The problem with clutter is that when you have a lot of belongings, it creates extra work for you—whether that’s cleaning up, finding something, or needing to buy new things when you can’t find what you need. So, according to research, when clutter takes over, procrastination sets in. But when you procrastinate, your never-ending to-do list is always haunting you and making it incredibly difficult to relax or focus. But the good news is that decluttering can go a long way....

Research has shown that systems of power (that disproportionately affect BIPOC and other marginalized groups) may contribute to eating disorders and affect individuals of minority ethnic backgrounds—dealing with disordered eating—differently than their white counterparts. Society’s Body Standards In our society, thin bodies are highly idealized. Although eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that often stem from the complex interplay of predisposing and precipitating factors, the thin ideal—our cultural assignment of superiority to thin bodies—seems to contribute to these illnesses....

A Closer Look The participant in the experiment was a child that Watson and Rayner called “Albert B.” but is known popularly today as Little Albert. When Little Albert was 9 months old, Watson and Rayner exposed him to a series of stimuli including a white rat, a rabbit, a monkey, masks, and burning newspapers and observed the boy’s reactions. The boy initially showed no fear of any of the objects he was shown....

While transference is typically a term for the mental health field, it can manifest in daily life when the brain tries to comprehend a current experience by examining the present through the past. Here we explore the definition of transference in greater detail and the different types. Defining Transference Transference, in general, is “the process of moving something or someone from one place, position, etc. to another.” However, the psychology-based definition of transference is a bit different and applies directly to those engaged in mental health therapy....

ADHD presents differently in adults than it does in children, and it can be more difficult to diagnose in adulthood, as well. While hyperactivity is a major indicator of childhood ADHD, this may decrease in an adult with ADHD while they still struggle with symptoms like difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. These symptoms can affect an individual’s work performance, relationships and self-esteem. So, receiving an ADHD diagnosis and appropriate treatment can have an incredibly positive impact on a person, not only in their daily lives, but also in providing clarity around the struggles they experienced during their childhood and teen years....

Is Alcoholism Hereditary? There is a growing body of scientific evidence that alcoholism has a genetic component. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. Yet, environmental factors could be a factor in many of those cases as well. Alcoholism’s Genetic Component Family, twin, and adoption studies have shown that alcoholism definitely has a genetic component....

The notion that music can influence your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors probably does not come as much of a surprise. If you’ve ever felt pumped up while listening to your favorite fast-paced rock anthem or been moved to tears by a tender live performance, then you easily understand the power of music to impact moods and even inspire action. The psychological effects of music can be powerful and wide-ranging. Music therapy is an intervention sometimes used to promote emotional health, help patients cope with stress, and boost psychological well-being....

Treating Phobias Many professionals believe that the most important causes of phobias are the environmental triggers and learned behaviors. They argue that a phobia is ultimately a learned response to a stimulus. By “unlearning” the response and substituting rational reactions, the phobia can be cured. This model favors therapy as a preferred treatment. Psychiatrists and therapists often form referral networks to help clients meet both needs. Mental health centers often have a range of mental health specialists on staff, offering their clients a one-stop solution....

It’s a phenomenon that can occur during live or recorded music, new or known, and it’s been well documented over the years. But one question persists: Why does it happen? Researchers have set out to find the answer, and a recent study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience focused on mapping out the brain’s electrical activity during musical chills sheds further light on how music can activate the brain’s pleasure and reward centers....

Oxcarbazepine is available under the brand names Trileptal and Oxtellar XR. No major differences between brand name and generic oxcarbazepine have been reported; however, more studies are needed for conclusive evidence. What Is Trileptal Used For? Trileptal is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat partial seizures in adults and children. Children and adults with epilepsy are commonly prescribed this medication. Oxcarbazepine has also been used to treat neuropathic pain; however, studies are limited on its efficacy....

However, for a certain percentage of the population, outward affect does not match the situation that they are in. This is known as inappropriate affect and can have a variety of causes. If you know someone who smiles during a tragedy or who does not show emotion when it would be expected, they may be experiencing inappropriate affect. To fully understand all the ramifications of inappropriate affect, we will consider in detail symptoms, causes, related conditions, diagnosis, coping, treatment, and related issues....

A recent Cochrane review, which assessed the effectiveness of AA and other 12-step interventions for AUD, found that engaging in these community-based recovery resources was as effected as proven treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in helping people to sustain recovery. Of the twelve steps, step three can be best referred to as the process of surrender. It asserts that a lifetime of recovery can only be achieved by making the decision to turn over your will to a higher being....

Fortunately, lots of research has been done on some of the lifestyle choices and treatment options that can potentially shorten a depressive episode or decrease the likelihood of a relapse. Depression is such a complicated illness and effects each individual differently. It makes sense then that there isn’t one silver bullet for recovery from depression. Successful management of depression is typically achieved using a multi-pronged or the ‘come at it from all angles’ approach....

What Is Sexting? Sexting refers to the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photos, images or videos via cell phone, computer, or any digital device. Sexting can include photos and videos containing nudity or showing simulated sex acts, but can also include text messages, private messages, or emails that discuss or propose sex acts. Not all sexting is harmful or addictive. Couples may exchange sexts as part of their romantic or sexual activity....

Assimilation plays an important role in how we learn about the world around us. In early childhood, children are constantly assimilating new information and experiences into their existing knowledge about the world. However, this process does not end with childhood. As people encounter new things and interpret these experiences, they make both small and large adjustments to their existing ideas about the world around them. Assimilation vs. Accommodation Piaget believed that there are two basic ways that we can adapt to new experiences and information: assimilation and accommodation....

“Have a bad day, get a new pair of shoes. Broke-up with your boyfriend? How about a whole new wardrobe? Spending money to help us feel better has been a long-standing coping mechanism for many Americans,” says clinical psychologist Sheila Forman, PhD. “To be an emotional spender is to use shopping (online, in person, or both) to soothe what ails,” says Dr. Forman. And we’re not talking about buying necessities here—typically, emotional spenders shop for things they don’t need or even really want....

This leads people with a fearful-avoidant attachment to avoid the very relationships they crave. This article reviews the history of attachment theory, gives an overview of the four adult attachment styles, and explains how fearful-avoidant attachment develops. It also describes the impacts a fearful-avoidant attachment can have on the individual and discusses how people can cope with this attachment style. History of Attachment Theory Psychologist John Bowlby introduced attachment theory in 1969 to explain the bonds infants develop with their caregivers....

The History of Objectivity The idea of objectivity has been around since the Middle Ages. It is meant to be the opposite of subjective morality. The idea of objectivity is one that philosophers have used in earlier forms since long before, with earlier versions going all the way back to the times of Aristotle. The History of Morality The idea of morality transcends humans. For example, animals must adhere to certain morals, such as not murdering one another, to live in packs successfully....