Paruresis is considered to be a social phobia. In general, if you live with paruresis, you fear negative evaluation by others related to using public toilets. If this fear is severe and limits your life, it may be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder (SAD). If you live with a medical condition that prevents you from being able to urinate, you would not be diagnosed as having paruresis. Causes of Paruresis Just as with social anxiety disorder, it is unlikely that there is one cause underlying paruresis....

Imposter Syndrome A fear of self-promotion is related to imposter syndrome, an unofficial but heavily researched psychological issue. Both men and women can suffer from imposter syndrome, although men may be less likely to own up to it. If you suffer from this disorder, you hold a deep-seated belief that no matter how good your achievements, you will ultimately be discovered as a fraud. There are a variety of ways in which this fear might present itself....

When the subject performs an unwanted action, some type of negative outcome is purposefully applied. So, if you are training your dog to stop chewing on your favorite slippers, you might scold the animal every time you catch them gnawing on your footwear. Because the dog exhibited an unwanted behavior (chewing on your shoes), you applied an aversive outcome (giving the dog a verbal scolding). The concept of positive punishment can be difficult to remember, especially because it seems like a contradiction....

It can be hard to imagine that something good could come from a traumatic experience. However, over time, you might find that it has changed you and helped you grow. This article explores how post-traumatic growth occurs, the benefits it may offer, and some strategies that can help you achieve growth in the wake of a trauma. The Post-Traumatic Growth Theory The concept of post-traumatic growth was introduced by Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD in 1996....

These diseases are caused by the prion protein, which can be found in your tissues and brain. Some researchers believe that normal prion proteins protect the brain from damage. Abnormally shaped prion proteins, however, are infectious and can cause diseases. Researchers don’t completely understand why abnormal prion proteins form. Prion diseases are also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). These diseases are incredibly rare, and only about 300 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year....

The DSM-5-TR lists hundreds of distinct conditions. Anxiety and depression are among the most common types of mental health conditions that people experience. While the DSM provides diagnostic information about such conditions, including the age at which they typically appear, it does not provide guidelines for treatment or predictions related to the course of illness. While not a comprehensive list of every mental disorder, the following list includes some of the major categories of disorders described in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the fifth edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR)....

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on the importance of both behavioral and thought processes in understanding and controlling anxiety and panic attacks. The focus of treatment is on inadequate, obstructive, and damaging behaviors and irrational thought processes that contribute to the continuation of symptoms. For example, uncontrolled worrying (thoughts) about what may or may not happen if you have a panic attack may lead to increased symptoms and avoiding certain situations (behavior)....

The Difference Between PTSD and Stress Not everyone who has experienced a traumatic event will develop PTSD. After a traumatic event, it is normal to have strong feelings of anxiety, sadness, or stress. Some people may even experience nightmares, memories about the event, or problems sleeping at night, which are common characteristics of PTSD. However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have PTSD. Think of it this way: Headaches can be a symptom of a bigger problem, such as meningitis....

New research in the journal Aggressive Behavior looked at survey data from thousands of Canadian students and found that rates of many types of school bullying have been significantly lower during the pandemic compared with previous levels. Cyberbullying, however, remained almost as high as it was before the pandemic. Here’s what the study found about school bullying during the pandemic, and advice from experts on how to keep bullying rates low this fall....

A comprehensive approach to helping depressed teens combines professional therapy and/or medication with self-help strategies. These self-help strategies can help to shift negative patterns and provide your teen with tools they can implement and explore on their own. Self-Help Strategies Support Professional Treatment Self-help strategies are not intended to replace professional treatment and are best utilized as tools to supplement therapy and/or medication by decreasing symptoms and empowering teens to feel better and more in control of their lives....

There are a number of different substances, including medications and supplements, that can increase serotonin levels in the brain. Because low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and anxiety, serotonin drugs are sometimes prescribed to treat mental health conditions. This article explores some of the medications that can increase serotonin levels in the brain. It also discusses the potential risks of interactions when taking more than one type of serotonin drug....

The Final Year of Freud’s Life Sigmund Freud died in London on September 23, 1939, at the age of 83. The final year of Freud’s life was a time of upheaval and struggles with illness. He had spent most of his life living and working in Vienna, but all this changed when the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938. In addition to being Jewish, Freud’s fame as the founder of psychoanalysis made him a target....

This condition is very rare, but it can also be quite serious. Like other phobias, spectrophobia can disrupt all aspects of an individual’s life and lead to avoidance behaviors. Experiencing symptoms of spectrophobia can be incredibly debilitating and can impact one’s overall quality of life. Symptoms Symptoms of spectrophobia will vary depending on the individual, but may include the following: An individual may experience anxiety and/or fear symptoms (such as shaking, sweating, increased heart rate, and panic) when they encounter or think about mirrors or reflections....

Here are some important steps to developing good listening skills: Here’s How Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Tips

Let’s take a look at the relationship between stress and blood sugar: how stress causes blood sugar fluctuations, possible complications, and how you can manage both stress and blood sugar levels. The Connection Between Stress and Blood Sugar Most of us associate spikes in blood sugar with dietary choices, such as eating too much sugar or too many carbs. But many elements can affect how our bodies regulate blood sugar, including dehydration, heat and sun exposure, and skipping meals....

Anger can be triggered by people, events, objects, situations, feelings, or memories. For example, a traffic jam, a pushy coworker, a broken zipper, or the memory of a rude comment can make you angry. People react to anger in different ways. Some people express their anger verbally (shouting, cursing, arguing, or yelling), whereas others express it physically (throwing things, breaking objects, hitting walls, or getting into fights). However, some people don’t express their anger at all, and choose to suppress it instead....

When you take a break, you’re not shirking responsibility. You’re taking care of yourself so you’ll have the stamina to be your best. By learning the signs that you need a break, you’ll know when to schedule some time away to help you feel more refreshed and restored. This article explores the importance of taking a break, including what happens when you don’t and some of the signs that you need to unwind....