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Infants don’t have a life history to weigh them down or make them sad, but that doesn’t mean they can’t experience depression. Many mental health professionals believe, based on case studies and clinical experience, that babies can and do become depressed. “There is a perception that early childhood is supposed to be a happy and carefree time but, in many ways, childhood can be overwhelming and scary,” notes Christina Fiorvanti, PhD, a pediatric psychologist in the pediatric behavioral health integration program at Montefiore Health System....

Just like pregnancy and childbirth, you may have heard other people’s stories about their experiences with breastfeeding. It worked out beautifully for one person and went horribly wrong for another. You can certainly end up feeling overwhelmed by all of the information you’re getting. Let’s demystify the process by focusing on the basics of breastfeeding. Here’s what you need to know to get started. Your Breasts During Pregnancy During pregnancy, the milk-making glands in your breasts begin to grow and develop....

A healthy diet is an important part of pregnancy. You want to not only make sure you’re keeping your own body healthy, but also eat what’s best for your baby. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that fruit is part of a healthy diet, but that’s not necessarily the case for all fruits when you’re pregnant. Some of your favorite fruits may be OK to eat in some cases but not others....

Self-help can be an effective way to address problems and drive personal growth, but is it possible to go overboard? Or could you even become addicted to self-help? While experts still don’t agree about which behaviors should be considered “real” addictions, there’s no question that certain behaviors can cause serious problems in a person’s life when they become pervasive, invasive, and distressing. But what happens when it is a persistent pursuit of becoming better, stronger, happier, and more productive?...

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the leading evidence-based treatment for eating disorders. CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach that involves a variety of techniques. These approaches help an individual to understand the interaction between his or her thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and develop strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors in order to improve mood and functioning. CBT itself is not a single distinct therapeutic technique and there are many different forms of CBT that share a common theory about the factors maintaining psychological distress....

It couldn’t have been more than three weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic that iterations of the following began to emerge: “Remember that William Shakespeare wrote ‘King Lear’ during quarantine.” Key Takeaways Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routines and added stress to people’s lives, making accomplishing big goals less of a priority.Cases of anxiety and depression have increased alongside lower energy and feelings of burnout. Techniques such as acknowledging less obvious accomplishments and not comparing yourself to others can help mitigate the feeling of “lost time....

What Is Cortisol? Cortisol is a naturally-occurring steroid hormone that plays a key role in the body’s stress response. While it is often called the stress hormone for its best-known role, it also contributes to many of the body’s processes. It’s secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the regulation of the following functions and more: Blood pressure regulationGlucose metabolismImmune functionInflammatory responseInsulin release The adrenal glands release cortisol in response to stress or fear as part of the body’s fight or flight response....

Having to undergo surgery can be frightening and the recovery process can be painful. It can be a difficult experience for just about anyone. While some people find that their mood improves if their medical symptoms are better after the surgical procedure, others may develop post-surgical depression, says Jeffrey Zabinski, MD, a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, who works with medical patients that also need psychiatric care....

Early intervention is a group of federally funded programs carried out by the states. Basically, early intervention helps families and young children who have a developmental concern (or who are at risk of problems) to make sure that these children grow to their greatest potential. Early intervention services are offered from birth to age three. Children who need services past age three are transitioned into a preschool setting that best meets their needs....

Family fitness challenges make working toward fitness goals much more fun. Collaborating as a family helps you all stay motivated and learn to reach your goals. Even better, you’ll create serious family bonding, accountability, and memories, while providing an opportunity to build positive change for everyone in your household. Why Your Family Should Try a Fitness Challenge There are many reasons to start a family fitness challenge and even more fitness goals to pursue....

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is one of those things that no one wants to think about. After all, the thought of your baby suddenly dying is extremely scary. At the same time, SIDS is something all parents of new babies need to take seriously, and educate themselves about. Thankfully, as scary as SIDS is, there are several simple things you can do to reduce the risk for your baby. Let’s take a look at the most effective measures you can take to protect your baby from SIDS....

Knowing how to talk to people when you have social anxiety disorder (SAD) can be difficult. Even after getting treatment, you may find that you lack some of the social skills needed to connect with people effectively. It is a hurdle that many people with SAD face but one which can be overcome with a little patience, practice, and insight. Social Performance Deficits A 2008 study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders sought to determine whether people with SAD were actually less skilled in social interactions or just thought that they are....

What Does James Mean? The name James has an interesting history, including the fact that it’s actually a translation of another super common “J” name for boys: Jacob. In fact, the name James means the same exact thing as Jacob—“supplanter” or substitute—and comes from the original Hebrew word for Jacob. Because of its connection to Jacob, James is a Biblical name (two of Jesus’ apostles were named James). Due to its Scottish roots, it also has a royal connotation and became more widely popularized when King James VI took over the English throne in the 17th century....

Many kids look forward to going to school. They may not always enjoy every single part of the school day. But in general, they like spending time with their friends at school, learning new things, and being challenged. Some other kids just dread going to school. For these kids, going to school may become so stressful that they throw temper tantrums over going to school or complain of symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or chest pain....

Parents want to do what’s best for their kids, which means giving their preemies the best shot at life that they can. However, since one of the active ingredients in marijuana–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)–passes through the breastmilk, most healthcare providers refrain from giving THC-positive milk to preemies because they don’t fully know what the effects might be.. However, since one of the active ingredients in marijuana–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)–passes through the breastmilk, most healthcare providers refrain from giving THC-positive milk to preemies because they don’t fully know what the effects might be....

A miscarriage can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. There’s no way to predict how it will affect you emotionally, nor are there tips for making the loss of a pregnancy less heartbreaking. Grieving is a very personal thing. The physical experience of miscarriage, on the other hand, is fairly predictable, depending on in which stage of the pregnancy it took place. If you’ve recently lost a pregnancy, you may get some small comfort from having an understanding of what is happening in your body....

The links between personality traits and musical taste haven’t been explored much, but some studies confirm that they’re indeed related to some degree. Others say not so much. Learn what research says about the relationship between who you are and what you listen to. Personality Traits and Musical Tastes In one study, researchers asked more than 36,000 participants worldwide to rate more than 104 different musical styles. They also filled out Big 5 personality inventories and provided information about their favorite music....

The first 3 months of your newborn’s physical development will pass by more quickly than you can imagine. During this time you will note changes in your infant’s growth, appearance, motor abilities, and sensory development. Growth Predictors Curious about how big little Johnny will get in the early months? Concerned your baby is either bigger than or smaller than the average newborn? The truth is, rarely is there a cause for concern....

As if being pregnant wasn’t exhausting and overwhelming enough, sometimes moms-to-be experience some pretty unexpected symptoms, especially in the last few months. Take numbness and tingling, for example. Some pregnant women will experience “pins and needles” or numbing feelings in their hands, fingers, legs, back, or buttocks toward the end of their pregnancy. Not only can these symptoms become irritating and sometimes very uncomfortable, but they may leave you asking, “What exactly is going on here?...

OCD and OCPD share some similarities, but they are distinct conditions that differ in important ways. OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts that then compel a person to engage in behaviors to relieve feelings of distress and anxiety. This can be contrasted with OCPD, marked by excessive attention to detail and perfectionism. The primary difference is that OCD includes obsessions/compulsions, while OCPD does not. What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder? Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is defined by strict orderliness, control, and perfectionism....