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 'counseling'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:53 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159208&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2F11-tips-for-succeeding-in-college-when-you-have-adhd%2F College is a big transition for any student. But when you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are added challenges to consider. These obstacles concern everything from studying to managing your time to spending impulsively to planning your future post-college. But by being aware of these potential problems and being proactive, students with ADHD can accomplish great things in school. Here’s how, according to Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D, a national certified counselor and licensed mental health counselor and author of Making the Grade with ADD: A Student’s Guide to Succeeding in College with Attention Deficit Disorder. 1. Apply for accommodations. Accommodations are “specific adaptations, including extended time on tests and an assigned note taker, that give yo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159208 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:45:13 +0100 5159208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077772&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2F12-weeks-to-feeling-better-try-psychotherapy-today%2F It’s time for psychotherapy to stop beating around in the bushes and get a new marketing campaign going for itself. It’s time for organizations like our own, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association and others to join together and have people understand a simple, basic message — 12 weeks is all most people need to start feeling better when faced with a mental health issue. Psychotherapy still gets a bad rap because of a basic misunderstanding of the process it entails, or prejudice around thinking that if you need to see a therapist, something’s really wrong with you. It doesn’t have to be this way. Just like the endless pharmaceutical commercials on TV for antidepressants and ADHD medications, psychotherapy could be remindin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077772 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:06:58 +0100 5077772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051338&cid=t_100817_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2F98s4L26-a_o%2F Before I get into today’s guest post I wanted to let you know that ‘How Do I Set Goals That Stick?’ is now available in the Kindle format. I am indebted to Ola Rinta-Koski from Tavaton for converting the book for me and if you’re needing something similar doing check him out. The book will be going on sale on Amazon, but you’re so lovely and cute so I couldn’t possibly charge you. So Continue reading... (Source: Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone :) Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051338 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:56:22 +0100 5051338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992693&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhelpful-breast-cancer-qa%2F2011.06.30 Attendees of the breast cancer awareness symposium “Bridging the Gap: Promoting Breast Cancer Prevention, Screening and Wellness” were given the chance to submit questions on breast cancer in the minority community. This is the first part of these questions answered by Dr. Preya Ananthakrishnan, Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery and a host of the event. Q: I am a 51 year old Black women, whose mother died 13 years ago from breast cancer & her sister was diagnosed last year. I had a mammography 2 weeks ago and got the dreaded come back letter. Should I get genetic counseling? Dr. Ananthakrishnan: I would suggest that your sister with the breast cancer get tested first, and if her test result is positive then you should get tested. Furthermore, it is likely that even though you... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992693 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:00:57 +0100 4992693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911573&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F07%2Fhow-forensic-psychology-began-and-flourished%2F There are many subsets of psychology. No doubt one of the most fascinating is forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is basically the intersection of psychology and the legal system. It’s quite a broad field. Psychologists work in a variety of settings, including police departments, prisons, courts and juvenile detention centers. And they do everything from assessing whether an incarcerated individual is ready for parole to advising attorneys on jury selection to serving as experts on the stand to counseling cops and their spouses to creating treatment programs for offenders. Most are trained as clinical or counseling psychologists. So how did this interesting specialty emerge and expand? Here’s a brief look at the history of forensic psychology. The Birth of Forensic Psychology The... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911573 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:09:18 +0100 4911573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852938&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F23%2Fhard-to-find-a-male-therapist%2F Well, yes. Fewer men are choosing clinical psychology as a profession. We’ve known this for many years, as graduate programs in psychology — both Master’s level and doctoral — have increasingly become female-dominated. In my graduate class of 1990, over 75% of the class was female. That percentage has only increased in the past two decades. So Benedict Carey’s new article in the New York Times is a bit of a puzzler. The angle is that because of this gender discrepancy, a good male therapist is increasingly becoming difficult to find: Researchers began tracking the “feminization” of mental health care more than a generation ago, when women started to outnumber men in fields like psychology and counseling. Today the takeover is almost complete. And I say, &#... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852938 Mon, 23 May 2011 12:46:49 +0100 4852938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829167&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fq4hEisRC7l0%2F I read an interesting post this morning on Betty Confidential about whether or not lap dances can be considered cheating, which got me thinking about all the other murky, gray areas surrounding infidelity. Of course, when you or your partner actually have sex with someone outside your relationship, that’s generally recognized as being unfaithful, but are there other things we do all the time (perhaps without even realizing it) that border on having an affair? To find out, I caught up with Dr. Julie Elledge, a psychotherapist, sexpert, and friend of Blisstree who loves giving us the goods on solutions to all kinds of relationship dramas from her professional point of view: Should we consider porn cheating? Explicit sexual images have been around for as long as we can record the presen... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829167 Thu, 05 May 2011 21:55:37 +0100 4829167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789491&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fq4hEisRC7l0%2F I read an interesting post this morning on Betty Confidential about whether or not lap dances can be considered cheating, which got me thinking about all the other murky, gray areas surrounding infidelity. Of course, when you or your partner actually have sex with someone outside your relationship, that’s generally recognized as being unfaithful, but are there other things we do all the time (perhaps without even realizing it) that border on having an affair? To find out, I caught up with Dr. Julie Elledge, a psychotherapist, sexpert, and friend of Blisstree who loves giving us the goods on solutions to all kinds of relationship dramas from her professional point of view: Should we consider porn cheating? Explicit sexual images have been around for as long as we can record the presen... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789491 Thu, 05 May 2011 21:55:37 +0100 4789491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758754&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-husbands-gain-weight-and-physicians-wimp-out%2F2011.04.27 A friend of mine is in great physical shape but her husband (we’ll call him “Mr. B”)  has gained 40 pounds since they were married five years ago. He also has familial hypercholesterolemia, and several of his relatives have had heart attacks at young ages. Mrs. B is distraught – she is worried about her husband’s health, and has tried to gently nudge him towards healthier eating habits and regular exercise (as well as taking a statin for his cholesterol). Unfortunately, the nudges were received as nagging, and a wedge has formed between them in their relationship. Last week my friend planned a trip to a primary care physician in the hopes that he would educate Mr. B about the dangers of being overweight and not treating his high cholesterol. “Surely Mr.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758754 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:00:19 +0100 4758754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677120&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fl3Km47ZfZRo%2F Sorry about the re-run—I wrote this several years ago, and I still agree with the concept of ‘dynamic character defects.’ As I read it now, I recognize how things have changed; buprenorphine (Suboxone) has been incorporated into many of the major treatment centers, and even the smallest programs have at least become familiar with the medication. There still exist some programs where the staff remain ‘anti-Suboxone’, but those places are becoming the exception, and are essentially marginalizing themselves out of the treatment industry. You may note that I had an attitude of cooperation when I wrote this post, years ago. I suggested that those who prescribe buprenorphine work WITH those treatment centers that were ‘anti-Suboxone;’ that they recognize each others’ strengths. ... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677120 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:42:45 +0100 4677120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664361&cid=t_100817_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fsharp-retorts-for-dull-people-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F Each of us who lives a life of compromised health doesn’t do it on an island. Neither do we live in a gilded cage, whatever the heck that is. No, we live in a larger cage without any adornments as we struggle to make it through each day — each of us in different circumstances and conditions. Some of us are seriously disabled while others live with different degrees of equally serious pain. There is definitely one aspect of life we experience as we live in flocks, groups or herds. Yes, herds. Have you been to a large city lately? The only thing missing is the mooing. There is a certain insensitivity that has crept into our society as we bump up against others, going through life in our limited capacity or attempting full speed ahead. Most people do not understand what a life of chr... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664361 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:53:31 +0100 4664361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575066&cid=t_100817_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F10%2Fno-fix-needed-youre-an-idiot%2F Some of you may remember the post from a few days ago where a guy asked me to fix his inhaler / aerochamber. Well, tonight I finally filled in all the holes. He came back in...as angry as every. I asked him what the problem was and his exact response was precious: "I asked you what I'd need to do if I get this inhaler home and it didn't work and you SWORE UP AND DOWN IT WOULD. Well guess what -- the motherf.er don't work. Ya'll are selling defective shit in here, and I've done spent like $80 bucks on these sumbitches and you, yeah, you...right here [pointing at me as if I were the master of all things Ventolin HFA]...are gonna give me my money back....plus some, find out whose got one of these Gaht DAMN things that work, and transfer this prescription there." Can you hear a big bellied red... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575066 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:29:45 +0100 4575066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4566354&cid=t_100817_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F09%2Fkudos-from-clients-this-is-why-i-love-my-job%2F Here’s a lovely message I received from a client today. Hello my Registered Dietitian Just wanted to remind you how much I appreciate you and all the passion and dedication you have for your profession! I am a healthier me b/c of you and I (along with my fiance my family and friends) THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! What makes you so special is that you are so much more than any other RD … you have the ability to connect on a personal level (at least that’s what I have experienced). I will forever be grateful for you knowledge, support, care and commitment to my health. I just love my job so much. To be able to help people change their own lives is the most wonderful feeling. (Source: Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog) Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4566354 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:02:06 +0100 4566354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549950&cid=t_100817_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FlHqbS9fRWNQ%2F Love is in the air . . . or is it? How strong is your marriage or relationship with your significant other? You may think you know, but are you sure? What would your spouse say? The strength of your relationships is more important than any investment you’ll ever own. If you’ll obsess over the stock market and how well your portfolio is doing, doesn’t it make sense to invest a few of the other 8 hours into a marriage check up? After juggling careers, kids, and life, there can be very little time left over for your spouse. When there is too much to do and not enough time, our relationships are typically the first victims, followed closely by sleep. Fortunately, we have Valentine’s Day to save us! But when it comes to love and relationships, this once-a-year-thing isn&... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549950 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:03:21 +0100 4549950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4528018&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FHjXRDxrC72U%2F Since I began using buprenorphine to treat opioid dependence in my psychiatry practice, I’ve learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn’t work. Buprenorphine is an amazing medication when used properly, and undoubtedly saves thousands of lives each year. Even when used improperly, buprenorphine has life-saving properties. Addicts who take buprenorphine illicitly, but above a threshold dose and frequency, will become tolerant to the effects of the drug, and will be largely protected from overdose. There is little appreciation for this part of the story, which is understandable. We cannot expect society to embrace the illicit use of a substance. Buprenorphine is, after all, an opioid, with some abuse potential. There are appropriate efforts underway to reduce the diversion of b... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4528018 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:02:02 +0100 4528018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522193&cid=t_100817_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fpotholes-in-the-road-of-chronic-pain%2F We have often shared how rough the road of chronic pain can be. It winds around many curves, jarring us for years as we seek to live as “normal” a life as possible. Along this ride we call life, there are often potholes strewn along the way. Some are small and easily traversed but others are huge and appear to swallow up our lives leaving us in a sunken, dark state of stickiness of being. Attitude and state of mind. It’s difficult to put enough emphasis on this one particular point without overdoing it. Little ruts along the way can jar us and shake us up a bit. They can hurt our outlook on life which is already in a compromised state due to our pain. It’s impossible to merrily skip along the road of life when you hurt everyday. First of all, many of us find it impossible to skip a... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522193 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:52:26 +0100 4522193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517166&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-importance-of-diagnosing-birth-defects%2F2011.02.24 Birth defects, particularly those of the blood vessels, account for the majority of infant deaths, especially after the first week of life. Congenital heart disease (CHD) — meaning defects of the heart – is responsible for one-third of deaths between birth and the first year of life. Therefore, the diagnosis of CHD is critical in order to plan life-saving treatments, such as the proper place for the delivery, the type of delivery, and its timing. If it’s known in advance that an unborn baby has a heart problem and is delivered in a hospital that provides special care, its survival and future health will increase dramatically. Who’s at risk for having CHD and which expectant moms should have further evaluation? Families who have a history of CHD — especially ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517166 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:49 +0100 4517166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482917&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fa7R9Z_R-DJM%2F "The Boys From Brazil" (1978) It was simple: My husband and I were just supposed to go someplace warm for a long weekend in March. We had gone away over the Christmas holidays, but the trip was a total bust, thanks to a raging case of bronchitis I developed on the Eurostar from London to Paris. (I know, I know — luxury problems. But you try being 16 weeks pregnant and quarantined in a tiny rental apartment for four days with an incessant cough, a measly four TV channels (in French, obviously), zero medication allowed, and a dying laptop battery — no charger adapter, either). Merde. On the bright side? I had plenty of Vicks-VapoRub-scented tissues thanks to the well-stocked pharmacy on the corner. Our “babymoon” (a loathesome term, in my opinion) had morphe... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482917 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:09:48 +0100 4482917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433242&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FQd6J9PlIhk0%2F So it turns out love actually does mean having to say you’re sorry. But the good news is it doesn’t mean having to say: “I forgive you.” New research published from The Journal of Family Psychology says that absolute forgiveness may not always be the best route to a happy relationship. While forgiveness is often touted as the enlightened path to true happiness and peace, the study shows that “newlyweds who forgave their partner’s bad behavior were more likely to face additional bad behavior the next day compared with those who stayed mad.” Here’s the breakdown: Study author James McNulty, a psychologist at the University of Tennessee, asked 135 heterosexual newlywed couples to keep a diary for a week, including any instances of their partner upsetting them, and whether ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433242 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:14:52 +0100 4433242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394528&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F25%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-25-2011%2F Almost a decade ago, I had a conversation with a friend that made me both infuriated and grateful. I don’t know how it started, but somehow we got to talking about depression. Essentially, he told me that depression was a made up disorder that helped put money in the pockets of mental health professionals. He didn’t see the need for medication and thought people should just buck up and be happy instead of feeling sad. Having a grandfather who suffered from depression, I was certain that depression was not only real, but a serious illness. And I was not only disturbed by his reaction, but angry. Although it’s been 10 years since the conversation, I often think about it. I’m not as upset as I was before. Although I still don’t agree with his statement, I ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394528 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:43:59 +0100 4394528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386301&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F22%2Funiversities-college-students-and-mental-health%2F With the recent tragedy allegedly perpetrated by suspended college student Jared Loughner in Tuscon, AZ, the role of colleges’ and universities’ student counseling centers has taken center stage. This is a little odd, given that Mr. Loughner attended a community college that lacked a student counseling center. Most community colleges — catering to part-time students who often have families or hold down full-time jobs — don’t seem to have the mental health counseling centers that most traditional universities and colleges have. Dr. Emily Gibson, a family physician who apparently works with students at a college, recently wrote a blog entry about mental illness in the college student. In this entry, she seems to bemoan the fact that students have come to expect ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386301 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:47:23 +0100 4386301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300539&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvLJOQQm0vRE%2F By Michael F. CannonRich Lowry has the right take on the Obama administration’s decision to have Medicare cover end-of-life counseling despite Congress’ rejection of the idea. The Real Problem with Those Non-Death Panels is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300539 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:33:27 +0100 4300539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241766&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F08%2Fpsychotherapy-continues-decline-as-depression-treatment%2F Perhaps we’ve seen the rise and fall of psychotherapy treatment. At least when it comes to depression, the most common mental disorder diagnosed today. The numbers don’t lie, according to multiple nationally-representative surveys conducted over the past two decades. At the start of the 1990s, psychotherapy was the treatment of choice for depression, with 71.1 percent of depressed people saying they had been treated with psychotherapy. By 1997, with the newer SSRI antidepressants firmly taking hold in prescribers’ toolboxes, that number had dropped to 60.2 percent. When the latest research when conducted, they found 53.6 percent of depressed people surveyed in 1998 were in psychotherapy. When they looked again in 2007, that number had dropped to a new all-time low —... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241766 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:45:51 +0100 4241766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225468&cid=t_100817_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fcan-you-find-happiness-while-living-with-chronic-pain%2F We just had a Happy Thanksgiving. We are annually wished a Happy Birthday. We will be expected to have a Happy New Year but apparently we’re supposed to have a Merry Christmas. We can be slap happy, trigger happy and “so happy for you.” I’m not certain who creates these labels but most of them have to be jolly, merry, and bright. I have often wondered how important it is to be happy. Do you think you can be happy if you live with chronic pain each day of your life? Should we strive for happiness? Does it matter? Is happiness important compared to being healthy? So many questions come to mind when you open this jolly, sparkly box such as: Can another person make you happy or do you have to do that all by yourself? Are we happier when we’re in love or when we&#8... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225468 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:12:15 +0100 4225468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168147&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F11%2Fsometimes-all-it-takes-is-meeting-one-or-two-people-who-really-care%2F Homelessness greatly increases people’s risk of contracting HIV, especially among youth, who now account for HALF of all new HIV infections each year. To meet the needs of young people most at risk, AIDS Action operates the Youth on Fire Drop-in Center for homeless and street involved youth. Since 2000, Youth on Fire has worked with over 2,500 youth through its Harvard Square location. Youth on Fire engages its members first and foremost by providing life’s necessities — hot meals, showers, laundry. As members grow comfortable, they may also access on-site medical treatment (including HIV and STD screening), mental health counseling, housing search support, and more. During November, which is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, AIDS Action is recognizing Yout... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168147 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:43:15 +0100 4168147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031193&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fme-oww-relationship-advice-from-victor-the-cat%2F Hello. My name is Victor the cat. I live in an apartment in New York City with two tall people who feed me. When Blisstree approached me about doing my own weekly relationship column, I must admit I was hesitant at first. See, I sleep 16 hours a day (minimum), and in my spare time I need to eat, preen myself, use the facilities, and bat a few toys under the refrigerator in a lackluster fashion. On less hectic days, I also try to squeeze in some time sitting in the windowsill looking at stuff outside. So, as you can imagine, it’s a real challenge for me to fit other work-related responsibilities into my demanding day-to-day schedule. I know what you’re thinking: What the hell does this cat know about being a relationship columnist? True, I don’t have the rabid following of... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031193 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:45:44 +0100 4031193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031195&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fdriving-each-other-crazy-most-couples-last-22-minutes-in-a-car-before-fights-begin%2F You might think most of your road rage is directed at other drivers, but if your significant other is in the car: Watch out. A recent study conducted by a SEAT, a Spanish automobile manufacturer, shows that it takes the average couple about 22 minutes in the car to start fighting. Researchers interviewed 3,000 participants about their driving habits, and they found that 71% have fought with their partners while driving. The leading cause of argument was getting lost, but drivers reported fighting over all sorts of topics, from air-conditioning to heating: The most common causes of driving arguments: 44% — directions/getting lost 37% — where to park 34% — driving too quickly 24% — driving too close to other cars 20% — backseat driving 20% — music/radio choices 17% — aggressiv... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031195 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:05:11 +0100 4031195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001811&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FZ8T0OUgmcmI%2F Much thanks to a doc in Australia for recent comments: Rats that can jump From one Doc to another (I’m in Australia). You may be interested (or possibly know) how we do things here. Basically, addicts can register at any Dr who’s completed a programme and is then authorised to prescribe what we call Schedule 100 drugs: mainly buprenorphine and methadone. Almost all these Dr’s ‘bulk bill’ ie. are free for the patient. Once prescribed, the patient turns up at a chemist (who’s set up to dispense S100 drugs) daily and receives their dose. After 2-3 months of stability ‘takeaways’ may be authorised by the Dr: up to 3-4 a week. In general terms there is almost NO prescribing of 30 day bottles here – Px need too see the pharmacist daily and th... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001811 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:57:29 +0100 4001811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999215&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F09%2F24%2Fbeyond-the-headlines-whats-going-on-with-hiv-and-gay-and-bisexual-men%2F The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a new report on HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Based on data from the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, the report shows that 19% of the 8,153 men surveyed are HIV-positive; 44% of these men were unaware of their HIV status when they participated in the study, which included filling out a questionnaire with a trained surveyor and receiving an HIV test. Surveys were conducted in the twenty-one metropolitan areas with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence nationwide, including Boston.  Before diving into the data, it’s important to note that early media coverage of this report has overstated the reach of its findings. Early stories ran with headlines such as, “One-in-Five Gay Men HIV-Positive”. In fact,... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999215 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:42:05 +0100 3999215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3983556&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsuboxonetalkzone.com%2FRelapse.pdf This study of people on buprenorphine compared a control group that had a quick med check each week during the study period, with a ‘counseling group’ that had two one-hour sessions per week throughout the period, talking about interpersonal issues, personality problems, trauma and stress in the patients’ lives, and other feel-good issues. Guess what? There was NO DIFFERENCE in relapse rates between the control group and the addicts that received intensive counseling. None. Nada. Zero. I have stated many times that opioid dependence deserves treatment as a MEDICAL ILLNESS, a chronic illness, a potentially fatal illness that finally has a chronic and effective treatment available. But now that this life-saving treatmennt is finally here, the insurers have the gall to limit... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3983556 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 03:59:46 +0100 3983556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942790&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fstop-smoking-treatment-dont-stop-it-too-soon%2F2010.09.07 Doctors may want their patients to stick with a smoking cessation regimen even if it’s not initially working, report researchers who found that “delayed quitters” accounted for a third of former smokers who went a year without cigarettes. Quit rates may be significantly increased by just continuing in motivated but initially unsuccessful patients during the first eight weeks of treatment, according to research published online in the journal Addiction. There’s actually two types of successful quitters: Those who quit immediately and those who are “delayed” but eventually successful. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942790 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3942790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3903105&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F08%2F25%2Fpsychotherapy-thatll-be-100000-sorry-no-warranty%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Psychotherapy: That’ll Be $100,000. Sorry, No Warranty. My colleague Mary C. Curtis writes that Betty Draper has returned to the therapist office. “Mad Men” is set in the 1960s, and there’s a good chance Draper’s health insurance picked up 80 percent of that tab, if not the whole shebang. Ah, those were the days. Now, you’re more likely to get three visits a year. That is, if you’re still employed and even have insurance at all. With real unemployment soaring near levels last seen in the 1930s, I doubt people will be able to pay the premiums offered by private companies. (Public Option, was it something I said?) My colleague Delia writes about the ways talk therapy can help. But she lives in England, lan... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3903105 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:56:55 +0100 3903105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786982&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftop-10-posts-from-the-gloss-last-week%2F You know our sister site, TheGloss, and how awesome and hilarious it is. So why not take some downtime to catch up on their top posts from last week? Check them out: 1. TheGloss Interviews Jackie Collins 2. Beauty Tips from Mormons 3. Would You Get Married In a Wedding Dress Made of Kleenex? 4. 10 Celebrities You Should Never Date Ever 5. I Still Can’t Wear High Heels, But I Can Wear Wedges 6. Video: How to Make Your Very Own Font 7. Personality Qualities Way More Important Than Anything on Your Resume (Part II) 8. Style Advice From… An Eight-Year-Old and a Five-Year-Old 9. How Early Is Too Early For Couples Counseling? 10. Disease of the Day: Trichotillomania (The One Where You Pull Out Your Hair) Post from: BlissTree Top 10 Posts on TheGloss Last Week (Source: Breastfeeding 1... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786982 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:00:32 +0100 3786982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816775&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FZR326v-Ld9U%2F Does your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife have trouble with anger? Does your alcoholic spouse have trouble controlling anger or are they easily irritated? As a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, most alcoholics need “anger treatment”. Here are 7 reasons why alcoholic spouses have controlling relationships: Drinking alcohol started in the first place to help numb uncomfortable feelings such as rage. Alcoholic spouses are “intense” and do not know how to regulate emotions (i.e. controlling anger). You would not describe your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife as a balanced person. They tend to have difficulty controlling anger. Your alcoholic spouse is passive aggressive) and avoids direct conflict. He is more likely to not do something you ask than discus... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816775 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:09:34 +0100 3816775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3762901&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsame-sex-vs-opposite-sex-whats-the-rule-on-friendship%2F2010.07.17 I’m stealing a post from Jay at Two Women Blogging entitled “Was Harry Right?” Here’s their post, and I discuss it below: Was Harry Right? Bluemilk got me started thinking about this. I first heard Harry’s thesis advanced by the resident I worked with on my med school psych rotation. She assured me that while I might think I had platonic friendships with men, the men didn’t see it that way. I was pretty sure they did see it that way. I wasn’t naive, I was engaged to be married and had done my share of dating and flirting — I knew what it felt like when a man was interested in me sexually and I knew the difference. I still know the difference, and I still have men friends. For most of my life, my closest friends have been men. (more…) ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3762901 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3762901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648598&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F10%2Fintroducing-the-creative-mind%2F We were sorry to see Susan K. Perry of our Writer’s Mind blog leave after only a few short months blogging with us. By all accounts, people enjoyed her blog and I know I learned something about writing from her insights. But producing new and interesting blog entries week after week can sometimes be more work than people realize. (Trust me, I understand!) But as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. With that, I’m pleased to introduce our new blog on psychology and creativity, The Creative Mind, with Douglas Eby. The Creative Mind will explore some of the main emotional and psychological topics that can affect how well or how freely creative people are able to express themselves. Douglas hopes to cater this blog to both professionals and to anyone who may want to f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648598 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:30:41 +0100 3648598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3617801&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fwomen-and-sex-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder%2F photo: Thinkstock According to a recent survey by the Society for Women’s Health Research, both men and women agree that sexual health is vital to a woman’s health and well being. But do all women know that a decrease in sexual desire could be a sign that their sexual health is suffering? Many people write off low libido as the result of stress at work or at home, but if it happens repeatedly, it could be because of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). A new initiative called “Sex Brain Body,” spearheaded by actress Lisa Rinna (Days of Our Lives, Dancing With the Stars) and sex and relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman, focuses on educating women about their sexual health, which includes HSDD. Though surveys show that women are concerned about low libido, very... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3617801 Mon, 24 May 2010 20:48:56 +0100 3617801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595543&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fwomen-and-sex-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder%2F photo: Thinkstock According to a recent survey by the Society for Women’s Health Research, both men and women agree that sexual health is vital for a woman’s health and well being. But do all women know that a decrease in sexual desire could be a sign that their sexual health is suffering? Many people write off low libido as the result of stress at work or at home, but if it happens repeatedly, it could be because of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). A new initiative called “Sex Brain Body,” spearheaded by actress Lisa Rinna and sex and relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman, focuses on educating women about their sexual health, which includes HSDD. Though surveys show that women are concerned about low libido, very few actually bring it up to either their p... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595543 Mon, 24 May 2010 20:48:56 +0100 3595543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585611&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcurious-about-your-dna-just-stop-by-walgreens%2F2010.05.20 I’ve been writing about personal genomics for years. The standard concept of it is that you can order such genetic tests online, send your saliva or buccal swab to the lab where they analyze your DNA, then you can check online what kind of diseases you have elevated or lowered risk for. That’s how Navigenics, 23andMe or Pathway Genomics works. Now Pathway had a major announcement: San Diego based startup Pathway Genomics announced [May 18th] that it will begin selling its DNA collection kits at Walgreens drugstores beginning in mid-May, for about $20 to $30. Unlike a pregnancy test, users won’t be able to get results immediately. They will have to send in their saliva sample and then go to Pathway’s website to select the particular test they want. Users choose from drug response ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585611 Thu, 20 May 2010 16:00:07 +0100 3585611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538090&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-own-your-genome%2F2010.05.06 As the costs of sequencing our DNA shrink and the roles of digital media in our lives expand, we will need to understand who (or what) controls the ownership, access and use of our genomic information. From state regulation to Google to Facebook, who controls the acquisition, transmission and replication of our genomic information and material will become an important battle in the 21st century. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Phil Baumann* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538090 Thu, 06 May 2010 14:00:11 +0100 3538090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499027&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fromantic-relationships-staying-together-by-letting-each-other-go%2F This is the fifth and final post by Valerie Reiss on following romantic relationship advice from a book. Read last week’s column here. “Allowing means that we grant to others and protect in ourselves the right to live freely and without outside control.” – David Richo This week, “A” is for “Allowing.” In the relationship self-help book I’m reading (and writing about) with the newish boyfriend, B., David Richo’s How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving, we’ve reached the fifth and final “A” – “Allowing” or “Allowing Freedom.” Well, B. and I  actually got our biggest lesson in “allowing” last weekend when we attended a relationship self-help extravaganza – a nine-hour couples workshop with about 50 other pairs in a ho... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499027 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:28:49 +0100 3499027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471844&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F14%2Fon-being-a-student-therapist-unsatisfying-endings%2F Three weeks left in the semester, and the goodbyes begin. Technically, I did say goodbye to four clients earlier in the semester, but over the next few weeks, I’ll be saying goodbye to clients with whom I’ve worked “long term,” as in, longer than our four required sessions, and therefore, with whom I have built more of a relationship. The client I said goodbye to today made incredible progress during the semester. She came in very closed off, afraid to show emotion, and dealing with issues that would be hard for anyone to deal with, let alone a 20-year-old undergraduate. During our time together, she worked hard and was a rewarding client. However, today during our termination session, I was reminded of what counseling is really about: the client and her needs, not my needs or expe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471844 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:26:36 +0100 3471844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449098&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Fsex-gasp-right-here-in-river-city%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily. Sex (Gasp!) Right Here in River City. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: 12 step, counseling, rehab, sex addiction, tiger woods (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449098 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:36:08 +0100 3449098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435028&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Ffalling-in-love-with-help-from-divorce%2F Over the last week I’ve learned that four of my women friends are in various stages of divorce. Four – that’s about a third of my yogini friends, all in their 30s. One was horribly betrayed; another is trying to keep her two young kids psychologically intact even though she’s feeling liberated; a third is in the throes of triage-level couples’ therapy; and a fourth is spent from years of “eating glass” to make someone else happy. Yikes. As the irony gods would have it, in the midst of these conversations – listening, nodding, feeling their pain, wondering why anyone would be insane enough to link their happiness to another human being – I’m falling deeply in love for the first time in a zillion years. It’s like cruising by four fatal car crashes during your driver... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435028 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:58:53 +0100 3435028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399058&cid=t_100817_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fimagery-can-help-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F This whole subject of prayer, meditation and/or imagery can bring comfort to a life of discomfort, rest to a worn out spirit and a strange form of mental energy to get you through the day. As I’ve shared with all of you in previous blogs, I find religion, faith and one’s personal philosophy a very private journey. Not only is it an individual’s privilege how they find peace within but it is a much customized search. Over the years, this has always been a subject of great interest to me and I’ve often turned to writers, mystics, philosophers and ministers for encouragement and wisdom. I even dated an Episcopal priest when I was a single mother, but that’s a story for another time…if ever. Seriously, though, I find comfort in many forms as I’m certain you do, also. Just as they... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399058 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:55:03 +0100 3399058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382881&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F19%2Fon-being-a-student-therapist-making-a-diagnosis%2F We’re back from spring break, and the push to the end of the semester is on. Depending on who you ask, we either have seven weeks left (the university calendar), or approximately 35 more drives to campus (my personal calculation). Now that I’ve gotten over the hump of juggling six clients who needed to be seen four times each in five weeks’ time, seeing eight clients who need to be seen at least four times each in seven weeks’ time sounds like a piece of cake! During my supervision session prior to break, I expressed frustration to my supervisor about a client who had asked to continue counseling beyond her class requirement. I questioned this client’s commitment to counseling and whether her problems were significant enough to warrant additional sessions, especially sinc... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382881 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:48:43 +0100 3382881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294645&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F22%2Fon-being-a-new-therapist-week-3%2F It’s the end of Week 3 of being a counselor, and my internal gas gauge is on “E,” with the “low fuel” light on. Usually, I am awake before my alarm goes off, but this morning, it woke me up, and I was none too happy to hear it. The marathon of classes, clinic and work continues. My caseload is full now: I have six clients. It’s a lot to keep track of and a lot to think about. Each one presents different counseling challenges since each is in a difference place in his/her life. However, I am finding it easier to remember details about their lives than I thought it would be, and making connections between comments in previous sessions to what they are presenting when we are together is coming easily as well. I was concerned about the challenges of not having my own office and the... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294645 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:23:00 +0100 3294645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262646&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Fmy-first-week-as-a-therapist%2F The weather conspired against us this week in North Carolina. A state that does usually see at least one major snowstorm a year, we still have no idea what to do when it actually happens. It snowed last Friday night through the day on Saturday and as a result, my university was closed on Monday, and had delayed openings on Tuesday and Wednesday due to daytime snow melt refreezing on the roads at night. Consequently, our counseling clinic was an absolute hive, with all 31 of us taking turns on the one clinic phone, trying to call our clients to reschedule canceled appointments. As if anticipation for seeing your first client isn’t bad enough — most of us had to wait a few extra days! I, myself, had originally scheduled three clients for Monday. Luckily, it worked out that all three ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262646 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:30:52 +0100 3262646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060661&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fliving_together_put_it_in_writing.php This is good advice for those who forgo the formality of marriage to live together. This advice applies all romantic couples who have children, financial, and/or assets or other shared valued items. freep.com | Detroit Free Press Image via Wikipedia "People go into these relationships out of love, but they don't use their heads," says Pamela Radzinski, a Southfield divorce and family law attorney. Yet census data show the number of opposite-sex couples living together hit 6.8 million in 2008. That's up from 5 million in 2006 and up from less than a million some 30 years ago, reports USA Today, citing census data. Cohabiting couples make up roughly 10% of all opposite-sex U.S. couples, married and unmarried. But if you want to live together in the state of Michigan without marriage, Radz... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060661 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:58:06 +0100 4060661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171917&cid=t_100817_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F01%2F14%2Fdiagnosed-a-case-based-post%2F Older lady (50-something) calls in today….really…today January 13, 2010. “I have a pretty bad stomach ache. I’ve tried everything.” After a lengthy discussion with a lady that was pretty sharp when it came to OTC meds and taking care of herself, here were the facts: - Epigastric pain above the belly button, beneath the sternum. - Rarely radiated. Sometimes pulsated. Sometimes had back pain, but figured it was due to her job as a cashier. - Patient has (un)controlled hypertension. Her BP is high, but she is finally under treatment after years and years of uncontrolled HTN. It’s on the way down, but not to goal yet. - Has tried the following meds: Rolaids, Gaviscon, Milk of Magnesia, Fibercon, Colace, Zantac/Pepcid, Omeprazole, Protonix, and Tylenol/Ibupro... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171917 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:34:17 +0100 3171917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136735&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fholidays-and-bereavement-joy-memories.html Laughter can change to tears in a moment for those who are coming out of grief after losing a loved one. The holidays are a time of gratitude, hope, and new beginnings. But those who are bereaved, even many years ago, can be surprised when unexpectedly something triggers the twinges of the old grief. Those who are widows and widowers know the feeling.In the midst of the celebrations something touches off a memory and suddenly there is the sharp pain of missing the loved one. One's chest squeezes, one's throat chokes, and a few tears, or a waterfall of tears, seems to come out of nowhere. It could be in the grocery store, at a party, or driving by a familiar scene. Other people, who have not experienced deep bereavement and these waves of grief that well up unexpectedly, might wonder what t... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136735 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:00:00 +0100 3136735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089344&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fwhat-makes-a-family-functional-vs-dysfunctional%2F The other day I was responding to someone who was dreading the holidays with her ‘dysfunctional family’ (her words). It got me thinking about that word, dysfunctional, and how it implies that there is an opposite, functional, family somewhere. What does that look like? Is it a Perfect Family? Some Stepford-like pod of people who never fight, are always neat and smiling? Yeesh! That sounds horrible. In fact it sounds downright dysfunctional! So what is a functional family? How do we know if we have one? How would you define a functional family? The study of family dynamics, family therapy and treatment are complex and a whole field of psychology in itself. While I don’t have all the answers, I do have some thoughts. These impressions come as much from my experience as from... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089344 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:30:58 +0100 3089344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052351&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2009%2F12%2F02%2Fthe-yadda-yadda-monologues%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up: A happy marriage is a wonderful thing. Too bad it’s wasted on the happily married. Some people have been so lucky they have to invent problems in order to have something to say. As in ten pages of The New York Times magazine. Or, put another way: They’ve been up so long, it looks like down to them. “A More Perfect Union” by Elizabeth Weil explores what happens when a “good enough” marriage goes poking around in therapy sessions and marital classes. The story was just engaging enough that I kept reading. I kept hoping. I admit that about halfway through, I was slogging. But I didn’t quit! Surely, I thought, this story will eventually crystallize, and yield some gem of wisdom. Maybe all this gratuitous marria... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052351 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:03:54 +0100 3052351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842588&cid=t_100817_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=2807658&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F18%2Fintroducing-healing-together-for-couples-blog%2F I’m pleased to announce the introduction of a new Psych Central blog, Healing Together for Couples. This blog will explore helping couples in a committed relationship learn how to heal from their hurts and past trauma, and is based in part on the book, Healing Together, by Suzanne Phillips and Dianne Kane. Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist and an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Doctoral Program of Long Island University and on the faculty of the Post-Doctoral Programs of the Derner Institute of Adelphi University. As a psychologist she has worked with couples for over 25 years and in the aftermath of trauma has provided direct service to civilians and uniformed responders, trained other professionals, published on bereavement, trauma, unifor... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807658 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:12 +0100 2807658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2744295&cid=t_100817_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FN5UV7WNbSAI%2Fsome-online-health-appoints-proven-to.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2744295 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:30:00 +0100 2744295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730356&cid=t_100817_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2F6YvqlOfHQxI%2Fonline-psychiatric-counseling-appears.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730356 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:15:00 +0100 2730356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630337&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fexplaining-hereditary-cancer-to-your-children%2F Yesterday my youngest son, “The Big Guy,” asked me if the cancer I had ran in the family. He is only 18 so we have not alarmed him about the possibility that he could test positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation for breast cancer. Since Sister and I inherited it from my Dad, there is the possibility that my future grandchildren can inherit it from my sons. My niece Nicole tested positive and is expecting her first child, her younger sister refuses to get tested. I hadn’t expected the question, so I answered as best I could telling him that as he gets older we will get him tested and I would like to start him on a vitamin regime to ensure he has a strong immune system. He could develop prostate or breast cancer if he is predisposed with the gene mutation. It reminds me why w... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630337 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:16:34 +0100 2630337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630175&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2Foops-did-i-have-those-cho-records%2F You may remember the Virginia Tech tragedy more than two years ago, when a student at the university, Seung-Hui Cho, opened fire one day on his classmates, killing 32 people and himself on April 16, 2007. What you may not have known is that Cho’s mental health records from when he was seen at the university’s counseling center went missing and were never located. Until now. Mental health records for Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho that were missing for more than two years have been discovered in the home of the university clinic’s former director, according to a state memo shared with victims’ family members. Cho killed 32 people on April 16, 2007, then committed suicide as police closed in. His mental health treatment has been a major issue in the vast investig... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630175 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:50:19 +0100 2630175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615380&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F18%2Fthe-don%2F Kiss the ring! Kiss the ring! Give allegiance to the power and position of its owner. The Godfather will treat you with respect and give you favors… but at a price… yet an offer you cannot refuse. Oh, but wait! Did you notice? This Godfather is wearing lipstick! As a Hispanic person and a mental health professional, I have observed that just as there are dysfunctions with one person there can also be dysfunctions with a large grouping of those persons, call it a “culture,” a “people,” a “cohort,” or other. In diversity classes we are taught to respect other cultures and not “judge’ them, yet never mind if they eat their own progeny or have sex with young little girls. Implicit in this intellectual doctrine is the rule is that we are to look the other way and not judge t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615380 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:23:01 +0100 2615380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593128&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F11%2F5-steps-to-find-the-real-you-an-interview-with-david-borchard-edd-ncc%2F My interview today is with David Borchard, Ed.D. NCC, a licensed professional counselor career management consultant with 30 years of experience helping adults identify their passions and develop a vision for the next phase of their lives. He specializes in career management coaching and life/work transition counseling and has helped thousands of adults regenerate their careers. Dr. Borchard is also the author of three books: “Your Career Planner”, “Will The Real You Please Stand UP?” (He’s not talking about multiple personalities here), and “The Joy of Retirement.” Oh, and he’s also my father-in-law! Sometimes I forget I have such an accomplished relative, but interestingly enough our worlds are starting to collide a bit, as a few readers ha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593128 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:29:43 +0100 2593128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452703&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fhow-do-you-find-a-good-therapist-an-interview-with-dr-john-grohol%2F Today I have the great pleasure of interviewing a hero of mine, the brilliant mind behind PsychCentral.com, the Internet’s largest and oldest mental health network … Dr. John Grohol. John is the CEO and founder of Psych Central and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues online since 1992. He lives with his wife and six cats north of Boston. I wanted tot interview him about therapy, since many of his blog posts deal with the relationship between therapist and patient, and I don’t think anyone else writes about it as candidly and intelligently as John. Question: In your very popular post “The 12 Most Annoying Bad Habits of Therapists,” you mention some red flags to watch out for. For folks who are currently shopping for the right shrink, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452703 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:25 +0100 2452703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452706&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fself-honesty-knowing-is-better-than-not-knowing%2F The truth hurts sometimes, but trying to keep an obvious truth hidden inside yourself can hurt even more. Making excuses doesn’t help, rationalizing doesn’t help, yelling doesn’t help. Bringing yourself to a painful but honest realization will actually do you more good. When some of my clients have been avoiding a problem and struggling with reality, I have often said something like this, “You can think that way about your problem if you like, pretend it isn’t there. Or you can face the truth and acknowledge its existence. Either way, the reality of your problem will still be there. You just have more power to make your situation better if you face it.” This has usually gotten a knowing look from the people I’ve worked with. By that point, they ha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452706 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:52:44 +0100 2452706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2354116&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fwhats-fucking-point-anyway.html "What's the f.ing point, anyway?" shouted my husband. He was stomping around the kitchen, cursing and throwing dishes and shouting about our communication failure.He'd woken me up and asked me to edit an email he was composing to a perspective employer. It's a job tattooing, and he's excited and afraid of it. I am also excited and afraid of it. It seems like there's a really good chance that he might get the gig, and I'm trying really hard not to get too invested in the idea of him going back to tattooing again.The email he was writing sounded frantic and desperate. He was explaining to the employer that he doesn't have a regular portfolio, and he'd concocted quite a story to explain what had happened to his work. It was untrue, and the words of the email were dripping with the panic that ... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2354116 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:50:00 +0100 2354116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349469&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F04%2F17%2Fa-day-in-the-life-at-aids-action-committee%2F The money raised each year by AIDS Walk Boston supports a diverse and far-reaching range of programs and services. Here’s a snapshot of a typical day at AIDS Action Committee, to show the many ways AAC provides care for over 2,500 clients and reaches out to thousands of others in the community. 9:15 a.m. A client’s neighbors have become violent and threatening because of his perceived sexual orientation, and extreme anxiety is affecting his health. His client advocate and the Rental Start-Up Program Coordinator begin the process of finding him a new apartment and providing first and last months’ rental costs, to ensure his safety. 10:00 a.m. Through the Maria Talks website, the Massachusetts Sexual Health Helpline team gets an email from a teen seeking advice on how to deal with peer... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349469 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:00:26 +0100 2349469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2302393&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2009%2F04%2Ftime-alone.html It seems that the better my husband and I get in our separate recoveries, the more issues emerge in our marriage. Lately, we are each staking claims to my time.My husband is home alone, a lot. When he was using, it never seemed to matter to him that he was home so much by himself. He was busy being high, getting high, or figuring out how he could get high the next time. These days, though, it's painful for him to be alone so much, and he wants me to help him fix it.Every day when I'm leaving, he quizzes me about where I'm going, what I'm doing, and when I'll be back. Part of what he wants is me, as he's lonely, but part of it also is my gadgets...my computer and my cell phone. Some of his loneliness is what leads him to be suspicious of me. He's never questioned my fidelity before, but in ... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2302393 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:37:00 +0100 2302393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306835&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2FJ_sUIO-wdP0%2Fwhy-i-love-designer-babies-part-deux.html Last month, Kathryn Hinsch started a lively discussion in her post, "Why I Love Designer Babies" -- this month, New Scientist editor Michael LePage adds fuel to the debate on genetic selection:Fears over 'designer' babies leave children suffering MADELINE Kara Neumann, age 11, died of diabetes because her parents prayed rather than taking her to doctors. Caleb Moorhead, age 6 months, died after his deeply religious vegan parents refused a simple vitamin injection to cure his malnutrition. The list of children killed by their parents' superstition or wilful ignorance is a long one. Most people are rightly appalled by such cases. How can parents stand by and let their children die instead of doing all in their power to get the best medical care a... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306835 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:27:46 +0100 2306835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2261770&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fbereavement-series-loss-is-multifaceted.html I recently lost someone very dear to me. The grief is multifaceted. Sharp pains of loss. Relief that my loved one did not suffer a long agonizing illness. Shock that one day I was speaking and touching my loved one and the next I was praying by his body. A sense of disorientation. Did this really happen? It has a dreamlike quality. Spiritual beliefs and philosophies are a source of comfort but of questions too. It is said that in every tragedy is a seed of opportunity. After a loss one can memorialize the loved one by making the world a better place through compassionate, charitable and humanitarian efforts. Through our lives the grief and losses change us and change the courses of our lives. Careers, activities and beliefs often change when we lose a close loved one. Love is eternal. Our ... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2261770 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:43:00 +0100 2261770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2261035&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2009%2F03%2Ffeedback.html My husband asked today for positive feedback when he does positive things. We were in marriage counseling, and it took some wrestling on the part of our counselor (who I am coming to regard as a saint) to get clear about what he was needing. After lots of accusations and assertions that I beat him up all the time and criticize him and constantly point out every bad thing he ever does, it finally became clear that what he wanted from me was positive reinforcement.It was interesting in a lot of ways. First, I am always fascinated by his perception that I am critical. Even when things were at their worst, I felt like I exercised great restraint in not criticizing him. What he refers to as "criticism" can include offenses such as having the wrong face, noticing things that are true, or express... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2261035 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:23:00 +0100 2261035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2223201&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fcomfort-for-those-grieving-loss-of-dear.html (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2223201 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:31:00 +0100 2223201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2223202&cid=t_100817_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Flose-weight-now-ask-me-how%2F This study proves it. Of course, the less you cut back the less you’ll lose. And the less you exercise the less you’ll lose. So while I don’t recommend doing anything drastic, I also don’t recommend doing nothing or next to nothing. Drastic measures are impossible to maintain. Doing nothing is hard to live with. Take the middle way: eat a little less and exercise a little more. Keep it up and very gradually increase your efforts. There’s an old adage of “no pain, no gain.” In a way this is true in that some effort is required, but if the pain is too great you’ll stop in a few weeks and there will surely be no gain. Take the middle way instead. Start small. Eat a little less and exercise a little more. And get a lot of support. I wish you the best of luck. (Source: Dr. Z's M... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2223202 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:07:34 +0100 2223202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2188077&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Ffor-the-first-time-in-28-years%2F I have not bought a Valentine’s present for my husband. I am divorcing him. Disabilities can change how the processes of falling in love, joining, living together, loving together, and separating happen. For most disabled people, their disabilities affect how others perceive them as even being interested or capable to find love or sex. (WTF?!) For many disabled [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2188077 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:07:09 +0100 2188077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195332&cid=t_100817_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fc1oOarRT5y8%2F When a person asks for help with some issue in his/her life, a safe and relatively common answer is to suggest ‘counseling’. Trouble with your marriage? Get counseling. Depressed? Take an SSRI, sure, but get some counseling too. Kids acting up? Send them for counseling. Wondering about the meaning of life? Lose your job? Have a flight get cancelled? Try some counseling! What about all of this counseling? Does it do any good? There seems to be this assumption that any counseling is good counseling—but why would that be? The standards for providing ‘counseling’ vary by state, and in some states pretty much anyone can hang a shingle to be a ‘counselor’… What are we talking about when we say ‘get counseling’? What if we take the word ‘counseling’ and change it to a diff... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195332 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:09:01 +0100 2195332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147632&cid=t_100817_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FeXBMr4bTw3Q%2Fhow-a-community-should-handle-eating-disorders.php I would like advice from the community. From time to time, someone on Diabetes Daily shows symptoms of an eating disorder. He or she will start detailing increasingly dangerous eating habits and the painful side effects that inevitably follow. The level of desperation will steadily increase and so will our concern. How should we handle this situation?I think we'll all agree that the first step is to express concern privately.... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147632 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:46:55 +0100 2147632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121673&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F01%2F21%2Fabc-news-takes-a-look-at-prep-trials-now-going-on%2F ABC News’ reporter Lauren Cox takes a look at the ongoing investigational trials for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PreP).  Behavior issues and cost issues are also discussed in the article.  The full text of the article is here. (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121673 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:37:19 +0100 2121673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990887&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F26%2F4-stages-you-dont-have-to-go-through%2F A recent article landed in my Google news aggregater, “Child’s Autism Diagnosis: 4 Stages You Will Go Through”.  Unfortunately, for all of its cheery helpfulness, it still manages to perpetuate some common stereotypes and misconceptions about disabilities: When you hear that your child has been diagnosed with autism, the worst thoughts come to your mind. You [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990887 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:24:04 +0100 1990887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951970&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FiBEQ6gEpCqQ%2F I chanced upon this article - Genetic testing under the microscope - in the Los Angeles Times of an interview with the President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Angela Trepanier, and she presents an interesting perspective on the future of personalized medicine. In the near future, Trepanier says that genetic testing will become a routine part of healthcare. Right now, access to one’s genetic information can be had for at least $400, and one is able to find out which diseases and conditions your genetic makeup may be association with. But the company doesn’t offer any medical opinion or diagnosis, obviously. Trepanier asks rhetorically, "If your only source of information is the company selling the test, is that really the most credible source of informatio... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951970 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:03:48 +0100 1951970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1945658&cid=t_100817_177_f&fid=38134&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbabybound.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F08%2Fcleaning-out-a-puss-filled-boil-with-salt%2F I don’t feel as good about our therapeutic progress as I did a few days ago.  Not because I think there is anything wrong with the therapist.  I don’t.  I think the improvement that we were experiencing so quickly was due to some misguided conversations about anything but the white elephant in the room.  My mother. I realized that the only time my mother is actually listening or participating in therapy is when we are talking about other people.  My sister.  My aunts and uncles.  My Grandparents. Mark.   Anyone but her and my father.  This week, we did just that and mental mumsy actually threw her hands up, said “I’m not talking about this anymore” and checked out.  She was done. Not a word was uttered.  And hasn’t been since. Why?  What caus... B a b y B o u n d blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1945658 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:39:16 +0100 1945658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1908753&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F26%2Fcounseling-goes-mobile-for-vets%2F I’m not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing, but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — the agency responsible for the health and well-being of our veterans in the U.S. — has purchased 50 new mobile counseling centers (38-foot custom motor coaches). “Our widespread distribution of this fleet from coast to coast marks a new chapter in VA’s innovation to reach rural and underserved veterans with high-quality readjustment counseling,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. Each vehicle will be assigned to one of VA’s existing Vet Centers, enabling the center to improve access to counseling by bringing services closer to veterans. The 38-foot motor coaches, which have spaces for confidential counseling, will carry Vet Cente... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908753 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:59:31 +0100 1908753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1905958&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FAgvRqM1FSok%2F Being diagnosed with a genetic disease, and one that has no cure or treatment, is probably one of most heart-wrenching news ever. To be told that one has Alzheimer’s disease for example, or one is a very high risk or diagnosis of some incurable form of cancer, what does one do? How does one handle it? I read about Christina Applegate’s diagnosis of breast cancer, and her decision to have double mastectomy because of the high risk she carries. She kept it hidden from everyone but the closest family members and her make-up artist. I read of it weeks after her second surgery, and I have to admire her for what she did. She claims to be 100% cancer free after the surgery, and that is cause for a public applaud. Well, new findings at the National Institutes of Health reveal that th... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1905958 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:19:25 +0100 1905958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901488&cid=t_100817_85_f&fid=34798&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommitmenttoliving.com%2F2008%2F10%2F22%2Fclinical-reflections-on-armys-approach-in-interactive-suicide-prevention-video%2F A colleague pointed me to a Washington Post article describing an interactive suicide prevention video the Army has produced and will make mandatory for all soldiers.   I experimented with the online demo of Beyond the Front, which shows scenes from the life two soldiers and allows the viewer to make choices that either lead toward or away from help and survival.   The demo portion I reviewed focuses on the decision a distressed soldier faces in deciding to talk with the chaplain or not.   I was impressed with the quality of the video and interested by the approach. I am not expert enough in public awareness and mass media approaches to prevention to comment or speculate about how effective this video might be in preventing suicide in the Army.  But I would like to comment on some i... Commitment to Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901488 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:21:38 +0100 1901488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883378&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FvRo_X15ST5A%2F Good news for the state of Illinois! Women who are at high risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer will receive insurance coverage under Medicaid. Genetic tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2, and counseling will be available for low-income women with a strong family history of breast cancer or previous cancer diagnosis, writes the Chigaco Tribune. Women with mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are 3 to 7 times more likely to develop breast cancer, and have a 16 to 60 percent lifetime risk for getting ovarian cancer than women without the mutations. Last year, about 22,000 low-income women enrolled in Medicaid were treated for breast cancer. Let’s hope other states follow suit, so more women with very little resources can have themselves tested. What’s not clear from the article, and ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883378 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:09:42 +0100 1883378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1856096&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F5lxUIOcHXDU%2F There was one compelling reason why I opted out of genetic testing with my last pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage due to amniocentesis was the same as the risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome. Amniocentesis is considered the gold standard, but it’s an invasive procedure with a 1/100 risk for miscarriage, the same risk for Downs. I quickly realized I would rather give birth to a baby with Downs than be responsible for a miscarriage. Fortunately, now there is a new, totally non-invasive procedure for genetic testing of Down Syndrome. It only requires the maternal blood sample (basic blood draw) to spot chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Scientists from Stanford University utilized fetal DNA fragments in the mother’s blood and read the fragments using DNA sequencing. Wom... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856096 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:08:23 +0100 1856096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1833186&cid=t_100817_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fwhat-would-you-have-done-what-would-you-do-today%2F What would you have done if a prenatal test for autism had existed when you were expecting, and your child had tested positive for autism?  More importantly, what would you do today, knowing what you now know about autism and being an autism parent, if you were expecting and learned that your child would be autistic?  A comment to my last post from Jen and an article from Susan Senator last year give some insight into the question from an autism mom’s perspective. From Jen: I can’t imagine my world without my children in it, but if prenatal testing had been available for autism at that point I probably would have aborted them, as the thought of autistic triplets would not have been one that I could have wrapped my mind around. (needless to say, I was also completely clueless abou... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833186 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:10:58 +0100 1833186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834741&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F403926604%2Ftop-10-hot-careers-for-2012.html I'm often asked by my students "what kind of job can I get with a master's degree in bioethics?" -- the short answer is that one needs to look at the master's degree as a supplemental degree -- that is, it is beneficial in terms of analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking in your basic field. Last month, Daily Galaxy published a Future 'Top 10' Hot Careers in 2012, and all ten arguably have aspects that could benefit from an bioethics (that is the broadest spectrum definition of bioethics -- from food ethics to neuroethics to healthcare ethics to computer ethics and beyond) perspective: 1) Organic food Industry 2) Computational Biology 3) Parallel Programming 4) Data Technology 5) Simulation Engineering 6) Boomer Caregiving 7) Genetic Counseling 8) Brain Analysts 9) Space To... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834741 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:32:15 +0100 1834741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1746399&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=35284&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancerspot.org%2F%3Fp%3D391 Joey’s new mantra: It could be worse. He uses it to excuse his questionable behavior—like when he was playing at the dinner table recently, waving his arms all around like we tell him not to do, and he knocked over his cup of milk. “It could be worse,” he announced after locking eyes with my [...] (Source: my Breast Cancer blog) my Breast Cancer blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1746399 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:56:34 +0100 1746399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668390&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2008%2F07%2Fthe-ambush-hug.html The session ends. You and your client rise and you move holding the door open…………………………………… ………………….at that moment of passing through she suddenly turns, slides her arms around you, buries her head on your shoulder and says “Doctor I am just so grateful for all you have done” and begins to cry, her tears staining your new Zegna silk tie. Welcome to the ambush hug. As we are fond of saying in Australia, “bugger”. So do you Quickly turn to the side gently breaking her grip with your well honed martial art skills and push her hands to her side and say, “This behaviour is inappropriate. Please do not do this again”, all the while thinking how I will get those tear stains out of my silk tie. Do the half hug.  Hands usually go s... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668390 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:48:19 +0100 1668390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631044&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F07%2F16%2Fmore-voices-from-the-frontline-susan-tannehill%2F We have created a new series called “Voices from the Front Line” for our blog and Update, our newsletter. With these profiles we’re letting you hear from AIDS Action’s people who do the work every day that prevents new infections and who connect people living with HIV to care, support and services. In this installment we check in with Susan Tannehill, AIDS Action’s Director of Client Services. What first brought you to AAC? It was 11 yrs ago, when a friend of mine who was HIV positive asked if I knew how to type, which I did. He said they needed help at AIDS Action and shortly thereafter, I took the job as the Assistant Coordinator for the Housing Program. It was a great fit Were you always with client services or did you work for other departments in the agency? From those... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631044 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:38:34 +0100 1631044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467836&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2F26%2Ffree-counseling-for-our-troops%2F On Memorial Day, it seemed appropriate to mention a volunteer project called, Give an Hour. As the Washington Post notes, thousands of private counselors are offering free services to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems, jumping in to help because the military is short on therapists: There are only 1,431 mental health professionals among the nation’s 1.4 million active-duty military personnel, said Terry Jones, a Pentagon spokesman on health issues. About 20,000 more full- and part-time professionals provide health care services for the Veterans Administration and the Pentagon. They include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers and substance abuse counselors. According to veterans groups and health care experts, that... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467836 Mon, 26 May 2008 13:23:44 +0100 1467836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416568&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36160&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeinstitute.com%2Fcaregivingminutes%2F%3Fp%3D70 If I had a dime for every time I saw a reverse mortgage commercial, I could fund my own retirement plan. About 4 months ago the reverse mortgage commercials started coming fast and hard. I distinctly remember the morning I was watching television and both my husband and I noticed that almost every other commercial was selling a reverse mortgage. It’s like there is the sacred hour that seniors are watching television and every reverse mortgage lender in the world needs a 60 second spot during that viewing hour. I don’t watch a lot of television but at this point, I can almost narrate the reverse mortgage commercials from memory; like the syndrome your children have with their favorite movies. I believe they call that syndrome “narratum verbatim”-or at least that’s what another f... CaregivingMinutes™ by Pope Institute blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416568 Fri, 02 May 2008 21:04:53 +0100 1416568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373453&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F04%2F14%2Fmore-voices-from-the-frontline-emerson-miller%2F We have created a new series called “Voices From the Front Line” for our blog and Update our newsletter.  With these profiles we’re letting you hear from AIDS Action’s people who do the work every day that prevents new infections and who connect people living with HIV to care, support and services  In this installment we check in with Emerson Miller AAC’s Peer Support Coordinator Emerson joined the staff of AIDS Action about 18 months ago. In his role of Peer Service Coordinator, he works alongside a dedicated team to support the long term health and well being of our clients. We spoke briefly about his work: When someone is newly diagnosed and comes to AAC for support, do you find that they have a good deal of information about HIV/AIDS already or are they starting from square... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373453 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:18:09 +0100 1373453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1370752&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F04%2F14%2Fmore-voices-from-the-frontline-emerson-miller%2F As we continue to profile the people that do the work everyday connecting to those living with HIV/AIDS, in this installment we check in with Emerson Miller who works in the Client Services area of AAC. Emerson joined the staff of AIDS Action about 18 months ago. In his role of Peer Service Coordinator, he works alongside a dedicated team to support the long term health and well being of our clients. We spoke briefly about his work: When someone is newly diagnosed and comes to AAC for support, do you find that they have a good deal of information about HIV/AIDS already or are they starting from square one? You know it really varies; each person has a unique set of circumstances that brings them to seek our services – so it’s difficult to answer without acknowledging that. I will say th... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1370752 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:44:35 +0100 1370752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1298782&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=35284&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancerspot.org%2F%3Fp%3D268 I don’t often tell my entire breast cancer story all at once. I usually share just bits and pieces of it. This afternoon, I talked about a few chapters with a fellow mommy while waiting in a doctor’s office. It turns out while I was being diagnosed with cancer three years ago, this woman found [...] (Source: my Breast Cancer blog) my Breast Cancer blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298782 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:25:10 +0100 1298782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261814&cid=t_100817_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F242092130%2F In the wake of a study showing antidepressants worked no better than placebo in most patients, the UK released details of a $340 million plan to train more than 3,600 psychological therapists, The Guardian reports. About 900,000 more people will be treated for depression and anxiety under the plan, according to the UK’s Department of Health, which predicts that 450,000 of them will be completely cured. The department also believes that 25,000 fewer people will claim sick pay and benefits because of mental health problems. The program is called Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. The study published in PLoS revealed that SSRI antidepressants performed no better than placebo in the earliest trials in the 1980s. No such analysis has been done before because of the reluctance ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261814 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:18:04 +0100 1261814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1196090&cid=t_100817_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fthe-world-needs-nicole-a-reminder-about-cancer-genetics-risk-assessment%2F Have I told you about my niece Nicole? She is an amazing young woman. At 4-years-old, she was diagnosed with acute leukemia and suffered a lengthy treatment protocol. Her teenage years had her battling with the after effects of treatment but that in no way impinged on her ability to be a leader in her school and a peer counselor. She developed a love of music and a passion for African orphans. She spent her school breaks volunteering in an orphanage in Africa and only tolerated a year at university before she gave in to the desire to live among the children in the orphanage halfway around the world. They were so delighted they helped build a mud hut all her own for her to live in. One of her jobs was to name the young children that were brought to the group of huts and buildings that made ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1196090 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:05:38 +0100 1196090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1909217&cid=t_100817_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F286469508%2Ftubal-ligation-news.html Past topics in the Tubal Reversal Blog include posts and comments about patient care at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. This topic summarizes important articles about tubal ligation and tubal reversal reported in the news during 2007. Sterilization is Most Popular Family Planning Method Approximately 10 million American women use the pill for contraception, while [...] (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1909217 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:02:28 +0100 1909217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155942&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fsurveillance-counselling-and-otc-rapid.html Perhaps one the biggest issues and toughest questions around rapid HIV tests going OTC is , as a reader posed, the issue of surveillance and reporting. The obvious concern is reporting for "positives" from the tests, but equally important is negative and invalid results. Surveillance helps in understanding the epidemiology of a disease, and so recording of negative and invalid results provides the whole view that is necessary to fight the disease in question.Surveillance as a whole is a challenge for government. In the US the current system is two tiered; physician to State and then State to CDC. The latter is more manageable and systematic using NETSS (National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance - sounds very 90's) which is a weekly way of States reporting on what are c... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155942 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:17:00 +0100 1155942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1108607&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F12%2F20%2Fa-change-is-gonna-come%2F By Lee F. Carson World AIDS Day always inspires me to reflect on how I started doing HIV prevention work for Black gay men, which began officially, exactly 7 years ago today on December 1, 2000. I, at that time was thoroughly excited about landing a job with an organization in my hometown of Rochester, NY that provided services for Black men who have sex with men (MSM). I remember thinking, “Wow, how can an organization like this exist in a small city like Rochester?” But it did, and it still does, and it, like all of the organizations across the country serving Black MSM have more work to do than ever, because in spite of our best efforts with the limited resources the government has given us, we have fallen short of saving the lives of Black gay men from HIV/AIDS. A disease ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1108607 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:44:40 +0100 1108607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1106392&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fchristmas-and-bereavement.html Coping with the loss of a loved one and with holidays at the same time can be one of the most isolating and painful situations. While red bows and words of joy are part of the decorations everywhere, the grieving person feels many mixed emotions. People who are bereaved can feel pain over loss, sometimes guilt over being here without the loved one, relief that someone is no longer suffering, and isolation from the cheerful shoppers and festive music and events. It can be a roller coaster emotionally.Hospice all over America provides workshops as the holidays are coming up to help bereaved people cope. There are grief groups for every type of loss. In a typical group each member might introduce herself or himself, and describe the loss and the loved one. Facilitators from Hospice provide gu... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1106392 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:02:00 +0100 1106392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1013536&cid=t_100817_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fcaregivers-who-are-grieving-can-turn-to.html In 1996 when my husband died from cancer, I was not aware of the many types of bereavement groups, educational activities, and counseling that are available from Hospice. Today, I'm very familiar with our local Hospice in San Luis Obispo , California, both from my own experience and from my work.Family members, caregivers and friends who are grieving can go to the website for the Hospice Foundation to locate a Hospice nearby for grief support. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County is located at 1304 Pacific Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, and the phone number is (805) 544-2266 or (805) 434-1164. The website is at hospiceslo.org.The variety of grief support programs range from special events to prepare for getting through the holidays without a loved one, to multi-cultural events such as Dia... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1013536 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:07:00 +0100 1013536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=937000&cid=t_100817_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F167377854%2F So, more proof that stress can “kill you”, or at least make you sick. We all know that turmoil and constant marital strife can make your days seem very long and your life feel plain out miserable but it can also put you at higher risk for heart disease. In a study of 9,011 British civil servants, most of them married, those with the worst close relationships were 34 percent more likely to have heart attacks or other heart trouble during 12 years of follow-up than those with good relationships. That included partners, close relatives and friends. Being in a bad marriage proved to be a risk factor for increased heart disease but dissolving that same marriage is not exactly the answer either as non married persons proved to also be at a higher risk. Bottom line? Who the heck know... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=937000 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:36:47 +0100 937000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=928815&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F05%2Ffor-no-reason%2F (Coffee-spew warning) “I don’t know; he just started biting the other kid for no reason. But you know, children-with-autism just do those things.” “We were just going over the lesson when alla-sudden she just BLEW UP for no reason, and started cussing and calling me an F-ing B and threw her folder papers all over and [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928815 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:21:52 +0100 928815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=845784&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fa-most-dangerous-question%2F Once Upon A Time… I had a great counsellor. That sort that gives you unconditional positive regard, and listens to what you’re actually saying (instead of what they’re expecting), and who also asked especially good questions. Some of the questions were of the Zen-master category of counselling, the sort that jog you from your [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=845784 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:14:08 +0100 845784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=778622&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F04%2Fnegative-views-of-grief-counseling-unsubstantiated-by-research%2F This report has frequently been cited in both scientific literature and the popular press.Larson and Hoyt took another look at the data and found that the data on which this report was based have never been published, came from a dissertation that was never peer-reviewed, and utilized a statistical method from another student's dissertation that had also never been peer-reviewed. Larson and Hoyt conducted a peer review of the dissertations and reviewers were unanimous in their conclusion that the report is flawed.Hoyt states, "It is disturbing that such radical claims, which contradict clinical experience and even common sense, could proliferate in journals, at conferences, and in national reports without anyone's ever acting on the basic scientific obligation to examine the data and analy... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=778622 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 778622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=637973&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F25%2Fcareer-by-cancer%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer SurvivorsI'm not sure where I was headed professionally before cancer. I knew I was happy as a stay-at-home mom, and I didn't give much thought to what might come next. I was pretty certain I would not do what I did before kids -- college administration and counseling -- and that's as far as I'd gotten in my decision-making process. It seems cancer would have further confused my future intentions. But it didn't. Instead, it led me in a direction I may have otherwise never discovered. First, it guided me to a part-time position at my kids' preschool. Just after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and in the midst of Herceptin breast cancer treatment, I felt a strong urge to reenter the world of the living. One day as I was dropping off my oldest child at ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=637973 Fri, 25 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 637973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=637982&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F24%2Fcancer-made-a-mess-of-me%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer SurvivorsBreast cancer made a mess of me -- a scarred, sick, bald, burned, depressed mess. The mess was short-lived, though, and I am happy to report that my scars are fading, I'm no longer sick, I have hair, radiation burns are a thing of the past, and most important: I'm not depressed.I took my last anti-depressant pill on Saturday. For some time, I've been tapering my dosage and when I realized on Monday that I was taking my Zoloft only twice per week, I asked my oncologist to recommend an official quitting time. He told me: Now.So that's it. I'm standing on my own two feet -- no treatment, no counseling, no pills to help me cope. The mess has cleared, and life is once again tidy.Someone told me in the thick of my cancer madness: This too shall pass. F... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=637982 Thu, 24 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 637982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623765&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F18%2Fslices-episode-1%2F The best definition of “poetry” I’ve ever encountered is, “Poetry is life condensed”. In a similar way, cartoons condense a slice of life into just a few panels. All four of these reflect different aspects of dealing with the social world, from blocking off unwanted interaction to the absurdity of referring to being bullied as [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623765 Sat, 19 May 2007 20:37:45 +0100 623765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612015&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F15%2Fwe-meet-again-more-about-jacki-donaldson%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Jacki DonaldsonIt's been one year since I began writing for The Cancer Blog. According to statistics generated by this site, I've written 27,381 words and 793 posts. If you've been reading for this entire time, you surely know a lot about me. Not only do my posts reflect current news and issues, but they feature all sorts of personal stuff too. When considered together, my work here reflects just about every piece of my cancer journey, my inner most thoughts, my morals and values, my take on the world. But for those of you who haven't been reading for long, for those who have forgotten how I fit into the cancer puzzle, for those who want a recap, here's a rundown on me: Jacki Donaldson.I was born and raised in Ohio but have also lived in Nevada... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612015 Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 612015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=601851&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F13%2Fsaved-by-a-mothers-love%2F Filed under: Cancer SurvivorsMy six-year-old Joey told his grandmother -- my mom -- the other day, "Nana, you are generous." It was thoughtful and touching and it brought a smile to her face. Later that night, Joey said the same to me. "Mom, you are generous," he proclaimed. And now I'm not sure if he really meant his sweet sentiments or if he was just practicing one of his new kindergarten vocabulary words. Regardless, it got me thinking about how generous his Nana really is.My mom not only generously gave me life. She also saved my life -- not in the medical, scientific manner surgeons and oncologists saved my life but by the sheer force of love, support, comfort, and undying devotion that seems to involuntarily pour from the hearts of moms with sick children.My mom rushed over to my hou... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=601851 Sun, 13 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 601851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=547387&cid=t_100817_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F04%2F16%2Fdoes-counseling-matter-in-the-context-of-hiv-testing%2F Talk about perspective.  Right now, you can get a thoughtful view HIV counseling from someone who’s been in both the HIV counselor’s chair and in the client’s, being told of an HIV positive diagnosis.  Stewart Landers, JD, MCP, a long-time expert on issues of HIV/AIDS, LGBTI health and substance treatment, selflessly peels away the surface and takes time to share his experienced lens.  Read the full piece on LifeLube.org’s Blog. —Diego I think it’s not a coincidence that the move to reduce or eliminate counseling as part of HIV testing comes at the same time many are pushing for “routine” or other forms of expanded HIV testing. The main barrier to widespread HIV testing has been providers’ discomfort or lack of willingness to “go there.&#... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=547387 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:08:29 +0100 547387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=516396&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F02%2Fthought-for-the-day-im-too-young-for-this%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Young Adult Cancers, Blogs, Services, Cancer Survivors, Thought for the DayThere's this guy. His name is Matthew Zachary. He's a cancer survivor, a motivational speaker, a concert pianist, and the founder of a resource portal for young adults surviving cancer.Steps for Living, Inc. -- also known as I'm too young for this -- was created by Zachary because he wants us all to know there are awesome cancer support services out there for adolescents and young adults. He means really awesome opportunities -- like spa retreats, online forums and blogs, social networking, camping excursions, fertility education, peer counseling, financial scholarships, and more.You may be too young for cancer, but you are not alone, says Zachary whose mantra is Get Busy Living. And this i... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=516396 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 516396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=493740&cid=t_100817_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F103695759%2F UC San Diego prepared this 45 minute video talking about who should consider having genetic counseling, such as repeat pregnancy losses, family history of mental retardation, or birth defects. Tags: genetic counseling, genetic testing, genetics, genes, genome, dna, diseases, illness, medicine, health (Source: Genetics and Health) Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=493740 Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:12:03 +0100 493740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=483361&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F03%2Fboys_own_empath.html Interesting little snippet in New Scientist this week. A quick snort of Oxycontin improves your empathy but only if you are male. The trust hormone, it seems, is also the mind-reading hormone. A sniff of oxytocin, which underpins social attachment among animals, also turns out to improve men's ability to read other people's emotions. Two years ago, researchers reported that oxytocin increases trust. Now a team led by Gregor Domes at Rostock University, Germany has investigated one of the basic components of trust: emotional recognition. The researchers sprayed oxytocin up the noses of 30 men and tested how well they could read the emotions conveyed by photographs of eyes taken in real-life situations. Twenty of them performed significantly better on the test after sniffing the hormone (B... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=483361 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:53:08 +0100 483361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480945&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F18%2Fsunday-seven-seven-ways-to-help%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Sunday SevenMy friend -- who has a friend newly diagnosed with brain cancer -- greeted me at the door the other day and asked with a sense of urgency, "How can I help?" "Help your friend?" I asked."Yes, she said, unsure of what she might say or do in this time of great difficulty for everyone involved.I told her a few things. And then I thought of some more. It wasn't terribly easy to come up with these ideas. Because even though I myself was on the receiving end of help during my cancer journey, it's still hard to imagine what an individual wants or needs -- or doesn't want or need. But here's what I've got to offer. I hope this helps my friend. I hope it helps you too. Allow your loved one to take the lead. If you sense this person wants to talk, then talk. I... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480945 Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 480945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478733&cid=t_100817_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F14%2Fdepression-in-breast-cancer-moms-affects-kids%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Research, Daily news, Cancer SurvivorsCancer sent me into a state of depression. And it took more than a year of counseling and treatment with an anti-depressant to bring me back to a balanced and healthy level of functioning.My type of depression -- the kind that shows up just after a cancer diagnosis -- is not uncommon. And neither is the spillover that depression can leave on the children of moms depressed because of their disease.A study at the University of Pittsburgh -- the first to examine the relationship between children's concerns and a mother's cancer-related depression -- found children of depressed breast cancer patients were more likely to be concerned or anxious about their mother's cancer and about how the disease affects their families.It's not ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478733 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=487587&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F09%2Finternational-disabled-womens-day%2F Today is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is: “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls” People with disabilities have a variety of difficulties across their lives, not just from the intrinsic problems associated with the disability, but also the handicaps they face socially. Disabled people are much less likely to finish [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=487587 Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:34:05 +0100 487587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470603&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F02%2Fis_cbt_just_a_l.html This study is currently being replicated and preliminary results suggest:Here, it is stated that Behavioural Activation proved as effective as antidepressant medication, and that both produced superior outcomes to cognitive therapy, which was no more effective than the pill placebo condition. Given that the Washington University study purports to be the largest outpatient therapy trial for depression yet undertaken, these would appear to be perplexing results for the proponents of cognitive therapy as a treatment for depression. However, putting aside the comparison with BA, the Washington results would seem to contradict many previous studies which have shown CT to be equally effective as pharmacotherapy as a treatment for moderate depression and severe depression. Therefore, it will be n... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470603 Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:52:58 +0100 470603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470605&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F02%2Fmore_on_working.html A plug for this book, just out from one of my clinical colleagues in Sydney. Guidelines for the Management and Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.This is a very practical hands on book focussing on what to do and how to respond to this complex client group.  It promotes a strong  Linehan model (dialectical behaviour therapy).  The newer Transference Focussed and Schema Focussed don’t get much of a mention. It has good chapters on working with other health profession and managing risk.  I definitely recommend it. If you are in Australia or even if you are not in Australia and want to know about this book contact Julia Shearsby at Bankstown Mental Health. (Source: In the Room) In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470605 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:57:38 +0100 470605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470607&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F02%2Fhow_long_before.html How long before we are doing therapy with our clients in an MRI scan. Interesting news just out today on neurophysiological measures of empathy in both clients and clinicians. Hat tip: Eureka. As a total aside Eureka is one of the best news feeders I have found for keeping up to date with breaking science news.There is now converging evidence that, during moments of empathic connection, humans reflect or mirror each other’s emotions, and their physiologies move on the same wavelength. I suppose it is not surprise really to think that we mirror physiologically as much as psychologically with our patients but this seems to be a first step in actually beginning to be able to measure it. Actually measuring empathy is something new. Is this yet another of the clinician’s arts falling to sci... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470607 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:00:10 +0100 470607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470608&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F02%2Ftherapeutic_oxy.html Posting has been a little light lately as I discover, like 60 million bloggers before me, the inverse relationship between blogging and work. In the mail this week is Paul Gilbert and Robert Leahy’s new book titled: The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. I’ve been holding the book up to everybody who comes to my office over the week with a range of responses from “unbelievable” to “about time". I have to say I was delighted to see this title which I see as a sign of the rounding out and maturing of cognitive approaches to therapy. I know my headline will invoke some criticisms from the Cognitive Therapists. However looking through all the books on cognitive therapy in our clinic (and we have a lot) I could not find one that had a chapter... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470608 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:40:52 +0100 470608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470609&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F01%2Feasy_and_cheesy.html I like the happiness stuff, how can you not. It is simple, positive and easy to apply. Sometimes I like a break from all the deep stuff that demands so much more from me both as a person and a therapist. It has certainly seen rapid growth both in research and commercial exploitation. I must admit I find some of the research confusing. I remember reading a New Scientist article (can’t find the link now) on happiness indicating that most of your happiness is genetically determined, around about a whopping fifty percent. The next biggest contributor off the block at two per cent (yes only two per cent) was marriage. This is actual marriage (ring on the finger stuff) not just living together. At the same time there is some compelling research on the use of very simple techniques that ap... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470609 Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:12:50 +0100 470609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470610&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F01%2Fbring_out_your_.html Discovering stuff and blogs in the blogosphere is an interesting experience. Googling or Dogpiling, as I prefer, for psychology blogs provides a limited list of the more well known blogs. However I like the way the discovery of many new blogs come through the author commenting on my postings or email in my inbox or a new listing on the blogroll of the other psychology blogs I read.  There is a personal connection element to blogging I have discovered I really like. A recent comment sympathising with my posting about creeping commercialisation in the blog world is a case in point. Annette is an Irishwoman with a psychodynamic focus on organisations. She has a very professional looking blog called: Interactions. She is living proof that Freud was wrong. Sigmund is quoted as saying th... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470610 Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:41:49 +0100 470610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470611&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F01%2Fto_blogroll_or_.html If I list every blog of interest that comes my way, my blogroll can get out of hand. You see some sites where the blogroll disappears down the right column into the ether and beyond. This makes for some interesting decisions at times about who to put on the roll. Recently the author of All About Forensic Psychology approached me to let me know about his site. In my private practice outside of the university I do mainly forensic work and this site is an excellent one in that regard and one I read regularly. At the same time it is somewhat outside the area of psychotherapy technique and as a result I have not listed it. Similarly I received an email from Oxford University Press about their blog. This appears to have some good psychology stuff on it but not all that regular (actually only o... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470611 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:24:33 +0100 470611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470612&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2007%2F01%2Fhow_many_of_you.html The latest Journal of Clinical Psychology (sadly no free access) has the whole journal devoted to exploring ideas around the internal multiplicity of the self. Basically this is the idea that the self has or consits of multiple parts, aspects, object or persons rather than that the self is some type of unitary concept.  Dimaggio and Stiles offer a very lucid and easy to udnerstand overview of this concept in the opening paper. Internal multiplicity is present, if not always acknowledged, in most systems of psychotherapy. It is expressed in such cognitive-behavioral concepts as automatic or intrusive thoughts and self-talk or self-statements. Self-criticism and self-blaming, for example, are forms of self-to-self relationships in which a harsh part of the self criticizes or blames a... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470612 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:29:09 +0100 470612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=470613&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgandalwaven.typepad.com%2Fintheroom%2F2006%2F12%2Fbook_review_sui.html Suicide Risk Management: A Manual for Health Professionals, by Stan Kutcher and Sonia Chehil is a good introduction to the subject of suicide assessment. This book in my view is geared to the beginning mental health professional. It is only 109 pages of well spaced text some of which is repeated in different layouts. Overall it is an extremely practical book which is written in easy to read language. The book divides up into roughly four sections. The first section backgrounds and provides an  understanding of suicide. It has helpful little sections such as common myths about suicide. It covers a spectrum of disorders and situations where suicidal behaviour may be more prevalent and does a good job of covering and discussing a range of risk factors. The second section looks directly... In the Room blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=470613 Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:21:16 +0100 470613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060895&cid=t_100817_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2005%2F04%2Fmarried_with_problems_therapy.php Bad news sells better than good news. Unfortunately, sometimes that means bad articles are created to grab your attention. Here is a good example. Couples in trouble are looking for help. Instead of informing them up front, this article starts out saying therapists may not help and may be incompetent. How many people stop reading right there? Married With Problems? Therapy May Not Help Each year, hundreds of thousands of couples go into counseling in an effort to save their troubled relationships. But does marital therapy work? Not nearly as well as it should, researchers say. Two years after ending counseling, studies find, 25 percent of couples are worse off than they were when they started, and after four years, up to 38 percent are divorced. Sounds bad, but lets crunch some number... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060895 Wed, 20 Apr 2005 04:17:34 +0100 4060895