While only a qualified medical or mental health provider can diagnose depression, there are certain warning signs that can help you identify whether you or someone you care about may be depressed. And sometimes, what you think are depression symptoms aren’t really caused by depression. Substance use issues, medical problems, medication side effects, or other mental health conditions may produce symptoms that look similar to depression. Depression Symptoms and Signs The DSM-5 recognizes several different types of depressive disorders....

The Clinical Psychologist’s Role Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medications to treat mental illness, except in a handful of states where they do have that authority. Rather, they use psychological techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic therapy. Clinical psychologists must usually complete a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in clinical psychology before being able to see patients and use these techniques. However, in some states and provinces, a master’s degree is sufficient....

Symptoms may range from mild to severe. This can often lead to distress, and can even be a major factor impacting the decision to quit drugs for many people. This article explores strategies that can help minimize diarrhea and stomach pain caused by drug withdrawal. It also covers what causes these unpleasant symptoms and when you should see a doctor. How to Cope With Withdrawal Diarrhea While it may not be possible to completely avoid this symptom, you can take steps to minimize the problem and cope with it when it happens....

This research highlights the link between music and language in developing brains and emphasizes the importance of exposing children to both activities in order to strengthen auditory processing skills. Understanding the Research This longitudinal study was conducted among elementary school students aged 8–11 in China, whereby electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were assessed before and after completion of various training programs. Researchers found causal evidence that a group-based foreign language training program facilitated neural auditory processing more than a music program when both were provided with similar content and intensity....

This article discusses what causes deviant behavior and how it differs from socially acceptable behavior. It also covers different types of deviant behavior and how some behaviors, such as addiction, can span from socially acceptable to deviant. Causes of Deviant Behavior There are a variety of theories that explain why people engage in deviant behavior, including psychological, biological, and sociological explanations. It is also important to note that what is considered deviant can vary from one culture to the next....

In most cases, talk therapy takes place in meetings between a patient and a mental health professional who may be a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or another certified expert. These meetings usually employ a number of techniques and approaches in an attempt to improve the patient’s quality of life. Types of Therapy To achieve the ultimate goal of improving the psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing of patients, therapists can choose different formats when holding their sessions....

Defense mechanisms are one way the mind unconsciously attempts to reduce anxiety and restore emotional balance. Psychological defenses operate without conscious awareness to help cope with threatening people, things, or environments. While people might not be aware of these feelings and urges, they still influence behavior and can cause anxiety. When people use displacement, the mind senses that reacting to the original source of frustration might be unacceptable—even dangerous. Instead, it finds us a less threatening subject that can serve as a safer outlet for these negative feelings....

Drug toxicity is formally defined as “a diverse array of adverse effects which are brought about through drug use at either therapeutic or non-therapeutic doses.” Learn how drug toxicity occurs, the signs it may exist, and how drug toxicity is treated. Causes of Drug Toxicity Drug toxicity can occur as a result of the over-ingestion of medication, causing too much of the drug to be in a person’s system at once....

The DSM-5-TR criteria for substance use disorders are based on decades of research and clinical knowledge. The DSM-5-TR was published in 2013, and in 2022, a text revision was published that included updated criteria for more than 70 disorders, including the requirements for stimulant-induced mild neurocognitive disorder. This article discusses the DSM-5-TR criteria for substance use disorders and how these conditions are diagnosed. What Are Substance Use Disorders? The DSM-5-TR recognizes substance-related disorders resulting from the use of 10 separate classes of drugs:...

The study, published in the online journal PLOS ONE, suggests transgender youth who receive hormone replacement treatment early on have better mental health outcomes and lower substance abuse in the long run than transgender individuals who wait until adulthood. “Hormone replacement therapy” is a blanket term that covers several different hormone-related treatments, including the use of estrogen to treat female menopause. The type of hormone replacement therapy covered in this study is a treatment that alters a person’s levels of hormones like testosterone and estrogen to better reflect their gender identity....

There are several options you may want to explore for finding help. One idea is to talk with the clinician who diagnosed your child. Ask about specialists in your area who assess and treat adult ADHD. Primary Care Provider If you have a good relationship with your primary care provider, you can certainly start there as well. Speak to your doctor about your concerns. However, when you initially voice your concerns with your doctor, don’t be afraid to speak honestly about any questions or worries that you might have....

While it can be nerve-wracking, there is nothing to fear. Your psychiatrist is there to help you learn more about the process and help you decide which steps to take next. It might take some time to find the right psychiatrist for you, but your mental health is worth the investment of time and energy. This article discusses what you can expect during your first psychiatrist appointment. It covers how to prepare for your appointment, what to bring, and what you should do during and after your visit....

Self-Esteem Theory Self-esteem theory states that we have evolved to experience social inclusion and avoidance emotionally. Essentially, it is believed that our self-esteem level is determined by how much acceptance or rejection we experience in the social world. Our self-esteem is developed due to how we view other people reacting to us. Therefore, someone who experiences a lot of acceptance will theoretically have higher self-esteem while those who experience more ​rejection, would have lower self-esteem....

Start your search early and make sure you have the time you need for background research as well as to design and perform your experiment. You should also discuss your idea with your instructor before beginning your experiment—particularly if your research involves human participants. If you need to design an experiment for an assignment, here are some psychology experiment ideas you can explore for inspiration. You can then find ways to adapt these ideas for your own assignments....

Pure and Black Tar Heroin In the United States today, you can buy two types of heroin: pure heroin and “black tar” heroin. Pure heroin comes from South America and Southeast Asia and is a white powder with a bitter taste. Most of the heroin sold in the eastern United States is this form of heroin. Black tar heroin comes from Mexico and is sold mainly in the states west of the Mississippi River....

How Is Homeostasis Maintained? Your body has set points for a variety of states—including temperature, weight, sleep, thirst, and hunger. When the level is off (in either direction, too much or too little), homeostasis will work to correct it. For example, to regulate temperature, you will sweat when you get too hot or shiver when you get too cold. Another way to think of it is like the thermostat in your house....

Crisis counseling is an intervention that can help individuals deal with the crisis by receiving assistance and support from a crisis counselor (also sometimes called a crisis intervention counselor or trauma counselor). The roots of modern-day crisis counseling date back to World War I and World War II. Before this time, soldiers who exhibited significant psychological reactions to the experiences they had at war were frequently seen as weak or even disloyal....