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According to theories of cognitive therapy, your thoughts and values determine the way you see yourself and the world around you. Thoughts and beliefs that are grounded in pessimism can negatively impact your feelings, emotions, and mental health. These harmful perceptions are common issues that can contribute to the symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders. In order to overcome negative thinking patterns and self-defeating beliefs, it is important to understand the definitions and differences between these two concepts....

Your children’s relationships with one another are likely the longest and most influential relationships they’ll ever have. Yet there will likely be times when you’ll feel like you’re raising arch enemies, as opposed to loving siblings. But sibling rivalry is normal; disagreements can be important learning opportunities. And just because siblings fight, doesn’t mean they can’t still be close. There are several things you can do to foster stronger bonds among siblings, regardless of whether they’re biological siblings, step-siblings, or adopted....

When children come out to their parents and caretakers, it can be difficult to know what to say during that joyful, but sometimes fraught, time. Of course, parents want to be as supportive as possible, even if it’s a challenge to know exactly how to talk to their children. Key Takeaways A new study on LGBTQ youth mental health for 2022 suggests that a supportive environment for children and teens who come out is vital for their mental and physical well-being....

Looking for information about an IFSP? This acronym for the Individualized Family Services Plan is just one of the essential aliases you’ll need to know to make sense of the services to which children with disabilities are entitled. First off, you’ll want to know the FAPE. This is the acronym for a free, appropriate public education. FAPE is the goal of the education legislation that will affect your family most directly, because when you have a child with disabilities, what fills the gap between a situation where your child can’t learn and the promise of a FAPE is services....

Alcohol can produce stimulating effects, but it is a depressant. Alcohol affects your central nervous system (CNS), impacting the way your brain communicates with the nerves in your body. Depressants affect the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down your brain activity. This can lead to side effects such as relaxation, drowsiness, slurred speech, decreased inhibition, and problems with coordination. In addition, drinking alcohol quickly and in large amounts can lead to more severe symptoms, such as memory loss, coma, even death....

A new study suggests that vitamin supplements might be beneficial for children with ADHD. Key Takeaways • According to a new study, micronutrient supplements might benefit children with ADHD. The study, published by the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), found that children with ADHD and emotional dysregulation who took a micronutrient formula over eight weeks were three times more likely to see emotional and behavioral benefits than those who were given a placebo....

There are probably times when you feel like all your child says is “No!” This is common among toddlers and preschoolers and it could be on any given subject. It doesn’t matter if it’s to get dressed or go to sleep, even something fun like going to the playground. Any of these can lead to a stubborn, “No!” This defiance may come out as a shout or a whisper, even just a forceful head shake....

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition, which means it affects the function of the brain and nervous system. Your nerves carry messages and information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles and organs, coordinating your movements and bodily functions. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, it causes nervous system function to decline, making movement and bodily functions difficult. The exact causes of Parkinson’s disease are still unclear. However, research has identified several physical, genetic, and environmental factors that can contribute to the neurodegeneration associated with this condition....

Though psychological abuse doesn’t leave bruises and broken bones, it can cause severe emotional issues and mental health conditions. This form of abuse can be harder to detect; however, it’s important to recognize it and seek help as soon as possible, as it is often a precursor to physical abuse. Psychological abuse, also known as mental or emotional abuse, involves using verbal and non-verbal communication to try to control someone or harm them emotionally....

We may not know for sure why we dream, but researchers are learning more about what happens while we dream. A recent study, published in PLoS ONE, confirmed that the kind of dreams we have vary depending on what stage of sleep we’re in. Key Takeaways We dream during both rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep.Reports of dreams collected after rapid eye movement (REM) sleep tend to display greater complexity and connectedness than non-REM dreams....

Many people find themselves feeling irritable, overwhelmed, and just not at their best when they feel overloaded by demands in their lives. And while some of the things that make me happy might not all be things that make you happy, there are certain things that tend to create a greater experience of happiness in virtually everyone’s life. These things are being identified and studied in the branch of psychology known as positive psychology, so we can know what specific changes can make most people happy....

A study from the JAMA Pediatrics has released fascinating findings on how feeding your baby through breastfeeding and formula feeding changes your baby’s stomach bacteria. What You Feed Your Baby Matters By now, most of us know that what you feed your baby matters. In fact, there’s been a lot of research done lately on how specifically feeding and how your baby was delivered (either vaginally or by a C-section) impacts exactly what bacteria live in your baby’s digestive tract....

Following the murders of numerous Black individuals at the hands of the police as well as the increase in Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, there has been a growing awareness of how BIPOC communities experience disproportionate harm in the U.S. Key Takeaways A recent study found that ongoing inequitable circumstances subject racialized communities to cumulative stress, which can put them at a heightened risk for psychosis.Research has demonstrated that rates of trauma and adversity are significantly higher in racialized communities....

Dyslexia is a reading and language disorder that is typically identified in children after they take assessments and evaluations to spot reading disorders in students. With this review of the learning disability, learn basic information about dyslexia and how it affects a student’s reading, writing and language skills. This guide also includes tips and resources for parents seeking to help children with dyslexia. Assessments and Evaluations Dyslexia testing is the first step in identifying strategies for dyslexic students....

Protein bars can be a convenient way to help you meet your protein needs, whether you’re looking for a between-meal snack or a post-exercise boost. “Having a portable, shelf-stable snack on the go that you actually enjoy eating is key. I’m often encouraging clients to make a point of eating consistently throughout the day, so the portability and convenience factor you’ll find in a bar are uniquely helpful to meeting this need no matter where you are,” says registered dietitian Jaclyn London, MS, RD....

Tons of sales on fitness gear, equipment, and apparel from top brands like REI, Nike, Adidas, and more are happening. These fitness deals will help you get psyched to work up a sweat from anywhere, whether that’s in your apartment or running at the park. Maybe your old pair of running shoes could use a replacement? Or you could need gear to weather the change in temperature. Now’s the perfect time to build that home gym you’ve long dreamed of....

The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an involuntary response that is present at birth and usually disappears between the ages of 3 to 6 months. The reflex occurs when an infant is startled by a loud noise or other environmental stimulus or feels that he or she is falling. The reflex causes the baby to extend the arms, legs, and fingers and arch the back. Experts suggest that the Moro reflex evolved to help keep infants closer to protective figures and to avoid falling....

Consciousness is a term used to describe the awareness of your physical and mental experience. As you might have already realized, not all forms of awareness are the same. There are a number of different states of human consciousness as well as a variety of factors that can have an impact on these states of awareness. Human consciousness is often compared to a stream—it is constantly changing, but always flowing smoothly....

Being married to a mama’s boy isn’t always a bad thing. A man who is close to his mother is not a mama’s boy in a negative way. In fact, research has shown that boys and men who have strong relationships with their mothers are mentally healthier, more empathetic, and have better relationships with women. A man who seems to be unhealthily attached to his mother, however, might be more of a problem....

There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of what life is like as a stay-at-home mom. But you can take a walk in her shoes to get a good idea of some of the many things she actually does in addition to taking care of the kids. Who Is a Stay-at-Home Mom? The basic definition of a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) is someone who stays home to raise her children and manage her household. She may have one child or several children, and they can range in ages from newborn all the way up to teenagers in high school....