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Personality describes the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish a person from others. A product of both biology and environment, it remains fairly consistent throughout life. Examples of personality can be found in how we describe other people’s traits. For instance, “She is generous, caring, and a bit of a perfectionist,” or “They are loyal and protective of their friends.” The word “personality” stems from the Latin word persona, which refers to a theatrical mask worn by performers to play roles or disguise their identities....

Phocomelia is a birth defect characterized by short upper and/or lower limbs. Where all four limbs are affected, it is known as tetra-phocomelia. The affected limbs appear to be shortened due to missing or underdeveloped bones. In some instances, children with phocomelia may have their limbs growing directly from the trunk. Phocomelia is a rare defect. This wasn’t always the case, however. In the 1960s, thalidomide—a drug intended to treat anxiety and morning sickness—was recalled for being unsafe for use in pregnancy....

We all know that sleep is very important. Especially as parents, sleep becomes a most precious commodity and one that we don’t always get as much of as we would like. But a new study is suggesting that sleep for toddlers is actually much more important than we realize. A new study in Academic Pediatrics examined the link between behavior and sleep in children, and found that poor sleep early in life may actually be linked to problems with behavior later in life....

Quinn is a name of Irish origin. It means “descendant of Conn.” Quinn is also a common surname in Ireland. It is a variation of Irish surnames like McQuinn and Ó Cuinn which also means “descendant of Conn.” Although it started as a predominantly masculine first name, Quinn has evolved to a unisex name that can be used for any gender. “Wise” or “counsel" are other potential translations of the name....

What Does Sebastian Mean? Sebastian means “venerable” or “revered” in Latin, and comes from the Latin word “Sebastianus,” which was used to refer to a person from Sebaste, the name of a town in Asia Minor that is now the city of Sivas in Turkey). The name is well-known, largely thanks to Saint Sebastian: an early Christian saint who was martyred by the Roman emperor Diocletian. Saint Sebastian remains a favorite saint within the Catholic church, serving as the patron saint of archers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death....

When a child grieves the loss of a loved one, you might not even realize that they’re grieving. Kids process and display complex emotions differently than adults. However, that doesn’t mean the grief is not happening and that your child isn’t affected by their emotions. What’s more, children aren’t too young to grieve. Ability to Understand Death Grief in children is tricky because younger children may not understand the concept of death and its permanence....

Although it may be surprising to some, there is a longstanding association between epilepsy and various forms of mental illness. Indeed, among patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, a form of epilepsy in which seizures begin in the temporal lobe of the brain, some estimates are that 70% meet diagnostic criteria for at least one form of mental illness and the most common are mood and anxiety disorders. Although numbers vary from study to study, research suggests that between 10% and about 20% of people with temporal lobe epilepsy have ​obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)....

The recovery model is a holistic, person-centered approach to mental health care. The model has quickly gained momentum and is becoming the standard model of mental health care. It is based on two simple premises: It is possible to recover from a mental health condition.The most effective recovery is patient-directed. If you’re receiving mental health services or have a loved one with a mental health condition, knowing the basic tenets of this model can help you advocate for the best care....

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior. Meanwhile, sleep disorders are conditions that make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get quality sleep. It is common for people with Alzheimer’s disease to have sleep problems. In fact, research suggests that 40%-90% of people with Alzheimer’s disease suffer from some form of sleep disturbance. Poor sleep can also worsen Alzheimer’s symptoms. In addition, researchers are studying whether sleep may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease....

You may worry about whether your preemie is meeting developmental milestones on time, but take heart; most premature babies meet developmental milestones within normal ranges for their corrected age. Corrected age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks premature your baby was born from their actual age in weeks. So if your 9-month-old baby was born 3 months premature, they would be expected to meet the same developmental milestones as a 6-month-old baby who was born full-term....

What Is Subjective Well-Being? Subjective well-being (SWB), also known as self-reported well-being, refers to how people experience and evaluate different aspects of their lives. It is often used to measure mental health and happiness, and it can be an important predictor of individual health, wellness, and longevity. It has become a useful measure of societal health. In addition to providing psychologists a way to assess how people feel about their lives, it also offers insights that can be used to guide public health, economic, and social policies....

If you live with dating anxiety, you may have trouble knowing how and where to meet people. Traditional spots for meeting partners such as bars or the local supermarket require you to strike up a conversation—a task that can be difficult if you have severe anxiety. If you live with social anxiety disorder (SAD) or are simply chronically shy, chances are that these situations will not showcase your best qualities....

For many years, when asked what my greatest fear was, childbirth always came to mind. Never mind the fact that I was single with absolutely zero baby plans on the horizon; the thought of giving birth gave me the heebie-jeebies. It was mostly the fear of the unknown, but also a little bit of something else. I knew that as a Black woman, it would be riskier for me to give birth than any other race....

As a therapist, I already knew a thing or two about grief—at least on an intellectual level. I’d learned about things like “complicated grief” in graduate school, and I’d treated my fair share of people who were struggling with loss. But I gained a whole new understanding of grief when I spent a solid decade grieving a series of losses. I lost my mom at 23, and I became a widow at 26....

If you are a parent or loved one of someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you might have wondered what causes it. This question, however, has no straightforward answer because there is no single cause of ASD. Research points to certain risk factors that put some people at a higher risk of developing the condition than others. Risk factors include having a family member who has also been diagnosed with the condition, environmental factors like severe pollution, and being born preterm....

Do you love curling up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a good book? You might already be practicing Hygge more than you think. Hygge is a concept originated in Danish culture that focuses on living with a sense of comfort, coziness, and peace. It has been described as, “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.” There is a debate on the proper pronunciation of the word Hygge, either “hue-guh” or “hoo-gah,” but what is so intriguing about this concept is that there are actual health benefits to living a Hygge-focused lifestyle....

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder characterized by many symptoms, including chronic challenges with maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships, feelings of low self-worth, impulsivity, and volatile moods. As a pattern of instability in personal relationships is a hallmark of the disorder, it is no wonder that fear of abandonment looms large in the lives of those impacted by BPD. Overview According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the prevalence of BPD in the general population of adults aged 18 and over is around 1....

There are always things to worry about when you are pregnant, but the COVID-19 pandemic has added an extra layer of stress. Many pregnant people are concerned what may happen if they get infected with COVID during pregnancy—in particular, whether a COVID infection could increase their risk of miscarriage. Key Takeaways Some studies have shown an increase in miscarriage risk among pregnant people who are infected with COVID-19 Research has also found that COVID infection during pregnancy increases the risk of complications, preterm birth, and stillbirth Importantly, staying up-to-date on your COVID vaccines can protect yourself from severe outcomes in pregnancy, including pregnancy loss This is a reasonable concern, especially given preliminary research that has shown more severe COVID outcomes in pregnant people, including increased risk of miscarriage, pregnancy complications, preterm birth, and neonatal loss....

There are a number of traumatic events that can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, exposure to shooting may place someone at a particularly high risk for developing symptoms of PTSD. This article discusses the psychological effects of experiencing gun violence and the symptoms of PTSD that may occur afterward. It also covers some of the things you can do to get help coping with the aftermath of a shooting....

During the 12 months between ages 1 and 2, you’ll watch your baby start to become less like an infant and more like a toddler! You’ll witness a physical transformation as your 1-year-old begins to master new motor skills that help them gain a bit of independence and you’ll likely begin to see their unique personality emerge. “You are stepping into a beautiful but also challenging time,” says Victoria Tenenbaum, a board-certified behavior analyst who holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis....