Emotional Memories Leave an Imprint It’s unclear from your question what type of bad memories you’re dealing with. Perhaps it’s a traumatic memory, like a near-death experience. Or maybe, you’re recalling some painful (yet not necessarily traumatic) times in your life, like the time you didn’t get invited to a party or the time when someone said something that really hurt your feelings. Either way, we know that emotional memories leave a big imprint on our brains....

For example, over the course of a typical day, you probably make numerous attributions about your own behavior as well as that of the people around you. When you get a poor grade on a quiz, you might blame the teacher for not adequately explaining the material, completely dismissing the fact that you didn’t study. When a classmate gets a great grade on the same quiz, you might attribute their good performance to luck, neglecting the fact that they have excellent study habits....

The Biological Theory of Panic Disorder Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are chemicals that act as neurotransmitters or messengers in the brain. They send messages between different areas of the brain and are thought to influence one’s mood and anxiety level. One theory of panic disorder is that symptoms are caused by an imbalance of one or more of these chemicals. Known as the biological theory of panic disorder, this theory examines the biological factors as the cause of mental health concerns....

If you have BPD, you may have had work experiences that upset you, the people who worked with you, or both. If so, do you know why those upsetting events happened—how your BPD symptoms may have played a role? Overview We could talk at length about the different ways in which specific aspects of BPD may affect your job performance, but an example can illustrate these much more effectively. Perhaps this example of one person’s experience with BPD at work may help you understand your own work disappointments better—and help keep you from repeating them....

Certain medications increase the risk of bruxism, so sometimes a prescription change could be all it takes to ​resolve the condition. Other people may need more help, such as taking measures to relieve stress (people often grind their teeth when they’re nervous or under pressure) or wearing a mouth guard during sleep. Types There are two types of bruxism, and their symptoms and causes can differ: Awake bruxism (AB), also called diurnal bruxism, occurs when people are awake and symptoms often worsen as the day progresses....

You may find it easy to be compassionate toward a friend or loved one when they come to you with a personal struggle or a challenging situation. Your response to them may be one of understanding, hope, guidance, and encouragement. However, when we are faced with our own life challenges, we tend to be a little more harsh or critical with ourselves. We examine our thoughts and behaviors in a way that can leave us feeling unworthy, ashamed and frustrated with ourselves....

Melatonin supplements come in the forms of pills, capsules, and liquids and can be effective in helping to control your sleep cycle. Melatonin is also naturally occurring in fruits such as tomatoes, almonds, and oranges, but only in very small amounts. While research shows that melatonin can be an effective treatment for people who are having sleep troubles, it might not be for everyone. Melatonin’s Role in the Body The role of melatonin in our bodies is to regulate our wake and sleep cycle....

Delusional misidentification syndromes are disorders characterized by delusions that cause people to misidentify themselves or those close to them. There are several sub-types, with Capgras syndrome being the most commonly identified. For instance, a woman might suddenly accuse her child of being an imposter. She may start to harass the child, demanding that they reveal themselves or reveal the location of the person they are impersonating. Capgras syndrome can affect men and women of all ages....

Catatonia was first identified as a discrete syndrome in 1874 by Karl Kahlbaum. The early description of the condition was focused on motor symptoms, and treatment was focused on supportive care rather than medical interventions. Currently, the incidence of catatonia is a little more than 10 percent of patients with acute psychiatric illnesses, particularly affective disorders. However, some experts believe that many cases go unreported. There are three main forms of catatonia: akinetic, hyperkinetic, and malignant catatonia....

Quit Aids and Dizziness Some quit aids may cause dizziness for users. The nicotine patch, a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that looks like a tan or clear bandage, lists dizziness as a common side effect. However, all NRTs contain nicotine, and a nicotine overdose can cause dizziness. If you’re using nicotine replacement therapy to help you stop smoking, it is important that you follow the manufacturer’s directions for use carefully....

While cocaine can legally be used for medical purposes, such as local anesthesia, it is illegal to use it recreationally. Nevertheless, a 2022 study notes that approximately 24.6 million people around the world use cocaine. Cocaine, also known as coke, coca, snow, blow, and flake, is snorted through the nostrils, rubbed into the gums, injected into the veins, or smoked via a pipe or cigarette. Using cocaine can be dangerous, as it can cause severe issues including a heart attack, stroke, and overdose....

Collective trauma refers to the psychological upheaval that is shared by a group of people who all experience an event. This type of trauma can affect groups of people of any size, including entire nations or societies. Causes of Collective Trauma Major events that are witnessed or experienced by a large group can affect how people feel and act—and sometimes such events can result in cultural shifts and societal changes....

This article explores the signs, causes, and consequences of insecurity in relationships and suggests strategies to help you cope. Signs of Insecurity in Relationships In romantic relationships, insecurity can drive you to unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can include: Incessantly checking up on your partner if you’re not with them to determine their whereabouts Not trusting your partner to stay faithful to you and constantly worrying that they’re cheating on you Feeling jealous of all the other people in their life and resenting the other people they are close to Not taking your partner at their word and wanting to verify everything they tell you Feeling like your partner may break up with you at any time Fishing for compliments and validation to try and feel more secure...

For some, those concerns are beginning to dissipate. Situational anxiety about catching the virus feels less intense for those who are vaccinated. Situational depression due to isolation might no longer be a concern for people who are excited to get back to their pre-COVID lifestyles. But for those individuals who were already living with mental health concerns before the pandemic, ongoing support from mental health professionals and compassion from support networks must be sustained as the world re-opens....

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of the general population will experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The World Health Organization estimates that 5% of men and 9% of women experience depressive disorders in any given year. This article discusses common causes of depression. It covers the genetic, biological, and environmental factors that can play a role in the condition....

It’s an age old argument but today, most experts agree that it’s not either/or, but both. In line with this contemporary thinking is a new study that suggests depression is transmissible between parents and children, regardless of whether they’re biologically related. The Research Researchers from Penn State and Michigan State Universities evaluated 720 families of varying natural genetic relatedness. The families were participating in the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development (NEAD) study and 58....

To cope with these challenging emotions, many people who experience panic turn to maladaptive behaviors. For example, to try and deal with these emotions, one may avoid certain situations or possibly try to mask these emotions through the use of alcohol. What Is a Distraction Technique? A distraction technique is simply any activity that you engage in to redirect your mind off your current emotions. Instead of putting all your energy into the upsetting emotion, you reset your attention to something else....

While some believe marijuana can help with depression, there is not yet enough evidence to recommend using marijuana to treat depression. And using marijuana for this purpose comes with risks. Research on the potential benefits of marijuana for depression is still in the early stages, and more in-depth evidence is needed. Depression and marijuana use often co-occur, but teasing apart their relationship with one another is a chicken-and-egg problem researchers have yet to solve....