Mental Health Topics

Addictions
Adolescents
Anxiety
Antidepressants
Back to School
Beat the winter blahs
Bipolar Disorder
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Effects of Technology
Evil and mindblindness
Holiday Topics
Issues common among college students
Mental illness myths
Psychiatric Pharmacology
Positive Psychology
Resolve to quit smoking
Stress
Trauma
Vitamin P (positive psychology)

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Addictions

Alcoholism rate higher among attorneys than general population
According to data from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs, the rate of alcoholism is 18 percent among attorneys compared to 10 percent in the general population.

Why? Socializing and stress are part of the culture in legal practice. Many times, attorneys seek medical attention for the physical ailments that often result from chemical dependency and stress-related illnesses. Consequently, the addiction goes unchecked, untreated in many cases. After a loss of control over the substance, an attorney addicted to alcohol or a drug may suffer the consequences from his profession and loss of law partners, friends and family.

Depression and anxiety commonly accompany the addiction, which can complicate treatment and recovery, say officials with the Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program, which treats attorneys and other professionals with psychiatric and addictive disorders.

Attorneys train to be aggressive in their profession; that doesn’t bode well for them as patients trying to kick their addiction, says Donna Yi, MD, associate chief of staff and clinical director at The Menninger Clinic. The Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program tries to help attorneys make fundamental changes in their life that will result in long-term benefits throughout their life. Lawyers Assistance Programs also provide support for attorneys’ practice and recovery.

Executive addiction: more than half suffer from two disorders
Leaders and senior managers experience addiction at a rate similar to the rest of the population. However, their addiction is often hidden by their flexible schedules and freedoms, along with long work hours and travel. When colleagues or family become aware of the problem, their loyalty often enables the executive to continue without intervention. Names of attorneys who are in recovery across the country who will go on record are available along with officials with Lawyers Assistance Programs and Menninger’s Dr. Donna Yi and treatment team members with the Professionals in Crisis Program.

More than 60 percent of executives dependent on drugs or alcohol also suffer from major depression or severe anxiety, making their dilemma double edged. Execs usually fear getting treatment for numerous business reasons and believing that no other leaders have ever sought treatment and entered recovery without losing everything they have worked for. That’s not always the case. Treatment and recovery for dual disorders can build skills that will be an asset in work and home life. The Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program specializes in assessing and treating high-functioning leaders who suffer from psychiatric disorders that may be complicated by addiction.

Wired for addiction
Add sex to the list of addictions that runs the gamut from drugs to gambling. With the advent of the ubiquitous Internet, more cable television than ever before and communications possible from anywhere on the globe, exposure to and accessibility of sexually explicit materials is a click away. Sex offers one more item from a limitless menu of addictions. More than ever, individuals are finding themselves clinically ill as a result of their addictions to sex. Treatment team member with the Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program can speak to the rise of sex addictions.

High-level professionals coping with more than addictions
Of the 288 professionals Menninger admitted from January 2003 through April 2004, the majority of these once high-functioning individuals were treated for a mental disorder, as well as an addiction. The pressures to succeed (don't let them see you sweat) in high-profile careers lead skilled professionals to compensate and avoid treatment for things such as depression, addictions, personality disorders, anxiety, etc. Sufferers find other ways to cope with these pressures–drugs, gambling, spending, risk taking, etc. Their lives get extremely out of balance. That’s where Menninger comes in. Our experts can talk about treatments and what’s unique to our approach. The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. Menninger sources include: Efrain Bleiberg, MD, Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program medical director; and Donna Yi, MD, associate chief of staff and clinical director at The Menninger Clinic.

Adolescents

Top five ways to talk to your kids about drugs before middle school
Pre-teens are experimenting with drugs and alcohol as early as age 11, catching parents by surprise, say mental health professionals who treat adolescents at The Menninger Clinic.

"The kids we treat have been using for quite some time before their parents figure it out," said Dr. Norma Clarke, medical director of the Menninger Adolescent Treatment Program, which treats youth ages 12 to 17 with behavior, psychiatric and addictive disorders. "They convince their parents that they are not using, because their parents don’t want to believe they are using. Also primary care doctors often don't ask about drug use, and most psychiatrists don't ask.”

The key is to talk to your child before they get to middle school, when they are most likely to encounter drugs for the first time, she adds. Clarke and Lynn D’Antoni, an addictions counselor for the Adolescent Treatment Program, suggests the following tips to help jumpstart the conversation:

• Educate yourself. “Learn what you can about the latest trends in drugs and alcohol in your own community, so you know what may be confronting your children,” Clarke says. Three out of five parents in a 2005 Partnership for A Drug-Free America study reported discussing drugs like marijuana “a lot” with their children, but only a third of parents reported discussing the risks of using prescription medicines or non-prescription cold or cough medicine, which they are more likely to abuse.
• Keep it simple. When talking to your pre-teen about drugs, tell your child that you do not want him or her to use any illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over the counter drugs such as cough medicine or inhalants. Parents can also take advantage of teachable moments when watching television or a movie together, for example, when a character uses drugs or alcohol.
• Practice saying “no.” Role play with your child how to “say no” to drugs when he or she is confronted by someone offering them. “No thanks, it’s not for me” or “That’s illegal. I could get into trouble or get kicked off the team” are examples of ways to say “no” to drugs.
• Get involved. Know what your children are doing, including their activities and how they spend their time. You have the right to set rules about what they watch on TV, what movies they go to and songs they listen to. Let your children know you are monitoring their time on the Internet and what Web sites they are browsing out of concern for them.
• Listen and talk often. “Learning to listen without judgment or criticism is an important part in healthy communication with your child,” D’Antoni says. “This opens the opportunity for them to share what’s really going on in their lives without fear of being criticized or judged by you.”

Top five ways to keep your kids out of trouble over the summer
Summer is a challenging time for parents of teens and pre-teens. Gone are the daily structure and routine of the school year--giving teens more time to pursue other interests, or activities that may get them into trouble. Research shows that teens who are bored may be at a higher risk of using alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs. Bored teens are also more likely to have sex.

What should parents do? Nancy Diacon, director of the Menninger Adolescent Treatment Program, offers the following tips to make the rest of the summer safe and enjoyable for you and your teen or pre-teen.

• Keep them busy
  Lounging in front of the television all day might be your teen’s idea of a perfect summer, but it is a recipe for boredom. Talk with your teen about what kind of activities interest him or her and plan accordingly. Summer jobs, sports, camps and volunteer opportunities are positive activities that can keep your teen occupied and also serve as valuable learning experiences.
• Set boundaries
  Clearly communicate the summer house rules to your teen. Don’t be afraid to tell him or her what’s acceptable and what’s not. Expect to be challenged about your rules, but use the challenge as an opening to a discussion about why you believe that rule is important. If your child makes a reasonable argument for modification of a rule, work with them in making it a modification you can live with. If safety is a concern, stick to your guns.

  “Kids respect that,” Diacon says. “They may fight rules, or they may say that they are stupid. But it actually makes them feel safe to know where the line is and what will happen when they cross that line.”

• Follow through
  Carefully consider the consequences you set for when your child breaks a rule, making sure the response fits the infraction, and that the consequence is something you can live with. For example, if you ground your child for the summer, are you prepared to enforce that punishment even if it means living with a sullen and argumentative teen for several months? And, would that consequence really be appropriate? Parents will lose credibility by trying to stay in control through harsh consequences or not following through on promises.
• Look for signs of trouble
  Look for noticeable signs of change in your child if you suspect your child is at risk for getting into trouble, Diacon says. Children who may be participating in risky behavior, or who may be experiencing emotional or psychological problems may change their normal routine and not act like their normal selves. Other signs of trouble may include: not sleeping, not eating, socially withdrawing, sleeping more and irritability.
• Follow your instincts
  If you believe your child is getting involved with drugs, alcohol, sex, or criminal behavior, or has had behavioral problems in the past, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a mental health counselor. Getting professional help in the first two to six weeks provides the best opportunity for heading off difficulties. A second opinion often helps both parents and teens, Diacon says. “It helps to get an expert opinion and one that can come from an objective viewpoint. When adolescents develop a trusting relationship with a mental health professional, they can better understand concerns of their parents. In addition, communication of age-appropriate expectations from the professional can keep parents out of a power struggle.”

Source: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) CASA 2003 Teen Survey

Anxiety

When anxiety becomes a problem
What is the difference between common anxiety and something more serious?

“Everybody experiences anxiety,” says Thröstur Björgvinsson, PhD, director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment Program at The Menninger Clinic and an expert on anxiety disorders, “A healthy dose of anxiety helps your ability to perform. If you go into an interview a little anxious, but prepared and rested, you can hit the on button and be completely on. In that circumstance, anxiety enhances performance.”

An estimated 40 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

The difference between a normal reaction and an anxiety disorder depends on how intense the anxiety is, how long the feelings last and whether anxieties limit or disable activities and interfere with performance of daily functions like family and social life, work or school. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (a mixture of frequent, excessive worry and physical symptoms of anxiety) is far different from temporary anxiety or nervousness caused by life experience.

Common signs of an anxiety disorder

• Feeling anxious and worried most days for the past six months.
• Having a hard time controlling your worry.
• Feeling anxious and worried, you have been experiencing three or more of the following symptoms in the past six months:
  • Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on the edge
  • Being easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)

If you have felt excessive anxiety and worry for at least six months, seek a mental health professional for help. He or she will help you determine the severity of your anxiety and develop a treatment plan if necessary.

For more on anxiety disorders see the article “The difference between anxiety and illness,” in the current issue of Perspective magazine.

Antidepressants

What the public should know about antidepressants and treatment for depression
On July 1, the FDA issued a warning that adults who use antidepressants should be closely monitored for warning signs of suicide. In October 2004, the FDA implemented the black box warning for antidepressants prescribed for children and adolescents.

Menninger psychiatrist Joyce Davidson, MD, is available to clear this muddied picture about antidepressants and describe what the public needs to know about effective treatment for depression.

Menninger psychologist Jon Allen, PhD, notes that there are a number of Catch-22s to learn about and overcome in the process of recovering from depression (book, Coping With Depression, in press).

Back to school

Top five signs your child is struggling in college
College can be a stressful time for young adults as they learn to navigate the world with new responsibilities, new friends and unfamiliar independence.

“The first few months of college in particular can be tough,” says psychiatrist Edward Poa, MD, medical director of the Compass Young Adult Program, which treats adults ages 18 to 30. “For many people it is their first time outside the structure of their home. They have to learn how to manage their own schedules and take care of themselves, shop for themselves and manage a budget. On top of that, they have also lost their usual high school support network. They have to build a new social support network from scratch.”

Students who don’t cope well with the challenges of the college environment and new stressors may be more at risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, abusive relationships and depression.

According to a 2004 survey by the American College Health Association, nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed at some point in time that they have trouble functioning, and 14.9 percent meet the criteria for clinical depression. This marks an increase of 4.6 percent in the number of students who reported having ever been diagnosed with depression over a four-year time span. Young people ages 18 to 25 also have the highest prevalence of binge and heavy drinking, according to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

Parents can help their children on their journey through college, Dr. Poa says, by being mindful of times when their child is confronting the most change, such as the beginning of their child’s first year of college, exam times, sorority or fraternity rush, and, if their child is an athlete, the start of their sport’s season.

Being mindful doesn’t mean being intrusive in your child’s life, emphasizes Dr. Poa. “College is a time when young adults try out new things, so parents shouldn’t overreact to every change in their child and check up on him or her constantly, but be aware of drastic change. Continue being a parent. Listen and make yourself available to talk.”

Your child may be struggling in college if:

• He suddenly changes his habits or mood. Rapid, unexpected change may signal adjustment problems. For example, your child usually calls on a regular basis, and then stops calling. Or he or she may start to call more often and seem more distressed or lonely. Or on a visit to your child’s college, you notice that he or she dresses dramatically different or hasn’t bathed.

“Any major change in your child’s behavior, such as how he or she talks or acts is something to look out for,” Dr. Poa says.

• She starts making poor grades. Declining grades and frequent withdrawals from courses may indicate that your child’s focus is somewhere other than classes.
• He needs money. While it is normal for college kids to hit their parents up for money, be wary if your child is asking for more money than usual, or asking for money more frequently.

“Your child could be going out quite a lot, or spending it on alcohol or drugs,” Dr. Poa says. “We are also seeing more patients with gambling addictions, so they could be spending the money to feed their gambling or pay off their debts. Job loss may also indicate a need for concern if you notice other changes.”

• She is never available (or reachable). If you never seem to reach your child on the phone, he or she may have an active social life or may be spending too much time partying. Also be wary if your child spends all of his or her time at a new boyfriend or girlfriend’s house, and stops spending time with family, roommates and friends.
• He never leaves home. Many college students keep erratic schedules and like to sleep in on the weekends after a night out. But if your child seems to be asleep or just waking up every time you call, you may want to ask why. He or she could be sleeping off the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Excessive sleep is also a sign of depression.

With support from their parents and friends, most young adults will meet the challenges of college and learn from them. If concerns persist for two weeks to a month, getting a professional opinion is important to getting the student back on track. However, seek immediate help from a mental health professional if your child has suicidal thoughts or profound depression.

Most colleges have counseling centers available to students and these centers are good places for your student to be assessed and treated. For students struggling with substance abuse or addiction, 12-step programs geared to college-aged individuals are often available within the vicinity of a college.

Internet addiction common among college students
Experts at The Menninger Clinic, takes a special interest in the electronic devices that are heavily used by many people. For some, they may become addicted to being on the Internet—chat rooms, gaming, surfing, shopping, etc. He provides insight into addictive behavior and offers tips for parents aimed at preventing students from spending too much time online, which is especially important at a time when schools are putting textbooks online and requiring more computer-based homework.

Eating Disorders issues common among college students
Janice Poplack, LCSW, primary clinician with the Menninger Eating Disorders Program, warns parents about young people adopting behaviors promoted by pro-eating disorder Web sites, how obesity may be caused by binge eating disorder and whether parents should worry when their child abruptly changes to a vegetarian diet.

Binge drinking common among college students
Mental health experts at The Menninger Clinic in Houston have views and information for insight into issues that are increasingly common among today’s students.

Psychiatrist Ed Poa works with young adults, ages 18-30, and will discuss whether binge drinking is a right of passage for students, the signs of addictive alcohol and drug use, the hurdles for young people who are in recovery and what skills they need to get their life back on track—in their work or school life, relationships and personal health. Dr. Poa is medical director of the Compass Young Adult Program at The Menninger Clinic and an assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

School violence: Take school climate & bullying seriously
Schools ignore the problem of classroom bullies at their peril, according to researchers at The Menninger Clinic in Houston.

Bullying is a pervasive behavior problem with profound and long-range consequences that can influence and shape the lives of young children. Bullies have been linked with school shootings and child and adolescent suicides. The victims can be affected severely to the point they need mental health care. The bullies are at higher risk for violence and criminal behavior.

Interrupting the tendencies of bullies and their victims is important and possible, said Stuart Twemlow, MD, a Menninger psychiatrist and an international authority on community and school violence. "Bullying requires a bully, target and bystander. Bystanders aware of threats or physical or psychological acts can fuel the bully's actions. The school climate and vulnerable children suffer."

"Bullying is nothing but child abuse by peers," said Menninger Child & Family Program Director Peter Fonagy, PhD, an internationally recognized authority in infant and child development.

"In more than two thirds of school shootings," Drs. Twemlow and Fonagy wrote in a published paper on threat assessments, "there was clear and obvious bullying by social groups and individuals. The larger social and environmental issues involved in school shootings include factors such as easy access to violent and hate-laden media, weaponry and information on strategies for terrorist attacks. Less frequently noted is the school's response to fixed patterns of teasing, ostracism and bullying among various groups in the school. A school climate that tolerates physical and relational aggression, especially by popular groups such as athletes or economic elites, is at high risk for violence."

From a three-year, ongoing study known as the Peaceful Schools Project, Menninger researchers have devised an integrated set of low-cost school violence prevention techniques developed under the rigorous scrutiny of scientific evaluation. Since so few programs develop their interventions relying on evidence based on randomized, controlled studies, the ongoing Peaceful Schools Project is believed to be the most ambitious privately-funded study of its kind.

The program halts a natural inclination among children to gradually feel less and less responsible for intervening when other children are victimized.

Depression, other mental health issues increasingly strike college students
When students attending colleges and universities begin failing in classes, the culprit may not be the lure of parities and socializing. An increasing number of college students are suffering the effects of depression, addictive disorders and other mental health issues, according to American Psychiatric Association and American Medical Association.

Menninger experts say they see a large number of our patients who have been successful in high school classes and activities and then when they are in college something happens and they may flunk out of classes, their behavior may change or they may suffer from effects of chemical dependency.

Another common situation among university student-age patients is those who have appeared to function well until young adulthood when they regress as they feel unequipped to navigate this new stage in their life.

Leaving home, living independently, coping with issues of adulthood, pursuing an education and making career choices can all be stressful life stages. These issues are difficult for any young adult, but when an individual has a psychiatric illness maintaining healthy and steady progress is complicated at best. Depression, anxiety, drug abuse and acting out may be among the sources of the bottoming out.

These psychiatric disorders are treatable, and a variety of assessment and care options are available in many college and university communities. Students who haven’t made progress in outpatient settings or who are completing urgent hospital care may be experiencing more than one psychiatric issue or dual disorders. That’s when the Compass Program often is the next step for further treatment.

Menninger experts believe everyone we treat has the skill and ability to be successful young adults. The Menninger Compass Program is the only inpatient hospital program in the country designed specifically for 18- to 30-year-olds. In treating these young adults from across the country, the Compas Program staff emphasize a comprehensive approach, including the students’ ability to form and maintain relationships, which is a hallmark of mental health.

Transitions: What you should tell your child before college?
Thousands of high school seniors will soon begin the most important transition of their young lives when they leave home for college. Somewhere between buying bedspreads for their dorm rooms and packing their laptops, parents should make time for a serious talk with their children, say Menninger experts. Parents can set guidelines about money, credit cards, grades, alcohol and visits home without squelching their children’s newfound independence. Menninger experts are available to discuss how.

Beat the winter blahs

April may be the cruelest month, according to T.S. Eliot, but February ranks right up there for many people. The excitement of the holidays is over, spring is more than a month away, and dreary wintry weather makes getting out of the house a supreme effort.

What can we do to beat the winter blahs? Jon Allen, PhD, senior psychologist at The Menninger Clinic, offers tips on how to improve your mood during the winter months.

• Enjoy yourself – “Make a list of activities you like to do, that you know will improve your mood,” Dr. Allen said. “For example, you might enjoy reading a novel, going to a movie or getting a massage. Make it a priority to do the things you take pleasure in and schedule these fun times, like you would a work appointment or doctor’s visit.”
• Exercise – Get the blood pumping with a quick walk around the block, or by participating in your favorite sport. Exercise is nature’s caffeine and mood booster, but better. It increases energy, but unlike coffee, decreases tension.
• Limit alcohol – Don’t turn to the bottle to lift your spirits. Drinking alcohol in moderation will temporarily improve your mood, but too much will bring it down.
• Sleep – Get a good night’s sleep for a much better outlook on life. “Try to sleep at least seven or eight hours a night, although the amount of sleep may vary from person to person,” Dr. Allen said. “When you don’t get enough sleep, your mood suffers as well as your general alertness, reaction time, concentration, memory and ability to problem solve.”
• Call on the troops – For a quick “pick me up,” call a friend or a family member to chat. “Interacting with other people is the most important way to lift your mood,” Dr. Allen said. “Supportive relationships—connections with other that provide emotional comfort, practical help and companionship—unquestionably promote physical and mental health.”

Bipolar Disorder

Top five confusing signs of bipolar disorder
About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, suffer from bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is often confused with depression and other behavioral problems or psychiatric disorders, despite growing knowledge about the disorder.

Properly diagnosing bipolar disorder is important because the medications and therapy used to treat psychiatric disorders are very different, says Dr. Joyce Davidson, a psychiatrist and expert in psychopharmacology at The Menninger Clinic in Houston.

In fact, some medications used for depression may worsen bipolar disorder. The cornerstone of drug treatment for depression is antidepressants, while the first-line treatment for bipolar disorder is a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic medication.

“The diagnosis of bipolar disorder may require observing the patient for a period of time to see the patient in different phases of the disorder,” Dr. Davidson says. “The effects typically impact a person’s work or school as well as personal relationships.”

Confusing signs of bipolar disorder include:

• “Low” periods that last a long time.

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly "high" and irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. In some patients, cycling between high and low phases may occur over a period of months, instead of hours or days.

“It is common for bipolar disorder to present in the depressive phase, and only over time is the patient noted to also have manic phases, which establishes the diagnosis of bipolar disorder,” Dr. Davidson says. 

• Feelings of irritability, instead of extreme energy or happiness.

Instead of feeling very good or “on top of the world” during a manic phase, a person may instead feel and act irritable, which is also a sign of depression. Violent outbursts may also occur during the manic phase.

• Silliness and hyperactivity in children.

“Bipolar disorder in children may look somewhat different than it does in adults and mental health experts are still working on establishing clear diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder in children,” Dr. Davidson says.

Some features associated with bipolar disorder in children include temper tantrums, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, risk-taking behavior, silliness, irritability, moodiness and low self-esteem. These symptoms can be present in other disorders as well, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, making diagnosing bipolar disorder even more difficult.

• Drugs or alcohol abuse.

Bipolar disorder may be difficult to diagnose in persons who are also abusing alcohol or drugs. The side effects of alcohol and drugs may mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder, making it harder to diagnose the underlying disorder. Much like bipolar disorder, abuse of alcohol and painkillers may cause depressed mood, and stimulants provide users with a high. Substance abuse may also bring about mood swings or make them worse.

Alcohol and drug abuse are very common among people with bipolar disorder. Some persons may abuse substances as a way of self-medicating themselves to cope with the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

• Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there.

Because persons with severe bipolar disorder may suffer from psychosis, they may be mistakenly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

Psychosis is a symptom of mental illness that causes a break from reality. Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. For example, in a manic phase a person with bipolar disorder may have delusions of grandiosity, such as believing he or she has special powers or wealth. During a depressed phase, a person with bipolar may have delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that he or she is ruined or will become penniless.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Menninger transforms outpatient therapy to hospital treatment
In a July 13 New York Times story, Dr. Steve Hollon, a professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University called dialectical behavior therapy “an extremely hot therapy.” Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), developed at the University of Washington by Dr. Marsha Linehan, aims to help individuals with severe psychiatric illnesses—on an outpatient basis—address their behavior, not the cause. At The Menninger Clinic, mental health professionals trained in Dr. Linehan’s innovative DBT have adapted it to specialty hospital treatment. They integrate DBT skills training with other therapies in an effort to treat the whole person. It’s an approach that helps individuals at Menninger with severe depression, eating disorders, dual disorders, borderline personality disorder and other illnesses. DBT therapists and directors of specialty treatment programs at The Menninger Clinic are available to discuss how they put DBT to work in their hospital setting.

Effects of Technology

Top five signs technological gadgets are ruining your relationships
If you are like many Americans, you made a New Year's resolution to increase efficiency in your life using the hottest technological gadgets in your repertoire. But is your gizmo obsession taking over your life and hurting your relationships?

"We have become so accustomed to the luxuries of technology that we may be forgetting how to play, have personal connections and use coping skills in face-to-face interactions," says John O'Neill, LCSW, LCDC, CSAT, director of Addiction Services for The Menninger Clinic. "We can become overloaded by technology and suffer consequences in our relationships."

Can we become addicted to technology? That's debatable. But O'Neill says he sees parallels with the overuse of technology to dependency on substances such alcohol or drugs.

The following warning signs may indicate that you need to re-evaluate your use of technological devices.

• You'd rather text than talk face-to-face.
  You spend less time participating in personal activities or limit your time with friends and family to attend to your e-mail or return phone calls. You frequently miss appointments or are late because you got caught up on the Internet, checking e-mail or talking on your cell phone. You use text messages, email and voice mail when a face-to face interaction would be more appropriate.

• You can't leave home without it.
  You can't take a vacation without bringing four different charging devices for all your gadgets and gizmos. You can't seem to relax without constantly checking your e-mail, text messages or using your cell phone.
  
  "When your cell phone ear piece becomes a permanent part of your wardrobe, that's a problem," O'Neill says.

• Your family or friends ask you to stop, but you can't.
  You find you spend more time communicating on the phone or via e-mail than you do in person, for example, sending e-mail to your spouse while in the same home. The Internet becomes a more powerful draw than spending time with family or friends or other favorite activities. You become irritated when others complain about your use of technology.

• You miss important life moments.
  You pay more attention to your gadgets than what's happening in real life.
  
  "Take the example of a father and son at a baseball game," O'Neill says. "A homerun ball heads toward the stands and the father, talking on the cell phone, makes a half-hearted attempt at catching the ball. He does not catch the ball and the son appears dejected. The father never stops his phone call. What could have been a significant bonding moment was derailed by the father's inability to disconnect from technology."

• Even after experiencing consequences you continue your behavior.
  Getting in a car accident while on the cell phone or family members complaining about the lack of attention does not change your behavior.
  
  "Observing people on a daily basis, it is easy to recognize how lost we have become in our own worlds," O'Neill says. "We can learn to healthily use increasing technological advances if we set limits, develop rules and attend to our relationships. Ultimately, being present in relationships with family and friends should include both body and mind."

Top five signs you need to pull the plug on technology
Living in an age of advanced technology has its advantages—chief among them the ability to communicate with almost anyone, anywhere, right now. But how much technology is too much?

We live in a world with wonderful technological advances. However, when the technology designed to make life easier becomes so powerful that it affects our relationships with people, our ability to take a break and causes us to feel lost without it, we may question how advanced it really is.

Treatment team members have seen the effect of technology overload on patients in the Professionals in Crisis Program at Menninger—who may have spent hours each day on their computers, cell phones or BlackBerry devices, at the expense of their family or friends. He also has treated patients addicted to gambling, gaming and viewing pornography on the Internet.

So when should we pull the plug? In moderation, technology offers many benefits. But step away from the computer, turn off the cell phone and have a face-to-face, human conversation if you have any of the following warning signs, say experts.

1. You need your connection….now! You panic or become irritable when you can’t get cell phone service, your Internet connection is down or your cable or satellite feed is not working.

2. You lose track of time. You may have a problem if you consistently get lost in the Internet world, intending to spend an hour, and looking up, you discover it has been four hours. “Or you use your BlackBerry so much, the term crackberry has meaning for you.

3. You lose track of family and friends. You spend less and less time participating in personal activities or limit your time with friends and family to attend to your email or return phone calls. You frequently miss appointments or are late because you got caught up on the Internet, checking e-mail or talking on your cell phone.

4. Your life revolves around technology and not actual real relationships. When you start or end your day on the Internet checking e-mails or chatting, that’s a sign that technology is taking over your life.

5. You can’t leave home without it. You can’t take a vacation without bringing four different charging devices for all your gadgets and gizmos. Your car needs extra batteries to power all of your devices. When your cell phone ear piece becomes a permanent part of your wardrobe, that’s a problem.

Evil and mindblindness

What causes people to do evil things?
Many people who inflict trauma on others are blind to the thoughts, feeling and pain of their fellow human beings: a concept called mindblindness. The term was first developed to describe autistic behavior.

“People who commit evil acts without remorse don’t see the suffering victims, even when they are right before their eyes,” says Jon Allen, PhD, senior staff psychologist at The Menninger Clinic and an expert in treating trauma victims. Dr. Allen presented a paper called “Evil, Mindblindness and Trauma: Challenges to Hope,” at the 2005 Psychotherapy and Faith Conference in Houston. 

Because “evildoers” don’t empathize with their victims, they can willingly sacrifice them to their cause. The opposite of mindblindness is mentalizing: understanding our own thoughts and feelings and empathizing with other’s thoughts and feelings.

People who have had insecure attachments to their caregivers during childhood, or who were victims of a trauma themselves, may have difficulty mentalizing. They may misunderstand the motivations of others and demonize them. 

“If we aspire to refrain from evildoing, we must avoid mindblindness in two ways: looking outward and looking inward,” Dr. Allen says.

Looking outward means seeking a better understanding of the world and empathizing with the thoughts and feelings of the people in it. Looking inward means that each person should cultivate a better understanding of their own thoughts, feelings and motivations.

Holiday topics

Tips for a stress-free holiday with family
Busy holiday preparations, driving or flying to faraway places for family gatherings and spending time in close quarters with extended family can add up to a tension-filled holiday.

“Most people, regardless if they are family members or not, will begin having conflicts when they are with each other 24/7,” says Patricia Daza, PhD, a psychologist with The Menninger Clinic’s Hope Program. Dr. Daza offers the following tips to better enjoy the holidays with your family:

• Plan ahead
  Recognize stress and arguments will arise and put a game plan in place for how you will handle it. Dr. Daza suggests repeating coping self-statements to yourself (I am a good cook, good mother, good father, etc.), deep breathing and praising yourself for the work you are doing to make the day go well.

• Be realistic about the time you spend together
  Do you feel comfortable spending eight hours together or would you rather schedule dinner one night and meet up the next day to see a movie? “At times families are not aware of their limits with each other,” Dr. Daza says. “They would rather avoid the meeting altogether rather than spend small amounts of quality time with each other.”

• Involve family in an activity
  When in the presence of their family members, many persons revert to established roles in the family they have outgrown, which can cause tension. Activities such as playing a board game or going for a walk together allow an opportunity for cooperation and fun versus arguing or discussing problems in the relationships.

• Consider staying in a hotel when visiting family
  Staying in a hotel can give you some extra breathing room and is a good option if family members are visiting and you are pressed for space. To avoid hurt feelings, reassure family members that you still intend to spend time with them.
  
  “It can also be helpful to talk to family members about hotels as a way to accommodate different family patterns,” Dr. Daza says. “Some family members are ‘early birds’ and get up early to work out or shower. Others may want the quiet to sleep late. Also discuss how hotels add to the vacation experience, for example, the benefits of having someone make your bed, having breakfast in bed or taking advantage of the massage services at the hotel.”

• Treat yourself after the holidays
  Make a plan for “me time” when you return home--such as attending a yoga class, getting a massage, seeing a movie or participating in other enjoyable activity. Having something to look forward to will make any tough times with your family a little easier.

Five ways to set a New Year's resolution that really works for you
For many of us, the New Year signifies a fresh start, a new beginning. Nearly one of every two adult Americans makes New Year’s resolutions. The problem is that after six months, less than half of those resolutions are carried through.

However, there are proven strategies that can improve your chances of keeping those goals you’ve made, according to Menninger Clinic psychologist Theresa Fassihi, PhD. Fassihi is a member of the treatment team for the Eating Disorders Program at Menninger.

Good goal setting happens in five stages and involves:

• Clarifying your values - Set goals that are in keeping with what gives your life the most meaning. This may include a happy family life, friendship, good health, career achievement and spirituality. Are you spending your time in ways that are consistent with your values or are you neglecting important areas of your life?   
• Setting priorities - If you think you have been neglecting important areas of your life, set a goal that will give you more balance.  If you believe you have been neglecting your friendships, you may set a goal of doing something fun with a friend once a week.
• Setting a challenging, but achievable goal - "If you don't exercise and you set a goal of walking three miles a day, that is unrealistic,” Fassihi says. “You don't want to set yourself up for disappointment, but you do want to feel a sense of accomplishment.  How about starting with 20 to 30 minutes three times a week?”     
• Developing an action plan - An action plan outlines the steps you will take to achieve your goal.  Make it detailed and concrete, scheduling the days and times you will work on it. 
• Building in incentives to keep you motivated - When we have long-range goals, the rewards may be a long time in coming.  “Treat yourself each step along the way,” Dr. Fassihi says. “For example, if you are organizing files in your office, take a tea or coffee break every hour or two and notice the progress you are making.

How to deal with holiday stress
Last minute shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. Long lost relatives you wish would stay lost. While the holidays are a season of joy and happiness, they can also be stressful. Menninger social workers can provide tips on how to reduce holiday stress. They encourage people to maintain an exercise routine, eat well, maintain spiritual practice, relax in a bath and create some alone time, all things that can do wonders in helping us stay emotionally grounded during stressful times. Also, helping others less fortunate can help people deal with stress and put holiday activities and preparations into perspective.

Is it the holiday blues or something more serious?
For many, the holiday season is a fun time of gift giving, music and family togetherness – but it can be a sad and lonely time for others. “Many people at the holidays feel like they should be happy and are aware of all that's missing, especially those who feel alone,” says Dr. Jon Allen, senior staff psychologist at The Menninger Clinic. Allen can talk about steps people can take to keep the “holiday blues” in check. He can also talk about how to tell the difference between the holidays blues and depression, and when to seek professional help. Allen is a professor of psychiatry in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He is an expert in depression, and will be publishing a book on depression later this year, called, Coping with Depression.

Binge drinking and the holidays don’t mix
School’s out. Finals are over. For many college students, that means the party season has just begun. And many parties involve drinking large quantities of alcohol. Two-thirds of binge drinkers report reckless behavior such as unprotected sex, unplanned sex or driving while drunk. Binge drinking may also be a cover up for other hidden issues. What can parents do? Ed Poa, MD can talk about the problem of binge drinking in young adults and how parents can help their college-aged children deal with alcohol responsibly.

When the “perfect holiday” isn’t so perfect
If Martha Stewart can go to jail, host two television shows and still find time to make snowflake ornaments in time for the holidays, why can’t you create the perfect holiday for your family? Successful professionals often find themselves in an impossible quest for the “perfect holiday.” For some, the pressure for perfection can be too much. Many professionals struggle with the holidays because they are not doing well and are reflecting on how poorly they are coping, according to experts with the Professionals in Crisis Program at The Menninger Clinic. They say professionals tend to mask how they are doing and try to make it through the holidays. Many hold it together, appear fine and then crash after. This is why there is typically an increase in psychiatric hospital admissions in January.

J-word makes people with holiday blues see red
The solution to the holiday blues seems obvious to people who love this time of year. “Just cheer up,” they say. “Just get into the holiday spirit.” If only shaking the holiday blues were “just” that easy, says Dr. Jon Allen, senior psychologist at The Menninger Clinic and professor of psychiatry in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He refers to the word “just” as the “j-word.” Just is a criticism, Allen says. If you say to someone who has the holiday blues, ‘Just cheer up,’ it is actually going to make that person more upset. A better approach is to invite your friend or loved one to spend time with you. Allen can offer more tips to help a friend or loved one with the holiday blues.

For more information on depression see The Menninger Clinic’s Web site and the Baylor College of Medicine’s Web site. Dr. Allen is author of the book Coping with Depression: From Catch-22 to Hope, which will be published in January 2006 by American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Resolve to quit smoking
Are you resolving to quit smoking again this year? Anticipating that you will fail might help you succeed. A more productive approach than quitting cold turkey is to think about tobacco dependence as a chronic disease, and expect that there might be periods of relapse and remission,” according to Patricia Daza, PhD, staff psychologist for the Hope Adult Program at The Menninger Clinic. Dr. Daza studied smoking cessation before coming to Menninger, and counsels patients working on mental health issue who also want to quit. Cigarette smoking is common among psychiatric patients. For patients with schizophrenia, the rate of cigarette smoking can be as high as 88 percent. The smoking zone is often the busiest area in a psychiatric hospital.

Issues common among college students

Mental health experts at The Menninger Clinic in Houston have insight into issues that are increasingly common among today’s students.

• Janice Poplack, LCSW, primary clinician with the Menninger Eating Disorders Program, warns parents about young people adopting behaviors promoted by pro-eating disorder Web sites, how obesity may be caused by binge eating disorder and whether parents should worry when their child abruptly changes to a vegetarian diet.
• Treatment team members with the Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program, takes a special interest in the electronic devices that are heavily used by many people. For some, they may become addicted to being on the Internet—chat rooms, gaming, surfing, shopping, etc. He provides insight into addictive behavior and offers tips for parents aimed at preventing students from spending too much time online, which is especially important at a time when schools are putting textbooks online and requiring more computer-based homework.
• Psychiatrist Ed Poa works with young adults, ages 18-30, and will discuss whether binge drinking is a right of passage for students, the signs of addictive alcohol and drug use, the hurdles for young people who are in recovery and what skills they need to get their life back on track—in their work or school life, relationships and personal health. Dr. Poa is medical director of the Compass Young Adult Program at The Menninger Clinic and an assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

Mental Illness Myths

Top Five Myths About Mental Illness
The stigma of mental illness acts as a roadblock for treatment for the more than 54 million Americans, one in 5, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, who suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Of that number, many don’t seek treatment, at a time when awareness about mental illness has grown. In recognition of Mental Health Month in May, The Menninger Clinic tackles some of the top myths about mental illness, with the facts.

Myth #1: People with mental illness are weak. Some of the world’s most powerful and influential people have struggled with mental illness. Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill battled depression. Star athletes, known for their discipline, CEOs of major corporations, doctors, lawyers and other professionals also deal with mental illness.

Making the decision to seek help for mental illness, and participating in treatment takes strength in itself.

Myth #2: Medication cures mental illness. New medications made available over the past few decades have helped countless people manage the symptoms of their mental illness. However, taking a pill is not a cure-all for people with severe mental illness.

“Many people are looking for that magic pill, but medication is only a part of the treatment process for mental illness,” says Patricia Daza, PhD, a staff psychologist with the Hope Program at The Menninger Clinic. “Treatment is also about behavioral changes that need to happen and also changes in family dynamics.”

Individual and group therapy with a counselor or psychiatrist help patients gain greater understanding of the factors contributing to their mental illness and gives them support, Dr. Daza says.

“Medications for mental disorders don't cure the illness in the way, for example, antibiotics may cure an infection,” adds Joyce Davidson, MD, a psychiatrist with expertise in psychopharmacology and medical director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Program at Menninger. “Instead, they help manage the symptoms in the same way medications may help reduce symptoms in other chronic illnesses such as arthritis or diabetes. Often patients will report that the medications have ‘given me a thicker skin’ or ‘the medication has helped take the edge off.’ Psychotherapy and behavioral changes can also lessen symptoms of psychiatric illness, sometimes to the point that structural changes in the brain can be seen on brain imaging.”

Myth #3: People with mental illness could just “snap out of it” if they wanted to. Telling someone with depression or other form of mental illness to “just snap out of it,” minimizes a person’s struggle with mental illness.

“It would be like saying to someone with the flu, diabetes or hypertension to snap out of it,” says Jon Allen, PhD senior Menninger psychologist and author of the book, Coping with Depression. “I think we are having a hard time accepting that mental illnesses are real illnesses, not imagined, despite all we know about the biology and physiology of mental illness.”

Technological advances and research provide increasing evidence of how mental illness affects the body. Brain imaging studies vividly show the changes that occur in the brain because of mental illness. “We now can see changes in brain function and structure at the cellular level,” Dr. Allen adds. “Also, changes in the brain affect the whole body.”

Myth #4: Children don’t have mental illness. Childhood is often thought of as a carefree and idyllic time, but for many children struggling with mental illness, the reality is quite different. Ten percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders that cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school and with peers, according to a 1999 Report of the Surgeon General. In any given year, only 20 percent of children and adolescents with mental disorders are identified and receive mental health services

These disorders may include pervasive developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, depression, behavioral disorders, attention-deficit disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and substance abuse. Because early intervention is so important, parents shouldn’t hesitate to seek treatment if they believe their child has the signs or symptoms of mental illness, say mental health experts.

Myth #5: People with mental illness don’t get well. With the right treatment, people with mental illness improve and can live normal lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, between 70 and 90 percent of individuals with mental illness have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of medication and psychological treatments and supports. Patients in treatment for certain mental illnesses, such as depression, may even experience “recovery,” or stable periods of remission from their mental illness. However, patients who have the best outcomes learn to manage their condition on a continuous basis.

“People remain vulnerable to relapse,” Dr. Allen says. “Sticking with treatment or getting treatment when they need it, and wellness is crucial even during the period of recovery.”

Clinicians cited are Menninger mental health professionals and faculty members of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. The Menninger Clinic is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine.

Positive Psychology

When you’re smiling …
There are days–sometimes lots of them–when many of us would like to stay in bed and pull the covers over our heads. But we drag ourselves to the shower haunted by the words of some Pollyanna: Keep your chin up. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Come on…smile! While there are limits to the power of positive thinking, research shows that the simple act of smiling can improve your emotional and physical well-being. Psychologists at The Menninger Clinic are researching other aspects of positive psychology and ways to incorporate it into patient treatment.

Psychiatric Pharmacology

Spare the rod…provide a pill?
More and more, children are being given psychotropic drugs to control their behaviors. Attention Deficit Disorder has made Ritalin a household word. Antidepressants are more common for kids, but are they safe? The trend is here. Should parents be concerned? Are children at risk? Menninger child psychiatrist Norma Clarke, MD, is available to discuss modern psychiatric pharmacology as it relates to children and medicine.

Stress

Top five ways to have a stress-free vacation
From working late the night before you leave for the beach to dealing with fighting kids and tight finances—vacations can often cause as much stress as they are supposed to relieve.

Experts from The Menninger Clinic provide the following tips to help you relax and get the benefits from your much-deserved time off.

• Leave work at work.
  When making vacation plans, also plan how to arrange for coverage for your work responsibilities. For your peace of mind, you may provide your supervisor with an emergency contact number. Trust that he or she will call you in case something happens. “Don’t check office messages or e-mail and turn off your cell phone,” says Edythe Harvey, MD, a psychiatrist with the Menninger Hope Program and mother of three boys, “If this is a family vacation, you have the important people with you. Treat this time as your own.”
• Allow time for departure and your return.
  Nothing is worse than feeling rushed when leaving for or returning from vacation. Build in some extra time for travel in your vacation plans, keeping in consideration that flights may be delayed or that you may encounter unexpected traffic while driving. “When possible, include in your vacation plans a day to be at home before you leave to gear up for your trip, and a day at home after you return from your trip to allow for time to wind down,” says Cheryl Scoglio, a senior social worker who works with families involved in Menninger Professionals in Crisis Program.
• Be prepared for the “I wants.”
  Does your daughter really need that giant stuffed shark that says Seaworld on it? Of course not. But she wants it. Really, really wants it. To deal with a chronic case of the vacation, “I wants,” Dr. Harvey suggests a fun and educational way for kids to earn their own souvenir money. “Gather spare coins from around the house,” she says. “If your children are young, sort the coins and bundle them. If they already know their coins and how to count, go together to the coin machine to cash in. Split the money into envelopes with their names on them and explain to them that this is their spending money for the trip. When they say, ‘I want,’ pull out their envelope.”
• Make time to unwind.
  Remember, the purpose of a vacation is to relax—not to visit every museum and historical monument in the guidebook. “Don't fill your vacation days so full of events that you end up being more concerned about keeping your plans than having fun,” Scoglio says.
• Repeat to self, “I deserve a vacation.”
  You need a vacation, so pack away any guilt you may feel about taking one. While Americans earn an average of 14 days of vacation a year, Europeans average between 24 and 36 days of vacation a year, according to the 2007 Vacation Deprivation Study published by Expedia. The study also shows that more than one-third of Americans do not use all their allotted vacation time. They should, says Jon Allen, PhD, a senior staff psychologist with Menninger who regularly treats patients with depression caused by stress. “Taking a vacation helps rest your mind and body so that you are more flexible and you have a better perspective when you come back,” he says.

Clinicians cited are Menninger mental health professionals and faculty members of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. The Menninger Clinic is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine.

High-stakes of business failure causes high stress
The pressures to succeed and the public consequences of failure in high-profile careers may cause dangerous levels of stress and anxiety. Sufferers find other ways to cope with these pressures–drugs, gambling, spending, risk taking, etc. Their lives get extremely out of balance. That’s where Menninger’s Professionals in Crisis program comes in. Our experts can talk about treatments and what’s unique to our approach. The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. Sources from Menninger’s Professionals in Crisis Program are available for interviews.

Relieving Stress--“Take your vacation!” urge mental health experts
With just a month until Labor Day, time to take a vacation this summer is slipping away fast. Even a short vacation can help break up the daily grind, say mental health experts at The Menninger Clinic in Houston . Working with no break leads to stress pileup and eventual job burnout.

“Taking a vacation helps rest your mind and body so that you are more flexible, and you have a better perspective when you come back,” says Jon Allen, PhD, a senior staff psychologist with Menninger who regularly treats patients with depression caused by stress.

Workplace stress is a common complaint among patients in the Professionals in Crisis Program. Executives in the program, “speak with pride that they haven’t taken vacations in umpteen number of years,” says Toby Haslam-Hopwood , PsyD, a staff psychologist for the program. “That driven personality, that striving for perfection, has helped them achieve great things, but it comes at a tremendous cost to individuals and their family.”

The strong American work ethic, concerns about job security and a sense of guilt about taking time off may also influence our attitudes about vacation says Dr. Haslam-Hopwood, a native of the United Kingdom. While Americans earn an average of 14 days of vacation a year, Europeans average between 24 and 39 days of vacation a year, according to the 2006 Vacation Deprivation Study published by Expedia. The study also show that one-third of Americans do not use all their allotted vacation time.

That’s a shame, Dr. Haslam-Hopwood says, because taking an occasional break might be just what the doctor ordered.

 “We know that chronic stress reduces immunity and the ability to fight off illness and that during vacation people experience less stress,” he says. “We could make the argument that taking a vacation is good for one’s health.”

Dr. Allen or Dr. Haslam-Hopwood are available for interviews.

Trauma

Overcoming severe effects of trauma
Nearly 8 of every 10 adults have been exposed to at least one trauma (an event that threatens life or physical integrity). Trauma affects individuals differently. While only a minority go on to experience enduring psychiatric disorders as a result, what promotes this resilience? How do persons who experience severe psychological effects learn to trust again? Is there an effective treatment approach? Can the haunting memories ever be shaken? How can friends and family members be supportive to the recovery effort?

Menninger trauma experts Jon Allen, PhD, and Lisa Lewis, PhD, are authors of books on trauma recovery, based on their work in treating patients suffering severe effects of trauma.

Two new books available to trauma survivors
Dr. Lewis practices what she preaches.Menninger psychologists have written two new books aimed at trauma survivors and their families, as well as treaters.

• Restoring Hope and Trust: An illustrated guide to mastering trauma—a guide based on a 10-session course developed for The Menninger Clinic. The authors work from the assumption that past trauma does not remain in the past, but spills over into the present, taking the form of intrusive re-experiences, associated neurophysiological changes, adverse effects on current identity and depressive mood changes.

Authors: Lisa Lewis, PhD, Menninger alumna and former staff member, Jon Allen, PhD, psychologists at The Menninger Clinic; and Kay Kelley, LSCSW, Menninger alumna and former staff member.

• Coping With Trauma: Hope Through Understanding (second edition)— Coping With Trauma is a comprehensive self-education book, not a self-help book, addressing the reader’s personal concerns.

Author: Jon Allen, PhD, senior psychologist, specialist in patient education on trauma and depression, and researcher.

Trauma facts:

• Nearly 8 of every 10 adults have been exposed to at least one trauma, defined as an event that threatens life or physical integrity. While only a minority go on to experience enduring psychiatric disorders as a result, what promotes this resilience? What treatment is effective for those who do suffer?
• Trauma triggers physical and physiological changes in the brain. Repeated exposure to trauma or to reliving the event, such as nightmares and flashbacks, can do further damage. Changes in the brain negatively affect people’s emotions and memory. Substance abuse can accelerate these changes in the brain. The good news is that the brain has the capacity to normalize with successful treatment for trauma-related disorders.
• A person who has experienced trauma may go about life without making the connection that the effects contribute to problems such as relationship conflicts, depression and substance abuse. Making the connection can help people interrupt the destructive patterns that developed after the trauma.
• If your best friend has been in a terrible accident or has been physically abused, should you make them talk about it? Menninger psychologists say there are necessary steps for survivors to process what happened to them.

Dr. Allen is available to address your story topic.

When tragedy occurs, why do some people bounce back?
Researchers and mental health professionals at The Menninger Clinic see youth and adults who have been through horrible situations in their lives. Traumatic events reshape their victims. But not everyone needs psychiatric hospitalization from the effects of trauma. Why are some people more resilient? Trauma expert and researcher Jon Allen, PhD, and his colleagues have studied this. New understandings in attachment theory, emotions and neurobiological effects of trauma play a role. Dr. Allen is co-author of Restoring Hope and Trust, scheduled for release in late September, and author of an all-new second edition of Coping With Trauma, forthcoming in December.

Vitamin P (positive psychology)

The power of vitamin P in leading a healthy life
Attaining satisfying levels of emotion requires a positive mindset, a figurative vitamin P. As humans, we can trigger personal satisfaction by performing thoughtful actions and by shifting the way we think about the purpose of our lives and our role in the world.

In an effort to create research-driven ways to inspire mental and physical health through promoting a more positive life, Menninger psychologists are formulating ideas and will test those through clinical research. They say positive psychology is about is shifting attitudes, for example becoming less cynical and pessimistic. Their goal is to develop clinical interventions that will promote positive experience for Menninger patients and for anyone else who may wish to derive similar benefits.