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Phrenology was a pseudoscience that linked bumps on a person’s head to certain aspects of the individual’s personality and character. Phrenology heads or busts were used by phrenologists to perform “skull readings” that supposedly revealed information about a person’s character and tendencies. The practice was based on the idea that certain functions were located in specific areas of the brain. Phrenologists suggested that the brain was composed of muscles that, like other areas of the body, grew bigger when they were used more often....

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program that is centered on finding a higher purpose or power in order to recover from alcohol use disorder. While AA is non-religious, it utilizes a spiritual approach and references God and other religious themes frequently, including in Step 2. In the second step of the program, people are encouraged to believe in a higher power that is greater than themselves that will restore them to sobriety and wellness....

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that causes cognitive decline and makes carrying out daily tasks challenging. It affects more than 6 million Americans over the age of 65. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that causes dementia and severe cognitive decline. It affects your memory, the way you think, your ability to learn new things, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks. While there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, researchers have created cutting-edge drugs that can help with reducing the severity of the disease’s symptoms and slowing the progression of the condition....

What Is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is a holistic practice in which people inhale or smell essential oils. It has been shown to carry many benefits for wellness and stress relief. Studies have shown that aromatherapy does indeed have an effect on the brain and can alter behavior. Rosemary, lavender, and the other scents listed below are some of the most popular aromatherapy scents. This article discusses what aromatherapy is, how it works, and popular essential oils....

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is what determines how intoxicated you get from drinking alcohol and varies by your sex and body weight. Also known as blood alcohol content, BAC is used for both legal or medical purposes. Overview In the United States, a BAC of 0.10 (one-tenth of one percent) means that there are 0.10 g of alcohol for every 100 milliliters (mL) of blood. According to the law, the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is 0....

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder are two diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revisions (DSM-5-TR). They are two distinct conditions with different causes, symptoms, and treatment options. However, there are some similarities in presentation and symptoms. It is possible for someone to meet the diagnostic criteria for both ADHD and bipolar disorder, but sometimes it can be difficult to determine which diagnosis best fits someone’s presenting symptoms....

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in everyday life. It does not discriminate against gender, background, or age—anyone can experience both short (acute) and long-term (chronic) depression. Feeling depressed can impact your overall quality of life and ability to get through the day, so identifying it and getting help is imperative. Below we’re exploring the ways in which signs of depression may look a bit different in women....

How does the conscious differ from the conscience? These two terms are sometimes confused in common everyday usage because they sound quite similar. However, they mean very different things within the field of psychology. Conscious is a term that refers to being awake and alert. Conscience, on the other hand, refers to an awareness of whether actions are right or wrong. Let’s take a closer look at what each term means and how you can distinguish between them....

A common question asked by parents of high-performing children is whether their child is gifted or “just” bright. They recognize that their child seems to be more advanced than other kids the same age. They may have first noticed that their child reached many developmental milestones early. Or they see that their child has taught themself to read at age three or is able to multiply double-digit numbers at age five....

Because alcohol acts as a depressant, many people might wonder: Does alcohol help with anxiety? While alcohol is often used responsibly to unwind after a stressful day or relax at social events, it can become a problem when used as an unhealthy way to cope with anxiety. Sometimes, people turn to alcohol or other substances to help them cope with symptoms of mental illness. In some cases, people with certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety or panic disorder, might develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol....

The minute you bring your new baby home from the hospital, you start working toward one singular goal—getting more sleep! It’s not an easy task for the first weeks and months, mostly because it’s not developmentally appropriate for a newborn to sleep for more than a few hours at a time, even at night. But did you know that “sleeping through the night” is usually defined as any stretch of nighttime sleep that lasts between six and nine hours?...

There have been many discussions in recent years around student loans and their effect on our economy and society. Given the financial struggles many people have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the $1.6 trillion in U.S. student debt has once again come to the forefront. Key Takeaways Student loans place a heavy financial strain on many borrowers.Wages have not risen to match the dramatic increase in the cost of higher education....

Halloween is a fun event for many—but those with mental illness may find that it can be a time of increased stigma. The holiday itself is prone to stereotyped depictions of many people, professions, and cultures. So, it is perhaps not surprising that mental illness is so poorly represented. Costumes of all types often range from the amusing to the insensitive to the downright offensive. Unfortunately, even Halloween movies and attractions showcase scenes that serve to further stereotype and stigmatize mental illness....

Anorexia is an eating disorder that can cause severe health problems and be life-threatening. This condition has the highest death rate among mental illnesses. People with anorexia have a five times higher risk of premature death and 18 times higher risk of death by suicide. It’s important to treat anorexia as soon as possible, in order to prevent serious complications. The longer anorexia is left untreated, the worse it gets. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can help improve treatment outcomes....

For over a decade before I got pregnant, working as a writer, editor, and social media director in New York City took priority over just about everything in my life. Many days, I’d wake up early to do an hour of work in my pajamas before an 8 a.m. press event, then rush into the office where I’d stay as late as 8 p.m. My personal life always played second fiddle: While preparing to move in with my then-boyfriend-now-husband, I sent him on solo apartment-scouting missions when showings took place during my workday....

Parents, especially first-time parents with a new baby at home, are often expected to feel some anxiety about things. From whether their baby is sleeping too much or getting enough to eat, so if they are crying too much, every little thing can seem like a very big issue when you are a new parent. Fortunately, this parenting anxiety often goes away, or at least gets better with time, and as a parent gets more experience with their baby, especially once they have a few more kids....

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of vaccinations rolling out across the U.S. and restrictions starting to lift, many people are not only wondering, “How soon can life get back to normal?” They are also thinking “What if I don’t have the social skills anymore to deal with things that used to be easy?” Those who were already felt socially awkward before the pandemic, such as people with social anxiety, may be stuck in a fight-or-flight response....

Alzheimer’s support groups can be an excellent source of strength, comfort, encouragement, and information for those caring for someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, around 6.2 million adults in the U.S. over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) indicates that Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death for people over the age of 65....

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques such as meditation and yoga could help to alleviate some migraine symptoms, according to a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine. Key Takeaways Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques like meditation and yoga could alleviate some major migraine symptoms, a recent study suggests.Even learning more about headaches could make you feel empowered enough to make beneficial changes that affect quality of life, the researchers added.Mindfulness is helpful, but so are other lifestyle changes, experts note, and those include exercise, diet, and sleep....

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are sometimes linked. In fact, PTSD has been found to be associated with a wide range of negative physical health conditions, including cardiac disease, diabetes, cancer, headaches, chronic pain, and arthritis. With regard to arthritis, several studies have found that veterans and people in the general community with PTSD are at higher risk of having arthritis. However, it is important to note that there are several different forms of arthritis....