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 'family mental health'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:35:05 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103519&cid=t_238875_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhow-children-deal-with-parents-alcoholism%2F Millions of Americans suffer from the psychological and physical disease of alcoholism. The resulting emotionally destructive impact on the children of alcoholic parents and the family unit is enormous. Alcoholic parents usually act out their addiction in one of two negative ways: violent and abusive behavior or emotional unavailability and neglect. People who grow up in an alcoholic family often demonstrate a pattern of specific emotional issues and behaviors as a result of their parent’s addiction and dysfunction. For example, among alcoholic families, there is a high percentage of abuse — physical, verbal and sexual. The resulting dangerous climate in the home often pits the children against one another. Full story at; How children deal with parents’ alcoholism » Lifestyl... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103519 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:49:49 +0100 5103519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841587&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F17%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-17-2011%2F Do you feel it in the air? It’s change. Every season has an end. And with any end comes fear, uncertainty and sometimes sadness. Even if ends bring new beginnings like a marriage, a baby or a new career, the loss of what we know can feel earth shattering. Instead of embracing change, we grasp on, holding desperately to what was instead of what will be. Does that sound like you? How are you continuing to do things that don’t serve you or your new life out of fear of change? Maybe you need to take the time to grieve for your old self and your old life so that you can embrace your new one. It’s something important to contemplate this week as we get closer to summer. It also fits with one of our posts on transitions. Have a great week and enjoy! Seven Rules of Mindful Eating ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841587 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:50:25 +0100 4841587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753758&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-26-2011%2F Today, I started thinking about who we were as infants and the impact of time and life on our well-being. It’s the layers of criticisms, lessons, memories (good and bad) that start weighing on us. Like a perfect stone weighed down with years of sediment or a beautiful painting undiscovered because it is covered in dust. Maybe our purpose in life is to take a duster and remove all those layers (shame, insecurities, etc.) that appear to be us, but in reality are other people’s stuff. Maybe we are supposed to find exactly who we are by getting back to who we were before disappointments, fear and judgments impacted us. What do you think? I think it’s something worth pondering this week. Speaking of which, here is another fine, round-up of best blogs to peruse-starting with a ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753758 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:08:04 +0100 4753758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653379&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F29%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-29-2011%2F As a dental hygienist, my mom not only cleans people’s teeth, but listens to do them as she does so every day. And like hair stylists and therapists, she often hears their problems too. One of the most valuable advice she has ever given me is to not judge what other people are going through. “You never know what you would do in that situation unless it happened to you.” Our posts this week makes me think about what she said. You may have lived through difficulty, failure, loss of self-respect. You may, in fact, be going through this right now. If so, remember to find the people in your life who won’t judge you, but have compassion for your situation. That person may even be you. I hope you will enjoy our top posts this week! There are some good ones everything from ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653379 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:31:31 +0100 4653379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532256&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-1-2011%2F Do you know how many times a day I quote an article I read on Psych Central? I don’t know the exact number, but it’s quite often. I feel pretty lucky that I get to read so many articles on a daily basis. I read everything from the way people think to the latest research findings. Absorbing all that information not only makes me sound smart at parties, but I feel like I’m learning a lot professionally and personally as well. Take this week’s basket of blogs, for example. Adventures in Positive Psychology’s Joe Wilner discusses the importance of finding “flow” in your career-something my work here at Psych Central has definitely given me.  And although I’m not a parent, Family Mental Health teaches us something about parenting that we could al... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532256 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:19:26 +0100 4532256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361068&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F18%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-18-2011%2F No matter who we are, where we live, how much money we have or what we do for a living, we all essentially want the same thing. We want to feel validated that our worries, feelings and emotions are justified. We want to be seen, heard and felt valued for who we are. We want to know that how we feel and what we think is normal. And most important, we want to be both loved and understood. Knowing these things, can we change the way we perceive our relationships? Can we change the way we treat ourselves and others? That’s a hope I have and a realistic resolution you could have for 2011. A simple change to gain a worthy result. Recently, my great aunt was snappy on the phone with my dad, I took the chance and spoke to her, validating her concerns, calming her fears, and noticed an instan... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361068 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:52:11 +0100 4361068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300583&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F30%2Fshould-you-tell-your-kids-about-your-mental-illness%2F Parents with a mental illness typically wonder whether it’s best to disclose their diagnosis to their kids. On the one hand, you want to be open and honest. On the other hand, you may think that not saying anything protects your child. A parent’s natural instinct to want to shield your child from any confusion or concern. However, according to research, not telling your child can actually have the opposite effect. Research shows that if parents don’t tell children about their mental illness, children develop misinformation and worries which can be worse than the reality, said Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D, clinical psychologist and director of the Family Mental Health Program at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Later, these kids also report feeling resentment toward... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300583 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:58:26 +0100 4300583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225372&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F03%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-december-3-2010%2F I think one of the greatest self-inflicted suffering comes from comparing our own lives to the one we think we should be living. Instead of focusing on accepting who we are in this moment, it’s easy to get sucked into what everyone else is doing and how much better they are at doing it. It’s a lot easier, for example, to focus on the presents you can’t afford or the job/relationship you don’t have. But tough times also give us an opportunity. It challenge us to be and do better. If you’re going through a personal struggle right now, remember to take care of yourself, find people (therapists/friends/family) to support you, find peace and solace in your religion or spirituality and discover something hopeful in your life, no matter how small, to help lift you up... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225372 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:07:08 +0100 4225372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139290&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F05%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-5-2010%2F Only a few days ago, it felt like summer and now the holidays are fast approaching. As the warm days sheds its last ray of summer sunlight, I can’t help but reflect on the past. It seems as though somewhere between childhood and today, there was a time when life seemed a lot simpler, and so much more magical. Instead of fear, worry and disappointment, there was excitement, joy and hope. And even though being an adult often mean less presents and more shopping during the holidays, I still believe in the possibilities of the end of an old year and what the beginning of a new one brings. Maybe it’s all in our attitude. If we can learn how to bring gifts to ourselves and those we love through appreciation and recognition for the things done well, then maybe we can forgo the need fo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139290 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:27:10 +0100 4139290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082135&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F19%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-october-19-2010%2F Try as I might, I could not think of a time when a childhood argument ended a friendship. Can you? I remember squabbles over crayon colors and anger over sharing toys, but that’s it. There’s no recollection of arguments going longer than a day. In fact, what is embedded in my memory is a lot of moments when a heated fight one day was immediately forgotten the next. Why then, as adults, do we hold grudges and find it so hard to forgive? Is it that life suddenly gets more complicated? Is it because knowing more about life makes it harder to forgive transgressions? Or are the wounds deeper and the hurts greater? Whatever the answer, one thing’s for sure, forgiveness heals our own hearts more than anything else. So if you’re in the process of trying to forgive someone, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082135 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:50:23 +0100 4082135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045145&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F08%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-october-8-2010%2F When things are going good in our lives, we suddenly have amnesia. We forget the battles we won, the hardships we faced and the pain we endured. Yet, there are occasions like yesterday’s National Depression Screening Day or Mental Illness Awareness Week that help to remind us to not forget. More importantly, it reiterates the importance of helping those who are in their own struggles right now. The top posts this week deal with issues that you or someone you know may be dealing with right now. As we end the week, I hope you’ll read these posts, share it with those you care about, take the tips you’ve learned and pay it forward. As always, I wish you a happy and healthy weekend! Enjoy. Body Image & Self-Esteem: Barb Steinberg On Empowering Your Daughters, Part 2 (Wei... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045145 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:13:53 +0100 4045145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013260&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F28%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-september-28-2010%2F I just got back from a trip I took for a few weeks to London and Paris. Before you hate me, let me tell you that the trip was filled with challenges. From our hotel “losing” our reservations to getting sick, it was not the relaxing vacation I was expecting. That being said, it was also one of the best trips I ever had. Why? It reminded me that the idea of a retreat or vacation from reality is a temporary fix. Your problems do follow you wherever you go and can be a microcosm of your real life. Although taking a break is a necessity for our mental health, it should not be perceived as an escape or a cure for what’s really ailing us. In the end, it gave me the insight to see that I didn’t need to wait for big vacations and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to change my... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013260 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:23:58 +0100 4013260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889126&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F20%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-20-2010%2F The creative process is a mysterious one. I sit down at my computer twice a week not knowing how I will do it and what will come out when I type. Yet, if I come to my desk present, open-minded and trusting, somehow my fingers do the work for me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have days when the writing doesn’t flow and that I don’t feel stuck. On those days, I notice it’s one or all of the three f’s: fatigue, fear or feeling frazzled that pushes me over the edge. Then, it feels like I’m trying to run in water or force a piece into a puzzle that just doesn’t fit. I tend to think of those times as moments when self-care is vital. I might be feeling anxious, overworked or my own negative thoughts could be sabotaging my efforts. Yet, when we&#821... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889126 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:25:53 +0100 3889126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529839&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F04%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-4-2010%2F If you thought we were done with celebrations in April, think again. It’s a brand new week and the start of a new month (my favorite month I might add). In fact, besides May Day, Cinco de Mayo and spring flowers, there’s also Mental Health Month, a fresh new blog, a blog birthday and several top posts vying for your attention on Psych Central this week. May’s turning out to be a month filled with things this blogger is thankful for. So let’s get started! Mental Health Statistics (World of Psychology) – How do we celebrate Mental Health Month here at Psych Central? We review the latest statistics on mental illness of course! This top post reveals everything you’ve always wanted to know about mental health such as which disorders are more common in women a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529839 Tue, 04 May 2010 10:51:22 +0100 3529839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508245&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-27-2010%2F You know what I love most about this crazy roller coaster ride we call life? I appreciate the opportunity it gives us each and every day to do better and be better. And through challenges, heartbreaks and rock bottom moments, we pick ourselves up, keep growing and learn more in this ongoing classroom of life. We just need to be fully conscious and open our eyes and hearts to take advantage of it. Take this week’s round-up of top posts, for example. Scroll down and you’ll discover new movements and programs changing our world, ways to become a better person, how to get clear on your fears and take control of your own destiny. Not a bad list for the beginning of the week. Puppies Behind Bars: Helping Inmates and Veterans Alike (Forensic Focus) – Dogs provide a wealth of phy... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508245 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:59:16 +0100 3508245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424910&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F30%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-30-2010%2F There’s just a few days left in March and we’re heading straight for the spring season! Some of you may be busy preparing for Easter weekend while others are in the thick of spring break. Whatever you’re doing, we hope you’ll stop by and see what’s buzzing over at our blogs this week. I’ve scoured our blogs to find the best, most popular posts so that you can quickly click through and find your favorite ones. Happy Hunting! And make sure to come back later in the week for another round of, “Best of Our Blogs.” Music Education Helps Kids Brains With Sound Stimuli (Family Mental Health) – Music isn’t just all fun and games. Did you know it actually helps with communication skills? Hard to believe that all that noise in a music class... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424910 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:06:42 +0100 3424910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2386950&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Ftwo-new-blogs-on-psych-central%2F I’m pleased to announce the publication of two new blogs on Psych Central, Family Mental Health by Erika Krull and Therapy Unplugged by Sonia Neale. Erika Krull, MS, LMHP is a licensed mental health counselor, freelance writer, mom of three young girls, wife of one cool guy, and former prisoner of depression. She experienced three and a half years of postpartum depression and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) before getting treatment. Erika has specialized training and experience with intense in-home family therapy. For two years, she traveled to rural areas providing counseling for families with severely behavior disordered kids. She also has almost ten years experience being a mom to round out her qualifications as a family specialist. Sonia Neale started therapy writing for p... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2386950 Mon, 04 May 2009 15:13:03 +0100 2386950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439661&cid=t_238875_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F289528211%2F Sunday’s New York Times had an article about “Mad Pride”: More people with “severe forms of mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder” are now speaking out about “their demons”: About 5.7 million Americans over 18 have bipolar disorder, which is classified as a mood disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Another 2.4 million have schizophrenia, which is considered a thought disorder. The small slice of this disparate population who have chosen to share their experiences with the public liken their efforts to those of the gay-rights and similar movements of a generation ago. Just as gay-rights activists reclaimed the word queer as a badge of honor rather than a slur, these advocates proudly call themselves mad... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439661 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:47 +0100 1439661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1380570&cid=t_238875_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F17%2Fjohn-marks-reminds-me-of-my-struggles-with-faith-and-that-we-dont-have-to-be-right%2F Reasons to Believe: One Man’s Journey Among the Evangelicals and the Faith He Left Behind Browse Inside this book Get this for your site A little while ago I bought this book, by John Marks, that I’d heard about while clicking around TV, the subject matter of which resonated strongly with me. (Here’s a fair review.) Marks, a former [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1380570 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:14:12 +0100 1380570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1297788&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F03%2Funlike-fine-win.html Reuters HealthDay reported on 02/15/08 on a study in Health Psychology which found that crabby, negative people don't age well.Researchers who studied a survey of almost 700 older adults found that those who got along with their relatives, friends and neighbors were less likely to report health problems and physical limitations. The findings don't prove a cause-and-effect relationship between social life and health. Still, "the take-home message is that conflict in your life may have important impacts on your physical health," said study lead author Jason T. Newsom, associate professor at the Portland State University School of Community Health in Oregon. There's nothing really new about a supposed link between attitude and health, but Newsom said his study was unique, becaus... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1297788 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:37:44 +0100 1297788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261645&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fcdc-issues-warn.html The Center for Disease Control issued a press release on 02/24/08 about the increased deaths and dangers of "the choking game."At least 82 youth have died as a result of playing what has been called “the choking game,” according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in today′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The choking game involves intentionally trying to choke oneself or another in an effort to obtain a brief euphoric state or “high.” Death or serious injury can result if strangulation is prolonged. Eighty–seven percent of these deaths were among males, and most fatalities occurred among those 11 years to 16 years old; the average age was 13, the report said. Choking game deaths were identified in 31 states, it said. CDC fo... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261645 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:32:58 +0100 1261645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1258166&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fsocial-class-ma.html Reuters reported on February 14, 2008 on a study which appears in the February, 2008 issue of the journal, Pediatrics, which found that while teenagers and parents often have discrepant views of the teenagers health, lower class kids, especially those who have recieved mental health care, rate their health as better than lower class kids who have not received mental health care, and upper class kids whose focus is more on physical health than mental health. Here is a brief snippet of the Reuters article:And, in fact, teenagers in the study often rated their health differently than their parents did, the researchers report in the journal Pediatrics. But the study also found that families' views differed according to income. Among higher-income families, children's and parents' health ratin... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1258166 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:47:03 +0100 1258166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1238176&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fthe-gathering-t.html I bought The Gathering by Anne Enright at the Lift Bridge Book Store in Brockport, NY a couple of weeks ago because it looked interesting and because it won the Man Booker Prize for 2007. It is the story about the Hegarty family in Ireland who had twelve children and had them so fast that three of them, Liam, Veronica, and Kitty had to be farmed out for a few years to live with Grandma Ada, and Grandpa Charlie. While there, it seems that Liam was molested by a friend of the family. Liam now has died at middle age, apparently from suicide by drowning, and middle age Veronica, 11 months younger, the narrator of the story remembers the family history conflicted by fury and love. This is all told in poetic language which borders on reverie and the story is very difficult to follow at times. I... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1238176 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:57:41 +0100 1238176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1226760&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fnotes-on-a-scan.html Notes On A Scandal is an English film released in 2006 about a high school art teacher, Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), who has an affair with one of her 15 year old students. Sheba's older colleague, Barbara Covett (Judi Dench), develops a lesbian infatuation with Sheba and when she learns of the affair blackmails her emotionally into a relationship with her. This is a movie which depicts complicated relationships in plausible ways and left me, once again, reflecting on the tormented, lonely, and twisted lives we live. Our attempts to avoid our loneliness by connecting with another human being in a special relationship temporarily fills up the hole in our souls but in the long run is misguided and ends in further heart break. This film is good at depicting what we should not do, but doesn't... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1226760 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:49:25 +0100 1226760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1220547&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fpsychologist-ma.html According to a recent issue of the Onion (44-06) a local man, Steven Bertram, complains that his girlfriend, Alicia Maas, always wants to do stuff.Though he and Maas have dated for almost two years, Bertram reportedly did not recognize the severity of his girlfriend's near-chronic dependence on getting out of the house and doing stuff until six months ago, when she insisted the two attend a free outdoor concert in their neighborhood. Since that time, Maas has asked an estimated 11 times to be taken to dinner, 17 times to go grocery shopping, and, on 20 separate occasions, has expressed a desire to go on a meandering walk without a fixed destination, purpose, or time limit. The precise number of incidents, Bertram said, is difficult to determine, as Maas has oftentimes enlisted him in acti... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1220547 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:12:07 +0100 1220547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1195873&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fmid-life-crisis.html Based on a huge analysis of 2 million people in 80 countries, researchers have found that the lowest point in the contemporary human life cycle is age 44. People are happier in their 20s, at their lowest point in their 40s, and then happier again in later life.People around the globe hit the height of their misery and depression in middle age, a new international study suggests. The finding by British and American researchers was based on an analysis of well-being among approximately 2 million people in 80 nations. With few exceptions, the observation appears to apply across the board, regardless of gender, culture, geography, wealth, job history, education, and marriage or parental status. "The scientific fact seems to be that happiness and positive mental health follow a giant 'U'... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1195873 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:40:09 +0100 1195873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1122149&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fthe-innocent-ma.html The Innocent Man by John Grisham, his first non-fiction book, is an important book which tells the story of the perversity of the criminal justice system when prosecutors are narcissistic despots, cops are corrupt, judges are officious functionaries, and juries are prejudiced mobs who care nothing for facts, evidence, and the truth. Ron Williamson, a mentally ill ex professional baseball player, is framed for a murder he did not commit and was a couple of weeks from being executed before some diligent indigent defense attorneys finally got a decent judge to review the error riddled original trial and put a stay on the execution. Barry Sheck's Innocence Project finally did DNA testing which found that Williamson and the other man framed, Dennis Fritz, could not have committed the crime. I... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1122149 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:06:01 +0100 1122149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097668&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Famish-grace-the.html Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcends Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher is a wonderful book, well written, informative, and inspiring. Amish Grace describes the events following the tragedy at Nickel Mines, PA on October 2, 2006, when Charles Carl Roberts IV went into an Amish school and took 10 little girls hostage and eventually killing 5 and wounding another 5 and then killing himself. The Amish, true to their beliefs, forgave Roberts and his family and invited Roberts widow and family to the funerals of their children and many of the Amish also attended the funeral of Roberts. These acts of forgiveness, while true to the teachings of Jesus, are rarely seen in our society hell bent on vengeance and retribution. Many questions arose in resist... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097668 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:36:21 +0100 1097668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082085&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fthe-almost-moon.html The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold published in October of 2007 is Sebold's third book after The Lovely Bones and Lucky. The Almost Moon is about 49 year old Helen Knightly, a college art studio nude model, who kills her mother, Claire, who is 88 and suffering from dementia after she soils herself. The novel fluctuates back and forth from current efforts to hide from police and deal with the fact that Helen has killed her mother, and her experience as a child growing up with two parents who suffered from mental illness. Along the way, Helen, has a brief sexual relationship with the 30 year old son of her best friend, Natalie. The story is grim and it is not clear what the author's message is other than that neurotic people lived screwed up lives. This book was OK but I don't necessarily r... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082085 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:00:36 +0100 1082085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082086&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fcarry-me-down-t.html Carry Me Down by M.J. Hyland was a 2006 Man Booker Prize finalist and a book that has stuck with me after I finished it about a month ago. It is the story about an 11 year old boy, John Egan, who is growing up in Gorey, Ireland with his parents who live in his paternal grandmother's home. John is a tall boy with a deep voice and somewhat of a misfit who comforts himself with an obsession with the Guiness Book Of World Records and his belief that he is a human lie detector. The narration of the book is done by John and his perplexity and unhappiness are at times palpable as his parents marriage deteriorates and he is threatened with incarceration in a juvenile facility after he attempts to smother his mother. John is troubled and his parents seem pre-occupied with their own unhappiness wh... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082086 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 22:40:16 +0100 1082086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081533&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fnew-technology.html On December 3, 2007, the CDC, the Center For Disease Control, put up an interesting web page on technology and youth violence. It is worth taking a look at if you are interested in this topic. I saw a young man today in my office who has been suspended from his high school until March 1 because he became enraged when a hallway monitor asked him to give up his cell phone. I inquired further about the school's policies about the use of cell phones in school. They seem confusing to me. I was told that students can have cell phones in school but they can't use them - they have to be turned off. Then why have them? In many ways, cell phones have become a huge nuisance in our society from people being distracted talking on cell phones while driving their cars to their constant interruption dis... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081533 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:11:46 +0100 1081533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1076244&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fbreaking-down-b.html On December 2, 2007, Reuters HealthDay published an article based on a survey described in a recent issue of the journal, Pediatrics, dealing with parents thoughts and feelings about end of life care for their dying child. According to the HealthDay article, the areas parents identified as needing improvement are listed in the quote below.The areas identified by these parents as needing improvement included: The need for honest and complete information from care-givers. The parents didn't want doctors and nurses to keep information from them to protect them. "What we cannot handle is not knowing what is going on," one parent wrote. Coordination of care and communication. Rather than having every doctor caring for a child present their opinion to parents -- which sometimes di... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1076244 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:43:36 +0100 1076244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1076245&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Flove-and-aging.html WBUR in Boston has a great radio show called On Point, and on November 30, 2007, Jane Clayson filling in for the usual host, Tom Ashbrook, had a great show on Love And Aging which is well worth listening to. It lasts about 45 or 50 minutes. Here is a brief synopsis from the On Point web page:They say love changes everything. But time changes love.Just how much it can change became front page news last week, when the family of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor revealed that her husband had fallen in love with a fellow Alzheimer's patient.And she was happy for him.What happens to the part of ourselves that loves as the mind ages, and changes?Our culture celebrates young love. But mature love is filled with passion too, even as our memories leave us. Seniors living for the mom... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1076245 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:22:53 +0100 1076245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064864&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fsuicide-risk-in.html It is validating to read research findings that confirm what good clinicians already know. On November 28, 2007, Reuters reported on a study in the November, 2007 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics which found that teenagers with a history of sexual abuse have a highter rate of suicidal ideas and attempts than teens without this history, but that the risk factor of sexual abuse is offset if the teen has the protective factor of "family connectedness" that is, a loving and caring family that is supportive in a nonjudgmental way. Here is part of what is written in the Reuters article:However, having positive relationships with adults seemed to reduce some of this risk, the study found. Abused teens who said they had teachers or other adults in their lives who cared about them were ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064864 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:03:56 +0100 1064864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1060071&cid=t_238875_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F29%2Fa-mr-glenn-day%2F I’m experiencing a Mr. Glenn headache today or at least one whose characteristics - terrible pain in my shoulder, neck and head - remind me of my childhood nemesis. It could be the weather (cloudy, windy and cool) or poor posture (it’s hard to sit comfortably with no butt to sit on) but the locations of these [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1060071 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:47:52 +0100 1060071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1036918&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fnew-research-on.html On November 14, 2007, Diane Rehm had an interesting show on some recent research which has been done on disruptive kindergartners. Diane interviewed Sharon Landesman Ramey, Director, Center for Health and Education, Georgetown University, Dr. Philip Shaw, Psychiatry Fellow, National Institutes of Mental Health, and Greg Duncan, Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education and Social Policy Faculty Fellow, Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. Here is a brief synopsis of the show:A new study finds children considered troublemakers in kindergarten will do just as well academically as their peers in later school years. There's also new research on children with A.D.H.D. suggesting a possible brain development delay but no long term deficit. New insights on evaluating and educat... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1036918 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:53:58 +0100 1036918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1001005&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fthe-highly-priz.html There is a great cover article in the Sept/Oct. 2007 issue of Social Work today on The Highly Prized Child. It is well worth reading and can be read on line.All children need to be prized, need to be loved, need to be cared for, but highly prized children have been treated in a way that is ultimately wounding to them. On the surface, highly prized children are self-absorbed, demanding, and indifferent to other people’s desires and needs. Underneath, however, these children are often depressed, unhappy, and lack self-confidence.Interestingly I have seen more of these kids in my practice. I have had teenagers who refused to go to school unless their parents bought them a car saying that they are too old to ride the school bus. The demands didn't surprise me as much as the parent's serious ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1001005 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:38:02 +0100 1001005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814202&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fself-silencing-.html Reuters reported on 08/20/07 on a study in the July/August, 2007 issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine that self silencing women in their 40s and 50s were four times more likely to die from heart disease and other causes.Women who force themselves to stay quiet during marital arguments appear to have a higher risk of death, a new study shows. Depression and irritable bowel syndrome are also more common in these women. Such "self-silencing" during conflict may have provided an evolutionary survival advantage long ago, and unfortunately may be a necessity for women in abusive relationships, Dr. Elaine D. Eaker of Eaker Epidemiology Enterprises in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health. Eaker and her colleagues found that, over a 10-year period,... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814202 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:53:04 +0100 814202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=808645&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fmilitary-wives.html On August 2, 2007, On Point had a show on Military Wives hosted by Jane Clayson. Ms. Clayson talks with several military wives about what life is like with their husbands away in the service. She also talks with Kristin Henderson who has written a book entitled "While They're At War" about what military wives or husbands can expect when there spouse is deployed. This show depicts the dark underbelly of our wars of imperial conquest. It makes one wonder what our policy of pre-emptive war and so called "war on terror" is doing to us as a nation. In the preceeding article on this blog, we discussed the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. Army since the Gulf War. In listening to the "Military Wives" show you get some sense of the stress with which military famili... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=808645 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:54:51 +0100 808645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794210&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fthe-fathers-rol.html This article is based on the chapter entitled "Fairy Tale Fathers in Dr. Christine Lawson's book, Understanding The Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship. Dr. Lawson says what you might guess:"The father's role in the drama between the borderline mother and her child is crucial in determining the outcome for the child." p.178It has been my observation that very often the husbands of women with borderline personality disorder are either very dysfucntional with their own problems such as alcoholism, drug addiction, workaholism, or they are afraid of their wives and acquiesce to keep the peace. Rarely is there any kind of equal partnership between a husband and a wife with borderline personality disorder. He oft... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794210 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:26:58 +0100 794210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=782973&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fthe-effect-of-1.html This post is based on the chapter entitled "Make Believe Children" in Dr. Christine Ann Lawson's book, "Understanding The Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship." This is part two of a two part post on this topic. Borderline parents often "split", that is they project their good side onto one child who becomes the "fair haired boy or girl", the "golden child", the "all good child" while they project their bad side onto the "black sheep", the "scapegoat", or the "no good child". In part one I described some of the dynamics that occur for the all good child. In this part two, I will describe some of the dynamics that occur for the all bad... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=782973 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:56:21 +0100 782973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780673&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fthe-effect-of-b.html This post is based on the chapter entitled "Make Believe Children" in Dr. Christine Ann Lawson's book, "Understanding The Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship." Most people would not believe what goes on in Borderline families. The dynamics are intense, destructive, and subtle and not readily apparent to the casual observer. However as Dr. Lawson points out, "Children of borderlines learn to sacrifice their true selves because survival requires that they meet their mother's emotional needs." p. 155 - 156. An adult client told me of a conversation he had with his mother who wondered why she had no relationships with her other adult children and grandchildren, and the client said that he said to... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780673 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:17:21 +0100 780673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=779988&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fthe-borderline-.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in multiple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types overlap and inter mix. This post is part three on the borderline Witch. There are many characteristics of the Witch borderline mother. She is sadistically controlling and punitive with her children. This occurs unpredictably but regularly to the extent that after awhile the children of the witch expect to be hurt by her. I had a an adult client tell me that her mother would come to school and have her removed from class and chastise her for not doing some simple chore suc... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=779988 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:25:11 +0100 779988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773359&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fchild-maltreatm.html Reuters Health Day reported on an article in the August 1, 2007 issue of the Journal Of The American Medical Association that child maltreatment cases rise in military families when a parent is deployed. This information would not look good on a recruiting poster. It is very stressful on the parent left home with the kids while the other parent is off serving his/her country. I am pretty sick and tired of all the yellow ribbon magnets on cars and the Support The Troops balleyhoo of polticians when they cut veterans benefits and leave military families severely stressed due to deployment. It makes one wonder whether a voluntary, mercenary army is really a good idea in a democracy. Here is part of what it says in the Reuters article:Deployment of a parent results in added stress, particularl... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773359 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:57:39 +0100 773359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=749437&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fhow-religion-is.html On July 15, 2007, Rev. Tamara Lebak, Assistant Pastor at the All Soul's Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK, preached a powerful sermon on Domestic Violence. It is not a topic that is often preached on and she does a super job giving an overview of the problem, a personal insight into how it affected her own life, and how churches and religion can be complicit in supporting the problem. I highly recommend the sermon and you can listen or download it from the Digg web site by clicking on the link below. Link: Digg - Why Have You Forsaken Me? (All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, OK). (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=749437 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:14:12 +0100 749437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=719411&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fthe-borderlin-1.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in multiple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types over overlap and inter mix. This post is part two on the boderline Witch. One of the important characteristics of the Witch type of borderline is what Dr. Lawson and others call "the turn". Dr. Lawson describes "the turn" as follows:"One of the most devastating experiences for chldren of borderlines is "the turn." The Turn is a sudden attack, the abrupt withdrawal of love and affection, and razor-sharp words that can pierce the heart as ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=719411 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:20:31 +0100 719411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714718&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fthe-bordeline-w.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in multiple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types over overlap and inter mix. The borderline Witch mother is personified in fairy tales most notably Hanzel and Gretel."Husband, listen to me. Tomorrow at daybreak we'll take the children out to the thickest part of the forest...They'll never find the way home again and that way we'll be rid of them."Susan Smith killed her children in 1994 when she drove her car into the lake with the kids strapped into their safety seats and killed them because her boyfriend left... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714718 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:50:51 +0100 714718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714049&cid=t_238875_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F04%2Fabout-faceno-about-effacing%2F   I am “processing”, somewhat, a phone call I received from my beloved Mom last night. Forgive me if it seems morbid - but such topics tend to arise during the grieving process which, of course, the family continues to experience. Over the weekend, as Craig’s partner visited her in Perth for the first time since Craig’s burial [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714049 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:09:25 +0100 714049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=707656&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fthe-borderline-.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in multiple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types over overlap and inter mix. Dr. Lawson writes that Borderline Queens are driven by feelings of emptiness, and that they seek special treatment because they felt emotionally deprived as children. The Queen has learned how to win special treatment through persistence and intimidation. Dr. Lawson writes:She can be intrusive, loud, inpatient, and flamboyant. She is easily frustrated, often bursting into rages than can terrify her children. She can be disingenuous and may lie... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=707656 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 22:46:32 +0100 707656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693258&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fanxiety-in-adul.html Dr. Christine Lawson writes in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, that "Adult children of Hermits may suffer from panic attacks, claustrophobia,or agoraphobia without recognizing the source of their fear - the early experience of feeling trapped by their mothers." p.87 I had one client email me the following: " It has taken me most of my early adulthood to de-stress from the perpetual anxiety and establish a sense of self-worth after having my mother as a mother. I am conflicted, however, knowing I'd be a much different person had I been born to anyone else. I think I'd be much less tolerant, self-reliant, and empathetic and more fearful of change and the unknown. I truly believe that good things can be born of struggle." Feelings of inferiority, insecur... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693258 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 01:22:00 +0100 693258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693260&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fwhen-the-bord-1.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in mutliple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types over overlap and inter mix. Dr. Lawson writes :"The borderline Hermit seeks solitude but paradoxically longs to belong." p. 81Like the Waif, the Hermit also often has trouble sleeping at night ruminating about the safety of her children, her husband, her job, her heath, and any number of other things. Hermits can be extraordinarily sensitive and may believe that they are psychic according to Dr. Lawson. She looks for hidden meanings in greeting cards, gifts, inv... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693260 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:23:12 +0100 693260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=691255&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fwhen-the-border.html Borderline Personality Disorder can manifest itself in mutliple ways. In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Dr. Christine Lawson describes four role types which BPD is exemplified by: the Waif, the Hermit, the Queen, and the Witch. These role types are not mutually exclusive and characteristics of these types over overlap and inter mix. The Waif seems to want soothing and often leaves others feeling helpless because she is often inconsolable. As Dr. Lawson writes that the Waif might say, "I can't allow myself to need your help and be in control at the same time."  The irony is that the Waif feels that in accepting help she is loosing control. The Waif can self soothe with the compulsive use of alcohol, drugs, money, food, sex, work, and likes to play the role o... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=691255 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:19:15 +0100 691255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=690019&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Ftreatment-can-h.html Dr. Christine Lawson writes in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother:"Knowing the proper diagnosisis is the first step to treatment. Some therapists are reluctant to inform the patient or family of the diagnosis of BPD. Yet growth cannot occur without understanding. Patients wih BPD have a right to the truth just as much as patients who suffer from other incurable, life-threatening conditions, especially since over 10 percent of individuals with BPD commit suicide. Just as the diabetic must learn to manage sugar intake and output, the individual with BPD must learn to manage emotional input and output. Psychotherapy, combined with antianxiety and antidepressant medications, can significantly enhance the borderline's quality of life." p.51The diagnosis of Borderline Person... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=690019 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:00:13 +0100 690019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688621&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fcommunicating-w.html Today, June 21, 2007, on the blog, Borderline Crazy, the author has a great article on borderline thinking processes which at times can be quite delusional. The writer likens the process as communications going through the borderline's black box which become misinterpreted and take on a delusional quality that leaves the communicator as feeling like he/she is in the twilight zone.Today on my mind has been on the translations that communication goes through (I think of it as “the black box”) before it reaches the mind of a person with BPD. This may be a diagnostic feature not to be found in the DSM; if you find yourself often thinking you’re in the Twilight Zone (OR often wishing you had a tape recorder to replay what was actually said) when conversing with someone, I think chances ar... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688621 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:37:44 +0100 688621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688622&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Femotional-abuse.html Christine Lawson writes in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, that children have four needs: To be held (to be enveloped by safe, loving arms) To be mirrored (to se a positive reflection of themselves in their parent's eyes) To be soothed ( to be comforted, reassured, and protected) To be given some control ( to elicit predictable responses to expressed needs) Lawson writes a little further:"Like a broken record, the borderline's behavior seems compulsively driven, with the aim of eliciting what she lacked as a child. The Waif needed to be held, the Hermit needed to be soothed, the Queen needed to be mirrored, and the Witch needed control." p.45In addition to physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse in the form of denigration put children at high risk of develo... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688622 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:28:16 +0100 688622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=687011&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fdestructive-par.html Christine Lawson in her book, Understanding the Borderline Mother, writes, "Studies indicate that the single most important factor affecting resiliency in children is the conviction of being loved. The effects of parental abandonment, abuse, neglect can be mitigated if children have access to a relationship with a loving adult such as a teacher, a minister, a neighbor, or a relative who is empathically attuned to the child's feelings." p.43This person is what Alice Miller calls "an enlightened witness." The enlightened witness is a person whom the child trusts and feels understood by whom the child believes knows what is going on and who validates the child so that the child is reassured that the problems being experienced are not generated by them but by the other. Th... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=687011 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:30:27 +0100 687011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=687060&cid=t_238875_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F20%2Fdealing-with-whats-in-front-of-me-or-first-things-first%2F A careful read, between the lines and otherwise, will reveal in this blog my history of alcohol abuse.  I have also, for periods of time (two significant stints of ten and seven years of continuous sobriety) included myself in the fellowship of self-described recovering alcoholics. While it could be argued, and rightly so, that I am juggling a lot of plates [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=687060 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:29:14 +0100 687060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682862&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Frelationships_b.html Dr. Christine Lawson writes in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, about the relationships that borderline mothers have with their children."The dependency of the newborn can be intensely satisfying to the borderline mother, but as the child becomes increasingly independent, conflict erupts." p. 40I had a client who told me that she never felt better than when she was pregnant. She stated that she enjoyed the nursing and caretaking of the infants until they reached about 2 years of age and then she wanted another child. She had nine children altogether and she became increasingly unhappy when she came to the age when she could no longer have children in her mid-40s. As the child grows and becomes more independent having been weaned, talking, walking, and toilet traine... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682862 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:08:41 +0100 682862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682865&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fwhat_if_im_wron.html On June 14, 2007 there is a wonderful article posted on the Borderline Crazy web site entitled "What if I'm wrong" in which the author expresses "guilt" and distress over not having seen her mother with Borderline Personality Disorder.So basically I keep these boundaries but feel horribly guilty about them. I hate living this way. I wish, OH how I wish, that she were a regular person, a regular mother. I could call her and we could hash this out and each acknowledge our parts in it and then resume our relationship. But she isn’t. My heart aches for her with a soul-sucking vehemence, but I have no words or actions to repair the damage in her or even to get her to see it. Miracles do happen, but without one she will never hear me, and she will never see me, even if she ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682865 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:49:33 +0100 682865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682871&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Ftirades_in_the_.html Christine Lawson writes in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, "Laura explained that her mother 'went on tirades.' Something could set her off and she would whirl around the house like a cyclone. The warning signal was 'the look.' The look was a piercing, threatening glare to mean, 'I could kill you.' When Laura was a child, her mother actually said it, with no awareness of the power of her words. Children of borderlines and survivors of hurricanes have much in common. Survival is dependent on finding a safe place, staying low, and not being fooled by they eye of the storm." p.27A little further down the page, Dr. Lawson writes, "When Laura was young the tirades terrified her, but as she grew older, she became immune to them." p. 27 It is interesting how chi... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682871 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:39:57 +0100 682871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682872&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fsleepless_night.html Christine Lawson writes in her book Understanding The Borderline Mother, "Ordinary mothers sleep at night; borderline mothers do not. Borderlines dread being alone with their thoughts: thus, intrusive, obsessive thoughts may keep them awake at night. Noise from the radio, television, or late-night telephone calls may distract them from their anxiety and provide a sense of security." p. 26A little further down on the same page, Dr. Lawson writes,"Another patient's mother awakened her father on a regular basis, rebuking him for being able to sleep when she was so upset." p. 26Dr. Lawson's description of the sleeplessness, the agitation, the restlessness was very illuminating for me. Even though, I have been in psychotherapy practice for 38 years, and worked inpatient psyc... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682872 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:04:12 +0100 682872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675757&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fcompetition_bet.html It is a common experience for children of borderline parents to turn to the parent for comfort and feeling worse afterwards. Similarly, borderline parents find that their parents rarely enjoy their child's happiness and success unless it reflects somehow positively on them. The borderline parent will often "horn in" on the child's success and want to share the spot light with them or even to steal their thunder. The borderline parent usually wants to be the center of attention and when the child takes away the attention, the borderline parent will do something to bring it back on themselves. Christine Lawson, in her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, says:"Emotionally stable parents share their children's joy and quiet their fear. But caretaking roles are reversed ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675757 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:53:05 +0100 675757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675758&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fborderline_moth.html The blog, Borderline Crazy, had a great post on 06/10/07 entitled, "Can I have my identity please?". It is well worth reading.My mom has, as far as I can guess (I’m not a clinician), borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. She’s a real delight. She has sent me things so crazy that my shrink gets a gleam in her eye and jumps up to copy them, presumably to add to her “this is the craziest shit I have ever seen” file. What’s bothering me today about her is her inability to exist on her own as herself. This may not sound to an unaffected person as if it would cause problems, but I assure you it is crazy-making. To read the rest of the post, click on the link below. Link: Can I have my identity, please? « Borderline Crazy. (Source: Markham's ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675758 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:27:00 +0100 675758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675761&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fsoul_murder_lea.html In her book, Understanding The Borderline Mother, Christine Lawson says on p.15"When a child disagrees with the borderline mother or does not satisfy her needs or wishes, the borderline will attempt to shame, punish, degrade, or vilify the child."A little further on the same page Dr. Lawson says, "Borderline mothers may use denigration as a method of discipline without being aware of its destructiveness."I have heard this kind of denigration and vilification called "soul murder". Children living in this kind of situation often live in fear and anxiety and they shut down. These children hide what they really think, how they really feel, and what they have done or want to do. What develops in these situations is mistrust. Very often this mistrust is perceived b... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675761 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 21:20:35 +0100 675761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660472&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fliving_in_a_bor.html There is an ugly side to life, the shadow side that isn't discussed in polite company. It is sometimes embarassingly referred to as "dirty laundry." Often times adults are embarassed and children are warned that what happens at home, stays at home. The fascade that is presented to the public often is not an accurate picture of what actually goes on at home. Sometimes people talk about the Dr. Jeckle/Mr. Hyde split between the behavior outside the home and the behavior inside the home. Lewis Carroll says in Alice and Wonderland, "When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one." Indeed we read in the news how Susan Smith killed her children by allowing her car to roll into a lake with her children stap... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660472 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:35:46 +0100 660472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660473&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Funderstanding_t.html Understanding The Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship by Christine Ann Lawson is an extremely important book for any psychotherapist or layperson interested in the impact of parenting by a person with Borderline Personality Disorder. The impact is huge and can be multigenerational. Dr. Lawson, in lay language and with clear case examples describes the dynamics that occur between mother and children and somewhat with fathers. She also has clear suggestions for how adult children can manage the relationship with the Borderline mother. I believe this topic is so important that I am planning on posting a series of articles on this blog as I re-read and study the ideas in this book further. I am developing a new category on t... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660473 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:09:10 +0100 660473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592143&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F05%2Fwar_injuries_of.html It is a cliche to say that war is hell. When parents deploy it is difficult on the parent left at home and difficult on the children left behind. When the deployed parent comes home there is a period of readjustment and when that parent is injured the adjustment period especially for the children is often difficult. There is an article in the May 4, 2007 issue of the Psychiatric Times which briefly describes the issue. Americans initially were whole heartedly for this war especially when the shock and awe PR spin made it look like a video game or an adventure movie, but as time drags on and the casualties and injuries mount and the collateral consequences have to be dealt with for generations to come, Americans hopefully will come to a realization that the hubris of its Commander - In - C... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592143 Sun, 06 May 2007 00:39:22 +0100 592143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=577065&cid=t_238875_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F04%2Frunning_with_sc.html I read the book and then I watched the movie. I think I liked the book better. Running With Scissors was distributed in 2006 and is the movie made from the supposed memoir of Augusten Burroughs. The story is so bizarre that it is hard to know how much is actual and how much exaggerated. The story is about Augusten's parent's divorce, and his being given to his mother's psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, to raise when he is 17. Dr. Finch is very eccentric as is the whole Finch family, so eccentric in fact, that the Finch's almost make the Burrough's look sane although Mr. Burroughs is alcoholic and Mrs. Burroughs has bi-polar disorder so severe at times that she requires hospitalization. As you watch this movie, it is unclear whether to laugh or cry. Whatever positive feeling the movie might genera... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=577065 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:15:22 +0100 577065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=574464&cid=t_238875_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F04%2F27%2Fa-family-emergency%2F Be careful when asking, “What next?”, even rhetorically. My brother, (see “Faith in the family” and elsewhere), had a terrible fall on Monday afternoon, his partner’s brithday, outside their Montreal home.  Craig struck his head on the pavement and suffered a traumatic brain injury, the extent of which can only be revealed a little more each day. Tuesday morning, before dawn, [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=574464 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:50:50 +0100 574464