A Mental Health Reader

Get Through the Holidays with Humor and Grace: Four Strategies for Couples and Families

2009-11-19

Depression, ADHD, Psychotherapy and Medication

2009-11-19

I recently received an interesting question from a forty year old man from the UK who stated the he is suffering from depression. He wanted to know what types of medication would help him feel better. He asserted that he had neither the time nor the money to invest in psychotherapy. Besides, he stated, he has a chemical imbalance in his brain and knows that medication will solve his problem. He also happened to state that he has suffered from many stresses over the years.

What is the Key to Less Stress at Work and Life?

2009-11-19

As we start our workdays most of us have one thing in mind. No matter the task, whatever project is in front of us, the question is, how do we get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible so we can get onto the next thing? However, there is one key thing that is missing in this logic...

Adult AD/HD: Effects on Relationships and Self-Esteem

2009-11-18

Creating a Peaceful Holiday for your Family

2009-11-18

The Brain, Nutrition and ADHD

2009-11-18

What is even more interesting about this finding is that it may explain why some people become addicted to such things as food or to certain drugs. What happens is that, with an inadequate supply of dopamine, people who are obese or addicted to drugs and alcohol, may be unwittingly attempting to increase the amount of dopamine in their system by experience rewarding feelings caused by over eating or drug addiction. This may also explain why such a high percentage of people with ADHD become caugh

Is It Love or Codependency? Let's Have a Dialogue

2009-11-18

The term "codendency" is not in the DSM and is borrowed from the language of drug and alcohol addiction. In actuality, it is a rather vague and difficult to define term, which has resulted in many people having different definitions. I will define it as seeking love based on feelings of inadequacy that one hopes will be repaired by one's lover. In this scenario, the lover cannot be the individual they really are, but must fulfill a role their partner has for them. That role is to provide unben

An Interview with Jon Frederickson, MSW, on Experiential Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

2009-11-17

Frederickson talks about Experiential Psychodyanmic Psychotherapy, which is based on Freud's original conceptions of repression and transference, but presented in a shortened, and far more active and experiential format than that characteristic of traditional Psychoanalysis. The emphasis on experience is really an emphasis on actually feeling avoided emotions. The experiential dynamic therapist seeks to understand the client's responses as falling into three categories: a feeling (avoided or n

4 Steps to Losing the Electronic Leash

2009-11-16

It happens to almost all of us, it's close to unavoidable. Electronic gadgets like Blackberries, IPhones, and regular computing devices are everywhere sending us texts, special messages from facebook and twitter, emails, voicemails, soon-to-be ESP (extrasensory perception) messages, and giving us access to an overwhelming amount of information anywhere anytime. I was at a 2 year old birthday party the other day and the amount of parents fiddling with their phones sealed the notion in my mind

Taking a Mindful Path Through Shyness

2009-11-14

In our culture, shyness seems to be perceived as something of a deficit in character. Steve Flowers, author of The Mindful Path Through Shyness, explains that shyness can also be seen as a human temperament that can be regarded as positive, being modest, quiet, and demure. However, he goes further to say:

The Need for Changes in U.S Health Insurance

2009-11-13

Kaiser Health News, (unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente health insurance company), publishes a monthly newsletter named, KHN. This month, in conjunction with the LA Times, they discussed the serious issue of health care in the United States. What they had to say was sobering indeed. What they pointed out was that there is not much difference between those who are uninsured and those who are. How is this possible?

Dealing with Grief and Loss

2009-11-13

When a national tragedy like what happened at Fort Hood occurs, there are a large number of people who have grief and loss feelings that they must deal with going forward. This can include those directly involved, as well as those who have had other losses in the past, particularly from a similarly violent situation, where there can be a re-emergence of grief feelings. People affected can also feel grief over the loss of feeling secure and safe in their workplace and homes on the base.

Are You an Oscar the Grouch Sometimes?

2009-11-12

Remember Oscar from Sesame Street? He was that lovable and irritable Muppet that Jim Henson created, who always complained and said things in negative ways. In fact, he always lived in a garbage can, by choice, just to let remind everyone about his complaining self.

"I Can't," Living with ADHD

2009-11-10

There is one common denominator that all of the subjects in these scenarios share. All of them have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), primarily of the "inattentive type." Although these subjects are diverse as to age, gender and job description, they each react to their assignments in the same way. They immediately tell themselves, "I can't do that." Each then feels a deep sense of dread and a wish to run away.

Coping with Emotions: Treating Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Use

2009-11-10

Keeping You Sane: Do You Need a Day Out?

2009-11-09

In previous blog posts I've written about the importance of taking a time-out from daily busy-ness for our own health and well-being. However, I've rarely talked about something a bit more daring and that is this idea of a daylong (or more) retreat from our usual busy-ness and distractions. Why you might need it and how to get it.

Emotional Resilience: Coping with Life, It's Tragedies and Its Stresses

2009-11-07

One aspect of emotional resilience is: "to be able to spring back after suffering through difficult and stressful times in one's life. Stressed people experience a flood of powerful negative emotions which may include anger, anxiety, and depression. Some people remain trapped in these negative emotions long after the stressful events that have caused them have passed. Emotionally resilient people, on the other hand, are quickly able to bounce back to their normal emotional state. In a way, they

Exploring the Upside of ADHD

2009-11-06

In an earlier blog titled Mindful Approaches to ADHD I hinted at the upside to ADHD and I think it's worth exploring a bit more. For many, being labeled with a "disorder" can be a vexing experience. However, part of our experience with dealing with mental health challenges is in our interpretation of it. If we view it as a "disorder" then our minds automatically focus on the gap in between where we are and where we want to be. By focusing on this, we can't help but be drawn into automatic

Some Additional Comments about Teenagers, Divorce and Family Boundaries

2009-11-05

The topic of the presentation was, "How to Cope with Stress." I expected to learn from them that their stresses had to do with such issues as school, examinations, grades, friends, and conflict with parents. While these were mentioned, they did not form the center of their concern, except for one item, coping with parents. However, this did not appear in the way I expected.

The Bystander Effect, What Would You Do?

2009-11-03

On October 24, 2009 ten to twenty High School students stood passively by as a 15 year old girl was repeatedly gang raped and beaten over a two hour period. Yet, no one intervened to stop the crime. While the newspaper and television accounts of the crime shocked the nation, it is not the first time a crime occurs while citizens do nothing to rescue a victim. In fact, the phenomenon has a term called "The Bystander Effect."

How to Gain Control of Your Mind, Instead of Your Mind Controlling You

2009-11-03

A couple is standing in the kitchen and one asks the other, "Would you like vegetarian or beef for dinner?" and the other replies, "I don't mind." Check for a minute how automatically your mind thought who was asking and who was answering. Later when the couple goes to therapy and she remembers the account as her asking him what he wanted for dinner and him replying "he didn't care." He remembers it as just being open to whatever she wanted and was trying to be helpful. What's going on here?

An Interview with Daniel Sonkin, Ph.D. on Domestic Violence

2009-11-01

Dr. Sonkin describes his career working with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and how his understanding of domestic violence has been influenced by attachment theory. He offers a definition of violent and controlling behavior, clarifies that the incidence of violence is not related to wealth or poverty (it's common at all levels of society) and (except for the most extreme forms of violence) also equally perpetrated by both men and women. He describes the two strongest childhood p

Pain Perception and Self Injury

2009-10-31

People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often intentionally injure and physically hurt themselves. Common forms of self-injurious behaviors include cutting, burning, scratching, or head-banging. Previous research reports have shown that about 50-60% of people with Borderline Personality Disorder say that they feel no pain during self-injurious episodes. There are laboratory studies that show that people with BPD who injure themselves are less sensitive pain than people who do not hav

You vs. Procrastination: 1 (Mindful) Secret to Winning the Battle

2009-10-30

A reader once said that she doesn't know what it is, but when it comes to doing her tax forms she will do anything to avoid having to deal with it until she has "absolutely no choice." What is it about procrastination that makes it so prevalent and what can we do about it?

Do I Have ADD?

2009-10-29

For one thing, during childhood, no one ever suspected ADD. Both in school and at home, the question of any type of learning disorder was ever raised, neither by teachers nor his parents.

What You Need to Know about H1N1 and Depression

2009-10-28

Yes, it's flu season and people are experiencing it. I had it and I know a number of people who have had it too. I'm not sure if it's the swine flu or another flu as the symptoms are so similar, but eventually it has passed. However, one similarity that we want to be aware of is symptoms of the flu and how that could ignite a fall into depression. Here's how...

STEPPS for Borderline Personality Disorder

2009-10-25

Mindfulness and ADHD: A Tip from Dr. Lidia Zylowska

2009-10-23

While we all can feel inattentive at times, some people struggle with it most of the time and about 7-9% of children and over 4% of adults in the US are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD is often times misdiagnosed because there is a difficulty with self regulation and people see this as depression or anxiety (even though these could be co-occurring issues). These challenges can you lead to be frazzled, frustrated, and feeling hopeless about managing life whic

Object Relations Theory 101: All the World's a Stage

2009-10-22

Today, we have a beginner's introduction to object relations theory. Right from the start, let me acknowledge that I have difficulty writing about object relations theory in a simple, conversational style. For me, it is like conveying the experience of a warm sunny day while using the language of quantum field theory.

Freedom from Your Anxious Mind

2009-10-21

Part of the key to mental health that many people have been saying for quite some time is this move into wholeness and acceptance. Think about it, if we were able to drop our anxieties over our imperfections and just accept them, what would be left?

The Existential Crisis, Depression, Anxiety and Mortality

2009-10-21

Yet, we tend to overlook the importance and even reality of each person's existential crisis. It is this crisis that I believe lies at the roots of depression and anxiety, in addition to those factors already mentioned. If this true, then what can we do about it in addition to medication and psychotherapy?...

Parents and Teenagers: Always Battling?

2009-10-20

Depending on the level of psychological preparedness, parents will react to their child's assertion that they want a tattoo as "Well, its your decision," all the way to, "No, never, are you crazy?" The issue may have nothing to do with tattoos. Instead, it may have to do with types of clothing worn, driving, staying out late, changes in foods chosen to eat, to have or not have breakfast, dating, or painting the bedroom wall black, or red or some other color found to be strange and unacceptab

The Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Anger

2009-10-19

An Interview with Paul Ekman, Ph.D. on Emotional Expression

2009-10-19

Dr. Van Nuys interviews Paul Eckman, Ph.D., a pioneer in the study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions, on the topic of emotional expression. Dr. Ekman talks about his research career studying expressions of emotion, his invention of a facial expression coding system capable of revealing people's hidden emotions with good accuracy, and the use of this system by various law enforcement systems to help them tell when people are lying. Drs. Van Nuys and Ekman discuss the applicab

Star Wars, Stigma, and Carrie Fisher

2009-10-18

ADHD - Breaking the Cycle of Shame

2009-10-16

In a way, it's really amazing that we call ourselves a developed culture. Why do I say that? The shame in our society that comes from having a mental health challenge is enormous and immature. People who struggle with bipolar disorder, major depression, ADHD and other brain related issues are often, at least initially, hidden in a cloud of shame. Why? Because the ignorance in our society is pervasive and because that which we don't understand we fear, and that which we fear we oppress.

Feeling Good, It's Not Just In the Brain

2009-10-15

Did you ever hear the expression "Smile and the whole world smiles with you?" Certainly, a smile reflects the inner good feeling a person has and is outwardly expressing. However, this raises the old "which came first, the chicken or the egg" question? In other words, does feeling good inside cause a person to smile or does the smile cause the person to feel good? The answer might be that it can be either.

Are You Wired to Worry?

2009-10-14

A recent NY Times article brings up the work by highly esteemed developmental psychologist, Jerome Kagan, who wondered if some people are just always "mentally preparing for doom." For the past 20 years, Kagan has been following hundreds of people to see if their tenuousness as a baby follows them into adulthood. In other words, are some people just wired to worry?

ADHD, Medication and Exercise

2009-10-14

The brain is made up of approximately a hundred billion brain cells called neurons. These neurons transmit messages from the peripheral parts of the body to the brain and back again. In order to make this system of communication work there are bio chemicals called neurotransmitters... Two of the neurotransmitters are norepinephrine and dopamine. Both of these impact on the ability to focus attention...

Of Marriage, Communication and Sex

2009-10-13

...I am trying to figure out why I just don't feel the need to have sex anymore. I love him, and we are thinking about getting married, but, when I see this problem I am really scared. He doesn't ask me why I don't want sex but I see he is unhappy. Still, I can't have sex if I don't feel like having sex. This problem is eating up on me and I am trying to find a solution but it's harder and harder. I feel stressed with school, with work, but I know when we are together I should forget about all o

Does Marriage Counseling Work?

2009-10-12

Personality Disorders and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

2009-10-10

Adolescents with ADHD and the Risk of Internet Addiction

2009-10-08

It is already established that there is a very high likelihood that those with ADHD will abuse drugs such as alcohol and marijuana. Also, they are more likely to have problems at school because of difficulties with focusing and experience social difficulties except with other youngsters who feel like outsiders. Now, it appears they have another problem confronting them and it's Internet Addiction.

Mindful Approaches for Adult ADHD

2009-10-08

If you or someone you know lives with ADHD, you know it can be filled with embarrassment, frustration, and feelings of hopelessness. There are many therapies and regimens to work with ADHD right now like education, time management, medication, mood management, and performance management. Underneath all of this there has been budding research around the topic of mindfulness and ADHD.

Allan Schwartz Interviewed by the BBC about "The Eyes Are the Windows to the Soul"

2009-10-07

We are very excited to announce that one of our regular bloggers, Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D., was interviewed by BBC World News this past Monday.

The Child is Father to the Man

2009-10-06

3 Common Mistakes People Make When Working with Insomnia

2009-10-06

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about Insomnia, citing some characteristics of it, a tip of how to keep track of your sleeping patterns, and a link to another blog about using the body scan to help fall asleep or fall back asleep. There are a couple great comments on what has helped others at the end of these blogs worth checking out. Sleep is so fundamental to our mental health, our physical health and our ability to function well at work and home and sometimes when we have sleep troubles we do

Empathy and Therapeutic Rapport

2009-10-05

Once in a while, during a session with a person with substance problems, my mind wanders. I may begin thinking that I've heard this all before. I might get frustrated with the excuses for the slip last week. I might even get to the point of a quick daydream. At these times, I recall a night long ago to try to help me get back to my therapeutic rapport with the patient.

The Many Meanings of the Eyes in Human Interaction

2009-10-04

Historians, political commentators and columnists evaluate world leaders, past and present, as being "far sighted or narrow and near sighted." Naturally, a "far sighted" leader is someone with the sharpness of mind to anticipate the outcome of his nation's actions on the world scene. A "near sighted" leader can cause disastrous consequences for his nation and the world through his lack of vision.

Children, ADHD and Stimulant Medication

2009-10-02

A lot of controversy continues to swirl around the issue of ADHD and stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, Adderal and others. Parents worry about such things as their children suffering liver damage, addiction to stimulants, stimulant abuse or becoming involved in the use of illicit drugs as a result of using stimulants. These worries are not unrealistic. However, the dangers must be weighed against the potential benefits of stimulants in treating ADHD. In addition, the consequences of ADHD g