“The biggest takeaway from our research is that regardless of what someone’s mental ill-health looks like—high anxiety, anorexia, depression, and so on—there is a common difference in the way their brains process physical signals from the body,” lead author Camilla Nord, PhD, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, tells Verywell. Nord and a team of researchers analyzed brain imaging data from existing studies and then compared it with research they conducted on over 1,200 participants....

They may also be at greater risk for self-harm. “ADHD has a positive association with suicide or suicidal behavior and ideation. While the association may be dependent on other factors, individuals with ADHD have a higher likelihood of attempting or completing suicide,” explains Sussan Nwogwugwu, Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for Done, a digital health company that helps those living with ADHD. As we bring insight to issues surrounding suicide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we look at reasons for the link between ADHD and suicide, groups that may be more at risk for suicidal ideations, and resources that can help kids and their parents....

During the evaluation, a professional gathers information to determine if the criteria for ADHD are met. The criteria come from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the official diagnostic guide used in the United States. Such tests can be used to diagnose ADHD in both children and adults. Tests for ADHD Some of the specific assessments that may be used when testing for ADHD include: Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC): Looks for symptoms related to aggression, hyperactivity, conduct issues, attention problems, learning issues, anxiety, and depressionConners Rating Scale: Looks at symptoms related to behavior, school, interpersonal functioning, and work to determine how symptoms impact home life, relationships, academics, and other life areas; also available as the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales to assess ADHD in adultsChild Behavior Checklist/Teacher Report Form (CBCL): Used to assess behavioral and social issues, including aggression, physical complaints, and withdrawalTests of Variable Attention (TOVA): Used to assess the ability to pay attention to non-preferred tasks; usually used in conjunction with other assessmentsAdult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): A self-report test used to look for ADHD symptoms in adults...

Psychologists have also tried to identify the different types of emotions that people experience. A few different theories have emerged to categorize and explain the emotions that people feel. Basic Emotions During the 1970s, psychologist Paul Eckman identified six basic emotions that he suggested were universally experienced in all human cultures. The emotions he identified were happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. He later expanded his list of basic emotions to include such things as pride, shame, embarrassment, and excitement....

There are many options, techniques, and daily routines we can choose from and even combine together to create an individualized and beneficial stress management routine that works. In reality, stress is not the problem, but rather the lack of ability to cope or manage the stress. Self-help books that target stress management can be a beneficial and effective place to start. Here are the best stress management books on the market, according to a licensed mental health counselor....

Unfortunately, these disagreements extend even beyond vaccine decisions, as many people still refuse to wear a mask, or put their mask back on, which can cause strife in personal and government relationships alike. Choosing to Vaccinate Pam Iverson, a 44-year old Black mother, writer, and activist, based in Atlanta, GA, says, “I have been fully vaccinated. All of my immediate family have been fully vaccinated, including my 12-year-old son. My ex-husband’s household and my partner’s ex-wife’s household, which are both part of my household’s social pod, are fully vaccinated as well....

Instead of an old-school intervention where the family and friends get together and confront the person in an attempt to enroll them in a rehabilitation program, the CRAFT method encourages close significant others (which the program calls CSOs) to reward their loved one when they choose sobriety or show control. Another critical aspect of this method is that it encourages families to step back and allow bad consequences to happen when the person consumes....

Have you ever watched old Westerns? Somebody needed a leg amputated? No anesthesia? No problem. Break out a bottle of whiskey and take a few swigs. Need to pull that arrow out of the guy’s chest? No need for morphine, we have whiskey. Many people still turn to the use of alcohol for pain relief due to its ability to depress the central nervous system. By slowing down the brain and nervous system, alcohol delivers a certain amount of relief....

Some feel that there are too many side effects or that they don’t work or that others will judge them if they are taking antidepressants. Others fear they will become addicted to them or that they will change their personality. The choice to take antidepressants or not is indeed a pretty big one. So are antidepressants worth it? Doing your research and having one or more meaningful discussions with your doctor is the best place to start....

Tossing and turning needn’t be your fate, though. Employing these tips will help you reduce your nighttime anxiety and establish better habits to promote peaceful slumber. Set Aside Enough Time for Sleep Many people don’t put enough time aside to get a proper night’s sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults obtain seven or more hours of sleep a night to avoid the health risks of chronic inadequate sleep....

How to Talk to Kids About Addiction Whether you’re the child’s non-addicted parent, a concerned relative, or a teacher, talking to kids about their parent’s addiction is not an easy conversation. But it’s one that needs to happen. Ignoring the issue or trying to pretend that it doesn’t exist is never a good idea and only leaves kids wondering if this is the way everyone’s life is. Even if you’re not talking about their parent’s addiction, kids still know it exists....

Although definitions may vary, when two or more treatment attempts of adequate dose and duration fail to provide expected relief, the disorder may be considered “treatment-resistant depression.” Treatment-resistant depression can be complex. Depression symptoms, such as sleep issues and appetite problems, may continue despite patient compliance with treatment. At other times, the symptoms resolve briefly but come back. It’s important to remember that even if depression does not respond to the first couple of treatments, that doesn’t mean it cannot be treated....

This article discusses some of the different types of attraction and the effect these types of attraction can have on your life and relationships. Types of Attraction When people hear the word attraction, they often automatically assume that it refers to sexual attraction and romantic attraction. They also assume that those two forms of attraction overlap or are essentially the same thing. It is important to recognize that people can experience attraction in different ways....

Several different theories have emerged to explain how people learn. Some of the main theories of learning include: Behavioral learning theoryCognitive learning theoryConstructivist learning theorySocial learning theoryExperiential learning theory This article explores these learning theories, including how each one explains the learning process. Behavioral Learning Theories During the early part of the twentieth century, many psychologists became increasingly interested in turning psychology into a more scientific endeavor. These psychologists, known as behaviorists, argued that psychology needed to study only things that could be measured and quantified to be more scientific....

Hypnotherapy can be a great alternative for those struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as symptoms of other anxiety disorders. Hypnotherapy and PTSD When you’re hypnotized, you’re in a trance-like state. Although this state appears similar to sleep, you’re fully awake and aware of what’s going on around you. You’re able to relax and shut out the everyday world. While in this trance-like state, your therapist will help you safely access your memories to better understand the emotions surrounding your trauma....

Uses Vyvanse is a prescription medication that treats ADHD in patients 6 years and above. In 2015, it was also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults. Why Treating ADHD With Bipolar Disorder Can Be Tough Treating ADHD in someone who has bipolar disorder can be tricky. Stimulant medication may exacerbate some symptoms of bipolar disorder, including psychosis. A doctor who is considering prescribing this drug needs to carefully evaluate the symptoms of the individual patient....

It plays a part in muscle contractions as well as brain functions including cognition, learning, memory, attention, and REM sleep. Blocking the function of this neurotransmitter may help relieve the symptoms of some health conditions, including those linked to muscle movements such as Parkinson’s disease. This article describes some of the anticholinergics that are commonly prescribed, what they are used to treat, and how they work. It also explores some of the common side effects that might occur as well as warnings you should understand before taking these medications....

Hangover Effects Caused by Alcohol Alcohol directly contributes to hangover symptoms in several ways: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: The increased urine production, sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea that alcohol consumption causes dehydrates the body. This causes many common hangover symptoms such as thirst, weakness, dry mouth and nose, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Gastrointestinal disturbances: Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), delayed stomach emptying....

If your mood has changed over the last few weeks and engaging in routine daily tasks is getting more difficult, you may have depression, and you’re not alone. Depression, a mood disorder that can cause mild to severe symptoms, can affect how you feel, think, and manage daily activities. What Depression May Feel Like Many people believe that depression needs to be debilitating and cause significant problems in their life in order to seek help....