In addition to these articles, you can also view the top psychology, therapy, and mental health news articles in our Therapy News feed under the “Blog” tab in the main menu.
I read most of your aricles with a lot of interest and I think the best one this week was the one about counseling in schools because it gave us a reality check and pointed to improving things for kids at schools all over the country.
Not only experts in the field but also people from the general mainstream can gain a lot of knowledge by reading things like this and it is really great to be able to be constanlt updated with the latest happening in the field.
the article regarding how the mother is important to a child could not have been put any better…it really made me realize what an asset a mother is to each one of us that is blessed to have her in our lives.
cell phone use during therapy sessions really is something surprizing and is somwthing that I had never thought of…psychiatry experts never cease to surprize!
I am becoming a fan of the weekly round up! Its a good recap of all the best articles of the week and can really offer refreshment regarding the topic.
All these articles help me be informed and aware of things and to be better prepared and stay away from psychological problems and also to advice family and friends…kudos!
it is amazing how just reading these articles on psychotherapy can help me understand things in my everyday life better…I have suggested this to a lot of my friends and am now able to get away from being sad for little things because I now focus on more important things,thanks to the articles here.
Thanks a million for your article ‘Exploration in Toddlers Activated by Fathers’. I am a father-to-be and am reading up everything I can because this will be my first child…this article of yours could surely help me with my future baby.
“It shouldn’t be a surprise, but being true to yourself is linked to having healthier and happier relationships for both men and women,” she said. (For Better Romantic Relationships, Be True to Yourself).
It’s not. The more honest you can be about who you are, the better your life will reflect the benefits of that honesty. Nobody likes to feel they’ve been manipulated or fooled by another who presented a false face to them.
It’s not just romantic relationships that are better. All relationships improve the more transparent we are about our core belief systems and who we are. Life is far simpler too. Honesty truly is the best policy and if you find a partner that has a similarly open approach to life, you’ve hit the jackpot.
The sibling conflict article reminded me of how much I hated it when my little brother wanted to hang around when my friends were at my house. I had to kick him out of my bedroom many times when he’d come in and sit among us. Looking back, I think it wasn’t so much that he was spying on us and invading my personal space. He probably had a crush on one of my friends. I must ask him!
Read the one about remaining true to myself even when in a relationship and it hit a real nerve with me, in a good way. I have always been the one in a relationship who felt I had to give up part of me to make someone else happy. . . but no more!! This gave me the courage to say that I do not have to do this, if someone likes me he will like me for me and not for his ideal of me or what he thinks that I will become for him. Without reading this I don’t know that I ever would have had the courage or the ability to stop doing these things that sabotage me and in the end those relationships.
reading these articles helps me, and in turn people around me, to understand simple things that we may not actually pay heed to in our busy lives but things that may be very important in order to have a better understanding of things and thereby a clearer foundation to our daily lives.
What amazes me is how old resentments still get cast up. My sister will occasionally bring up how I would never let her borrow my stuff when we were teens. We were close in age so mine would fit her. She leaves out that she would take it anyway when I wasn’t there and wear it. Thirty years on, it’s about time she let that go.
I need to as well! I just noticed how much that annoyed me all over again just talking about it. I guess we’re not as different as I thought.
I think exercise helps immensely when you’re depressed. I always feel better when I’ve went for a brisk walk.It’s getting myself out the door that can be the bigger challenge of the two.
loved loved loved the article about exercise being a cure for depression. exercise is my therapy- that’s when I get all my thoughts and stress out and it is just the perfect way to start off my day clear headed and fresh, full of energy, and I know that if other people would make the time to try it then they could feel the same way about it too!
On the Many Grow Happier with The Years article: I am much happier in my forties than I was in my twenties or thirties. I think it takes that long to find a peace of sorts within yourself. Most of your big life decisions are behind you like marriage, divorce, career and family. You’re looking forward to fun stuff like grandkids and the mortgage behind you. The forties rock!
the articles here are really helpful in a way so as to make us conscious of things around us…everyday things that we see and experience but do not pay attention to…with a little care,we can manage our stress and fear better, lead a healthy lifestyle amongst other things.
I think we become far less judgmental as we age about ourselves and others. Sure we look back and look at the past with rose colored glasses. Show me a generation that doesn’t. I don’t believe that’s all there is to it though. We do have fond memories, real ones. The older we get, the more we cherish them.
Once I’m old, I’ll be past caring what folks think of me. I want to be able for once in my life to do and say what I want without having to worry about it!
the article about spanking is great- I firmly believe that it causes aggression in their formative years as well as later in life- great resource and read for all parents
thank you for your article regarding parents spanking their kids and later the kids turning aggressive…I have two little boys who seem to be getting naughty ideas from some evil force…they are where the trouble is! I threaten them of spanking and have even been close to doing so at times…but thanks to your article,I now know things that may happen if I do,and hence have dropped any idea of it…lucky little trouble-creators! :)
all these articles on psychology and related topics are just so insightful…sometimes they make ur discover our goods selves while at other times they help us understand others’ behavior better…just a treasure!
That article about the women who find their abusive partners dependable absolutley blew my mind! How manipulative these men like this must be to have these poor women thinking like that.
I am a law student and after reading your article ‘Mental Health Expert To Patrol With Portland Police’, I am happy to know that the plights of people with difficulties are at least starting to be noticed and are being given a chance not to unnecessarily get arrested.
I’m always happy to see more evidence on how useful meditation is being highlighted. It’s been around thousands of years. Isn’t that enough evidence that it’s not a passing fad? :)
I loved the article on Treating PTSD with ecstast simply becaus ei love any new topic that opens up debate in the field and opens people’e eyes to more treatments that are forcing clients and therapists alike to think outside of the box.
Your article regarding the volacnic ash seems to be fulling in a way to make every person realize hoe he/she can make best use of even the worst of asituations and can use it to his/her own benefit.Great going guys!
Reading the weekly round-ups has let me catch up on all the great posts at one go because my work does not allow me to read the articles on an everyday basis…this is like a list of the best and often is just that…the best :)
Re the article about discovering your creativity because you’re stranded by the volcanic ash. It could work. To be creative, you have to be still awhile and think. Your brain doesn’t get a rest normally and creativity can’t come to the fore because there’s no space for it.
Although reading these blog posts is a kind of education in itself,sometimes it really helps because a person may be experience something similar to what is described in one of these posts…has happened to me and i must say,it can be very helpful when that happens.
It is good to be updated about what is happening in a field that none of us can quite dissociate ourselves from…a field that has an effect on the lives of each one of us.
I tend to eat,or rather gobble up,a lot of chocolate when I’m stressed or in tension.I didn’t quite know why this happened and always thought its just like that with certain people.Your article on the issue gave me a lot of information and I’m thankful for that.
Loved the article relating to diet and depression. Food is the energy that fuels us and when this is off kilter the whole body is out of whack. Fantastic reading.
just found the listed article about Braille and helping the blind to read their emotions better. My mom is blind so I am looking forward to reading this and sharing with her what I have found. Thanks for the lead.
Re: People With Depression Eat More Chocolate, a Mood Food. I’ve been reading about how chocolate boosts your mood for twenty years. This study is nothing new. Recently there appears to be several studies going over old ground.
Study Finds Conscientious People Have Better Health. That’s more or less a given, is it not? If you have a conscientious attitude, you’ll care about your lifestyle choices too. They needed a study to ascertain that? There must be too much funding going around.
Why on earth did researchers do yet another study to confirm that chocolate helps you feel better when you’re depressed? Everybody knows that. Next time this type of study comes up, I’m in. I’d like to eat chocolate for a good reason. I think all these researchers should be checked out to see if they are chocoholics themselves.
The Braille code that lets blind people see emotions is incredible! Fabulous to see such a life-changing technological advance come alive. For once, research that deserves its injection of funds.
I enjoyed the article regarding mothers’ day very much.with mothers’ day just around the corner,not just the article but also the comments were very nice to read and appreciate mothers :)
I just read your post regarding the hormone spray that promises to make men more sensitive and honestly I was just taken aback! I’ll be praying that no such thing actually comes out in the market or all men will be running to save their skins! ;)
On the parental involvement being key to the prevention of bullying, I wholly agree with that. Kids who have no guidance nor boundaries turn into bullies because they have no fear of repercussions. My dad would have killed me if he’d ever thought I’d be involved in anything like that and more importantly, I knew it. That would have been enough of a deterrent. I’d rather have a dad that laid down the law than one that didn’t give a hoot.
I have been an ardent fitness freak for years and I definitely felt great to read that physical exercise not only keeps you fit physically but also helps your mental health…killing two birds with one stone,eh? :)
The article regarding emotions and eating really hit home for me. It is like it was written just with me in mind. It so helped me to face some things that are going on in my life and the ways, albeit unhealthy ways, that I have chosen to deal with it. Thanks for pointing this out to me and giving me the courage to finally try to do something about that and get my life under control.
I have been following this blog for about two months now and all the articles and posts here are just awesome.It keeps even common people well-informed about the developments in the field of psychotherapy,something that is not unrelated to any person…thank you for all the great articles and keep up the good work.
The article on gamblers was very informative and would definitely help me because I work at a place that helps people get rid of addiction to thin gs like alcohol and gambling.I often see that addicted gamblers who enroll for our programs tend to feel bad or weird and have difficulty getting rid of the addiction,not because they like gambling a lot but because of the change in their lives…its the case with all of us,isn’t it?we do not want any change to ‘disturb’ our regular schedule!
I worry about how prevalent bullying is now. It’s everywhere. When I was young, I knew of two bullies in the whole school. Now there’s bullies in every grade and more of them. We need to take tougher measures to deal with this epidemic.
I have been following the news related to the various attacks on schools in China and I just wondered why so many schools are being targeted by individuals.I mean who would want to hurt and kill little children?After reading your article on the same issue,I’m quite convinced that it has to do with mental health problems of the attacking individuals.
I don’t like to think of any child being unable to get the treatment they need. Aren’t there children’s charities that would have supported these ADHD kids had they known of this? Poverty is part of the issue here.
A very interesting story that was, How We Met and amazing how accurate the How We Met study’s predictions were on who would still be together and who would part ways in the future. I wish it had gone into more detail on what the deciding factors were!
I would never be disrespectful of another’s culture nor pretend to know it inside out. I feel what’s required here are people that have the same cultural roots being trained on how to disseminate ADHD information to parents. They may be able to relate more to parental concerns that specifically revolve around their culture. Education, education, education. That’s the key.
Loved the How-We-Met Story May Predict Divorce one. “Put us in a brain scanner when we are in the early days of romantic love and we will look like we are crazy or on drugs. The parts of the brain that involve critical thinking are shut down — that’s why we aren’t troubled by obvious flaws like a filthy apartment or lavish spending habits.” Talk about killing the idea of love and romance! LOL.
Self-help books are just tools. If you have too high expectations of what you’ll get out of them, you’ll be disappointed. They are not going to help you unless you’re willing to take from it what you feel applies to you and put the recommendations into practice. You still have to do the work.
“The government indicated its concern last year by announcing an ambitious plan to pump in more than 100 billion dollars to create a system ensuring basic care for all by 2020.” They would have been halfway there had they not been more interested in showing off on a world stage.
The Chinese attacks were barbaric. I can’t help thinking about how much money they spent on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. $44 BILLION dollars. Even a fraction of that could have been spent helping mentally ill people like these attackers instead and made a difference.
About that Are Self-Help Books Helpful? article. Let me get this straight. The author of Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus got his Ph.D at an unaccredited correspondence school and isn’t even licensed to practice psychotherapy in his home state? John Gray’s lucky he ever got a publisher to take his 15 million seller book on. Don’t they have an obligation to check their author’s credentials are correct before splashing them on the book cover?…
What’s that you say?…Oh. It sold 15 Million. You’re right. That would allow a lot to slip by unchecked I’m sure.
At first glance I had a really hard time with the article that refers to the fact that a woman’s touch increases your chances of taking risks. But after readding it I totally get it. It must be that a woman’s touch is perceived as being soothing, gentle and encouraging and that this is what gives someone the courage and the confidence to take those risks.
Anyone ever read that Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus? It’s a pile of doggy doo IMHO. I was very disappointed by it. Now I know why. Don’t waste your money!
Although it is true that there are many men out there who actually suffer from domestic abuse,not a lot is being spoken about it and there are no rigid rules against it(as there are for women’s protection).Its great to see that such a topic is being discussed about in this blog.
No one can expect a marriage to be a bed of roses after years. And we’re all human! Sticking together is a triumph in itself these days. Talk it out, don’t bear a grudge or cast up old arguments and learn to forgive easily. That’s the secret to a long relationship.
And another excellent batch of psychology news. Keep the great articles coming! You’re making me look smart when I talk about current events in the field. :)
I read the article on the prediction of divorce of a couple with much interest because my marriage is on the rocks and am just looking for ways to prevent a divorce. Any help from users here would be much appreciated. We have issues mainly regarding the upbringing of our two little children.
We can’t all afford to see a therapist or a doctor. Self help books provide a doorway to finding some kind of answers. Yes, they may reflect outdated ideas. Yes, they may not be written by a professional. If it helps though, then there’s a place for that book on my bookshelf.
Went through you article on marriage counselling and although i did not reply there,I think you guys are doing a great job in educating common people like me regarding all this…I would never had known so much about psychology and all that is related if not for your site.Thanks a lot!
I like the idea of a comic doing a routine about mental illness, only if he talks about his own experiences. That does appear to be his intention. We’ve spent too many years attempting to stop mental illness being a source of ridicule and jokes.
If you can hang on to your sense of humor while dealing with a mental illness, you are blessed. I have days when I can laugh about it and days when I cry my eyes out with frustration. It’s by far better to laugh. Humor is a valuable coping mechanism.
I was surprised to read that most women prefer advice from family members more than even doctors’ advice.I am carrying my first child right now. I don’t know how right I am but I just don;t take any chance and I follow everything my doc tells me and I take adequate precautions too.
some of these look very interesting this week and not ones that I have necessarily already noticed that have been featured. Quite a few that I am excited about checking out as a matter of fact.
I was shocked to read the article about how some psychiatrists are not being true to their job and are indulging in unscrupulous things like accepting bribe from pharmaceutical companies. I just hope this matter is investigated and something done about it.
I love reading your blog because before I found this blog,I didn’t know of the many wonderful things about human psychology and can now read and relate to a lot of things that I have experienced.
A friend’s marriage is on the rocks…because I am very close to him, I try and help him in whatever way I can to help save his marriage. And I’ve got to say some of the articles here with a similar theme have helped me help my friend in turn. Hope they get back together. Thanks a lot, GoodTherapy!
the report on stigma associated with adolescent psychological issue was a real eye-opener.it is such an important issue and most of us wouldn’t even think about it for a moment.it requires attention from the concerned authorities so that something can be done to actually help the issue and get rid of the stigma!
I just read the article on anorexia shrinking the brain(grey matter to be precise), and frankly, I’m over-whelmed! I didn’t know the grey matter could actually shrink or reduce and that too due to something like anorexia! I always thought oxygen was the only important thing for our brain.
I have always been a firm believer of person-to-person contact for therapy (I’m a therapist myself) and was apprehensive about the effectiveness of phone-based and other forms of therapy. Thank you for you article on a related issue.
Your article “Study on Stigma Surrounding Adolescent Psychological Issues” is a very nice one which,I hope,will have implications in a way that something is done about it.I have seen a couple of students suffer at my school because of the same reason that this article deals with.Their suffering comes not as much from the psychological concern but more so from the stigma attached to it.
Smokers will smoke regardless of whether that affects their mental health or not. They don’t care about their physical health, so why would they care about their mental health? Just let them get on with it.
it was nice reading the article on the psychology of terrorism.I,for one,have always believed that the so-called ‘terrorists’ are no different from us and that they are not maniacs.they have become that way because of all that they have faced and been through.also adding to our prejudiced view is the difference in the cultures between that of the the west and theirs.
Well I smoked for twenty five years before I stopped and I haven’t noticed any change in my depression since I did. That was four years ago. I don’t think smoking affects your mental health.
I just read your post on the power of positive thinking and I have to say that I have always believed in the power of positive thinking and have never been bogged down even in the worst of conditions that I have encountered and thanks to such thinking I am pretty successful today…these kind of posts can really inspire people,thanks!
When I’m depressed I smoke two packs a day instead of my usual one. Your mental state affects your smoking, not vice versa. It’s a comfort to me the way cookies can be a comfort to another.
As a native of Louisiana I knwo how much the oil spill and the after effects have affected me so I can imagine how devastated the families are who are there living it every day and have seen their livelihoods swept away by this needless and senseless environmental tragdy. The need for therapy for those who are suffering with this turmoil is going to take time, and their wounds are going to need the time to heal just like those of nature that has been so cruelly inflicted by humans this time around. My heart grieves for those who have lost their lives and for the families who have lost their financial stability as a result of this disaster.
Although all the articles mentioned above are great,I was especially interested in reading the article about the oil spill…You know,its sad to hear about it sitting hundreds of miles away from it…It must be so hard for the people who are directly affected by it…Its like a stomp on their livelihood,something that does not involve any mistake from their side.
I found the article on emotional abuse very informative…it just makes us realize how we may have been a victim of it or may be victimizing others ourselves!It is something that is not obvious to the eye but needs to be curbed nevertheless.
regarding the veterans facing mental health problems, I have no idea why we are spending billions of dollars on war in a far off land when our economy itself is suffering and also causing problems for our own armed forces’ personnel…its really insane,isn’t it?!
I have been reading the articles here for the past couple of weeks and I am kept well-informed now about everything psychology…I take the lead in discussions involving anything psychology in my circle of friends,thanks to your site!
There are a few other sites that bring information on psychology but your site is doing a great job by talking about things that affect many of us but are hardly spoken or discussed about…Your post on emotional abuse really impressed me!
Haha…thanks for the article ‘World Cup Matches Might Boost Your Mental Health’…I can now reply to my wife when she’s whining about me missing everything else in order to be able to watch all the games ;)
Thanks for your article on self-attack…I often find myself hampering my own chances due to self-attack…some things in the article are sure to help me,thanks.
Procrastination is a creativity killer. Just do whatever it is and get it over with! Knowing you have something to do and avoiding it like the plague can be more work than the task itself would have been.
“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.” – Denis Waitley
Here’s how I beat procrastination. I break the job down into tiny parts. Once it’s dismantled I do a little at a time. Before you know it, the job is done. Letting the size of the job overwhelm you is a big mistake.
I’ve always had this thing about self-esteem,as to who has it and who doesn’t,as to how much is safe.But I have never thought about self-esteem being safe and sometimes even turning into something dangerous.
Yes,it is indeed possible for self-esteem to turn dangerous when it increases and spirals out of control,thereby becoming a superiority complex.
I loved the article about how you cannot heal something when you don’t actually feel it…it was truly insightful and accurate on the dot.I have felt that way sometimes…running away from things but not being able to get rid of the pain associated with them.
Loved the article about how exercise and therapy can be so complementary of one another- hopefully a lot of people who are suffering with depression will catch wind of this and will begin to utilize this as a part of the treatment plan that they may be following.
Your article ‘ Can ‘Marriage Education’ Help Prolong Unions?’ could not have come at a better time. My brother is getting married in a month and this is sure to help him, I will definitely pass it on.
I love this round up every week! Gives me something to look forward to always. I always find an article that I missed or something that I need to re-read
I enjoy going through your weekly round-up every weekend as I cannot afford to go through the blog everyday.Nevertheless,this week its helped me not only in being aware and knowing about so many things but also in me having a reason to persuade my teenage sons to actually get out and get themselves some physical activity and stop believing that their gaming consoles are all that the world has to offer.
State wants mental health from BP? hahahahaha!! They can’t even do right with what they are supposed to be able to do right which is not to make a mess like this to begin with, but if they do make a mess then to clean it up. What makes residents of my fine state feel like they would do any better with handling the fragile mental health of so many of our residents now? That is beyond laughable.
They say a problem can be prevented or better handled if you have knowledge about it and things related to it.Well,I say your site does a great job of actually doing just that with regard to psychotherapy and related branches.
thanks a lot for your article on how being partial to one of the kids is bad for all the kids actually.my wife is partial to our second child and is prejudiced against the first one,because the first child was adopted.I keep telling her not to do this but she just doesn’t listen.I hope this article of yours works.
Your article ‘The difference between love and loving’ was a great read and really cleared the air about certain things that most people think they know about but really do not. Thanks a lot for such a wonderful article.
After my mother had her stroke we looked for all sorts of different ways to help her to regain a part of herself and a big part of that cam about through her therapists use of music therapy. To see a story like hers highlighted in an article on your website made me sing just a little because this was something that was so beneficial to her recovery and I know that others could benefit from it as well.
Vets need all the help they can get and expanding the medical cover for them is a step in the right direction.You see they are doing so much for each one of us!
Wow,I didn’t know marriage could be good for person! ;) I always thought of marriage as something that would tie down a person who cannot be as free as he would like to be.
There is always something in the roundup every single week that I can find that is relevant to what is going on in my own personal life and I always have something that I can take away from the reading and make a positive change or at least a move toward that in my life. Thanks for always seeming to have your fingers right on the oulse of the issues that so many of us are facing.
I loved your article “Could Our Minds Be Tricked Into Satisfying Our Stomachs?” simply because of the content and the sincereness it has been put across with.I have been struggling with obesity for the past few years now and this article was more than helpful for me.
I absolutely love the weekly round up because I can browse over the most important stories over the week without having to go through each one. saves a lot of time.
With regards to why you should see a therapist when you could just talk to your friends, while I have discovered that many of my friends have my best interests in kmind, they can’t help because they are too personally invested in my well being. I know that a therapist will be too but not so much so that he or she can’t be objective. When you talk things over with friends I think that naturally they will side with you and will only be willing to see things from your point of view whereas a therapist will be able to put those kinds of things aside and help you to see both sides of any situation.
I am very disturbed to read that suicides in the army are at a high. Maybe it is the fatigue caused due to the ongoing wars but whatever it is we need to back them up in all ways possible so as to reduce their burden and hopefully they are not driven to suicide.
didn’t quite think the oil spill could be harmful in any way other than economically and environmentally.its sad that such a disaster,a man made one,can cause mental problems for people and especially for kids,poor kids.
The Depression Really Does Turn the World Grey, Study Shows story makes perfect sense to me. I’ve only just started emerging from a long bout of depression. Yesterday when I was at the park I noticed how much more vivid the colors of the flowers and trees looked. Interesting there’s a scientific explanation for that.
I was horrified to read in the PsychCentral article, Army Suicides Hit All Time High, that “For the month of June, the U.S. Department of Defense reported late last week that the number of soldiers who took their own lives — those who committed suicide — was an astonishing 32 individuals, 21 of whom were on active duty (but only one-third of those on active duty were serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan).” 32!! We need to get our boys home and those that already here need to be counseled and monitored much more closely for signs of suicidal thoughts.
Everything does seem duller when you’re depressed. Colors become more washed out. It would be nice to have a study done on how depression affects hearing too. My hearing doesn’t seem as acute when I’m depressed as it is normally. I don’t know if that’s because I have more on my mind or what.
The old fashioned term of “black bile” mentioned in that article is a very apt one for depression. I think I’ll start using that when it hits. Lord knows I need something to keep my sense of humor intact. :)
I totally agree with the Psychcentral article on how the Army are mishandling the therapy process for their soldiers. They give them a group therapy session on the way home?? That sounds more like an afterthought that they think will look good on paper than any genuine attempt to help troubled military men and women. Disgraceful.
this blog s doing a great job in bringing news about important things to a lot of people.news that could have otherwise never had such a big audience,to be heard,to make lesser things known to a lot of people!
I like the Really Does Turn the World Grey article. When I’m depressed, everything is just blah to me. I can relate to the description in Chaucer’s 14th century The Book of The Duchess where he “speaks of a melancholy state in which nothing is “desirable or hateful; all is alike good to me.” “
Why are our military personnel slipping through the net? 32 lost in a month to suicide is shocking. How tragic that the Army cannot tend to their mental needs sufficiently enough to see that possibility in them. Is there a shortage of qualified therapists in the Armed Forces? If so, they have to recruit them today, not tomorrow. Unforgivable that is that we’re letting our military down.
although we can see the economy shrinking and mental problems on the rise,we would not have connected the two straight away.it was a nice article on the same and teaches us a thing or two-be happy with what you have and don’t let your financial conditions guide your happiness!
Scares me to read about Army suicides being at an all time high. My son is in the military and I know that there are things that he sees and has to do every day that he feels like he has to keep hidden because he does not want to burden the family with it. Think about how much so many of these soldiers feel like they have to withhold and cannot share with others. That could be a lot to bear on your own.
I always feel gloomy and low when I’m depressed and I just think this is a bit overblown in me.Whenever me and someone around me is depressed, I feel a lot more gloomy and low than the person and this happens every time.
I never thought it was true and thought it was all in my mind. But the article on the issue was a good read and brought out a lot of things that were unknown to me until now.
we learn about how to control the employees in a management class amongst various other things but we never come across things like the ones mention in the article about leaders and employees.just think that is the reason why we are able to meet our targets but are not able to actually connect with our employees.
When I feel good the vibrancy of colors stands out. When I’m depressed, color is like everything else in my experience when I’m going through it–a pale imitation of the original. That’s very interesting that that’s not necessarily in the mind alone.
On Army Suicides Hit All Time High: The armed forces members have been through incredible unimaginable stress and witnessed traumatic events in war zones. Give them one-to-one care and in private! They want their guys and girls to be tough, right? Doesn’t that include mentally or would they rather wait until one runs amok and hurts one or more of their own? The way I see it they are encouraging the very stigma that soldiers feel by not offering proper individual care. These men and women are willing to give their lives to protect us. The least we can do is help them not be affected so seriously mentally by the ravages of war as to see suicide as the only option.
If the Army is incapable of servicing their soldiers’ needs for therapy they should do what every other large organization does when their internal resources are limited–outsource it. In their case they could outsource the therapy to civilian psychologists. I don’t see what the problem would be.
Really- mental health camps for the kids affected by the oil spill? Good idea but maybe some of that money could be better used by saving the homes and businesses that have been lost as a result of the disaster too. I think that this is such an importnat issue and the kids do need help with processing but perhaps this should fall just a little lower on the totem pole of importance?
The option of giving the military access to e-therapy is a good idea brought up by Dr. Grohol. It’s private, could be accessed from the worst of war zones and could be available at a moment’s notice anywhere if it were properly manned. Anything has to be better than seeing those numbers hit an all time high again. That’s a real tragedy.
I agree with Charlene. Wouldn’t it help those kids more to see their neighborhood and homes being returned to their former glory than a week or whatever at a camp then having to return to all the mess? Maybe if they involved the kids in the cleanup in some other productive way such as fundraising, that would help too.
To say a 5 year old kid gets counseling because she didn’t get to the fishing rodeo seems a bit over the top. The oil spill was a tragedy. That’s life, kid. Disappointments are part of it. What’s up with just her parents talking to her about that anyway and explaining they can take her and her brother fishing elsewhere? Counseling’s making it into a bigger deal than it needed to be for the child and enlarging the event in her mind. It was a trip. Big deal! The child whose mother hadn’t been able to work, that one I can understand needing help with stress but missing a fishing rodeo? Please.
It’s not like the military don’t have the technology to do therapy online and also to arrange for it to be a secure connection if that’s their worry. Heck, they are taking more care of their artillery than staff!
If we cushion kids so much that fishing rodeos are so important they’ll never be able to handle it when a REAL crisis arises in their life. So what if her baby brother misses it? I missed out on a lot of things my older sibling got to do that I didn’t. By the time he’s old enough to go, she’ll be past caring about whether he gets to go or not anyway. I think some groups look for excuses to ask for funding. She’s 5. She’ll get over it. It couldn’t have been that big a family tradition for long when she’s only 5 anyway.
My sister and I used to fight like cat and dog. My mother would grab us and sit us both at either end of the sofa. Neither was allowed to interrupt the other (woe betide you interrupting my mother!!) while they were being grilled about what happened. It was so hard to bite your tongue! But we each got our chance to tell our side of the story. Inevitably we both got into trouble because of the fighting no matter who was in the right LOL.
On Supportive Sibling Relationships: The Essential Ingredients. I agree it would be wonderful to be able to have our children sit down and talk things out instead of sending them to their separate rooms. However if they are in the middle of a knock-down, hair pulling fight, what else can you do?? You have to physically split them up before you can hope for any kind of discussion later once they have calmed down. Talking doesn’t work every time.
My mom used to say that a family is a team and family always comes first. That’s all I heard growing up: we’re a team, we’re a team and we don’t fight with each other. She hated any kind of conflict and expected us all to support each other. On the whole, we did. We were allowed to argue as long as it was more like a debate. No name calling was tolerated. It was on reflection a good way to grow up, even if we did throw the odd punch at each other when she wasn’t looking. :)
I’ve never understood why siblings fight. I love my baby brother to death and always have. Granted, he’s much younger than me. I was 15 when he came into the world. Is that the difference, the large age gap between us?
My mother insists I’m no different at 40 than I was at 4. I concur with the observation that childhood personality traits remain recognizable in adulthood. I was very independent and strong willed already by 4 and that’s not changed.
I can see traits in my siblings that have stayed the same for twenty years. The quieter one remains the quiet type and the wilder one always has to be the life and soul of the party. That’s interesting to see it verified.
Keeping your cool in this tough economy and your ability to do so says more about who you are than at any other time in recent history. I’ve never seen so many friends show sides of themselves I would never have imagined were this, both positive and negative. As Dr Molitor said, deal with what you can control and let go what you can’t. If you need therapy to do that, then get it. Happiness is priceless. Good advice there from her.
I have always read some interesting stuff about how birth order affects personality but not so much about how much over all childhood personality influences future adult behavior. Great addition to the roundup this week.
“We remain recognizably the same person,” Nave said. “This speaks to the importance of understanding personality because it does follow us wherever we go across time and contexts.”
Doesn’t that study blow the whole nature vs. nurture debate out of the water if in adulthood we’re more or less the same as in childhood?
Your article on keeping cool in times of economic difficulty could not have come at a better time.I know a lot of people who have been laid off and are now under depression and are suffering a lot.It would do them a world of good to follow a few things to try and overcome this.Great reading the article.
If you can lend a helping hand in a tough economy to someone less fortunate, that makes you feel a whole lot better. We gave away our old car rather than selling it to a girl that needed one when her job was relocated. It wasn’t much of a car but it got her around and let her keep her job. We’re not rich. We just do what we can when we can. Money doesn’t hold you back from that.
When I was a kid I liked hanging out with the girls more than the boys. They were more fun and less competitive. That’s no different today. The perks of being a single male that’s an adult are much better though! LOL ;)
Ienjoyed reading your article about how culture wires our minds.I am an immigrant and I’m proud to be one.I just hope everybody understand that there are cultural differences all over and that no culture is superior or inferior to another.There would be no conflict if everybody understands this.
As always fascinating leads and stories to learn from and read- who knows what ideas could be sparked by the reading here and could end up being highly valuable to someone sometime soon!
I grew up in Louisiana and only moved away after Katrina hit- I feel the pain of those who are reliving those same nightmares all over again with the oil spill down there
“Depression in the elderly” was a good read and showed something that most of us do not talk about.Senior citizens are a silent group who go through a lot without making any noise about it and we take them for granted.They deserve better!
Maintaining self love during stressful times has always been something that I have struggled with so you can imagine how happy I was to discover the article on this site that referenced this very topic and how useful many of the suggestions have been for me. It is so hard to maintain that self confidence and good feelings about yourself when you are otherwise so down. Thanks for the great advice that is continually and consistently found on this site.
its intriguing how psychology plays a role in everything that is around us, including our work space. it can actually be very helpful to know about human psychology and to understand what is running in others’ minds by the way of their actions, and this can not be said more for anything other than the work place.
How ironic that stress can reduce fertility. When you’re trying to get pregnant it’s all you think about. That is stressful the longer it goes on. Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes.
My doctor told me to stop thinking about conceiving so much, take a vacation, relax and it would happen when it was meant to. I came back from two weeks in Greece pregnant. She was absolutely right. The change of pace and scene was just what I needed! The next time I was less obsessive about it all and fell pregnant much more quickly. Or maybe it was because I had a two year old running around to keep my mind and body busy. :)
My sister in law has been trying to get pregnant for a while now so when I saw the article pertaining to how high stress in one’s life can affect fertility rates I had to give it a read. She works in a very stressed out kind of atmosphere and I hope that this is not one of the reasons why she and my brother have had such a difficult time conceiving. I passed this along to her for her to give it a read and for her to share with her own doctors so that maybe they can use this to pinpoint if this could be part of the problem.
Loved your article on nature and the psychology associated with it.I for one love going out for some fresh air and also escaping to the country side whenever I find time.And I believe all need to try this because without nature there is nothing but with nature, there is immense beauty and loads of benefit to our health.
RE people can’t stand unselfish colleagues: I must be the most hated person in my office then! I’m always offering help and solutions to other staff members and managers. If I’m not busy myself, there’s no point in sitting around doing nothing. I would rather give a co-worker a hand or work on resolving problems we’re experiencing. I’m dismayed to discover I could be disliked for that. Isn’t it a good trait?
Would colleagues prefer you to sit back when they are busy? That would build resentment too surely. You can’t win, Meg. Either you make them look bad by helping, which they dislike, or you don’t help when you have time and they could use you, which they don’t like either. Forget about what they think and just do what you’re most comfortable with.
That article on the psychology of a hostage crisis was amaing- please keep sharing such informative articles with readers week after week because they are so valuable to us all.
Wow! I never thought walking could be good for mental health…! I mean like everybody else I knew that walking was the best form of physical exercise but to now know that it helps our mental health as well is just great!
You have my sympathy Meg. And the problem is theirs, not yours. Don’t lower your own standards just to be more popular. Your bosses will notice your flexibility and helpfulness. You’ll get promoted way sooner than any of those passengers will. Keep smiling and doing what you’re doing. You’re an asset to your company.
Meg, it is a good trait to be helpful and one I wish more of my staff would embrace. The old fashioned worth ethics you describe used to be the norm. They really did. Now they have been replaced with this “how little can I do and get away with it” attitude. I’ve seen the changes in workplace attitudes after being in business for 30 years. I get irritated that very very few take pride in their work anymore and want to put in their full 8 hours work for 8 hours pay every day.
Irrational Decisions May Actually Make Sense was a very interesting read.i was drawn to it by its title and i must say the article didn’t disappoint :)
music lifts my mood when I’m feeling blue and yes it has got me out of many tough situations where no talk could have helped me.
So its nice to read that it is actually a documented fact and that it is benefiting others as well.
its amazing how little kids can understand things we think they are not capable of…so,beware,parents,cause your little one may be picking up things without you even knowing about it!
I had never really given much thought that mental illness can cause so many people to have to take time off from work, as well as the difficulties that they must face trying to explain the issues to bosses and the fear that you know that they have to feel that this could cause them to lose their jobs. Interesting piece.
the article on envy was a good one and one that is sure to be beneficial to a lot of people because envy is something that almost all of us suffer from no matter how good we are ourselves.its almost like it comes naturally to us!
saddened to read about how much pre teens will suffer when they are teased about their weight. most adults do not want to be ridiculed aboutt heir weight- what makes them think that adolescents do or that they can tolerate that?
It was interesting reading the story on how fights in marriage and divorces are related. Only if the people who are struggling to save their marriage are able to get the point…
I like the article about having too much flexibility at work and how that can cause stress. I am one of those crazy people who needs scheduling and structure- too much flexibility and my mind goes a little haywire. I don’t know what to do next so I am forever making to do lists and feel so much better as I check off each item as complete.
“And teams containing more women demonstrated greater social sensitivity and in turn greater collective intelligence compared to teams containing fewer women.”
We women already knew that. We’re the peace keepers and negotiators at home. Why would we be any different at work?
On the “Television Viewing May Skew Health Perceptions”. I agree that people get ideas from TV medical shows about something that may be wrong with them and isn’t. They are a hypochondriac’s heaven. I don’t agree that’s a bad thing. If an unusual condition is mentioned and that saves one person from a misdiagnosis because their doctor’s not heard of it, that makes it a good thing.
Re Collective Intelligence: Number of Women in Group Linked to Effectiveness in Solving Difficult Problems.
At last, solid proof that the more women there are, the higher the group intelligence. Read ‘em and weep, boys LOL. Stay away from our groups and quit dumbing them down. ;)
I watch TV medical dramas every week. That’s not going to make me think every disease is something I’m going to pick up. TV’s about entertainment. When you start watching these shows for medical lessons and not entertainment value, it’s time to switch them off.
Shannon Larrabee on goodtherapist.com is a terrible therapist
She acts afraid of life. She counsels kids and has none because “she is afraid of the pain of giving birth.”. Come on, we need to band together against therapists like this. Get this! Her husband runs a huge Coors distributorship and is an alcoholic and Ms Larabee tries to teach about drug abuse at a catholic high school called Saint Joes and she is NOT EVEN CHRISTIAN AND DRINKS DAILY. In counsing she flirted with my husband.
I couldn’t agree more with the article “Too Much Work Flexibility Can Lead to Stress”. I am a freelancer and I know how hard it can be to actually manage things even though I am free to do things whenever I like and from the comfort of my home. Sometimes things get delayed due to an unforeseen reason and its just mayhem.
Also, the fact that I work from home often means I ma at work all the time, sometimes missing out on important family occasions to be able to meet a deadline. Its not all hunky dory working at home :|
“A particularly toxic pattern is when one spouse deals with conflict constructively, by calmly discussing the situation, listening to their partner’s point of view, or trying hard to find out what their partner is feeling, for example – and the other spouse withdraws.” This is us! My boyfriend can’t have a calm discussion and I can’t talk to him when he’s shouting. If he can’t shout, he walks away because he doesn’t want to listen. I’ll be showing him how damaging that can be to our relationship. Thanks for the article.
In the article Study Shows How Fight Styles Affect Marriage, Predict Divorce it said spouses who deal with conflicts constructively may view their partners’ habit of withdrawing as a lack of investment in the relationship rather than an attempt to cool down.
That is exactly how I see it. It’s not that she’s wanting the space for breathing room. She just doesn’t care and blows me off. I don’t know why we’re still married.
And this study involved university kids? Aren’t they all supposed to be bright? I fear for our future. They were probably watching TV while answering the questions.
I was reading some of the posts mentioned above and it just struck as to how much we believe whatever we see on TV and go on to even recommend the same to others, without even checking the facts for ourselves!
I was surprised that the article headed “Popularity Affects Drug And Alcohol Consumption” reported that the more you were considered one of the cool kids, the higher your consumption in your teens. I thought it was going to say that the less popular kids had a higher consumption because they were lonely.
I don’t know why you would be surprised by that, diane. The cool kids get invited to party more often. They hang out with more cool kids, who invite them to even more parties. And their friends they meet there, wanting to keep in with the in crowd, invite them to their parties too. It’s like ripples on a pond. Their partying circle grows wider and the more parties, the more drugs and alcohol. Party on, dude!
Peer group pressure, that’s what it is. I drank in college and I don’t like the taste of alcohol at all. I was just desperate to fit in and not be an outsider. It was stupid when I look back on it. When you’re a teenager, being unpopular is your biggest nightmare or it was mine.
My top reason for unfriending someone is when you take over my Wall with millions of posts, so much so that I can’t see any of my other friends on it but you!
Re the Top Reasons for Facebook Unfriending Revealed by Researcher. I have news for all those people making those frequent, unimportant posts that wind up getting you unfriended: you’re not as interesting as you think you are. Stop wasting our time and yours.
I really do beg to differ with the article that states that being colorblind hinders racial equality. What is that all about? This is about tolerance and teaching our kids that the right thing to do is to look beyond the color of one’s skin
I was a little surprised to read the topic on sexual behavior…we need more awareness in the older folk I guess as the youngsters seem to understand the problem much better :)
It’s quite sad really that they even have the time to clutter up Facebook so much. Get a life! My theory is they only make so many posts so they don’t need to think about how their life sucks. Their time would be better spent brushing up on social skills so they can connect with real live people and get out of the house more.
Anyone see the very clever xkcd cartoon where he drew a to-scale social networking world map, based on real-world statistics? On the top right there’s the Northern Wasteland of Unread Updates. Yours are in it right before you get unfriended.
To enjoy it at its best, look at the full view size at the top of the page. http://xkcd.com/802/
I don’t know why they would get upset at being unfriended. If they had been considerate and not in essence spammed their friends, it wouldn’t have happened. They should be angry at themselves.
I’ve been reading about the Chilean miners’ rescue all over the internet but I was wondering how they must be feeling,what about their mental health even after they recover physically.Thanks to your site I now have the opportunity to read the same.
The article regarding how to get more comfortable and open up in therapy spoke to me in volumes! Those are some wonderful tools that I hope are going to help me get more out of my own sessions with a psychologist I have been seeing.
I was surprised to see a post titled “Why do we fight?” because there really isn’t a straight fixed answer to this question. So I went through the post and I have to say it has really been well written and can actually make us think where we do go wrong and how we ending up fighting with our significant other.Thank you for the post.
Your site is my only real source to all things psychology and other related things and I ve got to say that you guys are just doing a great jobs and this weekly update is a very nice feature too.
Fall-outs of the recession had me worried for quite sometime. While it is more challenging to a certain section of the society than the other,it has not spared any particular part and all are reeling under it. We need to understand this and put in a concerted effort to try and switch things around.
“Given that the research they present shows that students are better equipped to succeed and achieve when they feel safe in school, the authors also include recommendations to federal and state policymakers in addition to education administrators and professionals on how to better foster safe school environments for LGBTQ and all students.” It’s about time these kinds of reports moved past recommendation stages and were fast-tracked into policy. Too many kids are killing themselves because of harassment.
was very nice to read the post on honesty during job hunt paying off.i’ve always been honest when it comes to my competency and other things in my job hunt but have been frustrated to see that others lie and lie a lot.
to know that honesty would pay off in the long run was a well-heard thing but to actually have it being proven is just great :)
Parents need to teach their kids that it’s not okay to hassle a person for being LBGTQ. It’s one form of bullying that many parents I know certainly find hard to address. They are themselves uncomfortable with any topic even mildly concerning sexuality. That’s one of the many roots of the problem. They ignore the existence of the LBGTQ community.
Re Bedtime Texting, Internet Use, Disturbs Sleep And Mood In Teens: well of course they aren’t functioning properly if they are using such devices right before bed. That’s as stimulating as watching TV or more so if it’s gaming. Turn them off at least an hour before sleeping and see the difference it makes.
No matter the policies that are put in place schools are not going to be safe places for students who are perceived as “different” until society as a whole begins to think in a new way. Policies and rules cannot change that, only a societal awakening that I just have not seen yet. Have you?
The round up is the perfect way to bring together so much useful and helpful information that I never miss the chance to peruse everything again and make sure that there is nothing that I have missed.
Unfortunately, the simple truth is that LBGTQ topics have been closeted for decades and not up for open discussion by society in general. I’m glad I’m alive to see change happening but it’s not moving quickly enough for my liking.
Schools also need to include this and how wrong bullying is in any discussions on diversity. With openness, comes acceptance. It’s not overnight but it will happen and only when people lose this strange fearfulness.
The fact that yoga stimulates more GABA in the brain is really interesting. Given the choice I would do yoga instead of having to take a drug that would increase any brain chemical production. It’s just plain good for you to do it!
your articles are always informative and put things across in a simple way,in a way that even a novice can understand what is being put across.this is what makes me want to come back to your site and read more and more about psychology.
I’m all for a natural over a prescribed mood enhancer. To get even more benefit from your yogic activity, take your yoga mat outside and perform it in the fresh air while the weather’s still nice enough to accommodate that. Being in nature is also a stress and anxiety reliever.
it’s sad to know that such a large percentage of people have lost gain in the wonderful institution of marriage…you may call me an old timer but then marriage is a wonderful thing that deserves better…
Although impulsive behavior is sometimes good it definitely isn’t after getting drunk. It only makes people more prone to making mistakes and something that they may regret later. Drunken driving is a fine example.
There is just so much of nice information on your site. I never miss the weekly round up and every week there are at least 2-3 topics that I end up sharing with my friends and family. Keep up the good work guys.
I am gonna HAVE TO check out most of these articles because the topics are all so interesting. A week’s reading gets me all the top stories of the entire week. Yay! :)
Retirement Reduces Tiredness and Depression? Woo hoo! Roll on retirement I say. It can’t come fast enough of me. 3 years, 8 months and counting until it’s just me, my cabin in the woods, and my dog.
That sounds idyllic. I would love to retire early but can’t figure a way I could and afford to sustain it. I started saving far too late towards my retirement. I sure hope that study’s true and it does reduce depression because I get depressed thinking about my stupidity on that front.
When I retire I wouldn’t want a cabin in the woods. I want to see the world and do all the things we never did when we had the children to think of first. I plan to enjoy mine to the fullest.
I have to disagree with the srticle that refers to giving kids money for grades and how that is not effective for many students. It has worked wonders in my household and I am sure that there are a lot of other parents out there who have the same experience as us. It probably does not work well for kids who are given everything that they want anyway but for our kids who have to save money and earn money to get things that they want lots of the time it has been a pretty good motivator to study and do well in school.
Of course retirement alleviates depression and tiredness. You get up when you want and not when an alarm clock tells you, you hang out with people you choose to and not because you have to because you work together, and you have no boss or deadlines breathing down your neck. What’s not to like?
The upper class have trouble reading emotions because they are too busy looking down their noses at the working man. They may have money but they have no manners. It’s atrocious the way some supposedly refined adults and even youngsters treat men and women that weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I worked in landscaping for seven years and had my eyes opened. Rich they may be, classy they are not.
The article on upper class people seems too prejudicial to me. Some people just make it sound like doing well financially is a crime. You will always find people crying hoarse about well-to-do people. Yes, there may be people in the upper class who are like that but that doesn’t mean we should get prejudicial about it,right?! There will be not-so-nice people in any group of people,no matter according to what parameter the grouping has been done!
This is my first visit to your site and I found it to be very informative. Although I’d live to read stuff here everyday I don’t think I can find the time to. But is the weekly round up a usual thing? I could read this every weekend if it is :)
Stigma Deters Those With Alcohol Disorders from Seeking Treatment, Study Finds? No surprise there. Ask me what it’s like being married to an alcoholic that won’t get treatment and I’ll tell you straight that it’s hellish. They are ashamed and yet the shame isn’t enough of an incentive to quit. When it’s a woman too people are more shocked than if it’s a man. Go figure.
Alcoholism is a disease and the sooner the general public accept that, the sooner the stigma attached to the condition will fade. It’s not a lifestyle choice and the good news is it can be harnessed.
“It follows that an attractive male needs to send on average five CVs in order to obtain one response, whereas a plain-looking male needs to send 11 for a single response,” said Ze’ev Shtudiner, co-researcher and Ph.D. candidate. However, among women, the BGU study indicates that, contrary to popular belief, “attractive” women are called back for a position LESS often than “plain women” (unattractive), as well as women who had no picture on their resume.”
My conclusion from that? The person selecting interviewees was female. In my experience, women hate to have better looking women than them in their workplace. Most HR staff are female, am I right?
@selene. Why just the guys, selene? It takes two to tango. Women are no less promiscuous than men nowadays. They go out on the prowl for casual sex too. The advent of the pill and easy access almost anywhere to contraception opened that door. Your view is very outdated.
More than double the amount of controlled drugs now are being prescribed to a young age group than in the past 14 years. Think about that and ask yourself why. How many of them are selling those drugs? How many doctors are simply refilling their prescription every time they ask them to? Do they check the dosage prescribed against the number of prescriptions the patient has had to see if the numbers add up? Questions need to be answered here. I have no wish to tar all these young people will the same brush. However, that increase doesn’t make sense.
Oh, that’s rich! I can see it now. “I couldn’t help myself, love. Infidelity is genetic.” Talk about a get out of jail free card for all the cheating partners!
Perhaps the diagnostic techniques for certain ailments controlled substances treat have improved immensely in those fourteen years. Increased awareness would result in increased prescriptions for medication, would it not? The answer could be that simple.
All the cheating partners? Not quite, gabriella. And I quote: “The relationships are associative, the scientists stressed. In other words, some people with the genetic variation will not be unfaithful or promiscuous, and some people without the variation will be. As the relationship is associative, “The study doesn’t let transgressors off the hook,”, Garcia added. “
Although all your articles are good as always, I especially liked the article on whether good looks an get you a job…A great read no doubt…Cheers for bringing such good articles…
Back pain is notoriously difficult to prove and is one of the afflictions controlled substances are being prescribed for so much. How does the doctor know they aren’t walking out the door, picking up the prescription and selling what they got to a drug dealer? There has to be records kept that can be checked for any suspicious activity, surely. Who is ultimately responsible for that?
Gabriella, before you jump to hasty conclusions, read that again. The article said promiscuity and infidelity could be genetic. That’s not a statement of fact. It’s a possibility. Could be genetic, not is.
@Jackson–Does it occur to you that they may really be ill and need them for chronic pain or a debilitating illness? Don’t assume because they are young they are abusing the system! It’s the doctor’s license that’s at stake if he/she doesn’t properly medicate them and keep track. Heck, doctors have been known to abuse drugs too you know.
If you think wandering spouses would have a field day with that, think about how more ecstatic the lawyers will be. How many divorce settlements will end up in court being renegotiated because they couldn’t help themselves? I was ill, judge. If this shifts from a “Promiscuity And Infidelity Could Be A Genetic Trait In Some Humans” headline, to a “Promiscuity And Infidelity Is A Genetic Trait In Some Humans”, the floodgates will open.
@gabriella:it doesnt!the study says it is possible but no cheater can take refuge in the result of this study.its not like their genes FORCE them to cheat,you know ;)
Ur site’s doin a gr8 job in spreading awareness of everything psychology and related stuff through all the articles,posts,these weekly round-ups and also the very-innovative web seminars.kudos to goodtherapy :)
Actually doctors are more fond of alcohol than medications according to this piece about physicians and substance abuse. “Doctors are less likely to use tobacco and illicit drugs but more likely to have used alcohol than the general population according to a 1992 JAMA study. This is probably consistent with the substance abuse rates of other over-educated, high-pressure, snobby, “establishment” type professions like lawyers, politicians, and business professionals who will never touch a joint but have no problem with the five martini dinner.”
Scotty: Whether ” the floodgates will open” is debatable. They could, only if those wanting to renegotiate were willing to undergo gene testing and all the associated costs that entails. It could cost them less to just keep paying whatever they are paying.
“The researchers found 50% of those with 7R+ – a genetic variation of DRD4 – had been unfaithful to their partner, compared to 22% of these without 7R+.” Next big moneymaker: a company offering premarital genetic testing to see how faithful your partner is predisposed to be. Step right up folks for the infidelity predictor. You heard it hear first.
So love goes right out the window if you fail, I guess garth? It disappears just like that? I know you were kidding but seriously, I could see that happening. Love can’t do that. All the couples then have to ask themselves if they would go ahead with the marriage anyway or not. Me, I think I would rather not know.
Interesting question! I would go ahead with the wedding because obviously I’m in love if I’m getting married. Forewarned is forearmed. If you both know it’s very possible one of you will feel attraction to another person outwith the relationship, you know to watch for the red flags and discuss it openly if it happens. That could be all that’s needed to stop an attraction turning into an affair. Affairs rely on secrecy to flourish.
And what if your results are negative for the gene and you go to court on the strength of that not being so? There’s the researcher on the stand for the defense. “And Judge, our findings are that Mr. Smith does not carry the genetic variation for infidelity. It’s not his genes. He’s just horny and a bad husband.” LOL!
The What Do You Do When You Can’t Afford Treatment link goes to the wrong article. It goes to the same one as How We Think About Addiction: Happiness, Stigma, and Everything Between. Please fix that.
I love the brief stories that are put up here and so does my wife.We learn a lot about psychology right from the comfort of our home.Thank you GoodTherapy :)
“…emotional intelligence and cognitive skills can actually sharpen as we enter our 60s, giving older people an advantage in the workplace and in personal relationships.” Hah! One in the eye for all the youngsters that write us off once a gray hair appears.
Re: Depression Makes Losing Weight Much Harder. No big shock result there to my mind. When I’m depressed it takes me all my time to get up and dressed, never mind get outside and exercise. Then the worse I look, the more depressed I get. It’s a vicious circle.
I’m sorry to hear that, brooke. The best thing you can do from my personal point of view about depression, apart from getting therapy, is force yourself to venture outside. When you isolate yourself, it gets worse and when you’re indoors, there’s not much to do but eat when you get bored or low. Been there, done that. Making myself take a fifteen minute walk at least once a daily improved my mood. Please do try it!
I am an Alaska native and it was sad to read about the community being more prone to health disorders than the population in general.They really need to step up support for the community and bring on a real change.
It is really an education reading your articles…There is just so much that I gain from all the articles here…Thanks a lot and you guys should know you are doing a great job :)
The artcile about tragedy and whether or not that gives meaning to life was a very powerful one for me. I have faced a lot of that in my own life and have often wondered about the lessons to be learned from these events.
There is just so much we can learn from each of the topics that come up here. This is great piece of knowledge that we should try and share with as many friends as possible.
The new breathing therapy program that helps panic attacks, Capnometry-Assisted Respiratory Training, or CART, is interesting. My husband has has two very severe panic attacks this year and has tried talking himself through them. That method doesn’t work very well for him. I’d like to know more about this.
Re: Couples Who Delay Having Sex Get Benefits Later, Study Suggests. The only reason the sexual quality of the relationship was rated 15 percent better is that they haven’t been intimate together long enough to become bored sexually or out of sync. Go revisit the study’s participants in a year’s time and let’s see how strong their relationship is then in that department.
About the New Breathing Therapy Reduces Panic And Anxiety By Reversing Hyperventilation article. It said, “This is achieved by breathing slower but most importantly more shallowly. Contrary to lay belief, taking deep breaths actually worsens hyperventilation and symptoms.” Does that mean the blowing into a brown paper bag isn’t any good then? I’ve been taught since I was a teenager to do that.
Yeah, sure communication is better for couples that delayed having sex until they were married. The guy listens and talks to her because he’s just figured out it will get him laid more LOL.
When you’re in a sexual long term relationship it’s not much different from being married. Everything is better in the beginning and gradually goes downhill if you don’t nurture it. Sex alone doesn’t make or break a relationship, same as money doesn’t.
We need to go back to old fashioned courting of a lady and getting to know her first. It’s a lot of pressure on a guy too how quickly things move from dating to sexual. Women can be very sexually aggressive now.
I would try anything to reduce my anxiety attacks. CART sounds fantastic! A program that reduces the symptoms AND can actually physiologically alter panic symptoms by actively reversing hyperventilation? Fab. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the treatment becomes available after this study’s positive findings.
This is always a website filled with such useful info. I do hope that the word about the site continues to grow so that you have the capacity to continue to provide such a wondeful service to the entire online community. Thanks
I share any weight that is inside me with someone I can trust and it always helps. Being with someone supportive and sharing your downtimes surely does help :)
@Matt P.: You’re dating the wrong girls mate if you think it’s all happening too fast. Look for a nice girl that wants to take things slow, not a tramp that can’t wait to dive into bed. They are out there, trust me.
Resolving what triggers the panic and anxiety is more crucial than new treatments. Get rid of the root cause and you’ll never have to deal with them again. Studies that investigate how to do that better and faster would be money well spent.
If you go into a relationship purely for the sex, it’s doomed. Superficial relationships don’t stand the test of time. It’s nice to have a physical attraction of course. However if you can’t talk to the person outside of pillow talk and enjoy their company, it will get old very fast.
Sex for the sake of sex is overrated, cold and empty. Been there, hated it. I want to make love, not have meaningless sex–and when I make love, I want to be in love with the girl. Now, I don’t mind waiting for the right girl to come along at all.
I’ve gained a lot reading the various posts here over the months.there are even some techniques that I have employed from here and yes,they are sure proving to be positives in my life.Kudos to the people working behind all this.
Loved the article about placebos. I have always wondered just how much that affect had on people in clinical trials and stuff, and now I see that if someone has their mind set that something is going to work then it really can regardless of whether it is the real treatment or not.
When you have sex before marriage it’s like sampling the buffet before choosing what you really want. Nothing wrong in making sure there’s a sexual compatibility there. It would be horrible to get married and find you’re polar opposites in the sexual dept.
Obviously waiting until marriage works, and I quote
* Relationship stability was rated 22 percent higher
* Relationship satisfaction was rated 20 percent higher
* Sexual quality of the relationship was rated 15 percent better
* Communication was rated 12 percent better
Marriage isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a commitment, people!
The article on procrastination was a well written one indeed…Has given a few tips to me and I shall surely follow ten to try and get rid of the problem myself.
yes,of course, Kayleigh. marriage is much more than just a ritual or an occassion. it is a commitment. it means so much when two people come together and decide to stay together while toning down their ego and putting up with each other at times. loving each other yet giving your partner his/her space. but whatever the definition of marriage is, it sure is beautiful!
The research and the amount of work that is put into the depth of many of these articles week after week astounds me as I know that so many of the writers here really put their heart and soul into the information that they put out there to us. The content is spot on and so helpful to me day after day. Thanks for continually being such a bright spot for me and a wonderful teaching tool for me and for so many others in my life with whom I am able to share all of this with.
It was fun reading how self esteem has become such an important thing in young people’s lives…Although it sounds like a good thing, it really isn’t…that’s because of tmwhat they are neglecting while running behind ‘self-esteem’…
it was sad reading about thousands of people still affected mentally by the WTC incident…is there any relief from the government for them?after all,this as a ‘national disaster’!
I really connected with the piece about how poker faced employees are expected to act and how this takes a toll on them. My father worked a job like this and he was never even able to let down his guard at home. As a result all of us suffered because we were never really able to see our dad in the kind of light that so many kids get to experience. For that I am sorry that we missed out on that part of life.
I am a regular visitor of your blog and come here to gain some knowledge of the psychology world because it is a topic that interests me.I can proclaim that no other site is as informative as this one and I gain a whole lot of knowledge from here.Thanks a million to all the people behind this site.
On:Family, Friends, Social Ties Influence Weight Status in Young Adults. “According to the study, published online by the journal Obesity, overweight and obese young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 were more likely to have overweight romantic partners and best friends and also had more overweight casual friends and family members compared to normal weight peers.” Why is that news to them? Birds of a feather flock together. We’re attracted to like minded people who enjoy similar lifestyles to us.
Re the article entitled False-Positive Mammogram Worse Than the Real Thing for Many Women -uh, what? Just because they need to undergo the anxiety of more tests to be absolutely positive there’s no cancer there doesn’t mean it’s worse for them! That’s a very offensive headline and assumption he made. I cannot believe a doctor could be so insensitive.
It’s more surprising that only 95.6% of the WTC survivors suffered one current posttraumatic stress symptom a few years after it. I would have wagered my house on that number being 100% without exception. Only 15% being screened positive for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a testament to the resilience of human nature.
That doctor cannot seriously be saying that a false positive mammogram is worse than having cancer because of the anxiety it causes. How crass. I bet every woman that’s had cancer confirmed would be happy to swap places with them.
Judging by a very unscientific study of my own (looking at parents picking up their kids at our eight year daughter’s school), obese parents raise obese kids. I don’t think it’s right they should be overfeeding children and putting their health at risk. Kids don’t have a choice. Adults do and inflicting your own poor eating habits on them is wrong.
I was pleased to read about the study that found “diversity in everyday life settings prompts people to help each other out rather than being a source of distrust.” We all need to get along, not be immediately suspicious of someone from another land. Love thy neighbor.
Moderate drinking is fine,almost everybody dies that. But it really Peres me to see so many people whose only job in their life is to drink. It’s good to see how nicely you have highlighted the negatives effects of alcoholism on a person’s marital affairs. Hope it scares alcoholics in quitting.
the topic of natural disasters having anneffect on childrens mental health is what appealed the most to me.it is something that can help in any part of the world an goes beyond culture and language-natural disasters are everywhere and something to prevent it’s negative causes is always welcome.
I’ve been a regular visitor 2 ur site for d past couple of months and I have to say or gained a lot by reading from here and I sometimes even show off my knowledge about psychology :)
The article on “benevolent sexism” just paints nice guys who are courteous to women as possible abusers I think. It’s a blackening on the name of every man out there who is a nice guy. What kind of an idiot thinks that sexual violence is justified in any sense or that he’s somehow entitled to have sex with a woman? Tell your wife that you’re entitled to have sex with her and you will find yourself served with divorce papers within a week.
Thank you for your article on addictive gaming. My 15 year old son has been a little too much into gaming of late and I was getting a little worried about it. Thanks to your article, my husband and I are now going to have a small talk with him regarding his addiction.
I am curious about the article about abortion and it not causing any mental distress. I would think that os anything out there this would be one decision that a woman would have to make that would cause great mental anguish. I am not saying that I am either for or against it but that must be a heartwrenching decision for any woman to make.
great post on a great thing-marriage! young people who think the concept of marriage is waning need to read and understand what it really is and how it can be helpful in the most unexpected ways :)
The weekly round-up is a great way to catch up on all the psychology news of the week after a hectic work week, when it is not possible to read the posts.Thank you for this wonderful idea of weekly round-ups!
The one on how work can play a role in mental health was good.I have always felt that if we are burdened at our work place it will lead to problems that may well go beyond losing some sleep…!
power differential is not only important to treat those around you in a certain way but is a very important aspect of shaping the personality…human relations are a very important part of what a person is and says a lot about him…
@Golden Horn: Reading some articles on a website doesn’t make you an expert in psychology but being well read does impress people. It’s nice for them to find a person that wants to converse about more than what’s on TV or what the weather’s going to do.
was surprised to know that babies can assess s much at such an early stage of their lives. we surely do underestimate their sense of knowledge,of the little angles,don’t we? :)
a few of the stories were really informative. enjoyed reading them and gaining some real knowledge and not just the specs of the latest cell phone there is on the market ;)
So apparently if your team loses the Super Bowl you are more likely to have a health problem, but if they win the birth rate in that town goes u! Look at New Orleans this past year, record number of births in October, 9 months after they won the Super Bowl. Crazy how many ways this one game impacts so many lives in multiple ways!
You guys are doing a good job writing and spreading the message about how homophobia is affecting the community of LGBTs…Kudos to that and hope more an more people start to see the truth too!
Sad that there are still cultural communities like th Latino community where it is still considered a taboo to ask for help when ther are mental health concerns.
everything about panic attacks was well explained in the related post this week…I suffer from panic attacks occasionally and reading this has given me a lot of information and a hint to seek help to completely overcome the same…
I was very curious to read the article re: electroshock therapy because I had a neighbor grwoing up whose dad was a psychiatrist and this was what he did as a part of his practice. I always wondered if I got into trouble over there if he would think about giving me a little jolt too!
Spot on with this write-up, I really assume this website needs way more consideration. Ill in all probability be again to read way more, thanks for that info.
it was very informative reading about adolescents and drinking. teaching at a high school I see drinking being a major problem. and to now know that it can continue even later on only makes this issue more severe.
I read each and every word of atleast half of those articles and it is a great deal of information and can actually help all of us because knowledge is power and being aware of things can help you in obvious ways and situations.
The article about wanting your drugs to work and staying positive had a great deal of impact on me. I have always firmly believed in mind over matter and in this case it only reemphasizes just how important this can be.
Teaching kids about mental health is a good development. We always speak of physical health and hygiene to kids but almost never about mental health. Seems like a good way forward.
I didn’t know much about psychotherapy and mental health even two months ago.that’s when I found your website.and I have to say it really is great getting to know so many things in such an easy manner here.and a special thank you for the weekly round ups,they’re my favorites.
“One-third of Us Have Tried Dating Websites with Middle-aged Suitors Using Them Most” was a very interesting read.Helped give me details of and data about dating trends.
it was interesting to read about eating dosorders.I’d like to request you to please include more articles in the future on the same subject.Maybe it can help me get away from my present eating habits,which are very unhealthy to say the least.
The drinking problem among adolescents article-for a lot of us,as most people here would agree,the drinking during adolescence was just that,a phase.I don’t know on what basis the result have been arrives at.Yes,there are people who have alcohol problems in their adult lives after they have been addicted to it in their adolescence but to generalize and say that it happens to all would be very wrong.
I was going through the blog titles and the one on babies being prone to mental illnesses is what caught my attention. I have now read it and yes I was surprised to know it. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t have known this either. Thanks for spreading awareness about this lesser-known issue.
although I am a pretty regular visitor of this blog I have to say, I really enjoyed reading the article on depression.it was extremely informative and I will be looking forward to more such quality articles.
The article about how we need to be culturally sensitive to the needs of others when developing outreach and mental health programs is so important to follow through with. There are many communities who will not respond well to this type of programming otherwise unless it really targets the issues that they face as the part of a specific culture or community. Good work with that one.
a lot of people,including me,gain so much from reading resources like these…but I don’t understand why some of the decision and policies implemented by the government spells ignorance and a lack of knowledge…they ought to take the opinion of experts in the field,you know…
I enjoy reading the weekly roundup because I don’t have the time to go through the blog in weekdays and this recap is surely helping a lot of people who cannot set aside the time during weekdays.
Often I read in the news roundup reports that to me are of obvious conclusions yet appear to be news to others. Like how infants and toddlers are suffering from mental illness. Thinking mistakenly that children “are immune to the effects of early adversity and trauma because they are inherently resilient and ‘grow out of’ behavioral problems and emotional difficulties,” is ludicrous. The effects of stress and trauma can hit at any age, never mind hereditary conditions.
Re the Study Examines Links Between Fear of Death and Buying Behavior. Everyone wants to have a good life before they die. If I were to be diagnosed with an incurable disease, you can be sure I’d drain my bank account and splash out during the last few years or months of my life, leaving enough to cover my funeral expenses and no more. You can’t take it with you! I don’t have any dependents so why not?
Damage that’s done early is a lot harder to heal. Anyone can drink some beer and deal with a hangover the next day. If you’re pregnant though, and you drink, you’ll be causing permanent harm to your unborn child.
The article about adolescents and alcohol was the most important one if you ask me…It gives a clear insight into why it is a real problem and requires attention rather than to be dismissed as something that wil fix itself over time.
@The article regarding drug addicts abusing their partner:This is yet another effect of regular drug abuse and that is exactly why even stricter enforcement on drugs is necessary. But I would like to know if they included marijuana in the list of drugs for the study. While there MAY BE a thing like addiction to marijuana,I am sure marijuana users are not aggressive like drug users. On the contrary,getting stoned really slows you down.
I have been around a lot of addiction and abuse in my life so I know without a doubt that the article about male drug users abusing their partners is unfortunately very true.
reading is such a great thing…and I think that is exactly the reason why old timers rue the lack of reading amongst today’s young people…i realized this by reading articles here and on some other topics elsewhere…there is just so much out there to learn…and most of us are just ignoring all that and whiling our time away…
I liked reading the article on how depression is detected. That is one question that can get hard to answer for an average person. Psychiatry is not just a science but an art as well and why is well described in the same article.
There are always so many good issues highlighted in the weekly roundup that I rarely know where to bei=gin first! I definitely think that learning if my partners voice will be a give away for whether or not he will remain faithful to me looks like a good place to start this week. ;)
self-harm videos?there is a ton of destructive material online…you can learn anything from methods to kill yourself to making a bomb…its all out there…if a person feels like using these resources,he needs to find himself some help…!
I found the article regarding suicide teens and eating disorders to be so relevant because I know that these two things have to somehow be linked yet this relationship between the two has not been fully hashed out yet to get those in need the help that they must desperately be crying out for.
Not only do I read the very-informative articles present here but I also pass their links on to friends.It is my way of helping others as they may then be in a better position to identify some problem.I urge the GoodTherapy community to do the same and help spread awareness.
it was really nice reading “more-reasons-to-be-nice-its-less-work-for-everyone”.I’ve always wondered why people couldn’t be nice to everybody around them and get the others to reciprocate the same.the world would be a much better place then.
I mean,why is it so hard to just be nice and courteous to a person who is a stranger,someone who has done no wrong to you?I always try and be nice to everybody I meet and encourage my family to do the same.
Unlike most illnesses the media makes a big deal out of, AIDS is a serious one. It’s natural that sufferers would experience some kind of prejudice, because nobody wants to catch it or even risk it. I like to think more people would take the time to find out how low that risk really is. Just living near someone with AIDS doesn’t mean you’ll catch it. You won’t. It doesn’t get spread like a common cold.
This kind of thing can come from ignorance. Even if someone does have HIV, you’d need to have sex with them or come in contact with their blood somehow to catch the virus. It does appear in saliva but the amount is so small it’s a very low chance to cause an infection.
@Charmaine: Said ignorance can be debunked with a google search. I did a quick search and found that it’s not that easy to catch unless you’re intimate with the person. I think people are mixing it up with hepatitis, which is very, very contagious if I recall.
I didn’t think there would even be a link between suicide and eating disorders. Poor health and poor body image? Yes, but suicide? That’s really stretching it in my opinion.
@vaz And there are ways to accidentally kill yourself. An example: there’s a series of instructions on some boards that tell you how to make crystals using some common chemicals and items found in any home. Harmless you might think, making pretty crystals. Until you find out too late that the end result of mixing such a concoction creates mustard gas and your face would be right in it.
the article titled ‘superwoman’ was a very practical thing happening in today’s world and a lot of women are finding it hard due to the mountain of expectations. the articles spoke of all things that happen on a day to day basis and yes, it would help if we stop trying to be super-women.
although becoming ‘immune’ to sexual harassment may save the victim from a psychological drain,it also shows how widespread the practice of sexual harassment is.why can’t we have better laws to combat these at places where they occur most often-at workplaces?!
On the sexual harassment of men, it goes completely under or unreported because men are expected to suck it up and move on. That is something we need to stamp out and fast. Zero tolerance for both genders is the only way to go. Sexual harassment is wrong whoever is doing it.
As someone who’s not great at expressing emotions, I was delighted to see an article on the same and have gained quite a lot of things after having read it. Thanks a lot for all the wonderful news and articles that you put out on a regular basis.
anyone speaking of anxiety in kids would have been ridiculed even until a few decades ago. but not anymore. anxiety in kids is a fact today and the earlier parents accept this truth the better it is for their kids.
Thanks to your article linked here I now know that this is the alcohol awareness month. Although I do drink socially I am all for containment of alcohol addiction and abuse. It will be great if this month is used to make more and more people aware of the I’ll effects of alcohol.
Sorry to see the article about teens feeling left out being less likely to attend college. These are the kids who need college the most, need the freedom to spread their wings and discover who they are. But if they are lonely and feeling left out then it looks like this is more than likely not going to be anything that they will pursue.
This round up acts like a weekly update for me because I really like learning and reading about new things and right now I’m devoting my free time to learn about psychology and psychotherapy.
So many great articles this week, with many with points so relevant to my own life. That is what I love about the material here- usually a little something for everyone to relate to.
I was shocked to read the first story about the seen year old! This just shows how far bullying has gone and it needs to be rooted out of our schools and society as a whole. So many lives are spooky and even lost every year due to this menace and yet we just seem incapable to putting a stop to it!
A 7 year old has surgery on her ears? And obviously the parents paid for this. Think of the lessons this teaches our kids. Don’t like something about yourself, just pay to have it fixed.
@ the study regarding self medication: although it is not a very cheerful situation to know that a lot of people are taking to self medication,they should first verify whether this includes traditional medication because sometimes even that is counted as self medication although it is a good thing.
When I was readin the post on Mexican immigrants having a higher probability of mental health issues,I was instantly reminded of another post on your site a couple of weeks ago that said mental health issues are more pronounced in the economically weaker sections of the society.So it could just be that it is because of that.
But it would be intereting to see the statistics for Mexican immigrants when compared to immigrants from other countries.
not surprised at all to read the article about how suicide rates rise and fall with the economy- this is something that can really get someone down in a hurry
Great articles week after week…!This site is doing a great job at managing this thing and also it is letting a lot of people a chance to gain some knowledge about these kind of things that we do it often talk about.
Going to make a few quick points here on the videogame violence theory.
Japan: Very liberal about the subject of sex, pornographic material is easily found, and even the most bizarre or obscene fetishes are common knowledge. #54 on reported rapes per capita by country.
America: Very conservative, throws a fit over a “wardrobe malfunction”, a breastfeeding mother in public is considered controversy, and the sex offender’s register is completely out of hand. #9 on reported rapes per capita by country.
What do those statistics say to you? I know what I think but I’d like to hear yours.
Sometimes we just miss out on how to deal with people and this can lead to a lot of problems because every sphere of our life involves other people,be it at home,at work or even when you’re taking a stroll down the street.So knowing things like the one’s that have been highlighted this week becomes important.
I have to say a thank you to GoodTherapy for this and that I am looking forward to reading even more great articles here.
@Webster: So what you’re saying is that having an outlet for such feelings freely available is actually more of a deterrent than a cause? Correct me if I’m wrong here.
You need to remember that some people are easily influenced and can’t tell fantasy from reality. Those are the ones that are a problem, not the games themselves. In the old days it was movies that took the blame for bad behavior, and now there’s a new scapegoat: videogames.
@Webster–There’s a chart floating about the internet that shows that violent crime has taken a nosedive since Doom was released. If that’s not proof enough, I don’t know what is.
The one about our socio-economical status affecting our perception of others was an interesting one…Just goes out to show how much we let money take precedence in not only our lives but in perception of others as well…
I get a lot of news from your site and it’s nice to know that May is the mental health month…I am looking forward to lending a hand to spread awareness about this very important issue…Maybe you guys could start some program off in which willing volunteers could lend a hand…?
Webster, what’s ironic is that real-life gore is far worse than movie and game gore. If you were to walk into an autopsy room and see the maimed body of a car crash victim, you would faint. It’s horrifying.
It was interesting to read the one connecting spending through cards and self esteem…I have experienced it myself and yes it sure is true…We humans are a unique species and there are a lot of things that matter a lot to us but are matters of no concern to any other species…!
I love the article about who knows us bes, and that it is not us. In my case my husband knows me a lot better than I know myself, and that is not putting mysef down or anything, it is just that he is the one who gets me. We are truly the couple that he knows what I am thinking or what I am going to say before I even say it!
As always great. I anjoyed the article a great deal about how marital problems can predict sleep difficulties in young children. my brother has a child who has always had nightmares and fears that are so unreasonable when it comes to sleeping alone at night, and he and my sister in law have a horrible marriage. They always say that they will stay together until the kids get older but I think that this is the proof that anyone needs that that is not always a good thing for the kids.
I didn’t even observe this past Friday was a 13th and went about my usual daily work. I don’t know why people are phobic about just a date and a day coming together. They are so laid back about all the jobs cuts,pay cuts,foreclosures but mention Friday the 13th and they’ll jump up!
Why would anyone have a fear of Friday the 13th? That’s just really immature and come to think of it, fearing the number 13 makes no sense. It’s a number, for goodness sake! It’s not going to kill you. Where do those roots of that phobia even come from?
@A.B.D. : It actually comes from the Middle Ages. A coven of wiccans would have 13 members in it allegedly. In those times, wiccans were persecuted by the church for being a rival religion, all under the guise of “fighting allies of the Devil”.
The hatred of witches meant that everything associated with them was likewise associated with hexes and bad luck, including the number 13. Those were very superstitious times.
Only bad luck I have on Friday the 13th is the fact I have to deal with paranoid folks for the entire day because they think some unnamed catastrophe is about to befall them. I’m often tempted to remind them they have obviously survived numerous Friday the 13th’s since they were born, so there’s no reason for this one to be any different.
re article on women and how they expect lower salaries and promotions was a good read.as a working woman,I can tell you that although there has been a lot
Of change with regard to the gender issue at work there still exists a glass ceiling,an unseen barrier that always acts against women.and speaking about it is of no use,we need action… from each one of us!
It is not very surprising to read about mental health reducing a person’s life expectancy. It brings down your life in all aspects and makes it difficult to put your energy into anything. It’s best to identify and fix the mental health issue ASAP.
I have a friend who fits that perfect mold about loving to break the rules and getting some perverse sense of satisfaction from doing so. That article totally relates to her!
As a country with the largest number of people in prisons compared to our population,it is a good sign what the California court has ruled. Prisoners are humans too and they deserve basic care and living conditions.
The one on letters from home helping soldiers was a good read. It shows how important family is for a person and will hopefully make the readers realize the value of living with one’s family,something that these soldiers leave behind for the call of duty.
divorce is a devastating prospect for not just the man and woman but also the kids and the entire family setup. it can be very unsettling for the children,especially the young ones. and their academics and learning is definitely not something that can escape the effects!
I have to show my daughters these articles because there are so many that relate to their lives and I know that they have not found this reading material on their own.
Depression in kids is sad..They don’t even enjoy their childhood but start adult behavior from such an early age…and when I say adult behavior I’m talking of all the problems that come their way!
There has to be new and innovative ways to reach the teen community. Without educating them about the dangers of bad behavior and the important role that stable mental health can play in their lives then we are losing an entire generation!
@The article regarding exercise benefitting the brain:Isn’t it just great to know that exercise has far more advantages than previously thought?!This is definitely going to inspire me to work out more often than I have been doing it until now :)
all thee articles seem like they’re written for experts in the field at first. but when you read them you realize that all that is spoken about is actually relevant to each one of us.things that happen in our daily lives,the problems that we face and hence forth.it is a great resource no doubt.
After reading that article about acting like a man to be successful in business, I don’t feel “man” is the right word. The right word would be “aggressive”.
In business, you need to play dirty and grab everything you can to get ahead in it. Leave all the handshaking and agreements until you’ve fought your way to the top. Go ahead and fool yourself if you want to and call it competitiveness if you don’t like to think of yourself as aggressive. Either way, that’s what it takes.
Read a few articles and am gonna read a few more later. But I would like to say that this week’s articles are great coz many of these are useful for either my family or friends.
A man who chooses a flashy car purely to help him get a girl into the sack with no interest in commitment is very sad. Any woman with an interest piqued purely by what she sees you behind the wheel of is going to be very superficial. You both deserve each other imho.
Shame you couldn’t buy yourself some self-respect, eh!
@Janelle You would be surprised at how many females would marry a man for his money if they got the chance. Some can be very narcissistic and self-centered like my sister. She thought she could pull that off with a local lawyer and land herself a
sugar daddy-shamelessly pursued him, she did. Thankfully he saw straight through her ruse.
She’s an embarrassment to me and already eyeing up the new dentist in town. She’s told me many times that she’s not going to be poor all her life. Shame she doesn’t think of working like the rest of us to prevent that! Honestly, I hate folks finding out I’m related to her…
The article about men being involved in the lives of their daughters hit home for me. It is so true that most girls do need that strong male role model in their lives. Having them in their lives gives the girls a sense of confidence as well as knowing what a good man is supposed to be like.
With respect to all the comments on the article on whether women are attracted to wealthy men,I’d like to add this:
First off let me assure you that I’m not being sexist here.While being attracted to someone for their money is not a great thing and the relationship is not going to stand too long on that attraction is very true,we have to admit that as humans,whether men or women,we do have that little something for an easy life,for easy money.Maybe that is he reason.I’m not saying only women do it or only men do it.Both do and that’s a fact you and I cannot change.
I really relate to the fact that male unemployment can make the divorce rate go up. \
That happenedd to me when I lost my job. The wofe said she would stay with me and by my side but that did not last too long when the money was gone.
It got gone and so did she.
I’m homosexual and have been considering coming out of the closet with the fact for quite sometime now. You article on the issue was a good read and I think I’m going to take the plunge soon enough.
there are always so many great reads highlighted for the week that sometimes I don’t know where to begin. glad to see a site that actually works to improve the lives of its members and not serve to bring them down like so many that you continually see cropping up on the web
That article about kids wanting to play with kids of their own ethnicity is so full of crap. I work with young kids every day and they do not see that there are those kinds of differences until the parents and adults in their lives begin to point these things out. Kids are blissfully ignorant when it comes to issues of race until they are tainted by society.
A lot of articles are interesting this week. But the one that caught my attention the most was the one about how texting can help in quitting smoking. At last there is some benefit of texting, something that is otherwise always blamed as a waste of time.
A good article on how obesity affects mental health is what has prompted me to reply here and why I’m replying is to say thank you because most people just don’t understand how it is to be obese. It’s not like we choose to be. And for those of you saying-well can’t you control your eating habits-well,there are a LOT of reasons for people to be obese and things may well be out of our control!
It was an eye-opening experience to read about veterans and suicide. Most of us don’t even think much of these individuals who put their entire lives on the line for us. And to know that they are not only threatened in the war zone but even off it is depressing.
I find a lot of useful information that can be implemented in our daily lives from your blog. I have already referred it to a few friends and thank you for the great site.
there’s just so much promise in mindfulness therapy that I would call it the one-therapy-solves-all solution…there’s just so many things that can gain help from mindfulness therapy…and still every other day we hear of a new thing that it can help with…!
The one on binge drinking was a real surprise to me. Not that I indulge in binge drinking but I was shocked to know it affects not only your physical health but mental earth as well. I am sure there are a lot of people who do not know about it and hence the more people that read about it the better.
‘do anti-prejudice messages cause prejudice?’ was an interesting read because it explored something that not a lot of us would have pondered over.and the answer to that question is not a constant but would have to be yes sometimes and no at other times.it depends on how the message is beig put across n also on the recipient.
Air pollution related news really hit me.I mean there really isn’t much we can do to prevent it or protect ourselves when were out and about. So what can we do when outdoors?
@ ‘Stereotypes Still Keep Women from Leadership Roles’:
It feels terrible that even today after all d advancements and everythin we still ve these archaical mindsets that prevent some people from gettin what they deserve coz of them being a woman or due to some other reason that has nothing to do with merit even remotely.Its true that d deserving are not on top and that we are yet to defeat this sexist demon from within us as a society.
“Researchers Say Liars Can’t Completely Suppress Facial Expressions” -> It was a good read and I agree with the things said in the article that is linked. Also, with regard to the title -> It is true, dont you think? I’ve had many experiences like this where I am able to decipher that the person in front of me is lying just by observing their facial expressions. At least one positive of your hair greying I guess ;)
The article on stressed pregnant mothers serves as a good reminder for pregnant women to take care of themselves while they are pregnant and for those around them to avoid giving any sort of stress or tension to such women. A little ignorance in this regard can have far-fetching effects as illustrated by the article itself!
weekend is always GoodTherapy time for me…I gain a lot by reading the things posted here and the weekly roundup is a great idea that I have been following for many months now..
How exactly does a woman struggle with breastfeeding? Not producing milk or just not being able to garner the willpower to do it? Of course you’ll dislike it at some point. Your breasts will hurt for a while and that’s perfectly normal at first when the milk’s coming in.
I have three kids, all breastfed, and I know there’s aches and pain sometimes that comes with it initially. It’s not a reason to give up though as breastfeeding does get easier. Unless that pain never stops, there’s nothing to be concerned about IMHO.
That one about “sexting” laws is completely ridiculous. We have a million things to worry about in our society and instead of taking care of things that actually matter, we go after a very small minority: 17 year olds in college. In fact, we already HAVE laws regarding that kind of thing I believe!
@Myra Jones–I breastfed as well and didn’t like it. I didn’t like changing diapers either but I still did that. Nursing is just another one of the things a mother does that isn’t easy in the beginning. It’s too easy to quit and turn to formula nowadays. Parenting is as much about perseverance and learning as it is about love and teaching.
surprising to read that prescription drugs can lead to drug abuse.is this a result of mind-based addiction or body-wise?if it’s the latter there are things that can fix it I believe.but the former is a bit harder.
@Rosie: I always call bull on such numbers anyway. Who honestly gets surveyed and says “Yeah you see that chick over there? I sent her a pic of myself naked!” or vice versa. Nobody that’s who unless you’re an attention seeking idiot.
Their survey is a fabrication comprised of some teens’ wishlist imho. The teens are laughing themselves silly that the answers they gave were taken seriously.
It was interesting to read about the decline in marriage rate…Some of the views expressed were completely new for me so yes, I got a lot from reading that particular article. Keep up the good job of bringing these very-informative articles to readers like me.
Its surprising how most of these articles find their place in our daily lives.Its much better than reading about things that are not actually going to be a part of our daily lives,things that are entertaining but give us zero knowledge.It is the articles like the ones that are put up here that are truly useful and informative.
I have been visiting your site for quite a few months now and am happy to see the continued dedication to quality of the articles and any news here.
read the one on benefits of yoga with a lot of interest b’coz i’m a practitioner of yoga for quite sometime now.and I fully agree with the findings of the study.Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise not only for the body but also for mind.I think everybody should try it b’coz its not as stressing and hard as traditional workouts but still offers great benefits.
It was a bit surprising to read about painkillers.Because I use painkillers quite often and although people have told me not to pop a pill everytime I have a headache or something but I can’t stop.Does this mean I’m addicted or is it just a habit?
I never miss the weekly updates. And the reason is because these news articles help me learn so much about things that we come across everyday but never pay attention to.
off to read “When a Man’s Female Partner Become Too Buddy-Buddy with His Pals, His Sex Life May Suffer” now…this sounds like a topic that would give me trouble.I’d never want my woman to get too close or friendly with my pals…so,off I am.
A lot of these articles sound interesting. And as someone who has always been fond of reading about psychiatry,thanks a lot for this collection.Also going to check your archives.
I was reading media’s growing sexualization of women and it just stuck to me how wrongly we have all been led up until now…corrupting our minds is the one things that has constantly evolved over the years and they have done it so well!
I was shocked to read of the tanning ill effects.I like to go in for it every once in a while but a few of my friends frankly overdo it.Guess I need to caution them and advise them to research a little more on the subject.
“Narcissism May Benefit the Young, Researchers Report; But Older Adults? Not So Much” was an interesting topic to read.Strange how the same things give different results at different stages of life…Well,its not for nothing that we mature over time too…!
Taking Rudeness of Our Coworkers Home with Us is a great article that I think should be read by anyone who faces problems from co-workers.I face this issue every once in a while and the article was very informative.Thanks.
read like half the articles listed here and found them to be very interesting.guess some times it’s nice to just read about topics like these because you never know,the advice given could be useful somewhere down the line because each of these topics are very much related to what can happen in an average person’s life.
regarding the effectienes of therapy:I do not think it depends on whether your therapist likes you.because therapy is a professional thing and whether your therapist likes you or not does not come in the way of his professional conduct.
The attention given to a client would not depend on it.
Our attention levels are constantly on the decline and it is alarming to see how much ADHD prevalence is increasing in children..I find that my own attention spans have decreased over the years..What can be done about this? Please advice.
Thank you for link to the blog on fat stigma. I’ve suffered due to fat stigma my entire life and it really needs to have a change. It’s not like we choose and decide to grow fat and that we keep eating 24X7…what’s needed is not a perfect body but a beautiful heart.
Are we diagnosing ADHD too liberally? That’s the question I’m asking. Even if there are certain diagnostic criteria to determine if a child has ADHD for sure, we just pass the label around like a free sticker at the dentist an awful lot! You never heard of that when I was a child.
@Barb Fisher-I feel the same way about the upsurge in autism, Barb.
On the other hand it could be 1) that we have refined the techniques so well that the mildest of symptoms can be spotted earlier than they used to be and/or 2) more parents are taking their children to be tested earlier when they suspect ADHD thanks to increased awareness of the condition and its symptoms among parents.
@Sex differences in mental health:Although not a complete surprise, it’s quite amusing how men and women react differently to similar things and how even their body and mind behaves differently! A very useful and informative article on the whole. Thank you goodtherapy.
I wonder if the numbers not changing among Mexican children because Hispanic mothers are reputed to be far more strict when compared to American parents. The children learn to behave appropriately in spite of the ADHD because their mothers don’t take any rubbish from them nor allow their ADHD to be a “get out of jail free card” for bad behavior. Just a thought.
Bad moods at work are the reason I divorced my ex-wife. She would come home incredibly snappy and blame it on her boss being, in her words, the son of Hitler. I’m glad I left: I could say the same thing about her. She was a grown up and should have went for anger management therapy instead of coming home and being horrible to live with night after night.
As a supervisor in retail I make sure that my team has decent manners at all times and are civil to every person they talk to, young or old. It’s not right to insult or talk down to another human being, especially if you’re not their boss. Not that being their boss gives you that right either!
Treat others as you would want to be treated yourself, that’s my mantra. It’s nice to be nice.
You shouldn’t need drugs for social anxieties in the first place imho. It can be hard to talk in social settings, especially to strangers. I don’t see how popping pills is going to help you very much.
What you need to do is take it all very slowly and build up your confidence at your own pace. A therapist can show you how to do so, teach you relaxation techniques and more. You will not feel rushed by the process either. I say go for the long-term fix.
I was referred to this site by a friend and from what I’ve seen for the past half an hour,all the articles here seem to be very helpful and informative. You never know when the knowledge from this could cone to your aid!
I used to be anxious all the time, but one day I just stopped giving two hoots about what everyone thought of me and started saying what I meant and exactly what I thought. My self-confidence went straight up and I made several new friends because they liked my honesty and straightforwardness.
Any woman who worries that her friends think badly of her because of her weight needs to find new friends! Mine would never be that shallow or judgmental and if they were they would no longer be any friend of mine.
The article ‘Do Men Benefit from Media’s Ideal Male Body Image?’ was something different from the ordinary.Have heard a million stories and studies on how women are affected by the media’s portrayal but first time anything about men.
Does give a fair idea about what happens in a guy’s mind.
The media goes a bit overboard on it by only showing love and attention to incredibly skinny models and none to a real woman with a real figure. I don’t think it’s to blame however. The individual chooses themselves to be swayed by such imagery. We are taught a million times growing up that beauty is on the inside.
the story ‘with age comes wisdom’ was nice to read.gonna show it to my granma and hope she feels good about herself because she says this a lot ‘with age comes wisdom’.she’s always correct,alright! :)
the link between mood and weather was quite a surprise.never imagined some people hate summer.but there is always something that would surprise us out there I guess.
not surprised reading about veterans having trouble in marriage.when your mental health is far worse than civilians at an average,marriage cannot remain far away!
I’m gonna send the link of the one on effects of alcohol to all of my alcohol-loving friends ;) haha not that I hate alcohol but some people overdo it and deserve to read about it too :D
The story on how video games may benefit soldiers was a surprise really.I have trouble keeping my ten-year old away from his Playstation.Maybe I can give it to a soldier instead ;)
“Tooth Loss Three Times More Likely in Patients with Severe Mental Illness” shows a good example of how mental health and physical health are inter-connected.Most people do not know about how much the two are inter-related. I’m pretty sure if the message goes out more and more people will take care of their mental health because right now the attention that the common person pays to mental health is almost nil when compared to physical health.
the entry on child trauma n school performance was a very educative one. we need to work towards eliminating the same and sparing innocent children the pain.
After reading the article about sexual aggression in drunk men, I see the age-old problem of Dutch courage rearing its ugly head hasn’t been lost in the mists of time.
“The perpetrators who used alcohol differed from others in their strong belief that alcohol increased their sexuality and women’s interest in having sex, and they drank the most alcohol in potential sexual situations.”
Guys, take off your beer goggles or do time! That’s your choice. A drunk man slobbering all over us does not increase our interest in sex-it’s a complete turnoff! We can and will call the cops if you keep forcing the issue.
Helicopter parents are the worst kinds of parents. They get in the way of everything, are so overprotective the kid leaves home with the maturity of a ten year old, and with no knowledge of how the real world works.
It’s almost another form of neglect, wrapped up in a cute ribbon. Sending a kid out into the world so vulnerable isn’t right.
Good mention and knowledge of so many disorders this week…There always seems to be more and more to read and learn about.And this site is being a very good teacher :)
I wasnt aware of patients of PTSD receiving any favorable treatment in the law.as good as the intentions of such a thinking may be, it can always backfire.
“9/11 Ten Years On – The Health Effects on Rescue Workers” was an eye-opener really.we always speak of how the event changed the issue of security forever in our country,how it impacted the lives of the people of NY, and so on. but not once have I comes across this kind of a debate. but it is a good thing for sure. we need to be aware of and think of the people who put their lives at stake to protect ours. they are no less than soldiers, fighting a different enemy every time- fire, terrorist attack, hurricanes and what not!
Thank you for so many articles related to teens..As a mother of two teenagers I am always looking for an reading about teenagers’ behavior and other things.. :)
I like reading about the behavior of people and the reasons for it.This kind of a site seems like one that can contribute a lot to my reading habit in this domain.psychology really is vast!
its amazing how computers are coming to aid even in the field of psychotherapy. it may not be too far into the future that we will have robot-assistants for therapists who will record and recall everything the therapist needs to know about a patient’s condition,about their interaction in the previous therapy session and so on..!
surprised to know that rituals can have benefits.always thoughts rituals are kind of pointless..but I guess the old timers don’t do it without reason after all..
Concerned about the growing mental health problems in the country…What are the trends elsewhere?And most importantly,does the Government have a plan to tackle this problem?
it was nice to read about how ethnically diverse friendships are beneficial against peer victimization…I always encourage my kids to have friends from all backgrounds because I think it lets them know,learn and respect different kinds of people,cultures and practices…It also saves them from becoming a biased racist or something in the future if you ask me!
I have always believed in the old adage “you’re as old as you think you are”. I’m 65 and trust me I feel great! I feel as good as I did 15 years ago and it’s all thanks to a healthy diet and exercise thrice a week and daily walks..And it’s actually great even more because it has mental health benefits too :D
I have always advised people without company to get pets because in all these years of my association with pets I have realized that they can be great for a lonely person.I am happy to read that the professionals believe the same and the benefits of pets are now being spread to more and more people.
@Genetic link to suicide:This has me worrying..two of my uncles have committed suicide and I’m depressed on a regular basis. I DO NOT want to go down the same road as them. What should I do other than to seek help for depression?
Alistair Campbell
October 10th, 2011 at 10:52 PM#565
Constantly being educated with all the wonderful articles here..Enjoying the journey, thanks a lot and please dont stop these awesome and educative articles!
good article on how being materialistic can create problems.it is one truth of life that has always been hard to explain certain people.good thing that the experts have spoken on this.
good articles on your site as usual but I was kinda surprised to read about how a gloomy economy could encourage men to seek more partners.It is something I’m sure most of us wouldnt have expected,but really this should not be a cover for cheats!
“Antidepressant-Induced Mania Similar to Bipolar Disorder”:This is a little scary.I’m not on anti-depressants myself but a friend of mine is.And for all the people that are dependent on antidepressants,this should be a red light.Pharmaceuticals have never come without side-effects and this is something that is sure to affect a whole lot of people.
@”Depressed Teens Listen to Heavy Metal Music in Unhealthy Way”
Nice method to say that lovers of metal have a problem.why can’t people live with the fact that different people have different likes and that metal is not evil,its just something that is a passion for some people!
There’s just so much to learn about our own minds and thinking and everything that comes with it.it seems so simple when its all happening in our mind but there is just so many things working behind the scenes! Very interesting to read the articles that come up here week after week.
whenever there are disasters,be they natural or otherwise,we all pay attention to the victims’ physical health and any injuries that they might have sustained…but really, we also need to look at their mental health too.its like an internal injury isnt it?invisible but present nevertheless…needs support but not given importance..now is the time to change.health is not just physical,it has to include both physical and mental health.
Was interestin’ to read bout how relationship wid teachers can help kids.so often it happens that little things matter a lot;but it also means tht we can fix those things with a lil effort.
“Zombies may well be popular today because they speak to a similar feeling of powerlessness shared by many members of our society.” That hits the nail on the head! I’ve never known a time in my life when I’ve felt so less in control of my own destiny. This shaky economy is more frightening the longer it goes on.
Of course zombies are popular. It’s like looking in a mirror. The vulnerable are overtaken by dark forces and powerless to stop it. Why do you think movements like Occupy Wall Street continue to gain strength and momentum? It’s because the little guy is tired of being a pawn of corporate greed and saying enough is enough.
I’m not surprised they think joking around with your kids helps you teach them life skills. Children learn much through playfulness and the lessons stick with them for life in a positive way, certainly more so than it does when parents lay down the law and are serious all the time.
That’s why we have nursery rhymes and toddlers learn things like “one, two, three four five, once I caught a fish alive” which aids their counting. Action rhymes are especially memorable. I can still remember ones I learned at my father’s knee word for word and teach them to my grandchildren.
And yet I can walk from the kitchen to the bedroom and have no idea what I’m in there for. Go figure. :)
Face it, you simply can’t keep a good zombie down! LOL.
Haven’t any of these supersmart reseachers considered that good old fashioned horror character cliches like zombies or vampires will never go out of fashion? They need to stop reading into this hot trend as being more than it is. It’s entertainment for the sake of it.
For as long as there are teen horror movie goers (and boys who want an excuse to hold their girls tight), there will be zombies. And vampires, and things that go bump in the night. Happy Halloween!
@British Appetite for Zombies-Seems like a passing trend.Some people are reading too much into this.Its more like theres a fixation to it more than anything else.
True horror fans know that horror subgenres rise and fall in popularity. Vampires were all the rage there for a long time thanks to the incredibly successful Twilight series. Now that trend’s waning and it’s time for a new kid in town.
Many writers thought it would be werewolves this time around and apparently were wrong. Zombies are coming out top of the heap. Be afraid, be very afraid. ;)
I LOVE to goof around with my kids. If I’d known how much fun it was, I would have been doing it more long ago. This is my second marriage and I have two boys, 2 and 4. My only regret from the first marriage is that I spent too much time working all hours compared to playing. With my kids from that are now all grown up, it’s too late to experience that same joy.
Stefanie Madden
October 29th, 2011 at 11:51 PM#581
My daughter is enthralled by “Knock, knock” jokes at the moment. She’s at the age where she’s beginning to understand wordplay and delights in sharing them with anybody and everybody.
It amazes me how kind adults are about indulging her, even complete strangers on a bus or the waitresses in a cafe or wherever. She always gets an enthusiastic “Who’s there?” response, and all to hear a joke they probably heard millions of times before.
The real joy is in her telling of it and seeing her excited anticipation of a big laugh when she delivers the punchline. :) She expands her repertoire with “Your turn!” so she’s never short of material LOL.
@raphael: You’re wise and lucky to have a second chance there to do that with your new wife and family. If I’d known children would become so surly so fast I would have made the most of it as well. I used to do silly things with my boy too- we’d team up to play practical jokes on his mom or try catch each other out, harmless funny stuff like that-until the day my oldest didn’t laugh. He said I was being lame and he didn’t want to do it anymore. He was 10.
I don’t want to be that dad that the son’s embarrassed to be seen with, so I quit all the silly stuff. I think miss it more than he does.
If the teaching environment is more on the relaxed side, it’s easier for children to absorb the lesson I feel. Placing undue pressure upon them only serves to increase their anxiety. When you’re anxious, it’s not as easy to focus your attention as it is when you’re not.
@AlexB–Ouch, that must have hurt. Hugs to you. You said he was the oldest. If he doesn’t want to be included, so be it. Let it be at that. But what about your other children? Don’t deny them all the fun just because he feels he’s grown out of tomfoolery! Chances are when he sees you playing the fool with them he’s going to be interested again, and if not that’s okay too. Do it for them AND you. :)
1 in 67 attempt suicide in Rhode Island? Wow. I would have thought it would be higher in smog-filled, depressed, poor areas and not one as beautiful, vibrant and scenic as that. It just goes to show you never can tell what folks are thinking underneath.
I firmly believe in teaching children from a young age how important being able to laugh is, and especially at yourself and your mistakes! It’s easier to get through life if you can keep a sense of humor about it. Don’t sweat the small stuff or take yourself too seriously, that’s my motto.
Rural communities are certainly not immune to suicide attempts whatever any of you may think. Country living can be very boring and not the romantic scenario many city dwellers imagine. They think they will love the quiet and the isolation and then it turns out once they get here that what they hate is the quiet and the isolation they once craved.
Couple that with higher unemployment rates and poor job prospects as there are less businesses. It’s not as easy a life to adjust to as some think, even if you’re a country boy/girl born and bred.
The story on asthma patients is a good example of how illness can change your complete outlook and make you different from what you originally were.just another reason to be as supportive to such people as possible,folks!
Whatever age you are, there will be trials and tribulations. I taught my daughters that it’s possible to have fun and put your best foot forward at the same time. You can find humor in most places if you look for it and it sure will help reduce any stress you’re feeling.
Taking life too seriously is a quick path to ulcers and other physical issues. Lead by example and demonstrate by your actions that it’s okay for grownups to have fun too!
What the Heck do zombies have to do with feeling powerless exactly? People like to shoot zombies because people like to play games, and the idea of a few helpless people against an entire hoarde of the undead just makes for good cinema. Secondly, who doesn’t enjoy a good zombie movie?
Kids are the best stress relievers on the planet! When I’m feeling in a slump I take my nine year old niece out for a treat. We go shopping in the mall and have our nails done while we’re there, then go for ice cream.
Her incessant chatter and infectious laugh are a tonic! We giggle and joke all day long. She has all her life to get serious. I hope she doesn’t grow out of her crazy auntie anytime soon. :)
Second week I’ve come to this site and thank you for all the news stories in the field of psychotherapy-It really gives an insight into how people’s psychology works and also the developments in the treatment part of this field.
@John A. Wilson: I’m sure one of the logics of it is that zombies are slow and lumbering, making for easy targets and it gives a sense of empowerment. As a gamer I can tell you off the bat that’s rubbish. Watch a single YouTube video of Left 4 Dead, arguably the best zombie survival game out there, and you’ll see that one of the most popular games in the genre is very atypical.
being a music fan of almost all genres it was heartening to read that even science agrees that music is beneficial.many noted people throughout history have asserted the same and its great that we now have scientific facts and results to back it up now.
“Celebratory Violence Increases Fan Identification with Teams”
All those people are just hooligans not fans if you ask me! I mean, is that how you display your love for your team? I don’t think so. Its nothing more than an I-have-a-chance-to-do-something-to-public-property that triggers it all. These people are sadists who just don’t care about anybody or anything, not even their ‘beloved’ team!
Any drug will increase your schizophrenia problems, especially if you already have them. If you take things that mess with your brain of course you can expect such problems to worsen! That’s why it makes no sense to do so.
@ If you’re stupid enough to use meth you deserve everything that happens to you. There are much safer drugs out there that won’t completely destroy you. My brother did meth and it ruined his life. Meanwhile I regularly smoked marijuana when I was younger and kept both a job and a roof over my head. Keep away from the hard stuff if you want to live your life, not lose it.
Sleep paralysis is really you dreaming about being paralyzed. It’s still a scary experience though and feels very real. Next time you think you’re paralyzed, attempt to turn on a light and I guarantee you it will not work. Our brains cannot properly render light in our imaginations, so you know then you’re only dreaming about being paralyzed.
@Bert Leonard: Half the time I have sleep paralysis I’m not even in my own bed until I wake up. I know all about it, have experienced it, and you’re right.
Those scientists should be using their funds for more meaningful investigations, like how to cure cancer or depression. Sleep paralysis studies are the equivalent of one night stands: fun while they last but nothing about them is going to change the world.
The link on the smoking prevention story was a valuable resource and I just hope they can figure something out.I have been an active anti-smoking volunteer for a long time and it really surprises,amazes and hurts me that people smoke so much knowing fully well that 400,00 people die of it EVERY YEAR!
Amazing how a tiny little gene can mess things up for a person.It would be great if there was a way to determine the same during a pregnancy and fix it for the baby so as to prevent an ill ess later on.Anydevelopment in this sphere?
Really not seeing the volunteer thing working unless the drug use stems from them feeling hopeless and lacking in any good feelings altogether. I know I could be tempted to try drugs if I felt my life sucked badly enough.
@Kirk Saunders: Everyone underestimates the good feelings helping those less fortunate than yourself gives you. It’s not the same as getting high of course. On the BIG plus side, it won’t ruin your life or get you arrested. Individuals should do it more often-we could sure use the help in all the shelters.
not surprised at the report about introverts having health problems.staying like that would be so choking!just cannot imagine how people live with that.being an introvert itself may not be bad but how can someone really go through their everyday life like that when everybody is only looking to be the best possible and outgoing to benefit themselves!
So I guess I have to agree with my teen son who is always gaming when he says gaming does improve his concentration and certain other skills…who would have thought about that!
Its true about girls feeling more hurt when friends say something.I have been through that very feeling a lot of times and its just not pleasant.Amazing how guys can walk away from such thing with little hurt!
Surprised to read about gaming having benefits. But in any case, is it really worth all the hours that so many youngsters spend on it? How about all the radiations from the screen, the lack of activity and basically the lack of interaction in the real world? Does the benefit of creativity outweigh all of these disadvantages?!
Meditation has really turned ‘off’ all the stress in me and I cannot tell you enough about how much of an impact it has had on my life.Good to read an article about meditation here and I just hope more people try to to discover what they are really missing right now!
news of a different kind- very interesting. a new visitor here and I have to say I really like the articles mentioned here and look forward to reading more in the future.
The myth about men thinking of sex all the time is so very wrong.Happy to see that it has finally been debunked.A lot of men believe this too and I just hope the message is spread about how false this really is.
Religious services have helped me cope with a lot of things that have happened in the past few years.I don’t know what I would have done without that kind of a support mentally.It really does help,the youngsters need to look into it.
as someone who would hate to sit down in a room and talk about the most closely held things with a therapist I think adventure therapy offers a unique opportunity to go through therapy and still not feel un-comfy. but the point about it being for men is a little displaced. why can’t women have adventure therapy??
@G.B. Thomas–That’s all well and good if you can afford to be like that, but in these times everyone wants to get paid for what they do whether it’s feeding the homeless, pushing papers, or donating blood.
I don’t blame them one bit. As a full-time worker and a parent I do not have time or energy to do volunteer work. Everything I do revolves around earning money to support my family – everything. If I ever get rich and retire, that’s when I’ll volunteer. I’d like to help but don’t see how I could before that day comes.
I never did believe that men did nothing but think about sex all day long anyway. If they did, they would have no time to fit in beer and sports too. ;)
Kris T. Harrison
December 6th, 2011 at 6:01 PM#618
@travis maitland-You may not be physically able to go there and help now or do anything that’s not earning you money as you say. That’s understandable. How about giving two minutes at your desk once a week or even just once? If you’re willing to do that then lobby your governor or congressman about increasing funding for local shelters and other deserving groups instead. One email would take you two minutes and the representatives all have email contact details on their respective websites or a contact form.
I hope that nobody out there is incapable of finding two minutes in their week to help the most vulnerable of society. You can make a difference with the smallest of steps.
Obesity in children is a dangerous trend that could just consume more and more children in the coming years. It is more serious than many people think it is and I believe it needs quick attention from our health policy makers.
Attitudes about aging is an important lesson to each one of us. Aging is an unavoidable(well until we find a solution)process that is continuous as well as universal.We do not have to imagine that we will not be as useful or feel like we lose value. Aging has to happen and will happen but let’s us not bow down to it
A lively exercise regime combined with healthy habits can let us live our later years in a way very similar to the best. Cheers to our older years !
@ “Elderly Can Be As Fast As Young In Some Brain Tasks”:
Way to go older folk! I find it disgusting that some people treat older people like they are unproductive or slow.Well,they were PRODUCTIVE and have EARNED their leisureful life now. Deal with it fellas!
It was interesting to read the one on small psychological studies. With jus so many studies comin out nowadays n conflicting findings sometimes it can be hard even for professionals to decipher things for certain.We need a concrete way to go about such studies and maybe even stipulations that each study needs to adhere to!
@Marital problems:Whoa, that really is something to watch out for for all those in a relationship.Seems like heart disorders are only going to increase,looking at how much divorces have jumped up!
‘Discrimination and health’-Not too surprised to see coordinated processes leading from one to the other.And the message should now be clear-Discrimination is not just an act of differentiation but could even be defined as abuse.
Some kids with autism actually display a lot of interest in certain activities and although these are usually not conservatively viable for employment parents need to encourage the same. Reading the post on how autistic kids are being helped by the usage of software brought a smile to my face.
Genes influence criminal activity? Well maybe if something scientific says so.But it’s not like you’re not in control.Its not like you can brand people as prospective criminals just because of genetics.And the main reason?The power of choice that exists under our control.
I’m always forgetful and my friends joke that I would have Alzheimer’s soon…Not that I was scared about it but this just gives me some scientific backing for my beliefs ;)
About the seemingly harmless discrimination-I’ve always felt that way.No kind of discrimination,even when done as a joke,is good and will hurt the one at the receiving end at some point of time.They may not show it but it does hurt them,so watch your words.
we need to do everything we can to educate and make young girls aware of weight and body issues.little girls now ‘diet’ after having seen a billboard of their favorite model or actor.and this is certainly not a healthy trend.
@Overtime Increases Risk for Depression and Anxiety in Women:
This is a worrying finding.The fact that most women who would opt for overtime are from economically backward section makes the matters even worse.They are exposed to a lot of depression and other mental health problems due to their economic background to begin with and when they try to make more money by working overtime it further deteriorates the same :(
“Bullies, Victims 3 Times More Likely to Have Suicidal Thoughts”
Hmm surprised to see that both the victims and perpetrators suffer from [problems.But then again the perpetrators could have had the problems since before and it could be a reason for the bullying and not the cause of it,as is the case in victims I’d imagine.
I really like that first article that talked about how music brings out positive emotions in listeners. So true! When I am having a particularly bad day I like to put in my ipod and listen to all of my music that I love. That automatically makes the day better!
“Girls’ Self-Evaluations Influence Depression and Anxiety”
You know this has always been so true.The fact that their self evaluation is now so constantly being influenced what what others say and do is the worrying part though.
so many times I’ve heard that music can evoke positive emotion and that it can help overcome depression but is the opposite true too? could some types of music have negative effects too?
I did not remember seeing the article about how brain chemistry can make a difference in how different minds respond to different drugs and how this could be of particular importance when treating those with addictions. How true! It seems that we often get into this mindset that if something works for me then it will work for you too and this is obviously not true. Each person’s recovery process will be different therefore how they respond to different drugs should be different too. I suppose we all just need a little reminder of that every now and then.
I feel great in denims, mood may influence the color of my tee or other things but jeans are the way to go for me. Why isn’t personal choice considere here?
I shared that article about internet gambling and teens with my sister because I think that my nephew might have a problem with this.
I hear him talking about gambling online all the time and I worry about where he gest the money to cover all of that.
But they just choose to look the other way, but I’m really scared that he is going to get in over his head.
The one about trans fats-It is present in a lot of junk food which is consumed by a lot of young people is it not? Why are our foods becoming hosts to problems more and more?
I really enjoyed the link to the article about middle school teachers, and that when they exhibit empathy and kindness toward their students that they can make a real impact on whether or not their students make the decision to start taking drinks. Classroom teachers DO have an influence over their students whether they like it or not.
With the ever increasing incidences of lung cancer, how on earth could you feature a link to an article about smoking helping to encourage self control? I did not even read it I was so offended.
I had to have my sister in law read the article regarding autism and whether or not this is an epidemic. She has two young boys, both of whom have been diagnosed as mildly autistic, and while it is comforting for them to have a diagnosis, it is also kind of disheartening too, because all she can think about now is that they will not have a normal life, or at least not necessarily the life that she and my brother had dreamed for them. I don’t know that the reading made her feel any better but at least it kind of lets her know that they are not alone in this fight.
A link between fast food and depression huh?
How about this might be jumping to conclusions?
There could be a whole hoset of factors that would seemingly link these two things together which may or may not mean that the two are actually related to one another. It could be nothing more than the fact that depressed people often gravitate toward these kinds of fatty foods as they think that this is something that would help them feel better. Or maybe it is more of a socio economic factor. I don’t know, but it seems too loose a link to me to point to the two things together, that they definitively go hand in hand
Are we at all surprised that no one wants to fork over the dough to prevent mental illness in the same way that they will for other diseases? This is still such a taboo subject for many people that we even shy away from just talking about it except in thos sympathetic hushed tones.
The link between fast food and depression cannot be false.Its for everyone to see the physical condition of regular fast food consumers and it has been proven enough that there is a relation between your physical health and mental health.
Direct and indirect relations-something for our lawmakers to ponder over, dont you think? Oh I’m sorry, I forgot to take into consideration about what has been happening in the case of tobacco!
As a small business owner I would beg to differ regarding the article about why men and women start businesses.
We are all in it for the money. And maybe the women get more in the way of social value out of the experience but in the end we all went into our trade for the money.
I find very few people who say that they started up something that is as hard as keeping up and running like a small business to make friends. There are easier ways to make friends than that.
“Keep Aging Brains Sharp: Brain Games, Exercise and Diet Help Prevent Cognitive Slide” would be a nice article to pass on to my parents back home who are just starting to face the effects of aging since the past few months.hope to always see them be able to do things on their own, and they like it that way too.
I love the roundup- thank you for taking the time each week to highlight articles that you think will be of even more interest to readers than those that you normally post on a daily basis. In addition to the ones I read during the week this is the chance to catch up on some other reading that I may have missed, and you just never know what other kind of info you will find.
Every parent should read the article cited here on bullying and cyberbullying. As a matter of fact, maybe the school counselors should begin doing more educating the parents about what bullying really is. I think that kids have a pretty good grasp of what constitutes bullying- they may not be ready to say it when it is being directed toward them, but they definitely know and see when it is going on.
On the other hand there are far too many parents who are oblivious when their child is being bullied or also when their kids are the ones tormenting someone’s child. They will say it is all being done in jest and to pay no attention to it. But it is not that simple anymore. Kids are being hurt emotionally and physically, and in the most chilling cases are losing their lives, either by their own hand or that of the bullies.
I realize that mo amiunt of education is automatically going to stop the behavior from either side; but it will at least force us to take a good hard look when it is happening and try to do something to stop the behavior before one more child gets harmed.
I am always so excited when I see some new articles highlighted here that I did not necessarily see during the past week. This is always such an informative way to learn about the new topics swirling around the industry, and I always walk away, even if with more questions, even more informed and enlightened.
My husband will be so happy to hear that vet affairs is upping the number of mental health pros on the payroll. He suffers from PTSD from his time in Vietnam but for a long time he was not able to get the help that he needed, that we needed, because we felyt like the govt was brusing off his illness, like they thought that if they did not talk about it or give him somebody to talk to that it would go away. Obviously we all know that this is not true, his symptoms only got worse over time til we finally had to cough up the $ ourselves and finally was able to get reimbursed some of it. I would not trade getting him treatment because it helped both of us immensely but it was a pain having to fight that battle in the first place. He was owed so much more that that and it is so good to know that now, maybe, more vets will have access to this care that so many of them desperately need.
I could really relate to this weeks article about eating disorders and how certain events can trigger those for certain people. I am one of those gals for whom my eating disorder has follwed me at various points of my life. I have been on and off the wagon, but every time when I feel like I’ve beaten it, something else comes along that shows me that I am really not cured of it at all. I want to be free of this, but there is always something that holds me back from letting go of that destructive behavior, and I have yet to figure out exactly what it is that keeps me on this path.
Say it ain’t so!
Prozac saved my life I’m convinced of it!
Why now, after all the years of promoting it and saying how effective it can be at helping with depression are researchers now only talking about the harm in the product.
I am sticking by my assertion thoughn no matter what the naysayers say!
I don’t know who these women are that you found don’t like to exercise outside, because girls you don’t know what you are missing! There are days when my walks or runs are my Therapy, my time for me to unwind and clear my head,. That is not anything that you can experience in some loud gym with machines and tvs going! If outdoor exercise is not a part of your life then I encourage you to make today the day that you give it a try. I am telling you, there is nothing that is any better for you! Of course there are days that I don’t want to do it, but I tell myslef how much better I know I will feel afterwards, and you knwo what? It never lets me down.
@ashley c, you know you raise such a good point about the gym, because I am always wondering what others are thinking about me and the way I look when really the only thing that I need to be doing is paying attention to taking care of myself. Maybe being outside would take away all of that pressure so I can just get on with my business and doing what I need to do without being sucked into the tv or the negative thoughts that I have about myself already when I think that someone is laughing at me.
Surprised 2 read bout anti depressants..have had many ppl around me use it at different times do its bothering me a lil bit..v need alternatives then..while there might b many in d medical field,what r d best of them accordin to d specialist? Anyone?
outdoor exercise is just great.i gives you the benefit of not just exercise but also fresh air,sunlight and basically a feeling of and all the benefits of being close to the nature.i would suggest everybody to take it up, it feels great too.
Aha! Now I have proof! Myhusband was two weeks past due when he was born- it set him up for a lifetime of partying hard and being a bad boy. But he can’t see this- it will become his new excuse for bad behavior ;)
I just finished reading the piece on foster childredn and the use of medications among this population. I know that many of them probably need it, goodness knows what kinds of things they have had to be a witness to in their lives. I am a little concerned though that they continue to get the appropriate follow up care than anyone who is on any type of medication would need. Please don’t put them on something and then leave it as is. We all need a little tweaking with dosing etc from time to time and these children are no different. I just hate to see something that could be positive for them turned into something that could instead be detrimental.
The Parkinson’s piece hit home for me because my dad is struggling with that right now.’ The meds help most of the time but there are others times when the tremors are so bad that it is painful to be with him, especially as he knows it is happening and can do nothing to stop them. I know that whatever research comes along now can’t help slay the monster for him, but if it could help another then that is something to look forward to.
@Financial Stress Emerges as Significant Risk Factor for Suicide:
Something for all of us to take note of in times of financial worry. Money is important yes, but never let it control your life. It can be hard but really, money does not guarantee happiness and if anything, it brings in a lot of worry if you ask me!
Isn’t it odd how a drug like those for hbp could even be considered as a treatment for PTSD? I mean, how does anyone ever even get the idea to perform that study? I would never think of that.
As a soccer dad, I am a firm believer that my own kids’ involement in organized sports has had a wonderfully positive effect on them. They are happy with themselves and school and their friends, and overall seem much better adjusted than many of their middle school peers. I think that being involved in sports from a very early age has not only kept them in better physical shape, but has also allowed them to be in a better place mentally. They feel good about who they are and the things that they have accomplished and that makes me one proud papa.
I loved the article about identifying with fictional characters and how this could affect your life-
I give my girlfriend a hard time cause she is so Twilight mad you would think she is actually in love with this perpetually young 18 year old vampire!
I read the article about being addicted to Facebook, and I have to say that now I am convinced that most of the people in my life probably are. I hate it when some of my friends can’t even get through dinner without checking their Facebook, updating their status, etc. Surely I am not the only one who sees how much this has fundamentally changed society (and not necessarily for the better) and how much some people have let this one little site (ok huge) overtake their lives. The first time this happens that you can’t make it an hour without checking to see what’s going on in Facebook land, just face up to it that you have a problem and step away from the computer.
I have to say that I enjoyed all of the submissions a good bit this week, and I was intrigued by the Chinese herb reputed to help curb binge drinking. But I am a little skeptical because it is not something that will be readily available to consumers, and most college age students who would eb the ones to engage in this sort of behavior are not going to be the ones who would seek this out. Could it work as an alternative to traditional therapy? I am sure that it probably could help some people, and if it was a little more widely available then perhaps a good many more could benefit. But right now I would have to think that continued research is needed and continuing to stress the message that binge drinking like this could cause a lot more damage than perhaps these drinkiers are aware of.
That is something very interesting about the red flag for autism markers in infants. I thought that autism did not typically present itself until around 18 months to 2 years old.
I was excited to learn that in most cases that have looked into there is a far lower rate of PTSD in our Afghanistan and Iraq soldiers than we once would have thought.
Given how many tours many of these soldiers have had to face I would have assumed that a good many of them would be suffering from PTSD and other things that would make returning to civilian life even more difficult.
But it seems that this is not necessarily the case with this group of soldiers and I think that is something that we can all be so thankful for.
@”Distress of Child War and Sex Abuse Victims Halved by New Trauma Intervention”:
Its sad that there are still children who suffer from war crimes and sexual abuse even though we have made so much progress in all fields.
But I was happy to read of this new intervention technique because it seems really promising and if there is anything we can do to help these kids then we should not step back.
Again, another article that points to evidence that the mother experiencing sickness and fever during pregnancy COULD lead to the development of autism later on.
But agai, nothing conclusive.
Who’s to say that these children would not have become autistic anyway, even if mom had not had a fever?
There seems to be a whole lot of grasping for straws instead of the definitive.
I know that there are a lot of heavy people who do not wantt to hear this, but you do have control over how fat or thin you are.
Yeah, your mom and dad and every family member that you have my be overweight, but that does not mean that this is your destiny, too.
As a child, you might not have a lot of choices as to what you eat.
but as an adult, you are in control, or yiu have the ability to be in control.
Why not use that control for something good, like getting your body to a healthy place?
It always surprises me when I see an article like the one here on the diabetes drugs that could help traumatic brain injury. I always wonder how scientists could even figure out they might could help? It is just stunning how sometimes they stumble onto something like that that you never would have thought before and now it could dramatically change lives/
I read these new guidelines on curbing childhood aggression, and great, fine, there are some new pointers for how to better manage this kind of behavior. But I would like to know where this kind of aggression and anger comes from in so many children? Don’t you think that for many of them it is all about the things that they are being exposed to at home that are causing so much of this? And that maybe a best all encompassing guideline would be to keep them away from violent imagery and activities to begin with?
Surprising to hear about one drug helping a different disorder every now and then…Is it something to be happy about or should we think why the newly discovered property of the drug remained under the radar until now…?
I know this will sound crazy, but I think that my dog Freckles realizes I am sick even before I sometimes do!
He gets all whiny and scoochy with me a few days even before I exhibit any symptoms of sickness.
When he gets like that I just go ahead and start taking some vitamin c because I know that cold is coming on.
telephone delivered care sounds like a good thing for depressed people.and the resin why it has shown to have lower drop out rates could be because it doesn’t really have a schedule to stick to or go to some place.schedules and the feeling of ‘going for treatment’ is never good for someone who is already depressed!
This is the first I have read anything about a vaccine for Alzheimers. Any ideas about how long before this is deemed safe for the general public and more widely available for use?
I guess I have bee living in a hole but I did not even know that you could get therapy via the phone!
But after reading this, I looked into it a little more, and I guess if you find yourself the right provider then it could work.
I can see that for some people this is probably the best option for them when it comes to pursuing care, because with whatever they are dealing with they may not even be able to leave the house.
Very encouraging for all patients, even those that are the most adamant against getting help, that the dropout rate is lower, so they can at least know that this could increase their chances of getting better and sticking to it.
I really liked the article in regards to breaking the behavior of bullies. Too many times, they see the fear that they bring to others and they like it. They see it in the adults that they deal with and certainly in the prey that they seek out. One thing that I have noticed is that you have to show these bullies that you are not afraid of them, that they do not hold any power over you. Once that perception of power is lost then typically they will move on to the next victim, who will hopefully continue that chain and show him too that the power he once held is gone.
good informative stuff..I especially like the articles on our veterans and combat forces..needs a lot of attention from everybody in our country..we always think about how we are doing so much for the ‘betterment’ of those countries where we have an active presence but we also need to see how it is affecting the forces of our country..not only monetarily but also health wise.
I don’t understand why the NFL continues to allow players to go on the field when they have suffered serious brain injuries from concussions. We now know they affect everyone differently- one person may really show the signs while someone else may not. If the NFL knows this now, then why do they still let this happen?
I have known for a long time that as an employee I am far more motivated by rewards than I am by threats from above.
Sure do wish that the idiots in management knew that!
I just read the article about suicide rates among young Indians and I am stunned.
I grew up in an area with a lot of immigrants from the Indian sub continent and I have to tell you that these are the families that we envied, that always looked like they had it all together!
Growing up in such poverty has to take a toll on those who choose to stay at home, and seeing no chance for improvement has to make life feel almost stagnant.
The one about rewards motivating workers more than threats couldn’t be any truer..Never has negative handling worked in any domain and caring for your workers is really the best way forward.Large corporations in particular need to understand this.
Please tell me I am not the only one who is SO TIRED of having to have these conversations about diversity! If we were allowed to pick people who are qualified for something not because of their race or their religion but as a result of their hard work and experience, and we could all just come to terms with the fact that sometimes this may not reflect society as a whole, then why not just be happy and satisfied with that? I would much rather have someone who can do the job instead of always having to worry about this hire or this fire may make my diversity numbers look.
It’s true! I knew it! I have always told everyone that just looking at a piece of cake makes me gain 5 pounds, and see? It stimulates the appetite so I go out and eat it!
I have always thought that there are probably parents who have lost a child who them grieve themselves to death. Very sad but true. Losing a child must feel like you have lost an extension of yourself. I think that that kind of grief is hard for most any parent to overcome.
The article regarding offenders and the need for ongoing and continuous mental health care is spot on.
Too many times I think that they are prescribed these treatment plans step by step, and then we think that once that has been completed then it is over, they are cured or at least they are well enough to be reintegrated into society.
Not the case for most of them though.
Just like any of us who have to deal with an illness it is not enough to treat it one time.
We have to remain vigilant in paying attention to the signs and take care of ourselves along the way. You have to remain proactive, and the same is true with the mental health care of these offenders.
I thought that facebook was making us feel bad about ourselves- now this article tells me that it makes us feel good about ourselves?!? Can you say conflicting evidence- did Mark Zuckerberg commission that study? hahaha
@ the article on high fat foods: seems like we need new laws to ban adverts of food with all the great looking stuff they tempt us with..especially for fast food.. :D
I have always kind of been that person who gets that dreamy far away glaze to the eyes by the middle of the afternoon at work so stumbling across this article referencing daydreaming and how it could be good for you made me pause and read through. This is awesome! I never check out for the entire day like some of my co workers do, but after lunch I do kind of drift off a little into my own little reflection time. Not usually for long, but just enough time to breathe for a moment and psych myself up for the rest of my day. I have always been that kind of person, even when in school who needed that little but of relax time mid day and when I have had that I am typically good to go for another few hours. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it!
the one about bees was very interesting to read…just hope that can be replicated in humans with positive results…it would then be bye-bye aging…mentally at least.
I have witnessed this upswing in anger among youth and I often wonder why. What do they have to be so angry about? They have the world at their fingertips, control of anything that they want. Again, I don’t get it that there seems to be so much angst there.
The more I see about college students wanting every little thing to be considered a disability, the more I think that this generation of students really does have some serious issues! They are always looking for that crutch to get them by, to do less and get more with doing less than ever.
Who are these helicopter moms?
Why do they think that they should be involved in everything that their children do?
Don’t they realize that obviously they are doing harm to their children and themselves too?
Giving of your time to another group or individual can be such a wonderful thing. It is something that everyone can benefit from, and can provide so much good to not only someone in the community, but for you as well, as you know that the things that you are doing are making a real difference to someone.
surprised to read “Strong Ties to Community May Increase Conflicts Between Family and Work”.always thought a social support group and such ties will develop you as an individual thereby aiding the worker in you too!
“How Does a Person’s Social Network Affect Alcohol Use?”
will be interesting to make my boyfriend read this.he’s constantly drinking due to his group of no good friends.
I understand that for many psychotherapists they crave this kind of deeper understanding, but I must admit that in the mind of a psychopath is pretty much one of the last places that I would like to be.
The one on PTSD and its intervention was an interesting read. It shows just how important prompt treatment is, and that just going in for treatment is not enough, acting quickly is an important aspect too.
Just because there is a study that shows that ritalin does not affect growth in animals, have you not seen what this does to young kids? They are always smaller than their peers.
Reading ‘Do Actors Pay a Psychological Price for Our Entertainment?’ was very interesting.
I have often wondered whether actors have this effect in them because you see some of the better actors’ performances and you think to yourself-”Hey,is this for real?” because they just act so well.
I had a great time reading most of the mentioned articles this week, but I was very sad to read that one about how poverty not only affects the way we live but also how much it can cause anxiety and more than likely even depression in moms having to raise children in that sort of environment. Not only are they having to worry about their kids, but their own mental and physical well being are at risk as well, and lives are needlessly being ruined by something that if we all chose to pitch in a little could be if not erased, at least alleviated just a little.
glad to read about negative social support to trauma survivors and how it can harm them.it should serve as a wake up call to all those who blame the victim and treat them negatively just because they were victims.such people only do harm and need to understand that if they cannot help then at least they should not make things worse for those who have already gone through a lot!
Similar sexual fantasies for men and for women?
How forward thinking!
All we ever hear is that men and women want different things out of their sex lives.
This is proof positive that this isn’t true.
We might have a few different wishes when it comes to the bedroom, but in the end I think that we all want the same thing.
We want a sttisfying sex life with someone that we love and care about.
The article regarding father son interaction should make us sit up and take notice and remember just how important it is to have two parents in the home to love and take care of their children.
I think that a lot of times men take too much of a hands off approach and they can’t continue to do that if we really want to strengthen the morals of our young men today.
I know very few senior citizens who don’t experience sleep issues. Don’t you think that it has to be something more than sleep pattersn which would keep them out of a facility later on?
Anyone who has even the slightest bit of family history of schizophrenia should read this article. It can be such a destroyer of perfectly good young minds, and such a tragedy for the families who have to see them hgo through this. I have wondered since the Aurora movie theater shootings if maybe that suspect wouldn’t have some of the beginning signs of schizophrenia.
Glad to read about mental abuse getting attention.Many parents are guilty of mentally abusing their kids.sometimes they do not even know they are abusing the child but the effects will quickly build up.being aware is the key and when blogs and other platforms start to highlight such issues it can only lead to good things.
I am an avid follower of the weekly round up. This week,I especially liked the article on workplace exhaustion and the one on relationships.Gives me a chance to see and implement things from these articles in my everyday life.
I have been a runner and interested in the benits of exercise in your life for a long time now, way before it became the trend to hop on a treadmill and run.
And I will tell you this. I was at a very low point in my own life when I started improving my body and thereby improving my whole life and outlook. I was going through a nasty divorce, had lost my job and really felt like I was losing everything in my life. Finding fitness though helped me get that back. I started to feel better about myself physically and this helped me to get to a healthier mental state too. If it worked for me, and it di, it can help other patients who have been downed from their physical injuries and illnesses. It won’t happen overnight, but I think that a lot of doctors will be amazed at just how quickly this can help you turn your life around.
“Exercise Improves Mental Health of Heart Failure Patients”
now this sounds a bit contradictory to what I have heard before.we may assume that physical activity is not recommended for those with heart problems and could even be dangerous but I think it can be turned around if done under professional supervision.the last of it is extremely important though!
Don’t we want kids to NOT play more video and computer games? And here we are giving them more video games to use to end depression? This doesn’t make sense to me. Wouldn’t you think that we could find another way to address these needs without giving them even more opportunity to play these video games? We either need to put up or shut up!
From my perspective I would say that mental abuse hurts children far more than physical abuse does. I know that when you are physically abused that there is the chance that you could get really very badly injured, but in most cases bruises will heal. You never fully recuperate though from the mean and hurtful words that someone spews at you. Those are things that you will carry with you for the rest of your life and can be so hard to leave behind in another life.
men visiting prostitutes looking for love?that has to be some of the most unbelievable things Ive read.I dont think that can be true at all.look at the profile of people visiting them anyway!
At least there’s some benefit to being truthful..Health wise benefits just cannot be quantified and this should actually become an inspiration for people to speak the truth..Oh the lengths people go to lie nowadays it just surprises me at times!
Worried to be reading so much about kids developing stress and depression now.it used to be different just a couple of decades ago.Things we never thought could be a problem to us as kids are now common place in our children and this needs some serious look in.A lot of children are reported to be suffering from stress and it cannot be good for them in their future adult lives.
Was there ever any doubt that it is those with the most confidence who are sure to be the one in life who will be the most successful socially and probably financially too? These people see no harm in exuding their confidence for their own gain, and why should there be? I seenothing wrong with taking what you’ve got, being strong and assured and taking it as far to the top as you can. Nothing wrong with that at all, and we shouldn’t begrudge others just because they make the most of that advantage that they’ve been given.
Being from the United kingdom,I am saddened to see that the recession could be the cause for 1000 suicides.There is nothing worse than having money and the lack of it driving people to end their lives.Seems like we have become slaves to the power of money.
thanks a lot for the refreshing article on parenting and how it can effect children..as a new parent I am interested in such topics and will be sure to follow your blog, has some great material.
Full disclosure: I am a helicopter mom I guess
I don’t really see it as that, or that I am doing anything wrong
Why shouldn’t I do everything that I can to help my child succeed?
If that makes kids anxious, just tell them to think about how anxious they may be if you are not there supporting them in their endeavours?
Theres jus no end to the evils of tobacco n nicotine is there?surprising how millions of people pay to buy somethin tht can n does kill millions every year n yet run away from healthy lifestyle coz they think its ‘tough’.the irony!
recession only to blame for 1000 suicides?
i bet if they look hard enough there will be more that could be attributed to it
people lost their entire lives, their savings, everything that they had worked so hard for
if you were already on the verge of sever depression it would be easy to see why this might be such an attractive way out
You know why spending time with their parents improves a teen’s well being? That’s because when they spend time together that means the parents know what the kid’s been up to and can start to steer him or her in the right direction if they see that the kid is getting off track! The more time parents can spend with their kids, especially at this age is because this is typically moment of truth time for most kids. This is the time when teh hormones are all out of whack and they start making decisions with parts of their bodies that doesn’t include using their brains! But when parents stay involved in their kids lives, they know what’s going on, who they are hanging out with, and all the things they could be doing to get themselves in trouble. I don’t know why so many parents think that the teen years is the time to bow out and let the kids make some decisions on their own, but that’s the opposite of what they need to be doing. This is the time that counts, that will start the path to the rest of their lives. Is this really the time we want to step back and let them take full control of the driver’s seat? Not this dad.
“Spending Time With Parents Has Benefits For A Teenager’s Well-Being”
It was interesting to read this particular article.Point to be noted is the teenagers today are only spending smaller and smaller amounts of time with their parents.Friends are the new family and I just hope this is not affecting all those teens out there as much!
How is it possible that someone with an eating disorder could so accurately judge the size of others and have such blinders on when it comes to their own true size.
@Wide Circle of Friends Key to Mid-Life Wellbeing for Both Sexes:
IO think the quality of friends and not the numbers matter.You may have tens of friends but none you can truly open up to,thats of no use while even one or two friends who really understand you can be an asset for a lifetime.
Complexities of self awareness was a great read.Enriching and something that made me look into myself..We are complex beings no doubt but to navigate within the self can either be hard or fairly easy.And finding that skill wherein it becomes easy is the way ahead if we are to enrich our lives with some self discovery!
Then if out reach will not help those most at risk for suicide then what will short of chaining them to the bed? Please don’t promote the word that outreach may not work because then others may think that it’s alright to stop trying because it won’t help anyway. Not sure that’s the message that we should promote.
My teen wants to spend as little time with us as possible.
This is so hard for my wife because he grew up always wanting to hang out with us all the time and just like that he wants to have nothing to do with us.
Until he needs something of course.
So goes the life of the teenager I suppose; but after reading this article listed above I know that I have to do more to enagage him and keep him involved with family life too.
happy to see studies saying friends are a good thing and especially so in times of crises.I have always been someone who speaks about and encourages having a good circle of friends and my belief of such connections having positive results and effects on you have always remained strong.
there is not too many medicines out there that work as well as friends and support can.after all,humans support other humans far better than any drug ever can.
What I would like to know is this-
how am I even supposed to get the chance to improve the well being of my child if he refuses to spend any time with us at all?
I will cook his favorite meals, try to plan family times, and he is just not interested at all in being around me and his dad anymore.
That is unless he needs some gas money or money for school.
And how can I cut him off? Bribe him and tell him he can’t have gas for the car til he joins us for dinner?
I suppose that this too shall pass but in the meantime I am just really missing that child who used to love me. :(
Kids can say some very mean and petty things, but so can adults. I think that they all hurt just the same. Calling something gay and meaning that in a derogatory way is sure to have a negative effect on any child who knows that he is different and already feels afraid and ashamed to say anything about it. Words like this only make his life feel even worse.
While a lot of young people use phrases like “that’s so gay” we cannot go around asking them to stop using any phrase like that because that will only be akin to asking them to be politically correct even in informal talk.
And the members of the homosexual community should understand that when someone uses such a phrase,they are referring to something else and it does not mean they are putting them down.The same word can be used in different ways to mean different things isn’t it?Why is this so hard?
Temper tantrums are a part of childhood and more parents need to learn to ignore them, because when you do theat, then remarkably for the most part they go away.
Its not difficult to see how so many addicts had troubles in childhood and many of them had some trauma at an early age.While this feeds their addictive behavior it is important to identify and help such kids in the community.We need some proactive action in this regard.
I am convinced my wife and I will have more time together and more money to spend when we have the empty nest, so if it were left up to me they could all fly away from the enst right now and I would be happy!
funny how wehn we are trying to come up with an explanation for something that we don’t understand, it is easy to use both science and superstition to explain it, even though other times all of that supernatural information we would dismiss as hooey
Oh well I do not think info overload is a problem at all…why? Cause not too many people can grasp or understand all or even a part of the info they are exposed to anyway…!
Something becomes a problem if you are trying to work with the info and do something with it but when you let it just pass by in front of you it should really bother you.
I love the weekly roundup! this week the article on childhood trauma affecting substance abuse was a great one. You know this needs to be out there for people, there are many youngsters who grow up abusing drugs only because of some childhood trauma.It will be useful to have this as a background when trying to target people for deaddiction and prevention exercises.
“Motivated by Fear” was an intriguing article.I never thought fear could be a motivator because frankly fear only diminishes my capability to work on something,be it at the workplace or something personal.
I have never known anybody say fear lets them perform better, nice to have a new idea and mind state to read about!
I have to say that I am stunned to learn that so many people choose to end their own lives each year. How did this happen? How did we as a society get to a point where this kind of number is even a possibility? I am so saddened that there are that many people each year who feel like they have so little to live for that they decide to end it all. Heartbreaking is the only word I can come up with at this time.
As a teacher,it was interesting to read “High Hopes for Highschool”.I cannot stress upon the importance of the school atmosphere in shaping the lives of the students there.
There is just so much that young people pick up from their surroundings and especially from those at school,including students and teachers.It is also a reason why teachers and the entire education community need to be so very good because they are the torchbearers at school, they need to be at their best to have a positive influence on the students.
So a million people are killing themselves every year!Suicide has one of the highest number of preventable deaths and yet we continue to have no improvement in decreasing the numbers?What are the reasons for the numbers increasing?Can anyone link to a research or study about the same?
I have been a member of al anon for a very long time because of my dad’s heavy drinking. Those who have had the most success are those who have made their meeting group a family, a support system that they could depend on. Those who just occasioanlly come to the meetings and don’t really participate are the ones who still tend to struggle most with acceptance and recovery. For those in AA I can only imagine that the recovery would be the same for the ones who participate the most.
Great to see AA providing long term benefits. That is something really important because a program that cannot sustain for long means the person may again fall into alcohol and all the program and all the work and effort would go to a waste.
I hope the true and full benefits of the program are actually made use of by the persons taking it up.
Anyone could be traumatized enough by childhood sexual abuse to have later physical symptoms, such as the higher prevalence of heart attacks in make victims
The one on lying in people was an interesting read. Shows how one of the most common instinctive and sometimes thought out actions in us humans manifests within us.
Yesterday was suicide awareness day I think
as many people as we have attempting suicide and being a success with their efforts each year, looks like this is an area where more attention is definitely needed
I am working for a company now that is striving to be more environmentally, and i have to say that since they have asked for all of our input for things that we could do to improve the amount of carbon footprint here on our Earth, we have all become more involved and motivated. it’s like they gave us a voice and we like feeling like we can determine our own future. So more motivation? I think so.
Going to go run a 5K this morning, all in an effort to keep healthy, and is that helps me emotionally later down the road, then even more benefits to celebrate!
I found the piece about smoking addiction very interesting and wondered how this could pertain to other addictions too. Are they all hard wired? I mean you see some people who can stop something cold turkey and do fine, while there are other people who work much harder at stopping and never really find success.
Kudos to the first article.And much appreciation to companies that have gone green.Guess its similar to how not stressing your employees out gets you better rewards in the long run.
I hope that the military begins to take the issue of suicide and soldiers a lot more seriously than they have in the past. The Mayo Clinic is renowned worldwide for their contributions to the medical community so if their advice is not heeded then there is no one that they are going to listen to.
although I enjoyed reading all the articles, I liked the ones on green companies and smoking addiction the best.I think they were very interesting topics and yes, I have subbed for new posts here. great blog btw!
I agree wid zac here. We r losing more men to suicides n other problems than v r in the battlefield..v need some substantial steps to curb this or a career in d armed forces cud soon be seen as a recipe for disaster for your mental health!
Thank you so much for the one on stepparenting.I am in that situation right now and the article gave some useful insights.Seems like I really need to be supportive to my wife and things could get better with my kids getting along with their new mother.
@Stress Hormones Lower The Risk Of PTSD: Who would have thought stress hormones could be beneficial! Stress by itself is always viewed as something unwanted and something that can leave many a people scared. But now it seems like its there for a reason. Its something of a shock absorber in in us, naturally present in each one of us!
I so disagree with letting young kids drink just to discourage them from drinking later on!!!
What is this backfires on you and they don’t hate it but it actually triggers something that was already there and makes them want to drink more?!
There are so many better ways to discourage your kids from drinking, and the big one is by simply sitting down with them and discussing the damgers of abusing alcohol when you aren’t ready for the responsibility.
Facebook is definitely not the site to be on if you are looking for a way to heal from a recent relationship breakup. Why do I even need to know all of the things going on in her life if we are not even together anymore? It only makes me feel worse if I know that she is moving on and I haven’t been able to do the same.
very interesting article and a wonderful development I think.this is the sort of stuff that the future holds for us.humans and technology merging to become a unified superior race that will look back at us like we do now to cavemen ;)
I love reading articles that have a connection to our daily lives.Glad to see many such here this week.Please bring in more of such articles for your followers.
The one on Facebook is so right.I had trouble getting over my ex boyfriend because I kept following his activities on Facebook and everything that had to do with him and some other girl hurt me.A friend finally woke me up from this and showed how it was affecting me and not allowing me to move on even though he has clearly moved on!
If the article about the sense of smell is true, then I KNOW for sure my mom os a psychopath! ;) Just kidding mom, but seriously she lost her sense of smell about 20 years ago after some very minor surgery and it is something that has neevr come back. She is well mentally and ohysically but the loss of that sense has always been so frustrating for her, especially given that amell and taste are so intricately tied in with one another.
“Many Parents Believe That Letting Young Children Taste Alcohol Discourages Later Use”
This is just not right.Would you hand a gun over to your child so he does not in any way get his hands on a gun otherwise? Or let your child consume drugs once so as to prevent that in the future? No things dont work that way! Maybe talking to them about it and educating them of the risks involved will have a better effect. There is just no way you can stop something by giving a trial of it yourself!
I would hate the idea of having your memory erasable so easily.Who’s to stop a madman from running away with one of these devices erasing people’s ideas and memories?Fear of too much technology? Maybe but we already have enough sadists out there who gain nothing but pleasure from harming others.
The whole idea of allowing young children to taste alcohol all for the off chance that this could discourage them from starting to drink later on is insane! I think that the parents who let their children have a taste for this reason, or any reason for that matter should be arrested and forced to do lots of community service in places where people started drinking at a young age, and developed a taste for it, not an aversion. Let them see how this has affected their lives and they may reconsider letting their own children have a drink.
hahaha… couldn’t agree with you more oliver.it surprises me to hear about just how stupid people can be when it comes to their kids.this is what is called a parenting FAIL!
If I break up with someone or he does with me then the last place I want to look is on Facebook for a while.
Why do I want to know if he is in a new relationship or if he is mooning over some new girl.
Obviously that is going to make me feel even worse if it was a bad breakup or not one that I wanted.
I have always felt like some kids are more aggressive than others because this is the behavior that they are exposed to at home. They see it between the parents, the siblings, and even the tv shows and games that they are allowed to have access to while they are there. It is sad but we have to remember that this is the existence that many kids have access to so this is all that they know. To say that they just don’t know any better would not be a mis-statement or untruth.
It was interesting to read “Ready for Your Close-Up? Distance at Which Facial Photos Are Taken Influences Perception, Study Shows”..its surprising how seemingly irrelevant things can influence the viewer..maybe there are a lot more things that have fine nuances that influence people and we just do not know yet.
With regard to the study linking lower IQ to less happiness,I believe it is not a very direct link but rather an indirect link.It involves jobs,socio economic status,life satisfaction and many other things that come with the level of IQ.SO it would not be right to say the link is direct, but rather an indirect connection exists but is not too weak a link either.
I was a tough little kid back then and it was interesting to read “Why Are Some Kids More Aggressive?” thankfully I turned out fine as my aggressive attitude came under control as I grew up.but its quite funny when i think of it now..beating up other kids for tiny things, oh childhood!
Well, I have to say that it took a while for someone to actually catch on that where you live plays a huge role in the strength of your physical and mental health. But to imply that if you simply move somewhere that is not quite so impoverished will improve those health issues is to fail to take into account the fact that most people who live in these areas do not have the means to simply pack up and move all in the hope that their health status could change. For most of the people who live in these areas they are trying to make ends meet from check to check so they are hardly in a position to just get up and move and hope that this will change everything for them.
thanks for all the interesting articles.planning on reading most of them.would be great if you can include more articles related to the ongoing presidential polls,with regard to psychology.
I have always wished to believe that in essence people are good at heart and that they want to help others, and finally here is some evidence that it’s true!!
I know that sometimes we only see the bad in others but really, aren’t we better off and feel better about one another and life in general when we are willing to look at the good parts too?
While it is not impossible to come across the occasional kind and helpful person,it is just that-an exception.A vast majority of people are far from being kind. In fact, many people I see every day seem like they derive pleasure from others’ suffering! Maybe we were designed to be kind and helpful but I think we have ‘evolved’ to overcome that ‘unnecessary’ trait!
Kids are what we make them.
They pick up on what we give them and what we impresss upon them.
That is the simple reason why some kids are more aggressive than others.
So the Republicans have the pretty women and the democrats have the homely ones? Sounds about right. Sure that the “feminist” liberals won’t approve. . . but form what I have seen, it is pretty much the truth!
it was interesting to read if video games influence our real world judgments.at a time when the government was and is being criticized for wars,one cannot but think if a thrust in violent and shooter games especially showing the player as a soldier were put out to influence people’s minds.
parents who allow their kids to get fat should be ashamed of themselves. now not only are they set up for a life of poor health, they have now been relegated to being on rx meds probably for the rest of their lives. if you are an adult and choose to eat yourself into oblivion then by all means, do it. but please stop setting your children up for this, because they deserve so much better.
Video games are all for fun, that’s it. If I ever thought that this was causing my child to make poor real world judgements then I would yank them away from him in an instant.
As some1 who’s always advocated the help pets can provide,it is great to read about how dogs can prevent PTS…They have more benefits than we think they do,isnt it?!
It is gonna get worse because obesity is on the rise n because kids r getting obese too…n more than that I think the cost is what we pay in terms of our health.These meds are not a great thing to be getting your body used to!
I love that even when I miss a story each week I can always come find it again here at the end of the week. Thanks so much for providing us with all of this information that is so relevant to many of our lives- what you do makes such a huge difference in many of our lives. Thanks again.
good posture seems to have more benefits than thought of earlier..something I keep telling myself to practice but never do..I hope at least this new positive info will force my mind to follow..!
I knew that not everyone could be hypnotized, and I am sure that I would be that person. In theory it sounds great but I am not so sure that I would ever be able to relax quite enough to give it over to that state.
Always a good idea to keep your gaming mind and real world mind separated. I have read crazy horror stories of young people trying to bring the games into the real world!
I see so many heavy kids in the medical practice where I work and honestly it makes me so sad for them. What kind of lives are they going to be faced with as adults because their parents did not have the nerve to stop many of these bad habits that they have developed when they are younger? I realize that there are many parents who do the best that they can with the hand that they have been dealt, but there are some others who have been flat out negligent and lazy and those are the ones that I can’t stand to have to deal with.
The article that points to genes and the pressure for women to be thin piqued my curiosity. I don’t know that I could say that it is a genetic thing to have that desire to be thinner and smaller, but I can say without a doubt that it is the harsh words that I heard from my parents growing up that cause this desire in me now. All they ever told me was how chubby I was, and then later on how much prettier I would be if I would just lose weight, not having any idea how much this would continue to plague me even as an adult. I have had eating disorders, tried starvation, all in an effort to get thin and stay there. It really becomes a pretty sick cycle once you get caught up in it. I know that I have to eventually take responsibility for my won actions, but I have no trouble at all pointing out exactly where it started and for me it all began with my parents always harping on me about my weight and making me feel less special any time I gained a pound or two.
You know what causes me stress about the whole election process this time around? I feel that not only have thigs gotten pretty contentious between the candidates, but it has also turned neighbor against neighbor. I have become so disillusioned and put off by all of it that I just don’t even want to talk about politics with anyone.
Sorry but being anxious and a little nervous before a test has never done anything but cause my test scores to plummet.
I have to be totally confident that I am going to ace it before I can get through it with a good grade.
The most unpleasant noise in the world is the sound of a fingernail scratching across a chalkboard! That just gives me the heebie jeebies every time I hear it!
Cyber bullying has increased to unprecedented levels in the recent times.Victims suffer in silence and there have even been cases of suicide due to cyber bullying.I am glad to see researchers see this trend and are doing studies on the same.We need to do more as a community with regard to cyber bullying to thwart the bullies and protect the victims.
If the stigma which has always surrounded sepression is being lifted indeed, then I think that you can look at the things that you are doing here on this site as being wonderfully validated. It is about time that people should be able to see that depression is not anything to be ashamed of or conversely, made fun of. This is a real issue that many real people struggle with on a daily basis, and how are we ever to make sense of it with the negative attention that it is given? Thanks so much for being a part of this new undersatnding and education.
So what are you saying? That we just bow out of our constitutional mandate and forgo the election process simply because we are feeling a little stressed?
That’s a pretty wimpy excuse if you ask me.
The pre test jitters one is so true! From three years of college experience I can tell you when I am feeling nervous and jittery before a test I always perform better than when I feel super confident. Maybe the confidence makes me complacent.So I don’t mind the jitters anymore ;)
Testosterone makes you more honest. . . so does that mean that as a whole men are more honest than women? That would be the first time I have ever heard that one.
I am still wondering why being depressed came with some kind of stigma anyway. I know that it did, and I think that there are those who still find it difficult to admit when they are having any kind of mental challenge. But this is the 21st century the last time I checked and I know that we have moved forward with our thinking a lot more than still looking down upon those who face these kinds of challenges and struggles in their lives. Haven’t we?
The list of unpleasant noises is spot on! I have this extra sensitivity to such noises and it just drives me crazy when I encounter anything on that list.
Why is it that the general public traditionally only has bed things to say about the media when obviously this is such an important entity in the lives of most of us?
We may not always want to admit the strength of the influence that it plays in our lives, but I do find it helpful to realize that the role that they play is still vital today, even when we think that it is a dying breed.
Here are some of this week’s most interesting headlines. Tell us what you think!
Comments
Thanks for these- great reading lies ahead!
great to have links to the best of the week’s stories at one place!
very interested in the how to tell if a guy is trustworthy article
I read most of your aricles with a lot of interest and I think the best one this week was the one about counseling in schools because it gave us a reality check and pointed to improving things for kids at schools all over the country.
great reading especially for my line of work- thanks
I read your ‘How to Tell if a Guy Is Trustworthy’ and I thanked to know my boyfriend is narrow-faced ;)
More seriously, I just love reading all the articles mentioned here and it is great to have a weekly recap of it all.
Not only experts in the field but also people from the general mainstream can gain a lot of knowledge by reading things like this and it is really great to be able to be constanlt updated with the latest happening in the field.
the article regarding how the mother is important to a child could not have been put any better…it really made me realize what an asset a mother is to each one of us that is blessed to have her in our lives.
Getting ready for a family vacation so definitely going to check out the article on family travels.
cell phone use during therapy sessions really is something surprizing and is somwthing that I had never thought of…psychiatry experts never cease to surprize!
I am becoming a fan of the weekly round up! Its a good recap of all the best articles of the week and can really offer refreshment regarding the topic.
as always great reading
I’m a fan too- I like that you can round it up all in one swoop. Thanks for the ease of use and the helpful reading.
All these articles help me be informed and aware of things and to be better prepared and stay away from psychological problems and also to advice family and friends…kudos!
it is amazing how just reading these articles on psychotherapy can help me understand things in my everyday life better…I have suggested this to a lot of my friends and am now able to get away from being sad for little things because I now focus on more important things,thanks to the articles here.
Always love the weekly roundup
its nice to read about the developments happening in the world of psychotherapy rather than reading the same stories of blood and gore in newspapers!
Thanks a million for your article ‘Exploration in Toddlers Activated by Fathers’. I am a father-to-be and am reading up everything I can because this will be my first child…this article of yours could surely help me with my future baby.
your articles really make for a good read and I always apply these tips in my own life and also talk to my family about it. great work!
“It shouldn’t be a surprise, but being true to yourself is linked to having healthier and happier relationships for both men and women,” she said. (For Better Romantic Relationships, Be True to Yourself).
It’s not. The more honest you can be about who you are, the better your life will reflect the benefits of that honesty. Nobody likes to feel they’ve been manipulated or fooled by another who presented a false face to them.
It’s not just romantic relationships that are better. All relationships improve the more transparent we are about our core belief systems and who we are. Life is far simpler too. Honesty truly is the best policy and if you find a partner that has a similarly open approach to life, you’ve hit the jackpot.
the article on young and adolescent siblings was great for me…would be helpful in my relationship with my own siblings :)
yay! I love the roundup.
The sibling conflict article reminded me of how much I hated it when my little brother wanted to hang around when my friends were at my house. I had to kick him out of my bedroom many times when he’d come in and sit among us. Looking back, I think it wasn’t so much that he was spying on us and invading my personal space. He probably had a crush on one of my friends. I must ask him!
it is great to get a dose of psychological know-how and happenings every week through your channel!
Read the one about remaining true to myself even when in a relationship and it hit a real nerve with me, in a good way. I have always been the one in a relationship who felt I had to give up part of me to make someone else happy. . . but no more!! This gave me the courage to say that I do not have to do this, if someone likes me he will like me for me and not for his ideal of me or what he thinks that I will become for him. Without reading this I don’t know that I ever would have had the courage or the ability to stop doing these things that sabotage me and in the end those relationships.
reading these articles helps me, and in turn people around me, to understand simple things that we may not actually pay heed to in our busy lives but things that may be very important in order to have a better understanding of things and thereby a clearer foundation to our daily lives.
It’s fantastic to find all the best articles around the web in one place every week consistently. Keep up the good work!
What amazes me is how old resentments still get cast up. My sister will occasionally bring up how I would never let her borrow my stuff when we were teens. We were close in age so mine would fit her. She leaves out that she would take it anyway when I wasn’t there and wear it. Thirty years on, it’s about time she let that go.
I need to as well! I just noticed how much that annoyed me all over again just talking about it. I guess we’re not as different as I thought.
I think exercise helps immensely when you’re depressed. I always feel better when I’ve went for a brisk walk.It’s getting myself out the door that can be the bigger challenge of the two.
loved loved loved the article about exercise being a cure for depression. exercise is my therapy- that’s when I get all my thoughts and stress out and it is just the perfect way to start off my day clear headed and fresh, full of energy, and I know that if other people would make the time to try it then they could feel the same way about it too!
i could connect with the story on children of those involved in a combat…because my dad is deployed in Iraq and I really miss him :|
On the Many Grow Happier with The Years article: I am much happier in my forties than I was in my twenties or thirties. I think it takes that long to find a peace of sorts within yourself. Most of your big life decisions are behind you like marriage, divorce, career and family. You’re looking forward to fun stuff like grandkids and the mortgage behind you. The forties rock!
the articles here are really helpful in a way so as to make us conscious of things around us…everyday things that we see and experience but do not pay attention to…with a little care,we can manage our stress and fear better, lead a healthy lifestyle amongst other things.
I think we become far less judgmental as we age about ourselves and others. Sure we look back and look at the past with rose colored glasses. Show me a generation that doesn’t. I don’t believe that’s all there is to it though. We do have fond memories, real ones. The older we get, the more we cherish them.
Once I’m old, I’ll be past caring what folks think of me. I want to be able for once in my life to do and say what I want without having to worry about it!
the article about spanking is great- I firmly believe that it causes aggression in their formative years as well as later in life- great resource and read for all parents
thank you for your article regarding parents spanking their kids and later the kids turning aggressive…I have two little boys who seem to be getting naughty ideas from some evil force…they are where the trouble is! I threaten them of spanking and have even been close to doing so at times…but thanks to your article,I now know things that may happen if I do,and hence have dropped any idea of it…lucky little trouble-creators! :)
all these articles on psychology and related topics are just so insightful…sometimes they make ur discover our goods selves while at other times they help us understand others’ behavior better…just a treasure!
My sister and I are regular readers of your articles and I must say, great job you guys! :)
Excellent collection of informative articles. Thank you!
That article about the women who find their abusive partners dependable absolutley blew my mind! How manipulative these men like this must be to have these poor women thinking like that.
I am a law student and after reading your article ‘Mental Health Expert To Patrol With Portland Police’, I am happy to know that the plights of people with difficulties are at least starting to be noticed and are being given a chance not to unnecessarily get arrested.
It is great to see a site dedicated to a field that is often under-rated but is of immense help in the medical and related fileds.
I’m always happy to see more evidence on how useful meditation is being highlighted. It’s been around thousands of years. Isn’t that enough evidence that it’s not a passing fad? :)
I loved the article on Treating PTSD with ecstast simply becaus ei love any new topic that opens up debate in the field and opens people’e eyes to more treatments that are forcing clients and therapists alike to think outside of the box.
Your article regarding the volacnic ash seems to be fulling in a way to make every person realize hoe he/she can make best use of even the worst of asituations and can use it to his/her own benefit.Great going guys!
Reading the weekly round-ups has let me catch up on all the great posts at one go because my work does not allow me to read the articles on an everyday basis…this is like a list of the best and often is just that…the best :)
Re the article about discovering your creativity because you’re stranded by the volcanic ash. It could work. To be creative, you have to be still awhile and think. Your brain doesn’t get a rest normally and creativity can’t come to the fore because there’s no space for it.
Although reading these blog posts is a kind of education in itself,sometimes it really helps because a person may be experience something similar to what is described in one of these posts…has happened to me and i must say,it can be very helpful when that happens.
It is good to be updated about what is happening in a field that none of us can quite dissociate ourselves from…a field that has an effect on the lives of each one of us.
I tend to eat,or rather gobble up,a lot of chocolate when I’m stressed or in tension.I didn’t quite know why this happened and always thought its just like that with certain people.Your article on the issue gave me a lot of information and I’m thankful for that.
Absolutely loved your article on anger…its sure t help me,a person with a bit aggressive mental setup ;)
whether its friday or any other day of the week,your site does a great job of bringing all the latest developments and news from the psychology field.
Loved the article relating to diet and depression. Food is the energy that fuels us and when this is off kilter the whole body is out of whack. Fantastic reading.
just found the listed article about Braille and helping the blind to read their emotions better. My mom is blind so I am looking forward to reading this and sharing with her what I have found. Thanks for the lead.
This article you included in the roundup under Add Depression to Diet-Amplified Ills, http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/92065539.html, was already discussed in a previous Good Therapy blog post below.
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapist-eating-depression/
Re: People With Depression Eat More Chocolate, a Mood Food. I’ve been reading about how chocolate boosts your mood for twenty years. This study is nothing new. Recently there appears to be several studies going over old ground.
Study Finds Conscientious People Have Better Health. That’s more or less a given, is it not? If you have a conscientious attitude, you’ll care about your lifestyle choices too. They needed a study to ascertain that? There must be too much funding going around.
Why on earth did researchers do yet another study to confirm that chocolate helps you feel better when you’re depressed? Everybody knows that. Next time this type of study comes up, I’m in. I’d like to eat chocolate for a good reason. I think all these researchers should be checked out to see if they are chocoholics themselves.
The Braille code that lets blind people see emotions is incredible! Fabulous to see such a life-changing technological advance come alive. For once, research that deserves its injection of funds.
I enjoyed the article regarding mothers’ day very much.with mothers’ day just around the corner,not just the article but also the comments were very nice to read and appreciate mothers :)
Yay! One of my favorite parts of the wek is browsing back through the weekly round up to make sure I did not miss anything good.
I just read your post regarding the hormone spray that promises to make men more sensitive and honestly I was just taken aback! I’ll be praying that no such thing actually comes out in the market or all men will be running to save their skins! ;)
On the parental involvement being key to the prevention of bullying, I wholly agree with that. Kids who have no guidance nor boundaries turn into bullies because they have no fear of repercussions. My dad would have killed me if he’d ever thought I’d be involved in anything like that and more importantly, I knew it. That would have been enough of a deterrent. I’d rather have a dad that laid down the law than one that didn’t give a hoot.
I have been an ardent fitness freak for years and I definitely felt great to read that physical exercise not only keeps you fit physically but also helps your mental health…killing two birds with one stone,eh? :)
The article regarding emotions and eating really hit home for me. It is like it was written just with me in mind. It so helped me to face some things that are going on in my life and the ways, albeit unhealthy ways, that I have chosen to deal with it. Thanks for pointing this out to me and giving me the courage to finally try to do something about that and get my life under control.
I have been following this blog for about two months now and all the articles and posts here are just awesome.It keeps even common people well-informed about the developments in the field of psychotherapy,something that is not unrelated to any person…thank you for all the great articles and keep up the good work.
The article on gamblers was very informative and would definitely help me because I work at a place that helps people get rid of addiction to thin gs like alcohol and gambling.I often see that addicted gamblers who enroll for our programs tend to feel bad or weird and have difficulty getting rid of the addiction,not because they like gambling a lot but because of the change in their lives…its the case with all of us,isn’t it?we do not want any change to ‘disturb’ our regular schedule!
I worry about how prevalent bullying is now. It’s everywhere. When I was young, I knew of two bullies in the whole school. Now there’s bullies in every grade and more of them. We need to take tougher measures to deal with this epidemic.
the how we met story was a riot- met at a bar? headed for divorce
I have been following the news related to the various attacks on schools in China and I just wondered why so many schools are being targeted by individuals.I mean who would want to hurt and kill little children?After reading your article on the same issue,I’m quite convinced that it has to do with mental health problems of the attacking individuals.
I don’t like to think of any child being unable to get the treatment they need. Aren’t there children’s charities that would have supported these ADHD kids had they known of this? Poverty is part of the issue here.
A very interesting story that was, How We Met and amazing how accurate the How We Met study’s predictions were on who would still be together and who would part ways in the future. I wish it had gone into more detail on what the deciding factors were!
I would never be disrespectful of another’s culture nor pretend to know it inside out. I feel what’s required here are people that have the same cultural roots being trained on how to disseminate ADHD information to parents. They may be able to relate more to parental concerns that specifically revolve around their culture. Education, education, education. That’s the key.
Loved the How-We-Met Story May Predict Divorce one. “Put us in a brain scanner when we are in the early days of romantic love and we will look like we are crazy or on drugs. The parts of the brain that involve critical thinking are shut down — that’s why we aren’t troubled by obvious flaws like a filthy apartment or lavish spending habits.” Talk about killing the idea of love and romance! LOL.
Self-help books are just tools. If you have too high expectations of what you’ll get out of them, you’ll be disappointed. They are not going to help you unless you’re willing to take from it what you feel applies to you and put the recommendations into practice. You still have to do the work.
“The government indicated its concern last year by announcing an ambitious plan to pump in more than 100 billion dollars to create a system ensuring basic care for all by 2020.” They would have been halfway there had they not been more interested in showing off on a world stage.
The Chinese attacks were barbaric. I can’t help thinking about how much money they spent on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. $44 BILLION dollars. Even a fraction of that could have been spent helping mentally ill people like these attackers instead and made a difference.
About that Are Self-Help Books Helpful? article. Let me get this straight. The author of Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus got his Ph.D at an unaccredited correspondence school and isn’t even licensed to practice psychotherapy in his home state? John Gray’s lucky he ever got a publisher to take his 15 million seller book on. Don’t they have an obligation to check their author’s credentials are correct before splashing them on the book cover?…
What’s that you say?…Oh. It sold 15 Million. You’re right. That would allow a lot to slip by unchecked I’m sure.
At first glance I had a really hard time with the article that refers to the fact that a woman’s touch increases your chances of taking risks. But after readding it I totally get it. It must be that a woman’s touch is perceived as being soothing, gentle and encouraging and that this is what gives someone the courage and the confidence to take those risks.
Anyone ever read that Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus? It’s a pile of doggy doo IMHO. I was very disappointed by it. Now I know why. Don’t waste your money!
Although it is true that there are many men out there who actually suffer from domestic abuse,not a lot is being spoken about it and there are no rigid rules against it(as there are for women’s protection).Its great to see that such a topic is being discussed about in this blog.
No one can expect a marriage to be a bed of roses after years. And we’re all human! Sticking together is a triumph in itself these days. Talk it out, don’t bear a grudge or cast up old arguments and learn to forgive easily. That’s the secret to a long relationship.
And another excellent batch of psychology news. Keep the great articles coming! You’re making me look smart when I talk about current events in the field. :)
I read the article on the prediction of divorce of a couple with much interest because my marriage is on the rocks and am just looking for ways to prevent a divorce. Any help from users here would be much appreciated. We have issues mainly regarding the upbringing of our two little children.
We can’t all afford to see a therapist or a doctor. Self help books provide a doorway to finding some kind of answers. Yes, they may reflect outdated ideas. Yes, they may not be written by a professional. If it helps though, then there’s a place for that book on my bookshelf.
Went through you article on marriage counselling and although i did not reply there,I think you guys are doing a great job in educating common people like me regarding all this…I would never had known so much about psychology and all that is related if not for your site.Thanks a lot!
I like the idea of a comic doing a routine about mental illness, only if he talks about his own experiences. That does appear to be his intention. We’ve spent too many years attempting to stop mental illness being a source of ridicule and jokes.
I can’t believe that there are women out there who would trust family over their doctors. That’s crazy, especially if you knew my family!
If you can hang on to your sense of humor while dealing with a mental illness, you are blessed. I have days when I can laugh about it and days when I cry my eyes out with frustration. It’s by far better to laugh. Humor is a valuable coping mechanism.
great articles and I often spend hours reading them…kudos to you guys!
I was surprised to read that most women prefer advice from family members more than even doctors’ advice.I am carrying my first child right now. I don’t know how right I am but I just don;t take any chance and I follow everything my doc tells me and I take adequate precautions too.
some of these look very interesting this week and not ones that I have necessarily already noticed that have been featured. Quite a few that I am excited about checking out as a matter of fact.
I was shocked to read the article about how some psychiatrists are not being true to their job and are indulging in unscrupulous things like accepting bribe from pharmaceutical companies. I just hope this matter is investigated and something done about it.
I love reading your blog because before I found this blog,I didn’t know of the many wonderful things about human psychology and can now read and relate to a lot of things that I have experienced.
the dual effect of wealth on happines? thanks I think I could deal with that lifestyle just fine
A friend’s marriage is on the rocks…because I am very close to him, I try and help him in whatever way I can to help save his marriage. And I’ve got to say some of the articles here with a similar theme have helped me help my friend in turn. Hope they get back together. Thanks a lot, GoodTherapy!
the report on stigma associated with adolescent psychological issue was a real eye-opener.it is such an important issue and most of us wouldn’t even think about it for a moment.it requires attention from the concerned authorities so that something can be done to actually help the issue and get rid of the stigma!
I just read the article on anorexia shrinking the brain(grey matter to be precise), and frankly, I’m over-whelmed! I didn’t know the grey matter could actually shrink or reduce and that too due to something like anorexia! I always thought oxygen was the only important thing for our brain.
I have always been a firm believer of person-to-person contact for therapy (I’m a therapist myself) and was apprehensive about the effectiveness of phone-based and other forms of therapy. Thank you for you article on a related issue.
Your article “Study on Stigma Surrounding Adolescent Psychological Issues” is a very nice one which,I hope,will have implications in a way that something is done about it.I have seen a couple of students suffer at my school because of the same reason that this article deals with.Their suffering comes not as much from the psychological concern but more so from the stigma attached to it.
Thank you for all the great info! Your blog is always such a great source!
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
yay for the roundup each week- I really do look forward to it
Smokers will smoke regardless of whether that affects their mental health or not. They don’t care about their physical health, so why would they care about their mental health? Just let them get on with it.
it was nice reading the article on the psychology of terrorism.I,for one,have always believed that the so-called ‘terrorists’ are no different from us and that they are not maniacs.they have become that way because of all that they have faced and been through.also adding to our prejudiced view is the difference in the cultures between that of the the west and theirs.
Well I smoked for twenty five years before I stopped and I haven’t noticed any change in my depression since I did. That was four years ago. I don’t think smoking affects your mental health.
I just read your post on the power of positive thinking and I have to say that I have always believed in the power of positive thinking and have never been bogged down even in the worst of conditions that I have encountered and thanks to such thinking I am pretty successful today…these kind of posts can really inspire people,thanks!
When I’m depressed I smoke two packs a day instead of my usual one. Your mental state affects your smoking, not vice versa. It’s a comfort to me the way cookies can be a comfort to another.
As a native of Louisiana I knwo how much the oil spill and the after effects have affected me so I can imagine how devastated the families are who are there living it every day and have seen their livelihoods swept away by this needless and senseless environmental tragdy. The need for therapy for those who are suffering with this turmoil is going to take time, and their wounds are going to need the time to heal just like those of nature that has been so cruelly inflicted by humans this time around. My heart grieves for those who have lost their lives and for the families who have lost their financial stability as a result of this disaster.
Although all the articles mentioned above are great,I was especially interested in reading the article about the oil spill…You know,its sad to hear about it sitting hundreds of miles away from it…It must be so hard for the people who are directly affected by it…Its like a stomp on their livelihood,something that does not involve any mistake from their side.
I found the article on emotional abuse very informative…it just makes us realize how we may have been a victim of it or may be victimizing others ourselves!It is something that is not obvious to the eye but needs to be curbed nevertheless.
going thru all of the topics that I have missed the past few weeks- great weekend playing catch up!!
regarding the veterans facing mental health problems, I have no idea why we are spending billions of dollars on war in a far off land when our economy itself is suffering and also causing problems for our own armed forces’ personnel…its really insane,isn’t it?!
I have been reading the articles here for the past couple of weeks and I am kept well-informed now about everything psychology…I take the lead in discussions involving anything psychology in my circle of friends,thanks to your site!
There are a few other sites that bring information on psychology but your site is doing a great job by talking about things that affect many of us but are hardly spoken or discussed about…Your post on emotional abuse really impressed me!
hard to read the article about grief and Father’s day, my dad died this time last year and I am still trying to process it
Haha…thanks for the article ‘World Cup Matches Might Boost Your Mental Health’…I can now reply to my wife when she’s whining about me missing everything else in order to be able to watch all the games ;)
Watching soccer can boost the mental health? All right! I have to show my wife this one! And I wonder if other sports apply.
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. – William James
Don’t procrastinate. It’s exhausting.
i look forward to reading these articles each week and to the comments, awesome stuff here
@rae g so sorry for your loss, hang in there
always a great list of reading material as usual
Thanks for your article on self-attack…I often find myself hampering my own chances due to self-attack…some things in the article are sure to help me,thanks.
Procrastination is a creativity killer. Just do whatever it is and get it over with! Knowing you have something to do and avoiding it like the plague can be more work than the task itself would have been.
“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.” – Denis Waitley
Here’s how I beat procrastination. I break the job down into tiny parts. Once it’s dismantled I do a little at a time. Before you know it, the job is done. Letting the size of the job overwhelm you is a big mistake.
I’ve always had this thing about self-esteem,as to who has it and who doesn’t,as to how much is safe.But I have never thought about self-esteem being safe and sometimes even turning into something dangerous.
Yes,it is indeed possible for self-esteem to turn dangerous when it increases and spirals out of control,thereby becoming a superiority complex.
oh no now facebook is a mental health threat? this is one i have to sit down and read
I loved the article about how you cannot heal something when you don’t actually feel it…it was truly insightful and accurate on the dot.I have felt that way sometimes…running away from things but not being able to get rid of the pain associated with them.
Loved the article about how exercise and therapy can be so complementary of one another- hopefully a lot of people who are suffering with depression will catch wind of this and will begin to utilize this as a part of the treatment plan that they may be following.
Your article ‘ Can ‘Marriage Education’ Help Prolong Unions?’ could not have come at a better time. My brother is getting married in a month and this is sure to help him, I will definitely pass it on.
I love this round up every week! Gives me something to look forward to always. I always find an article that I missed or something that I need to re-read
I enjoy going through your weekly round-up every weekend as I cannot afford to go through the blog everyday.Nevertheless,this week its helped me not only in being aware and knowing about so many things but also in me having a reason to persuade my teenage sons to actually get out and get themselves some physical activity and stop believing that their gaming consoles are all that the world has to offer.
I have gained a lot of information reading your blog and I often surprise my friends with my knowledge,all thanks to your blog.
State wants mental health from BP? hahahahaha!! They can’t even do right with what they are supposed to be able to do right which is not to make a mess like this to begin with, but if they do make a mess then to clean it up. What makes residents of my fine state feel like they would do any better with handling the fragile mental health of so many of our residents now? That is beyond laughable.
They say a problem can be prevented or better handled if you have knowledge about it and things related to it.Well,I say your site does a great job of actually doing just that with regard to psychotherapy and related branches.
thanks a lot for your article on how being partial to one of the kids is bad for all the kids actually.my wife is partial to our second child and is prejudiced against the first one,because the first child was adopted.I keep telling her not to do this but she just doesn’t listen.I hope this article of yours works.
love the round up
Your article ‘The difference between love and loving’ was a great read and really cleared the air about certain things that most people think they know about but really do not. Thanks a lot for such a wonderful article.
Good reading as usual
After my mother had her stroke we looked for all sorts of different ways to help her to regain a part of herself and a big part of that cam about through her therapists use of music therapy. To see a story like hers highlighted in an article on your website made me sing just a little because this was something that was so beneficial to her recovery and I know that others could benefit from it as well.
Vets need all the help they can get and expanding the medical cover for them is a step in the right direction.You see they are doing so much for each one of us!
Wow,I didn’t know marriage could be good for person! ;) I always thought of marriage as something that would tie down a person who cannot be as free as he would like to be.
There is always something in the roundup every single week that I can find that is relevant to what is going on in my own personal life and I always have something that I can take away from the reading and make a positive change or at least a move toward that in my life. Thanks for always seeming to have your fingers right on the oulse of the issues that so many of us are facing.
I was very intrigued when I saw the article about tricking the stomach with the mind. Very interesting but still not sure that’s gonna work for me.
I loved your article “Could Our Minds Be Tricked Into Satisfying Our Stomachs?” simply because of the content and the sincereness it has been put across with.I have been struggling with obesity for the past few years now and this article was more than helpful for me.
I absolutely love the weekly round up because I can browse over the most important stories over the week without having to go through each one. saves a lot of time.
With regards to why you should see a therapist when you could just talk to your friends, while I have discovered that many of my friends have my best interests in kmind, they can’t help because they are too personally invested in my well being. I know that a therapist will be too but not so much so that he or she can’t be objective. When you talk things over with friends I think that naturally they will side with you and will only be willing to see things from your point of view whereas a therapist will be able to put those kinds of things aside and help you to see both sides of any situation.
I am very disturbed to read that suicides in the army are at a high. Maybe it is the fatigue caused due to the ongoing wars but whatever it is we need to back them up in all ways possible so as to reduce their burden and hopefully they are not driven to suicide.
didn’t quite think the oil spill could be harmful in any way other than economically and environmentally.its sad that such a disaster,a man made one,can cause mental problems for people and especially for kids,poor kids.
The Depression Really Does Turn the World Grey, Study Shows story makes perfect sense to me. I’ve only just started emerging from a long bout of depression. Yesterday when I was at the park I noticed how much more vivid the colors of the flowers and trees looked. Interesting there’s a scientific explanation for that.
I was horrified to read in the PsychCentral article, Army Suicides Hit All Time High, that “For the month of June, the U.S. Department of Defense reported late last week that the number of soldiers who took their own lives — those who committed suicide — was an astonishing 32 individuals, 21 of whom were on active duty (but only one-third of those on active duty were serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan).” 32!! We need to get our boys home and those that already here need to be counseled and monitored much more closely for signs of suicidal thoughts.
Love the marriage counseling tips, a great treat for anyone who is looking to go through this process with a spouse.
Everything does seem duller when you’re depressed. Colors become more washed out. It would be nice to have a study done on how depression affects hearing too. My hearing doesn’t seem as acute when I’m depressed as it is normally. I don’t know if that’s because I have more on my mind or what.
The old fashioned term of “black bile” mentioned in that article is a very apt one for depression. I think I’ll start using that when it hits. Lord knows I need something to keep my sense of humor intact. :)
I totally agree with the Psychcentral article on how the Army are mishandling the therapy process for their soldiers. They give them a group therapy session on the way home?? That sounds more like an afterthought that they think will look good on paper than any genuine attempt to help troubled military men and women. Disgraceful.
So many good reading leads for the week! As ussual thanks for the wonderful info that I always find so useful no matter the situation.
this blog s doing a great job in bringing news about important things to a lot of people.news that could have otherwise never had such a big audience,to be heard,to make lesser things known to a lot of people!
I like the Really Does Turn the World Grey article. When I’m depressed, everything is just blah to me. I can relate to the description in Chaucer’s 14th century The Book of The Duchess where he “speaks of a melancholy state in which nothing is “desirable or hateful; all is alike good to me.” “
Why are our military personnel slipping through the net? 32 lost in a month to suicide is shocking. How tragic that the Army cannot tend to their mental needs sufficiently enough to see that possibility in them. Is there a shortage of qualified therapists in the Armed Forces? If so, they have to recruit them today, not tomorrow. Unforgivable that is that we’re letting our military down.
although we can see the economy shrinking and mental problems on the rise,we would not have connected the two straight away.it was a nice article on the same and teaches us a thing or two-be happy with what you have and don’t let your financial conditions guide your happiness!
Scares me to read about Army suicides being at an all time high. My son is in the military and I know that there are things that he sees and has to do every day that he feels like he has to keep hidden because he does not want to burden the family with it. Think about how much so many of these soldiers feel like they have to withhold and cannot share with others. That could be a lot to bear on your own.
I always feel gloomy and low when I’m depressed and I just think this is a bit overblown in me.Whenever me and someone around me is depressed, I feel a lot more gloomy and low than the person and this happens every time.
I never thought it was true and thought it was all in my mind. But the article on the issue was a good read and brought out a lot of things that were unknown to me until now.
we learn about how to control the employees in a management class amongst various other things but we never come across things like the ones mention in the article about leaders and employees.just think that is the reason why we are able to meet our targets but are not able to actually connect with our employees.
When I feel good the vibrancy of colors stands out. When I’m depressed, color is like everything else in my experience when I’m going through it–a pale imitation of the original. That’s very interesting that that’s not necessarily in the mind alone.
On Army Suicides Hit All Time High: The armed forces members have been through incredible unimaginable stress and witnessed traumatic events in war zones. Give them one-to-one care and in private! They want their guys and girls to be tough, right? Doesn’t that include mentally or would they rather wait until one runs amok and hurts one or more of their own? The way I see it they are encouraging the very stigma that soldiers feel by not offering proper individual care. These men and women are willing to give their lives to protect us. The least we can do is help them not be affected so seriously mentally by the ravages of war as to see suicide as the only option.
If the Army is incapable of servicing their soldiers’ needs for therapy they should do what every other large organization does when their internal resources are limited–outsource it. In their case they could outsource the therapy to civilian psychologists. I don’t see what the problem would be.
Really- mental health camps for the kids affected by the oil spill? Good idea but maybe some of that money could be better used by saving the homes and businesses that have been lost as a result of the disaster too. I think that this is such an importnat issue and the kids do need help with processing but perhaps this should fall just a little lower on the totem pole of importance?
The option of giving the military access to e-therapy is a good idea brought up by Dr. Grohol. It’s private, could be accessed from the worst of war zones and could be available at a moment’s notice anywhere if it were properly manned. Anything has to be better than seeing those numbers hit an all time high again. That’s a real tragedy.
I agree with Charlene. Wouldn’t it help those kids more to see their neighborhood and homes being returned to their former glory than a week or whatever at a camp then having to return to all the mess? Maybe if they involved the kids in the cleanup in some other productive way such as fundraising, that would help too.
To say a 5 year old kid gets counseling because she didn’t get to the fishing rodeo seems a bit over the top. The oil spill was a tragedy. That’s life, kid. Disappointments are part of it. What’s up with just her parents talking to her about that anyway and explaining they can take her and her brother fishing elsewhere? Counseling’s making it into a bigger deal than it needed to be for the child and enlarging the event in her mind. It was a trip. Big deal! The child whose mother hadn’t been able to work, that one I can understand needing help with stress but missing a fishing rodeo? Please.
It’s not like the military don’t have the technology to do therapy online and also to arrange for it to be a secure connection if that’s their worry. Heck, they are taking more care of their artillery than staff!
If we cushion kids so much that fishing rodeos are so important they’ll never be able to handle it when a REAL crisis arises in their life. So what if her baby brother misses it? I missed out on a lot of things my older sibling got to do that I didn’t. By the time he’s old enough to go, she’ll be past caring about whether he gets to go or not anyway. I think some groups look for excuses to ask for funding. She’s 5. She’ll get over it. It couldn’t have been that big a family tradition for long when she’s only 5 anyway.
My sister and I used to fight like cat and dog. My mother would grab us and sit us both at either end of the sofa. Neither was allowed to interrupt the other (woe betide you interrupting my mother!!) while they were being grilled about what happened. It was so hard to bite your tongue! But we each got our chance to tell our side of the story. Inevitably we both got into trouble because of the fighting no matter who was in the right LOL.
On Supportive Sibling Relationships: The Essential Ingredients. I agree it would be wonderful to be able to have our children sit down and talk things out instead of sending them to their separate rooms. However if they are in the middle of a knock-down, hair pulling fight, what else can you do?? You have to physically split them up before you can hope for any kind of discussion later once they have calmed down. Talking doesn’t work every time.
I love the article about how low social interaction can be as harmful as many other health issues that are regularly pointed out- good job
great articles like these week upon week is what keep me coming back to goodtherapy Blog every few days to up my knowledge about the human psyche.
My mom used to say that a family is a team and family always comes first. That’s all I heard growing up: we’re a team, we’re a team and we don’t fight with each other. She hated any kind of conflict and expected us all to support each other. On the whole, we did. We were allowed to argue as long as it was more like a debate. No name calling was tolerated. It was on reflection a good way to grow up, even if we did throw the odd punch at each other when she wasn’t looking. :)
great reading week after week
I’ve never understood why siblings fight. I love my baby brother to death and always have. Granted, he’s much younger than me. I was 15 when he came into the world. Is that the difference, the large age gap between us?
My mother insists I’m no different at 40 than I was at 4. I concur with the observation that childhood personality traits remain recognizable in adulthood. I was very independent and strong willed already by 4 and that’s not changed.
I can see traits in my siblings that have stayed the same for twenty years. The quieter one remains the quiet type and the wilder one always has to be the life and soul of the party. That’s interesting to see it verified.
Keeping your cool in this tough economy and your ability to do so says more about who you are than at any other time in recent history. I’ve never seen so many friends show sides of themselves I would never have imagined were this, both positive and negative. As Dr Molitor said, deal with what you can control and let go what you can’t. If you need therapy to do that, then get it. Happiness is priceless. Good advice there from her.
I have always read some interesting stuff about how birth order affects personality but not so much about how much over all childhood personality influences future adult behavior. Great addition to the roundup this week.
“We remain recognizably the same person,” Nave said. “This speaks to the importance of understanding personality because it does follow us wherever we go across time and contexts.”
Doesn’t that study blow the whole nature vs. nurture debate out of the water if in adulthood we’re more or less the same as in childhood?
Your article on keeping cool in times of economic difficulty could not have come at a better time.I know a lot of people who have been laid off and are now under depression and are suffering a lot.It would do them a world of good to follow a few things to try and overcome this.Great reading the article.
If you can lend a helping hand in a tough economy to someone less fortunate, that makes you feel a whole lot better. We gave away our old car rather than selling it to a girl that needed one when her job was relocated. It wasn’t much of a car but it got her around and let her keep her job. We’re not rich. We just do what we can when we can. Money doesn’t hold you back from that.
When I was a kid I liked hanging out with the girls more than the boys. They were more fun and less competitive. That’s no different today. The perks of being a single male that’s an adult are much better though! LOL ;)
Ienjoyed reading your article about how culture wires our minds.I am an immigrant and I’m proud to be one.I just hope everybody understand that there are cultural differences all over and that no culture is superior or inferior to another.There would be no conflict if everybody understands this.
As always fascinating leads and stories to learn from and read- who knows what ideas could be sparked by the reading here and could end up being highly valuable to someone sometime soon!
Another week and another great set of posts on your site! Just brilliant. Keep up the great work guys!
thanks a lot for your continued coverage of the health effects of the oil spill…the government has otherwise mostly forgotten about it!
I grew up in Louisiana and only moved away after Katrina hit- I feel the pain of those who are reliving those same nightmares all over again with the oil spill down there
I love reading the highlighted articles on a weekly basis- gets me all caught up!
“Depression in the elderly” was a good read and showed something that most of us do not talk about.Senior citizens are a silent group who go through a lot without making any noise about it and we take them for granted.They deserve better!
Maintaining self love during stressful times has always been something that I have struggled with so you can imagine how happy I was to discover the article on this site that referenced this very topic and how useful many of the suggestions have been for me. It is so hard to maintain that self confidence and good feelings about yourself when you are otherwise so down. Thanks for the great advice that is continually and consistently found on this site.
its intriguing how psychology plays a role in everything that is around us, including our work space. it can actually be very helpful to know about human psychology and to understand what is running in others’ minds by the way of their actions, and this can not be said more for anything other than the work place.
How ironic that stress can reduce fertility. When you’re trying to get pregnant it’s all you think about. That is stressful the longer it goes on. Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes.
My doctor told me to stop thinking about conceiving so much, take a vacation, relax and it would happen when it was meant to. I came back from two weeks in Greece pregnant. She was absolutely right. The change of pace and scene was just what I needed! The next time I was less obsessive about it all and fell pregnant much more quickly. Or maybe it was because I had a two year old running around to keep my mind and body busy. :)
My sister in law has been trying to get pregnant for a while now so when I saw the article pertaining to how high stress in one’s life can affect fertility rates I had to give it a read. She works in a very stressed out kind of atmosphere and I hope that this is not one of the reasons why she and my brother have had such a difficult time conceiving. I passed this along to her for her to give it a read and for her to share with her own doctors so that maybe they can use this to pinpoint if this could be part of the problem.
Loved your article on nature and the psychology associated with it.I for one love going out for some fresh air and also escaping to the country side whenever I find time.And I believe all need to try this because without nature there is nothing but with nature, there is immense beauty and loads of benefit to our health.
RE people can’t stand unselfish colleagues: I must be the most hated person in my office then! I’m always offering help and solutions to other staff members and managers. If I’m not busy myself, there’s no point in sitting around doing nothing. I would rather give a co-worker a hand or work on resolving problems we’re experiencing. I’m dismayed to discover I could be disliked for that. Isn’t it a good trait?
Would colleagues prefer you to sit back when they are busy? That would build resentment too surely. You can’t win, Meg. Either you make them look bad by helping, which they dislike, or you don’t help when you have time and they could use you, which they don’t like either. Forget about what they think and just do what you’re most comfortable with.
That article on the psychology of a hostage crisis was amaing- please keep sharing such informative articles with readers week after week because they are so valuable to us all.
Wow! I never thought walking could be good for mental health…! I mean like everybody else I knew that walking was the best form of physical exercise but to now know that it helps our mental health as well is just great!
You have my sympathy Meg. And the problem is theirs, not yours. Don’t lower your own standards just to be more popular. Your bosses will notice your flexibility and helpfulness. You’ll get promoted way sooner than any of those passengers will. Keep smiling and doing what you’re doing. You’re an asset to your company.
Meg, it is a good trait to be helpful and one I wish more of my staff would embrace. The old fashioned worth ethics you describe used to be the norm. They really did. Now they have been replaced with this “how little can I do and get away with it” attitude. I’ve seen the changes in workplace attitudes after being in business for 30 years. I get irritated that very very few take pride in their work anymore and want to put in their full 8 hours work for 8 hours pay every day.
Irrational Decisions May Actually Make Sense was a very interesting read.i was drawn to it by its title and i must say the article didn’t disappoint :)
haha…my frndz accuse me of gossiping al the time…well now I can prove to them that it has its own positives ;)
somehow I missed the roundup last week- glad to see it’s back
music lifts my mood when I’m feeling blue and yes it has got me out of many tough situations where no talk could have helped me.
So its nice to read that it is actually a documented fact and that it is benefiting others as well.
its amazing how little kids can understand things we think they are not capable of…so,beware,parents,cause your little one may be picking up things without you even knowing about it!
As always, great job.
I had never really given much thought that mental illness can cause so many people to have to take time off from work, as well as the difficulties that they must face trying to explain the issues to bosses and the fear that you know that they have to feel that this could cause them to lose their jobs. Interesting piece.
the article on envy was a good one and one that is sure to be beneficial to a lot of people because envy is something that almost all of us suffer from no matter how good we are ourselves.its almost like it comes naturally to us!
saddened to read about how much pre teens will suffer when they are teased about their weight. most adults do not want to be ridiculed aboutt heir weight- what makes them think that adolescents do or that they can tolerate that?
It was interesting reading the story on how fights in marriage and divorces are related. Only if the people who are struggling to save their marriage are able to get the point…
I like the article about having too much flexibility at work and how that can cause stress. I am one of those crazy people who needs scheduling and structure- too much flexibility and my mind goes a little haywire. I don’t know what to do next so I am forever making to do lists and feel so much better as I check off each item as complete.
“And teams containing more women demonstrated greater social sensitivity and in turn greater collective intelligence compared to teams containing fewer women.”
We women already knew that. We’re the peace keepers and negotiators at home. Why would we be any different at work?
On the “Television Viewing May Skew Health Perceptions”. I agree that people get ideas from TV medical shows about something that may be wrong with them and isn’t. They are a hypochondriac’s heaven. I don’t agree that’s a bad thing. If an unusual condition is mentioned and that saves one person from a misdiagnosis because their doctor’s not heard of it, that makes it a good thing.
Re Collective Intelligence: Number of Women in Group Linked to Effectiveness in Solving Difficult Problems.
At last, solid proof that the more women there are, the higher the group intelligence. Read ‘em and weep, boys LOL. Stay away from our groups and quit dumbing them down. ;)
I watch TV medical dramas every week. That’s not going to make me think every disease is something I’m going to pick up. TV’s about entertainment. When you start watching these shows for medical lessons and not entertainment value, it’s time to switch them off.
In our great nation’s history, no President has ever been female, Yolanda. Now that’s a smart bit of collective intelligence displayed right there!:P
I’m just joking, ladies. I love you all. :)
Shannon Larrabee on goodtherapist.com is a terrible therapist
She acts afraid of life. She counsels kids and has none because “she is afraid of the pain of giving birth.”. Come on, we need to band together against therapists like this. Get this! Her husband runs a huge Coors distributorship and is an alcoholic and Ms Larabee tries to teach about drug abuse at a catholic high school called Saint Joes and she is NOT EVEN CHRISTIAN AND DRINKS DAILY. In counsing she flirted with my husband.
I couldn’t agree more with the article “Too Much Work Flexibility Can Lead to Stress”. I am a freelancer and I know how hard it can be to actually manage things even though I am free to do things whenever I like and from the comfort of my home. Sometimes things get delayed due to an unforeseen reason and its just mayhem.
Also, the fact that I work from home often means I ma at work all the time, sometimes missing out on important family occasions to be able to meet a deadline. Its not all hunky dory working at home :|
The article about men checking out in stressful situations? Now that might just be the understatement of the year!
“A particularly toxic pattern is when one spouse deals with conflict constructively, by calmly discussing the situation, listening to their partner’s point of view, or trying hard to find out what their partner is feeling, for example – and the other spouse withdraws.” This is us! My boyfriend can’t have a calm discussion and I can’t talk to him when he’s shouting. If he can’t shout, he walks away because he doesn’t want to listen. I’ll be showing him how damaging that can be to our relationship. Thanks for the article.
In the article Study Shows How Fight Styles Affect Marriage, Predict Divorce it said spouses who deal with conflicts constructively may view their partners’ habit of withdrawing as a lack of investment in the relationship rather than an attempt to cool down.
That is exactly how I see it. It’s not that she’s wanting the space for breathing room. She just doesn’t care and blows me off. I don’t know why we’re still married.
And this study involved university kids? Aren’t they all supposed to be bright? I fear for our future. They were probably watching TV while answering the questions.
I was reading some of the posts mentioned above and it just struck as to how much we believe whatever we see on TV and go on to even recommend the same to others, without even checking the facts for ourselves!
I was surprised that the article headed “Popularity Affects Drug And Alcohol Consumption” reported that the more you were considered one of the cool kids, the higher your consumption in your teens. I thought it was going to say that the less popular kids had a higher consumption because they were lonely.
I don’t know why you would be surprised by that, diane. The cool kids get invited to party more often. They hang out with more cool kids, who invite them to even more parties. And their friends they meet there, wanting to keep in with the in crowd, invite them to their parties too. It’s like ripples on a pond. Their partying circle grows wider and the more parties, the more drugs and alcohol. Party on, dude!
Peer group pressure, that’s what it is. I drank in college and I don’t like the taste of alcohol at all. I was just desperate to fit in and not be an outsider. It was stupid when I look back on it. When you’re a teenager, being unpopular is your biggest nightmare or it was mine.
My top reason for unfriending someone is when you take over my Wall with millions of posts, so much so that I can’t see any of my other friends on it but you!
Re the Top Reasons for Facebook Unfriending Revealed by Researcher. I have news for all those people making those frequent, unimportant posts that wind up getting you unfriended: you’re not as interesting as you think you are. Stop wasting our time and yours.
I really do beg to differ with the article that states that being colorblind hinders racial equality. What is that all about? This is about tolerance and teaching our kids that the right thing to do is to look beyond the color of one’s skin
I unfriended a girl who was always sending her Farmville status updates. I don’t even play Farmville! Why does she think I would care????
I wouldn’t call up a friend to say my cat’s allergic to fish. If I wouldn’t take the trouble to phone about it, it doesn’t go on my Facebook.
I was a little surprised to read the topic on sexual behavior…we need more awareness in the older folk I guess as the youngsters seem to understand the problem much better :)
It’s quite sad really that they even have the time to clutter up Facebook so much. Get a life! My theory is they only make so many posts so they don’t need to think about how their life sucks. Their time would be better spent brushing up on social skills so they can connect with real live people and get out of the house more.
as usual great information
Anyone see the very clever xkcd cartoon where he drew a to-scale social networking world map, based on real-world statistics? On the top right there’s the Northern Wasteland of Unread Updates. Yours are in it right before you get unfriended.
To enjoy it at its best, look at the full view size at the top of the page. http://xkcd.com/802/
I don’t know why they would get upset at being unfriended. If they had been considerate and not in essence spammed their friends, it wouldn’t have happened. They should be angry at themselves.
I’ve been reading about the Chilean miners’ rescue all over the internet but I was wondering how they must be feeling,what about their mental health even after they recover physically.Thanks to your site I now have the opportunity to read the same.
You bet I remember the initial sexual interest- that told em right away whether this was someone that I wanted to try to spend more time with or not.
I enjoy reading all your articles every single weekend.Really gives the best of articles from all week.
The article regarding how to get more comfortable and open up in therapy spoke to me in volumes! Those are some wonderful tools that I hope are going to help me get more out of my own sessions with a psychologist I have been seeing.
I was surprised to see a post titled “Why do we fight?” because there really isn’t a straight fixed answer to this question. So I went through the post and I have to say it has really been well written and can actually make us think where we do go wrong and how we ending up fighting with our significant other.Thank you for the post.
the voting article so critical at this time of year
Your site is my only real source to all things psychology and other related things and I ve got to say that you guys are just doing a great jobs and this weekly update is a very nice feature too.
Switching your personality around every now and then good for your mental health? Now this I have to read!
The article on emotional intelligence and it’s link to job performance was a very good read. I shall now read some of the other articles :)
Always such great information week after week. There is always something new here to learn from and for that I sincerely thank you.
Fall-outs of the recession had me worried for quite sometime. While it is more challenging to a certain section of the society than the other,it has not spared any particular part and all are reeling under it. We need to understand this and put in a concerted effort to try and switch things around.
loved the article concerning behavioral economics and school nutrition. very enlightening
“Given that the research they present shows that students are better equipped to succeed and achieve when they feel safe in school, the authors also include recommendations to federal and state policymakers in addition to education administrators and professionals on how to better foster safe school environments for LGBTQ and all students.” It’s about time these kinds of reports moved past recommendation stages and were fast-tracked into policy. Too many kids are killing themselves because of harassment.
was very nice to read the post on honesty during job hunt paying off.i’ve always been honest when it comes to my competency and other things in my job hunt but have been frustrated to see that others lie and lie a lot.
to know that honesty would pay off in the long run was a well-heard thing but to actually have it being proven is just great :)
Think my wife needs to read article about how texting before bed screws up sleep. Her blackberry is always with her.
Parents need to teach their kids that it’s not okay to hassle a person for being LBGTQ. It’s one form of bullying that many parents I know certainly find hard to address. They are themselves uncomfortable with any topic even mildly concerning sexuality. That’s one of the many roots of the problem. They ignore the existence of the LBGTQ community.
just love the concept of the weekly round-up…keeps me up-to-date with the best stories while saving a lot of time…
Re Bedtime Texting, Internet Use, Disturbs Sleep And Mood In Teens: well of course they aren’t functioning properly if they are using such devices right before bed. That’s as stimulating as watching TV or more so if it’s gaming. Turn them off at least an hour before sleeping and see the difference it makes.
No matter the policies that are put in place schools are not going to be safe places for students who are perceived as “different” until society as a whole begins to think in a new way. Policies and rules cannot change that, only a societal awakening that I just have not seen yet. Have you?
The round up is the perfect way to bring together so much useful and helpful information that I never miss the chance to peruse everything again and make sure that there is nothing that I have missed.
was happy to see the article on bedtime texting and browsing…now I can back up my warning to my kids with the result of a real study :)
Unfortunately, the simple truth is that LBGTQ topics have been closeted for decades and not up for open discussion by society in general. I’m glad I’m alive to see change happening but it’s not moving quickly enough for my liking.
Schools also need to include this and how wrong bullying is in any discussions on diversity. With openness, comes acceptance. It’s not overnight but it will happen and only when people lose this strange fearfulness.
The fact that yoga stimulates more GABA in the brain is really interesting. Given the choice I would do yoga instead of having to take a drug that would increase any brain chemical production. It’s just plain good for you to do it!
your articles are always informative and put things across in a simple way,in a way that even a novice can understand what is being put across.this is what makes me want to come back to your site and read more and more about psychology.
I’m all for a natural over a prescribed mood enhancer. To get even more benefit from your yogic activity, take your yoga mat outside and perform it in the fresh air while the weather’s still nice enough to accommodate that. Being in nature is also a stress and anxiety reliever.
it’s sad to know that such a large percentage of people have lost gain in the wonderful institution of marriage…you may call me an old timer but then marriage is a wonderful thing that deserves better…
I Absolutely Lov the weekly roundup because it saves a lot of time and lets me catch up with all the news at the same time.
marriage obsolete? not!
Although impulsive behavior is sometimes good it definitely isn’t after getting drunk. It only makes people more prone to making mistakes and something that they may regret later. Drunken driving is a fine example.
There is just so much of nice information on your site. I never miss the weekly round up and every week there are at least 2-3 topics that I end up sharing with my friends and family. Keep up the good work guys.
I am gonna HAVE TO check out most of these articles because the topics are all so interesting. A week’s reading gets me all the top stories of the entire week. Yay! :)
As a parent of a child who is high functioning autistic I enjoyed reading the article about IQ scores in regards to autistic children.
as always great articles and information to share
Retirement Reduces Tiredness and Depression? Woo hoo! Roll on retirement I say. It can’t come fast enough of me. 3 years, 8 months and counting until it’s just me, my cabin in the woods, and my dog.
That sounds idyllic. I would love to retire early but can’t figure a way I could and afford to sustain it. I started saving far too late towards my retirement. I sure hope that study’s true and it does reduce depression because I get depressed thinking about my stupidity on that front.
The article on Christmas shoppin couldn’t have come at a better time. Every man now has something to show to his wife and girlfriend now ;)
nice to see an article on kids doing drugs.will definitely help parents in knowing why kids actually turn to them and how it can be prevented.
When I retire I wouldn’t want a cabin in the woods. I want to see the world and do all the things we never did when we had the children to think of first. I plan to enjoy mine to the fullest.
I have to disagree with the srticle that refers to giving kids money for grades and how that is not effective for many students. It has worked wonders in my household and I am sure that there are a lot of other parents out there who have the same experience as us. It probably does not work well for kids who are given everything that they want anyway but for our kids who have to save money and earn money to get things that they want lots of the time it has been a pretty good motivator to study and do well in school.
Of course retirement alleviates depression and tiredness. You get up when you want and not when an alarm clock tells you, you hang out with people you choose to and not because you have to because you work together, and you have no boss or deadlines breathing down your neck. What’s not to like?
You’d think that was true. It’s not always. When my father retired he became depressed and never had been before. He lost his sense of purpose.
The upper class have trouble reading emotions because they are too busy looking down their noses at the working man. They may have money but they have no manners. It’s atrocious the way some supposedly refined adults and even youngsters treat men and women that weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I worked in landscaping for seven years and had my eyes opened. Rich they may be, classy they are not.
Great reading- always something to use
The article on upper class people seems too prejudicial to me. Some people just make it sound like doing well financially is a crime. You will always find people crying hoarse about well-to-do people. Yes, there may be people in the upper class who are like that but that doesn’t mean we should get prejudicial about it,right?! There will be not-so-nice people in any group of people,no matter according to what parameter the grouping has been done!
This is my first visit to your site and I found it to be very informative. Although I’d live to read stuff here everyday I don’t think I can find the time to. But is the weekly round up a usual thing? I could read this every weekend if it is :)
The upper crust can’t recognize the emotions of others? Maybe they are too busy worrying about themselves.
Post on anger and some of it’s effects was a good read and teaches the age old lesson of why anger can be bad for you. thanks for the great post.
Stigma Deters Those With Alcohol Disorders from Seeking Treatment, Study Finds? No surprise there. Ask me what it’s like being married to an alcoholic that won’t get treatment and I’ll tell you straight that it’s hellish. They are ashamed and yet the shame isn’t enough of an incentive to quit. When it’s a woman too people are more shocked than if it’s a man. Go figure.
Alcoholism is a disease and the sooner the general public accept that, the sooner the stigma attached to the condition will fade. It’s not a lifestyle choice and the good news is it can be harnessed.
I am sure that there were many guys out there rejoicing about the article that suggests that promiscuity could be genetic!
Re the article, will good looks get you a job.
“It follows that an attractive male needs to send on average five CVs in order to obtain one response, whereas a plain-looking male needs to send 11 for a single response,” said Ze’ev Shtudiner, co-researcher and Ph.D. candidate. However, among women, the BGU study indicates that, contrary to popular belief, “attractive” women are called back for a position LESS often than “plain women” (unattractive), as well as women who had no picture on their resume.”
My conclusion from that? The person selecting interviewees was female. In my experience, women hate to have better looking women than them in their workplace. Most HR staff are female, am I right?
@selene. Why just the guys, selene? It takes two to tango. Women are no less promiscuous than men nowadays. They go out on the prowl for casual sex too. The advent of the pill and easy access almost anywhere to contraception opened that door. Your view is very outdated.
More than double the amount of controlled drugs now are being prescribed to a young age group than in the past 14 years. Think about that and ask yourself why. How many of them are selling those drugs? How many doctors are simply refilling their prescription every time they ask them to? Do they check the dosage prescribed against the number of prescriptions the patient has had to see if the numbers add up? Questions need to be answered here. I have no wish to tar all these young people will the same brush. However, that increase doesn’t make sense.
Oh, that’s rich! I can see it now. “I couldn’t help myself, love. Infidelity is genetic.” Talk about a get out of jail free card for all the cheating partners!
Perhaps the diagnostic techniques for certain ailments controlled substances treat have improved immensely in those fourteen years. Increased awareness would result in increased prescriptions for medication, would it not? The answer could be that simple.
What we need is more talk therapy and less pills. Young ‘uns need to learn pills aren’t the answer to everything, prescribed or not.
All the cheating partners? Not quite, gabriella. And I quote: “The relationships are associative, the scientists stressed. In other words, some people with the genetic variation will not be unfaithful or promiscuous, and some people without the variation will be. As the relationship is associative, “The study doesn’t let transgressors off the hook,”, Garcia added. “
Although all your articles are good as always, I especially liked the article on whether good looks an get you a job…A great read no doubt…Cheers for bringing such good articles…
Back pain is notoriously difficult to prove and is one of the afflictions controlled substances are being prescribed for so much. How does the doctor know they aren’t walking out the door, picking up the prescription and selling what they got to a drug dealer? There has to be records kept that can be checked for any suspicious activity, surely. Who is ultimately responsible for that?
Gabriella, before you jump to hasty conclusions, read that again. The article said promiscuity and infidelity could be genetic. That’s not a statement of fact. It’s a possibility. Could be genetic, not is.
@Jackson–Does it occur to you that they may really be ill and need them for chronic pain or a debilitating illness? Don’t assume because they are young they are abusing the system! It’s the doctor’s license that’s at stake if he/she doesn’t properly medicate them and keep track. Heck, doctors have been known to abuse drugs too you know.
If you think wandering spouses would have a field day with that, think about how more ecstatic the lawyers will be. How many divorce settlements will end up in court being renegotiated because they couldn’t help themselves? I was ill, judge. If this shifts from a “Promiscuity And Infidelity Could Be A Genetic Trait In Some Humans” headline, to a “Promiscuity And Infidelity Is A Genetic Trait In Some Humans”, the floodgates will open.
@gabriella:it doesnt!the study says it is possible but no cheater can take refuge in the result of this study.its not like their genes FORCE them to cheat,you know ;)
Good looks helping get jobs? Give me a break- how superficial can we be?
Ur site’s doin a gr8 job in spreading awareness of everything psychology and related stuff through all the articles,posts,these weekly round-ups and also the very-innovative web seminars.kudos to goodtherapy :)
Actually doctors are more fond of alcohol than medications according to this piece about physicians and substance abuse. “Doctors are less likely to use tobacco and illicit drugs but more likely to have used alcohol than the general population according to a 1992 JAMA study. This is probably consistent with the substance abuse rates of other over-educated, high-pressure, snobby, “establishment” type professions like lawyers, politicians, and business professionals who will never touch a joint but have no problem with the five martini dinner.”
http://rangelmd.com/2010/01/physicians-and-substance-abuse/
Scotty: Whether ” the floodgates will open” is debatable. They could, only if those wanting to renegotiate were willing to undergo gene testing and all the associated costs that entails. It could cost them less to just keep paying whatever they are paying.
“The researchers found 50% of those with 7R+ – a genetic variation of DRD4 – had been unfaithful to their partner, compared to 22% of these without 7R+.” Next big moneymaker: a company offering premarital genetic testing to see how faithful your partner is predisposed to be. Step right up folks for the infidelity predictor. You heard it hear first.
So love goes right out the window if you fail, I guess garth? It disappears just like that? I know you were kidding but seriously, I could see that happening. Love can’t do that. All the couples then have to ask themselves if they would go ahead with the marriage anyway or not. Me, I think I would rather not know.
Interesting question! I would go ahead with the wedding because obviously I’m in love if I’m getting married. Forewarned is forearmed. If you both know it’s very possible one of you will feel attraction to another person outwith the relationship, you know to watch for the red flags and discuss it openly if it happens. That could be all that’s needed to stop an attraction turning into an affair. Affairs rely on secrecy to flourish.
And what if your results are negative for the gene and you go to court on the strength of that not being so? There’s the researcher on the stand for the defense. “And Judge, our findings are that Mr. Smith does not carry the genetic variation for infidelity. It’s not his genes. He’s just horny and a bad husband.” LOL!
I’m glad to see the researchers on neuroticism and sexual frequency consider once a week frequent. So do I! My husband thinks he’s deprived.
The What Do You Do When You Can’t Afford Treatment link goes to the wrong article. It goes to the same one as How We Think About Addiction: Happiness, Stigma, and Everything Between. Please fix that.
I always enjoy reading your blog posts and this week was no different :)
Great stories week in and week out
I love the brief stories that are put up here and so does my wife.We learn a lot about psychology right from the comfort of our home.Thank you GoodTherapy :)
Frequent sex for neurotic newlyweds halps the marriage along? Isn’t that true for any marriage? :)
“…emotional intelligence and cognitive skills can actually sharpen as we enter our 60s, giving older people an advantage in the workplace and in personal relationships.” Hah! One in the eye for all the youngsters that write us off once a gray hair appears.
Re: Depression Makes Losing Weight Much Harder. No big shock result there to my mind. When I’m depressed it takes me all my time to get up and dressed, never mind get outside and exercise. Then the worse I look, the more depressed I get. It’s a vicious circle.
I’m sorry to hear that, brooke. The best thing you can do from my personal point of view about depression, apart from getting therapy, is force yourself to venture outside. When you isolate yourself, it gets worse and when you’re indoors, there’s not much to do but eat when you get bored or low. Been there, done that. Making myself take a fifteen minute walk at least once a daily improved my mood. Please do try it!
It was very informative to read about cyber bullying and I read about a few things I really had no idea about.Thanks for bringing out the facts.
I am an Alaska native and it was sad to read about the community being more prone to health disorders than the population in general.They really need to step up support for the community and bring on a real change.
So many great articles recommended for reading this week
It is really an education reading your articles…There is just so much that I gain from all the articles here…Thanks a lot and you guys should know you are doing a great job :)
The artcile about tragedy and whether or not that gives meaning to life was a very powerful one for me. I have faced a lot of that in my own life and have often wondered about the lessons to be learned from these events.
There is just so much we can learn from each of the topics that come up here. This is great piece of knowledge that we should try and share with as many friends as possible.
These are all such great articles this week, full of very helpful information.
The new breathing therapy program that helps panic attacks, Capnometry-Assisted Respiratory Training, or CART, is interesting. My husband has has two very severe panic attacks this year and has tried talking himself through them. That method doesn’t work very well for him. I’d like to know more about this.
Re: Couples Who Delay Having Sex Get Benefits Later, Study Suggests. The only reason the sexual quality of the relationship was rated 15 percent better is that they haven’t been intimate together long enough to become bored sexually or out of sync. Go revisit the study’s participants in a year’s time and let’s see how strong their relationship is then in that department.
About the New Breathing Therapy Reduces Panic And Anxiety By Reversing Hyperventilation article. It said, “This is achieved by breathing slower but most importantly more shallowly. Contrary to lay belief, taking deep breaths actually worsens hyperventilation and symptoms.” Does that mean the blowing into a brown paper bag isn’t any good then? I’ve been taught since I was a teenager to do that.
Yeah, sure communication is better for couples that delayed having sex until they were married. The guy listens and talks to her because he’s just figured out it will get him laid more LOL.
When you’re in a sexual long term relationship it’s not much different from being married. Everything is better in the beginning and gradually goes downhill if you don’t nurture it. Sex alone doesn’t make or break a relationship, same as money doesn’t.
We need to go back to old fashioned courting of a lady and getting to know her first. It’s a lot of pressure on a guy too how quickly things move from dating to sexual. Women can be very sexually aggressive now.
I would try anything to reduce my anxiety attacks. CART sounds fantastic! A program that reduces the symptoms AND can actually physiologically alter panic symptoms by actively reversing hyperventilation? Fab. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the treatment becomes available after this study’s positive findings.
Get married. Move in together. Have sex. Have children.
When on earth did it become okay to not do things in that order? Society is crumbling into a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.
This is always a website filled with such useful info. I do hope that the word about the site continues to grow so that you have the capacity to continue to provide such a wondeful service to the entire online community. Thanks
I share any weight that is inside me with someone I can trust and it always helps. Being with someone supportive and sharing your downtimes surely does help :)
I love all the great articles that come up here and give us so much awareness….Thank you GoodTherapy and a very happy new year to the entire team :)
@Matt P.: You’re dating the wrong girls mate if you think it’s all happening too fast. Look for a nice girl that wants to take things slow, not a tramp that can’t wait to dive into bed. They are out there, trust me.
Resolving what triggers the panic and anxiety is more crucial than new treatments. Get rid of the root cause and you’ll never have to deal with them again. Studies that investigate how to do that better and faster would be money well spent.
If you go into a relationship purely for the sex, it’s doomed. Superficial relationships don’t stand the test of time. It’s nice to have a physical attraction of course. However if you can’t talk to the person outside of pillow talk and enjoy their company, it will get old very fast.
Don’t worry, be happy. Who needs breathing exercises when you can live that mantra every day? It’s mind over matter. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sex for the sake of sex is overrated, cold and empty. Been there, hated it. I want to make love, not have meaningless sex–and when I make love, I want to be in love with the girl. Now, I don’t mind waiting for the right girl to come along at all.
I’ve gained a lot reading the various posts here over the months.there are even some techniques that I have employed from here and yes,they are sure proving to be positives in my life.Kudos to the people working behind all this.
The article on the negatives of positive compliment was very good indeed. Will definitely help in dealing with the kids.
Loved the article about placebos. I have always wondered just how much that affect had on people in clinical trials and stuff, and now I see that if someone has their mind set that something is going to work then it really can regardless of whether it is the real treatment or not.
When you have sex before marriage it’s like sampling the buffet before choosing what you really want. Nothing wrong in making sure there’s a sexual compatibility there. It would be horrible to get married and find you’re polar opposites in the sexual dept.
Obviously waiting until marriage works, and I quote
* Relationship stability was rated 22 percent higher
* Relationship satisfaction was rated 20 percent higher
* Sexual quality of the relationship was rated 15 percent better
* Communication was rated 12 percent better
Marriage isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a commitment, people!
The article on procrastination was a well written one indeed…Has given a few tips to me and I shall surely follow ten to try and get rid of the problem myself.
yes,of course, Kayleigh. marriage is much more than just a ritual or an occassion. it is a commitment. it means so much when two people come together and decide to stay together while toning down their ego and putting up with each other at times. loving each other yet giving your partner his/her space. but whatever the definition of marriage is, it sure is beautiful!
The research and the amount of work that is put into the depth of many of these articles week after week astounds me as I know that so many of the writers here really put their heart and soul into the information that they put out there to us. The content is spot on and so helpful to me day after day. Thanks for continually being such a bright spot for me and a wonderful teaching tool for me and for so many others in my life with whom I am able to share all of this with.
It was fun reading how self esteem has become such an important thing in young people’s lives…Although it sounds like a good thing, it really isn’t…that’s because of tmwhat they are neglecting while running behind ‘self-esteem’…
As usual there are so many great articles listed that it is hard to know where to begin.
it was sad reading about thousands of people still affected mentally by the WTC incident…is there any relief from the government for them?after all,this as a ‘national disaster’!
I really connected with the piece about how poker faced employees are expected to act and how this takes a toll on them. My father worked a job like this and he was never even able to let down his guard at home. As a result all of us suffered because we were never really able to see our dad in the kind of light that so many kids get to experience. For that I am sorry that we missed out on that part of life.
I am a regular visitor of your blog and come here to gain some knowledge of the psychology world because it is a topic that interests me.I can proclaim that no other site is as informative as this one and I gain a whole lot of knowledge from here.Thanks a million to all the people behind this site.
On:Family, Friends, Social Ties Influence Weight Status in Young Adults. “According to the study, published online by the journal Obesity, overweight and obese young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 were more likely to have overweight romantic partners and best friends and also had more overweight casual friends and family members compared to normal weight peers.” Why is that news to them? Birds of a feather flock together. We’re attracted to like minded people who enjoy similar lifestyles to us.
Re the article entitled False-Positive Mammogram Worse Than the Real Thing for Many Women -uh, what? Just because they need to undergo the anxiety of more tests to be absolutely positive there’s no cancer there doesn’t mean it’s worse for them! That’s a very offensive headline and assumption he made. I cannot believe a doctor could be so insensitive.
It’s more surprising that only 95.6% of the WTC survivors suffered one current posttraumatic stress symptom a few years after it. I would have wagered my house on that number being 100% without exception. Only 15% being screened positive for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a testament to the resilience of human nature.
That doctor cannot seriously be saying that a false positive mammogram is worse than having cancer because of the anxiety it causes. How crass. I bet every woman that’s had cancer confirmed would be happy to swap places with them.
Judging by a very unscientific study of my own (looking at parents picking up their kids at our eight year daughter’s school), obese parents raise obese kids. I don’t think it’s right they should be overfeeding children and putting their health at risk. Kids don’t have a choice. Adults do and inflicting your own poor eating habits on them is wrong.
I was pleased to read about the study that found “diversity in everyday life settings prompts people to help each other out rather than being a source of distrust.” We all need to get along, not be immediately suspicious of someone from another land. Love thy neighbor.
Moderate drinking is fine,almost everybody dies that. But it really Peres me to see so many people whose only job in their life is to drink. It’s good to see how nicely you have highlighted the negatives effects of alcoholism on a person’s marital affairs. Hope it scares alcoholics in quitting.
the topic of natural disasters having anneffect on childrens mental health is what appealed the most to me.it is something that can help in any part of the world an goes beyond culture and language-natural disasters are everywhere and something to prevent it’s negative causes is always welcome.
macho women really turn me off
I’ve been a regular visitor 2 ur site for d past couple of months and I have to say or gained a lot by reading from here and I sometimes even show off my knowledge about psychology :)
The article on “benevolent sexism” just paints nice guys who are courteous to women as possible abusers I think. It’s a blackening on the name of every man out there who is a nice guy. What kind of an idiot thinks that sexual violence is justified in any sense or that he’s somehow entitled to have sex with a woman? Tell your wife that you’re entitled to have sex with her and you will find yourself served with divorce papers within a week.
Thank you for your article on addictive gaming. My 15 year old son has been a little too much into gaming of late and I was getting a little worried about it. Thanks to your article, my husband and I are now going to have a small talk with him regarding his addiction.
I am curious about the article about abortion and it not causing any mental distress. I would think that os anything out there this would be one decision that a woman would have to make that would cause great mental anguish. I am not saying that I am either for or against it but that must be a heartwrenching decision for any woman to make.
great post on a great thing-marriage! young people who think the concept of marriage is waning need to read and understand what it really is and how it can be helpful in the most unexpected ways :)
The weekly round-up is a great way to catch up on all the psychology news of the week after a hectic work week, when it is not possible to read the posts.Thank you for this wonderful idea of weekly round-ups!
The one on how work can play a role in mental health was good.I have always felt that if we are burdened at our work place it will lead to problems that may well go beyond losing some sleep…!
all great articles showcased this week in the round up
power differential is not only important to treat those around you in a certain way but is a very important aspect of shaping the personality…human relations are a very important part of what a person is and says a lot about him…
@Golden Horn: Reading some articles on a website doesn’t make you an expert in psychology but being well read does impress people. It’s nice for them to find a person that wants to converse about more than what’s on TV or what the weather’s going to do.
@”Babies Size Up the Social Scene”:
was surprised to know that babies can assess s much at such an early stage of their lives. we surely do underestimate their sense of knowledge,of the little angles,don’t we? :)
a few of the stories were really informative. enjoyed reading them and gaining some real knowledge and not just the specs of the latest cell phone there is on the market ;)
So apparently if your team loses the Super Bowl you are more likely to have a health problem, but if they win the birth rate in that town goes u! Look at New Orleans this past year, record number of births in October, 9 months after they won the Super Bowl. Crazy how many ways this one game impacts so many lives in multiple ways!
You guys are doing a good job writing and spreading the message about how homophobia is affecting the community of LGBTs…Kudos to that and hope more an more people start to see the truth too!
Sad that there are still cultural communities like th Latino community where it is still considered a taboo to ask for help when ther are mental health concerns.
My employees hate the little twisty lightbulbs so for as much as we try to go green I have always gotten a lot of resistance from the peanut gallery.
The new policy in the UK was the big news for me this week…I’m from Cardiff and it will be interesting to see how things turn out to be…
Enhance romance by going out with other couples? I know that that has always made me so grateful for the love that I have.
everything about panic attacks was well explained in the related post this week…I suffer from panic attacks occasionally and reading this has given me a lot of information and a hint to seek help to completely overcome the same…
I was very curious to read the article re: electroshock therapy because I had a neighbor grwoing up whose dad was a psychiatrist and this was what he did as a part of his practice. I always wondered if I got into trouble over there if he would think about giving me a little jolt too!
Spot on with this write-up, I really assume this website needs way more consideration. Ill in all probability be again to read way more, thanks for that info.
it was very informative reading about adolescents and drinking. teaching at a high school I see drinking being a major problem. and to now know that it can continue even later on only makes this issue more severe.
great articles this week as usual
I read each and every word of atleast half of those articles and it is a great deal of information and can actually help all of us because knowledge is power and being aware of things can help you in obvious ways and situations.
The article about wanting your drugs to work and staying positive had a great deal of impact on me. I have always firmly believed in mind over matter and in this case it only reemphasizes just how important this can be.
Teaching kids about mental health is a good development. We always speak of physical health and hygiene to kids but almost never about mental health. Seems like a good way forward.
I didn’t know much about psychotherapy and mental health even two months ago.that’s when I found your website.and I have to say it really is great getting to know so many things in such an easy manner here.and a special thank you for the weekly round ups,they’re my favorites.
“One-third of Us Have Tried Dating Websites with Middle-aged Suitors Using Them Most” was a very interesting read.Helped give me details of and data about dating trends.
it was interesting to read about eating dosorders.I’d like to request you to please include more articles in the future on the same subject.Maybe it can help me get away from my present eating habits,which are very unhealthy to say the least.
The drinking problem among adolescents article-for a lot of us,as most people here would agree,the drinking during adolescence was just that,a phase.I don’t know on what basis the result have been arrives at.Yes,there are people who have alcohol problems in their adult lives after they have been addicted to it in their adolescence but to generalize and say that it happens to all would be very wrong.
I was going through the blog titles and the one on babies being prone to mental illnesses is what caught my attention. I have now read it and yes I was surprised to know it. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t have known this either. Thanks for spreading awareness about this lesser-known issue.
although I am a pretty regular visitor of this blog I have to say, I really enjoyed reading the article on depression.it was extremely informative and I will be looking forward to more such quality articles.
The article about how we need to be culturally sensitive to the needs of others when developing outreach and mental health programs is so important to follow through with. There are many communities who will not respond well to this type of programming otherwise unless it really targets the issues that they face as the part of a specific culture or community. Good work with that one.
a lot of people,including me,gain so much from reading resources like these…but I don’t understand why some of the decision and policies implemented by the government spells ignorance and a lack of knowledge…they ought to take the opinion of experts in the field,you know…
I enjoy reading the weekly roundup because I don’t have the time to go through the blog in weekdays and this recap is surely helping a lot of people who cannot set aside the time during weekdays.
So many of the articles cited here are spot on. It is rare that you find this level of work online.
Often I read in the news roundup reports that to me are of obvious conclusions yet appear to be news to others. Like how infants and toddlers are suffering from mental illness. Thinking mistakenly that children “are immune to the effects of early adversity and trauma because they are inherently resilient and ‘grow out of’ behavioral problems and emotional difficulties,” is ludicrous. The effects of stress and trauma can hit at any age, never mind hereditary conditions.
Re the Study Examines Links Between Fear of Death and Buying Behavior. Everyone wants to have a good life before they die. If I were to be diagnosed with an incurable disease, you can be sure I’d drain my bank account and splash out during the last few years or months of my life, leaving enough to cover my funeral expenses and no more. You can’t take it with you! I don’t have any dependents so why not?
Damage that’s done early is a lot harder to heal. Anyone can drink some beer and deal with a hangover the next day. If you’re pregnant though, and you drink, you’ll be causing permanent harm to your unborn child.
That article about you tube- now why would you tube allow stuff like that to be posted to remain there?
The article about adolescents and alcohol was the most important one if you ask me…It gives a clear insight into why it is a real problem and requires attention rather than to be dismissed as something that wil fix itself over time.
@The article regarding drug addicts abusing their partner:This is yet another effect of regular drug abuse and that is exactly why even stricter enforcement on drugs is necessary. But I would like to know if they included marijuana in the list of drugs for the study. While there MAY BE a thing like addiction to marijuana,I am sure marijuana users are not aggressive like drug users. On the contrary,getting stoned really slows you down.
I have been around a lot of addiction and abuse in my life so I know without a doubt that the article about male drug users abusing their partners is unfortunately very true.
reading is such a great thing…and I think that is exactly the reason why old timers rue the lack of reading amongst today’s young people…i realized this by reading articles here and on some other topics elsewhere…there is just so much out there to learn…and most of us are just ignoring all that and whiling our time away…
I liked reading the article on how depression is detected. That is one question that can get hard to answer for an average person. Psychiatry is not just a science but an art as well and why is well described in the same article.
There are always so many good issues highlighted in the weekly roundup that I rarely know where to bei=gin first! I definitely think that learning if my partners voice will be a give away for whether or not he will remain faithful to me looks like a good place to start this week. ;)
self-harm videos?there is a ton of destructive material online…you can learn anything from methods to kill yourself to making a bomb…its all out there…if a person feels like using these resources,he needs to find himself some help…!
I found the article regarding suicide teens and eating disorders to be so relevant because I know that these two things have to somehow be linked yet this relationship between the two has not been fully hashed out yet to get those in need the help that they must desperately be crying out for.
Not only do I read the very-informative articles present here but I also pass their links on to friends.It is my way of helping others as they may then be in a better position to identify some problem.I urge the GoodTherapy community to do the same and help spread awareness.
Pain relieves guilt? yes it does,if you ask me. It was good reading the article on the issue. Thank you for the good read.
it was really nice reading “more-reasons-to-be-nice-its-less-work-for-everyone”.I’ve always wondered why people couldn’t be nice to everybody around them and get the others to reciprocate the same.the world would be a much better place then.
I mean,why is it so hard to just be nice and courteous to a person who is a stranger,someone who has done no wrong to you?I always try and be nice to everybody I meet and encourage my family to do the same.
good update on the HIV AIDS crisis. U never hear much about it anymore
Unlike most illnesses the media makes a big deal out of, AIDS is a serious one. It’s natural that sufferers would experience some kind of prejudice, because nobody wants to catch it or even risk it. I like to think more people would take the time to find out how low that risk really is. Just living near someone with AIDS doesn’t mean you’ll catch it. You won’t. It doesn’t get spread like a common cold.
This kind of thing can come from ignorance. Even if someone does have HIV, you’d need to have sex with them or come in contact with their blood somehow to catch the virus. It does appear in saliva but the amount is so small it’s a very low chance to cause an infection.
@Charmaine: Said ignorance can be debunked with a google search. I did a quick search and found that it’s not that easy to catch unless you’re intimate with the person. I think people are mixing it up with hepatitis, which is very, very contagious if I recall.
I didn’t think there would even be a link between suicide and eating disorders. Poor health and poor body image? Yes, but suicide? That’s really stretching it in my opinion.
@vaz And there are ways to accidentally kill yourself. An example: there’s a series of instructions on some boards that tell you how to make crystals using some common chemicals and items found in any home. Harmless you might think, making pretty crystals. Until you find out too late that the end result of mixing such a concoction creates mustard gas and your face would be right in it.
I have missed the roundup for the past few weeks! Glad to see that it has made its way back to the weekly line up!
the article titled ‘superwoman’ was a very practical thing happening in today’s world and a lot of women are finding it hard due to the mountain of expectations. the articles spoke of all things that happen on a day to day basis and yes, it would help if we stop trying to be super-women.
although becoming ‘immune’ to sexual harassment may save the victim from a psychological drain,it also shows how widespread the practice of sexual harassment is.why can’t we have better laws to combat these at places where they occur most often-at workplaces?!
The article about trying to be superwoman really does hit home for me and for a lot of other female readers too I am sure.
On the sexual harassment of men, it goes completely under or unreported because men are expected to suck it up and move on. That is something we need to stamp out and fast. Zero tolerance for both genders is the only way to go. Sexual harassment is wrong whoever is doing it.
As someone who’s not great at expressing emotions, I was delighted to see an article on the same and have gained quite a lot of things after having read it. Thanks a lot for all the wonderful news and articles that you put out on a regular basis.
I love the articles about flex workplaces and just how beneficial those can be for many families.
anyone speaking of anxiety in kids would have been ridiculed even until a few decades ago. but not anymore. anxiety in kids is a fact today and the earlier parents accept this truth the better it is for their kids.
Thanks to your article linked here I now know that this is the alcohol awareness month. Although I do drink socially I am all for containment of alcohol addiction and abuse. It will be great if this month is used to make more and more people aware of the I’ll effects of alcohol.
Sorry to see the article about teens feeling left out being less likely to attend college. These are the kids who need college the most, need the freedom to spread their wings and discover who they are. But if they are lonely and feeling left out then it looks like this is more than likely not going to be anything that they will pursue.
This round up acts like a weekly update for me because I really like learning and reading about new things and right now I’m devoting my free time to learn about psychology and psychotherapy.
So many great articles this week, with many with points so relevant to my own life. That is what I love about the material here- usually a little something for everyone to relate to.
I was shocked to read the first story about the seen year old! This just shows how far bullying has gone and it needs to be rooted out of our schools and society as a whole. So many lives are spooky and even lost every year due to this menace and yet we just seem incapable to putting a stop to it!
A 7 year old has surgery on her ears? And obviously the parents paid for this. Think of the lessons this teaches our kids. Don’t like something about yourself, just pay to have it fixed.
@ the study regarding self medication: although it is not a very cheerful situation to know that a lot of people are taking to self medication,they should first verify whether this includes traditional medication because sometimes even that is counted as self medication although it is a good thing.
When I was readin the post on Mexican immigrants having a higher probability of mental health issues,I was instantly reminded of another post on your site a couple of weeks ago that said mental health issues are more pronounced in the economically weaker sections of the society.So it could just be that it is because of that.
But it would be intereting to see the statistics for Mexican immigrants when compared to immigrants from other countries.
not surprised at all to read the article about how suicide rates rise and fall with the economy- this is something that can really get someone down in a hurry
very curious about the preemie story as both of my kids were premature
Great articles week after week…!This site is doing a great job at managing this thing and also it is letting a lot of people a chance to gain some knowledge about these kind of things that we do it often talk about.
Going to make a few quick points here on the videogame violence theory.
Japan: Very liberal about the subject of sex, pornographic material is easily found, and even the most bizarre or obscene fetishes are common knowledge. #54 on reported rapes per capita by country.
America: Very conservative, throws a fit over a “wardrobe malfunction”, a breastfeeding mother in public is considered controversy, and the sex offender’s register is completely out of hand. #9 on reported rapes per capita by country.
What do those statistics say to you? I know what I think but I’d like to hear yours.
Sometimes we just miss out on how to deal with people and this can lead to a lot of problems because every sphere of our life involves other people,be it at home,at work or even when you’re taking a stroll down the street.So knowing things like the one’s that have been highlighted this week becomes important.
I have to say a thank you to GoodTherapy for this and that I am looking forward to reading even more great articles here.
@Webster: So what you’re saying is that having an outlet for such feelings freely available is actually more of a deterrent than a cause? Correct me if I’m wrong here.
The article about twins really interests me as I am a twin and my sis and I always seem to be very in tune with one another.
@Ash: Exactly. It’s the total opposite of what the “experts” are saying. A sexually-oppressed society is likely to have more sex crimes.
You need to remember that some people are easily influenced and can’t tell fantasy from reality. Those are the ones that are a problem, not the games themselves. In the old days it was movies that took the blame for bad behavior, and now there’s a new scapegoat: videogames.
@Webster–There’s a chart floating about the internet that shows that violent crime has taken a nosedive since Doom was released. If that’s not proof enough, I don’t know what is.
The one about our socio-economical status affecting our perception of others was an interesting one…Just goes out to show how much we let money take precedence in not only our lives but in perception of others as well…
I get a lot of news from your site and it’s nice to know that May is the mental health month…I am looking forward to lending a hand to spread awareness about this very important issue…Maybe you guys could start some program off in which willing volunteers could lend a hand…?
Webster, what’s ironic is that real-life gore is far worse than movie and game gore. If you were to walk into an autopsy room and see the maimed body of a car crash victim, you would faint. It’s horrifying.
art is such a valuable outlet for me. i am glad to hear that it is helping those with ptsd too
It was interesting to read the one connecting spending through cards and self esteem…I have experienced it myself and yes it sure is true…We humans are a unique species and there are a lot of things that matter a lot to us but are matters of no concern to any other species…!
I love the article about who knows us bes, and that it is not us. In my case my husband knows me a lot better than I know myself, and that is not putting mysef down or anything, it is just that he is the one who gets me. We are truly the couple that he knows what I am thinking or what I am going to say before I even say it!
stupid Friday 13 th fears- I am just glad it is over so I can stop listening to everybody whine about it
As always great. I anjoyed the article a great deal about how marital problems can predict sleep difficulties in young children. my brother has a child who has always had nightmares and fears that are so unreasonable when it comes to sleeping alone at night, and he and my sister in law have a horrible marriage. They always say that they will stay together until the kids get older but I think that this is the proof that anyone needs that that is not always a good thing for the kids.
I didn’t even observe this past Friday was a 13th and went about my usual daily work. I don’t know why people are phobic about just a date and a day coming together. They are so laid back about all the jobs cuts,pay cuts,foreclosures but mention Friday the 13th and they’ll jump up!
Why would anyone have a fear of Friday the 13th? That’s just really immature and come to think of it, fearing the number 13 makes no sense. It’s a number, for goodness sake! It’s not going to kill you. Where do those roots of that phobia even come from?
@A.B.D. : It actually comes from the Middle Ages. A coven of wiccans would have 13 members in it allegedly. In those times, wiccans were persecuted by the church for being a rival religion, all under the guise of “fighting allies of the Devil”.
The hatred of witches meant that everything associated with them was likewise associated with hexes and bad luck, including the number 13. Those were very superstitious times.
Only bad luck I have on Friday the 13th is the fact I have to deal with paranoid folks for the entire day because they think some unnamed catastrophe is about to befall them. I’m often tempted to remind them they have obviously survived numerous Friday the 13th’s since they were born, so there’s no reason for this one to be any different.
re article on women and how they expect lower salaries and promotions was a good read.as a working woman,I can tell you that although there has been a lot
Of change with regard to the gender issue at work there still exists a glass ceiling,an unseen barrier that always acts against women.and speaking about it is of no use,we need action… from each one of us!
It is not very surprising to read about mental health reducing a person’s life expectancy. It brings down your life in all aspects and makes it difficult to put your energy into anything. It’s best to identify and fix the mental health issue ASAP.
I have a friend who fits that perfect mold about loving to break the rules and getting some perverse sense of satisfaction from doing so. That article totally relates to her!
As a country with the largest number of people in prisons compared to our population,it is a good sign what the California court has ruled. Prisoners are humans too and they deserve basic care and living conditions.
I have just recently stumbled upon the site and this is so informative! Much better reading than what others have to offer!
The one on letters from home helping soldiers was a good read. It shows how important family is for a person and will hopefully make the readers realize the value of living with one’s family,something that these soldiers leave behind for the call of duty.
divorce is a devastating prospect for not just the man and woman but also the kids and the entire family setup. it can be very unsettling for the children,especially the young ones. and their academics and learning is definitely not something that can escape the effects!
I have to show my daughters these articles because there are so many that relate to their lives and I know that they have not found this reading material on their own.
Wonderful stories every week spreading a lot of knowledge and awareness to the readers. Great job GoodTherapy :)
Kids who bully have more sleep problems. hmmm. . . can you say guilty conscience?
Depression in kids is sad..They don’t even enjoy their childhood but start adult behavior from such an early age…and when I say adult behavior I’m talking of all the problems that come their way!
There has to be new and innovative ways to reach the teen community. Without educating them about the dangers of bad behavior and the important role that stable mental health can play in their lives then we are losing an entire generation!
@The article regarding exercise benefitting the brain:Isn’t it just great to know that exercise has far more advantages than previously thought?!This is definitely going to inspire me to work out more often than I have been doing it until now :)
all thee articles seem like they’re written for experts in the field at first. but when you read them you realize that all that is spoken about is actually relevant to each one of us.things that happen in our daily lives,the problems that we face and hence forth.it is a great resource no doubt.
What a stupid article about a man being more desirable to women if he drives a Porsche. Puhleez! How shallow do you really think that women are?
After reading that article about acting like a man to be successful in business, I don’t feel “man” is the right word. The right word would be “aggressive”.
In business, you need to play dirty and grab everything you can to get ahead in it. Leave all the handshaking and agreements until you’ve fought your way to the top. Go ahead and fool yourself if you want to and call it competitiveness if you don’t like to think of yourself as aggressive. Either way, that’s what it takes.
Read a few articles and am gonna read a few more later. But I would like to say that this week’s articles are great coz many of these are useful for either my family or friends.
A man who chooses a flashy car purely to help him get a girl into the sack with no interest in commitment is very sad. Any woman with an interest piqued purely by what she sees you behind the wheel of is going to be very superficial. You both deserve each other imho.
Shame you couldn’t buy yourself some self-respect, eh!
@Janelle You would be surprised at how many females would marry a man for his money if they got the chance. Some can be very narcissistic and self-centered like my sister. She thought she could pull that off with a local lawyer and land herself a
sugar daddy-shamelessly pursued him, she did. Thankfully he saw straight through her ruse.
She’s an embarrassment to me and already eyeing up the new dentist in town. She’s told me many times that she’s not going to be poor all her life. Shame she doesn’t think of working like the rest of us to prevent that! Honestly, I hate folks finding out I’m related to her…
The article about men being involved in the lives of their daughters hit home for me. It is so true that most girls do need that strong male role model in their lives. Having them in their lives gives the girls a sense of confidence as well as knowing what a good man is supposed to be like.
With respect to all the comments on the article on whether women are attracted to wealthy men,I’d like to add this:
First off let me assure you that I’m not being sexist here.While being attracted to someone for their money is not a great thing and the relationship is not going to stand too long on that attraction is very true,we have to admit that as humans,whether men or women,we do have that little something for an easy life,for easy money.Maybe that is he reason.I’m not saying only women do it or only men do it.Both do and that’s a fact you and I cannot change.
I really relate to the fact that male unemployment can make the divorce rate go up. \
That happenedd to me when I lost my job. The wofe said she would stay with me and by my side but that did not last too long when the money was gone.
It got gone and so did she.
I’m homosexual and have been considering coming out of the closet with the fact for quite sometime now. You article on the issue was a good read and I think I’m going to take the plunge soon enough.
there are always so many great reads highlighted for the week that sometimes I don’t know where to begin. glad to see a site that actually works to improve the lives of its members and not serve to bring them down like so many that you continually see cropping up on the web
Very informative articles as always. I never get tired of reading the posts here. Thanks.
That article about kids wanting to play with kids of their own ethnicity is so full of crap. I work with young kids every day and they do not see that there are those kinds of differences until the parents and adults in their lives begin to point these things out. Kids are blissfully ignorant when it comes to issues of race until they are tainted by society.
A lot of articles are interesting this week. But the one that caught my attention the most was the one about how texting can help in quitting smoking. At last there is some benefit of texting, something that is otherwise always blamed as a waste of time.
A good article on how obesity affects mental health is what has prompted me to reply here and why I’m replying is to say thank you because most people just don’t understand how it is to be obese. It’s not like we choose to be. And for those of you saying-well can’t you control your eating habits-well,there are a LOT of reasons for people to be obese and things may well be out of our control!
It was an eye-opening experience to read about veterans and suicide. Most of us don’t even think much of these individuals who put their entire lives on the line for us. And to know that they are not only threatened in the war zone but even off it is depressing.
I find a lot of useful information that can be implemented in our daily lives from your blog. I have already referred it to a few friends and thank you for the great site.
Well suited articles for the fourth of July weekend…Very informative and thought-provoking…
there’s just so much promise in mindfulness therapy that I would call it the one-therapy-solves-all solution…there’s just so many things that can gain help from mindfulness therapy…and still every other day we hear of a new thing that it can help with…!
The one on binge drinking was a real surprise to me. Not that I indulge in binge drinking but I was shocked to know it affects not only your physical health but mental earth as well. I am sure there are a lot of people who do not know about it and hence the more people that read about it the better.
‘do anti-prejudice messages cause prejudice?’ was an interesting read because it explored something that not a lot of us would have pondered over.and the answer to that question is not a constant but would have to be yes sometimes and no at other times.it depends on how the message is beig put across n also on the recipient.
Air pollution related news really hit me.I mean there really isn’t much we can do to prevent it or protect ourselves when were out and about. So what can we do when outdoors?
top challenges to mental health is a very important topic and the more the number of people know about it the better it is.
@ ‘Stereotypes Still Keep Women from Leadership Roles’:
It feels terrible that even today after all d advancements and everythin we still ve these archaical mindsets that prevent some people from gettin what they deserve coz of them being a woman or due to some other reason that has nothing to do with merit even remotely.Its true that d deserving are not on top and that we are yet to defeat this sexist demon from within us as a society.
“Researchers Say Liars Can’t Completely Suppress Facial Expressions” -> It was a good read and I agree with the things said in the article that is linked. Also, with regard to the title -> It is true, dont you think? I’ve had many experiences like this where I am able to decipher that the person in front of me is lying just by observing their facial expressions. At least one positive of your hair greying I guess ;)
The article on stressed pregnant mothers serves as a good reminder for pregnant women to take care of themselves while they are pregnant and for those around them to avoid giving any sort of stress or tension to such women. A little ignorance in this regard can have far-fetching effects as illustrated by the article itself!
weekend is always GoodTherapy time for me…I gain a lot by reading the things posted here and the weekly roundup is a great idea that I have been following for many months now..
How exactly does a woman struggle with breastfeeding? Not producing milk or just not being able to garner the willpower to do it? Of course you’ll dislike it at some point. Your breasts will hurt for a while and that’s perfectly normal at first when the milk’s coming in.
I have three kids, all breastfed, and I know there’s aches and pain sometimes that comes with it initially. It’s not a reason to give up though as breastfeeding does get easier. Unless that pain never stops, there’s nothing to be concerned about IMHO.
The positive teens article is going to my son’s inbox right now.he s a great kid and it will encourage him to stick to his good ways.
Great news as always…keep em coming.
That one about “sexting” laws is completely ridiculous. We have a million things to worry about in our society and instead of taking care of things that actually matter, we go after a very small minority: 17 year olds in college. In fact, we already HAVE laws regarding that kind of thing I believe!
@Myra Jones–I breastfed as well and didn’t like it. I didn’t like changing diapers either but I still did that. Nursing is just another one of the things a mother does that isn’t easy in the beginning. It’s too easy to quit and turn to formula nowadays. Parenting is as much about perseverance and learning as it is about love and teaching.
surprising to read that prescription drugs can lead to drug abuse.is this a result of mind-based addiction or body-wise?if it’s the latter there are things that can fix it I believe.but the former is a bit harder.
@Rosie: I always call bull on such numbers anyway. Who honestly gets surveyed and says “Yeah you see that chick over there? I sent her a pic of myself naked!” or vice versa. Nobody that’s who unless you’re an attention seeking idiot.
Their survey is a fabrication comprised of some teens’ wishlist imho. The teens are laughing themselves silly that the answers they gave were taken seriously.
It was interesting to read about the decline in marriage rate…Some of the views expressed were completely new for me so yes, I got a lot from reading that particular article. Keep up the good job of bringing these very-informative articles to readers like me.
Its surprising how most of these articles find their place in our daily lives.Its much better than reading about things that are not actually going to be a part of our daily lives,things that are entertaining but give us zero knowledge.It is the articles like the ones that are put up here that are truly useful and informative.
I have been visiting your site for quite a few months now and am happy to see the continued dedication to quality of the articles and any news here.
read the one on benefits of yoga with a lot of interest b’coz i’m a practitioner of yoga for quite sometime now.and I fully agree with the findings of the study.Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise not only for the body but also for mind.I think everybody should try it b’coz its not as stressing and hard as traditional workouts but still offers great benefits.
It was a bit surprising to read about painkillers.Because I use painkillers quite often and although people have told me not to pop a pill everytime I have a headache or something but I can’t stop.Does this mean I’m addicted or is it just a habit?
I never miss the weekly updates. And the reason is because these news articles help me learn so much about things that we come across everyday but never pay attention to.
off to read “When a Man’s Female Partner Become Too Buddy-Buddy with His Pals, His Sex Life May Suffer” now…this sounds like a topic that would give me trouble.I’d never want my woman to get too close or friendly with my pals…so,off I am.
A lot of these articles sound interesting. And as someone who has always been fond of reading about psychiatry,thanks a lot for this collection.Also going to check your archives.
I was reading media’s growing sexualization of women and it just stuck to me how wrongly we have all been led up until now…corrupting our minds is the one things that has constantly evolved over the years and they have done it so well!
I was shocked to read of the tanning ill effects.I like to go in for it every once in a while but a few of my friends frankly overdo it.Guess I need to caution them and advise them to research a little more on the subject.
“Narcissism May Benefit the Young, Researchers Report; But Older Adults? Not So Much” was an interesting topic to read.Strange how the same things give different results at different stages of life…Well,its not for nothing that we mature over time too…!
Taking Rudeness of Our Coworkers Home with Us is a great article that I think should be read by anyone who faces problems from co-workers.I face this issue every once in a while and the article was very informative.Thanks.
read like half the articles listed here and found them to be very interesting.guess some times it’s nice to just read about topics like these because you never know,the advice given could be useful somewhere down the line because each of these topics are very much related to what can happen in an average person’s life.
regarding the effectienes of therapy:I do not think it depends on whether your therapist likes you.because therapy is a professional thing and whether your therapist likes you or not does not come in the way of his professional conduct.
The attention given to a client would not depend on it.
Our attention levels are constantly on the decline and it is alarming to see how much ADHD prevalence is increasing in children..I find that my own attention spans have decreased over the years..What can be done about this? Please advice.
Thank you for link to the blog on fat stigma. I’ve suffered due to fat stigma my entire life and it really needs to have a change. It’s not like we choose and decide to grow fat and that we keep eating 24X7…what’s needed is not a perfect body but a beautiful heart.
Are we diagnosing ADHD too liberally? That’s the question I’m asking. Even if there are certain diagnostic criteria to determine if a child has ADHD for sure, we just pass the label around like a free sticker at the dentist an awful lot! You never heard of that when I was a child.
@Barb Fisher-I feel the same way about the upsurge in autism, Barb.
On the other hand it could be 1) that we have refined the techniques so well that the mildest of symptoms can be spotted earlier than they used to be and/or 2) more parents are taking their children to be tested earlier when they suspect ADHD thanks to increased awareness of the condition and its symptoms among parents.
@Sex differences in mental health:Although not a complete surprise, it’s quite amusing how men and women react differently to similar things and how even their body and mind behaves differently! A very useful and informative article on the whole. Thank you goodtherapy.
I wonder if the numbers not changing among Mexican children because Hispanic mothers are reputed to be far more strict when compared to American parents. The children learn to behave appropriately in spite of the ADHD because their mothers don’t take any rubbish from them nor allow their ADHD to be a “get out of jail free card” for bad behavior. Just a thought.
Bad moods at work are the reason I divorced my ex-wife. She would come home incredibly snappy and blame it on her boss being, in her words, the son of Hitler. I’m glad I left: I could say the same thing about her. She was a grown up and should have went for anger management therapy instead of coming home and being horrible to live with night after night.
As a supervisor in retail I make sure that my team has decent manners at all times and are civil to every person they talk to, young or old. It’s not right to insult or talk down to another human being, especially if you’re not their boss. Not that being their boss gives you that right either!
Treat others as you would want to be treated yourself, that’s my mantra. It’s nice to be nice.
You shouldn’t need drugs for social anxieties in the first place imho. It can be hard to talk in social settings, especially to strangers. I don’t see how popping pills is going to help you very much.
What you need to do is take it all very slowly and build up your confidence at your own pace. A therapist can show you how to do so, teach you relaxation techniques and more. You will not feel rushed by the process either. I say go for the long-term fix.
I was referred to this site by a friend and from what I’ve seen for the past half an hour,all the articles here seem to be very helpful and informative. You never know when the knowledge from this could cone to your aid!
I used to be anxious all the time, but one day I just stopped giving two hoots about what everyone thought of me and started saying what I meant and exactly what I thought. My self-confidence went straight up and I made several new friends because they liked my honesty and straightforwardness.
@Star-That’s the same as saying this is exactly who and what I am. Don’t like it? Then don’t talk to me until you do.
That’s a good way to live. The ones that take you as you are won’t turn around and leave when you tell them your more interesting traits.
Any woman who worries that her friends think badly of her because of her weight needs to find new friends! Mine would never be that shallow or judgmental and if they were they would no longer be any friend of mine.
Quite a few articles on relationships there.Would love to read through them over the weekend.
The article ‘Do Men Benefit from Media’s Ideal Male Body Image?’ was something different from the ordinary.Have heard a million stories and studies on how women are affected by the media’s portrayal but first time anything about men.
Does give a fair idea about what happens in a guy’s mind.
The media goes a bit overboard on it by only showing love and attention to incredibly skinny models and none to a real woman with a real figure. I don’t think it’s to blame however. The individual chooses themselves to be swayed by such imagery. We are taught a million times growing up that beauty is on the inside.
the story ‘with age comes wisdom’ was nice to read.gonna show it to my granma and hope she feels good about herself because she says this a lot ‘with age comes wisdom’.she’s always correct,alright! :)
the link between mood and weather was quite a surprise.never imagined some people hate summer.but there is always something that would surprise us out there I guess.
not surprised reading about veterans having trouble in marriage.when your mental health is far worse than civilians at an average,marriage cannot remain far away!
I’m gonna send the link of the one on effects of alcohol to all of my alcohol-loving friends ;) haha not that I hate alcohol but some people overdo it and deserve to read about it too :D
The story on how video games may benefit soldiers was a surprise really.I have trouble keeping my ten-year old away from his Playstation.Maybe I can give it to a soldier instead ;)
Inheritance of stress was an interesting read.A new development is always interesting and finding all this resource here is great.
“Tooth Loss Three Times More Likely in Patients with Severe Mental Illness” shows a good example of how mental health and physical health are inter-connected.Most people do not know about how much the two are inter-related. I’m pretty sure if the message goes out more and more people will take care of their mental health because right now the attention that the common person pays to mental health is almost nil when compared to physical health.
the entry on child trauma n school performance was a very educative one. we need to work towards eliminating the same and sparing innocent children the pain.
After reading the article about sexual aggression in drunk men, I see the age-old problem of Dutch courage rearing its ugly head hasn’t been lost in the mists of time.
“The perpetrators who used alcohol differed from others in their strong belief that alcohol increased their sexuality and women’s interest in having sex, and they drank the most alcohol in potential sexual situations.”
Guys, take off your beer goggles or do time! That’s your choice. A drunk man slobbering all over us does not increase our interest in sex-it’s a complete turnoff! We can and will call the cops if you keep forcing the issue.
Helicopter parents are the worst kinds of parents. They get in the way of everything, are so overprotective the kid leaves home with the maturity of a ten year old, and with no knowledge of how the real world works.
It’s almost another form of neglect, wrapped up in a cute ribbon. Sending a kid out into the world so vulnerable isn’t right.
Good mention and knowledge of so many disorders this week…There always seems to be more and more to read and learn about.And this site is being a very good teacher :)
I wasnt aware of patients of PTSD receiving any favorable treatment in the law.as good as the intentions of such a thinking may be, it can always backfire.
“9/11 Ten Years On – The Health Effects on Rescue Workers” was an eye-opener really.we always speak of how the event changed the issue of security forever in our country,how it impacted the lives of the people of NY, and so on. but not once have I comes across this kind of a debate. but it is a good thing for sure. we need to be aware of and think of the people who put their lives at stake to protect ours. they are no less than soldiers, fighting a different enemy every time- fire, terrorist attack, hurricanes and what not!
Thank you for so many articles related to teens..As a mother of two teenagers I am always looking for an reading about teenagers’ behavior and other things.. :)
I like reading about the behavior of people and the reasons for it.This kind of a site seems like one that can contribute a lot to my reading habit in this domain.psychology really is vast!
its amazing how computers are coming to aid even in the field of psychotherapy. it may not be too far into the future that we will have robot-assistants for therapists who will record and recall everything the therapist needs to know about a patient’s condition,about their interaction in the previous therapy session and so on..!
surprised to know that rituals can have benefits.always thoughts rituals are kind of pointless..but I guess the old timers don’t do it without reason after all..
Concerned about the growing mental health problems in the country…What are the trends elsewhere?And most importantly,does the Government have a plan to tackle this problem?
Good to read about things that can come to aid in real life.unlike the reality tv and celeb gossip that most ppl seem to be interested in ;)
Surprised to read about the use of smartphones in scientific studies…We’ve really come a long way now haven’t we, Mr.Bell? ;)
it was nice to read about how ethnically diverse friendships are beneficial against peer victimization…I always encourage my kids to have friends from all backgrounds because I think it lets them know,learn and respect different kinds of people,cultures and practices…It also saves them from becoming a biased racist or something in the future if you ask me!
The story on magic mushrooms is what caught my attention. Seems like so many illegal things are kinda beneficial eh…? …mari…cough…wana…cough ;)
I have always believed in the old adage “you’re as old as you think you are”. I’m 65 and trust me I feel great! I feel as good as I did 15 years ago and it’s all thanks to a healthy diet and exercise thrice a week and daily walks..And it’s actually great even more because it has mental health benefits too :D
I have always advised people without company to get pets because in all these years of my association with pets I have realized that they can be great for a lonely person.I am happy to read that the professionals believe the same and the benefits of pets are now being spread to more and more people.
@Genetic link to suicide:This has me worrying..two of my uncles have committed suicide and I’m depressed on a regular basis. I DO NOT want to go down the same road as them. What should I do other than to seek help for depression?
Constantly being educated with all the wonderful articles here..Enjoying the journey, thanks a lot and please dont stop these awesome and educative articles!
good article on how being materialistic can create problems.it is one truth of life that has always been hard to explain certain people.good thing that the experts have spoken on this.
good articles on your site as usual but I was kinda surprised to read about how a gloomy economy could encourage men to seek more partners.It is something I’m sure most of us wouldnt have expected,but really this should not be a cover for cheats!
“Antidepressant-Induced Mania Similar to Bipolar Disorder”:This is a little scary.I’m not on anti-depressants myself but a friend of mine is.And for all the people that are dependent on antidepressants,this should be a red light.Pharmaceuticals have never come without side-effects and this is something that is sure to affect a whole lot of people.
@”Depressed Teens Listen to Heavy Metal Music in Unhealthy Way”
Nice method to say that lovers of metal have a problem.why can’t people live with the fact that different people have different likes and that metal is not evil,its just something that is a passion for some people!
There’s just so much to learn about our own minds and thinking and everything that comes with it.it seems so simple when its all happening in our mind but there is just so many things working behind the scenes! Very interesting to read the articles that come up here week after week.
whenever there are disasters,be they natural or otherwise,we all pay attention to the victims’ physical health and any injuries that they might have sustained…but really, we also need to look at their mental health too.its like an internal injury isnt it?invisible but present nevertheless…needs support but not given importance..now is the time to change.health is not just physical,it has to include both physical and mental health.
Was interestin’ to read bout how relationship wid teachers can help kids.so often it happens that little things matter a lot;but it also means tht we can fix those things with a lil effort.
“Zombies may well be popular today because they speak to a similar feeling of powerlessness shared by many members of our society.” That hits the nail on the head! I’ve never known a time in my life when I’ve felt so less in control of my own destiny. This shaky economy is more frightening the longer it goes on.
Of course zombies are popular. It’s like looking in a mirror. The vulnerable are overtaken by dark forces and powerless to stop it. Why do you think movements like Occupy Wall Street continue to gain strength and momentum? It’s because the little guy is tired of being a pawn of corporate greed and saying enough is enough.
I’m not surprised they think joking around with your kids helps you teach them life skills. Children learn much through playfulness and the lessons stick with them for life in a positive way, certainly more so than it does when parents lay down the law and are serious all the time.
That’s why we have nursery rhymes and toddlers learn things like “one, two, three four five, once I caught a fish alive” which aids their counting. Action rhymes are especially memorable. I can still remember ones I learned at my father’s knee word for word and teach them to my grandchildren.
And yet I can walk from the kitchen to the bedroom and have no idea what I’m in there for. Go figure. :)
Face it, you simply can’t keep a good zombie down! LOL.
Haven’t any of these supersmart reseachers considered that good old fashioned horror character cliches like zombies or vampires will never go out of fashion? They need to stop reading into this hot trend as being more than it is. It’s entertainment for the sake of it.
For as long as there are teen horror movie goers (and boys who want an excuse to hold their girls tight), there will be zombies. And vampires, and things that go bump in the night. Happy Halloween!
@British Appetite for Zombies-Seems like a passing trend.Some people are reading too much into this.Its more like theres a fixation to it more than anything else.
True horror fans know that horror subgenres rise and fall in popularity. Vampires were all the rage there for a long time thanks to the incredibly successful Twilight series. Now that trend’s waning and it’s time for a new kid in town.
Many writers thought it would be werewolves this time around and apparently were wrong. Zombies are coming out top of the heap. Be afraid, be very afraid. ;)
I LOVE to goof around with my kids. If I’d known how much fun it was, I would have been doing it more long ago. This is my second marriage and I have two boys, 2 and 4. My only regret from the first marriage is that I spent too much time working all hours compared to playing. With my kids from that are now all grown up, it’s too late to experience that same joy.
My daughter is enthralled by “Knock, knock” jokes at the moment. She’s at the age where she’s beginning to understand wordplay and delights in sharing them with anybody and everybody.
It amazes me how kind adults are about indulging her, even complete strangers on a bus or the waitresses in a cafe or wherever. She always gets an enthusiastic “Who’s there?” response, and all to hear a joke they probably heard millions of times before.
The real joy is in her telling of it and seeing her excited anticipation of a big laugh when she delivers the punchline. :) She expands her repertoire with “Your turn!” so she’s never short of material LOL.
@raphael: You’re wise and lucky to have a second chance there to do that with your new wife and family. If I’d known children would become so surly so fast I would have made the most of it as well. I used to do silly things with my boy too- we’d team up to play practical jokes on his mom or try catch each other out, harmless funny stuff like that-until the day my oldest didn’t laugh. He said I was being lame and he didn’t want to do it anymore. He was 10.
I don’t want to be that dad that the son’s embarrassed to be seen with, so I quit all the silly stuff. I think miss it more than he does.
If the teaching environment is more on the relaxed side, it’s easier for children to absorb the lesson I feel. Placing undue pressure upon them only serves to increase their anxiety. When you’re anxious, it’s not as easy to focus your attention as it is when you’re not.
@AlexB–Ouch, that must have hurt. Hugs to you. You said he was the oldest. If he doesn’t want to be included, so be it. Let it be at that. But what about your other children? Don’t deny them all the fun just because he feels he’s grown out of tomfoolery! Chances are when he sees you playing the fool with them he’s going to be interested again, and if not that’s okay too. Do it for them AND you. :)
1 in 67 attempt suicide in Rhode Island? Wow. I would have thought it would be higher in smog-filled, depressed, poor areas and not one as beautiful, vibrant and scenic as that. It just goes to show you never can tell what folks are thinking underneath.
I firmly believe in teaching children from a young age how important being able to laugh is, and especially at yourself and your mistakes! It’s easier to get through life if you can keep a sense of humor about it. Don’t sweat the small stuff or take yourself too seriously, that’s my motto.
Rural communities are certainly not immune to suicide attempts whatever any of you may think. Country living can be very boring and not the romantic scenario many city dwellers imagine. They think they will love the quiet and the isolation and then it turns out once they get here that what they hate is the quiet and the isolation they once craved.
Couple that with higher unemployment rates and poor job prospects as there are less businesses. It’s not as easy a life to adjust to as some think, even if you’re a country boy/girl born and bred.
The story on asthma patients is a good example of how illness can change your complete outlook and make you different from what you originally were.just another reason to be as supportive to such people as possible,folks!
Whatever age you are, there will be trials and tribulations. I taught my daughters that it’s possible to have fun and put your best foot forward at the same time. You can find humor in most places if you look for it and it sure will help reduce any stress you’re feeling.
Taking life too seriously is a quick path to ulcers and other physical issues. Lead by example and demonstrate by your actions that it’s okay for grownups to have fun too!
What the Heck do zombies have to do with feeling powerless exactly? People like to shoot zombies because people like to play games, and the idea of a few helpless people against an entire hoarde of the undead just makes for good cinema. Secondly, who doesn’t enjoy a good zombie movie?
Kids are the best stress relievers on the planet! When I’m feeling in a slump I take my nine year old niece out for a treat. We go shopping in the mall and have our nails done while we’re there, then go for ice cream.
Her incessant chatter and infectious laugh are a tonic! We giggle and joke all day long. She has all her life to get serious. I hope she doesn’t grow out of her crazy auntie anytime soon. :)
Second week I’ve come to this site and thank you for all the news stories in the field of psychotherapy-It really gives an insight into how people’s psychology works and also the developments in the treatment part of this field.
@John A. Wilson: I’m sure one of the logics of it is that zombies are slow and lumbering, making for easy targets and it gives a sense of empowerment. As a gamer I can tell you off the bat that’s rubbish. Watch a single YouTube video of Left 4 Dead, arguably the best zombie survival game out there, and you’ll see that one of the most popular games in the genre is very atypical.
Interesting facts on divorce trends there..Was informative and thank you for the link up to the news piece!
being a music fan of almost all genres it was heartening to read that even science agrees that music is beneficial.many noted people throughout history have asserted the same and its great that we now have scientific facts and results to back it up now.
“Celebratory Violence Increases Fan Identification with Teams”
All those people are just hooligans not fans if you ask me! I mean, is that how you display your love for your team? I don’t think so. Its nothing more than an I-have-a-chance-to-do-something-to-public-property that triggers it all. These people are sadists who just don’t care about anybody or anything, not even their ‘beloved’ team!
Any drug will increase your schizophrenia problems, especially if you already have them. If you take things that mess with your brain of course you can expect such problems to worsen! That’s why it makes no sense to do so.
@ If you’re stupid enough to use meth you deserve everything that happens to you. There are much safer drugs out there that won’t completely destroy you. My brother did meth and it ruined his life. Meanwhile I regularly smoked marijuana when I was younger and kept both a job and a roof over my head. Keep away from the hard stuff if you want to live your life, not lose it.
Sleep paralysis is really you dreaming about being paralyzed. It’s still a scary experience though and feels very real. Next time you think you’re paralyzed, attempt to turn on a light and I guarantee you it will not work. Our brains cannot properly render light in our imaginations, so you know then you’re only dreaming about being paralyzed.
@Bert Leonard: Half the time I have sleep paralysis I’m not even in my own bed until I wake up. I know all about it, have experienced it, and you’re right.
Those scientists should be using their funds for more meaningful investigations, like how to cure cancer or depression. Sleep paralysis studies are the equivalent of one night stands: fun while they last but nothing about them is going to change the world.
The link on the smoking prevention story was a valuable resource and I just hope they can figure something out.I have been an active anti-smoking volunteer for a long time and it really surprises,amazes and hurts me that people smoke so much knowing fully well that 400,00 people die of it EVERY YEAR!
Amazing how a tiny little gene can mess things up for a person.It would be great if there was a way to determine the same during a pregnancy and fix it for the baby so as to prevent an ill ess later on.Anydevelopment in this sphere?
Really not seeing the volunteer thing working unless the drug use stems from them feeling hopeless and lacking in any good feelings altogether. I know I could be tempted to try drugs if I felt my life sucked badly enough.
@Kirk Saunders: Everyone underestimates the good feelings helping those less fortunate than yourself gives you. It’s not the same as getting high of course. On the BIG plus side, it won’t ruin your life or get you arrested. Individuals should do it more often-we could sure use the help in all the shelters.
not surprised at the report about introverts having health problems.staying like that would be so choking!just cannot imagine how people live with that.being an introvert itself may not be bad but how can someone really go through their everyday life like that when everybody is only looking to be the best possible and outgoing to benefit themselves!
So I guess I have to agree with my teen son who is always gaming when he says gaming does improve his concentration and certain other skills…who would have thought about that!
Was interesting’ reading bout family resemblance..Anybody can say its coz of genetics but the article gave a gud insight into d issue..Thnx.
Its true about girls feeling more hurt when friends say something.I have been through that very feeling a lot of times and its just not pleasant.Amazing how guys can walk away from such thing with little hurt!
Surprised to read about gaming having benefits. But in any case, is it really worth all the hours that so many youngsters spend on it? How about all the radiations from the screen, the lack of activity and basically the lack of interaction in the real world? Does the benefit of creativity outweigh all of these disadvantages?!
Meditation has really turned ‘off’ all the stress in me and I cannot tell you enough about how much of an impact it has had on my life.Good to read an article about meditation here and I just hope more people try to to discover what they are really missing right now!
news of a different kind- very interesting. a new visitor here and I have to say I really like the articles mentioned here and look forward to reading more in the future.
Enjoyed reading the articles on videogames and PTSD in the policeforce..Keep ‘em coming great articles that have a lot of knowledge and info!
The myth about men thinking of sex all the time is so very wrong.Happy to see that it has finally been debunked.A lot of men believe this too and I just hope the message is spread about how false this really is.
Religious services have helped me cope with a lot of things that have happened in the past few years.I don’t know what I would have done without that kind of a support mentally.It really does help,the youngsters need to look into it.
as someone who would hate to sit down in a room and talk about the most closely held things with a therapist I think adventure therapy offers a unique opportunity to go through therapy and still not feel un-comfy. but the point about it being for men is a little displaced. why can’t women have adventure therapy??
@G.B. Thomas–That’s all well and good if you can afford to be like that, but in these times everyone wants to get paid for what they do whether it’s feeding the homeless, pushing papers, or donating blood.
I don’t blame them one bit. As a full-time worker and a parent I do not have time or energy to do volunteer work. Everything I do revolves around earning money to support my family – everything. If I ever get rich and retire, that’s when I’ll volunteer. I’d like to help but don’t see how I could before that day comes.
I never did believe that men did nothing but think about sex all day long anyway. If they did, they would have no time to fit in beer and sports too. ;)
@travis maitland-You may not be physically able to go there and help now or do anything that’s not earning you money as you say. That’s understandable. How about giving two minutes at your desk once a week or even just once? If you’re willing to do that then lobby your governor or congressman about increasing funding for local shelters and other deserving groups instead. One email would take you two minutes and the representatives all have email contact details on their respective websites or a contact form.
I hope that nobody out there is incapable of finding two minutes in their week to help the most vulnerable of society. You can make a difference with the smallest of steps.
“Teen Smoking And Drinking Drops, Marijuana Consumption Rises”
Now lets go out there and spread more hysteria about this ‘evil drug’!
Obesity in children is a dangerous trend that could just consume more and more children in the coming years. It is more serious than many people think it is and I believe it needs quick attention from our health policy makers.
Attitudes about aging is an important lesson to each one of us. Aging is an unavoidable(well until we find a solution)process that is continuous as well as universal.We do not have to imagine that we will not be as useful or feel like we lose value. Aging has to happen and will happen but let’s us not bow down to it
A lively exercise regime combined with healthy habits can let us live our later years in a way very similar to the best. Cheers to our older years !
Surprised to read the one on how we can multitask.Always seems to fail for me though…!
@ “Elderly Can Be As Fast As Young In Some Brain Tasks”:
Way to go older folk! I find it disgusting that some people treat older people like they are unproductive or slow.Well,they were PRODUCTIVE and have EARNED their leisureful life now. Deal with it fellas!
Good topics to read here..lots of information in these articles.and lastly a happy new year to everyone.
It was interesting to read the one on small psychological studies. With jus so many studies comin out nowadays n conflicting findings sometimes it can be hard even for professionals to decipher things for certain.We need a concrete way to go about such studies and maybe even stipulations that each study needs to adhere to!
read about a lot of new things from news stories here.didn’t know toddlers couldn’t hear themselves until now…did u?
Blogs may reduce stress in kids? Yeah, only if they are of the right kind and not in praise of some celebrity who are not even real role models!
an avid reader of the weekly roundup.well rounded articles yet again and a happy new year to one and all!
@Marital problems:Whoa, that really is something to watch out for for all those in a relationship.Seems like heart disorders are only going to increase,looking at how much divorces have jumped up!
‘Discrimination and health’-Not too surprised to see coordinated processes leading from one to the other.And the message should now be clear-Discrimination is not just an act of differentiation but could even be defined as abuse.
“Alcohol Lights Up Brain’s Pleasure Centers”
No doubt about it.But moderation is the name of the game. Cheers! :D
Some kids with autism actually display a lot of interest in certain activities and although these are usually not conservatively viable for employment parents need to encourage the same. Reading the post on how autistic kids are being helped by the usage of software brought a smile to my face.
Genes influence criminal activity? Well maybe if something scientific says so.But it’s not like you’re not in control.Its not like you can brand people as prospective criminals just because of genetics.And the main reason?The power of choice that exists under our control.
@Sign Of Autism Can Be Seen In Infants:A good development if it can be used efficiently.It can give a headstart to treatment of all such kids.
I’m always forgetful and my friends joke that I would have Alzheimer’s soon…Not that I was scared about it but this just gives me some scientific backing for my beliefs ;)
articles covering a variety of things, always nice to read these and quickly learn of the latest developments in the field.thank you for the coverage.
About the seemingly harmless discrimination-I’ve always felt that way.No kind of discrimination,even when done as a joke,is good and will hurt the one at the receiving end at some point of time.They may not show it but it does hurt them,so watch your words.
we need to do everything we can to educate and make young girls aware of weight and body issues.little girls now ‘diet’ after having seen a billboard of their favorite model or actor.and this is certainly not a healthy trend.
@Overtime Increases Risk for Depression and Anxiety in Women:
This is a worrying finding.The fact that most women who would opt for overtime are from economically backward section makes the matters even worse.They are exposed to a lot of depression and other mental health problems due to their economic background to begin with and when they try to make more money by working overtime it further deteriorates the same :(
Very concerned about groups such as the LGBT community,people who others see as DIFFERENT.hard to believe such thinking exists even in 2012.
And the fact that it can harm them in ways that could take their lives is just horrible.
“Bullies, Victims 3 Times More Likely to Have Suicidal Thoughts”
Hmm surprised to see that both the victims and perpetrators suffer from [problems.But then again the perpetrators could have had the problems since before and it could be a reason for the bullying and not the cause of it,as is the case in victims I’d imagine.
I really like that first article that talked about how music brings out positive emotions in listeners. So true! When I am having a particularly bad day I like to put in my ipod and listen to all of my music that I love. That automatically makes the day better!
There were so many great reading materials listed, and I have to say that I got a lot of quite useful info from everything that I read.
“Girls’ Self-Evaluations Influence Depression and Anxiety”
You know this has always been so true.The fact that their self evaluation is now so constantly being influenced what what others say and do is the worrying part though.
so many times I’ve heard that music can evoke positive emotion and that it can help overcome depression but is the opposite true too? could some types of music have negative effects too?
I did not remember seeing the article about how brain chemistry can make a difference in how different minds respond to different drugs and how this could be of particular importance when treating those with addictions. How true! It seems that we often get into this mindset that if something works for me then it will work for you too and this is obviously not true. Each person’s recovery process will be different therefore how they respond to different drugs should be different too. I suppose we all just need a little reminder of that every now and then.
Happiness:It’s not in the jeans
I feel great in denims, mood may influence the color of my tee or other things but jeans are the way to go for me. Why isn’t personal choice considere here?
I shared that article about internet gambling and teens with my sister because I think that my nephew might have a problem with this.
I hear him talking about gambling online all the time and I worry about where he gest the money to cover all of that.
But they just choose to look the other way, but I’m really scared that he is going to get in over his head.
As always enjoyable reading
The one about trans fats-It is present in a lot of junk food which is consumed by a lot of young people is it not? Why are our foods becoming hosts to problems more and more?
I really enjoyed the link to the article about middle school teachers, and that when they exhibit empathy and kindness toward their students that they can make a real impact on whether or not their students make the decision to start taking drinks. Classroom teachers DO have an influence over their students whether they like it or not.
With the ever increasing incidences of lung cancer, how on earth could you feature a link to an article about smoking helping to encourage self control? I did not even read it I was so offended.
@Red Meat Found to Be a Good Mood Food:often heard about how bad red meat is and now this.will we ever have conclusive findings about foods?
I had to have my sister in law read the article regarding autism and whether or not this is an epidemic. She has two young boys, both of whom have been diagnosed as mildly autistic, and while it is comforting for them to have a diagnosis, it is also kind of disheartening too, because all she can think about now is that they will not have a normal life, or at least not necessarily the life that she and my brother had dreamed for them. I don’t know that the reading made her feel any better but at least it kind of lets her know that they are not alone in this fight.
adhd overdiagnosed? absolutely! just an excuse for parents and their kids looking for an easy answer
A link between fast food and depression huh?
How about this might be jumping to conclusions?
There could be a whole hoset of factors that would seemingly link these two things together which may or may not mean that the two are actually related to one another. It could be nothing more than the fact that depressed people often gravitate toward these kinds of fatty foods as they think that this is something that would help them feel better. Or maybe it is more of a socio economic factor. I don’t know, but it seems too loose a link to me to point to the two things together, that they definitively go hand in hand
Are we at all surprised that no one wants to fork over the dough to prevent mental illness in the same way that they will for other diseases? This is still such a taboo subject for many people that we even shy away from just talking about it except in thos sympathetic hushed tones.
The link between fast food and depression cannot be false.Its for everyone to see the physical condition of regular fast food consumers and it has been proven enough that there is a relation between your physical health and mental health.
Direct and indirect relations-something for our lawmakers to ponder over, dont you think? Oh I’m sorry, I forgot to take into consideration about what has been happening in the case of tobacco!
brain pacemaker? um, don’t count me in on that one
As a small business owner I would beg to differ regarding the article about why men and women start businesses.
We are all in it for the money. And maybe the women get more in the way of social value out of the experience but in the end we all went into our trade for the money.
I find very few people who say that they started up something that is as hard as keeping up and running like a small business to make friends. There are easier ways to make friends than that.
“Keep Aging Brains Sharp: Brain Games, Exercise and Diet Help Prevent Cognitive Slide” would be a nice article to pass on to my parents back home who are just starting to face the effects of aging since the past few months.hope to always see them be able to do things on their own, and they like it that way too.
I love the roundup- thank you for taking the time each week to highlight articles that you think will be of even more interest to readers than those that you normally post on a daily basis. In addition to the ones I read during the week this is the chance to catch up on some other reading that I may have missed, and you just never know what other kind of info you will find.
I am the QUEEN of ultitasking so that article was right up my alley!
I don’t feel right if I don’t have at least 20 projects going on at one time!
Every parent should read the article cited here on bullying and cyberbullying. As a matter of fact, maybe the school counselors should begin doing more educating the parents about what bullying really is. I think that kids have a pretty good grasp of what constitutes bullying- they may not be ready to say it when it is being directed toward them, but they definitely know and see when it is going on.
On the other hand there are far too many parents who are oblivious when their child is being bullied or also when their kids are the ones tormenting someone’s child. They will say it is all being done in jest and to pay no attention to it. But it is not that simple anymore. Kids are being hurt emotionally and physically, and in the most chilling cases are losing their lives, either by their own hand or that of the bullies.
I realize that mo amiunt of education is automatically going to stop the behavior from either side; but it will at least force us to take a good hard look when it is happening and try to do something to stop the behavior before one more child gets harmed.
I am always so excited when I see some new articles highlighted here that I did not necessarily see during the past week. This is always such an informative way to learn about the new topics swirling around the industry, and I always walk away, even if with more questions, even more informed and enlightened.
Accupuncture over counseling? Not me.
My husband will be so happy to hear that vet affairs is upping the number of mental health pros on the payroll. He suffers from PTSD from his time in Vietnam but for a long time he was not able to get the help that he needed, that we needed, because we felyt like the govt was brusing off his illness, like they thought that if they did not talk about it or give him somebody to talk to that it would go away. Obviously we all know that this is not true, his symptoms only got worse over time til we finally had to cough up the $ ourselves and finally was able to get reimbursed some of it. I would not trade getting him treatment because it helped both of us immensely but it was a pain having to fight that battle in the first place. He was owed so much more that that and it is so good to know that now, maybe, more vets will have access to this care that so many of them desperately need.
Just because there was not a traumatic event in a child’s life does not mean there is no risk for schizophrenia.
This is a disease that knows no boundaries when it comes to who is affected.
so many great finds, now I just need a good rainy day to catch up on it all! ;)
I could really relate to this weeks article about eating disorders and how certain events can trigger those for certain people. I am one of those gals for whom my eating disorder has follwed me at various points of my life. I have been on and off the wagon, but every time when I feel like I’ve beaten it, something else comes along that shows me that I am really not cured of it at all. I want to be free of this, but there is always something that holds me back from letting go of that destructive behavior, and I have yet to figure out exactly what it is that keeps me on this path.
Say it ain’t so!
Prozac saved my life I’m convinced of it!
Why now, after all the years of promoting it and saying how effective it can be at helping with depression are researchers now only talking about the harm in the product.
I am sticking by my assertion thoughn no matter what the naysayers say!
I don’t know who these women are that you found don’t like to exercise outside, because girls you don’t know what you are missing! There are days when my walks or runs are my Therapy, my time for me to unwind and clear my head,. That is not anything that you can experience in some loud gym with machines and tvs going! If outdoor exercise is not a part of your life then I encourage you to make today the day that you give it a try. I am telling you, there is nothing that is any better for you! Of course there are days that I don’t want to do it, but I tell myslef how much better I know I will feel afterwards, and you knwo what? It never lets me down.
@ashley c, you know you raise such a good point about the gym, because I am always wondering what others are thinking about me and the way I look when really the only thing that I need to be doing is paying attention to taking care of myself. Maybe being outside would take away all of that pressure so I can just get on with my business and doing what I need to do without being sucked into the tv or the negative thoughts that I have about myself already when I think that someone is laughing at me.
Surprised 2 read bout anti depressants..have had many ppl around me use it at different times do its bothering me a lil bit..v need alternatives then..while there might b many in d medical field,what r d best of them accordin to d specialist? Anyone?
outdoor exercise is just great.i gives you the benefit of not just exercise but also fresh air,sunlight and basically a feeling of and all the benefits of being close to the nature.i would suggest everybody to take it up, it feels great too.
Good informative articles as always.Educative to put it the right way.
Aha! Now I have proof! Myhusband was two weeks past due when he was born- it set him up for a lifetime of partying hard and being a bad boy. But he can’t see this- it will become his new excuse for bad behavior ;)
I just finished reading the piece on foster childredn and the use of medications among this population. I know that many of them probably need it, goodness knows what kinds of things they have had to be a witness to in their lives. I am a little concerned though that they continue to get the appropriate follow up care than anyone who is on any type of medication would need. Please don’t put them on something and then leave it as is. We all need a little tweaking with dosing etc from time to time and these children are no different. I just hate to see something that could be positive for them turned into something that could instead be detrimental.
The Parkinson’s piece hit home for me because my dad is struggling with that right now.’ The meds help most of the time but there are others times when the tremors are so bad that it is painful to be with him, especially as he knows it is happening and can do nothing to stop them. I know that whatever research comes along now can’t help slay the monster for him, but if it could help another then that is something to look forward to.
@Financial Stress Emerges as Significant Risk Factor for Suicide:
Something for all of us to take note of in times of financial worry. Money is important yes, but never let it control your life. It can be hard but really, money does not guarantee happiness and if anything, it brings in a lot of worry if you ask me!
Isn’t it odd how a drug like those for hbp could even be considered as a treatment for PTSD? I mean, how does anyone ever even get the idea to perform that study? I would never think of that.
As a soccer dad, I am a firm believer that my own kids’ involement in organized sports has had a wonderfully positive effect on them. They are happy with themselves and school and their friends, and overall seem much better adjusted than many of their middle school peers. I think that being involved in sports from a very early age has not only kept them in better physical shape, but has also allowed them to be in a better place mentally. They feel good about who they are and the things that they have accomplished and that makes me one proud papa.
Teens?!Painkillers?! WTH?!
I loved the article about identifying with fictional characters and how this could affect your life-
I give my girlfriend a hard time cause she is so Twilight mad you would think she is actually in love with this perpetually young 18 year old vampire!
I read the article about being addicted to Facebook, and I have to say that now I am convinced that most of the people in my life probably are. I hate it when some of my friends can’t even get through dinner without checking their Facebook, updating their status, etc. Surely I am not the only one who sees how much this has fundamentally changed society (and not necessarily for the better) and how much some people have let this one little site (ok huge) overtake their lives. The first time this happens that you can’t make it an hour without checking to see what’s going on in Facebook land, just face up to it that you have a problem and step away from the computer.
don’t like the idea of a blood test for predicting post natal depression: kind of labeling? maybe wrongly?
I have to say that I enjoyed all of the submissions a good bit this week, and I was intrigued by the Chinese herb reputed to help curb binge drinking. But I am a little skeptical because it is not something that will be readily available to consumers, and most college age students who would eb the ones to engage in this sort of behavior are not going to be the ones who would seek this out. Could it work as an alternative to traditional therapy? I am sure that it probably could help some people, and if it was a little more widely available then perhaps a good many more could benefit. But right now I would have to think that continued research is needed and continuing to stress the message that binge drinking like this could cause a lot more damage than perhaps these drinkiers are aware of.
Oh no! I have a terrible sweet tooth! Am I destined to be stupid?
That is something very interesting about the red flag for autism markers in infants. I thought that autism did not typically present itself until around 18 months to 2 years old.
I was excited to learn that in most cases that have looked into there is a far lower rate of PTSD in our Afghanistan and Iraq soldiers than we once would have thought.
Given how many tours many of these soldiers have had to face I would have assumed that a good many of them would be suffering from PTSD and other things that would make returning to civilian life even more difficult.
But it seems that this is not necessarily the case with this group of soldiers and I think that is something that we can all be so thankful for.
Good interesting info here,definitely gonna share it.
There is a program that was supposed to be designed to help marriages in the US? Since when is that anyone’s business but the marriage partners?
@”Distress of Child War and Sex Abuse Victims Halved by New Trauma Intervention”:
Its sad that there are still children who suffer from war crimes and sexual abuse even though we have made so much progress in all fields.
But I was happy to read of this new intervention technique because it seems really promising and if there is anything we can do to help these kids then we should not step back.
Again, another article that points to evidence that the mother experiencing sickness and fever during pregnancy COULD lead to the development of autism later on.
But agai, nothing conclusive.
Who’s to say that these children would not have become autistic anyway, even if mom had not had a fever?
There seems to be a whole lot of grasping for straws instead of the definitive.
great stuff to read and learn here on your site..and the weekly round ups are a good way to know of the best developments.
I perused the bit on new guidelines re: treating and understanding substance abuse and have to say that I was most interested in the work.
I know that there are a lot of heavy people who do not wantt to hear this, but you do have control over how fat or thin you are.
Yeah, your mom and dad and every family member that you have my be overweight, but that does not mean that this is your destiny, too.
As a child, you might not have a lot of choices as to what you eat.
but as an adult, you are in control, or yiu have the ability to be in control.
Why not use that control for something good, like getting your body to a healthy place?
questionable research methods are common? makes me think twice about pretty much anything that I read now!
It always surprises me when I see an article like the one here on the diabetes drugs that could help traumatic brain injury. I always wonder how scientists could even figure out they might could help? It is just stunning how sometimes they stumble onto something like that that you never would have thought before and now it could dramatically change lives/
I read these new guidelines on curbing childhood aggression, and great, fine, there are some new pointers for how to better manage this kind of behavior. But I would like to know where this kind of aggression and anger comes from in so many children? Don’t you think that for many of them it is all about the things that they are being exposed to at home that are causing so much of this? And that maybe a best all encompassing guideline would be to keep them away from violent imagery and activities to begin with?
Surprising to hear about one drug helping a different disorder every now and then…Is it something to be happy about or should we think why the newly discovered property of the drug remained under the radar until now…?
Antioxidats for autism?
Not a bad slogan
I know this will sound crazy, but I think that my dog Freckles realizes I am sick even before I sometimes do!
He gets all whiny and scoochy with me a few days even before I exhibit any symptoms of sickness.
When he gets like that I just go ahead and start taking some vitamin c because I know that cold is coming on.
what does it mean to be cool?
how about not caring about what it means to be cool
telephone delivered care sounds like a good thing for depressed people.and the resin why it has shown to have lower drop out rates could be because it doesn’t really have a schedule to stick to or go to some place.schedules and the feeling of ‘going for treatment’ is never good for someone who is already depressed!
This is the first I have read anything about a vaccine for Alzheimers. Any ideas about how long before this is deemed safe for the general public and more widely available for use?
I guess I have bee living in a hole but I did not even know that you could get therapy via the phone!
But after reading this, I looked into it a little more, and I guess if you find yourself the right provider then it could work.
I can see that for some people this is probably the best option for them when it comes to pursuing care, because with whatever they are dealing with they may not even be able to leave the house.
Very encouraging for all patients, even those that are the most adamant against getting help, that the dropout rate is lower, so they can at least know that this could increase their chances of getting better and sticking to it.
I really liked the article in regards to breaking the behavior of bullies. Too many times, they see the fear that they bring to others and they like it. They see it in the adults that they deal with and certainly in the prey that they seek out. One thing that I have noticed is that you have to show these bullies that you are not afraid of them, that they do not hold any power over you. Once that perception of power is lost then typically they will move on to the next victim, who will hopefully continue that chain and show him too that the power he once held is gone.
good informative stuff..I especially like the articles on our veterans and combat forces..needs a lot of attention from everybody in our country..we always think about how we are doing so much for the ‘betterment’ of those countries where we have an active presence but we also need to see how it is affecting the forces of our country..not only monetarily but also health wise.
I don’t understand why the NFL continues to allow players to go on the field when they have suffered serious brain injuries from concussions. We now know they affect everyone differently- one person may really show the signs while someone else may not. If the NFL knows this now, then why do they still let this happen?
I sure do wish that more people would stop worrying so much about being cool and would just worry more about being a good person.
Great reading about pet dogs.Its great to have a friend who will not see you as a competition, for a change ;)
I have known for a long time that as an employee I am far more motivated by rewards than I am by threats from above.
Sure do wish that the idiots in management knew that!
I just read the article about suicide rates among young Indians and I am stunned.
I grew up in an area with a lot of immigrants from the Indian sub continent and I have to tell you that these are the families that we envied, that always looked like they had it all together!
Growing up in such poverty has to take a toll on those who choose to stay at home, and seeing no chance for improvement has to make life feel almost stagnant.
Thanks for providing the piece on childhood phobias and new treatments.
This is an ailment that is little understood but that hurts so many.
The one about rewards motivating workers more than threats couldn’t be any truer..Never has negative handling worked in any domain and caring for your workers is really the best way forward.Large corporations in particular need to understand this.
respect over money?
what about respect that comes form having money?
that’s the one i’ll take
Please tell me I am not the only one who is SO TIRED of having to have these conversations about diversity! If we were allowed to pick people who are qualified for something not because of their race or their religion but as a result of their hard work and experience, and we could all just come to terms with the fact that sometimes this may not reflect society as a whole, then why not just be happy and satisfied with that? I would much rather have someone who can do the job instead of always having to worry about this hire or this fire may make my diversity numbers look.
The only reason I visit is for the weekly updates and I’m not disappointed.Thank you for all the great updates you bring to us week after week.
Are we seriously looking at adding even more meds to patients regimens that are already heavy on medications?
It’s true! I knew it! I have always told everyone that just looking at a piece of cake makes me gain 5 pounds, and see? It stimulates the appetite so I go out and eat it!
I have always thought that there are probably parents who have lost a child who them grieve themselves to death. Very sad but true. Losing a child must feel like you have lost an extension of yourself. I think that that kind of grief is hard for most any parent to overcome.
The article regarding offenders and the need for ongoing and continuous mental health care is spot on.
Too many times I think that they are prescribed these treatment plans step by step, and then we think that once that has been completed then it is over, they are cured or at least they are well enough to be reintegrated into society.
Not the case for most of them though.
Just like any of us who have to deal with an illness it is not enough to treat it one time.
We have to remain vigilant in paying attention to the signs and take care of ourselves along the way. You have to remain proactive, and the same is true with the mental health care of these offenders.
I thought that facebook was making us feel bad about ourselves- now this article tells me that it makes us feel good about ourselves?!? Can you say conflicting evidence- did Mark Zuckerberg commission that study? hahaha
Persistence from dads- funny because most of the time children spend far more time at young ages with their mothers.
@ the article on high fat foods: seems like we need new laws to ban adverts of food with all the great looking stuff they tempt us with..especially for fast food.. :D
I have always thought of the Aussies as one of the more laid back societies. Guess they are just as over worked now as the rest of us. Bummer.
I have always kind of been that person who gets that dreamy far away glaze to the eyes by the middle of the afternoon at work so stumbling across this article referencing daydreaming and how it could be good for you made me pause and read through. This is awesome! I never check out for the entire day like some of my co workers do, but after lunch I do kind of drift off a little into my own little reflection time. Not usually for long, but just enough time to breathe for a moment and psych myself up for the rest of my day. I have always been that kind of person, even when in school who needed that little but of relax time mid day and when I have had that I am typically good to go for another few hours. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it!
the one about bees was very interesting to read…just hope that can be replicated in humans with positive results…it would then be bye-bye aging…mentally at least.
alcohol increases social bonding
didn’t we know this already?
I have witnessed this upswing in anger among youth and I often wonder why. What do they have to be so angry about? They have the world at their fingertips, control of anything that they want. Again, I don’t get it that there seems to be so much angst there.
The more I see about college students wanting every little thing to be considered a disability, the more I think that this generation of students really does have some serious issues! They are always looking for that crutch to get them by, to do less and get more with doing less than ever.
I read all the highlighted articles this week, and once again was not disappointed in any of the material. Great job!
Who are these helicopter moms?
Why do they think that they should be involved in everything that their children do?
Don’t they realize that obviously they are doing harm to their children and themselves too?
uh, when I have pms the last thing that I feel like doing is going shopping!
Giving of your time to another group or individual can be such a wonderful thing. It is something that everyone can benefit from, and can provide so much good to not only someone in the community, but for you as well, as you know that the things that you are doing are making a real difference to someone.
surprised to read “Strong Ties to Community May Increase Conflicts Between Family and Work”.always thought a social support group and such ties will develop you as an individual thereby aiding the worker in you too!
How is to there to be early intervention for PTSD when typically it arises with a start, sometimes with no warning at all?
great articles, they’re a pleasure to read. Good job posting these and keep ‘em coming.
the article on memory was an intriguing one.have always had the curiosity to learn about memory and how our mind works, this article is worth sharing.
“How Does a Person’s Social Network Affect Alcohol Use?”
will be interesting to make my boyfriend read this.he’s constantly drinking due to his group of no good friends.
I understand that for many psychotherapists they crave this kind of deeper understanding, but I must admit that in the mind of a psychopath is pretty much one of the last places that I would like to be.
The one on PTSD and its intervention was an interesting read. It shows just how important prompt treatment is, and that just going in for treatment is not enough, acting quickly is an important aspect too.
Just because there is a study that shows that ritalin does not affect growth in animals, have you not seen what this does to young kids? They are always smaller than their peers.
Reading ‘Do Actors Pay a Psychological Price for Our Entertainment?’ was very interesting.
I have often wondered whether actors have this effect in them because you see some of the better actors’ performances and you think to yourself-”Hey,is this for real?” because they just act so well.
I had a great time reading most of the mentioned articles this week, but I was very sad to read that one about how poverty not only affects the way we live but also how much it can cause anxiety and more than likely even depression in moms having to raise children in that sort of environment. Not only are they having to worry about their kids, but their own mental and physical well being are at risk as well, and lives are needlessly being ruined by something that if we all chose to pitch in a little could be if not erased, at least alleviated just a little.
glad to read about negative social support to trauma survivors and how it can harm them.it should serve as a wake up call to all those who blame the victim and treat them negatively just because they were victims.such people only do harm and need to understand that if they cannot help then at least they should not make things worse for those who have already gone through a lot!
Similar sexual fantasies for men and for women?
How forward thinking!
All we ever hear is that men and women want different things out of their sex lives.
This is proof positive that this isn’t true.
We might have a few different wishes when it comes to the bedroom, but in the end I think that we all want the same thing.
We want a sttisfying sex life with someone that we love and care about.
The article regarding father son interaction should make us sit up and take notice and remember just how important it is to have two parents in the home to love and take care of their children.
I think that a lot of times men take too much of a hands off approach and they can’t continue to do that if we really want to strengthen the morals of our young men today.
I know very few senior citizens who don’t experience sleep issues. Don’t you think that it has to be something more than sleep pattersn which would keep them out of a facility later on?
Anyone who has even the slightest bit of family history of schizophrenia should read this article. It can be such a destroyer of perfectly good young minds, and such a tragedy for the families who have to see them hgo through this. I have wondered since the Aurora movie theater shootings if maybe that suspect wouldn’t have some of the beginning signs of schizophrenia.
Glad to read about mental abuse getting attention.Many parents are guilty of mentally abusing their kids.sometimes they do not even know they are abusing the child but the effects will quickly build up.being aware is the key and when blogs and other platforms start to highlight such issues it can only lead to good things.
I am an avid follower of the weekly round up. This week,I especially liked the article on workplace exhaustion and the one on relationships.Gives me a chance to see and implement things from these articles in my everyday life.
I have been a runner and interested in the benits of exercise in your life for a long time now, way before it became the trend to hop on a treadmill and run.
And I will tell you this. I was at a very low point in my own life when I started improving my body and thereby improving my whole life and outlook. I was going through a nasty divorce, had lost my job and really felt like I was losing everything in my life. Finding fitness though helped me get that back. I started to feel better about myself physically and this helped me to get to a healthier mental state too. If it worked for me, and it di, it can help other patients who have been downed from their physical injuries and illnesses. It won’t happen overnight, but I think that a lot of doctors will be amazed at just how quickly this can help you turn your life around.
“Exercise Improves Mental Health of Heart Failure Patients”
now this sounds a bit contradictory to what I have heard before.we may assume that physical activity is not recommended for those with heart problems and could even be dangerous but I think it can be turned around if done under professional supervision.the last of it is extremely important though!
Don’t we want kids to NOT play more video and computer games? And here we are giving them more video games to use to end depression? This doesn’t make sense to me. Wouldn’t you think that we could find another way to address these needs without giving them even more opportunity to play these video games? We either need to put up or shut up!
From my perspective I would say that mental abuse hurts children far more than physical abuse does. I know that when you are physically abused that there is the chance that you could get really very badly injured, but in most cases bruises will heal. You never fully recuperate though from the mean and hurtful words that someone spews at you. Those are things that you will carry with you for the rest of your life and can be so hard to leave behind in another life.
@Lying Less Linked to Better Health:
I hope this reaches all the habitual liars out there. The number of people who lie and the frequency with which they lie just astounds me!
men visiting prostitutes looking for love?that has to be some of the most unbelievable things Ive read.I dont think that can be true at all.look at the profile of people visiting them anyway!
the weekly roundup never disappoints..always brings good articles that are worth spending time on to learn of things that we may never know otherwise.
At least there’s some benefit to being truthful..Health wise benefits just cannot be quantified and this should actually become an inspiration for people to speak the truth..Oh the lengths people go to lie nowadays it just surprises me at times!
Worried to be reading so much about kids developing stress and depression now.it used to be different just a couple of decades ago.Things we never thought could be a problem to us as kids are now common place in our children and this needs some serious look in.A lot of children are reported to be suffering from stress and it cannot be good for them in their future adult lives.
Was there ever any doubt that it is those with the most confidence who are sure to be the one in life who will be the most successful socially and probably financially too? These people see no harm in exuding their confidence for their own gain, and why should there be? I seenothing wrong with taking what you’ve got, being strong and assured and taking it as far to the top as you can. Nothing wrong with that at all, and we shouldn’t begrudge others just because they make the most of that advantage that they’ve been given.
Being from the United kingdom,I am saddened to see that the recession could be the cause for 1000 suicides.There is nothing worse than having money and the lack of it driving people to end their lives.Seems like we have become slaves to the power of money.
no such thing as a harmless parasite to me
how can it even be labeled as such if there is now this risk associate with suicide?
thanks a lot for the refreshing article on parenting and how it can effect children..as a new parent I am interested in such topics and will be sure to follow your blog, has some great material.
Full disclosure: I am a helicopter mom I guess
I don’t really see it as that, or that I am doing anything wrong
Why shouldn’t I do everything that I can to help my child succeed?
If that makes kids anxious, just tell them to think about how anxious they may be if you are not there supporting them in their endeavours?
Theres jus no end to the evils of tobacco n nicotine is there?surprising how millions of people pay to buy somethin tht can n does kill millions every year n yet run away from healthy lifestyle coz they think its ‘tough’.the irony!
recession only to blame for 1000 suicides?
i bet if they look hard enough there will be more that could be attributed to it
people lost their entire lives, their savings, everything that they had worked so hard for
if you were already on the verge of sever depression it would be easy to see why this might be such an attractive way out
You know why spending time with their parents improves a teen’s well being? That’s because when they spend time together that means the parents know what the kid’s been up to and can start to steer him or her in the right direction if they see that the kid is getting off track! The more time parents can spend with their kids, especially at this age is because this is typically moment of truth time for most kids. This is the time when teh hormones are all out of whack and they start making decisions with parts of their bodies that doesn’t include using their brains! But when parents stay involved in their kids lives, they know what’s going on, who they are hanging out with, and all the things they could be doing to get themselves in trouble. I don’t know why so many parents think that the teen years is the time to bow out and let the kids make some decisions on their own, but that’s the opposite of what they need to be doing. This is the time that counts, that will start the path to the rest of their lives. Is this really the time we want to step back and let them take full control of the driver’s seat? Not this dad.
“Spending Time With Parents Has Benefits For A Teenager’s Well-Being”
It was interesting to read this particular article.Point to be noted is the teenagers today are only spending smaller and smaller amounts of time with their parents.Friends are the new family and I just hope this is not affecting all those teens out there as much!
How is it possible that someone with an eating disorder could so accurately judge the size of others and have such blinders on when it comes to their own true size.
Do they hate themselves so much?
@Wide Circle of Friends Key to Mid-Life Wellbeing for Both Sexes:
IO think the quality of friends and not the numbers matter.You may have tens of friends but none you can truly open up to,thats of no use while even one or two friends who really understand you can be an asset for a lifetime.
Complexities of self awareness was a great read.Enriching and something that made me look into myself..We are complex beings no doubt but to navigate within the self can either be hard or fairly easy.And finding that skill wherein it becomes easy is the way ahead if we are to enrich our lives with some self discovery!
Then if out reach will not help those most at risk for suicide then what will short of chaining them to the bed? Please don’t promote the word that outreach may not work because then others may think that it’s alright to stop trying because it won’t help anyway. Not sure that’s the message that we should promote.
Ah, always nice to come back and read the weekly updates.Really useful articles teaching us some things we never even thought about.Thanks for this!
Without my circle of friends there are times when I might not even make it through the day!
My teen wants to spend as little time with us as possible.
This is so hard for my wife because he grew up always wanting to hang out with us all the time and just like that he wants to have nothing to do with us.
Until he needs something of course.
So goes the life of the teenager I suppose; but after reading this article listed above I know that I have to do more to enagage him and keep him involved with family life too.
happy to see studies saying friends are a good thing and especially so in times of crises.I have always been someone who speaks about and encourages having a good circle of friends and my belief of such connections having positive results and effects on you have always remained strong.
there is not too many medicines out there that work as well as friends and support can.after all,humans support other humans far better than any drug ever can.
What I would like to know is this-
how am I even supposed to get the chance to improve the well being of my child if he refuses to spend any time with us at all?
I will cook his favorite meals, try to plan family times, and he is just not interested at all in being around me and his dad anymore.
That is unless he needs some gas money or money for school.
And how can I cut him off? Bribe him and tell him he can’t have gas for the car til he joins us for dinner?
I suppose that this too shall pass but in the meantime I am just really missing that child who used to love me. :(
Kids can say some very mean and petty things, but so can adults. I think that they all hurt just the same. Calling something gay and meaning that in a derogatory way is sure to have a negative effect on any child who knows that he is different and already feels afraid and ashamed to say anything about it. Words like this only make his life feel even worse.
While a lot of young people use phrases like “that’s so gay” we cannot go around asking them to stop using any phrase like that because that will only be akin to asking them to be politically correct even in informal talk.
And the members of the homosexual community should understand that when someone uses such a phrase,they are referring to something else and it does not mean they are putting them down.The same word can be used in different ways to mean different things isn’t it?Why is this so hard?
Temper tantrums are a part of childhood and more parents need to learn to ignore them, because when you do theat, then remarkably for the most part they go away.
Its not difficult to see how so many addicts had troubles in childhood and many of them had some trauma at an early age.While this feeds their addictive behavior it is important to identify and help such kids in the community.We need some proactive action in this regard.
Motivated by fear and Empty nest syndrome were the articles I read with a lot of interest and they did not disappoint.Great articles here as always.
I am convinced my wife and I will have more time together and more money to spend when we have the empty nest, so if it were left up to me they could all fly away from the enst right now and I would be happy!
Love my kids, miss my wife
funny how wehn we are trying to come up with an explanation for something that we don’t understand, it is easy to use both science and superstition to explain it, even though other times all of that supernatural information we would dismiss as hooey
Oh well I do not think info overload is a problem at all…why? Cause not too many people can grasp or understand all or even a part of the info they are exposed to anyway…!
Something becomes a problem if you are trying to work with the info and do something with it but when you let it just pass by in front of you it should really bother you.
There really isn’t anyone who didn’t think that childhood physical abuse has a high risk of increasing drug abuse, did they?
I love the weekly roundup! this week the article on childhood trauma affecting substance abuse was a great one. You know this needs to be out there for people, there are many youngsters who grow up abusing drugs only because of some childhood trauma.It will be useful to have this as a background when trying to target people for deaddiction and prevention exercises.
So it’s the shape of the glass that encourages or discourages more drinking. What, the smaller the glass the more times they have to fill it up?
“Motivated by Fear” was an intriguing article.I never thought fear could be a motivator because frankly fear only diminishes my capability to work on something,be it at the workplace or something personal.
I have never known anybody say fear lets them perform better, nice to have a new idea and mind state to read about!
all of you who think you have an empty nest now? just wait, they always fly back home for a while ;)
TMI= brain overload to me
so it is a big deal still for some
I have to say that I am stunned to learn that so many people choose to end their own lives each year. How did this happen? How did we as a society get to a point where this kind of number is even a possibility? I am so saddened that there are that many people each year who feel like they have so little to live for that they decide to end it all. Heartbreaking is the only word I can come up with at this time.
reruns on tv of faves gives energy?
kind of goes against the whole theory that tv causes couch potatoes
As a teacher,it was interesting to read “High Hopes for Highschool”.I cannot stress upon the importance of the school atmosphere in shaping the lives of the students there.
There is just so much that young people pick up from their surroundings and especially from those at school,including students and teachers.It is also a reason why teachers and the entire education community need to be so very good because they are the torchbearers at school, they need to be at their best to have a positive influence on the students.
Umm we lie when short on time?
as opposed to creating some elaborate fiction when we have a lot of time to embellish and create a real work of art?
So a million people are killing themselves every year!Suicide has one of the highest number of preventable deaths and yet we continue to have no improvement in decreasing the numbers?What are the reasons for the numbers increasing?Can anyone link to a research or study about the same?
I have been a member of al anon for a very long time because of my dad’s heavy drinking. Those who have had the most success are those who have made their meeting group a family, a support system that they could depend on. Those who just occasioanlly come to the meetings and don’t really participate are the ones who still tend to struggle most with acceptance and recovery. For those in AA I can only imagine that the recovery would be the same for the ones who participate the most.
Great to see AA providing long term benefits. That is something really important because a program that cannot sustain for long means the person may again fall into alcohol and all the program and all the work and effort would go to a waste.
I hope the true and full benefits of the program are actually made use of by the persons taking it up.
Anyone could be traumatized enough by childhood sexual abuse to have later physical symptoms, such as the higher prevalence of heart attacks in make victims
The one on lying in people was an interesting read. Shows how one of the most common instinctive and sometimes thought out actions in us humans manifests within us.
Yesterday was suicide awareness day I think
as many people as we have attempting suicide and being a success with their efforts each year, looks like this is an area where more attention is definitely needed
I am working for a company now that is striving to be more environmentally, and i have to say that since they have asked for all of our input for things that we could do to improve the amount of carbon footprint here on our Earth, we have all become more involved and motivated. it’s like they gave us a voice and we like feeling like we can determine our own future. So more motivation? I think so.
Going to go run a 5K this morning, all in an effort to keep healthy, and is that helps me emotionally later down the road, then even more benefits to celebrate!
I found the piece about smoking addiction very interesting and wondered how this could pertain to other addictions too. Are they all hard wired? I mean you see some people who can stop something cold turkey and do fine, while there are other people who work much harder at stopping and never really find success.
Kudos to the first article.And much appreciation to companies that have gone green.Guess its similar to how not stressing your employees out gets you better rewards in the long run.
I hope that the military begins to take the issue of suicide and soldiers a lot more seriously than they have in the past. The Mayo Clinic is renowned worldwide for their contributions to the medical community so if their advice is not heeded then there is no one that they are going to listen to.
although I enjoyed reading all the articles, I liked the ones on green companies and smoking addiction the best.I think they were very interesting topics and yes, I have subbed for new posts here. great blog btw!
I agree wid zac here. We r losing more men to suicides n other problems than v r in the battlefield..v need some substantial steps to curb this or a career in d armed forces cud soon be seen as a recipe for disaster for your mental health!
So many great articles this week, so little time!
Thank you so much for the one on stepparenting.I am in that situation right now and the article gave some useful insights.Seems like I really need to be supportive to my wife and things could get better with my kids getting along with their new mother.
@Stress Hormones Lower The Risk Of PTSD: Who would have thought stress hormones could be beneficial! Stress by itself is always viewed as something unwanted and something that can leave many a people scared. But now it seems like its there for a reason. Its something of a shock absorber in in us, naturally present in each one of us!
I so disagree with letting young kids drink just to discourage them from drinking later on!!!
What is this backfires on you and they don’t hate it but it actually triggers something that was already there and makes them want to drink more?!
There are so many better ways to discourage your kids from drinking, and the big one is by simply sitting down with them and discussing the damgers of abusing alcohol when you aren’t ready for the responsibility.
Facebook is definitely not the site to be on if you are looking for a way to heal from a recent relationship breakup. Why do I even need to know all of the things going on in her life if we are not even together anymore? It only makes me feel worse if I know that she is moving on and I haven’t been able to do the same.
“Can You Simply ‘Erase’ Fear From the Brain?”
very interesting article and a wonderful development I think.this is the sort of stuff that the future holds for us.humans and technology merging to become a unified superior race that will look back at us like we do now to cavemen ;)
How could you ever erase real fear? Isn’t this a little like Total Recall, inserting and removing memories at will?
I love reading articles that have a connection to our daily lives.Glad to see many such here this week.Please bring in more of such articles for your followers.
The one on Facebook is so right.I had trouble getting over my ex boyfriend because I kept following his activities on Facebook and everything that had to do with him and some other girl hurt me.A friend finally woke me up from this and showed how it was affecting me and not allowing me to move on even though he has clearly moved on!
If the article about the sense of smell is true, then I KNOW for sure my mom os a psychopath! ;) Just kidding mom, but seriously she lost her sense of smell about 20 years ago after some very minor surgery and it is something that has neevr come back. She is well mentally and ohysically but the loss of that sense has always been so frustrating for her, especially given that amell and taste are so intricately tied in with one another.
I never thought that I would see the day that suicide would end more lives than car crashes! This is really sad.
“Many Parents Believe That Letting Young Children Taste Alcohol Discourages Later Use”
This is just not right.Would you hand a gun over to your child so he does not in any way get his hands on a gun otherwise? Or let your child consume drugs once so as to prevent that in the future? No things dont work that way! Maybe talking to them about it and educating them of the risks involved will have a better effect. There is just no way you can stop something by giving a trial of it yourself!
I knew it! Chocolate IS a drug!
Nice to see so many articles focused on youth and adolescents.Will make interesting reading.
Also, is there any way to send across queries that would possibly be answered by experts here?
I would hate the idea of having your memory erasable so easily.Who’s to stop a madman from running away with one of these devices erasing people’s ideas and memories?Fear of too much technology? Maybe but we already have enough sadists out there who gain nothing but pleasure from harming others.
The whole idea of allowing young children to taste alcohol all for the off chance that this could discourage them from starting to drink later on is insane! I think that the parents who let their children have a taste for this reason, or any reason for that matter should be arrested and forced to do lots of community service in places where people started drinking at a young age, and developed a taste for it, not an aversion. Let them see how this has affected their lives and they may reconsider letting their own children have a drink.
hahaha… couldn’t agree with you more oliver.it surprises me to hear about just how stupid people can be when it comes to their kids.this is what is called a parenting FAIL!
If I break up with someone or he does with me then the last place I want to look is on Facebook for a while.
Why do I want to know if he is in a new relationship or if he is mooning over some new girl.
Obviously that is going to make me feel even worse if it was a bad breakup or not one that I wanted.
So I assume that the term “blissfully ignorant” no longer applies?
I have always felt like some kids are more aggressive than others because this is the behavior that they are exposed to at home. They see it between the parents, the siblings, and even the tv shows and games that they are allowed to have access to while they are there. It is sad but we have to remember that this is the existence that many kids have access to so this is all that they know. To say that they just don’t know any better would not be a mis-statement or untruth.
It was interesting to read “Ready for Your Close-Up? Distance at Which Facial Photos Are Taken Influences Perception, Study Shows”..its surprising how seemingly irrelevant things can influence the viewer..maybe there are a lot more things that have fine nuances that influence people and we just do not know yet.
With regard to the study linking lower IQ to less happiness,I believe it is not a very direct link but rather an indirect link.It involves jobs,socio economic status,life satisfaction and many other things that come with the level of IQ.SO it would not be right to say the link is direct, but rather an indirect connection exists but is not too weak a link either.
I was a tough little kid back then and it was interesting to read “Why Are Some Kids More Aggressive?” thankfully I turned out fine as my aggressive attitude came under control as I grew up.but its quite funny when i think of it now..beating up other kids for tiny things, oh childhood!
Well, I have to say that it took a while for someone to actually catch on that where you live plays a huge role in the strength of your physical and mental health. But to imply that if you simply move somewhere that is not quite so impoverished will improve those health issues is to fail to take into account the fact that most people who live in these areas do not have the means to simply pack up and move all in the hope that their health status could change. For most of the people who live in these areas they are trying to make ends meet from check to check so they are hardly in a position to just get up and move and hope that this will change everything for them.
So the GOP women are more feminine?
I will take a mannish democrat over a Calista Gingrich look alike, thank you very much!
Seriously, wa sthis just written by someone with an ax to grind? Sounds a little personal to me
thanks for all the interesting articles.planning on reading most of them.would be great if you can include more articles related to the ongoing presidential polls,with regard to psychology.
I have always wished to believe that in essence people are good at heart and that they want to help others, and finally here is some evidence that it’s true!!
I know that sometimes we only see the bad in others but really, aren’t we better off and feel better about one another and life in general when we are willing to look at the good parts too?
People are inclined to help others?!
While it is not impossible to come across the occasional kind and helpful person,it is just that-an exception.A vast majority of people are far from being kind. In fact, many people I see every day seem like they derive pleasure from others’ suffering! Maybe we were designed to be kind and helpful but I think we have ‘evolved’ to overcome that ‘unnecessary’ trait!
Kids are what we make them.
They pick up on what we give them and what we impresss upon them.
That is the simple reason why some kids are more aggressive than others.
interesting to read a variety of posts here.first time visitor but this certainly will not be many last visit.keep up the good work.
So the Republicans have the pretty women and the democrats have the homely ones? Sounds about right. Sure that the “feminist” liberals won’t approve. . . but form what I have seen, it is pretty much the truth!
Yeah I’m not really trusting what does not come straight from the doc. That would be like paying the bum on the street for advice- no thanks
it was interesting to read if video games influence our real world judgments.at a time when the government was and is being criticized for wars,one cannot but think if a thrust in violent and shooter games especially showing the player as a soldier were put out to influence people’s minds.
parents who allow their kids to get fat should be ashamed of themselves. now not only are they set up for a life of poor health, they have now been relegated to being on rx meds probably for the rest of their lives. if you are an adult and choose to eat yourself into oblivion then by all means, do it. but please stop setting your children up for this, because they deserve so much better.
Video games are all for fun, that’s it. If I ever thought that this was causing my child to make poor real world judgements then I would yank them away from him in an instant.
As some1 who’s always advocated the help pets can provide,it is great to read about how dogs can prevent PTS…They have more benefits than we think they do,isnt it?!
@ “Overweight Kids Take More Prescription Meds”:
It is gonna get worse because obesity is on the rise n because kids r getting obese too…n more than that I think the cost is what we pay in terms of our health.These meds are not a great thing to be getting your body used to!
I love that even when I miss a story each week I can always come find it again here at the end of the week. Thanks so much for providing us with all of this information that is so relevant to many of our lives- what you do makes such a huge difference in many of our lives. Thanks again.
good posture seems to have more benefits than thought of earlier..something I keep telling myself to practice but never do..I hope at least this new positive info will force my mind to follow..!
I knew it!
I knew that not everyone could be hypnotized, and I am sure that I would be that person. In theory it sounds great but I am not so sure that I would ever be able to relax quite enough to give it over to that state.
Always a good idea to keep your gaming mind and real world mind separated. I have read crazy horror stories of young people trying to bring the games into the real world!
I see so many heavy kids in the medical practice where I work and honestly it makes me so sad for them. What kind of lives are they going to be faced with as adults because their parents did not have the nerve to stop many of these bad habits that they have developed when they are younger? I realize that there are many parents who do the best that they can with the hand that they have been dealt, but there are some others who have been flat out negligent and lazy and those are the ones that I can’t stand to have to deal with.
The article that points to genes and the pressure for women to be thin piqued my curiosity. I don’t know that I could say that it is a genetic thing to have that desire to be thinner and smaller, but I can say without a doubt that it is the harsh words that I heard from my parents growing up that cause this desire in me now. All they ever told me was how chubby I was, and then later on how much prettier I would be if I would just lose weight, not having any idea how much this would continue to plague me even as an adult. I have had eating disorders, tried starvation, all in an effort to get thin and stay there. It really becomes a pretty sick cycle once you get caught up in it. I know that I have to eventually take responsibility for my won actions, but I have no trouble at all pointing out exactly where it started and for me it all began with my parents always harping on me about my weight and making me feel less special any time I gained a pound or two.
Testosterone and honesty? I wonder how Lance Armstrong wasnt so honest after all that extra testosterone that he took… ;)
You know what causes me stress about the whole election process this time around? I feel that not only have thigs gotten pretty contentious between the candidates, but it has also turned neighbor against neighbor. I have become so disillusioned and put off by all of it that I just don’t even want to talk about politics with anyone.
Sorry but being anxious and a little nervous before a test has never done anything but cause my test scores to plummet.
I have to be totally confident that I am going to ace it before I can get through it with a good grade.
The most unpleasant noise in the world is the sound of a fingernail scratching across a chalkboard! That just gives me the heebie jeebies every time I hear it!
Cyber bullying has increased to unprecedented levels in the recent times.Victims suffer in silence and there have even been cases of suicide due to cyber bullying.I am glad to see researchers see this trend and are doing studies on the same.We need to do more as a community with regard to cyber bullying to thwart the bullies and protect the victims.
thank you for so many articles which have a bearing on our everyday lives.these are important if we see how they can help us improve ourselves.
If the stigma which has always surrounded sepression is being lifted indeed, then I think that you can look at the things that you are doing here on this site as being wonderfully validated. It is about time that people should be able to see that depression is not anything to be ashamed of or conversely, made fun of. This is a real issue that many real people struggle with on a daily basis, and how are we ever to make sense of it with the negative attention that it is given? Thanks so much for being a part of this new undersatnding and education.
So what are you saying? That we just bow out of our constitutional mandate and forgo the election process simply because we are feeling a little stressed?
That’s a pretty wimpy excuse if you ask me.
The pre test jitters one is so true! From three years of college experience I can tell you when I am feeling nervous and jittery before a test I always perform better than when I feel super confident. Maybe the confidence makes me complacent.So I don’t mind the jitters anymore ;)
Testosterone makes you more honest. . . so does that mean that as a whole men are more honest than women? That would be the first time I have ever heard that one.
I am still wondering why being depressed came with some kind of stigma anyway. I know that it did, and I think that there are those who still find it difficult to admit when they are having any kind of mental challenge. But this is the 21st century the last time I checked and I know that we have moved forward with our thinking a lot more than still looking down upon those who face these kinds of challenges and struggles in their lives. Haven’t we?
The list of unpleasant noises is spot on! I have this extra sensitivity to such noises and it just drives me crazy when I encounter anything on that list.
Why is it that the general public traditionally only has bed things to say about the media when obviously this is such an important entity in the lives of most of us?
We may not always want to admit the strength of the influence that it plays in our lives, but I do find it helpful to realize that the role that they play is still vital today, even when we think that it is a dying breed.
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