Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Types of Anxiety Disorders There are severaltypes of anxietydisorders. Agoraphobia Agoraphobiais an irrational and extreme fear of being in a situation where escape is impossible. In some cases, this fear can become so severe that people are unable to leave their homes. Stefanie Grewel / Getty Images This worry is difficult to control and often shifts from one concern to another. Apanic attackhas physical and emotional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, increased respiration, and feelings of extreme terror....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 567 words · John Sanchez

Understanding Astrophobia, The Fear of Space

Christophe Lehenaff/Getty Images What Is Astrophobia? The mysteries of outer space are intriguing for many humans. But, for some people, this intrigue can turn into intense fear. Christophe Lehenaff/Getty Images Astrophobia is the severe and often irrational fear of stars and space. It is aspecific punch in of phobiarelated to a defined object or situation. For many, astrophobia is strongly connected to a fear of aliens. These thoughts generate persistent fear and anxiety which affects your life....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 361 words · Jamie Campbell

Understanding Attribution in Social Psychology

Insocial psychology, attribution means inferring the causes of events or behaviors. In real life, we attribute behavior every day. However, when those inferences and explanations are wrong, it can create conflict and lead topoor decisions. Jose Luis Pelaz Inc / Blend Images / Getty Images Why do we make internal attributions for some things while making external attributions for others? The main types of attributions you may use in daily life include the following....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 334 words · Brett Carter

Understanding Autism and Bipolar Disorder

While some autistic traits can mimic bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder and autism are not the same. Estimates suggest that around 5% to 8% of autistic people have bipolar disorder. Gene expression refers to the way that a gene responds to its environment. PeopleImages / Getty Images Bipolar disorder can also present with an intense focus on a goal or activity. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 252 words · Kathleen Kim

Understanding Autistic Burnout

This article reflects that community language preference. However, a provider might notice burnout symptoms developing and talk to you about treatment options. In an effort to fit in and be accepted, theymaskthese behaviors and may present as neurotypical. fanjianhua / Getty Images This is why many autistic people describe their experience in ABA as traumatic or abusive. They might be told the behavior is distracting or annoying. In the long-term, this will prevent burnout in the community as a whole....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 155 words · Angela Lewis

Understanding Bereavement After a Loss

Bereavement refers to the state of having experienced the loss of a loved one. It most often refers to the time after a loss when emotions are at their most profound. This time is marked by intense grief and tremendous sorrow. Kilito Chan / Getty Images The term is sometimes used synonymously with grief and mourning. How people experience this time of grief can vary from one person to the next....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 401 words · Gary Wong

Understanding Binge Eating and ADHD

The Connection Between ADHD and Binge Eating ADHD impacts dietand eating habits in a lot of ways. Meanwhile, poor attentional control makes it feel almost impossible to stop thinking about food. Therapy and medication can help you establish healthier eating habits and reduce binge eating. bymuratdeniz / Getty Images Theyre a great place to get advice and encouragement from people who understand your experience. If you cant show compassion and forgiveness to yourself, explore the support group options listed above....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 107 words · Robert Dodson

Understanding Bingeing and Purging

Vomiting can be harmful to the digestive system and can cause dehydration. Exposure of the teeth to the stomach acid in vomit can also cause irreparable damage and tooth decay. Diarrhea Another jot down of purging is self-induced diarrhea. ZoneCreative / DigitalVision / Getty Images This is typically achieved by using laxatives to clear out the lower part of the digestive system. Excessive Exercise A less well-recognized form of purging isexcessive exercise....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 205 words · Rachel Jarvis

Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Learn how these disorders overlap. These are two conditions that require lifelong treatment. While they are fundamentally different, there is some overlap between the symptoms of each condition. Shapecharge / Getty Images Someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder will experience manic or hypomanic anddepressiveepisodes. For example, someone with this illness may become obsessed with fantasies of immense success and power. Grandiosity is also a clear indicator of this condition. Some experiencing this illness will be convinced they have a talent or quality that sets them above others....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Kristen Wade

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Memory Loss

These periodic episodes can cause disruptive shifts in a personspersonality, behavior, sleep, and emotional regulation. The mood disorder can potentially alter their decision-making faculties, ability to think clearly, and memory retention. As such, some people with bipolar disorder may experience bipolar memory loss during the heights of their mania. Westend61 / Getty Images Memories are the ability to encode, store, and access information as needed. Cortical thinning is a jot down of mental atrophy associated with aging and linked to disorders such asdementiaandAlzheimers....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 215 words · Nichole Carroll

Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Things we might change if we could. Sometimes, this might lead to wishful thinking, misguided beauty purchases, and occasional negative self-talk. For people with body dysmorphic disorder, this unhappiness with certain aspects of physical appearance is much more serious. Pablo Calvo / Getty Images Factors like abuse, bullying, genetics, and social interactions may play a part in causing this condition. Learning to accept yourself can help, but BDD doesn’t just go away on its own....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 293 words · Robert Jones

Understanding Body Language and Facial Expressions

Speaking volumes without saying a word Body language refers to thenonverbal signalsthat we use to communicate. These nonverbal signals make up a huge part of daily communication. In fact, body language may account for as much as 80% of all communication. © Verywell, 2017 Examples of body language include facial expressions, eye gaze, gestures, posture, and body movements. In many cases, what wedon’tsay can convey volumes of information. So, why is body language important?...

April 26, 2025 · 4 min · 752 words · Jessica Gregory

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder Triggers

Usually, a trigger refers to some event that brings on a major exacerbation of BPD symptoms. Triggers are events that make you feel as though your BPD symptoms are “off the charts.” Immediately following a trigger, one or more of your BPD symptoms may intensify significantly. Verywell / Catherine Song Relationship Triggers The most common BPD triggers are related to interpersonal distress, especially relationships. With these spiraling thoughts come spiraling symptoms, such as intense emotions, anger, and urges to self-harm....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 146 words · Brenda Johnson