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Bipolar disorder isn’t just about having mood swings. It’s a serious mental health condition that used to be referred to as manic depression. There are two main types of bipolar disorder that can differ in terms of the severity and nature of their symptoms. Information presented in this article may be triggering for some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor....

What Is Bowenian Family Therapy? Bowenian family therapy is an approach to treatment that was developed by the psychiatrist Murray Bowen. Bowen believed that patterns persist in families across generations, and problematic behaviors can be passed down and create similar conflicts. Bowen created this approach to therapy aimed at fostering healthy communication between family members, breaking toxic or harmful patterns, and developing healthy differentiation and autonomy among each individual within the family unit....

Having an Rh-negative blood type requires special attention during each pregnancy. In the past, Rh-negative women were often at risk for miscarriage in the second or third trimester. This now happens rarely as pregnant Rh-negative women are routinely given the RhoGAM injection to lessen this risk. Learn how your Rh blood type can affect your chances of pregnancy loss and the health of future pregnancies. What Is Rh Factor? Just as people have major blood types (A, B, AB, or O), they also have an Rh factor blood type, which is usually noted as Rh-positive or Rh-negative....

The early days with a baby can be stressful. Smoking is one way that many people alleviate stress. Nicotine, the psychoactive substance in cigarettes, is also one of the most addictive substances—and one of the hardest to quit. The advice on smoking during pregnancy is clear—it is harmful to the baby and should be avoided. If you previously smoked, you might wonder if you can smoke while you are breastfeeding. If you had quit while you were pregnant but relapse after having your baby, should you still breastfeed?...

If you are trying to maintain abstinence from drugs or alcohol, it is very important that you develop positive, healthy relationships to support you during your recovery process. For most people who go through a professional rehab program, that can mean having to make an entire set of new friends. Avoiding your former drinking buddies or drug-using friends is a key step in maintaining your recovery, but it doesn’t stop there....

People worldwide drink energy drinks to increase exercise performance and sharpen mental focus and alertness—and just because they like the taste. But should you consume energy drinks if you are pregnant? Experts recommend avoiding energy drinks while pregnant because of the high caffeine content and other ingredients. In addition, most energy drink companies voluntarily post advisory statements on their labels, discouraging those who are pregnant and breastfeeding from consuming them....

Well-meaning adults often consider foster care so that they can help provide a safe home for children who need it, but it’s important to think about it before making such a big decision. Being a foster parent is not easy as it’s a major commitment in terms of your time, energy, and emotions. This article explores some of the factors you should consider before deciding to become a foster parent. It also suggests some signs that can help indicate you’re ready to take this step, as well as some indicators that you may not be ready yet....

The term designer drugs became popular in the 1980s and 1990s as part of the “rave” and “club” scene that took off during those decades. The term “designer drugs” coincided with the rise in popularity of “designer” everything — from clothing to home decor to pharmaceuticals. But designer drugs were not named after designers, rather, they were “designed” to avoid legal safeguards by producing similar effects to those considered too dangerous to be legal....

Whether you’re requesting an IEP for your child, have been referred by a teacher, or have a child identified as eligible for services by your state’s Child Find program, the process will follow a particular sequence. The following steps, from the initial referral through the provision of services, are adapted from the U.S. Department of Education’s “Guide to the Individualized Education Program,” which details everything you need to know about the IEP process for your child....

Children are entitled to receive financial support from both parents until they reach the age of majority. Child support payments are often mandated by the courts and begin once one of the parents has filed for child support. Occasionally, there are scenarios when the parent who initially requested it later wishes to stop receiving child support payments. Before we look at how to stop child support altogether, let’s explore some of the circumstances in which a parent may want to stop receiving or even completely refuse incoming child support payments....

Everyone knows that being the parent of a baby comes with a certain amount of sleep deprivation, especially in the beginning. But until you’re actually in it, it can be hard to predict just how much sleep deprivation you will experience—and most importantly, what it will feel like or how you will manage. Some babies seem to sleep like angels from the beginning and others, not so much. If you are one of the unlucky ones, know that you are not alone....

Sex addiction is a phenomenon that people feel OK joking about. Of all the addictions, sex addiction is most commonly the target of comments such as, “If I was going to have an addiction, I’d go for sex addiction.” Many people dismiss sex addiction as a futile attempt to give legitimacy to what is simply irresponsible or greedy behavior. Others say that those who deny sex addiction’s legitimacy are unaware of or indifferent to the emotional pain frequently reported by both those who experience sex addiction and their loved ones....

Advertising that promotes vaping has taken a similar path to the mainstream tobacco industry. Make it look cool, make it look youthful, and then watch kids latch on. Key Takeaways Study suggests route to more effective anti-vaping advertising.More than two million children used an e-cigarette last year.Some are concerned that the research into vaping is less focused on mental health. We’ve seen backlash for ads featuring Santa Claus, we’ve seen the UK ad regulator ban e-cigarette ads from Instagram, and yet a significant number of youth are vaping, upwards of two million in 2021 according to the CDC....

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects the part of the brain that controls movement. As a result, symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty with balance, movement, and coordination. Over time, you may have trouble walking and talking. Loved ones like family and friends are often first to notice the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease before you notice them yourself. For example, someone may notice that you have difficulty rising from a chair or that your hand shakes....

If you have borderline personality disorder (BPD), it’s very common to feel like you want to quit therapy. In fact, it is quite natural to get frustrated with therapy or your therapist or to feel like psychotherapy is not working anymore. But many people leave therapy before they have reached their treatment goals—research shows that about 47 percent of people with BPD leave treatment prematurely. Quitting therapy is a big decision, so think through your reasons and your treatment goals....

The number of Black youths who have died by suicide has increased faster in the past 20 years than any other ethnic group. In fact, for Black males ages 10 to 19, suicide rates jumped 60% during that time. Key Takeaways Suicide rates among Black males ages 10 to 19 jumped 60% over the past 20 years.Removing the stigma surrounding suicide in the Black community is happening as more people share their stories, support, and resources....

Anxiety disorder relaxation techniques are an important part of many behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders and specifically for social anxiety disorder (SAD). For example, if you have a fear of public speaking, part of your treatment may involve practicing deep breathing and muscle relaxation while imagining giving a speech. While relaxation techniques often form part of a more comprehensive treatment plan, these are strategies that you can also practice on your own at home....

We live in an inherently stressful world, one that challenges our ability to be comfortable on a daily basis. Recent research, published by academics from Cornell and the University of Chicago, has found that increased motivation can stem from seeking discomfort. Using results from five experiments, they point to the inherent messiness of growth. Key Takeaways Research shows that discomfort can lead to increased motivationExperts say that there is a line between productive discomfort and harm or distressIncreasing motivation via discomfort takes a variable amount of “conscious exposure” The study authors conclude, “Whether through improvisation, writing about difficult emotions, seeking uncomfortable information, or relating to other people with opposite views: Instead of avoiding the discomfort inherent to growth, people should seek it as a sign of progress....

You don’t need to warm an infant’s milk or formula. However, many parents do warm their baby’s bottle. It is more a personal preference than anything else. Many infants do just fine drinking formula (or expressed breast milk) at room temperature or even when it is a little cool. After all, once they switch to whole milk, you likely won’t be warming it up anymore and will offer it right out of the refrigerator....

Workout clothes that are both functional and stylish can make a person feel comfortable in their curves—and they can even help you stick to a fitness routine. The best plus-size workout clothes provide support, comfort, coverage, and durability. Activewear should be supportive, breathable, and affordable, and can make you more comfortable and successful while exercising. “If you feel amazing in your leggings and sports bra, you will most likely walk into any fitness studio or gym feeling more confident, and that will carry over into how you perform during your workout,” says Kaitlin Humphreys, Regional CPT, and Coach at Orangetheory Fitness, Los Angeles....