Eating Disorders Overview

While most people are concerned about what they eat, the American Psychological Association (APA) states that people with eating disorders have abnormal eating habits that can be harmful to their health and even their life.1 Although it is hard to get an exact statistic of how many people are suffering with an eating disorder, it…

Long Distance Relationships

Relationships can be difficult to begin with, so what happens when the person you love is hundreds or thousands of miles away?  Although it may seem as though there is no easy way to be in a long-distance relationship (LDR), if both partners value the connection and want to make it work, it is entirely…

Eating Disorders and Intimacy

Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening mental disorders that can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Eating disorders can affect all areas of a person’s life, including their intimate relationships and sex life. Increased communication is important to maintain a healthy relationship with someone who is suffering from an…

Foreplay

Foreplay is a term that is generally used to describe any sexual activity that occurs prior to sexual intercourse.¹ However, foreplay does not always have to lead to sex. Unfortunately, foreplay is something that many either rush through or ignore altogether. In doing so, many individuals are missing out on the opportunity to develop a…

PDA (Public Displays of Affection)

PDA is a form of interaction that constantly receives mixed reviews. Some partners engage in it frequently while others may never do it at all. Upon witnessing PDA, onlookers may either be indifferent, or resent it. When entering a relationship with any partner, understanding PDA can help determine how to best show affection, while ensuring…

Gender Binary

The gender binary is a system that pairs together sex (which is based on an individual’s reproductive anatomy) and gender (which refers to the socially constructed ideas and expectations that a culture has for certain sex). More specifically, it classifies two distinguishable, distinct, and oftentimes contrasting genders: males who identify as men and females who…

When Pornography Becomes a Problem

Watching pornography is a generally an acceptable and positive way for a person to express their sexuality. However, it can also cause a person distress if they feel they are watching it too often or feel they are losing control of their habit. How Much Is Too Much? There is no “normal” amount of pornography to consume….

When to Lose Your Virginity

Defining “Losing Your Virginity” What exactly does “losing your virginity” mean? Virginity can be defined in different ways according to your sexual orientation, beliefs, and culture.  Losing your virginity is often described as engaging in penetrative sex, including anal sex, for the first time. The definition can also be expanded to include oral sex and manual stimulation. Oftentimes, when sexual intercourse and virginity…

Building Trust

Trust can be defined as relying on the integrity, word, and promise of another individual.1 Most people would agree that trust is a vital part of a relationship. Those in romantic relationships may have noticed that trust does not always come naturally in relationships and often takes a lot of work to develop. A person must…