The argument for vaccinations By Traci (Coffee.) Vaccinations are considered one of the 20th century’s biggest medical success stories. Childhood illnesses that once were a common reason for mortality, such as polio, small pox, and mumps are seen as problems of the past in developed nations. Recently, skepticism about the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations has become a common concern. Because of this, fewer parents are having their children vaccinated, causing outbreaks of now rare...

The basics of dialectical behavior therapy By Anonymous Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a branch of cognitive behavioral therapy that deals with the theory of dialectics – two seemingly opposite notions that exist simultaneously. The basis of DBT is to encourage participants to accept themselves as is while still aiming for the possibility of change. The idea of integrating acceptance and change was paradoxical, and of course, dialectical, when it was first proposed in the 1980s by...

The basics of Pap smear testing By Cara (Khaleesi.) Getting a Papanicolaou smear test, commonly known as a Pap smear, is a very important part of becoming an adult as these tests enable doctors to find any abnormal cells that may be present in the cervix, or the lower portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina. These abnormal cells can sometimes lead to cervical cancer which is a big killer of adults aged thirty to sixty and the sooner these cells are found the easier it is to...

Supporting a loved one with cancer By Dez (Terabithia.) What is cancer? The two types of tumors that can be found in the body are benign and malignant: benign tumors are masses of cells that cannot spread to other organs or invade the surrounding tissue, while malignant tumors invade surrounding tissue and may begin to invade other organs if not treated quickly. The term “cancer” is used to describe malignant tumors. Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells in the body begin to grow...

Understanding transvestism and cross-dressing By Jenny (coolkid98) A transvestite is someone who enjoys dressing up in clothes of the opposite sex. This is different than being transgender because those who cross-dress are comfortable with their assigned sex. There is a common misconception by both individuals and professionals that transvestites cross-dress only for sexual pleasure, but this is not necessarily true. If it is done for sexual gratification, it is called transvestic...

Discussing self-harm with a loved one By Kyra (Viridian) Self-harm is often a private matter, and letting someone in on something so personal is never easy. Feeling unsure of where to start, even when wanting to tell someone such as a family member, partner or friend is not at all unusual. Many self-harmers are afraid of telling someone for fear of them ‘freaking out’ in the case of a parent, a breakup in the case of a partner, or abandonment if it’s a friend. Here are several steps one may...

Life on Mars By Chess (Syzygy.) When people hear the term ‘Martian,’ they likely picture the type of image put forward in science fiction films and popular culture. They are often seen as ‘little green men,’ humanoid, or something so totally bizarre that their very existence could be questionable even if they were standing right in front of you. However, the idea of life on Mars may not be as far-fetched as it sounds, and it is an area of intense study and debate at the present time. ...

How addictions develop By Robin (PSY) Why is it so difficult to stop using some drugs, such as nicotine, cannibis, alcohol, and caffeine? Why does one person become addicted to these and other substances, while another person does not? How much of a substance needs to be used in order for an addiction to develop, and how long does it take for an addiction to develop? The answers to these questions vary depending on a number of factors, so this article aims to provide broader explanations in...

Marriage and civil unions By Casey (Casey.) and Marie (Rie) To many people, marriage is not only a sacred word, but a sacred joining of two people for eternity. To others, marriage is merely a government institution that grants people access to certain, sometimes special, rights. These rights include joint property, custody of the children, visitation rights, and even accepting joint responsibility for debt. A civil union is a legally recognised partnership between two persons, similar...

Cause of the Month: Pencils of Promise By Katrina (AppleTini) As we gear up for the new school year, Pencils of Promise is hitting its prime season for helping children across the globe. "Pencils of Promise partners with local communities to build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world. We focus on early education, high potential females and empowering a new generation of passionate young leaders to create profound good." Less than two years ago, founder Adam...

Fall fashion and myths By Brittany (.Brittany.) and Katrina (AppleTini) Hi fashionistas! Now that it's September, and many of you are going back to school for another year, you'll certainly want to be up to date with the latest fall trends, right? On that note, you may also want to be aware of the top ten fashion myths this season. According to several popular teen magazines, the back to school trends for fall 2010 look a little something like this: Prints Animals. Whether it is lion...

Starting a new school by Cheyenne (Desert) Starting a new school can be one of life's hardest and most awkward experiences. You moved for whatever reason — parents started a new job or they just felt like a change of scenery. Now, you’ve unjustly been expected to leave all your friends and start over completely. It sounds utterly impossible, doesn’t it? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be! Pretty much everything depends on your outlook. If you go into this new school thinking...

Debunking myths about HIV By Traci (Coffee.) Most people have heard of HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus. Unfortunately, along with the facts about HIV, many people also hear rumors and misconceptions, causing stigma and shame to HIV-positive individuals and their loved ones. It is estimated that over 34 million people worldwide have the virus; without the proper information, it's difficult to prevent or treat HIV, and these numbers only continue to rise. From the root of HIV, to its...

The life and death of Margaret Thatcher By Adam (Rachael98) On the 8th of April 2013, Margaret Thatcher died from a stroke in her suite at the Ritz. Baroness Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from May 1979 until November 1990. During her long period in power, she made many controversial changes, many of which still incite powerful feelings today. She worked her way through the ranks to get the very top of the political ladder throughout her life. Whatever...

Spending time with the elderly By MedusoidMycelium (Lydia) Oftentimes, we can become consumed by our busy lives and forget some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, towns and cities - the elderly. You might have the opportunity to spend time with elderly relatives around the holidays, but you can make an even greater impact by attempting to spend time with them and other elderly adults on a regular basis, not just during special occasions. Elderly adults have a lot to offer,...