Why Augmentation Is Used If you have OCD, you may know that a variety of treatments are available. However, you may also know that not all people respond to these treatments. Although the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Luvox (fluvoxamine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), and tricyclic antidepressants, such as Anafranil (clomipramine) have been a huge step forward in the treatment of OCD, 40 percent to 60 percent of people will not respond adequately to these drugs....

When you’re stressed, the urge to smoke can be intense. You might think that you need cigarettes to keep calm. In fact, smoking tends to create more stress than it dispels. Learning how to cope with stress without a cigarette is difficult when you first quit smoking. With a few tools and some practice, however, you’ll find that it’s less challenging than you might have expected. Recovering From Nicotine Addiction There are two primary components of recovery from nicotine addiction: physical withdrawal from nicotine and healing the mind of the ritual associated with smoking....

Picking up the Pieces It takes much time and effort to re-establish the sense of safety you need for a relationship to thrive and continue to grow. Recovery from the trauma caused by a break in the trust is where many couples who want to get back on track can get stuck. Research has shown that couples must address the following five sticking points in order to effectively move past a breach of trust:...

The History of Age-Gap Relationships In general, men are much more willing to consider women who are significantly younger. According to multiple studies, this has evolutionary roots. Since men don’t have as strict of a reproductive clock, they can have children later in life. Historically, this has made women more open to relationships with older men since they don’t have to worry about men’s fertility. In general, studies have shown that men are more open to larger-ranges of ages than women, especially as they age....

Identifying and recognizing adaptive and maladaptive defense mechanisms, as well as their root causes or triggers, can help you understand and care for yourself better. Sigmund Freud, the renowned psychoanalyst, was the first person to propose the idea of defense mechanisms. Freud believed people unconsciously used defense mechanisms to help protect themselves from difficult or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or situations. This article breaks down the most frequently used defense mechanisms and why people use them....

Each is a distinct mental illness defined by personality traits that can be troubling enough to create problems with relating to other people in healthy ways, and can lead to significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Types The DSM-5 organizes personality disorders into three groups, or clusters, based on shared key features. Cluster A These personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior. People with cluster A personality disorders tend to experience major disruptions in relationships because their behavior may be perceived as peculiar, suspicious, or detached....

How much is too much? Some people report hangover symptoms after consuming only two or three drinks, while some heavy drinkers never experience hangover symptoms at all. But for most people, the greater the amount of alcohol consumed and the longer the duration of alcohol consumption, the more severe the hangover symptoms. This article discusses the common symptoms of a hangover as well as the signs of more serious alcohol poisoning....

Personality types were originally identified by cardiologists in the 1950’s to help determine patients who might be at greater risk for heart disease. As research has continued to develop over the years, more personality types have been identified and labeled with specific letters to represent a found set of patterned personality traits. You have likely heard of type A personality before, which involves traits such as competitiveness, aggressiveness, and high levels of ambition....

Some common examples of mental health conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Signs of a Mental Health Condition There are a variety of signs that may indicate someone is dealing with a mental health disorder. It is important to remember that not all of these signs will be present in every case and that symptoms look different from person to person. However, some common signs of a mental health disorder include:...

A person diagnosed with any externalizing disorder has problems controlling emotions and impulses and expresses them with antisocial behavior that often violates the rights of others. For example, they may confront other people angrily and aggressively, opposing or “taking on” authority figures or striking back against social limits. Psychiatric Disorders Featuring Externalizing The fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) groups externalizing disorders under the formal heading of “Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders....

If so, you may be in a “situationship,” which is essentially a relationship without any commitment, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University. She says this arrangement allows individuals to experience the benefits of being in a relationship and being single simultaneously. This article explores the characteristics of a situationship, its pros and cons, and some next steps you can take. Characteristics of a Situationship These are some of the characteristics of a situationship:...

Delirium differs from dementia in that it develops relatively abruptly and is potentially reversible with treatment of the underlying medical condition that is causing it. Delirium can be a side effect of certain medications, medical conditions, or have other causes such as alcohol withdrawal or surgery. Symptoms In general, delirium involves fluctuations in mental states, states of confusion, and issues with typical cognitive functions.Typical symptoms include: Reduced perceptional and sensory abilities Abrupt changes in movement (hyperactivity or slowness) Sleep cycle changes (sleeping more, drowsiness) Confusion about whereabouts and time Lack of concentration (easily distracted) Inability to recall recent memories Trouble speaking and organizing thoughts (rambling, nonsense speech) Personality changes (mood swings, irritability, anger, fear, paranoia) Incontinence Trouble writing or reading Apathy Calling out or moaning Hallucinations Withdrawal...

When it happens occasionally, dissociation is usually not a problem for most people. However, if it happens frequently or is intense, it could be a sign of a mental health condition, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Around 75% to 80% of people with BDP report experiencing stress-related dissociation. Symptoms of Dissociation Dissociation during times of stress is one of the main symptoms of BPD. It’s also associated with acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both of which can co-occur with BPD....

Unlike an actual gate, which opens and closes to allow all things to pass through, the gate in the spinal cord differentiates between fiber types when carrying pain signals. Specifically, pain signals traveling via small nerve fibers are allowed to pass while signals sent by large nerve fibers are blocked. History In 1965, researchers Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall published a paper outlining the gate control theory of pain. The purpose was to help explain how mental states impact the perception of pain, either reducing or increasing pain sensations....

Although most graduate programs include generalized training, each therapist will have different methods they draw from more than others and diagnoses with which they are more comfortable working. A therapist must understand the limits to their scope to ensure that clients receive quality care. How Does a Therapist Choose Their Scope of Practice? People have different strengths, and many therapists will find that they connect well with a specific type of client....

Following a nightly routine that allows time for relaxing activitiesGetting up and going to bed around the same time each dayCreating a healthy sleep environment that includes dim lights and the ideal thermostat temperatureShutting off all electronics at least 60 minutes before bedLimiting caffeine intake several hours before bedtimeGetting enough physical activity earlier in the dayReducing stress levelsAvoiding large meals with high-fat content before bed Impact of Sleep Hygiene It’s not uncommon to have ups and downs in your sleep hygiene....

If you feel like you and your partner are growing apart or you’d just like to feel closer to them, there are steps that you can take to rebuild your connection. Recognize the Signs Some evidence suggests that ‘growing apart’ is one of the most common reasons why relationships ultimately fail. According to one study looking at British couples who were married or cohabitating, 39% of men and 36% of women cited ‘growing apart’ as the reason why their relationship ended....

We also know that inhaling secondhand smoke is hazardous, and for a smoker, it’s a double whammy because we breathe in both mainstream and sidestream smoke. It puts us at risk for heart disease, COPD, and cancer for starters. Research is ongoing – we don’t yet fully understand all of the dangers that cigarette smoke presents. Effects of Nicotine That said, while cigarette smoke is worse than nicotine alone, nicotine is not a harmless drug....

Whatever the reason for your choice, it’s helpful to learn more about this therapy option before diving headfirst into your first session. Online Therapy Options First of all, it’s helps to know what type of therapy you can expect to receive from an online therapist for anxiety. This will, of course, depend on the therapist whom you choose; some therapists stick to one form of treatment, while others might mix or blend treatment modalities depending on your specific needs or issues....

But, in marijuana culture, dabbing is a slang term that refers to the process of consuming high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana. Despite the dangers associated with the practice, it is growing in popularity—especially among teens. This article covers what dabs are, what’s in them, how dabbing works, and the potentially dangerous side effects. What Are Dabs? Dabs—also referred to as wax, shatter, amber, honeycomb, or budder—are concentrated versions of butane hash oil (BHO) which contains highly-concentrated levels of THC....