Congrats, teeny tiny graduates!

Graduation season might be over for schools, but it's still in full swing for neonatal nurse Melissa Jordan and her colleagues at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, North Carolina.

The staff at Birthplace, a birthing and family care center at CaroMont, are doing something very special for some of their youngest patients.

Courtesy of CaroMont Health

The staff has been holding mini ceremonies for babies leaving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) who were born 6 or more weeks premature.

Newborn babies are admitted to the NICU when they require intensive medical care, which can happen for a number of reasons but often because the baby is born premature or ill. The NICU is staffed by a team of doctors and nurses who take care of the infants until they are healthy enough to go home.

"We make sure these babies are being fed and cared and loved for, and of course that the parents get to bond with them while they're in the NICU," Jordan told BuzzFeed Health. When the babies are finally discharged, Jordan and her staff hold a small graduation ceremony for the baby and their family.

Bella Baby Photography / Via bellababyphotography.com

And the portraits of these grads and their tiny caps are seriously cute...

"When I started the program, I called Bella Baby Photography — they take pictures of all our babies going home — and asked if they could come photograph the NICU grads, and the photographer actually offered to give these pictures to the parents free of charge," Jordan said. Now each family can go home with a graduation portrait of their NICU grad to cherish.

Bella Baby Photography / Via bellababyphotography.com

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They’re incredibly satisfying — but do they actually help your skin?

If you've ever used pore strips, you know how gross and satisfying they feel.

There's nothing better than ripping that strip off your nose and seeing a little forest of pore junk. And the internet definitely agrees — pictures of used pore strips continue to go viral. Like, really viral.

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I mean, come on — look at all that gunk!

It's simultaneously disgusting and weirdly relieving — and definitely less intense than watching full-on pimple or blackhead extractions.

imgur.com / reddit.com / Via buzzfeed.com

But what do pore strips actually do to your skin? And is this helping or maybe hurting?

We spoke to Dr. Arielle Nagler, dermatologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, to find out if pore strips are as beneficial as they are satisfying.

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While pore strips do remove a good deal of dirt, oil, and dead skin, they only pull off a very superficial layer — so they don't truly clean your pores.

Let's quickly go over how pore strips work. "The strip is usually a woven material with an adhesive or polymer on one side, that sticks to your nose when wet," Nagler tells BuzzFeed Health. Then you leave it on until it dries (usually for 10 or 15 minutes) and when you pull it off, anything stuck to the strip comes off too — that's the really satisfying part.

"The strips pull off anything on the surface of your nose, which includes oil that's been oxidized and turns black (blackheads), dead skin, dirt, and hair — but they only remove a very superficial layer," says Nagler. Sometimes they might only remove the top or half of blackheads.

Since the strip only sticks to the surface of your nose, it misses all the debris and oil hiding deep inside your pores that can build up and lead to pimples or blackheads, Nagler explains. So while they may leave your skin looking and feeling super clean, they don't provide a real deep cleansing.

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Read this if you’re worried you broke your eyeballs.

So you decided to ignore all the warnings leading up to the 2017 solar eclipse, and stared directly at the sun without wearing protective eyewear.

Chances are you read the warnings, too. Or maybe you had gotten a text from your mom reminding you not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse without protecting your eyes.

Twitter: @malsaafin

And right now, you might be feeling a little anxious, wondering if you actually hurt your eyes or you'll wake up blind tomorrow.

Many people who claim to have stared directly at the eclipse took to Twitter to express their concerns. And the social media panic probably isn't helping if you're legitimately concerned about your eye health.

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So if you think you stared at the sun for a bit too long, here's what you need to know about signs of potential eye damage.

Experts warned us repeatedly that starting directly at the sun without protective eyewear can cause eye damage and result in serious or permanent vision loss. But how can you tell if you've actually injured your eyes and which symptoms might require a trip to the doctor?

We spoke to two eye experts to find out: Dr. Joel Schuman, professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Langone Medical Center, and Dr. Ranya Habash, associate professor of ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Chief Medical Officer for Everbridge, and TopLine MD consultant.

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First, staring directly at the sun can damage a part of the retina — which is responsible for the center of your vision — causing a condition called solar retinopathy.

Solar retinopathy is like a sunburn on the retina, a layer of tissue at the back of your eye, Habash tells BuzzFeed Health. "The part that's damaged is the macula, the thinnest part of the retina, which controls the sharpest, centermost part of vision," she says, noting that this part of the eye is also more prone to burning than the rest of it. "It can take a few seconds or a few minutes for damage to be done — everyone is different."

As we previously reported, this can cause the center of your vision to turn into a grey or black spot, making it hard to focus on things like reading, driving, or even just seeing the people in front of you. That said, you probably won't go completely blind from staring at the sun. Although the macula is very important to our eyesight, it's still only responsible for one part of vision. "You won't go completely blind from damage to the macula, since you'd still have your peripheral vision," Schuman tells BuzzFeed Health.

Macular Disease Foundation Australia / Via youtube.com

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“I don’t want sympathy, I want you to save YOUR ASS and get your skin checked,” Judge wrote.

Tamra Judge, 49-year-old mother and star of Real Housewives of Orange County, revealed on Sunday that she has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Judge has appeared on the past 10 seasons of Bravo TV's Real Housewives of Orange County, and is known for her larger-than-life personality.

Bravo / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Judge opened up about her diagnosis in a recent Instagram post, where she shared a ~cheeky~ selfie with her 1.2 million followers showing the cancerous growth on her buttocks.

The caption reads:

"I work out 🏋 hard for this Booty. I was planning on competing again in November at 50 years old, but I'm not sure that's happening 😩 now. it looks like God has a different plan for me. Im showing you this picture because this is what melanoma looks like. I don't want sympathy, I want you to save YOUR ASS and get your skin checked . This was just a small black flat freckle.... I had no idea! Ill be fine because my faith is strong and my Ass ain't bad either😂 Thank you @cacoastalderm ❤️. I've been a little sad , worried and pissed off. But we caught it early and that makes me happy 😊 Happy birthday to me. #saveyourass birthday party in Cabo not sounding like a good idea now 😡 #awareness.#skincheck"

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She also had an important message: "I'm showing you this picture because this is what melanoma looks like. I don't want sympathy, I want you to save YOUR ASS and get your skin checked," Judge wrote.

This isn't the first time Judge has asked her followers to get their skin checked. Back in January, she posted a picture (above) on Instagram about another skin procedure. "Having two spots cut out today 😫. Get your skin checked my friends it could save your life," Judge wrote in the caption.

tamrajudge / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and yes, you can get it on your butt cheeks even if they've never seen the light of day.

According to the American Cancer Society, a melanoma develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin or the pigment that gives skin its color. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds is a major risk factor for most melanomas, as well as genetics, but some people develop melanomas with few or no known risk factors. And melanoma can develop on parts of the body — like the buttocks or genitals — that have had little to no exposure to UV light.

"I have a lot of patients that have melanomas on their butts," dermatologist Dr. Michele S. Green previously told BuzzFeed Health. "That's one of the most common places I diagnose them, and it's the most common place people miss," Green said.

National Cancer Institute / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

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No matter how you define your transition, we want to know how it impacted your mental health.

Transitioning can mean many different things, and it's a unique process for each individual.

There is no one way to define or experience transitioning, and it isn't necessarily marked by one event, such as a surgery.

Sometimes, the transitioning process may be a social change (changing clothing, pronouns, and names). For others, transitioning may involve medical interventions (hormone therapy, surgery).

And of course for some individuals, the transitioning process may be a combination of these things — it really depends on the individual to decide which changes (if any) to make and when to make them.

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No matter how you do it or what your timeline is, transitioning can have a huge impact on your mental health.

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So we want to know how your mental health changed (or didn't change) as a result of the transitioning process, however you define it.

Instagram: @emilymcdowell_ / Via instagram.com

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ワニの糞にカメの甲羅って……。

ラテックス製コンドーム、経口避妊薬、避妊リング（IUD)といった現代の避妊方法 が登場するずっと前から、人々はかなり興味深い方法で妊娠を避けてきた。

初期の避妊方法の１つである、 外出しは、あなたにもなじみがあるかもしれない。「最も古くから伝わる避妊方法の1つは、実際には聖書の中で膣外射精として説明されているペニスを抜去する避妊法でした」と、メアリー・ジェーン・ミンキン博士はBuzzFeed Healthに語った。ミンキン博士はイェール大学医学部で産婦人科および生殖科学の教鞭をとる臨床学教授だ。

しかし、現代人と同じように、私たちの祖先は射精前にペニスを抜き出す方法だけに頼りたくなかった。そこで、妊娠を避けるための他のアイディアを思いついた。こうした昔の避妊方法の一部は常軌を逸しているように見えていても、多くは子宮頚部を遮断する、精子を殺す、排卵を妨げるといった、私たちが現在使用している避妊方法と同じ論理に基づいていた。

NBC / Via ifc.com

真面目な話、この記事で説明する時代遅れの避妊法はどれも使用しないことをお勧めする。効果的な避妊計画については、常に医師や信頼されている医療従事者に相談すること。

ワニの糞で子宮頚部を遮断する。

はるか昔、紀元前1850年、 エジプトの女性たちは、性行為の前ワニの糞を持ってきて子宮頚部のそばまで挿入することで精子の進入を防いだ。通常はワニの糞にハチミツを混ぜて使用した。なぜなら、ハチミツには抗菌特性があることが知られており、またワニの糞が子宮頚部のそばに付着するのに役立ったからだ。

この方法にどのくらいの効果があるか分からないが、何千もの間、歴史的記録として文書に残されてきたという事実は、この方法には恐らく問題がなかった、あるいは少なくともかなり人気がある方法だったことを示唆している。そうは言っても、性行為の前にワニの糞を自分の膣に突っ込むと、50通りの感染症を招きそうな気がする。

Ryo_stockphoto / Via gettyimages.com

ハチミツ「タンポン」を挿入する。

古代エジプトの女性たちは、最古のバリア方法のような手段も利用していた。ハチミツで作られた膣坐剤のことだ。これらの方法は、紀元前1550年頃に世界最古の医療テキストであるパピルス古文書の中で説明されている。

女性たちはハチミツとアカシアの葉を混ぜ、それを膣管の内側に塗りたくり、殺精子剤として機能させたり、毛糸や糸くずを（あたかも古代のタンポンのように）束ね、子宮頚部のそばに置いた。ワニの糞を使った方法とは異なり、少なくともこの方法はずっといいにおいがする（そしておいしい）だろう。

Marcelc / Via gettyimages.com

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The outbreak has infected nearly 400 people and left 15 dead.

The San Diego Board of Supervisors ratified the declaration of a public health emergency on Wednesday as a result of an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A, an infection that affects the liver.

A local public health emergency was first declared by officials on Sept. 1 and signed into law by Regional Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten to raise awareness and allow the Health and Human Services Agency to request state assistance if necessary, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. And on Sept. 6, the San Diego Board of Supervisors unanimously ratified the declaration and discussed new prevention efforts.

George Rose / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

According to the San Diego Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), as of Sept. 5, the current outbreak has infected 398 people, causing 279 hospitalizations.

The San Diego HHSA wrote that the majority of the people who have been infected with the disease are either homeless or illicit drug users, and that the outbreak is being spread between people through contact with a "fecally contaminated environment" — i.e. when an uninfected or unvaccinated person ingests food or water, touches an object, or uses drugs contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

The hepatitis A virus is one of several hepatitis viruses that causes inflammation and impaired functioning of the liver. According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis A can cause mild to severe illness and most people recover with lifelong immunity. However, some people can develop acute liver failure, which is often fatal.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, diarrhea, nausea, dark-colored urine or feces, abdominal pain, and jaundice — but not everyone will have all of the symptoms. The severity of the disease and fatal outcomes are higher in older age groups, according to the WHO.

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It's usually spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, hepatitis A is primarily transmitted from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route but it can also spread between sex partners or through close physical contact with an infected person.

Because, according to the WHO, the disease is closely associated with poor personal hygiene, lack of hand-washing, and unsafe water or food sources, preventing it usually comes down to improved sanitation, food safety, and immunization.

There is a safe, effective vaccine that prevents against hepatitis A, which consists of two shots given six months apart.

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By the way, we don’t find cheating very humerus.

Who knew something so cute could cause so much diarrhea?

An outbreak of Campylobacter bacteria — aka an infection that causes lots of diarrhea — has been linked to puppies sold at pet store chain Petland. It's caused at least 39 people across seven states to get sick.

On Monday, Sept. 11, the CDC announced that it is investigating a multistate outbreak of human Campylobacter bacteria linked to puppies sold Petland stores. Petland is a national pet store chain (not to be confused with Petland Discounts, a separate chain that operates in only three states).

The illnesses associated with the outbreak date back nearly a year to September 2016, and have affected people in Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Joshblake / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

The CDC reported that those affected range in age from 1 to 64. Nine people have been hospitalized, but there haven't been any reports of deaths. Laboratory evidence indicates that Petland stores are likely to be the source of the outbreak, but additional laboratory results from people and dogs are pending. According to the CDC, Petland is cooperating with health officials.

In a statement published on Sept. 11, sent to BuzzFeed News from Petland's director of public affairs via email, the company said that “the CDC has not indicated any failures of Petland’s operating system that would lead any Campylobacter infection” and that the company reinforces proper hand sanitation before and after handling any puppies, and has strict kennel sanitation protocols.

Campylobacter is a common cause of diarrheal illness in the US.

Campylobacteriosis is the infection caused by the Campylobacter bacteria, and it infects up to 1.3 million people each year. "The typical symptoms include diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramping. But some people who get infected, especially healthy adults with robust immune systems, might not have any symptoms at all," Philip Tierno, PhD, clinical professor of Microbiology and Pathology at NYU Langone told BuzzFeed News.

The illness usually lasts for one week and almost all people recover without any specific treatment. "The immunosuppressed, such as HIV-positive individuals or cancer or transplant patients, might experience more severe symptoms or develop an infection that requires medical treatment," Tierno says. Pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are also more susceptible. And in very rare cases, it can be fatal, says Tierno.

In either case, you won’t know if you have Campylobacter unless you get examined by a doctor. "Many people will get sick and say, 'Oh, I have food poisoning' or something, but you don't know exactly what caused your symptoms unless a doctor tests your stool sample," Tierno says. So if you're concerned, maybe go get checked out.

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Though it can spread to people through contact with poop from an infected dog, infections are usually foodborne.

Campylobacter is zoonotic, Tierno says, which means that humans pick up the organism from animals or animal products. This could happen from handling animals, coming into contact with areas where they live or defecate, or consuming animal products. And sure, many germs from animals are harmless so you don't need to panic about them, but zoonotic infections can make people very sick.

An infection with Campylobacter is usually linked to eating undercooked meat contaminated with the animal's feces, unpasteurized dairy, or other food that was cross-contaminated during while being prepared. "It's very common in cattle and poultry, we just don't hear about it as often as other things like salmonella or shigella," Tierno says. The disease isn't usually transmitted between people.

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How do you stop yourself from going down ~the rabbit hole~?

A "thought spiral" happens when one concerning thought or event triggers a chain of linked thoughts that keep going until you're overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, sadness, or stress.

Here's an example:
I got that question wrong on the test → I failed the test → I'm going to fail the class → It will bring down my entire GPA → I won't get into grad school or get the job I want → I'm going to be unsuccessful in life and let down everyone = stress, anxiety, panic, etc.

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And if you tend to spiral regularly, you know how much time and energy it can take away — which can be frustrating.

Sometimes the pattern of thinking during a thought spiral is so habitual, we might not even realize we're doing it. You might spend ten minutes or you might spend an hour spiraling — and in both cases, you're removed from the present and consumed with negative thoughts.

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Even though it may make you feel out of control, it's possible to stop a thought cycle as its happening and disrupt the pattern of negative thinking.

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

Maybe you get up and go on a walk outside or change up your environment to remove yourself.

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“Wait but did I take out my tampon this morning or… ?”

When you can't tell if your next period will be easy and breezy or if it'll hit you like a truck:

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Or if it'll come without any warning:

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When all of those "random" mood swings you were having the past few days suddenly make sense:

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When you ruin that new pair of underwear and end up watching DIY blood stain removal videos for an hour:

Crystal Ro / Via buzzfeed.com

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There’s a lot going on in the US that you might not know.

Editor's note: Many of the answers in this quiz come from different population surveys and mental health surveillance projects published over the years, so while some data might be ~older~, we still made sure to use the most recent statistics available.

If you are thinking about suicide, talk to someone. You can speak to someone by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and or by texting HOME to 741741, the Crisis Text Line. Suicide helplines outside the US can be found here.

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

Lixia Guo / BuzzFeed News

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肝臓はどこでしょう？

この記事は英語から翻訳されました。

All relationships take work — but some require shared calendars and extra sets of car keys.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by ongoing inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. It affects nearly ten million adults in the United States.

"ADHD is a disorder of self-regulation and self-control," Russell A. Barkley, PhD, clinical professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina and ADHD expert, tells BuzzFeed Health. There are actually three types, and each one is characterized by the symptoms a person presents with: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type.

The disorder is classified in medical literature as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but many people still refer to it as ADD (especially those with inattentive-type). For the purpose of clarity and conciseness, we’ll use ADHD in this article.

Jenny Chang / Via buzzfeed.com

Because ADHD impacts interpersonal skills, it can also affect your intimate relationships — and could be the cause of relationship problems without you even knowing it.

Since adult ADHD is often undiagnosed or unmanaged — 4.4% of adults have it, but only 10% of those people have been diagnosed and treated — couples may not even be aware that the disorder is causing problems in their relationship. “In some instances, the problems in a relationship or marriage can actually uncover a case of adult ADHD,” Barkley says.

So if you have four or more of the DSM symptoms or notice all of these patterns and issues below in an otherwise healthy relationship, Ramsay says, you may want to consider contacting a psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist who can provide an ADHD screening.

ADHD manifests differently for different people, and, of course, no two relationships are the same, so not everything here will apply to every relationship where ADHD plays a role. See the end of this article for resources on how to get help or to help your partner get help.

Practical Cures / Flickr / Via Flickr: practicalcures

ADHD can make things difficult for all people in the relationship, but understanding how symptoms affect the relationship can help.

The person with ADHD often feels demoralized, ashamed, anxious, inadequate, and misunderstood. Their partner can feel burdened, ignored, disrespected, unheard, and misunderstood. This is why it's so important for the couple to have a shared understanding of the disorder and the problems and patterns it can create in a relationship.

"ADHD isn't an excuse, it's an explanation," J. Russell Ramsay, PhD, co-director of the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program at the University of Pennsylvania, tells BuzzFeed Health. It's easy to misinterpret symptoms for carelessness, lack of interest, unreliability, or just being a bad partner. Better understanding the ways that ADHD can affect a relationship is the first step to fixing those issues.

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And proper treatment for the person with ADHD, along with their partner's support, can help control symptoms before they cause issues.

There's no magic cure for ADHD, but the right treatment can help reduce core symptoms and the issues they cause in a relationship so they're easier to work through. "If you have ADHD, you need to find the right treatment (whether that's medication or another therapy), be willing to stick with it, and find accommodations so your environment is more conducive to your productivity," Barkley says. ADHD is a chronic condition, Ramsay says. It's about managing the disorder effectively both inside and outside of the relationship for life.

If you're the partner of someone with ADHD, it's crucial that you also support their treatment program and educate yourself about the disorder. "If you refuse to believe ADHD is real or view it as lifestyle choice or laziness, you are being very condescending — and if the person with ADHD starts to buy it too, they can become demoralized," Barkley says. This attitude could discourage someone with ADHD from getting treatment that could change their life and turn a relationship around.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

It might not be obvious that someone has ADHD when you first start dating them. In fact, you might not be able to tell at all.

The start of relationships are always more fun. And because people with ADHD tend to thrive with novelty and spontaneity, this part of the relationship can seem effortless. "What you'll often see in the beginning is an engaging, dynamic, carefree, risk-taking individual. The first few weeks or months of dating someone with ADHD can be very fun," Barkley says.

On the flipside, some symptoms of ADHD, such as forgetfulness and inattention, could be mistaken as a lack of interest in the beginning — which could put off potential partners. Not to mention, even if the person with ADHD is diagnosed and treated, they still might hesitate to tell a new partner because of the stigma around the disorder. "As you get to know someone, you might need to have a conversation and open up about your ADHD — just like any other mental illness — to help your partner understand and prepare for symptoms," Ramsay says.

Jeffrey Lewis Bennett / JLB Wedding / Via jlbwedding.tumblr.com

In the early stages of a relationship, the person with ADHD might hyperfocus on their partner, so that it seems like they're the ~center of their world~.

"Hyperfocus" basically happens when people with ADHD can become so deeply focused or enamored with something that they can't let go or stop when they're supposed to switch to something else. (Often known as "being in your own little world.")

In the context of relationships, it can mean the person with ADHD initially puts all of their focus and energy into their new partner — dropping everything to see them, showering them with attention, listening to every little story. "This can be true of anybody, but even more so of people with ADHD. And then suddenly, everything changes," Ramsay says.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

Once the honeymoon phase is over, the hyperfocus might fade and be replaced with lack of attention or forgetfulness.

"When you move to the commitment phase and you start to develop a routine of interdependence, that’s when you notice the 'consistent inconsistencies' in the partner with ADHD," says Ramsay. It might start small: They don’t follow through with a favor or they get distracted while you’re talking by an incoming text. Then suddenly, they might forget about a date or show up late to for an important event.

Even if it's not intentional, this shift can seem dramatic and hurtful, and partners might assume it’s because that person doesn’t care about them anymore, says Ramsay. Because of this, people with ADHD might find themselves consistently losing partners at this phase or only dating people for several months or a year at a time. Relationships are an endurance sport, and sometimes people with ADHD sprint too hard in the beginning and burn out.

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Difficulty sustaining attention can make it seem like the partner with ADHD never listens or doesn't care.

Maybe you were telling your partner about a new project at work when their eyes drifted to the floor, or maybe they couldn't repeat a basic detail you told them minutes earlier. "It's often not that the person with ADHD doesn’t care, but it's just very difficult for them to sustain attention — it's like pulling a muscle to keep listening," Ramsay says.

Because of this, the partner with ADHD may have to ask you repeatedly about details to make up for those gaps in their attention, which can cause tension. In order to help this problem, Ramsay suggests having conversations face-to-face and checking in with your partner every few minutes to make sure they're with you — and also being willing to repeat some information if they did wander off.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

On the other hand, they can talk excessively and go on endless tangents, which might make their partner feel like they can never get a word in.

"Because individuals with ADHD have a problem with self-control and self-awareness, they tend to interrupt people, dominate conversations, and ignore social cues, so conversations often feel one-sided," Barkley says. Part of dating someone with ADHD is accepting that they can be excessively chatty at times, he says, but sometimes the nonstop narrative can really wear you out.

"One strategy for the person with ADHD is to use the three sentence rule — so limit yourself to three sentences, then pause and see if the other person wants to talk," Ramsay says. Another tip is scheduling more important conversations ahead of time, so both partners have time to prepare what they’ll say, which leaves less room for tangents.

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Impaired working memory means the partner with ADHD doesn't always follow through with favors or keep promises.

"Your working memory doesn't involve facts — it's about remembering what you’re supposed to be doing and how you'll get it done," Barkley says. It's like your brain's notepad or to-do list for recent information. When this is impaired, you can get easily distracted from the task at hand. "These little commitments you make to each other — like saying you'll pick up a grocery item on the way home or agreeing to meet you after work — can be forgotten," Barkey says.

All these broken promises can have real consequences. "The one without ADHD might have panic episodes because they're worried their partner didn't pick up the kids or pay rent on time like they said they would — they feel like they can't trust them," Barkley says. At the same time, their partner may feel horrible guilt and shame. "It's important for the person with ADHD to get in the habit of writing everything down, or using reminder systems and shared calendars to keep themselves on track," Ramsay says.

Your phone might work for this, but the experts agree that phones can also be very distracting. So another option is to carry a notebook with you and write everything you need to do or remember in there.

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Problems with time management can mean that the partner with ADHD is often late and keeps others waiting.

"No other disorder causes worse problems with time management than ADHD. They are always late, can't stick to a schedule, fail to meet deadlines, and may not even show up," Barkley says. This is because ADHD makes it very difficult for people to predict how long it takes to do something, which can be frustrating for their partner. Time management is a skill that people with ADHD will probably have to work on their whole lives. But the experts agree that it helps to use alarms, reminders, and ... a good app for directions that accounts for traffic.

janjourn / Tumblr / Via janjourn.tumblr.com

Forgetfulness can cause the partner with ADHD to lose things, miss texts and calls, or just seem very disorganized in general.

If you date someone with ADHD, it may feel like every time you leave the house your partner will forget their phone, keys, or wallet. Maybe they always misplace important bills, lose jewelry, or leave their credit card at the bar. Forgetfulness is a major problem in individuals with ADHD, says Barkley, and it can make them seem quite disorganized and careless.

Part of solving this problem is the partner with ADHD learning the right coping strategies — like using a planner or journal, sticky notes, and phone alerts to remember things. It's also important for their partner to try not to interpret the forgetfulness as intentional, Ramsay says. And if you share a car, just have more than one set of keys.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

If you live together, the person with ADHD might seem messy and all over the place, but it might have more to do with memory than neatness.

In any shared living situation, there will always be one person who is neater than the other — it's usually not the one who has ADHD. They tend to kind of take over a space with their stuff, Ramsay says, and this is an easy point of contention in the relationship. Their desk may have piles of papers or the garage might be full of half-finished art projects. However, it's not always because the partner with ADHD is a messy person.

"The memory difficulties can play out with possessions — so people with ADHD might leave things out and to act as visual reminders," Ramsay says. This is why people with ADHD often say “it looks messy but I know exactly where everything is,” Ramsay explains. So no matter how tempting it might be for the person without ADHD to clean up the clutter, they should always consult their partner first — otherwise this could be stressful and disorienting. "It's important to figure out how to collaborate; it may mean storing objects in clear bins with labels or keeping things out but in an organized way," Ramsay says.

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Inattentiveness caused by ADHD can also impact a couple's sex lives.

Yes, the symptoms of ADHD have a sexual aspect, too. "There can be a disconnect with libidos; sometimes the partner with ADHD could be hypersexual, or they're easily distracted during sex and don't pay enough attention to their partner's desires," Ramsay says. This lack of reciprocity can come off as disinterest or selfishness, and that can be a big problem, since having sex is often a moment of intimacy and vulnerability in relationships. "It's important to make sure both partners are on the same page and communicating about issues during sex," Ramsay says. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

The partner with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, which can make their partner feel like they're walking on eggshells.

ADHD causes problems with inhibition and emotional regulation, which can make it easy for the partner with ADHD to be emotionally aroused and quick to get frustrated or aggressive — and this can even increase risk of intimate partner violence, Barkley says. For their partner, this can make things pretty unpredictable or scary. Although this is often reactive, unplanned aggression, Barkley says, it can still do a lot of damage.

"Even if the partner with ADHD didn't mean it and they apologize — they still might have said or done something downright abusive," Ramsay says. Proper treatment and couples therapy can help control the emotional outbursts. "It's important for both partners to recognize triggers or warning signs and then practice mindfulness strategies, like giving each other a five or ten minute cool down period," Ramsay says. And obviously, this could be a breaking point for some partners, and that's okay. Every couple is different.

ABC / Via giphy.com

Impulsivity can cause the partner with ADHD to say things without thinking, which can come off as being harsh or careless.

"For example, if you walk out wearing a new outfit, they might have this knee-jerk honest response that most people wouldn't say out loud," Barkley says. These impulsive comments can come across as harsh and insensitive, and even if the partner with ADHD catches themselves and apologizes, sometimes it’s too late and feelings are hurt, Barkley says.

"It's important for people to understand that ADHD individuals have a problem with planning or editing what they'll say and just blurt out their stream of consciousness," Barkley says. Communication is essential, too. So if your partner has ADHD and does this, try letting them know how and why they offended you instead of holding your feelings in — this can help them think about how to modify their behavior.

Focus Features / Via weheartit.com

If a couple has shared finances, this same impulsivity can also lead to overspending and poor financial tracking.

Sometimes, the partner with ADHD just gets so excited and distracted by something that they act immediately — so a new guitar or vacation might take precedent over a car payment or rent. It's not that they don't care about saving or that they're selfish, experts say, but rather, that they lack self-control and forethought. But if finances are shared in a relationship or marriage, this can lead to serious trust issues and even a breakup or divorce down the road, says Ramsay. The solution to this problem varies, and it may require couples counseling or help from a financial planner to get things in check.

ABC / Via giphy.com

Sometimes partners might develop a parent-child dynamic to cope with symptoms, which can be problematic.

"What happens is over time, the parter without ADHD can feel more like a parent or a caretaker because they're constantly picking up the slack, reminding their partner to do things, or planning things for them," Barkley says. It can feel very burdensome to "parent" a partner, and the person with ADHD can end up feeling controlled or nagged. This dynamic can also lead to an unhealthy codependency situation. "It's not empowering for the partner with ADHD at all," says Barkley. It can also cause them to feel ashamed or reinforce feelings of inadequacy.

It's important that the person with ADHD take responsibility for the symptoms that they can change, and that their partner is supportive without being too involved. "Every committed relationship should have an equal division of labor where each person is taking over the tasks they do best — for the partner with ADHD, that may mean the non time-sensitive things," Ramsay says. However a couple decides to split up tasks or chores, each partner should still be pulling their equal share so one person doesn’t assume a parenting role.

Caroline Kee / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

All relationships have problems, but working as a team to fix things can actually make a bond even stronger. Just know when it’s time to seek professional help.

Communication and mutual understanding are key, and finding out how to work through the issues mentioned above can be a testament to your strength and resilience as a couple. But of course, it's also important to know when you can fix your own problems and when you need professional help. "The person with ADHD may need to hire a professional to help solve the issues that their partner was trying to fix before — and for both partners, sometimes it's better to offload your problems on a third party than it is to offload on each other," Barkley says.

ADHD doesn't have to cause problems in your life forever — and it's completely possible for a couple where only one person has ADHD to have a happy, lasting relationship together. "These relationships can be successful, you just have to figure out how to work together and support each other — and in the end, that can actually strengthen the relationship," Ramsay says.

Westend61 / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

• National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH)

• American Psychological Association

• "Is It You, Me, Or Adult ADHD: Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder," by Gina Pera.

• "Taking Charge Of Adult ADHD," by Russell Barkley.

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

Lixia Guo / BuzzFeed News

“Before, I was completely numb and felt dead inside. After transitioning, I started feeling things — even being sad was amazing because it meant I was alive.”

Transitioning can mean many different things, and it's a unique process for each individual. Sometimes, it may be a social change (changing clothing, pronouns, and names). For others, transitioning may involve medical interventions (hormone therapy, surgery). Or it may be a combination of different things — it really depends on the individual to decide which changes (if any) to make and when to make them.

A quick note: We included a range of people and experiences, but the stories below don't represent everyone who identifies as transgender, or everyone who struggles with mental health.

And just a heads up, some of these submissions discuss suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

“Keeping a secret that big just wears on you. Coming out and transitioning was like removing the biggest weight in the world off my back.”

Along with a decade-long drug and alcohol binge with two attempts along the way, I wasn't the most mentally stable person. Keeping a secret that big just wears on you. Waking up every day just trying to find another excuse not to transition just made me want to cry. Coming out and transitioning was like removing the biggest weight in the world off my back. It was such a sense of relief.

—Ianna Drew Urquhart, 44, trans femme

Courtesy of individual

Before transitioning, I was completely numb. I didn't feel happiness or joy, nor sadness or sorrow. I felt dead on the inside, like I was acting out a script someone else had written for me.

After deciding to transition, it was as if all my life the whole world had been a sepia movie, and all of a sudden it got colors. I started feeling lots of things for the first time — even being sad was amazing because it meant I was alive. I made lots of friends and discovered I'm actually kind of extroverted, even though I used to think I was rather aloof. Even my friends say I look noticeably happier this way. I feel more alive than ever, and I'm loving it. On the other hand, it was a huge change for my family, but once they learned I was better off this way, they were fully supportive.

—Sophie, 22, Woman

“Having to present female in public caused me so much anxiety that I just hid from everyone. Now I enjoy being out and interacting with people. My mental health has improved drastically.”

Before transitioning, I was extremely depressed and couldn't really figure out why for the longest time. It took me a while to come to terms with being trans. In college I joined a sorority in hopes that I would feel more "feminine". That 100% did not work, and if anything it really helped me come to terms with my gender identity. Wearing female clothes and going by female pronouns caused me so much stress that I stopped going to class and speaking to people. I kind of just shut down. Having to present female in public caused me so much anxiety that I just hid from everyone.

Now that I'm about a year and a half into my transition, my depression no longer consumes my life and is manageable. There are days when I still feel dysphoric, but when I look in the mirror and see the physical changes, it doesn't affect me as much as it use to. I still get anxious whenever I run into people from high school or from college who haven't seen me since I've transitioned. But thankfully I have an amazing group of friends who immediately started using male pronouns and called me by the name I wanted to be referred to. Overall, my mental health has improved drastically. Little things like going out with friends or meeting new people use to feel unbearable, but now I am more confident and enjoy being out and interacting with people.

—Kenneth, 24, Transman

Courtesy of individual

“I was a NCAA Division 1 collegiate runner. I was using running to wither my body away. Two years later, I can say I eat what I want and I smile when I want. It truly does get better.”

Right before I transitioned, after graduating college in 2015, my mental health was the lowest it had ever been. I was a NCAA Division 1 collegiate runner. I was using running to wither my body away. Anorexia was my way of getting rid of everything that was feminine on my body. I was depressed and spent many nights sitting at the top of the parking garage on campus wondering if I should jump. But somewhere deep inside of me was this feeling that I wouldn't feel this way forever. And as I sit here writing this I can definitely say that feeling saved my life.

After starting testosterone in June 2015 my mental health changed for the better. A few months into my transition, my depression was almost gone. I was passing in public and it was the most genuine happiness I had felt in a long time. After undergoing top surgery in November of 2015, I felt that it was okay for my body to put on weight. The anorexic thoughts began to slowly disappear. Two years later and I can say I eat what I want and I smile when I want. It truly does get better.

—Jeffrey Rubel

Courtesy of individual

Before, I struggled with depression and anxiety, as well as self harm and suicidal tendencies. I was constantly nervous and uncomfortable, shaking and fidgeting all the time, and had regular panic attacks when I had to say my name or state my gender. I stopped eating and sleeping at a certain point, lost 15kg in two months, and ended up at a psychiatrist, who prescribed me antidepressants.

So far, my transition has been only social — changing my haircut and clothes. However, I noticed that I can't help but smile and feel happy every time a friend or family member uses my correct name or pronouns. I'm smiling a lot, laughing with my friends, and eating normally. I still fidget a lot when out in public, out of fear of strangers who can get hostile and start asking me questions. Toilets are also a very unpleasant situation that gives me way too much anxiety, and I occasionally still get panic attacks when I have to use them. However, given that my transition has mostly been social so far, I think the progress in my mental health is amazing.

—Oliver, 18, male

“I am the happiest I have ever been in my adult life.”

Before deciding to transition, I had suicidal depression and anxiety, and a strong tendency to sabotage myself. I was very successful professionally, but always felt I was an impostor. Now, my depression is gone, and anxiety is greatly reduced. I am the happiest I have ever been in my adult life. I've changed from being very introverted to being an extrovert, and an activist.

—Michelle Paquette, 63, female

Courtesy of individual

I've suffered from severe clinical depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. I spent half my life in denial about my gender identity, which exacerbated my depression. I self-injured for several years and attempted suicide. I hated every aspect of myself, especially my outward appearance, no matter how hard to tried to just accept the body I was born with.

I spent a year socially transitioning before beginning my medical transition. Every time friends called me by my new name, it made me feel great. I started testosterone in February 2017. I'm now 2 days shy of my 7 months on testosterone and I continue to feel wonderful. I still have clinical depression — I knew testosterone wouldn't cure me — but my depressive episodes are significantly less severe and few and far between. The only thing that ever really gets me down these days is how out of reach top surgery feels. But otherwise, I'm so much happier since beginning my medical transition. I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am and to have such an amazing support system.

—Aiden Quinn P., 31, trans man

“I had no idea how it felt to be happy or in love. Hormones drastically improved my entire experience with life.”

Before, I was anxious, depressed, suicidal, miserable, and scared. I didn't experience much emotional range. I had no idea how it felt to be happy or in love. My life has undergone a hugely substantial shift since transitioning. I've had euphoric highs and dark lows. Mostly I've been happy with my life. Starting hormones drastically improved my entire outlook and experience with life.

—Deanna Atkinson, 55, female

Courtesy of individual

Before transitioning, I had a lot of social anxiety and very low self-confidence. In addition to these, I had "therapy-resistant" chronic migraines ever since first puberty. Every step of the way — coming out, socially transitioning, medically transitioning, and even just the steps to start a medical transition — has made me more comfortable with myself. Suddenly I find myself being okay with, and almost anxiety-free, when meeting new people. I am much more laid back and not as riddled with anxiety as I used to be. My chronic migraines have gotten better. I even cut back on my meds a couple of weeks ago. I have good hopes to be able to get off (almost) all of them.

—Jerome Abalone, 23, male, FTM

“Transitioning is a slow process and takes lots of patience... it’s been a roller coaster of feelings from happiness, euphoria to anxiety and very emotional moments."

Transitioning is a slow process and takes lots of patience. I have been transitioning for 26 months and it’s been a roller coaster of feelings from happiness, euphoria to anxiety and very emotional moments. For the most part, my mental health has improved.

—London Lumbi , 33, Transgender Woman

Before, I was incredibly depressed and angry at all times. I honestly don't know how I was able to function. It felt like I was in a dark pit I couldn't see the end of. I felt completely alone and powerless.

A major part of my transitioning has been getting a great therapist who has helped me deal with my mental health in general. Once I got on HRT [hormone replacement therapy] and got top surgery, it was like I suddenly could see the end of that pit I was in. My self confidence was boosted and I was able to function with a clearer and happier mindset. I still get depressed on occasion, but whereas before when I'd be depressed I'd hyper-focus on that fact I was trans, now I am able to love myself for who I am and not fall down into a really dark place again.

—Toby, 21, Trans Man

“Before, I was in a deep depression, which brought about severe seclusion... My confidence has increased and I reclaimed my social butterfly status.”

Before, I was in a deep depression, which brought about severe seclusion. It was as if the skin I was born in did not match who I saw myself as. I attempted suicide twice, before I knew I needed to transition fully one day. Coming from a very conservative religious family, I learned at a very young age to fake it till I make it.

Now, my confidence has increased and I have reclaimed my social butterfly status. I deal with negativity in a very, "hey why do you feel that way?" attitude now. I have an increased mental focus on fully transitioning and complete this portrait I call my body.

—Tera, 27, Transwoman

Courtesy of individual

Before deciding to transition, I struggled so much to understand myself. I clung onto every new label I found, hoping that it would be the definitive answer I was seeking, but was always left unsatisfied. In high school I had a serious problem with isolating myself, since I didn't know where to fit in with my peer groups. It was very lonely and I struggled with a lot of suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

I'm still in the midst of transitioning socially as a sophomore in college, and still trying to discern what lies in my future as far as medical transition. However, since I've changed the way I present I've never felt more like myself. I still deal with a lot of anxiety about my identity and the way people perceive me, but I feel much less trapped than I used to. The more that I move forward in my transition, the more confident I feel in myself and my identity. Dysphoria is a big struggle for me, but that's only because I've finally realized what was "wrong" with me and can now see a path forward.

—Anonymous, trans male/nonbinary

“My anxiety will always be there, but it's almost better because I don't have to be someone I'm not anymore.”

Before deciding to transition, my mental health was terrible. I was extremely uncomfortable with myself and I really didn't know what to do with myself nor did I care how my life ended up. Now I'm more in tune with my emotions and am more confident than I ever was before. My anxiety will always be there but it's almost better because I don't have to be someone I'm not anymore.

—Allison

Courtesy of individual

Before, I had chronic depression, dysphoria-induced low mood, and I avoided looking at myself in mirrors. Now that I'm seeing changes from the hormones, I actually want to look at myself in the mirror again. I don't get those random 'bad days' anymore. My self confidence is growing and I feel so much more comfortable and at ease. I struggle most in dealing with my family, and their poor reactions to my transition have led to a few minor depressive episodes on my end. But overall, I'm so much happier and I'm looking forward to seeing where my transition takes me.

—Sam, 23, trans man

“I still struggle with my mental health, but I feel confident that my physical transition will really help me break down those final barriers.”

I always had a lot of social anxiety and depression my entire life. I was scared of expressing myself and speaking up. I felt completely disconnected from myself. My dysphoria was never bad enough for me to identify it for what it was.

All that changed when I finally realized the truth about my gender. My dysphoria has trickled back down to very manageable levels, though it is still more noticeable than it was before I recognized it for what it was. But as I came out to more people, purchased binders, and people started using male pronouns, I blossomed socially for the first time in my life.

I have deeper friendships with more people, and a better relationship with my family who has been much more accepting than I expected. Now that I've cut my hair, bind my breasts, and wear men's clothing, I finally feel a real connection with the person in the mirror and in photos, whereas before I just saw a stranger. I still struggle with my mental health, but I feel confident physical transition will really help me break down those final barriers. I can't wait for my testosterone consult!"

—Booker M, 22, Queer Trans Male

Courtesy of individual

My mental health was very, very poor. Keeping such a huge part of myself hidden before starting my transition was not only mentally straining, but it also made me constantly feel vulnerable, like at any moment someone might discover my secret. Being on high alert all the time was detrimental to my overall wellbeing.

Just coming out made an immense difference. I am currently pre-hormones or surgeries, so as I have mostly just come out and started transitioning, that alone has helped. Being able to voice my true self, wear a binder, and go by correct pronouns has genuinely saved my life. My constant depression and anxiety has lessened, making it manageable to get through the day and stay confident and happy in myself.

—Malcolm, 21, FTM transgender man

“I'm no longer as depressed, I'm not suicidal, and I'm comfortable with myself. Having a loving accepting husband has helped.”

I'm no longer as depressed, no more internal anger, and I'm not suicidal. I'm comfortable with myself, and I'm no longer struggling to be who I knew I was. Having a loving accepting husband has helped.

—Delaney Alysa Anderson

Courtesy of individual

My mental health was very poor. I was crying every day, self harming, pushing away people who cared about me and I had extreme anxiety. I felt hopeless and I had no idea why. My body was a stranger to me. It seemed as though my life was coming to an end.

Since I started transitioning, my mental health has dramatically improved! I feel genuine joy in life now that I have a future. I'm finally in love with my body. I've never had so much confidence until now, and I have never felt so happy!

—Morgan, 18, Trans Male

“I’m more comfortable in myself... but my anxiety worsened after my social transition — I hear of so many hate crimes against trans people.”

My mental health was terrible. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 10 and have dealt with abuse most of my life so my mental health has always been very poor.

Initially, my depression worsened as I was bullied for my gender identity. I even attempted suicide. After people began to not have an issue with it, things have been a lot better. I still experience mental health issues due to my abuse and it's something I'll likely have for the rest of my life, but my depression has been a lot more manageable because I'm starting to feel comfortable in myself due to my social transition. However, my anxiety definitely worsened. I hear of so many hate crimes against trans people that I'm terrified to use a public bathroom or go to a party and be around drunk people when they realize I'm trans. A lot of people have commented on the fact that I do seem a lot happier and comfortable now though which is great.

—Isis Jager, 18, Transmasculine

Courtesy of individual

“I cried myself to sleep more often I could count. I remember wanting to die... Now I see a future for myself and I am happier with who I am.”

My mental health before transitioning was terrible, I cried myself to sleep more often than I could count. I remember wanting to die and not seeing any future for myself. I was very unhappy with who I was and I couldn't truly act the way I wanted to in fear of being misgendered. I was very shy, not wanting to go outside at times, and I was often afraid of being judged too.

I became more relaxed and I didn't have to worry about constantly being misgendered. Testosterone really helped my dysphoria and it made me feel more like myself. It allowed me to act more feminine without being perceived as female. My suicidal thoughts left after a while too. I could see a future for myself and I am happier with who I am now.

—Rowan Zwikstra, 18, demiboy

Courtesy of individual

Before transitioning, I was a terrible ball of anxiety and depression. I was so unhappy all of the time and I didn't know what to do about those feelings. Nothing made me feel even remotely okay. I tried therapy and antidepressants with no luck. I dreaded getting out of bed and having to leave my house. I looked in the mirror and hated everything I saw. I was so unhappy for so long I didn't see a way out of the misery.

Within a few weeks of starting testosterone, I felt something I had never felt before: happiness. I felt a calm presence in my life. I didn't have the constant anxiety and fear or dread of something horrible around the corner. It was like waking up after a bad dream. I felt mentally strong and really lucid for the first time in my life. Transitioning and being on testosterone has given me something to live for.

—Britton, 26, TransMan

“After I began my social transition, I immediately had relief from my suicidal thoughts and crippling depression.”

I was an absolute mess — depressed and suicidal. I suffered from frequent panic attacks and a few random dissociative attacks. After I began my social transition — changing my name and pronouns — I had immediate relief from my suicidal thoughts and crippling depression. My panic and dissociating attacks subsided to a more manageable frequency. I tossed and turned about starting testosterone as part of my physical transition, but I finally took the leap and haven't had a dissociative attack since. I'm now a week shy of one year on testosterone. My panic attacks related to anxiety about passing or being safe in public have also almost completely dissipated since I don't get misgendered anymore.

—Oliver, 22, transman

Courtesy of individual

I was a hot, angry, suicidal mess with a lot of explosive and self harming tendencies. I would regularly scream at other drivers or punch holes in walls out of frustration. Honestly, I was totally out of control. I was suicidal all the time even at the (then) height of my career, I just wanted to end my life without hurting my family.

I think when I was further into my transition, it allowed me to see life from a new perspective. Once I felt more comfortable living in my own skin, I was able to explore the things that hurt me before transitioning and make peace with them. Transitioning was only a piece of the puzzle for me but nonetheless the biggest piece. Going from taking down mirrors in my home to being proud, happy, and connected to my body was something I never thought would happen.

—Harper, 25, transfemale

“Transitioning didn't make my depression go away, but it gave me a better understanding of myself and allowed me to actually get help.”

I was depressed for years. I felt confused. I knew something was definitely wrong, but I had no idea what it was because I had never been exposed to trans people before. I went through various mental health professionals who all dropped me because I couldn't tell them what was wrong with me. It made me feel hopeless and suicidal.

It was a huge relief to finally figure out that I'm trans. At the time, it was the only thing that made sense in my life. When I started testosterone and had top surgery, I felt relief again. I felt dysphoria I didn't even know I had disappear. Transitioning didn't make my depression go away, but it gave me a better understanding of myself and allowed me to actually get help.

—Louis Wilkinson, 21, trans man/agender

Courtesy of individual

I've had a lot of trouble with my mental health. I've suffered with depression since I was 10 and I've had anxiety since I was 14. They have been constant companions, despite years and medicine and therapy.

My depression has been more manageable since beginning transitioning. However, as I've gone through the process, my anxiety has actually gotten worse. At work, I went from a relative nobody to someone who's progress seems to be known by everyone. As the only out person in my office, I feel like I have to be an example for the whole trans community and I have to have all the answers. There have been times where I've been asked to do talks and interviews for work events when I really just want to hide away and be anonymous. There is so much hatred thrown around online that sometimes I'm afraid to even go outside with my binder on or without shaving. When I'm finally done with transitioning, I hope to feel more comfortable being myself out in the world.

—RW, 28, Male

“My mental health has improved so much. I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I am no longer in a constant battle of ‘live or die’.”

My mental health was in the toilet. I was severely depressed 100% of the time and often thought about dying because of how unbearable it was. I had very little self worth and was terrified to start my transition, which in turn made my depression and anxiety much much worse.

My mental health has improved so much. I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I am no longer in a constant battle of "live or die" sort of thing. I value myself so much now and I am no longer afraid to be who I am.

—Kindra, 23, nonbinary (agender)

Courtesy of individual

“I often feel joy in my life, a far cry from years of anger, depression, not willing to live.”

For more than fifty years, I ignored and hid who I was — resulting in years of anger, depression, heavy drinking and drug use. It ended in a complete mental break down around age 55, when I spent weeks in a severe depression with no will to live.

Once I decided to transition to my true self and started hormone replacement therapy, my mental started to improve. The anger went away, I became less depressed, and over time I even begin to feel periods of happiness. Today, after living for over 6 years as me, I am happier and healthier both mentally and physically than I have ever been. I often feel joy in my life, a far cry from years of anger, depression, not willing to live.

—Ginger Victoria Baier, 67, transgender female

Courtesy of individual

As soon as I hit puberty, my mental health went into rapid decline. I lost the ability to make friends and communicate with people because of the weight of my mental dysphoria. I figured, "if I don't value myself, no one else ever could." I developed extreme anxiety and took part in many self-harming behaviors, and in the back of my mind I didn't expect to make it to my senior year of high school.

As soon as I came out socially and started to make significant changes, it was as if a black and white filter had been removed from my vision. I discovered a kind of confidence in myself I hadn't felt since childhood, and I finally started to understand that life was worth living. My physical health has improved because I've been feeding and resting my body properly. For the first time in my life, I began waking up in the morning with the strength to take on the day. I was disappointed to realize that some parts of my mental health (phobias, obsessive disorder) would not be cured by transitioning, but they no longer feel all- consuming. I am finally standing on my own two feet.

—Jan, 19, FTM

"I was very depressed. I couldn't look in a mirror without wanting to smash it. I'm actually happy with myself now."

I was very depressed. I couldn't look in a mirror without wanting to smash it because I knew that person I was looking at wasn't who I really am. I was miserable before transitioning. Now, I'm not as depressed as I was before. I can look in a mirror and actually like what I see now — well, for the most part. I'm not as miserable anymore and I'm actually happy with myself now.

—Kade, 23, he/him

Courtesy of individual

“The sense of self peace I felt was beautiful. I finally felt complete. I haven’t had one suicidal thought — not one after 40 years of thinking about it every day.”

I was always sad often suicidal. I was despondent and terrified to tell a significant other my true feelings about myself for fear of being laughed at. I was going through life like I was wearing a costume or mask. My depression was so profound that I didn't work for eight years because of my body dysphoria.

Seven days after my first shot of testosterone, I awoke feeling a 'wholeness' that I had never known. The sense of self peace I felt was beautiful. I finally felt complete. My confidence is still not where I want it to be but after a year on testosterone, it is a thousand times better than what it was. I haven’t had one suicidal thought — not one after a 40 years of thinking about it every day. The downside is the isolation from my siblings.

—Parker Dyer, 49

Courtesy of individual

At the time I thought I was fine. But looking back, I was probably depressed. I would cry over the tiniest things. I was known for being really quiet. I never participated in class. And I never wanted to go places or do things in public. I was so afraid they all somehow knew I wasn't a "real girl" or would find out I was trans.

I came out and socially transitioned about three years ago. It was incredibly relieving to be myself around my friends. Suddenly I was able to participate and talk to my classmates. I started taking testosterone 6 months ago and at this point, most people assume I'm a cis guy unless I say otherwise. T has made me feel so much better about myself. It's insane to think of how much I've changed over the past few months — it's like a switch flipped. I'm motivated to work on things like my career, my health, and my relationships. I still get sad or dysphoric sometimes, but I'm happy most of the time now — actually happy, not "fine" like I was when I was younger. There's still a way to go but I wouldn't trade this for anything."

—Anonymous, 22, gay trans dude

“I felt genuinely in tune with my emotions and my mental health and my life clicked into place. I realized I wasn't mentally ill, just different.”

Before my transition, I struggled to find my place in the world. I felt disconnected from my job, my spouse, and my family; it was as though I was going through life in a numb haze without clear direction. I knew something was wrong with me but I didn't know exactly what it was.

I consider myself fully transitioned to female now. While there were a lot of milestones during my journey, there were two key points where I noticed a big change in my mental health. The first was when I was able to clearly say to myself, "I am a woman." That knocked me out of my haze and I felt like I had a clear purpose for the first time in life. I felt genuinely in tune with my emotions and my mental health and my life clicked into place. I realized I wasn't mentally ill, just different. The second turning point in my mental health came after my gender confirmation surgery. When the bandages came off, I looked down at myself and for the first time in my life I felt truly at home in my body. The dysphoria was now little but a whisper in my ear. The burden of living in a body that doesn't fit your own perception of who you are is a very real one. For me, surgery was an amazing psychological therapy that freed me from that burden.

—Melanie, 34, transwoman

Courtesy of individual

My mental health was very poor. I had been suicidal on and off (it seemed to be on for a month or two, and then off for a week or so) from about 13 until when I began transitioning last year.

I'm no longer depressed to the point of suicide, although I'm still struggling with depression and a bit of dysphoria on and off. It depends on the day, but now there are many more decent and ok days rather than bad ones. Overall, I'm definitely happier, and I'm looking forward to feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin as I continue to transition. So far, I haven't done much beyond cut my hair, throw out all my skirts, and ask for people to call me Mike rather than my birth name, but it has definitely lifted a great weight off of me.

—Mike, 20, FTM

“I still get down, but I am happy to be alive. Which is honestly something that I have never felt before."

Before even coming out as a transgender male, my anxiety and depression were so bad that I had a mental breakdown freshman year of high school that lasted until junior year. I was self-harming and suffering from horrible suicidal urges. I didn't want to be alive, but I lacked the knowledge of the words to describe why I felt that way.

My mental health took such a turn for the better that sometimes it is actually shocking. I mean, I still get down and my anxiety tends to sucker-punch me, but I am happy to be alive. Which is honestly something that I have never felt before. But, everything is manageable now, and it is most definitely because I was able to come out and begin my medical transition by starting T this year.

—Boaz Priestly, 20, transgender male

Courtesy of individual

[Responses have been edited for length and clarity.]

If you need to talk to someone immediately, you can reach the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860, or any of the resources available through The Trevor Project here, including the Trevor Lifeline, TrevorChat, and TrevorText.

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

Lixia Guo / BuzzFeed New

The new rules will allow employers to stop covering contraception for employees based on religious or moral reasons. People are using the hashtag on Twitter to speak up.

The Trump administration issued two new rules on Friday that will roll back Obamacare’s mandated birth control coverage.

The rules will allow employers to stop covering contraception for employees for moral or religious reasons. It does not fully overturn, but rather, rolls back the Obamacare contraception mandate — which required birth control to be covered by insurance companies (with no co-pay or coinsurance) as a preventive service. "The rules will broaden the ability of employers, universities, religious institutions, and even health insurers to opt-out of covering birth control," BuzzFeed News previously reported.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Friday morning that the rules will go into effect immediately. "Senior HHS officials, who asked not to be named, said that they estimated that 'no more' than 120,000 women would lose contraception coverage under this rule," BuzzFeed News reported. However, advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood contest these claims and already four advocacy groups and Massachusetts are suing the Trump administration to block the rules.

Peter Ardito / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

In the meantime, four groups have already said they would file lawsuits against the Trump Administration over the new rules.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the National Women's Law Center, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have announced they will file lawsuits, challenging that the rules are "forms of gender discrimination and violations of the separation of church and state," BuzzFeed News previously reported.

Bsip / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Ever feel yourself ~going down the rabbit hole~? Try these strategies to stop yourself from spiraling and quiet your anxiety.

A "thought spiral" occurs when one concern triggers a chain of negative thoughts that keeps going until you become overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, or stress.

We all worry; it's a normal human reaction. But sometimes one worrisome thought turns into a never-ending stream of scary "what-ifs" until we've spiraled into a very negative mental state. "Thought spirals often happen because we're thinking so fast and so anxiously that we don't stop to critically examine our thinking and ask ourselves whether our thoughts are rational or realistic," Lynn Bufka, PhD, licensed psychologist, and associate executive director for practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association, tells BuzzFeed Health.

"In the long-term, the best way to really break this pattern of thinking is to recognize a spiral when it starts and critique each anxious thought, then come up with more reasonable alternatives or outcomes," Bufka says. But replacing anxiety with rationality isn't always easy to do, especially if you're already feeling super anxious. Fortunately, there are also some short-term solutions to distract yourself and get outside of your thoughts before you've spiraled into a negative mental state.

Jenny Chang / Via buzzfeed.com

Of course, everyone is different and these strategies might not work for everyone. If your thought spirals are frequent and debilitating, or they are related to an underlying anxiety or mood disorder, you may need to see a mental health professional to explore different treatment options. But in the meantime, here are some tricks, tips, and hacks you can try the next time you're spiraling.

Ask yourself what you would tell a friend who came to you with the same concerns.

"I do my best to remove my biases from the situation and talk to myself as if I were my best friend. My best friend makes a mistake at work? It happens to everyone! You're doing your best and your coworkers/boss/clients know that! It has gotten me through a ton."
—pocketcopter

"Sometimes it really helps to think, 'What would I say to a friend who came to me with these same anxious thoughts?' because we tend to be more objective and realistic about other people's lives than our own," Bufka says.

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Start a detail-oriented task, like painting your nails.

"I paint my nails or reorganize my closet to get my mind to focus elsewhere."
—mckenzies47d2328c1

Instagram: @jerseygirltexanheart / Via instagram.com

Create a photo album on your phone of your favorite pictures and memes, and break it out when you feel yourself spiraling.

"I have an entire album on my cellphone called 'Feeling Sad.' It's nothing but cute pictures of my pets, funny pictures of friends and family, memes, and pretty landscapes. Looking at it distracts me as I remember what was happening when I took the pictures."
—sarahb32

youtube.com / Via giphy.com

Put on a song that always makes you feel happy or relaxed.

"A good method is listening to music. If you concentrate on the lyrics, you don't have time to think. This helps me deal with my anxiety."
—secludedanxiety

Author's tip: When you aren't spiraling, try making a playlist of these feel-good songs so that you'll have it ready for the next time you need a distraction.

Wundervisuals / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Jot down a list of things you are grateful for, or even just good things that have happened to you recently.

"I like to start making a list of things I'm grateful for. And they don't all have to be big things, they can just be a little conveniences. I'm grateful that Chick-fil-A has waffle fries. I'm grateful that my dog is always happy to see me. I'm grateful that my husband loves me. I'm grateful that I have clean socks today. It always seems to put things in perspective for me. And by the time I'm done with the list, I realize how lucky I am."
—manningl428

Instagram: @magicaldragondetectives / Via instagram.com

Scream into a pillow.

"I scream into a pillow for about 10 seconds to try to get the thought to stop and then immediately do something to distract my mind, like pick up a book, turn on the news, or even play a puzzle game on my phone."
—roxanner40e19d31e

etsy.com / Via etsy.com

Write your anxious thoughts down.

"Try breaking down the thought spiral by writing out each individual thought that led you there, which can help you realize that you're thinking isn't realistic," Bufka says. If it's a recurring thought spiral, she suggests writing down the rational or most likely outcomes for each thought, and keeping it on a notecard or piece of paper so you can pull it out next time you spiral.

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Ask yourself a few basic questions that can help you calm down and focus on the present.

"I also find myself talking it out, and I'll ask myself questions out loud, like, 'Why am I spun up on this? What's really bothering me?' I've found that by asking those questions out loud, it's like I'm being interviewed, and it's easier for me to find the answer and get to the root of what's getting me low."
—sarahb32

"Checking in with yourself and asking a few questions can help you think more rationally and slow down the racing thoughts," Bufka says.

Fill in the pages of a coloring book.

"I break out the colored pencils and pick a book (my girlfriend has gotten me tons of cool ones). Focusing on coloring stops me from thinking about anything else. I get absorbed in it."
—emmamcg2

Instagram: @rpenze / Via instagram.com

Hop on an app, like Headspace or What's Up?. They can help you slow down and focus on the present.

"Headspace has rescued me in the past year. I used to believe that if I thought out all of the possible bad scenarios, then I would be more prepared when they happened. Headspace has trained my brain to hear an anxious thought and check myself by saying, 'What good is this doing me?' I'd realize 'none,' and stop before I got too far down the rabbit hole of my brain."
—aftonm3

"I use this app called What's Up? (Not WhatsApp). It has exercises to help get you back in the moment. You can also journal on there."
—jessicab45bac3e5e

Check out more apps for anxiety here.

Instagram: @headspace / Via instagram.com

Try to sleep it off.

"I usually start getting into these traps in the evenings when I'm really tired, so sleeping is usually the best way for me to feel better and more rational. Never underestimate the power of rest."
—e4b3820361

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Recite a mantra that will actually calm you down.

"I use this mantra: 'You're on the feedback loop from hell. Recognize and reverse.' I learned it from the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Excellent read for anyone who needs support in confidence and reassurances."
—samanthag40b1cb1a3

Click here for more motivational quotes.

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Try working out to get rid of the anxious energy.

"I force myself to exercise. I go for a run or to my boxing class. It's a real act of will because anxiety makes me want to withdraw and isolate, but that just feeds it. I have spiraled into paralyzing anxiety and depression lasting weeks, so now I force myself to stick to my workout program. When I'm exhausted and sweaty and feeling proud of myself, my anxiety becomes a small problem that I can handle."
—annabelle86

Instagram: @rubenhughes / Via instagram.com

Do a guided stretch routine.

"I do a short stretch routine that helps me relax my neck, my spine, and actually stretches almost every part of my body. Paying exclusive attention to areas of your body can actually make you forget, at least for a while, about those things that bug you. It also gives you a sense of presence that is otherwise really difficult to reach when you're overthinking."
—paug4b4fc6e8e

Instagram: @mynameisjessamyn / Via instagram.com

Put an ice pack on the back of your neck or try sticking your face in a bowl of ice water.

"I learned about ice diving this past summer while I was hospitalized, and I love it. I use it when I get really anxious and can't get out of my thoughts. All you need is a bowl big enough to put your face in, cold water, and ice. It makes you focus on only feeling cold. I love it."
—emmaports

"I submerge my face in ice cold water for 30 seconds. I do this because it results in immediate relief; it lowers my heart rate and has a calming effect. It's essentially like hitting a reset button. An ice pack can accomplish the same thing when submersion isn't an option."
—kristenm4cedc2db8

Valdas Jarutis / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Use a grounding technique, like counting things around you or noticing how each part of your body feels.

"Grounding techniques can get you out of your head. Here are a few of my favorites:

• 5,4,3,2,1: Count 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you touch, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. This brings your awareness back to the present and gets you out of your head.

• A body scan: Notice each part of your body and how it feels, starting with your feet and go up. I like to tense up each body part and release it as I go up my body. (This helps relax your muscles.) Doing body scans brings your attention to how your body feels, which will get you out of your head."

—live2dance098

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Tell your anxiety to shut up, and then change the subject.

"Sometimes it takes yelling STOP to myself (in my head) to stop the train, and then I pick something to concentrate on like a song that's playing. It's not easy to do at first, but with practice it becomes easier."
—wayneb49e5f1466

"I literally tell my brain to shut up. If I'm alone I will say out loud, and in a fairly snippy tone of voice, 'Brain, this is not the time. Shut the hell up, I don't need this.' It didn't start out effective but it works for me now."
—carolineb46ede5184

Universal Pictures / Via giphy.com

Pick up a book that you can get lost in.

"After 20 years of dealing with anxiety and spiraling thoughts I finally found that nothing is better than escaping into a different world, a different life, problems that are not mine, and happiness and sadness that isn't mine. I just just grab a book and completely immerse myself in a life that isn't my own."
—saturn71369

Instagram: @booklifesj / Via instagram.com

Focus on an object and repeat its name.

"If I catch it in the very early stages, I will repeat 'banana' in my head and focus on the image of a banana."
—annam4a0da79d2

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Start knitting or crocheting.

"I knit as a form of meditation. Usually does the trick."
—tianaf411f50022

Instagram: @quinceandco / Via instagram.com

Watch a guided meditation video.

"I watch ASMR or guided meditation videos on YouTube when I feel like I'm spiraling. Focusing on someone else talking makes the thoughts go away eventually."
—elegante

Instagram: @kylezliu0511 / Via instagram.com

Get outside and focus on the ~nature~ around you.

"It can help to remove yourself from the physical environment where you're having a thought spiral and go to a place that you don't associate with being stressed or anxious," says Bufka. So try to get up and move from ~your spot~ —whether that's your bed, couch, desk, etc. — and take a walk outside.

Instagram: @buzzfeedhealth / Via instagram.com

Do a simple breathing exercise.

"To stop myself from spiraling I always first tell myself to breathe. Then I remind myself that no matter how bad I feel right now, tomorrow is a brand new day and it will come with brand new reasons to be happy. Then I breathe again and try to forget about what had me triggered."
—ashleys4f7601eea

"If I'm in public, I'll do some breathing exercises (take a deep belly breath through the nose, count 1-2-3, breathe out through mouth and repeat) till I calm down and am able to deal with it later."
—paiges95

Instagram: @erikacapriles / Via instagram.com

Watch an episode of your favorite "comfort show."

"Netflix has helped so much. I'll put a series like The Office on in the background while I do other things, and listening to it quiets my mind and distracts me for long enough to stop the panic from taking over."
—kelseas4467b0dde

"I open Netflix or Hulu and binge-watch a couple of episodes of my comfort show, Gossip Girl."
—swatib4536bd892

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If you can, tell a trusted friend or family member about your anxious thoughts.

"When I start spiraling, I force myself to talk to someone. Whether it's my boyfriend or best friend, hearing what I'm thinking out loud makes me realize how illogical I'm being. Keeping your anxieties bottled up inside your head only makes it worse."
—haleym4897885ca

"If you can't examine your own thoughts, you can bring in a trusted friend or family member and tell them your worry; they might provide a more objective, rational perspective. If you have someone who can help you get out of your spirals and support you, that’s great," Bufka says.

Instagram: @dallasclayton / Via instagram.com

Take a hot shower.

—paiges95

Ismailciydem / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

In the long term, you may want to think about if there are any specific situations or people who seem to trigger your spirals, and consider removing yourself from them.

"You may need to sit and ask yourself these questions: Are there situations or people that aren’t good for me and tend to trigger these spirals? Do I need to set boundaries or maybe cut people off? How can I put myself in a place where I’m better able to deal with ups or downs of life?" Bufka says. This may mean spending less time with certain people, changing some habits, or figuring out how you can set boundaries so things don't get to you.

Instagram: @recipesforselflove / Via instagram.com

"Make sure you're getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and exercising regularly — keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy will make you better equipped to deal with spirals when they happen," Bufka says.

And finally, if your thought spirals are debilitating or you are worried about your mental health, you might want to seek help from a professional.

And if you need to talk to someone immediately, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Suicide helplines outside the US can be found here.

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

Lixia Guo / BuzzFeed News

Which method is your best line of defense in the battle against germs?

Twitter: @Juanton26_

We spoke to Kelly Reynolds, germ expert and associate professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona, and Jason Tetro, visiting scientist at the University of Guelph and author of the best-selling book Germ Files.

First of all, not all hand sanitizers are equal.

There are a million different kinds of hand sanitizer: gels, foams, alcohol-based, all-natural, ones that smell like pumpkin spice, and more. And it turns out, the type of sanitizer really does matter — or rather, the active ingredient and its concentration, says Reynolds.

"You'll want a hand sanitizer that's 62–70% ethyl alcohol," said Tetro. Most of the popular brands out these days, like Purell, have 70%. When it comes to the alcohol-free stuff with ~natural active ingredients~ like aloe vera, the experts say they might kill some germs but definitely not enough. In order for a sanitizer to be effective, it has to reduce a certain amount of microbes from a surface. "The goal is a four-log (or 10,000-fold) reduction, meaning it reduces about 99.99% of the germs on your hands — and that's enough to prevent illness," said Reynolds.

So it doesn't really matter which brand of hand sanitizer you use or whether it's gel or foam, as long as it has at least 60% alcohol. And you should use enough hand sanitizer so that your hands get wet and it takes about 15 to 20 seconds for them to dry, says Tetro.

Antagain / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective at killing most stuff, including cold and flu germs — but not everything.

Hand sanitizer is pretty effective, but alcohol-based sanitizers don't kill everything, Reynolds says, such as the highly contagious stomach bug norovirus, some parasites like Giardia, and the diarrhea-causing bacterium Clostridium difficile.

They just don't get broken down and killed by the alcohol compounds in sanitizer like other germs do. The good news is that you are less likely to encounter these pathogens — unless you work in a hospital, where C. difficile is spread easily. "People are usually more concerned about cold and flu viruses, and those are killed with alcohol-based hand sanitizers," Reynolds says. But if you have any visible dirt or grime or sticky stuff on your hands, the sanitizer probably won't remove it, which is not ideal.

CBS / Via giphy.com

So washing your hands with soap and water is the best hygiene method because it gets rid of more germs AND dirt, debris, and grime.

So there you have it: proper hand washing is the gold standard. Why is it better than hand sanitizer? "Data show that they’re both effective at reducing germs, but hand washing actually kills germs, but it also physically removes much dirt, debris, and spores that could make you sick," Reynolds says. So in contrast to hand sanitizer, washing your hands does remove those pathogens like norovirus, Giardia, and C. difficile.

"Again, it's not the soap alone that kills the germs — but the friction of lathering and washing away the organisms that makes hand washing more effective," Reynolds says. Washing with soap has been shown to be better than washing with water alone because it loosens the germs’ ability to grip to the hands, making them easier to rinse away.

Rebecca Hendin / Via buzzfeed.com

BUT, you need to wash your hands properly — which means lathering with soap for 20 seconds.

"Proper hand washing with soap and water is probably the best thing you can do, but most people don’t wash their hands properly," Reynolds says. So here’s how to do it the right way:

1. Run your hands under clean, running water (hot or cold)
2. Lather up your hands and fingers with soap
3. Scrub for 20 seconds (or as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice)
4. Rinse your hands with clean water
5. Dry your hands completely using a clean towel, a dryer, or let them air-dry.

"People don't think about it, but hand drying is a very important step — if your hands are still wet, you will pick up and transmit germs very easily," Reynolds says. So don’t leave with wet hands or just wipe them on your pants — air drying is better if you don't have a clean towel.

Also, any soap will work as long as it lathers and successfully washes off the dirt and grime, says Tetro. Antibacterial soap doesn't have any added benefit, and may actually promote antibiotic-resistant germs. In fact, one of the most common active ingredients marketed as antibacterial, triclosan, has been banned by the FDA for use in hand soaps and body washes (although it can be found in other products) because it’s not clear if it’s safe for everyday use and has been shown to be no more effective than regular soap at preventing illness.

Mike Kemp / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

But hand sanitizer is still a good option if you can't wash your hands in the moment or you don’t have access to clean water.

"Hand sanitizers have made their way into healthcare environments for a reason — they're quick, easy, and effective if hand washing isn't an option at that moment," Reynolds says. And they are great to use on your way out of places where you'd pick up germs — like a subway, portable toilet, or petting zoo.

And of course, hand sanitizer is great if you're in a place where you don't have access to clean, running water, says Tetro. So keeping a little tube when you're traveling, especially in developing countries, is a great strategy to avoid disease. The only real downside of hand sanitizer is that it can really dry out your hands and lead to irritation if you use it frequently or your skin is sensitive, says Reynolds.

VIVO / Via reddit.com

And yes, hand sanitizer does "kill the good bacteria" on your hands — but there's no evidence that this is bad for your health.

You might've heard that you shouldn't use hand sanitizer because it kills all of the good bacteria on your hands, which could be bad for your health because these bacteria help protect you. "Sure, it does kill the good bacteria, but there is no evidence that this actually leads to any adverse health effects, and the good bacteria will repopulate immediately if you just touch your arms or your hair or another part of your body," says Reynolds. What matters is that you remove any bad germs that have the potential to cause disease — that has the biggest impact in terms of your health. "The argument that it destroys the microbiome is pretty much and null and void," Tetro says.

Daniel Lai / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Bottom line: keeping your hands clean — whether that's through sanitizer or washing — will help prevent illness and keep you healthy.

Germs are everywhere and you'll get exposed to them no matter what you do. But you do want to try to avoid the germs that can make you sick. And our hands are a vehicle for those germs to travel from a surface into our body — whether they're from the bathroom, a subway handrail, raw food, your computer keyboard, etc. "We have so much evidence that hand washing reduces illness — it has a measurable health benefit and it's very important for preventing the spread of disease, especially in healthcare facilities, offices, schools, etc.," Reynolds says.

So, wash your hands before you eat or prepare food (particularly when handling raw meat), touch your face, touch a baby, or treat a cut or wound. Wash them after you use the bathroom, change a diaper, blow your nose or sneeze, touch garbage, prepare food, pet an animal, or if your hands have any visible dirt.

youtube.com / Genius / Via giphy.com

And this is especially important for the upcoming cold and flu season!

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When in doubt, keep your eyes on the horizon.

If you've ever experienced motion sickness in a car, or on a plane or a boat, you know how miserable it can be.

One minute you're enjoying a ferry ride or playing a phone game in the backseat of a car and the next minute you're overwhelmed with nausea and dizziness. Motion sickness is no fun, especially when you're on a long trip and can't necessarily get off the thing that's moving.

Archie Comics / Via giphy.com

But why does this actually happen and how can you prevent it from happening? We spoke to two experts to find out.

We spoke to Joanne Feldman, MD, polar expedition physician and assistant clinical professor at UCLA’s Department of Emergency Medicine and Jane Rosenman, MD, pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

P.S. Motion sickness has several other names — kinetosis, travel sickness, car sickness, sea sickness — but we will refer to it as motion sickness in this article.

Thamkc / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

Motion sickness occurs when the three parts of our body that sense movement — the eyes, inner ear, and sensory nerves — send different signals to the brain.

Here's how these three systems sense movement and balance: "Your eyes allow you to see that you're moving, the nerves in the muscles and joints of your extremities allow you to feel that you're moving, and the inner ear has canals with fluid that moves around and this allows the body to perceive motion," Feldman says. All of these send the sensory information to your brain, which then tells you that you are moving.

Motion sickness typically occurs when only one or two of those centers (usually the inner ear) sense you are moving, Rosenman says, and the other(s) do not — so there's a mismatch in communication to the brain. "Your brain gets confused because it's getting mixed signals and sensing this abnormal movement, which results in nausea or vomiting," Feldman says.

Why? Well, this is just how the body responds to the conflicting sensory information, the experts say, and motion sickness is a complex syndrome with a variety of symptoms. These include dizziness, sweating, headache, fatigue, and general uneasiness. It can happens in cars, boats, planes, and also from 3D movies or video games (we'll explain that in a bit).

Bsip / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

It often happens when our eyes are fixated on something that isn't moving, but our inner ear or body senses motion.

So if you're on a boat and you go below deck where you can’t see outside, then your eyes might tell your brain you aren't moving while your inner ear and body senses the rolling motions of the waves, Feldman says. The same thing can happen if you're on a bumpy car or plane ride and you aren't looking outside the window. This is why some people only get motion sickness while riding in cars, but not when they’re driving, Feldman says, because in the latter situation their eyes are on the road.

You can also get motion sickness when you are sitting still and playing video games, using virtual reality gear, or watching a 3D movie, Rosenman says. In this case, it's the reverse situation — your eyes are perceiving motion and telling the brain that you are moving, but your body and inner ear do not sense movement.

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So that's why some people legitimately can't read in the car without feeling dizzy and sick.

"People often get it from reading in the car because their eyes are focusing on a steady thing, the book, but the inner ear senses motion, so your brain gets confused and you feel sick," Rosenman says. Some people can read on car or plane rides and they’re fine, others can’t, and that just means they’re more prone to motion sickness than other people. It totally depends on the person.

Unfortunately, this also means you can get motion sickness from staring at your phone or iPad or any other screen during a bumpy ride, even if you aren't reading anything. "Your eyes are still focused on a fixed object, so it's the same as reading a book and can also make you sick," Rosenman says. So even though your phone is a great way to pass the time on car and bus rides, it could also be a problem.

CBS / Via alexoloughlinintensestudy.wordpress.com

It's still a mystery why some people get motion sickness and some people don't — but it is more common in children.

Not everyone gets motion sickness under the same conditions. One person may not be able to get through one page without getting sick, while their friend can read an entire book while riding in the backseat. Likewise, some people may get sick on a short ferry ride while others can be on a boat all day and feel fine. "We have been studying motion sickness for years, and we still don’t know why certain people are more susceptible and others aren’t," Feldman says.

However, there is evidence that age is a risk factor. "It's most common among children ages two to twelve, which probably has something to do with the fact that they're brain is still developing," Rosenman says. Not to mention, kids are often preoccupied with books or screens while riding in the backseat. That being said, it generally does get better with age and people can kind of grow out of it, says Rosenman.

For people who are prone to motion sickness, it can make traveling unpleasant and nerve-wracking — and in turn, anxiety can make the motion sickness worse. So a person may feel nauseous as soon as they sit on an airplane, before it even starts moving.

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You can prevent motion sickness by trying to get those three sensory systems in sync.

"The main goal is to get your eyesight correlated with what's going on in your inner ear and your body so there aren't conflicting signals going to the brain," Feldman says. If you're riding in a car, the experts suggest sitting in the front seat or next to a window, looking outside, avoiding books or screens, keeping the car properly ventilated and cool, and having water and light snacks on-hand.

The same goes for when you ride on a boat, but you'll also want to stay above deck if you can, and keep your eyes on the horizon or land. "The good news is that if you're on a longer boat trip, your body will eventually adjust to the motions and you'll get your 'sea legs' within about three days," Feldman says.

It's harder to control your environment on a plane, but you can try to get a seat that's in the middle of the craft near the wings, where it's most stable, and choose a window seat so you can look outside. "Before the plane ride, make sure to have a light meal, because an empty stomach can actually make motion sickness worse," Rosenman says.

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There are also medications you can take before or during a ride if you anticipate getting sick — but they aren’t suitable for everyone.

Even though nausea is a main symptom of motion sickness, nausea drugs won’t really work because they don’t treat the underlying cause. "You need drugs that will help block or reduce information going into the inner ear that signals movement to the brain," Feldman says. There are a few drugs that do this by targeting receptors that stimulate the nerve from our inner ear to the brain. Nothing will completely “cure” motion sickness, but these meds can reduce symptoms. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication. Some of these medications can cause drowsiness, so they are not for anyone who is driving or operating heavy machinery, or pilots, captains, or crew. Here’s what Feldman recommends:

Over-the-counter:
-Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Gravol): take one hour before, suitable for children > 2
-Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy): take one hour before, suitable for > 12
-Cyclizine (Marezine): take 30 minutes before, suitable for children > 6
Prescription:
-Promethazine (Phenergan): comes in pill, suppository, and shot form
-Scopolamine (Transderm Scop patch): patch worn for three days

You might have to re-dose as needed, depending on the medication and instructions, but the important thing is to take these before you are in motion if you can, because it will be very difficult if you're already sick, says Feldman. You also have to be careful before administering these to children, Rosenman says, because most aren't suitable for children under 12 except Dramamine. Always read the medication label for instructions and proper dosing, and talk to your child's doctor if you have any questions.

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There are also some ~natural~ treatment options and distraction methods that can help too.

Ginger chews, candy, and drinks are all very popular. "Ginger doesn't help prevent motion sickness, but it can help soothe the stomach and make you feel less ill," Feldman says. Distraction strategies can also be very useful. "Those car games like 'I Spy' or the alphabet game can help you and your kids look outside the window and get their minds off of feeling sick," Rosenman says. And of course, motion sickness will get better and eventually go away on its own after the motion stops.

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As for those "motion sickness bracelets" that claim to relieve motion sickness symptoms by applying pressure to an acupuncture point on your wrist?

According to both experts, there's no science or medical literature backing them up, but the placebo effect can be very powerful if you think it helps. "Some people swear by them — so if they work for you and as long as it isn't a choking hazard for your kid, then it's fine to use," Rosenman says.

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It’s true that motion sickness sucks. But, hey, just be glad you’re not an astronaut.

If you thought being on a bumpy boat ride was bad, just imagine being stuck on a space shuttle in zero gravity. "Space sickness," or space adaptation syndrome, is probably the worst kind of motion sickness. "Being weightless is so discombobulating and your sense of movement gets completely messed up — our brains have no idea what's going on," Feldman says. Luckily, most astronauts adapt a few days in.

Sure, space sickness is rare since there aren't that many astronauts out there, but this could also happen to anyone who goes on one of those zero gravity simulation flights (i.e. Vanessa Grimaldi on the Bachelor). That's why NASA's first zero-G aircraft was called the "vomit comet," Feldman says.

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Do you take care of your body and mind or are you slacking?