Depression and Anxiety
A recent study has found that a self-awareness intervention significantly reduced levels of fibromyalgia-related pain. The study by Hsu et al. (2010) studied 45 women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disorder whose symptoms include chronic full-body pain, excessive tenderness in at least 11 out of 18 "tender points", headaches and fatigue. The study subjects [...]
Does spirituality make a difference in how a patient adjusts to breast cancer? According to the following studies, the answer is yes. It does depend, however, on whether spirituality was already part of a patient's life prior to diagnosis. Two studies by Yanez, et al. (2009) examined the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and psychological adjustment. In [...]
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, countless television channels will be airing replays of the traumatic events of that day. It is in your best interests, both emotionally and psychologically, to not watch that coverage. Continue reading...
In this age of technology, it seems we are constantly attached to our iPhones, Blackberrys, iPads, laptops...anything that beeps, blinks, or chirps. We have a difficult time telling our technology "No". No, I'm not answering that email right now. No, that phone call can wait. No, I don't have to text back immediately. It's almost as [...]
I now have a blog/column on The Huffington Post! My first post is on the difference (and similarities) between ADHD and OCD. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-sarkis-phd/is-it-adhd-ocd-or-both_b_887220.html And here's the column's main page: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-sarkis-phd
Over 3,000 people in the U.S. over 45 years of age were surveyed in a study of loneliness (sponsored by AARP). The survey measured loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Participants who scored 44 points or more were defined as "lonely", while those scoring 43 or less were defined as "not lonely". (My bullet points aren't [...]
May is Mental Health Month. (Or Mental Health Awareness Month, depending on the website.) :) Here are some resources you might find helpful: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org NAMI StigmaBusters is "a network of dedicated advocates across the country and around the world who seek to fight inaccurate and hurtful representations of mental illness". [...]
My review of Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists has been posted at Metapsychology Online Reviews. It can be read at: http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=book&id=6045&cn=390 An excerpt: "One of the many great features of this book is that even before it addresses specific disorders and medications, it provides the reader with a thorough background regarding the biology of psychiatric [...]
ScienceDaily (2011-04-22) -- When neurosurgeons noticed that patients with brain injuries who had been prescribed antidepressants were doing better in unexpected ways than their counterparts who were not taking such medications, scientists took a closer look. Early results in mice indicate that anti-depressants may help spur the creation and survival of new brain cells after brain [...]
Here's an article on MSNBC regarding the use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42612381/ns/health-pregnancy/ Dr. Steph says: Many decisions in life are determined by measuring benefits vs. risks. Would the mother's depression, if left untreated, negatively impact the well-being of her fetus? Would the mother's untreated depression negatively impact the way she cares for her infant [...]