All Mental health Articles

Brain scans suggest that older people are much better than the young at screening out life's negative experiences, giving them a rosier outlook, according to a new study. The new report adds to growing evidence against the "grumpy old man" stereotype. "It's just the opposite," says neuroscientist Roberto Cabeza of Duke University. "People tend to be more contented as Read more...

Having a spiritual experience may be all in your head -- or at least part of it. A group of University of Missouri researchers recently completed a study that claims a particular area of the brain is linked to spirituality. According to sciencedaily.com and several other news sources, Brick Johnstone, an MU neurophysiologist, made the finding after studying individuals who had suffered Read more...

In 2005, Leo Babauta, a writer, husband, and father of six, quit smoking, took up running, shed excess weight, and started on a quest to become debt-free, better organized, more productive, happier and healthier. Babauta has accomplished all that and more. Just as his running progressed -- one step at a time -- until he had completed a marathon (several actually) he has been methodical in Read more...

Back in the day (a decade or two ago), nostalgia was deemed a psychological disorder. A few centuries earlier, it was thought to be a medical disease. Now psycholgists are revisiting memory lane and finding it quite therapeutic. How times change. Rather than signaling an unhealthy attachment to the past, a series of studies indicate that nostalgia may act as a buffer against loneliness, by Read more...

A recent study finds that 65 percent of us spend more time with our computer than our significant other. The only surprising thing about that bit of research is that it’s not surprising. We have become an increasingly tech-tied world, and more and more we relate to others by virtue of an electronic device. I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, but if all our connections live in a Read more...

If you've ever tried to reason with a toddler who's playing with fire (literally or figuratively), you know how effective that can be. Better strategy, create a distraction. Same goes for you and whatever unhealthy habit you've been trying to wean yourself from. While you can intellectualize ad nauseam about why you should change your ways, there's a part of your brain that's a screaming two year Read more...

In trying to determine the genes that contribute to bipolar disorder, researchers took a clue from Google. In the same way that search engines sift through millions of web pages to find those referencing a given topic and then ranking them by the number of relevant links -- researchers sifted through a multitude of studies on the human genome and separated out those genes with the most links Read more...

"The sun will come out tomorrow." "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." "Put on a happy face." Nothing's more annoying than a handful of trite clichés when you're battling adversity and would really prefer a little sympathy. But these Pollyanna-like clichés point out that it is far more healthy to develop the ability to bounce back from Read more...

by Marla Hardee Milling When your body is sick or injured, you probably seek medical attention and follow a regimen of prescriptions, bed rest, and even physical therapy. But did you know that keeping a journal might aid in your recovery? There's also some evidence that healthy people who keep journals report a greater well-being and fewer medical problems. "I credit my Read more...

Embracing the power of gratitude can have life-changing, perspective-altering results. These three books offer tools and techniques for embracing the transformative power of appreciation, expressing gratitude to those around us, and recognizing every moment as a blessing. The Power of Appreciation The Power of Appreciation, written by clinical psychologistm Dr. Jeannine Lemare Calaba Read more...

We're Running Ourselves Ragged As a psychotherapist who has been helping people deal with the stresses of life for more than 40 years, I see everyday the ways in which the "American Dream" has become a nightmare. More and more people feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and depressed. They run harder and faster to stay ahead, but seem to be falling farther and farther behind. "I Read more...

See also: business, fear, irritable male syndrome, stress

If you've always thought that research claiming health benefits from things like being happy is a bunch of unsupported hooey, you might want to look at a study out of New England in the current Annals of Family Medicine. Doctors asked 2,816 adults over age 35 with no history of a heart attack: "Compared with persons of your own age and sex, how would you rate your risk of having a heart Read more...

(Lewy Body Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies) by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionDementia is the progressive loss of memory and various other mental functions, including the ability to learn, reason, and judge. Lewy body disease is caused by the build up of Lewy bodies (abnormal protein deposits) inside brain cells that control certain aspects of memory and motor control. It is the second most common Read more...

(Arteriosclerotic Dementia, Atherosclerotic Disease) by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionDementia is the progressive loss of memory and various other mental functions, including the ability to learn, reason, and judge. In vascular dementia, impaired blood flow to the brain cause damage that results in dementia. Often, vascular dementia can occur in conjunction with other forms of dementia, such as Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionMalingering is when a person exaggerates or makes up a physical or psychological illness or injury to seek personal gain (eg, paid sick leave, worker's compensation, avoiding military duty, obtaining financial compensation). It is a voluntary behavior directed toward accomplishment of a certain goal. It is not thought to be a form of mental illness, but it can exist Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinition In binge eating disorder, a person often eats an unusually large amount of food and feels that eating is out of control. Binge eating disorder often also occurs with bulimia nervosa , another eating disorder that may involve purging. It is thought that 4% of US population has binge eating disorder. Women are slightly at more risk than men. The illness peaks at 40-50 Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionConduct disorder is a childhood emotional and behavioral disorder characterized by disruptive behavior. Children with conduct disorder have difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable manner.Causes While no specific cause of conduct disorder has been identified, the following are thought to possibly contribute to the development of conduct Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionSchizotypal personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by odd behaviors, beliefs, and/or thoughts, and difficulties in social situations. People with personality disorders are not aware that their thoughts and behaviors are inappropriate.CausesIt is not clear what causes personality disorders, but it is likely a combination of genetic (inherited) Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionDependent personality disorder is characterized by dependent and submissive behavior, often with the person deferring the majority if not all decision-making to someone else. People with this type of personality disorder are not aware that their thoughts and behaviors are inappropriate.CausesIt is not clear what causes personality disorders, but it is likely a Read more...

(Gambling Addiction, Pathological Gambling) by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionCompulsive gambling is an impulse control disorder that is characterized by an overwhelming urge to gamble. In compulsive gambling, your life becomes dominated by gambling, which can lead to problems with finances, career, and relationships. Compulsive gambling can be treated, so talk with your healthcare provider if you Read more...