Posts

Emotional abuse involves controlling another person by using emotions to criticize, embarrass, shame, blame, or otherwise manipulate them. While most common in dating and married relationships, mental or emotional abuse can occur in any relationship—including among friends, family members, and co-workers. The underlying goal of emotional abuse is to control the other person by discrediting, isolating, and silencing them. It is one of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize as it can be subtle and insidious....

Prozac (fluoxetine) is a popular medication used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and some eating disorders. Fluoxetine—the active ingredient in Prozac—is also available under the brand name Sarafem for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Warning If you believe that you or someone else has taken too much Prozac or more than the prescribed dose, seek immediate medical care. If taken as prescribed, the risk of Prozac overdose is low....

Has your child fallen behind on their vaccine schedule this year? You’re not alone. Around four in 10 parents say their kids have missed immunizations due to the pandemic, according to a recent survey from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The plummeting vaccination rate has public health experts worried that the United States may lose herd immunity against deadly diseases like measles and whooping cough. Key Takeaways Many children across the country are behind on their vaccination schedule due to the pandemic....

Nobody wants their child to steal—and it’s normal to feel alarmed and concerned if you discover that yours did. Whether your preschooler sneaks a candy bar from the grocery aisle, your 7-year-old brings home a toy from a friend’s house, or your 14-year-old takes nail polish from a drug store, it can be very upsetting if your child steals. And you may not know what to do to curb the behavior....

Tree nuts are on the “big eight” list of food allergens. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid giving your baby nuts. In fact, pediatricians and allergists now recommend giving babies tree nuts (and peanuts) whenever they are ready to start solid foods—usually between four and six months of age. There are exceptions, though, so talk to your pediatrician about what’s best for your baby. Always let your pediatrician know if you have a family history of any allergies....

A very common situation for potty training children is to learn to urinate in the potty, but then to become hesitant to make a bowel movement there. Instead of thinking about it as a problem, though, it is better to consider it to be a normal part of potty training. Before potty training, a child needs to master several important skills, such as being able to sense that they need to poop and then hold it until they reach the toilet; being able to verbalize the need to go to the bathroom to an adult; and being able to undress and redress in order to use the bathroom....

Every day, numerous gifted children and adolescents are targets of teasing and bullying. In a foundational study on bullying and gifted students, researchers at Purdue University found that by eighth grade, more than two-thirds of gifted students have been victims of bullying, with 19% of teasing specifically related to intelligence and grades. A review of studies on bullying and gifted students from 1970 to 2014 revealed that gifted students are victimized at similar rates as other targeted groups (sometimes slightly more, sometimes slightly less); however, they may be targeted for unique reasons, and may also respond to bullying differently…often more intensely and more prolonged....

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is a term originally coined by doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. Meant to describe dangers specifically associated with residual toxins left behind on surfaces once firsthand and secondhand smoke have cleared out of a room, we now understand more about the composition of THS that lingers in the air, as well. What Is Thirdhand Smoke? Have you ever stood in a check-out line and could tell that someone in line had been smoking, even though you didn’t see them do it?...

If you want your compliments to stand out from the crowd, consider offering them in unique ways. Compliments delivered in unusual ways will be remembered, and showcase your ability to think creatively. This may be especially important if you live with social anxiety disorder (SAD), as your social skills may be lacking. 1. Choose Unique Words People tend to overuse the same bland words when giving compliments. Allow your message to stand out by choosing unique words that you don’t hear every day....

Meditation is widely recommended as a health-boosting practice—and for good reason. It provides many positive benefits, from reducing symptoms of stress to relieving physical complaints like headaches and even enhancing immunity to illness. Between the health benefits and the fact that it’s free and requires as few as five minutes, it’s easy to see why meditation has become a popular complement to conventional medicine. Basic Concepts of Meditation Though it can be practiced in different ways, a few common threads run through virtually all meditation techniques:...

Hearing loss can affect a child’s emotions, social interactions, and self-esteem. Devices are available to physically manage the auditory loss, but they don’t address the emotional aspect. Key Takeaways A study from the University of Miami notes depression and anxiety are often overlooked symptoms that kids with hearing loss experience. Published in Otology & Neurotology, the study asserts that mental health screenings are needed for youth with hearing loss. Details of the Study The newly released study examined 104 youth ages 12 to 18 who attended an otology clinic in a U....

If you’ve spent any time around babies or toddlers recently, you may have seen a handful of them (if not more) wearing amber necklaces. These necklaces aren’t just for accessorizing—many people believe that Baltic amber necklaces can help with teething pain. They’re not meant to be chewed or used as toys, just simply worn. Of course, a child wearing anything around the neck naturally sets off some alarm bells, and you might be wondering about the safety of the necklaces....

When you are stressed, your body responds in a couple of ways. Your heart rate and pulse quicken, your muscles tighten, and your blood pressure also rises. Being in a constant state of stress has been linked to the development of high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension. High blood pressure is a condition that increases your risk of developing heart conditions. If left undiagnosed, it can be fatal. In this article, learn how exactly stress and high blood pressure are connected and how stress can trigger the development of high blood pressure....

Dating, in general, can feel stressful sometimes. Anytime we are interacting with someone new, even behind the perceived safety of a screen, we are taking an emotional risk whether we realize it or not. This article discusses the experience of using dating apps and what you can do if you feel overwhelmed with them. Dating apps can be a fun and convenient way to scope out potential connections but can also create a lot of stress....

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. Friday Fix: Episode 225 It’s been a great year hosting The Verywell Mind Podcast. We’ve talked to so many mentally strong people who’ve been brave enough and kind enough to share their strategies for staying mentally strong....

It’s hard to imagine someone who served our country in the military living on the streets. Unfortunately, for many veterans, homelessness is a sad reality. Although there’s no official count, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that nearly 40,000 veterans are homeless. Overview Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered a risk factor for homelessness among veterans. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD among all U.S. adults is estimated to be around 6....

What Is Substance Use Disorder? Substance abuse treatment can be complicated. Unlike some medical conditions that need treatment for a few days or weeks, treatment for substance abuse is lifelong. Substance Use Disorder Substance use disorder is a condition that causes a person to develop an uncontrollable urge to use certain substances. A person with this condition will continue to use the substance despite experiencing negative consequences to their health or social lives....

Assertiveness is a character trait that helps you communicate confidently and effectively. It helps people understand exactly where you stand and what your boundaries are in conversations. While being assertive comes naturally to some people, it can be a struggle for others. People with social anxiety or low self-esteem often struggle with being assertive. However, assertiveness can be learned. Learn how to be more assertive, why it’s essential, and how it can benefit you in your day-to-day life....

If you ask a child who celebrates Christmas about their favorite day of the year, their answer will likely be one of two occasions: the aforementioned December holiday or their birthday. But what happens when these two occasions fall on the same day? According to data compiled by FiveThirtyEight on daily births in the U.S. from 1994 to 2014, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve were the three days least likely for children to be born....

For many, the concept of meditation is intriguing, but doing it may seem out of reach. Meditation can even seem pretty obscure to most people, yet it can actually be very simple. This article will help you learn what meditation is and if there is a specific way to meditate. You will also learn some of the benefits of meditation. What Is Meditation? In plain, to meditate means to engage in thought or contemplation or to reflect....