cases. Why? Perhaps because there are fewer children with chickenpox to boost our immunity to the chickenpox virus, thereby increasing the risk for reactivation and the development of shingles. This is still one of the reasons that some countries don’t have a routine chickenpox vaccine program for their kids....

Coming home for the holidays is usually a standard part of the college experience. You wrap up midterms, stuff a semester’s worth of dirty laundry in a backpack, and make your way back to your hometown to feast on home-cooked meals and reunite with your high school pals. Key Takeaways Many families are facing a dilemma about whether college students should come home for Thanksgiving.The CDC is urging people not to travel for Thanksgiving after the U....