Posts

When a young person uses the Internet or technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person, this person is called a cyberbully. Typically, cyberbullying involves tweens and teens; but it’s not uncommon for adults to experience cyberbullying and public shaming as well. Even if someone deletes a mean post, chances are it’s still available in some form such as in a screenshot or a shared text message. Worse yet, those who are targeted by cyberbullies often don’t know who is bullying them, so they often have no way to bring it to an end....

After you indulge in your favorite burger and fries or deep-dish pizza, you might notice the initial satisfaction you feel wears off after a while. “There is evidence that diet affects mood, including depression and anxiety, as well as our body’s stress response,” says Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian in Lubbock, Texas, and spokesperson for All-Purpose In The Raw sugar company. Key Takeaways Experts say what you eat is connected to your mental well-being....

Teaching your child that they are worthy, valued, and represented in the world is an important part of being a parent. It’s important for Black children to see themselves and their culture in books, TV shows, clothing, dolls and action figures, toys, and more. It’s also important for them to know that they can do anything they set their mind to, such as growing up to own a business. If you are raising Black children, purchasing kids’ products from Black-owned businesses is a great way to do just that—and support your community....

While it is true that every family is different, there are some experiences, observations, and feelings about parenting that go without saying—literally. And although you can’t really comprehend them until you’ve actually been there, it seems like no one warns you ahead of time about these universal truths either. So, whether you’re a first-time parent or you’re expecting your fourth kid, you’ll likely be able to identify with several, if not all, of these startling, and sometimes funny, truths about parenting....

Setting and achieving goals is an essential skill to succeed in life. Having specific targets for what we want to accomplish gives us as humans hope and direction in a life that can easily become simply moving from one day to the next. As fathers, one of our key missions in our parenting is to help teach our children life skills that will matter to them, and helping kids learn to set and achieve goals is one of those key roles of fathers....

Parents often give their kids gummy vitamins because they are the only type of vitamins that their kids will take. It is easy to understand why, since many “gummies” are like candy. In fact, one gummy vitamin is made with “Jolly Rancher Sour” flavors. Although many kids don’t actually need to take a daily vitamin, if yours does, be sure they are actually getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need from the supplements they take....

During your breastfeeding experience, you may notice breast lumps that can make feeding your baby challenging and even painful. You may even be concerned about the possibility of breast cancer. Rest assured that these lumps are usually not serious, and most are temporary. While some lumps go away without treatment, others may require a visit with a healthcare provider. Here’s what you need to know about the various types of lumps, and when to see your medical provider....

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the person repeatedly eats too much and then takes drastic steps, including vomiting, the use of laxatives, excessive exercise, or fasting, to compensate for that binge eating. People who have bulimia often struggle with feelings of shame or guilt about their behaviors. Bulimia primarily affects adolescent girls and young adult women. Here’s what clinicians look for when diagnosing bulimia nervosa. These requirements come from the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, text revisions (DSM-V-TR), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association....

We all experience stress in our daily lives from different sources: jobs, relationships, finances. And whether you’re dealing with a daily stressor, chronic stress, or a major life challenge like illness or divorce, stress can take a significant toll on you both physically and emotionally. How do you know when you’re dealing with a level of stress that’s unhealthy for you?​ The answer to this question can be tricky for a few reasons:...

Family estrangement happens when contact is cut off between family members. It can last for long periods of time or go through cycles where there is intermittent communication and reconciliation. Often, apathy or antagonism are the driving factors for the distance. Family estrangement can occur between parents and children, siblings, or other relatives. Signs of Estrangement There are several factors that create estrangement between family members. A 2017 study of 52 adult children who were separating from their parents noted eight main factors in their estrangement....

Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Friday Fix: Episode 63 When we talk about mental strength, we often think about adults who need mental muscle to get through tough times, like job loss or a relationship issue....

About 70% of women in the United States will choose an epidural for their labor pain relief. Many of them will be completely satisfied, while there is also a portion of women who receive no benefits of the epidural. Here is what you need to know to have the best experience possible with an epidural: 1. Learn About Epidurals Knowing what happens when you get an epidural will make you less fearful of the process....

People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) often struggle with being assertive. Being upfront about your feelings and sharing them with others feels hard, to the point that you would just rather keep them to yourself. The problem is, people can’t read your mind, so you will often find your needs going unmet. What Is Assertive Communication? Assertive communication… is the straightforward and open expression of your needs, desires, thoughts and feelings....

Sigmund Freud’s views on women stirred controversy during his own lifetime and continue to evoke considerable debate today. “Women oppose change, receive passively, and add nothing of their own,” he wrote in a 1925 paper entitled “The Psychical Consequences of the Anatomic Distinction Between the Sexes.” Donna Stewart, M.D., a professor and chair of women’s health at the University Health Network, explained, “Freud was a man of his times. He was opposed to the women’s emancipation movement and believed that women’s lives were dominated by their sexual reproductive functions....

Older children can tell you when they’re hungry, but newborns and infants can’t. Well, at least not with words. But, babies can communicate what they need in other ways. At first, you may not notice your little one’s feeding cues, but as you get to know your baby in the days and weeks after she is born, you will begin to recognize the subtle little hints that will tell you when she’s hungry and ready for some breast milk....

Are you a helicopter parent or do you know someone who is? While most adults can agree that it is important to be involved in your child’s life, many argue that a kid should be given room to simply be a kid. Here’s how to tell if you’re what’s known as a helicopter parent. What It Means to Be a Helicopter Parent The term “helicopter parents” is often used to define a group of parents who engage in the practice of over-parenting....

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition identified by a pervasive pattern of inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive behaviors. This condition is typically diagnosed during the childhood and teen years, although some may not receive a diagnosis until they are well into adulthood. ADHD is relatively common—8.7% of adolescents and 4.4% of adults in the United States experience ADHD. ADHD can be a very challenging condition, especially if it goes untreated....

We matched on Tinder. I’d almost swiped left on her picture despite finding her attractive because I sensed a mean glint in her eye, but when I’m single, I have a philosophy that the wider a net you cast, the better your chance of catching something good, so I regularly swiped on “maybe”s. We met for a drink on March 14, 2016. I remember the date because months later, she tattooed it onto our bodies....

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. This often unrelenting condition can impact sleep in multiple ways, including causing difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early (and not being able to fall back asleep), and poor sleep quality. Studies estimate that between 10% to 30% or more of the worldwide population experiences insomnia. Additionally, research indicates that among people seeking primary care treatment, the prevalence of insomnia is as high as 69%....

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the average cost for one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle is more than $12,000. However, prices vary significantly and basic IVF can be as much as $25,000 or may be as low as $10,000. It’s rarely lower than that. These numbers may or may not include the cost of medications or other fees which can add up quickly. One study asked couples at a fertility clinic to track all their out-of-pocket expenses over a period of 18 months....