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Causes of Gatophobia People are usually afraid of cats for two reasons: they’re afraid of the physical harm they may cause, or they associate them with evil. Physical Harm Although it can be tough to remember when cuddling a tiny kitten, cats are, by nature, predators. Domesticated house cats retain many of the same basic instincts as lions, tigers, panthers and other large cats. Those who have been bitten or scratched by a cat in the past may be at higher risk of developing a phobia of cats....

If eating and drinking in front of others causes you extreme anxiety, you may either endure these situations with great discomfort or avoid them altogether. Avoidance creates a vicious cycle in that the more narrow your life becomes, the harder you will find it to eat and drink in front of others. You may find yourself turning down invitations or making choices that don’t require eating in front of others....

Much has been written about how to be in a relationship with someone who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but what about the challenge of finding love when you have ADHD yourself? Sure, tips on how to maintain a healthy relationship with ADHD are great, but a lot of us are just trying to survive the first couple of months with a new boo. Most people who receive their ADHD diagnosis in adulthood may soon recognize their own patterns of behavior within past relationships, leading to a better understanding of why certain relationships didn’t last....

Criminal Psychologist Job Description A large part of what a criminal psychologist does is studying why people commit crimes. They may also assess criminals in order to evaluate the risk of recidivism (how likely the person is to re-offend in the future) or make educated guesses about the actions that a criminal may have taken after committing a crime. Perhaps one of the best-known duties of a criminal psychologist is known as offender profiling, also known as criminal profiling....

Learn more about aromanticism and how it affects relationships. If you identify as aromantic, we share a few tips for caring for your mental health. We also provide ways that you can help support a family member or friend who is aromantic. What Does It Mean to Be Aromantic? A person who is aromantic does not experience romantic attraction to persons of any gender. People who are aromantic also lack interest in having romantic relationships....

Drinking rarely causes them to miss work and other obligations (although it does happen occasionally). They are usually able to manage areas of life including jobs, homes, and families. They often appear physically and mentally healthy. However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder. Risk Factors for Functional Alcoholics According to the National Institutes of Health, functional alcoholics are typically “middle-aged, well-educated, with stable jobs and families....

If multiple family members are attending family therapy together, the therapist might use the genogram to gather more information about the family as a whole as well as each individual member. Clients attending couples therapy might use the genogram to identify how various patterns in their families of origin impact their relationship. An individual might also use a genogram to explore their own relationship patterns or to observe how intergenerational trauma might be affecting them....

History of Associative Memory Associative memory has been studied for over a century, with early writings describing the phenomenon as “the law of association” in 1885 by George H. Lewes. William James was the first to name the concept of associative memory, and his studies in 1890 formally investigated the phenomenon. Studies on associative memory continued through the 1940s and ’50s, with the first modern review in 1956 by Atkinson & Shiffrin....

With a democratic leadership style, everyone is given the opportunity to participate, ideas are exchanged freely, and discussion is encouraged. While this process tends to focus on group equality and the free flow of ideas, the democratic leader is still there to offer guidance and control. The democratic leader is also charged with deciding who is in the group and who gets to contribute to the decisions being made. Research has found that the democratic leadership style is one of the most effective types and leads to higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale....

Now that you understand what your ego is, you can view ego death as the realization that it holds significantly less importance than most people place on it. Visualize your ego as a deck of cards built into a tower and ego death as the collapse of this tower. History of Ego Death While the premise of ego death may seem terrifying, it may surprise you that people seek out the experience of “ego death....

This article covers the definition of melatonin, how melatonin is produced in the body, what inhibits its production, and information on melatonin supplements. How Melatonin Is Produced in the Body The production of melatonin is influenced by light. The retina (a layer of tissue inside of the eye) processes light, and transmits this energy to the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland then secretes melatonin into the bloodstream....

About 8% of women and 2% of men are stalked at some point in their lives, and people who stalk are most often men. Read on to learn what constitutes stalking, why it happens, and what actions you can take if you’re being stalked. What Constitutes Stalking Stalking involves behaviors towards a person that make them feel unsafe. Someone who stalks may know their victim intimately, as in a former partner or loved one, or barely at all, as in a celebrity they’ve never met....

Scientists have yet to identify what exactly causes schizophrenia, but some research and studies draw a link between the condition and genetics. Schizophrenia and Genetics Your chances of developing the condition as a result of a genetic link increase with your proximity to the person who has the condition. For example, if you have a twin who has the disorder, the odds of you also developing it could be as high as 65%....

It is important to recognize, however, that this an evolving field that still has a great deal of uncertainty. More research is needed to understand why people dream about certain things. Common Dreams What do people dream about most often? In one study looking at the content of dreams, researchers found that some of the most common dream themes included: Being attacked Being chased Being late Death of a loved one or the return of a deceased loved one Falling Flying School-related activities (taking exams, studying, going to class) Sexual activity...

A recent study found the psychology field to be 84% White, making it challenging for folks of color to find a therapist who looks like them. This can lead to some therapy-seekers deciding to settle with a provider who does not share a marginalized identity with them. In doing so, they may receive care that doesn’t feel culturally safe. This article will explore if a non-culturally safe therapist is better than no therapist, and your options for finding the care you deserve....

What Is an IEP? The IEP is a legal document that is developed by your child’s educational team based on the decisions made at the IEP meeting. It documents the services needed to meet a child’s individual learning needs and describes how and where these services will be delivered. The plan will present information about your child’s present level of educational performance and will include specific, measurable annual goals your child is expected to accomplish within the year....

Feeling either euphorically happy or irritable and disagreeable Having a high level of energy and being very active, to the point of feeling wired and doing multiple things at a time Having racing thoughts and ideas that are difficult to pin down Not needing much sleep and feeling energetic, despite not having slept much in days Talking a lot more than usual and very fast, making it difficult for others to keep up Behaving impulsively and recklessly....

Whether you’re dealing with curfew violations and truancy, or you’re worried about substance abuse problems and legal issues, worrying about a troubled teen could keep you up at night. And you may grow tired of dealing with behavior problems, mood swings, angry outbursts, or secretive behavior. Parents of troubled teens have to learn ways to juggle the needs of their teen with their own needs. Exhausted parents have to find ways to replenish themselves, which often falls by the wayside when trying to deal with a high-risk adolescent....

To feel dead inside is to find it difficult to process emotions like happiness and sadness. When you feel “dead inside” feelings take on the same dull tone and are hard to appreciate no matter the situation. Feeling dead inside might cause life to seem like a boring event, one that has no purpose or end in sight. It can cause a very detached approach to everyday life. Sometimes, this feeling might be short-lived, leaving as quickly as it appears....

Although it is too soon to understand the long-term psychological impact on individuals who test positive for COVID-19, there is some data that indicates that they may be at a higher risk for mental health issues, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Connection With PTSD Individuals may develop PTSD following a traumatic event (such as a natural disaster, a serious car accident, or a violent personal assault). Symptoms may include:...