What Is Agoraphobia?

People fear they will experience panic or other incapacitating symptoms when trapped in a public and inescapable setting. Agoraphobia is sometimes mistaken as a fear of leaving the house, but it is more complex. It can occur on its own or alongside another mental health condition, such aspanic disorder. Martin Dimitrov / E+ / Getty Images Even small tasks, such as going to the store, can become extremely difficult. Fortunately, agoraphobic symptoms can be treated....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 273 words · John Clark

What Is Akathisia?

When akathisia is induced by drugs, it is known as antipsychotic-induced acute akathisia (AIAA). This article discusses the symptoms and different types of akathisia. It also explores why it happens, how it is diagnosed, and treatments that can help people cope. Daniel Grill / Getty Images This is sometimes referred to aspsychomotor agitation. Your body may feel anxious at the thought of sitting down. If you suspect akathisia, its important to see your doctor to get an official diagnosis....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 452 words · Melissa Roberson

What Is Al-Anon and Alateen?

Over time, some of these family groups formed their ownindependent meetings. It is important to remember that Al-Anon and Alateen are not treatment programs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Alcohol and substance use. Izabela Habur / Getty Images Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.The Twelve Steps. Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.Al-Anon Timeline. Kelly JF.Is Alcoholics Anonymous religious, spiritual, neither? Findings from 25 years of mechanisms of behavior change research.Addiction. 2012;7(2-4):279-296. doi:10....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 71 words · Marissa White

What Is Alcoholic Dementia?

Alcohol-related dementia can causeproblems with memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive skills. In short, alcohol misuse over many years can cause dementia in some cases. Alcohol-related dementia is similar in some ways to Alzheimers disease in that it affects memory and cognitive ability. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee A chronic lack of vitamin B1 can damage nerve cells permanently. Thiamine works in the brain by helping brain cells produce energy from sugar....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 358 words · Erika Kane

What Is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Learn more about this condition, including its symptoms, how it’s treated, and ways to cope. Decreased Sensation Alcoholic neuropathy damagessensory nerves.This results in decreased sensation in the hands and feet. If the sensation is decreased enough, you may feel actual numbness after drinking alcohol. monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images Constant pain in the hands or feet is one of the most bothersome aspects of alcoholic neuropathy. The pain can feel like burning, throbbing, or sharp pins and needles....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 466 words · Taylor Smith

What Is Allostatic Load?

Chanin Wardkhian / Getty Images What Is Allostatic Load? Allostatic loadrefers to the cumulative effects thatchronic stresshas on mental and physical health. When events occur that exceed an individual’s capacity to cope, allostatic overload may occur. Chanin Wardkhian / Getty Images Allostatic load was introduced by neuroendocrinologist Bruce McEwen and psychological psychologist Eliot Stellar in 1993. McEwen described allostatic load as the price people pay for adapting to stress. It is meant to objectively measure the biological consequences ofprolonged stress....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 363 words · Cathy Archer

What Is Alogia?

Thenegative symptomsrelate to things like thought blocking, response latency, and poverty of speech. About 15 to 30 percent of those with schizophrenia have negative symptoms. These are described in more detail below. Chris Garrett / Getty Images Alogia can also be a secondary effect, resulting from primary symptoms such as psychosis or anxiety. Similarly, you might not speak due to feeling paranoid around other people or nervous/anxious. In schizophrenia, it is considered a negative symptom related to the illness....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 397 words · Michael Kennedy

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The two most common symptoms of the condition are confusion and memory loss. It is also the most common cause ofdementiain older adults. Behavioral and medication treatments can also help people cope with the symptoms of the disease. Cravetiger / Getty Images Symptoms The most common symptom that people begin to notice is difficulty remembering new information. Because of the progressive nature of Alzheimer’s disease, this forgetting will eventually become more pronounced....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 588 words · Heidi Holmes

What Is Amaxophobia?

Amaxophobia is also sometimes known by other names, including ochophobia, motorphobia, or hamaxophobia. Medications can help people cope with symptoms of anxiety while psychotherapy can help people overcome their fears. Others can take a bus or taxi on a familiar route. Francesco Carta fotografo / Getty Images The DSM-5 is the diagnostic manual that doctors and other mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions. There are three types of phobia recognized by the DSM-5:Specific phobia,social phobia, andagoraphobia....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 221 words · Nicholas Stokes

What Is Amotivational Syndrome?

Maskot / Getty Images What Is Amotivational Syndrome? Amotivational syndrome is a psychiatric condition characterized by changes in a persons personality, emotions, and cognitive function. A person with this condition will experience alack of concentrationand activeness, apathy, andpoor memory. Maskot / Getty Images The condition was first observed in the 1960s among people who hada long history of cannabis use. It has since been linked to the use of otherpsychoactive drugssuch asmethamphetaminesand some over-the-counter cough syrups....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 402 words · Christopher Alexander

What Is an 'I Can Do Anything' Mindset?

At the same time, they are positively impacting their level of happiness and overall well-being. With an I can do anything attitude, youre more likely to have healthy self-esteem. Thats because you trust in your abilities and believe you’re able to make things happen. Shannon Fagan / Getty Images In recent research,scientists found acts of kindness boosted adolescents self-esteem. Scientists conducted the study based on questionnaires from 681 adolescent participants....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 333 words · Rachel Morgan

What Is an Addictive Personality?

Many experts dispute the concept and suggest that it promotes stigma. Anyone can become addicted to substances like drugs and alcohol orcertain behaviorslike gambling. Critics emphasize that the label itself is harmful and should be avoided. Oscar Wong / Getty Images It suggests that some people are simply more likely to develop addictions due to these supposed characteristics and traits. Current views stress that addiction is an illness, not a character flaw....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 385 words · Benjamin Berg

What Is an Algorithm in Psychology?

In psychology, one of theseproblem-solving approachesis known as an algorithm. An algorithm is a defined set of step-by-step procedures that provides the correct answer to a particular problem. By following the instructions correctly, you are guaranteed to arrive at the right answer. biffspandex / E+ / Getty Images At a Glance Algorithms involve following specific steps to reach a solution to a problem. This article discusses how algorithms are used as an approach to problem-solving....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 548 words · Katherine Walker