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Severe depression is often characterized by symptoms of hopelessness, increased irritability, loss of pleasure, trouble concentrating or sleeping, or thoughts of death or suicide. Technically, severe depression isn’t a formal mental health diagnosis. Instead, it refers to more debilitating depression. Information presented in this article may be triggering for some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor....

What Is Polygamy? When you think of marriage, you most likely think of a union between two partners. However, there are other types of marriages like polygamy. Polygamy involves at least three individuals (a person married to two different spouses), but there is no limit to how many spouses a person in this type of relationship may have. However, polygamy is either illegal or discouraged in most regions. In some cases, polygamy isn’t explicitly unlawful....

If you think you might have clinical depression, you may not know what to do or where to begin to get help or what kind of practitioner to see, especially if you’ve never experienced this before. First, it’s important to recognize the symptoms that may indicate depression so you know what to discuss with your doctor. Rule Out Other Conditions If you identify with the symptoms of depression, your next step should be a visit to your family doctor or general practitioner for a thorough exam and screening....

If you’re an adopted child, it’s natural for you to think about your birth parents. You may wonder where they are, what they’re like, why they chose adoption, and what your life would have been like if you lived with them. This curiosity can sometimes turn into a desire to find your birth parents so you can get answers to your questions. If you think you would like to find your birth parents, these are some of the factors you should consider before you begin the process....

Have you ever found yourself needing a good cry but unable to cry? Maybe when you are sad, anxious, or in pain? It can feel confusing and distressing not being able to cry when you want to or when you feel like you should. Research shows that crying can help you release emotions in certain stressful or distressing situations. It can even help you physically clean your eyes out and help you communicate feelings....

When you shift your focus from one thing to another, a tiny gap in attention called attentional blink is created. It only lasts for about half a second, so we barely notice it. Your brain has limited attentional resources. If you have ever tried to focus on multiple things at once, you have likely discovered you could not fully pay attention to all of them. In some cases, you might even notice that some things seem to simply slide past you unnoticed....

Keep whines away during a hike or walk with kids by playing walking games. These simple activities help children stay interested and engaged when you are taking a family hike or simply walking to school or the playground. They don’t require any preparation or props, and they are great for kicking off conversations with your kiddos too. Reasons to Try Walking Games A long walk is a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress, and explore the outdoors....

Women have been breastfeeding for as long as they have been having babies. For thousands of years, breastfeeding (also known as lactation, nursing, and suckling) was the only way for a mother to feed her baby, and it was necessary for a child’s survival. Then, in the early 1900s, an alternative to breastfeeding was developed—infant formula. As infant formula became safer, more people began to choose bottle-feeding formula over breastfeeding....

Parents of a new baby spend much of the first year of their child’s life getting to know their moods. But right around their first birthday, many babies become more prone to tantrums, which can catch even the most attentive parent off guard. A baby who is content one minute can suddenly melt down the next, like a switch has been flipped. Although tantrums can be both startling and frustrating, they are a completely normal part of your child’s development....

Harry Harlow was an American psychologist who is best-remembered for his series of controversial and often outrageously cruel experiments with rhesus monkeys. In order to study the effects of maternal separation and social isolation, Harlow placed infant monkeys in isolated chambers. Some variations of the experiments involved placing the monkeys with surrogate mothers made of either wire or cloth to see which the young monkeys preferred. In other instances, the monkeys were raised in total isolation for as long as 24 months, leading to profound and lasting emotional disturbances....

Quitting alcohol can lead to symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. Such symptoms can often cause people to feel tempted to hit the bottle again. A medication called acamprosate (formerly sold under the brand name Campral) may help. It works by restoring the balance of your brain’s neurotransmitters to ease symptoms and reduce cravings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Campral in 2004 to treat alcohol dependence or alcoholism after having been used widely in Europe for many years....

People get tattoos for many reasons: as a form of self-expression, for artistic or spiritual purposes, to honor someone they’ve lost, or to sanctify a special relationship. Many new parents get tattoos of their children, or of their growing families. If you are a new parent who’s breastfeeding, you may be considering getting a tattoo of your sweet baby. You may even want to immortalize the breastfeeding experience through your tattoo....

Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. It is taken by mouth as a pill or capsule. Cymbalta may help improve a number of symptoms of depression including mood, appetite, sleep, and energy levels. As an SNRI, duloxetine inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system and as a result, increasing the amounts available in the brain. These brain chemicals work to help regulate mood, so increasing their levels can help relieve symptoms of depression....

The term “developmentally appropriate” refers to the practice of making a curriculum based on what students are able to do cognitively, physically and emotionally at a certain age. Of course, not all children develop at the same rate, so often there’s a range of abilities that are considered developmentally appropriate for each age. For instance, kindergartners should be able to skip, walk up steps, count objects, and be able to share with other children....

During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to telehealth and teletherapy services became more important than ever. While stay-at-home orders were in place, many therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists transitioned from in-person office settings to online therapy. Insurance providers had to move quickly to authorize payments. Virtual visits may be here to stay. They offer more flexibility and in many cases, better accessibility than in-person appointments. However, figuring out how to pay for online therapy can be confusing and stressful....

A recently published journal article in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry found that following mild cases of COVID-19, 26.2% of people studied reported depressive issues, while 22.4% reported anxiety concerns, and 17.3% reported post-traumatic stress symptoms. Key Takeaways Following mild cases of COVID-19, a study of 895 participants found clinically significant reports of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.Most of the COVID-19 patients had been considered mild cases and had to be in isolation at home for extended periods of time....

A family doctor or family practitioner is a physician who has completed a residency in family medicine. Family practice physicians are often called general practitioners or primary care physicians, and will see patients with nearly any issue. They provide referrals when patients have complicated health issues that require the expertise of a specialist. Family practitioners can be primary providers of prenatal care and may attend deliveries, but they will most likely refer patients with complex issues to OB/GYNs....

New survey findings published in the journal PLOS ONE suggest that people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 saw improvements to their mental health, including reduced stress. Key Takeaways There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread mental distress.As the vaccination campaign continues in the U.S. and around the world, study findings suggest that getting the vaccine may improve mental health.Survey respondents experienced a 15% decrease in the likelihood of feeling very depressed after getting the COVID-19 vaccine....

Whether you are planning a large Halloween party or a small get-together for friends, a little pre-planning can go a long way toward ensuring that everyone has a good time. Follow some basic safety guidelines while encouraging teens to let loose and have fun, and you are sure to have a party that your teen will not forget. Get Your Teen Involved Make sure your teen is involved in the party planning....

If you have been struggling to conceive a baby or if you have experienced repeated miscarriages, your provider will likely take a look at your uterus using an ultrasound or MRI. One thing they will look for is called a septate uterus. A septate uterus can contribute to fertility issues but fortunately, it’s generally fixable. What Is a Septate Uterus? A septate uterus is a congenital malformation in which a thin membrane called the septum divides the uterus either partially or completely....