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A specific phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specified object or situation. A phobia is an excessive and overwhelming fear that results in avoidance or extreme distress. Some phobias are centered on a specific fear object, while others are complex and tied to different situations or circumstances. Phobias affect about 19 million adults, and women are two times more likely than men to have a specific phobia. Some people experience multiple specific phobias simultaneously....

Treatment for depression commonly includes the use of antidepressants, a treatment option that typically takes weeks to begin working. However, a newly approved medication may put an end to this waiting period. Key Takeaways The FDA has approved Auvelity, a new antidepressant that may treat symptoms faster than other medications.The drug may be especially effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.Auvelity joins ketamine as a potential new wave of faster-acting antidepressants. In August 2022 the FDA approved a drug called Auvelity which may offer faster relief for depression symptoms than other commonly used drugs....

If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD), you likely engage in behaviors that can actually harm your treatment and make your anxiety even worse. By becoming aware of these actions and working to stop them, you can help yourself get on the path to recovery. Stop Avoiding Avoidance can come in many forms. Perhaps you drink at parties to get through the night. Maybe you read speeches word for word or avoid eye contact when you talk to people....

Jealousy is a common human emotion, and almost all of us have experienced it at times in relationships, particularly romantic relationships. Sometimes these feelings of jealousy are fleeting, but other times they can take over, and we may feel the need to express these feelings to our partners. The question is how to do this in a healthy and helpful way so that our feelings and concerns are heard, and the lines of communication and trust in the relationship remain intact....

Have you been thinking about trying Chantix to quit smoking? Chantix (varenicline tartrate) is a non-nicotine prescription medicine that was developed by Pfizer, Inc. specifically to help people quit smoking. Chantix works on two levels. First, it partially activates sites in the brain, known as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, that are affected by nicotine. This gives new ex-smokers mild nicotine-like effects and eases symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Second, Chantix has the unique ability to stop nicotine from attaching to those nicotine receptors if you do smoke while using it....

Researchers used mathematical calculations and current adult data on COVID-19 vaccine dosages to determine safe doses to test in children. Based on that research, scientists have now determined an appropriate effective dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months and up. UPDATE: DECEMBER 2022 Just about everyone is now eligible to get vaccinated as both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines have been approved for adults and children ages 6 months and older....

What Is Prejudice? Prejudice is an often negative preconception or attitude toward members of a group. It can have a strong influence on how people behave and interact with others—particularly with those who are different in some regard—even if on an unconscious level. Common features of prejudice include having negative feelings and holding stereotyped beliefs about members of the group, as well as a tendency to discriminate against them. In society, we often see prejudices based on characteristics like race, sex, religion, culture, and more....

Newborns go from crying and grunting to full-on cooing and babbling within the first few months of life. It is incredible to watch! You may even notice that your baby imitates sounds or noises that you make. Beyond being sweet, this is a sign your baby is listening and learning, long before they even speak. Babies can imitate because the first language component they pay attention to is melody. Your baby is testing this skill with their adorable, sing-songy chatter....

Like any other skill acquired in childhood, learning how to communicate clearly—both in terms of how you speak and the words you choose—is one that develops over the course of many months and years. Some kids begin babbling away early in toddlerhood while others remain the strong and silent type until they’re more comfortable with speech patterns. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most children begin talking between 1 and 2 years of age....

Looking someone in the eye can signify attention, respect, intimacy, trust, interest, and care. However, eye contact or direct gaze can be difficult for some children. Occasionally avoiding eye contact for brief moments can be a normal part of child development, particularly if kids are coping with uncomfortable feelings. However, other times, issues with looking someone in the eye can indicate a medical or emotional issue that may need intervention....

High blood pressure during pregnancy may increase your risk of memory decline later in life. A recent study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, showed that people who were diagnosed with Gestational Hypertension or Pre-eclampsia in the second half of pregnancy were more prone to memory and learning deficits 15 years later. Key Takeaways A recent study found high blood pressure in pregnancy can impact your memory years later....

INFP (introversion, intuition, feeling, perception) is a four-letter abbreviation for one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The INFP personality type is often described as an “idealist” or “mediator” personality. People with this kind of personality tend to be introverted, idealistic, creative, and driven by high values. INFPs also have strong interests in making the world a better place. In addition to wanting to gain a greater understanding of themselves and how they fit into the world, they are interested in how they can best help others....

Watching pornography is something that many people do, but that most don’t talk about. Like masturbation, which it usually goes alongside of, there can be a lot of shame around watching porn. Discussing it in your relationship can be a challenge no matter how long you’ve been with your partner(s). Porn watching can impact the satisfaction couples feel in their relationships. Ahead, we’ll discuss when watching porn is and isn’t cheating, along with how you can help make talking about it more comfortable....

People with an ISFP personality—the Adventurers—have Introverted, Observant, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits. Unlike extroverts, who gain energy from interacting with other people, introverts must expend energy around others. ISFP is a four-letter code representing one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Key ISFP Characteristics According to David Keirsey, the creator of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, approximately 5 to 10 percent of people have an ISFP personality type....

According to a recent report by The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming temperatures will continue to rise to dangerous levels without intervention. In the coming years, significant reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions can make a big difference. Key Takeaways A new study notes that kids’ interest in nature lessens as they become teens.The onset of puberty, along with other activities and technology, may all contribute to the waning interest....

Magic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is considered one of the most well-known psychedelics according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA). Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for misuse and has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

Mentalization-based is a type of psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD) that focuses on your ability to recognize thoughts, feelings, wishes, and desires to see how they are linked to behavior. What Is Mentalization? Mentalization is a term for your ability to recognize your own mental state as well as others’ emotions, separate from actions. It includes being able to think about feelings and understand that these thoughts may have an impact on the actions that you and others take....

Natural killer (NK) cells and their possible connection to unexplained infertility, repeated IVF embryo implantation failure, and repeated miscarriage is a hot—but controversial—topic in the fertility world. Here’s what you need to know so you can make informed decisions on natural killer cell testing and treatment. Types of NK Cells Despite their negative-sounding name, natural killer cells are not the enemy. They are an essential part of the immune system. Natural killer cells vary depending on where they are in the body and their molecular make-up....

Treadmills make a classic addition to any at-home fitness routine, with research even suggesting that running on a treadmill offers equal intensity as running outdoors. The only problem? Treadmills can be incredibly bulky—making them a tough add for small spaces. Thankfully, folding treadmills offer an easy way around this common problem. When looking for a folding treadmill, check the specifics on how they fold. Some fold in half, and some fold completely flat....

It’s often been said that it’s better to give than to receive, but did you know that this cliché is actually backed by research? While many of us feel too stressed and busy to worry about helping others with their burdens—or would like to think about doing good deeds when we have more ‘spare’ time, energy, and money—altruism is its own reward and can actually help you relieve stress. Altruistic acts can improve your quality of life in several ways and are absolutely worth the effort....