December 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATES!

Quote of the Month:

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”
~ Peter F. Drucker

In this newsletter:

1) Fast Help: Stress Management
2) Therapist Q&A: Young Adults and Risk-Taking Behavior
3) Psychology News In Brief – New staff member added!
4) Programs To Help You
5) Reading Recommendations

1) Fast Help: Stress Management

Is there ever a more important time for stress management than the holiday season? More and more is being discovered today about the relation between mind and body. Most people are aware that stress affects our emotions. It also affects our bodies. A report in a recent edition of Consumer Reports on Health (October 2008, Vol. 20, No. 10), German researchers studied the effects of stress on the body have found that there is truth to the expression “taking it to heart.” The researchers found out that heart-related visits to the emergency room “more than doubled during and soon after a stressful sporting event.”

The article states that “stress is now considered as much as risk factor as excess weight, lack of exercise, and smoking for heart attack and stroke.” Type 2 diabetes, depression, chronic pain, impaired immunity, gastrointestinal problems, worsening acne, and multiple sclerosis are also linked to stress according to research. The article goes on to point out that stress can result in behaviors such as overeating, alcohol abuse, smoking, and poor sleep.

It is no surprise that the economic uncertainty and fear of job loss currently being felt by Americans have caused increased levels of anxiety for many people. Other major sources of stress include job strain, rocky relationships, and daily worries, according to the article. Further, although our 21st century world has brought many high-tech gadgets and modern conveniences, people have adopted a mindset of always needing to multi-task. Computers, email, and cell phones have surely made life easier in some respects but when people feel that they are “always on,” this creates a problem, and can affect their stress level. One might wonder if multi-tasking actually saves time and energy; there is something that can be said about doing one task at a time and doing it well the first time.

If you find yourself feeling increasingly worried, less patient with friends and family, experiencing unexplained headaches, stomachaches or fatigue, or having problems at work, perhaps you need to take inventory of the amount of stress in your life. There are many stress-management programs in existence today, both in group and individual formats. Taking brief “time-outs” in your day can be helpful, practicing deep breathing, listening to peaceful or relaxing music can be helpful. Reading, writing, praying, exercising, or partaking in an enjoyable hobby can also create a peaceful state of mind. Take time each day to "de-stress". Group exercises such as yoga or tai chi can also create mental peace as well as counteract the physical effects of stress. If you are uncertain as to how to cope with difficult situations or challenges and talking with family or friends has not proven helpful, it might be wise to consult a professional such as a therapist who can help you navigate this time in your life.

2) Therapist Q&A: Young Adults and Risk-Taking Behavior

Parents of teenagers and young adults often ask about risky behaviors that young adults and teens engage in. They are often worried that their children might engage in risk-taking behavior. Young people often believe they are invincible and that nothing can stop or hurt them. Parents naturally want the best for their children, even as they become adults.

One study discussed in Monitor on Psychology (October 2008, Vol. 39, No. 9) discusses a study conducted by Kim Fromme, PhD., of the University of Texas at Austin on the negative effects of turning 21 as it relates to young adults’ alcohol consumption. Students at the university were asked to record their behaviors for two weeks prior to and after turning 21. The study found that “44 percent experienced blackouts, with 30 percent not remembering how they had gotten home, and almost 5 percent reported having unprotected sex...” Women drank an average of eight drinks per night, while men drank an average of 12. Further 15 percent admitted to drinking after driving following their birthdays, a four percent increase in this behavior than prior to their birthdays.

How can parents help? Talk with your children early about the harmful effects of risk-taking behavior. Provide statistics of consequences for activities such as drunk driving and unprotected sex. Further, education on peer pressure is necessary. Explain that just because your son or daughter’s friends all take part in potentially harmful situations or events doesn’t make it right. Discuss healthy decision-making and foster an environment of open communication where your son or daughter can feel he or she can always come to you with questions. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t know all the answers; do not let this stop you for communicating with your child. It’s ok if they know that you don’t know all the answers, but that you can be a resource and that you will make every effort to find answers to their questions.

If you are concerned that your child may be considering or currently partaking in risky behavior, do not wait until it is too late. Contact a professional who will be able to assist in assessing the severity of your concern and provide appropriate solutions.

3) Psychology News In Brief

Successful leadership may be a matter of charisma, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (Vol. 93, No. 3). Psychologist Amir Erez from the University of Florida studied 80 groups of undergraduate students and each group was assigned a leader. Upon viewing tapes of the groups performing tasks, researchers noted that the leaders who were rated highest were leaders who smiled and laughed, and thus the “leaders’ positive mood spread to group members” Similar results were later found when researchers studied effects of charismatic leaders with groups of firefighters. The teams of firefighters appeared to be happier and exhibit positive emotion. Erez stated that charismatic leaders “...make us feel happy and happiness is like a drug.” (From Monitor on Psychology, July/August 2008).

CPA adds new staff member! CPA is pleased to welcome staff therapist Stephanie Delmore, MA, LPC to our team. To read more about Stephanie and her specialty areas, please visit her profile on our website: http://www.clinical-psychology-associates.com/stephanie-.htm. Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

4) Programs To Help You

In addition to the traditional counseling services we provide, at Clinical Psychology Associates we also offer the following:

• Depression Screening
• Anxiety Screening
• Marriage/Relationship Enrichment Program
• Smoking Cessation
• Career Counseling and Testing

For information regarding any of these programs or to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact our programs coordinator, Chris Lerner at lernerc@hotmail.com or 262-251-1112, ext 8. For a full listing of the services we offer, please go to http://www.clinical-psychology-associates.com/services.htm .

5) Reading Recommendations

Staff therapist Dr. Jennifer Spotts recommends:

The Last Lecture by Randy Pauch and Jeffrey Zaslow

Randy Pauch, a married university professor with three small children, was asked to give a “Last Lecture”. This request is common in academia and required consideration of what lasting impression his life has made in the world. Having recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he begins to inventory what mattered most in his life. This book chronicles the evaluation of personal and professional goals while fighting a terminal illness. He speaks directly in accounting the significance of embarking on this unexpected self journey and discovers that his ambitions and dreams from childhood still ring true. Through his writing, Randy encourages readers to live each moment as if it could be the last and to love and respect our friends and family for who they are.

Becoming a Calm Mom: How to Manage Stress and Enjoy the First Year of Motherhood by Deborah Roth Ledley

Parenting can be both very rewarding and often frightening. There are few opportunities for many women to “practice parenting” and children do not come with a manual. Thus, it is not unusual for women in the first year of motherhood to contemplate whether they are doing enough, parenting the right way, and wonder if other mother’s seem so calm and together because they possess a maternal instinct that keeps them from getting overwhelmed and frustrated. This book, written by a clinical psychologist and mother of two, incorporates the science of parenting with parenting strategies like the “Calm Mom Toolbox” with support and advice from new moms to help manage self doubt. It encourages women to utilize their existing skills to promote healthy thinking, behavior, and communication which will results in thoughtful decision making, a calmer household, better interpersonal relationships, and presents strategies that will help them relax and enjoy their baby.

We welcome the titles and authors of any appropriate books you have found to be particularly useful. We may then share them in this newsletter and on our website (your name will be withheld for confidentiality purposes). If you have a book or similar resource you would like to share, please email the title, author, and a brief description to cpa@wi.rr.com.