A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

There are many pressures and emotional difficulties associated with school, and the issue of bullying is certainly among them. Searching for ways to address this common problem with efficacy and meaningful attention, researchers at the University of Warwick have recently studied the potential of a virtual reality program to decrease victimization among school children. The study administered three weeks of three sessions per week involving the FearNot! virtual school environment, in which children could participate in simulated bullying scenarios and offer solutions for the characters. The program is said to require a longer duration and reminder sessions over time, but may be a good choice for school curricula.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Naperville Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

There are numerous effects on both physical and emotional health linked to occurrences of childhood abuse. From psychological trauma and stress to physical symptoms that can be quite complex, children often experience difficulties arising from abuse that can have an impact on their quality of life long after the incident or incidents take place. Sometimes, such difficulties can arise much later in life, though the precise connections between the abuse events and the manifestation of symptoms may not be precisely clear. Recently, such a relationship was found between childhood abuse and osteoarthritis by a study performed at the University of Toronto in Canada. Though the researchers have been unable to describe a clear path of causation between child abuse and osteoarthritis, their gathered information shows that abused children are fifty six percent more likely to develop osteoarthritis later in life than those who were not abused. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tucson Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Matthew Carter, MFT

Click here to contact Matthew and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

The American Psychiatric Association defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a “persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development” (1). ADHD is further indicated by three subtypes; predominately hyperactive-impulsive type, predominantly inattentive type, and combined type. According to the APA, ADHD primarily affects school-age children, approximately 3%-7% of all children in the U.S, (1), with approximately 30-50% retaining the disorder as adults (2). Not only are these numbers cause for concern, they are increasing: there has been a three or four-fold increase in diagnosis of ADHD since the late 1980s (3).

Undoubtedly ADHD is a serious problem, though ADHD is largely, and suspiciously, an American problem. For every two hundred and fifty U.S. children diagnosed and treated with ADHD, only one child would similarly have been diagnosed and treated in all of Germany, England, France, and Italy combined (4). In England alone, the rate of clinical diagnosis is estimated as only about 1 in 3000 children, or 0.3% (5). ADHD as a diagnosis is virtually unknown in Japan (6), and many other countries. Clearly ADHD has been woven into the cultural fabric of our nation, and our nation in particular. Or is it the other way around. In this paper I will explore how Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder relates to, and in many seemingly conspicuous ways parallels, socio-historical developments within the country that gave it birth. I will propose that U.S. cultural values and expectations not only exposed the so-called problem of ADHD, but first helped create it. I will further argue that the label ADHD is not so much a road sign to a mental disorder, but more a road sign to a social one. Lastly, I will suggest that if we are to have any hope of reversing this growing problem, we as helping professionals need to turn our attention outward, to the social matrix that sustains and reinforces it. Read the rest of this entry

By Leslie H. Petruk, MA, LPC, NCC, Play Therapy Topic Expert Contributor

Click here to contact Leslie and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Play therapy is a counseling method used to help children communicate their inner experiences through the use of toys. Non-directive play therapy, also called child-centered play therapy is a non-pathologizing technique based on the belief that children have the internal drive to wellness. Non-directive play therapists are trained to trust that children are capable to direct their own process rather than the therapist imposing their own ideas of what the child needs to do in therapy to work through any challenges they may be facing. This requires the therapist to enter the emotional world of the child rather then expecting the child to understand the therapist’s world, which is beyond their capability. Play therapy is based on the theory that play is a child’s language, the toys in the play room considered the “words” that a child uses to express their inner experiences and how they perceive and experience the world. The toys in the play room are then used by the child to “speak” to the therapist and communicate their inner thoughts and feelings. Within a play session and over the course of sessions, themes emerge in the child’s play, giving the therapist insight into the child’s experiences, thoughts, feelings and interpretations of their world. Read the rest of this entry

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Around the world, bullying in schools presents problems that can range from the slight to the serious, with many children suffering from chronic, violent behaviors that can detract from academic performance as well as happiness. Finding ways to combat this issue is largely dependent on the attitudes of children, suggests the work produced by a Spanish study on bullying. Unfortunately, the study’s findings suggest that children accept that bullying has been and always will be part of life, thereby justifying it to themselves and creating a psychological block against its addressing and prevention. The study may, however, help the mental health professional community understand how to help children overcome bullying issues.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Oakland Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

When the issue of problem gambling –an addiction that can have dire consequences for individuals and families– comes to mind, many people think of those in the middle or later years of their lives, but as with all mental health issues, problem gambling doesn’t limit its potentially debilitating effects to a single age group. Young people, even adolescents, can find themselves grappling with the complications of problem gambling, and young boys especially may be at particular risk. Recently, a study was conducted which links occurrences of problem gambling with other signs of conduct issues, giving parents, general practice doctors, and mental health professionals a more distinct ability to screen for a variety of difficulties often experienced by modern boys.

The study found that boys were significantly more prone to developing conduct issues, such as vandalism, impulsive behaviors, lying, shoplifting, aggression, and substance abuse, than were girls, though as a collected group, the surveyed youth revealed that those with conduct difficulties had a twenty three percent chance of also experiencing difficulties with risky gambling and addiction. The researchers noted that for each additional symptom of conduct issues that was reported, participating youth had another eighty percent jump in likelihood to have an issue with problem gambling as well, a strong correlation that provides ample persuasion for cross-screening young clients. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist San Jose Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

The prevalence of anti-depressants and other psychiatric medications has experienced a great increase recently, and many concerns are rising in response to the growing dependency on such substances. While there are some medications that have proven to be helpful in improving the quality of life for pregnant mothers and young children, some in the mental health professions remain skeptical over the ultimate utility and safety of such medicines. Adding support to this camp, a study at Georgetown University Medical Center has recently suggested that medicines indicated for mood issues, pain, and epilepsy, when administered to pregnant women or to infants and young children, may cause mental health concerns at a later age.

The study focused on animal models, specifically working with rats in a laboratory setting, but suggests that the issue is likely a prominent one for humans, as well. After administering various modern treatments for mood issues, as well as those indicated for pain and for epilepsy, researchers monitored laboratory rats, finding that those animals which had been treated with the medication were more likely to exhibit signs of mental health complications as adolescents and adults. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Allen Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Substance abuse disorders, including difficulties with the regulation of alcohol intake and retaled behaviors, affect many people at different stages of life, though a significant portion of those who grapple with these issues are in their mid to late years. It may seem inconsistent, then, that a study supported by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has searched for signs of substance abuse risks in children, but the gathered data may serve the primary purpose of helping to identify children who may benefit from additional education and training to prevent substance abuse issues later in life. Risk factors considering both environment and neurobiological factors were studied.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Birmingham Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Citing the idea that children exposed to an excess of media violence may interpret violent acts and thoughts as being acceptable, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently delivered two reports calling for greater measures to control media intake. The group has noted that today’s children spend an average of over six hours each day taking in media, from televisions as well as the internet and other mediums. Hoping to improve mental health on a national scale, the statements advise against allowing children under the age of two to be exposed to media, and suggests strictly limiting the time allotted to adolescents for watching TV, browsing online, or playing video games.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Pleasant Hill Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

There are numerous stereotypes associated with teenagers. The idea that all or most teenagers engage in forbidden or risky behavior, including underage drinking and smoking, is prevalent throughout society, but this very prevalence may be adding to occurrences of mental health issues and related distress among teens. A study conducted at Wake Forest University has recently found that those teenagers whose mothers expected them to take part in high-risk activities were in fact more likely to do so. The study also found that teens who expected poor performance from themselves acted consistently with the expectation a year later. The research highlights the idea of the self-fulfilling prophesy and may encourage more positive expectations among parents.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist North Vancouver Bureau - All Rights Reserved.