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Researchers found that behavioral activation can be useful in reducing avoidance among people with PTSD, reducing symptoms, decreasing depression, and improving quality of life. Behavioral Activation As the name implies, behavioral activation is behavioral treatment. It focuses on changing behaviors to address problems people might be experiencing. For example, a person with depression might feel so bad that they decide not to get out of bed one day. However, by staying in bed, the depressed person does not have potentially rewarding contact with friends and family, making the depression linger or worsen....

Meditation, in its simplest terms, refers to learning how to pay attention. When used properly, meditation allows you to slow down and observe the world without judgment. If you live with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), meditation can also help to reduce worrying thoughts and bring about a feeling of balance, calm, and focus. For the 6.8 million Americans who live with chronic daily anxiety, meditation can offer a way to finally relax....

What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? Where someone with distorted body image would tend to focus on overall physical shape or size, a person with body dysmorphic disorder will place extreme focus on a particular body part or feature of their body. Thoughts of their specific flaw surface frequently and can become overwhelming, often consuming their thoughts and presenting an obstacle to their general well-being and daily functioning. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by an unhealthy and excessive preoccupation with one’s physical appearance....

What Is a Correlation Coefficient? A correlation coefficient, often expressed as r, indicates a measure of the direction and strength of a relationship between two variables. When the r value is closer to +1 or -1, it indicates that there is a stronger linear relationship between the two variables. Correlational studies are quite common in psychology, particularly because some things are impossible to recreate or research in a lab setting. Instead of performing an experiment, researchers may collect data to look at possible relationships between variables....

While technically not a separate diagnosis from clinical depression, diurnal mood variation is sometimes referred to as “morning depression.” Diurnal mood variation doesn’t appear as a unique entry in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), though it’s considered a hallmark symptom of severe clinical depression (specifically the melancholic subtype). Definition For those who have mild depression and other mood disorders, it’s not uncommon to experience symptoms at night. A person may have more energy and a better mood earlier in the day, with symptoms of depression becoming worse at night....

Do you keep dreaming about your ex? Do you wonder why you’re having these dreams and what they mean? Do the dreams upset you or confuse you, as you try to figure out what they’re trying to tell you? This article explores some reasons why you may keep dreaming about your ex and some steps that can help you explore the meanings of these dreams. It’s Not Uncommon to Dream About an Ex It’s not uncommon to dream about people in your life, including ex partners, says Vijayeta Sinh, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in relationships....

Have you ever yelled at your spouse during a heated argument or touched your partner’s arm to emphasize a point when you’re angry? If you’re like millions of couples, you probably have—and you probably thought it was no big deal. As long as your relationship remains strong, you’re right. But if that relationship is strained and/or you’re heading for divorce or separation, those simple actions could be deliberately misrepresented in court in a way that could result in your being removed from your home....

The COVID-19 pandemic has divided people into two groups: those who strive to follow health and safety guidelines and those who aren’t taking the necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of the virus. In the wake of his own diagnosis with COVID-19, President Trump has demonstrated behavior that seems to place him in the latter group. Key Takeaways Disregard for health and safety measures in the White House led to an outbreak among government officials, including the President....

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 212 Sometimes, we inadvertently increase the chances that our biggest fears might come true. That’s not to say it’s your fault if something bad happens to you....

The Theory of Positive Disintegration is a theory of moral development devised by Polish psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski. It consists of five levels which go from total self-interest to almost the complete opposite which is primary concern for others. Level I: Primary Integration Egocentrism is the ruling force in this level. Those who are at this level of moral development have little concern for others. They may be highly competitive and often win because they have no guilt or shame to stop them from doing what might hurt others....

If you or your children have ever played team sports, you know how beneficial they are to learning and development. Being part of a team teaches you responsibility, good sportsmanship, and to work together for a common goal. However, being a good teammate doesn’t always come naturally. It’s important to foster good teammate behavior when your kids begin youth sports, as these qualities will transcend beyond just the game and apply to many aspects of their lives....

When families get together, we hope for fun times characterized by love and bonding, but we often find that family conflicts occur during these times as well. In fact, in most families, there are longstanding patterns of interaction and roles that people traditionally play within these interactions. When adult children get together with family, they often find themselves slipping back into these patterns, something laughingly referred to as “revertigo.” These interactions can be positive, but when they’re negative, they can bring high amounts of stress to a family gathering....

Topamax (topiramate) is an anti-seizure medication usually prescribed for people with epilepsy, but it can also be prescribed to help people who are alcohol-dependent to stop drinking. Research involving Topamax and alcohol reveals some evidence that it may decrease alcohol intake. Topiramate is used off-label for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, meaning that it is not FDA approved for this purpose. However, it is recommended in the 2015 United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders for people who have moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder....

Markers, glue, spray paint, and even helium balloons—these normal household items look harmless enough, especially when they are used as intended. But sometimes kids inhale them to get high. This practice, often called huffing, can be lethal. “Sudden sniffing death” occurs when the heart stops pumping after someone has used an inhalant. Huffing can also cause other severe health consequences like permanent brain damage and destruction of the heart, kidneys, and liver....

Invega (paliperidone) is a second generation antipsychotic that may be used to reduce the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It can help you think more clearly, feel less agitated, and behave more productively. For many people, Invega may have fewer side effects than other antipsychotic drugs. It may be taken via a long-acting injection which can help with adherence and may allow you to not have to take a daily pill....

Different sources cite a different level of risk for miscarriage after an amniocentesis. Which one is correct? What Is Amniocentesis? Amniocentesis is a prenatal test usually done between 15 and 20 weeks gestation. It is most often used to test for two primary conditions: chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, and neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. During this test, the doctor will insert a needle into your uterus through your abdomen to draw out a sample of amniotic fluid....

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can occur after a person has experienced a traumatic event. It leads to symptoms that include intrusive memories, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety, and nightmares. The condition is typically treated with certain PTSD medications and therapy. Two medications are currently FDA-approved to treat PTSD: Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine). However, other medications are also prescribed off-label to help relieve mood and anxiety symptoms....

APA format establishes a number of clear rules for how to list reference works using author information. How you reference different sources varies depending on the number of authors to whom the source is attributed. For example, the way that you reference a single author will differ somewhat from how you reference a source with multiple authors. Before you create a reference section for a psychology paper, it is important to know how to properly list books, articles, and other sources as well as in-text citations in APA format....

Talk therapy is one of the most common treatment options for phobias, although the specifics will vary according to the client’s needs and the therapist’s school of thought. What Is Talk Therapy? Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is based on the core idea that talking about the things that are bothering you can help with emotional distress. Some talk therapists follow a specific school of thought, such as cognitive theory or behaviorism....

If you’re experiencing loneliness, depression, or symptoms of a mental health condition, you don’t have to feel alone. There are dozens of free and valuable resources available to you. Many organizations can connect you to mental health professionals, support groups, and other free and easy-to-access information. With more than 19.4 million Americans experiencing depression each year, it’s important to end the stigma around mental health, instill early screenings, and make interventions and treatments available to all....