Markham's Behavioral Health

New Blog - Social Work: Lifetime Of Practice

2011-09-18T19:53:00.000-04:00

Sunday, 09/18/11.

Dear Reader,

I have not posted on this blog in some time. I have been rethinking the framework for my blogging in this area of behavioral health and as a Licensed Clincial Social Worker, I have decided to emphasize my Social Work roots and perspectives. The new blog I am writing is called Social Work: Lifetime Of Practice and I invite you to join me at http:socialworklop.blogspot.com. I will be blogging there from now on. You can access the new blog by clicking here.

Thank you for visiting Markham's Behavioral Health

CPAP machine effective treatment for sleep apnea

2011-01-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Reuters reported on 01/01/11 on a study done at San Diego State University which found that sleep apnea treated with a CPAP machine is effective. You can read more about the study by clicking here.

I have many patients who complain about symptoms of depression and they often have sleep disorders. With such an association, the clinician is left to speculate whether the sleep disorder is contributing to a depression or whether the depression is contributing to a sleep disorder. Many of patients report marked relief when they are diagnosted with sleep apnea and this gets treated with a CPAP machine. I, as a psychotherapist, find it validating to learn that the research supports my clinical observations.

Libraries increasingly used as homeless shelters

2011-01-06T12:50:00.000-05:00

From the Columbus Dispatch on 12/20/10:

Library workers typically don't ask patrons whether they have someplace else to go.

But when they're dragging luggage, bags of clothing or bedding through the doors and remain inside all day, the signals are easy to read.

That's the case with a young woman who spends her days in the Downtown branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Comfortably seated on a wooden bench reading Stephen King's Under the Dome recently, the woman said she's happy to be in a safe, warm and friendly environment."Security here makes it possible to be a homeless person who can enjoy the library, rather than a homeless person just looking to get out of the snow," said the woman, who asked not to be named because of her personal situation.

To read the story in the Columbus Dispatch, click here.

Healthy people 2020 from USGOVDHHS

2011-01-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

Howard Dean says tea party is "last gasp" of white old guys

2011-01-05T16:10:00.002-05:00

U. S. Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speaks up for LBGT youth

2011-01-01T07:00:00.003-05:00

Adult Bereavement

2011-01-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Usual age of onset of psychiatric disorders

2010-12-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

69% of Seniors don't want Medicare changed to private insurance

2010-12-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

Separate showers for gays and straights?

2010-12-27T14:04:00.002-05:00

How they lie to us - the propaganda mill churns on

2010-12-23T11:47:00.002-05:00

Indefinite detention a violation of human rights during Obama administration

2010-12-23T11:39:00.002-05:00

Immigrants moving to suburbs - What are the implications?

2010-12-23T11:32:00.000-05:00

Anti-war protest outside of White House on 12/16/10

2010-12-17T13:24:00.000-05:00

People of conscience protest against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan outside of White House on 12/16/10.

Some sane souls protest the interminal "war on terror" which has no end.

More at The Real News

4 things parents know and experience and don't want to talk about because they go against the expected cultural norms

2010-12-17T13:02:00.000-05:00

Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman share four of the taboos of parenting, the things that people know and experience about parenting but don't want to talk about.

It is worth watching. It's 17 minutes long.

My ex-wife and I had nine children. We have 13 grandhcildren. I think what Rufus and Alisa have to say is right on the money. As a family therapist, I find this brief talk very well worth recommending.

Social and emotional regulation training programs - Do they work?

2010-12-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

Think before you act?

Respond purposely and delibately rather than just react and fly off the handle?

French are increasingly opting for civil union instead of marriage

2010-12-16T11:17:00.001-05:00

From the New York Times 12/15/10

In France, Civil Unions Gain Favor Over Marriage

By SCOTT SAYARE and MAÏA DE LA BAUME
PARIS — Some are divorced and disenchanted with marriage; others are young couples ideologically opposed to marriage, but eager to lighten their tax burdens. Many are lovers not quite ready for old-fashioned matrimony.

Whatever their reasons, and they vary widely, French couples are increasingly shunning traditional marriages and opting instead for civil unions, to the point that there are now two civil unions for every three marriages.

When France created its system of civil unions in 1999, it was heralded as a revolution in gay rights, a relationship almost like marriage, but not quite. No one, though, anticipated how many couples would make use of the new law. Nor was it predicted that by 2009, the overwhelming majority of civil unions would be between straight couples.

It remains unclear whether the idea of a civil union, called a pacte civil de solidarité, or PACS, has responded to a shift in social attitudes or caused one. But it has proved remarkably well suited to France and its particularities about marriage, divorce, religion and taxes — and it can be dissolved with just a registered letter.

“We’re the generation of divorced parents,” explained Maud Hugot, 32, an aide at the Health Ministry who signed a PACS with her girlfriend, Nathalie Mondot, 33, this year. Expressing a view that researchers say is becoming commonplace among same-sex couples and heterosexuals alike, she added, “The notion of eternal marriage has grown obsolete.”

Rachel Getting Married, the film

2010-10-31T20:43:00.000-04:00

Kym is released from rehab for a few days so she can go home to attend her sister Rachel's wedding. The home environment is always challenging for a recovering addict, no less so when the visit if only for a few days. While the sisters feel genuine affection for one another, there is tension in their relationship. Rachel feels that her father dotes on Kym far too much and Kym is upset to learn that Rachel has selected a friend to be her maid of honor. Their father is genuinely concerned about Kym's well-being but doesn't see the stress the relationship is causing. Both women also have to deal with their selfish mother who is clearly more concerned with her own well-being ahead of that of her children. Underlying the family's dynamic is a tragedy that occurred many years previously and for which Kym is held by some to be responsible.

Written by garykmcd on the Internet Movie Database

This is a must see movie for anyone in the substance abuse counseling and/or mental health field. It is a great film to watch and discuss for learning purposes of what families affected by substance abuse are challenged by.

Sexual Offending and Restoration by Mark Yantzi, the book

2010-10-31T20:29:00.000-04:00

I haven't written on this blog in a a month and a half. I apologize to MBH fans. I have been very busy on my other blog The Brockporter, and to a lesser extent on the UU A Way Of Life blog.

I am thinking it is time to return to this blog to provide some updates on my professional experiences as a Licensed Clinical Social Work Psychotherapist.

It seems that I have had a number of clients recently who have been dealing with sexual abuse in their families.

I have started reading Mark Yantzi's book, "Sexual Offending and Restoration". It is a description on approaching sexual abuse from a restorative justice perspective. I have found it interesting and it is very readable. I will report further as I read more of the book.

Smile, the film

2010-09-12T11:47:00.000-04:00

Smile, distributed in 2005, is a film based on a true story about a young high school female who is coming of age and has her consciousness and awareness raised when she volunteers to work in China with Doctor's Gift, a program to help people correct facial deformities.

I recommend the film. You can learn more by clicking here.

I am happy to give my copy of the film to the first person who emails me to request it. david@davidgmarkham.com.

Mother and Child, the film

2010-07-04T18:09:00.001-04:00

Mother and Child, the film just showed up in Rochester, NY at the Little and it is a moving film which I highly recommend.

It is a film which I enter into my list of Psychotherapeutic humanities for it depicts the dynamics of adoption from multiple angles. It is beautifully acted by Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, Jimmy Smits, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Karen gives up her daughter Elizabeth when she gives birth at age 14. Elizabeth herself conceives at age 37 even though her tubes were tied at 17. Another couple attempt to adopt a child and when the mother reneges at the last minute they wind up with Elizabeth's child.

This is all portrayed in a loving and sensitive way. The men in this film are portrayed as loving, tender, sensitive human beings which is refreshing.

I highly recommend this film. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The masochist and the sadist

2010-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Where it all begins...............

Gallup finds underemployment stuck at 19.1 % in May, 2010

2010-06-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

Gallup has a great article on what it labels as "underemployment".

The rate remains high nationwide. Interestingly it is much higher for certain sub groups of the population which rarely gets reported in the corporate news. For example, according to the Gallup article:

1. Women are more likely than men to be underemployed.

2. The percentage of underemployed generally decreases with education -- however, 13% of those with college degrees and 9% of those with postgraduate education remain underemployed.

3. More than one in four blacks and Hispanics are underemployed.

4. One in three younger Americans aged 18 to 29 are underemployed.

If you did the math in your head, you are aware that while the general underemployment rate is 19.1%, the underemployment rate of blacks and Hispanics is 25% and people aged 18 - 29 33% which is greater than the Great Depression.

To read the whole Gallup report, click here.

Americans and their pets

2010-06-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Americans love their pets. 56% of American households have cats and/or dogs. Whites have more pets than people of color.

With the number of children falling in the average American Family from 5 in 1850 to 2 today people have filled up the vacuum with cuddly things to love with pets.

Americans spend a lot of money on their dogs and cats. In 2006, it averaged about $316.00 per year.

Here are some interesting findings from the Gallup Poll done in 2006 on Americans and their pets:

Americans believe pets are good for their owners. Sixty percent of Americans think pet owners lead more satisfying lives than non-pet owners, while only 3% say pet owners lead less satisfying lives; one-third of Americans say it makes no difference or have no opinion.

Despite research showing that pets can be beneficial to seniors' health and wellbeing, dog ownership and cat ownership both decline with age. Also, pet ownership is lowest in the Eastern portion of the United States. And, non-whites are much less likely to own pets than are whites.

Walking the dog is more fun than it is work for many dog owners. Most dog owners (70%) take their dog for at least one walk per day, with the average duration of that walk being about 17 minutes. Dog owners seem to enjoy this time with their pets -- 85% of those who take their dog on daily walks say it is a pleasant experience for them, while 13% describe it as "a chore."

You can read a lot more at the Gallup poll done in 2006 by clicking here.

Thought For The Day - Reading

2010-06-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

"Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body."

Joseph Addison

Today, I am beginning a new category on this blog tagged, "Thought For The Day."

This is the first in a series.