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The rapid systematic review of 83 articles, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, found that loneliness is associated with depression and anxiety in children, and those who feel lonely for longer periods of time might be more affected. “There is evidence that loneliness is associated with later mental health outcomes, up to nine years later,” says Maria Loades, doctor of clinical psychology, a co-author of the review and a senior lecturer in the department of psychology at the University of Bath....

Symptoms The particular content which is re-experienced varies from person to person based on their history of trauma, but the way this trauma is re-experienced is often similar between people with PTSD. Symptoms of re-experiencing include: Frequently having upsetting thoughts or memories about a traumatic event Having recurrent nightmares Being physically responsive to reminders of the traumatic event (for example, feeling a surge in your heart rate, or starting to sweat) Having very strong feelings of distress when reminded of the traumatic event Having the sensation that the traumatic event is happening all over again, sometimes called a flashback...

It can feel like there’s no way to break the cycle. And it’s frustrating to feel tired yet be unable to fall or stay asleep. Here’s what you should know about the relationship between sleep disturbances and depression. The Link Between Sleep Disturbances and Depression Approximately 80% of people with depression experience sleep disturbances. While some have trouble falling asleep, others have difficulty staying asleep. And some find themselves sleeping too much....

Correlational studies are quite common in psychology, particularly because some things are impossible to recreate or research in a lab setting. Instead of performing an experiment, researchers may collect data to look at possible relationships between variables. From the data they collect and its analysis, researchers then make inferences and predictions about the nature of the relationships between variables. Types of Correlation Correlation strength ranges from -1 to +1....

However, my mental health was never discussed by a health practitioner until I decided to announce my anxiety and depression publicly. This got me curious about how often mental health and cerebral palsy are researched together. Experts say that while research on mental health for those with CP is growing, the historical focus on the easy-to-spot physical manifestations of the condition—spasms and increased pain as two examples—means that mental health has been under-researched....

For some people, death is not feared. Yet for others, being afraid of dying alone points to a bigger fear of losing control of the dying process. This fear of losing control is compounded by the fact that many hospitals and nursing homes have implemented no-visitor policies during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many people facing death each day without family members or loved ones by their side. Thankfully, doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff are working tirelessly to ensure their patients don’t die alone....

Ecstasy became popular during the 1970s and 1980s when it became a mainstream street drug associated with music festivals, raves, concerts, and clubs. BZP (benzylpiperazine) is now also being used as a “legal form” of ecstasy. In 1985, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) placed MDMA on the list of Schedule I drugs, meaning that it isn’t used to treat any medical condition and has a high potential for abuse. Also Known As: Other common names for MDMA include Adam, Beans, Clarity, E, Hug, Love drug, Molly, Roll, Scooby snacks, Snowball, X, or XTC....

The chemical name for ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”). Some of the most colorful slang terms used for ecstasy (MDMA), based on the name of the drug, effects, and appearance, include: AdamBeansCandyClarityEEssenceHappy PillHug DrugMollyScooby SnacksLover’s SpeedXXTC While ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations....

Closely related to this is what researchers refer to as autobiographical memory—memories of your own life history. As you can imagine, episodic and autobiographical memories play an important role in your self-identity. How Episodic Memory Works Imagine that you get a phone call from an old college friend. You spend an evening reminiscing about amusing moments from your days at school. Your memories of those specific events and experiences are examples of episodic memory....

People with this personality type are logical. When making decisions, they place a higher value on objectivity rather than personal feelings. ESTPs don’t like to be pinned down by excessive planning. Instead, they like to improvise and keep their options open. According to psychologist David Keirsey, the creator of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, approximately 4—10% of people exhibit an ESTP personality. It is believed to be one of the most common personality types....

If this feels like you lately, you’re not alone. A new survey from the American Psychological Association evaluated stress during the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the results show that 77% of adults in the United States feel they’re faring well in the pandemic, the survey also revealed that many are struggling to manage seemingly simple day-to-day decisions. “High emotion, more complex decision-making and uncertainty all take a mental toll and can lead to individuals feeling mentally exhausted,” says APA’s Senior Director for Practice Transformation and Quality, Lynn Bufka, PhD....

Friday Fix: Episode 139 It’s true that happy people smile. But it may also be true that people feel happy because they smile. But, you may have also heard about the dangers of forcing a smile when you aren’t feeling it. After all, aren’t you repressing your emotions? I also explain how a fake smile impacts your brain, when to try it, and what benefits you can expect. And if you aren’t able to force a smile sometimes because you’re just not feeling it, that’s OK too....

“A lot of times, we tend to give things that will make for a great time when the bow comes off, but what people actually want to receive, if you ask them, are things that are not great in the moment, but great down the line, from a long-term perspective,” Julian Givi, PhD, assistant professor of marketing at West Virginia University, tells Verywell. Givi led research that examined 12 studies about gift-giving....

But did you know there are types of stress that can be good for you? “Eustress is a great thing. Eustress could be starting a new job, having something exciting happening, moving into a new home… It’s a good stress,” explains Felice Martin, MS, NCC, LPC, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, NeuroCoach+ NeuroLeader, Behavioral Health Associates of Georgia, LLC. Good stress may help defend the body against oxidative damage, which impacts aging and disease....

A Psychiatrist Weighs In “I would advise individuals to consult with their physicians prior to partaking in coping techniques mentioned on social media platforms as each individual has a disparate story and diagnosis and may not benefit from or may respond poorly to the recommended technique,” Leela R. Magavi, MD, psychiatrist and regional medical director for Community Psychiatry, tells Verywell. For example, Magavi recalls a patient of hers who learned about the plant extract kava on an Instagram story....