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If you’re like most expectant mothers, you could not wait for your initial ultrasound visit. Not only was it going to confirm your pregnancy, but you also planned to find out your baby’s gender if possible. But, once in the exam room, you were faced with some unexpected news—the initial ultrasound showed some potential abnormalities that the doctor wanted to investigate further. Most likely you were shocked and in disbelief, the anxiety and stress washing over you in waves....

The sibling rivalry has been white-hot around our home lately. The ferocity of emotion that my eight-year-old identical girls direct at each other astonishes me at times. Every breath they take is a competition for oxygen. Every uttered word is a target for controversy. They bicker about anything and everything. They’ve argued about which side of the minivan to enter, and who should shut the door after they exit. How Twin Rivalry Plays Out This morning they woke up arguing about who would turn off the alarm clock....

Riding bikes around the neighborhood with friends is a timeless childhood activity. But even though children learn how to ride at a young age, falling off a bike can still cause serious injury. Fortunately, there are bike helmets specifically designed to minimize these risks. Here’s what you need to know about picking out the right helmet for your child. Why Are Bike Helmets Important? Bike helmets prevent dangerous head injuries. “Helmets are designed to absorb energy during a crash to prevent or lessen injury to the head and brain,” explains Cassandra Herring, the director of child occupant protection at Safe Kids Worldwide....

Hyperactivity and constant fidgeting cause problems at home and at school. The strategies that follow can help control hyperactive motor activity and reduce anxiety for the child, their teachers, and their parents. Note that students with learning disabilities sometimes have difficulty with fidgeting. This is particularly true of students who also have attention deficit disorders with hyperactivity (ADHD). These tips can help to manage such motor activity, whether used alone or with a comprehensive behavior intervention plan....

After a romantic breakup, it’s understandable that you would feel hurt and pain. While it seems challenging to get through heartbreak, you can find ways to survive and stay motivated. In fact, you can even discover inspiration after this kind of loss. Common Symptoms After A Breakup Frequently, it’s hard to know what you’re feeling at all. It’s understandable as sadness, anger and lack of motivation may overlap. Or you start out feeling one thing and it morphs into something else....

Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts 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 126 Maybe you find yourself doubting whether you are actually good enough for someone you’re dating. Or maybe you second guess whether you’re able to fulfill your role at work....

For victims of domestic violence—the physical attacks, emotional maltreatment, and other abuse endured are certain to take a toll on well-being. However, while the horrors of abuse are apparent in primary victims—children who witness the abuse of their mothers, fathers, or other family members, are impacted. This article will look into the lasting psychological and physical effects of a child’s exposure to domestic violence. To reduce the risk of these effects, it is also important to highlight ways that children can be protected from harm’s way....

Kurt Lewin was an influential psychologist who is today recognized as the founder of modern social psychology. His research on group dynamics, experiential learning, and action research had a tremendous influence on the growth and development of social psychology. He is also recognized for his important contributions in the areas of applied psychology and organizational psychology. In a 2002 review of some of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, Lewin was ranked as the 18th most eminent psychologist....

What Is Lilapsophobia? Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes or hurricanes. Lilapsophobia is what’s known as a specific phobia, which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes as “an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.” Though tornadoes and hurricanes are dangerous, and many people fear them, a person with lilapsophobia has a level of fear that is above average. Their fear causes distress or disruption to their everyday life, even when they’re not in any real danger of being affected by a tornado or hurricane....

We all have our bedtime routines. Depending on the person, these can include a skincare regimen, finishing a chapter in a book, making a cup of tea, or watching a favorite TV show. Most of these habits help us wind down at the end of the day and, hopefully, induce a good night’s sleep. Key Takeaways Research surrounding the habit of music played before bed has been mixed.A new study suggests listening to happy or sad music before bed can improve sleep quality....

Vaccine records can be challenging to interpret when abbreviations or acronyms are used. Standard abbreviations are often similar to each other, so it might not be clear which immunization an acronym or abbreviation is referring to. Understanding common vaccine abbreviations can help you make sure your immunizations and your child’s immunizations are up-to-date, and it can also help you when filling out required forms. Vaccine List Common vaccines that you might see on your own or on your child’s immunization record include:...

Meth is a synthetic stimulant drug that is highly addictive. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies it as a Schedule II drug. This means that the drug has a high potential for misuse. The drug is also called crystal meth, ice, and blue. While the relationship between skin lesions and substance use is not fully defined, there is some evidence that points to the development of these itchy, red lesions (also known as meth sores) after meth use....

The dangers of smoking are well-documented, and there’s new evidence to suggest that parental smoking may increase the risk of children developing anxiety and addictive behaviors. Key Takeaways Parental smoking may lead to the development of anxiety, addictive behaviors, and cognitive deficits, in children.Researchers studying rats found that male offspring of rats who consumed nicotine developed anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits.It’s the latest evidence to suggest that parental smoking can negatively affect the mental health of children....

Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant medication used to treat a variety of disorders including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a member of a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in your brain. It is not uncommon for someone to experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit Paxil. Overview More than 40 million people in the U....

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders often co-occur. People with eating disorders may have other mental health conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, many individuals with eating disorders also have one or more anxiety disorders that often predate the eating disorder. What Is PTSD? Prior to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), PTSD was included in the Anxiety Disorders category of the DSM....

Technology is everywhere. From smartphones and apps to laptops and social media, technology has become a permanent fixture in kids’ lives. But in the quest to equip them with the latest gadgets and gizmos, are parents and educators really showing them how to use these devices effectively and responsibly? The growing number of cyberbullying incidents, combined with public shaming, sexting and a variety of other online perils, suggests that the answer is no....

A safety plan is a critical part of treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). People with BPD are among the most at risk of attempting suicide or engaging in other high-risk activities. Without a safety plan, you may be in danger of harming yourself or someone else. A safety plan can reduce your risk and make it less likely that you will make a decision in the heat of the moment that will have serious consequences....

E-cigarettes have been the most widely used tobacco product among youth since 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the practice, known as vaping, has seen a recent modest decrease among teens, it is still at concerning levels. Key Takeaways A study shows that parental involvement and setting goals for the future may help steer kids from vaping.Messages youth receive on vaping may need to differ from anti-smoking campaigns to be effective....

If you currently find yourself surrounded by an array of colorful objects, none of which are breakable and all of which are safe for babies age 0+, you just might be a new parent. Filling your young child’s life with toys and playthings to delight and entertain them is one of the most fun aspects of the job. Watching in wonder as they discover new colors, textures, shapes, and animals is a feeling like no other....

While many people think of depression as an adult condition, roughly 3% of children experience depression as well. If that isn’t heartbreaking enough on its own, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of killing oneself can accompany depression—even in children. How can you know if your child is having suicidal thoughts and what can you do? Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor....