Some of these biases are related to memory. The way you remember an event may be biased for a number of reasons and that, in turn, can lead to biased thinking and decision-making. Other cognitive biases might be related to problems with attention. Since attention is a limited resource, people have to be selective about what they pay attention to in the world around them. Because of this, subtle biases can creep in and influence the way you see and think about the world....

Personality psychologists often look at how personality varies from one individual to the next, as well as how it may be similar. These professionals may also be tasked with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of personality disorders. Your unique personality makes you who you are; it influences everything from your relationships to the way you live. Learn more about what personality is, the theories surrounding its development, how personality is tested, and what it means to have a personality disorder....

The “unicorn,” or third party, can be a person of any gender or sexual orientation who joins a couple regardless of the people’s genders and sexual orientations. The unicorn is a third partner for anything from casual sex to long-term commitment and all possibilities in between. The unicorn is most commonly invited into the partnership for sex with one or both members of the couple. In this case, unlike in some other poly relationship models, the unicorn is typically not an equal party....

This article covers some of the most common medications used to treat bipolar disorder as well as some other non-pharmacological treatments. Bipolar Disorder Treatment Typically, treatment for bipolar disorder includes medication in addition to psychotherapy. Sometimes more than one medication may be recommended in order to manage symptoms. In fact, one study showed that about half of patients with bipolar disorder take at least three psychotropic medications. For example, a benzodiazepine may be added to a mood stabilizer to treat symptoms of anxiety or sleep disturbances that may occur in bipolar disorder....

In a marriage, it’s important for each partner to feel seen, loved, and cared for. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, and professor at Yeshiva University says that for many married couples who have been together for years, a difference in expectations surrounding intimacy and attachment can develop among partners over time, with one partner taking the other for granted. This article explores why you might feel tired of begging for attention from your partner, how this dynamic can affect your marriage and your mental health, as well as some steps you can take to improve your relationship....

Ahead, this article will look at what you can expect from a drug detox. Whether you’re reviewing this information for yourself or a loved one, it can be beneficial to understand in advance everything that a drug detox will entail so that you can take as many actions as needed to ensure safety for you or your loved one. This article will also detail the differences between medically-assisted detoxification and a detox done at home....

Changes From DSM-IV to DSM-5 Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM is the mental health bible of sorts. The DSM-IV organized all psychiatric disorders and other problems into five different categories or axes. The five classifications helped mental health professionals give patients a comprehensive diagnosis that includes symptoms and a wide range of factors that amount to a patient’s mental health. Making a diagnosis in any of the axes also helped health care professionals communicate a patient’s needs to an insurance company....

Many wonder how the term “borderline” came to describe BPD. Let’s learn more about the origin of this term and why its use has been debated through the years. History of “Borderline” in Borderline Personality Disorder The term “borderline” was first introduced in 1938 by American psychoanalyst Adolph Stern. He used it to describe a group of patients that did not improve with therapy and whose symptoms did not fit into either the psychosis or neurosis classifications....

Workplace bullying can have serious consequences, including increased distress, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Understanding the causes of workplace bullying is an important step toward reducing and eliminating this behavior. Skilled Workers Are Often Bullied You may be bullied at work because you receive a lot of positive attention for your work. Maybe you are intelligent, determined, creative, and regularly contribute new and innovative ideas. Or maybe you go the extra mile and gain recognition for your hard work....

Intentions are important to any such mindful practice as yoga or meditation. They can manifest as a word or phrase that helps us align our mental and physical energy. While there’s no wrong way to set them, the concept itself can feel mysterious. If we don’t fully understand the purpose and effect of intentions, doubt can creep in as to whether we’re using them correctly. The Purpose of Intention-Setting Intentions aren’t exclusive to yoga or meditation practice....

Researchers looked at data from five studies representing nearly 50 years and over 25,000 participants and compared memory, executive function such as focus and following directions, and global cognition — which involves reasoning, acquiring new knowledge, and using information. They found that women tended to have a higher baseline performance than men in all cognitive areas. However, they also showed faster declines in global cognition and executive function as they aged, even though decline in memory was about the same....

This article explores the causes and symptoms of the fear of wooded areas. It also discusses some of the available treatments and the impact that this fear can have if left untreated. Symptoms Symptoms of xylophobia are similar to those of other specific phobias. People may experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms when they think about or encounter wooded areas. Some of the physical signs of xylophobia include:...

YouTube addiction is not a distinct mental health condition, although some experts suggest that internet addiction should be recognized as a disorder in the DSM-5, the manual that healthcare professionals use to diagnose mental disorders. If you are concerned that you might have a YouTube addiction that is causing disruptions and distress in your life, it is important to recognize the potential signs and what you can do to get help....

However, some people with bipolar disorder are able to manage their symptoms and go about their day. Colloquially, this is referred to as ‘high-functioning’ bipolar disorder. “People with ‘high-functioning’ bipolar disorder may not have mood episodes if they’ve found the right medication, or they may still have mood episodes and have learned the skills to manage them,” says Dr. Daramus. ‘High-functioning’ bipolar disorder isn’t an official clinical diagnosis; it’s just a way that people describe someone who has bipolar disorder and still lives their life with less interference from the symptoms than a lot of other people with the same diagnosis, explains Dr....

This article explains why nausea occurs and what you can do to find relief. Why You Might Be Nauseous Causes of nausea are many, from early pregnancy to a stomach bug. Figuring out why you’re nauseated is the first step to getting treatment and feeling better. Consider these common culprits: Hunger and/or thirst: Eating and drinking might help ease your nausea. Pregnancy. Pregnancy and its hormonal upheaval are among the most common reasons for nausea....

In his 1996 book “Creativity: The Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People,” psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi suggested that, “of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives.” Csikszentmihalyi proposes that creative people possess 10 antithetical traits that interact with each other in a complex manner and impact one’s overall creativity. Incorporating these creative practices into your daily life may help you increase your creative potential....

Healthcare providers often screen for these conditions while diagnosing depression, or if treatment for depression isn’t working the way it should, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder.” This article explains what major depressive disorder looks like, and explores other conditions that look like major depressive disorder. It also explores medications and their possible contributions to major depression. What Is Major Depressive Disorder?...

In psychological terms, this might involve always relying on the same coping mechanisms, rather than looking for new solutions. Rather than falling prey to this tendency, Maslow’s quote suggests that you try expanding your horizons a bit to learn about new ways of thinking and explore different ways of communicating with others. Maslow is also known for his hierarchy of needs. As James’s quote suggests, sometimes it is important to do things even if you do not necessarily enjoy or want to engage in these activities....

How to Become a Nicer Person Becoming a nicer person isn’t as hard as you might think. There are things that you can do to show compassion, empathy, and kindness in your everyday interactions with others. Act With Kindness Being a nice person means acting with kindness, and research suggests that kindness can positively impact your brain. Individual acts of kindness trigger the release of oxytocin and endorphins and appear to foster the creation of new neural connections....

One of the great benefits of music as a stress reliever is that it can be used while you conduct your regular activities so it really doesn’t take time away from your busy schedule. Music provides a wonderful backdrop for your life and you can find increased enjoyment from what you’re doing while reducing stress from your day. Put together a custom playlist for each of these activities and you may soon notice a significant decrease in stress....