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What does SpongeBob SquarePants have in common with Breaking Bad? It may surprise parents to know that research has shown that many kids’ TV shows contain levels of violence that are comparable to those shows that are intended for a mature audience. Many parents rely on parental guidelines to help them decide which TV shows and movies and video games are appropriate for their children. What Research Says About TV Parental Guidelines High levels of TV violence and inappropriate content were plentiful in shows labeled TV-Y7 (appropriate for kids aged 7 and up), according to the study, which was led by Joy Gabrielli, Ph....

“Will I ever get married?” is a question that people often ponder. Asking this question might be a sign that you are interested in making a long-term commitment to another person. Marriage is a big step in anyone’s life, and it can be scary to think about making that commitment. However, marriage can also be a very rewarding experience. There is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not you will get married because it is entirely up to you....

Most young people, especially girls, have bought into the idea of a BFF, or best friend forever. But this idea of finding a best friend and keeping her forever may be more of a myth than a reality for most girls. What’s more, the idea of a BFF has morphed into a fantasy—one where they never fight, they are super close, and they are always happy. And, the more BFFs they have, the cooler they are....

If you’re lacking in the motivation department (as many of us are!) and need a serious boost of inspiration, why not try listening to a podcast? These podcasts cover a range of topics from health and happiness, to productivity, forming new habits, and financial success. To get a better idea of why these are considered the best motivational podcasts out there, grab a set of headphones or turn up the volume in your car, and get ready to conquer the day....

Most of us associate certain discomforts with breastfeeding, such as nipple pain or soreness from a clogged duct. But there’s an often overlooked source of pain that many of us experience while nursing—back pain. Think about it: breastfeeding requires you to spend a lot of time holding and positioning your baby at your breast. If you do so in a way that puts strain on your muscles, you are apt to experience some muscle tensions and pain—sometimes quite a lot!...

As our lifestyles become increasingly dependent on technology—with the growing popularity of online banking, telecommuting, and personal websites, and everyone from the very young to the very old using social media—it’s inevitable that things will go wrong. This fact is confirmed by research: according to one study with a representative sample of over 1000 Americans, 65% of consumers are spending more time with their personal computer than with their spouse, and the typical user has computer problems, on average, once every four months, and wastes around 12 hours each month trying to fix cyber mishaps....

It is not uncommon for children with ADHD to react in anger. It can be very difficult for these kids to manage and regulate their emotions. They may also be hypersensitive. Stressful or frustrating situations can quickly boil over into intense anger. Children with ADHD also have a tough time being able to stop and think through problems before reacting. As a parent, it can be hard to see your child losing control....

Catatonia is a psychomotor disturbance since it involves psychiatric and physical or motor manifestations. It may be characterized by a marked decrease in, increase in, or peculiar motor activity. Mentally, its expression can range from unresponsiveness to agitation. Catatonic behavior can be scary for people with bipolar disorder to experience. For those witnessing an episode, it’s important to understand what catatonia is, and how to respond to catatonic symptoms. Diagnosis and Prevalence Catatonic features occur most often in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and similar conditions, but can occur with bipolar spectrum disorders and major depressive disorder....

There are a variety of effective treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD). What treatments seem to work best, and what should I know about the options available? Overview Usually, BPD is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, although during times of crisis, individuals with BPD may require brief periods of hospitalization to remain safe. More recently, self-help tools have been developed to supplement traditional treatments for BPD. Psychotherapy Long-term outpatient psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is an important part of any treatment for BPD....

Scroll through many beauty influencers’ feeds or stroll down the skincare aisle of your local drugstore, and you’re bound to be inundated with a ton of hype about a trendy ingredient called hyaluronic acid—and it’s earned its lauded reputation for good reason. Yet, if you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, the rules suddenly change on what you can and can’t use. The list of pregnancy no-nos stretches far and wide, and touches on a whole slew of things from foods and activities to skincare ingredients and more....

Cognitive-behavioral treatments are the cornerstone of therapy for people with borderline personality disorder. Different types of cognitive-behavioral therapy, including two unique types that are used to help those specifically with BPD, can help people adopt healthy coping skills and achieve a good quality of life. What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets the “cognitive” (thinking-related) and “behavioral” (action-related) aspects of a mental health condition....

What Is Dementia? Dementia is a broad term that refers to the deterioration of cognitive functioning. This includes problems with thinking, remembering, learning, judgment, reasoning, and language. Although a decline in many of these areas is part of the aging process, a person with dementia will have deterioration beyond what is normal at their age. That said, the longer you live, the more likely it will be that you have some form of dementia....

African Americans have a higher risk of hypertension compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and a new study published in the journal Hypertension suggests one possible explanation for the disparity is discrimination in multiple forms. Key Takeaways A recent study suggests that one explanation for a higher risk of hypertension for African Americans may be discrimination.Researchers found that those who faced more discrimination tended to be more likely to develop hypertension....

Much of the nation is focused on the adverse effects of COVID-19. The number of deaths, the percentage of negative or positive tests, the economy, unemployment, and when we can go back to work and living life are all on our minds. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stress for essential workers. Signs of stress can include depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, irritability, and social withdrawal. Regular exercise, sleep, self-care, and social support are all strategies that can help combat stress and burnout....

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 231 Many people on social media this year discouraged others from setting a New Year resolution. Opting out of a resolution isn’t necessarily a bad idea. By mid-January, most people consider their resolutions failed....

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience a number of psychological difficulties such as depression, other anxiety disorders, and substance use-related problems. In addition to these psychological issues, individuals with PTSD may also be more likely to experience physical health problems. Studies have found that compared to those without PTSD, people with PTSD are more likely to experience health problems including: ArthritisHeart-related problems and diseaseRespiratory system-related problems and diseaseDigestive problems and diseaseReproductive system-related problemsDiabetesPain Given the number of physical health problems found to be associated with PTSD, it is not surprising that people with PTSD have been found to use and seek health care more than people without PTSD....

By the sixth month of my pregnancy, it felt like I couldn’t go anywhere without my belly being the topic of conversation. There was no longer a question of whether it was a real baby or a “food” baby—I was very clearly growing a human inside of me, and that’s all everyone wanted to talk about. Strangers would strike up conversations on the train, on the street, and in the grocery store....

Participating in a support group, along with other medical and professional alcohol and drug treatment programs, can offer many benefits. A support group may help you recover by offering social support, helping you develop recovery coping skills, enhancing your motivation, reducing depressive symptoms, and increasing your psychological well-being. This article discusses the purpose and benefits of a support group and what you can expect. It also covers where to look for different support groups based on your needs....

Psychologists have long been interested in exactly why and when we help other people. There has also been a tremendous amount of interest in the reasons why we sometimes don’t help others. The bystander effect is a social phenomenon that occurs when people fail to help those in need due to the presence of other people. In many cases, people feel that since there are other people around, surely someone else will leap into action....

Gun violence. School shootings. Active shooters. These phrases spark fear and anxiety in the hearts of parents nationwide. In fact, most parents would prefer to just not think about them. But unfortunately, topics like gun violence and school shootings are unavoidable. Many of today’s young people have grown up in a country where mass shootings—like those that happened at Columbine High School, Sandy Hook Elementary, and Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School—are no longer unheard of....