Making the commitment to care for your relatives in times of sickness can put a strain on some of your family relationships. Whether elderly grandparents, an invalid aunt or uncle or caring for your parents as their ability to live independently...
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder found in about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be managed with medication and/or counseling. Exercise is another...
Homesickness is an emotional state that can affect your nerves, sleep, concentration, appetite and general health. It is a real manifestation of feeling ill and anxious. It usually occurs when you are sad about being away from your family,...
There are many reasons why people decide to undergo therapy or grief counseling. A significant loss, divorce, work problems, sleep issues and excessive worrying are all common reasons why a person might chose to see a therapist. When life's...
It's the classic argument of nature versus nurture. Is schizophrenia a genetic disorder that's inherited through complex processes, or is it simply caused by the environment one grew up in? The simple answer is both.
Although stress is usually associated with negative events or behavior, it is actually the body’s physical or emotional response to experiencing change. Stress can be caused by positive as well as negative events. Too much stress can cause...
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, may cause you to feel nervous, self-conscious or embarrassed in class, at work or in social situations. MayoClinic.com notes that "social phobia" has risk factors, such as a family history of social...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when sudden trauma, such as from a blow to the head, damages the brain. The severity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the damage; with severe TBI, the patient can have severe mental and physical...
Serotonin exists as a key neurotransmitter in the brain and central nervous system. Along with norepinephrine, this neurotransmitter acts in modulating pain perception, sleep, fatigue, cognition and mood in normal individuals. Since serotonin...
Anxiety disorders that cause children to have physical reactions like vomiting due to fears or worries are called social anxiety disorders. Children that worry often and are seen as "loners" may be quietly dealing with generalized anxiety disorder...
Serotonin helps your body to perform many vital functions. Researchers have found that foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates raise your levels of serotonin, whereas other foods you might expect to raise serotonin, such as bananas and...
Most people know tryptophan as "that thing in turkey that makes you sleepy." While turkey has no more tryptophan than chicken and probably is not responsible for your post-Thanksgiving stupor, it is true that this essential amino acid can make you...
Stressful events, such as speaking in public, can cause a brief episode of anxiety in most people. However, people with anxiety disorders are filled with persistent fear and uncertainty that can last six months or longer. The National Institute of...
Social anxiety, also called social phobia or social anxiety disorder, produces overwhelming anxiety and self-consciousness in social situations. People with social anxiety may fear speaking in public or being around other people because of...
Alcohol abuse and dependence has many detrimental effects not only on the alcoholic himself but on his family. While he may hide his drinking from the outside world, at home there are no secrets. Families are often too ashamed or too afraid to...
Child behavior checklists are used by teachers, parents, psychologists and counselors to evaluate children's emotional and behavioral functioning, competencies and social problems. By far and away the most widely used checklists are drawn from the...
A moderate or severe protein deficiency due to a lack of protein in the diet can cause physical symptoms and changes in behavior. Studies on humans and animals point to a correlation between happy, socially adjusted people and proper diet....
There is no cure-all for drug abuse, and what works for one person suffering from drug addiction will almost certainly not work in the same way for the next. Drug rehab programs are put in place to address each addict's particular situation....
An anxiety attack, otherwise known as panic attack, may occur as a separate problem or in conjunction with another issue, such as social anxiety or a phobia. During a panic attack, an individual may experience rapid heartbeat, problems breathing,...
According to the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs, adolescents who abuse substances are at risk for a wide variety of issues that may interfere with their development. The physical, social and psychological effects...
Psychoneuroimmunology, pronounced psycho-neuro-immunology and referred to as just PNI, can be considered the integration of behavior, medicine and spirituality in cancer care. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America look to...
The New York Presbyterian Hospital website says some teen mental health issues can interfere with their daily activities and development, so parents must be vigilant in finding the cause. According to Science Daily, diagnosing psychiatric problems...
Depression in children is very different from the normal "blues" that is common as children and adolescents grow up. But, just because your child seems sad or depressed doesn't mean that he is clinically depressed. When his symptoms are persistent...
The number of children in foster care in the United States has increased significantly since the mid 90s, reaching about 500,000 children placed in 2005, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Children enter foster...
According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, children need 60 minutes of exercise each day. Children who join sports teams exercise while improving their physical, psychological and social well-being. The American Academy...
When it comes to improving health behaviors for overcoming illness or maintaining a healthy lifestyle, support groups can be a useful tool. Different types suit individual preferences. The support of others is apparently vital to thriving...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a chronic disorder that causes an individual to become inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive. The website Teen Help states that 2 million teens in the United States have ADHD. The condition is usually...
Television shows, including cartoons and other shows marketed at children, often depict acts of violence. They may show characters shooting, stabbing, punching or bludgeoning each other. Car chases and explosions are commonplace. Young children...
