Doctors have reported a rise in cases of tic-like behavior—tics, noises, and twitches—in teenage girls during the pandemic. These symptoms are common with Tourette’s syndrome, which is typically more prevalent in boys than girls. Medical experts from the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK investigated the phenomenon and found one common factor between the patients—the teenage girls had an interest in watching TikTok videos from influencers who said they have Tourette’s syndrome....

For some students, this introduction to psychology can be particularly daunting. Since many high schools do not offer psychology courses, students often have little or no exposure to the subject prior to attending college. The sheer amount of information contained in the average Psych 101 course is enough to overwhelm even the most diligent student. After all, in addition to learning about the history of psychology, students are expected to touch upon a wide array of topics including biological, social, cognitive, social, and personality psychology....

Sedentary behavior has been linked to such health complications as poor sleep, compromised bone health, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and even early death. And new research shows that middle-aged to older adults reporting high levels of television viewing experience greater cognitive decline. People are more likely to become sedentary as they age. So it’s important to understand the potential consequences of this kind of behavior and take the necessary steps to promote cognitive health and function....

At these times, drugs such as marijuana, painkillers, alcohol, and opiate-based drugs can seem to be effective in reducing emotional pain. However, there are several reasons that using drugs for numbing the pain that you feel is a risky and potentially dangerous idea. Drugs that numb emotional pain (as well as physical pain) tend to be addictive. You may develop a physical dependence on them. Many drugs that people use to numb the pain have unpleasant withdrawal effects as well....

What Is Valium? Valium is the trademark name for the anti-anxiety drug diazepam, a type of benzodiazepine. Anti-anxiety medications that are classified as benzodiazepines, such as Valium, are also known as sedatives due to their tranquilizing and calming effects. Other types of frequently prescribed benzodiazepines include: Ativan (lorazepam) Klonopin (clonazepam) Xanax (alprazolam) Uses Valium can be used to treat anxiety as well as a number of other mental health and medical conditions....

However, these outcomes are the exact reason Vyvanse is often misused for recreational purposes. The stimulating properties of this drug make it attractive for improving performance at work and school. Vyvanse is also used to manage binge eating disorders—an effect that has encouraged its abuse by people looking to lose weight. Like any medication, when used in excess, Vyvanse can be dangerous to your overall well-being. In extreme cases, an overdose of this stimulant can be fatal....

This article explains why annual wellness visits are important, what you can expect during the process, and how to prepare for it. Importance of a Wellness Visit These are some reasons why wellness visits are important. Prevent Diseases Most healthcare visits are categorized under diagnostic care; when you have a health problem, you visit a healthcare provider who assesses your symptoms, diagnoses your condition, and prescribes a treatment plan. Wellness visits assess your lifestyle, evaluate health risks, and screen for health conditions, in order to prevent health problems or catch them in the early stages....

Like Lynn, many people had to change their dating habits—or at least adjust their expectations—as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Matthew Solomon a.k.a. “The Coach for the Modern Soul”, is a best-selling author and global relationship coach. Throughout the pandemic, he has observed a number of different issues for the dating population. “First of all, a lot of people did not date at all for at least a year for fear of catching and spreading COVID-19,” he says....

Pretty self-explanatory, right? What’s less self-explanatory is how it happens. Everyone has been in the situation of not understanding why they are or aren’t attracted to another person, and it turns out science has a lot to do with why. This article explores the many factors that affect your level of attraction to other people. Biological Factors That Affect Attraction When you meet someone new, it might be difficult to discern why you find yourself attracted to (or not attracted to) them....

However, regardless of whether these substances are used recreationally or therapeutically, there is much controversy due to the sheer fact that they are criminalized. This means that outside of participating in a clinical trial these drugs are still illegal. Taking psychedelics can lead to an intense experience, so many will look to a “trip sitter” to support them throughout their experience. Read on to learn more about psychedelics and the role of a trip sitter....

What Is Automaticity? People develop habits to deal with complex tasks in different areas of their everyday lives. As a result, they will go on “autopilot” and do those things without really thinking. Driving and walking are examples of actions that become automatic. When you sit down in your car to drive, you don’t have to think about how to start the engine, how to move the gear shift, or how to back out of your driveway....

Celebrity worship has been criticized for pathologizing fans of celebrities. History of Celebrity Worship The concept of parasocial relationships, a one-sided relationship between a viewer and a media persona, was introduced by Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl in 1956. These scholars observed that an increase in media such as radio shows and television had allowed consumers to develop the illusion of a relationship with figures they only knew through media....

Holotropic breathwork involves controlling and quickening breathing patterns to influence your mental, emotional, and physical states. It is a practice that is derived from a spiritual framework, but is also a trademarked activity. In many countries, practitioners utilize this technique as a spiritual practice rather than a therapeutic one. In this way, some people participate to expand their awareness rather than to overcome or manage a mental health condition. Many proponents of HB propose that this technique moves you forward to a higher consciousness....

Our ability to process different kinds of stimuli at once enables our brain to carry out all these tasks at once. This article discusses the discovery of parallel processing, how it works, and the limitations of this brain function. Origins The concept of parallel processing originated around the same time as the concept of information processing, which came about with the invention of computers in the mid-twentieth century. Psychologists used computers as a metaphor for the way the human mind works....

People who experience trauma as children are likely to experience triggers that they don’t understand when they become parents. These triggers may cause the parent to repeat old patterns that they are already familiar with. People who experienced physical abuse are more likely to doubt the intentions of new people, which can make it difficult to form healthy relationships. This article looks at the (sometimes) repetitive nature of violence, the factors that predispose people to violence, and ways to prevent abusive or violent behaviors....

Mental health is becoming more of a mainstream topic, an incredible advancement that normalizes the experiences of many. As such, isn’t uncommon to hear someone say they’re feeling depressed. However, clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, isn’t just feeling sad. It is a persistent feeling of hopelessness and emptiness, losing interest in things that used to excite you, and several other symptoms including changes in sleep, appetite, and thinking....

What Is Chronic Stress? During the relaxation response, the body moves toward a state of physiological relaxation, where blood pressure, heart rate, digestive functioning, and hormonal levels return to normal levels. The fight-or-flight state is one of physiological arousal, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, slowed digestive functioning, increased blood flow to the extremities, increased release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, and other responses preparing the body to protect itself from perceived danger or stress....

But victim blaming may also be an issue when it comes to COVID-19. Some populations are being blamed for contracting—or even spreading—the illness. Why It Occurs There are several psychological principles at play that lead to victim blaming. In many cases, it can stem from our desire to think we live in a just world. If you can blame a victim for making poor choices, you might convince yourself that they are deserving of their fate....

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on the depiction of dissociative identity disorder in “Moon Knight.” See Part 1. Dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly called multiple personality disorder, is a mental health condition in which a single individual has two or more separate personalities, referred to as “alters” or “parts.” Many pop-culture stories, from the 1886 novel “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” to the 2016 movie “Split,” have found inspiration in the condition....