Sunday, December 16, 2012

Nature May Nurture Creativity

Backpackers scored 50 percent better on a creativity test after spending four days in nature disconnected from electronic devices, according to a new study. "This is a way of showing that interacting with nature has real..."

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/15/nature-may-nurture-creativity/49055.html

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Attachment Style May Factor Into Fear of Commitment

A new study suggests particular kinds of attachment experiences may cause some adults to avoid long-term relationships.

In the investigation, researchers sought to resolve an ongoing debate on the genesis of “avoidant attachment.” Psychologists have questioned if the behavior is due to innate personality traits, such as being more of a loner, or is a delayed reaction to unmet childhood needs.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/11/attachment-style-may-factor-into-fear-of-commitment/48925.html

Monday, December 10, 2012

Telecommuting Can Add Strain and Work Hours

The ubiquity of the Internet coupled with fluctuating gas prices and an increasing call for work-life balance has led many to telecommute. Unfortunately, the experience often has failed to live up...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/06/telecommuting-can-add-strain-and-work-hours/48721.html

CBT Helps Relieve Depression When Medication Fails

People who don't respond to antidepressants report improvement with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), according to researchers at the University of Bristol. CBT, a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapy, is a ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/07/cbt-helps-relieve-depression-when-medication-fails/48805.html

Feeling Better as We Age?

Aging has traditionally been viewed as a time...
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/10/feeling-better-as-we-age/48873.html

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Better Management of Vascular Disease May Reduce Alzheimer's

Emerging research suggests interventions to address pathological, biochemical, and physiological processes may delay or reverse Alzheimer's disease. Over the last 15 years, researchers have found a significant ...

 

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/11/06/better-management-of-vascular-disease-may-reduce-alzheimers/47211.html

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Discontinued Treatment of ADHD Could Impact Emotional, Social Well-Being ...

Young boys who discontinue treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are featured in a new study that many experts say highlights the importance of proper and continued treatment many times to include counseling and medication...

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/boys-suffer-negative-effects-adhd-left-untreated/story?id=17483707

 

 

 

Friday, October 12, 2012

How Claustrophobia Nearly Grounded Supersonic Skydiver Felix Baumgartner

A sports psychologist helps an athlete and ex-paratrooper  refocus and manage his anxiety.
Dr. Davenport uses similar techniques with patients to help them overcome and understand their troubling emotions.

http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/10/felix-baumgartner-claustrophobia/all/

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

FDA: Manufacturer of generic Wellbutrine issues recall

The FDA found one version of Wellbutrine, manufactured  by Teva, was not equivlant to the brand name drug. Teva is withdrawing their medication  from the market...

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CDER/ucm153270.htm

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Psychotherapy: myths versus reality

If what you know about psychotherapy comes from TV or the movies, you may have some misguided notions about what goes on in a practicing psychologist's office. Make sure you know the reality instead of the myths...

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/psychotherapy-myths.aspx

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Friday, September 21, 2012

Talk Therapy: Consumer Reports Health

Talk therapy offers two advantages over medication: no drug side effects and tools you can use for the long term.

"When you take medication, you stop the medication and the problem may come back," says Michael First, M.D., professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University...

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/depression-anxiety/talk-therapy/index.htm

Sunday, September 16, 2012

For Many, Bouncing Between Stages of Grief Is The Norm

A person working through the different stages of grief may unpredictably bounce around from one stage to another, popping back and forth between emotions such as shock, anger or depression. This process can be compared to ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/09/16/grieving-process-compared-to-a-pinball-machine/44671.html

Friday, September 14, 2012

When your heart breaks your whole body hurts

Getting dumped ignites a series of reactions that ends up feeling like a full-body blow...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48942730/ns/health-womens_health/

A longer life is lived with company

YOU die alone, philosophers say. But you could die sooner if you live your life in loneliness. Close connections to friends and family may ward off...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/business/retirementspecial/for-older-adults-close-connections-are-key-to-healthy-aging.html

Math Anxiety Hits High-Achieving Kids Hardest

Math Anxiety Hits High-Achieving Kids Hardest

September 13th, 2012A study of first and second graders found that many high-achieving students experience math anxiety, with worry and fear undermining them so much that they can fall behind other students who don't have that anxiety. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/09/13/math-anxiety-hits-high-achieving-kids-hardest/44547.html

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Helping students with learning disabilities starts with better educating the rest of us

September 03, 2012,
washingtonpost.com
Raising the achievement of students with learning disabilities is hard, expensive, controversial and complex. School systems must pay private-school tuition for students they can't adequately serve. Educators and parents sometimes disagree on what methods to use. Education writers like me rarely deal with the subject because it...

http://www.apa.org/news/psycport/PsycPORTArticle.aspx?id=washingtonpost_2012_09_03_eng-washingtonpost_wpni_eng-washingtonpost_wpni_012112_7048056622333932251.xml

Coping With Mild Cognitive Imparement

About 10 to 15 percent of adults age 65 and older are believed to have mild cognitive impairment -- a condition commonly characterized by memory problems, well beyond those associated with normal aging...

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/blogs/coping-with-mild-cognitive-impairment.xml?f=26

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

BCBS of Florida takes dangerous ‘New Directions’

See the article below from The National Psychologist, May/June 2012,
Pages 1 & 3.

BCBS of Florida takes dangerous 'New Directions'

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble."
– Macbeth by William Shakespeare

By Stephen A. Ragusea, Psy.D, ABPP


In the latter half of 2011, psychologists in Florida detected the
scent of an unholy witches' brew wafting out of Jacksonville. The
malodorous signs were obvious. First there were rumors of a carve-out
for mental health services. Then the letters started.
First, each participating mental health provider for Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) received an odd letter in the mail,
announcing that all providers were to have their contracts terminated
in 90 days because "BCBSF has partnered with New Directions for the
management of all aspects of behavioral health services including
provider network contracting…. You will receive an application from
New Directions for network participation."
Oddly enough, BCBSF put the burden of patient notification on the
doctors. "Please notify your patients…that you will not be a
participating provider as of Jan. 1, 2012."
Of course, we all immediately went on the web to investigate this
New Directions outfit and discovered that it was a small managed care
company in Kansas run by a psychologist I'd met briefly some years
earlier. I vividly remembered him talking about how a community with
68 active psychologists only really needed 12 and he coolly described
to me how he would go into such a community, take over mental health
services and then slash the panel to reduce utilization and increase
profits.
It was a chilling conversation that I often recounted to others
over the years as an example of the underlying profit motive behind
the managed care industry. Little did I know this guy would ultimately
be implementing his strategy in my own state.
Soon, providers received another letter from New Directions laden
with distasteful and mysterious ingredients. The letter and
accompanying complex contract was approximately 20 pages long and
requested a response "within 15 days" although the letter itself was
undated. Included was a new reimbursement rate schedule that reduced
existing BCBSF rates, already discounted by 30 percent to 50 percent
below Medicare's reimbursement levels.
There were also a variety of surprising elements that seemed to be
illegal, unethical and/or inappropriate. The Florida Psychological
Association (FPA) formally sought the assistance of the Florida Office
of Insurance Regulation. They intervened and, soon thereafter, New
Direction revised the contracts and made a new mailing to pro-viders,
but there were still many problems.
We learned that BCBSF had actually become a co-owner of New
Directions and, therefore, this carve-out was more like a modified
carve-in. We also learned that BCBSF was beginning to partner with
other states to spread this new version of the gospel of mental health
cost containment.
Individual psychologists began reporting inconsistent information
received from New Directions and BCBSF. Confusing and disturbing
misinformation was also apparently being given to patients increasing
stress and interfering with good treatment. The FPA and the APAPO
contacted a variety of regulatory agencies and elected officials;
expressing great concern about the new direction mental health
coverage had taken in Florida.
On Aug. 25, 2011, the Parity Implemen-tation Coalition
(http://parityispersonal.org/) wrote a letter to three federal
departments: Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury.
Why was the Parity Implementation Coalition involved? Why would an
organization "formed to help ensure that the Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equality Act of 2008…is properly enforced" be interested in
Florida's little problem? I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that
they think the same way I do about this mess.
I think that this move by BCBSF is really the initiation of a
national movement to circumvent the Mental Health Parity legislation
we all worked decades to pass. I think that by reducing reimbursement
rates to levels lower than the hourly rate plumbers, auto body shops
workers and electricians charge, BCBSF hopes to drive doctors out of
its panel, making it much more difficult or impossible for patients to
find doctors willing to accept BCBSF health insurance.
Obviously, that process cuts utilization, drives costs down and
pushes profits up. That undermines the intent of the 2008 parity
legislation, making it more difficult for patients to get expert
treatment.
Although Florida happens to be the state where the model is being
given a trial run, it appears that this unholy witches' brew is
destined to be served nationally. That makes this assault on mental
health care terribly important and that's why so many organizations
are working hard to challenge this initiative.
The APAPO, the American Psychiatric Association, the National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the FPA have all been working
cooperatively to bring the facts to the attention of regulatory
agencies who should take action. They should block this destructive
maneuver destined to set back the treatment of mental health problems
in America by decades. What can you do to help?
First, be aware of what's going on and tell others. Second, join
your state's psychological association and pay the APAPO assessment so
that we can add more power to our own brew to break the spell cast by
managed care. Third, contact your legislators and let them know about
this plot to subvert legislative intent and to assault the rights of
patients and the professionals who work so hard to serve them.
Throw these good ingredients into the pot and help neutralize the
witches' corrupt cauldron concoction. The fire is burning and the mix
is bubbling.
Your support is badly needed. Our professional futures and the
futures of our patients may depend on it.
----------
Stephen A. Ragusea, Psy.D., ABPP, is in private practice in Key West, Fla.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Sunday, June 10, 2012

NYT: Seeking Academic Edge Teenagers Abuse Stimulants

The good-grade pill, Kids are using drugs not to get high, but to get higher grades. A Sarasota, FL student is even quoted... This is close to home!

By Alan Schwarz / New York Times News Service He steered into the high school parking lot, clicked off the ignition and scanned the scraps of his recent weeks: crinkled chip bags on the dashboard, soda cups at his feet and on the passenger seat, ...

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/education/seeking-academic-edge-teenagers-abuse-stimulants.xml

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Life Satisfaction Linked to Resiliency

For all except the very fortunate few, life is full of ups and downs. In a new study, Spanish researchers found that learning to cope with the down times is integral to life satisfaction...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/24/life-satisfaction-linked-to-resiliency/39186.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Old Rats Learn New Tricks, and Rewire the Brain

New research with rats shows that changes in sensory experiences can "rewire" the brain at any age. The study also found that this rewiring involves fibers that supply input to...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/25/old-rats-learn-new-tricks-and-rewire-the-brain/39254.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Class-Action Lawsuit Against United Healthcare in CA- Alleged failure to cover mental-health diagnoses under "the same terms and conditions" applied to medical conditions.

The Los Angeles Law Firm of Cohen Mckeon, which focuses on representing policy holders in law suits against insurance companies, issued the following news release:

Class Action: United Healthcare Denies Mental Health Coverage Los Angeles, CA Monday, May 21, 2012

A class-action lawsuit was filed against United Healthcare Insurance Company, US Behavioral Plan, and California United Behavioral Health, which contracts with employers such as the University of California to provide mental health services to policyholders.

The class-action suit alleges that these companies, which are part of United Healthcare Insurance Company, have violated the California Mental Health Parity Act, which requires insurers to provide treatment for mental-health diagnoses according to "the same terms and conditions" applied to medical conditions.

Specifically, the defendants are accused of denying and improperly limiting coverage by conducting concurrent and prospective reviews of routine outpatient mental health treatments when no such reviews are conducted for routine outpatient treatments for other medical conditions.

Defendants are also accused of violating the Unruh Act, by discriminating against a class of persons with mental disabilities and psychiatric conditions; violating California's law prohibiting unfair competition, breaching the terms of its own insurance contract with policyholders, and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

The law suit was filed in Santa Barbara Superior Court on behalf of the plaintiff, who works in Santa Barbara.

Her mental health coverage was improperly reduced.

She was having four weekly outpatient psychotherapy sessions.

But in September, 2011 she was informed that she would limited to one weekly session for one month.

Plaintiff is represented by the Los Angeles-based class-action trial lawyers of Cohen McKeon LLP, and Meiram Bendat, founder of the mental health insurance-advocacy service, Psych-Appeal.

"This is an important case because it addresses an issue that impacts a wide range of people who are covered by health insurance" said lead attorney, Michael L. Cohen.

"For too long, people who suffer from severe mental health issues have not received health insurance coverage on the same terms as conditions that are applied to other conditions."

Specifically, the lawsuit seeks certification of a class consisting of hundreds and perhaps thousands of UC employees who were subject to improper review and denial of treatment for severe mental health illnesses.
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Angry Partner May Also Be Sad

Married couples usually are pretty good at recognizing each other's emotional state during conflicts. However, researchers have found that one significant emotion – sadness – often may be missed when a ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/22/angry-partner-may-also-be-sad/39044.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Spider Phobia: Brain Scan Shows Cure in 1 Session

Before receiving treatment for her lifelong fear of spiders, one Chicago college student would flee her dorm for days if she merely suspected one's presence. She worried that her phobia would keep her from living on her own after graduation. But after a single, two-hour therapy session in which she confronted her fear in the form of a tarantula named Florence, she showed remarkable improvement in her actions -- and in her brain -- according to a new imaging study...


http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20120521/spider-phobia-brain-scan-shows-cure-in-1-session
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Monday, May 14, 2012

GRAND OPENINGS: Southwest Florida's freshest businesses

Herald-Tribune Article

May 14, 2012

 

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D. LLC, 1525 S. Tamiami Tamiami Trail, Venice.
A licensed psychologist, Davenport provides therapy for individuals and couples of all ages and works collaboratively with patients to help them overcome emotional and psychological issues causing unhappiness in their lives.

 

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120514/ARTICLE/120519862/2413/BUSINESS?Title=GRAND-OPENINGS-Southwest-Florida-s-freshest-businesses

 

 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Psychiatry Manual Drafters Back Down on Diagnoses

Doctors on a panel revising psychiatry's influential diagnostic manual have backed away from two controversial proposals and supported new autism...

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/health/dsm-panel-backs-down-on-diagnoses.xml

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Collaborative Care Aids Mental, Physical Health

Collaborative Care Aids Mental, Physical Health
May 9th, 2012

A team-centered health care approach can increase depression-free days and overall quality of life among adults with depression and poorly controlled diabetes, heart disease or both. Such patients "have higher medical complication rates and higher ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/09/collaborative-care-aids-mental-physical-health/38326.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Negative Words Can Be Shut Out Unconsciously

Our brains can unconsciously decide to withhold negative information, according to new work by psychologists at Bangor University in the U.K. Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, the psychologists discovered the unconscious process during ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/09/negative-words-can-be-shut-out-unconsciously/38420.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

NYT: Parents' Depression Linked to Problems in Children

A primary care doc talks about their experience working with depression over the years. Parents are frequently overlooked but how they feel is important.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=947828&f=26

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Loyal Companion Helps a Veteran With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Tori Stitt found that medication and therapy did not rid her of the trauma of a tour in Iraq. Her service dog, Devon, is a big part of her recovery...

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=944511&f=26

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

10 Problems That Could Mean Adult ADHD

Many people think of rowdy kids who can't sit still when they think of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. But the fact is, symptoms of ADHD can linger into adulthood. In fact, many adults with ADHD don't realize that many of the problems they face, including staying organized or being on time, are symptoms of adult ADHD.

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/10-symptoms-adult-adhd
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Depression Linked to Arterial Disease

A new research study suggests depression increases the risk of a circulatory disorder that narrows arteries and reduces blood flow to the limbs. The condition is known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) and is often characterized by leg pain ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/04/23/depression-linked-to-arterial-disease/37696.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

NYT: Studying States of Consciousness

The puzzle of consciousness is so devilish that scientists and philosophers are still struggling with how to talk about it...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/article;jsessionid=674FC2B32035063C91935F27BF9E9883.w6?a=938108&f=26

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Mike Wallace’s Battle with Depression | Psych Central News

Mike Wallace, who passed away over the weekend at age 93, was known for being a tough CBS 60 Minutes news correspondent. But he also held onto a secret that is shared by many people in show business and the ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/04/10/mike-wallaces-battle-with-depression/37182.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Supportive Supervisor Reduces Job Absences

Work culture includes the relationship an individual has with peers or colleagues, and also the rapport a person has with his or her manager/boss. A new study suggests a supportive supervisor can keep employees in certain hazardous ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/03/21/supportive-supervisor-reduces-job-absences/36293.html

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.
Licensed Psychologist
941-321-1971

Monday, February 27, 2012

Cocktail of Popular Drugs May Cloud Brain

Regular use of many common drugs may cause cognitive impairment and memory loss. Those with the most severe effects include Paxil, Benadryl, a drug for overactive bladder called oxybutynin, and the schizophrenia drug clozapine...

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/cocktail-of-popular-drugs-may-cloud-brain/

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Workstation: Driven to Worry, and to Procrastinate

You're always putting things off at work. But experts say there are ways to overcome the habit, even in an age of more expectations, less time and fewer resources.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/jobs/procrastinating-at-work-maybe-youre-overwhelmed.html

Friday, February 17, 2012

Keeping the Faith in Partner’s Efforts Can Improve Relationships

Imagine your partner routinely forgets special events such as Valentine's Day or your birthday. This year, though, he makes a romantic effort to acknowledge the day. New research suggests you will feel better about your relationship ...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/02/15/keeping-the-faith-in-partners-efforts-can-improve-relationships/34843.html

Partner Support Important for Managing Work Stress

America's workforce has changed dramatically over the past 50 years with dual income families now representing over 80 percent of married couples. Florida State University researchers decided to look at the ...
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/02/17/partner-support-important-for-managing-work-stress/34953.html

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Treatment Integration for Depression, Diabetes Increases Success for Both

Individuals treated for both depression and Type 2 diabetes have better medication compliance and experience significant improvements in depression and blood sugar levels compared to those receiving typical  treatments, according to a new study out ...
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/01/15/treatment-integration-for-depression-diabetes-increases-success-for-both/33694.html

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Strategies to Cope with Workplace Abuse are Often Ineffective

For most, dealing with an abusive boss means avoidance, not confrontation, even though confrontation is probably the most effective tactic. A new study reviews traditional coping strategies and finds they are rarely effective and ...
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/01/05/strategies-to-cope-with-workplace-abuse-are-often-ineffective/33335.html