The urge to scroll is strong, especially when you’re bored. And an ever increasing appetite for stimulation can easily be whet just by hopping on a smartphone and perusing social media. Key Takeaways Checking your phone, specifically social media, can feel like an easy way to pass the time when you’re bored.But a recent study reveals that individuals who used their phones to alleviate boredom at work actually ended up feeling worse afterward....
What Are Somatic Symptom Disorders? Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a condition that causes a person to manifest physical symptoms that can’t be linked to any medical conditions. These symptoms often cause severe distress to a person who has the disorder. Research shows that about five to seven percent of people worldwide have somatic symptom disorder. It also appears to be a lot more prevalent among women than men. A person with this condition often experiences excessive concerns about their health and might exhibit odd or unusual behaviors in response to these concerns....
Cyclists know that the right pair of indoor cycling shoes can go a long way in making your ride more comfortable and improving your performance. The best cycling shoes are compatible with your pedals, comfortable to spin in, and fastened with reliable closures to make sure they stay on—whether you’re cycling in the studio or at home. Shoes that are specifically designed to help you pedal faster, stronger, and more efficiently can help you achieve your fitness goals....
There are many ways to work on self-development and self-improvement, but setting specific goals for personal growth can increase your likelihood of success. When life serves up obstacles, as it so often does, having a goal that you revisit frequently helps you reset, recommit, and recharge. It also gives you the motivation and accountability to stay focused and follow through on your plans. Setting goals can sometimes feel like a daunting task....
While the causes for second-trimester miscarriage (or “late miscarriage”) can overlap with first-trimester miscarriage (“early miscarriage”) as well as stillbirth, the treatment of second-trimester miscarriage is often different from a first-trimester miscarriage. Unlike an early miscarriage, you may not have as much choice in your treatment options. Your plan of care may be determined by circumstances outside your control, such as infection or preterm rupture of membranes (also called the bag of waters)....
Have you always dreamed of becoming a therapist or working in the field of mental health? If you are pursuing your undergraduate degree in psychology, you’ve probably considered the possibility of a career in therapy. While clinical psychology is the largest area of employment within the psychology field, it’s important to understand that this is just one of the many options that are available. A doctoral degree (PhD) in clinical psychology is an excellent career path for some students, but it’s not the only choice....
A varicocele (pronounced VAR-a-co-cell) is an enlarged vein in the scrotum and testicle, usually found on the left side, but also possibly found on both sides of the scrotum, and very rarely only on the right side. You’re likely familiar with varicose veins, which occur in the legs. As with varicose veins, when a varicocele is present, the vein’s valve that helps blood flow upward to the heart becomes dysfunctional. This causes blood to pool in the area....
Volunteer work can teach your teen a lot of valuable life lessons. Whether you want your child to learn the importance of giving back to the community or you’re hoping they’ll gain some valuable skills that will help them in a future job, there are lots of reasons to pursue local volunteer opportunities. Volunteering also benefits your teen by building their self-confidence and imparting empathy. Additionally, many college applications ask teens to list their service projects....
Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary defines “foster” as: To bring up: nurture. 2. To cultivate and encourage. Giving or receiving parental care though not related through blood or legal ties. A lot of nurturing, culturing and encouragement goes hand-in-hand with raising a foster child. There’s also a lot of paperwork and meetings, but above all, being a foster parent means providing a child with new opportunities that he may not have had otherwise....
It’s safe to say that none of us were ready for the widespread effects of coronavirus in the U.S., least of all working parents with kids in school or daycare. All families have been impacted by the outbreak in some way, whether it’s schools closing, employers shutting down businesses (or not), the shortages of food, supplies, and medications, or the strict rules around social isolating. Key Takeaways With schools and daycares closed, parents across the country are trying to balance work and family demands....
The discovery that your partner is having an affair can be upsetting. But if it is an online affair, it can also be confusing and bring up many questions. You might wonder if it meets the definition of real infidelity, why they sought an online affair when you were available, and what is appealing about having a virtual affair. You may also want to know whether an online affair is a sign of sex addiction, of which there are many types....
December 2020 marks nine months of enduring a global pandemic. It’s been three-quarters of a year of sweeping COVID-19 restrictions, heightened anxiety, and increased isolation. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exacerbate symptoms of postpartum depression.As we approach nine months of restrictions, women will be giving birth after experiencing their entire pregnancy under these conditions.While PPD is a clinical diagnosis, there are strategies to prevent or shorten its course....
A home pregnancy test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone. Although there are many different types and brands of home pregnancy tests, they all function in basically the same manner: They check the urine for the presence of hCG. Types of Tests Most home tests use a dipstick to collect and analyze urine. These one-step kits are usually considered the most convenient to use. You either hold the stick briefly in the urine stream or dip it into a cup of collected urine....
Expecting a baby when COVID-19 is still circulating adds a new set of stressors to pregnancy. You might be feeling disappointed about how some of the traditional events of pregnancy, such as a baby shower, might look given certain health guidelines. If you are feeling sadness over the loss of a more traditional baby shower, you are not alone. As vaccination rates increase and life begins to return to normal, baby showers will likely follow suit....
Bidis (pronounced bee-dees and also known as beedis) are small hand-rolled cigarettes made of tobacco and wrapped in tendu or temburni leaf (Diospyros melanoxylon), a plant native to Asia. Bidis are manufactured in India and other southeast Asian countries and exported around the world. As of Dec. 20, 2019, the new legal age limit is 21 years old for purchasing cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in the U.S....
When most people think of online therapy, they likely imagine adults talking to a therapist via their smartphone or laptop. But online therapy can be used with children too. Before you sign your child up for online therapy, however, it’s important to understand how it works and to learn the potential risks and benefits of online therapy as compared to in-person treatment. How Online Therapy Works There are many licensed mental health professionals who treat children and teens online....
If you have bipolar disorder and are considering the use of marijuana, it’s important that you understand the effects that this can have. Marijuana and bipolar often go hand in hand. But this doesn’t mean that this drug is an effective treatment option. Cannabis and bipolar can be a harmful combination, potentially causing bipolar symptoms to worsen. Marijuana users also run the risk of developing substance use disorder. Therefore, it’s important to consider these factors before deciding to use marijuana for bipolar disorder....
These days, there seems to be a vitamin or supplement for almost everything. From boosting memory or ramping up the immune system to improving school performance and increasing energy, parents are bombarded with claims about how their kids will benefit from different supplements. But are vitamin and mineral supplements really OK for kids? Here we walk you through everything you need to know about vitamins and minerals: when supplementation is needed, when it’s not, and everything in between....
If you are looking for some activities away from home to keep your preschooler busy this summer, you might want to consider preschool summer camp. Not limited to sleep-away adventures for bigger kids, summer camps are offered in a variety of age ranges with myriad options including full day, half day, specialty and general. Camps for preschoolers can be found everywhere. Most popular are ones formed out of pre-established programs in nursery school, day care, preschool or even the local elementary school, although you can find specialty camps that expose your child to a certain sport or activity like dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, art or music....
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, text revision, often called the DSM-V-TR or DSM-5-TR, is the latest version of the American Psychiatric Association’s gold-standard text on the names, symptoms, and diagnostic features of every recognized mental illness—including addictions. The DSM-5-TR criteria for substance use disorders are based on decades of research and clinical knowledge. The DSM-5-TR was published in 2013, and in 2022, a text revision was published that included updated criteria for more than 70 disorders, including the requirements for stimulant-induced mild neurocognitive disorder....
