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Gate control theory suggests that the spinal cord contains a neurological ‘gate’ that either blocks pain signals or allows them to continue on to the brain. This theory is often used to explain both phantom and chronic pain issues. Unlike an actual gate, which opens and closes to allow all things to pass through, the gate in the spinal cord differentiates between fiber types when carrying pain signals. Specifically, pain signals traveling via small nerve fibers are allowed to pass while signals sent by large nerve fibers are blocked....

The decision to have a baby is a major one, and sometimes partners don’t always see eye-to-eye on timing—or whether to start a family at all. This can be a challenging situation, and can potentially lead to an impasse. Engaging in open, honest communication can build to a positive resolution that keeps the couple together, says Karen Gail Lewis, EdD, MFT, MSW, a marriage and family therapist and author of multiple relationship and family therapy books....

If you’ve just found out you’re newly pregnant, you may have also just realized that you were drinking in early pregnancy without knowing it. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, and while many people don’t think twice about drinking until after a pregnancy is confirmed, you might still feel worried, guilty, or ashamed—and, if so, you’re not alone. You may also feel confused. Most researchers and doctors maintain that there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy....

Discipline isn’t just about giving kids consequences. Instead, it ensures children are gaining the skills they need to become responsible adults. There are many types of discipline and various approaches to parenting. But ultimately, regardless of the type of discipline a parent uses, discipline offers kids many benefits. Helps Kids Manage Anxiety Believe it or not, kids don’t want to be in charge. They often test limits just to make sure that their caregivers can keep them safe....

From the moment you step into the gym, your shoes aren’t just shoes—they’re an important piece of workout equipment designed to support and keep you safely moving toward your goals. “It’s super beneficial to have a shoe fit for the gym so that you can get the most out of your workouts,” says Kaitlin Humphreys, CPT, personal trainer based in Los Angeles, California. “Shoes for the gym are going to offer an advantage that standard shoes won’t give, such as added support, flatter soles, or even a lift or stable heel....

Being preoccupied with muscle development may involve a disturbance in body image similar to anorexia. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men, muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Muscle Dysmorphia The term “muscle dysmorphia” was coined in the 1990s to describe this new form of disorder....

Multiple research studies have found that the brains of people with severe alcohol use disorder are smaller and lighter than the brains of those who do not have this condition. This alcohol-linked brain shrinkage affects the networks that regions of the brain use to communicate with other regions. The parts of the brain that allow neurons to communicate with neighboring neurons are also affected. How Alcohol Causes Brain Shrinkage The gray matter in the cerebral cortex controls most of the brain’s complex mental functions....

Young children are often immersed in fantasy, and therefore, parents, teachers, and even scholars often think of them as being unable to distinguish reality from unreality. However, research suggests that children are more thoughtful about the differences between fantasy and reality than they may appear to adults. In fact, children use many of the same cues as adults to decide whether something is real or not. So while young children are unable to distinguish fantasy from reality as successfully as adults, they become more capable of doing so as they advance developmentally and acquire more knowledge about the world....

What Is Dyslexia? However, there are other features of dyslexia aside from reading difficulty. Dyslexia can make it difficult for someone to speak about the same topic for a sustained period of time, understand and follow directions, and repeat words in the proper order. It can also make it challenging for someone to express ideas in an organized way. Dyslexia is a learning disability commonly characterized by reading struggles. People who have dyslexia find it difficult to connect the letters they see on the page with the sounds that the letters make....

The spring season brings warmer temperatures, bursts of color, outdoor activities, and in the midst of it all, the Easter holiday. A holiday rich in meaning that dates back to early Biblical days, Easter has its roots in Christianity. It commemorates the day of Jesus’ resurrection after his death on the cross. Though it is not a federal holiday, 79 percent of people in the United States celebrated Easter in 2021....

Eating disorders can be painful illnesses, at times robbing their victims of their health, happiness, social life, and occupational achievements. It is accordingly no surprise that suicide is a major cause of death for people with eating disorders. Information presented in this article may be triggering to 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 Does Elijah Mean? The name Elijah goes back to the Old Testament of the Bible, and derives from a Hebrew phrase meaning “Jehovah is my God.” The original, biblical Elijah was a prophet known for defending the worship of God and performing miracles in God’s name. The prophet Elijah is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. How Popular Is the Name Elijah? Though an ancient, biblical name, Elijah has skyrocketed in popularity in recent decades....

When faced with an intense stressor, you may experience a rush of overwhelming emotions that you aren‘t ready to understand or respond to, which can cause your body to go into a state of shock, Dr. Daramus explains. Emotional shock is a reaction that you may have to an unexpected event or traumatic incident that upsets you and makes it hard for you to function, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder....

Health psychology is a specialty area that focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors influence health and illness. Other terms including medical psychology and behavioral medicine are sometimes used interchangeably with the term health psychology. Health and illness are influenced by a wide variety of factors. While contagious and hereditary illness are common, many behavioral and psychological factors can impact overall physical well-being and various medical conditions. The field of health psychology is focused on promoting health as well as the prevention and treatment of disease and illness....

The idea of personal coaching to help individuals with ADHD was first presented in an article by Dr. Edward Hallowell in 1995. The article, “Coaching: An Adjunct to the Treatment of ADHD,” was based on Dr. Hallowell’s clinical experience as a psychiatrist working with patients with ADHD. Dr. Hallowell was inspired by his frustration with his inability to provide the more intensive support that was often necessary to help his patients manage the challenges and complications of daily life....

If you suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD), you might be looking for a quick fix that will completely eliminate anxious feelings. If your goal is never to feel anxious again, you will probably leave treatment, feeling as though things haven’t been fixed. The truth is that most people feel a little anxious in some social and performance situations, and those with SAD will probably always experience some anxiety in those settings....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Laurie Hernandez Laurie Hernadez is an Olympic gymnast. In 2016, she won a gold medal for the team event and a silver medal on the balance beam....

In high school, harder concepts are introduced, more work is assigned and the expectations are higher than ever—and that doesn’t even take into account the stress of non-academic pursuits, such as sports, clubs, jobs, and friends. With all the pressure piled onto today’s teenagers, it’s no surprise that some start to get in trouble with their schoolwork. Teens who fall behind may fall into a pattern of poor test grades, incomplete homework, and failing grades....

You probably have fond memories of an old friend—of chatting, laughing, and spending time with them. The two of you may have drifted apart over time, but occasionally something may remind you of them, causing you to wonder how they are. If you’ve lost touch with a friend, you’re not alone. According to a 2016 study, people often tend to lose touch with others after the age of 25. Life can get in the way, with hectic schedules, different paths, life changes, and big moves making it difficult to keep in touch with all the people in your life....

The places where you spend a lot of time—home, work, school, and even socially—can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. In psychology, these are referred to as environmental factors of mental health and are the main focus of study for environmental psychologists. Identifying the environmental factors that can affect you psychologically can shed light on whether the locations you frequent are contributing to or detracting from your mental wellness....