Potential is Increasing to Create Personalized Antidepressant

The class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, but they don’t work for everyone. Some people often have to try several different SSRI medications, each with a different set of side effects, before finding one that is effective. And it usually takes five, six or even up to eight weeks to see if a particular antidepressant drug really works. A new study by researchers at Tel Aviv University suggest a particular gene may reveal whether people are likely to respond well to SSRI antidepressants...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/10/potential-is-increasing-to-create-personalized-antidepressant/63099.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Too Much Trauma Coverage Can Be More Stressful Than Being There

Although advances in technology allow ongoing coverage of breaking news, the knowledge may come at a cost as researchers discover the exposure can lead to viewer stress. A new study suggests stepping away from extensive media reports in the aftermath of terrorist attacks or mass shootings may be beneficial to your mental health...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/11/too-much-trauma-coverage-can-be-more-stressful-than-being-there/63155.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Self-Reflection Can Strengthen Moral Compass

A new study finds that training people to think about time, rather than money, may help reduce cheating behavior. Psychological scientists...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/11/self-reflection-can-strengthen-moral-compass/63159.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Standardized Test Score May Not Correlate to Higher IQ

Many states require a high school student to pass a standardized test to receive a high-school diploma. Conceptually, the exam ensures that the student has successfully learned key concepts. The high-stakes tests have been shown to...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/12/standardized-test-score-may-not-correlate-to-higher-iq/63200.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction Eased by Exercise

A new study suggests exercise can improve sexual functioning in women who are taking antidepressants. Psychological researchers discovered moderate intensity exercise at the right time significantly improves sexual functioning...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/11/antidepressant-induced-sexual-dysfunction-relieved-by-exercise/63162.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Fear of Being Single Helps Us Lower Our Standards

A new study finds that the fear of not being in a relationship results in a lowering of relationship criteria for both men and women. Researchers from the University of Toronto...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/12/04/fear-of-being-single-helps-us-lower-our-standards/62821.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Insomnia Linked to Greater Risk of Heart-Related Deaths in Men

Among men who suffer from certain types of insomnia — difficulty falling asleep and non-restorative sleep in particular — there is a slight increase in risk of death from heart-related problems, according to a new study...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/11/30/insomnia-linked-to-greater-risk-of-heart-related-deaths-in-men/62674.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Dreading Pain Can Be Worse Than Actual Pain

Faced with pain, most people choose to “get it out of the way” as soon as possible, according to new research published in PLOS Computational Biology...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/11/23/dreading-pain-can-be-worse-than-actual-pain/62438.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

More than 1 in 10 kids has ADHD, government survey saysMore than 1 in 10 kids has ADHD, government survey says

Rates of parent-reported diagnoses of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continued their upward trend through 2011, government researchers said.

Data from the 2011 edition of the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)indicated that 11% (95% CI 1.5%-11.5%) of children 4 to 17 years of age had at one time or another received a diagnosis of ADHD...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/22/adhd-kids-cdc/3677883/

  

COMMENT BY Dr. Davenport:

There can be many reasons someone has difficulty paying attention and sustaining concentration. To have a diagnosis of ADHD that is not masking another problem all other reasons for inattention and concentration have to be RULED OUT. A positive response to stimulants DOES NOT support a diagnosis of ADHD. Stimulants help sad people concentrate better and feel better this does not mean they have ADHD. Just my two cents.

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

High Blood Pressure in Middle Age Tied to Alzheimer's Signs

Middle-aged people who have high blood pressure are more likely to have the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study...

http://www.medicaldaily.com/alzheimers-disease-related-blood-pressure-can-pulse-pressure-middle-age-be-used-predict-ad-263109

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

More Than Half Of Teens With Mental Health Problems Aren't Getting Treatment: Study

More than half of teens with psychiatric disorders go untreated, with treatment rates for some conditions being lower than others, according to a new study.

And among teens with psychiatric disorders who do receive treatment, the health care providers are not often mental health specialists, but rather school counselors, pediatricians and probation officers...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/18/teens-mental-health-treatment-psychiatric-disorders_n_4296811.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Depression: 'Second biggest cause of disability' in world

Depression is the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain, according to a review of research. The disease must be treated as a global public health priority, experts report in the journal PLOS Medicine...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24818048

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Kids Who Add Sleep Can Subtract Pounds, Study Suggests

Getting kids to eat less may be as simple as making sure they get a good night's sleep, a new, small study suggests.

That doesn't mean sleep is the answer to the U.S. obesity epidemic, but it might be one part of the solution, according to study author Chantelle Hart, an associate professor of public health at Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education in Philadelphia.

The three-week study of 37 children, aged 8 to 11, suggests that increasing sleep could decrease food intake and improve...

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/11/04/kids-who-add-sleep-can-subtract-pounds-study-suggests

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Humans See in the Dark: People Watch Body Movement in Pitch Black Conditions

"Seeing in total darkness? According to the current understanding of natural vision, that just doesn't happen," said Duje Tadin, one of the researchers, in a news release. "But this research shows that our own movements transmit sensory signals that also can create real visual perceptions in the brain, even in the complete absence of optical input."...

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/10609/20131031/humans-see-dark-people-watch-body-movement-pitch-black-conditions.htm

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

People Are Moral In The Morning, Dishonest In The Afternoon

The wear and tear of an average day makes people more likely to fudge the truth in the afternoon. If you're the head of a sales team and you want your people to be honest with you about whether they have met their targets, it's better to meet with them in the...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/10/31/people-are-moral-in-the-morning-dishonest-in-the-afternoon/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Internet chatrooms can help those in distress, says study

Internet forums and chatrooms can have positive effects that should be more widely acknowledged, experts say. The call comes after Oxford University researchers carried out an analysis of 14 different studies looking at how young people use the internet...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24726520

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Textual Relations: Couples Who Text Too Much Aren't As In Love As They Want You To Think

In this world, there are researchers who study the societal effects of text messages. Two of these researchers, Lori Schade and Jonathan Sandberg of Brigham Young University, just released a new study claiming that too much texting can disconnect couples...

http://healthland.time.com/2013/10/31/if-your-guy-is-texting-you-a-lot-hes-not-that-into-you/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Genetics, Parental Rules Influence Adolescent Drinking

Why do we drink? There can be many reasons and the answer is likely a bit different for each drinker. Are we born with it or do we learn about drinking from what we see and hear? It might be a mix of both. Here is a study about the geneitcs of drinking....

A new study of adolescent drinking has found that the interaction of specific genes and parental rules may determine whether a teen will have alcohol-related problems in the future...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/19/genetics-parental-rules-influence-adolescent-drinking/60902.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

How Does Flow of Information Change in Unconscious Brain?

What happens in the human brain when it slips into unconsciousness? UCLA psychologists have been investigating this question through the use of brain-imaging techniques...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/19/how-does-flow-of-information-change-in-unconscious-brain/60893.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Beating the Blues Before They Beat You

Having a bout of the blues is not uncommon for most people. But one expert feels we don’t do enough to combat the blues, and that can lead to trouble.

“I think depression is a spectrum, and full-on depression is when you experience things like impaired appetite, disrupted sleep, lack of concentration and ruminative thoughts,” said Diane Tucker, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/21/beating-the-blues-before-they-beat-you/60994.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

For Hurdles, Even a Pretend Friend Will Help

Young children's habit of talking to imaginary friends can spur the development of an inner dialogue that they can use to talk themselves through challenging tasks now and later as adults, a study in the November issue of the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology suggests...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/15/for-hurdles-even-a-preten_n_4101926.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Why humans and animals rely on social touch

From monkeys to humans, grooming is an important way to win favours and earn social standing. For babies, it can also be the difference between life and death...

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20131014-the-touching-moments-we-all-need

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Autistic Kids Focus More on Right Than Left Eye

In face recognition, children with autism focus on the face about as long as their peers, but tend to look at the right eye rather than the left. The new research also shows that children with an autism spectrum disorder tend to focus just below the eyes, instead of at the pupils. Research has shown that children with autism have trouble recognizing...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/13/autistic-kids-focus-more-on-right-than-left-eye/60644.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Irregular Bedtimes Tied to Kids’ Behavioral Problems

A study from researchers at University College London found that irregular bedtimes could disrupt natural body rhythms and cause sleep deprivation, undermining brain maturation and the ability to regulate certain behaviors."Not having fixed bedtimes, accompanied by a constant sense of flux, induces a state of body and mind akin to jet lag," said Professor Yvonne Kelly, Ph.D., of the University College London, "and this matters for healthy development and daily functioning."...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/14/irregular-bedtimes-tied-to-kids-behavioral-problems/60641.html

Yo-Yo Weight Loss is Sign of Disordered Eating

Dieters know that losing weight is often not the issue — keeping the weight off is. Weight loss researchers agree that the more weight you’ve lost, the harder it is to keep it off. A complex and vicious cycle of biological and behavioral factors make it so. Nevertheless, a majority of research on eating disorders has largely overlooked this reality...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/09/25/yo-yo-weight-loss-is-sign-of-disordered-eating/59904.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Teaching Kids Mindfulness Improves their Attention

A new UK study finds that a short training course in mindfulness improves children’s ability to ignore distractions and concentrate better. University of Cambridge researchers Dominic Crehan and Michelle Ellefson discovered mindfulness training helps children focus and deal with distractions. “Mindfulness involves paying attention in a particular way – on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally,” explained...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/09/09/teaching-kids-mindfulness-improves-their-attention/59355.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Nicotine Therapy for Schizophrenia?

Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia may be more inclined to smoke cigarettes because the nicotine reduces negative symptom severity, researchers report.

Negative symptoms are defined as a decline or absence in the traits needed for normal functioning. These include loss of interest in everyday activities, lack of emotion, social withdrawal, reduced ability to plan or carry out activities, neglect of personal hygiene, and loss of motivation.

“Although smoking has a wide range of well-established ill effects on human health, these findings do raise the possibility of exploring nicotinic pathways for novel treatments of schizophrenia,” said the researchers.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/09/08/nicotine-therapy-for-schizophrenia/59285.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Exercise Has Modest Effect on Depression

Exercise had a moderate effect on symptoms of depression in a meta-analysis, but the benefit diminished in an analysis limited to well-designed studies, investigators concluded. When compared with no treatment or control interventions, exercise was associated with a treatment effect of -0.62, although many of the 35 trials included in the analysis had one or more biases or other faults...

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/Depression/41562

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Americans Stay Connected to Work on Weekends, Vacation and Even When Out Sick

Turning off the smartphone and leaving work behind during weekends and vacations is a rare thing for most working Americans, and contrary to popular belief, most say staying connected is good for their productivity and balance. These were among the results of a survey released today by the American Psychological Association’s Center for Organizational Excellence...

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/09/connected-work.aspx

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

What to Do When Work Stress Eats Up the Evening

Feeling the pinch of work stress in the evening? Before heading home for the night, take a moment to savor the day’s wins.

Forthcoming research  from the Academy of Management Journal shows that workers reported lower stress levels in the evenings after spending a few minutes jotting down positive events at the end of the day, along with why those things made them feel good...

http://blogs.wsj.com/atwork/2013/09/04/what-to-do-when-work-stress-eats-up-the-evening/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Study: Yelling at teens is not effective

Many parents of teenage children say they're sometimes forced to yell at their kids. But does it work?

A new study  out overnight suggests yelling and shouting at teenagers is not the best strategy to raise well-behaved, happy and respectful teens...

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/305150/40/Study-Yelling-at-teens-is-not-effective

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Schools finding suspensions ineffective for changing student behavior

First school officials say how important it is to be in class.

Then they tell them not to come. More than 30,000 out-of-school suspensions were issued to public school students -- some of them repeatedly to the same students -- in kindergarten through 12th grade in Allegheny County alone in 2011-12, the most recent year for which countywide data are available.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/schools-finding-suspensions-ineffective-701785/#ixzz2ei6Mpt7i

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Victims Of Bullying Are More Likely To Be Arrested As Adults

You'd expect bullies to grow up to get in trouble with the law. But children who are consistently bullied also are more likely to run afoul of the law as adults, including being arrested and jailed...

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/08/01/207904781/victims-of-bullying-are-more-likely-to-be-arrested-as-adults

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Is Unconscious Self-Control Possible?

A new study posits that we can program our bodies to temptation...
...Although we may mindlessly eat cookies at a party, stopping ourselves from overindulging may seem impossible without a deliberate, conscious effort...
...However, it turns out that overhearing someone – even in a completely unrelated conversation – say something as simple as “calm down” might trigger us to stop our cookie-eating frenzy without realizing it...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/08/09/is-unconscious-self-control-possible/58231.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship

New research has found a childhood pattern of antisocial tendencies among entrepreneurs. Researchers at the University of Stockholm and Friedrich Schiller University at Jena, Germany, found that as children, entrepreneurs had a higher tendency to break rules, including frequent disregard of parental orders, more frequent cheating at school and more use of drugs...

... The study found that “rebellious adolescent behavior against socially accepted standards and an early questioning of boundaries doesn’t necessarily lead to criminal and antisocial careers,” he concluded. “It can rather be the basis for a productive and socially acceptable entrepreneurship.”

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/08/10/the-dark-side-of-entrepreneurship/58279.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Good Wellness Habits Help Kids Prosper in School

Raising children often means worrying about their health and how they are doing in school. In fact, University of Alabama at Birmingham experts say excelling in school depends on making the right choices. Health habits, such as eating and sleep patterns, are linked to academic success, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Your brain can’t work if you’re not consuming enough calories..." "... “But when kids go to school without eating breakfast, their cognitive function can be affected.”...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/29/good-wellness-habits-help-kids-prosper-in-school/57734.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

How the Brain Filters Out Noise to Stay Focused & On Task

Staying on task is not easy given the multiple distractions we often face. Experts acknowledge that without the ability to focus and filter out “noise,” we could not effectively interact with our environment. Although maintaining attention is well-established as a core brain function, until now the cellular mechanisms responsible for the effects of attention have remained a mystery...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/29/how-the-brain-filters-out-noise-to-stay-focused-on-task/57732.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Identifying Teens at Risk for PTSD

Many teens are exposed to emotionally traumatic events, putting them at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new study found online in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry helps clinicians target those who are most vulnerable...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/30/how-to-identify-teens-at-risk-for-ptsd/57756.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Of Course French Kids Have (ADHD PART II of II)

Repost from..."Psychology Today"

A post from psychology today: "created real interest in the possibility that French children may be less likely to be diagnosed and treated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  In fact, however, the prevalence of ADHD among French children appears to be about 3.5% to 5.6% - which is consistent with the DSM-IV-TR estimate of prevalence in the US.  And, just as in the US, the diagnosis was frequently co-occurring with behavioral disorders and academic underperformance, and boys were more likely than girls to receive a diagnosis of ADHD.

Likewise, a 2003 literature review found similar prevalence of ADHD in 30 non-US countries.

Among adults, estimates of ADHD appeared to vary from about 2% to 4% in this 2007 study across 10 nations.  Those numbers are consistent with a pooled prevalence estimate of 2.5% in this 2009meta-analysis..."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/intrinsic-motivation-and-magical-unicorns/201305/course-french-kids-have-adhd

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Why French Kids Don't Have ADHD (PART I of II)

Comments by Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.:

This article and a second one to be posted just after this one poses an interesting conversation about ADHD.

Symptoms consistent with ADHD absolutely interfere with children and adults living their lives as they would like. However, one of the questions I feel is most important to consider in treating ADHD is: what is causing the difficulty with sustained attention and concentration? Until that is answered and other possibilities are ruled out I do not feel ADHD is the best place to stop in helping the patient.

If a child is anxious and struggles to pay attention as a result of the anxiety should they also be diagnosed with ADHD if they meet diagnostic criteria? Stimulants may help this child pay attention in the short run but if the cause of anxiety is addressed I have found that the ADHD will remit and the child will feel more reassured about their ability to face and cope with feelings. Many times I find that there is a time pressure to treat the symptoms as fast as possible. This may be where stimulants come in and an ADHD diagnosis is given due to the person meeting diagnostic criteria. They may notice improved concentration but might a bigger part of be picture be getting over looked?

BEGIN ARTICLE: Published on March 8, 2012 by Marilyn Wedge, Ph.D. in Suffer the Children

In the United States, at least 9% of school-aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and are taking pharmaceutical medications. In France, the percentage of kids diagnosed and medicated for ADHD is less than .5%. How come the epidemic of ADHD—which has become firmly established in the United States—has almost completely passed over children in France?

Is ADHD a biological-neurological disorder? Surprisingly, the answer to this question depends on whether you live in France or in the United States. In the United States, child psychiatrists consider ADHD to be a biological disorder with biological causes. The preferred treatment is also biological--psycho stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall...

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-kids-dont-have-adhd

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

More Frequent, Not Long Vacations Best for Stress Reduction

Getting away from work or a routine at home is a tried and true remedy for stress relief and mental rejuvenation. However, taking the correct amount of time off can make a difference for returning with renewed vigor, or coming back from a vacation loaded with new stress...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/19/more-frequent-not-long-vacations-best-for-stress-reduction/57370.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Overnight Stays Away From Home Affect Babies' Attachments

What happens when babies spend a night or more each week away from their primary caregiver — as increasingly happens in cases where parents share custody — but do not live together?

Researchers from the University of Virginia found that those infants had more insecure attachments...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/21/overnight-stays-away-from-home-affect-babies-attachments/57400.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

The Return of the Invisible Gorilla: Experts Aren't Immune to this Psychological Effect

In a classic study, researchers asked subjects to watch a video of two groups of people passing a basketball and count the number of passes by one of the teams or keep count of bounce passes vs. aerial passes. Engrossed in the task, half the subjects failed to notice a person in a gorilla suit walk through the video scene.

This phenomena is called inattentional blindness (IB) and a new study... discovers that even expert searchers... are vulnerable to IB. “...This study helps illustrate that what we become focused on becomes the center of our world, and it shapes what we can and cannot see..."

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/22/the-return-of-the-invisible-gorilla-experts-arent-immune-to-this-psychological-effect/57478.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Workplace Improvements: How To Make Your Space More Enjoyable

If you're like most people, your workplace isn't exactly a joyful haven of rest and relaxation. Indeed, most would agree that they have stressful jobs and workplaces that don't do enough to promote employee wellness. The American Psychological Association (APA) cites 5 components of a psychologically healthy workplace...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/02/workplace-improvements_n_3529272.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

DOMA Decision "a Roadmap for Marriage Equality in All 50 States"

What a difference a day makes. The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The ruling, as expected, does not establish a universal right to same-sex marriage. But Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for a five-to-four majority, eschewed a narrow opinion that threw out the law simply on federalism grounds. Instead, Kennedy and the four liberal justices declared that DOMA deprives same-sex couples of “equal protection” under the law...

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/113641/supreme-court-strikes-down-doma-big-step-marriage-equality#

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Friends In Business Together: 4 Success Stories

As the old saying goes, “Don’t mix business with pleasure.” Based on this conventional wisdom, starting up a company with a friend is probably, well, not the wisest idea. Yet commerce has no shortage of business buddies—from Ben and Jerry (grade-school friends) to Hewlett and Packard (college pals). Heck, even Starbucks was created by a group of college chums... We tracked down four sets of pals who are in business together to find out the secret to their friendly success...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/06/26/friends-in-business-together-4-success-stories/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Men and women cooperate differently in relationships: study

The two sexes 'experience cooperation differently,' University of Arizona researchers found. Men want to appease their partners quickly, while women want to get to the root of the problem.

A new study sheds light on the significant differences in how men and women try to cooperate and appease one another in a relationship.

As researchers from the University of Arizona point out, one of the keys to a successful relationship is compromise and cooperation.

But after observing 44 straight couples in an experiment that gauged their emotional responses during a mundane conversation about their shared lifestyle with respect to health and diet, study authors concluded that while a man tends to mirror a woman’s emotional response in order to appease her, a woman, on the other hand, will sway in the opposite direction. That is, if her partner is feeling more positive, she will tend to feel less positive and vice versa...

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/men-women-cooperate-differently-relationships-study-article-1.1387093

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Workplace Improvements: How To Make Your Space More Enjoyable

If you're like most people, your workplace isn't exactly a joyful haven of rest and relaxation. Indeed, most would agree that they have stressful jobs and workplaces that don't do enough to promote employee wellness.

However, progressive organizations around the world are beginning to understand the importance of employee wellbeing. They now know that improving workplace wellness isn't just a nice thing to do for employees -- it helps the company bottom line in numerous ways...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/02/workplace-improvements_n_3529272.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Aging Stereotypes Can Actually Hamper Memory in Older Adults

A new study has found that attributing every forgetful moment to getting older — so-called “senior moments” — can actually exacerbate their memory problems.

According to researchers at the University of Southern California School of Gerontology, their new study is an extension of the idea of “stereotype threat,” a widely studied phenomenon in social psychology.

When people are confronted with negative stereotypes about a group with which they identify, they tend to “self-handicap and underperform compared to their potential,”...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/07/aging-stereotypes-can-actually-hamper-memory-in-older-adults/56894.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Poor Sleep Increases Relationship Stress

Perhaps it is no surprise that researchers have discovered relationship problems can keep us awake at night. Now, a more important finding suggests that sleepless nights can also worsen the relationship conflict.

University of California – Berkeley psychologists Amie Gordon and Dr. Serena Chen discovered that people are much more likely to lash out at their romantic partners over relationship conflicts after a bad night’s sleep...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/10/poor-sleep-increases-relationship-stress/57032.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Sleep Loss Increases Anxiety — Especially Among Worriers

Are you tired and grumpy and feel on the edge? Do you catch yourself worrying more? If the answer is yes, the issue may be a lack of sleep, say researchers at the University of California – Berkeley. Scientists have found that a lack of sleep, common in anxiety...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/06/27/sleep-loss-increases-anxiety-especially-among-worriers/56531.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Challenge 2013: Linking Employee Wellness, Morale And The Bottom-Line

As the work-life balance debate roars on with employees wondering whether to lean-in or lean-out these days, perception is everything (most recently at Arianna Huffington’s #ThirdMetric conference where redefining success beyond money and power was the focus). And the perception of being cared for in a workplace culture that encourages wellness, just might boast a more committed and happy workforce in the new world of work which is arguably hi-tech, global and 24/7....

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2013/06/11/challenge-2013-linking-employee-wellness-morale-and-the-bottom-line/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Breaking Up: 7 Ways A Split Can Affect Your Physical And Mental Health

The fact that an estimated 50 percent of marriages in America now end in divorce doesn't make breaking up any easier to do. The staggering emotional impact of a break-up can not only leave you feeling completely broken -- loss, anger, anxiety, and loneliness are common emotions -- but can also take a significant toll on your health. "Every thought, every action, every word that you say creates a physical response by the brain"...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/divorce-stress_n_3428932.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Dietary Changes To Gut Bacteria Can Affect Brain Functioning, Study Suggests

Dietary changes to the bacteria living in our guts could have an impact on brain functioning, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that regularly eating yogurt with probiotics, which contain "good" bacteria, seems to affect brain functioning...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/gut-bacteria-brain-dietary-changes-_n_3455148.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Helping young victims of physical and emotional trauma

From severe bullying and sexual abuse to abandonment and natural disasters, instances of trauma do not discriminate by age. Children especially, though, may have trouble understanding what has happened and why, and it can be difficult for them to make sense of their feelings after a traumatic event.

With “Healing Days,” the American Psychological Association has published an illustrated storybook that aims to help guide young victims through their emotional or physical trauma.

The book tells the tale of a child who...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/helping-young-victims-of-physical-and-emotional-trauma/2013/06/03/157b1976-c617-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Chronic Stress Linked To Health Problems For Middle-Aged Women

All that pent-up stress could be making you feel pretty crappy, according to a new study in the International Journal of General Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that chronic stress seems to take an especially hard toll on the health of 40-to-60-year-old women. The most common stress-related health complaints included aches and muscle/joint pain (reported by 40 percent of the women), headaches and migraines (reported by 28 percent of the women) and gastrointestinal issues (reported by about 28 percent of the women). However, researchers did not find links between perceived stress and early death.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/chonic-stress-women-health-middle-age_n_3415803.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com

Breastfeeding Benefits Babies' Brains

A new study boosts the evidence that breastfeeding is good for babies’ brains. Researchers from Brown University used a specialized, baby-friendly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the brain growth in a group of children under the age of 4. They found that by age 2, babies who had been breastfed exclusively for at least three months had enhanced development in key parts of the brain...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/06/08/breastfeeding-benefits-babies-brains/55786.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

drcharlesdavenport.com