Author: Lily Kangas
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How Cold Medicine May Be Contributing to the Spread of Disease
Cold medicines are amongst the most commonly prescribed drugs by American doctors, however, healthcare professionals are beginning to acknowledge the many flaws with these types of medications. The first and most notable being increased transmission of infection, and the second being that medicated individuals may stay sick for longer. Despite these flaws, these drugs are…
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War on the Brain
This poem reflects the experience of a child with P.A.N.D.A.S, a rare but terrifying neuroimmune disease.
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The Terrible Trio: An Intersection of Social Media, Physical Inactivity, and Mental Illness
As the world undergoes a cultural revolution towards technology, we see an increasing number of youth trading in their jump ropes and outdoor toys for the newest ipad or phone. While it can be argued that this shift is an inevitable result of our evolving society, we also must acknowledge why it is a problem.
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Physical Inactivity: A Petty Problem or a Serious Health Concern?
As sedentarism sweeps through today’s world, we must be cognizant of the damage we are doing to our minds and bodies. Not only does physical inactivity deplete your brain of crucial hormones needed for well-being, therefore increasing the risk of mental illness, but it also wreaks havoc on your physical health and is an increasingly…
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SSRIs: Helping You or Hurting You?
When faced with conditions such as depression and anxiety, psychiatrists are quick to prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS). While these medications are effective in alleviating psychiatric symptoms, many fail to acknowledge the serious long-term and short-term repercussions these drugs pose.
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Link Between Social Media and Mental Illness
In today’s digital age, many children are given cellular devices before they have even reached 12 years old. Upon receiving these new phones or tablets, children are immersed into an unfamiliar yet intriguing online world of viral videos, photoshopped images, and trendy lifestyles. While seemingly benign, this newfound online immersion can be detrimental to a…
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Adolescent Sleep Deprivation: Effects and Solutions
Sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly prevalent among our youth. In fact, an estimated 50% of children do not receive an adequate amount of sleep each night. In order to solve this crisis, we must ask ourselves: why is sleep deprivation so common, what effects does it have, and how can we put a stop to…
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Maladaptive Daydreaming: Trapped in a Fictional Reality
Maladaptive daydreaming, or MD, is characterized by lucid daydreaming lasting several hours at a time. MD sufferers are often so immersed in these daydreams, that they neglect prior responsibilities or commitments, resulting in impaired social skills and/or chronic stress.
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P.A.N.D.A.S: When Strep Throat Turns Violent
Most people will contract strep throat at some point in their lives. For most, this means staying home and resting until symptoms remit, but what happens when those symptoms go from a fever and sore throat to a psychological nightmare?
