Brain Recovery Longer for Concussions/TBIs

Hi Everyone!

A new study on Concussions funded by the National Institutes of Health & conducted at the Mind Research Network suggests even though symptoms may clear at about 2 weeks post injury, the brain is still having difficulties 4 months later. More studies have to be done to see how much further after injury the brain has still not fully recovered. This not only supports the previous research we discussed in class on why repetitive concussions, even minor ones, have cumulative devastating effects, but would support postponing returning to playing sports.

The study used a new imaging method called Tensor Diffusion (see description of imaging by pictures) This type of brain scan is not a standard method used and does suggest this might be something needed in the future. This imaging technique was used in a study in 2008 on soldiers with mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from IED blasts and falls related to the blast. In this study they found one third of the soldiers who had been cleared of their injury through using traditional brain imaging, still showed clear brain abnormalities even 12 months later. Again, this raises concern on clearing soldiers and placing them back in action when their brain is still affected and how current brain imaging techniques used may be inaccurate.

Stopping Compulsive Behaviors

Hi Everyone!

An article reported in Scientific American originally by Kerri Smith reports scientist have been able to create and reverse compulsive behaviors in mice. They were also surprised to find the cortex had a role in the automatic behavior. The research lends potential for future treatment in human OCD.

WI Towns Fine Parents of Bullies

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would post this in case you had not seen it yet. There are some towns in WI which are fining parents and bullying of a certain age when nothing else has worked. $114 for a first offense & $177 for second. What do you think about this? Will this help? Some adults bully and many times this is where their children learn it from. The idea is if nothing else works and parents are not cooperative they would enforce this fine in hopes it will eventually curb behavior.

Talking Plants

Hi Everyone!

Psychology has been defined as "the scientific study of human and animal behavior and their cognitive processes" traditionally. Well.... :-) Watch this PBS video called "What Plants Talk About" (approx 53 min). It makes one wonder if we will be including plants soon in our definition of Psychology???

Exercise To The Music!

Hi Everyone!

Do you listen to music while you workout? If you do, why? Any particular type of music? Do you think it helps? A recent article in Scientific American called "Let's Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music" by Ferris Jabr explains the benefits of using music while you workout. Take a look it is amazing just how many and in what specific ways.

Mindfulness Articles

Hi Everyone!

Perfect Timing! This article with video (bottom) was posted last night on Mindfulness! The article discusses how stress is costing 300 BILLION in the workforce! It states the CDC finds "75% of all health care spending is due to chronic illnesses" and "2/3s of doctor's visits are due to stress-related conditions" which can be helped by stress management techniques. The article discusses happiness and how it is related to work performance, what some companies like Google are doing to help with employee stress, and Mindfulness. The video later demonstrates some techniques!!!

This is Industrial/Organizational Psychology, the specialization Prof. Stevenson & I have our Master's degrees in. Health Psychology is in the text on page C-7 and I/O Psychology is on page C-8. And as you know I am certified in Stress Mgt. This is why I spend the time I do in class on this topic and a reminder...you might want to seriously consider this as a major/occupation. It is very much needed and can you imagine your life not only helping others but you hopefully will personally benefit from it daily! :-)

I also was looking for a graphic for this post (reminder you can use pictures off .gov sites freely) I found an aritcle on the National Institute of Health which discusses a study where meditation has benefits one can actually see in the brain even in weeks one does not meditate!

Check them out & try to incorporate this in your life!

Black History Month

Hi Everyone!

February is Black History Month and the APA has a piece to honor Drs. Mamie Phipps Clark and Kenneth Clark contributions to Psychology and to all of us! Check it out!

11 yr old Birke Baehr: What's Wrong With Our Food System

Hi Everyone!

Have you seen this? See he is 11 yrs old when he made this and it is just a bit over 5 min!! This is what happens when you really are passionate about something, look into it and learn and want to share! This is certainly and example of Conservation Psychology.

Try Being Mindful!

How often do you practice Mindfulness? Being completely in the moment and aware of all your senses and emotions? You just might want to increase your practice of it. A new study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman found Mindfulness can help relieve chronical inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, IBS and asthma. If you have never tried being Mindful here is some methods from the Mayo Clinic.

How is Your Willpower?

Hi Everyone!

How is your Willpower? Is it good for some things and not others? Does it get better at times and then weak at others?

In this episode of "This is Psychology", Dr. Norman Anderson, CEO of the APA, explains what Willpower is and some of the research which has found what influences Willpower and how to increase it. On the right side you will find the following links as well...

* What You Need to Know About Willpower: The Psychological Science of Self-Control (Look at the right side...more links!!!)

* Willpower, Finances & Spending

* Harnessing Willpower To Meet Educational Goals

 * Willpower and Living Healthy

Do You Chronically Procrastinate?

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since I posted on the topic of Procrastination (Still Procrastinating? 8/21/11), so I thought I would post a new podcast I found which may provide some more researched information that can help you if you chronically procrastinate. What's the Hold Up: The Science of Procrastination is a 52 min interview with Dr. Joe Ferrari of the psychology department of DePaul University and Dr. Tim Pychyl of the psychology department at Carleton University. Now don't procrastinate watching it! :-)

Second Concussion Devasting Even After Clear CT Scan

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to post this new piece on Concussions which was posted today. Doctors recently published a case of a Second Concussion Being Devasting Even After CT Scan Was Clear! It is a short piece but goes along very well with the Concussion information in my courses. It also explains how teens brains are still maturing and can not handle the swelling adult brains can. I have this article linked on the Abnormal module now, so if you ever want to find it in the future you can find it there.