Psychological Migraine Treatment Improves Patient Confidence To Self-Manage Symptoms

On September 3, 2010, in Headache, Psychotherapy, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
behavioral therapy with a patient

Psychological treatments build on the benefits of drug therapy for severe migraine sufferers, according to a new study by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd from Ohio University in the US. Their comparison of the effects of various treatment combinations for severe migraine – drug therapy with or without behavioral management – shows that those patients receiving the behavioral management program alongside drug therapy are significantly more confident in their ability to use behavioral skills to effectively self-manage migraines.

Behavioral Therapy For Pediatric Trichotillomania And The Effects Of Age On Treatment Outcome

On August 29, 2010, in Psychotherapy, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Figure from trichotillomania study

A randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of behavior therapy for pediatric trichotillomania was recently completed with 24 participants (ages 7 to 17). The broad age range raised a question about whether young children, older children, and adolescents would respond similarly to intervention. In particular, it is unclear whether the younger children have the cognitive capacity to understand concepts like “urges” and whether they are able to introspect enough to be able to benefit from awareness training, which is a key aspect of behavior therapy for trichotillomania. Check the end of this report for a link to download this open access article.

Physical Confirmation Of Neocortical Over-Connectivity In Autism Disorder

MRI of the human brain

There is still much that is unknown about autism spectrum disorders, but a University of Nevada, Reno psychologist has added to the body of knowledge that researchers around the world are compiling to try to demystify, prevent, and treat the mysterious condition. This research was published recently in the journal, Brain Research.

Abusive Mothers Improve Parenting With In-Home Training And Emotional Support

Picutre of SMU Researchers who conducted this study

Mothers who live in poverty and who have abused their children can stop if they are taught parenting skills and given emotional support. A new study has found that mothers in families in which there is a history of child abuse and neglect were able to reduce how much they cursed at, yelled at, slapped, spanked, hit or rejected their children after a series of home visits from therapists who taught them parenting skills. The study appears in the current issue of the quarterly Journal of Family Psychology.

Many Children With Sleep Disturbances Receive Medication

Picture of Judith Owens, MD

A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey, conducted by Judith Owens, MD, a sleep expert with Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and colleagues, suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely. The study is published in the August 2010 edition of Sleep Medicine.

Self-Directed Behavioral IBS Treatment Rapidly Relieves Even The Most Severe Symptoms

On July 10, 2010, in Medical Science, Therapy, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Researcher Jeffrey Lackner

Nearly one-third of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who underwent a novel behavior treatment developed by a University at Buffalo behavioral scientist achieved significant relief within four weeks of beginning treatment. These patients, called “rapid responders” maintained their improvement at a three-month follow-up, despite reporting more severe IBS symptoms when they started the treatment.

Behavioral Intervention Effectively Controls Tics In Pediatric Tourette Syndrome

Dr. John Piacentini

A comprehensive behavioral therapy is more effective than basic supportive therapy and education in helping children with Tourette syndrome manage their tics, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study was published May 19, 2010, in a special issue of the Journal of the American Medication Association dedicated [...]

Combined Medication And Web/Phone Based Counseling Work Best To Quit Smoking

Women talking on the phone

A randomized trial compared three ways to deliver a behavioral smoking cessation program using varenicline (Chantix®): by phone, Web, or both. Although phone counseling had greater treatment advantage for early cessation and appeared to increase medication adherence, abstinence outcomes did not differ at six months. The findings suggest the three programs are all effective treatment [...]

Annals of Family Medicine Research Summary And Tip Sheet (May/June 2010)

On May 16, 2010, in Public Health, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Physician

The Annals of Family Medicine released a research summary / health-care provider tip sheet for May/June based on recent studies with patient populations that range from children to the elderly. This summary covers topics from mental health, including health psychology and behavioral medicine, and physical health that psychologists and physicians alike may be interested in. [...]

Cognitive Therapy’s Focus On Changing Thoughts Key To Battling Even Severe Depression

On May 13, 2010, in Psychotherapy, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Dr. Dan Strunk

Moderate to severely depressed clients showed greater improvement in cognitive therapy when therapists emphasized changing how they think rather than how they behave, new research has found. The results suggest cognitive therapists should concentrate, at least during the first few sessions, on using cognitive techniques to help those with more severe depression to break out [...]

Family Caregiving Can Be Stress Filled And Isolating

On April 26, 2010, in Neurological, by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Wheelchair

Family members who provide care to relatives with dementia, but do not have formal training, frequently experience overwhelming stress that sometimes leads to breakdowns or depression, according to Penn State and Benjamin Rose Institute researchers. Interventions to alleviate this stress are not always effective, leaving caregivers isolated to deal with their stresses.

Do Not Make That Face At Me!

On March 6, 2010, in Personality, by Christopher Fisher, PhD

Think back to your last fight with someone you love. How did you feel afterwards? How did you behave? Conflict with a loved one often leaves a person feeling terrible and then behaving badly. So much so that these scenarios have become soap opera clichés. After an argument, one partner may brood, slam the door, [...]

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