One of the primary issues with conversations about substance addiction is the focus on the drug rather than the mental health and history of the person taking it. Statistically, the rate of substance use disorders among people who have taken cocaine is low. A 2006 epidemiological study showed that about 80% of people who use cocaine are not chemically dependent two years later. However, the remaining 20% are at risk of developing a use disorder....

The opposite of shyness is being outgoing, while the opposite of introversion is extroversion. These concepts are similar but different. The extrovert appears similar, often making friends easily. However, the core feature of the extrovert is a need for stimulation and time spent with others. This is reflected in brain neuroimaging studies that show different activation of areas of the brain in extroverts compared to introverts. To summarize, we can think of each of these concepts as follows: Shy: Fear of negative evaluation, a tendency toward avoidance....

This article explores what creativity is and when it is most likely to happen. It also covers some of the steps that you can take to improve your own creativity. What Is Creativity? Studying creativity can be a tricky process. Not only is creativity a complex topic in and of itself, but there is also no clear consensus on how exactly to define creativity. Many of the most common definitions suggest that creativity is the tendency to solve problems or create new things in novel ways....

Benefits of Mantra Meditation If you are reading this, you have probably already heard that meditation is a powerhouse of a stress reliever because of all of the ways it can improve your outlook and overall health. Mantra meditation, in particular transcendental meditation, has also been linked with a decrease in intrusive thoughts, and an increase in meaning and quality of life in HIV patients. It has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety and anger and increases in quality of life in nurses....

What Is Binge Eating Disorder? BED is an eating disorder that was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) in 2013. It involves recurring episodes of binge eating without purging and accompanying feelings of remorse afterward.  Episodes of binge eating can be characterized by behaviors that include: Eating much more rapidly than normalContinuing to eat until uncomfortably fullEating large amounts when not physically hungryEating alone due to the embarrassment of how much you are eatingFeeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward...

With so many people using the platform, it’s no surprise that businesses and individuals are constantly looking for ways tо increase their reach and engagement on the site. One strategy that has become increasingly popular in recent years is using “CFS” on Instagram. Еxplore the concept of CFS on Instagram, including what it is, how it works, and how you can use it to boost your engagement and reach on the platform....

They can be chemically-based, like ketamine, or plant-based, like DMT. Though many people use psychedelics recreationally, certain substances are being studied as a potential treatment for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Psychedelics vary in how they impact an individual’s brain. Here are common short-term and long-term effects to expect for many major substances. LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a chemically-made hallucinogen that was first synthesized in the 1930s....

Professionals who work in this field often use a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques. They may work with individuals, couples, or families to treat illness, improve communication, and strengthen relationships. What They Do Marriage and family therapists assess, diagnose and treat mental illness and psychological distress within the context of the marriage and family systems. They may provide premarital counseling, relationship counseling, child counseling, and separation and divorce counseling. Some of the typical tasks that a marriage and family therapist might perform on a regular basis include:...

Research surrounding attachment styles is largely contributed to the work of Dr. Mary Ainsworth, a developmental psychologist who studied how children’s attachment impacts their response to an unfamiliar situation. If your attachment style is preoccupied, you might have significant difficulty trusting people and have a strong fear of being rejected. Although you may desire close, intimate relationships, your anxiety about being abandoned can interfere with your ability to form these connections....

Purpose of Defensiveness Defensive behaviors have the purpose of distracting you from your feelings of being hurt and feeling shamed. The objective (whether you realize it or not) is to shift attention to the faults of the other person, so that in turn you feel better about yourself in the moment. While defensive behaviors might help you to feel better in the short term, in the long term they generally result in you feeling worse....

Enmeshment is an idea that comes from family therapy and analyzing family systems. It is a concept from Salvador Minuchin’s structural family therapy theory, which emphasizes the examination of how family relationships contribute to individuals’ function or dysfunction. In his book Families and Family Therapy, Minuchin explains that family enmeshment involves having high levels of communication but low levels of distance, both physically and emotionally. While most people hope to have a close family, there can still be too much of a “good” thing, potentially leading to enmeshment trauma....

Essentially, interference occurs when some information makes it difficult to recall similar material. Similar memories compete, causing some to be more difficult to remember or even forgotten entirely. Because of this, some long-term memories cannot be retrieved into short-term memory. Overview Have you ever found yourself confusing the memory of one event with another? The experience can be surprisingly common, especially if you are faced with a number of very similar memories....

History of the Concept of Intersectionality The term ‘‘intersectionality" was first coined by civil rights scholar and the founding voice behind critical race theory Kimberlé Crenshaw. The Term Intersectionality Was Coined in 1989 Crenshaw first introduced the term in 1989 in her seminal article for the University of Chicago Legal Forum titled, “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory, and Antiracist Politics....

One great example of the halo effect in action is our overall impression of celebrities. People perceive them as attractive, successful, and often likable, so people also tend to see them as intelligent, kind, and funny. What Is the Halo Effect? The halo effect is also sometimes referred to as the “physical attractiveness stereotype” and the “what is beautiful is also good” principle. However, this effect doesn’t just affect our perceptions of people based on their attractiveness....

While most people occasionally overeat or find comfort in food, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have binge eating disorder. A healthcare professional can evaluate you and determine whether you have this condition. Accordingly, they will determine a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. The treatment plan may involve therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. This article covers how binge eating disorder is diagnosed, treatment options, the efficacy of treatment, and how binge eating disorder treatment can be improved....

In those cases, the couples may have realized that they were unhappier apart than they thought they would be. Or, maybe time did heal all wounds. Whatever the reason, remarriage between divorced couples does happen on occasion. If you’re thinking of remarrying your ex, there are steps to take to help the relationship succeed the second time around. Why Divorced Couples Get Remarried The reasons for getting remarried vary from couple to couple....

When you are ready to settle down, it is important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner with caring, curiosity, calmness, and respect. It’s natural to feel an intense desire for commitment in your relationship, especially if it involves starting a family path together. However, before taking this step forward towards marriage, take some time to reflect upon what both of you expect out of your partnership....

What can you do if the people who should be your greatest supporters aren’t? Lack of support from people in your social network can be tough, but there are things that you can do to find the support and understanding that you need. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Recognize Not Everyone Understands Acknowledge that there may be a reason behind their feelings that has nothing to do with you....

Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that can significantly affect a person’s ability to think and behave. Schizophrenia is, in reality, one of the many conditions that fall under a range of psychotic disorders known as schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Research shows that schizophrenia affects over 20 million people across the globe. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders To understand the debate around classifying schizophrenia as a spectrum disorder, you must first understand what spectrum disorders are....

We’ve likely all heard the advice to believe in yourself, value yourself, be your own cheerleader, and that you can’t fully love others until you love yourself—and all of that is true. But what exactly does that really mean in real life? Essentially, that having high self-esteem is vital to a successful, happy life. But how exactly do you know if your self-esteem is high enough? Below, we’ll take a look at what self-esteem is, why it’s important, and how to build yours up....