MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'behavioral health'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:28:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077768&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F29%2Fdbs-for-depression-still-mixed-results%2F Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment long used for Parkinson’s disease. But in the past decade, some researchers have also examined its use for the treatment of severe clinical depression. Severe major depression is a serious problem in society, because some studies estimate that up to 30 percent of those who attempt to be treated for it find they have “treatment resistant” depression — that is, traditional treatments simply don’t work very well. Deep brain stimulation has mixed results. As we reported on back in February, a long-term followup of 20 patients found an average response rate to DBS of 64 percent. Not shabby, but also not the hopeful, guaranteed cure it was once held out to be. Maiken Scott, the behavioral health reporter for Philadelphia... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077768 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:39:07 +0100 5077768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829034&cid=t_101223_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FBHnoLVW6vfw%2F Last month, I asked if anyone has been successful with an EMR for mental health. I wondered if an iPad might make it easier for a psychotherapist to take electronic notes during a session without making the patient feel like the computer was getting in the way, because a desktop PC certainly would be a distraction. I also wondered about where mental health fits in the realm of truly comprehensive EHRs. (Yes, I make a distinction between EHR and EMR here, since, while it’s important to have a complete medication list to avoid harmful interactions, there’s little reason why an orthopedist or dermatologist would need to know whether a patient had been diagnosed with a mental illness. The same goes for records of sexually transmitted diseases or any other condition that patients ma... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829034 Tue, 17 May 2011 03:09:29 +0100 4829034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758786&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fnominate-someone-for-the-samhsa-voice-awards%2F I pass this news release along, in case anyone knows of someone (or themselves!) who might be a good candidate for nomination for this year’s SAMHSA Voice Awards. Join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in recognizing consumer/peer leaders and TV and film professionals who have given a voice to individuals with behavioral health problems (mental health and/or addiction issues). This year, SAMHSA is putting special emphasis on the impact of trauma and the significant effects it can have on individuals, families and friends, communities, and our Nation. Consideration is being given to consumer/peer leaders who have successfully advocated for the rights of trauma survivors and promoted the importance of trauma-informed care. Additional considerat... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758786 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:01:13 +0100 4758786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074147&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F16%2Finterview-with-samhsa-administrator-pamela-hyde-jd%2F While at the Voice Awards, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat for a few minutes with the head of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Administrator Pamela Hyde, JD. Ms. Hyde is an attorney and comes to SAMHSA with more than 30 years experience in management and consulting for public healthcare and human services agencies. She has served as a state mental health director, state human services director, city housing and human services director, as well as CEO of a private non-profit managed behavioral healthcare firm. You can learn more about Ms. Hyde here. Dr. John Grohol: So I wanted to understand a little bit better how the Voice Awards originated. What was the motivation behind coming up with this novel sort of way of recognizing both consumers ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074147 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:09:01 +0100 4074147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060649&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F12%2F2010-voice-awards-in-hollywood%2F I’m excited to be attending and reporting from the 5th anniversary of the Voice Awards tomorrow evening in Hollywood. This annual award program sponsored by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) honors screenwriters, producers, and behavioral health advocates raising awareness and understanding of mental and behavioral health problems The 2010 Voice Awards — co-hosted by Emmy Award winner Hector Elizondo and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. — will take place on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif. The annual event brings together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community for an evening of awareness raising about the contributions people living with m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060649 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:02:09 +0100 4060649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013259&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F28%2Ffeds-award-26-2-million-for-mental-health-care%2F All too often, I find myself writing about how mental health care fails in the U.S. It’s an easy story to write — during hard economic times, health care (especially for the poor and indigent) often takes a big hit from the government. So it’s always refreshing to write a different story. Especially one where the feds step up and fund not just a good idea, but a great one. The hero in this instance is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the funding mechanism is the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. Forty-three agencies share in the $26.2 million booty (most receiving about $500,000). The goal of the funding? To help better integrate primary care into the mental health services they offer. Yes, you heard me right — help... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013259 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:01:57 +0100 4013259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607662&cid=t_101223_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F4LM9fpoeyVs%2F Let me now share what the Judging Panel and the SharpBrains team found most impressive from each Winner and Finalist of the 2010 Brain Fitness Innovation Awards, accompanied by some additional information on each of these 10 noteworthy initiatives and case studies. Grand Prize Winner USA Hockey, Inc., is the National Governing Body of the sport of ice hockey in the United States. With a membership of nearly 600,000 players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states, USA Hockey seeks to promote the growth of hockey and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. Project Scope: The National Team Development Program (NTDP), a USA Hockey body, is a full-time development program aimed at preparing ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607662 Fri, 28 May 2010 04:04:56 +0100 3607662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984846&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Fthe-carter-centers-mental-health-program%2F Last week while attending the 25th Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting for a few moments with Thomas Bornemann, Ed.D. who has served as the Director of The Carter Center Mental Health Program for the past seven years. If you didn’t know, The Carter Center has been a leading force in helping to coordinate national mental health policy over the past two and a half decades. It does most of its work behind the scenes and is rarely noted for what it does best — bringing all stakeholders to the same table to talk and work on how they can advance policy and mental health agendas in the country. They do this through year-round work and collaborations with legislatures, advocates, organizations, non-profits, and other... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984846 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:51:54 +0100 2984846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981138&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F11%2Fin-honor-of-veterans-2009%2F This Veterans Day, as we honor the sacrifices made by soldiers who’ve served and those who continue to do so, we mark the 91st anniversary of the end of World War I. It seems so long ago to most of us — ancient history. Yet history is a teacher and if we don’t listen, we’re bound to repeat the same mistakes. The mistake we’re repeating today is not doing enough to recognize and take care of veterans’ mental health needs. This isn’t some feel good mantra. This is a very real need that the military continues to have problems meeting. A professional, nonprofit that represents 1,600 behavioral healthcare organizations released a press release yesterday detailing some of the continuing issues. “For instance, while the Veterans Mental Health Act wa... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981138 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:46:09 +0100 2981138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967419&cid=t_101223_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FIyJ1ZqXFUE8%2F This study aims to improve these and other related cognitive skills by using a driving game in which players practice paying attention to relevant information, such as traffic signs, and ignoring irrelevant information, such as billboards. The study monitors brain activity with electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and observes eye position and game performance in younger adults (ages 18 to 30) and older adults (ages 60 to 80) before and after six weeks of game play. The study assesses changes in cognitive ability, brain activity and transfer of game-related skills to similar cognitive operations and activities that take place in daily life. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) Reward Circuitry, Autism and Games that Teach Social Perceptual Skills – tests effe... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967419 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:35:40 +0100 2967419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842588&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F29%2Fadding-counseling-to-doctor-visits%2F The problem? Mental health problems occur throughout many people’s lives and yet they don’t seek out specific help for them. Instead, they turn to their primary care physician to help relieve associated physical complaints. Don Sapatkin, writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer, has the story: Mental health traditionally has been considered a specialist level of care, and often requires a referral. Yet huge numbers of people go to their doctor for problems that have a behavioral component: headache, fatigue, even diabetes that is out of control because stress has gotten in the way of refilling a script. Some have a serious problem but don’t want to see a specialist; more antidepressants are prescribed by primary doctors than by psychiatrists. Others have less significant be... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842588 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:35:35 +0100 2842588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060670&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Fsilence_that_idiot_box_the_boston_globe.php Many of the boomer adults were raised with a lot of TV. It would appear things have gotten worse. We know a lot more about what TV does to children, but it doesn't appear to have had much effect. Simple logic will tell us that the experience of TV will decrease a child's ability to tolerate a delay in gratification of desires. Certainly, the TV ads are designed to create the desire for things we didn't know we needed, a certain frustration that we can't have it all, now. But it's much worse than that. Image via Wikipedia John M Grohol PsyD owner of PsychCentral.com is usually a man who politely understates things. But, he pulls no punches in a recent article. "Most child psychologists and child development experts recommend no TV whatsoever for a child before the age of 2 or 3. None. Y... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060670 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:00:23 +0100 4060670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719755&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F20%2Fwhy-doctors-avoid-mental-health-treatment%2F It’s no wonder mental health stigma still exists surrounding issues like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Physicians who are the front-line treatment providers for mental health issues don’t always recognize the value of mental health professionals for their own mental health needs. Or they recognize the value, but don’t use them because of concerns about privacy and confidentiality. In a just-published survey of 3,500 doctors in the UK, researchers found: Nearly three quarters of respondents said they would rather discuss mental health problems with family or friends than seek formal or informal advice, citing reasons such as career implications, professional integrity, and perceived stigma of mental health problems. Let’s go through some of those ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719755 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:42:55 +0100 2719755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2266686&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2F1-million-a-good-start-for-suicide-followup-services%2F Today, during a meeting of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Grantees, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will announce the award of six grants totaling more than $1 million over three years to support suicide prevention. The funds will help crisis centers throughout the country develop special follow up services for people at high risk of dying by suicide. Every month, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline run by SAMHSA takes 44,000 calls. While not every caller is at acute risk for suicide, past research has shown that large numbers of callers have significant histories of suicidal ideation and attempts. Crisis centers provide invaluable services and for those at imminent risk for suicide, emergency intervention is frequently... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2266686 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:30:15 +0100 2266686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207395&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Flife-on-the-men.html This fall, 2008, I will have been in the Mental Health field for 40 years. In addition I have raised 9 children of my own with my wife, and now I have 10 grandchildren. I feel over the hill in some ways working in my private practice, being an agency executive, and teaching undergraduate social workers. Recently though, for the first time in a long time, I agreed to accompany a 16 year old client and his mother to an IEP meeting at his high school. The meeting was called to discuss his returning from a special ed 12:1:1 classroom to normal programming. I was appalled at the arrogance of the Principal who lectured the mother and the student about his zero tolerance policy for misbehavior and seriously questioned whether the student was prepared to function in this "higher expectat... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207395 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:14:45 +0100 1207395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207396&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fa-baseless-malp.html In the February 1, 2008 issue of Medical Economics, Gastroenterologist Michael Cappell tells the story of the time he got sued in a shotgun malpractice case. Even though innocent of wrongdoing, he still paid a hefty professional and personal price. Shabby treatment of health care professionals discourages the good ones from practicing medicine and they will not be there to help the sick when they are needed because the lawyers have driven them from the field. Here is part of what Dr. Cappell says about the personal toll on him:From a societal perspective, justice was served. Except for the elderly physician, who faced trial for malpractice, the court dismissed claims against all of the other 16 physicians originally named in the lawsuit. From my perspective, however, justice was poorly s... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207396 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:30:21 +0100 1207396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191388&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fmccains-idiotic.html I can't decide if Presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain, is senile, psychotic, or disingenuous. According to an article in the January, 2008 issue of Clinical Psychiatry News, McCain is quoted as saying that buying health insurance is like buying a house and that it's a matter of choice whether Americans "want" to buy it or not. Apparently, he hasn't talked with the 47 million Americans without health insurance or the Americans who have been bankrupted by medical costs because they didn't "choose" to buy health insurance. McCain's analysis of the health care crisis in the United States is scary in its simplistic naivete. It reminds me of Marie Antoinette's statement, when told that the peasants were starving to death because they had no bread, "Let them eat ca... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191388 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:04:43 +0100 1191388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191389&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Farmy-suicides-u.html The Associated Press reported today, 01/31/08, that the number of suicides in the military has continued to climb and is up 20% from last year.As many as 121 Army soldiers committed suicide in 2007, a jump of some 20 percent over the year before, officials said Thursday. The rise comes despite numerous efforts to improve the mental health of a force stressed by a longer-than-expected war in Iraq and the most deadly year yet in the now six-year-old conflict in Afghanistan. Internal briefing papers prepared by the Army's psychiatry consultant early this month show there were 89 confirmed suicides last year and 32 deaths that are suspected suicides and still under investigation. More than a quarter of those — about 34 — happened during deployments in Iraq, an increase from 27 in Iraq ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191389 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:10:37 +0100 1191389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1188612&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fbrain-imaging-a.html Justice Talking Radio program released an excellent program on 01/14/08 entitled "Neurolaw, The New Frontier" in which various experts discuss the latest brain imaging techniques and how it is being used and could be used in the future.Some lawyers are using brain scans showing defects to argue that their clients aren’t responsible for criminal behavior. In recent years, this neuroscientific evidence has been increasingly used in our courtrooms. But some scientists argue that the imaging is still new and unreliable, while others question whether juries should be ruling on what counts as a "defective" brain. As neurolaw grows in influence, it could potentially revolutionize our notions of guilt and punishment as criminals say "my brain made me do it." Might w... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1188612 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:16:42 +0100 1188612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1163218&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fyouth-are-sente.html As I get older I am amazed at the distorted view that most Americans have of themselves and their country. Our constitution says that we should not engage in cruel and inhumane punishment and yet California sentences kids to life in prison without parole. California's State Senate is predicted to pass a law this month outlawing this practice. To read a report from Human Rights Watch on this topic click on the link below. Link: "When I Die, They'll Send Me Home": Youth sentenced to Life without Parole in California. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1163218 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:43:53 +0100 1163218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123286&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Finvoluntary-out.html Chris Jenkins wrote a good article in yesterday's, 12/30/07, Washtington Post about involuntary outpatient mental health treatment. In New York State there is such a law known as Kendra's law and it appears to be successful. It is being looked at closely by other states such as Virginia as a model to replicate.Susan Wezel had been committed to the city's hospital wards more than a dozen times in 10 years. Her psychosis was so deep and debilitating that she lost her career and her relationship with her son, as she refused to take her medication or follow treatment. But because of a New York state law, Wezel hasn't been hospitalized in more than a year. She doesn't wander the streets alone at night anymore. She takes her medication willingly. She even has plans to follow her dream of singi... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123286 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:18:37 +0100 1123286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1122149&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fthe-innocent-ma.html The Innocent Man by John Grisham, his first non-fiction book, is an important book which tells the story of the perversity of the criminal justice system when prosecutors are narcissistic despots, cops are corrupt, judges are officious functionaries, and juries are prejudiced mobs who care nothing for facts, evidence, and the truth. Ron Williamson, a mentally ill ex professional baseball player, is framed for a murder he did not commit and was a couple of weeks from being executed before some diligent indigent defense attorneys finally got a decent judge to review the error riddled original trial and put a stay on the execution. Barry Sheck's Innocence Project finally did DNA testing which found that Williamson and the other man framed, Dennis Fritz, could not have committed the crime. I... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1122149 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:06:01 +0100 1122149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1101450&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fit-takes-the-su.html Back on April 2, 2007 the Associated Press report on the Supreme Court's ruling that the EPA does have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions was broadcast on CNN.The Supreme Court rebuked the Bush administration Monday for its inaction on global warming in a decision that could encourage faster action in Congress on climate change and lead to more fuel-efficient cars as early as next year. The court, in a 5-4 ruling in its first case on climate change, declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate those emissions from new cars and trucks under the landmark environment law, and the "laundry list" of reasons it has given for declining to do so are... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1101450 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:09:48 +0100 1101450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1076245&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Flove-and-aging.html WBUR in Boston has a great radio show called On Point, and on November 30, 2007, Jane Clayson filling in for the usual host, Tom Ashbrook, had a great show on Love And Aging which is well worth listening to. It lasts about 45 or 50 minutes. Here is a brief synopsis from the On Point web page:They say love changes everything. But time changes love.Just how much it can change became front page news last week, when the family of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor revealed that her husband had fallen in love with a fellow Alzheimer's patient.And she was happy for him.What happens to the part of ourselves that loves as the mind ages, and changes?Our culture celebrates young love. But mature love is filled with passion too, even as our memories leave us. Seniors living for the mom... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1076245 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:22:53 +0100 1076245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1036918&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fnew-research-on.html On November 14, 2007, Diane Rehm had an interesting show on some recent research which has been done on disruptive kindergartners. Diane interviewed Sharon Landesman Ramey, Director, Center for Health and Education, Georgetown University, Dr. Philip Shaw, Psychiatry Fellow, National Institutes of Mental Health, and Greg Duncan, Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy Faculty Fellow, Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. Here is a brief synopsis of the show:A new study finds children considered troublemakers in kindergarten will do just as well academically as their peers in later school years. There's also new research on children with A.D.H.D. suggesting a possible brain development delay but no long term deficit. New insights on evaluating and educat... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1036918 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:53:58 +0100 1036918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1035605&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fstate-hospitals.html There is an article in the November 16, 2007 issue of the Psychiatric News about how state hospitals across the nation are beginning to address the issue of smoking in their facilities. It is an interesting observation that people with problems with alcohol, drugs, and serious psychiatric disorders smoke at rates 3 and 4 times the rates of people without those problems. For example, in New York State currently, the smoking prevalence rate in the general population is 16% but among alcoholics it is 85-90% and among people with serious mental illness it is about 75%. In New York State all alcohol and drug treatment facilities and programs which are licensed by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASAS) must be tobacco free by July 28, 2008. The 14 Alcohol Treatment Fa... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1035605 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:27:45 +0100 1035605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1010431&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Freport-abstinen.html AP reported today, 11/07/07, on a report that abstinence only programs do not curb teen sex.Programs that focus exclusively on abstinence have not been shown to affect teenager sexual behavior, although they are eligible for tens of millions of dollars in federal grants, according to a study released by a nonpartisan group that seeks to reduce teen pregnancies. "At present there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence or reduces the number of sexual partners" among teenagers, the study concluded. The report, which was based on a review of research into teenager sexual behavior, was being released Wednesday by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. The study... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1010431 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:46:18 +0100 1010431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908574&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fmore-than-1-in-.html The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics made note of a distressing phenomenon in its press release last June, 27, 2007. They noted that 1/3 of all prison and jail inmates in the United States are African American which far outstrips the degree of their representation in the general population. More than one in 10 (11%)  African Americans between the ages of 25 - 34 are incarcerated in the United States. What a waste of human energy and talent. What does this say about our society which finally ended slavery, and then ended segregation, and now incarcerates so many of its African American citizens? There is something significantly wrong. Obviously for significant numbers of Americans we are not the land of the free and the home of the brave. Link: Bureau of Justice ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908574 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:42:16 +0100 908574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908575&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Felizabeth-eckfo.html Another one of my favorite podcasts is NPR's Driveway Moments. On September 4, 2007, NPR broadcast a story about Elizabeth Eckford, one of the 9 brave students who became known as the Little Rock 9 were pioneers integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Elizabeth was 15 at the time and is now 65 and still has trouble talking about her experience to this day. At the age of 15 she was vilified, castigated, spat upon, jeered, and harassed. We like to think of ourselves as a wonderful nation, land of the free and home of the brave, etc. but this self concept is more an idealization than a reality. We, Americans, have a long way to go to actualize our ideals. It is important to remember, and pay tribute to the brave citizens who have helped us become a better people. ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908575 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:06:52 +0100 908575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=906074&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fanother-possibl.html Could another innocent man be executed in Alabama tomorrow? Here is a blurb from the Innocence Project's web site.Unless Alabama Gov. Bob Riley or courts intervene, Thomas Arthur will be executed tomorrow despite his claims of innocence and the possibility of DNA testing in his case. Less than two months ago, Darrell Grayson was executed after Riley refused to step in and allow DNA testing that could have proven Grayson’s guilt or innocence. The Innocence Project advocated for DNA testing in the courts and through the political system in both cases. But over the last few days, Riley has refused to even learn more about how DNA testing could prove Arthur’s innocence. “As we told the governor’s senior advisers, 42 states in the country now allow post-conviction DNA testing. In 42 st... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=906074 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:23:30 +0100 906074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=883729&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fnew-york-state-.html The New York State Office Of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS), has announced in a press release issued on July 24, 2007, that all New York State licensed alcohol and drug treatment programs will be expected to be tobacco free by July 24, 2008. This means that no tobacco products or paraphernalia such as lighters, rolling papers, etc. will be allowed on agency properties or vehicles. Tobacco products will be considered and treated as contraband just as alcohol and street drugs are in OASAS treatment and prevention facilities. This is the first such policy in the United States and is labled as a "landmark initiative". For the first time in professional substance abuse history a major regulatory and funding body has taken a sane and rational approach. Nicotine is the most add... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=883729 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:55:42 +0100 883729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816666&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fpathological-ga.html There is an interesting article in the June, 2007 issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine entitled, "Pathological Gambling: A Nonsubstance, Substance-Related Disorder?" which provides an overview of the history of diagnosing and treating pathological gambling. Lifetime prevalence rates for pathological gambling are between 1% and 2% of the population. The co-occurance of pathological gambling and other substance using disorders is about 50% for gamblers who also have substance use problems, and about 9% - 16% for people with substance use disorders who also have gambling problems. With minor variations current treatment for pathological gambling is very similar to treatment for substance use disorders. There is no know effective medications. With the rise in gambling opport... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816666 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:44:54 +0100 816666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773359&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fchild-maltreatm.html Reuters Health Day reported on an article in the August 1, 2007 issue of the Journal Of The American Medical Association that child maltreatment cases rise in military families when a parent is deployed. This information would not look good on a recruiting poster. It is very stressful on the parent left home with the kids while the other parent is off serving his/her country. I am pretty sick and tired of all the yellow ribbon magnets on cars and the Support The Troops balleyhoo of polticians when they cut veterans benefits and leave military families severely stressed due to deployment. It makes one wonder whether a voluntary, mercenary army is really a good idea in a democracy. Here is part of what it says in the Reuters article:Deployment of a parent results in added stress, particularl... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773359 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:57:39 +0100 773359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=749437&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fhow-religion-is.html On July 15, 2007, Rev. Tamara Lebak, Assistant Pastor at the All Soul's Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK, preached a powerful sermon on Domestic Violence. It is not a topic that is often preached on and she does a super job giving an overview of the problem, a personal insight into how it affected her own life, and how churches and religion can be complicit in supporting the problem. I highly recommend the sermon and you can listen or download it from the Digg web site by clicking on the link below. Link: Digg - Why Have You Forsaken Me? (All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, OK). (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=749437 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:14:12 +0100 749437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=748922&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fgovernance-stru.html Predatory priests are not the problem. It is the unaccountable governance structure of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests operate in their own secret world above the law. They often lead a double life preying on the gullible sexually, financially, and theologically. They do not genuinely care for their victims or families but only to preserve their own status, power, and perrogatives. According to the Associated Press, the archdiocese of Los Angeles paid out a record setting clergy abuse civil settlement, 660 million, to prevent Cardinal Mahony from having to testify in court. I wonder why Catholics would continue to financially support a church this corrupt?Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony approved a record clergy abuse payout, opened the files of the Roman Cath... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=748922 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:38:54 +0100 748922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714719&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fmedicine-is-a-f.html "I, too, think that life is constantly showing us the holy nature of the world. And medicine is a front-row seat on life. You get to see spirit in action, no matter what your religion is. Most doctors recognize this. Few doctors have not experienced what they would call holy moments in their work, moments of awe, moments when they have known themselves to be in the presence of something larger than themselves, be it courage or love or mystery."Dr. Rachel RemenUnfortunately, medicine, the healing arts has been turned into a corporate enterprise, a mercenary business which is about making money rather than bringing comfort to the sick, and healing to suffering and terrified spirits. Many people are called to medicine, to healing and care, because they realize that "somehow the... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714719 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:43:27 +0100 714719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=485782&cid=t_101223_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Fbankruptcy_unde.html NPR Religion program had an interesting program on March 11, 2007 describing the bankruptcy underway in the Catholic diocese of San Diego. There have been so many pedophile law suit settlements that they have bankrupted another Catholic diocese. This news has me wondering where the Catholic dioceses get their money to begin with? It is from their parishioners of course. And that has me wondering why parishioners would be financially supporting an institution which harbors, enables, and abets sex abusers and then hypocritically purports to teach people about morality? The God which the Catholic church claims to represent must have one heck of a sense of humor. Either you laugh or cry. Is this an example of bad faith described in the post below? To listen to the show click on the link be... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=485782 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:12:18 +0100 485782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=474906&cid=t_101223_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fdiagnosis-loneliness.html Visiting a patient today who has been out of touch and difficult to reach, I realized how isolation and loneliness will inevitably undermine any effort to improve an individual's health over the long term. The details of his many comorbidities aside, one of the conditions from which my patient suffers most is loneliness, and the prescription for its treatment is not easy to elucidate or prescribe."I hate everyone and everything!" he yelled, staring at the high definition television he purchased last month. "I have no one to do anything with. I do everything alone. When I was drinking I had friends. And now? Twenty months sober and I have no one!"When I arrived, his bottles of medication were strewn across the floor of his apartment."I ain't takin' this shit no more! F**k medication! F**k m... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=474906 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:13:00 +0100 474906