A-B-C Theory of Emotional Disturbance
“Men are disturbed not by things, but the view which they take of them.”
1st century A.D. Epicieus,

It is not the event, but rather our interpretation of it that causes our emotional reaction.

A. Activating Experience

Woman friend breaks the news that she is going out with another man, and therefore wants to break off the relationship with you.

B. Belief about (or interpretation of the experience)

“ I must really be a worthless person.”
“I’ll never find another great woman like her.”
“She doesn’t want me therefore no one could possibly want me.”
and/or
“This is awful.. Everything happens to me.”
“That witch! She shouldn’t be that way.”
“I can’t stand the world being so unfair.”

C. Upsetting emotional consequences

Depression and\or Hostility

D. Disputing of irrational ideas

“Where is the evidence that because this woman wishes to end our relationship, that I am worthless person: or that I’ll never be able to have a really good relationship with someone else: or even that I couldn’t be happy alone?”

and\or

“Why is it awful that I’m not getting what I want?” “Why shouldn’t the world be full of injustices?”

E. New emotional consequence or effect

Sadness: (“Well, we did have a nice relationship, and I’m sorry to see it end-but it did have it’s problems and now I can go out and find new friends.”)

or

Annoyance: (It’s annoying that she was seeing someone else but it isn’t awful or intolerable.”)

Can drugs drill holes in your brain?

The idea of drugs tunneling their way through the brain, worms to the mind’s apple, is a frequent metaphor I hear. I wrote on the topic for Discovery’s Curiosity and resurfaced it to prepare material for drug education talks with high schoolers. Here’s a simple look back at the common question, which never fails to remind me just how complex, yet undeniably vulnerable, our brains are:

Myers Counseling Group Expert Answer to: Why do some people not like the concept of change?

People may not like to change for a variety of reasons. Among them is change offers something different. Different means less predictability and more of the unknown. Individuals may feel a loss of control with the unknown. For some, this is a very uncomfortable experience. It may be uncomfortable enough to discourage change even though it may be beneficial for them.

For kids with OCD, adding therapy to drugs helps

Children plagued by the repetitive behaviors, irrational fears and intrusive thoughts of

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder often get some relief from widely prescribed antidepressants. But when they also get a form of psychotherapy that teaches them different ways to think about and respond to their fears and compulsions, they get much better, a new study finds.

Diet linked to teen mental health issues

Adolescents who eat healthy diets packed with fruit and vegetables have lower rates of mental health problems, a study shows.

A study of 3000 adolescents has found that those who had poor diets filled with junk and processed foods were more likely to suffer mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

While other studies have shown links between diet quality and mental health disorders in adults, the new research is the first to demonstrate the link in adolescents.

Is it more selfish to have children or to remain childless?

Mark Myers Expert Answer to:

Why Laughter May Be the Best Pain Medicine

Laughing with friends releases feel-good brain chemicals, which also relieve pain, new research

indicates.

Until now, scientists haven't proven that like exercise and other activities, laughing causes a release of so-called endorphins.

"Very little research has been done into why we laugh and what role it plays in society," study researcher Robin Dunbar, of the University of Oxford, said in a statement. "We think that it is the bonding effects of the endorphin rush that explain why laughter plays such an important role in our social lives."

Girls' and boys' brains: How different are they?

When my son was a toddler, his best friend, a girl, gave him a sparkling dancing Katrina doll for a birthday present. He'd apparently admired the doll at her house, but once he got it he never played with it – until the day I found him chasing his little brother around with the doll, which he'd managed to twist into the shape of a gun.

Boys will be boys? Proof that gender differences are hardwired? Not so fast. Like most parents, I have just as many tales illustrating the influence of nurture on my son's behavior. At preschool one day, as he was playing dress up with two girlfriends, he donned a scarlet tutu. Within a minute an older, cooler boy guffawed, "Boys don't wear dresses!" He never put on girl clothes again.

How ADHD Children Can Control Emotions

When children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) practice controlling their emotions and impulsive outbursts, they will be healthier and happier at school and home.

Why are Children Bullied and What Can a Parent Do?

Why are some children (and adults) singled out as targets for bullying and what can be done to prevent it?

According to the National Education Association Nationwide study on bullying, hundreds of thousands of children become victims each year, affecting nearly 30 percent of school-aged kids on a monthly basis. The acts of violence take place verbally, physically and within the cyber world and can create life-long damage.

35 Proven Stress Reducers

35 Proven Stress Reducers

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

2. Don’t rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up dry cleaning, etc.

3. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home or relationships will be less likely to break down/fall apart “at the worst possible moment”.

4. Eliminate (or restrict) the amount of caffeine in your diet.

5. Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do Tamar, do today; whatever you want to do today, do it now.

6. Plan ahead. Don’t let the gas tank get to low, don’t wait until your down to your last postage stamp to buy more, etc..

7. Don’t put up with something that doesn’t work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, windshield wipers-whatever-are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.

8. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get appointments. Plan to arrive at the airport one hour before domestic departures.

9. Be prepared to wait. A paperback book can make waiting in line almost enjoyable.

10. Always set up continency plans, “just in case”. (i.e., “if for some reason either of us is delayed, her is what we’ll do...”).

11. At times, relax your standards. This world will not end if the grass doesn’t mowed this weekend, if the laundry is cleaned on Sunday instead of Saturday, etc..

12. For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 to 50 or 100 blessings.
Count ‘ em!!!

13. Ask questions. Taking a few minutes to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc.., can save hours.

14. Say No! Saying no to extra projects, social activities and invitations you know you don’t ha\ve the time or energy for takes practice, self respect and a belief that everyone, everyday needs quiet time to relax and to be alone.

15. Unplug your telephone. Want to take a long bath, sleep or read without interruption? Drum up the courage to temporarily disconnect. (The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil).

16. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

17. Make friends with nonworriers. Nothing can get you into the habit of worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.

18. Get enough sleep.

19. Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workplace so that you always know exactly where things are. Put things away where they belong and you don’t have to go through he stress of losing things.

20. When feeling stressed, most people tend to breath in short, shallow breaths. When you breath like this, stale air is not expelled, oxidation of tissues is inadequate, and muscle tension usually results. Check your breathing throughout the day. If you find your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax your muscles and take several breaths.

21. Learn to live one day at a time.

22. Every day, do something you enjoy.

23. Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend can help you clear your mind of confusion so that you can concentrate on problem solving.

24. Do something for someone else.

25. Do something that will improve your appearance. Looking better can help you feel better.

26. Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back to back appointments.

27. Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are well to compromise upon.

28. Eliminate destructive self talk: “I’m too old to..”’ “I’m too fat...”’ etc.

29. Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

30. If an especially “unpleasant” task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with. Then the rest of the day will be free of anxiety.

31. Take care of today’s as best as you can and yesterday’s and Tamar’s will take care of themselves.

32. Allow yourself time-everyday-for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

33. Do one thing at a time. When you are with someone, be with that person and no one else or nothing else.

34. Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

35. Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best that they can.

How to Improve Your Life with Story Editing

Concerns about Stigma Undermine ADHD Treatment for Adolescents

Concerns about Stigma Undermine ADHD Treatment for Adolescents

Because ADHD frequently persists into adolescence, and continues to undermine teens' academic and social functioning, most adolescents continue to need treatment. However, as issues of self-direction and autonomy become more important for teens, resistance to treatment for ADHD - medication or otherwise - frequently intensifies and many adolescents stop treatment prematurely. This is a challenge that many parents struggle with.

It is thus important to understand the factors - particularly adolescents' perspectives on treatment - that affect the receipt of ADHD treatment during this critical developmental period. Examining this issue was the focus of a study published recently in the Journal of Adolescent Health [Bussing et al (2011). Receiving treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Do the perspectives of adolescents matter. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49, 7-14.]

Participants were 168 adolescents - about 50% female - and their parents recruited through a public school system in the US. These adolescents screened positive for ADHD in elementary school and were contacted 6 years later for a follow-up assessment. At follow-up, over 60% continued to meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD and many others still had elevated levels of ADHD symptoms. The researchers were interested in how many adolescents had received ADHD treatment in the past year and the parent and child characteristics that predicted the receipt of treatment.


- Parent Perspectives -

Clinical need - Parents rated their teen on symptoms of ADHD, disruptive behavior, emotional distress and overall impairment. High levels of symptoms reflected high clinical need for treatment.

Treatment receptivity - Parents rated how receptive they were towards obtaining medication treatment or counseling for their child.

Caregiver strain - Parents rated the effect of caring for a child with emotional or behavioral problems, such as demands on time, financial strain, worry, guilt, and embarrassment. High scores reflect high levels of strain associated with caring for their child.


- Adolescent Perspectives -

Clinical need - Teens their symptoms of ADHD, disruptive behavior, emotional distress and overall impairment. High levels of symptoms reflected high clinical need for treatment.

Treatment receptivity - Teens rated how receptive they were towards obtaining medication treatment or counseling.

ADHD Stigma - This measure assessed teens' perception that being diagnosed and treated for ADHD would be stigmatizing.


Receipt of mental health services

Lifetime and past-year receipt of mental health services for each adolescent was gathered through detailed interviews with parents. This interview inquired about the receipt of services in a wide range of settings and asked about counseling services and medication treatment.


- Results -

Lifetime and past year mental health service usage

Although most adolescents, i.e, 79%, had received mental health intervention at some point in their lives, only 42% received any services in the past year. This was true even though most continued to meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD and/or continued to struggle with symptoms.

Agreement between parent and teen perspectives

Parent and teen reports of the teen's emotional distress showed moderate agreement. However, agreement on symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and disruptive behavior was poor. Agreement on receptivity to treatment for ADHD was also poor.

Predictors of prior year use of mental health services

The researchers were especially interested in what predicted adolescents' receipt of mental health services during the past year. Interestingly, neither socioeconomic status or insurance coverage were significant predictors. Neither were parent ratings of their child's hyperactive and disruptive behavior.

Instead, teens who had received services were rated by parents as more inattentive, more depressed, and more impaired in their daily functioning. Treatment was also more likely when parents were more receptive to medication treatment.


What about adolescents' perspectives?

Even after taking these parental factors into account, adolescents' perspectives emerged as significant predictors of treatment receipt. Adolescents who rated themselves as more impaired and who had more positive attitudes towards medication were more likely to have been treated. The most powerful predictor, however, was concerns that ADHD was stigmatizing. Adolescents who were worried about being stigmatized for ADHD were far less likely to have received treatment in the past year than other teens.


- Summary and implications -

Results from this study indicate that many adolescents struggling with ADHD have not received any mental health services in the prior year. Especially noteworthy was that even after accounting for parents' perceptions of their child's functioning and their receptivity to medication treatment, adolescents' own attitudes were important predictors of receiving treatment.

Teens who felt they were not functioning well in their daily lives were more likely to have been treated. And, adolescents with concerns about ADHD stigma were far less likely to have received treatment during the prior year. In fact, this was the strongest predictor of all.

These findings highlight the importance of eliciting adolescents' perceptions of the need for ADHD treatment, and concerns related to treatment, during evaluation and treatment planning. In particular, health professionals should discuss concerns teens may have about being stigmatized for ADHD as these concerns can substantially undermine an adolescent's willingness to initiate or continue with indicated treatment.

These results also suggest that when a teenager refuses treatment, or protests continuing, parents should recognize that there may be more involved than their child's being oppositional, not recognizing the reality of what they require, or exercising their desire for autonomy and self-determination. While these factors may certainly be involved, an adolescent's worries about being stigmatized can be especially important and need to be understood and addressed. There is a need to develop effective interventions for addressing such concerns.

Mark Myers expert answer to: My wife has frequent bouts of suicidal depression but refuses anti-depressants. What can I do?

Lessons from Sherlock Holmes: The Situation Is in the Mindset of the Observer

Do we all experience the world in the same way? Is the same event actually the same event when viewed from the vantage point of each observer, each participant, each accidental onlooker? I’m not trying here to get at the more philosophical issues that one can raise, quite naturally, in response (is the red you see, for instance, the same red I see?). Rather, what I’m asking is, on a much broader, surface level: do you perceive as I perceive?

Antipsychotics Increasingly Prescribed for Anxiety

Researchers find a significant rise in antipsychotic prescriptions for patients diagnosed with

anxiety disorders, despite limited studies on safety and efficacy of the medications for these disorders.

Top 5 Tips for Safe, Healthy School Year

Keep your kids safe this year by taking a few minutes to make sure they're prepared for the school year

Night Owls More Likely to Experience Nightmares

Night owls might think staying up late is a real hoot, but a new study hints that delayed sleep might have a sinister side. People who hit the sack late might have a greater risk of experiencing nightmares, according to scientists, although they add that follow-up research is needed to confirm the link.

Mark Myers Expert Answer to: Why do facts not matter to some people?

Why do facts not matter to some people?
I understand that when people have already made up their mind in certain regards, facts only bolster their opinions in believing their delusions. Why is this?

In-School Screening Picks Up Mental Health Issues

School-based mental health screening identifies troubled kids and helps get them into care, researchers found

Parenting doesn't have to be a scream

Screaming to get your point across is as effective as going France, turning your English up to volume 10 and assuming that now the natives will understand that you

just want a regular cup of coffee, not an espresso.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders Linked to Gender Differences

The prevalence rates of mental illness are associated with gender differences, with

women having higher rates of anxiety or depression and men having higher rates of substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

ADD/ADHD and Diet

Scientists finally agree with parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) who have suspected a connection between the kinds of foods their children eat and their behavior and symptoms .

Knowing When Your Child may Need professional Help.

Seven Signs Your Kid Needs Professional Help
By CHARLES H. ELLIOTT, PH.D.

Addiction, chronic pain in the workplace:

Chronic pain is one of the most common causes of disability, and it can have serious implications for both employees and employers. For example, following are the results of a few American studies published in JAMA and the American Psychological Association’s Psychological Bulletin.

Too Hard For Science? The Number of Memories Created in a Day

How does one remember thee? Can one count the ways?

In “Too Hard For Science?” I interview scientists about ideas they would love to explore that they don’t think could be investigated. For instance, they might involve machines beyond the realm of possibility, such as devices as big as galaxies, or they might be completely unethical, such as experimenting on children like lab rats. This feature aims to look at the impossible dreams, the seemingly intractable problems in science. However, the question mark at the end of “Too Hard For Science?” suggests that nothing might be impossible.

Father Time: Children with Older Dads at Greater Risk for Mental Illness

A mother's age is often considered a genetic risk factor for offspring, but research is now

pointing the finger at fathers, too—particularly when it comes to the mental health of their progeny. Males may have the advantage of lifelong fertility, but as they grow older, the rate of genetic mutations passed on via their sperm cells increases significantly—putting their children at increased risk for psychiatric disorders, especially autism and schizophrenia. Two recent studies support this link at least associatively, but experts remain uncertain if age is the cause of these problems.