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Just when it felt like the resumption of regular life was on the horizon, parents are being warned of a new threat to their children’s health. Doctors have expressed concern that a surge in common illnesses—such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and seasonal influenza—could be around the corner. This is due to what is being called an “immunity debt,” a phenomenon caused by the non-pharmaceutical measures taken to combat COVID-19. Doctors fear that as COVID-19 restrictions end, so too will the temporary suppression of illnesses such as RSV, chickenpox, strep throat, flu, and more, potentially causing further epidemics down the line....

These days, most of us have heard of postpartum depression—and that’s a very good thing. It means there is less stigma around having postpartum depression and seeking treatment for it. Yet what many of us don’t realize is that there is more to postpartum depression than feeling sad and hopeless. Postpartum depression encompasses many symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, and misery. But the symptom that many surprise you most is rage....

If your child is going to middle school this year, you will be invited to attend orientation weeks or days before school begins. It is an opportunity for both you and your preteen to learn about his or her new school, as well as meet the school staff, the principal, and maybe even your child’s teachers. Getting to Know the Layout Tours of the school are usually part of the orientation....

Sometimes you can be so caught up in your stress that you don’t realize that the physical discomfort you’re experiencing—such as headaches, back and shoulder pain, and tense muscles—is connected to your emotional state. Body scan meditation is a good way to release physical tension you might not even realize you’re experiencing. Body scanning involves paying attention to parts of the body and bodily sensations in a gradual sequence from feet to head....

While one of the most devastating results of the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been loss of life, experiences like loss of academic and job opportunities, social outlets and milestone celebrations also call for grieving. Key Takeaways Shadowlosses describe losses in life, rather than of life and can look like missing out on major life events, estrangement or losing a job.A recent study found that young adults are struggling to cope with shadowlosses during the pandemic....

Studying for exams can be a very stressful experience when you have ADHD. You might find you spend much more time studying for exams than other students, yet your grades do not reflect your efforts. This can leave you feeling disappointed, frustrated, and demotivated. Common areas of challenge are: Deciding what topics are most important to study Studying for the exam in the weeks leading before the exam (rather than waiting to the last minute) Being able to sit down and focus on studying Reading and remembering the material Here are some ADHD friendly tips to help you study for your exams....

Alcoholism is a medical condition characterized by a pattern of frequent or heavy alcohol use, despite negative occupational, social, physical, and emotional consequences. Also known as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder, it can range from mild to severe. If you suspect that you or someone you love has alcoholism, you’re not alone. This condition affects approximately 18 million adults in the United States. This article explores the symptoms, stages, and complications of alcoholism....

There is no singular cause of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) that has been identified. Evidence has shown that multiple factors are usually at play, influencing the development of GAD. Some of the common factors include things like genetic predisposition, brain chemistry, family background, social influence, and life experiences. Genetics Your genetics may play a role in determining whether or not you will develop GAD. As with many other mental and medical health conditions, a person can be genetically predisposed to developing certain symptoms....

If you’re looking for a lovely, traditional, feminine name, consider adding the name Claire to your list. Claire comes from a French word meaning “clear,” “bright,” or “light-colored.” How Popular Is the Name Claire? Claire has been one of the top 500 girl names in the U.S. since 1973, but it has been particularly popular for the past two decades. In 1998, it was ranked at No. 91, appearing in the top 100 for the first time....

Dilutional hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication, is a potentially life-threatening condition which occurs when a person consumes too much water without an adequate intake of electrolytes. To put it simply, water in the body needs to contain enough salts and other ions, called electrolytes, to keep the body’s cells functioning properly. If you take in too much water without enough electrolytes, the water can move into the cells of the body, causing them to swell....

What Is Experiential Therapy? When we think of therapy, talk therapy generally comes to mind. Experiential therapy on the other hand, like the name suggests, is a form of therapy that involves immersing yourself in a certain experience. “Experiential therapy is distinguished by its emphasis on action. Action is important because when a person is bodily engaged, they have access to psychological elements they wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Action can also be a precursor to change—by acting in a new way, a person can think in new ways,” says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a professor and clinical psychologist in New York City....

If you and your partner have been seeing each other for some time and things are going well, the thought of moving in together will start to cross your mind. However, living together is a pretty big step, so whether it’s your first time or you’ve lived with a significant other before, you probably want to make sure you’re ready to take that leap. Signs That You’re Ready to Move in Together Romanoff lists some signs that you’re ready to move in with your partner, as well as some indications that you’re not quite there yet....

The IEP is a legal document, carefully planned by the child study team and requiring full implementation by the school district. That’s the intention, anyway. The follow-through’s often lacking, and you’re liable to find that your child is in fact not getting all those specialized services he is legally entitled to. Some problems may be easily fixed, and some battles may not be worth fighting. For the ones you want to take on, these steps will in most cases bring you to a resolution....

What Is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder? Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a sexual dysfunction that causes a person to lose interest and desire in sex and sexual activities. The lack of interest in sex and sexual activities should last for an extended period in order for it to be diagnosed as HSDD. While this condition can affect anyone, it predominantly affects women. A person with HSDD will typically not respond to sexual stimulation or have sexual fantasies or thoughts....

Mental health struggles can be debilitating. However, mental health issues are still health concerns, and you deserve the right to get the support you need when healing. Since mental illness can be more challenging to spot than a physical ailment, it can sometimes be hard to qualify a psychiatric condition as something that requires disability support. Don’t let that stop you from getting help if you struggle to hold a job down due to depression....

Treatment for eating disorders is complex. Treatment commonly involves multiple providers (a medical doctor, psychotherapist, registered dietitian, and psychiatrist, among possible others). And the United States system has a system of levels of care that is distinct to eating disorder treatments. From most to least intensive, the levels of care are: Medical hospitalization is 24-hour care in a medical hospital. This is typically for people who are not medically stable and need round-the-clock medical monitoring, which may include intravenous fluids, tube feeding, and constant monitoring of vital signs....

Liam is an Irish name meaning “strong-willed warrior” and “protector.” It’s a shortened version of the Irish name Uilliam (which came from the Frankish name Willahelm) meaning “helmet of will.” Liam is also a fun, modernized alternative to the traditional boy name William. How Popular is the Name Liam? The name Liam has been one of the fastest-rising Irish names in the United States. Its popularity seemed to explode in the mid to late 2000s when the Social Security Administration showed its drastic jump from the No....

Somewhere along the way, scooters became just as popular with kids as bikes, trikes, and ride-on vehicles (and, to be fair, they became popular with adults, too!). If your toddler doesn’t already have a scooter, they might be asking you for one. Unless you have specific safety-related concerns, you might want to actually consider their request: toddler-safe scooters aren’t just a fun way to log some outdoor activity time, they’re a perfect way to build strong motor skills and a sense of independence....

Navane—which also goes by its generic name, thiothixene—is an anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic features of other conditions, including bipolar disorder. As with all prescription drugs, Navane comes with the risk of side effects, some of them serious. It also can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it, which can be managed by your physician. It is important to note that this drug is rarely used today in the treatment of psychosis....

For children, summer signals the long-awaited freedom from school and learning. But it also means a long break from developing important literacy skills. Enter summer reading programs. “Reading over the summer not only helps kids academically, but it also connects the experience to recreation and discovery, empowering children to benefit from and enjoy the practice for a lifetime,” says Deimosa Webber-Bey, the director of information services and cultural insight at Scholastic....