In DSM-IV, this was referred to as “Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).” This terminology has been replaced in the DSM-5 by “Other Specified Personality Disorder.” This is not a surprising category as there is a significant overlap between the symptoms of several of the personality disorders. Since this is in a way a “catch-all” category for people with some symptoms of many different personality disorders, there is a wide range of symptoms among people who receive this diagnosis....

While difficulties with breastfeeding can also impact maternal mental health and potentially lead to postpartum depression, this research holds promise for mothers struggling to connect with their babies. The overwhelming evidence was that breastfeeding is associated with better mental health, but it’s stressed in the study’s conclusion that breastfeeding is associated with more negative mental health in some cases, meaning that breastfeeding may not be right for every woman....

You’ll have a clearer understanding of why the word neurotypical is important once you understand the concept of neurodiversity. What Is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is the idea that it’s normal and acceptable for people to have brains that function differently from one another. Rather than thinking there is something wrong or problematic when some people don’t operate similarly to others, neurodiversity embraces the differences in both brain function and behavioral traits as a natural element of how diverse the human population is....

The person feels the urge to perform compulsions, or safety behaviors, to alleviate anxiety, prevent something bad from happening, seek certainty that they are not a pedophile, etc. For example, a mother might experience unwanted sexually intrusive thoughts about her toddler (obsession) and thus avoid (compulsion) holding or playing with her child because of how terrified she is of the thoughts. Pedophile OCD Is Not Pedophilia The obsessions of obsessive-compulsive disorder are ego-dystonic or opposite to a person’s desires, values, and self-concept....

What Is Perinatal Depression? Perinatal depression is depression experienced during or after pregnancy. The condition affects one in seven women, making it one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period. There are several terms used to describe mood disorders that result in depressive feelings during pregnancy or after birth, including postpartum depression, maternal depression, prenatal depression, and postnatal depression. Symptoms It’s natural to experience emotional ups and downs during pregnancy and the postpartum period; mild mood changes during pregnancy are common....

Gage miraculously survived the accident. However, his personality and behavior were so changed as a result of the frontal lobe damage that many of his friends described him as an almost different person entirely. The impact that the accident had has helped us better understand what the frontal lobe does, especially in relation to personality. Phineas Gage’s Accident On September 13, 1848, 25-year-old Gage was working as the foreman of a crew preparing a railroad bed near Cavendish, Vermont....

Research shows that when children play, they are enhancing numerous cognitive, social, and physical skills. And now, a new study adds even more to that list. Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that when kids play with peers, they are setting themselves up for better mental health in the future. “It is well-known that peer relationships and basic skills are fundamental to building relationships, which are fundamental to good mental health,” states Mary Alvord, PhD, psychologist and coauthor of “Resilience Builder Program for Children and Adolescents....

To diagnose PTSD, a mental health professional references the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and evaluates whether or not the patient meets the criteria. The criteria in the fifth edition are somewhat different than the criteria in the fourth edition. Symptoms of PTSD The DSM-5 divides PTSD symptoms into four categories: Intrusion Avoidance of thoughts and behaviors Negative changes in thoughts and mood Changes in arousal and reactivity...

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led people to engage in social distancing as a critical way to help “flatten the curve,” or contain the spread of the illness to help keep infection rates as low as possible. Quarantine is recommended in cases where a person has been exposed or potentially exposed to others with coronavirus (COVID-19). How Quarantine Affects Mental Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines quarantine as separating and restricting the movement of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they then become ill....

Psychomotor agitation is also a potential hypomanic symptom that people with bipolar II disorder or cyclothymic disorder may experience. You can define hypomania by its shared features with mania—irritable or elevated mood—but hypomania is less intense than mania. While it can take many forms and vary in severity, psychomotor agitation is an indication of a mental tension that a person cannot control and that manifests physically with frenetic activity....

Learning healthy strategies for coping with PTSD is possible and can offer a sense of renewal, hope, and control over your life. There are a variety of areas in our lives that can be impacted by the symptoms of PTSD and, in order to work toward a healthy recovery, it is important to give attention to each area. Why Healthy Coping Skills Are Important If you have PTSD, you are at much greater risk of developing a number of other mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders....

This theory shows that both suicidal desire and suicidal capability are necessary factors for someone to die by suicide. This capability for suicide is defined as the physical capacity to inflict self-injury with lethal results. The potential to override this desire is what separates those that ideate from those that complete suicide. Recurring harmful events like racial discrimination aid in wearing down the ability to override this desire, resulting in higher suicide capability for Black Americans, according to the new research....

Although RSD is not a clinical diagnosis, many autistic people struggle with these feelings. This article explores autistic people’s experiences of RSD, how autistic people cope with RSD, and ways to support an autistic person experiencing RSD. The Connection Between Autism and RSD Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that manifests as atypical sensory perceptions, behaviors, and social styles. Currently, there is limited peer reviewed research about RSD and even less about its connection to autism....

The following article will first explain what schizophrenia is before outlining the disorder’s symptoms, causes, and treatment options. It will also discuss ways that both people with schizophrenia and those who love them can cope with the realities of the disorder. What Is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness marked by difficulty discerning what is real from the false perceptions inside one’s head. Symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms, such as diminished emotional expression and decreased motivation to engage in activities....