Mental Health – Page 4

What to know about bipolar disorder and sex

Bipolar disorder causes a person to experience intense shifts in moods, sometimes from a manic state to a depressed state, for example. These shifts can occur with changes in sexual desire, confidence, or sexual function.

Though the symptoms vary from person to person, bipolar disorder can disrupt several aspects of a person’s life, including their sexuality.

In this article, we discuss sexual symptoms of bipolar disorder and ways to manage them.

Links between bipolar disorder and sex

Some people with bipolar disorder may experience symptoms relating to sex.

Two distinct moods can characterize bipolar disorder: mania and depression. Episodes of each can cause significant changes in a person’s personality and may also affect their sexuality.

There has not been a great deal of research into the connection between bipolar disorder and sex.

However, authors of a small study in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders report a high prevalence of sexual distress and dissatisfaction among female participants with the condition.…

What are the treatments for bipolar depression?

Mental Health

For some people, bipolar disorder can cause episodes of depression. People can manage bipolar-related depression using medications, therapies, and other treatments.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves shifts in mood, energy levels, and activity levels.

Depending on the type of bipolar a person has, they may experience episodes of depression that interfere with their completion of daily tasks.

These symptoms of depression are similar to those of other depression-related mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder. However, people with bipolar disorder may also experience episodes of mania or hypomania.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but people can manage the symptoms of depression and mania and prevent complications with treatment.

This article will discuss the symptoms of and treatments for bipolar depression.

Treatment

People with bipolar disorder may benefit from therapy alongside medication.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. Treatments aim to stabilize a person’s mood and help them manage other symptoms.…

How to tell if it’s bipolar disorder or ADHD

Mental Health

Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are very different conditions, but they share some similar symptoms, such as hyperactive and impulsive behavior. A careful diagnosis is especially important because the treatments for each condition are different.

There may be a connection between the two conditions. A study that featured in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that a person with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is much more likely to develop bipolar disorder.

Some people have expressed concerns that doctors may be overdiagnosing or underdiagnosing bipolar disorder and ADHD. Diagnosing either condition can take time, and diagnosis is only possible if a mental health professional works directly with the individual to understand their symptoms.

In this article, we look at the similarities and differences between bipolar disorder and ADHD, including their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Symptoms

Bipolar disorder and ADHD share some similar symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves episodes of drastic mood changes.…

Letter from the Editor: Making plans

Mental Health

Being based in England, you’d think that the Medical News Today editorial team would be used to less-than-ideal weather conditions. But, we’d be lying if we said that the glacial temperatures of New York City weren’t a shock to the system.

The MNT editorial team paid a visit to NYC earlier this month for the company’s annual year start meeting.

It was 5℉ with a sprinkling of snow. Every gust of wind felt like a thousand pinpricks to the skin. But, from the moment we got that first mesmerizing view of the big city lights, the ice-cold temperatures were a distant memory.

We were excited to join our Healthline family in the Big Apple for our annual year start meeting.

Colleagues from Iceland, San Francisco, and — of course — New York came together to discuss ways in which we can help each of you, our readers, be your best self in 2019 and beyond.…

What are the main symptoms of mania?

Mental Health

The mania phase of bipolar disorder involves an unusually high level of energy and activity. It is common for people in this phase to experience racing thoughts, a lower need for sleep, and difficulty concentrating.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes extreme changes in mood. There are different forms of the disorder, some of which involve shifts from mania to depression. The classification of bipolar disorder depends on the severity of manic symptoms and how long they last.

Doctors classify bipolar disorder into one of the following categories:

Bipolar I: The individual has had at least one manic episode that lasted 7 days or longer or was severe enough to result in hospitalization. The manic episode may precede or follow a major depressive episode, but this is not necessary for a diagnosis of bipolar I.
Bipolar II: The person has less severe symptoms of mania, called hypomania, that last at least 4 days and are present most of the day, nearly every day.

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Growing up in a green area may help support mental health

Mental Health

New research from Aarhus University in Denmark suggests that people who have grown up in close contact with nature are much less likely to develop mental health problems in adulthood than peers who had less access to green space as children.

Did you grow up in a green area? If so, you may be enjoying better mental health than your peers.

According to recent studies, mental health problems have been on the rise in the United States, with particular increases in cases of anxiety and depression.

The reasons behind this worrying trend are as numerous as they are complex, ranging from the evermore stressful demands of modern-day life, such as being constantly “on call” through email, phone, and social media, to environmental factors, such as pollution.

Researchers from around the world have been trying to disentangle each of these risk factors, so as to get a better idea of what changes are necessary to prevent mental health problems from developing into an increasingly serious, society-wide issue.…

Small penis syndrome: Everything you need to know

Mental Health

People with small penis syndrome do not have a physical condition but experience persistent anxiety about the size of their penis. These individuals worry that their penis is too small or that others will judge them for its size.

Some doctors refer to small penis syndrome as penile dysmorphic disorder (PDD), but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not list PDD as a separate disorder. Instead, it includes PDD as a variant of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

What is small penis syndrome?

PDD is a type of anxiety and is not reflective of actual penis size.

People with small penis syndrome or PDD do not have an unusually small penis. Instead, they are severely anxious about their penis size.

Having a small penis is not a medical diagnosis. Very rarely, a person’s penis is small enough to interfere with sexual functioning, and doctors will refer to it as a micropenis.…

What to know about panic attacks at night

Mental Health

A panic attack is a sudden, intense onset of distress or fear. These feelings heighten for around 10 minutes until starting to fade. Panic attacks can occur at any time of the day or night.

People may experience a panic attack without warning. Others may have frequent, unexpected attacks.

Those who have frequent panic attacks may begin to identify certain triggers, such as stress at work or fear of flying. However, nocturnal panic attacks may happen without a trigger and even wake a person from sleep.

Some people with a panic attack may feel as though they are having a heart attack and seek medical treatment.

Read on to learn more about nighttime panic attacks, including their causes, ways to cope, and possible treatments.

Panic attacks at night

It can be difficult for a person to calm down after having a panic attack in the night.

Since there are several potential risk factors and causes of having a panic attack, it is possible that a person may experience panic attacks at night.…

Masturbation and depression: Is there a link?

Mental Health

Masturbation is a healthful and enjoyable activity that has many possible health benefits. Is there any connection between masturbation and depression?

Some people believe that masturbation can cause mental health issues, but this is an outdated idea that researchers have long since disproven. On the other hand, having depression can affect how a person feels about masturbation and sex.

Read on to learn all you need to know about masturbation and depression.

Are masturbation and depression linked?

Depression may affect a person’s sex drive, but masturbation does not cause depression.

Masturbation does not cause depression. It is a natural, pleasurable activity that may boost self-esteem and help a person explore their sexuality.

That said, some people who masturbate do feel guilty or anxious about it. Historically, masturbation has been a social taboo.

The outmoded view that linked masturbation and mental health problems came about in the early 1800s.

By the 1900s, medical professionals had abandoned this view because research into psychology and sex had made it clear that the practice of masturbation was nearly universal.…

How to stop yourself or someone else from cutting

Mental Health

Cutting is a form of self-harm that can become a habit. With the right support, many people who cut learn how to stop.

Self-harm, including cutting, is not uncommon. Anyone of any age may be affected by self-harm, but it is more common among people in their teens.

The sense of relief from cutting can be so reinforcing that it may be difficult to stop doing it, compelling people to cut again the next time they feel overwhelmed.

If cutting becomes a habit, people may find it hard to resist the urge, but there are many ways to learn to stop. Not every strategy works for everyone, but most people will find a way that works for them.

This article explores strategies to stop cutting. It also looks at ways to manage the causes of self-harm and what support is available.

9 ways to stop cutting

Here are nine ways to help anyone who self-harms to resist the urge to cut:

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