Lithiumis a medication regularly used to effectively treat and manage symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression. Bipolar disorder affects an estimated2.8% of adultsin the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Like any drug, Lithium has known side effects.It’s vital for anyone taking Lithium to be aware of the potential reactions that may occur. Your doctor will discuss any significant warning signs associated with taking Lithium, but you can do additional research to be even more informed on drug information....

Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant that’sFDA-approvedto treat several mental health conditions. Paxil is in a class of drugs calledselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), which alter serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood. Paxil is approved to treat: Off-label (meaning it hasn’t been FDA-approved to treat but has been found effective), Paxil can be prescribed to treat OCD in children and irritable bowel syndrome. Research shows that Paxil is one of themost potent SSRIson the market....

Propranololis an FDA-approved beta-blocker to treat hypertension, heart rate dysfunction, and migraine, among other conditions. It is alsoused off-labelto treat anxiety and panic disorder symptoms. It’s essential to be aware of the potential side effects of this — or any — drug. Always seek medical advice from your health care provider before starting a new medication.Some Propranolol side effects might include lightheadedness, exhaustion, nausea, loose bowels, constipation, and difficulty sleeping. While many side effects can resolve after a few days or weeks as your body adjusts to the medication, it’s important to contact your doctor if any symptoms worsen or become difficult to manage....

On This Page:ToggleCBT TriangleGeneral AssumptionsREBTCognitive TherapyStrengths of CBTLimitations of CBT On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that can be used to treat people with a wide range of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety,social anxiety) or depression. CBT is based on the idea that how we think (cognition), how we feel (emotion) and how we act (behavior) all interact together....

Cognitive theories of depression, such as Beck’s cognitive model (Beck, 1967), propose that biases and deficits in cognitive control over emotional information contribute to the development and persistence of depression. Specifically, these theories posit that depressed individuals have difficulty exerting control over negative thoughts and feelings, leading to a preponderance of negative content inworking memory(Joormann & Tanovic, 2015). The bias toward negative information appears to be a cognitive vulnerability factor for depression that persists outside episodes of illness....

Key Takeaways Background on Attachment Theory Origins Individual differences in attachment security emerge based on the sensitivity and responsiveness of the caregiver. The social and emotional responses of the primary caregiver (usually a parent) provide the infant with information about the world and other people and how they view themselves as individuals. Secure attachmentdevelops when caregivers are consistently available and responsive. Insecure attachment develops when caregivers are insensitive, inconsistent, or rejecting....

On This Page:TogglePersonal ExperiencesAnxiety Myths vs. RealitySymptomsCognitive DistortionsWhat Keeps GAD and Worry Going?Causes and Risk FactorsGAD in Children and AdolescentsWhen to Seek HelpTreatment On This Page:Toggle On This Page: People with GAD may worry without an obvious reason to and can feel like these feelings are persistent for days, weeks, or months. A person with GAD may have persistent and excessive worries about various things such as finances, health, and relationships, which could cause significant impairment to their daily life....

On This Page:ToggleDefinitionsPersonal ExperienceTypesSignsCausesComplicationsManagement On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Dissociation is a coping mechanism that some people use to deal with overwhelming or traumatic experiences. It involves a disconnection or detachment from one’s thoughts, emotions, sensations, or surroundings.Dissociative experiences can range from mild (e.g., daydreaming) to severe (e.g., dissociative identity disorder). Some common symptoms of dissociation include feeling numb, spaced out, or disconnected from reality.It’s important to seek professional help if dissociation is interfering with your daily life or causing distress....

On This Page:ToggleSignsEarly Warning Signs of Covert NarcissismOvert vs. Covert NarcissismDealing With a Covert NarcissistFrequently Asked Questions On This Page:Toggle On This Page: A covert narcissist, also known as avulnerable or introverted narcissist, displays narcissistic traits less overtly than a grandiose or overt narcissist.While typical types of narcissistic behaviors are described as more overt orextroverted, narcissism does not always present itself in an extroverted manner.Covert narcissists have all the same goals as overt narcissists, such as craving attention and power over others, but their methods of doing this are more subtle, and they may be less obvious to others....

While extroverts are often seen as naturally outgoing and confident, it’s important to remember that anyone can experiencesocial anxiety, regardless of their personality type. Research suggests that extroverts may be just as likely as introverts to struggle with social anxiety. This means that even if you typically enjoy being around others and find social situations energizing, you may still experience feelings of anxiety or discomfort in certain social contexts. This can lead to significant distress for socially anxious extroverts who desire social interaction but fear it at the same time....

On This Page:ToggleWhat is Anxiety?Anxiety TriggersIdentifying TriggersIs Anxiety Normal?Free-Floating AnxietyReducing AnxietyConsidering Treatment On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Everyone experiences unprovoked anxiety at times. Your nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response based on perceived threats – but sometimes, it misreads harmless situations as dangerous. When your body reacts strongly, yet you can’t pinpoint an obvious trigger, it may seem like anxiety has arisen randomly. Many people could be unaware of their triggers and believe they have become anxious for no reason....

On This Page:ToggleThe Central ExecutiveThe Phonological LoopThe Visuospatial SketchpadThe Episodic BufferCritical Evaluation On This Page:Toggle On This Page: It comprises the central executive, which controls attention and coordinates the phonological loop (handling auditory information), and the visuospatial sketchpad (processing visual and spatial information). Later, the episodic buffer was added to integrate information across these systems and link to long-term memory. This model suggests that short-term memory is dynamic and multifaceted....

Digital mental health interventions use technology like websites, apps, chatbots, and wearables to improve mental health through diagnosis, treatment, education, prevention, and self-management. They aim to increase access to care and provide personalized, evidence-based support via avenues like online therapy, mood tracking apps, meditation programs, and virtual support communities. Key Points Rationale Youth mental health is worsening, especially among disadvantaged populations, but these groups underutilize services (United States Surgeon General, 2021)....

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an advanced classification system designed to address the shortcomings of traditional diagnostic systems for mental disorders, such as the DSM and ICD. Instead of relying on discrete categories of mental illnesses, HiTOP organizes symptoms into a hierarchy, starting from fine-grained symptoms and moving to broader syndromes and factors. This structure reflects the reality that many mental health symptoms co-occur and can be grouped into larger dimensions of psychopathology....

On This Page:ToggleSummaryAimProcedureFindingsConclusionCritical EvaluationEthical Issues On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Summary Aim Zimbardo and his colleagues (1973) were interested in finding out whether the brutality reported among guards in American prisons was due to the sadistic personalities of the guards (i.e., dispositional) or had more to do with the prison environment (i.e., situational). For example, prisoners and guards may have personalities that make conflict inevitable, with prisoners lacking respect for law and order and guards being domineering and aggressive....