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No matter how well-organized and committed you are, chances are that you have found yourself frittering away hours on trivial pursuits (watching TV, updating your Facebook status, shopping online) when you should have been spending that time on work or school-related projects. Whether you’re putting off finishing a project for work, avoiding homework assignments, or ignoring household chores, procrastination can have a major impact on your job, your grades, and your life....

This article discusses how Prozac works and what you should know before taking it. It also covers potential side effects, interactions, withdrawal symptoms, and other medications you might consider. How Prozac Works As an SSRI, Prozac works by preventing the brain from reabsorbing naturally occurring serotonin. Serotonin is involved in mood regulation. In this way, Prozac helps the brain to maintain enough serotonin so that you have a feeling of well-being, resulting from improved communication between brain cells....

The answers to these questions vary quite a bit because there are several degree options that can ultimately lead to the title of “psychologist” as well as differing requirements for various states. This article discusses the level of education and training required for a variety of positions in psychology. It also covers some of the job options that are available with different types of psychology degrees. Doctoral Degrees in Psychology In order to become a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist, a doctorate degree is required....

Psychosocial rehabilitation is a treatment approach designed to help improve the lives of people with mental illness. Its goal is to teach them emotional, cognitive, and social skills to help them live and work in their communities as independently as possible. History of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Prior to the 1960s and 1970s, it was not uncommon for people with serious mental illnesses to be institutionalized. The approach to the treatment of mental health issues has changed considerably since that time and has led to de-institutionalization....

What makes a person resilient? There are many factors that contribute to resilient behavior, including personality traits, upbringing, genetics, environmental factors, and social support. If you want to become more resilient, learn about the characteristics of resilient people and when and how to ask for help building resilience. What Does Resilient Mean? Being resilient means facing difficulties head-on instead of falling into despair or using unhealthy coping strategies. Resilience is often defined as the mental reservoir of strength that helps people handle stress and hardship....

This article will examine the types of bipolar disorder and possible causes of this condition. It will look into the unique ways this disorder is presented in men, plus possible ways to manage the condition. Types of Bipolar Disorder When a person lives with bipolar disorder, they will experience distinct changes to their mood, energy, and activity levels at different points. Bipolar I Disorder A person with this type of bipolar disorder will usually experience manic episodes that last days at a time....

Friday Fix: Episode 150 Most people don’t really think about their mental health until they develop a problem. Fortunately, this idea that you should only be concerned with your psychological well-being if you’re sick is starting to shift. In the summer of 2021, we conducted a Verywell Mind survey that discovered that most Americans say caring for their mental health is important. At the same time, however, most people also said they invest a lot more time into their physical health rather than their mental health....

Try different side streets, go through stores in a different order—anything to change your route.

Yet, it can be intimidating for anyone who doesn’t consider themselves excellent singers (read: most people) to sing, especially when other people are around. While this hesitation is natural, it can stand in the way of expressing yourself in a way that has proven benefits for your mental health. “Singing songs that match your mood or express how you want to feel, rather than simply listening, allows you to more deeply tap into and move through various emotions,” says Lisa Townsend, MT-BC, a music therapist....

Multi-Tasking and Your Brain Focusing on more than one task at a time, repeatedly switching back and forth between two or more tasks, or focusing on many things in a short period of time can all be considered ‘multitasking’ and they can all leave you less focused and efficient than you may think. This is because it takes time for your mind to adjust to a shift in focus; each time you switch your focus, you are creating another need for your mind to re-focus, and this can drain you of time and energy....

The second definition of “blank slate” refers to a technique that was once used heavily in psychoanalysis and is still employed by some therapists today. When using this technique, the therapist is careful to avoid revealing any personal information about themselves. Tabula Rasa in Behaviorism Behaviorists believe you are born with your mind as a blank slate and you learn all your behavior from the environment you live in. Therefore, therapy focuses on unlearning unproductive behaviors....

A photographer lost her eye after being shot by a rubber bullet. A young woman died two days after police deployed tear gas on her and surrounding protestors. A man experienced a brain injury after being pushed to the ground by a police officer. Crowd Control Measures Tear gas, smoke guns, pepper spray, and other methods are used by police officers and law enforcement to disperse protestors, provoke fear, enforce curfews, and ultimately control mass gatherings....

Taking a break from screens and all the push notifications that demand your attention can feel like a much-needed breath of fresh air and a critical component of maintaining your mental health. Luckily, there are lots of little changes you can make around your home, your desk, and your relaxation space that can make digital detoxing a bit easier and, dare we say it, fun. Here are the best tech detox products on the market....

“Alcohol is involved in half of all murders, rapes, and assaults,” said Robert O. Pihl, professor of psychology and psychiatry at McGill University. “But the dynamics of this association are complicated, which is why any research that focuses on explaining this relationship is important for society in general.” Understanding Anger and Aggression Anger is an intense emotion you feel when something has gone wrong or someone has wronged you. Aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can result in both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others, or objects in the environment....

If normal life stressors initially set off bipolar episodes in someone, in time could episodes of the illness appear in that person without any such triggers? Some research says the answer to these questions is yes, and some clinicians have speculated that the reason may be a process that has been termed “kindling.” However, the most recent research into the theory of kindling and bipolar disorder indicates the evidence for this theory is weaker than originally thought....

Early debates on the psychology of leadership often suggested that such skills were simply abilities that people were born with. In other words, these theories proposed that certain people were simply “born leaders.” Some more recent theories propose that possessing certain traits may help make people nature leaders, but that experience and situational variables also play a critical role. A Closer Look at Leadership Theories As interest in the psychology of leadership has increased over the last 100 years, a number of different leadership theories have been introduced to explain exactly how and why certain people become great leaders....

“Per se,” is a Latin phrase that means “by itself.” In other words, having a 0.08 BAC by itself means that you are guilty of driving while intoxicated without regard to any other evidence. If you are stopped on suspicion of drunk driving and you record a 0.08 BAC on either a breath test or a later blood test, you will be found guilty of DUI on that information alone....

Two Types of Psychology Work Psychologists may work in a wide variety of settings, including schools, universities, hospitals, private clinics, government offices, corporations, and small businesses. Psychologists primarily work in one of two broad areas: research psychology or applied psychology (sometimes called basic research and applied research). Research psychologists investigate the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and biological bases of human thought and behavior. They often conduct experiments and may work at a college or university, or they could be employed by a business or government office....

A big part of understanding this condition is becoming well-versed in what ADHD is and its impact on the brain. Read on to learn more about the relationship between dopamine and ADHD. What Is ADHD? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it is a condition where the growth and development of the brain are predominantly impacted. It is often diagnosed in the childhood and teenage years, though it is possible to receive a diagnosis as an adult....