The “mood swing” phenomenon is a common concept used to describe rapidly and intensely fluctuating emotions. People often describe mood swings as a “roller coaster” of feelings from happiness and contentment to anger, irritability, and even depression. A person may recognize something that has triggered a shift in their mood, such as a stressful event at work. But it’s also not uncommon for mood swings to occur without an obvious cause....
What Is Munchausen Syndrome? Munchausen syndrome is a mental disorder in which a person routinely acts as if they have a true physical or mental health issue even though they are really not sick. A person with this condition will deliberately create, complain of, or exaggerate symptoms of an illness that does not really exist. The disorder has since been renamed and is now classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as “factitious disorder imposed on self....
What Is a Panic Attack? A panic attack is a sudden and intense feeling of terror, fear, or apprehension, without the presence of actual danger. The symptoms of a panic attack usually happen suddenly, peak within 10 minutes, and then subside. However, some attacks may last longer or may occur in succession, making it difficult to determine when one attack ends and another begins. Panic Attack Symptoms Panic attacks usually appear suddenly and lead to intense feelings of fear....
A parent’s actions impact their child during pregnancy—from what they eat or drink to the amount of exercise they get to the prenatal vitamins they take. While what the parent does during pregnancy is important, a new study shows that what they do before becoming pregnant can be just as impactful. Key Takeaways A new study found that the pregnant mom’s weight before becoming pregnant is linked to the development of allergic diseases in their children....
Currently in its fifth edition (DSM-5-TR), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is sometimes referred to as psychiatry’s bible. Within its covers are specific diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, as well as a series of codes that allow therapists to easily summarize often complex conditions for clinical research and insurance purposes. This method offers a number of advantages, such as standardization of diagnoses across different treatment providers. But increasingly, mental health professionals are considering the drawbacks of the DSM, including the possibility of over-diagnosis....
Psilocybin is a substance found in many species of mushrooms (often referred to as “magic mushrooms”) that produces psychedelic effects. When this substance is ingested, it produces feelings of euphoria and sensory hallucinations that last for several hours. Some research suggests that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin may be an effective treatment for some mental health conditions, particularly depression. Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that an estimated 7....
Depression is rarely ever visible to the naked eye, and even less visible in communities where mental health stigma is more prevalent than in others. Further, living with an invisible illness like depression as a person of color adds another layer of loneliness to an already isolating condition. We’re talking about the communities where “pushing forward” is a survival tactic rather than a coping mechanism; communities that question if something is “wrong” with us for considering we should seek professional help for ourselves, let alone for our children....
Skin is a barrier that provides protection from infection, helps control body temperature, and prevents water loss. A preemie is at a greater risk for infection and the loss of heat and water through the skin. That’s why it’s important to keep your preemie’s skin healthy and intact. A premature baby’s skin is not as fully mature as a full-term newborn, so a preemie’s skin needs extra care. Delicate skin is at risk for injury from tape, electrodes, and adhesives....
Cycling is an excellent way to get some exercise and if your go-to adventures involve dirt paths and off-road trails, it’s worth investing in a mountain bike that can take you on all your favorite routes. Mountain bikes are specifically designed to withstand rugged outdoor trails. Their large, textured tires are equipped to handle a range of different terrain, and their sturdy frames will keep you feeling stable and supported as you climb hills and zip down narrow dirt paths....
Casein is a high-quality protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. Casein is digested and absorbed much more slowly than other types of protein. Because of this extended absorption time, casein may be an effective tool to facilitate muscle recovery when taken right before sleep. Additionally, a serving of casein protein powder provides around 50% of your daily calcium needs, compared to just 10% in whey protein. When purchasing a casein protein powder, look at the ingredients list, how much protein it provides, and if the product has been third-party tested....
Clutter—most of us have a little of it here or there. In fact, many of us have more than just a little. In a survey conducted by the National Association for Professional Organizers in 2015, it found that over a third of readers were overwhelmed by their clutter —and don’t know where to begin cleaning. (In contrast, less than 10% say their homes are clutter-free.) How is all this mess affecting us?...
Your little one grows and develops in so many ways during their first year, and that includes moving on from their bottle and/or the breast. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a sippy cup as a transition between a bottle and an open cup. Every child develops at their own pace, but if your infant has good head control, can pick up and grasp items, and is able to sit well in a high chair, the time might be right for a sippy cup, says pediatrician and international board-certified lactation consultant Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, who is medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps....
No matter how much you want a baby, facing pregnancy after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or other loss can be nerve-wracking. Dealing with a loss steals your innocence about pregnancy; it’s not uncommon to face debilitating anxiety during a new pregnancy when you have a negative experience with a previous one. One way that some women cope with the stress and anxiety of pregnancy after loss is to rent or buy a Doppler-based fetal heart rate monitor (also known as a baby doppler)....
Many people associate occupational therapy with pediatric services or physical rehabilitation. They are surprised to find occupational therapists also working in mental health settings. If you or a loved one is seeing a mental health OT, learning about their role can help you advocate for the best care. The History of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Occupational therapy has its origins in mental health. At one point, the majority of OTs worked in mental health settings....
Some of us were holed up at home, learning how to make bread and receiving handwashing lessons from celebrities on Instagram. Some of us were essential workers, layering gloves and masks as we rang people up for their groceries. Some of us were instantly unemployed, forced to take a hiatus from work while panicking about our livelihood. COVID-19 was a moment that changed all of us, causing us to reconsider how we are living our lives, as most life-threatening situations do....
Trimming the tree, baking cookies, and caroling are classic Christmas traditions we all know and love. But nothing will put your family in the Christmas spirit quite like cuddling up to watch a classic holiday movie. Plus, it is the one family bonding experience that takes very little planning. The challenge is selecting just the right Christmas movie. After all, everyone has their favorites. Whether it’s “Miracle on 34th Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Nutcracker,” “Frosty the Snowman,” or even “Elf,” there are hundreds of Christmas movies to choose from....
Divorced parents almost always find the issue of co-parenting as one of the stickiest challenges of all in their new and uncharted relationship. In virtually every case, children suffer as a result of a divorce. They feel torn between two parents and the parents’ now separate lives. As for the parents, they might struggle with feelings of competitiveness, frustration, and misunderstanding. Additionally, co-parenting in two different households was not what they signed up for when they decided to have kids....
Nothing is more unsettling than learning that your child is a bully. In fact, no parent wants to get a call from the school or from another parent and hear that their child has been bullying other kids. But the fact is, a lot of kids bully others. Even the most well-mannered kids can engage in bullying. So do not be shocked if you get that call. If you do learn that your child is bullying others, try not to dwell in your surprise....
Birth defects can influence how a newborn looks and functions. In the United States, one of 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Some conditions are readily noticeable, such as cleft lip or palate. Others, like congenital heart defects, are revealed by special diagnostic tests. Birth defects occur while the baby is developing in the womb. Certain chemicals, medicines, and drugs—called teratogens—can increase the risk of birth defects. Between 15 and 60 days of gestation (during the first trimester), major organs develop....
When first starting antidepressants, you may suddenly find that you don’t feel like yourself anymore. Though your depression symptoms may have improved, the overwhelming waves of gloom can sometimes be replaced by an emotional inertness in which are neither able to cry nor share a real belly laugh. If you feel this way, you are definitely not alone. In fact, there’s a term used to describe this feeling—called emotional blunting—which aptly captures the dulled emotional state many people experience while on antidepressants....
