Adolescence is a time for growth spurts and other changes spurred by the onset of puberty. It can be a time of great uncertainty, as some teens will inevitably fall behind others in their development. Among the key sexual maturation changes, the testicles get larger and the scrotum begins to thin and redden. In tandem with these changes is the growth of the penis which can develop at different rates for different people....
Bleeding during pregnancy can cause anxiety. You may worry that something could be wrong, or that you could be having a miscarriage. It’s a good idea to let your healthcare provider know if you are bleeding or spotting while pregnant, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Some bleeding can be completely normal. Can I Get My Period While Pregnant? You cannot get your period while you are pregnant, but you might see some bleeding that looks like your period....
If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, you might be wondering what to do next. The great news is that there are a variety of treatment options available. An important part of this journey is to explore your options and begin treatment quickly after diagnosis. This can help get your healing and recovery process going sooner than later, bringing you a sense of direction and relief. Schizophrenia Medications Antipsychotic medications reduce the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, usually allowing a person to function more effectively and appropriately....
Almost every parent has experienced a few cringe-worthy moments where a child’s ungrateful attitude becomes evident. Whether your child says, “Is that all I’m getting for my birthday?” after opening a pile of presents, or you hear, “I never get to do anything fun” as you’re driving home from a fun-filled day at the park, the lack of gratitude can be frustrating. While it’s normal for all kids to have moments where their sense of entitlement becomes evident if you are like most parents you don’t want your child’s ungrateful attitude to become permanent....
Barbell pads come in handy for several reasons. “They’re intended to provide a ‘protective’ barrier between the barbell and an individual’s body by acting as a cushion where the load of the barbell is resting,” says Francine Delgado-Lugo, NCSF-CPT, certified weightlifting and CrossFit coach, and co-founder of Form Fitness in Brooklyn, NY. While Delgado-Lugo doesn’t recommend using a barbell pad during squats (it’s better to go for a lighter weight on the bar, she says), she does recommend them for hip thrusts....
There’s a common trend on social media in which people share advice courtesy of their therapist. It may supposedly be a direct quote or paraphrased statement and often comes off as incredibly relatable to anyone on the internet. Maybe the reader doesn’t have access to a therapist or simply needed a mental health pick-me-up. In any case, these posts can give them the little boost and understanding they need. This trend is just one of many within the increasingly mental health-filled social media world....
According to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality, the superego is the component of personality composed of the internalized ideals that we have acquired from our parents and society. The superego works to suppress the urges of the id and tries to make the ego behave morally, rather than realistically. In Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, the superego is the last component of personality to develop. The id is the basic, primal part of personality; it is present from birth....
Validity is the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure. It is vital for a test to be valid in order for the results to be accurately applied and interpreted. Psychological assessment is an important part of both experimental research and clinical treatment. One of the greatest concerns when creating a psychological test is whether or not it actually measures what we think it is measuring....
Many professionals describe developmental disabilities as physical, emotional, or intellectual disorders that start before birth or in early childhood. However, it’s a tricky definition because the terms developmental disability, neurodevelopmental disability, developmental delay, and learning disability are very close in meaning and often overlap. Children with developmental delays are often born with them. “Issues may emerge later in life with similar outcomes, but they are called acquired disabilities,” explains Rebecca Mannis, PhD, a learning specialist and consultant at Ivy Prep Learning Center....
It could also be that the person takes on personality traits of people around them, as they struggle to have and maintain their own identity. Identity disturbance is a term used to describe incoherence, or inconsistency in a person’s sense of identity. This could mean that a person’s goals, beliefs, and actions are constantly changing. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes identity disturbance as a “markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self” and notes it is one of the key symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD)....
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the field of psychosurgery as “the selective surgical removal or destruction of nerve pathways for the purposes of influencing behavior.” Simply put, psychosurgery is brain surgery performed to treat psychiatric disorders. The core concept behind this type of surgery is that if certain parts of the brain are responsible for symptoms, destroying the brain tissue connecting those parts of the brain will help eliminate those symptoms....
If someone in your life has attempted suicide, you may find yourself feeling shocked, hurt, and upset. You may desperately want to reach out to them, but may not know exactly what to say or do to help them. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911....
COVID-19 may not have made a huge impact on children’s physical health, but its ripple effects have wreaked havoc on their emotional wellbeing. That’s why leading medical groups recently declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Key Takeaways Leading medical groups have declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.More than 140,000 children across the U.S. have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19, which can be devastating to their mental health....
As a parent, you want to provide for your children. You likely have a budget for how you’ll pay for their clothes, food, school, and other day-to-day needs. In addition, it’s also important to have a plan should something happen to you unexpectedly, causing the family to lose your income. A recent survey found that 42% of households would find it difficult to pay their living expenses (such as rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, schooling) within six months of the death of their family’s primary earner....
In Chinese culture, parents have a great responsibility when they choose a name for their baby. The name must be harmonious and the characters must combine in such a way as to bring good luck and prosperity to their child. The characters that make up a person’s name have to be chosen carefully so that they complement each other and follow certain astrological rules. Chinese names are usually made up of three characters....
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that is characterized by changes in the brain. These changes include brain atrophy, or shrinkage, and a build-up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. The accumulated amyloid protein can form abnormal clumps in the brain, known as amyloid plaques. In contrast, excess tau protein forms tangled fibers in your brain cells, known as neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles and plaques can damage brain cells, known as neurons, particularly in the part of the brain that controls memory....
In the “Ask a Therapist” series, I’ll be answering your questions about all things mental health and psychology. Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, coping with anxiety about a life situation, or simply looking for a therapist’s insight, submit a question. Look out for my answers to your questions every Friday in the Healthy Mind newsletter. Signs of a Problem Although you’ve noticed your friends aren’t drinking as much, you aren’t the only one to increase your alcohol intake during the pandemic....
By now, most parents are well acquainted with the many extensive benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has positive effects from benefits to the mother as well as to the infant, such as helping with temperature regulation and bonding to reducing allergies and improving digestion. A 2017 study has linked breastfeeding to yet another benefit that may be of interest to a lot of parents and caregivers. The study was an extensive one, looking at a total of 2267 SIDS cases and 6837 control infants, so the results of the study are significant....
Is your cervical mucus watery or dry? Clear and stretchy? Believe it or not, paying attention to your normal vaginal discharge can help you get pregnant. You may have heard of the Billings Ovulation Method. It is a natural family planning method that relies heavily on understanding cervical mucus changes. Women use it both to conceive and to avoid conception. However, you don’t need to be using this method to gain benefits from tracking cervical mucus changes....
The death of a child’s parent is a tragic time all around, made all the more stressful by the financial uncertainty that may come with it. Specifically, how does the death of either parent impact child support payments going forward? This is a complicated issue that will vary state by state and with individual circumstances, and it warrants legal council on behalf of the surviving parent and children. Because state laws govern child support issues and enforcement, it is vital to research the rules in your state....
