I am a psychologist who specializes in trauma and depression. Current issues and articles that impact the human psyche will be presented here. The information provided in this blog is to be used for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for seeking professional care, diagnosis or treatment of any psychological disorders. This blog uses scientific and research based data - all referenced within each post if used - and my own professional opinions.This is an ad-free blog where confidentiality is respected.
DID and "The United States of Tara"
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)5 Jan 2009 at 1:01 pm
Showtime will be debuting later this month a new series called "The United States of Tara" about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). The show is presented as a dramedy and has a magnificent cast. But, well. . . I am not sure how I feel about this show. It's too early to tell with one episode. All I can say is that my work with individuals
... read more
January is National Mentoring Month
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)1 Jan 2009 at 11:08 am
I have had many a mentor in my life growing up. A person who took a unique interest in me, fostered my growth and guided me onward. I am forever grateful to have known each of them.
As an adult, I have been a mentor to young children and young adults. The experience is so rewarding and meaningful. A grand way of nurturing a young soul.
January is National Mentoring Month . If you live anywhere in t ... read more
Happy Holidays
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)23 Dec 2008 at 8:08 am
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year.
I'm taking a blog vacay, so I'll see you in January!
... read more
Keeping the YOU in Yuletide
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)19 Dec 2008 at 12:18 pm
The holiday season can be a time of great joy, connection and celebration. And if you find yourself feeling the warmth of the season, you are lucky.
Many, though, do not find the holidays a time for celebration. Family strife, financial woes, traumatic memories and even loneliness can make the season dark, not bright.
If you are having a rough time as the holidays approach, keeping YOU in this Yulet ... read more
Acceptance and Committment Therapy
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)15 Dec 2008 at 1:24 pm
Anger and aggression are often experienced among individuals who've been through traumatic experiences. Many anger management techniques like Stress Inoculation Training focus on the control or management of anger and rage. Though some may find relief in these fencing and corralling techniques, some may not. For those who find that suppressing or controlling their anger leads to a vicious cycle o ... read more
How Sarcasm Works
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)9 Dec 2008 at 6:39 pm
I don't do it often.I'm not that glib or quick on my feet.
But there are times when I slam a sarcastic zinger and it makes its mark. And yet, there are other times when my well-crafted, acerbic words fall flat.
Nada. Nothing. A total dud.
I used to think that it was my delivery. Or that the other person wasn't listening to me. But what research has shown is that others need to be on the same social w ... read more
Self-Embedding Disorder
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)5 Dec 2008 at 3:24 pm
********** Trigger Alert **********
I have written before about the psychological aspects of Cutting and Self Injury. This psychological phenomenon has been on the rise in recent years, and now the Radiological Society of North America is highlighting a unique trend called Self-Embedding Disorder.
Self-Embedding is different than Cutting and other Self-Injurious behaviors in that patients identifie
... read more
Your Mind's Eye
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)1 Dec 2008 at 5:49 pm
Face Recognition is the ability for the mind and brain to recognize faces. Many scientists agree that this skill is present from birth on.
Our tendency to be hardwired to see faces can extend to finding faces in things as well. This is called Pareidolia. I've blogged about this before, so here I add more pictures to the list.
Can you see the faces?
... read more
Past, Present, Future Quiz
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)25 Nov 2008 at 8:13 pm
You Live in the Present
<span style="color:#000000;">
You take things one day at a time. And it turns out, that's a pretty great way to live. You aren't consumed by the past, and you're aren't obsessed with the future. You live in the now, and you enjoy each moment. While most people don't live in the present enough, make sure you don't live in it too much. It would be a mistake to forget yo ... read more
Blog Your Way To Health
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)21 Nov 2008 at 7:00 pm
Menshealth is reporting that blogging is a good way to be healthy. They cite a 2007 study from the Journal of Research in Personality by Harrist, Carboni & McGovern that found health benefits in participants who wrote about life goals and daily events. Essentially, those who outwardly expressed feelings and emotions had fewer illness-related trips to the doctor than those who did not.
The Dece ... read more
Grand Rounds: 5.9
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)18 Nov 2008 at 6:36 am
Welcome to Grand Round 5.9 - a weekly rotation of blogposts in the medical and health fields. I am delighted to be your host again, and present to you the following for your listening pleasure.
"A Sudden Jolt of Sadness" by The Sterile Eye
"Annual ACAAI Meeting" by Allergy Notes
"Crestor and other CRP" by Covert Rationing
"Diagnostic Acumen" by In My Humble Opinion
"Doctors Empowering Parents" by Dr. N ... read more
Just Do It
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)12 Nov 2008 at 5:32 pm
Talking while doing something non-verbal can throw you off. In fact, many athletes believe that being in their head too much can disrupt performance - so they focus on the action of the moment. Researchers from the University of Michigan Psychology Department and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland agree. They found that, for some, trying to verbalize a performance distracted the brain by pu ... read more
Genetic Indicators for Gender Identity
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)7 Nov 2008 at 5:14 pm
From an early age, we develop an inner sense of being a boy or a girl - male or female. This is called gender identity.Individuals who have a gender disorder identify with the sex opposite of their assigned biological sex. They feel as if they are not in the right body, and yearn to be someone other than who they are.
These feelings begin in early childhood and have been considered "disordered" thi ... read more
Hope. Act. Change.
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)5 Nov 2008 at 3:57 pm
... read more
Inkblot Fun
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)28 Oct 2008 at 8:14 pm
There are many kinds of psychological tests that are used to understand the human psyche.
Some are very formal and standardized, while others are not.
Tests like the Rorschach Inkblot analyze perception and the inner life experience of a person. There are no wrong answers in these kinds of tests.
So, if you are so inclined, find out what you see in the inkblot above.
By the way, it is NOT an authentic ... read more
Mental Health Coverage in US is Law!
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)24 Oct 2008 at 1:36 pm
It took a long time, well over a decade, but those of us who live in the US will now have mandatory mental health coverage.The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act of 2008, also known as Mental Health Parity, states that no insurance company can discriminate against mental health coverage or susbstance abuse treatment.
This means:
* No person can be "cut ... read more
Parental Alienation Syndrome
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)17 Oct 2008 at 12:55 pm
Actor Alec Baldwin has written an interesting book on a controversial subject called Parental Alienation Syndrome. I thought it was a very balanced take on what can happen when issues of child custody go very wrong.
The reason PAS is so controversial stems from the fact that it is recognized in our legal system as a form of child abuse, but not, as yet, listed as a formal diagnosis in the clinical ... read more
Writing Backward or Upside Down: It Doesn't Really Matter To Your Mind
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)14 Oct 2008 at 7:33 am
It is presented backwards as well as upside down.
A few years back there was a meme about an university research study showing how misspelled words and scrambled word order don't impinge reading comprehension. Well, the example above falls along those lines. Sadly, the research regarding the university study seems to be an urban myth .
BUT the mind DOES have a fantastic way of taking indistinct stim ... read more
Aromatic Therapy Bear
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)10 Oct 2008 at 5:19 pm
I found this Therapy Bear and thought it was a wonderful item. It can be heated in the microwave to activate the healing aromatherapy ingredients within: Lavender, Thyme, Peppermint, Rose Bud, Hyssop, Eucalyptus, Lemon Balm, Rosemary and Flaxseed.This could be helpful for anyone, any age, who's in need of some TLC, who's lost a loved one or may be ill. The relaxing warmth lasts for up to four hour ... read more
Are You A Happy Face or Angry Face Car Buyer?
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)7 Oct 2008 at 2:02 pm
Over at Livescience is an article about a small study that was done to see what kind of cars people favorite. Seems that those who took part preferred cars that appeared dominant and angry as opposed to happy and friendly.I don't really care what four-wheeled-vehicle gets me around as long as it's in good working condition. Maybe that's because my first car was an AMC orange Hornet. It looked ju ... read more
Helping Your Moods With Color Therapy
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)3 Oct 2008 at 1:19 pm
I'm a big fan of color. Bathing yourself in colors can offer many healing effects . In fact, Color Therapy has been an alternative approach to helping with physical and emotional issues for centuries.
The above picture is a mood light created by UK Industrial Artist Shiu Yuk Yuen . It is a soft cube that allows you to create a colorful atmosphere by your own choice - or by letting the cube move thr ... read more
Getting The Cold Shoulder
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)27 Sep 2008 at 11:36 am
Ever feel a chill when someone rebuffs you?Well, psychologists Dr. Chen-Bo Zhong and Dr. Geoffrey Leonardelli - from the University of Toronto - tested the idea if social isolation really generates feelings of coldness.
They designed a study where volunteers had to estimate the temperature of a room on the pretense that the building's maintenance staff wanted that information.
Those who were told t ... read more
Laughter is Good Medicine: Lego Miniatures
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)23 Sep 2008 at 3:20 pm
Many things make me laugh. Clever wit. Silly things. Stupid Humor. Even really bad puns.
I'm a good audience.
File these new pop culture Legos (Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Victoria and David Beckham, and Angelina, Brad and Kids) under "silly things". I really got a good chuckle as I checked them out.
Hope you do too.
Laughter is very good medicine for your body, mind and soul.
... read more
"Doll Face" by Andrew Huang
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)18 Sep 2008 at 8:21 pm
This is a haunting and visually stunning work of art, showing how beauty is merely a facade. How media and its messages create a subjective world, where unattainable goals often lead us to disaster.
This award winning short catapulted the college artist, Andrew Huang, into a Hollywood career. Something tells me we will be seeing more of his work in years to come.
Love yourself.
And your own special u ... read more
Lumosity Brain Training
by noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Deb)15 Sep 2008 at 12:56 pm
Did you know that our brain needs to have a good work out just like our body? If you don't use it, you lose it kind of deal?
In fact, research trends have been telling us that brain training can increase brain functioning.
Recently, I was invited to check out a brain training program called Lumosity . The games in the Lumosity Brain Training were visually dynamic, enjoyable and challenging. There's ... read more