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Psychotropic medications are those that affect your mind—your emotions and your behavior—typically by altering the balance of the chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Each works uniquely. Medications used to treat the mind tend to fall into one of the following groups: Antidepressants: used to treat mood, anxiety, and some eating disorders Antipsychotics: used to treat symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, as well as in the management of mood disorders Anxiolytics: used to treat anxiety and insomnia Hypnotics: used to help with sleep Mood stabilizers: used to treat bipolar disorder and other mood symptoms Stimulants: used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disorders and to augment antidepressants...

There are many benefits to being a psychologist. In addition to working in a field that you love, you will have the opportunity to explore new challenges, help people grow as individuals, and learn new things about yourself. Psychologists who work in hospitals or mental health offices may not have work schedules that are as flexible as their self-employed counterparts, but there are still plenty of opportunities to set hours that work with your life and family demands....

“The nicotine patch is much safer than continuing to smoke, as it does not expose a person to the toxic chemicals contained in cigarette smoke,” Nicolas Schlienz, PhD, Research Director at Realm of Caring, says. “Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more when deciding if a nicotine patch is a good option for you.” Dr. Schlienz adds that your doctor can also help you understand what dose of nicotine to start with, where and how to wear a nicotine patch, when to remove a nicotine patch, and more....

Health Risks of Heavy Drinking Before you learn the benefits of quitting alcohol, it’s helpful to understand the risks of higher levels of alcohol use. Heavy drinking can take a major toll on numerous aspects of your health, elevating your risk of: Alcoholic hepatitis Anxiety Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) Cancer Cirrhosis Dementia Depression Digestive issues Fibrosis Hearing loss High blood pressure Pancreatitis Sexually transmitted infection Stroke Health Benefits of Recovery Research shows that some of the damage caused to the brain, liver, cardiovascular system, and gut will slowly heal when you stop drinking....

According to a 2019 survey conducted by the popular dating app Plenty of Fish, singles are so over Valentine’s Day. The study found that 43% of singles consider Valentine’s Day to be the most pressure-filled holiday, and 1 in 5 wish the holiday was “canceled.” Add in the pandemic, and Beth Pausic, PsyD, clinical psychologist and director of behavioral health at Hims & Hers, says people are feeling even more anxious about the holiday....

Violence in People With BPD There is research demonstrating that both men and women who have committed violent acts have elevated rates of borderline personality disorder compared to the general population. However, this does not necessarily mean that a diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of violence. A large 2016 study in the U.K. found that BPD alone did not suggest a tendency for violence, but did show that those with BPD are more likely to have “comorbidities,” associated conditions such as anxiety, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse which do raise the risk of violence....

Each of these individuals is a caregiver, sandwiched between raising their kids and caring for their parents. Research shows that over 40 million people work as unpaid caregivers for someone age 65 or older. They juggle their duties helping others with managing home life, work, and other relationships. The balancing act, or lack thereof, exacts a heavy toll on their mental health. “This is a particularly stressful time of life for caregivers in that they tend to feel like they are neglecting something or someone....

Examples of Heroism When you think about heroism, several recent examples that were in the news might spring to mind. After the tragic theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, during the summer of 2012, three women who survived the shooting revealed that they had been saved by their boyfriends. The three men had shielded their girlfriends with their own bodies and died as a result. In another 2012 shooting at a Sikh temple, one man died trying to disarm the shooter while another suffered serious injury as he tried to help....

Risk Factors for PTSD Several factors have been found to increase the risk of developing PTSD, including: Dissociation during or immediately after the traumatic event Family history of psychopathology High levels of emotion (e.g., fear, helplessness, horror, guilt, or shame) during or immediately after the traumatic event History of prior trauma Lacking social support after the traumatic event Perceived life threat to self or others Prior psychological adjustment problems Predictors of PTSD Studies of MVA survivors paint a similar picture in some regards....

While scientists and psychologists wrestle over exactly what qualifies as an addiction or disorder, the fallout of TV and screen overuse is plain for most of us (experts, doctors, parents, and teachers included) to see. So, even though TV addiction has not yet made the list, there is still plenty of reason to work toward a healthier relationship with your screens. History of TV Addiction The idea of television addiction is nothing new and predates the explosion in media and screens of recent years....

What couldn’t be seen, however, but most certainly could be felt, was the pervasive and overwhelming anxiety and sadness that was the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, death, financial uncertainty, and unrelenting worry that came with the pandemic of 2020 increased rates of depression, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and other social ills. They began flourishing in ways in which the noise and chaos of the pre-COVID world did not allow....

Each of the apps below offers something unique to iOS users. Read through the descriptions and see what appeals to you as you move toward a smoke-free lifestyle. Start on a Mission Every morning, the app gives users a mission to focus on for the day. The missions help change unhealthy attitudes about smoking, manage cravings through education, and improve self-esteem. For example, one mission asks you to think about when you typically smoke....

ADHD, Estrogen, and the Brain Estrogen is one of the main hormones that is responsible for regulating the female reproductive system. Estrogen also plays a role in cognitive functions as it is involved in the modulation of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters help with focus, concentration, mood, and memory. Estrogen levels vary considerably in the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle and, during perimenopause and menopause. When estrogen levels are low, you may experience increased feelings of irritability, moodiness, and depression, problems with sleep, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness and memory problems, fatigue and loss of energy, as well as hot flashes....

Because too much of the wrong kind of unmanaged stress can lead to decreased motivation and even burnout, it’s important to find effective coping strategies for this stress and taking a break to do what feels like nothing can be a key to managing this stress. Leisure time helps us to cope with stressful days. Leisure Activities for Stress Relief There are several activities we may be drawn to during times of stress....

Schedules of reinforcement play a central role in the operant conditioning process. The frequency with which a behavior is reinforced can help determine how quickly a response is learned as well as how strong the response might be. Each schedule of reinforcement has its own unique set of characteristics. Characteristics of Variable-Ratio Schedules There are three common characteristics of a variable-ratio schedule. They are: Rewards are provided after an unpredictable number of responses: There is no predictability as to when a reward will be received....