Subconscious Motivation

Psychological Science reports that reading motivational words can really help you reach goals. The subtlety of these positive subliminal messages register in the subconscious mind. When absorbed, these motivational cues can help to create positive change.

Make sure the words or phrases you choose are within view- so that you can subconsciously keep your motivation going, even when you may not be on task. Be it sticky notes, motivational pictures, doodles or music, keep the communication upbeat and nurturing.

I am working on a big project, so my inspirational words would be Dream Big. I made the photo above with Flickr Toys , and use it as my screen saver. I have a few Post Its in neon colors around the home and office with the same phrase. And I have an iTunes playlist with dream themes!

So, what would your motivational words be?

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High Heels for Babies?

I enjoy a good chuckle.

But this new item didn't make me laugh: High Heels For Babies

Apparently, others feel like I do as well.

In fact, the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls reported that sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media are harmful to their self-image and healthy development in the areas of:

"Cognitive and Emotional Consequences: Sexualization and objectification undermine a person’s confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety.

Mental and Physical Health: Research links sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women—eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.

Sexual Development: Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative consequences on girls’ ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image."

I guess new studies will have to include infants, not just girls and women, if this high-heel-baby-shoe-thingy catches on.

What do you think?



Reference:
http://www.apa.org/releases/sexualization.html

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Adam Duritz of "Counting Crows" Addresses Mental Illness

Adam Duritz, lead singer-songwriter for the band Counting Crows, has recently disclosed that he experiences a type of Dissociative Disorder and severe depression. In my armchair opinion, it appears that Duritz is describing Depersonalization Disorder, a category within Dissociative Disorders.

He writes about his experience here - naming the article "The Lonely Disease." The Counting Crows' new CD "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings" is a double album. The first half focuses on Duritz's decline into illness and the second half about his recovery.

Below is the 1996 song "A Long December" and yes, it's Courtney Cox featured in the video.

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The Power of "WHAT"

Sometimes the question "Why" is a good one.

Why can't we live in a more peaceful world?

Why did I eat *all* those cookies?

Why don't we call mustaches "mouthbrows"?

But there are times, especially during a crisis, when "Why" is not the best question to ask oneself.

In my work, I always feel that "What" helps to move you out of a difficult moment.

What has a directionality. Why keeps one stuck in circular thinking.

What offers solutions. Why offers no game plan.

So, the next time you find yourself in a bad place, experiencing a difficult moment or overwhelmed with so much, ask yourself, "What can I do to make things better? not "Why is this happening to me?

Once the crisis is over you can search for the psychological or behavioral "Why".


Hat tip: Queen

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Psychiatric Service Dogs

Did you know that Service Animals work with children and adults who experience psychiatric and neuropsychological issues?

Psychiatric Service Dogs can enhance the life of many. Children and adults with ADHD, Autism, Asperger's, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, Depression, Epilepsy, Phobia, Social Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress, Tourette's, and the list goes on. There are many things a Psychiatric Service Dog can provide, like - - Need a reminder to take your medication? A Service Dog can aid in the task. Afraid to take the elevator - the Dog can help to push the elevator button and accompany you while you conquer your fear. Having a Panic Attack or Seizure as the picture above shows? The Service Dog will guard and protect you and bark for help. So many things...

Here's a great link to read more about it.

And remember, if you see a Service Dog, ask the owner if he/she is "working". Dogs can be pet and played with only when they are on a break!

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Magnetic Therapy

I have worked with several individuals who have not had success with the combination of talk therapy and medication to reduce their psychological symptoms.

It is always disheartening when this occurs. And when it does, I always recommend looking into alternative therapies to address what conventional treatments can not.

One of the more recent alternative therapies uses magnets. Yes, that's right, magnets.

This illustration above shows the visual cortex of the brain during Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

rTMS, as it is called, is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that increases neural blood flow in the brain. The procedure is not a surgical one, and should not be confused with Electroconvulsive Therapy

In rTMS, a doctor holds a device over a specified area of the brain. Magnetic currents pass through the scalp, sending bursts of electrical fields deep into the brain to alter neural activity.

rTMS has been used for Treatment Resistant Depression for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and to reduce Schizophrenic Hallucinations - as well as to treat medical conditions like stroke, migraine, Parkinson's and Epilepsy, just to name a few.

Results have been quite variable, but it could hold great possibilities for many who have not had success with more conventional treatments.


Reference

Paul B. Fitzgerald, Sarah Fountain, Zafiris J. Daskalakis (December 2006). "A comprehensive review of the effects of rTMS on motor cortical excitability and inhibition". Clinical Neurophysiology 117 (12): 2584–2596. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2006.06.712. PMID 16890483.

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