Hallucinations may also occur in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, or medical illnesses like eye disease and neurodegenerative conditions. This break from reality may result for a number of reasons. This guide will examine the different causes of hallucinations in people and will cover the types, symptoms, and possible treatment methods for hallucinations. Types of Hallucinations A hallucination can involve any of the five senses. That means that perceptions can be felt through the ears, eyes, skin, nose, or tongue....

What Does It Mean to Be Cisgender? To be cisgender means that you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth. If you are cisgender, which is often shortened in discussion to “cis,” chances are you have not experienced gender dysphoria, where you feel unaligned with your assigned gender. People who are gender non-conforming, transgender, or of another marginalized gender identity often have a much more complex journey in relation to their gender identity, and face much more discrimination than cis people do....

Examples of this phenomenon can range from the fairly mundane, such as incorrectly recalling that you locked the front door, to the much more serious, such as falsely remembering details of an accident you witnessed. Learn more about how psychologists define false memories, how these memories form, and the impact that such memories can have. Definitions of False Memory How do psychologists define false memory? How do they distinguish it from other forms of memory fallibility?...

In some cases, a mood tracker can be useful for people with mental health conditions—such as depression and anxiety—to help identify and regulate moods. Mood trackers can range from the simple (a handwritten journal) to the complex (an online app that collects a range of information) and are available at a variety of price points. Why It’s Important Mood tracking can be useful for a number of different reasons. For example, it might help you:...

Children that are subjected to abuse usually experience harm to their health, welfare, and self-respect. This article covers the many forms of child abuse, how each form impacts a child’s mental and physical well-being, and discusses how childhood trauma can be treated. Indicators of Child Abuse When a child is experiencing ill-treatment from a caregiver or other person, there are signs that may indicate abuse. These include: For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database....

Some cultures, for example, might stress individualism and the importance of personal autonomy. Other cultures may place a higher value on collectivism and cooperation among members of the group. Such differences can play an influential role in many aspects of life. This article discusses the history of cross-cultural psychology, different types of cross-cultural psychology, and applications of this field. It also discusses the impact it has had on the understanding of human psychology....

When an object is hidden from sight, infants under a certain age often become upset that the item has vanished. This is because they are too young to understand that the object continues to exist even though it cannot be seen. Piaget’s Theory The concept of object permanence plays a significant role in the theory of cognitive development created by psychologist Jean Piaget. In the sensorimotor stage of development, a period that lasts from birth to about age two, Piaget suggested that children understand the world through their motor abilities such as touch, vision, taste, and movement....

What Is the AP Psychology Exam? Advanced Placement Psychology, more commonly referred to as AP Psychology, is a college-level introductory psychology course offered at many high schools. The course is offered as part of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, allowing students to earn college credit. The course prepares students to take the AP Psychology test, a comprehensive exam that covers material found in a typical college introductory psychology class....

However, psychologists have been able to associate certain behaviors with traits that can be major red flags for someone’s personality. Those traits are known as the Dark Triad. Individuals manifesting the dark triad personality type have been associated with tendencies toward violence and criminal activity. Even when they don’t slip to those extremes, the trio usually spells self-serving, manipulative, and low-empathy behavior. What are Personality Traits? Personality traits are a construct used by psychologists to attempt to understand the differences in people’s thoughts and behaviors by assigning each to a specific trait....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. What Is Gay Bullying? Bullying, in general, is broadly defined as being repeatedly exposed over time to the intentional negative actions of one or more people. These negative actions can take the form of insults, threats, or physical violence. Cyberbullying, when a bully harasses or threatens someone online, is also common. Gay bullying is typically directed at individuals who identify as (or are perceived to be) part of the LGBTQ+ community....

Imagine meeting someone you hit it off with and spending hours talking to them over dinner and drinks. You have a wonderful time, plan your next date together, go home, and send them a text message, only to be left on read. The next day, while you’re scrolling through your social media feed, you see a meme that reminds you of something they said, so you share it with them, only to receive a weak “Haha” in response several hours later....

The Enneagram consists of a nine-point diagram in which each point represents a personality type. The Enneagram figure or diagram is made up of three elements. The outer part is a circle, which then contains a triangle and an irregular hexagon. At its simplest, the Enneagram represents nine different personality types. Beyond these basic nine personality types, the system grows much more complex and includes 27 different subtypes, as well as three key “centers” focused on action, feeling, and thinking....

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five women will experience sexual violence in her lifetime, often perpetrated by someone they know and trust. Men and boys can be subjected to sexual violence as well. Regardless of age or gender, sexual violence and rape robs people of their safety and security. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people who have been targeted to struggle with trust....

For this reason, mental health professionals have created depression hotlines. These are phone numbers you can call when all starts to feel bleak. This article will refer to these numbers interchangeably as depression hotlines, suicide hotlines, and crisis hotlines and will help you identify the instances in which you might want to call a helpline. What Is Depression? Depression is an incredibly common mood disorder, with 21 million adults experiencing at least one episode of major depression in their lifetime....

Overview There are so many reasons that people refuse to get help. Many are afraid of the stigma attached to mental health issues. Others feel they cannot commit the time and/or financial resources required to engage in therapy. Some may not be willing to admit that they have a problem in the first place, or may not think that treatment will work for them (despite clear research evidence to the contrary; we now have a number of effective treatments for BPD and a host of other mental health conditions)....

The 66 page guide, released September 19, 2022, offers an overview of how mental health can be integrated into common maternal healthcare. According to the guidelines, one in five women will experience a mental health condition during the perinatal period in low-income countries. About one in 10 will experience the same in high-income countries. Jessica Vernon, MD is an OBGYN and director of the Perinatal Mental Health Program within the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at NYU Langone Health....

Putting yourself in the role of “parent” and your partner in the role of “child” is demeaning and can actually be counterproductive. Your partner might come to resent you for taking on a controlling role in your relationship. This can cause serious damage to your marriage. Once you identify the pattern, it might help to seek counseling as a couple to work on resolving it together. Signs of Parenting Behaviors in a Romantic Relationship There are some behaviors that are appropriate in your interactions with your kids, but not with your mate....

Suppressing Emotions Emotional suppression is a type of emotional regulation strategy that is used to try and make uncomfortable, overwhelming thoughts and feelings more manageable. There are many different emotion regulation strategies and some are more helpful than others. For example, some people use meditation or mindfulness techniques to handle intense feelings, helping them relax and cope healthily. Others turn to alcohol or drugs to get rid of painful emotions. While this may work as an emotion regulation strategy in the short term, it definitely has negative long-term consequences....

Friday Fix: Episode 119 Could repeating a phrase to yourself over and over again actually improve your mental health? As simple as it sounds, there’s a good chance that developing a personal mantra could make a positive difference in your life. But, most people confuse a mantra with a positive affirmation. They’re not exactly the same thing. So in this Friday Fix, I explain the difference. I also share how you can develop your own personal mantra....

Your words will speak volumes to them, even when you want them to just let things slide. In fact, it’s not uncommon for simple phrases like “I’m thankful for…” and “I love how you…” will go a long way in communicating how much they are appreciated. Your partner will especially appreciate compliments, heartfelt thank-you’s, handwritten notes, and hearing what they mean to others. The goal is to let your partner know how much they mean to you and how much you care....