By Andrea Petersen What causes a seemingly healthy person to suddenly lose it? It’s a question likely on many minds in light of a series of recent episodes, such as when a JetBlue pilot had to be subdued yesterday by passengers after behaving erratically during a flight. We don’t know exactly what caused the pilot’s disruptive actions, or why the co-founder of a group behind the “Kony 2012″ viral video had a public meltdown , or why an American Airlines flight attendant began speaking erratically on a taxiing flight’s intercom. There’s a long list of medical and psychiatric conditions that can trigger a psychotic episode, when a person seems to lose touch with reality. Among the possibilities: a brain tumor, head injury, thyroid condition, fever, infection, recreational drug use or a prescription-drug reaction. Several causes can lie behind incidences of what used to be called a nervous breakdown, too, as WSJ reported last month. Agitated and delusional behavior can also accompany several mental disorders. People with bipolar disorder and major depression can have psychotic symptoms, especially when under major stress, David Hellerstein , a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, tells the Health Blog. There are usually warning signs, however, even if they are only noticed after the fact. “When people present in a kind of rapid onset of a psychotic state that hasn’t been noticed before and that seems to come out of the blue, in retrospect there is usually some clinical prodrome,” or early symptom, Dr. Hellerstein says. T. Byram Karasu , chief psychiatrist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y., says excessive stimuli, especially sounds and lights, can trigger psychotic symptoms in people with underlying psychological issues. Age also plays a factor in diagnosis: A young adult who has a psychotic episode might be developing schizophrenia. In an elderly person, it could indicate dementia, Dr. Hellerstein says. Then there is “brief psychotic disorder,” an illness that is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), the handbook of psychiatric diagnoses, as lasting at least a day but less than a month. Symptoms include hallucinations and disorganized speech. “I’ve seen people who have a brief psychotic reaction in response to some major stress and then it would resolve,” Dr. Hellerstein says. “Probably given enough stress, anybody could have that.” Dr. Karasu says he’s seen seemingly normal people have a psychotic episode after being up all night and then taking something like Ritalin or amphetamines to stay awake. “Twenty-four hours later the person will be totally back to his normal self,” he says. However, these people usually do have some underlying vulnerability, Dr. Karasu says.

By Sarah This week marks the end of my fourth month on the Feel Great Weight program—and it was by far the most difficult one for me. The excitement and focus that came with the start of a new program began wearing off at the precise moment at which my life became totally busy and stressful. I’m feeling pretty nervous about my weigh-in and measurements later this week. Last time I saw Marissa (our RD), she challenged me to really work hard and see if I could lose five pounds this month, which would bring me to 20 total(!). I was excited about the prospect, but I don’t think I’ll make it, unfortunately. In general, I feel like the learning part of the program is winding down. I know what I should eat and what I should not eat. I know how and when to exercise. What remains—and this is the part that will be an ongoing struggle—is strengthening my willpower and self control, and learning how to bounce back when I slip up.

MIAMI (CBS4) – While the NBA lockout continues, one Miami Heat player is taking advantage of time home with his family. Mike Miller says he appreciates his children that much more after the birth of his daughter during last year’s NBA finals. After a difficult pregnancy, little Jaelyn was born with a congenital heart defect.  She had four holes in heart and was immediately put into intensive care at Holy Cross Hospital.  Doctors didn’t know if she would need open heart surgery. “You sometimes take for granted different situations,” said Miller.  “Her being here is a blessing in itself.” While this would be a stressful time for any parent, Miller was in the middle of the NBA finals.  He says he thought about not going a couple of times, but his wife Jennifer talked him out of it.  In between games he held Jaelyn in the hospital, and then gave it his all on the court, even wearing pink shoe laces in her honor. Miller says Heat fans gave him and his family support by asking how his daughter was before asking about a game. “In our profession we’re looked at like basketball players.  When I am looked at how family is doing that means more to me,” said Miller. Jaelyn didn’t need surgery and fortunately, two of the four holes have closed up on their own.  Doctors are hopeful the same thing will happen to the other holes. Jaelyn is now at home with her big brothers Mason and Maverick. “She’s been through a lot, everything about her, she’s so good,” said Jennifer Miller. The Millers have given a lot of money over the years to children’s hospitals.  They feel like Jaelyn’s recovery is a sign that they’ve been doing the right thing. Even though Mike is not playing basketball right now, Mike admits he’s not the one handling midnight diaper duties. “It would sound really good if I said yes,” he said with a smile.  “So for the sake of this interview I’ll say I am, but I’m not.”

Dancing With the Stars alum Erin Andrews hops on the CrossFit train – Self Celeb trainer Rich Barretta on the workout that gets Liv Tyler red-carpet ready – Vital Juice An NYC marathoner shares her story, 26.2 miles later – Losing Weight in the City Why one workout a day isn’t enough for Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima – Fit Celeb You’re one workout closer to perfect posture – Shape Five foods that aid digestion and end stomach issues – Mind Body Green 10 surprising risk factors for the flu – Health

It’s easy to pass judgments on healthy products since so many of them seem gimmicky, ineffective, or totally ridiculous. I would never use ear candles, not only because they don’t remove ear wax, but also because flames near my hair scare the bejesus out of me. But not all bizarre-looking products are useless. Here are six products that seem a little “out there,” but I can assure you from experience that they’ve really helped alleviate health issues and benefited my well-being. View Slideshow ›

Because pain is a uniquely personal experience and because many back pain treatments don’t work the same for all patients even when they have the same diagnosis (such as for degenerative disc disease) there are not that many absolute rules for how to treat back pain. read more

It’s officially the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday ! There are deals on everything from electronics to fashion, and we’ve got the ultimate guide to finding the year’s best deals. If you’re looking for inspiration on what to get everyone on your list, don’t miss all our holiday gift guides and don’t miss a thing with ShopStyle’s sale alerts ! Check out our favorite picks from the hundreds of offers on the Internet and in stores: Fab got the party started early with deals from Shopbop, J. Crew, theOutnet, and more while Fashionologie has tips on what to wear for your marathon day at the stores . Savvy has the lazy shopper’s guide to the best cyber deals . Stay beautiful with all of Bella’s Black Friday hair and makeup sale tips ! Geek is covering everything from apps to help you out , to hot predictions , to all the best ads ! Buzz shares the best movie shopping scenes to get you in the mood to spend and has 20 DVD deals to score . Fit is all about staying healthy and energized while shopping . Pet made her picks from PetSmart’s big sale . Tres is ready to get sexy for the holidays and be the best gift giver ever . There’s even a Black Friday sale on PopSugar’s Retail Therapy!

Is it odd to count a food brand as one of my best buds? Made with real ingredients, I find tasty Kashi products have become something I rely on, and I stash the company’s bars in my purse, desk drawer, or gym bag – they make for great pre or postworkout snack to enjoy. If you’re a fan of Kashi’s TLC Fruit & Grain bars, check out this new flavor, Cranberry Walnut . To find out what surprised me about this bar read more. Amazing! Four grams each of fiber and protein, and only 120 calories. It’s also pretty low in sodium and sugars, but definitely not low in taste! The bold cranberry flavor is dessert-like, and seriously, I almost felt like I was enjoying a jam-covered cookie instead of a granola bar. I also love the contrast of the soft fruity jam topping with the crunchy chewiness of the granola bar. I am already a huge fan of this flavor, as they have become my new favorite go-to snack. The other flavors are equally as healthy, as you can see from the chart below. Which flavor appeals to you more? Serving size: 1 bar Cranberry Walnut Dark Chocolate Coconut Pumpkin Pecan Raspberry Chocolate Calories 120 120 120 120 Total Fat (g) 3 3.5 3 3 Saturated Fat (g) 0 1.5 0 .5 Cholesterol (mg) 0 0 0 0 Sodium (mg) 50 50 50 50 Carbs (g) 22 21 22 21 Fiber (g) 4 4 4 4 Sugars (g) 8 7 8 7 Protein (g) 4 4 4 4 Iron (%) 6 6 6 6

Part of the honeymoon’s appeal is relaxation, especially if you’ve just spent months planning a wedding. If you’ve been trying to eat right and stay in shape before the big day, you might just want to let loose in more ways than one. I’ve got some suggestions for how to stay healthy on your honeymoon , but I’m curious: would you (or did you) work out on your honeymoon, or would you rather just incorporate active excursions into your travel itinerary? Or does a honeymoon mean taking a vacation from fitness entirely? A Do or a Don't: Working Out on Your Honeymoon A do A don’t

A member of a task force on the XMRV virus says people with chronic fatigue syndrome may be advised not to donate blood for now.