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The easiest, quickest way to communicate is simply to say something and then deal with the other person's reply, right? Except that if your listener has a CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) your remark might come through with certain words drowned out by other noises, or with some words sounding like different words or as meaningless strings of verbiage. You might begin to suspect this when the other person's expression doesn't register understanding, or if he "answers the wrong question," or when he asks you for additional information which most people would have been able to infer from what you just said. Most of us aren't that sophisticated about CAPD’s, however, and are much more likely to wonder if the listener is just not very intelligent or doesn't really care about us and what we are saying. People with CAPD’s (which are usually part of a learning disability) have been embarrassed by situations and reactions like these all their live

It’s Friday! Who works on Friday’s, anyway? Maybe I will make this a habit. I thought I might tell you a story about some squirrels who moved in several months ago. I admit that I am not sure when they moved in because we live in a small log cabin on 30 acres of wooded land in Michigan and we have all kinds of visitors. (Many people say we live in the middle of nowhere, but that’s all about perspective, isn’t it.) In the fall, I heard something running around and I thought it was some mice coming into our rafters for the winter. I thought we got rid of them but through the winter we heard noises periodically. So who knows how long they have been an unwelcome guest. I am going off on a tangent here but some people have called me an “environmental wack nut or tree hugger” whatever derogatory name people can think of for someone who loves, appreciates and honors the earth and exhibits this through their daily actions. For example, I bought a used Honda Insight (still the most full effici

The University of Washington completed a study on whether brief interventions can decrease depressive symptoms in college students. The study provided a brief assessment and sent a letter indicating the results of the assessment, symptoms of depression, current coping skills and possible new interventions to reduce these symptoms and found this intervention to reduce feelings of hopelessness and other depressive symptoms. As we seek to improve the general mental health of the population through cost-effective means and provide preventive care to decrease the possibility of more servere symptoms, the University of Washington is thinking outside the box. As funding for mental health becomes tighter and tighter, it is imparative that we seek cost-effective, yet creative ways to provide prevention and treatment for the population at large. Telemedicine (e-therapy, phone therapy, e-chat, life coaching, etc) has also been a growing area aimed at reducing barriers to treatment and increase a

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. -Kenn - A retired Mental Health Therapist now doing what what he wants, when he wants and fellow blogger. check out his site!

Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown that cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. Furthermore, individuals with cannabis dependence have high rates of co-morbid substance use disorders and depression . A significant proportion of individuals with addictive disorders develop withdrawal symptoms, cannot control their drug use despite substantial adverse psychosocial consequences, and frequently have a coexisting psychiatric disorder. Nevertheless, only a minority of persons with cannabis dependence ever seek treatment. The main findings of this study were that persons with cannabis dependence were more likely to contact a professional during the past year if: they previously sought treatment and Had alcohol dependence with major depression.

It’s Friday! When I was working a regular 9-5, Fridays was the day when we could wear jeans, act out, act up and have fun! We used to play shark ball. The only rules of the game was it only stopped when something got broken or the boss came in. The boss was hardly ever around on Friday so usually the game was only stopped by something breaking. So in remembrance or those Fond Fun Fridays that we all looked forward to I am writing a little off topic and “acting out” today. Hope y’all have fun with this one and any words of wisdom, or docs who what to chime in with diagnosis or recommended treatment go ahead, comment door is wide open. I take all responsibility for my behaviors and choices I make and in writing I say, “I will not sue you!” Here has been my dilemma, I have been dealing with snot for almost 2 weeks now. 2 WEEKS! Yeah, I said two weeks with no end in sight and I have become curious about this thing we call snot, boogers, or more appropriately “Mucus”. Official

A little-known mental disorder marked by episodes of unwarranted anger is more common than previously thought, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found. Depending upon how broadly it's defined, intermittent explosive disorder (IED) affects as many as 7.3 percent of adults — 11.5-16 million Americans — in their lifetimes. People with IED may attack others and their possessions, causing bodily injury and property damage. Typically beginning in the early teens, the disorder often precedes — and may predispose for — later depression , anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Nearly 82 percent of those with IED also had one of these other disorders, yet only 28.8 percent ever received treatment for their anger. To be diagnosed with IED, an individual must have had three episodes of impulsive aggressiveness "grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressor," at any time in their life,

The autism spectrum disorders are more common in the pediatric population than are some better known disorders such as diabetes, spinal bifida, or Down syndrome. Prevalence studies have been done in several states and also in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. A recent study of a U.S. metropolitan area estimated that 3.4 of every 1,000 children 3-10 years old had autism. This wide range of prevalence points to a need for earlier and more accurate screening for the symptoms of ASD . The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions. Pediatricians, family physicians, daycare providers, teachers, and parents may initially dismiss signs of ASD, optimistically thinking the child is just a little slow and will "catch up." Although early intervention has a dramatic impact on reducing symptoms and increasing a child's ability to grow and learn new skills, it is estimated that only 50 percent of children are diagnosed befo

On May 22, 2006, The Food and Drug Administration approved 5, 10 and 20 milligram doses of the drug, also called escitalopram oxalate, for the treatment of major depression. Lexapro is one of the most widely used antidepressants in America, second only to Zoloft. Ivax Corp. of Miami, part of Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., becomes the first company cleared to make a generic version of the prescription drug. Depression is extremely costly to individuals, families, communities and the economy both financially and mentally. Depression is a common yet serious illness and if clients have access to treatments, such as medication and psychotherapies, it is very treatable. Due to the high cost of medications, crisis in our health care systems and the high cost of insurance, people will often forego seeking the treatment they need. This can cost us all in many ways! Generic Lexapro may be one more step toward making mental health care affordable.