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Convulsions are not part of bipolar disorder—so why would anticonvulsants be prescribed to manage mood? Anticonvulsants in the treatment of mania were introduced when their therapeutic value was noted through improved mood stability of those with epilepsy. Initially, they were used for those who were resistant to Lithium treatment. They are now an important alternative both on their own and with other medications. Pros and Cons of Anticonvulsants Different anticonvulsants seem to treat different aspects of bipolar disorder:...

Research has found that anxiety is common in people with bipolar disorder, with more than half of people experiencing one or more anxiety disorders. Other people may not have enough anxiety symptoms to be formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but still need medication to manage their symptoms. Anxiousness, worry, agitation, and insomnia, for example, are often experienced during bipolar depression and mixed episodes. Anxiety symptoms such as restlessness, worry and irritability may occur during mania and hypomania....

Tattoo addiction is not formally recognized, even as a behavioral addiction. However, some people describe the process of getting more and more tattoos as a kind of addiction. This article explores some of the addictive qualities of becoming tattooed. Financial and Emotional Commitment In a similar way to becoming a drug user, becoming a tattoo collector involves considerable financial commitment, physical discomfort, and social stigma, so, as with drug addiction, it requires devotion to the process....

Backward chaining can have different definitions for different fields, but when teaching life skills to children, it refers to breaking down the steps of a task and teaching them in reverse order. This gives the child an experience of success and completion with every attempt. Instead of the child starting at the beginning and getting lost somewhere through, with the adult having to complete the task, the adult does all but the last step and lets the child complete the work....

The stark reality is that even the most sought-after jobs bring some stress and frustration, often on a daily basis. It may feel natural to come home and vent this frustration to whoever is closest or most sympathetic, and it can feel good while we’re doing it. However, many people wonder if this approach does more harm than good. Does complaining about work allow us a healthy outlet for frustration, or does it intensify our stress?...

Adoption can be a long, complicated, and emotionally draining process. After working toward your goal for so long, it’s hard to imagine being anything but overjoyed with happiness when the process is complete and you bring your child home. However, as you and your child settle into your home, you might be surprised to find that your joy is also tinged with other emotions. Being an adoptive parent can come with complicated feelings....

The tween years are upon you, and with them, some opportunities and challenges arise as a parent. Hanging out with your 11-year-old can be really fun as they’re starting to understand the world and converse like mini-adults. However, the intensity and the drama of a pre-teen can be frustrating and difficult for a parent to handle. From the complex social dynamics at school to the physical changes that can confuse and embarrass a tween, here’s what to expect from an 11-year-old....

Five years old can be a really fun age! Your child loves to play and is extremely imaginative. They still feel little and adorable, but they are becoming quite the conversationalist, and their ability to pick up new information and ask thoughtful questions will seriously impress you. This age isn’t without its ups and downs. Five-year-olds are still learning to regulate their emotions, so meltdowns happen from time to time. Still, your child is moving toward becoming more mature, and is able to do big kid things like going to school, and brushing their own teeth....

Parents want their kids to succeed in life, and school is no exception. Some students are quick learners and pick up material easily in class, whereas other students need additional academic support. If classroom instruction just isn’t cutting it for your child or you or their teacher think they would benefit from more direct instruction, hiring a tutor might be a good option for you. What Do Tutors Do? Tutors work with your child one-to-one....

In life, we tend to invest time and money into the things we care about and when it comes to father-son relationships this principle is especially relevant. But the father-son relationship can be complex. Fathers and sons with widely different interests can find it hard to relate to one another. Sometimes, dads and sons feel competitive against one another. Other times, communication issues are compounded when both want a better father-son relationship but neither one knows quite how to go about it....

During pregnancy, people experience a variety of rolls, kicks, jabs, and pulsating movements as their baby develops and practices for life outside the womb. One such movement that you may experience includes fetal hiccups—a rhythmic motion that can seem a little strange initially, especially if this is your first baby. “Fetal development is an astonishing nine-month journey,” explains Thais Aliabadi, MD, an OB/GYN and co-founder of Trimly. “The fetus meets a new developmental milestone every few weeks....

Today’s tweens engage in numerous extracurricular activities including sports and numerous other enrichment programs. While some tweens develop hobbies and interests at an early age, others need time before they hit on something that really captures their attention and interest. Don’t give up on your child’s extracurricular activities, it may take time but she will eventually find something that interests her. Extracurricular activities provide numerous benefits for our children, and it’s a good idea to keep your child involved....

Boundaries can be described as how emotionally close you let people get to you. They are also where you draw the line within a relationship. They say how much you are willing to give or take before requiring that things change or deciding to call it quits. For example, you may be okay with your partner going out one night a week without you but feel that two or three nights per week is unacceptable....

The pandemic has negatively impacted all people and has led to mental health strain for a variety of demographics, especially those who experience marginalization. The queer and LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith and its members have differing needs and experiences which has created variance in the ways individuals have endured the pandemic. Key Takeaways Members of the LGBTQ+ community experienced higher rates of mental health burdens associated with the pandemic....

Like it or not, people are watching high school juniors and seniors online, especially if they are in the process of applying to colleges, looking for internships, being recruited for an athletic team, or even searching for summer jobs. In fact, you can bet that countless decision-makers are Googling, judging, and analyzing the body of content these students have posted online and forming opinions about what type of people they are....

Life is full of choices and paths not taken, so it isn’t surprising that people sometimes feel regret over both the decisions they made and the ones they didn’t. Regret can be an incredibly painful emotion. While rooted in feelings of contrition, disappointment, guilt, or remorse for things that have happened in the past, such feelings can have a powerful influence over your life in the here-and-now. The problem is that when you are feeling regret over past choices or past mistakes, you might sometimes miss out on the joys of the present moment....

If you or someone you love is experiencing an eating disorder, maybe someone has suggested that you find a support group. But, you may be wondering, “What is a support group?” or, “Why should I join one?” or, “How would I even go about finding one?” Why Attend a Support Group? Eating disorders can be isolating illnesses. They interfere with your ability to eat with others, making it hard to socialize....

Change and uncertainty are a normal part of life, and some kids handle these states of flux better than others. Some will embrace changes with excitement and courage while others will become anxious or paralyzed with fear. When these fears surface, it’s natural for parents to want to provide comfort and encouragement. But sometimes knowing how to address our child’s fears in healthy and productive ways can feel elusive, especially because fear of change is not really a concrete fear like a fear of spiders or a fear of storms....

Have you ever found yourself obsessing over something negative that’s happened to you, and getting more and more upset, but feeling unable to let it go? If so, you’ve experienced rumination, and you’re not alone, Rumination is a very common pattern of thinking, but it can also be very stress-inducing and contribute to negative thinking. When people ruminate about negative things that have happened in their lives, they tend to feel stressed about them when they may not have otherwise felt consciously stressed....

Jealousy between siblings comes in several forms. Maybe you’re dealing with the oh-so-normal jealousy of a brand-new big sibling who’s envious of the attention the new baby gets. Or perhaps you’re struggling with a frustrated younger sibling who’s jealous that she can’t do everything her big brother does. Either way, there are tactics you can implement to reduce the tantrums that can result from the green-eyed monster. Take steps to reduce jealousy between siblings and foster a healthy relationship between them....