This article explores the difference between person-first language and identity first language in relation to autism. It reviews the history of both person-first and identity-first language as well as data supporting the autistic community’s preference for identity-first language. Language Is Always Evolving Language is always evolving and changing, and “best practices” around language continue to evolve as well. As we learn, terminology shifts to reflect new knowledge. Traditionally, language surrounding “mental disorders” (conditions detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM) is decided by licensed medical and mental health professionals....

“The human mind is an organ for the discovery of truths rather than of falsehoods.” —Solomon Asch Birth and Death Solomon Eliot Asch was born September 14, 1907, in Warsaw, Poland.He died February 20, 1996, in Haverford, Pennsylvania at the age of 88. Early Life Solomon Asch was born in Warsaw but emigrated to the United States in 1920 at the age of 13. His family lived in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and he learned English by reading the works of Charles Dickens....

However, tianeptine is currently approved to treat depression and anxiety in France, some countries in Asia, and Latin America. In countries where it is used, it’s marketed under the brand name Stablon. It’s also sold in some countries under the brand names Tatinol and Coaxil. The use of the drug has been rife with controversy since it was first introduced. This article looks at what the drug is used for, its potential side effects, and precautions for people who take it....

Researchers looked at online survey responses from 589 participants from June 1 to September 30, 2020, covering the use of substances like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. In addition to mental health, participants also were asked about other behaviors like shopping for food, exercising, eating healthy meals, and getting quality sleep. About 17% had tested positive for COVID in that timeframe. They found that among those with obesity, there was substantial drug use reported, particularly opioids....

“Abuse” can result from using a substance in a way that is not intended or recommended, or from using more than prescribed. To be clear, someone can use substances and not be addicted or even have a substance use disorder, as defined in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition” (DSM-5). This article discusses what constitutes harmful substance use, illegal substance use, and prescription drug misuse. It also covers some of the substances that are more frequently abused as well as the risks of substance misuse....

“Summer depression”, which is also referred to as reverse seasonal affective disorder and formally as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, is a form of SAD that flares up during the summertime, and typically returns every year at about the same time and resolves at characteristic times. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Summer Depression Symptoms Unlike fall and winter SAD – which typically presents with low energy, pervasive sadness, daytime tiredness, and decreased activity – individuals who experience SAD in the summer, often present with the opposite symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic....

“Aromatherapy employs the use of essential oils, which are compounds extracted from different parts of the plant to mitigate various psychiatric conditions," says Rashmi Parmar, M.D., a psychiatrist with Community Psychiatry + MindPath Care Centers. “The oils can be used alone or blended together to produce different aromas and effects.” Each plant impacts the human body and its senses in different ways, but the right combinations of ingredients can provide true relief for those in need of relaxation and self-care....

Most people create bulleted sections with their daily to-do lists, monthly or weekly calendars, mental health check-ins, and long-term goals, but the advantage is that you can add or change most of your sections as you want. For example, one person might add a mood tracker, someone else a fertility tracker, while a parent might add something their child said that they want to remember. The personal customization aspect is particularly appealing if you’re creative and looking for an outlet for self-expression and self-discovery because they give you space to draw or doodle....

“One of the ways that using a hammock can be helpful as a tool for mental health is by facilitating grounding, which can be a part of practicing mindfulness,” Erin Miers, PsyD, a psychology consultant at Mom Loves Best says. “Just like other strategies to help you ground yourself, using a hammock can help some individuals connect to nature and help them feel more present in their body,” she adds....

Relationships are faced with more pressure than ever before. In addition to the long-standing stress of things like finances, life transitions, and family dynamics, couples are also faced with challenges of emotional bonding and keeping intimacy alive. We look to our partners for comfort, reassurance, and closeness and feel hurt when we are not experiencing that kind of connection. Partners can find themselves stuck in unhealthy patterns of disconnect and, over time, start thinking that they are no longer meant to be together....

Depression vs. Anger Depression is more than just passing sadness. It is a diagnosable mental health disorder that involves feelings of low mood combined with other symptoms such as trouble concentrating and/or sleeping, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, flat affect, feelings of hopelessness and self-doubt, and more. In contrast, anger on its own is not a diagnosable mental health condition. Rather, it is an unpleasant but common emotion that everyone experiences from time to time....

As a result, fear and anxiety replaced my optimism. I watch extreme fires ravage landscapes and droughts accompany record-breaking temperatures with despair. Every year seems to bring new extremes in the form of hurricanes and floods. I often recycle, shop primarily from thrift stores, and walk whenever possible, but none of it seems to make a difference. To sum it up, I feel defeated and terrified of what will happen to the world we’re lucky enough to call home and our fellow inhabitants....

Carbon Monoxide in the Human Body When carbon monoxide enters the lungs through breathing, it binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells to make carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which is then transported into the bloodstream. Once this happens, oxygen cannot bind with receptors on the same cell. Carbon monoxide is much faster at binding with hemoglobin than oxygen (about 200 times faster). So when CO is present in the lungs, it wins the spot on the red blood cells....

Meet Richie Stephens Richie Stephens is an Irish gangster turned actor who lives in Los Angeles. He frequently plays villains in TV and movies, including “Days of Our Lives,” “Criminal Minds,” “MacGyver,” and “Blue Bloods.” He’s also the author of “The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety,” where he shares how 12-step groups helped him recover after decades of drug and alcohol abuse. He’s a frequent speaker in recovery groups and actively works with the homeless at The Midnight Mission and The Center in Hollywood....

While the following questionnaire, known as the SCOFF questionnaire, is not meant to act as a substitute for a professional diagnosis, it can be extremely helpful in identifying people who are very likely to suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and should get help. It was devised to be used by non-professionals. What Is the SCOFF Questionnaire? The SCOFF questionnaire is a simple, five-question screening measure to assess the possible presence of an eating disorder....

In a study of teen athletes, those who had regular massage therapy sessions experienced significant decreases in levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Since there are many types of massage, make sure you purchase a gift certificate for one that focuses on relaxation and stress relief (rather than, say, deep-tissue massage). One study found that people who engaged in expressive writing, which focuses on writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings related to emotional events, showed immediate and significant decreases in scores of depression....

Principles of Acupuncture According to the philosophy behind acupuncture, emotions are represented by five elements: Fear (Water)Anger (Wood)Happiness (Fire)Worry (Earth)Grief (Metal) Chinese medicine regards the mind and body as interacting together: What you feel in your mind can have a physical impact on your body. Each organ—thought of as either “yin” or “yang”— is thought to correspond to a certain emotion. For example, the liver is thought to correspond to anger....