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You may have tried to quit drinking alcohol and discovered that the symptoms you experienced were more severe than you anticipated. Maybe you decided to go back to drinking just to relieve those symptoms. This article discusses some of the common withdrawal symptoms and what helps with alcohol withdrawal. It also covers some of the different treatment options that are available. Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms There are a number of common alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but not everyone will experience these symptoms....

Acetylcholine serves a number of critical functions, many of which can be impaired by diseases or drugs that influence the function of this neurotransmitter. The name acetylcholine is derived from its structure. It is a chemical compound made up of acetic acid and choline. This article discusses how acetylcholine functions in the body as well as how it is produced. It also covers what can happen when acetylcholine function is impaired....

Open relationships differ from swinging, in which partners have sex with other people at parties and where the relationships are purely sexual. They also differ from polyamory, where partners can pursue more than one committed relationship at a time. Open relationships are often considered a sort of the middle ground between swinging and polyamory. While swingers tend to keep their outside relationships to the realm of sex with other established couples, and polyamory is all about having multiple committed, romantic partners, people in open relationships can usually have sex with others they feel attracted to—with the caveat that these other relationships remain casual....

Childhood sexual abuse is one of the most stigmatized issues in society and is recognized as both a violation of basic human rights and a serious public health concern. However, the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse can be difficult to accurately measure since it is underreported. Acknowledging a personal history of abuse takes enormous courage. With enough time, the right tools, and proper support, it is possible to move forward in a healthy way beyond the trauma of childhood abuse....

Eustress refers to stress that leads to a positive response. It is the opposite of distress and can refer to any type of beneficial stress, whether physical or psychological. It tends to be short-term and often feels exciting. People perceive this type of stress as manageable and even motivating. Physically, eustress can often resemble distress in many ways. You might feel nervous; your heart might pound; your thoughts might race....

As Americans continue to live longer lives, the demand for geriatric psychiatry is going to rise. Currently, the average lifespan for an American is 78.8 years and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, one-fifth of the U.S. population will be considered elderly (aged 65 and older). Below, we give an overview of geriatric psychiatry, what it takes to become a geriatric psychiatrist, and how to find one in your area....

Words often evolve as culture shifts, though. That was the case in 2012 with Julia Gillard’s speech in Parliament while serving as the Prime Minister of Australia, when she called out the Leader of the Opposition’s behavior as misogynistic. Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary even expanded its definition of misogyny to refer to an entrenched prejudice against women following this event. A 2015 study analyzed 216 articles that were published in the Australian print media in the week following Gillard’s speech to explore how this accusation of misogyny was dismissed, minimized, and undermined, and found that “these predominant constructions not only serve to maintain and justify gender inequalities, but also function to reproduce and perpetuate them....

While it can be seen as a way of managing another person’s behavior, it can also be used as a form of manipulation. The person who is the subject of this tactic is generally unaware of what is happening and may not be fully aware of what the other person’s true motives are. Even if you weren’t aware of it at the time, there’s a chance you have used reverse psychology to try to get someone to do something at some point in your life....

Types of Somatic Therapy The most common and straightforward form of somatic therapy is known as such or as somatic experiencing therapy. In this therapy, patients discuss their problems as in other forms of mental wellness therapies. Rather than just talk about them, somatic therapists guide patients to focus on their underlying physical sensations. From there, the mind-body exercises may include breath work, meditation, visualization, massage, grounding, dance, and/or sensation awareness work....

The phenomenon gets its name for the chameleon, an animal which changes the appearance of its skin to blend into any environment it finds itself in. You may have noticed a friend or loved one using your favorite catchphrase or hand gestures or found yourself doing the same. This is the chameleon effect and action and it’s completely normal. Almost everyone has experienced it at some point in their lives....

From a decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms to better sleep and less stress, participating in a regular exercise program has some major perks. And while we’ve known for years that treatment approaches such as psychotherapy and medication are effective in treating depression, research over the last decade shows that lifestyle interventions like exercise can also reduce depressive symptoms and improve your overall mood. How Exercise May Help Depression Enhancing your overall mental health is one of the many benefits of exercise....

What Is the Primacy Effect? In simplest terms, the primacy effect refers to the tendency to recall information presented at the start of a list better than information at the middle or end. Primacy vs. Recency Effect In contrast to the primacy effect, the recency effect refers to the tendency for people to more easily recall items that are presented last in a list. In the case of the recency effect, this is likely due to those items being the most recent and therefore still being held in your short-term memory....

How the Unconscious Mind Works When conceptualizing the unconscious mind, it can be helpful to compare the mind to an iceberg. Everything above the water represents conscious awareness while everything below the water represents the unconscious. Consider how an iceberg would look if you could see it in its entirety. Only a small part of the iceberg is actually visible above the water. What you cannot see from the surface is the enormous amount of ice that makes up the bulk of the iceberg, submerged deep below in the water....

While other theories see people as passive recipients of media messages, UGT sees people as active consumers of media who are aware of the reasons they choose to consume media. History of Uses and Gratifications Theory The origins of UGT can be traced back to the 1940s when communication scholars initially sought to study why specific media and content appealed to different people. The theory was further expanded in the 1970s when researchers started examining not just the gratifications that consumers sought but the gratifications they actually obtained....

Here’s what you should know about when to meditate, why it is important to find the time to meditate, and some tips that can help make meditation a regular habit. When to Meditate So when is the best time to meditate? While it’s essential to choose a time that works best for your schedule, there may be certain times that can help you maximize the benefits of meditation. In the Morning Meditation first thing in the morning can be an excellent opportunity to set the tone for the day....

What Is a Dream? The frequency of dream recall may vary or even fade at points in one’s life. A dream is a series of thoughts, images, or sensations that occur in the mind during sleep. It is a function of the brain. Dreaming may occur as specific regions of the brain are activated through sequenced electrical patterns and chemical activity. Vivid dreams—like a movie that occurs with you as the actor—are associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep....

His music is uplifting, but he felt depressed during the pandemic. Now, he’s talking about how he went to therapy, what he learned, and why anyone can develop depression. Why Andy Grammer Is Mentally Strong Andy could have kept his battle with depression private. After all, talking about his struggles with mental health may have affected his career since he talks so much about joy and happiness. What You’ll Hear on the Show How Andy recognized he was depressed What it’s like to talk about depression when his music is known for being happy How Andy is addressing the stigma associated with getting help Why Andy’s achievement was high, and his well-being was so low Why Andy began seeing a therapist What he learned about himself in therapy What it was like to reveal to people that he didn’t have it altogether What it means to “live in your truth” How to find the courage to get help How Andy is practicing self-acceptance What it means to have ‘black or white’ thinking and how Andy deals with it The link between loneliness and mental health issues How to enjoy healthy solitude How to really connect with people Why Andy wrote a song for his godmother and how it has led to other people sharing their feelings with someone who has supported them...

Friday Fix: Episode 84 It’s tough to know how you’re doing unless you have someone to compare yourself against. After all, do you earn a lot of money? Are you tall? Are you a good basketball player? It all depends on who you’re comparing yourself to. But comparisons can be harmful to your psychological well-being. Perhaps you compare your appearance to others. Or maybe you think everyone around you is happier than you are....

There comes a point, though, when you may be focusing too much on hating your body. It can impact the rest of your life, ruin your relationship with yourself, and even potentially lead to eating disorders or illness. Let’s look at how you can tell if your complicated feelings about your body are affecting your mental health, and what you can do about it if so. Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

Constantly checking your email, voicemail, or Facebook sends the message that you don’t care about them. It can also be annoying and hurtful to be with someone who is having a conversation that you are not part of. If someone is trying to talk to you when on your cell phone, tablet, or computer, stop what you are doing and look at them. Whatever is happening in the online world can generally wait....