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 Headline

In the gym, the notion that one has to suffer a bit to succeed in building muscle or losing weight is a common one, yet this idea is rarely applied to life in general. Seeking to discover the roots of happiness as they relate to stress or discomfort, a study sponsored by San Francisco State University has found that this same principle is relevant in the mastering of skills which in turn promotes happiness. Asking participants to report both during skill-aquiring and honing activities, and at a later point, the researchers found that momentary stress and discomfort were present initially, but that a positive memory emerged at a later point, in which the participants described the activities as adding happiness to their day. The work has recently been published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

There are many negative aspects of thoughts and feelings of depression that can interfere with an individual’s daily life, and the emergence of physical symptoms associated with the issue may play a major role in overall outlook and mood. A study conducted at the University of Iowa found that those with depression issues also report stronger common discomfort symptoms such as various aches and gastrointestinal problems when asked to reflect on how they had previously felt and recorded. The research asked a group of women to record their levels of discomfort daily, and to report them again at a later date; those with signs of depression exaggerated their symptoms on follow-up reports, suggesting that the mental health concern may have an impact on self-perception as to personal health.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Los Gatos 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

Through most people would characterize the experience of raising children as a positive one overall, having kids –especially in high numbers– has been reported as detracting from life satisfaction levels in some studies. Challenging this notion, a recent study from the University of Glasgow has shown that satisfaction actually goes up in married couples, and increases with the addition of more children. The study suggests that those who “gear up” for child rearing and have the social, psychological, and real-world resources typically offered by marriage are more likely to find parenthood rewarding than those who are single or separated.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Recent debates about the acceptability of torture in certain situations has led to renewed academic interest in the subject, and a study at Harvard University has examined the effects of complicity on perceptions of guilt among people submitted to pain or stress. The study split participants into those who met and did not meet a woman who was later heard being “tortured” over an intercom by having her hand placed in ice water, based on the accusation that she had cheated to secure money. Those participants who met the woman and responded to the feigned torture reported higher levels of suspected guilt the more the woman appeared to suffer, whereas those who did not meet the woman–-thus not taking part in the witnessing of ongoing torture–were more likely to suspect less guilt as apparent pain level and distress rose. The study may have important implications for understanding the psychology of torture administration and prevention.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

In an effort to control and improve behaviors among the general public, whether focusing on theft prevention in stores or the establishment of good habits among children, various methods are employed, all with varying degrees of efficacy. From talking to passive suggestions and even threats and violence, people may resort to all manner of measures to seek positive behavior in others. But a new study based at Brigham Young University presents evidence suggesting that something as simple as a clean scent may achieve this goal quickly and efficiently.

Though the idea that a mere scent may be able to sway the course of behavior might seem too simplistic or incredible to some, the study tested exactly this hypothesis, with a positive outcome. Dividing participants between two rooms, one with a “normal” scent, and one freshly spritzed with orange-scented Windex, the researchers asked participants in both rooms to engage in a number of identical activities aimed at gauging such moral behavior elements as generosity and fairness. From a model in which participants were trusted by unseen partners to fairly divide twelve dollars to one in which participants were asked to score their interest in donating to charity, and many other modules, those in the “clean” smelling room consistently and significantly exhibited more positive behaviors. Read the rest of this entry

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The search for effective tools to help people quit smoking has been underway for many decades, with scores of mental health professionals devoting some or all of their careers to assisting clients curb the habit. A study aiming at addressing smoking with the help of virtual reality has recently concluded, with positive findings that may make the technological technique popular for cessation programs. Participants who crushed virtual cigarettes as part of a smoking cessation program showed significantly greater rates of abstinence and lowered nicotine addiction at the end of the treatment and at a six-month follow up than participants who squeezed a virtual ball. As virtual reality technology advances, so too may addiction treatment programs.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

There are scores of reasons why a given individual might think about or consider suicide, and many of them are deeply personal. But sometimes, the cause of such thoughts and overwhelming feelings may have a lot to do with the local environment, an issue which mental health professionals, public health workers, and governments are especially concerned about addressing. Recently, an extensive survey was carried out in parts of China which described a strong link between various uses and storage methods of common pesticides and incidences of suicidal thoughts. The survey was conducted following rising concerns over national suicide rates and outcry over the use of organophosphates, pesticides which have been banned in most Western countries but which are still employed in many parts of the world.

The survey examined the mental health and suicidal ideas primarily in farmers and their families living in rural areas. With large amounts of the organophosphate pesticides used to grow various crops, those living in such areas are easily able to absorb low dosages through the lungs and skin. Farmers and others who live in rural environments are exposed to the pesticides through the consumption of contaminated crops, and may also receive unhealthy dosages by storing the pesticides in unsafe ways or in excessive amounts. Over time, this exposure may lead to mental health issues, a side effect which has resulted in the discontinuation of organophosphates in the west. Read the rest of this entry

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

As might be imagined, a number of elderly people who struggle with various forms of cancer also experience thoughts and feelings of depression, an issue which has prompted those in several disciplines of medicine to seek new ways to help improve the quality of life of this specific group. While the administration of anti-depressant medications is an option taken by many general practice physicians, a strong push to supplement such treatments with more reliable, potentially beneficial counseling and other mental health services has gained momentum in recent years, one of the results of which is a study evaluating the efficacy of a new collaborative treatment program for seniors with cancer.

The program, dubbed IMPACT, or Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment, focused on providing elderly cancer patients in a study group with direction and support for any anti-depressant or other psychiatric drugs being taken, along with supportive counseling treatment in a structured environment on a consistent schedule, including participation in pleasant events and the introduction of problem resolution strategies. The researchers involved with the study found that those participants who took part in the IMPACT program had a significantly higher rate of recovery than those who received usual care, a difference of twenty one percent in favor of the collaborative approach. Read the rest of this entry

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Though the emergency of mental health difficulties can be greatly challenging in its own right, such an emergence is often accompanied by a range of issues that may create debilitating situations for some mental health clients. Among these issues, high incidences of stressful conditions, high-exposure jobs, and stomach and intestinal discomfort and complications are common, prompting the work of two studies recently presented to a conference on gastrointestinal medicine. While the studies largely considered the impact of stressful environments on stomach and intestinal health, the clear links between such elements and a decline in mental health suggest a need for more extensive cross-screening among clients exhibiting such symptoms.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has provided support and advocacy for scores of efforts in the prevention and treatment of mental health concerns, and its counsel is highly respected among many in the mental health professions as well as lawmakers and other officials with an interest in improving quality of life. For this reason, a recent call for greater funding allotted to the National Institutes of Health for biomedical research in mental health fields released by NAMI has drawn a great deal of attention. The alliance notes that as health care concerns become increasingly heated and major decisions are prepared for the future of wellness, a greater attention to the development of better treatments is critical.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The use of anti-depressant medications is steeply on the rise, with many mental health professionals concerned about the frequency with which people experiencing mental health difficulties rely entirely on pharmaceuticals to relieve symptoms. Part of this concern stems from the fact that for many clients, anti-depressants simply don’t work, a problem that a recent study conducted at Northwestern University has suggested can be explained in the preoccupation with treating symptoms of stress. The research provides evidence for clear genetic distinctions between stress and depression, noting that the latter is an entirely different phenomenon within the brain and suggesting that it should be treated differently, as a result. The study may help wean Americans and concerned clients worldwide from modern dependency on psychiatric medications.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Lafayette 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 Summary

Frequently, video games are cited as major factors in contributing to the prevalence of Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, among modern adolescents. Issues in behavior and attention span, both within an educational and a family setting, are often linked to the abundance of video games that today’s young people increasingly play, and such links have met with skepticism and support alike throughout the mental health communities. While the suggestion that a single activity or outside product such as a video game could be responsible for the manifestation of a complex mental health issue is thought by some to be dubious, others suggest that the frequency with which young people play video games may render the responsibility possible.

Adding its weight to the debate, a recent study performed at Iowa State University has examined the effects of frequent video game use on two types of attention-related behavior, termed as “gearing up” and “just in time.” The former type of attention is described as being used while a video game player anticipates a certain action, while the latter can be associated with reaction speed to unexpected stimuli. The study found that video game players identified as spending a lot of time in front of the screen were slower with “gearing up” tasks than they were with “just in time” tasks as created within the laboratory, results that point to a decline in the natural ability to hold attention while waiting for a planned event. Read the rest of this entry

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that in general, women are better able to identify emotions than men. But until recently, it has been difficult to secure objective, meaningful findings upon which furhter research can be based. The need for such evidence has been addressed recently with the completion of a study performed at Université de Montréal. The study tested women and men for their powers of identification of fear and disgust, two important emotions in terms of psychological evolution. Using live and recorded actors, the study was able to incorporate facial movements, an aspect of emotion identification that has been absent in previous efforts. The research may help develop tools to help men improve their ability to perceive others.

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

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Smoking cessation programs are frequently cited for the difficulties involved in getting smokers to volunteer, as well as to help those with addiction problems overcome the urge to start smoking again. These issues are especially prevalent when working with teenage smokers, so the industry has suggested –and reason would seem to support–. But this may not actually be the case, says a new trial cessation program targeted at high school students.

With an admirably large recruitment group at over two thousand teenagers, the trial set out to test the efficacy of a structured smoking cessation support program, using a number of special checks and a control group to ensure that collected data was as reliable as possible. The trial involved the administration of up to nine personalized and confidential telephone counseling sessions aimed at providing moral and emotional support during the process of quitting. The high school students were recruited during their junior year and were given the telephone treatment over the course of their final year in high school. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Albuquerque 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 Summary

There are many ideas about the precise functioning of the human mind when it comes to violence and the committing of violent acts. An especially prevalent idea is that rather than being an intrinsic trait, the propensity for violence is a learned behavior that has complex interactions with the mind as a person works their way through life. While this theory is largely accepted, especially among humanist-leading psychologists and other mental health professionals with a focus on the inherent good of human beings, the complexities of such interactions are often unexplored, leading common sense and best guesses to dictate the causes of violent behavior in many cases. A piece of this puzzle of interactions was recently solved, however, by means of a study published in the journal Personal Relationships.

The study examined occurrences of violent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors among those exposed to domestic violence at an early age, as opposed to those without reports of such activity. The researchers found that people who had experienced violent episodes at a young age were more likely to experience such issues in the future, especially during their own marriages later on in life. The study further noted the ways in which men and women tended to behave in situations of domestic violence, suggesting that while men used violence as a message for women to back off, women in violent households and situations often exhibited the clingy behaviors which were frequently cited as catalyzing violent episodes. Read the rest of this entry

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