Psychological factors can influence physical health either indirectly, by changing behaviors that affect your health, such as eating, sleeping and socializing, or directly, by producing changes in your hormones and/or heart rate. Additionally, the...
Irritability refers to an emotional response to an external or internal stimuli, notes MedlinePlus. The severity of irritability experienced ranges depending on the factors contributing to the emotion. A 2007 review in "Psychosomatics" notes the...
Developmental growth follows a predictable pattern for most children, but preschoolers -- children between ages 2 and 5 -- demonstrate wide variability in how their cognitive, social and emotional development progresses. Preschoolers can feel...
Depression is a chronic medical illness that can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It is also called major depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder. Because it is a long-term illness, it is usually treated...
Hydromet is a brand name for a combination of hydrocodone and homatropine methylbromide. Hydrocodone is in a class of medications known as opioid analgesics and antitussives. It is often prescribed for pain management and cough suppression....
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition characterized by a relentless drive for thinness, leading to extreme weight loss from excessive dieting and exercising, says the National Institute of Mental Health. Because anorexics become so...
Percocet is a medication in a class of drugs known as narcotic analgesics. It is composed of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Percocet is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This medication should only be taken for the length of time...
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes severe mood swings, according to the Mayo Clinic. These mood changes may range from manic episodes, where the patient may not sleep for days and will be in a state of euphoria, to depressive episodes,...
Meth, or methamphetamine, is a highly addictive street drug that permanently alters dopamine activity in the central nervous system. Known by its ability to stimulate, meth increases heart rate, metabolism, thought processes and body temperature....
On a hot summer day, a cold glass of grapefruit juice or having grapefruit with your breakfast can be refreshing. If you are taking certain medications, however, it can be dangerous. There is a chemical in this fruit and its juice called...
Depression can involve short-term feelings of sadness, lack of purpose or a sense of inadequacy. When these feelings persist or worsen and deeply affect one's life or ability to function, however, they may be indicative of major depression....
Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of social situations. If you have social anxiety, you may fear being watched or evaluated when performing a task or simply when eating or talking in public. People with social...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a specific type of anxiety condition consisting of unreasonable thoughts and fears, states the Mayo Clinic. Obsessions refer to persistent thoughts stemming from fears. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors...
Opiates are a commonly abused drug because of their ability to cause an elevated sense of well-being and euphoria (often referred to as a high). Repeated opiate abuse leads to opiate tolerance (in which increasing amounts of the drug are required...
For psychological or medical reasons, it's sometimes important to have a lower libido than you currently possess. Religious beliefs, being away from a partner or finding yourself addicted to sex can be reasons for needing to dial down your sex...
Drug withdrawal is usually treated with a combination of medications and psychological methods. The type of medication used depends on the type of drug to which the person is addicted. The two most common types of withdrawal treated in a hospital...
The safest way to detoxify yourself from drugs is to sign yourself into a detoxification center. Seizures may occur with some forms of drug withdrawal, depending on the type of drugs you have used, the American Academy of Family Physicians...
Children with bipolar disorder are often treated with medication to control their symptoms. According to Robert Weis in "Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology," medication is the first step in treatment and a way to minimize mania in...
Yohimbine hydrochloride is a prescription medication used for dilating the pupils of the eye, but physicians often prescribe it for treating specific types of erectile dysfunction. Men experiencing impotence related to problems with blood vessels,...
Psychological treatment of bipolar disorder focuses on the emotional and behavioral problems of patients through therapy. Sometimes medication is prescribed first for people who need to have their moods under control before therapy begins. While a...
Constipation, also known as digestive irregularity, and diarrhea (loose, frequent stools) can occur for a number of reasons. Emotional stress or overeating may cause temporary symptoms, which may resolve without need for medical treatment. In some...
Depression is an emotional disorder that involves prolonged episodes of negative feelings, such as sadness, despair or lack of purpose. Various types of depression exist, such as chronic depression that goes on for years and major depression,...
Viagra is the trade name for the drug sildenafil citrate. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle lining of certain blood vessels, causing them to expand and fill with blood. In males, this typically results in penile erection. The use of Viagra...
Bulimia is a serious medical disorder with episodes occurring for years. Relapse is common and getting help as soon as the condition is detected is essential. The binge and purge cycle becomes an addiction. The more a person continues the cycle,...
Many factors contribute to the initial onset of depression; however, the National Institute of Mental Health indicates there is no specific cause for the disorder. When depression is recognized in your life, there is a higher likelihood of relapse...
Positive mental health hinges on a variety of factors, including lifestyle, economic factors, genetics and personal experience. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression and anxiety are among the most common mental illnesses...
Binge eating is a disordered eating pattern characterized by ingesting excessive amounts of food in an uncontrolled manner, usually within a short period of time and in private, and feeling guilty and distressed afterward. When it occurs...
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a chronic condition commonly associated with inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. According to MayoClinic.com, people with ADHD may struggle with low self-esteem,...
Acid indigestion, often referred to as simply indigestion or dyspepsia, is a collection of symptoms that occur in response to dietary habits, emotional factors and, in some cases, as symptoms of underlying illness. Most cases of indigestion are...
Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an psychiatric disorder most often associated with any serious psychological trauma. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments for PTSD in this medical video.