Finding out the sex of your baby seems to be something that everyone is doing. While the numbers are certainly high, 80+%, it certainly isn’t every parent. In fact, there seems to be a recent trend back to keeping it a secret, if not for yourselves, at least from everyone else. When asked why parents don’t want to find out the gender of the baby before birth, here are some of the things you’ll hear:...
If are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, it is important to talk to a doctor before you stop taking your medication. If you stop taking your antidepressant suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome. This article discusses what happens if you quit taking an SSRI abruptly, some of the withdrawal symptoms you might experience, and how to prevent SSRI discontinuation syndrome. What Is SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome?...
If you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, following a gluten-free diet is essential, and you’ll want to make sure any vitamins or other supplements you’re taking are also gluten-free. That means avoiding anything that contains wheat, barley, rye, and any derivatives of these foods, which may be found in some supplements, and instead choosing gluten-free foods and supplements that are certified gluten-free. Common gluten-containing ingredients found in supplements include “those derived from gluten-containing grains, which may hide as starch, modified starch, dextrin, maltodextrin, and other various fillers, coatings, binders, and thickeners....
Research supports the benefits of eating a balanced breakfast to reduce hunger, improve nutrient intake, and reduce late night snacking. When mornings are hectic, and you need to grab something to eat as you run out the door, you can still prioritize an on-the-go breakfast that will provide sustained energy and support your overall health goals. Breakfast should fill you up for at least a few hours. “Protein, fiber, and healthy fats are the keys to a filling meal or snack....
You may have heard that agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder are closely connected and that’s true. What have we learned about the similarities and differences between these disorders as well as how often they occur together? The Relationship Agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder are interrelated in many ways. In order to understand this, it’s helpful to talk about the definition of these disorders, how the two may differ, and how to tell them apart....
Considering the number of people seeking therapy, in some areas, there may be a therapist shortage aka a ’therapy desert.' This article will explore why therapy deserts exist, their impact on others, and how you can seek support if you live in a therapy desert. Therapy Desert Therapy deserts are regions in the United States where mental health care is scarce. Often located in rural areas, these areas leave those in need of mental health care left on their own....
Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a form of community-based mental health care for individuals experiencing serious mental illness that interferes with their ability to live in the community, attend appointments with professionals in clinics and hospitals, and manage mental health symptoms. If you or someone you know has been referred to an assertive community treatment program, you may be wondering whether this is the best option and what it will entail....
Lack of affordable housing, untreated mental illness, limited access to mental health care, insufficient funding: these are just a few factors contributing to the high rates of homelessness and though certain countries face higher rates than others, homelessness is a global problem that requires comprehensive solutions. An estimated 2% of our worldwide population is homeless, with more than 567,000 Americans experiencing homelessness on any given night. No matter our social standing, we’re all impacted in some way by homelessness in the United States, which is why it’s so important to address the needs of those most at risk and take the necessary steps to confront the crisis from both a national and local level....
The neonatal intensive care unit, also called the NICU, is an area in the hospital that provides care for premature infants and seriously ill babies. Preemies and sick newborns need a lot of very special care and it takes many people with many different job titles to provide it. When you first get to the NICU, it can definitely be overwhelming and a little confusing. It may help relieve some of the stress if you know and understand the role each person has in the care of your child....
Chriselle Lim is a pioneer of fashion blogging and influencing. Before YouTube became the behemoth platform it is today, the Los Angeles-based digital content creator was shooting videos. As a college student, she offered styling advice for other young women “looking for inexpensive ways to look expensive." Parents don’t work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—we work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from the moment our kids wake up until they go to sleep....
Does this day in the life of a smoker sound familiar? You may think that you don’t want to quit, or you may have tried quitting many times only to fall back into your familiar smoking pattern. It’s worth considering how much of your life is tied up with smoking, on top of the health risks it poses. Quitting smoking is not an easy task. Everyday life can present many triggers that may prompt someone to want to pick up a cigarette, from nicotine cravings first thing in the morning to routines like having a cup of coffee and a cigarette that feel impossible to shake....
What is a bender? This slang term refers to an extended period of continued drug or alcohol use. An alcoholic bender is a multiple-day drinking spree during which the person does not eat and gets very little sleep. Someone who is on a bender might pass out for a short time, wake up, and start drinking again. What ‘Going on a Bender’ Means An alcoholic bender does not refer to one evening of intoxication....
Life doesn’t always go as planned, and sometimes you find yourself needing emergency contraception, otherwise known as “the morning after pill.” This could be because your birth control method didn’t work properly (i.e., your condom broke), you forgot to take your birth control pills, or you had unplanned or unprotected sex for whatever reason. If you are a breastfeeding parent seeking to use emergency contraception, you might be unsure of what type is safe to take while nursing your little one....
Deciding whether you should return to work after the kids start school is as big of a choice as it was to quit working to become a stay-at-home mom. It’s another milestone in motherhood because you may feel like your kids don’t need you as much, and you’d like to get back into the workforce. On the other hand, making the switch to working mom gives your family extra income, but now you’re faced with new challenges you didn’t have before you had children....
TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is a federally funded grant program that allows states to create and administer their own assistance programs for families in need. TANF replaces the federal programs previously known as welfare and enables states to offer a wide variety of social services. One significant change from the old welfare system is that TANF recipients must participate in work activities in or to receive benefits....
Congratulations! Your family is expecting a baby! As you prepare over the coming months, one of the most important jobs you’ll have is to get your older child ready for the big role of becoming a sibling (for the first time or again). No matter how your child reacts to the news—with joy, with anger or with seemingly no response at all—it’s normal. A lot of it will have to do with age (a 3-year-old won’t understand about the change in the family dynamic quite as much as a 5-year-old will) but in any case, learning about their evolving feelings and how they react to them is a big part of a young child’s emotional development....
Deciding to tie the knot with a new partner after divorce or separation is an exciting, joyful milestone to celebrate. However, if you have children from a previous relationship, sharing your news with them may feel challenging. You might worry about how your kids will react to this big transition, or you may have questions about the best way to have this important conversation. Letting your children know about your plans in a loving manner can help ease their acceptance of this next step....
GAD is an acronym used for generalized anxiety disorder, while OCD is used for obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD and GAD share similarities, including symptoms of anxiety, but is OCD an anxiety disorder? The answer is no, but since there are some similarities between the two conditions, confusion can happen. It’s important to know the difference in order to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. History of OCD as an Anxiety Disorder Historically, both generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were considered anxiety disorders....
In the mid-20th century, the lobotomy was a popular “cure” for mental illness. It was part of a new wave of treatments for neurological diseases, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). What Is a Lobotomy? A lobotomy is a surgical procedure that involves severing the nerve pathways in the prefrontal cortex. The procedure is intended to help with psychiatric and neurological conditions but can have serious risks and unwanted outcomes. Lobotomies were typically performed on people with the following three conditions:...
Mother’s Day rolls around each year as the days start to lengthen and the weather begins to warm up. This holiday might bring up memories of making fresh cinnamon rolls with your siblings and presenting them to your mother. Or maybe you remember marking this special day by hiking along your stepmom’s favorite mountain trail. For some families, celebrating Mom means giving her the “day off” from all the work she normally does for her family....
