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Some people use their smartphones to mindlessly scroll through social media for hours on end—or even to make hurtful comments that tear other people down. Other people use their smartphones to watch videos that teach them how to fix the transmission on their car or to take online college classes. Clearly, your phone has the power to be as helpful or as harmful as you want it to be. Fortunately, if you’re intentional about the way you use your phone, it has the power to boost your mental strength....

Working With Social Anxiety Disorder SAD can affect your performance at work as well as your relationships with your colleagues and supervisors. This can translate into problems at work, such as: Decreased performance and reduced productivity: When you have SAD, you’re constantly battling your negative thoughts. Because you can’t focus on your priorities, you may end up procrastinating or missing deadlines. Your social fears may also prevent you from asking for help when you need it....

This article discusses how ADHD symptoms may differ in women and why these symptoms are often overlooked. It also covers the ways that these symptoms might impact daily life. How Symptoms Differ in Women One of the reasons why ADHD frequently goes undiagnosed in women and girls is that their symptoms may present differently from those of men and boys. ADHD comes in three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or a combination of the two....

“I [saw] there was high demand of mental health support for children and women [because there wasn’t anyone focusing on them at the] time, as well as at the moment. I thought being a doctor can help a person, but being a society doctor can help the population of a country,” Aria says. Through Tabish, national and international certified psychotherapists and counselors provide psycho-social and emotional support to Afghan people throughout Kabul, including in refugee camps and at Tabish clinics, which are located in Kabul, Jalalabad, Mazar, and Kandahar....

In 2019, about one-fifth (20.6%) of the American population reported mental health challenges, and 18.4% of that subpopulation also dealt with substance use issues, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These figures do not reflect rates of mental health challenges in 2020 or 2021. Since psychiatric concerns often include symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness or worry, it can make it particularly difficult to access much-needed mental health support....

While these symptoms are normal and generally pass in a few days, some pregnant people may develop depression, which is a mood disorder that persists for weeks or months, and can make it difficult for people to go about their daily lives or care for themselves. Approximately 9% of pregnant people experience antepartum depression. It is least common in the second trimester of pregnancy and most common in the third trimester....

Both genetics and environment play a part in the development of personality, although the specific degree to which each one plays a part often depends on the specific personality trait in question. This article discusses how personality traits are defined, whether personality is genetic, and how traits can sometimes change over time. What Are Personality Traits? Traits are typically defined as the different characteristics that make up an individual’s personality....

In addition to experiencing sadness, birthday depression can also include a sense of low energy or focusing on the past, including everything that you may or may not have accomplished so far. These feelings may arise in the days leading up to a person’s birthday, on the actual day, and for some time after as well. This article explores some possible causes and signs of birthday depression, and offers ways to cope with feelings of sadness on and around your birthday....

BDD differs from common body image concerns in that the thoughts are persistent and intrusive, cause significant distress and impact behavior and functioning. Another important factor is that, with BDD, the person is often preoccupied with a flaw or trait that is barely noticeable, even nonexistent. Features that others might see as a slight imperfection or inconvenience (or not see at all) become consuming and unbearable, to the point of threatening their quality of life....

Here we explore what these approaches mean, as well as how they came about (the body positivity and body neutrality movements). While each has its own value, adopting both practices can help lead to greater acceptance of your body and what it can do. What Is Body Positivity? Body positivity refers to having a positive view of your physical body, regardless of its shape, size, or other appearance-related attributes. It involves loving your body for what it is, even if it isn’t “perfect” according to society’s standards....

This article discusses some of the thinking problems that are characteristics of borderline personality disorder. It also explores some treatments that can help people manage these thinking problems. Paranoid Ideation Many people with BPD experience paranoia as part of their disorder; they believe that others harm them without basis in reality. This type of thinking typically does not happen all the time. Instead, it tends to occur when a person is experiencing stress....

Find a Mental Health Professional Finding the right mental health professional is critical to getting the treatment you need. First and foremost, it’s important to choose a therapist who can practice independently. The following are some professionals who can do a BPD assessment, provide a diagnosis, and treat BPD: Clinical psychologist (PhD/PsyD)Licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) Licensed clinical social worker (LSCW)Licensed independent social worker (LISW)Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)Licensed professional counselor (LPC)Psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP)Psychiatrist (MD)...

Benefits of Playing Brain-Training Games People of all ages use brain-training games to improve mental functioning and prevent brain aging. Backing them up is research showing that brain-training games may help improve attention levels, memory, response time, logic skills, and other measures of cognitive function if played over a long timespan. To give your brain a workout while having fun, try these games and activities that may improve your mental focus and fitness....

According to color psychology, colors can evoke psychological reactions and influence how people feel and behave. Brown tends to feel like a solid, earthy color, but it can sometimes seem drab and boring. Light browns such as beige are often used as neutrals in design and fashion. While they can provide a conservative and traditional backdrop, these shades are often perceived as dull. The Color Brown: Meaning in Color Psychology Like most colors, brown can have positive and negative associations and meanings....

Unlike many other psychoactive drugs, caffeine is legal and is one of the most widely used substances in the world. Also Known As: Because caffeine is legal, slang terms are generally not used when referring to it. Slang terms for coffee and tea, two of the most common naturally caffeinated beverages, include Joe and cuppa. Drug Class: Caffeine is classified as a stimulant. It increases activity in the central nervous system....

Most people can accept losing their jobs and effectively move on with their lives in a healthy manner. For some, the loss of a job can adversely impact their health. For example, they might feel embarrassed or lose their self-esteem. This is especially true if you’ve been with a company many years. You might lose confidence in yourself. Or you might find you now lack motivation in seeking another job....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey Tapering off is a standard medical practice for many other drugs. For example, healthcare providers usually don’t take patients off antidepressants suddenly; rather, they gradually reduce the dosages. Obviously quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. But that does not mean home detox is effective, appropriate, or safe....