Characteristics People who have compulsive shopping disorder (sometimes called compulsive buying disorder) are often struck with an irresistible and overpowering urge to purchase goods in spite of negative consequences. Characteristics of compulsive shopping disorder include: Difficulty resisting the purchase of unneeded itemsFinancial difficulties because of uncontrolled shoppingPreoccupation with shopping for unneeded itemsProblems at work, school, or home because of uncontrolled shoppingSpending a great deal of time researching coveted items and/or shopping for unneeded items...

The questions your therapist asks depend on a variety of factors, including the reason you gave for coming there, your age, and any pre-existing conditions. He or she may ask you the questions directly and/or give you a diagnostic test on paper or online. The Three Types of Phobia If you seek treatment for phobia, the intake interview questions will also depend on the type of phobia you have and its severity....

“There was no significant benefit from the supplement for depression or mood improvement,” says the study’s lead author, Olivia Okereke, MD, of the psychiatry department at Massachusetts General Hospital. However, she adds that for those over 50, these findings don’t mean vitamin D is a waste in terms of supplementation—it likely just offers different benefits than depression prevention. Benefits of Vitamin D Keep in mind, this particular study, which looked at just over 18,000 adults who were considered at risk for depression, was about prevention, not treatment....

One abbreviation that you may see is “imk.” In this article, we will discuss the history and meanings of “imk” on Discord and provide examples of how to use it in а sentence. History of “imk” on Discord The use of “imk” on Discord can be traced back to its early days as a platform. It is believed to have originated from the phrase “I’m okay”, which was shortened to “imk” for ease of use in conversation....

The concept of being in the closet or closeted is an important one to be familiar with because you may encounter people in your life who are closeted. Knowing how to navigate that part of their identity will help both of you and allow you to support that person to the best of your ability. Read on to learn what being in the closet means, why someone chooses not to come out, and the effects on someone’s life when they stay in the closet....

Attending an Anger Management Class Attending a class may feel a little intimidating at first. But, you could learn valuable life skills that could help you gain better control over your emotions so anger doesn’t cause problems in your life. Anger management classes may be taken by anyone who wants to get a better handle on their anger. A parent who yells at their kids, a partner who is emotionally abusive during arguments, or a supervisor who blows up at employees are just a few examples of the type of people you might encounter in an anger management class....

One or both parents might be suffering from a substance use disorder, personality disorder, or mood disorder. Sometimes, the adults in these families have authoritarian “my way or the highway” parenting styles or have a toxic and abusive relationship with each other. In other cases, parents are emotionally immature or unavailable—caught up in workaholism, shopaholism, gambling, overeating, adulterous affairs, or other pursuits. No parent is perfect, but in dysfunctional families, the problems in the household are ignored or denied....

It’s also important to note that, in some states, masters-level graduates are allowed to provide psychotherapy and psychological assessment under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. So, if working with a mental health professional who has a doctoral-level degree is important to you, be sure to inquire about the specifics of their education. Training for Psychologists Licensed psychologists have a Ph.D., Psy.D., or EdD. degree, which is one of the highest levels of education....

A sex therapist aims to address any emotional or mental issues you might be experiencing that are causing a sexual problem in your life. They are trained to help you deal with issues ranging from low sexual desire to erectile dysfunction. Sex therapy equips you with the tools and techniques to overcome any emotional and mental issues that might disrupt your sex life and your sexual satisfaction. Who Might Need to See a Sex Therapist There’s no specific type of person that needs to see a sex therapist....

Body shaming can lead to mental health issues including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and body dysmorphia, as well as the general feeling of hating one’s body. The History of Body Shaming In our current society, many people think that thin bodies are inherently better and healthier than larger bodies. Historically, however, that hasn’t always been the case. If you think of paintings and portraits from before the 1800s era, you can see that plumpness was revered....

Embodiment doesn’t overlook the value of people’s physicality or senses. Embodiment practices are derived from somatic therapy. Somatic therapy (typically used in the treatment of PTSD) helps patients focus on bodily sensations triggered by thoughts of the traumatic memory. The Importance of Embodiment In the current world of screens, people often disconnect from their bodies. Therefore, most don’t listen to their body’s sensations or heed its signals when something goes awry....

This process of developing a separate identity is an important goal of adolescence, but it is something that continues throughout a person’s life. In Carl Jung’s work, he suggested that this was a self-realization process. Throughout life, people are prone to losing touch with certain aspects of their true selves. Through individuation, they are able to integrate these aspects of themselves with all of their new learning and experiences that they gain throughout life....

This article will explore how fandom impacts adults where norms marking the traditional milestones of this part of life have rapidly shifted. It will then discuss how fandom can help meet psychological needs during adolescent and adult stages of development. History of Fans The word fan is an abbreviation of the word fanatic and was first used by journalists in the late nineteenth century to describe sports aficionados. The meaning of the term quickly expanded to include enthusiastic followers of other forms of entertainment, including female theater-goers....

Loneliness is a negative state in which you feel discomfort or social pain. You may feel alone, empty, or possibly even unwanted. It’s not unusual to feel lonely in a crowd or with a loved one. This feeling of social isolation often takes place even if you’re among other people. This article will focus on feelings of loneliness despite being in a romantic relationship. In these cases, feeling lonely might seem to make no sense, especially if you feel alone as you sit at the dinner table next to your significant other....

However, an antidepressant is not a miracle cure, nor is it a permanent fix. Some studies suggest that the rate of relapse while using an antidepressant is about 23% during a two-year period. Possible reasons why your antidepressant is no longer working include: using another medication that interferes with its effects, using alcohol or other drugs, having another medical condition, undergoing added stress, and more. Understanding the reasons why antidepressants stop working can help you and your healthcare provider figure out what to do about it....

The driving forces behind bullying may vary from person to person, but bullies share some common characteristics. For example, some people bully because they know that it gets them what they want, while others bully because they are deeply insecure. No matter the cause, bullying is unacceptable, regardless of where it takes place. What Is Bullying? Bullying is repeated unwelcome and hostile behavior long linked to power imbalances. Bullies often target people who are younger or smaller than they are, who work as their subordinates, or who belong to marginalized or minority groups....

What Is a Dream? A dream includes the images, thoughts, and emotions that are experienced during sleep. Dreams can range from extraordinarily intense or emotional to very vague, fleeting, confusing, or even boring. Some dreams are joyful, while others are frightening or sad. Sometimes dreams seem to have a clear narrative, while many others appear to make no sense at all. Beyond what’s in a particular dream, there is the question of why we dream at all....

Psychologists have started to investigate this question in the last few years and have come up with several answers through their research. Some of the things they’ve discovered include that consuming sad stories enables us to experience sadness without anxiety, makes us feel grateful for our close relationships, and causes us to think about what’s valuable and meaningful to us. This article covers some of the reasons why people consume sad stories....