Fewer people over the age of 18 are smoking today than ever before, but smoking still remains the most preventable cause of death in the United States accounting for 480,000 deaths annually. Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2018 indicate that 13.7% of the U.S. adult population smoke cigarettes. Also Known As: Nicotine products include cigarettes (also known as “smokes”), pipes, cigars (sometimes referred to as “stogies”), chewing tobacco (also known as “dip” or “chew”), snuff, hookahs, and e-cigarettes (also known as “e-cigs” and “vapes”)....

As a result, temperatures are rising, droughts are becoming more common, and natural disasters are increasing in intensity. Climate change is a collective issue, one that threatens every one of us and future generations to come. It isn’t any wonder that we may be experiencing emotional turmoil when considering the state of the world. This is all to say, your complex feelings are valid. This article will explore climate guilt, how it is similar to and different from climate anxiety, and steps you can take to protect the environment....

The origins of the word Nosophobia come from ‘nosos’ and phobos which mean disease and fear in Greek. In recent years, nosophobia has also been referred to as cyberchondria. This stems from a lot of the information that is at the root of the fear is found in “cyberspace.“ Risk Factors Exposure to high levels of media coverage about disease and the risks of contracting diseasesHaving suffered traumatic health problems in the pastRepeated exposure to people with serious illnesses...

Brain Changes Related to Anorexia Nervosa AN is accompanied by changes in mood and thinking. Patients frequently have symptoms of anxiety and depression that do not predate the eating disorder or are exacerbated by the AN. Ancel Keys’ Minnesota Study documented that anxiety and depression were among the symptoms that presented in healthy men put on a semi-starvation diet. Additionally, individuals with AN often withdraw socially, become more rigid and fixated in their thinking, and frequently have little insight into their illness....

Understanding Comorbidity Comorbidity refers to the fact that two conditions, such as a specific mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, often co-exist together. What this means is that in many people with addictions, there is an underlying mental health issue as well. While neither condition actually causes the other, they do often exist together. What’s more, one condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. To better understand how comorbidity is possible, it helps to recognize that both are chronic brain disorders....

For June, Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind, takes a deep dive on why stressed-out parents should be up-front with their kids about mental health treatment they may be receiving. To find out what our May survey said about the state of mental health across the generations, check out our previous release. It’s a noble endeavor that parents don’t want to burden their kids with their distress. But there are some compelling reasons why it may be helpful for kids to know that mom or dad sees a therapist....

This can result in a mood commonly called the winter blues. If this sadness affects your ability to function, however, it might be a clinical condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). What Are the Winter Blues? If you have the winter blues, you might find getting out of bed difficult on some mornings. You might have trouble sleeping and feel generally unmotivated to complete daily tasks or get outside....

This research was based on over 3.6 million patients with major depression who used over 10 million antidepressants, as categorized into over 16,000 subgroups of conditions, demographic information, and prescriptions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 of every 6 adults will experience depression in their lifetime, as it impacts approximately 16 million Americans annually, so research like this may improve the lives of many individuals navigating treatment options....

However, it is crucial to recognize that the term “high-functioning autism” is not a recognized diagnosis or condition specifier. While the term is sometimes used informally, it is considered inaccurate and inappropriate. Research suggests the term does not accurately reflect the challenges that autistic people deal with in their daily lives. This can lead to unrealistic expectations about people’s social, academic, occupational, and self-care abilities. A person is often described as “high-functioning” if they do not have an intellectual disability....

It’s not immediately clear why people with BPD may feel intense anger and aggression, but research suggests: It could be tied to the overall emotional dysregulation people with BPD often experience. It may occur as a result of perceived rejection. It could be linked to stress (although this connection seems to apply more toward self-directed anger, not aggression toward others). If you experience this kind of anger, you may not feel in control of the emotion....

Common areas of challenge are: Deciding what topics are most important to study Studying for the exam in the weeks leading before the exam (rather than waiting to the last minute) Being able to sit down and focus on studying Reading and remembering the material Here are some ADHD friendly tips to help you study for your exams. 1) Connect With Your Teacher at the Beginning of the Semester Preparing for exams starts early!...

Looking at 201 studies of these types of behaviors, categorized as “prosocial” activity, researchers found there is a modest connection to improved physical and mental health but a more significant association with societal changes. That could have a cumulative effect over time, according to study author Bryant Hui, PhD, research assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong. Not All Acts of Kindness Are Equal One of the largest examples of prosocial behavior is volunteerism, says Hui, but in the meta-analysis, the researchers found that unplanned and unstructured moments of helping others tended to be the most powerful for wellness....

Learning more can help you better contextualize these behaviors, find supportive resources, and learn strategies for coping. Troubling Behaviors Related to Addiction According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, one of the defining features of addiction is that it leads people to engage in compulsive behaviors that persist even when they lead to negative and harmful consequences. While addiction is not an excuse for these behaviors, it does help explain why they happen....

AAT is a treatment process intended for optimal healing and goal-oriented activities. Many people find comfort, safety, and security while around animals. Using animals as a source of support can assist a person in feeling more open and engaged in the treatment process. Dogs, cats, and horses are some of the most common animals utilized in AAT treatment sessions. Other animals that are less regularly a part of the AAT process include rabbits, birds, and dolphins....

They can help to decrease the involuntary movement of muscles in your body that are part of the disease. For instance, with Parkinson’s disease, anticholinergics are used to control tremors that are commonly characteristic of the condition. History Anticholinergics were originally derived from atropine-containing plants like deadly nightshade and thorn apple. For many centuries, atropine-containing plants were burned and the smoke was inhaled, and used as a treatment for diseases that obstruct the airways....

Anxiety medications, also called anti-anxiety medications or anxiolytics, are prescribed for anxiety disorders as well as for people who have anxiety along with bipolar disorder or major depression. Anxiety medications help to make people less anxious and also help to ease restlessness and worrying. Many of these medications also help people to sleep better. Let’s take a look at the different categories of medications which are used to treat anxiety and how they may be used for people with bipolar disorder....

You might say, “When I told you how excited I was about this new job, you responded by telling me all the things I was probably going to hate about working for this company.” Simply pointing out an observation like that might raise someone’s awareness. After all, they may be negative so much that they don’t even realize that they’re doing it. They also might think they’re doing you a favor....

How Box Breathing Works Box breathing, also known as four-square breathing, involves exhaling to a count of four, holding your lungs empty for a four-count, inhaling at the same pace, and holding air in your lungs for a count of four before exhaling and beginning the pattern anew. Other Techniques Box breathing doesn’t carry the physical benefits of exercise or the long-term mental and resilience benefits of meditation, but it definitely has its place as a stress management technique....

It is estimated that 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. If you or a loved one have bipolar disorder, you may wonder whether the condition can be cured or how you can find relief from the symptoms. This article explores the various treatment options for bipolar disorder that can help you achieve stability, including psychotherapy, medication, additional therapies, and lifestyle changes....