What Leads to Bad Decision-Making

People make thousands of decisions each and every day, some big and some small. Many factors contribute to poor choices. Understanding how these processes work and influence your thinking may help you to make better decisions in the future. Alberto Ruggieri / Illustration Works / Getty Images so that make decisions quickly and economically, your brain relies on a number of cognitive shortcuts known asheuristics. What Are Heuristics? Heuristics are mental rules or shortcuts that allow you to make judgments quite quickly and oftentimes quite accurately....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 357 words · Joseph Aguilar

What Living With a Psychotic Disorder Feels Like, As a Mental Health Professional

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Psychotic disorders can be scary, both for those experiencing them and their loved ones. My “Positive” Symptoms Psychotic disordersare characterized by two different types of symptoms:positiveandnegative. Verywell Mind / Joules Garcia But these descriptors dont mean my symptoms are good or bad. Mostly, I see bugs. These hallucinations get worse when I am stressed. I also experience something called passage hallucinations....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 387 words · Henry Rodriguez

What Makes a Person Heroic?

Characteristics of a Hero What makes a person heroic? Is there a hero gene, naturally giving someone the characteristics of a hero? According to one study, the answer might rest in the key in of heroism we are addressing. Oivind Hovland / Getty Images The following are just a few of the major characteristics that researchers have ascribed to heroes. They cannot bear to see someone suffering and are compelled to take action....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 235 words · Julie Giles

What Makes Highly-Sensitive People Different?

A highly-sensitive person has acentral nervous systemthat is sensitive to physical, social, and emotional stimuli. They often need quiet and relaxing atmospheres to recharge after an outing or a particularly draining experience. They take more time making decisions and can feel overwhelmed when asked to make a particularly tough one. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi SPS varies by individual and measures the sensitivity of the central nervous system. It affects how someone responds to physical, social, and emotional stimuli....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 388 words · Jessica Turner

What Makes Someone an Adrenaline Junkie?

Holly Wilmeth / Getty Images What Is an “Adrenaline Junkie?” The term was first popularly used in the 1991 movie “Point Break.” Related to this phenomenon, many people seek out high-sensation experiences for the neurophysiological effects. Holly Wilmeth / Getty Images High anxiety sensation seeking may characterize the so-called “adrenaline junkie.” The neurobiology behind these processes is complicated and many brain areas are implicated. Activation of the stress response is thought to drive compulsive behavior through negative reinforcement mechanisms....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 187 words · Robert Davis

What MDMA-Assisted Therapy Could Do for PTSD and Cost of Healthcare

But for now, this throw in of treatment isn’t intended for long-term, ongoing use. The Phase 3 trial consisted of three sessions, whereas the Phase 2 trial consisted of two sessions. Researchers suggest the three-session regimen can provide incremental benefit. Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images But a lot of unseen preparation and expertise go into a session. Without this framework, he says, the drug experience could be wasted or even harmful to patients....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 173 words · Joseph Bell

What Medications Are Used to Treat Alcoholism?

Click below to listen now. “This should be a wake-up call.” After 16 weeks, the COMBINE study showed overall positive outcomes for study participants. zoranm/Getty Images It works by causing a severe adverse reaction when someone taking the medication consumes alcohol. Most people who take it will vomit after a drink of alcohol. This, in turn, is thought to create a deterrent to drinking. Disulfiram was first developed in the 1920s for use in manufacturing processes....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 450 words · Lindsay Velazquez

What Medications Are Used to Treat Binge Eating?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is the only FDA-approved medication to treat binge eating disorder. While most people occasionallyovereator find comfort in food, that doesnt necessarily mean they have a binge eating disorder. A healthcare professional can evaluate you and determine whether you have this condition. Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou Accordingly, they will determine a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. The treatment plan may involvetherapy,medication, or a combination of the two....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 247 words · Keith White

What Medications Are Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder?

In most cases of bipolar disorder, medication is used to help keep someone stable. These medications fall under the following categories: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines. Bipolar Disorder Treatments Typically, treatment for bipolar disorder includes medication in addition to psychotherapy. Staticnak1983 / Getty Images Sometimes more than one medication may be recommended to manage symptoms. One study showed that about half of patients with bipolar disorder take at least three psychotropic medications....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 410 words · Charles Johnson

What Mental Health Actually Means

Is it just about not having a diagnosable mental health condition? Does being mentally healthy mean we have to be happy all the time? Having poor mental health is often confused with having amental illness. Hinterhaus Productions / Taxi / Getty Images It’s also about how you feel, cope, and adapt to life’s inevitable ups and downs. Mental health became an official field of study in 1946 during the International Health Conference....

April 26, 2025 · 3 min · 579 words · Joseph Franklin

What Motivation Theory Can Tell Us About Human Behavior

Motivation is an important force for initiating and maintaining goal-oriented behaviors. When we are motivated, it feels easier to take steps toward what it is we want. Motivation also helps us continue to take action even when things get tough or we feel like giving up. Nicholas Veasey / Getty Images But where does this force come from? That’s where motivation theory comes into play. Researchers have developed a variety of different explanations forhow we become motivated....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 397 words · Thomas Patel

What Nicotine Does to Your Body

This article discusses what nicotine does to the body. Common Short-Term Side Effects of Nicotine Nicotine affects both the body and mind. Nicotine then triggers chemical reactions that temporarily boost feelings of pleasure and concentration. Verywell / Zoe Hansen Surgeon General.Although cigarette smoking is on the decline, vape and e-cigarette use are on the rise. But these sensations are short-lived, subsiding within minutes. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Signs of Use Cigarette smell is easy to detect on someone who smokes....

April 26, 2025 · 4 min · 715 words · Michelle Scott

What Not to Do if You or a Friend Has Bipolar Disorder

At a Glance Bipolar disorder can create challenges in social relationships. Learning more about the condition can help you know more about what to expect and how to respond. The other is the failure of patients to report symptoms. Sarah Mason / DigitalVision / Getty Images More often than not, it isdepression symptomsthat send people to see a psychiatrist or other therapist. People are often misdiagnosed with depression instead of bipolar disorder....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Savannah Gonzalez