Mental Health: February 2008 Archives

Stress and fear can affect cancer's recurrence Prof. Shamgar Ben-Eliyahu Click here for more information. After the surgical removal of a malignant tumor, the chance that cancer will re-appear in a different location of the body remains high. But new research from Tel Aviv University, in a bold new field called Psychoneuroimmunology, may prevent those cancer cells from taking root again — and the key to the treatment is stress reduction. A new study led by Prof. Shamgar Ben-Eliyahu, from Tel Aviv University’s Department of Psychology, has shown scientifically that psychological and physiological stress prior to, during and after surgery has a biological impact that impairs immune system functioning. This impairment bears down on disease progression, he says, especially at the critical point during oncological surgery when a primary tumor is being removed.

Spare the Rod? Spanking may lead to aggression and sexual problems later in life, says a new study. So why do so many parents still believe in it?

Heartland Counseling mourns, with our community, the tragedy at Northern Illinois University. Our prayers and support go out to all who were affected by this painful event.

We have created a brochure which may help some recovering from this event. Download it here.

Those who were in the auditorium at the time of the shooting are not the only ones impacted by the event. People who have experienced past traumas may find that they feel more anxious after something hits this close to home. We all feel more vulnerable and events like that at NIU remind us that our world feels less safe.

While most of us rely on friends and neighbors to help us through such times some will find that the usual means of coping aren't enough. If you find yourself with symptoms of anxiety, sleeplessness or depression that don't lessen with the usual passage of time, please give us a call. The mental health professionals at Heartland are trained and equipped to help at times like these.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0737896320080207?sp=true

Girls in high school take as many math courses as boys, influenced by close friends and peers who are doing well in school. More than boys, girls look to their close friends when they make important decisions, such as whether to take math and what math classes to take, confirming how significant peers are during adolescence.

I don't know anything about the speaker or his books but this testimony of a surgeon who received electro-convulsive therapy 30 years ago is really compelling. It ends with a very inspiring message about hope for recovery from mental illness. His discussion of severe depression is vivid, so please keep that in mind when watching it.