anxiety
A look at anxiety in its many forms and manifestations; what is the nature of this specific pattern of extreme fear and worry?
10-Year-Old Fourth-Grade Student Commits Suicide Due to Constant Bullying
The Tragic Case Highlights The tragic death of 10-year-old Sammy Teusch has shaken the Greenfield, Indiana community. Investigators confirmed that bullying played a significant role in Sammy’s life, both in and out of school, leading up to his death on May 5. This blog explores the details of the incident, the investigation, and the broader implications of bullying.
American Equality
Does America’s reputation for being a land of opportunity hold up for every people group? While it is apparent that the United States has failed to live up to its stated ideals, the proportion of people allowed to succeed has expanded over time. From the emancipation of slaves in 1863 to the women’s expansion of rights in 1920, or from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the allowance of homosexuality in 2003—and further, the sanctioning of homosexual marriage in 2015—the circle of inclusivity has ever widened as time has passed. However, not every group given equality under the law has thrived. Homosexuals have done increasingly well in the last two decades. While they do report a higher level of suicidal attempts when compared to the general population—63.18 per 100,000 and 14.04 per 100,000, respectively—they average a 10% higher rate of income than the general population.
Geno C. ForalPublished 2 days ago in PsycheSimple Tips on Holding Space for Ourselves
In today's world, we are constantly connected to everything and everyone around us such as social media and smart devices. Yet, the world often feels more disconnected than ever, especially if you are neurodivergent community or have a mental illness. Why? Because when we take time to prioritize our mental health and symptoms, it is often frowned upon, leading us to disconnect from our thoughts and feelings, leading to us masking and neglecting our emotional well-being.
Sandy PacePublished 3 days ago in Psyche- Content Warning
what is schizophrenia ?
Schizophrenia was first identified more than a century ago, but we still don’t know its exact causes. It remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized illnesses today. So, let’s walk through what we do know— from symptoms to causes and treatments. Schizophrenia is considered a syndrome, which means it may encompass a number of related disorders that have similar symptoms but varying causes. Every person with schizophrenia has slightly different symptoms, and the first signs can be easy to miss— subtle personality changes, irritability, or a gradual encroachment of unusual thoughts. Patients are usually diagnosed after the onset of psychosis, which typically occurs in the late teens or early twenties for men and the late twenties or early thirties for women. A first psychotic episode can feature delusions, hallucinations, and disordered speech and behavior. These are called positive symptoms, meaning they occur in people with schizophrenia but not in the general population. It’s a common misperception that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities, but these symptoms indicate a disruption of thought processes, rather than the manifestation of another personality. Schizophrenia also has negative symptoms, these are qualities that are reduced in people with schizophrenia, such as motivation, expression of emotion, or speech. There are cognitive symptoms as well, like difficulty concentrating, remembering information, and making decisions. So what causes the onset of psychosis? There likely isn’t one single cause, but a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute. Schizophrenia has some of the strongest genetic links of any psychiatric illness. Though about 1% of people have schizophrenia, children or siblings of people with schizophrenia are ten times likelier to develop the disease, and an identical twin of someone with schizophrenia has a 40% chance of being affected. Often, immediate relatives of people with schizophrenia exhibit milder versions of traits associated with the disorder— but not to an extent that requires treatment. Multiple genes almost certainly play a role, but we don’t know how many, or which ones. Environmental factors like exposure to certain viruses in early infancy might increase the chance that someone will develop schizophrenia, and use of some drugs, including marijuana, may trigger the onset of psychosis in highly susceptible individuals. These factors don’t affect everyone the same way. For those with very low genetic risk, no amount of exposure to environmental risk factors will lead them to develop schizophrenia; for those with very high risk, moderate additional risk might tip the balance. The antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia have helped researchers work backwards to trace signatures of the disorder in the brain. Traditional antipsychotics block dopamine receptors. They can be very effective in reducing positive symptoms, which are linked to an excess of dopamine in particular brain pathways. But the same drugs can make negative symptoms worse, and we’ve found that negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be tied to too little dopamine in other brain areas. Some people with schizophrenia show a loss of neural tissue, and it’s unclear whether this atrophy is a result of the disease itself or drug-induced suppression of signaling. Fortunately, newer generations of antipsychotics aim to address some of these issues by targeting multiple neurotransmitters, like serotonin in addition to dopamine. It’s clear that no one transmitter system is responsible for all symptoms, and because these drugs affect signaling throughout the brain and body, they can have other side effects like weight gain. In spite of these complications, antipsychotics can be very effective, especially when combined with other interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy, though it provides relatively short-lived relief, is also re-emerging as an effective treatment, especially when other options have failed. Early intervention is also extremely important. After months or years of untreated psychosis, certain psychoses can become embedded in someone’s personality. And yet, the dehumanizing stigma attached to this diagnosis can prevent people from seeking help. People with schizophrenia are often perceived as dangerous, but are actually much more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. And proper treatment may help reduce the likelihood of violence associated with schizophrenia. That’s why education— for patients, their families, and their communities— helps erode the stigma and improves access to treatment.Schizophrenia was first identified more than a century ago, but we still don’t know its exact causes. It remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized illnesses today. So, let’s walk through what we do know— from symptoms to causes and treatments. Schizophrenia is considered a syndrome, which means it may encompass a number of related disorders that have similar symptoms but varying causes. Every person with schizophrenia has slightly different symptoms, and the first signs can be easy to miss— subtle personality changes, irritability, or a gradual encroachment of unusual thoughts. Patients are usually diagnosed after the onset of psychosis, which typically occurs in the late teens or early twenties for men and the late twenties or early thirties for women. A first psychotic episode can feature delusions, hallucinations, and disordered speech and behavior. These are called positive symptoms, meaning they occur in people with schizophrenia but not in the general population. It’s a common misperception that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities, but these symptoms indicate a disruption of thought processes, rather than the manifestation of another personality. Schizophrenia also has negative symptoms, these are qualities that are reduced in people with schizophrenia, such as motivation, expression of emotion, or speech. There are cognitive symptoms as well, like difficulty concentrating, remembering information, and making decisions. So what causes the onset of psychosis? There likely isn’t one single cause, but a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute. Schizophrenia has some of the strongest genetic links of any psychiatric illness. Though about 1% of people have schizophrenia, children or siblings of people with schizophrenia are ten times likelier to develop the disease, and an identical twin of someone with schizophrenia has a 40% chance of being affected. Often, immediate relatives of people with schizophrenia exhibit milder versions of traits associated with the disorder— but not to an extent that requires treatment. Multiple genes almost certainly play a role, but we don’t know how many, or which ones. Environmental factors like exposure to certain viruses in early infancy might increase the chance that someone will develop schizophrenia, and use of some drugs, including marijuana, may trigger the onset of psychosis in highly susceptible individuals. These factors don’t affect everyone the same way. For those with very low genetic risk, no amount of exposure to environmental risk factors will lead them to develop schizophrenia; for those with very high risk, moderate additional risk might tip the balance. The antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia have helped researchers work backwards to trace signatures of the disorder in the brain. Traditional antipsychotics block dopamine receptors. They can be very effective in reducing positive symptoms, which are linked to an excess of dopamine in particular brain pathways. But the same drugs can make negative symptoms worse, and we’ve found that negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be tied to too little dopamine in other brain areas. Some people with schizophrenia show a loss of neural tissue, and it’s unclear whether this atrophy is a result of the disease itself or drug-induced suppression of signaling. Fortunately, newer generations of antipsychotics aim to address some of these issues by targeting multiple neurotransmitters, like serotonin in addition to dopamine. It’s clear that no one transmitter system is responsible for all symptoms, and because these drugs affect signaling throughout the brain and body, they can have other side effects like weight gain. In spite of these complications, antipsychotics can be very effective, especially when combined with other interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy, though it provides relatively short-lived relief, is also re-emerging as an effective treatment, especially when other options have failed. Early intervention is also extremely important. After months or years of untreated psychosis, certain psychoses can become embedded in someone’s personality. And yet, the dehumanizing stigma attached to this diagnosis can prevent people from seeking help. People with schizophrenia are often perceived as dangerous, but are actually much more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. And proper treatment may help reduce the likelihood of violence associated with schizophrenia. That’s why education— for patients, their families, and their communities— helps erode the stigma and improves access to treatment.
julian briesnitzPublished 3 days ago in Psyche - AI-Generated
My Life Journey: From Birth to Present
Birth and Early Years: It all began on a stormy night, the same day as the Lord's birth. I came into this world with just my mother by my side, as my paternal family didn't accept her as my father's wife. Faced with this reality, my mother chose to move away, seeking a new beginning elsewhere.
- AI-Generated
The Perfection Predicament
In a world obsessed with perfection, from flawless selfies to meticulously curated social media feeds, the pursuit of perfection has become a ubiquitous goal. Yet, beneath its alluring façade lies a multitude of problems, both personal and societal. While striving for excellence can be admirable, the relentless quest for perfection often leads to frustration, anxiety, and an unattainable standard that leaves individuals feeling perpetually dissatisfied.
15 Human Psychological Facts
Psychology is fascinating because it applies to every aspect of our lives. It influences our relationships, choices, and actions. It's in the hug of a loved one, the power of advertising, and our resilience in tough times. Psychology is more than just a subject; it's a journey of self-discovery. It helps us understand others and ourselves deeply. Let's explore 15 interesting psychological facts about human behavior together.
jessebel russelPublished 4 days ago in Psyche- Content Warning
A letter to my best friend
You wake up, you struggle to get out of bed. You feel overwhelmed by the sunlight. You think “Oh no, did I wake up too late again?” even if its still early in the morning. You feel conflicted, you're so worried about wasting time, yet you can't find the strength to get out of bed.
Lisa KellerPublished 5 days ago in Psyche - Content Warning
How Feelings Shape Art: Exploring Mental Health and Creativity
Writing is like painting with words. It's a way to express feelings, ideas, and stories. But what happens when the mind behind the words is struggling with mental illness? Does it make someone a better writer? Let's explore this idea together.
Sienna BlackwoodPublished 5 days ago in Psyche - Content WarningAI-Generated
Surviving the Storm: Navigating Life with a Narcissist
Imagine waking up every day to a world where the laws are always shifting and where affection and appreciation can quickly change to scorn and criticism. You can be the villain the next and the hero the first. This is the confusing reality of having a narcissist in your life: it's a life of highs and lows that make you doubt your own sanity. This piece delves into the intricate dynamics of living with a narcissist, examining the psychological tricks they play and providing advice on how to maintain your sense of self in the middle of their mayhem.
Corey SonnierPublished 5 days ago in Psyche - AI-Generated
Self-Discovery: My Journey from Birth to Present
**Introduction:** Hello everyone! In this storyl share the story of my life, from my birth to the present day. It's a journey filled with ups and downs, moving from one place to another, and discovering who I am. Let's dive into it!
Weathering the Storm
"Understanding and Resolving Marital Conflicts" John: Hey, honey. Anna: (Muttering to herself) Yeah, whatever. John: What's wrong? You assume upset.