Infertility is the general term used to describe an inability to conceive a child despite conscious efforts to do so. This inability can stem from reproductive problems in a woman or in a man. Both men and women can develop significant psychological problems as a consequence of infertility, and in turn, some researchers believe that […]
Can Infertility Lead to Mental Illness? Read More »
Dysthymia (or dysthymic disorder) is a serious form of depression that, by definition, lasts for a period of at least two years. While it produces relatively moderate symptoms, its long-term effects on a person’s mood and life outlook can easily be as disruptive or debilitating as the effects associated with major depression (major depressive disorder).
Recovering from Dysthymia Read More »
Strident, screeching chatter. Prodding, coaxing, cajoling that never abates. Voices so loud and imposing you can’t sleep. Anorexics, bulimics, and food addicts of all stripes know the sound. We all have “the voice in our head,” our inner voice that directs and guides us. We all hear the playback of voices from our past. But
The Voices In Your Head Read More »
Fish oil is the common name used for a liquid derived from the bodies of several different coldwater ocean fish species, including tuna, salmon, bluefish, mackerel, and sturgeon. This oil contains substances called omega-3 fatty acids, which the body needs to support certain essential aspects of everyday health. According to the results of a number
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Hoarding disorder is the name of a psychiatric condition that produces symptoms such as the compulsive urge to acquire unusually large amounts of possessions and an inability to voluntarily get rid of those possessions, even when they have no practical usefulness or monetary value. Until recently, mental health guidelines in the United States viewed hoarding
DSM-V: Hoarding New Mental-Disorder Diagnoses Read More »
It is easy to watch the popular reality TV shows about hoarders and make a judgment. The scenes of clutter and garbage piled so high that the house is barely habitable trigger feelings of both disgust and pity. How can people live that way? This is what many of us ask when we see this
Hoarders Struggle to Toss Out Even Other People’s Junk Mail Read More »
Many people suffer from an irrational and unreasonable fear of becoming ill or dying that is so strong it can actually bring on terrifying medical symptoms that seem entirely real. These fears, which come in a variety of forms, are often grouped under the catchall term “hypochondria,” and give a clear indication of just how
What Lies Beneath the Fear of Choking? Read More »
On a cold, moonless night in January 2008, I woke up to the piercing of my cell phone’s ringtone. A call at that hour could only be an emergency. On the other end was my mother, but it wasn’t her voice I heard. She sounded like a crying child – a shrieking, frightened child. Suddenly
My Mother Is Bipolar and She Threatened to Kill Read More »
First, a Story Kassia is 16. She’s a smart girl, makes mostly As and Bs with an occasional C thrown in when she isn’t showing her best effort. She’s enrolled in AP English. She belongs to a group of girls who visit the mall regularly, attend football and basketball games, and take turns sleeping at
Kindling Theory: Can You Turn Off a Potentially Fatal Mental Illness? Read More »
Sleep disturbance is a general term that doctors use to describe any difficulties relating to the ability to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout a sleeping session. Some people with these disturbances have problems severe enough to qualify as official sleep disorders, while others do not. Schizophrenia is heavily linked to sleep disturbances, and for
Sleep Disturbances May Trigger Schizophrenia Read More »