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Emotions exert an incredibly powerful force on human behavior. Strong emotions can cause you to take actions you might not normally perform or to avoid situations you enjoy. Why exactly do we have emotions? What causes them? Researchers, philosophers, and psychologists have proposed various theories of emotion to explain the how and why behind our feelings. Types of Theories of Emotion The major theories of emotion can be grouped into three main categories:...

What Is Post-Adoption Depression? Adoptive parents go through a lot to be able to adopt a child and when they finally have a child, they sometimes think the difficult parts are over; however, they can become depressed when the reality of meeting the child’s needs hits them, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder.” Adoptive parents sometimes develop depression after bringing their child home, particularly if the reality of raising the child is different from what they had expected or imagined....

What Does the Name Rose Mean? The name Rose means rose, as in the flower. This lovely name is derived from the Latin rosa, which refers to the woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa. There is also evidence to suggest that Rose was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, which is composed of the word hrod meaning “fame” and heid meaning “type.” Put together that makes famous type....

What Does Samuel Mean? If you’re looking for a name that is familiar, traditional, and also rising in popularity, you might consider the name Samuel. The name Samuel is from the Old Testament of the Bible, and derives from a Hebrew phrase meaning either “God has heard” or “name of God.” Samuel from the Bible is respected by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as a wise prophet, judge, and leader of ancient Israel....

A teen who makes the decision to run away from home needs a safe place to stay. They also benefit from addressing the issues that led to their decision. A runaway shelter for youth is designed to help these teens, also providing help for parents and guardians so the teen can transition back home. Every year, between 1.6 million and 2.8 million youth run away. Understanding what a shelter for youth does, the services it provides, and how it can help is beneficial if you are a youth who is thinking about how to run away....

At-home fitness routines have long offered challenge and convenience in equal measure. Few of us can recreate all the benefits of our monthly gym memberships in our own homes, but workout DVDs offer a way for us to capture some of the magic. There are workout DVDs for all fitness levels and all different styles from strength training to yoga to cardio so you can find exactly what you need....

While much has been written about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general public, little has focused on the disruption to the lives of children with disabilities. Articles published in the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine address this often-overlooked topic. Key Takeaways Children with disabilities suffered physically and mentally when rehabilitation facilities closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Caregivers struggled to run households and help children with disabilities adapt to new routines....

Just when you get used to the routine at your daycare center’s baby room, your child gets promoted to the toddler room. This change comes with a new list of things your child needs each day, and your care provider will likely inform you of the items you need to send (and those you can retire). Recommended Items for a Toddler to Bring to Daycare The list of recommended items is very likely to include the following....

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging living spaces. Its goal is to maximize the flow of “qi” or “chi”—also known as energy or life force—in one’s environment to create balance, peace, and harmony. Some believe that feng shui may also improve mental health, and there is some scientific evidence to support this. Others say that while this practice does appear to offer these benefits, they aren’t necessarily rooted in science but may be more of a placebo effect or a positive result that has been influenced by the mind....

What Is Postpartum Anxiety? Many changes accompany the postpartum era. Suddenly, your body changes, your relationships become different, and hormonal fluctuations change how you feel. In addition to these changes, mental health challenges can arise. Postpartum anxiety is a form of anxiety experienced in the months following giving birth. While it may not be commonly discussed in casual conversation, many birthing people still experience this type of anxiety. A recent study estimates that 8-12% of people experience at least one anxiety disorder in the postpartum period....

Miscarriages—which are defined as a loss within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy—are common. About 10% to 20% of pregnancies result in a miscarriage. Still, as common as miscarriages are, many of us don’t fully comprehend how devastating they can be to the person who experiences one. Thankfully, times are changing, and many of us are becoming more aware that experiencing intense grief after a miscarriage is normal, and that people who experience miscarriage need care and support....

Subscribe 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 146 Depression is complicated. There’s more than one type. Some people only have one depressive episode while others have frequent bouts of depression that come and go....

The elementary school years are packed with learning, as kids explore the fundamentals like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. In grade school, children also develop important social and emotional skills that will carry them into adulthood, primarily how to make friends and cooperate with others. Parents who know what to expect in each grade are better equipped to support their child’s academic, social, and emotional needs as they navigate each level in school....

What Is Wilderness Therapy? Wilderness therapy is an experiential form of therapy that combines outdoor experiences and therapy sessions. “Wilderness therapy is most often used for at-risk adolescents that are placed in environments that are supposed to mimic the challenges within their natural social structures,” says Romanoff. “Wilderness therapy can provide an encouraging and understanding milieu for self-discovery. The idea is to learn how to live within a group, develop relationships, and recognize your own capacity for strength,” says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a licensed psychologist with a private practice....

What Does Zion Mean? The name Zion is of Hebrew origin meaning “highest point.” Zion has made a steady rise in popularity since 1998 which coincides with Lauryn Hill naming her son Zion in 1997.In the Old Testament, the name Zion is used to refer to the city of Jerusalem and is the source of the term Zionism. But you don’t have to have Hebrew or Jewish roots to choose the name Zion, it’s a versatile and popular (though not over-used) name that your baby can make all their own....

Subscribe 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 130 When you struggle to reach your goals, you might be tempted to blame it on a lack of self-discipline or too many obstacles that stood in your way....

As a mental health site, Verywell Mind’s focus is on just that—mental health. When we think and talk about disparities in care, we are also thinking about communities who have less access to treatment and face greater stigma around seeking treatment for a mental health issue. We are thinking about those who may seek treatment, but receive therapy that isn’t culturally sensitive. And as a therapist, I’m personally acutely aware of these issues....

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that is extremely complex in nature. The scientific community still doesn’t fully understand what causes it and it can be definitively diagnosed only after death. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition either; researchers are still working on treatments that can help prevent and cure Alzheimer’s. In the meantime, medication can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and help patients cope with the symptoms....

What Is Clinical Depression? Depression exists on a continuum of severity, ranging from relatively mild, transient states of low mood to severe, long-term symptoms that have a major impact on a person’s quality of life. Depression is often described as being mild, moderate, or severe. When a person’s symptoms have reached the chronic end of the spectrum and require professional treatment, it’s typically referred to as clinical depression. Although depression can take on many forms and may be categorized in several different ways, there are two primary types of clinical depression as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5): major depressive disorder (unipolar depression) and the depressive phase of bipolar disorder....

Teenage puberty is a necessary stage in a teen’s development. This is the time that your teen’s body gets ready for reproduction. But it can be confusing and even frustrating. So many things are changing for your teen right now. So how do you know what is okay and what isn’t? Everyone goes through some of the physical changes of puberty. These changes usually occur in predictable stages. Stages of Puberty in Girls People with a vulva and ovaries go through five stages of breast development, usually from ages 8 to 15....