During the fight-or-flight response, the adrenal gland releases epinephrine into the bloodstream, along with other hormones like cortisol, which does the following: Signals the heart to pump harder.Increases blood pressure.Opens airways in the lungs.Narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine to increase blood flow to major muscle groups.Performs other functions to enable the body to fight or run when encountering a perceived threat. The Role of Perceived Threat The term perceived threat makes an important distinction and brings up a critical point to remember: as in the case of chronic stress, the body’s stress response is repeatedly triggered on a daily basis in response to actual physical and psychological threats as well as perceived psychological threats....

With that many students drinking to excess on a regular basis a certain percentage of them are going to experience memory blackouts, and that can present problems as these young drinkers engage in risky behaviors during those blackout periods. People experiencing blackouts can make dangerous choices when their judgment, impulse control, and decision-making ability is impaired by intoxication. And, research shows that female students are at even greater risk of making hazardous choices during blackouts compared to male students....

Researchers have found that each type has a different effect on a person’s behavior and pursuit of goals. To better understand the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on human behavior, it will help to learn how each type works. What Is Extrinsic Motivation? Extrinsic motivation is when we are motivated to perform a behavior or engage in an activity because we want to earn a reward or avoid punishment....

Laks founded the farm in 1999, but it was a dream in the making since she was seven years old. As she faced challenges growing up, such as finding it hard to fit in and feeling misunderstood, animals brought her comfort. “Animals mirror back to us that we have value and worth. We feel gentle when we stroke them, wanted when they approach us, and soothed when we hug them....

What is Group Therapy? As the name implies, group therapy involves psychotherapy in a group setting. Typically, one or more qualified professionals facilitate the group therapy process. The facilitators are responsible for planning the group activities, screening members, determining the topic or goals of the group, and leading the general direction of the group. The group therapist also decides the general structure of the group therapy sessions, such as dates, times, and location....

Stop Avoiding Avoidance can come in many forms. Perhaps you drink at parties to get through the night. Maybe you read speeches word for word or avoid eye contact when you talk to people. There are many forms of avoidance, some of which are so subtle you might not even realize that is what they are. Avoidance only makes anxiety worse in the long run because you never have to truly handle the situation at hand....

MBSR is often a complementary practice, used alongside other therapies to help people cope with various types of physical and mental distress. This article covers the definition, history, and benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction, as well as identifies conditions that may improve as a result of MBSR. It also discusses ways you can practice mindfulness techniques on your own. History of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction American professor Jon Kabat-Zinn founded mindfulness-based stress reduction in the 1970s at the University of Massachusetts Medical School....

The practice was based on the idea that certain functions were located in specific areas of the brain. Phrenologists suggested that the brain was composed of muscles that, like other areas of the body, grew bigger when they were used more often. As a result, phrenologists proposed, bumps were produced in those areas on the skull. This article discusses the history of phrenology and how it was used. It also explores the impact of this pseudoscience, including its perpetuation of scientific racism....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 15% of American adults have reported a migraine or severe headache in the previous three months—a statistic that has been stable for nearly twenty years. Medline Plus estimates that women are three times more likely than other folx to report migraines. Considering how migraines can impact one’s physical functioning, it’s also important to take a look at how this type of headache impacts mental health....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of adults in the United States report that they get less than the recommended amount of sleep each night. Because of this, it is important to understand how sleep affects mental health and well-being. How Does Lack of Sleep Affect Mental Health? It’s no secret that sleep plays an important role in good physical health. Lack of sleep is linked to a number of unfavorable health consequences including heart disease and type 2 diabetes....

The content of the obsessions varies widely. While some obsessions involve fears of contamination, concerns about contamination make up a small percentage of obsessional themes. Obsessions are often “taboo” in nature. For example, someone with OCD may experience violent thoughts and images (i.e. killing oneself or others), sexually intrusive thoughts and images that are disturbing (i.e., sexual thoughts involving children, family members, animals, religious figures, etc.), or blasphemous thoughts that go against someone’s religion....

While there may be beautiful memories of positive experiences with the loved one who has died, there may also be traumatic memories from negative experiences. For instance, they may have experienced distress seeing the loved one intoxicated or violent, financial problems which may have affected the family, as well as a possible history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, legal problems, or other difficulties. The loss of a friend or family members from drugs is particularly painful if the person was young, and otherwise healthy....

Child Psychologist A child psychologist is a type of psychologist who studies the mental, social and emotional development of children. Typically, child psychologists look at development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Some of the major topics of interest in this field of psychology include genetics, language development, personality, gender roles, cognitive development, sexual development, and social growth. Some related career options include: Abnormal child psychologist work with children suffering from psychological disorders including anxiety, mood and personality disorders....

Fortunately, it’s possible to move forward in a healthy way after being assaulted. Learning and practicing healthy coping strategies can help you get through it, so you can be able to move on and live your best life in the future. Some forms of sexual assault include: Attempted rapeFondling or unwanted sexual touchingForcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex Rape—penetration of the victim’s body Force doesn’t always refer to “physical force....

This type of anxiety typically disproportionate to the situation and can be debilitating. It often also results in physical symptoms like fatigue and muscle tension that can cause problems in your professional and personal life. This article will offer tips to help you learn how to deal with workplace anxiety and discuss the common causes and symptoms. What Is Workplace Anxiety? Workplace anxiety involves feeling stressed, nervous, uneasy, or tense about work, which could include anxiety about job performance, interactions with co-workers, or even public speaking....

However, it’s natural for caregivers of persons with schizophrenia to experience feelings of frustration, stress, and helplessness when placed in this role. Not only do you need to quickly learn about and understand the illness and the broad range of behaviors that it can involve, but you also need to determine how best to provide care without overstepping or creating undue stress. It’s a delicate balancing act that is not easy, to say the least....

Panic disorder with agoraphobia can contribute to many work-related issues. For example, avoidance behaviors can make your commute to work difficult. Worrying about specific fears and phobias that trigger panic attacks can add a lot of stress to the workday. You may feel ashamed about your condition or feel concerned that you will lose your job over it. For these reasons, dealing with panic disorder at the workplace can be extremely challenging....

Sometimes this lack of treatment is because parents don’t recognize the warning signs of teenage mental illness. Other times, parents might worry that their teen will get labeled as “crazy” if they seek help. But early intervention and proper treatment are the keys to helping your teen feel better. If you suspect that your teen may have a mental illness, seek professional help right away. The Danger of Not Getting Help Sometimes parents struggle to acknowledge the suspicion that their teen may have a mental illness....