Kids Separated From Parents and Put in Institutions May Face Many Psychological Issues

As the U.S. deals with the fallout from the government’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents, the latest findings from a long-running study of children in Romanian orphanages tells a cautionary tale about the psychiatric and social risks of long-term deprivation and separation from parents.

Many of the children separated from their parents after crossing the U.S. border are in shelters where they often experience stress, neglect, and minimal social and cognitive...

[Read More ...]

Is Masturbation Bad for You?

It’s funny how many people feel awkward talking about masturbation. Because of that awkwardness, there’s also a lot of false beliefs about the pros and cons of masturbation, and whether it’s bad for you.

Masturbation is simply the act of self-stimulation for sexual pleasure. There’s nothing mysterious or weird about it. And in fact, although virtually nobody talks about it, most people have masturbated.

Masturbation is a completely normal behavior associated with our own sexuality....

[Read More ...]

Perceived Acne Stigma Can Affect Quality of Life, Especially in Women

Many individuals with acne suffer from perceived social stigma surrounding the skin condition, according to a new Irish study from the University of Limerick (UL). This can lead to a lower quality of life for those living with the condition, particularly women.

Researchers surveyed 271 people with acne and found that the participants’ own negative perceptions of how society views their appearance contributes to greater levels of mental distress and other physical symptoms such as sleep...

[Read More ...]

Absence of Daylight Linked to Postnatal Depression

New research suggests women in late pregnancy during darker months of the year may have a greater risk of developing postpartum depression once their babies are born.

The finding is similar to what is known about the relationship between exposure to natural light and depression among adults in the general population.

The study, led by Deepika Goyal of San Jose State University, concludes that clinicians should encourage at-risk women to increase their exposure to natural daylight and...

[Read More ...]

Childhood Poverty May Impact Cognition in Old Age

Older adults who faced social and economic hardships in childhood are more likely to score lower on tests of cognition, according to a new international study published online in the journal Neurology.

“Just like the body, the brain ages, but for some it may age faster than others,” said study author Pavla Cermáková, M.D., Ph.D., of the Czech National Institute of Mental Health in Klecany, Czech Republic.

“A growing body of evidence suggests aging of the brain may occur over a...

[Read More ...]

Why Work-Life Balance is Futile—and What to Focus on Instead

Many of us feel guilty, anxious or uneasy when our work overrides family time and vice versa. Maybe lately you’ve been working long hours to meet a variety of deadlines. Maybe you’ve also been working most weekends. Or maybe you’ve been focusing more on family time, which has meant that you’re working fewer hours. You’ve been closing up shop early so you can drive the kids to sports practice, and eat dinner together — and you’re too tired to pull the split shift. Which means...

[Read More ...]

Kids Separated From Parents and Put in Institutions May Face Many Psychological Issues

As the U.S. deals with the fallout from the government’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents, the latest findings from a long-running study of children in Romanian orphanages tells a cautionary tale about the psychiatric and social risks of long-term deprivation and separation from parents.

Many of the children separated from their parents after crossing the U.S. border are in shelters where they often experience stress, neglect, and minimal social and cognitive...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/30/kids-separated-from-parents-and-put-in-institutions-may-face-many-psychological-issues/139073.html

Is Masturbation Bad for You?

It’s funny how many people feel awkward talking about masturbation. Because of that awkwardness, there’s also a lot of false beliefs about the pros and cons of masturbation, and whether it’s bad for you.

Masturbation is simply the act of self-stimulation for sexual pleasure. There’s nothing mysterious or weird about it. And in fact, although virtually nobody talks about it, most people have masturbated.

Masturbation is a completely normal behavior associated with our own sexuality....

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/is-masturbation-bad-for-you/

Perceived Acne Stigma Can Affect Quality of Life, Especially in Women

Many individuals with acne suffer from perceived social stigma surrounding the skin condition, according to a new Irish study from the University of Limerick (UL). This can lead to a lower quality of life for those living with the condition, particularly women.

Researchers surveyed 271 people with acne and found that the participants’ own negative perceptions of how society views their appearance contributes to greater levels of mental distress and other physical symptoms such as sleep...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/30/perceived-acne-stigma-can-affect-quality-of-life-especially-in-women/139107.html

Absence of Daylight Linked to Postnatal Depression

New research suggests women in late pregnancy during darker months of the year may have a greater risk of developing postpartum depression once their babies are born.

The finding is similar to what is known about the relationship between exposure to natural light and depression among adults in the general population.

The study, led by Deepika Goyal of San Jose State University, concludes that clinicians should encourage at-risk women to increase their exposure to natural daylight and...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/30/absence-of-daylight-linked-to-postnatal-depression/139048.html

Childhood Poverty May Impact Cognition in Old Age

Older adults who faced social and economic hardships in childhood are more likely to score lower on tests of cognition, according to a new international study published online in the journal Neurology.

“Just like the body, the brain ages, but for some it may age faster than others,” said study author Pavla Cermáková, M.D., Ph.D., of the Czech National Institute of Mental Health in Klecany, Czech Republic.

“A growing body of evidence suggests aging of the brain may occur over a...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/30/childhood-poverty-may-impact-cognition-in-old-age/139102.html

Why Work-Life Balance is Futile—and What to Focus on Instead

Many of us feel guilty, anxious or uneasy when our work overrides family time and vice versa. Maybe lately you’ve been working long hours to meet a variety of deadlines. Maybe you’ve also been working most weekends. Or maybe you’ve been focusing more on family time, which has meant that you’re working fewer hours. You’ve been closing up shop early so you can drive the kids to sports practice, and eat dinner together — and you’re too tired to pull the split shift. Which means...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-work-life-balance-is-futile-and-what-to-focus-on-instead/

Atypical Presentation of OCD in Children

Atypical Presentation of OCD in Children

Rebel with a Cause? On Taking the Road Less Traveled

Rocking vintage tees throughout law school?

Sure thing.

Shunning a conventional legal job for a flexible writing gig?

You know it.

Turning down an all-expense paid family vacation to Cancun, Mexico for the Spring Break charms (I use that term very loosely) of frigid Duluth, Minnesota?

Of course.

Before reading Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies, I wondered if I was just different. Not in a creepy, peculiar way — more in a you zig, I zag type of way. My contrarian instincts have...

[Read More ...]

Severe Trauma And Giving Up on Life

Widespread Inflammation Found in Brains of Fibromyalgia Patients

The combined efforts of research teams in the U.S. and Sweden have resulted in a new study showing widespread inflammation in the brains of fibromyalgia patients.

The research is published online in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

“We don’t have good treatment options for fibromyalgia, so identifying a potential treatment target could lead to the development of innovative, more effective therapies,” said Marco Loggia, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based...

[Read More ...]

Joining More Social Media Groups Can Help Win Friends Online

A new study shows that your chances of forming online friendships depends on the number of groups and organizations you join, not their types.

“If a person is looking for friends, they should basically be active in as many communities as possible,” said Dr. Anshumali Shrivastava, an assistant professor of computer science at Rice University in Houston and co-author of the study. “And if they want to become friends with a specific person, they should try to be a part of all the groups...

[Read More ...]

Psychology Around the Net: September 29, 2018

Happy Saturday, sweet readers!

This week’s Psychology Around the Net gives tips on how to spot unnecessary opioid prescriptions, offers ideas for emotional self-care you might not have thought of, takes a look at legislation requiring mental health disclosures by students, and more.

Parents Are Leery of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures by Students: Legislation passed after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida requires Florida...

[Read More ...]

Rebel with a Cause? On Taking the Road Less Traveled

Rocking vintage tees throughout law school?

Sure thing.

Shunning a conventional legal job for a flexible writing gig?

You know it.

Turning down an all-expense paid family vacation to Cancun, Mexico for the Spring Break charms (I use that term very loosely) of frigid Duluth, Minnesota?

Of course.

Before reading Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies, I wondered if I was just different. Not in a creepy, peculiar way — more in a you zig, I zag type of way. My contrarian instincts have...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/rebel-with-a-cause-on-taking-the-road-less-traveled/

Severe Trauma And Giving Up on Life

Widespread Inflammation Found in Brains of Fibromyalgia Patients

The combined efforts of research teams in the U.S. and Sweden have resulted in a new study showing widespread inflammation in the brains of fibromyalgia patients.

The research is published online in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

“We don’t have good treatment options for fibromyalgia, so identifying a potential treatment target could lead to the development of innovative, more effective therapies,” said Marco Loggia, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/29/widespread-inflammation-found-in-brains-of-fibromyalgia-patients/139098.html

Joining More Social Media Groups Can Help Win Friends Online

A new study shows that your chances of forming online friendships depends on the number of groups and organizations you join, not their types.

“If a person is looking for friends, they should basically be active in as many communities as possible,” said Dr. Anshumali Shrivastava, an assistant professor of computer science at Rice University in Houston and co-author of the study. “And if they want to become friends with a specific person, they should try to be a part of all the groups...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/29/joining-more-social-media-groups-can-help-win-friends-online/139082.html

Psychology Around the Net: September 29, 2018

Happy Saturday, sweet readers!

This week’s Psychology Around the Net gives tips on how to spot unnecessary opioid prescriptions, offers ideas for emotional self-care you might not have thought of, takes a look at legislation requiring mental health disclosures by students, and more.

Parents Are Leery of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures by Students: Legislation passed after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida requires Florida...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychology-around-the-net-september-29-2018/

The Power of One: A Supportive Adult Has Huge Impact in the Life of an Abused Child

One person.

One act of kindness.

One changed perspective.

One acknowledgement of pain.

One offer of support and encouragement.

Both in my work as a child psychotherapist and personally as a survivor of childhood abuse, I’ve seen what a difference these “ones” can make to a child who is living with domestic violence. Children are resilient. They can survive and even thrive after unthinkable trauma. But that resilience generally comes from having a caring adult in their life who...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-power-of-one-a-supportive-adult-has-huge-impact-in-the-life-of-an-abused-child/

The Power of One: A Supportive Adult Has Huge Impact in the Life of an Abused Child

One person.

One act of kindness.

One changed perspective.

One acknowledgement of pain.

One offer of support and encouragement.

Both in my work as a child psychotherapist and personally as a survivor of childhood abuse, I’ve seen what a difference these “ones” can make to a child who is living with domestic violence. Children are resilient. They can survive and even thrive after unthinkable trauma. But that resilience generally comes from having a caring adult in their life who...

[Read More ...]

#MeToo: The Psychology of Sexual Assault

As more and more men in powerful positions find themselves suddenly out of a job because of the women who’ve bravely come forward to share their traumatic experiences in public, it’s easy to forget how much of an ongoing, serious problem sexual assault is today. It’s easy for many men (and even some women) to brush off such accusations or behaviors with trite but insulting excuses, such as, “Boys will be boys.”

Sexual assault is a serious and devastating violent criminal behavior....

[Read More ...]

Genuine Acts of Kindness Activate Brain’s Reward Network

A new U.K. study finds that acts of altruism, even those done with no hope of receiving anything in return, activate the reward network in the brain.

Researchers from the University of Sussex conducted a major analysis of 36 existing studies showing the fMRI brain scans of 1,150 people making altruistic decisions.

For the first time, they split the analysis between what happens in the brain when people act out of genuine kindness (when there’s nothing in it for them) and when they act...

[Read More ...]

Air Pollution May Be Linked to Higher Alzheimer’s Risk

It is well-established that air pollution is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease, but the role it plays in neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, remains unclear.

In a new study, U.K. researchers set out to investigate a potential link between poor air quality and dementia. They used carefully calculated estimates of air and noise pollution levels across Greater London. To determine any potential links with new dementia diagnoses, they...

[Read More ...]

Best of Our Blogs: September 28, 2018

Do you ever feel so busy that when you wake up you feel about a day behind?

There’s so much things that can easily occupy your time especially now that we’re in the fall season. If you’ve got kids, there’s another load of to-dos with school, homework and extracurricular activities.

There’s podcasts to listen to. There are all those books on your nightstand. There’s that unfinished project you need to get to and oh yeah, exercise!

Instead of wiping yourself out before the...

[Read More ...]

#MeToo: The Psychology of Sexual Assault

As more and more men in powerful positions find themselves suddenly out of a job because of the women who’ve bravely come forward to share their traumatic experiences in public, it’s easy to forget how much of an ongoing, serious problem sexual assault is today. It’s easy for many men (and even some women) to brush off such accusations or behaviors with trite but insulting excuses, such as, “Boys will be boys.”

Sexual assault is a serious and devastating violent criminal behavior....

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/metoo-the-psychology-of-sexual-assault/

Genuine Acts of Kindness Activate Brain’s Reward Network

A new U.K. study finds that acts of altruism, even those done with no hope of receiving anything in return, activate the reward network in the brain.

Researchers from the University of Sussex conducted a major analysis of 36 existing studies showing the fMRI brain scans of 1,150 people making altruistic decisions.

For the first time, they split the analysis between what happens in the brain when people act out of genuine kindness (when there’s nothing in it for them) and when they act...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/28/genuine-acts-of-kindness-activate-brains-reward-network/139056.html

Air Pollution May Be Linked to Higher Alzheimer’s Risk

It is well-established that air pollution is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease, but the role it plays in neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, remains unclear.

In a new study, U.K. researchers set out to investigate a potential link between poor air quality and dementia. They used carefully calculated estimates of air and noise pollution levels across Greater London. To determine any potential links with new dementia diagnoses, they...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/28/air-pollution-may-be-linked-to-higher-alzheimers-risk/139043.html

Best of Our Blogs: September 28, 2018

Do you ever feel so busy that when you wake up you feel about a day behind?

There’s so much things that can easily occupy your time especially now that we’re in the fall season. If you’ve got kids, there’s another load of to-dos with school, homework and extracurricular activities.

There’s podcasts to listen to. There are all those books on your nightstand. There’s that unfinished project you need to get to and oh yeah, exercise!

Instead of wiping yourself out before the...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/best-of-our-blogs-september-28-2018/

Should I Write to Ask the Therapist?

The team at Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist is part of a stream of history that started almost 300 years ago.

The first recorded advice column was in 1690! For centuries, people have looked to sometimes anonymous “experts” for advice about love and romance, family relationships, social and work problems, and internal distress. Over time, the format has been much the same: People write in their questions and the advisors advise.  

Every day, PsychCentral’s four-member team of...

[Read More ...]

Should I Write to Ask the Therapist?

The team at Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist is part of a stream of history that started almost 300 years ago.

The first recorded advice column was in 1690! For centuries, people have looked to sometimes anonymous “experts” for advice about love and romance, family relationships, social and work problems, and internal distress. Over time, the format has been much the same: People write in their questions and the advisors advise.  

Every day, PsychCentral’s four-member team of...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/should-i-write-to-ask-the-therapist/

Views From A Rehab Counselor

No amount of comfort is enough when there is a look of terror on someone admitting to treatment for the first time.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/views-rehab-counselor

Views From A Rehab Counselor

No amount of comfort is enough when there is a look of terror on someone admitting to treatment for the first time.

[Read More ...]

Trapped in the Mirror: The Pain and Performance of Narcissism

Apparently it’s everywhere.

In the millennial selfies.

In slickly constructed and curated instagram accounts showcasing sex appeal and perfect lives.

In the boardroom, the seats of power and at the highest levels of government.

The narcissist is your ex-partner who fights you over the children, the boss who has no empathy for your mistakes, the co-worker who steals your ideas, the neighbor who stymies your extension.

But the reality of narcissism is far different.

In “The Life of I,”...

[Read More ...]

Study Suggests ‘Dark Core’ Underlies Malign Character Traits

A new Danish-German study suggests that all malevolent aspects of the human personality, including narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness and others, appear to share a common “dark core” and are essentially just flavored manifestations of a single common underlying disposition: extreme selfishness.

According to the theory, if you have a tendency to show one dark personality trait, you are more likely to display others.

The common denominator of these traits, known as the dark...

[Read More ...]

TPCS Podcast: 100th Episode Extravaganza

Okay, “extravaganza” might be a bit of an exaggeration. But it really is the 100^th episode of The Psych Central Show. As such, we thought it would be fun (and maybe a bit educational) to take a look back on The Psych Central Show, from its conception to the current day. Michelle Hammer, co-host of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, joins the show as “host for a day” to ask Gabe and Vincent to share their perspectives on the show as its hosts and to answer some common...

[Read More ...]

Trapped in the Mirror: The Pain and Performance of Narcissism

Apparently it’s everywhere.

In the millennial selfies.

In slickly constructed and curated instagram accounts showcasing sex appeal and perfect lives.

In the boardroom, the seats of power and at the highest levels of government.

The narcissist is your ex-partner who fights you over the children, the boss who has no empathy for your mistakes, the co-worker who steals your ideas, the neighbor who stymies your extension.

But the reality of narcissism is far different.

In “The Life of I,”...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/trapped-in-the-mirror-the-pain-and-performance-of-narcissism/

Study Suggests ‘Dark Core’ Underlies Malign Character Traits

A new Danish-German study suggests that all malevolent aspects of the human personality, including narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness and others, appear to share a common “dark core” and are essentially just flavored manifestations of a single common underlying disposition: extreme selfishness.

According to the theory, if you have a tendency to show one dark personality trait, you are more likely to display others.

The common denominator of these traits, known as the dark...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/27/study-suggests-dark-core-underlies-malign-character-traits/139028.html

TPCS Podcast: 100th Episode Extravaganza

Okay, “extravaganza” might be a bit of an exaggeration. But it really is the 100^th episode of The Psych Central Show. As such, we thought it would be fun (and maybe a bit educational) to take a look back on The Psych Central Show, from its conception to the current day. Michelle Hammer, co-host of A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, joins the show as “host for a day” to ask Gabe and Vincent to share their perspectives on the show as its hosts and to answer some common...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/tpcs-podcast-100th-episode-extravaganza/

Lori Jasinski: Eating Disorder Sober Companion

Jasinski emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they’re at—and keeping an open mind regarding the most effective approaches to treating eating disorders.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/lori-jasinski-eating-disorder-sober-companion

Lori Jasinski: Eating Disorder Sober Companion

Jasinski emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they’re at—and keeping an open mind regarding the most effective approaches to treating eating disorders.

[Read More ...]

How Do You Get What You Want in Relationships — Do You Rebuke or Request?

In a good relationship, partners express appreciation for each other often. They also say in kind ways what they want and what they don’t want. They don’t expect their partner to read their mind.

So don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

Keeping a grievance inside can result in a relationship-destroying grudge. Calmly bringing up a matter that distresses you can clear the air and renew the warm feelings that were there before knots started tying up your insides.

This doesn’t...

[Read More ...]

How Do You Get What You Want in Relationships — Do You Rebuke or Request?

In a good relationship, partners express appreciation for each other often. They also say in kind ways what they want and what they don’t want. They don’t expect their partner to read their mind.

So don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

Keeping a grievance inside can result in a relationship-destroying grudge. Calmly bringing up a matter that distresses you can clear the air and renew the warm feelings that were there before knots started tying up your insides.

This doesn’t...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-do-you-get-what-you-want-in-relationships-do-you-rebuke-or-request/

How to Overcome When Addiction Has Caused You to Lose Your Career

Back in 2009, I made a decision I would regret for the rest of my life.  I rear-ended another car on my way home from the bar one night, injuring two of its passengers. With that one selfish act, my life turned upside down. My law license was suspended indefinitely and I was immediately fired from my law firm. Months later, I was sentenced to four years in prison, the final blow in a string of consequences all due to alcohol.   

While I was incarcerated, I knew that I’d have...

[Read More ...]

Taking Care of Your Mental Health at Work

Given how much time people spend at work (usually about half our waking hours during the week), we probably should be thinking and talking more about mental health at work. Few small to medium-sized companies pay much attention to this topic, feeling that employees should just come to work, do their jobs, and be easy to work with. Usually the reality is much different.

That’s why it’s great to see Britain’s Prince William addressing this issue head-on with a new website in the U.K....

[Read More ...]

Rat Study Shows Link Between Hunger and Mood

New research from Canada brings scientific evidence to an experience common to many – when we are hungry, our mood may change. Researchers now believe the change in mood is related to a sudden drop in glucose.

The link between metabolic changes, negative mood states and anxiety suggest new treatment approaches should incorporate nutritional status and dietary habits among strategies to stabilize emotions.

University of Guelph researchers discovered evidence that a change in glucose level...

[Read More ...]

Mouse Study: Lung Inflammation from Childhood Asthma May Be Linked to Later Anxiety

Research has shown that childhood asthma is associated with a two to three times higher chance of developing an internalizing disorder such as anxiety or depression, but the exact reasons for this have remained a mystery.

In a new mouse study at Pennsylvania State University, the researchers suggest that persistent lung inflammation may be one possible explanation for an increased risk of anxiety. They discovered that exposure to allergens early in life was linked with persistent lung...

[Read More ...]

Can More Trees at Disadvantaged Schools Hike Math Scores

Tree cover on the campuses of the most disadvantaged elementary schools may be tied to higher math achievement, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

Researchers from the University of Illinois (U of I) investigated the link between greenness and academic achievement in 318 of Chicago’s public elementary schools. The district serves a predominantly low-income minority population with 87 percent of third-graders qualifying for free lunch during the...

[Read More ...]

Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Problem Behavior in Young Kids and How You Can Help

We now know that children’s behavior is always driven by emotions, but what if whatever is driving those emotions is invisible? There are many reasons why kids sometimes behave in ways that leave us in despair and one of these reasons is anxiety.

One thing we know is that many children will go through anxiety at some stage in their lives. Although many of these anxious phases may be difficult to deal with, they are normal phases that mark children’s development. According to the Anxiety...

[Read More ...]

How to Overcome When Addiction Has Caused You to Lose Your Career

Back in 2009, I made a decision I would regret for the rest of my life.  I rear-ended another car on my way home from the bar one night, injuring two of its passengers. With that one selfish act, my life turned upside down. My law license was suspended indefinitely and I was immediately fired from my law firm. Months later, I was sentenced to four years in prison, the final blow in a string of consequences all due to alcohol.   

While I was incarcerated, I knew that I’d have...

[Read More ...]

source https://www.recovery.org/how-to-overcome-when-addiction-has-caused-you-to-lose-your-career/

Taking Care of Your Mental Health at Work

Given how much time people spend at work (usually about half our waking hours during the week), we probably should be thinking and talking more about mental health at work. Few small to medium-sized companies pay much attention to this topic, feeling that employees should just come to work, do their jobs, and be easy to work with. Usually the reality is much different.

That’s why it’s great to see Britain’s Prince William addressing this issue head-on with a new website in the U.K....

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-at-work/

Rat Study Shows Link Between Hunger and Mood

New research from Canada brings scientific evidence to an experience common to many – when we are hungry, our mood may change. Researchers now believe the change in mood is related to a sudden drop in glucose.

The link between metabolic changes, negative mood states and anxiety suggest new treatment approaches should incorporate nutritional status and dietary habits among strategies to stabilize emotions.

University of Guelph researchers discovered evidence that a change in glucose level...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/26/rat-study-shows-link-between-hunger-and-mood/138998.html

Mouse Study: Lung Inflammation from Childhood Asthma May Be Linked to Later Anxiety

Research has shown that childhood asthma is associated with a two to three times higher chance of developing an internalizing disorder such as anxiety or depression, but the exact reasons for this have remained a mystery.

In a new mouse study at Pennsylvania State University, the researchers suggest that persistent lung inflammation may be one possible explanation for an increased risk of anxiety. They discovered that exposure to allergens early in life was linked with persistent lung...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/26/mouse-study-lung-inflammation-from-childhood-asthma-may-be-linked-to-later-anxiety/139007.html

Can More Trees at Disadvantaged Schools Hike Math Scores

Tree cover on the campuses of the most disadvantaged elementary schools may be tied to higher math achievement, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

Researchers from the University of Illinois (U of I) investigated the link between greenness and academic achievement in 318 of Chicago’s public elementary schools. The district serves a predominantly low-income minority population with 87 percent of third-graders qualifying for free lunch during the...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/26/can-more-trees-at-disadvantaged-schools-hike-math-scores/139011.html

Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Problem Behavior in Young Kids and How You Can Help

We now know that children’s behavior is always driven by emotions, but what if whatever is driving those emotions is invisible? There are many reasons why kids sometimes behave in ways that leave us in despair and one of these reasons is anxiety.

One thing we know is that many children will go through anxiety at some stage in their lives. Although many of these anxious phases may be difficult to deal with, they are normal phases that mark children’s development. According to the Anxiety...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/understanding-the-link-between-anxiety-and-problem-behavior-in-young-kids-and-how-you-can-help/

How to Find the Right Treatment Environment

Knowing what type of treatment will work best for you can make the recovery process easier.

[Read More ...]

How to Find the Right Treatment Environment

Knowing what type of treatment will work best for you can make the recovery process easier.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/how-find-right-treatment-environment

Trigger Warning: Retraumatization in the Wake of Kavanaugh Allegations

In the hallowed halls of Washington, DC, a drama is being played out for the entire world to witness; the confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court for Brett Kavanaugh. In the minds and hearts and bodies of sexual assault survivors, something even more powerful is rampaging through.

In increasing numbers, people are coming forward to share their #metoo stories following the allegations from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and now two other women who say that he perpetrated sexual assault in one...

[Read More ...]

Working Remotely Is Not Necessarily Stress-Free

Many believe that working from home or remotely can foster freedom and stress-free job satisfaction, and that everyone wants  more work autonomy.

A new study from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, says “Not so fast.”

In the study, researchers examined the impact of remote work on employee well-being. Their findings suggest that a variety of factors can undermine or accent the employee benefits of working off-site.

Accordingly, researchers developed new strategies to help managers...

[Read More ...]

I met my MP to talk about the Mental Health Act

Susanne is the mother of someone who was detained under the Mental Health Act earlier this year, so she was keen to meet with her MP, Justin Tomlinson, over the summer to discuss how the Act can be improved.
[Read More ...]

Trigger Warning: Retraumatization in the Wake of Kavanaugh Allegations

In the hallowed halls of Washington, DC, a drama is being played out for the entire world to witness; the confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court for Brett Kavanaugh. In the minds and hearts and bodies of sexual assault survivors, something even more powerful is rampaging through.

In increasing numbers, people are coming forward to share their #metoo stories following the allegations from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and now two other women who say that he perpetrated sexual assault in one...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/trigger-warning-retraumatization-in-the-wake-of-kavanaugh-allegations/

Working Remotely Is Not Necessarily Stress-Free

Many believe that working from home or remotely can foster freedom and stress-free job satisfaction, and that everyone wants  more work autonomy.

A new study from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, says “Not so fast.”

In the study, researchers examined the impact of remote work on employee well-being. Their findings suggest that a variety of factors can undermine or accent the employee benefits of working off-site.

Accordingly, researchers developed new strategies to help managers...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/25/working-remotely-is-not-necessarily-stress-free/138873.html

I met my MP to talk about the Mental Health Act

Susanne is the mother of someone who was detained under the Mental Health Act earlier this year, so she was keen to meet with her MP, Justin Tomlinson, over the summer to discuss how the Act can be improved.
[Read More ...]

source http://www.rethink.org/news-views/2018/09/i-met-my-mp-to-talk-about-the-mental-health-act

Getting Beyond “Get Over It”: Supporting the Emotional Development of Boys

Considering the idea that boys, as opposed to girls, “get over it” in terms of relationship conflicts, things not going their way, disappointment, and the associated feelings, there is a process reinforcing this myth that needs to come to light. The process both overtly and covertly points boys in the direction of “it doesn’t matter” when the emotionally challenging experiences are left disconnected in terms of skills and personal narrative.

In the important formative years of...

[Read More ...]

Getting Beyond “Get Over It”: Supporting the Emotional Development of Boys

Considering the idea that boys, as opposed to girls, “get over it” in terms of relationship conflicts, things not going their way, disappointment, and the associated feelings, there is a process reinforcing this myth that needs to come to light. The process both overtly and covertly points boys in the direction of “it doesn’t matter” when the emotionally challenging experiences are left disconnected in terms of skills and personal narrative.

In the important formative years of...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/getting-beyond-get-over-it-supporting-the-emotional-development-of-boys/

How to Cope When You Lose Someone to Addiction

When someone close to you dies from addiction, you need to focus on your recovery.

[Read More ...]

Panel Sets First-Ever Guidelines for Perimenopausal Depression

A multi-institutional panel of scientists have developed the first-ever guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of perimenopausal depression. Their recommendations are published in the journal Menopause and the Journal of Women’s Health.

Perimenopause refers to the three- to four-year period immediately prior to menopause when periods become irregular and eventually stop, as well as the first year after the final menstrual period. It typically begins in a woman’s 40s but can start...

[Read More ...]

Even Mild Physical Activity May Boost Memory

New research suggests that even light workouts can improve brain function. Indeed, modest yoga exercises or tai chi may help with memory tasks such as remembering where you left the keys.

In the study, investigators at the University of California, Irvine and Japan’s University of Tsukuba found that even very light workouts can increase the connectivity between parts of the brain responsible for memory formation and storage.

In a study of 36 healthy young adults, the researchers...

[Read More ...]

Best of Our Blogs: September 25, 2018

I caught this quote at a popular pizza chain and it really resonated with me. I once heard you are the sum of the people you hang out with. If you want to live with more gratitude, who you surround yourself with is imperative to your success. Every time you attempt to see life in a positive light, they’ll pull you down into their negative reality.

It can be heartbreaking to end a relationship and do the steps you need to do such as the ones discussed this week. But doing the work to heal...

[Read More ...]

Expert by Experience: Rafik's Story

[Read More ...]

How to Cope When You Lose Someone to Addiction

When someone close to you dies from addiction, you need to focus on your recovery.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/how-cope-when-you-lose-someone-addiction

Panel Sets First-Ever Guidelines for Perimenopausal Depression

A multi-institutional panel of scientists have developed the first-ever guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of perimenopausal depression. Their recommendations are published in the journal Menopause and the Journal of Women’s Health.

Perimenopause refers to the three- to four-year period immediately prior to menopause when periods become irregular and eventually stop, as well as the first year after the final menstrual period. It typically begins in a woman’s 40s but can start...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/25/panel-sets-first-ever-guidelines-for-perimenopausal-depression/138981.html

Even Mild Physical Activity May Boost Memory

New research suggests that even light workouts can improve brain function. Indeed, modest yoga exercises or tai chi may help with memory tasks such as remembering where you left the keys.

In the study, investigators at the University of California, Irvine and Japan’s University of Tsukuba found that even very light workouts can increase the connectivity between parts of the brain responsible for memory formation and storage.

In a study of 36 healthy young adults, the researchers...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/25/even-mild-physical-activity-may-boost-memory/138986.html

Best of Our Blogs: September 25, 2018

I caught this quote at a popular pizza chain and it really resonated with me. I once heard you are the sum of the people you hang out with. If you want to live with more gratitude, who you surround yourself with is imperative to your success. Every time you attempt to see life in a positive light, they’ll pull you down into their negative reality.

It can be heartbreaking to end a relationship and do the steps you need to do such as the ones discussed this week. But doing the work to heal...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/best-of-our-blogs-september-25-2018/

Expert by Experience: Rafik's Story

[Read More ...]

source http://www.rethink.org/news-views/2018/09/rafiks-story

Searching for Happiness Can Become a Barrier to Your Happiness

Huh? Ok, the title of this article may appear somewhat confusing, but let’s try reading it again. Only this time look deeper into what it might mean. I think we can all agree that we not only want our lives to be happy, but that we are all in search of some kind of happiness. I mean, who doesn’t want to be happy?

Happy is subjective, of course. How you define happiness may be different from how I define it. We have all heard the saying that one man’s happiness is another man’s...

[Read More ...]

Searching for Happiness Can Become a Barrier to Your Happiness

Huh? Ok, the title of this article may appear somewhat confusing, but let’s try reading it again. Only this time look deeper into what it might mean. I think we can all agree that we not only want our lives to be happy, but that we are all in search of some kind of happiness. I mean, who doesn’t want to be happy?

Happy is subjective, of course. How you define happiness may be different from how I define it. We have all heard the saying that one man’s happiness is another man’s...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/searching-for-happiness-can-become-a-barrier-to-your-happiness/

Me, My Psych Meds & My 12-Step Recovery

Now that I have double-digit sobriety, I have no qualms about pulling aside people who disparage the use of psych meds in meetings.

[Read More ...]

Free Live Webinar: Making Change Stick: A Masterclass with Elisha Goldstein

Please Note: *This event will be streamed online and also recorded. By registering, you can choose to attend live or at a time that works best for you.

Is there a change you’ve been trying to make in your life?

Have you tried before to make this change but struggled to sustain?

Are you curious about what could finally make this change “stick” for you?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then join author, psychologist, and renowned mindfulness teacher Elisha...

[Read More ...]

Brain Region Involved with Stress Bigger in Those Depressed or Bipolar

A new study reveals that in people who are depressed or have bipolar disorder, the left hypothalamus was on average 5 percent larger than that of their healthy counterparts.

It has long been known that people more predisposed to depression show a dysregulation of the endogenous stress response system, otherwise known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which is normally triggered when we are faced with a stressful situation.

This response increases the amount of cortisol,...

[Read More ...]

Autism Risk May Be Reflected in Pregnant Mom’s Metabolic Profile

A new paper published in the journal Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders reveals that an unborn child’s risk for autism may be associated with certain measurable metabolic processes in the pregnant mother.

The risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the general population is approximately 1.7 percent. However, if a woman has previously had a child with ASD, the risk of having a second child with ASD is increased more than tenfold — approximately 18.7 percent....

[Read More ...]

BS Podcast: Goal Setting When You live with Mental Illness

Everyone, of every age and from every walk of life, has goals. Sometimes they are life goals (like get married and raise a family), career goals (such as start and run a successful company), or daily goals (as in just getting through the day). People with mental illness have all those, too, but often have specific goals related to their particular mental illness.

In this episode, Gabe and Michelle share some of their personal goals, talk about how those goals have changed over time,...

[Read More ...]

Me, My Psych Meds & My 12-Step Recovery

Now that I have double-digit sobriety, I have no qualms about pulling aside people who disparage the use of psych meds in meetings.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/me-my-psych-meds-my-12-step-recovery

Free Live Webinar: Making Change Stick: A Masterclass with Elisha Goldstein

Please Note: *This event will be streamed online and also recorded. By registering, you can choose to attend live or at a time that works best for you.

Is there a change you’ve been trying to make in your life?

Have you tried before to make this change but struggled to sustain?

Are you curious about what could finally make this change “stick” for you?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then join author, psychologist, and renowned mindfulness teacher Elisha...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/free-live-webinar-making-change-stick-a-masterclass-with-elisha-goldstein/

Brain Region Involved with Stress Bigger in Those Depressed or Bipolar

A new study reveals that in people who are depressed or have bipolar disorder, the left hypothalamus was on average 5 percent larger than that of their healthy counterparts.

It has long been known that people more predisposed to depression show a dysregulation of the endogenous stress response system, otherwise known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which is normally triggered when we are faced with a stressful situation.

This response increases the amount of cortisol,...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/24/brain-region-involved-with-stress-bigger-in-those-depressed-or-bipolar/138906.html

Autism Risk May Be Reflected in Pregnant Mom’s Metabolic Profile

A new paper published in the journal Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders reveals that an unborn child’s risk for autism may be associated with certain measurable metabolic processes in the pregnant mother.

The risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the general population is approximately 1.7 percent. However, if a woman has previously had a child with ASD, the risk of having a second child with ASD is increased more than tenfold — approximately 18.7 percent....

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/24/autism-risk-may-be-reflected-in-pregnant-moms-metabolic-profile/138969.html

BS Podcast: Goal Setting When You live with Mental Illness

Everyone, of every age and from every walk of life, has goals. Sometimes they are life goals (like get married and raise a family), career goals (such as start and run a successful company), or daily goals (as in just getting through the day). People with mental illness have all those, too, but often have specific goals related to their particular mental illness.

In this episode, Gabe and Michelle share some of their personal goals, talk about how those goals have changed over time,...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/bs-podcast-goal-setting-when-you-live-with-mental-illness/

Pregnant and Addicted to Opiates? There Is Help

It is imperative that expectant women do not go cold turkey as a method of getting themselves off drugs, as there can be life threatening complications for both the mother and baby.

[Read More ...]

Pregnant and Addicted to Opiates? There Is Help

It is imperative that expectant women do not go cold turkey as a method of getting themselves off drugs, as there can be life threatening complications for both the mother and baby.

[Read More ...]

source https://www.thefix.com/pregnant-and-addicted-opiates-there-help

Discussing Grief with MD May Lower Risk of Suicide, Mental Illness

Discussing personal grief and bereavement with a doctor shortly after a close family member’s death can help lower the risk of suicide and psychiatric illness, according to a new Danish study published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology.

Losing a family member can be such a painful experience that the risk of committing suicide or developing a serious mental health condition increases for loved ones left behind. The findings suggest that talk therapy with a general practitioner early in...

[Read More ...]

A Course in Mindful Living: The Mindful Living Launchpad

Have you heard of mindfulness but aren’t sure how to put it into practice in your own life? Or maybe you’ve tried some mindfulness techniques and they didn’t really stick?

People are more distracted than other, and instead of technology helping us, it actually appears to be a part of the problem in most people’s lives. We’ve got some mindfulness educational offerings to let you know about to help.

How would you like to have a deeper understanding of the fundamental strengths that...

[Read More ...]

How to Relieve Depression Naturally

Currently, in the United States, approximately 20 million adults have depression. Those who struggle with major depression have a mood disorder that affects their mental health and their physical health. The symptoms of major depression are sadness, becoming withdrawn, isolation, inability to concentrate, weight loss or gain, self-hate, loss of interest in activities, nervousness, thoughts of suicide, and more.

Depression can stem from physiological factors such as an imbalance in serotonin...

[Read More ...]

Discussing Grief with MD May Lower Risk of Suicide, Mental Illness

Discussing personal grief and bereavement with a doctor shortly after a close family member’s death can help lower the risk of suicide and psychiatric illness, according to a new Danish study published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology.

Losing a family member can be such a painful experience that the risk of committing suicide or developing a serious mental health condition increases for loved ones left behind. The findings suggest that talk therapy with a general practitioner early in...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/09/23/discussing-grief-with-md-may-lower-risk-of-suicide-mental-illness/138923.html

A Course in Mindful Living: The Mindful Living Launchpad

Have you heard of mindfulness but aren’t sure how to put it into practice in your own life? Or maybe you’ve tried some mindfulness techniques and they didn’t really stick?

People are more distracted than other, and instead of technology helping us, it actually appears to be a part of the problem in most people’s lives. We’ve got some mindfulness educational offerings to let you know about to help.

How would you like to have a deeper understanding of the fundamental strengths that...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/a-course-in-mindful-living-the-mindful-living-launchpad/

How to Relieve Depression Naturally

Currently, in the United States, approximately 20 million adults have depression. Those who struggle with major depression have a mood disorder that affects their mental health and their physical health. The symptoms of major depression are sadness, becoming withdrawn, isolation, inability to concentrate, weight loss or gain, self-hate, loss of interest in activities, nervousness, thoughts of suicide, and more.

Depression can stem from physiological factors such as an imbalance in serotonin...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-to-relieve-depression-naturally/

Let Go of Perfectionism with These 3 Shifts

In the real world there are no gold stars for effort or report cards to gauge your progress. Yet a common mistake is treating work like school. As CEO and author, Sallie Krawcheck points out, “Let’s not confuse what made us successful in school for what can make us successful in our careers.”

While an honor roll mindset can translate into a drive to succeed that lands you deals and accolades, it can easily lead to workaholism and burnout. The industriousness that served you...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/let-go-of-perfectionism-with-these-3-shifts/

A Promising Therapy for Healing PTSD

When he left active duty, Brian Anderson, an Army Green Beret with 14 years of service, 33 months in combat and 3 Bronze Stars, started experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I started questioning my existence, whether I was alive, thinking I was in purgatory and thought I actually died in Afghanistan and had to right everything that went wrong,” said Anderson.

“I suffered from a lot of survivor’s guilt and was living in a real dark space. A lot of times it...

[Read More ...]

source https://psychcentral.com/blog/a-promising-therapy-for-healing-ptsd/

Let Go of Perfectionism with These 3 Shifts

In the real world there are no gold stars for effort or report cards to gauge your progress. Yet a common mistake is treating work like school. As CEO and author, Sallie Krawcheck points out, “Let’s not confuse what made us successful in school for what can make us successful in our careers.”

While an honor roll mindset can translate into a drive to succeed that lands you deals and accolades, it can easily lead to workaholism and burnout. The industriousness that served you...

[Read More ...]

A Promising Therapy for Healing PTSD

When he left active duty, Brian Anderson, an Army Green Beret with 14 years of service, 33 months in combat and 3 Bronze Stars, started experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I started questioning my existence, whether I was alive, thinking I was in purgatory and thought I actually died in Afghanistan and had to right everything that went wrong,” said Anderson.

“I suffered from a lot of survivor’s guilt and was living in a real dark space. A lot of times it...

[Read More ...]