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Whether you’re working the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon, or any other program, step 10 may be one of the least popular of all the 12 steps. Why? It’s simply no fun to be wrong and then have to admit it. But without this step, progress toward recovery can not only cease, it can actually lose ground. Here we talk about some of the benefits of step 10, along with ways you can incorporate it into your daily life....

Classical conditioning is a learning process that involves pairing a previously neutral stimulus with a stimulus that naturally evokes a response. After a response has been acquired, the previously neutral stimulus will then evoke the response all on its own. Consider Ivan Pavlov’s classic experiment with dogs. By associating the presentation of food with the sound of a tone, Pavlov was able to condition the dogs to salivate to the sound....

When akathisia is induced by drugs, it is known as antipsychotic-induced acute akathisia (AIAA). Because it’s known to happen as a result of treating a mental disorder, the prevention of akathisia is key. This article discusses the symptoms and different types of akathisia. It also explores why it happens, how it is diagnosed, and treatments that can help people cope. Types of Akathisia There are several types of akathisia, depending on the onset and longevity of symptoms:...

Both groups are based on a spiritual, non-religious ethos from which members derive insight from being part of a collective (as opposed to engaging in one-on-one support). While many people turn to Al-Anon and Alateen for help with a loved one’s drinking problems, neither are intervention programs. Rather, they recognize that people living with an alcoholic can be traumatized and focus their efforts on caring for those individuals’ needs. As with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon and Alateen are closely based on a 12-step model (known, aptly, as the Twelve Steps) which is designed as a “tool for spiritual growth....

Yet, it’s also possible to develop a behavioral addiction. In fact, people can get hooked on everything from gambling to sex to the internet. Some activities are so normal that it’s hard to believe people can become addicted to them. Yet the cycle of addiction can still take over, making everyday life a constant struggle. People may seek out more and more opportunities to engage in the behavior. The desire to experience a “high” from the behavior becomes so strong that the individual continues to engage in the activity despite negative consequences....

Deep breathingEating a healthy dietGetting enough sleepGuided visualizationHobbies and leisure activitiesMeditationMindfulnessPositive thinkingProgressive muscle relaxationPsychotherapySocial supportYoga We all experience stress in our lives. Because many health problems are caused or influenced by stress, it’s essential to understand how stress affects your body and learn effective stress management techniques to make stress work for you rather than against you. What Is Stress? Stress is your body’s response to changes in your life. Because life involves constant change—ranging from everyday, routine changes like commuting from home to work to adapting to major life changes like marriage, divorce, or death of a loved one—there is no avoiding stress....

How Hormonal Birth Control Works Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that affect several bodily functions, including reproduction, mood, growth, and metabolism. Hormonal birth control methods use hormones like estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. Some people also take hormonal birth control for other health reasons. Hormonal birth control methods include: Oral contraceptives: Oral contraceptives are prescription medications that are commonly referred to as “the pill.” Some contain only progestin, whereas others contain a combination of estrogen and progestin and are known as combined oral contraceptives....

Podcasts are an excellent way to learn more about mental health issues and common interventions, as many discuss self-care and provide practical strategies for taking care of your well-being. Listeners can also learn from renowned psychologists, authors, and lecturers. It is important to note, however, that a podcast should never take the place of therapy. Read on for our roundup of the best mental health podcasts. Host Kristen Truempy is a seasoned podcaster with a Master’s degree in applied positive psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on helping people become happier without dwelling on negative aspects of their lives....

One 2002 survey ranked him as the fourth most influential psychologist of the twentieth century, behind only B.F. Skinner, Sigmund Freud, and Jean Piaget. Albert Bandura’s Claims to Fame Albert Bandura is best known for his work in the following areas: Bobo doll studies Observational learning Self-efficacy Social learning theory Albert Bandura’s Early Life Albert Bandura was born on December 4, 1925, in a small Canadian town located approximately 50 miles from Edmonton....

So how can we understand the relationship between body image and eating disorders? This article discusses how body image and eating disorders are connected and some treatments that can help. What Is Body Image? Body image is a complex construct and is made up of beliefs, thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and behaviors. The way we see ourselves and our bodies have an impact on our health, our mental health, and our relationships....

Bulimia primarily affects adolescent girls and young adult women. Here’s what clinicians look for when diagnosing bulimia nervosa. These requirements come from the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, text revisions (DSM-V-TR), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM-V-TR provides physicians and mental-health professionals with the criteria for diagnosing specific mental disorders, including bulimia nervosa. Repeated episodes of binge eating, defined as eating “an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat” during the same amount of time....

We all experience anxiety on occasion, but if you have been diagnosed with GAD and high blood pressure, you’ll want to seek care. A healthcare provider can offer stress management strategies and ways to prevent blood pressure spikes. This article discusses the connection between anxiety disorder and high blood pressure and what a diagnosis and treatment look like for both conditions. The Connection Between Anxiety Disorder and High Blood Pressure When you’re faced with a stressful situation—a public speaking engagement, an unexpected call, a panicked crowd, or even a high-pressure work environment—your fight-or-flight response can be triggered....

Eco-anxiety—a term that describes “a chronic fear of environmental doom”—is just the beginning of the ways in which the effects of global warming can harm our mental health, though. An alarming new report from the American Psychological Association (APA) has found links between climate change and serious mental health concerns, ranging from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to schizophrenia. Let’s take a closer look at the ways in which climate change is putting people’s mental health in peril and expert recommendations for addressing those concerns....

Although color therapy has gained some popularity over the years, it’s still not a widely accepted form of therapy in Western medicine. Many medical experts consider it to be pseudoscience or quackery. At some point, we’ve all experienced the ways in which color can affect us. For some people, seeing the green in nature on their daily run is an instant mood booster or they instantly feel a little better wearing a favorite yellow dress....

Despite its widespread nature, dyspraxia often goes unnoticed—even under observation by health experts. This guide will examine the signs and symptoms of developmental coordination disorder. To understand the origins of dyspraxia, the causes of this condition will be explored. We will also examine the different types, and management options available to control the effects of DCD. Symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorder As part of their development, children learn a number of skills that are important for independent living....