32 posts · 9,025 views
I am a psychologist who specializes in trauma and depression. I blog about everyday issues and psychological aspects of the psyche.
Dr. Deb
32 posts
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- March 12, 2010
- 01:28 PM
- 48 views
Sleep Disorders Are No Laughing Matter
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
March 7 thru the 13th is Sleep Awareness Week. Good sleep is important for physical health. As for emotional health, studies suggest mental health difficulties are often accompanied by sleep disturbances.
... Read more »
Lee, M., Choh, A., Demerath, E., Knutson, K., Duren, D., Sherwood, R., Sun, S., Chumlea, W., Towne, B., Siervogel, R.... (2009) Sleep disturbance in relation to health-related quality of life in adults: The fels longitudinal study. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 13(6), 576-583. DOI: 10.1007/s12603-009-0110-1
- March 6, 2010
- 08:22 PM
- 51 views
An Emotion Detector For Babies
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Baby monitors of the future could translate infant cries, so that parents will know for certain whether their child is sleepy, hungry, needing a change, or in pain. Japanese scientists report details of a statistical computer program that can analyze a baby's crying in the International Journal of Biometrics. Essentially, the researchers developed a method to classify the causes of crying babies.Studies done over the years have found that the pitch and frequency of a baby's cry can indicate a he........ Read more »
Wang, X., Nagashima, T., Fukuta, K., Okada, Y., Sawai, M., Tanaka, H., & Uozumi, T. (2010) Statistical method for classifying cries of baby based on pattern recognition of power spectrum. International Journal of Biometrics, 2(2), 113. DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2010.031791
- March 1, 2010
- 04:25 PM
- 55 views
The Importance of Proper Media Coverage of Suicide
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
The way media reports suicide can do one of two things. It can unwittingly create a contagious trend or it can educate and help others receive treatment. Research has shown that how suicide is reported makes all the difference.... Read more »
Pirkis, J. (2009) Suicide and the media. Psychiatry, 8(7), 269-271. DOI: 10.1016/j.mppsy.2009.04.009
- February 23, 2010
- 11:07 AM
- 44 views
March 1st is Self-Injury Awareness Day
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Self-injury does not involve a conscious intent to commit suicide, though many believe that people who harm themselves are suicidal... Read more »
Lloyd, K. (2010) Understanding Repeated Self-Injury: A Multidisciplinary Approach. The Psychiatrist, 34(2), 77-77. DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.109.026534
- February 15, 2010
- 10:25 AM
- 45 views
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States use the month of February to bring awareness to Eating Disorders.... Read more »
Orbanic, S. (2010) What Every Therapist Needs to Know About Treating Eating . Eating Disorders, 18(1), 78-79. DOI: 10.1080/10640260903439581
- February 10, 2010
- 05:50 PM
- 91 views
Broken Heart Syndrome
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Studies have shown that sudden emotional stress can trigger a severe, but reversible heart muscle weakness that mimics a heart attack.... Read more »
Derrick, D. (2009) The"Broken Heart Syndrome": Understanding Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Critical Care Nurse, 29(1), 49-57. DOI: 10.4037/ccn2009451
- February 5, 2010
- 03:30 PM
- 107 views
The Power of Kindness
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Research says that witnessing simple acts of everyday kindness, such as one person giving up a seat on the bus, holding a door open for another, or helping someone pick something that dropped to the floor can promote altruism.... Read more »
Landis, S., Sherman, M., Piedmont, R., Kirkhart, M., Rapp, E., & Bike, D. (2009) The relation between elevation and self-reported prosocial behavior: Incremental validity over the Five-Factor Model of Personality. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(1), 71-84. DOI: 10.1080/17439760802399208
- January 20, 2010
- 02:26 PM
- 150 views
Acceptance, Appraisal or Suppression: Anxiety Solutions
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
A recent study looked at which kind of emotional response worked best at controlling anxiety.... Read more »
Hofmann, S., Heering, S., Sawyer, A., & Asnaani, A. (2009) How to handle anxiety: The effects of reappraisal, acceptance, and suppression strategies on anxious arousal. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(5), 389-394. DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2009.02.010
- January 16, 2010
- 01:19 PM
- 135 views
The Benefits of "Exergaming"
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Research says that "Exergaming" has more than entertainment value. It offers great physical and mental benefits.... Read more »
Klein, M., & Simmers, C. (2009) Exergaming: Virtual inspiration, real perspiration. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 10(1), 35-45. DOI: 10.1108/17473610910940774
- January 5, 2010
- 04:09 PM
- 148 views
"One Letter Off" Movies: A Lateral Thinking Exercise
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Critical Thinking is the process by which we look for errors and find answers. Whereas Lateral Thinking is the finding of solutions through a creative process. Research tells us that creative thinking can help us be more effective problem solvers.... Read more »
Drury, S. (2009) Thinking Inside The Box. Journal of the American Academy of Child , 48(1), 1-2. DOI: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181908c2c
- January 1, 2010
- 12:17 PM
- 113 views
January is National Mentoring Month
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
There are few relationships in life that are more influential than those between a mentor and a young person. In fact, research shows that mentoring is an extraordinary experience for all involved.... Read more »
Pedersen, P., Woolum, S., Gagne, B., & Coleman, M. (2009) Beyond the norm: Extraordinary relationships in youth mentoring. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(12), 1307-1313. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.06.001
- November 20, 2009
- 11:50 AM
- 175 views
Suicide Survivors Awareness Day
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Research has shown that survivors of suicide contribute significantly in better understanding suicide and its prevention. There is great power in the personal narrative.
... Read more »
Andriessen, K. (2009) Can Postvention Be Prevention?. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 30(1), 43-47. DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910.30.1.43
- November 16, 2009
- 05:14 PM
- 179 views
Optimism and Your Heart
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Two recent issues of the journal "Circulation" include studies showing that positive thinking and health are interconnected.
... Read more »
Tindle, H., Chang, Y., Kuller, L., Manson, J., Robinson, J., Rosal, M., Siegle, G., & Matthews, K. (2009) Optimism, Cynical Hostility, and Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality in the Women's Health Initiative. Circulation, 120(8), 656-662. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.827642
- November 11, 2009
- 11:25 AM
- 200 views
Give An Hour
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Volunteering has long been known to have significant mental and physical health benefits for the volunteer. But did you know that recent research indicates how volunteering in your community produces "neighborhood well-being"?
... Read more »
Mellor, D., Hayashi, Y., Stokes, M., Firth, L., Lake, L., Staples, M., Chambers, S., & Cummins, R. (2007) Volunteering and Its Relationship With Personal and Neighborhood Well-Being. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 38(1), 144-159. DOI: 10.1177/0899764008317971
- September 27, 2009
- 06:08 PM
- 288 views
Illusions: Moving Though Static
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
The illusion above moves even though it is a static figure. Research says that the reason for this perceptual experience has to do with the neural processes which take in contrast and luminance. Of interest, are the research findings that says some of us will see it move more fluidly than others. This has to do with our individual hard-wiring.
... Read more »
Backus, B. (2005) Illusory motion from change over time in the response to contrast and luminance. Journal of Vision, 5(11), 1055-1069. DOI: 10.1167/5.11.10
- September 17, 2009
- 08:27 PM
- 295 views
The Marshmallow Test
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Dr. Walter Mischel's famous "Marshmallow Test" researched children and self-control back in the 1960's and 1970's. The design of the experiment involved leaving a succession of 4-year-olds in a room with a bell and a marshmallow. Each child was given a set of simple instructions. If they rang the bell, Mischel would come back and they could immediately eat the marshmallow. If, however, they didn't ring the bell and waited for him to come back on his own, he would br........ Read more »
Patterson, C., & Mischel, W. (1976) Effects of temptation-inhibiting and task-facilitating plans on self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33(2), 209-217. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.33.2.209
- August 28, 2009
- 06:04 AM
- 329 views
Let Them "See" Cake
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
According to research in the latest journal Appetite, looking at pictures of mouth watering food can actually help improve self-control.... Read more »
Kroese, F., Evers, C., & De Ridder, D. (2009) How chocolate keeps you slim. The effect of food temptations on weight watching goal importance, intentions, and eating behavior. Appetite. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2009.08.002
- August 24, 2009
- 04:58 PM
- 276 views
"Novelty Seeking" Tourism
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Research says that a growing number of travelers are choosing "Novelty" vacations. Are you one of them?
... Read more »
Hyde, K. (2008) The Vacation Flexibility Index: A Measure of Independence in Vacationer Behavior. Tourism Analysis, 13(5), 437-444. DOI: 10.3727/108354208788160423
- August 12, 2009
- 08:20 PM
- 295 views
Changing Mental Illness Stigma As It Exists In The Real World
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Researchers Corrigan & O'Shaugnessy cite three main areas that need to be highlighted in order to reduce mental illness stigma. Protest, Education and Contact.... Read more »
Corrigan, P., & O'Shaughnessy, J. (2007) Changing mental illness stigma as it exists in the real world. Australian Psychologist, 42(2), 90-97. DOI: 10.1080/00050060701280573
- August 7, 2009
- 03:21 PM
- 369 views
Prolonged Grief Disorder
by Deborah Serani, Psy.D. in Dr. Deb
Recent research has psychometrically validated the criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) - a disabling intense state of grief that persists for months, sometimes years. Though not a recognized mental disorder in the DSM-IVTR and ICD-10, inclusion could become a reality with the upcoming DSM V and ICD-11.
... Read more »
Prigerson, H., Horowitz, M., Jacobs, S., Parkes, C., Aslan, M., Goodkin, K., Raphael, B., Marwit, S., Wortman, C., Neimeyer, R.... (2009) Prolonged Grief Disorder: Psychometric Validation of Criteria Proposed for DSM-V and ICD-11. PLoS Medicine, 6(8). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000121
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