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In order for a self-modification program to be successful, you must first take a careful inventory of your current behavior patterns to discover how you deal with anxiety and panic. For example, do you avoid going to the mall because you fear a panic attack will cause you embarrassment? Or, perhaps you keep to yourself in social situations out of fear that others may discover your “panic secret.” Steps to Beginning a Self-Modification Program You can begin a self-modification program by following these basic steps....

Why SET Works The symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) can result in a person with BPD asking for conflicting things or being unable to recognize that another person cares for them, especially during times of stress. They may be unable to experience conflicting feelings at the same time and may see things in black and white with very little shades of gray. The SET method allows you to honestly address your loved one’s demands, assertions or feelings, while still maintaining appropriate boundaries....

This disorder is more prevalent in men than in women. It can also lead to the development of sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction. Sexual performance anxiety is one of the most common sexual conditions in the world today. Some research shows 9% to 25% of men are affected by SPA, and 6% to 16% of women are affected by this condition. SPA looks a little different when it happens before sex than during sex....

You may worry about whether your partner would appreciate your asking about their therapy sessions or whether they would consider it intrusive. This article discusses whether it’s all right to ask your partner about their therapy sessions as well as some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while having this conversation. Should You Ask About Your Partner’s Therapy Sessions? Verywell Mind asked Meghan Marcum, PsyD, chief psychologist at AMFM Healthcare, whether it’s acceptable to ask one’s partner about their therapy sessions....

While antidepressants can’t cure these conditions, they can help reduce your symptoms. These medications work by improving the balance of chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, in the brain. In fact, a 2016 study notes that up to two-thirds of people who have depression don’t respond to the first antidepressant drug they are prescribed, and need to change their medication before they see results. Furthermore, approximately one-third of people with depression who have been taking a particular antidepressant medication for a long period of time may start to experience symptoms again, either because the medication stops working for them or because they have a new episode of depression that’s not responding to the medication....

We all compare ourselves to others in our social worlds, whether by comparing our looks to those of celebrities we see in the media or our talents to those of our coworkers. In psychology, social comparison theory is one explanation for this tendency we have to make comparisons between ourselves and others. Let’s take a closer look at how social comparison theory works and how the comparisons we make influence the views we may hold of ourselves....

Now, with hope on the horizon in the form of multiple vaccines that may soon gain FDA approval, we may begin to have a more positive outlook on the state of the pandemic. Experts warn, however, that we should not ease caution just yet. The most recent spike in COVID-19 cases around the country is evidence of what happens when we do just that. Defying recommended restrictions—especially as colder weather pushes people indoors—has caused the virus to spread in places that were once able to flatten the curve....

There are a variety of smoking cessation products that are designed to help people stop smoking. Choosing one that is right for you is essentially a matter of preference, barring any medical concerns you might have. Quitting Without Quit Aids “Cold turkey” is the term used to describe quitting smoking without the help of quit aids. One advantage of this method is that the majority of nicotine is out of the body within a few days....

There are plenty of theories and tips designed to help people get motivated, but some of the psychological factors that can influence motivation might surprise you. Did you know that visualizing success can backfire? Or that incentives can sometimes make people less motivated? Researchers have found that rewarding people for doing things that they are already intrinsically motivated to do can actually backfire. Remember, intrinsic motivation arises from within the individual....

The key to lasting freedom from nicotine addiction lies in changing your relationship to smoking. If you believe somewhere in the back of your mind that you’re making a sacrifice by quitting, you might be setting the stage for eventual relapse. Why People Relapse After They Stop Smoking One of the main reasons people relapse even years after quitting is their mindset. They might still believe that smoking is an enjoyable activity that they had to give up—not something they truly wanted to give up....

Technophobia is surprisingly common. Some experts believe that we all experience at least a small amount of nervousness when confronted with new technology. In today’s rapidly changing world, it can be easy to feel out of touch. Technophobia may seem like a new phenomenon, a product of the information age that began in the 1960s and continues to ramp up at lightning speed today. Yet there were reports of technophobia at least as early as the Industrial Revolution....

A quality bathrobe is a loungewear staple that can help you peacefully escape your chaotic routine—whether wearing it post-shower or while lazying around the house. From warm and fuzzy plush to towel-like spa robes, there’s a bathrobe for everyone’s taste and style, and since staying in is the new going out, there are more options than ever on the market. We tested six of the robes on this list for a minimum of 14 hours each....

Some well-known species of sage include common sage, white sage, Spanish sage, and Chinese sage. The botanical term for common sage is Salvia officinalis. Benefits of Sage Supplements Dried sage leaves can be used in cooking as a spice. Sage can also be taken internally as a liquid, spray, lozenge, capsule, or tablet. The phenolic compounds in sage may have an antioxidant effect and reduce free radicals. Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid are two compounds in sage that are particularly associated with an antioxidant effect....

You might find it easy to find humor in life’s funnier moments, but being able to laugh at yourself isn’t always so easy. However, making light of your flaws, mishaps, and life challenges can have a number of benefits. While it might sound surprising, being able to make fun of yourself can be good for your self-esteem. It might even improve your relationships and help you cope more effectively with the challenges that life throws at you....

Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety High-functioning anxiety typically propels the person forward rather than leaving them frozen in fear. As a result, they often appear very successful in work and life—which might be objectively true if that success is measured only in achievements. What others might not know (and what you would never share) is that beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect exterior, you’re fighting a constant churn of anxiety. Here are a few other signs....

However, this theory would not explain why snake phobias are relatively common, while fears of predatory animals, such as tigers, are rare. Some research shows that while the tendency to pay close attention to snakes may be evolutionary, the actual fear is learned rather than innate. Symptoms The fear of snakes can be tricky to diagnose, as symptoms can vary widely between people. If you have mild ophidiophobia, you may fear only encounters with large or venomous snakes....

Though conversations about the experiences of people who occupy both of these minorities aren’t widespread, it’s surprisingly common for people to fall under both identity umbrellas: 42% of people in the United States who identify as LGBTQ+ are also a person of color. That’s nearly half of the LGBTQ+ population. Ahead, learn about what it means to belong to the LGBTQ+ community and be a person of color and how you can consider a new way of thinking that can support LGBTQ+ people of color....

This neurotransmitter spikes in anticipation of something important which is about to happen, plays key roles in the body’s reward and motivation system, and also affects memory. Dopamine performs these important functions despite making up only a small percentage—less than one percent —of the brain’s neurons. In the right amount, this neurotransmitter is crucial for brain function, but when this amount is lowered beyond a prescribed point, it can just as equally have an unintended consequence on the body....

The inhalation of smoke is known to cause physical health risks and exacerbate those already present, including COPD and asthma. However, mounting evidence points towards damage to our brains as well. Adverse mental health outcomes have been recorded in several studies, linking poor air quality to damaging emotional and cognitive conditions. Dangerous soot and toxic chemicals pose a greater risk to the communities it settles on than commonly believed. Especially as the smoke travels across the U....

“Humans are creatures of habit. For well over a year, people re-adjusted their lives nearly overnight. For many, they lost a stressful work commute, stressful office dynamics, a lack of work/life balance and so much more,” Gina Moffa, LCSW, psychotherapist, tells Verywell. Social distancing likely allowed for more time with those you live with, or more time for an activity or hobby you enjoy. The pandemic also sparked life changes, such as health improvements, career choices, and relocations....