Personality is something that we informally assess and describe every day. When we talk about ourselves and others, we frequently refer to different characteristics of an individual’s personality. Psychologists do much the same thing when they assess personality but on a more systematic and scientific level. History of Personality Tests One of the earliest forms of personality tests, known as phrenology, emerged during the late 18th-century and was popularized during the 19th-century....

Psychiatrists are highly trained in working with mental health concerns. They undergo four years of medical school (following undergraduate) and a four-year psychiatric residency. Some may even take on a fellowship in a sub-specialty such as addiction or child psychiatry, which adds further years of training. Typically, a psychiatrist will also have training in psychotherapy. The Switch to Telepsychiatry Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most psychiatrists saw patients in-person in their offices, occasionally offering virtual or phone sessions....

If you live with destination anxiety, it is essential to realize that happiness is not something that you need to wait for. It is something that you can find right now, in the present moment. By learning to appreciate what you have and finding contentment in the here and now, you can start to reduce your anxiety and stress levels. Additionally, it is important to remember that nothing in life is guaranteed....

However, while repression might initially be effective at calming these difficult emotions, it can lead to greater anxiety down the road. Freud believed that repression could lead to psychological distress. History of Repression In order to understand how repression works, it is important to look at how Sigmund Freud viewed the mind. Freud conceived of the human mind as being much like an iceberg. The top of the iceberg that you can see above the water represents the conscious mind....

Anyone can experience sensory overload, but it is most common with people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, or sensory processing and other neurodevelopment disorders. Symptoms Symptoms of sensory overload will vary from person to person. While some people may experience only mild symptoms resulting in slight feelings of discomfort, some people report symptoms that are so intense that they are unable to function until their senses normalize. People may experience only auditory overload, while others might experience it visually....

History The HEXACO Personality Inventory was developed in 2000 by Canadian psychology professors Kibeom Lee, Ph.D. & Michael C. Ashton, Ph.D. The inventory’s foundations stem from research into five core personality traits. These have been a major area of study in psychology by researchers such as Donald Fiske in the 1940s and Dr. Paul Costa and Dr. Robert McCrae in the 1980s. The “Big 5,” as these core traits are called, served as the theoretical basis upon which Ashton & Lee created the HEXACO Personality Inventory....

Arithmophobia is not recognized as a distinct condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), the tool that doctors use to diagnose mental health conditions. However, it would be considered a form of specific phobia. Specific phobias involve intense fear of certain objects or situations and are classified as an anxiety disorder. Generalized Arithmophobia A generalized fear of numbers, that is to say, a fear of all numbers can seriously affect the ability of a person to do math....

January is the month many people take part in what’s known as Dry January as a way to examine their relationship with alcohol. For some, the month’s trial away from alcohol inspires them to change their habits moving forward. But for others, an attempt to give up alcohol might prove too difficult. And a failed attempt–or a serious struggle–to quit drinking might be the first indication that drinking has become a problem....

If you or someone you know has been referred to an assertive community treatment program, you may be wondering whether this is the best option and what it will entail. Rest assured that ACT is an evidence-based practice that has been studied for several decades, and has likely been offered to you for specific reasons. ACT is designed to deliver mental health services that are person-centered and individualized to address each person’s needs....

Stress-Related Health Benefits of Ashwagandha Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, a form of traditional Indian medicine. However, it has only recently entered the mainstream and has been investigated in clinical trials for efficacy. Many scientists consider it an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body to cope with stress more effectively. Here are some of its stress-related health benefits. Emotional Stress Research has demonstrated ashwagandha’s efficacy in alleviating many common health challenges, with stress being the most robustly studied....

Although autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, it is often seen as a childhood diagnosis. Many people are not diagnosed in childhood, however, and may seek an evaluation as adults. This article discusses what an autism evaluation can look like for adults. Signs of Autism in Adults Even though autism is lifelong, and autistic people do not “grow out of” autism or stop being autistic, much of the existing autism assessment research focuses on the presentation and experiences of young children....

If your teen witnessed a traumatic event or had a traumatic experience, you might be wondering if they may have developed PTSD. They might even be showing signs of PTSD, such as flashbacks to the event, nightmares, increased agitation, emotional numbness, or trouble concentrating in school. Managing PTSD in a teenager can be very difficult for all involved, but just the fact that you are concerned is a positive and hopeful first step....

We will explore the origins of Discord and, specifically, the first Discord server. We’ll look at the first server’s details, its purpose, and how it evolved over time. We will discuss the impact of the first Discord server on the development of Discord and how people communicate online. Understanding the first Discord server helps us understand how and why Discord has become so popular and successful today. The Origins of Discord Discord was first developed in 2015 by Jason Citron, the founder of OpenFeint, a mobile gaming social platform....

Children with some forms of ADHD are not high-energy at all. Primarily inattentive type ADHD, historically known as ADD, may manifest itself in low energy combined with inattentiveness and other symptoms. So when might a child with lots of energy be diagnosed with ADHD? To qualify for the diagnosis, a child must have a chronic, pervasive problem with their ability to regulate activity level and impairment in their ability to inhibit and control impulses....

A person with an addiction may lie about how often they use a substance or engage in a behavior. Or they may lie about where they are or what they are doing to cover up the fact that they are drinking alcohol, using substances, or engaging a something related to a behavioral addiction. Learning more about why people who have an addiction may lie can provide insight. It can also help friends, family, and others better understand how to respond to this behavior more effectively....

The typical career path of going to college or trade school, choosing a vocation, and entering that field for life once you graduate has gone by the wayside. It used to be the norm, but that’s no longer the case. Are you unsure about what to do your life? You’re far from alone, and most people have felt that at one time or another. Below, find the steps to take to help you figure out what to do with your life....

What does psychology have to say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can act on your body and mind in a variety of positive ways, offering benefits for your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Reward: Smiles that convey approval, happiness, contentment, and other positive feelings.Affiliation: Smiles that communicate positive intention, trustworthiness, belongingness, compassion, and social connection....

Many members of 12-step recovery programs have found that these steps were not merely a way to overcome addiction, but they became a guide toward a new way of life. Some of the best-known 12-step programs include Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA). How the Twelve Steps Work As explained in Chapter 5, “How It Works,” in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps provide a suggested program of recovery that worked for the early members of AA and continued to work through the years for many others, regardless of the type of substance they used....

Though it may sound a bit untraditional, research tells us that when movies depict various human emotions and experiences, it can positively impact viewers and help us make more sense of our own struggles. Ahead, you’ll find four movies that depict characters with ADHD. These range from kid-friendly cartoons that can inspire dialogue about ADHD with your own child, as well as documentaries that shed light on the topic. After being formally diagnosed with ADHD, Bartlett appoints himself as the school’s resident psychiatrist, which ultimately turns him into one of the most popular kids at school....