PsychDigest

Randomized trial on the effectiveness of long-and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution-focused therapy on psychiatric symptoms during a 3-year follow-up

P. Knekt, O. Lindfors, T. Härkänen, M. Välikoski, E. Virtala, M. A. Laaksonen, M. Marttunen, M. Kaipainen, C. Renlund, and the Helsinki Psychotherapy Study Group, in Psychological Medicine (2008, May), 38:689-703. doi:10.1017/S003329170700164X.

The full article can be purchased from Cambridge University Press for $25.

SAD linked to an ancient timing mechanism in the brain

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could be linked to an ancient timing mechanism in the brain dating back millions of years. The discovery involves a chemical known as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is secreted by cells in the pituitary gland and is already known to control the thyroid gland. The study revealed that a  specialised group of pituitary TSH-secreting cells signal directly to the brain to control the sheep's seasonal behaviour, reversing the "master--slave" relationship between the brain and pituitary, in which brain signals control pituitary hormone secretion. Some people may retain remnants of this ancient seasonal timing mechanism which would explain why they experience SAD.

Media Releases - University of Aberdeen
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=1458

Insomnia in parents can result in sleep problems, suicidal behavior among their adolescent offspring

A history of chronic insomnia in parents is not only associated with elevated risk for insomnia but also with elevated risks for use of hypnotics, psychopathology and suicidal behavior in adolescent offspring.

Link: AASM - Insomnia in Parents Can Result in Sleep Problems, Suicidal Behavior among Their Adolescent Offspring.

How likely are you to be bullied?

How fair is this? A researcher found that high-school students who viewed themselves as attractive had a 35 per cent increased chance of being indirectly victimized. On the other hand, male students who think of themselves as good looking, had a 25 per cent decreased risk of being bullied.

Link: High-school girls who consider themselves attractive from medicineworld.org

Single abortion not a threat to women's mental health

There is no credible evidence that a single elective abortion of an unwanted pregnancy in and of itself causes mental health problems for adult women, according to a draft report released Tuesday by a task force of the American Psychological Association.

Link: APA Press Release: APA Task Force finds single abortion not a threat to women's mental health.

Cause of "baby blues" discovered?

Postpartum blues could be caused by biochemical crosstalk that enables a fetus to get nutrition and oxygen from its mother's blood. That crosstalk allows the mother's blood to flow out of the uterine artery and get just a single cell layer away from the fetus' blood.

More about this story in September's PsychDigest (vol. 2, no. 5).

More on Tarot

SynTarotis and Skeptical Journey have more on using Tarot cards for purposes other than fortunetelling.

 

Does the Tarot work? A skeptic's view

Does the Tarot work? Rachel Pollack (one of the most revered Tarot authors) famously answered this question with a simple Yes*. My answer would be the same, with one addition: "depending on what you are using it for". ...

Let me give you an example: ... Read the rest of the post

 

Procrastination: An exercise with Tarot cards

Tarot for Self Discovery (Special Topics in Tarot) by Nina Lee Braden contains around 50 exercises you can do with Tarot cards in order to explore various aspects of yourself. Some of the exercises are light-hearted and fun, and some more in-depth and serious.

My choice was an exercise on procrastination .... Read the rest of the post

 

A few recommended books on Tarot

As a follow-up to a previous post, What else can you do with a deck of Tarot cards?, here are a few of the books that deal with various uses for Tarot cards. None of these require prior knowledge of Tarot. You also do not have to believe that the cards have some supernatural power; the symbols will speak for themselves (and if they don't -- the authors include card meanings that you can use as a starting point). ... Read the rest of the post.

As a follow-up to a previous post, What else can you do with a deck of Tarot cards?, here are a few of the books that deal with various uses for Tarot cards. None of these require prior knowledge of Tarot. You also do not have to believe that the cards have some supernatural power; the symbols will speak for themselves (and if they don't -- the authors include card meanings that you can use as a starting point). ... Read the rest of the post.

Sad children out-perform happy children

Psychologists at the Universities of Plymouth and Virginia have conducted experimental research that contrasts with the belief that happy children are the best learners. The findings show that where attention to detail is required, happy children may be at a disadvantage.

Link: Sad Children Out-Perform Happy Children.

Mystery behind brain imaging solved

The mystery of how brain imaging works may have been solved by researchers who have shown--for the first time--that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes make non-invasive brain scans possible. Why blood flow is linked to neuronal activity has been a mystery. Now scientists have discovered that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes--previously considered bit players by most neuroscientists--make noninvasive brain scans possible.
Of the two major cell types in the brain, glia outnumber neurons nine to one.

Astrocytes--the most common type of glia--extend their branching tendrils both around synapses--through which neurons communicate--and along blood vessels. Astrocytes receive signals directly from neurons and provide their own neuron-like responses to directly regulate blood flow, providing the missing link between neurons and blood vessels.

Mystery behind brain imaging unlocked

Book: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Acute Inpatient Mental Health Units: Working with Clients, Staff and the Milieu

Edited by Isabel Clarke, Hannah Wilson
Price: $44.99
Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
Pages: 248
Published by: Routledge
Publication Date: 8th July 2008
ISBN: 978-0-415-42212-3

Link: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Acute Inpatient Mental Health Units: Working with Clients, Staff and the Milieu.