Mind & Mood Archive

One in 10 Americans ages 65 and older has dementia. The condition is likely to progress slowly, offering couples the opportunity to adopt coping strategies that can smooth their path. Early on, you can consider treatment that may temporarily improve memory and thinking problems. People whose partners have been diagnosed should get informed about dementia, attend doctor's visits, take over certain tasks, keep routines, update legal documents, and join a support group.

Some degree of anxiety is normal, but people who regularly struggle with anxiety may have an anxiety disorder. Symptoms can be linked with life changes, a medical condition, and specific situations, like a fear of heights, crowds, and social situations. Recognizing the symptoms can help people seek medical care to find the source of their anxiety and adopt appropriate treatment. Treatment might include medications, psychotherapy, or both.

Pheromones, the "love chemical," are produced by many animals and insects to attract the opposite sex. It's possible that humans also may make and process pheromones through vomeronasal organs in our noses.

As people age, they are more likely to explore a religious or spiritual practice. Research has found that this type of engagement is linked to longer life and a lower risk of serious health issues. These practices also can offer comfort and support if and when a person needs to navigate difficult times.

People who take between 3,800 and 9,800 steps daily may reduce their risk for dementia, and walking at a brisk pace could offer even more protection, according to a 2022 study.

A 2022 study of 78,000 healthy people (ages 40 to 79) who wore fitness trackers found that people who walked about 9,800 steps per day (about five miles) were 51% less likely to develop dementia, compared with people who didn't walk much at all.

A study found that people with mild cognitive impairment who did crossword puzzles regularly showed modest improvement in cognition and less brain shrinkage. Will doing crossword puzzles be helpful to people whose thinking and memory are normal?

The prescription drug Adderall has been in short supply for months. How widespread is this problem, and what are the consequences, and possible solutions, for adults who rely on this medication to manage ADHD?

A recent study found that older adults who took a multivitamin daily for three years had improved scores on tests of executive function, memory, and overall brain function, but the study wasn't large enough, long enough, or diverse enough to rely on its conclusions alone.

Mindfulness is the act of paying attention and focusing on the moment. Research has long shown mindfulness can help lower anxiety, but new studies suggest additional benefits. These include feeling less pain, making fewer mistakes, and being more resilient. Many people confuse meditation with mindfulness. Although there is some overlap, meditation is a practice that leads to being more mindful. Both meditation and mindfulness aim to help people stay present and nonjudgmental.