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Playing outside with your children isn’t just about encouraging more physical activity. A 2019 study found that kids who spend less time in green spaces are more likely to develop psychiatric issues, such as anxiety and mood disorders. So, time spent outside may improve your child’s mental health. However, sometimes, it can be hard to think of fun activities to do—and wrangling kids of varying ages to participate in a single activity may seem difficult....

Middle school is the transitional period between elementary school and high school. It’s often a challenging time for preteens, but can also be quite interesting and typically it’s a time of growth and change. Many students wonder how middle school will be different from elementary school, here’s how you can help your tween learn all about middle school. What Is Middle School? In the United States, middle school is the period in a student’s life that takes place after elementary school and before high school....

What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. It also encourages increased commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold your values or goals. ACT therapists operate under a theory that suggests that increasing acceptance can lead to increased psychological flexibility. This approach carries a host of benefits, and it may help people stop habitually avoiding certain thoughts or emotional experiences, which can lead to further problems....

What Is ADHD Inattentive Type? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain’s development and ability to function. An estimated 5% of people around the world live with this condition, which starts in childhood but often persists into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by two types of symptoms: Symptoms of inattention: These symptoms can make it hard for the person to pay attention or stay organized.Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity: These symptoms can make it difficult for the person to sit still, causing them to move around constantly....

Eating after a workout is essential for muscle repair and overall performance. Many foods and supplements claim to enhance muscle growth and aid recovery, but not all the products live up to the hype. “After a competition or workout, focus on getting carbs and protein into your body,” says Kate McGowan, MS, RDN, a sports dietitian and nutrition communications consultant. McGowan explains that the body uses glycogen (a stored form of carbohydrates from the muscles) for energy....

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by swings between depressive and manic behavior. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might wonder how the condition affects your brain. This article discusses whether or not bipolar disorder can cause brain damage and how bipolar disorder impacts the brain. In short, bipolar disorder can affect your brain. For instance, bipolar disorder is linked to lower amounts of grey matter in the brain....

Specialized treatment for eating disorders is expensive and can be hard to find. The good news: if you have bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or subclinical versions of either of these, self-help may bridge the gap. Research shows self-help can be beneficial. Through the use of a manual, workbook, or smartphone or web-based platform, you can work through a series of steps to learn about your problem and develop skills to overcome and manage the disorder....

What Is Chronic Depression? Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause you to feel sad and low, to the extent that it can affect your ability to eat, sleep, work, think, and function. Chronic Depression Chronic depression is when you experience the symptoms of depression frequently or continuously over a long time, often for years, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder....

If you’re a new parent, the question of when to start your baby on solid food can feel daunting. Well-meaning family members and friends have their own beliefs about introducing solids and may expect you to agree with their opinions. But starting solid foods too early can have health consequences. If your baby seems to want solids, or you’re hoping solid food will calm fussiness, you might be eager to get started....

What Is a Dual Diagnosis? An example of a dual diagnosis is having an alcohol or drug use disorder along with a mental health condition such as a mood or anxiety disorder, Dr. Cavallo explains. Dual Diagnosis A dual diagnosis, also referred to as a co-occurring disorder, is when a person is diagnosed with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, says Dana Cavallo, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine....

Ectopic pregnancy surgery involves removing a pregnancy that has begun developing outside of the uterus. In the vast majority of cases, ectopic pregnancies occur within one of the fallopian tubes. These narrow tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Less commonly, a fertilized egg may begin developing within the cervix, ovary, abdomen, or a prior cesarean scar. Pregnancies that grow outside of the uterus cannot develop normally or survive to viability....

What Is Female Sexual Arousal Disorder? While many women may often find that they are not aroused by sexual activity 100% of the time, sexual arousal disorder points to a more severe lack of arousal. Female sexual arousal disorder affects different people to varying degrees, and it can also happen due to a variety of factors. These factors include medications, age, negative experiences, chronic illness, and even natural hormone fluctuations....

If you’ve recently discontinued an antidepressant, you might experience flu-like symptoms as part of withdrawal (known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, or ADS). You may have symptoms after missing only a single dose or taking it late. Or, symptoms may come on several days after you stopped your medication, making it harder to connect the dots. Causes of Flu-Like Symptoms Symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, chills, and muscle aches can indicate the flu....

To this day, I can’t look at a banana without getting nauseous. In the early weeks of my second pregnancy, I would pass by stacks of the ripe yellow fruit, prominently displayed in the communal kitchen of my New York City office, as I walked to my desk every morning. I’d often grab one, thinking it was a quick, easy way to get food in my belly and appease my queasy stomach....

Methamphetamine (meth) can be produced in several different forms. If you’re unfamiliar with this drug, you might be wondering how meth is used. Depending on the form, people might use meth by smoking it, snorting it, injecting it, or swallowing it in pill form. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the preferred method of using meth can vary by geographic region. Each method of use has different effects, both short and long-term, although all are dangerous....

Although it’s estimated that 3%-6% of the population struggles with an addiction to pornography, pornography addiction is not currently listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a mental health disorder. As such, there are no regulated or verified treatments for pornography addiction. Still, research has found that pornography addiction shares similar traits with substance abuse addiction. As such, many of the methods proposed for the treatment of pornography addiction lean on what we know about treating addiction in general, including psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle modification, and the use of addiction support groups....

When faced with uncertainty while trying to make a decision, people often rely on a mental shortcut known as the representativeness heuristic. It involves making judgments by comparing things to concepts we already have in mind. While this shortcut can speed up the decision-making process, it can also lead to poor choices and stereotypes. Take a closer look at what the representativeness heuristic is and how it works. Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

Perhaps you’ve had your suspicions. You’re in a heterosexual relationship but maybe you’ve noticed your partner looking at people of the same gender in a different way or something feels “off” in your relationship. Then you discover that your spouse or partner is, in fact, gay. You might be left feeling like your relationship has been turned upside down, and as your partner comes out, you find yourself reeling. You may be left feeling alone, isolated, and unsure of what it means for your future....

When people who drink alcohol heavily stop drinking, some of the brain damage that long-time alcohol use can cause may reverse and some memory loss they may experience may stop. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database....

In this day and age, finding a person you love and are attracted to can feel amazing. This is especially so when they feel the same way about you, and are all too pleased to show the world just that. But while the beginnings of such romantic stories can often leave your heads in the clouds, there are times where it becomes necessary to return to solid ground to plan for long-term goals in your relationship....