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When news of the Atlanta spa shootings broke, I was sitting in my aunt’s living room in a suburb of Seoul. We’d been watching a lot of TV lately because there wasn’t much else to do. The news was always the same: COVID cases dipping slightly, then rising, then falling again. Updates on safety measures, developing vaccines, personal interest stories about specific cases. My relatives and I straightened up when the screen flared with police lights, yellow caution tape, a strip mall, and a scene from my home country....

Quarantining yourself at home can play an important role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. But this doesn’t mean that coping with the disruption in your normal routine is easy. Taking care of your mental health is essential, even if your time in quarantine is relatively brief in the grand scheme of things. Key Takeaways Strategies such as quarantining, social distancing, handwashing, and other safety precautions can all play an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19....

What are the accreditation and licensing requirements for psychologists? Learn more about accredited programs as well as state and national licensing requirements. In order to be licensed to practice, psychologists need to earn a degree from an accredited institution. After earning a degree, it is also necessary to complete the requirements to achieve professional licensing in the state where one wishes to work. Prospective students often find the concepts of accreditation, licensing and other certifications confusing, but here is some basic information....

In 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published updated safe sleep guidelines for infants in an effort to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths like strangulation and suffocations. The basics are that you should follow all health and safety guidelines, including prenatal care and well care, for you and your baby. This includes infant vaccines using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines....

Helping your child choose a science fair project can be the hardest part of the whole process. Coming up with a creative idea and then figuring out how to turn that idea into an experiment or demonstration can be tricky. And of course, many teens wait until the last minute. But gathering poster board, craft supplies, or equipment the night before the science fair isn’t likely to turn out well....

Although mask-wearing as protection from COVID-19 transmission may be back on the forefront, many other restrictions surrounding the virus are loosening. A new study predicts that fewer restrictions may mean an increase in respiratory viruses in children. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study notes that a lack of immunity because of COVID-19 pandemic precautions may account for the jump in RSV cases. Key Takeaways A study notes that respiratory viruses like RSV are on the rise in children....

There are a number of different child behaviors that parents should watch for that may be signs that a child is in distress. Parents who utilize child care are often especially concerned that certain behaviors might be tied to the quality of care issues. Many developmental psychologists agree that when child care is “of high quality, there should be little reason to anticipate negative developmental outcomes”. In fact, there is evidence that high-quality daycare can actually benefit children’s cognitive development more than at-home care alone....

Children are exposed to alcohol marketing via social media, videos, television, magazines, and radio. The alcohol industry pours millions of advertising dollars into media trying to influence your children’s choices and win their loyalty. They use digital and social media effectively and blur the lines between advertising and content. Alcohol brands also sponsor events, organizations, and causes to get their names in front of the public, including youth. There is a reason for that....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means there are differences in the ADHD brain that affect a child’s development. ADHD does not influence intelligence. It does, however, affect a person’s ability to regulate attention and emotions, and it results in hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as organization problems. Differences in the ADHD Brain ADHD is a condition that comes under a lot of scrutiny. Naysayers question if it is real or say it is caused by lack of motivation, willpower, or bad parenting—none of which is true....

The color white has a number of meanings and associations, although these may vary depending on the individual and the culture in which they live. Some of the main associations often connected to the color white include purity, innocence, cleanliness, blankness, coldness, emptiness, simplicity, and minimalism. This article discusses the meaning of the color white and some of the positive and negative associations of this color. The Color Psychology Characteristics of White According to color psychology, these are the characteristics of white:...

One reason busy, stressed people tend to gain weight is that they more often eat fast food, or go out to eat. This is understandable; after a busy day running around, you may not have time to come home and cook something from scratch. But healthy eating at home can help you stave off extra pounds when stressed, as meals you make are usually much better for you. (They’re healthier than fast food, and usually, the portions are smaller and lower in fat than what you find in a restaurant....

Abilify, known by the generic name aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is approved to treat a number of disorders, including bipolar disorder. It’s used specifically to treat manic and mixed episodes in bipolar disorder, either alone or in combination with other anti-manic medications. What Is Abilify Used to Treat? Abilify is approved to treat the following health conditions: Schizophrenia in people age 13 or olderBipolar I disorder in people age 10 or olderMajor depressive disorder in adults (used in combination with another antidepressant when a person does not respond to that single antidepressant)Agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar maniaAgitation associated with autism spectrum disorder in children ages 6 to 17Tourette syndrome in children and adolescents age 6 and older Common Abilify Side Effects In adults, common side effects include:...

Generally, the most commonly cited midlife crisis age range is between 40 and 60. At this halfway point in life, people tend to reevaluate their lives and confront their own mortality. For some, this becomes a significant issue that affects their relationships and careers. What Is a Midlife Crisis? A midlife crisis is a shift in identity that sometimes affects middle-aged adults between the ages of 40 and 60. This crisis can affect self-concept and self-confidence, leading to changes in moods, behaviors, emotions, and relationships as people cope with the transition to midlife....

Pansexuality is a term that refers to people who are attracted to others no matter the other person’s gender identity or sex. Defining Pansexuality While some categorize pansexuality under the bisexuality “umbrella,” the two terms don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Pansexuality A pansexual person may be attracted to men, women, as well as people who are non-binary, trans, gender-fluid, and more. Pansexuality is not just limited to sexual attraction but can also involve a romantic and/or emotional attraction....

What Is the Model Minority Myth? Despite its positive implications, the model minority myth only serves to perpetuate stereotypes and has a number of troubling consequences, including negatively impacting the mental health of Asian Americans and driving a racial wedge between marginalized populations. Disclaimer The model minority myth is most often used in reference to Asian Americans, not Pacific Islanders, who have suffered and continue to struggle with negative stereotypes towards their community and the USA’s colonization of the Hawaiian islands....

While the importance of therapy is gaining awareness amongst many, there can be concerns for those with marginalized identities when seeking out a therapist. Racism, xenophobia, and homophobia aren’t just issues that plague our society as a whole. They can also seep into the therapy room, causing distress for clients who are hoping to receive culturally-safe care and instead are faced with microaggressions and discrimination. A recent study found the psychology field to be 84% White, making it challenging for folks of color to find a therapist who looks like them....

Meghan Markle, Jessica Alba, and Alicia Keys are just a few of the high-profile moms who’ve hired a doula to help them through their birthing experience. But doulas aren’t just for A-listers. A growing number of people are including doulas in their support team when they welcome their little one into the world. Despite the celebrity endorsements in recent years, doulas are far from a new phenomenon. In fact, all ancient societies had their own version of a doula—typically a person who already had their own children and would support other pregnant individuals during labor....

Some of the most popular baby names for in the United States start with the letter “M.” Names like Michael, Matthew, and Madison have all seen top-five spots on the Social Security Administration list in the past 100+ years. For parents who want to choose a baby name based on a specific letter, you can’t go wrong with “M.” Not only are there extremely popular names that start with “M,” but there are historical names and biblical names as well....

Hypoplastic breasts, also called underdeveloped breasts, tubular breasts, or breasts with insufficient glandular tissue, may contain very little breast tissue that can produce breast milk. Hypoplastic breasts can be small, thin, shaped like tubes, or very uneven. They may be spaced far apart, and the areola may appear very large. Overview Breast hypoplasia is something that you’re born with, and as you grow the breast tissue does not fully develop. You might not even know your breasts are underdeveloped until you become pregnant and have a child....

A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional illnesses. The Clinical Psychologist’s Role Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medications to treat mental illness, except in a handful of states where they do have that authority. Rather, they use psychological techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic therapy. Clinical psychologists must usually complete a doctoral degree (Ph....