It is a very uncertain time in many of our lives. We get it and are right here with you. We know the developing information about coronavirus (COVID-19) can feel overwhelming, especially as you deal with the new realities of social distancing. With more time away from work, school, and regular routines, and less time spent bonding in person with family and friends, you may also be feeling anxious or lonely as a result....

ACT therapists operate under a theory that suggests that increasing acceptance can lead to increased psychological flexibility. This approach carries a host of benefits, and it may help people stop habitually avoiding certain thoughts or emotional experiences, which can lead to further problems. Techniques Unlike cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the goal of ACT is not to reduce the frequency or severity of unpleasant internal experiences like upsetting cognitive distortions, emotions, or urges....

When you’re faced with a stressful situation, such as finals or a frustrated partner, you may find yourself detaching emotionally. This is often used as a coping mechanism. It can help protect you from potential pain, anxiety, or stress, but it can also affect your ability to connect and relate to others. If you’re taking Adderall, it’s important to talk to your doctor about potential side effects, one of which could be emotional detachment, and how to address them....

Symptoms of ADHD in toddlers may resemble behaviors that are normal for toddlers, such as an inability to focus, hyperactivity, and impulsive movements and behaviors. But in toddlers that may go on to be diagnosed with ADHD, these behaviors may be more noticeably intense and disruptive. Read on for a more detailed breakdown of ADHD symptoms in toddlers, risk factors for ADHD, and answers to other common questions about ADHD in toddlers....

Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown to be effective for depression and anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD as well. This type of therapy also offers benefits to self-esteem and self-efficacy. Individuals can gain more insight, support, and perspective concerning their ADHD symptoms. A research study to assess the influence of group therapy found this form of treatment to have significant effects on individuals with ADHD. Participants who partook in a six-week group therapy treatment displayed more improvement over elements in self-esteem and self-efficacy than those who did not receive treatment....

According to the all-or-none law, there will either be a full response or no response at all for an individual neuron or muscle fiber. How Does the All-or-None Law Work? If a stimulus is strong enough, an action potential occurs and a neuron sends information down an axon away from the cell body and toward the synapse. Changes in cell polarization result in the signal being propagated down the length of the axon....

The word ‘forensic’ originates from the Latin word ‘forensis,’ which means “the forum,” or the court system of Ancient Rome. The American Board of Forensic Psychology describes this field as the application of psychology to issues that involve the law and legal system. Interest in forensic psychology has grown significantly in recent years. Increasing numbers of graduate programs offer dual degrees in psychology and law, while others provide specialization in forensic psychology....

While options tend to be more limited for those holding an undergraduate psychology degree, a number of different entry-level job options are available. Some of these jobs are directly related to psychology, but many are in unrelated fields. Entry-Level Psychology Careers An undergraduate degree in psychology can serve as a great foundation for further study in the subject. However, in 2017, as many as 56% of all students who earn a bachelor’s did not continue on to graduate school....

A central controversy in the field of addiction is whether the so-called “behavioral” addictions—addictions to activities such as eating, exercising, sex, video game playing, and gambling—are real addictions. But concepts of addiction have changed over the years, and experts vary in their understanding of what an addiction is, so until a consensus is reached, the controversy is likely to continue to some extent. However, much has been learned since the last update to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published....

Avoidance True avoidance behaviors involve the complete avoidance of the feared social situation. For example, someone afraid of public speaking might: Drop a class in which he has to give a speech Change jobs to avoid giving presentations Fail to show up for an event such as a wedding or awards ceremony in which he is expected to speak in front of others Escape When total avoidance is impossible, escape behaviors may be used as a means of dealing with feared situations....

Epigenetics—in highly simplified terms—is the study of how genes may be affected by the experiences people have, which can then be passed down to future generations. While it may be challenging to consider how bigotry continues to harm groups of people to the extent that its impact transcends generational lines, it is crucial to understand the issue better if it is to be addressed. What the Research Tells Us While the research is still evolving, there is a growing scientific consensus that trauma has the ability to impact the genes of future generations....

What ‘Going on a Bender’ Means An alcoholic bender does not refer to one evening of intoxication. Instead, it refers to a drinking spree that is extended over at least two nights. Some definitions insist that in order to be a true bender, the drinking spree has to last at least three days. Why three days? Because a weekend is two days and there are many drinkers who drink all weekend....

This article explores how breathalyzer tests work and what happens if a person refuses to take one. What Is a Breathalyzer Test? When alcohol is consumed, it enters the stomach and small intestine, where it is absorbed and carried through the blood other parts of the body, including the brain and lungs. Because of this, alcohol is exhaled when people breathe. These devices look similar to a handheld walkie-talkie or mobile phone....

The research found that participation in team sports was associated with 10% lower anxious/depressed scores and 19% lower withdrawn/depressed scores than non-participation in any sports. However, participation in individual sports was associated with 16% higher anxious/depressed scores and 14% higher withdrawn/depressed scores than non-participation. A total of 11,235 children aged from 9 to 13 took part in the study. Parents and caregivers offered self-reports of their child’s mental health using the Child Behavior Checklist—this data was taken from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study....

Differences of opinion only become an issue when people are unable to respect another person’s beliefs and values. For some people, it’s all too easy to get so wrapped up in their own beliefs that common courtesy and respect are ditched at the first hint of disagreement. And in some cases, the result can become so harsh and cruel that the discussions no longer qualify as disagreements. Instead, they morph into bullying complete with name-calling, emotional abuse, threats and sometimes even physical violence....

It’s worth noting that it’s normal for anyone to feel some loneliness and uneasiness about being away from loved ones, but when it feels out of control or causes a lot of distress, it’s a sign that it requires attention, says David Klemanski, PsyD, MPH, a psychologist at Yale Medicine. This article explores the characteristics and causes of separation anxiety, its impact on relationships, and strategies to help you deal with it....

In the case of social anxiety disorder (SAD), the very thing that people fear the most—negative evaluation by others—becomes their reality. It’s not enough that their own minds cause them to worry endlessly about what others think, but now they have confirmation that people do in fact have negative opinions about them. Even though we live in an age when there are effective treatments for many mental illnesses, social anxiety included, people still go months, years, decades, and even lifetimes without ever receiving treatment....