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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 of 44 people are autistic. This estimate has gone up in recent years due to increased understanding of autism and improved detection and diagnosing. Because neurodevelopmental diagnoses are lifelong, autistic people are born this way and do not develop autism later in life. As such, a high number of parents are raising autistic children. Language note: Although individual preferences exist, surveys of the autistic community consistently show that autistic people prefer identity-first language rather than person-first language (i....

Sneaking out of your parent’s house as a teen is the stuff of legends. Think about it. Just about every teen movie, book, and TV show has an epic scene where the kids sneak out of the house. Many parents even have their own (often fond) teenage memories of tiptoeing out the door or shimmying down the trellis well past curfew. But while sneaking out may be a particularly powerful American meme, that doesn’t mean you want your kid to do it....

Stress management techniques can fall into two categories: problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Basically speaking, problem-focused (or solution-focused) coping strategies aim to eliminate sources of stress or work with the stressors themselves. Meanwhile, emotion-focused coping techniques aid you in becoming less emotionally reactive to the stressors you face. They alter the way you experience these situations so they impact you differently. Many people think mainly of solution-focused coping strategies as the best way to manage stress....

Anencephaly is a type of birth defect in which crucial parts of the baby’s brain and skull fail to form. Unfortunately, babies affected by anencephaly frequently are stillborn or die at birth. Even if born alive, babies with anencephaly always die within a few days of birth. There is no treatment that can change the prognosis. Understanding Neural Tube Defects Anencephaly is a type of neural tube defect (NTD), which are birth defects involving the brain, spine or spinal cord....

B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) was an American psychologist known for his impact on behaviorism. In a 2002 survey of psychologists, he was identified as the most influential psychologist of the 20th century. B. F. Skinner himself referred to his philosophy as “radical behaviorism.” He suggested that the concept of free will was simply an illusion and, instead, believed that all human action was the direct result of conditioning. Learn about Skinner’s many contributions to psychology—one of the most well-known being operant conditioning, his theory of learning—his numerous inventions and publications, along with his biography to better understand who B....

Delusions are persistent, unshakable beliefs that are not based on reality. For instance, a person may believe that their thoughts are being controlled by aliens, or that black and red cars on the street are sending them coded messages only they can decipher. Hallucinations, on the other hand, involve imaginary sensations that no one else can experience. For instance, a person may hear sounds or voices when no one else is in the room, or see spiders crawling across the wall....

It is possible to detect a miscarriage (other related terminology includes “blighted ovum,” “spontaneous abortion,” and “missed miscarriage”) with no bleeding or cramping—though these symptoms generally follow eventually. Diagnosing a miscarriage before symptoms occur is becoming more common with the use of quantifiable pregnancy hormone (hCG) blood tests and early ultrasound exams. Common Symptoms of Miscarriage The most common sign associated with miscarriage is bleeding (though it’s important to note that not all spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy is indicative of miscarriage)....

If someone has accused you of being immature, or told you to “grow up,” you may find yourself wondering how you can be more mature. This article explores some of the characteristics of mature people, the benefits of this trait, and some steps you can take to be more mature. Maturity The American Psychological Association (APA) defines maturity as having both wisdom and good judgment. People who are mature are able to control their emotions, respond appropriately to situations, and behave like an adult while dealing with others....

We often develop sleeping habits and patterns as children, and carry them forward with us over the years. If your sleeping habits are not serving you well, it can be helpful to work on developing healthier sleep patterns, also known as good sleep hygiene, for better sleep. This article discusses the importance of sleep, how much sleep you need, and some healthy sleep hygiene habits that may help you sleep better....

Breakups can be hard, some more so than others. A bad breakup can be very painful and elicit an intense emotional response, which can include feelings of rejection, betrayal, uncertainty about the future, and loss of control, says David Klemanski, PsyD, MPH, a psychologist at Yale Medicine. The emotions you experience and the intensity of your response can depend on several factors, such as how long you were with your partner, how serious the relationship was, and the circumstances of the breakup, among others....

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting an estimated 5 million people. But you can get pregnant with PCOS. There are a number of effective fertility treatments available, from Clomid to gonadotropins to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Most people with PCOS will be able to conceive with a combination of lifestyle changes and fertility drugs. While some will need IVF, the great majority will get pregnant using lower-tech fertility treatments....

From a peer with dyslexia to a cousin who uses a wheelchair, your child may be curious about people with disabilities. Talking to your child about disabilities can help them gain a better understanding of why some people look, talk, act, or move a little bit differently. Use Matter-of-Fact Language Don’t try to convince your child that someone with a disability is just like they are. Instead, acknowledge that they are a little different, but make it clear that just because someone is different, that doesn’t make that person bad....

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. Although legalization activists and many marijuana users believe smoking pot has no negative effects, scientific research indicates that marijuana use can cause many different health problems. Brain Health Marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), attaches to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. These receptors connect to nerves in the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement....

If you weren’t paying attention, JoJo’s story might strike you as a cautionary tale of childhood stardom. A preternatural young talent. A sudden rise to early fame on the back of an iconic pop hit at age 13. Record label clashes. Substance use. Depression. But to speak to Joanna Levesque—better known to us for the last 17 years as JoJo—is to understand that this is a story of growth, of mental strength, and an openness that feels almost radical in a world where mental health issues are so often stigmatized or kept hidden....

What Is Logotherapy? Logotherapy is a therapeutic approach that helps people find personal meaning in life. It’s a form of psychotherapy that is focused on the future and on our ability to endure hardship and suffering through a search for purpose. Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Viktor Frankl developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps in the 1940s. His experience and theories are detailed in his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl believed that humans are motivated by something called a “will to meaning,” which is the desire to find meaning in life....

Losing your vision doesn’t just affect your ability to see. As one of the five major senses, problems with your eyesight have ripple effects on other areas of your life and can pose new challenges. Loss of eyesight can be especially difficult for your mental well-being. This article will explore the physical and mental health effects of vision loss, how to cope with the loss as well as how to avoid vision loss....

Phobias are extreme fears that make it impossible to function normally. Phobias may grow out of really negative experiences, but because they are overwhelming and often irrational, they become disabling. There are many different types of phobias; some of the most common include: Fear of specific animals (dogs, spiders, etc.)Fear of open spaces, enclosed space, or high placesFear of natural events, such as thunderstorms While fears are an unavoidable part of being human, most fears can be controlled and managed....

Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug that produces effects similar to psilocybin and LSD. The drug is found in certain cacti plants that are native to the southwest United States, Mexico, and South America and include the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), the San Pedro cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi), and the Peruvian Torch cactus (Trichocereus peruvianus). Native Americans have used mescaline for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and the treatment of various physical ailments....

What Is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life. OCD was formerly classified as an anxiety disorder because people affected by this mental illness often experience severe anxiety as a result of obsessive thoughts. They may also engage in extensive rituals in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. In the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), OCD was moved to its own disorder class of “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders....

Passion flower (passiflora incarnata) is an herbal supplement used historically in treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. A perennial climbing vine native to southeastern North America, passion flower is now grown throughout Europe. The herbal supplement is composed of the flowers, leaves, and stems of the plant. When used in complementary medicine, passion flower is available as infusions, teas, liquid extracts, and tinctures. Passion Flower Health Benefits The safety and effectiveness of passion flower have not been adequately studied....