Posts

Are you worried? People diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, including panic disorder, often struggle with chronic worrying. Frequent worrying may seem irrational to outsiders. For instance, you may worry about things that haven’t even happened or are out of your control, such as the health and safety of your loved ones or the current cost of living. Worrying so much can become a heavy burden weighing negatively on your relationships, self-esteem, career, and other aspects of your life....

Intelligence refers to one’s cognitive abilities, including memory, comprehension, understanding, reasoning, and abstract thought. Intelligence is not quite the same as IQ, although people use the terms interchangeably. IQ, which stands for “Intelligence Quotient,” is a score determined by an IQ test. IQ tests are designed to measure a person’s intelligence, a general ability. Intelligence as a General Ability According to Peter Taylor in The Birth of Project Intelligence, this general ability can be broken down into six separate abilities:...

What Is Major Depressive Disorder? Everyone feels upset, sad, or low once in a while, but the feeling generally shifts and passes. However, feeling sad or disinterested for most of the day nearly every day could mean that you have major depressive disorder, particularly if the symptoms persist for over two weeks and interfere with your ability to function. Major Depressive Disorder Major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression or clinical depression, is a medical condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain....

The nature of accidents is that they happen when we least expect them, often at the least convenient times. This is particularly true of accidents and emergencies that involve kids. While these events can be unpredictable or unavoidable, you can still plan for them, specifically by preparing a medical release form for minor children. What Is a Medical Release Form? Medical release forms are a legal way to outline your parental wishes and transfer decision-making authority to your child’s other caregivers when you are unavailable....

Most of us have, either occasionally or more frequently, had the unpleasant experience of forgetting something. These episodes of memory loss can cause irritation and frustration, as well as a fear that we’re “losing it” and beginning to develop Alzheimer’s disease. While Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia are responsible for many cases of memory loss, the good news is that there are other, non-permanent factors that can also cause memory loss....

Many people upped their walking quota during the COVID-19 pandemic, with so many other activities ruled out due to lockdown restrictions. The benefits of walking are well-known—from improved cardiovascular fitness to stronger bones and muscles. Key Takeaways A popular TikTok fad known as “the hot girl walk” promotes daily walking with gratitude, self-love, and goal-setting.Part of the hot girl walk is dealing with negative thoughts and trying to maintain that positive energy for the rest of the day....

When it comes to pregnancies and all of the complexities that come along with those experiences, both hospitals and researchers tend to focus primarily on the parent that is giving birth. A study in the October issue of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, however, found that losing a pregnancy at an early stage can lead to post-traumatic stress in both partners. Key Takeaways Up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage....

People with anxiety disorders are often troubled with racing thoughts. People with panic disorder may find that racing thoughts are interfering with their overall well-being and functioning. Read ahead to learn more about panic disorder and racing thoughts, including tips on how to stop racing thoughts. What Are Racing Thoughts? Racing thoughts involve quick transitioning of thoughts or thinking. Such thoughts can rapidly jump from one idea to the next, sometimes in ways that seem unconnected or illogical....

If you’ve been newly diagnosed with postpartum depression, or if you suspect you are experiencing it, you will naturally be filled with many questions: Why is this happening to me? Where did this come from? You may even start to blame yourself for your postpartum depression, wondering what you did wrong and whether or not you could have prevented it. Postpartum depression is common—as many as 1 in 9 new moms experience it—and while some people are more vulnerable to getting it, there is no one single thing that causes it....

Depression during pregnancy could change a developing fetus’ brain and increase the risk of depression later in life, according to a new study published in August in the Journal of Neuroscience. Key Takeaways Prenatal depression can potentially alter a child’s brain connectivity, and that can impact behavior, a new study suggests.As many as 1 in 5 women experience depression symptoms during pregnancy, making this a common problem. Signs of depression like fatigue and irritability can overlap with pregnancy-related issues, making it more challenging to spot....

Parents of breastfed babies often wonder if it’s OK for their baby to use a pacifier. With all the opinions and conflicting information about pacifier use, their concerns are understandable. Fortunately, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that pacifier use is bad for breastfeeding babies. In fact, using a pacifier may even be beneficial. Ultimately, whether or not you offer your baby a pacifier is a personal decision, but there are some pros and cons that may help you decide if it’s right for you and your family....

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy describes any blood flow from the vagina. The term “spotting” describes light vaginal bleeding. Around 20% of women say they experienced spotting during the first trimester of pregnancy and most of these women go on to have healthy babies, as do around half of all women who have any kind of bleeding during their pregnancies. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about 15% to 25% of women have some amount of bleeding in early pregnancy (the first trimester)....

CrossFit is a workout class and fitness community for exercise enthusiasts who want to combine cardio and strength training. CrossFit workouts feature lots of dynamic movements like squat jumps, and heavy lifts like barbell squats. This combination of high-intensity interval training and weightlifting maximizes workout gains by revving your heart rate and burning out your muscles. To gain all the advantages of a Crossfit workout, you need solid gear—particularly shoes that hold steady through lunges and deadlifts, yet also move with you through box jumps, burpees, and sprints....

Electrolytes—mainly sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium— are minerals in our bodies that play a critical role in fluid balance, blood pressure, muscle contraction, and hormone regulation. Electrolyte imbalances primarily happen when you lose body fluids, so when you sweat while running, you are losing not only water but also electrolytes. This is where electrolyte supplements for runners can play a key role in maintaining your body’s electrolyte levels. The amount of sweat and electrolyte loss during exercise is highly individualized and varies depending on physical and environmental factors....

The stereotype of the “angry drunk” may be rooted in fact, at least for some people in whom alcohol and anger are associated. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the use of alcohol is more closely associated with aggressive behavior than any other type of psychotropic substance. But drinking alcohol can elicit different behaviors in different people. “Alcohol is involved in half of all murders, rapes, and assaults,” said Robert O....

When you’re running outdoors in the winter, your choice of running socks can make a huge difference in your performance and comfort level. Wearing high-quality, properly fitting socks provides protection from the cold and the right socks can also help you avoid common foot ailments, such as blisters, chafing, corns, and bunions. Socks for winter running need excellent insulation and moisture-wicking capabilities, but shouldn’t feel too bulky or thick. “Wearing socks while running is especially important as they provide an additional layer of protection for the feet,” says Jonathan Kaplan, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon with Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Southern California....

The technology age has given us access to abundant information, has simplified many aspects of our lives, and has even improved our ability to connect with others throughout the world. It does, however, come with a few downsides. For instance, a 2019 study found that spending too much time on the internet, to the point of addiction, can profoundly impact our mental health. Even non-addicted internet usage can negatively affect us....

Regardless of which war or conflict you look at, high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans have been found. Throughout history, people have recognized that exposure to combat situations can negatively impact the mental health of those involved in these situations. In fact, the diagnosis of PTSD historically originates from observations of the effect of combat on soldiers. The grouping of symptoms that we now refer to as PTSD has been described in the past as “combat fatigue,” “shell shock,” or “war neurosis....

Chromosome problems, such as Trisomy 22, are by far the most common cause of first-trimester miscarriages. Depending on which chromosome is affected, extra or missing chromosomes (or parts of chromosomes) can cause anything from minor health problems to conditions incompatible with life. Trisomy 22 is one of the more severe chromosome disorders. What Trisomy 22 Means Trisomy 22 means that a person has three copies of the 22nd chromosome instead of the expected two copies....

If you’re considering egg donation as a method of building your family, you may be wondering what it will be like. How do you choose an egg donor? How will you feel about your egg donor-conceived child? Jen R. offered to share her story with Verywell Family readers. She talks about why she choose egg donation, what the process was like, and how she feels toward both her children and the egg donor....