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If you have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), your list will likely be a catalog of situations, images, thoughts, memories, and other things related to your traumatic event. When Is a Fear Hierarchy Used? Typically used in exposure therapy for PTSD, a fear hierarchy is your guide to gradually exposing yourself to your PTSD triggers, starting with the least upsetting one and moving down the list. The goal: reducing your avoidance of triggers over time–and experiencing more of life as a result....

Medications containing hydrocodone are classified as opiate (narcotic) analgesics. What Is a Vicodin Addiction? Opioid pain relievers like Vicodin are considered to be safe if they are taken for a short period of time, per the doctor’s prescription. They work by blocking pain signals between the body and brain; however, in addition to relieving pain, they also induce a relaxed state of euphoria in some people. This “high” can be addictive and cause people to misuse the medication, which can involve:...

Discontinuation Syndrome Because it leaves your body so quickly, weaning off Zoloft too quickly can cause discontinuation syndrome. Discontinuation syndrome can occur for anyone, but it is most common in people who have been on Zoloft for many months or years. It can be unsettling because the symptoms might mimic those for which you sought treatment in the first place; in fact, you might even become concerned that your depression or anxiety symptoms are reappearing....

This article discusses how sleep and depression are connected, the characteristics of depression naps, and why depression can lead to excessive napping. It also explores treatments and coping strategies that can help. Sleep and Mental Health To many people, it won’t come as a surprise that sleep and mental health are closely intertwined. Sleeping for extensive amounts of time is commonly associated with diagnoses of depression, which is usually accompanied by several other symptoms and identifying factors....

Understanding Dream Interpretations Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud described dreams as the “royal road” to the unconscious and suggested that by studying the obvious content of dreams, we could bring to light the hidden and unconscious desires that lead to neurosis. Analyzing dream symbols and ascribing meaning to them has become a source of both entertainment and self-reflection in popular culture. Do dreams mean anything? Can you learn your unconscious wishes and desires by interpreting your dreams?...

In short, if someone identifies as bi-curious, then they are open to engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with people of varying gender identities. For example, a cisgender woman might be open to dating another cisgender woman, a cisgender man, or someone who is nonbinary. This article further discusses what the term bi-curious means, how it differs from bisexuality, and what it’s like to date as a bi-curious person. It also covers the stigma bi-curious people face and offers ways to provide emotional support to those who identify as bi-curious....

While the research on parasocial relationships typically focuses on friendship-like bonds between a media user and a favored media persona, media users may also form negative parasocial relationships and even romantic parasocial relationships with different media figures. Types of Parasocial Relationships Parasocial relationships can exist in a number of different forms. Oftentimes, these different forms may represent different stages of this type of relationship: Parasocial Interactions Parsocial interactions are defined as the approximation of “conversational give and take” between a media user and media persona....

The History of Attachment Theory Attachment styles are based on attachment theory, which is an idea that breaks down the different ways that people connect with others into an assortment of attachment styles. It was invented by British psychologist John Bowlby, who believed that how we connect with others is based on our formative years in childhood. Attachment theory is broken down into three distinct types of attachment: From there, attachment theory can be broken down further into numerous substyles, such as anxious-insecure....

Gaslighting primarily occurs in romantic relationships, but it’s not uncommon in controlling friendships or among family members as well. People who gaslight others may have mental health disorders. They use this type of emotional abuse to exert power over others to manipulate friends, family members, or even co-workers. How Gaslighting Works Gaslighting is a technique that undermines a person’s perception of reality. When someone is gaslighting you, you may second-guess yourself, your memories, recent events, and perceptions....

Developed by Ron Kurtz in the late 1970s, Hakomi therapy combines a number of different principles and styles, merging Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Taoism with other body-centric therapies. Hakomi is unique in that it seeks to befriend, rather than seeking to remove, uncomfortable elements of the human experience, such as vulnerability and pain. Core Principles of Hakomi Therapy Hakomi therapy is directed by a series of core principles designed to aid both the therapist and the client:...

History of Heteronormativity The word heteronormativity was coined in 1991 by queer literary critic and social theorist Michael Warner. Some of the inspiration for the term was based on an essay by Adrienne Rich called “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence,” in which Rich theorizes that heterosexuality isn’t the natural instinct of all people, rather a cultural institution that makes women inferior to men. In 1868, Karl Maria Kerbeny defined the terms “heterosexual” and “homosexual....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. However, because it is often cut with a variety of different ingredients, you really don’t know what’s in the cocaine you buy. While some of these fillers do little more than increase a drug dealer’s profits, others are very harmful and even deadly. Some are even intended to mimic cocaine’s natural properties, which increases the risk to even experienced users....

Functions of APA What role does the American Psychological Association serve? How does APA contribute to the field of psychology? APA actually functions in a number of different ways. Advancing and Promoting Psychology One of the main roles that APA plays is to help further psychology as a science. Their mission statement provides some insight into their goals. Regulating Official Titles APA regulates the use of the word “psychologist” as a professional title....

Related Phobias Often other phobias can be linked to the fear of driving, especially one or more of the following: Agoraphobia The fear of driving is commonly associated with agoraphobia. Loosely defined as the fear of being trapped when a panic attack occurs, agoraphobia leads to the avoidance of situations that feel threatening. Driving is one of the primary clusters in which agoraphobia manifests. Bridges, tunnels and long deserted stretches of roadway are particularly difficult for many people with agoraphobia....

How to Create the Negative Picture Illusion To see the negative picture illusion: You should see an image of a woman in full color, although only briefly. If you are having trouble seeing the effect, try staring at the negative image a bit longer or adjusting how far you are sitting from your computer monitor. How the Negative Photo Illusion Works How does this fascinating optical illusion (more properly called a visual illusion) work?...

While this concept is strongly tied to animal psychology and behavior, it can also apply to many situations involving human beings. When people feel they have no control over their situation, they may also begin to behave in a helpless manner. This inaction can lead people to overlook opportunities for relief or change. And children are not immune? Learned Helplessness in Children Learned helplessness can begin very early in life, even at the infant stage....

During a relapse, a person returns to using a substance. A single use might cause a person to feel unmotivated, guilty, or ashamed of their actions. It can also result in intense cravings that then continue to further use. After a relapse, getting back on track as soon as possible is important. Examples of Relapses For example, someone who had completely stopped drinking for a period of time, say six months, would be experiencing a relapse if they began drinking in an unhealthy manner....

While uncontrollable crying can be a symptom of some mental health disorders, it can also be a sign of an underlying neurological issue. As a result, the treatment options and coping strategies that you employ will differ depending on the cause. Signs of Uncontrollable Crying Not sure if your uncontrollable crying is normal or a problem? Have a look at this list of signs that something might be wrong or more than just normal tears:...

You might have some biases internalized, causing you to feel shame as you now look at your child, who has bravely shared a sacred aspect of their identity. And then there are those who aren’t necessarily excited nor fearful, those who maybe haven’t met many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who simply feel underequipped to meet their child’s needs. However you identify on this spectrum, consider this story a safe space to learn how to support your child when they come out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community....

The good news is that there are strategies that can help improve executive functioning. These include developing a routine, breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and using visual aids to help stay organized. If you’re struggling with executive functioning, talk to your doctor or a therapist. Do People With Bipolar Disorder Have Executive Dysfunction? Most people with bipolar disorder have some degree of executive dysfunction. This means that they have difficulty with planning, organizing, and completing tasks....