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What Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation? Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a treatment option for people with epilepsy and sometimes depression. It involves the use of a device to send mild electrical pulses to the brain through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is responsible for controlling involuntary body functions. It is connected to motor functions in your stomach and diaphragm as well as sensory functions in your ears and tongue. Types Vagus nerve stimulation can be done in two ways....

Potty training can be a trying experience for both the child and the parents. Success doesn’t usually come without accidents—and likely some tears or other setbacks—along the way. Learning to use the toilet isn’t a one size fits all endeavor. Regardless of how your potty training experience is going, it’s important to make sure your child feels supported and that you communicate a positive attitude while they work to master this new skill....

If your child vomits every time you take a drive, you know how disruptive carsickness can be to daily life. Motion sickness is most commonly seen in children 6 to 12 years old, but this phenomenon affects everyone to some extent. Even babies are not immune from the feeling. Motion sickness happens when the brain receives conflicting messages about body movement and the environment you are in. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to avoid the sensory incongruity that leads to nausea and vomiting....

Everyone deals with varying degrees of stress and sometimes trauma, both big and small. Many different events in life can contribute to trauma, including ongoing chronic stress, medical issues, natural disasters, job loss, divorce, and other challenges. Fortunately, there are healthy ways to cope with a crisis and get through to the other side. This article offers some guidelines to keep in mind when coping with a crisis. What Is Trauma?...

At 32 weeks pregnant, it’s highly likely that your baby has already turned head-down in your uterus preparing for birth. Your baby is also getting better at regulating their body temperature—an important development for life outside the womb. Meanwhile, you may notice a change in your baby’s movements as they have less room to move around. Your Baby’s Development at 32 Weeks At 32 weeks, a baby is over 11 1/2 inches (29....

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 86 Mindfulness has become a common “buzzword,” but a lot of people aren’t really sure what it means or how to practice it....

What Does Alexander Mean? If you’re in search of a powerful name for your baby, Alexander is a strong choice to consider. Alexander is the Latin variant of the Greek name Alexandros, meaning “defender of men.” The name is most famously associated with Alexander the Great, 4th-century BCE king of Macedonia in Greece, and one of history’s most powerful military commanders. The name Alexander is also found throughout the New Testament, and there are dozens of Christian saints who bear the name....

Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) is one of those psychiatric terms that can cause more confusion than clarity, especially to the person being diagnosed. Bipolar disorder NOS is usually diagnosed when a patient shows some symptoms of bipolar disorder but doesn’t necessarily meet all the criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The term bipolar disorder NOS was used in the fourth edition of the DSM (DSM-IV); however, the DSM-5 actually uses the terms “unspecified bipolar and related disorder” or “other specified bipolar and related disorder” to diagnose conditions that were previously called bipolar disorder NOS....

When a child is rushed to the emergency room, it can be a frightening experience for both the child and their parent. Depending on the severity of the situation and the child’s reaction, doctors may decide to physically restrain the child. Rules are established to drive that process, but a new study shows that the child’s race also plays a part in whether they are restrained. Key Takeaways A new study notes that Black children are more likely to be restrained than white children in emergency departments....

Distress tolerance skills training is a core feature of dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The distress tolerance skills are meant to reduce impulsive behavior which can often result from an inability to tolerate strong emotions. What Are Distress Tolerance Skills? The distress tolerance skills are a set of tools that will help you manage intense emotional states without doing anything destructive. Be aware that these skills will not necessarily wash away the emotional pain you are feeling or even make you feel less distressed....

When most people think about the stereotypical bully, they often imagine a loner that lashes out because of poor self-esteem. Or maybe they picture a big, mean kid who uses physical force, makes threats or calls people names to get his way. Although these descriptions are accurate, they paint an incomplete picture of the typical middle school bully. In fact, research shows that the most popular and influential kids also bully others....

It is one of those conventions you may have seen in movies: A pregnant woman falls down a flight of stairs and ends up in critical condition. But, are situations like this merely cinematic drama, or can miscarriages really happen after a fall? The simple answer is that, yes, trauma can lead to the unfortunate loss of pregnancy. The actual risk is largely influenced by the stage of pregnancy and the severity of the accident....

Whether you’re listening to your friend tell you about their day, or sharing a story with your mom, it can be hard to hold an entire conversation without getting interrupted by your child. They may feel that waiting for their turn to talk lasts an eternity (even if it’s only three minutes). And their impatience may cause them to insert themself into the conversation. While you can’t expect your preschooler to sit quietly through an hour-long tale, teaching kids not to interrupt is an important social skill....

The timing of when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus affects the chances of whether it can develop successfully. Implanting too early or too late may mean the uterine lining and the body’s hormone levels do not provide optimal support for the embryo. While late implantation can be a factor in miscarriage, it is not something anyone can control or prevent. Timing of Ovulation and Implantation When you ovulate, halfway through your menstrual cycle, an egg is released from your ovary into one of your fallopian tubes....

In 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the antipsychotic drug Geodon (ziprasidone) for the treatment of schizophrenia. The approval was extended in 2004 to include acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder (the more severe form of the disease). In 2009, Geodon received further FDA approval for use as a daily maintenance therapy for bipolar I disorder in combination with other traditional bipolar drugs. Geodon belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics, which work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain....

Exercise contributes to your overall health and well-being. It also is a proven way to reduce the number of headaches you get per month and also the intensity of these migraines. This is welcome news for many migraine sufferers. This article explains what a migraine is, how exercise can alleviate head pain, and how to prevent migraines before and during exercise. It also provides some forms of exercise that you can try....

Going to therapy is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself. Your sessions allow you to explore who you are, better understand your habits and coping techniques, unpack past events and traumas, and create new pathways of behavior. “Attending therapy is a clear sign that you’re committed to leading your life with a healthier and happier mindset,” says Nina Westbrook, LMFT. “The process can bring out so many different emotions and feelings; sometimes you’ll laugh, sometimes you might cry, other times you’ll feel content or even exhausted....

COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the mental health of essential workers. A study published in Nursing Administration Quarterly found that 78.5% of nurses reported stress, while 65.5% indicated burnout. Key Takeaways 74.6% of nurses reported physical health at a five or lower on a 10-point scale, with 53.8% of nurses indicating that the pandemic made their physical health worse.80.7% of nurses reported mental health at a five or lower on a 10-point scale, with 79....

Parroting is a conversational technique that can be quite effective in therapy. The therapist loosely repeats what the client has just said. The twin goals of this technique are ensuring that the therapist heard what was said correctly, and encouraging the client to further clarify his or her thoughts. Effective Use When parroting, it is important not to go too far. It is much better to repeat only the last few words than to attempt to repeat several sentences....

Mother’s Day Out programs can help you add in some “me time” to your busy schedule each week. They also give your children the chance to interact, have fun and even learn. Choose the best Mother’s Day Out program so you can get a break without worrying about your children while they’re away. As a stay-at-home mom, it’s easy to feel guilty about dropping off your child to have someone else take care of her when you could be doing it yourself....