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 'grief loss'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:58:04 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794953&cid=t_445499_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fgreed-grief-and-the-choices-of-a-lifetime%2F As most of you already know, my daughter, Beth and I have just returned from a working trip to the high desert region of California. My sweet mother-in-law passed away last May and due to other family matters it has taken us a year to make it down there to clean out her home. The weather is also a factor because I cannot tolerate heat or sun. When we left home it was drizzling here in beautiful, green yet soggy Oregon. The contrast to the high desert is startling. Yucca trees, a few evergreens and lots of brown greeted us. It was also 90 degrees. I got out the sunscreen but still have many fever blisters. You all know I have trouble sitting, and had to go to the hotel and just lie down after the trip. We had drawn row 12 on our small commuter plane and got stuck right in front of the emerg... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794953 Fri, 06 May 2011 20:36:00 +0100 4794953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272366&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2Fsurviving_the_holiday_blues.php Image via WikipediaThe holiday season is such a joyous time of year. Colored lights adorn houses and business. Thoughts of holidays past fill our minds and conversations. But not everyone can enjoy the holiday season. Some of us inevitably find as the holidays approach what is called the "holiday blues".The holiday blues are quite common. We expect to enjoy ourselves during the holidays. Those around us expect we will enjoy holiday celebrations and their company as well. We feel that pressure within ourselves and others. But sometimes what we really need is acceptance of ourselves and others. There are many things that may bother us during the holidays: a death in the family, financial set backs, separations from loved ones due to work, military deployment, or other reasons. There can be l... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272366 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 01:14:15 +0100 4272366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167561&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F06%2Fvideo-on-death-and-dying%2F I can’t adequately introduce the contents of this video. As I said a few moments ago when I taped it, I can’t write today. Click through to view the video… (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167561 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:29:50 +0100 2167561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147546&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F30%2Farmy-suicides-increase%2F A harbinger of things to come? Likely. The U.S. Army reported yesterday that the suicide rate rose to 20.2 per 100,000 people in 2008, up from 16.8 per 100,000 from 2007. This is the first time the Army’s rate has topped the national suicide rate for the same age group. The Army says they can’t tell you why the numbers are increasing. But the articles quotes others who offer their opinions: Dr. Judith Broder, founder of the Soldiers Project, a counseling service for troops and families in Southern California, said the repeated deployments caused some service personnel to lose faith in religion or themselves. Some become suicidal after abusing drugs or alcohol. “They become extremely depressed and really hopeless, like, ‘This is never going to end, I’m neve... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147546 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:17:55 +0100 2147546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2141336&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F28%2F7-ways-to-cope-with-a-layoff%2F When the economy — or a company’s business — goes south, the quickest way a company can chop its costs is by laying off its employees. It’s never popular and often companies will try other cost-cutting measures long before they have to cut workers, but if you’re among those who get the pink slip, you don’t really care. You just lost your job. For many, being laid off is something that will be unexpected and shocking. Unless you work in a seasonal industry where layoffs occur with annual regularity, a layoff is akin to having the wind knocked out of you. You become a powerless pawn in a company’s efforts to cut costs. And while it’s never about a single employee, it doesn’t make it feel any less personal. A layoff is out of your contro... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2141336 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:00:14 +0100 2141336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052692&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F19%2Ftop-ten-depression-blogs-2008%2F Just in time for the holidays, we present to you our Top Ten Depression Blogs for 2008. What qualifies me to evaluate blogs? As an early adopter I got absorbed in people’s candid stories and shared my own. I watched the medium develop and saw the growth of tech blogs, food blogs, etc. that aren’t diary-like. But depression blogs mostly remain as personal as (for example) 1997’s Protest Against Life. Extreme introspection and rumination are symptoms that lend themselves to blogging and you can see a thread of that depressive style in all these blogs. One appeal of blogging about a disorder you suffer from is community; friendships and social supports emerge. But although someone’s insights may help you feel less alone, it can also prompt you to feel worse. I am dep... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052692 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:43:40 +0100 2052692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2043245&cid=t_445499_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F12%2F16%2Fa-deeper-well%2F In memory of friends lost, and in honor of loved ones left behind: A Deeper Well by Donna Trussell My husband’s pallbearers have thick, pink faces and the luxury of grief. I can’t make a sound. The house gels around me. I get up, I go looking at the white shoes of spring. Choose ten. Buy none. Wine digs a deeper well, but I drink and fold into the waxleaf bushes of last summer, a trip we did not take, instead lounging in the evening air with a day-for-night moon and wind strong enough to drown out the howling coyotes and the cries of their prey. First published in Tar River Poetry Reprinted in What’s Right About What’s Wrong Posted in Cancer, Writing   Tagged: grief, loss, widow, widower    (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2043245 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:30:31 +0100 2043245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2026954&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F09%2Fwhy-theres-no-epidemic-of-depression%2F Scientific American has an accessible and interesting interview with the authors of a new book called The Loss of Sadness: How Psychiatry Transformed Normal Sorrow into Depressive Illness. Despite the book’s title, the authors argue that there’s no new epidemic of depression, just greater awareness (and treatment seeking) of it: Our book argues that, despite widespread beliefs to the contrary, the rate of depressive disorders in the population has not undergone a general upsurge. In fact, careful studies that use the same criterion for diagnosis over time reveal no change in the prevalence of depression. What has changed is the growing number of people who seek treatment for this condition, the increase in prescriptions for antidepressant medications, the number of articles a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2026954 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:15:49 +0100 2026954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011080&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F03%2Fgrief-brings-out-hallucinations-illusions%2F Grief is experienced by each and every one of us in a different way, and no two people go through the loss of a loved one alike. One possible grief reaction rarely described, researched or discussed is seeing illusions or hallucinations of the loved one. Scientific American brings us the story: Mourning seems to be a time when hallucinations are particularly common, to the point where feeling the presence of the deceased is the norm rather than the exception. One study, by the researcher Agneta Grimby at the University of Goteborg, found that over 80 percent of elderly people experience hallucinations [and illusions] associated with their dead partner one month after bereavement, as if their perception had yet to catch up with the knowledge of their beloved’s passing. As the study&#8... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011080 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:29:15 +0100 2011080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883308&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F16%2Fdebating-the-stages-of-grief-death-and-dying%2F Pages: 1 2 Next »     Single Page When researchers have a disagreement about what the research shows, most usually either submit a letter to the editor, or an editorial to the journal in question. Sometimes they’ll go one step further and even design an experiment to reproduce the effects of the previous research in question. But rarely do they turn to a magazine to call into the question of a peer-reviewed research study. And especially not one published in the prestigious medical journal JAMA. So you have to wonder what led Russell Friedman and John W. James to publish their treatise against the traditional and well-accepted stages of grief in the latest issue of Skeptic magazine, calling into question the results of the Yale Bereavement Study (YBS). The Y... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883308 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:18:54 +0100 1883308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862718&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F08%2Fassisted-suicides-in-oregon-may-be-overlooking-depression%2F The British Medical Journal today published a new study that suggests that physicians and other healthcare workers in Oregon are doing a horrible job in recognizing and formally assessing mental health issues in people who ask for help under Oregon’s assisted suicide law. The law requires that physicians and healthcare workers assess for mental health concerns and make referrals when necessary. In 2007, 46 people died from assisted suicide in Oregon. The number of these people referred for a mental health evaluation? Zero. In the study, researchers examined the cases of 58 people who had either requested aid in dying from a physician or contacted an aid in dying advocacy organization. Participants were dying or terminally ill. Out of the 58, 18 participants received a prescription... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862718 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:17:46 +0100 1862718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1852537&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F04%2Fis-grief-a-mental-disorder-no-but-it-may-become-one%2F Pages: 1 2 3 Next »     Single Page Imagine this scenario. Your seven-year old son is riding his bike, and takes a nasty fall. He has a gash on his knee that looks pretty bad, but you get out your first-aid kit, clean the wound, put a little iodine on it, and cover it with a sterile gauze pad. Two days later, your son complains that his knee hurts a lot and that he “feels crummy.” He didn’t sleep well the night before, and his face seems a little flushed. You remove the gauze pad and notice that his knee is red and swollen, and there is a foul-looking, greenish liquid oozing out of the wound. You get that sinking, “Uh-oh!” feeling, and decide you had better have your family doctor take a look at the knee. As you are about to drive off, your friendly neig... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852537 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:23:20 +0100 1852537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1802676&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F18%2Four-complex-brains%2F So after a decade or more of modern neuroscience research using fMRI and other advanced imaging scans as well as extensive gene studies, what do we know about the brain? It is a far more complex organ than we previously had imagined. A great article in this week’s edition of Newsweek by the editor in chief of the Harvard Mental Health letter, Michael Craig Miller, describes the difficulty in understanding emotions in the brain: Last year Drs. Peter J. Freed and J. John Mann, publishing in The American Journal of Psychiatry, reported on the literature of sadness and the brain. In 22 studies, brain scans were performed on nondepressed but sad volunteers. Sadness was mostly induced (subjects were shown sad pictures or films, asked to remember a sad event), although, in a couple of s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802676 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:52:43 +0100 1802676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798100&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F17%2Fcan-sadness-lead-to-depression%2F It’s a vexing question and one that Dr. Ronald Pies tries to address in a recent New York Times piece, I think with great aplomb. The answer is, of course, “Yes,” but does sadness always lead to depression? And that answer is, of course, “No.” Has psychiatry and psychology simply medicalized ordinary “sadness” to become a mental disorder diagnosis? To these critics, psychiatry has medicalized normal sadness by failing to consider the social and emotional context in which people develop low mood — for example, after losing a job or experiencing the breakup of an important relationship. This diagnostic failure, the argument goes, has created a bogus epidemic of increasing depression. The truth of the matter is almost always more complicated a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798100 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:35:22 +0100 1798100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1782626&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F10%2Fworld-suicide-prevention-day%2F Today is a day to talk about something people don’t talk about often enough. When I attempted suicide I was staying in my mom’s basement, temporarily, and I decided it was the final move. I was very depressed, and I didn’t talk about it at all (except to thousands of anonymous faces on the Internet). She didn’t want to read about my disorder, and neither did my stepfather. There was a language barrier. And a willingness - they had their own idea of what bipolar was and didn’t want that challenged. I had been depressed a long time and part of it was chronic, intrusive ruminating about suicide. Aching to do it, and having to talk myself down. It was a constant struggle in a bleak existence and it seemed a bottle of pills could get me out. But with suicide, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782626 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:11:42 +0100 1782626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723431&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F08%2F22%2Fexuberant-videos%2F Kay Redfield Jamison is a great speaker and a recent lecture video captures her mix of expertise and enthusiasm. Exuberance: The Passion for Life is about positive emotions often overlooked by psychology and psychiatry, while asking when does passion turn pathological? Jamison talks about how exuberance changes all of us by creating leaders adept at risk-taking, resilience, achievement, creativity, and teaching. This video’s an hour long, but you won’t notice the time. Randy Pausch, RIP, is the perfect example of an exuberant, inspiring speaker in the famous Last Lecture, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. His enthusiasm was viral to millions of viewers, and worth viewing the hour-long lecture format. I’ve featured another Kay Red Field Jamison video here before, b... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723431 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:30:54 +0100 1723431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1605887&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F10%2Fsuicide-barriers-are-effective%2F Suicide is one of those irrational acts that is still misunderstood and stigmatized, even amongst people who otherwise are okay with mainstream mental health concerns. Most people still don’t understand how someone could ever feel so despondent and depressed that they would want to end their own lives. I also suspect that at one time or another, a significant minority of people have thought about suicide, even if just in passing. The New York Times Magazine had an article this past weekend about a different approach to suicide. Instead of only looking to help treat people most at risk for suicide (people who suffer from depression, for instance), public health officials are also looking at the common means in which suicide is committed. One of those common means is jumping off a b... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1605887 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:59:27 +0100 1605887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1593802&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F07%2Fbebe-moore-campbell-month%2F Bebe Moore Campbell was a bestselling author despite and perhaps because of recurrent depression, who sadly passed away from brain cancer in 2006. She was a tireless mental health advocate in her community and through her writing. Her accomplishments include the novel 72 Hour Hold, the play Even With the Madness, and the award-winning children’s book Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, about a young girl whose mother has bipolar disorder. She was very active with NAMI, as well. In recognition of her advocacy the US House of Representatives has proclaimed Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This July, the goals are to improve access to treatment and services, plus enhance awareness of mental health and mental illness among racial minority groups. I Get So... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1593802 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:15:04 +0100 1593802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1551325&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F26%2Fthe-persistence-of-memory-are-negative-events-easier-to-recall%2F This brief interview with MIT neurobiologist Matt Wilson, posted on the TIME website a few days ago, is an interesting addition to a long-standing debate about memory: do people recall good or bad events more easily? Convincing research exists for both arguments, but according to Professor Wilson it’s much easier for people to recall negative occurrences: “We think of memory as a record of our experience. But the idea is not just to store information; it’s to store relevant information. [The idea is] to use our experience to guide future behavior.” “…The speculation is that we process memory in order to solve problems. And things we should learn from, things that are particularly important or that have strong emotions tied to them, may be things that are going to be ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1551325 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:02:52 +0100 1551325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543152&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F24%2Fhow-to-be-a-good-friend%2F Videojug is an educational social video site known for its huge array of step-by-step instructional videos on everything from how to tie a tie or how to get rid of spam email, to how to play table tennis/ping pong. Being a Good Friend is a collection of 17 short videos on specific social situations: How to get along with your girlfriend/boyfriend’s friends, being “just friends” with someone (as opposed to a romance), what to do when your friend gets engaged, pregnant, or divorced, how to tell a friend their partner is cheating, being a good “wingman”, how to recognize a truly good friend, some quizzes, and instructions on how to give a man-to-man “man-hug” with totally hilarious what-not-to-do depictions. More sombre: how to help a friend who lo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543152 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:27:43 +0100 1543152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1518671&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F13%2Fhow-not-to-discourage-drunk-driving-the-el-camino-high-debacle%2F Imagine you’re a high-school senior, sitting with friends in your Monday morning physics class. You notice that one of the popular athletes is absent but think nothing of it – he might have skipped class to go to the beach, you think, or maybe he caught that final cold of the season that’s been going around. Suddenly a uniformed highway patrol officer appears. Your jaw drops as she informs you and your classmates that the absent student, along with several other people you know, were killed in a car wreck over the weekend. You’re in shock, traumatized. Suddenly your upcoming prom and graduation don’t seem quite as exciting anymore, now that several of the people you wanted to share it with are gone. Now imagine your unspeakable anger a few hours later, when officials at your sc... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1518671 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:37:11 +0100 1518671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1502525&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F09%2Ftexting-through-your-grief%2F First it was cybertherapy. Now texting is making inroads into the national psyche, helping people work out tough emotional issues that under different circumstances, they might otherwise leave alone. A story at MSNBC describes how some people turn to texting to deal with a recent emotional trauma, with the inevitable quote from a psychologist suggesting that “although texting may be a beneficial way to cope with tribulations initially, it’s too superficial to help overcome life’s obstacles.” Really now? While the limits of texting are obvious (160 character limit, for instance), there’s actually been no research on this topic one way or another. So while common sense says you can’t text your way out of your feelings, I think texting can be just as help... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1502525 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:36:31 +0100 1502525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446024&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2F16%2Fwomen-meeting-challenges%2F Don’t miss “Women Meeting Challenges-Making Change“, a full day event on domestic violence, May 17 9:00 to 7:00 in Woodbridge, Virginia. If you don’t live nearby, there will be videos on the web site later. Dynamo organizer Liletta Thompson has put together a big roster of speakers and performers that includes Carolyn Thomas (”The Lady Without a Face”), singer Kia Calloway, fitness coach and author Bridgette L. Collins, Demetra Reid of the mentoring group W.O.M.E.N.E.O., Inc, spoken word poet Chosen, and other great people. It’s a day to learn, share, network, and celebrate the courage of women ready to reclaim their lives. Even more than that, it’s also a benefit. ACTS/Turning Points runs two domestic violence shelters that offer supportive... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446024 Fri, 16 May 2008 05:14:28 +0100 1446024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1383716&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F04%2F18%2Fpsychotherapy-for-the-dying%2F Joseph of the Corpus Callosum blog wrote a great post about a study on psychotherapy for terminally ill cancer patients with depression. Though you might assume anyone who is terminally ill would become depressed, only about 25% develop serious symptoms of depression. A meta-analysis finds that they do respond to therapy with significant improvements. The argumentative comments on his post are telling; a minority of people (including some doctors) assume that depression is inevitable with a terminal diagnosis and treatment is pointless. Joseph responds: If I even show up in an emergency department with a gunshot wound in my abdomen, I sure hope the doc doesn’t refuse to treat it, saying “of course he’s bleeding to death, he’s been shot in the spleen.” Peopl... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1383716 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:35:39 +0100 1383716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1298691&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F13%2Fsupport%2F “Ma has made herself sick with her hypochondria, like actually sick on the inside of her body. And even if that’s not true, being a hypochondriac is at the very least an illness in itself, a mental illness. Which is worse than having a kidney infection or a gallstone ’cause it can go on forever, and in the process you lose all your friends for being crazy.” - Michelle Tea, in her fantastic frenzied novel Rose of No Man’s Land. So true. In contrast, here’s a gaggingly idealistic portrayal of another world. Comforting supportive friends helping out in PSAs from SAMHSA: What a Difference a Friend Makes. Yes, what. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298691 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:36:47 +0100 1298691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1265124&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F28%2Flifetip-planning-for-your-own-passing%2F Look, you might be 22 or 42, but there are some things you should think about even if you think it’s premature or “I’ll get to that later.” While it’s a morbid topic for some, it’s one that’s important enough that I have to write about at least once. That topic is your own death, and planning for it. I think it’s natural human nature to not want to talk about our own deaths, or think about them. Most of us certainly don’t such a thing a moment’s thought if we’re under 30. As we hit 30, though, usually our life starts to change. We get married, we have children, we settle in for a long-term career. And our Ford Escorts get replaced by Honda Accords, we move from an apartment to a house, and we start accumulating other kinds... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1265124 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:07:26 +0100 1265124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1259927&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F26%2Fla-recuperation-de-mme-trudeau%2F Margaret Trudeau, Canada’s lively and lovely former first lady turned bipolar advocate, talks about her recovery (récupération in French) process to stay balanced. “You need to develop a sense of forgiveness,” she says. “Forgiving myself and forgiving others for abandoning me, for hurting me, for their lack of understanding. I have to ask for forgiveness, and I have to forgive myself.” The other essential ingredient to recovery, Trudeau says, is gratitude. “When you are a grateful person, you are a generous person, and then you are a happy person. When you give, you get—you certainly do.” “I know what it was like to be so low, and to have that flame of hope—the one you should always have—go out. I have such gratitude for being well... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1259927 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:34:44 +0100 1259927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1238154&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F17%2Fstress-levels-in-pregnant-women-affects-development-of-schizophrenia-in-offspring%2F Scientists have long believed that since schizophrenia is associated with abnormal brain structure and functioning that a mothers’ stress during pregnancy could adversely affect brain development in the fetus, even causing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Now there is strong evidence to support these assumptions. According to a report in the Archives of General Psychiatry, people born to a mother who experienced the death of a relative during the first trimester of pregnancy have a 67% greater risk of developing schizophrenia. The researchers looked at data from 1.38 million births in order to study the effects of highly stressful situations during pregnancy on the development of mental illness. Of these 1.38 million, 21,987 of the children were born to mothers who experienced t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1238154 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:02:30 +0100 1238154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1187124&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F29%2Fnine-reasons-to-get-psychotherapy%2F When is it time to consider psychotherapy? is a great article written by Karen Rogers, MFCC. Sometimes people don’t seek professional help because of stigma and stereotypes, like that a belief it’s only for seriously ill people. Rogers explains what psychotherapy is (for example, that it doesn’t provide answers but helps you reach your own) and suggests nine reasons to consider it. A major life event like a breakup, death, financial crisis or an accident will cause distress - which is totally normal - but if the distress doesn’t improve over time therapy can help resolve it. Other reasons include “when you notice yourself repeating negative patterns with work, family, friends or personal pursuits,” “when your work and/or personal life is negative... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1187124 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:38:30 +0100 1187124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155851&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F16%2Fteen-suicide-on-an-isolated-island%2F When a young person kills themselves, the question most adults, friends and family asks is the same question we ask when anyone kills themselves — Why? While teen suicide seems to make even less sense than adult suicide (because adults have at least led a longer, experience-filled life), it can make a lot of sense if you’re a teen. Life can be especially confusing and filled with emotions one may not have the most control over when you’re a teen. Leaving life may seem like a real way through the turmoil. For those left behind, however, it’s a mind-boggling exercise in overwhelming questions and emotions. And if it happens on your little island that hasn’t suffered a teen suicide in over 60 years, and in the course of a year has 3 teen suicides, you can imagin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155851 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:26:23 +0100 1155851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060731&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2Fthe_process_of_grieving.php The Journal of the American Medical Association [February 21, 2007--Vol 297, No. 7] published an important article on grief, Maciejewski et al (2007). While it's hardly definitive research, it represents an exciting trend in research that I've seen in recent years. Researchers seem more willing to take some risks with the rigor of their research models to produce information that is immediately relevant to practice. While, we are a long way from having clear guidance towards an evidenced-based practice in psychotherapy, testing models in active use in the field provides immediately useful information. Grief is one of the most common issues that emerge in psychotherapy. Grief unfolds in a purposive and meaningful way from the first awareness of loss. The grief process guides us through the... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060731 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:23:22 +0100 4060731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1114432&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F23%2Fhow-can-you-help-your-grieving-friend%2F As 2007 draws to a close, a great many of us will put our lives under the microscope. Some will see the negatives in their lives magnified; the mediocre job somehow seems like the worst thing that could ever happen, the weight issues or the difficult relationship becomes an all-consuming entity. However, the people hit the hardest during this season of togetherness, may just be those suffering from the recent death of a loved one. This week I have been faced with the difficult task of attempting to console three different friends after they have received news of the death of a family member. Since I consider it the role of a good friend to be supportive, especially during these times; I did some research about how to best help my friends during this most difficult of times. When the typi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1114432 Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:13:23 +0100 1114432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1106207&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F19%2Fbeyond-physical-cancer-recovery%2F Breast cancer survivors have some common psychological problems during recovery, especially after mastectomy. I’ve found a couple of videos exploring body image, self-esteem, sexuality, and popular culture related to the cancer. A group of ten patients have a peer discussion on their common issues and “pieces of our selves” in Body Image after Breast Cancer, and in Sexuality after Breast Cancer. (Both links are in the Real Video format, which requires a free player to view). Peer support can be quite helpful for breast cancer survivors, and a unique form is the sport of dragon boat racing. Dragon boats are traditional Chinese long, narrow boats paddled by teams. They’ve become more and more popular around the world. Along with the rise in competitive teams they&#82... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1106207 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:01:27 +0100 1106207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1091320&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F13%2Fplaying-armchair-psychologist-with-matthew-murray-and-online-community%2F Everyday, I read probably a half-dozen articles written on the topics of self-improvement, behavior, psychology, and other things that psychologists and other researchers spend entire careers studying and writing about. There’s nothing wrong with writing about these topics from your own personal perspective, or bringing your unique bent on an existing theory or what-not. But I tire of the armchair psychologists, who think they have an answer for every deviant behavior. So when Karoli, aka DrumsNWhistles, writes about the motivations and behaviors she observed after-the-fact in Matthew Murray, my warning bells start to sound. She discovered that Matthew Murray, the man who killed four people at a church and a missionary training center in Colorado earlier this month, was posting to ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091320 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:22:58 +0100 1091320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1091321&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F12%2F7-ways-to-deal-with-holiday-grief%2F Holidays tend to be family-oriented and if you’ve lost a loved one, the season can be an especially painful reminder of the death. Here are some ways to cope: talking about the deceased person is okay. Your stress will only increase if the deceased person’s memory is allowed to become a landmine that everyone tiptoes around. things won’t be the same. It’s normal to feel at odds with yourself and family events when dealing with grief. Do not isolate, but limit involvement when you need to and plan new events. don’t let other people’s expectations dictate how your holiday will unfold. If you don’t feel like doing something this Christmas, don’t let others force you. If you do want to attend holiday functions, make sure you know your limit... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091321 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:02:34 +0100 1091321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080341&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F08%2Fcyber-harassment-how-can-you-protect-your-children%2F As we continue to turn toward an increasingly digital existence to do business, to connect to people, to learn; so to will criminals and other unsavory characters turn to the virtual world to conduct their business. These persons will continue to devise new methods of manipulating us through technology. It appears however, that our judicial systems are not evolving at an equitable pace. This was especially true in the Megan Meier case, where the myspace page owner that was leaving nasty, threatening remarks which led to Megan’s suicide, was not found to be guilty of harassment or any other charge. I work with a group of close-knit, young females and it is a rare day that I don’t hear about some kind of myspace drama happenings. However, these theatrics seldom get any more harassing ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080341 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:55:27 +0100 1080341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049858&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F11%2F25%2Fchoking-in-the-name-of-fun%2F When I was a kid my brother invented a game that we both thought was hilarious, at least for a little while anyhow. “Rip-Cord”, as it came to be known, involved him lying on his back with his knees bent into his chest. Then I would sit on his feet and yell “Rip-Cord” and he would launch me into the air using all his force. It was fun, until he launched me into the living room wall. Kids play stupid games. Unless there is an adult standing there threatening that they are going to “loose an eye”, kids will continue to invent ways to unintentionally cause themselves harm all in the name of fun. However, recently kids have reversed this standard; inventing ways to cause themselves harm in order to have fun. One development has been the invention of “Scarf Game” also called th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049858 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:55:24 +0100 1049858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=751670&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F07%2F23%2Fyou-never-forget-your-first-house%2F We said our final goodbye’s on Thursday. But we ended it for good today. Buying your first house is an experience you will always remember. It’s like any first in our lives — first time riding a bicycle, your first kiss, your first serious relationship, your first apartment. As much as we remember our firsts, we also just as easily remember having to give them up for something else. When we leave our first real relationship, there’s something bittersweet always about the memory. When we move on from our first apartment, you will always remember the feelings of independence and freedom experienced living on your own for the very first time. When I said hello to my first house, it was love at first sight. Irrational, irresponsible, and probably a little out of my... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=751670 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:45:18 +0100 751670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=727261&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F07%2F11%2Fgruesome-accident-due-to-mental-illness%2F Could a gruesome automobile accident be due to a man’s mental illness? Or is there a more reasonable explanation lurking, such as the fact the man was drunk at the time of the accident? As we’ve discussed previously here and here (amongst other places), there is no greater incidence of violence among the mentally ill than in the general population, a common misconception perpetrated by those with a political agenda. There is, however, an increased risk of violence amongst those with a substance abuse problem, such as alcoholism. And we all know that drunk drivers cause more accidents than sober drivers. So why, in this article about a gruesome accident caused by drunk driving, does the sister blame his brother’s mental illness on the incident? Warrichaiet has mental ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=727261 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:59:58 +0100 727261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=566250&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F24%2Fsometimes-my-mommy-gets-angry%2F Bebe Moore Campbell, writer and mental health advocate, suffered with a bipolar disorder and died of brain cancer last winter. In 2003 she wrote the award-winning children’s book Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry. Narrated by a young girl, it shows how to understand a mother with mental illness and in particular, passionate bipolar mood swings. It’s always sad when someone’s life is cut short, but at least Bebe was a writer and left us words to continue to grow. The book is available at Amazon with a five star rating; one reader reviews, it has a “very touching ending” as does the author’s legacy. Find it (and her novels) at a library near you. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=566250 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:33:47 +0100 566250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=556808&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F20%2Fsensationalizing-murder-and-mental-health%2F As predicted, the media is now making some very generalized and meaningless connections between Cho’s hospitalization 16 months ago in 2005, and his actions on Monday. The Los Angeles Times leads the charge, Weary with grief and struggling to explain their failure to monitor Seung-hui Cho upon his release from a mental hospital 16 months ago, the leaders of Virginia Tech sought Thursday to begin the healing process for their shattered university. “Failure to monitor?” Since when is it a university’s responsibility to monitor all of its students who’ve been diagnosed with depression or suicidal ideation for over a year? The implication is, had Cho been closely monitored over the past 16 months, the university could’ve forseen the murders and prevented... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=556808 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:57:31 +0100 556808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=554367&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F19%2Fdealing-with-the-traumatic-aftermath%2F We’ve published two articles in the past day about dealing with the aftermath of a trauma, spurred by the Virginia Tech tragedy. Dealing with the Traumatic Aftermath details Psychological First Aid, a newer set of techniques and focus that helps professionals better identify at-risk individuals, instead of holding large “trauma groups” that would often create more problems for at-risk individuals. Student Mental Health After Carnage describes the triage process and how students grapple with the aftermath. One professional quoted rightfully points out how much people focus on the “Why” did it happen, leaving the psychology and emotional needs of the victims’ family and friends as an afterthought. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=554367 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:34:19 +0100 554367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552856&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F18%2Fpsychologically-healthy-workplaces%2F The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards announce six national winners for 2007, including Healthwise, YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network (YAI/NIPD), and The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Companies and employees save costs both financial and emotional, boosting mental health and productivity. One winner’s approach includes: After pinpointing strains and sprains as the most common workplace injury, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters put in place its Industrial Athlete/Mindfulness Stretching program which combines yoga, meditation and physical therapy to prevent injuries and reduce stress. … Employees can receive reimbursement of up to $400 per year for wellness activities such as health club memberships and participation in weight loss or smo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552856 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:01:00 +0100 552856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552857&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F18%2Fa-letter-to-mrs-cho%2F Silicon Valley Moms Blog has an interesting entry from Dr. Joyce Hoffspiegel, Ph.D entitled, A letter to Mrs. Cho. The clinical psychologist from California goes out on a professional limb to write, I speculate that your son was a sensitive, introverted young person with rigid internal demands and unrealistically high ideals. Because he fell short of his own ego ideal it is probable that he harbored an inordinately poor self esteem. I would guess that he never learned to communicate painful feelings through sharing or talking things out with others. He felt shamed by any sense of vulnerability and was easily humiliated and envious of peers who had an easier time interpersonally. Probably, he had a rough time making friends and finding dates. I suppose any or all of this could be true.... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552857 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:43:40 +0100 552857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551209&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F18%2Flet-the-personality-dissection-begin%2F In an effort to try and understand the Virginia Tech murders, the media (and I suppose, the public) will now spend the next few days dissecting Cho Seung-Hui’s personality, playing armchair psychologists (even while real psychologists help the media feeding frenzy by going on television offering their opinions too). You know it’s okay to do so, because none other than the New York Times has a 2-page article dissecting Cho’s life and his “quiet” personality. Entitled, “Gunman Showed Signs of Anger,” I suppose the writer and headline editor are trying to link “angry young person” and “quietness” with “murderous killing spree.” I’m sorry, but this is just getting ridiculous. Someone who is quiet, angry or no... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551209 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:58:44 +0100 551209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=547333&cid=t_445499_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F04%2F16%2Fvirginia-tech-shooting-questions-loom%2F Another sad school shooting has occurred (New York Times), this time at Virginia Tech, and with it, millions of Americans will ask the simple question, “Why?” Why do people want to kill so many others? Why do they get away with it? Why can’t we do more to stop such tragedies? But as I’ve pointed out previously here and here (just 3 months ago), The sad truth is that no amount of analysis of a person’s possible [illness or motivations] explains criminal behavior of this nature. Whether or not the person who perpetrated the shootings has an illness or specific motivations doesn’t explain a tragedy of this nature. Honestly, nothing can. Most people deal with human tragedies throughout their lives and most people do not go on shooting rampages. A failed ex... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=547333 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:44:52 +0100 547333