So far, reports of people losing touch with reality after a SARS-CoV-2 infection seem to be extremely rare. Doctors aren’t sure if the virus or something else is to blame, but figuring out whether there’s a link could deepen our understanding of the many ways COVID-19 can affect our health in both the short- and long-term. Here’s what we know so far about psychosis and COVID-19. Cases of Psychosis in People With COVID-19 On December 28, 2020, the New York Times reported on a number of cases where patients with no history of mental illness experienced psychotic episodes within weeks of getting the virus that causes COVID-19....

This article will focus on ‘shrooms,’ sometimes called magic mushrooms, and their impact on pregnant and breastfeeding people. While shrooms have documented mental health benefits, some risks are associated with consuming them. Read on to learn about shrooms, why people take them, and if you can take them while pregnant or breastfeeding (the neutral and more inclusive term is ‘chestfeeding’). What Are Shrooms? When under the influence of shrooms, individuals can see things that aren’t happening, which makes it incredibly dangerous to engage in any activity while under the influence....

Do you check your step count whenever you’ve been out running errands? Or do you pace around the house each night to boost your numbers up over your daily goal? Or maybe you find yourself taking the stairs more or parking further from your destination just so you can get your heart rate up in your target zone. These kinds of behaviors probably mean you are benefiting from your fitness watch....

It’s understandable that parents would worry about their child’s anxiety, but it’s important to know that some childhood anxiety is normal and expected. Still, some kids do have anxiety disorders. Fortunately, there are things that parents can do to help their kids get treatment and cope with feelings of anxiety. Common Childhood Worries There are a number of things that normally cause worry and anxiety for kids of different ages....

Meet Kindra Hall Kindra Hall is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and an award-winning storyteller. She’s also the chief storytelling officer at Success Magazine. Her first book, “Stories that Stick,” was a bestselling business book that taught companies how to sell their products and build their brands through storytelling. Her newest book, “Choose Your Story, Change Your Life,” is a self-help book that teaches readers how to shift their narrative in a healthy way....

Many addictive drugs, including medications available by prescription, are “controlled substances,” which means that there are laws in place that control the use and even possession of these drugs. Having these drugs without a doctor’s prescription and supervision can land you in real trouble. The sentences for different infractions also vary. What might get you a jail sentence in one state may only get you a fine and a ticket in another....

This early into lockdown, the idea seemed almost admirable, though still irksome. The complete morbid reality of the pandemic hadn’t fully hit, and the belief that you could spend a few weeks at home being productive and then return to work by the end of the month was common. Over a year on, we all know that was far from the case. Instead, grief and burnout became the norm, and simply surviving could be seen as an exceptional feat....

The Society of Counseling Psychology describes the field as “a specialty within professional psychology that maintains a focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span. The specialty pays particular attention to emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental and organizational concerns.“ What Do Counseling Psychologists Do? Many counseling psychologists provide psychotherapy services, but other career paths are also available. Research, teaching, and vocational counseling are just a few of the possible alternatives to psychotherapy....

For example, imagine that a man asks a woman on a date, and when the check comes, the woman pays for both of them. Although it’s not unheard of, it might sound a bit weird. We all tend to expect that the man is going to pay, or at least that they’re going to split the bill. These unspoken and assumed expectations around what is acceptable or “what people do” during a date are what courtship scripts are....

But you don’t have to wait for circumstances to bring this feeling to you—there are things you can do in your life to proactively create feelings of gratitude for yourself with the experiences you already have in your life, and create new experiences that will bring more feelings of gratitude to your life and to the lives of those around you. And with this gratitude comes several benefits, among them an increased resilience toward stress!...

Characteristics of Panic Disorder Panic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected panic attacks that occur without the presence of actual danger. The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,” (DSM-5) defines a panic attack as a sudden onset of intense fear during which time at least four of the following physical and psychological symptoms are present: Chest pain or discomfort Chills or hot flashes Excessive sweating Feelings of choking Fear of dying Fear of losing control or “going crazy” Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization) Heart palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate Nausea or abdominal distress Numbness and tingling sensations (paresthesias) Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering Trembling or shaking...

Avoidance refers to any action designed to prevent the occurrence of an uncomfortable emotion such as fear, sadness, or shame. For example, a person may try to avoid difficult emotions through the use of substances or dissociation. Avoidance Cluster Behavior The avoidance cluster of PTSD symptoms is categorized as the attempt to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings as well as external reminders such as conversations about the traumatic event or people or places that bring the event to mind....

Know Your Emotional Needs An emotional need “is a craving that, when satisfied, leaves you with a feeling of happiness and contentment, and, when unsatisfied, leaves you with a feeling of unhappiness and frustration,” says clinical psychologist and author Willard F. Harley, Jr., PhD. Some of these needs include affection, conversation, honesty and openness, and family commitment. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and professor who specializes in helping clients face relationships issues, work or academic stress, and life transitions....

Friday Fix: Episode 222 It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, the holidays aren’t joy-filled. In fact, this time of year can be extra tough in many ways. The holidays can amplify existing issues, like loneliness. They create a lot of stress, including financial strain, for many people. Sprinkle in some family tension, grief, and end-of-the-year deadlines, and it’s a recipe for higher rates of distress....

Friday Fix: Episode 160 Whether you carried on a whole conversation with spinach in your teeth or you slipped and fell in front of a whole room full of people, embarrassing moments are inevitable. Although embarrassment feels uncomfortable, it won’t kill you. But, the fear of embarrassment might actually be deadly. Some people fear embarrassment more than others—and it’s likely that they feel embarrassment at a deeper level. Fortunately, there’s help for people who fear being judged or who fear that they’ll experience embarrassment....

This article discusses the symptoms of gamophobia and some of the factors that contribute to causing this type of fear. It also discusses how the condition is diagnosed, how it is treated, and how you can cope if you have this fear of commitment and relationships. Signs and Symptoms of Gamophobia Gamophobia is more than just being cautious or somewhat hesitant about making a big commitment. People who have this condition experience intense fear when faced with the reality or even sometimes just the thought of being in a committed relationship or marriage....

The focus on gratitude that surrounds Thanksgiving is particularly good for us because it reminds us of how easy it is to increase our feelings of gratitude about everything we have, making it easier to feel that we have “enough” when faced with the barrage of marketing that starts before Black Friday and continues through the new year.​ Actively cultivating gratitude can also help with other things related to the holidays, such as dealing with “difficult” family and friends during gatherings, managing travel stress, or handling loneliness or winter blues that sometimes fall during the holiday season....

In addition to being responsible for the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, the pandemic has had significant effects on our mental health. Quarantine, social isolation, social distancing, losing loved ones, and more contributed to spikes in anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and domestic abuse. After a year of Zoom parties, FaceTime dates, and the occasional Netflix watch party, the introduction of the vaccines and the reopening of society may come with an avalanche of invites to in-person social events....

Socially transitioning usually involves dressing and presenting in a way that fits with the person’s gender identity. Medically transitioning can involve taking hormones, surgery, or both. Not all individuals choose to medically or surgically transition. However, those who do may face a dilemma: What do they do if they want to have children later? Both hormone treatments and surgery can impact fertility. Some surgeries, such as the removal of the ovaries or testes, result in permanent infertility However, these discussions don’t always happen....