Because of this, the autonomic nervous system is also sometimes known by another name: the involuntary nervous system This system is further divided into three branches: the sympathetic system, the parasympathetic system, and the enteric nervous system. Parasympathetic nervous system: This part of the autonomic nervous system helps maintain normal body functions and conserves physical resources. This division also performs such tasks as controlling the bladder, slowing heart rate, and constricting eye pupils....

Since there are so many family issues that are directly impacted by borderline personality symptoms and behaviors, the entire family of a person with borderline personality may suffer. These are some of the most common effects of BPD on the family and how to find help as a family. Stress on the Family Watching a loved one with BPD suffer and dealing with very difficult relationship symptoms of BPD are extraordinarily stressful for family members....

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) The DSM, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the official source of diagnostic information for psychiatric disorders, including BPD and related conditions. For each disorder, the DSM provides a list of symptoms and specifies how many symptoms are needed (and how severe the symptoms must be) to warrant a particular diagnosis. The current DSM criteria for a BPD diagnosis are summarized below....

A new study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that some people are experiencing brain fog several months after surviving COVID-19–both those who were severely ill and hospitalized with the infection, and those who reported only mild symptoms. A Closer Look at the Study Researchers led by Jacqueline Becker, PhD, a neuropsychologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, assessed 740 patients with a history of COVID-19 who were being followed up through a Mount Sinai registry....

Evidence suggests that children who are two years old and under can learn from TV and movies but only in extremely limited circumstances, making screens of minimal benefit. This article will review what current research says about children’s ability to learn from TV and movies when they are two years old and under and when they are older than two, followed by recommendations for parents and caregivers that will enable them to ensure their children’s interactions with screens are as beneficial as possible....

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, took place over four years at a single research unit in Hong Kong. Researchers randomly assigned 105 participants to 12 weeks of tai chi, 105 to 12 weeks of exercise, and 110 to a no-intervention control group. Every participant had chronic insomnia before the study began, and was 60 years or older. Actigraphy, a non-invasive technique used to assess cycles of activity and rest over several days or weeks, was used to assess the participants’ sleep....

Signs of Catalepsy Some of the signs of catalepsy include: Decreased or slowed movementDecreased muscle controlDecreased sensitivity to pain Loss of muscle controlRigid body postureRigid limbsSlowed breathingSlowed body functionsWaxy flexibility (limbs remain in the same position when moved) Waxy flexibility is associated with conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. People experiencing this symptom only slightly resist having their body or limbs moved into a different position. The individual will then remain in this new position without making any attempts to reposition the body....

The study, published in Communication Monographs, evaluated a group of social media users’ perceptions of prosocial rhetoric on Instagram when it was paired with consumerism or self-promotion—specifically around the body positivity movement. When it comes to the claims of countless corporations and content creators of embracing the movement (for example, using the tag #BoPo) in order to make sales or gain followers, the study’s findings suggest consumers often see right through insincerity....

During the pandemic, 18.3 million people chose to start gardening, and 89% of them plan to continue gardening post-pandemic, according to the National Gardening Survey. In urban areas, gardening and farming on rooftops and in community settings began taking off well before Covid-19. As more city-dwellers are incorporating gardening into their lives, they’re also seeing some major mental health benefits, as well. Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

While not a substitute for professional treatment, for those that may otherwise receive no help, self-help is a good starting point. The self-help strategies for social anxiety disorder outlined below can be used at home to overcome your symptoms. Social Coping A good first step to coping with social anxiety disorder is to identify the social skills that could use a bit of work. If you focus on improving those, it may help you cope with the thoughts and emotions that come with social anxiety disorder....

Cocaine is currently classified as a Schedule II drug. It can be legally used for certain medical purposes, including local anesthesia for some ear, throat, and eye surgeries. However, it has high potential for abuse. People rub cocaine in their gums, snort it through their nose, or dissolve it and inject it into their veins. Crack is a freebase form of cocaine that is processed using water and either ammonia or baking soda, until it forms a rock crystal that can be smoked....

Perhaps the most recognizable among them is Prozac (fluoxetine). It’s still the best option for many people, but since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, Prozac has been joined by a variety of other antidepressant medications. If you’re considering taking an antidepressant, understanding how the most popular ones work can help you and your healthcare provider decide which might work best for you and when you should take it....

Per Se Laws All 50 states now have “per se” .08 blood alcohol concentration laws (BAC), which means that if a driver has a BAC of .08 or higher, that fact by itself (per se) is evidence that the driver was driving while intoxicated. In other words, if someone is arrested for drunk driving, that fact by itself is evidence that the driver probably has a drinking problem, according to the laws and policies of almost every state....

In fact, the answer to this question has been the subject of considerable interest and research. A landmark 1993 study suggested that practice accounted for about 80% of the difference between elite performance and amateur performance. These findings led to the popular notion of the “10,000-hour rule,” or the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. Another major study, however, challenged the idea that anyone can become an expert with enough practice....

Even if your relationship with your current partner is rock-solid and the thought of cheating has never crossed your mind, having a dream about cheating on them can leave you feeling quite shaken. You might feel confused, disturbed, or even guilty, says Dr. Gundle. This article explores what dreams about cheating could mean, some steps you can take to explore the meaning of your dream, and whether or not you should discuss it with your current partner....

This article discusses the symptoms of PCOS and how the condition is connected to eating disorders. It also explores how common treatments for PCOS can contribute to the onset or worsening of eating disorders. Common Symptoms and Assessment Despite its relatively high prevalence, PCOS is one of the most poorly funded and researched health conditions. Originally known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, it was first recognized in 1935. Once thought to be a gynecologic and dermatologic problem, it is now recognized as a multisystem disorder that has no cure (although its symptoms can be treated)....

Studies so far have shown a sharp increase in eating disorder diagnoses and behavior among previously diagnosed youth since the start of the pandemic. Parker L. Huston, PhD, pediatric psychologist and owner of Central Ohio Pediatric Behavioral Health, says it’s impossible to know each patient’s story and how the pandemic impacted them. “In general, eating disorders are seen as a maladaptive way of establishing control in one’s life. With so much out of control, many of us turn to things we can control, like our eating and exercise habits,” says Huston....