MFONOBONG EYO
Stories (11/0)
What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD, also known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been recognized by doctors since 1902. Before 1980, it was mostly seen as a behavior problem in little boys who couldn't sit still or be quiet. The name of the disorder changed a few times, but it was always about behavior issues. However, in 1980, the name was changed to include "attention deficit," showing that it's more about problems with the brain's management system. People with ADHD may not always have behavior problems, and even if they do, it's usually not the main issue. The real trouble comes from attention problems, especially as people get older and have more responsibilities. It's important to know that ADHD has nothing to do with how smart someone is. People with ADHD can be super smart or have average intelligence. It's a set of problems that can affect anyone, regardless of their IQ. ADHD includes a wide range of characteristics, and today I'll describe some of them and give examples.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD, also known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been recognized by doctors since 1902. Before 1980, it was mostly seen as a behavior problem in little boys who couldn't sit still or be quiet. The name of the disorder changed a few times, but it was always about behavior issues. However, in 1980, the name was changed to include "attention deficit," showing that it's more about problems with the brain's management system. People with ADHD may not always have behavior problems, and even if they do, it's usually not the main issue. The real trouble comes from attention problems, especially as people get older and have more responsibilities. It's important to know that ADHD has nothing to do with how smart someone is. People with ADHD can be super smart or have average intelligence. It's a set of problems that can affect anyone, regardless of their IQ. ADHD includes a wide range of characteristics, and today I'll describe some of them and give examples.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
Your nose has more functions than you realize.
Our noses are like superheroes, helping us detect all sorts of smells. It's not just about sniffing out yummy food or dangerous gas leaks. Our noses are also like detectives, picking up on sneaky chemical signals that affect us without us even realizing it.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
Tricks That Can Fool Your Memory.
Take a moment to think back, maybe around ten years ago. Do you recall what you were up to that day? I certainly can't, and I'm pretty sure most people can't either. We might have a faint recollection of what life was like back then, but the day-to-day memories from that time seem to have vanished. However, some psychologists argue that you might have been holding onto unpleasant memories from that day, waiting to resurface -- also known as repressed memories. This concept was quite popular in the past, but now we understand that these memories aren't always as clear-cut as they seem. The notion of repressed memories is often mentioned in mainstream psychology, but it's important to note that it has a specific definition. For instance, a repressed memory isn't something you've simply forgotten about, like your first day of elementary school art class. And it's not just about forgetting something, like the fact that you can't recall what you had for breakfast three weeks ago. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning. The true definition of a "repressed memory" comes from the well-known but often misunderstood psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud. His theory was that if you had thoughts or experiences you didn't want to confront consciously, like memories of abuse, they would be pushed into your unconscious mind. Freud believed that everyone harbored desires, motivations, and memories just waiting to be uncovered. Back in the 1980s, it was common for therapists who followed Freud's theories to suspect their patients had repressed memories of trauma or abuse. However, some therapists might have been a bit too eager in identifying trauma when it wasn't actually present. Many employed guided imagery techniques with their patients, like picturing what a potential abuse scenario might look like, to help them recall these supposedly hidden memories. This approach sounds terrible today, and it's no longer considered an effective therapy for dealing with abuse. Aside from sounding pretty sketchy, it also looked a lot like how you could create false memories. Sometimes people struggle to differentiate between their real memories and the ones they've imagined happening to them -- like if you think you remember something from your infancy because your family has told the story countless times. So suggesting experiences to patients can make them more prone to misremembering them as true. For patients who had experienced abuse, it was positive that therapists were finally acknowledging how widespread it was and taking their experiences seriously. But if a patient comes to your office claiming they've never been abused, you definitely don't want to accidentally convince them of it. Thanks to that imagery technique, it's likely that many supposedly repressed memories from that era were actually just things suggested by well-meaning therapists. Research backs up this idea. Some studies have shown that people who believe they've recovered repressed memories are more likely to develop false memories.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
The Influence of Your Friends on Your Beliefs.
It's likely you have strong views on a wide range of topics: like whether Pepsi is superior to Coke, which football team is the rightful Super Bowl champion, or which Chris is the most ideal movie star—Pratt, Pine, Hemsworth, or Evans. Why are there so many Chrises? However, are all these views truly yours? People are social beings. And when discussing anything from TV shows to politics, many psychological factors come into play. This can sometimes lead to poor decisions and biased opinions. Yet, by understanding how your thoughts can be influenced, you can identify when this is happening— and perhaps even prevent it. One type of bias can stem from the people you surround yourself with. It's natural to be friends with those who share your opinions and values. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that when you converse with individuals who hold similar views, you might end up adopting even more extreme opinions. In essence, you become polarized. For instance, some research has shown that when individuals with varied perspectives on a social issue engage in respectful dialogue, those with more extreme views on both sides of the issue become even more polarized. This is known as the boomerang effect, where a counter-argument reinforces one's initial stance. Researchers suggest this is partly due to your social identity: the idea that your beliefs and the groups you identify with are integral to your identity, leading you to defend them. So, if you and your friends are staunch supporters of peanut M&Ms, hearing an argument in favor of crispy M&Ms could make you even more adamant about your peanut-loving identity. I can attest to this. Another way your views can be influenced in a debate is through the initial thoughts that come to mind— because these can serve as an anchor, essentially a starting point, for the rest of your reasoning. One study from 2000 involved taking an old car to 60 car experts, including mechanics and car dealers. The pretend customer shared their opinion on the car's value, either higher or lower than its actual worth, then sought the expert's opinion. And the initial suggestion impacted the experts' evaluations, making them similarly higher or lower. Psychologists believe this is due to selective accessibility, where an anchor makes certain information more accessible in your mind, which in turn affects your opinions. For example, a smaller study in 2010 revealed that when it was warmer outside, or individuals were simply asked to think about hot things, their responses to survey questions indicated a stronger belief in global warming.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
Uncommon Indications of Depression
Among the various signs of depression, memory issues might appear the most unexpected, given our usual categorization of depression as an emotional condition and memory as a more mechanical aspect of the mind. However, this is merely a false distinction, as the brain operates more complexly than that. Depressive conditions frequently involve difficulties with cognitive abilities, including the capacity to clearly comprehend, process, and respond to information. It's believed that excessive rumination consumes a significant amount of brainpower. To function properly, one needs cognitive resources for tasks like attention and memory. Yet, individuals with depression often allocate these resources to negative thoughts, making it challenging to redirect them towards the current task. This results in struggles with specific memory recall (episodic memory) and the ability to hold onto information for current use (working memory). Both are crucial functions. This situation forms a cycle where the only way to escape this pattern of negative thinking is to reallocate mental resources towards more positive activities. However, this is precisely what rumination makes difficult. Consequently, individuals find themselves trapped in this cycle. Rumination can also lead to another prevalent symptom of depression: anger and irritability, experienced by over half of patients, though it's primarily used to diagnose the condition in children and teenagers. This anger can be a sign of severe depression. At its heart, rumination is a strategy for emotional regulation, though it's not an effective one. Instead of feeling better, individuals who dwell on negative experiences tend to prolong their feelings of anger. We're still uncovering the role of unhealthy thought patterns, such as self-blame and rumination, in depression and its symptoms. However, research is revealing that these patterns can explain a lot. There's also some positive news: self-blame may be linked to brain regions not functioning properly, and rumination might feel like being stuck. Yet, researchers emphasize that these negative thought patterns are precisely what psychotherapy aims to address. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is designed to identify the relationship between thought patterns and behaviors, and to modify these patterns in a healthier manner. Depression is indeed a complex and challenging condition. However, there are therapies and treatments available. Recognizing the various ways depression can present itself is a crucial step towards seeking help and advancing research in this area.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 days ago in Writers
EIGTH BAD LESSONS YOU SHOULD AVOID TEACHING CHILDREN
Parenting is no easy task. It's complicated, constant, and the stakes are high. Some parents worry about messing up or making life tough for their kids. Most parents are confident in their skills, but that might not always be the case. We've compiled a list of eight bad lessons parents might unknowingly teach their kids, along with healthy alternatives to help raise strong, confident, and self-sufficient adults. For example, instead of teaching kids that snitching is wrong, parents should encourage open and honest communication about difficult situations.
By MFONOBONG EYO3 days ago in Writers
TRAVELS OF BEING A NEW PARENT.
Being a new parent is challenging and different for everyone. You might be doing something you've never done before and need to build new support systems to work through new experiences. For some people, this includes psychiatric disorders like depression, which is common in new parents. It's not just the person who gave birth that can experience it. If that's your experience, you're not alone. There are tools that can help you navigate new parenthood, and they've been verified by peer-reviewed science.
By MFONOBONG EYO3 days ago in Writers
THINGS WE DO WHILE SLEEPING
We spend a lot of time sleeping, but it's not wasted. Our brains need that rest as much as our bodies. During sleep, our brains can subconsciously think about problems. Let's take a quick look at what our brains are doing while we're asleep. This is the best-case scenario, as sleep doesn't always go as planned.
By MFONOBONG EYO3 days ago in Writers
ADHD AND SLEEP
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a multifaceted condition that extends beyond difficulties with focus. Individuals with ADHD often face challenges with sleep, adding another layer of complexity to the disorder. Extensive research has delved into the connection between ADHD and sleep, revealing intriguing correlations. Studies have indicated that a notable percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD encounter issues with falling and staying asleep, surpassing the general population. Similarly, adults with ADHD are more prone to having a delayed circadian rhythm, affecting their ability to fall asleep at appropriate times and obtain adequate rest.
By MFONOBONG EYO3 days ago in Writers
Effects of pornography on the brain.
The internet has the power to connect people from all over the world and provide information on a wide range of topics, including pornography. The impact of pornography on people's brains, attitudes, and behaviors is complex and not fully understood. While some studies have identified potential risks and even some benefits of watching pornography, it's important to note that much of the research is correlational and relies on self-reported data. For example, some studies have suggested that frequent pornography use may be associated with differences in brain activity, particularly in the striatum, a region involved in reward processing and sexual arousal. However, the findings are not conclusive and may not apply to everyone.
By MFONOBONG EYO5 days ago in Writers