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Kate McLaughlin's Blog (76)

Stress Free Strategy #13

Anticipate the unexpected.

ALWAYS set up contingency plans just in case.

Examples:

~ If one of us is delayed, we'll send a text message notifying the others.

~ If we get split up at the mall, here's the time and place we'll meet.

~ If you get locked out of the house, get the…

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Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 16, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Smoking and Psych Disorders

A report released by an expert panel convened by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that myriad biological, psychological, and social factors play a role in the high smoking rates among people with psychiatric disorders.

Analysis of data from the National Comorbidity Study (NCS), a… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 15, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Women, Antidepressants & Cardiac Deaths

Women using antidepressants appear to have a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, but this doesn't mean antidepressants are at fault. In fact, the opposite may be true.

One recent study of people with heart failure found that depression was associated with… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 13, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Depression Kills. Antidepressants Save Lives.

Depression is the leading cause of suicide.

Suicide is the third-largest killer of children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24, and is a growing problem amongst middle aged and elderly adults.

Knowing this, scientists and researchers the world over have devoted time and energy to improving treatment approaches, including studies focused on the…

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Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 10, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

Stress-Free Strategy #12

Here it is...the latest in a series of stress reduction tips based on research done at Texas Women's University:

Eliminate or restrict the amount of caffeine in your diet.

I Know! I Know!

Just last Friday I told you about the benefits of coffee, and now I'm telling you to limit or eliminate caffeine.

But… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 9, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Is Coffee a Mental Preservative?

I am not a coffee drinker, preferring strong black tea with a little soy milk to soften the tannins, but new research may convince me to imbibe once in a while.

A recently released 20-year Finnish study… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 8, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Much to the world's chagrine, Carrie Fisher is not Princess Leia.

Carrie Fisher is a writer.

And she's very, very funny.

Both talents are verified in… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 7, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Treating Drepression Works!

Over 120 million people worldwide suffer from depression, one of the leading causes of disability according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite these alarming statistics, many people with depression don't know that's what ails them. Lots of sufferers think their symptoms are due to lack of sleep or a poor diet. Others know they're depressed, but they're too tired or ashamed or, believe… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 6, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Hope, Always

It is letters like the one below that keep me writing about mental health issues....the fact that treatment works...and that recovery is possible...

"I read your book today, started it today and finished it tonight, and i wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My son has been battling Bi-polar disorder his whole life. (My mother also suffers) He was DX at age 7 and these days hope of recovery or well being is slim. He is now 13 and new issues are… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Stress-Free Strategy #11

el reloj del Conejo Blanco - White Rabbit´s clock

When you have an appointment or firm commitment, allot 15 extra minutes to get where you need to be.

Traffic snarls and unexpected events happen all the time. Don't let them throw off your plans and cause unnecessary stress.

If you're traveling by air, plan to arrive at the airport one hour before domestic departures.

And ALWAYS carry reading material...if you spend… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 2, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Help For Parents - - Eating Disorders

Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders...

...is a volunteer run virtual community you must check out if you love someone who struggles with an eating disorder or body image issues.

As described on their website, F.E.A.S.T. "is an… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on April 1, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Brains of Bulimics are Different

According to an article published in the January 2009 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, women with… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 31, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Child Abuse Causes Damage at Genetic Level

We've known for decades that abused and neglected children develop anxiety, depression and addictions more often than other children, and that they're more likely than their well-cared-for peers to engage in self-destructive behaviors or attempt suicide.

Until recently, what's not been understood is whether the… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 30, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Are You Female? You Must Be Hungry!

I knew it was my biology!

Sometimes those dietary temptations are just too hard to resist.

Finally science has proven my assertions to be true.

In a study recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Gene-Jack Wang of… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 27, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Illness or Genius

Elizabeth Gilbert

A Different Way to Think about Creative Genius

Her fascinating perspective from the 2009 TED conference

"Don't be afraid. Just do…

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Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 26, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Addiction and Mental Health Issues

When my son Michael required inpatient or residential treatment for addictions and bipolar disorder, I carefully discovered the treatment approaches of available facilities.

Early in our years-long journey I learned that some treatment philosophies denied the existence of biologically-based mental illness. Others eschewed drugs of any sort, regardless of who prescribed them and why. And still others functioned under the assumption… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 25, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

A Handy Guide to the Good Life

Often Not

In the media and in personal circles I hear of medical practitioners, educators and community members who dismiss or deny the existence of mental illness, but a recent Baylor University study determined that one of the most dismissive of all professions is...

...are you ready for this?

...clergy ...pastors ...spiritual leaders ...men…

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Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 24, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Is Your Child Moody?

Or is it something more?

Pediatric bipolar disorder is a genetic, neurobiological illness that can present in childhood or the teen years.

It is often misdiagnosed as ADHD, or dismissed as defiance, out-of-control behavior, and even a symptom of poor parenting.

But pediatric, or early onset bipolar disorder is very real and requires appropriate diagnosis… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 23, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Wellness Tools for A Happy Life

Personal happiness -- a happy, healthy life -- is dependent on a firm foundation.

If you're living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, you know how shaky your foundation can sometimes feel.

With good medical care, skill development and a support system, you can shore up your foundation… Continue

Added by Kate McLaughlin on March 20, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments