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When low risk supervised activities like jumping off of heightened platforms or challenging our fears make way for substance use and dangerous driving, how can people mitigate risk? A new study by two Georgia academics entitled “‘I’m an adult now’: Health risk behaviors and identifying as an adult,” points to a way forward. Dr. Elizabeth Culatta and Dr. Jody Clay-Warner’s research, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, says that those aged 18 to 29 who labeled themselves as an adult were less likely to engage in risky behaviors....

This article discusses why antifungal medications are used, types of medications that may be prescribed, and some of the ways they might interact with psychiatric medications. Overview of Antifungal Medication Some antifungal drugs are designed to be taken orally. For example, to treat yeast infections in the mouth and throat, such as thrush. The risk of drug interaction is higher with oral antifungal drugs than the topical applications sold over the counter....

Uses for Introspection Introspection is important for several reasons. Among them are that it helps us engage in reflection, it assists with research, and it can be a valuable tool in mental health treatments involving psychotherapy. Reflection One way to use introspection is for reflection, which involves consciously examining our internal psychological processes. When we reflect on our thoughts, emotions, and memories and examine what they mean, we are engaged in introspection....

In the 1950s, phencyclidine (PCP) was developed as an intravenous general anesthetic, but because of its severe side effects, ketamine was developed to replace it. MXE (methoxetamine) is also a similar drug made from arylcyclohexylamines. Overview Ketamine is a Schedule III drug, which means it is approved for use as an anesthetic in hospital and other medical settings. It is safe and effective when used in a controlled medical setting, but it also has the potential for misuse and addiction....

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are dealing with many unique challenges. They may need to delay gender-affirming surgeries and shelter in place with unsupportive family members, and they may face higher health risks and experience discrimination within the healthcare system, Pre-Coronavirus Risk Factors Of the 16 million Americans who identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, five million have jobs that are more likely to be impacted by COVID-19. Many lack the paid medical and family leave they need to take time off for themselves or to care for family members....

It’s also common for people to feel emotional distance from the people they’re with, which can result in feeling lonely even when in a room full of people. For those who feel a sense of loneliness, holidays can be a time of additional stress, even those like Valentine’s Day or even Independence Day. The following suggestions can help. Be Good to Yourself While it may not completely erase feelings of loneliness, taking special care of yourself can help you to feel better and enjoy your solitude more....

This secondary analysis of a clinical trial housed within Washington D.C.’s Prime Time Sister Circles intervention found that both socioeconomic status (SES) and heart health may be connected to depression in middle-aged Black women. What Did the Study Show? This study focused on 316 Black women between the ages of 40-75 who had been diagnosed with hypertension. For the purposes of this study, high blood pressure is defined as ~140 mmHg systolic or ~ 90 mmHg diastolic....

What Is Mindfulness Meditation? Mindfulness meditation is about staying in the present moment without judging others and being very deliberate. Because mindfulness is about not judging, you are to practice thinking of these things neutrally. Mindfulness is a concept that comes from the Buddhist spiritual tradition. For almost 3,000 years, Buddhist monks have practiced mindfulness meditation. In recent years mindfulness practice has become increasingly widespread and applied outside of Buddhism. In fact, most Eastern practitioners who use mindfulness think of it as a skill that can be used separately from any kind of religious or spiritual practice....

Meet Nathan Kress Nathan Kress is an actor who is best known for playing Freddie Benson on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, which aired between 2007 and 2012. In 2021, he reprised his role in the iCarly revival. He’s also the co-host of a podcast called “RadioActive Dads.” He and his co-host, fellow actor Brett Davern, talk about their experiences raising kids. Why Nathan Kress Is Mentally Strong Nathan met his wife, London Moore, on the set of a movie....

The DSM-5 has a whole chapter dedicated to these similar disorders entitled “Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders,” also known as obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. The obsessive-compulsive spectrum includes different clusters of symptoms that are similar to, but not exactly the same as, OCD symptoms. Here are the disorders the DSM-5 includes in the chapter regarding obsessive-compulsive related disorders. Body Dysmorphic Disorder Body dysmorphic disorder is a form of mental illness in which the person is obsessed and/or preoccupied with an imagined defect or what they perceive as something abnormal in their appearance....

It’s easy to fall into the trap of option paralysis when you’re online dating. There are so many potential matches out there, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out who is right for you. Where Did the Term ‘Option Paralysis’ Come From? Option paralysis is a phenomenon discussed by psychologist Barry Schwartz in his 2004 book, “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.” Dating Apps Provide Too Many Choices With so many dating apps and sites to choose from, it’s easy to get caught up in an endless cycle of swiping and scrolling without ever making a real connection....

The Father of Modern Psychology Wilhelm Wundt is the man most commonly identified as the father of psychology. Why Wundt? Other people such as Hermann von Helmholtz, Gustav Fechner, and Ernst Weber were involved in early scientific psychology research, so why are they not credited as the father of psychology? Wundt is bestowed this distinction because of his formation of the world’s first experimental psychology lab, which is usually noted as the official start of psychology as a separate and distinct science....

While editors describe these changes as vital to clinicians and researchers, some mental health professionals are in disagreement as to whether all the changes were necessary. Prolonged Grief Disorder One major point of contention is the addition of prolonged grief disorder, a longer-lasting and more disruptive form of grief that extends beyond a year after a death or loss for adults and six months for children. Clinical psychologist Noël Hunter, PsyD, who specializes in trauma and grief, strongly disagrees with the addition....

Currently, dementia has no cure, and treatment focuses on managing potential symptoms such as difficulty communicating, agitation, depression, and confusion. While coping mechanisms are varied, one unexpected option comes in a surprising form: robotic pets. The Promise of a Furry Robotic Companion A recent study from Issues In Mental Health Nursing looked at the impact of providing mild to moderate dementia patients with interactive robotic pet cats. Researchers gave 12 adult day care patients their own cat, which each patient named....

History of the Rorschach Inkblot Test One of Hermann Rorschach’s favorite games as a child was Klecksography, which involves creating inkblots and making up stories or poems about them. He enjoyed the game so much that his school friends nicknamed him “Klecks,” the German word for “inkblot.” His interest in inkblots continued into adulthood. While working in a psychiatric hospital, Rorschach noticed that patients with schizophrenia responded to the blots differently from patients with other diagnoses....

Abnormal levels of SAMe have been observed in people with medical conditions like liver disease and depression. Research into the benefits of SAMe suggests that the supplement can help alleviate symptoms of these conditions. Health Benefits Research into the benefits of SAMe has revealed that the supplement has many benefits to the body and mind. SAMe has been shown to benefit people with the following conditions. Depression The effectiveness of SAMe for alleviating depression symptoms in people with the condition has been inconclusive....