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Although researchers don’t have an exact answer as to why some people are more prone to depression than others, there’s likely more than one causative factor. Research has implicated everything from physical and chemical differences in the brain to social and environmental risk factors. The complexity of depression is what makes it a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. Understanding what could make a person more likely to experience depression is the first step in developing prevention and treatment strategies tailored to reduce individual vulnerability to the condition....

Many people worry that they lack the belonging and acceptance they require to meet this need. They might feel unworthy or incapable of being loved by others. This article discusses reasons why you might feel unlovable and provides suggestions on how you can cope with this feeling. What Does It Mean to Feel Unlovable? “Unlovable,” simply put, means “not lovable.” Someone who is feeling unlovable might experience this in multiple ways:...

“Gatherings are likely even riskier during the winter because people are more likely to meet indoors, with less ventilation, than during the warmer months of the year,” says Richard Seidman, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of L.A. Care Health Plan in Los Angeles. Is it Safe to Have Social Bubbles During Winter? The truth is, pods are risky all year round because the more people you interact with, the higher your odds of becoming infected with COVID-19 are....

There are many reasons why you may find yourself alone on Valentine’s day. Maybe you’ve chosen to be single or are not interested in a relationship. It’s also possible that you’re single for reasons outside of your control. For instance, maybe you’re dealing with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and experience some fear in pursuing a romantic relationship. Whatever the reason, as Valentine’s Day approaches, you might be feeling feel like you’re the only person in the world without a partner....

There are a few key things to consider when selecting your profile picture: Make sure the picture is clear and of high quality. Blurry or pixelated photos won’t look good on your profile. Choose a picture that represents you and your brand. If you’re a personal brand or influencer, consider using a headshot or a picture of yourself doing something you love. You should use your logo or a product image if you’re a business....

What Are Relationship Red Flags? Throughout all contexts, the term “red flag” signifies a reason to stop. Red flags are thrown in sports when a game is halted because of a foul, and they are waved on race car tracks when conditions are too dangerous to continue down the road. Red lights signal us to stop our vehicles on the road, and red tape cautions us from going beyond a certain point....

ERP is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is the gold standard treatment for OCD. So, if a provider says they utilize CBT to treat OCD, that is not specific enough because some cognitive behavioral techniques that are suited for other disorders do not work in the treatment of OCD. In fact, some techniques can hinder or prevent progress and even worsen your OCD symptoms. While many therapists may recommend these techniques with good intentions, the following techniques may further exacerbate your OCD symptoms....

This article discusses how to tell if your child’s behavior is out of control and what steps you can take to help your child. Recognizing that there might be a problem and taking steps to improve your child’s behavior can lead to better outcomes. Frequent and Severe Outbursts Temper tantrums are normal among younger children but decrease in frequency and severity as they age. If your child is still experiencing frequent and severe temper tantrums past the age of five, it may be a sign that they are experiencing a behavioral issue....

Friends and family can be an integral part of the treatment system and can make a difference in recovery time as well as sustain remission. The following are guidelines for helping your friend or family member with an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety or social anxiety. Be Supportive This may seem like an obvious rule to follow, but being a good, supportive friend can be tough work. Making sure that you can listen empathically without becoming frustrated, provide helpful suggestions, and reinforce continuing with treatment is not easy, but can be the difference between quick recovery and a long-term struggle....

From financial strain to family dysfunction, the holidays can amplify existing problems. They can also introduce new issues, like the pressure to pick out the perfect gift or the pressure to host large holiday gatherings. So it’s no surprise that research shows mental health problems increase this time of year. A 2014 survey by NAMI found that 64% of people with an existing mental illness say their symptoms worsen during the holidays....

Early Research The first seeds of forensic psychology were planted in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt, often called the father of psychology, founded his first lab in Germany. Since Wundt, the field of forensic psychology has blossomed, with contributions by lots of other experts. James McKeen Cattell, for example, conducted some of the earliest research on the psychology of testimony. He posed a series of questions to students at Columbia University, asking them to provide a response and rate their degree of confidence in their answer....

Despite having decreased and less intense symptoms, adults with this disorder still require treatment to manage the disruptions lived with on a daily basis. Depression, anxiety, daytime sleepiness, poor academic performance, and social functioningare just some of the negative ways this condition affects well-being. To improve symptoms, drugs are first-line treatments prescribed by healthcare providers to care for this disorder. Read on to learn about different ADHD medications for adults, and how they improve symptoms....

AAT relies on the unique bond between humans and animals, specifically animals with the right temperament and training for therapy. This therapeutic approach may allow people undergoing therapy to feel more comfortable, safe, and supported as they seek treatment for a mental health condition. Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy AAT involves working with a therapist and a trained therapy animal. Many different types of animals may be used in AAT, including:...

The relationship between these emotions—and their associated clinical conditions, anxiety disorders and mood disorders—is complex and somewhat idiosyncratic. For one person, anxiety can lead to avoidance and isolation. Isolation can result in a lack of opportunity for pleasurable experiences, which then leads to low mood. For others, the emotions may flow in the opposite direction. Feeling down may zap someone of the energy to do things they typically enjoy, and attempts to re-engage with the world after being out of practice may result in nervousness....

Research points to certain risk factors that put some people at a higher risk of developing the condition than others. Risk factors include having a family member who has also been diagnosed with the condition, environmental factors like severe pollution, and being born preterm. Brain & Body Risk Factors Let’s take a look at some risk factors that might increase the likelihood of having autism. Brain Shape and Brain Growth During Development Brain scans of people with autism show that there are differences in certain brain structures as compared to neurotypical people....

While many choose to ingest these drugs recreationally, mental health professionals have begun researching the alternative benefits of psychedelics. In turn, it is becoming increasingly apparent that psychedelics can heal mental health concerns. This article will explore the benefits of taking psychedelics while coping with a terminal illness that cannot be cured and is likely to end in death. What Are Psychedelics? Psychedelics are substances that cause individuals who ingest them to hallucinate....

BPD is sometimes treated with medications for anxiety or depression, for instance, which may reduce some symptoms. Medications may also be used to treat psychological conditions that frequently co-occur with this condition, such as major depressive disorder. Medications are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other treatments rather than being a stand-alone option. Learning more about different borderline personality disorder medications can help you find the right one for you....

Effects on the Body You can feel the effects of caffeine in your system within a few minutes of ingesting it, and it stays in your system for many hours—its half-life can range from as little as two hours to as long as 12 hours due to individual differences in metabolism and absorption. Caffeine can affect the body in a variety of ways. Hormones Caffeine can alter the effects of several hormones....

Meet Lauren Swanson Lauren Swanson is a board-certified physician assistant. In addition to her experience in family practice, she also has experience in urgent care, cosmetic dermatology, and neuropsychiatry. After feeling somewhat burned out by working in family practice, Lauren decided to begin offering Ketamine treatment through Wondermed, an online teletherapy site. Why Lauren Swanson Is Mentally Strong When Lauren saw the powerful changes Ketamine treatment had on someone in her personal life, she decided to begin working exclusively to prescribe Ketamine....