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It’s no secret germs are everywhere. Colds, the flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses are forcing entire families to the couch or their beds to recover. Kids are missing school and parents are missing work, and those sick days can be tough. Curling up with a warm blanket and a good movie can help provide some comfort and pass the time until everyone is healthy again. In a recent survey of 2,000 millennial parents, most said they prefer to watch old favorites rather than dive into a new movie when they’re sick....

It’s normal to be a little nervous when you go to your first appointment with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or another mental health professional. You’re probably not sure what to expect, which can lead to making you feel out of control. While it can be nerve-wracking, there is nothing to fear. Your psychiatrist is there to help you learn more about the process and help you decide which steps to take next....

While some new parents who have problems breastfeeding think it will be smooth sailing if they switch to formula, it’s important to understand that babies can have bottle feeding problems too. Refusing to eat and choking can be caused by anything from acid reflux or a formula intolerance to issues with the bottle and nipple. Before you switch your baby’s formula or buy a premium bottle that is supposed to reduce colic and gas, consider:...

Dizygotic means two (di) fertilized eggs (zygotes). Dizygotic twins occur when two eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Dizygotic twins are also known as fraternal or non-identical twins. They are the most common type of twins. Unlike monozygotic twins (also known as identical twins), dizygotic twins do not share the same genes. Monozygotic twins share 100% of each other’s genes. Dizygotic twins share only 50%. This is the same genetic similarity as siblings conceived and born at different times....

If you have panic attacks, you know they can be a frightening experience with after effects that can be extremely challenging to manage. However, by following the steps provided here, you may be able to find some relief and get back on track after panic strikes. What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like? Imagine that you’re driving to work when you’re suddenly overcome with feelings of dread and fear. Your heart feels as though it’s pounding out of your chest and you have difficulty breathing....

Being alone on Thanksgiving can feel challenging. This holiday is a time of year that many people spend in the company of family and friends. You may even find yourself alone this time of year if you live with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Perhaps you turned down invitations to gatherings because of your anxiety, or maybe your relatives live out of town. Whatever the reason for being alone, there are ways that you can feel less lonely....

Knowing how to find the mean, median, and mode can help you interpret data collected through psychological research. These values provide more insight into what may be considered “normal” or “abnormal” for a specific group of people in terms of cognitive processes or behaviors, for instance. Because they are all measures of central tendency, psychology students often find it easy to confuse the three. Yet, there are differences in what each one is and how it is found....

While some folx may have always found it challenging to make friends, many found the task even more daunting during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to limited social interaction. Even as the world continues to reopen, increases in remote work mean that people’s social lives look considerably different. During times of stress and change, however, it’s still possible to engage with others and build friendships—it just may look a bit different than you’re used to....

January is considered one of the most stressful months of the year for several reasons. One of the biggest: New Year’s resolutions. There is no doubt that, if accomplished, resolutions to make a change in your diet, exercise, or personal finances can be beneficial to both your mental and physical health. But the excessive pressure you put on yourself to accomplish them is not healthy. Well-intentioned goals become a source of stress—stress that prevents you from moving forward and achieving your goals....

Everyone has to deal with varying levels of stress. This can be particularly difficult to manage if you also have symptoms of depression or anxiety. When you feel like your stress levels have reached their peak, it might be time to take a quick break to reset. A mental health day is a day you take off from work or school, and minimize any commitments or responsibilities. You can use this time to focus on relieving stress, relaxing, having fun, and preventing burnout....

A master’s in psychology is a great option for some students, but that does not mean it is right for everyone. Before you decide if you should pursue a master’s degree, there are some factors you should consider. Psychology students typically hear less about master’s programs than they do doctoral programs. However, around 28,000 students earn master’s degrees in psychology each year. compared to the approximately 6,000 earning doctorate degrees in psychology....

Anxiety disorders have historically been thought of as problems of childhood and early adulthood. However, the prevalence of anxiety disorders among older adults ranges from 10% to 20%, making this class of disorders more prevalent than other common late-life psychiatric problems such as dementia or depression. Late-Life Onset The onset of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) specifically can occur at any point in the life cycle, though the average age of onset is 31 years old....

Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, and they’re often prescribed for long-term use. However, there are potential long-term effects of antidepressants on the brain and body, which may include emotional numbness, sexual problems, weight gain, reduced positive feelings, and/or suicidal thoughts. While this class of medications is named after a single condition, the drugs are used to treat a wide variety of illnesses other than major depressive disorder, including:...

Meditation has grown in recent years, with everyone from Paul McCartney to LeBron James to Oprah Winfrey reporting having a meditation practice, but yet, there are still more women than men who report meditating regularly. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of people who reported meditating in the National Health Information Survey more than tripled. In this large sample size of nearly 100,000 people, more women than men (16% of women versus 11 % of men) also report meditating regularly....

Mindfulness-based relationship enhancement (MBRE) is a set of techniques used with couples who are already content with each other (i.e. not in distress) to help strengthen coping skills related to stress within the relationship. All couples will face life challenges and stressors in their lifetime. As these difficult periods of life emerge, it is helpful for couples to have skills that promote working together and positive, adaptive coping strategies. That is where mindfulness-based relationship enhancement comes in....

What Is Rumination? While people are prone to rumination from time to time, it can magnify stress to the point that it creates additional problems. Rumination is associated with many negative effects on the mind and body. Rumination Rumination involves repetitive and passive thoughts focused on the causes and effects of a person’s distress. However, these thoughts do not lead to the person engaging in active coping mechanisms or problem-solving strategies that would relieve distress and improve mood....

If you are worried that you or a loved one may have borderline personality disorder (BPD), it’s important to be informed about the illness and its symptoms. While some of the symptoms of BPD are not easily identified, others are associated with observable behaviors. Borderline personality disorder symptoms include instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotion, as well as a pattern of impulsive behaviors. People with BPD often first experience these symptoms in young adulthood and the symptoms tend to continue for many years....

What Are Personality Disorders? Personality disorders include 10 diagnosable psychiatric conditions that are recognized and described in the fifth and most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Each is a distinct mental illness defined by personality traits that can be troubling enough to create problems with relating to other people in healthy ways, and can lead to significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning....

Can you support and encourage a friend who is struggling with infertility, even if you have no experience with it? The answer is a big yes! All it takes is time and effort to learn what they’re going through, patience to listen when they need to talk, and a willingness to offer support (without offering advice). However, even those with the best intentions may unintentionally say things that are hurtful. Here are 10 things to stop doing if you have a friend or family member struggling with infertility, plus how to support them more effectively....

Raising a teenager, even under the best of circumstances, can be a challenge. But if you’ve got a troubled teen on your hands, adolescence can be quite tumultuous. Whether you’re dealing with curfew violations and truancy, or you’re worried about substance abuse problems and legal issues, worrying about a troubled teen could keep you up at night. And you may grow tired of dealing with behavior problems, mood swings, angry outbursts, or secretive behavior....