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—Joni, 66 Talk to him about what’s going on when he’s sober. You don’t want to shame him but you do want him to know that you hear he’s in pain. Instead of saying, “You called me last night crying about how horrible you feel,” say something like, “I want to continue our conversation from last night. It sounds like you have been feeling pretty down lately.” Then, just listen....

Parents with an authoritarian style have very high expectations of their children, yet provide very little in the way of feedback and nurturing. Mistakes tend to be punished harshly. When feedback is given, it is often negative. Yelling and corporal punishment are also common with the authoritarian style. This article discusses the characteristics of authoritarian parenting and the factors that cause it. It also covers the impact that this parenting style has on children and how to respond if you or your partner is an authoritarian parent....

These medications were once the most common treatment for anxiety, but there are also newer and often more effective treatments available that do not carry many of the same risks associated with benzodiazepines. If you have anxiety, learning more about the use of benzodiazepines to treat this condition can help you decide if this is the right treatment choice for your needs. How Benzodiazepines Work for Anxiety Benzodiazepines affect the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors of the brain....

This study assessed the efficacy of a 17-minute racially specific guided meditation, which combines mindfulness, affirmations regarding the Black experience, and loving-kindness meditation. Given the strides made in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during the pandemic, this momentum can be kept up with a better grasp of how such a mindfulness program can help to address racial trauma. Understanding the Research This pilot study was conducted with 26 Black college students who were presented with a vicarious racial harassment stimulus (VRHS), then half of them participated in a Black Lives Matter Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma, as compared to a control group, while measuring heart rate....

Link Between Antidepressants and Anxiety Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders, especially generalized anxiety and panic disorders, as well as depression. For some people, depression and an anxiety disorder can co-exist. For instance, one study found that around 67% of people with a depressive disorder also have an anxiety disorder. When two conditions are present at the same time, this is known as comorbidity. Antidepressants and Activation Syndrome Occasionally, antidepressants may also create feelings of anxiety and jitteriness as a side effect....

This article discusses the ways marijuana is associated with the risk of developing psychosis. It also covers some of the treatments for marijuana-induced psychosis. Can Marijuana Cause Psychosis? A variety of substances and medications can cause a condition known as substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder. After taking a drug or medicine, some people may experience psychosis within a month of using the substance or when they are withdrawing from the drug. Other substances and medications that can trigger psychosis include alcohol, hallucinogens, sedatives, stimulants, amphetamines, antidepressants, and steroids....

The short answer is that you can be committed to a mental hospital against your will if you meet the criteria set forth by the state in which you live. General, Short-Term Commitment The exact process for commitment varies from state to state. Additionally, each state has procedures in place that prevent you from being detained without just cause, such as requirements for medical certification or judicial approval. There are also time limits on how long you can be held against your will....

This type of dependence is common in relationships where one of the parties has an addiction, such as to alcohol or other substances. In fact, it is within the field of chemical dependency that the term codependency was born. “The term was originally coined in the 1950s, in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous" explains Dr. Renee Exelbert, a licensed psychologist and author based in New York, “to support partners of individuals who abused substances, and who were entwined in the toxic lives of those they cared for....

You probably have lots of questions about what group therapy will involve and how it will help you with your particular symptoms. You may even be questioning how being in a group of people—what you may fear the most—will help conquer your anxiety. If you have SAD, you have probably spent much of your life avoiding the social situations that trigger your anxiety. Your communication skills and confidence in your abilities have likely suffered as a result....

A recent study published in the journal Psychological Science sought to determine the origins of our accepted correlations between color and emotion, and whether they were societal or psychological constructs. For the study, 4,598 participants from 30 different countries who spoke 22 different languages were tested on their color associations. The first theory was whether or not we tie colors to emotions because of environmental factors, like being exposed to that color during emotional experiences....

Let’s take a look at why there is often a disconnect between behavior and consequence in children with ADHD, and how to best help them make the connection. Disconnect Between Behavior and Consequence Kids with ADHD often have difficulty delaying or inhibiting their responses. Instead, they tend to live in the moment, reacting immediately to that moment without thought. For a child to make a connection between a specific behavior and consequence, they need to be able to pause, think through the events and their emotions, weigh the consequences of their behavior, and then allow these thoughts to guide their decision making about the behavior....

Uses Cymbalta belongs to a category of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Originally used to treat mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder, SNRIs were found to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, and social anxiety disorder (SAD), as well as agoraphobia. Additionally, these medications are prescribed to treat other mental health conditions. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), body dysmorphic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)....

Consider the following question from a reader: “I love psychology, which is why I’m currently working on my bachelor’s degree in psychology. I don’t want to work in mental health, so my ultimate plan is to become a researcher. While I know that this means I will probably need to go to graduate school, I’m not quite sure exactly where to begin. What type of psychology degree do I need if I want to work in research?...

What Are Substance Use Disorders? Substance use disorders encompass a wide variety of problems related to the use of drugs. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes substance-related disorders resulting from the use of 10 separate classes of drugs including alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, and opioids. It divides the disorders into two groups: substance-use disorders and substance-induced disorders. Substance use disorders are behaviors related to the use of a substance....