Posts

A person with eye contact anxiety may avoid making eye contact when talking to someone. If they do make eye contact, they may feel like they are being judged or scrutinized. Eye contact anxiety refers to the discomfort a person feels when looking at someone directly in the eyes. Eye contact anxiety can interfere with everyday social interactions. By the same token, the ability to maintain good eye contact is an important aspect of social interaction....

While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders among children, the number of adults diagnosed with ADHD has doubled in the past decade. Key Takeaways Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents differently in children and adults, even though symptoms typically start in early childhood.While hyperactivity is common in childhood ADHD, adults with ADHD often struggle with impulsiveness, restlessness and frequent mood swings.Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing for an adult who has spent years struggling....

What Does Theodore Mean? If you’re looking for an enduring name with roots going back to ancient times, then Theodore might be it. The name Theodore is of Greek origin meaning “gift of God” or “divine gift.” The original Greek name Theodoros is a compound of theos (God) and doron (gift). It was a relatively prevalent name in the Middle Ages because of its favorable meaning. In the centuries before Christ, notable inventors, mathematicians, philosophers, and rulers were named Theodore....

What Is a Euphoric Mood? Some causes of euphoric moods are natural and healthy. The thrill and sense of excitement you get on a roller coaster at an amusement park, or the sense of joy and fulfillment you experience after you reach an important goal are both examples of natural euphoric moods. Euphoric Mood A euphoric mood is characterized by feelings of strong happiness, excitement, and well-being. It is an amplified sense of pleasure that can have a number of different causes....

Personality tests can be used to help clarify a clinical diagnosis, guide therapeutic interventions, and help predict how people may respond in different situations. A personality test is a tool used to assess human personality. Personality testing and assessment refer to techniques designed to measure the characteristic patterns of traits that people exhibit across various situations. Personality is something that we informally assess and describe every day. When we talk about ourselves and others, we frequently refer to different characteristics of an individual’s personality....

Stockholm syndrome is a condition in which hostages develop a psychological alliance with their captors during captivity. Victims form emotional bonds with their captors and become sympathetic toward them. They may not escape when given the chance, and they might even try to prevent their captors from facing consequences for their actions. Origin The term “Stockholm syndrome” was created to describe what happened to victims during a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden....

Suicide is not an infectious disease, yet scholarly evidence suggests the phenomenon of suicide contagion, in which exposure to a suicide or suicide attempt increases the risk of suicidal behavior, is very real. Information in this article may be triggering to some. 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....

Drug addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease. People who have a drug addiction experience compulsive, sometimes uncontrollable, craving for their drug of choice. Typically, they will continue to seek and use drugs in spite of experiencing extremely negative consequences as a result of using. Characteristics of Addiction According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by: Compulsive drug-seekingContinued use despite harmful consequencesLong-lasting changes in the brain NIDA also notes that addiction is both a mental illness and a complex brain disorder....

At one point or another, every parent of a grade-schooler has to face the tough choice of whether or not to send a sick child to school. It can be tough to know, especially with younger school-age children, whether or not you really are dealing with a sick child. Is he angling for time with mom and the requisite perks of being sick, such as extra cuddles and maybe even a DVD?...

From flash cards to memorization exercises, educators and parents are constantly looking for ways to keep students engaged in learning. Results from a new study may offer a solution. Published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, the study shows that aerobic exercise can enhance children’s ability to recall vocabulary words. Key Takeaways A new study finds that aerobic exercise, like swimming, can help children better retain vocabulary words....

Provide Emotional Support You said your son calls when he’s drinking. Does he remember these conversations when he’s sober? Do you ever discuss those calls when he’s not drinking? 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....

For people who do not have a serious drinking problem, but sometimes drink alcohol at dangerous or abusive levels, brief interventions can be an effective way to get them to moderate their alcohol consumption and eliminate harmful drinking patterns. The same brief intervention strategies, however, do not appear to be effective for those with more serious alcohol use disorders. What Is Brief Intervention? Brief interventions are short, one-on-one counseling sessions that are aimed at encouraging the person to eliminate harmful drinking practices like binge drinking....

In my experience consulting with patients who are considering whether or not to pursue psychotherapy to improve their mental health, the path to this decision is as varied as the people who travel down it. Sometimes, it is the concern of a friend, partner, or family member that is the tipping point for an individual to seek help. In other cases, a teacher, school, colleague, or employer is insisting that mental health needs be prioritized above all else so that a person can return to school (or work) on better psychological footing....

If you’re concerned that you may be miscarrying, you may wonder how a miscarriage is diagnosed. How can ultrasound help to determine if you are having an early pregnancy versus a missed miscarriage, and what are the limits of this test in early pregnancy? Diagnosing Miscarriage With Ultrasound When administering an early ultrasound exam, such as during the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy, it can be hard for medical professionals to distinguish an early pregnancy from a missed miscarriage....

For some people with ADHD, there is a fear that symptoms will worsen with age. This is a valid concern, as research has shown that ADHD symptoms tend to persist into adulthood in over 80% of cases. However, it is also worth noting that many adults with ADHD find ways to manage their condition and live successful lives. Some common symptoms of ADHD that may persist over time include difficulty paying attention, disorganization, and procrastination....

Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). According to the guidelines, in order to be diagnosed with panic disorder, you must experience unexpected panic attacks on a regular basis. This article covers what else the DSM-5 says about panic disorder, how panic disorder was diagnosed in previous editions of the manual, and how agoraphobia is associated with panic disorder....

What Is Ecstasy? Ecstasy, also commonly known by its slang name “Molly,” is a synthetic drug known primarily for its hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. It’s known to impart feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception. The chemical name for ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”). Some of the most colorful slang terms used for ecstasy (MDMA), based on the name of the drug, effects, and appearance, include: AdamBeansCandyClarityEEssenceHappy PillHug DrugMollyScooby SnacksLover’s SpeedXXTC While ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations....

If you’re thinking of joining a health club, look at family-friendly gyms that work for moms, dads, and kids too. When your gym offers something for everyone, you all reap the health and fitness benefits. Plus, you’ll get more for your membership dollar. Start by compiling a list of possibilities: places you pass on your route to work or your child’s school; clubs to which friends or acquaintances belong; places you’ve seen advertised....

After they conquer the initial pain of injury, kids with casts on their limbs usually bounce back quickly. The challenge for parents becomes twofold: Keeping them safe from re-injury, and also making sure they aren’t spending their days glued to a screen. After all, they still need daily physical activity, even with their temporary limitation. First, find out from your child’s doctor what kinds of activities are OK. She will probably recommend that your child avoid running and biking (due to the risk from falls), as well as contact sports like soccer and basketball—again because of the risk of impact from collisions with other players or the ground....

Are you interested in obtaining a service animal to help you cope with social anxiety disorder (SAD)? There are different definitions and rules regarding animals that can help individuals with mental disabilities. Your choice of animal will depend on the circumstances that you face and your daily needs. Definition of a Psychiatric Service Animal While most people think of service animals as those that help individuals with physical disabilities (such as blindness), they also help those with medical conditions and psychiatric illness....