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 'industrial'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:02:25 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169574&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Fpresidents-as-patients-an-interview-with-dr-connie-mariano%2F Eleanor Concepcion “Connie” Mariano has quite an impressive resume — even for a doctor. Not only was Dr. Mariano — or, Dr. Connie, as she’s more intimately known by a few — the first Filipino-American to become a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, but she was also the first American woman to be appointed the Director of the White House Medical Unit. In June 2010, Dr. Mariano released The White House Doctor: My Patients Were Presidents: A Memoir (Thomas Dune Books, 2010). I was able to speak with her recently about the psychology behind spending nine years caring for three Presidents of the United States through everything from surprisingly panic-inducing blisters to that sex scandal heard ’round the world. Alicia Sparks: Whether you were headed to a lo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169574 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:31:24 +0100 5169574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159204&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F22%2Fweb-surfing-at-work-helps-you-be-more-productive%2F Thank goodness the Wall Street Journal isn’t known for its outstanding health reporting. In a story written by Rachel Emma Silverman, she reports on some preliminary research recently presented at a management conference. Like a lot of research that gives us “surprising” results, it was done on a single group of 96 undergraduate students at a single college campus. And the task designed for the college laboratory setting by the researchers would be difficult to characterize as analogous to most people’s work environment or jobs — it was highlighting every single letter “e” or, in the second part, “a,” while reading. The question the researchers asked — Can surfing the Internet help you to become a more productive employee? The an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159204 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:23:31 +0100 5159204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139700&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fjc6_ifTclLk%2F By Daniel IkensonRhetorically, President Obama is a champion of industry—as long as it’s green. To put our money where his mouth is, the president has already devoted over $100 billion in direct subsidies and tax credits to promote investment in solar panel, wind harnessing, lithium ion battery, and other industries he deems crucial to “winning the future.” (See Economic Report of the President, 2011, P. 129, Box 6-2 “Clean Energy Investments in the Recovery Act” for a list of some of those subsidies.) Concerning those industries, the president said in his 2010 SOTU address: Countries like China are moving even faster… I’m not going to settle for a situation where the United States comes in second place or third place or fourth place in what will be ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139700 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:57:17 +0100 5139700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125806&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F13%2Fthe-idiots-guide-to-dealing-with-idiots%2F Idiots. The world is full of them. How hard it is for us, non-idiots, to put up with them. But to get our jobs done, our kids fed, and our pets groomed, we must deal with them. Idiots come in many shapes, forms, and types, but the ones that frustrate me the most are those who don’t believe in any form of mental illness. These creatures maintain that all mood disorders are cute, creative stories crafted by persons who enjoy obsessing, ruminating, and crying their eyes out… a wealthy bunch who can’t think of anything better to do than come up with a make-believe tale about a few neurons wandering around the limbic system afraid to ask for directions, just like Moses. We must tune out the idiots to achieve any kind of sanity or serenity. But how? Here are four ways that have work... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125806 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:07:11 +0100 5125806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077771&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2F5-reasons-for-the-joy-of-craft-or-why-is-computer-programming-fun%2F I recently read (sort of) Frederick Brooks’s The Mythical Man-Month. As I understand it, this book is a cult classic, and I was very curious to read it. It’s about software project management, and even though that’s a subject about which I know nothing, I found the book very interesting — that is, the parts I could understand. My favorite section was a discussion of “The Joys of Craft,” in which Brooks answers the question, “Why is programming fun?” This question interests me because it’s such a good reminder of my Secret of Adulthood: Just because something is fun for someone else doesn’t mean it’s fun for me — and vice versa. Nothing is inherently fun. Some people find computer programming fun, or skiing, shopping, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077771 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:21:46 +0100 5077771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968578&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F25%2Fwhen-your-workplace-is-toxic%2F If you find yourself in a toxic relationship, you always have the option of ditching the friend and moving on. However, when the environment in which you make your bread and butter damages your self-esteem and robs you of self-confidence, you can’t exactly walk out… if you want to eat that night. What to do? More than a few friends have complained to me recently about toxic workplaces and their dilemma of how to live sanely within insane walls. So I thought about this more, consulted some experts, and offer a few suggestions. 1. Keep the focus on you. Just like you learn in a 12-step groups for friends and families of alcoholics, the only person you can totally control is yourself, so it’s best to begin there. Theoretically, no one can make you feel a certain way unless you allo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968578 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:18:01 +0100 4968578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968583&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F23%2Fwhen-things-go-wrong-in-massachusetts-fire-the-employees-not-carney-hospital%2F Mental health care in Massachusetts is sometimes a hit or miss proposition. Especially if you’re poor or indigent, or may present a danger to yourself or others. For the 14-bed locked hospital unit at Carney — now owned by Steward Health Care — it apparently was such a “miss” proposition that they ended up sacking the entire staff. Yes, you heard me — all 29 psychiatric nurses and mental health counselors were let go about a month ago. Meanwhile, Massachusetts continues to pay Carney Hospital to run its program, with all new staff. Is it possible that 29 different professionals really were responsible for the four complaints? Or is this a perfect example of incompetent management and senior hospital executives covering their asses, and trying to put the ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968583 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:39:20 +0100 4968583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952984&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F21%2Ftiki-barber-football-retirement-and-depression%2F As a reminder that depression strikes anyone, at any time, for any reason or no reason whatsoever, I give you Tiki Barber. For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Barber, he was a professional (American) football player who decided to retire four years ago at age 32. A good time to retire as a football player, as your body starts to show its age against the physicality of the game. He took jobs as a sports commentator at NBC, both in their sports division and for “The Today Show.” But Mr. Barber’s depression appears to be directly related to a number of events that occurred in his life after his retirement. And now he says he wants to get back into the game, at age 36. His real problems appear to have started when it was revealed he was having an affair with a 23-year-old N... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952984 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:37:49 +0100 4952984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952988&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F20%2Fbetter-by-mistake-an-interview-with-alina-tugend%2F Afraid to make a mistake? Don’t be. According to author Alina Tugend, the best way to become an expert in your field is by making mistakes, lots of them, but to cooperate with the brain on learning from them. In her new book, Better By Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong, explains the science of making mistakes and why learning from them is vital in a culture of perfectionism. Tugend has been a journalist for nearly 30 years and for the past six has written the ShortCuts column for the New York Times business section. She has written about education, environmentalism, and consumer culture for numerous publications, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, and Parents and is a Huffington Post contributor. I have the honor of conducting an exclusive in... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952988 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:06:34 +0100 4952988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934328&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-incredible-shrinking-american-vacation%2F Vacations are theoretical concepts that exist today only on paper. That’s according to Joe Robinson, work-life balance speaker, trainer, and author of “Don’t Miss Your Life.” His statistics are dire: Some 25 percent of Americans and 31 percent of low-wage earners get no vacation at all anymore, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. This is because, unlike in 138 other countries around the world, you’re not entitled to a vacation longer than the current news cycle. You happen to live in a country that, along with the esteemed likes of Myanmar, the Guyanas and North Korea, has no minimum paid leave law to make vacations statutorily legit. Now maybe it’s because I have been self-employed for most of my working life — and the few jobs I have held, I di... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934328 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:12:02 +0100 4934328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934339&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F12%2Fmoney-problems-6-steps-to-transform-your-money-life%2F I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t have a money problem right now, in this economy. Even the wealthiest of the wealthy are fretting because the fortunes they stashed in bonds and stocks aren’t performing with the same gust of the 90s, and, even if you have 5 billion dollars, seeing that figure change by a half of a billion produces anxiety and pacing. I wouldn’t know. But I’m guessing. So it was with interest I read financial advisor Karen Lee’s book, It’s Just Money, So Why Does It Cause So Many Problems?. Lee has worked in the financial services industry since 1987. During that time, she has worked with hundreds of families, individuals, and small businesses to help them work towards their financial goals. And to boot, she’s a regular guest expert on CNN. Here are... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934339 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 12:28:50 +0100 4934339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921520&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F09%2Fthe-seed-9-pieces-of-advice-for-graduates%2F In his new book, The Seed: Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work, international and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jon Gordon tells the story of Josh, a guy who, like so many of us, has lost his passion at work. When Josh’s boss challenges the young worker to take two weeks off to assess his attitude and intentions, Josh heads to the country. There, a farmer hands him a seed and tells him that when he discovers the right place to plant the seed his purpose will be revealed to him. This tale takes readers on a quest to explore their own passion, purpose, and happiness in life and work. The themes presented are most appropriate for graduates just embarking on their path. Here, then, are nine such lessons presented in the story, in the words of Gordon: 1. Focus on Get to i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921520 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:45:54 +0100 4921520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911571&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F08%2Fhow-to-do-great-work-and-a-giveaway%2F When you’re on the job, you might feel like the last thing you’re doing is meaningful work. Like you’re stuck in a rut and just going through the motions. Email? Check. Phone calls? Check. Data entry? Check. Meeting? Check. Lunch? Check. More email. More calls. Home. Whether or not your days feel this mundane, you still might not be involved in exhilarating, engaging work that makes you happy. In Do More Great Work, Canadian coach Michael Bungay Stanier — founder of the company Box of Crayons — helps readers “stop the busywork, and start the work that matters.” Specifically, the book features a variety of exercises, which Stanier calls maps, and thought-provoking questions that help readers figure out what their own meaningful work is and how to do more of it. (It... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911571 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:15:12 +0100 4911571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902483&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F06%2Fthink-encouraging-girls-to-stay-smart-in-a-dumb-downed-world%2F In her gutsy book, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World, attorney and national television legal analyst Lisa Bloom paints a dire picture: The problem is not just about that 25 percent of young women who would rather be hot than smart; rather, it’s about a culture that actually makes that a rational choice: rewarding girls for looks over brains. And it’s about ALL of us, intelligent American females, ranging from girlhood to old age, who are dazzling ignorant about some critically important things. An aggravating thing happened in the last generation. As girls started seriously kicking ass at every level of education (girls now out-perform boys in elementary, middle, and high schools; we graduate from college, professional, and graduate schools in greater ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902483 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:23:52 +0100 4902483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893558&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F02%2F9-tips-to-find-a-fulfilling-work-life-balance%2F Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing several amazing women on how they juggle all the responsibilities that come with their professional and personal lives. (Stay tuned for the article in our mental health library!) In addition to sharing what works for them, they provided a slew of solutions for readers, too. Here’s what they had to say… 1. Challenge society’s standards. In our society, productivity is prized and praised. We reward workaholic ways, even though this is both emotionally and physically unhealthy. As such, productivity coach Laura Stack, MBA, suggested “challenging the social acceptance — even society’s encouragement — of these common phrases: ‘Look how productive you’re being. You are accomplishing great things’ ‘After all, you posses... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893558 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:07:08 +0100 4893558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828985&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F16%2Fover-40-playful-yet-practical-ways-to-cultivate-creativity%2F This article is designed specifically for marketing mavens but everyone can take away some good ideas, regardless of your profession. What are some of your favorite creativity-boosting activities? What helps you get those creative juices churning? (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828985 Mon, 16 May 2011 12:06:04 +0100 4828985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789332&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F05%2Fhelping-schools-with-their-mental-health-needs%2F May is Mental Health Month (if you hadn’t heard), and in keeping with that theme, it’s good to check in to see where mental health resides in various places in society. One of those places is in our schools. Schools can be a helpful frontline in the identification — through screening programs — of at-risk children and teens who may get a mental disorder. In the past decade, schools have also become a necessary component of ensuring students who need mental health treatment have access to something that can help. But University of Missouri researchers caution that when it comes to mental health programs in schools, one size does not fit all. Just trying to implement research-based solutions without truly understanding what the problem is in a particular school or sch... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789332 Thu, 05 May 2011 16:45:24 +0100 4789332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789333&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F05%2Fshould-you-tell-your-boss-that-you-have-adhd%2F When you have any mental health condition, it can be hard to know if you should disclose your diagnosis at work, particularly to your boss. It’s a thorny topic. For instance, you might be worried that others will judge you negatively because of the pervasive stigma in our society. Yet, you might need certain accommodations that you’d like to ask for. Also, many people are relieved to get their diagnosis — finally having a name for their disruptive symptoms — and want to share it with others. So what can you do? ADDitude Magazine has an excellent article on this topic by Wilma Fellman. I interviewed Fellman a few years ago for an article about succeeding in the workplace when you have ADHD. Her take? She advised readers against telling supervisors about their ADHD. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789333 Thu, 05 May 2011 12:13:11 +0100 4789333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775373&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIn343nt1Z4k%2F By George Scoville Habeas corpus applies to anyone, citizen or not, in custody under American law, no matter what President Bush and President Obama decree. House Republicans’ cuts to the Department of Education, which will spend over $70 billion next year, didn’t even amount to $1 billion. “Regardless of whether Pakistan gets its way, its impudence in pushing Afghanistan to abandon America exposes the real balance of power in the region.” “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to refer to a government whose intelligence service assists military efforts by al Qaeda and the Taliban against U.S. troops in Afghanistan as an ‘ally.’” Here are five ways to cut military spending today without changing our strategic focus: Monday Links is a post f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775373 Mon, 02 May 2011 14:29:08 +0100 4775373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734163&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Factive_biotech_ipsen_collaborate_for_development_and_commercialization_of_tasq.php © kallebooActive Biotech and Ipsen have inked an agreement for the development and commercialization of Active Biotech's experimental compound TASQ (tasquinimod). As per the agreement, only Ipsen will be able to commercialize TASQ globally except for North America, South America and Japan, where Active Biotech will take care of the function. As per the tie-up, both Companies will jointly develop TASQ, which binds to the molecule S100A9 expressed in white blood cells that regulate immune responses for castrate-resistant prostate cancer. TASQ will also be ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734163 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:21:06 +0100 4734163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709283&cid=t_119624_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2F1XnKC4AduIY%2F The Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Leaders’ Perspectives Employers and labour leaders share practical solutions that have improved mental health in their workplaces. For more information, see the archives and resources at The Bottom Line 2011 conference on psychologically safe workplaces. See also: workplace perspectives from employees. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709283 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:50:03 +0100 4709283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696689&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F09%2Fthe-longevity-project-an-interview-with-howard-s-friedman%2F We present many examples showing that this is how the long-lived participants lived. However if your coworkers are making you miserable, and you do not have the adequate resources to do your job properly, then it is time to look for a new job when possible. 3. Also interesting to me was the discussion of marriage. It’s not necessarily that a person is married, but the quality of relationships in his/her life. What are some characteristics of a healthy marriage that lead to longevity? Dr. Friedman: We are still looking in more detail at the characteristics of a healthy marriage. We know that divorced men fared poorly in terms of their future health and longevity. We know that the overall marital satisfaction of the man is more important to the future health of both the men and the wom... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696689 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:26:07 +0100 4696689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684430&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fis-your-job-making-you-depressed%2F The other day I wrote a post for Blisstree.com on how to stay productive when you are clinically depressed. I mentioned that, at my rock bottom, I had to take a break altogether from writing, as every time I sat down in front of my computer, all I could do was cry. Moreover, because my concentration was totally so shot, composing a sentence — much less an article — wasn’t going to happen. I took a year off. To heal. Because Eric was gainfully employed at that time, I was able to swing it. Eventually I tip-toed back to the working world. Very slowly. Very carefully. Very deliberately. Because a sudden plunge might have rendered me disabled for another year or so. And I didn’t start with writing, ironically. My therapist advised me to do something in which I interacted with people, a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684430 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:35:39 +0100 4684430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684431&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fshould-you-tell-your-employer-you-have-autism%2F April is Autism Awareness Month, and in helping to promote awareness of autism, I’m pleased to provide an excerpt from the book, Living Well on the Spectrum by author Valerie L. Gaus, Ph.D. The book is a self-help book that helps a person with an autism spectrum disorder identify life goals and the steps needed to achieve them. One of the concerns I often hear from people with an autism spectrum disorder is about work and their career. In fact, just last evening while hosting our weekly Q&A on mental health issues here at Psych Central, the question came up whether a person should tell a potential employer about their Asperger’s (the mildest form of autism). While I am not a lawyer, my suggestion was that it probably wasn’t relevant for many jobs and not something tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684431 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:16:41 +0100 4684431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575087&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Fbiotechnology_company_makes_ethanol_from_algae.php © Mark SadowskiA biotechnology company that makes ethanol fuel using hybrid algae has announced that its parent company Algenol LLC has acquired Cyano Biofuels GmbH, located in Berlin, Germany. Cyano also uses algae to make ethanol and green chemicals. The two companies have been working closely together for the last three years, and the acquisition strengthens Algenol's research and development capabilities and access to European expertise. Algenol possesses the most advanced biofuel technology on the market today, making ethanol directly from CO2 and seawater ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575087 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:47:41 +0100 4575087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560355&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F07%2Fovercoming-productivity-hurdles%2F Why haven’t you finished your novel? What happened to starting your own blog? Why haven’t you gotten around to working on that exciting project? We want to start many projects, but we can never find the time. Maybe we’re just too busy, overwhelmed by the scope of a project or simply exhausted after finishing up the day’s responsibilities. But there’s usually more to it than that, according to productivity coach and author Hillary Rettig. She shares her insight on overcoming anti-productivity traps, which can even stop people from pursuing the projects they’re most excited about. Get clear on your mission. People get stuck, Rettig says, when their values or identities conflict. She gives the following example: People who may “devote significant time to caring for children ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560355 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:07:20 +0100 4560355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536135&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2F7-ways-to-leave-your-job%2F Awhile back, psychologist and fellow Psych Central-contributor Elvira Aletta published a great post about the frog in the pot: Did you know that if you boil a pot of water and throw in a live frog that that frog will hop right out, saving his life to croak again another day (ha, ha)? If, on the other hand, you place a frog in a pot of cold water and turn the heat up slowly, that frog will stay in the pot. He will not jump out but slowly acclimate to the increasingly hot water until it boils to death. Truth or urban legend? To prove it I’d have to cook a live frog and that’s not going to happen. It sounds true and so should be because of what it teaches us. The day after I was laid off from my job, a fellow co-worker emailed me and said, “This is your next assignment … instructions... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536135 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:02:32 +0100 4536135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4498293&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F19%2Fshould-you-tell-your-boss-about-a-mental-illness%2F Many people struggle with the question of whether or not to tell their bosses about their mood disorders at work. Washington Post columnist Amy Joyce wrote an excellent article on this a few years ago. I have included the first few paragraphs below, but urge you to read the rest of her article, as it gives no straight answers but explores that terrain with great depth. If you have depression or some other mental illness, what do you do about work? Hope no one notices? Disclose your illness early on and trust that your boss will understand? Should You Tell is a complicated question. There is no right answer, and there are some risks to consider. I discovered this years ago after watching a movie at home with two friends. One of them looked up, scared. She hesitated. And then she let it out:... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4498293 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:39:08 +0100 4498293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460005&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Fcan-you-fake-feeling-remorse%2F An offender in the criminal justice system often seeks to portray themselves as feeling remorse, especially when it comes time for sentencing in front of a judge, or parole hearings and the like. It may be easier to relate to someone who feels genuinely sorry for their crime. And it may be easier to show some mercy to a person who appears to be displaying genuine remorse. Deception is also a good part of any skilled criminal’s behavioral toolkit, because dumb, honest criminals don’t usually last long. So how can you detect whether someone is feeling genuine remorse, versus deceptive remorse in order to gain some favor with another person? Canadian researchers from the University of British Columbia and the Memorial University of Newfoundland set to find out. In the first inve... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460005 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:07:29 +0100 4460005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277816&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEFJAtFg6yIg%2F By Christopher PrebleSpurred on by a new release of documents from the archives, the past few weeks have witnessed a renewed interest in the military-industrial complex (MIC), the term forever associated with Dwight David Eisenhower. Or, at least, that should be the case. Eisenhower – the West Point graduate, career military officer, and hero of World War II – was one of the first to ever use the phrase, in a televised Farewell Address to the nation on January 17, 1961. Over the years, however, the MIC has become a mantra for progressives and left liberals, usually used in tandem with an assault on private enterprise, writ large, or as part of an elaborate conspiracy theory that equates crony capitalism with market economics. The left’s capture of the term has ena... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277816 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:44:08 +0100 4277816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225373&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F02%2F5-tips-for-a-low-stress-customer-service-experience%2F “Thank you for calling customer service! My name is Summer. How can I help you?” Wait, it’s after 5 pm. And this is the internet, not a phone. And I’m at my kitchen table, not in my drab fabric-walled cubicle. And I’m not wearing a headset. Let me switch hats for a moment and return to being a writer for the next few minutes. Tomorrow, I celebrate my last day of working in a customer service call center. (Despite the rumors, it’s not an easy gig.) Over the past few years, I’ve been called some less-than-savory names through the phone lines. A few customers have threatened me. Even more have called me a liar, played psychological games with me, and screamed words that their grandmothers would be ashamed to hear. Lesson learned: contacting a customer... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225373 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:57:02 +0100 4225373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207335&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F29%2Fits-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas%2F Okay, I admit it, I can’t get that darned song out of my head after Thanksgiving. There’s something about “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” that seems appropriate to put me into the Christmas spirit. But then I have to stop at a store to buy something. And quickly my Christmas spirit dissipates as I’m enveloped by the never-ending barrage of Christmas displays, scents and music. Oh, the endless loops of Christmas music! And I think to myself, “Who likes this stuff?” Not surprisingly, the answer is, “Christians.” At least according to Schmitt et al. (2010) when they looked at the effects of Christmas displays on people’s well-being. In an experiment that employed two studies, the researchers examined the effects... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207335 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:01:03 +0100 4207335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159274&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Ftogether_on_diabetesa_and_a_100_million_diabetes_initiative.php November is American Diabetes Month. We all know that diabetes remains an epidemic that the United States (if not the world!) is still trying to fight. Particularly this month of November, fund-raising and awareness campaign to help fight diabetes are more visible than ever. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation launched Together on Diabetes®: Communities Uniting to Meet America's Diabetes Challenge -- a 5-year, $100 million initiative to help patients living with type 2 diabetes better manage their disease. Together on Diabetes® is the ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159274 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:52:23 +0100 4159274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119079&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F28%2Fmilitary-mental-health-theres-an-app-and-money-for-that%2F Two good pieces of good news came out of the military this week — especially for soldiers and veterans who are facing mental health concerns. The first is the Monday announcement by Pentagon officials of a free smart phone application for Android devices designed to help soldiers and veterans to track their emotional health. It’s called the T2 Mood Tracker (from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology) is available free free download now. (The iPhone app is in the works.) It’s basically a mood tracker, allowing users to track their mood, happiness and stress levels throughout the day. Anyone can download and use the app, free of charge. The second piece of good news is the announcement that the U.S. Army will spend $17 million over 3 years to study suicide in so... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119079 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:43:36 +0100 4119079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098053&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F24%2Fdr-ken-duckworth-on-living-with-bipolar-disorder%2F Aside from my own psychiatrist, Dr. Smith, there are few doctors that can explain a confusing and complex condition like Bipolar Disorder with such clarity as the medical director of NAMI, Dr. Ken Duckworth. Three years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing him when I was the Patient Advocate for the Bipolar Center of Revolution Health. At the NAMI National Convention in DC last month I attended his talk on treating bipolar disorder. This is what he had to say about some simple steps that those of us living with bipolar disorder can take to stay well. 1. Start with the four basics: sleep, stress, exercise, and cognitive therapy. One of the reasons I respect Dr. Duckworth so much is that he insists that we participate in our own recovery. Medication will only help us to a certain extent... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098053 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:36:19 +0100 4098053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077231&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FErcVlLhBYqE%2F By David BoazNPR reports on more doctors giving up private practices and going to work for hospitals. Hospitals think they can manage care better and get more patients, and doctors like being relieved of administrative headaches. But it isn’t a perfect solution. Reporter Jenny Gold notes one of the problems: GOLD: This isn’t the first time hospitals have gone doctor shopping. In the 1990s, hospitals bought up as many practices as possible. Dr. Bill Jessee is the president of the Medical Group Management Association. He remembers the ’90s as something of a disaster. Dr. BILL JESSEE (President, Medical Group Management Association): The first thing a lot of physicians did was took a vacation. And when they came back, they weren’t working as hard as they were before th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077231 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:47:08 +0100 4077231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053343&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F10%2Flosing-our-fear-of-rest%2F I have been having a difficult time writing the “Mindful Monday” posts lately because I’m the opposite of mindful these days. You know how the Buddhist monks talk about the swinging monkeys of the brain, and how you need to tame them? Well, my monkeys have just spotted a jungle gym inside a McDonald’s and are having a grand old time. I don’t think they will be settling down anytime soon. Alas. I will quote from a dude who has this mindful thing mastered: Howard Thurman, who died in 1981, and was a mystic, theologian, minister, and activist. His grandmother, who raised him with his mother, was a slave and was, for him, a great example of courage and faith. Anyway, here he is on the importance of rest and our fear of it. We must find sources of strength and ren... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053343 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:08:25 +0100 4053343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031243&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmarketing-direct-to-e-patient%2F2010.10.04 Patients are the new darling of the medical-industrial complex. If you look around you will see patients advocating for one another. If you click a little closer you’ll find some with relationships to industry. It makes perfect sense that the manufacturer of a drug or medical device would want the blessings of our nascent cybercelebs. Some want genuine patient input.  Some, however, want to curry their favor. Chock up influence of the patient population as evidence of social health’s evolving maturity. A couple of questions: Will industry be required to publicly list monies used for sponsorship, travel and swag support of high profile patients in the social sphere? Should high visibility patients who serve as stewards and advocates disavow themselves of contact with pharma just as... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031243 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:00:52 +0100 4031243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003292&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F27%2Fsoldiers-dont-trust-the-military-to-help-with-suicide%2F From the “Not really surprising” file… Returning soldiers and military veterans don’t really hold much hope or trust in the military to help them with their mental health needs — especially suicidal thoughts — according to a new report. And why would they? The military is their employer. Would you feel comfortable talking to your bosses about all of your mental health issues? And not just mild stuff either, this is the serious depression, “I want to kill myself” stuff. Most of us would be extremely uncomfortable with such a conversation. We would be even more uncomfortable with such a conversation knowing it is being recorded in our work record, and will follow us around for the rest of our professional career. This is exactly what happens ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003292 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:36:28 +0100 4003292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3935824&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F05%2Fknowing-when-its-time-to-end-therapy%2F Part of my anxiety when I was job searching had to do with therapy. How will I pull it off when I have to work a 9 to 5 office job? Which then led me to the thought: Is it time to take a break? How would I know when that time comes? Other people around me are clearly crazy and they aren’t spending their lunch hour in therapy. Alas, I decided my graduation day is off in the far distance because I still always leave my therapist’s office feeling about 10 pounds lighter and equipped with an arsenal of power tools with which to treat my negative intrusive thoughts. In my life, and maybe in yours, it always tempting to end therapy exactly when you need as part of your recovery plan, especially during a huge transition, like going to work for someone after 15 years of calling your ow... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3935824 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:09:47 +0100 3935824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862054&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F12%2Fnurses-at-greater-risk-in-er%2F The emergency room can be a pretty hectic place, even under the best of circumstances. So imagine how much worse it gets as the economy sputters, people start having shorter fuses and less patience, and domestic abuse and alcoholism concerns rise. Not for patients, but for those who provide them with their health care. In this case, the harm is coming to emergency room (ER) nurses, who have to deal not only with the typical patients who may present at a hospital’s ER, but also a lot more patients that may have a tendency to ignore appropriate boundaries, especially when it comes to physical touch. Emergency room nurse Erin Riley suffered bruises, scratches and a chipped tooth last year from trying to pull the clamped jaws of a psychotic patient off the hand of a doctor at a suburba... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862054 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:49:47 +0100 3862054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848912&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F09%2Fbeing-beautiful-doesnt-always-help%2F We often hear of how beautiful people seem to get all the breaks — first through the door at nightclubs, being chosen to be on a team or as a friend based upon looks alone, even getting a date just because of your physical beauty. But as previous research has shown, sometimes being beautiful can put a person at greater risk while they try and attain an ideal of beauty that doesn’t exist. Now new research suggests another barrier faced by some of the beautiful people — applying for a job. In the study, attractive women were discriminated against when applying for jobs considered “masculine” and for which appearance was not seen as important to the job. Such positions included job titles like manager of research and development, director of finance, mechanical engineer ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848912 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:09:55 +0100 3848912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808704&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F01%2Fdistraction-a-serious-problem-of-modern-life%2F Here is the irony in writing a piece about distraction. I told myself not to check my email until the column was done, but I did peak at my Facebook because I was awaiting a response. I saw that I had four new friend requests, so in the process of accepting them, I see that another blogger has referenced one of my posts in a recent blog, so I click over to her site. Oh, and did I mention that I have Mozart blasting away in my ears so that I can drown out the sound of the podcast the woman in front of me at the coffee shop is playing? I have always known that distraction is a problem for me. When I was a junior in high school, I was taken to a psychologist to be evaluated. He told my mother that my decoding skills (ability to decipher, decrypt, solve, translate) were some of the poorest he... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808704 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:32:54 +0100 3808704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798609&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F28%2Fshirley-sherrod-and-the-decline-of-decency%2F The airwaves, newspapers and blogosphere were abuzz this week with the fiasco involving Shirley Sherrod, the USDA worker forced to resign over a fabricated racial controversy. The original slur was initiated by a blogger who posted a misleading video clip of a speech by Ms. Sherrod. Ultimately, Sherrod was cleared of any racist leanings, and we must now hope for some genuine soul-searching among all those who failed the most elementary tests of fairness, accuracy and decency in responding to the original charges. But the other day, amidst all the commentary on Shirley Sherrod, a short article buried inside the Sunday New York Times caught my eye. Innocuously entitled, “No Air-Conditioning, and Happy,”1 the article concerned a certain agricultural scientist and his wife who “…do not... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798609 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:12:24 +0100 3798609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790749&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F26%2F20-years-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act%2F Twenty years ago, George W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a broad civil rights law that forbids discrimination based on any kind of disability — physical or mental. It gives similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some see it as a broad government boondoggle, but it’s the law that makes a simple thing like a curb cut a federal mandate because local governments just didn’t care about the people within their communities who live with a physical or mental disability. Navigating a crosswalk seems like such a simple thing for most of us. But try it in a wheelchair when the curbs don’t have ramps and suddenly it becomes an opportunity to be hit by a car. More importantly, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790749 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:35:39 +0100 3790749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780403&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F22%2Fthe-old-man-and-his-horse%2F A few people lately have reminded me of the Chinese parable “The Old Man and His Horse.” You’ve probably heard it. I publish it here not to say that all your problems are actually blessings. But what can often seem like a misfortune can turn into a very good thing. I’ve seen this happen lately and it gives me hope that there’s more lemonade ahead for me. The Old Man and his Horse (a.k.a. Sai Weng Shi Ma) Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before — such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength. People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. “This ho... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780403 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:52:35 +0100 3780403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767121&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F19%2Fkreitchman-pet-center-at-columbia-university-cut-corners%2F In a little-noticed article over at The New York Times late last week, Benedict Carey noted how one of Columbia University’s premier research centers — the Kreitchman PET Center — had to halt all of its research studies because researchers were caught cutting corners. Not just once, but over and over again. We’re not talking about flubbing up statistical data here. We’re talking about creating and administering improper, impure drugs to research participants. Drugs that may not only harm patients, but could even impact the researcher’s findings. (And researchers then wonder why it’s so hard to get research subjects…) What is the Kreitchman PET Center? It is (or was) the nation’s leading research organization using positron emission tomo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767121 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:30:50 +0100 3767121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750096&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F13%2Fordinary-heroes-and-the-science-of-good-and-evil%2F “I did what anyone could do, no big deal to jump on the tracks.” – Wesley Autrey, New York City’s “subway Superman” On January 2nd, 2007, 50-year-old construction worker Wesley Autrey was waiting with his two young daughters for the train at the 137th Street and Broadway station in the Harlem section of Manhattan. Also waiting was 19-year-old film student Cameron Hollopeter, who began having a seizure. Autrey borrowed a pen and used it to keep Hollopeter’s jaw open. Understandably wobbly post-seizure, Hollopeter fell onto the tracks. Autrey saw the lights of the oncoming train, gave a stranger his daughters to hold, and jumped down. He protected Hollopeter by lying on top of him. The height of their bodies on top of each other is 20-1/2 inches; the t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750096 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:35:36 +0100 3750096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3702982&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F27%2Fstrong-at-the-broken-places-on-living-bravely-with-chronic-illness%2F I love this man. Richard Cohen. I love him. His mantra is mine. His hope I cling to. He inspires me. He tells the story of coping with his multiple sclerosis and colon cancer in his New York Times bestseller, “Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness.” Awhile back, he came out with a fascinating book, “Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, a Chorus of Hope,” profiling five brave persons battling illness. Writes Richard, “These are the faces of illness in America. Do not look away. The characters may surprise you, even shatter a stereotype or two. They are people, not cases, survivors, not victims. Quite simply, they are us. they carry shared resolve, a determination to survive. To flourish.” I read parts of the book two years ago. I was especi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3702982 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:27:10 +0100 3702982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690894&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F23%2F18-ways-to-manage-stress%2F In her insightful book, “The Superstress Solution,” Roberta Lee, M.D. assesses the stress level in most homes today, and offers a word of caution about chronic stress. In her introduction, she writes: We’re deluding ourselves if we think that we can indefinitely endure the macro stresses that accompany impersonal encounters, less sleep, more work, less leisure, raising kids in this dangerous world, bad marriages, less exercise, junk and processed foods eaten on the run, hyper-caffeinated and sugar-saturated beverages, addictive devices that give us “screen sickness,” traffic jams, flight delays, and so much more, and come away unscathed. Stress isn’t all, bad, of course. In fact, like dark chocolate, small chunks here and there can be good for you, or a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690894 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:19:43 +0100 3690894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666020&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F16%2Fif-you-build-it-he-will-come-on-pursuing-our-dreams%2F “If you build it, he will come” is the famous line in the classic 1989 flick, “Field of Dreams.” When Iowa corn farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) starts hearing voices to build a baseball diamond in his fields — sacrificing all the income from his crop — everyone thinks he’s gone mad. He has. Sort of. But then he sees Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) on the field, and the details begin to fall into place. It’s funny how you pick up different things in a movie depending on where you are in life. The movie came out just as I was graduating from high school and figuring out how to live my life sober. My vision was very black and white then. It has to be in the early days of sobriety, or else you’ll end up drunk. So I remember the &#8220... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666020 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:29:10 +0100 3666020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3658999&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F14%2F7-depression-busters-for-men%2F In Spring 2006 the depression of two very successful men made newspaper headlines in Maryland: Phil Merrill, a renowned publisher, entrepreneur and diplomat in the Washington area took his own life. Eleven days later Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan withdrew his candidacy for governor of Maryland because of his struggle with depression. For weeks, newspapers covered male depression, including the stories of Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Archbishop Raymond Roussin, Mike Wallace, William Styron, Art Buchwald, and Robin Williams. That was unusual. Because, in the majority of media stories and infomercials, depression is regarded as a feminine thing … a result of all of the hormonal shifts and baby-making stuff. The reality? Six million men, or seven percent of American m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3658999 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:36:03 +0100 3658999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656839&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F13%2Four-brains-on-technology%2F Is technology taking over our lives? Or do some people just make choices with regard to choosing technology over interacting with their family and friends? I don’t believe that “technology” can take over our lives — unless we choose to let it. So it was with interest that I saw a lengthy article written over at the New York Times, “Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price.” I was going to comment earlier on the article, thinking it was going to be this thoughtful, in-depth look at how technology is impacting people’s lives for both the positive and negative. Instead, it appeared to be some sort of story revolving around a guy called Kord Campbell and his family. Kord apparently has a hard time prioritizing things in his life — to the poin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656839 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:21:44 +0100 3656839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3610370&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F29%2F8-ways-to-overcome-jealousy-and-envy-2%2F I know that the fastest way to despair is by comparing one’s insides with another’s outsides, and that Max Ehrmann, the author of the classic poem “Desiderata,” was absolutely correct when he said that if you compare yourself with others you become either vain or bitter. Or, as Helen Keller put it: “Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.” But Helen and Max don’t keep me from going to the land of comparisons and envy. Before long, I’m salivating over someone else’s book contract, or blog traffic numbers, or “Today Show” appearance. Then I have to pull out my ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3610370 Sat, 29 May 2010 13:18:01 +0100 3610370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607556&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F28%2Fnow-what-depression-at-graduation-or-any-transition%2F I read somewhere that a large number of Nobel Prize winners become depressed after receiving their honor because their sense of purpose has been taken away. They have to grieve their pre-Nobel Prize life and find a new way of being, something to get excited about that will get you out of bed in the morning. The same is true, to some extent, when you graduate. With Commencement often comes an emptiness, a sense of loss. Much joy and relief, yes. But also a “what the hell do I do now?” response. For highly sensitive persons like myself, every kind of life transition — be it graduation, a new job, a baby — comes with a few challenges and their offspring. How to gracefully maneuver between point A and point B? Like you would with any other mourning process. Because yo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607556 Fri, 28 May 2010 15:45:17 +0100 3607556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566660&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F15%2Ftherapists-why-are-you-using-social-networking%2F The debate around the problems associated with social networking for therapists has been heated and complex (see Google and Facebook, Therapists and Clients by Dr. John Grohol).  Regardless of this ongoing dialogue, the reality is many therapists are engaged in social networking and that’s likely not going to change any time soon. What I’m curious to know is not the problems with social networking — there are loads of comments on Dr. Grohol’s article listed above if you’d like to sound off there — but why you are networking in this way in the first place? Whether you’re active on Twitter, Facebook, Google Buzz or any other of the growing list of networking spots sprouting up all over the online landscape, what are your goals in doing so? Here are a few reasons that c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566660 Sat, 15 May 2010 10:05:43 +0100 3566660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552305&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F10%2Fwhen-violence-strikes-on-a-psychiatric-ward%2F Milwaukee County’s Mental Health Complex features a short-term inpatient psychiatric facility that seeks to help those with serious mental health issues — including survivors of trauma and sexual abuse — get better. Patients stay an average of 11.5 days while at the facility and more than 90 percent of them are discharged back to their own care or home. By far, most people who are admitted to the facility carry a diagnosis within the “psychoses” category of diagnoses — which usually means schizophrenia or a related disorder. Over one-third of their patients are under 19 years old — teens and children. About half the patients they treat are men, the other half women. More than half the people who seek out treatment at a facility like this will have ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552305 Mon, 10 May 2010 19:36:00 +0100 3552305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538150&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F06%2Fcan-fmri-tell-if-youre-lying%2F The simple answer is, no. You can now go back to work, content in that little tidbit of brain knowledge. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a fancy name for a brain scan that purportedly measures “brain activity.” What is actually measures is simply changes in blood oxygenation and flow in your brain, which we believe to be directly related to brain activity — but this is an indirect measure at best. It’s not actually measuring “brain activity.” fMRI scans are most often used in research to try and better understand our brains and how other things affect our brains (like mental illness or a specific cognitive activity). So you can imagine the challenges that might be faced when you connect this kind of brain measurement to a legal proceeding... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538150 Thu, 06 May 2010 12:16:21 +0100 3538150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524309&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F02%2Fto-tell-or-not-to-tell-your-boss-bipolar-and-depression-in-the-workplace%2F Daniel Lukasik, creator of the site Lawyers With Depression asked me awhile ago to write a guest post on work and depression. You can click here to read the original post. Just when I think our world has moved a baby step in the right direction regarding our understanding of mental illness, I get another blow that tells me otherwise. For example, I awhile back I quoted an intelligent woman who wrote an article in a popular women’s magazine about dating a bipolar guy when she was bipolar herself. She recently discovered that she had jeopardized a job prospect because the article came up –as well as all those who referenced it, like Beyond Blue — when you Googled her name. So she requested everyone who picked up that article to go back and change her real name to a pseudony... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524309 Sun, 02 May 2010 11:22:38 +0100 3524309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519503&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F30%2F7-ways-to-beat-depression-if-youre-unemployed%2F The unemployment rate today has skyrocketed to approximately 10 percent and is forecast to stay above 9.5 percent for the rest of 2010. For the first time in American history, more women are working than men because close to 80 percent of the people laid off in the recent recession were men. According to a recent study published in the “International Journal of Epidemiology,” unemployment is a major risk factor for depression, even in people without previous vulnerability. Because my husband is an architect — the housing market is dead, remember — whose work has slowed down substantially, I have an invested interest in this topic and wanted to know what I could do to help him stay physically and emotionally healthy, since, theoretically, one of us should be. Here, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519503 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:30:00 +0100 3519503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511573&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fliving_cell_technologies_received_jdrf_grant_for_diabecella_nz_clinical_trial.php Photo CreditDIABECELL® is Living Cell Technologies' treatment designed for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. Now, LCT has received a grant of US$500,000 for its on-going Phase II clinical trial of DIABECELL® in New Zealand from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). DIABECELL® is composed of encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells (islets) that are implanted into the abdomen of patients using a simple laparoscopic procedure and works by self-regulating and efficiently secreting insulin in the patient's body. The JDRF grant will contribute to the second ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511573 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:06:15 +0100 3511573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3398988&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F23%2Fa-psychopaths-brain-on-fmri%2F Our newest blogger, Dr. Kelly McAleer, has an interesting two-part post about the use of fMRI imaging technologies to try and detect psychopathology in criminals: In my last post, I discussed how Dr. Kent Kiehl, a neuroscientist, is using fMRI technology to detect brain abnormalities in people with psychopathy. His participants are prison inmates who score high on the PCL-R, a psychodiagnostic measure used to assess psychopathy. Once he determines that the participant is, in fact, a psychopath based on their PCL-R score, he takes scans of their brains using an fMRI to determine if there are brain differences between psychopathic participants and normal controls. He has found defects in the paralimbic system that he believes relate to psychopathy. Interestingly, Dr. Kiehl’s research ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3398988 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:28:39 +0100 3398988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362420&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fbio_whitepaper_biotech_chemical_platforms_to_create_green_jobs.php The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a white paper on the growth and jobs potential of green chemicals and briefed Congressional staff on the commercial status of industrial biotechnologies for algae applications, biobased products, and advanced biofuels. The white paper, Biobased Chemicals and Products: A New Driver of U.S. Economic Development and Green Jobs (pdf file), indicats that the biobased chemicals and plastics industry accounts for over 5,700 direct jobs and is likely responsible for over 40,000 jobs economy wide. A related report ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362420 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:38:16 +0100 3362420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346501&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Fmindfulness-based-stress-reduction-workbook%2F About once a year I discover a workbook that allows me to put all the steps that I learn in therapy into practice. I’ve mentioned in past blog posts David Burns’s 10 Days to Self-Esteem, and how the exercises in that workbook allowed me to recognize distorted thought patterns and practice ways of untwisting them. Two years or so ago, when I didn’t know whether or not I should have my son treated for anxiety, my therapist recommended I read Understanding Your Child’s Puzzling Behavior, which was very, very helpful. And now fellow blogger and mindfulness expert Elisha Goldstein has published, with co-author Bob Stahl, a comprehensive workbook — A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook — that teaches the art of mindfulness in relieving and reducing str... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346501 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:20:19 +0100 3346501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302370&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2F7-depression-busters-for-caregivers%2F Nearly one-third of people caring for terminally ill loved ones suffer from depression according to research from Yale University. About one in four family caregivers meet the clinical criteria of anxiety. And a recent study found that 41 percent of former caregivers of a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia experienced mild to severe depression up to three years after their spouse had died. Caregivers are so vulnerable to depression because they often sacrifice their own needs while tending to their loved one and because of the constant stress involved. Here, then, are 12 tips to help protect you from anxiety and depression and to guide you toward good mental health as you care for a relative. 1. Acknowledge it. If you haven’t already, say this out loud:... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302370 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:57:38 +0100 3302370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298377&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F23%2Fpilfered-lunches-point-to-a-bigger-employee-problem%2F Stealing lunches from the office frig could be a symptom of a more serious problem — low employee engagement. “Hunger does crazy things to you,” was the comment made by an employee interviewed on the Today Show segment, “Pains in the Office.” While physical hunger is one reason employees pilfer lunches, I suspect that employees who steal from each other have a different kind of hunger. If your office is experiencing a rise in the number of stolen lunches, you are not alone. Recently several call center managers told me that they’re getting a lot more “stolen lunch” complaints. It’s no coincidence that these are the same managers who are plagued by low employee morale. Low morale can have disastrous effects. When employees are dissatisfied and chronically unhappy they ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298377 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:05:41 +0100 3298377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298379&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F22%2Fdoes-happiness-follow-on-vacation%2F One of the holy grails of modern psychology is figuring out what makes people happy. The thinking goes, “If we know what makes people happy, people can then do more of that thing and increase happiness in their own lives.” Makes sense. We’ve noted previously how an experience — such as a vacation or going out to dinner — is more likely to increase happiness than buying a material gift. The reasoning behind this is that experiences create (hopefully fond) memories, which can be later recalled and enjoyed again. While you may also enjoy a gift, it just doesn’t seem to have the same impact that an experience does. But research published last week demonstrates that this finding be more complicated than we originally thought. That research by Nawijn and col... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298379 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:30:54 +0100 3298379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254498&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F09%2F7-office-depression-busters-tips-for-work-depression%2F In his classic, “The Prophet,” Kahlil Gibran writes: Always you have been told that work is a curse … But I say to you that when you work you fulfill a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born. Unfortunately Kahlil’s words don’t jibe with a new Australian study that found almost one in six cases of depression among working people caused by job stress, that nearly one in five (17 percent) working women suffering depression attribute their condition to job stress and more than one in eight (13 percent) working men. In the last decade, the number of American workers that say job stress is a major problem in their lives has doubled. In fact, the US Department of Health reported that 70 percent of physical and mental complaints... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254498 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:25:28 +0100 3254498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3224871&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F31%2Flawyers-and-depression-an-interview-with-daniel-lukasik%2F Today I have the honor of interviewing Daniel Lukasik, a distinguished attorney and the creator of the very cool website LawyersWithDepression.com. Daniel also writes the Lawyers With Depression blog, which covers a range of different topics, from spirituality to how to make smart decisions as professionals. Question: Why are so many lawyers depressed? Daniel: 1. Lawyers are Pessimistic Thinkers. According to Professor Martin Seligman, lawyers have a “pessimistic explanatory style.” This is not the same thing as seeing the glass as “half empty.” Rather, pessimistic lawyers tend to attribute the causes of negative events as stable and global factors (It’s going to last forever, and it’s going to undermine everything.) The pessimist views bad event... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3224871 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:59:42 +0100 3224871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208025&cid=t_119624_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F01%2Facclaim-for-new-aspergillus-book.html "an overview of the forefront of Aspergillus genomics - from bioinformatics and systems biology to gene regulation, secondary metabolism, and novel industrial applications ... (the book starts) with a superb holistic overview of the genus by its doyenne Joan Bennett ... a most stimulating volume ... The editors and publishers can be proud of having put together a volume that is produced to the highest scientific standards."from David L. Hawksworth in Mycological Research 113: 1444-1445Further reading: Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and GenomicsFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208025 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:04:00 +0100 3208025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200483&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F23%2Fbrace-yourselves-for-jan-24-the-most-depressing-day-of-the-year%2F I wanted to give you guys a few days notice … to brace yourself for … the most depressing day of the year! According to Dr. Cliff Arnalls, a British psychologist with Cardiff University, it’s almost like clockwork. A number of factors coincide to make Sunday, January 24th “the perfect storm” when it comes to feeling down. According to Dr. Arnalls, an expert on seasonal disorders, a number of factors “line up” to give this date in late January this dubious distinction: While it is not technically the day with the least sunlight - that’s December 21st, the “Winter Solstice” - weather patterns often conspire in late January to deprive us of the sunlight we might otherwise enjoy, Christmas bills come due around this time, and - espec... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200483 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:42:10 +0100 3200483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208026&cid=t_119624_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F01%2Findustrial-applications-of-aspergillus.html "This feast of hugely topical science culminates with an overview of novel industrial applications of Aspergillus oryzaee genomics (Abe et. al., Chapter 10), inciting much enthusiasm for potential applications or exploitations of similar methodologies in other Aspergillus species. Not only does this conclude the suite of species examined with our recognised industrial work horse for heterologous enzyme production, it also presents the opportunity to consider the application of Aspergillus species to biodegradation of plastics and how cell sensing and signalling mechanisms are integral to maximising success in all of the applications under consideration; cue a trans-genus comparison of signal reception and transduction and its relevance to drug screening."from Dr Elaine Bignell (Imperial Co... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208026 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:18:00 +0100 3208026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208027&cid=t_119624_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F01%2Faspergillus-book-review.html "...(a) feast of hugely topical science ... This book presents a modern-day dictionary of all things Aspergillus. It is highly readable and has been considerately crafted in terms of structure. From the very first chapter a sense of excitement about the new opportunities afforded by this fascinating genus is derived, which extends far beyond the interests of any single researcher but succeeds in capturing the relevance of genus-based findings for all who work with aspergilli. The essence of functional genomics and systems biology therefore permeates the volume, and ultimately the readers psyche. Not only does it provide a concise and highly current overview of Aspergillus genomics, it also manages to archive decades of relevant and highly insightful biology in a portable format. The book i... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208027 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:15:00 +0100 3208027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185417&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F19%2Fmilitary-wives-more-likely-to-be-depressed-anxious%2F As we reported late last week, a recent study has confirmed that wives of active-duty soldiers are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and other mental health conditions. While much attention is focused on the mental health of soldiers themselves (especially with the recent rise in suicides in the military), a lot less attention is given to the families of those soldiers. This new study helps shed some much-needed light on the subject, and confirms what has long been suspected — the emotional toll for war-time deployments is much higher than anybody thought. The AP story on this issue had this quote: “Spouses tell me all the time that they want to get mental health assistance,” [wife of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] said. &#8... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185417 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:57:19 +0100 3185417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142519&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FnjLh8I2w3HY%2F By Daniel GriswoldFor American workers and families trying to get ahead, the decade just behind us was a stinker. As a front-page Washington Post story over the long weekend summarized: For most of the past 70 years, the U.S. economy has grown at a steady clip, generating perpetually higher incomes and wealth for American households. But since 2000, the story is starkly different. … According to the story, the Aughts (2000-09) were the first decade since World War Two with no net job creation, and the first in which median household income was actually lower at the end than at the beginning. It won’t be long before critics of trade will try to blame the poor economic performance on trade agreements and globalization. This has been a standard line of attack, and I address it at length i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142519 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:06:28 +0100 3142519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115131&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F23%2Fsharewik-depression-before-the-holidays%2F A few weeks ago, a woman I knew only on Facebook, Diana Keough, arrived at my door with her savvy business and production partner, Matt Clement, to do an interview of me about depression around the holidays. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I felt guilty for exercising some of my boundaries skills by saying no to flying to Atlanta. (So they came to me!). No more than 15 minutes after they arrived with their heavy luggage did my living room transform into a professional production set: fancy lights, backdrop, an expensive (big) camera, and so on. We talked for like four hours (two hours spent on poor Eric: “What’s it like living with chick who has her period, or acts like she does, all the time?”), and then they took off. The result is an incredibly polis... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115131 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:39:34 +0100 3115131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096903&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F16%2F6-ways-to-manage-anxiety-holiday-stress-tips%2F If you are like me, you’re going to need some tips to manage your holiday stress. Here’s my small contribution to your problem, some Holiday stress management. If your mind were a diesel engine, anxiety would be the leaded gas that was accidentally poured in and responsible for all the burps and stutters. Even more so than depression, I think, anxiety is the big disabler in my life, with a capital D, which is why I try to nip it in its early symptoms. That doesn’t always happen, of course, but here are some techniques I try. 1. Recognize the reptilian brain. My therapist friend Elvira Aletta gives a brilliant neuro-psychology lesson in one of her posts where she explains the two parts of our brain: the primitive part containing the amygdala–which is responsible for ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096903 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:35:48 +0100 3096903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015324&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fwoman-loses-sick-leave-benefits-for-depression-thanks-to-facebook-pics%2F Quebec woman Nathalie Blanchard poses on the beach in a Facebook photograph that convinced her insurance company that she was no longer depressed.Can you really determine someone’s mental state by looking at a photograph? Manulife, a Canadian-based financial services company, apparently thinks so. Nathalie Blanchard, a 29-year-old IBM employee from Quebec, took a long-term sick leave from her job after being diagnosed with major depression. Her doctor told her to try & have fun, and to take a sunny vacation to get away from her problems. She did just that while she received monthly sick-leave benefits from Manulife. And she posted her vacation photos on her private Facebook profile. But recently, the monthly payments stopped. So, Blanchard contacted her insurance company to see w... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015324 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:17:30 +0100 3015324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003822&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2F2009-army-suicides-highest-ever%2F While most of us will be spending Thanksgiving with our loved ones next week, there are already 140 Army families who will not be spending this year celebrating their time together. Instead, those families will be mourning the loss of one of their own, due to suicide. With 140 suicides already on the books amongst Army families, 2009 is going to the be a record-breaking year for the Army, but not in a way they would like anyone to notice. 2009 will mark the year that the Army has suffered the highest suicide rate ever. So what does the Army do? Does it recognize the significance of this number with a solemn, sincere statement? No, instead it turns on the full denial PR machine: “We are almost certainly going to end the year higher than last year,” General Peter Chiarelli, the ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003822 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:35:44 +0100 3003822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999593&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F16%2Fthe-state-of-the-american-woman%2F Image by of Kris Timken/Corbis About a month ago, Time Magazine published the results of a landmark survey gauging where America stands on the battle of the sexes. The results show that women are much more powerful than they were 40 years ago. In the 60s, one-third of all workers were woman. Now half are. Almost 40 percent of women are the primary breadwinners or are contributing substantial income for the household budget. And according to a Mediamark Research & Intelligence survey, women make 75 percent of the buying decisions in the home. You know the telemarketer who asked for the decision-maker of the house? Apparently it’s the wife. Women’s power extends to the academic world, as well. Author Nancy Gibbs explains in “Time” that half of Ivy League president... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999593 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:22:36 +0100 2999593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967341&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F06%2Fhow-do-you-treat-empty-nest-depression%2F Several mom friends of mine have lately come down with a bad case of “empty-nest depression” — moms who just dropped off their youngest offspring to college, or moms having difficulty keeping busy now that the youngest is in kindergarten all day. I googled the term “empty-nest depression” to see what I could find on this topic. I was surprised to see the Beyond Blue post I wrote in 2007 at the top of the search results. But, after reading it, I can see why it was so popular. I merely asked a question, and all of you answered it. On the comment box of that post are written different kinds of compassionate and insightful responses to my question: How do you treat empty-nest depression? Beyond Blue reader Barbara initiated the discussion with this practical piec... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967341 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:27:41 +0100 2967341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954497&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpH5Xnpti8uA%2F National Public Radio’s All Things Considered ran a series on “The End of Privacy” all last week that’s worth a listen. They’re primarily concerned with the ways private companies have access to vast quantities of information about individuals in the digital age—something that civil libertarians have traditionally been less concerned about than government access, for many perfectly valid reasons.  But it’s worth noting how porous that distinction can be.  A 2006 survey by the Government Accountability Office found that just four government agencies—the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, State Department, and Social Security Administration—spent at least $30 million annually on contracts with information resellers like Choicepoin... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954497 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:24:52 +0100 2954497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948346&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F01%2F5-ways-to-tackle-perfectionism-an-interview-with-michelle-russell%2F This week I have the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Russell, who writes the fantastic blog, “Practice Makes Imperfect.” Since we talk about perfectionism a lot on Beyond Blue — because it’s so related to depression — I thought she’d be a perfect guest to interrogate on this topic. Therese: What are five ways a person can tackle perfectionism? Michelle: Here they are … 1. Compare yourself to others. I know, this probably sounds surprising when the prevailing wisdom says not to. But we perfectionists need frequent reality checks. Think about whatever has you firing on all cylinders and what you’re hoping to achieve. A report with absolutely no errors? A living room fit to be featured in House Beautiful? A body like the cover model on that f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948346 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:07:12 +0100 2948346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2931032&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F27%2F5-emotional-vampires-and-how-to-combat-them%2F In the spirit of Halloween, I thought you’d all appreciate some vampire talk. In her new book, “Emotional Freedom,” UCLA psychiatrist Judith Orloff identifies five kinds of vampires that are lurking around and can zap our energy if we’re not careful. Here is an excerpt adapted from her book. Emotional vampires are lurking everywhere and wear many different disguises–from needy relatives to workplace bullies. Whether they do so intentionally or not, these people can make us feel overwhelmed, depressed, defensive, angry, and wiped out. Without the self-defense strategies to fend them off, victims of emotional vampires sometimes develop unhealthy behaviors and symptoms, such as overeating, isolating, mood swings, or feeling fatigued. Here are five types of emotio... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2931032 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:03:06 +0100 2931032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924848&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Foptimism-software-technology-meets-self-help%2F Ever since I was discharged from the inpatient psychiatric program at Johns Hopkins, I have kept a mood journal where I daily record the amount of hours I sleep, my mood (rating it a fantastic and serene no. 1 to a frazzled, and I’m-headed-back-to-the-community-room no. 5), any foods that have triggered hyperactivity or irritability (such as a triple espresso and half of a chocolate-mousse pie), my anxiety level, any medication and vitamin/supplement changes, and a list of things I’m obsessing about: weight, job, friends, sisters, yada yada yada. My journal looks like my house: messy … dangerously messy. I scribble something down and then Katherine gets a hold of the pad and draws a mermaid, or a big X through the object of obsession. In other words: it’s not a good... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924848 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:31:31 +0100 2924848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920245&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F23%2Fthe-7-laws-of-boundaries%2F One of the classic books on how to establish better personal boundaries is “Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. This summer I brought it to the pool with me the week before our family vacations–just to help me get into better shape … you know, given the complications of family situations–and it provoked all kinds of interesting discussions about family neuroses among my friends and other pool members. Apparently boundary problems are quite common… Which is why Cloud and Townsend have sold more than 2 million copies of their book. Especially intriguing was chapter five, on the ten laws of boundaries. For the purpose of length, I highlight seven of them below, excerpting text from tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920245 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:13:49 +0100 2920245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902811&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fbioaccelerate_nyc_prize_to_fund_translational_research.php © kaibara87The Partnership for New York City and the New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC) Corporation have announced that the New York City Investment Fund (NYCIF) will provide up to $1.25 million for the BioAccelerate NYC Prize. The BioAccelerate NYC Prize is the first citywide competition targeting commercialization of the extensive biomedical research conducted in New York. The BioAccelerate NYC competition is looking to fund translational research related to therapeutics, devices and diagnostics that can direct clinical care. As a key part of its evaluation, ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902811 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:42:33 +0100 2902811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901673&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F17%2Fa-glimpse-inside-obsessed-an-interview-with-john-tsilimparis%2F I’m not one to stay up and watch TV. For one, I have to practice good sleep hygiene so I can preach that message to you guys. But A&E’s documentary series, “Obsessed” piqued my interest because it exposes viewers to the lives of every day folks battling OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, hoarding, and a healthy variety of phobias. The unscripted series educates the public on how one measly obsession can totally mess up a life if the biochemistry isn’t controlled (of course, I already know that). So I wanted to interview the show’s therapist, John Tsilimparis, about the series and about the experience of being watched by millions as he conducted therapy. Question: What is the primary message that you would like viewers to get from the thera... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901673 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:07:43 +0100 2901673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855509&cid=t_119624_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F02%2Fpandemic-influenza-additional-measures-to-meet-workforce-supply%2F Title: Pandemic influenza additional measures to meet workforce supply The Skinny: Summarises the agreed arrangements on issues such as re-registration, professional indemnity and pre-employment checks. This will enable local employers to quickly recruit appropriately qualified health professionals if they should be needed. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 9p Published: 02/10/2009 Posted in Employment, Grey Literature, Human Resources, Influenza, NHS Tagged: Grey Literature, H1N1, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Influenza, Pandemic, Regulations, Staff Supply (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855509 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:48:48 +0100 2855509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834295&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F26%2Fbounce-6-steps-to-become-more-resilient%2F Resilience. That’s what I’m after. To be able to find my balance after hitting a pot hole. To wake up with hope after enduring a series of frustrations. To look beyond the circumstances of my life in order to enjoy the moment. Yes. I want to become more resilient. So it was with great interest that I read Robert Wick’s book, “Bounce: Living the Resilient Life.” Here are six of the suggestions he presents in his book. A professor of psychology at Loyola University, Maryland, Dr. Wicks is author of numerous books, including “Prayerfulness” that I featured earlier this year. Step One: Become Aware of Acute Stress and Toxic Situations In his first chapter, Dr. Wicks talks about how to recognize chronic and acute stress, and what causes burnout. As a s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834295 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:05:34 +0100 2834295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796495&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F15%2F5-simple-exercises-for-managing-anxiety%2F Even as I love the autumn season, it is full of anxiety for me. I start to mourn the ending of summer when I hear the cicadas grow louder the last two weeks of August and when I feel the crispness in the air at that time, which brings less sunlight and longer nights. Then the back-to-school craze: buying shoes, supplies, backpacks, etc. and trying to catch up on the homework we didn’t do during June and July. By the time I make it to the parent-teacher conferences in early September, when I hear about all the things I’m supposed to be doing with the kids, I’m well into panic mode. Yesterday my therapist and I talked about a few coping exercises to keep my anxiety from disabling me this time of year. 1. Pick a sound or object to be your Xanax. My therapist looks up ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796495 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:43:39 +0100 2796495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2785976&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2F7-ways-to-manage-anxiety-on-an-anniversary%2F Most of us circle a few days of the calendar year that we know will be difficult to get through: the anniversary of a death, traumatic event, or even happy occasion. These dates are charged with emotion. September 11 falls under that category for most of us, and especially those living in New York or surrounding areas and families and loved ones of those killed in the terrorist attacks. The one benefit from anniversary anxiety is that we can predict it and therefore prepare for it. Here are 8 ways to do just that. 1. Forecast your emotions. You’ve circled the day. You know it’s coming. Now get honest with yourself about how you might feel on that day. If it’s the anniversary of a death of a loved one, get ready to celebrate that person’s life with joy and sadness. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2785976 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:40:44 +0100 2785976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751973&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fcan-art-improve-your-health%2F It’s not news to most of us that our environment can have an impact on our mood. A cloudy day. Working in a cubicle farm. Growing up in poverty. But can it also impact our health? There’s a growing body of research that suggests the beneficial effects of picking and hanging the “right” artwork in hospitals, to help healing and improve patients’ mood: Nanda, who has a doctorate in architecture with a specialization in health-care systems and design, says scientific studies show that art can aid in the recovery of patients, shorten hospital stays and help manage pain. But she says it has to be the right art - vivid paintings of landscapes, friendly faces and familiar objects can lower blood pressure and heart rate, while abstract pictures can have the opposite ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751973 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:20:00 +0100 2751973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2724911&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F22%2Fmoney-fear-two-ways-to-cope-with-financial-panic-and-recession-anxiety%2F One of my depression busters is to “become the expert.” This means, as I’m peeing my pants about where Eric and I are going to get our next paycheck, I am doling out advice on how to cope with such anxiety. In telling someone else what you are supposed to be doing, I actually learn the lesson myself. And then I think if I can actually fool people into thinking that I have it all together, maybe I could have it altogether. Nah….. A few days ago a reader wrote me this email: Lately I have been nearly paralyzed with fear and anxiety about financial issues. I have contacted my former shrink and hope she will take me back. Could you possible write an entry about dealing with and handling such fear? I’m sure that it would help me so much. Ironically, I read it an h... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2724911 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:28:19 +0100 2724911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719755&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F20%2Fwhy-doctors-avoid-mental-health-treatment%2F It’s no wonder mental health stigma still exists surrounding issues like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Physicians who are the front-line treatment providers for mental health issues don’t always recognize the value of mental health professionals for their own mental health needs. Or they recognize the value, but don’t use them because of concerns about privacy and confidentiality. In a just-published survey of 3,500 doctors in the UK, researchers found: Nearly three quarters of respondents said they would rather discuss mental health problems with family or friends than seek formal or informal advice, citing reasons such as career implications, professional integrity, and perceived stigma of mental health problems. Let’s go through some of those ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719755 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:42:55 +0100 2719755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712166&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fmental-resiliency-training-planned-for-soldiers%2F Filed under the “better late than never” department, we have word via The New York Times today that the U.S. military is finally recognizing the importance of fitness. Not just physical fitness, mind you, but mental fitness training, in the form of improving one’s resiliency: The training, the first of its kind in the military, is meant to improve performance in combat and head off the mental health problems, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, that plague about one-fifth of troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania has been consulting with the Pentagon on the innovative program. There’s no direct research that’s been conducted on soldiers to see if such a pr... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712166 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:05:20 +0100 2712166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705177&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F16%2F7-rules-for-getting-a-head-start-in-life%2F It’s that time of year again, when we either strap on the backpack or we help our kids do it. I know several parents who sit down their young ones every September to go over the basic school essentials: Listen to the teacher. Be nice to everyone. Try new things. In his book “You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making It In the Real World,” author J.R. Parrish compiles a guide for high-school and college seniors. But I found the lessons to be a refresher course of Life 101 because, come on, we never stop learning. Here are just seven of Parrish’s rules for success. 1. Learn how to deal with people. I know this seems obvious, but Parrish is absolutely right. It’s amazing how many people don’t have any people skills. And it’s equally shocking ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705177 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:51:46 +0100 2705177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2685241&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F10%2Fwhy-messing-up-is-good-for-you%2F I’ve been “mastering” my perfectionism problem this summer, as contradictory as that statement sounds. I joined a Masters swimming program knowing full well that I would be placed anywhere from the slow lane to the medium lane… that is, at least two lanes from the fast lane. I am swimming with folks who have swum the Chesapeake Bay and back a few dozen times. In two hours. Probably taking less than ten breaths. Last week none of the slow-to-medium swimmers showed up, so I tried to keep up with the mermaids, feeling much like Nemo with a gimpy fin, before he was kidnapped by the diver and placed in a fish tank. I was swallowing plenty of water as I tried to thrust my arms out of the water in a sorry-looking butterfly stroke, and, less than halfway to the deep end of ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2685241 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:54:53 +0100 2685241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681955&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F08%2F4-ways-to-get-past-cold-feet-or-any-kind-of-anxiety%2F Fresh Living blogger Holly Lebowitz Rossi recently wrote a helpful post on how to get past cold feet or any second-guessing for that matter. She writes: I have a theory about why moving inherently involves a cold-feet stage. Here it is–moving is a zillion tiny decisions all crammed inside a giant, life-altering decision. And inside a human brain, those all conspire to result in self-doubt and second-guessing. I suspect her theory is correct. And it is compounded by any underlying depression or anxiety disorder. In fact, at every “check up from the neck up” as Eric likes to call my psychiatric sessions, Dr. Smith will always ask me, “Have you had a hard time making decisions lately?” To which I will respond, “Ummm. Well…. Let’s see…..&#8... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681955 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:06:07 +0100 2681955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681956&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F07%2Fapa-website-design-tips-circa-1997%2F Since I decided not to attend this year’s annual convention of American psychologists (held, ironically, in Toronto this year), I’ve been following their blog. This is the first year the APA has done a blog about the convention, 10 years after blogs become popular. I guess better late than never is the theme. And I can’t help but think that’s the theme for some of the approved talks, like this cutting-edge talk about Enhancing Your Web Site. I’m sorry, but really? I don’t mean to be critical, but this is the kind of advice I’d expect to see (and that I think I actually gave to a previous convention) circa 1997. Not 2009. You could’ve saved yourself the 50 minute talk with it being boiled down to: Website design is like any other professional... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681956 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:32:50 +0100 2681956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678684&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F06%2F8-tools-for-happiness-gretchen-rubins-happiness-project-toolbox%2F As someone who suffers from manic-depression, I have a box of tools that I use to help me stay on the path of recovery and get as far away as possible from the black hole of despair. However, they are not all that different from the eight tools that blogger/author Gretchen Rubin uses in her happiness project. Now Gretchen offers a website, The Happiness Project Toolbox, where she helps you tailor the tools to your own life and, in the process, see what others have to say about them. Her site, the Happiness Project Toolbox, offers eight free tools. Like James Bishop’s Optimism Software, Gretchen’s tools help you become an active participant in your recovery, transferring some of the accountability for serenity to you. And because they involve you in the path to peace, you come ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678684 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:47:48 +0100 2678684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634453&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2Fdepression-happens-to-successful-people%2F One of the myths surrounding mental illness is that it escapes successful people … that the poor, weak, and ambition-free folks are the ones waiting for their prescriptions at Rite-Aid. I know better. Because I’ve seen so many of my successful friends fall into the Black Hole unable to surface to light on their own. I’ve read the biographies of Abraham Lincoln and Art Buchwald, Jane Pauley and William Styron, and I know there was never anything weak about them. I try to highlight the stories of successful depressives whenever I find them because I know that we need that boost of confidence … to be reminded that our illness has nothing to do with our skills in the workplace, or our desire to accomplish great things. We just have some interesting brain wiring that tak... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634453 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:12:03 +0100 2634453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615379&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F19%2F3-steps-to-move-past-your-hang-ups%2F I used to be afraid to write. Because I knew I would write badly. I couldn’t commit my words to the page because I was sure I would use the wrong ones not to mention incorrect grammar and punctuation. I forgot about how much progress I’ve made in this area until a friend dropped by the other day and, like an excited kid on Christmas morning, I handed him a bound galley (looks like a paperback version of a book, printed for publicity reasons before the book comes out) of my book, “Beyond Blue,” because I still can’t believe I actually wrote my story, something that I’ve always wanted to do since I was a young girl.  My friend works in the book business and wants to write more, too, but is sure he’s bad at it. Positive. “Do you feel like... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615379 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:09:35 +0100 2615379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613899&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F18%2Fhow-does-a-person-live-and-cope-with-a-dysfunctional-family-an-interview-with-nancy-bachrach%2F Today’s interview is somewhat untraditional, but I think you’ll enjoy it. After I read the hilarious anecdotes in Nancy Bachrach’s newly released memoir, “The Center of the Universe,” I knew I had to dig a little more on how, exactly, she copes with a dysfunctional family. Nancy formerly worked in advertising in New York and Paris, where she got to “spin hot air like cotton candy, glorifying her clients’ beloved denture adhesives and powdered orange-juice substitutes.” Before that? She was a “clumsy waitress at Howard Johnson’s, an overzealous customer-service rep fired for making genuine apologies, a stenographer for an insomniac poet, and a teaching assistant in the philosophy department at Brandeis University, where she was one... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613899 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:19:47 +0100 2613899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2594475&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F13%2F5-ways-to-silence-a-voice-that-says-youre-a-fraud%2F Image by Stephen Webster/Wall Street Journal Health Journal columnist Melinda Beck penned an amazingly accurate and helpful article in the Wall Street Journal last month about the self-criticism that so often accompanies depression and anxiety. Not only was I delighted that she approached such a difficult and complicated aspect of our illness with compassion and insight, but I was ecstatic to see myself as one of the “experts” mentioned with suggestions on how to silent the annoying voice that says we are incapable, weak, and worthless. Depression and self-criticism, of course, are great companions. Beck writes: Unrelenting self-criticism often goes hand in hand with depression and anxiety, and it may even predict depression. In a study of 107 patients in the latest issue of C... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2594475 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:05:42 +0100 2594475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593128&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F11%2F5-steps-to-find-the-real-you-an-interview-with-david-borchard-edd-ncc%2F My interview today is with David Borchard, Ed.D. NCC, a licensed professional counselor career management consultant with 30 years of experience helping adults identify their passions and develop a vision for the next phase of their lives. He specializes in career management coaching and life/work transition counseling and has helped thousands of adults regenerate their careers. Dr. Borchard is also the author of three books: “Your Career Planner”, “Will The Real You Please Stand UP?” (He’s not talking about multiple personalities here), and “The Joy of Retirement.” Oh, and he’s also my father-in-law! Sometimes I forget I have such an accomplished relative, but interestingly enough our worlds are starting to collide a bit, as a few readers ha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593128 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:29:43 +0100 2593128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576650&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F06%2F4-steps-to-mindfulness%2F I’ve been pursuing a better understanding mindfulness — and trying to practice it — for a good six months now. In the last few weeks, though, I think I’ve made some progress due to a CD I’ve been listening to by Dr. Elisha Goldstein (who pens the Mindfulness blog here, too) called “Mindful Solutions for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.” I have been listening to the CD in the car on my way to pick up the kids from camp or run an errand (I don’t close my eyes, though, like you are supposed to). At any rate, his four step model to mindfulness has helped me divide the awesome job of becoming more mindful into a few steps that are easier to process. He breaks mindfulness into four categories: calming exercises, mindfulness of thoughts, mindfulness... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576650 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:10:02 +0100 2576650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570606&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F03%2F6-quick-sanity-tricks%2F Awhile back I asked you for your sanity tricks, techniques that help you fight the forces of the dark side. Here are some of the gems. 1. Learn the alphabet. Do you know why the vowel “I” comes well before the vowel “U”? Because a person must take care of herself before trying to help someone else or the world. It’s the same logic that flight attendants use when they swear to you that your plane isn’t going to crash, but in the event that it does, you’d be smart to fasten your own oxygen mask before helping the kiddies. Do it in reverse, and you’ll all run out of air. 2. Stop the singing lessons. I could have used this one a long time ago: “Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.” In other words, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570606 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:02:06 +0100 2570606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2515196&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F25%2Fyou-wear-the-suit-8-tips-on-trading-places-with-your-spouse%2F I’ve noticed many more men at pick-up from school and camp, soccer practice and birthday parties. The women? They’ve gone back to work because there are more jobs available in their fields. In a recent BusinessWeek.com article, Peter Coy writes: They eat from the same dishes and sleep in the same beds, but they seem to be operating in two different economies. From last November through this April, American women aged 20 and up gained nearly 300,000 jobs, according to the household survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, American men lost nearly 700,000 jobs. You might even say American men are in recession, and American women are not. What’s going on? Simply put, men have the misfortune of being concentrated in the two sectors that are doing the worst... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2515196 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:11 +0100 2515196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511156&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F23%2F6-steps-to-manage-your-time-better-an-interview-with-russell-bishop%2F Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Russell Bishop, currently Senior Editor-at-Large for the Huffington Post and founder of Bishop & Bishop, a consulting and coaching company. Russell is the author of numerous articles on the power of choice and awareness, and has two books in development. An expert in personal and organization transformation, Russell has coached leadership teams, entrepreneurs, and CEO’s in 34 countries around the world. He has lectured for executive MBA programs at UCLA, University of Texas and Washington University. Russell received a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of California and currently resides in Santa Barbara, California. I’m glad that my husband Eric didn’t overhear our conversation, because Eric... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511156 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:43 +0100 2511156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511165&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2F5-rules-for-living-with-chronic-illness-and-depression-an-interview-with-elivra-aletta%2F Today I have the pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite therapists, Elvira Aletta, Ph.D., on a very important topic: chronic illness. I say important, because it now pertains to me (and thus is important), and I need to learn some coping techniques ASAP before I fall over, into the Big Black Hole of depression. Dr. Aletta is a clinical psychologist, wife, mom to two teenagers and blogger, seeking the balance in upstate New York. She is working on a book “How to Have A Chronic Illness So It Doesn’t Have You,” and would love to hear your story about how you or someone you love thrives with chronic illness. Write to her at draletta@explorewhatsnext.com. To learn more about Dr. Aletta, check out explorewhatsnext.com. Question: I know that you have dealt with chronic illn... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511165 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:34:02 +0100 2511165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477587&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fswine-flu-news-update-4-gps-will-not-be.html An odd report from the BBC today. Naturally, it is provocative. No surprise there. Probably, it is rubbish. Not much surprise there. The report is based upon some odd remarks, probably taken out of context, attributed to Dr Dean Marshall. Never heard of him but he is said to be“one of the BMA's lead negotiators on flu planning, said of the pandemic”BBCDr Marshall seems to have confused two issues. GPs “death in service benefit” and GPs medical insurance. Or, at least, this badly written and confusing BBC report portrays him as being confused. The report starts provocatively:Some GPs may refuse to work if the swine flu pandemic spreads throughout the UK, union leaders have warned.That, if I may use a technical term, is bollocks. I can assure you that all GPs will continue to work as... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477587 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:33:00 +0100 2477587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473573&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fwomens-mental-health-hit-hard-by-recession%2F Many thanks to Molly McVoy, M.D. of the American Psychiatric Association who forwarded me a new survey recently released by the American Psychiatric Association regarding the negative affect of the economy on women’s mental health. You can read the survey results by clicking here. Some highlights: More than two-thirds (68%) of women feel the current economic crisis has had a negative impact on them and their families. More than half (55%) said the current problems with the economy have had a negative impact on their mental health. Despite the negative impact on their mental well-being, most of the women prioritized others’ needs and other responsibilities over their own mental and physical health. Although 76 percent of women polled say they are participating in more positi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473573 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:56:50 +0100 2473573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060683&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2Foverworked_vacationstarved_america_ranks_1_in_depr.php Image via WikipediaOverwork in America has become even worse since the latest recession. People are afraid to slow down to take care of themselves because the fear of lay offs. Overwork has led to an epidemic of depression. Even Congress has taken notice. A bill requiring employers to provide paid vacation has been introduced. Below is a great article from a while ago that I think captures well the phenomena. AlterNet "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Jack Torrance, Jack Nicholson's character in the 1980 film The Shining, should get credit for popularizing (and making terrifying) a proverb that dates as far back as the mid-1600s: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Nicholson's character sure looked like he could have used a vacation before his psyche disintegrat... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060683 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:30:16 +0100 4060683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416995&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F17%2Fthe-8-best-sound-bites-of-graduation-advice%2F I can’t remember all the speeches at my commencement ceremony. But I do remember looking up on the stage to see my best friend, the valedictorian of our class, sitting there among all the luminaries, and wondering how in the world she did that when English was her second language. It still blows me away. Commencement addresses contain wisdom and inspiration for all of life’s transitions, and for a manic-depressive, that’s pretty much every day. So I’ve plucked the very best sound bites from famous speakers like Oprah Winfrey, Desmond Tutu, Jon Stewart, and the other names people like to drop at cocktail parties to help us forge ahead on our spiritual journeys, remember our dreams, and to find hope, purpose, and peace in our lives. 1. Oprah Winfrey: Transform Yo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416995 Sun, 17 May 2009 11:00:27 +0100 2416995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414883&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F15%2F10-more-stress-busters%2F Awhile back I shared with you 10 of my stress busters. But lately I’ve needed 20. So here are 10 more. 1. Avoid stimulants and sugar. Here’s the catch-22: the more stressed you get, the more you crave coffee and doughnuts, pizza and Coke. But the more coffee, Coke, doughnuts, and pizza in your system, the more stressed you get. It’s not your imagination. When you are stressed and have low levels of serotonin, your brain produces cravings for sugar and simple carbohydrates, which primes the beta-endorphin system to want more and more. The same with caffeine. It’s a powerful drug that affects a number of neurochemicals in your brain, which means it produces withdrawal symptoms that can make you very very very very irritable. 2. Compare and despair. The last thing you ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414883 Fri, 15 May 2009 18:00:27 +0100 2414883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405412&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F14%2Frecession-mental-health-use-has-doubled%2F While a recession has been bad for health products and services in general, it’s been a boon for mental health industry. Data comes from a survey of 3,307 adults surveyed once in January and again in April 2009. The survey found that people actually spending and using various health services and products — primarily the use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, physician services, dental services, and health/personal care goods — fell during that time period. During the same time period, demand for psychiatric and mental health services nearly doubled — from 4 percent in January to 7 percent in April. Job loss, loss of your home, and lack of discretionary income likely drives more people to seek out help for feeling depressed, anxious or other em... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405412 Thu, 14 May 2009 18:00:14 +0100 2405412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405417&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F12%2F8-ways-to-overcome-jealousy-and-envy%2F I know that the fastest way to despair is by comparing one’s insides with another’s outsides, and that Max Ehrmann, the author of the classic poem “Desiderata,” was absolutely correct when he said that if you compare yourself with others you become either vain or bitter, or, as Helen Keller put it: “Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.” But Helen and Max don’t keep me from going to the land of comparisons and envy. Before long, I’m salivating over someone else’s book contract, or blog traffic numbers, or “Today Show” appearance. Then I have to pull out my ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405417 Tue, 12 May 2009 20:00:44 +0100 2405417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405421&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F11%2F10-steps-to-conquer-perfectionism%2F Perfectionism. It’s the enemy of creativity, productivity, and, well, sanity. In “The Artist’s Way,” author Julia Cameron writes: “Perfectionism is a refusal to let yourself move ahead. It is a loop–an obsessive, debilitating closed system that causes you to get stuck in the details of what you are writing or painting or making and to lose sight of the whole.” But you don’t even have to be creating anything to be crippled by perfectionism. It can also frustrate your efforts as a mom, a wife, a friend, and a human being. Because no one and no thing is perfect in this blemished world of ours. I tackle this adversary every day. And although my inner perfectionist clearly has hold of my brain many days, I do think I am handcuffed less often by t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405421 Mon, 11 May 2009 13:24:47 +0100 2405421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405422&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F10%2Fa-letter-to-new-moms%2F Blogger Katherine Stone at Postpartum Progress, will host the first annual Mother’s Day Rally for Moms’ Mental Health this Mother’s Day. This online event will feature 24 open letters to new mothers on the importance of maternal mental health. Each hour, on the hour, for 24 hours straight, Postpartum Progress will post a different “Letter to New Moms.” The writers, survivors of and experts on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, will share their humor, experience, tips and ideas, focusing on the mental health of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Here’s my letter, but make sure you visit Postpartum Progress to read the other 23! Dear New Mother, I have just one piece of advice for you: don’t try to be a martyr. Consider your own needs along wi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405422 Sun, 10 May 2009 15:00:29 +0100 2405422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398819&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F07%2F11-things-i-learned-in-high-school%2F Yikes. It’s time for my 20-year high-school reunion. I have the wrinkles and the gray hair to prove it. Although I look back and snicker at all the keg parties I threw at my house when my mom was away, and how I always seemed to pass out in someone’s closet, what I remember most were the wise words of a few teachers who took me under their wing and asked me to probe deeper … to think long and hard about who I wanted to be when I grew up. I’m still not totally sure, but here are some of the nuggets I most appreciate. 1. Act as if you belong. In 12-step support groups this means “fake it til you make it.” I just remember being incorrectly placed in an honors class. I sat there next to Tony M., a fellow average-intelligence classmate who I recently hooked... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398819 Thu, 07 May 2009 11:55:59 +0100 2398819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380883&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fsilencing-groupthink-in-your-organization%2F Groupthink is a term describing the idea that people in a group or meeting will stay quiet out of fear of the disagreement of others. It’s easier to remain quiet and have the meeting end or have the group move on than to spend another hour in disagreement or having to defend one’s beliefs or opinions: Collective decision-making failures are often attributed to group members’ unwillingness to express unpopular opinions, and incident investigations frequently name lack of dissent as a causal factor (Sunstein, 2006). The investigation following the Columbia space-shuttle explosion, for instance, cited a culture at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in which “it is difficult for minority and dissenting opinions to percolate up through the agency’s ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380883 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:00:00 +0100 2380883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376222&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Fyou-really-hate-me-on-taking-criticism-real-or-imaginary%2F I guess we depressives are a tad sensitive. On the comment box of my post, “Brain Changes After Depression,” many readers confessed that they take criticism the same way I do–as a life sentence–and appreciated the scientific explanation as to why we might do that. Reader Leslie wrote: Oh, I can so identify with this. I’ve come close to suicide at times because of my fear response to criticism. I hope it helps you as it helps me to know it’s not because I’m a bad person that I can’t handle criticism - it’s just that my brain is not wired the way those other “healthy” people’s brains are. Yes, actually, it does help me to know what’s going on in my amygdala, or fear center, when I read the harsh comments that tempt... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376222 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:30:54 +0100 2376222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348537&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F19%2Frelax-unwind-and-go-back-in-time-it%25e2%2580%2599ll-do-you-some-good%2F Having fun should come naturally. Right? You simply drive to the closest watering hole, grab a beer with a friend, and bam, you’re there! Except that I no longer drink … which was the only way I knew how to relax. Because liquor became a kind of babysitter for my brain, quieting all the rowdy children in my head so that I could sneak out for a soirée with some friends. Although I’ve been sober for over 20 years, I still haven’t gotten the hang of chilling out … without any aids, that is. Gerard Musante, Ph.D., writes in “The Structure House: Weight Loss Plan”: When people ask me how often they can find something enjoyable to do during their leisure time, I often ask them to think about their childhood and the games they played or activities in which they participated. The ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348537 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:27:46 +0100 2348537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2312627&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fgoogle_to_invest_in_biotechnology.php Google is launching "Google Ventures" a new venture-capital fund which will invest across a range of industries, including consumer Internet, software, clean-tech, bio-tech and health care. ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2312627 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:42:16 +0100 2312627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313548&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F02%2Fhow-do-you-practice-mindfulness-eat-ice-cream-for-starters%2F I’ve been trying to master mindfulness in the last few weeks like it’s a cute step sequence in a line dance. I have unofficially hired Dr. Elisha Goldstein, author of Psych Central’s blog, “Mindfulness and Psychotherapy” as my mindfulness personal trainer because he knows this stuff inside and out, and because I don’t have the time or money to hang out with the Buddhist monks in Tibet. I’ve always aspired to better live in the moment–it was one of the gems I picked up in support group meetings back in college–but now I honestly feel like it could save my life–or at least keep my pituitary tumor from growing any wider and shield my heart from any more damage to the aortic valve. How do you practice presence, or mindfulness? The B... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313548 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:21:16 +0100 2313548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287235&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F22%2Fmad-as-hell-anger-amp-the-economy-part-three%2F Coping with Anger For the Long Haul Maybe you’ve seen these headlines recently: “As the Public Simmers…” “…Anger Boils Over” “The Outrage Factor” “Rage Could End Up Hurting Us” And my personal favorite, “Anger Mismanagement” which appeared last Saturday on the New York Times Op-Ed page. Charles M. Blow wrote: “All the tumult is couched in a jumble of jargon that is confusing and infuriating. In laymen’s terms, the financial industry gambled and lost. This damaged the economy. And if we don’t save Wall Street, the world will implode. Meanwhile, the worlds of many Americans are already imploding… It’s a mess. Then came…the A.I.G. bonus imbroglio. Employees [at A.I.G. who] caused much of the problem were paid $165 million in bonuses. This... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287235 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:41:43 +0100 2287235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287240&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2F10-stress-busters%2F Stress is like dark chocolate. A little of it won’t kill you. In fact, small blocks here and there can be good for you, or at least give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. But chronic and severe stress can damage your body and mind, blocking the fluid communication to and from most organs–especially in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and in the limbic system, the brain’s emotional center. Believe me, you want these two systems running as smoothly as possible, with low levels of the delinquent stress hormones in your bloodstream. Which is why I always keep some stress busters handy. Here are 10 of my favorites. 1. Simplify Cut your to-do list in half. How? Ask yourself this question after every item: Will I die tomorrow if this doesn’t get a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287240 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:18:32 +0100 2287240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2249102&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F07%2Fvideo-on-creativity-and-mood-disorders%2F This video was taped the afternoon of Johns Hopkins’s Mood Disorders Symposium, right after I heard Kay Redfield Jamison speak on the topic of creativity and mood disorders. Given my tumultuous week at that time, I literally wept at parts of her presentation. Here is what I learned. Click through to view the video… (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2249102 Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:33:02 +0100 2249102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240889&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F05%2Fmy-mental-health-experiment-10-days-with-no-computer%2F In her new book “An Altar in the World,” bestselling author Barbara Brown Taylor writes about “the practice of paying attention.” She explains: The practice of paying attention is as simple as looking twice at people and things you might just as easily ignore. To see takes time, like having a friend takes time. It is as simple as turning off the television to learn the song of a single bird. Why should anyone do such things? I cannot imagine–unless one is weary of crossing days off the calendar with no sense of what makes the last day different from the next. Unless one is weary of acting in what feels more like a television commercial than a life. The practice of paying attention offers no quick fix for such weariness, with guaranteed results printed on the s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240889 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:19:16 +0100 2240889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2227167&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-disease-of-a-thousand-things-to-do%2F I have contracted an illness called “the disease of a-thousand-things-to-do.” That’s how author Abby Seixas describes it in her insightful book, “Finding the Deep River Within.” It’s a modern condition whereby human beings are always rushing, trying desperately to cross off every task on their to-do lists, and are bombarded by interruptions and information overload. Does this sound famililar? Consider these observations she makes to claim her case of what has become a very unbalanced and frenetic culture: The average working couple in America spends 20 minutes a day together. “Family time” has become a goal, an achievement, rather than a natural consequence of being a family. Most Americans are trapped in a vicious cycle of overwork and overconsumption. Dropping in on ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2227167 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:20:42 +0100 2227167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182517&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F13%2Fin-a-recession-are-suicides-far-behind%2F This study suggests that, unsurprisingly, anything that can affect our mood — such as losing our job — can increase depressive feelings. And suicide is a not-uncommon symptom of depression. These findings are replicated on a U.S. population as well (though not during an economic downturn) (Kalist et al,, 2007). An study by the same primary author (Ostamo & Lönnqvist, 2001), using estimated data instead of actual patient reports from suicide attempters, found no correlation between the same economic downturn in Finland and suicide attempts. It may be that the current methods of collecting population data on suicide attempters is generally not sensitive enough to catch smaller spikes in suicide attempts during an economic downturn (or that there was no increase in suicide ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182517 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:50:05 +0100 2182517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167558&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2Fmoney-happiness-but-theres-a-catch%2F Popular culture tells us we’d be happier with more money, but how much is enough? John D. Rockefeller had a tongue-in-cheek reply to the query, “Just a little bit more,” while an entire countermovement scoffs at the notion that joy and contentment can be purchased, arguing that money is not the root of all happiness, but of all evil. What does psychology have to say on the subject? According to a new San Francisco State University study, both camps are partially right: money can lead to greater happiness for the person possessing it and those around them, if it is used to buy experiences, not possessions. According to SFU’s February 7 press release, the study by Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at SFU, “demonstrates that experiential purchases, such as a me... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167558 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:41:29 +0100 2167558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2150762&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F01%2Frecession-anxiety-8-tips-to-manage-financial-stress%2F Like most dinner conversations last night, ours was about Wall Street, the economic recession, and our course of action. As my husband, Eric, and I talked about what we should do in this financial crisis, it occurred to me that the same tools that I use for my general anxiety disorder can be applied to frenzy triggered by the economy: when you fret about losing your home, car, stocks, junk bonds, retirement savings, college funds, and everything else in the lyrics of a bad country song (truck, sorry forgot the truck). 1. Ignore Amy The amygdala, the almond-shaped group of neurons in the limbic system of the brain, is considered by most neurobiologists our fear system, and it acts like an ape or a human would have acted, say, back when we still had lots of hair all over. The adrenaline th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2150762 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:28:44 +0100 2150762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2141336&cid=t_119624_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=2101769&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fnominations_open_for_the_biotech_humanitarian_award.php BIO is inviting nominations to the Biotech Humanitarian Award. The award aims to recognize a biotech professional- a scientist, researcher, academic, entrepreneur, financier, philanthropist or... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2101769 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:17:46 +0100 2101769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097854&cid=t_119624_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Facademic-industrial-complex.html THE ACADEMIC-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXAs we approach a new presidential inauguration, a look back to 1961 is instructive for those concerned with the interface between academic medicine and industry. Here are the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he left the office of the presidency. He warned of the military-industrial complex:In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.Eisenhower’s basic insight was that national security is paradoxically threatened by an unchecked military-industrial complex be... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097854 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:27:00 +0100 2097854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2086921&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F07%2Fexcuses-excuses%2F We’ve all met them — fellow students or colleagues who just can’t seem to get it together, and sometimes even appear to be purposely sabotaging their most important career or academic efforts. “Genuine excuse artisans,” as this January 5 article in the Health section of the New York Times refers to them, …don’t wait until after choking to practice their craft. They hobble themselves, in earnest, before pursuing a goal or delivering a performance. Their excuses come preattached: I never went to class. I was hung over at the interview. I had no idea what the college application required. “This is real self-sabotage, like drinking heavily before a test, skipping practice or using really poor equipment,” said Edward R. Hirt, a psychologist at Indiana University. “... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2086921 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:35:31 +0100 2086921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2081065&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F05%2Fed-silverman-moves-on-from-pharmalot-joins-elsevier%2F Pharmalot is a blog we turned to when we wanted to keep up-to-date on the latest pharmaceutical news or scandal. Written for the past 2 years by Ed Silverman, he’s decided to move on to take a job over at Elsevier and may very well start blogging for them on the same topics (either at the In Vivo blog or some other company blog). While we’ll miss Pharmalot as it exists today, we hope to see Ed Silverman continue on in the tradition he started more than 2 years ago, breaking interesting stories about the pharmaceutical industry. We can’t imagine the blogosphere being the same without him. Read the full article: Pharmalot, R.I.P.; Long Live, Ed Silverman (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2081065 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:43:20 +0100 2081065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2060926&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Fseven-rules-to-surviving-an-abusive-boss%2F At the interview for my first professional job, my future boss asked me, “I notice you’re married. Are you planning to get pregnant?” After I picked my jaw off the floor I stammered, “Uh, no?” It was a totally illegal question and the shocker was it came from a woman. What I should have done was run screaming for the nearest exit. But the job was offered, I took it and three years later I quit with a raging case of Post-Traumatic Boss Disorder. Rule #1: How you are treated from ‘go’ is a good indicator of how you will be treated on the job. The first phone call, your interview, how an offer is made and how negotiations are handled… My boss made me think I was her confidant. She gave me the plum jobs and ‘confided’ to me that everyone else was inf... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2060926 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:17:04 +0100 2060926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2053747&cid=t_119624_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F489099510%2F "USA Hockey Inc., is the national governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. As such, its mission is to promote the growth of hockey and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport." Why do we talk about ice hockey in a  brain fitness blog? Well, we recently announced this very innovative initiative, and now can offer more context: USA Hockey and Intelligym: - "USA Hockey, with partners ACE (Applied Cognitive Engineering) and the BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation, have announced plans to develop a revolutionary product that will, for the first time ever, provide players a training tool to develop “hockey sense.” - "To be called Hockey... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2053747 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:43:31 +0100 2053747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1920937&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F30%2Flearning-to-multitask-dont-bother%2F Right now, I have 36 windows opened up on my computer. No, I’m not doing (or trying to do) 36 things at once. It’s just that’s what happens when you give a dumb human like me the tools to open up 36 or 72 or 172 windows at once. It’s no wonder it’s so easy to lose track of where we are and what we’re doing. Welcome to the wonderful world of multi-tasking. That modern marvel where companies and bosses expect us to perform miracles simply because the technology allows it. Nobody bothered checking with the human brain first to see if multitasking was even a good thing. Well, until not recently. Turns out that multitasking is generally not a good thing. Need proof? A whole generation (the “Net Gen”) is growing up supposedly learning and do... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1920937 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:59:46 +0100 1920937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1865953&cid=t_119624_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.creative-weblogging%2Faudio%2F%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fnew_scientific_journal_embo_molecular_medicine.php Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Andrey ProkhorovThe European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)will launch a new journal focusing on the interface between molecular biology and clinical research. The EMBO Molecular Medicine journal, to be released starting 2009, will publish studies on molecular insights into cellular and systemic processes underlying defined human diseases as well as potential clinical applications for diagnosis, prevention and therapy. "EMBO Molecular Medicine offers a unique opportunity to broadly distribute new findings in biomedical research and to strengthen links between clinicians and molecular biologists," said Hermann Bujard, EMBO Director. "We hope that published papers will lead to advances that will improve the detection, diagnosis and clinical management o... The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1865953 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:31:08 +0100 1865953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825582&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F24%2Fcongress-passes-historic-mental-health-parity-bill%2F After over a decade of struggling and aborted attempts, Congress passed a bill yesterday that provides for equal treatment of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, ending a decades-long practice of discrimination against these concerns by insurance companies and employers. Although not quite done (funding still needs to be agreed-upon and it still needs the President’s signature), we’re very close to a historic change in the way employers and insurance companies view mental health problems. Forced to put these on equal footing with medical and surgical procedures (because they wouldn’t do it on their own), maybe people will finally get the message — mental disorders are just as real and debilitating as any physical injury, disease, or problem. Over... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825582 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:38:47 +0100 1825582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1815283&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F22%2Fthink-women-belong-in-the-home-you-likely-earn-more%2F Sometimes social science comes up with some pretty interesting insights into inequalities in this world. And a new study that tracked over 12,000 people for 26 years has done just that. The researchers in this study wondered how people’s attitudes toward gender roles might affect their earning potential and came to a surprising conclusion. The inequality in earnings between women and men isn’t as clear-cut as what gender you are, but also what types of attitudes you hold toward the opposite sex. The study found a significant difference in earnings between men who have a traditional attitude about gender roles (e.g., women belong in the home raising the kids) and both men and women who hold egalitarian views (e.g., women are equal to men doing all things). They also earned mor... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815283 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:53:35 +0100 1815283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1773188&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F07%2Fdid-eli-lilly-downplay-zyprexas-health-risks%2F A New York City federal judge ordered drug company Eli Lilly to unseal confidential documents concerning the popular antipsychotic drug Zyprexa (Olanzapine) this past Friday, after a lengthy legal dispute. Yesterday’s New York Times reports: The decision by Judge Jack B. Weinstein of Federal District Court came as part of a ruling that gave class-action status to a case brought by insurance companies, pension funds and unions that want Lilly to repay them billions of dollars they spent on the drug. They contend that Lilly hid the side effects of the drug and marketed it for unapproved uses. The confidential documents were produced by Lilly in response to a related lawsuit filed by patients who said that Zyprexa had caused excessive weight gain and diabetes. The papers were placed under... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773188 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:35:26 +0100 1773188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739129&cid=t_119624_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fwhy-are-we-so-intolerant-of-differences%2F One of the key sub-plots in Elizabeth Moon’s book The Speed of Dark involves some corporate intrigue and an almost stereotypical management vs. labor conflict.   At the heart of the issue is a question of the efficiency vs. effectiveness of the autistic workforce.   It’s probably because of my recent reading of the book that Jack Vinson’s post People still say these things? caught my attention.  (Attention, what attention?) In that post, Jack references a quote that “amazes me every time I see it used in real life”: Regrettably far too many executives remain firmly convinced that the only way to increase productivity is for their employees to work harder or faster. A chief executive in Northern Ireland was quoted in his company magazine as saying; “... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739129 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:46:46 +0100 1739129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739073&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F08%2F27%2Fdown-economy-therapy-boom%2F The Star Tribune brings us a piece earlier this week on the “boom” in psychotherapy practices, ostensibly because of the down economy: Schoener is, again, seeing more of those things. “We’re busier than ever, and we haven’t had any recent publicity or visibility,” said Schoener, executive director of the Walk-In Counseling Center in Minneapolis. “It’s quite striking.” He estimates that the number of clients is 20 percent higher than just three years ago. Calls are coming from stressed-out couples who can’t stop fighting, from people worried about losing their jobs, from parents whose adult children have been forced to move home. “And we haven’t seen the full bore of the housing crisis,” he said. The article ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739073 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:03:38 +0100 1739073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1713911&cid=t_119624_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F08%2F18%2Fvideo-game-playing-associated-with-surgery-skills%2F Can video games make you smarter? Well, if you’re a surgeon they can. Researchers presenting at this weekend’s American Psychological Association annual convention here in Boston demonstrated that surgeons who specialize in minimally-invasive surgery and played video games worked more quickly and performed with less errors than those who didn’t play video games: In one study of 33 laparoscopic surgeons, researchers found that those who played video games were 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures and made 37 percent fewer errors than those who didn’t. Advanced video game skills were also a good way to predict suturing capabilities. A second study looking at 303 laparoscopic surgeons found that those who played video games requiring spatial skills and... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1713911 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:30 +0100 1713911