Compulsions are one of the two primary symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1.2% of adults in the United States in a given year. A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act that a person with OCD is driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigidly applied rules (which are often used to help manage feelings of anxiety or distress). Compulsions vs....
Compulsive eating and binge eating are both eating disorders that are often confused. Both disorders feature eating food in excess, even when you are not hungry. Compulsive eating causes you to overeat even when you are not hungry, or your body doesn’t need food. Binge eating is a mental health disorder that features recurring bouts of compulsive eating. It’s a mental condition that makes you unable to control the urge to eat....
Edward Thorndike was an influential psychologist who is often referred to as the founder of modern educational psychology. He was perhaps best-known for his famous puzzle box experiments with cats which led to the development of his law of effect. Thorndike’s principle suggests that responses immediately followed by satisfaction will be more likely to recur. The law of effect also suggests that behaviors followed by dissatisfaction or discomfort will become less likely to occur....
It is believed that PCP, ketamine, and DXM and other dissociative drugs act by disrupting the chemical glutamate throughout the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse research, glutamate affects the person’s cognition functions, emotions, and perception of pain. Dissociative drugs also alter the actions of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces the feeling of euphoria associated with drug abuse. While also classified as a dissociative drug, salvia divinorum affects the brain differently....
Alcohol is still the most popular and widely used drug for college students. It is estimated that almost 75% of all college students are current drinkers, and many of them engage in binge drinking. With that many students drinking to excess on a regular basis a certain percentage of them are going to experience memory blackouts, and that can present problems as these young drinkers engage in risky behaviors during those blackout periods....
People who struggle with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often find themselves struggling with low self-esteem. They may have poor confidence in themselves or think they are worthless. This can be a harmful symptom of GAD with long-lasting implications. The following is a brief overview of self-esteem theory and some ideas on how you can improve your opinion of yourself while living with GAD. Self-Esteem Theory Self-esteem theory states that we have evolved to experience social inclusion and avoidance emotionally....
It can be very hard to deal with a negative spouse. Negativity in marriage can come in the form of cynicism, criticism, whining, attacking, pessimism, discontent, perfectionism, and hyper-intensity. Coping with these behaviors and attitudes is a serious challenge. There are a number of reasons why someone might be negative in a relationship. Fortunately, there are ways to help or cope with a negative spouse. To deal with a negative spouse, you can:...
On the face of it, teasing seems like a rite of childhood. It happens every day on the playground, on playdates, and in school—kids making fun of one another, playfully calling each other names. Family members tease each other all the time, right? It’s just a little good-natured fun. The thing about teasing, however, is that it can quickly turn into bullying, especially with little kids who don’t necessarily know how to stop a situation from spiraling out of control....
Individuals with social intelligence can sense how other people feel, know intuitively what to say in social situations, and seem self-assured, even in a larger crowd. You might think of these folk as having “people skills,” but what they truly possess is social intelligence. The theory of social intelligence was first brought to the forefront by American psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1920. He defined it as, “The ability to understand and manage men and women and boys and girls, to act wisely in human relations....
Children who receive special education services in school do so under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federal law provides for the free and appropriate public education (FAPE) of children with disabilities and spells out each child’s special education plan within their individualized education program (IEP). Part B of IDEA, which covers the education of children ages 3-21, mandates that a child’s disability must be taken into account if they are removed from regular classes due to behavioral misconduct, but only under certain circumstances....
ADHD can create a number of challenges for kids who live with the condition. Parents can help by learning more about these challenges and ensuring that their kids get the treatment and support that they need to cope. This article discusses what it is like for kids with ADHD, including the challenges they face and the effects on their lives. It also covers some of the steps you can take to help and support your child....
You may have heard that taking low-dose aspirin (such as a chewable baby aspirin) during pregnancy can help prevent miscarriage. For some expectant moms that may be true, but not for all. Here’s a look at what research can tell us about the potential role low-dose aspirin may play in supporting a healthy, full-term pregnancy, as well as who might benefit from popping a little orange pill a day and who probably won’t....
There have been many studies addressing the prevalence of chronic disease within the Black community. Additional research examines the rates of mental health complications such as depression and anxiety within communities of color. A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry aimed to focus on how the two intersect. Key Takeaways Black women with lower incomes and hypertension may be more likely to struggle with depression, a new study shows.Several factors contribute to these correlations, and more holistic care is needed to address these issues....
Commonly referred to as Ecstasy or Molly, MDMA is largely considered a party drug. A single dose of the psychoactive substance can induce altered perceptions, heightened pleasure and increased energy. Key Takeaways In a Phase 3 trial, MDMA-assisted therapy proved significantly safe and effective in treating individuals with severe, chronic PTSD.While illegal in the U.S. and typically considered a club drug, MDMA can help a patient recall and reprocess traumatic events and charged emotions in a therapeutic setting....
ADHD runs in families. That means that a child with ADHD is likely to have a parent with the same condition. This can introduce certain challenges that parents should understand. It’s critically important that the parent—as well as the child—be diagnosed and treated. This article explores why parenting a child with ADHD can be tougher when you have the condition yourself. It also offers tips that can help parents with behavior management, time management, and other areas where both they and their children may struggle....
A secondary reinforcer is a stimulus that reinforces a behavior after it has been associated with a primary reinforcer. For example: When you give your dog a food treat and tell him “good boy,” he’s getting both the primary stimulus of the treat and the secondary reinforcer of the verbal praise. Primary reinforcers are biological in nature. Secondary reinforcers require association with these innate reinforcers before they can produce a response....
What Is Cocaine? The powdered form of cocaine (also known as coke, coca, blow, snow, or flake), is snorted through the nose, rubbed into the gums, or injected via a needle; whereas the rock form (known as crack), is smoked through a cigarette or pipe. Cocaine Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant which is native to South America. According to a 2022 study, close to 25 million people around the world use cocaine....
What Does Sophia Mean? The name Sophia, which exudes sophistication and beauty, is a classic Greek name meaning “wisdom.” The name was put on the map by St. Sophia, celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church, and was popularized by European royalty during the Middle Ages. Sophia is a favorite among parents for its modern elegance and timeless appeal. How Popular Is the Name Sophia? To say Sophia is a popular name is probably an understatement....
What if there was a way to get more out of each day? While we all have the same 24 hours, how we use that time impacts what we can accomplish. Recent research suggests that one way to pack more into your day is to sync your biological clock to your daily schedule. By doing certain things at peak periods of activity and energy, you might be able to improve your productivity....
Though Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, most of our favorite retailers have kept their sales going. Fear not, procrastinators! It’s still a great time for Christmas or Hanukkah shopping, finding the perfect birthday gift, or just picking up something for yourself. Our inside sources and a team of avid shopping editors and writers have helped us gather intel on the very best Cyber Week sales that are still happening....
