Also called psychotropics, psychoactive drugs can lead to intoxication. This is often the primary reason that people choose to take these types of substances. Overview Psychoactive substances are found in a number of medications as well as in alcohol, illegal and recreational drugs, and some plants and even animals. Alcohol and caffeine are psychoactive drugs that people most commonly use to alter their mental state. These drugs are legally available, but can still be physically and psychologically harmful if taken to excess....

What Exactly Does “Dr.” Mean? The use of the title “Dr.” means that the person has completed an advanced degree program. While it often refers to an M.D. or a Ph.D., it can legitimately be used by many others. Generally, three to four years are required beyond a bachelor’s degree, and an internship or residency may be required. Doctoral Degrees Here are some of the U.S. and Canadian doctoral degrees: M....

Being in prison can take a serious toll on an individual’s psychological well-being. New conditions often develop, and pre-existing conditions may worsen. Sadly, many justice-involved individuals are released back into the community without ever receiving any type of treatment. Mental Health Concerns Among Incarcerated Individuals According to the American Psychological Association, 64% of incarcerated individuals in jail, 54% of incarcerated individuals in state prison, and 45% of incarcerated individuals in federal prison report mental health concerns....

This article will outline the potential mental health impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and discuss the factors that could make mental health issues more likely in the wake of a diagnosis. It will then explore ways to cope with and treat the mental health challenges that can come with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The Mental Health Effects of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis There is no one way to respond to a breast cancer diagnosis....

There are many different types of therapy that may be useful for treating adolescents. In order to choose which type of therapy is right for your teen, it can be helpful to learn more about your options and how each one works. This article discusses some of the types of therapy that are common for teenagers. It also covers how these therapies work, the benefits of each, and what you can expect during treatment....

Meet Dr. Myron Rolle Dr. Myron Rolle is a former NFL player turned neurosurgeon. In college, he received a Rhodes Scholarship, which caused him to have to make a choice between getting drafted into the NFL or continuing his education. He opted to continue his education. He joined the NFL later but only played football a few more years. He decided to go to medical school and he’s now working as a neurosurgery resident at Havard-Massachusetts General Hospital....

Typical antipsychotics have largely been supplanted in recent years by a newer class of drug known as atypical antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics were first introduced in the 1990s and generally have fewer side effects than their predecessors. However, evidence suggests that atypical antipsychotics are not as unencumbered by side effects as once believed. In fact, they are more likely to cause type 2 diabetes and weight gain. By contrast, typical antipsychotics are more likely to cause Parkinson disease-like rigidity and spasticity (sometimes permanent), and tardive dyskinesia (a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive body movements)....

Individuals struggling with PPD might experience depressive symptoms or significant anxiety. Although these symptoms can be scary, effective treatment options are available. With appropriate support and treatment, you can cope with and recover from PPD symptoms. Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression As with other types of depression, PPD can be treated using psychotherapy. There are several evidence-based treatment approaches specifically designed to treat the symptoms that occur with PPD. Additionally, attachment-based therapies involving both the parent and baby can treat PPD and improve parenting outcomes....

Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities. The discrimination can be intentional or unintentional and is based on the belief that non-disabled people are superior to disabled people. If you’re someone who makes a point to be conscientious in your communication, it may be shocking to realize that you’re unknowingly using ableist language. This isn’t something that’s your fault. Instead, these are words that we’re so used to hearing and seeing previous generations use that it’s natural for us to pick them up....

Drives and Psychic Energy In his psychoanalytic theory of personality, Sigmund Freud suggested that psychic energy is generated by the libido. But how is this psychic energy used? According to Freud, this energy is released through biological means known as drives. A drive has two parts: a biological need and a psychological need. For example, the state of hunger leads to both a physical need for food and a psychological desire to eat....

It can be converted into the mood-regulating neurotransmitter called serotonin, which can then be converted to the sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin. 5-HTP may also be synthesized in the laboratory by extracting it from the seeds of the plant ​Griffonia simplicifolia. Understanding Depression Depression, which is also referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that creates feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness accompanied by other physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that can last for a long period of time....

If you are considering undertaking the 12 steps of NA, you’re not alone. According to a 2020 study, approximately 45% of Americans who have recovered from substance addiction have used 12-step programs to do so. Like AA, NA is a free, community-based resource that anyone can access. The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous The 12 steps of NA are listed and explained below. It can be hard for people who are addicted to a substance to recognize their addiction....

You might have an idea of what therapy is or what a session looks like, but many are still hesitant to start treatment because they do not know what to expect. This article discusses what your therapeutic experience might be like from what to look for when searching for a therapist to gaining a new perspective about yourself and your life. Finding a Therapist It can be challenging to find a therapist who treats your presenting concerns, takes your method of payment, and is someone you feel comfortable talking to....

The goals of therapy for phobia are to reduce or eliminate the symptoms so you can perform daily activities, including making and managing money, taking care of your household, and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. Types of Phobia The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of phobia you have and the severity of your symptoms. There are three types of phobia: While treatments for each type of phobia differ, the goals of treatment are to help you learn to manage your anxiety responses and function well in your daily life....

An androgynous person may wear gender-neutral attire. They might also present as masculine, feminine, both, or outside of that binary. Ahead, learn more about what the term androgyny means, examples of androgyny, the challenges that androgynous people face, and how you can be an ally to androgynous people. The History of the Term Androgyny The term “androgynous” is believed to date back to the 17th century. It was properly coined as a term to describe the presentation of expressed male and female characteristics in one person in the 1970s, by psychologist Sandra Bem....

Examples of Altruism Everyday life is filled with small acts of altruism, from holding the door for strangers to giving money to people in need. News stories often focus on grander cases of altruism, such as a man who dives into an icy river to rescue a drowning stranger or a donor who gives thousands of dollars to a local charity. Some examples of altruism include: Doing something to help another person with no expectation of rewardForgoing things that may bring personal benefits if they create costs for othersHelping someone despite personal costs or risksSharing resources even in the face of scarcityShowing concern for someone else’s well-being...

Experts on racism tell us that it it’s no longer enough to not be actively racist. Instead, they insist that we should go one step further and work towards becoming anti-racist. Additionally, 2020 brought the rise of Black Lives Matter protests that made people aware that even other people of color do not tend to experience racism as violently as Black people do. In fact., many people of color (POC) have also taken to doing internal work to become more anti-racist toward, and helpful to, Black people....

“Closure looks different for everyone, but at its core it’s a sense of completion and release from the entanglement of the relationship,” explains mental health therapist Myree Morsi. Essentially, closure provides you the ability to move forward with what is next in your life. Here we’re outlining some signs that indicate you might not have found healthy closure just yet. From there, we’re offering guidance to help you close that chapter of your life and move forward....