Chronic Pain Relief More Likely When Psychological Science Involved

When it comes to chronic pain, psychological interventions often provide more relief than prescription drugs or surgery without the risk of side effects, but are used much less frequently than traditional medical treatments, according to a comprehensive review published by the American Psychological Association.

“Chronic pain affects 116 million American adults, making it more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined, and traditional medical approaches are inadequate,” said Mark P. Jensen, PhD, of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington...

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/02/pain-relief-science.aspx

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Are Gambling and High-Risk Sex Related?

Late adolescence is often a time of expanding boundaries and exploring new frontiers, and many become involved in high-risk behaviors with adverse consequences.

A new study by researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health with colleagues at Johns Hopkins University analyzed the degree to which adolescent sexual behaviors and gambling affected...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/27/are-gambling-and-high-risk-sex-related/66463.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

New autism guidelines may reduce diagnoses by nearly one-third

New guidelines for defining autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may reduce the number of people being diagnosed with the condition by nearly one-third.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers from Columbia University have concluded that the updated guidelines, released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 2013, may result in thousands of children with developmental delays no longer qualifying for the social and medical services they need...

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/02/26/new-autism-guidelines-may-reduce-diagnoses-by-nearly-one-third/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Psychologists play primary role in chronic pain treatment, comprehensive review finds

When it comes to chronic pain, psychological interventions often provide more relief than prescription drugs or surgery without the risk of side effects, but are used much less frequently than traditional medical treatments, according to a comprehensive review published by the American Psychological Association.

“Chronic pain affects 116 million American adults, making it more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined, and traditional medical approaches are inadequate,” said Mark P. Jensen, PhD, of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington...

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/02/pain-relief-science.aspx

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Stress in America survey says teens feel more pressure than adults

American teens are more stressed than adults, a new survey suggests, and it’s impacting areas of their health including sleep, exercise and their ability to eat well, according to the latest Stress in America Survey.

The 2013 Stress in America survey results, which were unveiled Tuesday by the American Psychological Association, involved responses from 1,950 adults and 1,018 teens. The annual questionnaire has been tracking the stress levels of Americans since 2007...

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stress-in-america-survey-reveals-teens-feel-more-pressure-than-adults/

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Over 3 years, people who stopped reported drop in mood disorders, alcohol and drug problems

Quitting smoking may be as good for your mental health as it is for your physical health, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed data from 4,800 daily smokers in the United States who took part in two surveys conducted three years apart. Those who had an addiction or other mental health problems in the first survey were less likely to have those issues in the second survey if they'd quit smoking, the investigators said...

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20140212/quitting-smoking-linked-to-better-mental-health-in-study

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Shy Toddlers Understand More Than They Say

A new study shows that while shy toddlers often have delayed speech, that doesn’t mean they don’t understand what’s being said.

For their study, scientists at the University of Colorado-Boulder tested... 

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/08/shy-toddlers-understand-more-than-their-speaking-ability-indicates/65603.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

App Technology Enables Uploadable Sleep Data

Although many understand the need to improve sleep quality and sleep duration, a user-friendly method to help tackle this task remains elusive.

New research suggests technology may provide an answer as a new measuring system allows quantitative measuring of sleep characters.

Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, poor quality of sleep, and a variety of sleep-related breathing problems are very common...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/10/app-technology-enables-uploadable-sleep-data/65682.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Matchmaking Fulfills the Matchmaker Too

This week is a perfect time to pair up friends for a date, as new research suggests the activity can reap rewards both for the new couple and for you.

A new study, found in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, suggests matchmaking brings intrinsic happiness to...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/11/matchmaking-fulfills-the-matchmaker-too/65723.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Why we cry... New research is opening our eyes to understanding why we cry.

Why does one cry over a Hallmark card while another does not cry over the death of a loved one...
http://www.apamonitor-digital.org/apamonitor/201402/?pg=0&pm=0&u1=friend&article_id=385676
Reposted by:
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC.
www.drcharlesdavenport.com

'Intuitive' Training Improves Math Scores

Training students to quickly view unequal objects or patterns, then instinctively predict which group has more of a particular item, can be an effective method to improve math scores.

In a new study, researchers report that practicing this kind of simple, intuitive numerical exercise improved children’s ability to solve math problems...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/30/intuitive-training-improves-math-scores/65193.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Childhood Anxiety Still Difficult to Treat

A new study discovers that less than half of children and young adults treated for anxiety achieve long-term relief.

The federally funded research confirms that consistent follow-up and monitoring of symptoms among anxious children, teens and young adults, is indicated — even when an individual appears to be doing well...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/30/childhood-anxiety-still-difficult-to-treat/65205.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

ADHD Associated with Communication Problems

Emerging research suggests people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may face challenges when communicating and interacting with other people.

In Canada, University of Waterloo researchers say “people with ADHD are often less able to consider the perspective of their conversational partner.”...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/30/adhd-associated-with-communication-problems/65195.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Caregiving Does Not Necessarily Cause Stress

Provocative new research rebuts the long-held belief that caregiving directly causes distress.

According to Peter Vitaliano, Py.D., a professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Washington, there never have been data actually showing caregiving causes psychological distress...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/31/caregiving-does-not-necessarily-cause-stress/65240.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Parents' Insecure Attachment May Hike Child's Obesity Risk

A new University of Illinois study suggests that a shaky relationship with your parents may affect your own child’s risk for obesity.

In essence, the study found an absence of healthy emotional regulation may be transmitted from a parent to a child.

“If your mother regularly punished or dismissed your anger, anxiety, or sadness instead of being sensitive to your distress and giving you strategies for handling those feelings, you may be insecurely attached and parenting your children in the same way.”...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/31/parents-insecure-attachment-may-hike-childs-obesity-risk/65242.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com

Link Found Between Sleep Duration and Depression

Two new studies published in the journal Sleep have found a link between sleep duration and depression. “Healthy sleep is a necessity for physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said American Academy of Sleep Medicine...

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/01/link-found-between-sleep-duration-and-depression/65322.html

Reposted by:

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

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

www.drcharlesdavenport.com