During aversion therapy, the client may be asked to think of or engage in the behavior they enjoy while at the same time being exposed to something unpleasant such as a bad taste, a foul smell, or even mild electric shocks. Once the unpleasant feelings become associated with the behavior, the hope is that unwanted behaviors or actions will begin to decrease in frequency or stop entirely. Uses Aversion therapy can be used to treat a number of problematic behaviors including the following:...

While the authors concluded that it is more beneficial for a person to take steps to improve their mental health, just believing they can is helpful. Their analysis showed that those who believe that they can do something to enhance their mental health scored higher on mental well-being than those who do not. Furthermore, people who take action to enhance their mental health scored higher on mental well-being than those who didn’t act....

This information arrives despite the latest resurgence of the natural hair movement, an effort encouraging those of African descent to embrace their natural hair texture. Yet natural Black hairstyles (including afros, curls, braids, locs and twists) are still heavily stigmatized both in and outside of the Black community. Hair Bias Can Begin During Recruitment The recent findings indicate hair bias often begins during the hiring process. During the study, participants from various racial backgrounds were asked to evaluate potential job candidates....

If you are experiencing blurry vision, it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and determine if it might be due to your antidepressant or something else. Blurry Vision Symptoms Blurred vision is a possible antidepressant side effect in which a person becomes unable to see clearly. This has been described in many ways, but most commonly is described as a lack of “sharpness” and clearness to a person’s vision....

What is Atypical Anorexia? Atypical anorexia (AAN) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 as a type of Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED) in 2013. It is diagnosed when a person meets all of the criteria for anorexia nervosa, “except that despite significant weight loss, the individual’s weight is within or above the normal range.” A person with AAN still meets the other criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN): fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, body image disturbance, and presenting with “significant weight loss....

Meet Brian Pilecki Brian Pilecki is a psychologist based in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, trauma, and PTSD. He also treats depression, issues related to general life dissatisfaction, grief and loss, sleep difficulties, and identity issues. He’s passionate about the potential for psychedelic substances to be used in a therapeutic environment—something that is likely to happen in Oregon soon. He has spent more than 20 years studying psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ayahuasca and their potential role in mental health treatment....

Some medical conditions also cause difficulty with swallowing and eating, so before self-diagnosing with a fear of choking, it is important to rule out physiological causes like certain neurological issues and conditions of the esophagus. Pseudodysphagia and Eating People with pseudodysphagia often have difficulty eating solid foods. Anxiety and tension cause throat muscles to constrict, which (somewhat ironically) further increases the chance of choking. In the era of food processors and high powered blenders, it’s not impossible to maintain optimal health on a liquid diet, but over time, those who are less knowledgeable about the various facets of nutrition may experience malnutrition....

Depending on the individual and their daily life, they can serve as a break from work and the regular day-to-day, or an opportunity to take a vacation. And many people utilize the holidays to spend time with extended family, especially if they live in different parts of the state or country. But due to COVID-19 restrictions and potential health risks associated with public transportation, many have opted to stay home and are considering how to connect with loved ones from a distance....

But recent research from Bath University in England suggests that the pandemic can have positive effects on mental health, and even lead to post-traumatic growth. What the Study Found The researchers analyzed a cross-sectional online survey of 385 volunteers, who were all caring for children age 6 to 16 and who were living in Portugal and the U.K. The survey was carried out at the peak of the first wave of COVID-19 during lockdown, between May 1 and June 27, 2020....

What Is Delayed Gratification? What do you do at the annual company Christmas party when you encounter platters of delicious and tempting foods when you are trying to lose weight? If you give in and fill up your plate with goodies, it might derail your diet, but you will get to enjoy a bit of instant gratification. If you manage to resist and spend the evening eating salad and munching on carrot sticks, then you will presumably receive an even greater reward down the line—shedding those unwanted pounds and being able to fit into your favorite pair of jeans....

There is a recognized mental illness called delusional disorder in which delusions are the dominant symptom. In a type of bipolar disorder that includes psychosis, however, delusions are a psychotic symptom of the mood disorder. They often appear along with hallucinations—sensory perceptions aren’t actually there. In order to understand delusions as a symptom of bipolar disorder, it is helpful to also become familiar with psychosis. Psychosis in Bipolar Disorder In the simplest terms, psychosis is the loss of touch with reality....

Many people with BPD also have PTSD, and vice versa. Although people with PTSD and BPD have different symptoms, they share some of the same problems, such as: Difficulty managing emotionsInterpersonal problemsHigh risk of impulsive behavior You won’t be surprised then, to discover that some researchers have also explored whether DBT may help people with PTSD. What Is DBT? DBT, considered a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on changing poorly formed thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs as a way of reducing a person’s BPD symptoms....

Symptoms of Schizophrenia These are the main symptoms of schizophrenia in adults: 1. For most of a month, a patient must have two of these symptoms: Delusions Hallucinations Disorganized speech — Derailment or incoherence (also known as word salad) where there is no connection between spoken words at all. For example, “Coffee abstract welcome tiptoes glue kitchen puppy.” If only one of these symptoms is present, one of the following must also appear:...

Someone who is emotionally available is able to express emotions in a healthy manner and form emotional attachments with people. On the other hand, someone who is emotionally unavailable may struggle with feeling the extent of their own emotions without shutting down or denying them, Dr. Romanoff explains. This article explores some of the potential causes and characteristics of emotional unavailability, as well as some coping strategies that may be helpful....

By the time a person reaches end-stage alcoholism, drinking has taken over their lives and has likely had a negative impact on relationships, work or school, finances, and overall health. If a person tries to quit drinking on their own during end-stage alcoholism, they may experience severe symptoms of withdrawal, including tremors and hallucinations. One of the most severe consequences of alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens (“the DTs”), which if left untreated, can be fatal....