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What Is Psychomotor Retardation? Psychomotor retardation is a condition characterized by sluggish or diminished body movements, usually accompanied by a slowing of thought processes. It is also sometimes referred to as psychomotor slowing or psychomotor impairment. Experiencing psychomotor impairment feels as if a dial has been turned back, putting you on slow speed. Psychomotor retardation occurs commonly during depressive episodes of bipolar disorder, as well as during major depressive disorder. In these circumstances, the effects are usually temporary and recede as the depression lifts....

What Is Rhinotillexomania? Picking your nose is a habit many people are familiar with. However, when it becomes an obsessive compulsion to pick your nose, it is rhinotillexomania. Rhinotillexomania is a condition that causes a person to compulsively pick their nose till they self-harm. While people might typically pick their noses out of boredom, nervousness, or just because they are trying to get rid of a pesky booger, a person with rhinotillexomania feels compelled to pick their noses....

When raising kids, there are few things more important and more beneficial than encouragement. Encouraging them to make decisions on their own, to put themselves out there, or to try something new can be the key motivator that pushes them to take that next step. “From the earliest stages of development, encouragement plays an important role in a child’s sense of self,” explains Jessica Payne, LCSW-C, CATP, an early childhood and young child therapist at Kentlands Psychotherapy in Gaithersburg, MD....

Movies, magazines, and social media are rife with sparkling, bright white smiles. Plus, tooth bleaching products are widely available over-the-counter (OTC) and at dentist offices. This extensive marketing, as well as easy accessibility, encourages lots of preteens and teens to whiten their teeth—and even more to wonder if they should. Many young people worry about the relative whiteness of their teeth and may feel self-conscious about their smiles. However, this growing desire among preteens and teens leads many parents to question whether or not it’s recommended—or wise—to whiten children’s teeth....

Early in pregnancy, certain ultrasound findings like the presence of a yolk sac and the crown-to-rump ratio are used to help determine the health of a pregnancy. These markers can also establish gestational age and the possibility of pregnancy loss. After the first trimester, the embryo has developed into a fetus and new markers, such as femur length are used to narrow in on gestational age and assess the health of the baby....

Learning disabilities are surprisingly common. They are a result of differences in brain structure but do not relate to intelligence, behavior, or focus. In short, they are differences that make it difficult to succeed in a typical American school, though they may have relatively little impact on tasks of daily living. What Are Learning Disabilities? According to the website LDOnline, the most common learning disabilities include: Auditory and visual processing disorders: “Sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision....

Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a form of treatment developed by licensed marriage and family therapist, Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT. This innovative treatment method has been influenced by many existing evidence-based treatments and techniques, including: Gestalt Cognitive behavioral Guided imagery Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) Brief psychodynamic Exposure therapy (imaginal exposure) As described they the Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Resolution, “ART works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions....

Mental health is an integral part of everyday life. And, there are times in life when you’re more likely to deal with situations that may be challenging to your mental health. The time period after having a baby is one of those times. The baby blues and postpartum depression (PPD) are two of the more well-known mental health issues that may arise, but other conditions can develop. One dangerous illness is postpartum psychosis....

Gym backpacks are a convenient, hands-free way to organize your fitness gear. If you’re frequently toting your essentials among your home, the gym, and the office, a backpack is a sturdy solution that’s easy to carry around. Tamara Teragawa, a 500 RYT-trained yoga instructor and YogaSix XPRO for Xponential+ from San Dimas, California, agrees. “I personally love backpacks for the gym and working out,” she says, “not only for the obvious reason of carrying all of my stuff, but because it is much more comfortable than wearing a duffle bag or something I can only wear over one shoulder....

The notion that depression and other forms of mental illness go hand-in-hand with creativity is so prevalent that it gave rise to the terms “tortured artist” and “mad artist.” But is this idea just a stereotype, or does it actually contain a grain of truth? Painters such as Vincent van Gogh, who famously cut off his ear and ultimately took his life in 1890, contribute to this idea, as does the writer Sylvia Plath, who died by suicide in 1963....

Although postpartum exhaustion levels may be nothing you’ve ever experienced and you may wonder if you’ll ever have the energy to be intimate again, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your postpartum birth control options sooner rather than later. If you’re breastfeeding, you may be wondering what type of birth control you should use. You have a choice of methods, some of which contain hormones and some that do not....

Unconditional positive regard is a term used by humanist psychologist Carl Rogers to describe a technique used in his non-directive, client-centered therapy. According to Rogers, unconditional positive regard involves showing complete support and acceptance of a person no matter what that person says or does. The therapist accepts and supports the client, no matter what they say or do, placing no conditions on this acceptance. That means the therapist supports the client, whether they are expressing “good” behaviors and emotions or “bad” ones....

There is nothing wrong with having a C-section—they are often lifesaving and necessary. That said, just because you previously had a C-section doesn’t mean you have to have another. C-sections are major surgery with lengthier and more difficult recoveries than vaginal births. That’s why some parents are interested in avoiding repeat C-sections if possible and trying a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean delivery). If you are interested in a VBAC, you may have some questions and concerns....

Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by a pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits. Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder have little capacity—and perhaps even need—for close relationships. They’re often described as eccentric or bizarre. They may be suspicious and paranoid of others. They come across as “stiff” and don’t seem to fit in anywhere they go. Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms Individuals with schizotypal personality disorders experience extreme discomfort during interpersonal interactions....

Xanax, the trademark name for alprazolam, is one of the most well-known and commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and panic disorders. Approved in the United States in 1981, the drug has a long history in managing these illnesses. What Is Xanax? Xanax is an anti-anxiety drug belonging to a group of medications known as benzodiazepines. These medications are also called tranquilizers due to their sedative and calming effects. Other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam)....

Ablutophobia, or fear of bathing, is a relatively uncommon but serious phobia that appears to be more prevalent in women and children. Yes, many children demonstratively dislike baths, but a phobia is different. If your healthcare provider is following the new American Psychiatric Association guidelines, she is unlikely to give an ablutophobia diagnosis unless the extreme overestimation of danger persists for more than six months. Ablutophobia, like all phobias, is an anxiety disorder....

What Is Betrayal Trauma? Betrayal trauma describes the emotional impact a person experiences after their trust or well-being is violated, either by people or institutions that are significant in their life. “This type of trauma usually relates to primary attachment figures like a parent, caregiver, or other important relationship from childhood. In adulthood, it tends to repeat among romantic partners,” says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University....

The allure of lash tinting is that your lashes look like you’re wearing mascara without the hassle and potential eye irritation of applying and removing mascara. This benefit may feel even more enticing during pregnancy when many pregnant people feel tired or overwhelmed and are looking for ways to streamline beauty regimens. During pregnancy, you may be wondering if lash tinting is safe to do. There are potential concerns over the safety of the dye used, as well as possible eye injury, irritation, or infection from the procedure, says Megan Gray, MD, an OB/GYN at Orlando Health Physician Associates....

As a licensed therapist, college lecturer, writer, and renowned TEDx speaker, Amy Morin, LCSW has spent a long time teaching others how to be mentally strong. Now, the international bestselling author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” has turned to a new medium: podcasting. As host of her new podcast Mentally Strong People, Morin speaks with award-winning musicians, athletes, authors, and more to find out how they’ve harnessed their mental strength to overcome adversity and achieve great personal and professional success....

Although asthma is one of the most common medical conditions that occur during pregnancy, it can be quite serious. Asthma can cause the airways to become narrow from swelling, as well as produce excess mucus, both of which make breathing difficult and can lead to wheezing, cough, and feeling short of breath. Approximately 30 percent of women with asthma report that their condition worsened with pregnancy. The severity of asthma can vary: it can be very mild and barely noticeable, or it can be a major issue that interferes with everyday life, and even be life-threatening....