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POPSDepression: A Mistaken Disease Is there a biological basis for depression? Certainly, according to Dr. Mark Rasenick, a professor of physiology, biophysics and psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago. Even then, he contends that we know too little about the disease to even begin to treat it effectively, let alone stem its rising tide in the global population. I share his sentiment that the medical professionals erroneously see medication the magic bullet to cure depression. Yet one needs to interpret with caution his assertion that depression is a "biological, medical problem" that often requires "long-term treatment." The relationship between biological and emotional aspects of depression remains a chicken-and-egg puzzle: does one feel depressed because of a chemical imbalance in the brain, or does feeling depressed lead to such imbalance?
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POPSNot Just an Addiction Problem Ever wondered why addictions -- to drugs, alcohol, the Internet, shopping, etc -- are so hard to kick? Why expensive drug treatment programs so frequently fail to deliver their promised results? The answer lies in the fact that addictions are but people's desperate way of coping with their deeper psychological problems, most often depression and anxiety but may include schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis as well. When substance abuse professionals focus on the person's dysfunctional behavior and ignore the underlying pain (even worse, downplay the pain by believing that the depression will go away once this person is off drugs), the chances of relapsing are extremely high. It's time we pay serious attention to the use of substances for self-medicating reasons.
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POPSIt's All in the Head: Psychotherapy Changes Brain Activity Medication or psychotherapy? Pharmaceutical companies would have us believe that depression and anxiety disorders cannot possibly be lifted if we don't address the underlying neurochemical imbalance with medication. Yet increasing evidence indicate that receiving counseling and therapy brings about similar changes in the brain that are associated with improved mood and functioning. I'm really excited about findings like this. To be sure, I'm not advocating that we do away with medication altogether. Medcation may indeed be necessary to treat psychotic symptoms or severe depression. But I am hopeful this and other studies will get us to think twice before we reach out for that bottle of Adderrall or Concerta for ourselves or our kids.
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POPSBitterness: The Next Mental Disorder Feeling bitter that top financial execs are getting away with huge bonuses while you're left in the dust? You could be suffering from what's soon-to-be "Post Traumatic Embitterment Disorder." American Psychiatric Association (APA) is considering including bitterness in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
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POPSSmell the Roses (or Coffee)!
Who hasn't taken a trip down memory lane with a mere whiff of a familiar scent? Whether it's the woodsy smell of some old furniture that reminds you of your wonderful time in grade school, or a particular cologne that fills you with the bittersweet memories of an old lover, scents have a powerful way of stopping us in our tracks and at times filling us up with rather intense emotions--both good or bad. Yes, it's not just the information that we recall with a scent, but more importantly the emotions that go along with the memory. According to the following article, scents go straight to the limbic system in the brain, the very place our emotions are triggered. Is it any wonder why aromatherapy is so effective in calming nerves and revitalizing one's energy? Of course, it helps that when we smell something pleasant, we take in slower, deeper breaths--often the very action that soothes us and clears our mind. So take your time when you wake up tomorrow and smell the rich, texture
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POPSCBT Scores Again I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy extensively in my work with children, adolescents, and adults. It has, in my experience, made the greatest impact in the shortest possible time in psychotherapy, especially when addressing depression and anxiety issues. Research studies have long provided support for the efficacy of CBT. Here's the latest empirical support.
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POPSBecoming Mindful About Feelings This is an excerpt from my blog post of a casual conversation between a colleague (C) and myself (M). Wonderfully therapeutic, and captures beautifully what being mindful is about.
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POPSThe Pain of Avoidance Why do we run from unpleasant thoughts and feelings? We willingly bear with the pain of an immunization shot because we "know" it's good for us and the pain will pass. Can we similarly deal with emotional pain the way we would the pain of a needle?
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POPSAmerica's Drug Problem In my day-to-day work, I've seen individuals waste their life away on drugs and families broken up because of one (or more) member's drug habit. How much responsibility should we put on the individual who falls to addiction and how much responsibility should we assign to the state? Or to the society who has failed to provide the support these individuals need to cope with their mental health problems?
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