What Attention Means in Psychology

Focus is selective and limited We’ve all had those moments when it’s hard to focus. You sit down to work on one project, only to get distracted by your full email inbox. Or you’re just trying to get through the day but struggle withbrain fogthat makes it hard to focus. Plume Creative / Digital Vision / Getty Images When our attention is impaired, it makes it really hard to function and get things done....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 421 words · Nicholas Davis

What Avoidant Attachment Looks Like in a Relationship

What Are Attachment Styles? It also impacts the way we view and interpret our relationships, and ultimately affectsintimacy dynamics. What Makes Someone Avoidant? VLG / Getty Images In other words, the personavoidsgetting too close to someone else. D., a psychologist who specializes in attachment theory. Being mindful of the signs of avoidant attachment outlined above is one step. you’re able to also take a look at your past relationships and intimacy patterns for more insight....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 216 words · Michele Kerr

What Can a Sleep Study Tell You About Your Mental Health?

Relax and take notes Demaerre / Getty Images The way we sleep speaks volumes about our well-being. We all need sleep; its essential. But what can your sleep habits tell you about your mental health? Demaerre / Getty Images A lot, actually. This is often conducted in a lab or medical office. A technician will monitor your breathing, brain waves, and movements while you sleep. The Relationship Between Sleep and Mental Health Weve all had a bad night of sleep....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 248 words · Kristina Cooper

What Can Help When You're Feeling Hopeless

Verywell / Catherine Song Information in this article might be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Verywell / Catherine Song For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Click below to listen now. But just because you think it doesnt mean its true....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 583 words · Sharon Wright

What Causes a Sense of Impending Doom?

You may have heard people speak of a “sense of impending doom” in a number of ways. Should you pay attention to this feeling if you experience it yourself? What Is a Sense of Impending Doom? Verywell / Cindy Chung A sense of impending doom is a feeling of knowing that something life-threatening or tragic is about to occur. In this way, the phrase would be considered a “symptom.” It may also describe your opinion about what is happening in the world in some way....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 311 words · Amber Wilkinson

What Causes Anxiety Attacks?

Sometimes the anxiety can seem to come on suddenly or feel all-encompassing. This is what is usually referred to as ananxiety attack. If youve ever had an anxiety attack, you know how challenging it can be. PixelsEffect / Getty Images The experience may be disorienting and bewildering to you. “Why is this happening?” You may wonder what is causing your anxiety to feel so out of control. At a Glance It’s understandable to wonder what causes anxiety attacks....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 417 words · Brooke Boyd

What Causes Chest Pressure During Stress?

Everyone responds differently and experiences stress in unique ways. But one such response is that you may feel intense chest pressure or pain. Risk Factors Anyone can experience chest pressure as a result of stress. Manusapon Kasosod / Getty Images In fact, chest pain or discomfort is one of the official symptoms of a panic attack. However, you cant self-diagnose this; at times, serious medical conditions cause chest pressure and pain....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 317 words · Cory Alexander

What Causes Employee Burnout?

This can be a very uncomfortable state that can affect employee productivity, retention, and well-being. It is often accompanied by feelings of powerlessness or overwhelm and a sense of hopelessness. It may feel insurmountable to pull yourself out of the pit of burnout once you find yourself there. RunPhoto / Taxi Japan / Getty Images What Is Job Burnout? Some companies and industries have much higher rates of burnout than others....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 169 words · Sandra Chung

What Causes Hallucinations?

Types of Hallucinations A hallucination can involve any of the five senses. That means that perceptions can be felt through the ears, eyes, skin, nose, or tongue. Auditory Hallucinations These hallucinations occur when a person perceives sounds that are not actually present. Aaron MCcoy / Getty Images In some studies, auditory hallucinations are observed in between 5% and 28% of the population. Auditory hallucinations may come in a variety of sounds....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 415 words · Edgar Myers

What Causes Learned Helplessness?

They then give up trying to make changes and accept their fate. Even when opportunities to escape are presented, this learned helplessness will prevent any action. This inaction can lead people to overlook opportunities for relief or change. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee This article discusses the signs of learned helplessness and the research that led to the term being coined. It also explores what causes this pop in of behavior and strategies that can help people overcome it....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 559 words · Kelly Cruz

What Causes Loss of Appetite?

d3sign / Moment / Getty Images Food gives your body the energy it needs to stay healthy. In many cases, not feeling hungry is a temporary problem often brought on by an acute illness. However, persistent loss of appetite can be a serious symptom of a medical or mental health condition. d3sign / Moment / Getty Images Medical Conditions That Cause Loss of Appetite The loss of appetite isnt usually a primary condition....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 272 words · Briana Cantu

What Causes Low Libido in Men?

However, low sex drive can often be treated successfully if the underlying cause is identified. What Is Low Libido? It’s essential for couples to communicate honestly with each other while identifying possible causes. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Treatments can vary and may involve psychotherapy, hormone replacement, lifestyle changes, and/or adjustment of medications. These might include: What Is Libido? Libido is a person’s desire for sex. It is influenced by a variety of factors including learned behaviors, hormones, and brain function....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 638 words · Bryan Green

What Causes Mood Swings?

The “mood swing” phenomenon is commonly used to describe rapidly and intensely fluctuating emotions. But its also not uncommon for mood swings to occur without an obvious cause. People may even experience changes in mood if they have an underlying mental health issue. Johner Images / Getty Images At a Glance Mood swings happen to everyone for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they have no obvious cause, while in other cases they are tied to specific situational factors....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 436 words · Dylan Cunningham