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If you have lost a loved one, you’ve probably already realized that there are so many emotions and feelings that come along with an unexpected or expected loss of a loved one. To find out how people work through their grief while still honoring their loss, Verywell Mind interviewed Frank Anderson, MD, a psychotherapist and psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of trauma. No matter where you are in terms of your grieving process, it’s important to remember that your feelings are valid, and you’re not on anyone else’s timeline when it comes to healing....

When we feel disappointment and sorrow over what might have been or we wish we could change a choice we made in the past, we have regrets. For example, maybe you worked too much while your children grew up. Consequently, they are not close to you, and you are filled with regret about it. You feel stuck because your kids and your grandchildren aren’t in touch. You blame your past actions....

Having a baby is a beautiful milestone in a new family’s life, but is also an emotionally and physically draining experience as well, especially for the new mom. And while every new parent will need time, care, and patience as they recover, sometimes things are a little rocky at the beginning. Here’s how partners can best support each other through this transition. Is Your Partner OK? If you are starting to wonder if something might be wrong with your partner, you may want to pick a quiet time to talk together....

Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for the the first three seasons of the TV show “The Umbrella Academy,” available on Netflix. Mind in the Media is an ongoing series discussing mental health and psychological topics in popular movies and television When Elliot Page came out as transgender in 2020, making him perhaps the most famous trans man on the planet, it was unclear if he would continue in his role as one of the super-powered Hargreeves siblings on Netflix’s popular series “The Umbrella Academy....

Many people repeat home pregnancy tests, and then grow concerned if the result changes from positive to weakly positive. Is it a miscarriage, an error, or something else? If you had a dark line before and now you have a faint line, there could be several explanations for this, other than miscarriage. You may have consumed too much water prior to the test, or not enough. You may have accidentally used the test incorrectly, or something else in your urine may have interfered with the test....

IOPs are considered a higher level of care on a spectrum that also includes: What Is an IOP? An IOP (intensive outpatient program) is a type of mental healthcare that is considered one step up from traditional outpatient therapy where you see a therapist once or maybe twice a week in their office. An IOP is a program where you will likely be in therapy (both group and individual) somewhere between two to three hours a day, three to five days a week....

After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, some students choose to go on to earn a master’s in counseling. This degree can be a good alternative to a master’s in psychology, in particular for those interested in working in academic or mental health settings. Types of Degrees Counseling is certainly not a “one-size-fits-all” option. If you are interested in entering this field, it is important to think about the kind of counseling that you want to perform....

If you’re like most parents, you’re probably excited that your baby has reached the 6 to 9 month-old stage. Not only are they likely sleeping through the night, giving you some much-needed rest, but they also probably have a more predictable nap schedule. Babies this age also are beginning to learn how to sit up on their own and are much more responsive to the adults in their lives. Plus, there are some exciting changes that occur in their diets at this age as well....

When you’re nearing your due date, you have a lot of things competing for your attention: packing your suitcase for the hospital or birthing center, setting up the crib, procuring diapers and other baby gear, finding a pediatrician, and learning about how to care for your new baby. The last thing you expect is to get sick yourself. You may not even be aware of potential infections that can develop during and after childbirth....

The extensive research of Drs. John and Julie Gottman have provided us with four primary predictors of divorce. They have termed these four main predictors, the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and they are criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. The Four Horsemen That Predict the End of a Marriage All relationships have some degree of these characteristics. However, if more than one is present or one is unyielding, there will be doubts about the viability of your marriage....

Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic drug often prescribed for treating schizophrenia, psychotic episodes of bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. Risperdal and risperidone are two names for the same medication; Risperdal is the brand name and risperidone is the generic name. While risperidone can be effective in treating these disorders, you should be aware of the potential side effects before starting treatment. While many of the side effects are manageable, others may be serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening....

Whether you’re running on a treadmill, jogging through the neighborhood, or training for your next road race, proper shoes can make a huge difference in your overall comfort, performance, and injury risk. When selecting running shoes, the most important factor is comfort, which is very subjective and varies from runner to runner, says New York-based sports podiatrist, Dr. Rob Conenello, DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM. You should also think about your running style, foot type, and injury history....

Can smoking hurt your sperm? Yes. It can also negatively affect your fertility. You already know that smoking is bad for your health, and you have likely guessed that smoking is bad for female fertility. In both men and women, smoking has been linked to an increased risk for many cancers, heart disease, emphysema, and a number of other health problems. The toxins in cigarettes take their toll not only on the lungs but also on the health of your entire body....

The holiday season can be a lonely time for many people. This year, however, there’s an extra hurdle. With states debating shutting down, Americans are grappling with the challenge of creating memories and fostering togetherness without spreading COVID-19, which will prevent them from celebrating with their loved ones. Beyond that, over 240,000 people have died, with some losing multiple family members. Key Takeaways The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges for the holiday season....

Change is inevitable. As humans, we constantly grow throughout our lifespans, from conception to death. Psychologists strive to understand and explain how and why people change throughout life. While many of these changes are normal and expected, they can still pose challenges that people sometimes need extra assistance to manage. The principles of normative development helps professionals to spot potential problems and provide early intervention for better outcomes. Developmental psychologists can work with people of all ages to address roadblocks and support growth, although some choose to specialize in a specific age group such as childhood, adulthood, or old age....

Every day, numerous people turn to the internet for information on how to induce or force a miscarriage. In the toughest of circumstances, it can be tempting to want to take matters into your own hands. However, doing so is incredibly dangerous for your health and is never recommended unless supervised by a medical professional. Ending an Unwanted Pregnancy If you are researching how to induce a miscarriage because you have an unwanted pregnancy, please do not risk your health by attempting unsafe methods of ending your pregnancy....

An epidural (or epidural block) is a safe and effective method of delivering pain medication often used during childbirth. This popular pain relief option was first used for childbirth in the 1940s. It can be used for regular labor and delivery, induced labors (induction), forceps or vacuum delivery, as well as cesarean section. Many women choose to have an epidural while giving birth. In fact, studies show that 60% to 70% of women in the United States get epidurals for pain relief in labor....

You might have imagined that breastfeeding your baby would be a wonderful bonding experience for you both. Your midwife or doula might have even told you that your baby latching on would trigger a rush of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that–as well playing a key part in labor, breastfeeding, and parent-child bonding–helps reduce stress levels while nursing. But for some, feeding your baby can make you feel angry or agitated—or even make your skin crawl....

According to this theory, people weigh the potential benefits and risks of their social relationships. When the risks outweigh the rewards, they will terminate or abandon the relationship. Social exchange theory proposes that social behavior is the result of an exchange process. The purpose of this exchange is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. Most relationships are made up of a certain amount of give-and-take, but this does not mean that they are always equal....

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an illness defined by restriction of food, often resulting in malnutrition. Malnutrition affects every system of the body, and the brain rarely escapes malnutrition’s impact. Brain Changes Related to Anorexia Nervosa AN is accompanied by changes in mood and thinking. Patients frequently have symptoms of anxiety and depression that do not predate the eating disorder or are exacerbated by the AN. Ancel Keys’ Minnesota Study documented that anxiety and depression were among the symptoms that presented in healthy men put on a semi-starvation diet....