Electronic media and education

I'd like to introduce a guest blogger for this piece: Lindsey. Lindsey is interested in the potential of emerging educational technologies, particularly the online college, which today offers everything from a degree in international security to an accredited online Ph.D. all from the comfort of a computer screen. She writes about web-based, electronic and mobile learning and their implications on the future of education.

I look forward to having her on Cal Poly Dolly now and in the future. Here is her article:

 

Switch to Digital Texts and Save

It's no secret that college is expensive. Despite the fact that fewer students are attending college because they can't afford it, tuition and fees are continuing to rise. As publicly funded schools lose financing due to budget restraints, university officials are forced to recoup the losses in part by asking students to pay more for their education. As it becomes less financially feasible for a person to attend college, many students are searching for multiple ways to save money. One way that students can cut their college bills considerably is a simple switch when they purchase textbooks. Not only does the switch save students money, but it is also easily accessible to all; whether a student is taking online classes or classes on a college campus. In order to save money, students simply have to switch from costly, printed textbooks to cheap, digital textbooks.

According to Ohio's Wright State University, more than half of students are wary of using a digital textbook. Students worry that they will not purchase the correct textbook and will then not be able to receive a refund. Students also fear that they can get scammed when purchasing digital books to download. Since there is no sender address or information given like when students purchase printed books, purchasing digital textbooks can appear to be a little sketchy.

However since digital textbooks can offer substantial savings, learning how to buy digital textbooks is helpful.

- Stick with sources that are verified as reputable. While retailers such as Amazon are a good place to start searching for digital textbooks, many publishers offer digital textbooks directly on their website. Some universities also allow students to purchase digital textbooks through the student bookstore.

- Students should be sure that they have the ability to view the textbook before purchasing. Some retailers require that a person uses their eReader to view a book while others allow access from a computer. Read the fine print before finalizing a purchase.

- Decide between renting or purchasing a digital textbook. Renting a book provides access to the text for a limited amount of time, which is great for students who don’t wish to keep textbooks after their class is finished. Longer rentals cost more money, while very short term rentals can be very inexpensive. If a student feels that they will not need long term access to a digital textbook, renting is likely the best option.

- There are many books available as cheap, digital text. Students just need to know where to find them. In fact, the University Of North Alabama recommends buying digital textbooks to enjoy savings of up to 40 percent on textbooks. Considering that the university sells used printed textbooks at only a 25 percent discount, digital textbooks are the most cost effective type of textbooks.

Students that are unsure about switching to digital textbooks can reference these examples of books sold on Amazon and see just how much money they will be able to save.

- Financial Accounting by Paul D. Kimmel, Donald E.Kieso, and Jerry J. Weygandt

ISBN: 978-0470534779

This text is available for purchase as a new, hardcover book at a cost of $199.98. Opting to go with a digital copy lowers the price between $107.60-$48.95.

- Geography by H. J. de Blij

ISBN: 978-0470462423

This text is available for purchase as a new, hardcover book at a cost of $113.22. The digital copy of this text offers substantial savings at $74.00. If a student only needs access to the text for a limited time, a rental can by purchased as low as $33.97.

- Gardner's Art Through the Ages by Fred S. Kleiner

ISBN: 978-0495503798

Purchasing a new, paperback edition of this text costs $132.04. Opting for a digital copy of this text allows a student to save $28.88, at a cost of $103.16.

With college costs steadily rising, students are starting to search for savings in any way possible. Opting for digital textbooks, either as a permanent purchase or a rental, can help students save a significant amount of money. Switching from a print textbook to a digital textbook could mean a savings of up to 40 percent, which is a savings that can't be ignored for the average college student.

Helloooo...THESIS!

Alright. It's. About. Time. Time that I came up with a topic on which to do my Master's Thesis, that is. I find it extraordinarily interesting that I've stumbled into a Master's Program that has NO Thesis requirement to speak of, yet this overachiever had to take that option when it was given. I have two classmates who are doing one as well (So, ha! I'm not the only crazy one. Yes, "crazy" is a technical term.)

Onto the Thesis topic (it is spelled with a capital T because it's THAT dang important): The connection between perfectionism and substance use among college freshman. Particularly, I'd like to explore the differences between community college freshman and state university freshman. Call it a convenience sample if you must, but I think it's a topic that lends itself to studying college students, not non-college folk. Additionally, I'd like to point out that a community college has less stringent requirements for entry than a university does, so there may be a difference in perfectionism levels between the two types of students.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work in progress. Not only must I run this past one of my professors, but I also must get a Thesis committee together to undertake this task. It will take me some time to complete. Therefore, it -- the process and the Thesis itself -- will undergo numerous revisions and changes. I look forward to this. That's why I'm still in school.


So, here's the deal: I want your input! I'm getting weary of seeing that people truly are interested in my blog, but fail to comment on most of my entries. I'm wondering why this is? So, if you just want to comment on how I can get more comments on my blog, that's great! However, I'm really looking for input on the intricacies and such of my topic itself. So, comment away. Or, not. It's your choice. Enjoy reading!

Family Therapy and Multicultural Perspectives

Following are my thoughts on multicultural diversity and marriage family therapy. I typed it for a class (so, yes, it's homework) but it seems worthy of publication on my blog because the issues addressed don't typically get talked about on this page. Hope you enjoy!
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Given the many facets of a human being, it is appropriate to approach family work with “cultural”, “ecological,” and “contextual” sensitivity. It would seem an implausible task to try to understand a client, let alone help them if their environment and context are not taken into account.

In Bronfenbrenner’s article on the ecology of the family (1986), he discusses how many of the different interactions between mesosytems of the identified patient affect the clients in question by the use of his Ecological Model. He points out different dynamics between the Microsystems within the mesosystems and one of the points he made was in regards to the existence of a “support system” outside the home; he pointed to the fact that when the church is included in this support system, there is a lower occurrence of neglect in the home. Also, with regard to father’s job, an exosystemic influence, he showed how the father’s type of work skills are mirrored in the types of skills he uses to parent his children.

In McGoldrick’s  (1995) article on family trees, she explains how the microsystem of the immediate family affects the outcome of the identified patient. Using Ben Franklin’s life as a template for this theory, she shows how the attention of an uncle can influence the importance the identified patient places on family. Ben Franklin formed an alliance with his granddaughter in much the same was as his son formed an alliance with his own granddaughter. Furthermore, the father-child relationships were strained in much the same way between Franklin and his son William and William and his daughter Temple. Family inheritances involve much more than just money and genes and a pattern of behavior can be easily traced back through generations. One must consider the context of the family as it pertains to current behavior in the identified patient in order to understand all the influences that are working upon the dynamics between the identified patient and others in his/her life.

When working with diverse families, it is important to adjust our theoretical orientation to encompass the needs of the client, not simply our understanding of the client at that time. It takes time to truly get to know the inner workings of a client and the environmental influences that affect the client in unique ways. Traditional family therapy concentrates on the “nuclear family” that only exists in 6% of U.S. homes (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2008). We fail to address the true needs of our clients if we fail to take into account the individual differences between our clients and their families. In consideration of family hierarchies in individualistic versus collectivist cultures, it is important to note that individualistic cultures have a much more egalitarian marital couple unit and that deference to those higher on the family hierarchy is stressed in collectivist cultures (Falicov, 1998). It can be challenging to treat a client or clients who have different worldviews than our own; trying to get a couple to reach a compromise may be appropriate for a Western family unit, but may be inappropriate and even harmful to an Eastern-influenced couple. Therapeutic interventions must be adjusted in accordance with the values of the family being treated. There is no cookie-cutter approach to therapy; the unique inner workings of the family must be accounted for when deciding what therapeutic intervention will be most suitable.

Another point-of-view difference between traditional Western families (individualistic) and Eastern or collectivist cultures is the existence of family triangles. It may be challenging to watch what we deem to be a pathological interaction between our clients without attempting to change it. Triangulation is seen as pathology in families of Western descent (Falicov, 1998), however it may be a functional mode of conflict resolution for more collectivist cultures. In families of German descent, it is common for the children to take precedence privately with the mother, whereas she pays deference to the father only when he is around (Falicov, 1998). This may be seen as “keeping secrets” or being dishonest or disloyal by Western standards. It is important not to pathologize interactions between family members if the family is functioning well in spite of the existence of what we may term pathology – it may be a knee-jerk reaction to try to get our clients to interact with each other on a seemingly more “honest” level, but we may do more damage than good if we make the decision for them. Exploring the ways in which a family’s system is working for them first, is important in determining what needs to change.

According to McGoldrick and Hardy (2008), the disorders of our society seem to be heavily influenced by sociopolitical forces at play. Slavery, as an example, gave rise to distinct disorders named in the DSM – disorders that no longer exist because of society’s views on slavery changing (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2008). In much the same way, family therapy has neglected to take into account race and other demographic factors because they were not deemed as important to family therapy specifically (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2008). It is of paramount importance for family therapists to place emphasis on the historical background of their clients in order to properly treat the issues the client is having. Family therapists should have training experience that includes perspectives taught from a non-European-American viewpoint in order to include other race/ethnicity’s viewpoints (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2008). It seems imperative at this point to open our minds up to what’s working, regardless of the origin.

It is important to not impress our worldview upon our clients. We must take into account the society in which we live as well as the historical background of the client. In our money-driven society (Laszloffy, 2008), we tend to focus on luxury issues instead of the living problems our clients may have. Not all of our clients are going to be as affluent or as poor as we are. It is important to take into account the client’s socioeconomic status as well as the cultural background to integrate appropriate and feasible interventions with our clients; it is inappropriate and unhelpful to expect a client to attend three-times-weekly meetings if transportation is an issue for them. It is of vital importance to assist the client in helping themselves and we cannot do this if we fail to take into account their resources. Social class is a barrier to therapy, but it can be overcome with creativity and ingenuity.

If we, as therapists can open our minds up to other cultures and their teachings, we open the door to exploring a multitude of other influences such as spirituality and indigenous healing practices (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2008). It seems that as long as we don’t decide that we are the final authority over our clients and that we develop a working alliance with them, we will help the client overcome difficulties and that our interventions will be pertinent to their lives.

 

REFERENCES

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986). Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research perspectives. Developmental Psychology, Vol. 22 (No. 6), 723-742.

Falicov, C.J. (1998). The cultural meaning of family triangles. In McGoldrick, M. (Ed.), Re-Visioning family therapy (pp. 37-49). New York: Guilford.

Laszloffy, T.A. (2008). Social class: Implications for family therapy. In McGoldrick, M. & Hardy, K.V. (Eds.), Re-Visioning family therapy (pp. 48-60). New York: Guilford.

McGoldrick, M. (Ed.). (1995). You can go home again: Reconnecting with your family. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

McGoldrick, M. & Hardy, K.V. (2008). Re-Visioning family therapy from a multicultural perspective. In McGoldrick, M. & Hardy, K.V. (Eds.), Re-Visioning family therapy (2^nd ed.) (pp. 3-24). New York: Guilford.

Perception is Everything

Ever heard of the old adage, "Life is 20% of what happens to us and 80% of how we view it"? Then this blog post is dedicated to you!

I've been exercising a bit more heartily lately (read: I've taken up jogging, again) and I've realized that listening to the same songs on my MP3 player over and over again is taking a toll on my morale. Frankly, if I can't lose myself in the music, then I start wondering why I'm moving a muscle at all and I start thinking about how I could be watching a movie or surfing the web, etc... You get the picture.

So, it's no surprise that ScienceDaily.com had an article for my perusing -- on the subject of how music changes our way of thinking. In fact, the study they carried out had participants seeing smiley faces where there were none. Click on the link for the details on the study. In a nutshell, participants perceived positive emotions in their environment simply by listening to upbeat music. Actually, this doesn't surprise me a great deal, but it still speaks volumes for why I want to update my playlist. If I can get into the groove of jogging simply by making my music experience more upbeat, then I'm on it! Excuse me, I've got work to do...

Sleep Deprivation as Treatment for Depression?

So, again I asked myself this morning: What can I research? I recently heard from a medical provider that sleeping too much can actually make depression worse for some people. That's okay for the majority of people who suffer from depression: WebMD.com states that 85% of people with depression actually suffer from insomnia, rather than hypersomnia (sleeping too much).

So, what about the other 15%? One article recommends that for healthy adults, seven to nine hours of sleep is sufficient and goes on to explain that sleep deprivation can actually be considered a treatment for some folks with depression. It also goes on to explain that "death" can be a "side effect" from sleeping over nine hours per night (meaning, that people who sleep more than nine hours have a higher mortality rate -- they don't know why this is, either. Scary? You bet it is).

I personally need a lot of sleep. I find that I function better that way. I'm interested to find out how this is for other people. As far as sleep deprivation being a treatment for depression? Apparently, according to another article on WebMD.com, this was an old treatment that became outmoded by the use of antidepressant medication. In the most recent methods utilizing sleep deprivation, it is used in conjunction with antidepressant medication and may be helpful for patients considered to be treatment-resistant to normal methods. For the full text of the article, check out: WebMD sleep deprivation article.  I'm going to take a nap.

Depression: The New Era of Classification

DSM-IV-TR

So, I woke up this morning with the idea that I would look up which type of depression is worse in the morning...on the internet. Everyone knows that scanning the internet (even, ahem, Wikipedia) is not the most reliable method of obtaining accurate information. Nevertheless, I thought I'd try. I am only familiar with the following categories that depression exists under, classified under the Mood Disorders section of the DSM-IV-TR:

• Dysthymic Disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and its associated Depression
• Cyclothymic Disorder

There are several "specifiers" that describe certain features associated with the above diagnoses, such as Melancholic Features, Atypical Features, Catatonic Features, and the like.

So, you'll imagine my surprise when my research turned up the following term as a type of depression that is worse in the morning: Melancholic Depression. I also noted that the terms "Psychotic Depression" and "Catatonic Depression" were getting thrown around as well. I'm confused.

Those in the psychology profession are familiar with the psychologist's "Bible" (A.K.A. the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM). The DSM is under revision and hence has the suffix: "IV-TR" meaning it is in it's fourth edition, currently under revision. The full title of the text is DSM-IV-TR. The panel of experts and professionals currently involved in the DSM-IV-TR revision process are discussing the changes associated with what will be released as the fifth edition of the DSM and will be appropriately dubbed the DSM-V.

Why do I bring this up? Well, it's simple: if a psychological professional needs to know what diagnosis his or her client's symptoms fall under, the DSM-IV-TR is the book to consult. It has undergone several revisions and with this current process of revisions, diagnoses are being categorized differently than they were before.  I have the most recent copy of the DSM and it has no category of depression labeled "Melancholic Depression." However, the Melancholic Features Specifier does describe a depression that is worse in the morning. I can only assume that this surprise category that turned up is a result of this revision process.

On a very circuitous path, I found my answer. I also found a reason to pay more attention to the revision process of the DSM. It is, after all, the book I shall be married to in my practice. I must learn to love it.

Animals and Emotions

There's an animal in there, somewhere.

 

Oh, how I love ScienceDaily.com! Let me count the ways...

I was in a conversation last night where a friend of mine was explaining to me why a cat curls up next to a human. From what he said, I deduced the following: It's not because they're cold (they have fur) or they're bored (they like to chase nothing) or they're hungry (if you're not holding food, LOL), but it's because they want companionship. Who would've guessed! A cat or other animal seemingly has no object but to eat, sleep and... well, you get the picture. So, I decided to see if my favorite website had anything to say about the issue. Sure enough!

ScienceDaily.com has an article (for the actual article, click here: Science Daily article) where they talk about how animals use emotion to make decisions. According to the article, an animal's environment shapes the way the animal "feels" (negative or positive emotions) and that those emotions are reflected in the decisions the animal makes. So, if your cow is depressed or anxious because it is always in peril of being eaten by a coyote, it will tend to make interpretations of a stimulus (such as a bush moving) as a negative event -- mainly, that a predator is lurking in that bush.

It would seem from this article that anxiety and other negative emotions can affect animals in similar ways to humans. Humans don't tend to have a high quality of life if they are constantly on guard or depressed. Maybe your Fido or Fluffy could benefit from some positive emotions from you -- and maybe a little hug wouldn't hurt either.

HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR PET TODAY?

Exercise and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award

Alright, so I've been hearing for YEARS that exercise is a great form of stress control, lowers your blood pressure, and is good for cardiovascular health.

I started a regular exercise program in 2004, and have been steady at it for at least 20 minutes a day (now it's more like 35-40 minutes a day) 5 days a week ever since. Here's a list of the types of activities I go for:

• Jogging
• Walking
• Stationary exercise bicycle
• Aerobics (purchased DVD or online at sparkpeople.com)
• Yoga

I'm feeling the itch to get into some more activities and am considering getting a gym membership. For the past 7 weeks, I've also taken on the President's Challenge which is to remain active for 5 days a week for 6 out of 8 weeks and I've succeeded at that and beyond! So, I'm ramping it up a bit: I'm going to go for the bronze award they have posted on their website (click the link above). I know this all sounds hokey and a bit cheesy, but for me, I need the motivation and if someone's gonna give me a pat on the back for doing what I normally do anyways, I'm all for it!

I challenge you to do the same. The site offers a great way to remain accountable and the awards offer motivation that normally isn't available. I'm psyched to exercise now because I know I get to log my progress somewhere. See what it can do for you! I gotta run... (no pun intended)

Mental Health and the Diagnosis-Happy Professional

Recently, I heard of the following story: a woman, distraught and led by a close friend (who's also a mental health professional) to seek mental health assistance was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder at the third session.Granted, it was an intern who approached the diagnosis (haphazardly, at best) with the client and it was her supervisor (supposedly) that gave her the idea. But, really. Who are we to be slapping a label onto someone who comes in asking for help?

To be more specific about the needs of the woman, she was going through an extremely tumultuous divorce. Given the following symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder and we could see why a (insight-lacking) intern might make the call to say the woman had BPD:

1) Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.

      Note:  Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior*** covered in Criterion 5.

2)  A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between  extremes of idealization and devaluation.

3)  Identity disturbance:  markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.

4)  Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).

Note:  Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior*** covered in Criterion 5.

5) Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior***.

6) Affective [mood] instability.

7) Chronic feelings of emptiness.

8) Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).

9) Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.

See how the symptoms mimic what many people go through during the course of a breakup? To be sure, the woman did not have Borderline Personality Disorder. And, thanks to her friend, she was able to be reassured that she didn't. But the effects of having a "professional" label someone like that is much more damaging than it may initially seem and it stays with the client.

A lot of mental health professionals think they have the magic diagnosis stick and can bop any readily-available client on the head with it and be correct. This is so wrong on so many levels. True, diagnosis is needed for insurance purposes. But, to label a human being with a disorder when all they wanted was a listening ear, is a tragedy at the very least. It's no wonder non-professionals do this labeling every day -- even with themselves. The label is not the point. Being a good therapist/friend/listener is.

Just a little F.Y.I.

Nope. No research today! I've been struggling to find a topic for my latest blog post that would be useful and beneficial to those who read it, but I've come up short. I've perused ScienceDaily.com all the way to (gasp!) wikipedia.com and I can't seem to come up with a topic.

So, I'll just share what I know: fatigue.

It's come to my attention that at this point in the quarter (week 8, to be exact), my brain and my body do not cooperate with one another. I can take my body to all the places it needs to go (school, appointments, and the like) but my brain keeps checking out, getting distracted, and just, well, plain not cooperating with my plan for the day.

So, given the fact that I'm a "talk therapy" advocate, I'll "talk" about it.

I'm frustrated with the fatigue that hits me at this point in the quarter. I try to accomplish homework and my other life obligations and I just can't seem to get the motivation up to even exercise (which is a 5-times-weekly activity for me, so I'd say it's already a habit and shouldn't be subject to "motivation"). However, I have to get into acceptance about the fact that my body can only do so much. But, I still balk at the idea of "letting things go." After all, there's always so much to be done! But, as I've heard before (from a wise person, I'm sure), much more useful work gets done if one is prepared and well rested for it.

I think I'll go take a nap. Just kidding. Maybe...

Financial Aid and Grad School

Getting a higher education isn't easy. Or cheap. Going to a public university is definitely cheaper than going to a private one (think USC and their $30,000 plus tuition yearly). However, the fact that even one of my classmates is having a hard time paying for school and that this necessitates him or her to work, really chaps my hiney, so to speak.

I know I've written about financial aid on my blog before, and I'd like to offer up some suggestions again, but I'm no expert. I'm hoping that others who may read this post will take heart and offer up their own suggestions, so that others may benefit from their wisdom.

If and until that happens, I've dug up some book titles for scholarship searches and websites that may be of help:

• www.fafsa.com (apply for financial aid online)
• www.fastweb.com (access to financial aid info and scholarship search)
• "1001 Ways to Pay for College" -- good for a wide range of scholarship and financial aid ideas
• Your local library -- oftentimes has Scholarship Books or other resources for student financial aid planning

These are all books and resources I've used myself. But this, by no means, is even a slightly exhaustive list. I'm sure there's more resources than I could possibly research and put on this blog. But, at least it's a good start! Hope it helps!!

Studying, Stress and College Midterms -- separating myth from fact

Some strategies students have been employing for -- ahem -- centuries (I'd venture to guess) are actually not effective and may cause the already-present school stress to compound itself. According to about.com, the following strategies may trick you into thinking you're a good student, but in fact, cause more problems than they alleviate. Here's the highlights that do not work:

• Studying in an "all nighter" fashion
• Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine
• Cramming at the last minute
• Studying with friends you normally hang out with (duh)

All you need is love, love....

A study performed by the University of Chicago says that men derive health benefits from being married to a significant other woman in their lives. Specifically the study states:

"...married men actually live longer, fuller lives than their bachelor counterparts--primarily, researchers say, because of the love and continuous support system that a wife can provide."

The study was based on a stay-at-home wife versus one who works outside the home full-time. The difference between health benefits of each was 25 percent! The man whose wife works outside the home benefited less.

So, besides the obvious emotional benefits of marriage, apparently you can benefit health-wise also!

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

So this mouse with a cane walked into a bar...

(*if I use any more sarcasm, I'm going to gag) 

Wow. Mickey's not lookin' so great these days. I wonder why? Could it be all that processed food and diet soda he's been eating and drinking lately?

According to a study published by the FASEB journal on sciencedaily.com (one of my fave websites, since Laura Freberg's blog introduced me to it), this looks as though that could be the case.

As in most research studies, the researchers used mice to find the correlation between junk food and particular results in the human body -- it's obviously meant to translate from the effects on mice to the effects on us, although it's also obvious that we are not mice and in order to find out the particulars of the study, I encourage you to find the research paper and peruse the "methods" section. What the researchers found was that the preservatives -- phosphates to be exact -- actually accelerate the aging process in mice. Which alludes to the effects of phosphates on the human body. Unfortunately, phosphates are found in more than just one type of food.

The study specifically cites soda as one of the resident evils of the junk food industry. That's one of my faves. I drink diet soda like most people drink water. Since most people drink it for its caffeine, they may not think about all the phosphates included in their slurp or gulp. It may be time to start paying attention.

After doing research of my own, working with a personal trainer, and talking with yogis, I've discovered that we, as humans, should be drinking at least our body weight in ounces in pure water per day. So, if your weight = 150 lbs, you should be drinking 150 ounces of water per day. That takes determination.

It's worth it, though. I may do another blog post in the future about the effects of dehydration on the body. For now, simply pinch the skin on the back of your hand. If it stays "up and pinched" so to speak, for a few seconds before the skin returns to it's original state, you may be dehydrated. So, folks, drink more water, less soda - that's the take home message.

That is, if you want to live a little longer. 

Psychotic Illness Linked to Cannibis and Other Substances

Pot has often been called the "gateway drug" due to it's ability to introduce a person to the world of drug use with seemingly benign side effects. Apparently, this is no longer the widely-held belief. Researchers have found that early-onset psychotic illness has been linked to the use of cannibis.

ScienceDaily.com has published an article on this very subject. As with other blog entries, I'll attempt to give a short synopsis of the article (call it "research lite" if you will):

• Cannibis is used by more than 16 million Americans (translation: this doesn't include all the people hanging out in Netherlands' "Red Light District")
• Pot is not the only substance linked to psychotic illness; think: methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder
• Those who use drugs, and more often, use pot, develop symptoms of psychosis an average of 2 years younger than those who do not use drugs
• Those who are predisposed to developing schizophrenia can influence the symptoms' early appearance by using cannibis
• Those who have early onset of schizophrenia tend to have a worse prognosis overall
• Smoking cigarettes while pregnant has been linked to the development of psychotic symptoms in the child during their teenage years (thanks ScienceDaily.com)

If you do not have a genetic propensity to develop psychotic disorder, you won't necessarily develop one by substance use. Schizophrenia won't be "caused" by substance use. But, as stated above, methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder is real. Cigarettes are more malicious than they sound. And, who wants to take a chance anyways?

Thyroid Symptom, Depression, or Simple Fatigue?

Thyroid Gland

I've often appreciated the plain language on about.com and their seeming ability to take complicated issues and explain them in layman's terms.

I especially appreciate it when my doctor tells me I need to get my thyroid checked when I seem to be having symptoms that I wouldn't normally associate with my thyroid (like a cold-tremble feeling in my body). For the record, I am diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been getting my blood drawn/meds adjusted off and on since I was 14 years old.

What I didn't know was that it can cause symptoms that mimic depression or malnutrition. To explain thyroid issues, here's a primer:

hypOthyroidism is:

• an underactive thyroid gland; a glandular disorder resulting from insufficient production of thyroid hormones

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

while hyPERthyroidism is:

• an overactive thyroid gland; pathologically excessive production of thyroid hormones or the condition resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Either way, a person's energy level and personal sense of well-being are affected. I concentrate on the issues surrounding hypOthyroidism because the symptoms tend to mimic Depression, another fave research topic of mine. Here are some of the greater and lesser known symptoms of the disorder according to about.com (it's a long list, so scroll down about halfway for the lesser known and more surprising symptoms:

·         I am gaining weight inappropriately

·         I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise

·         I am constipated, sometimes severely

·         I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters, etc.)

·         I feel fatigued, exhausted

·         Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic 

·         My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out 

·         My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick 

·         I have a hoarse or gravely voice 

·         I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face

·         I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet 

·         I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse

·         I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent) 

·         I am having trouble conceiving a baby 

·         I feel depressed 

·         I feel restless 

·         My moods change easily 

·         I have feelings of worthlessness 

·         I have difficulty concentrating 

·         I have more feelings of sadness

·         I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities 

·         I'm more forgetful lately

Other symptoms commonly associated with hypothyroidism patients:
 My hair is falling out

·         I can't seem to remember things 

·         I have no sex drive 

·         I am getting more frequent infections, that last longer 

·         I'm snoring more lately 

·         I have/may have sleep apnea 

·         I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest 

·         I feel the need to yawn to get oxygen 

·         My eyes feel gritty and dry 

·         My eyes feel sensitive to light 

·         My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes, which makes me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches 

·         I have strange feelings in neck or throat 

·         I have tinnitus (ringing in ears) 

·         I get recurrent sinus infections 

·         I have vertigo 

·         I feel some lightheadedness 

·         I have severe menstrual cramps           source: about.com

A lot of the time, I post things on my blog that I feel would be helpful to many people. This means that I research things that would be (hopefully) surprising to most people and would allow them to have a reason to go to their doctor instead of suffering with symptoms they have no explanation for. Of course, as a disclaimer, I must say "Do not try to self-diagnose or self-medicate." That's what doctors are for.

For the rest of my readers, I'm hoping it will be interesting fodder for your active brains. Enjoy.

Grad Students: Adult v. Non-Adult students

Seems my brain has gone on a semi-permanent hiatus lately. It's a mere 5 weeks into the 11-week quarter and I've already fallen behind on my reading. It's a far cry from where I was as an undergrad, though! I was lucky if I even got to the reading! Thank goodness for discipline.

So, I wonder, do Grad Students have more issues with exhaustion than Undergrad Students? It begs consideration. I decided to do a little research.... and this is what I came up with -- a professor's perspective:

"When beginning a program, students should expect to feel overwhelmed...I must say my adult learners seem to do very well with balancing the many issues they have going on, such as school, life and work. Not to say that my other students don't do well, it's just that the adult learners seem to be able to keep up with little or no foreseen problems." --gradschools.com

 Well, I must say, that's a relief! There certainly are many trials one must get through just to be able to go to a Graduate-level program. Then, once one gets there, it's even more difficult to succeed. Grad School is not for the faint of heart! I believe this is a well-known thing, but I needed to see it in print for myself.

The article goes on to say that time management is an essential part of keeping the "overwhelm" in check. I haven't personally gotten to the point where I feel like I've mastered time management, but I'll let you know when I get there!

This is your snail, this is your snail on drugs....any questions?

Seems that according to Science Daily.com, a woman researcher by the name of Barbara Sorg, from Washington State University, has decided to get some snails (specifically: " the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis") addicted to methamphetamine for the purposes of studying what meth does to the memory.

The article goes on to explain that while addicts may be able to stop using a drug for a period of time, the brain still stores a memory for the use of the drug. Further, according to the studies performed by Sorg and a colleague, methamphetamine makes the memories formed "under the influence" harder to forget. So why get a snail high, you ask? It seems that snails have a memory for whether or not they should raise their pneumostomes (oxygen-suckers) above the water, according to the quality of the water -- and whether or not the water was laced with methamphetamine.

I believe the researchers are trying to draw a parallel between relapse on methamphetamine and the memory the brain has for common environments associated with the drug. In simplified terms this means that if you are exposed to an environment you used to use methamphetamine in, you are more likely to succumb to the memory of using and do it again. Interesting. And, unnerving.

And, ultimately, it's a questionable thing to do to a poor animal. So I just want to give a shout-out to all the lab animals who were sequestered for this experiment: Thanks for your sacrifice, little guys!

Addicted to Facebook?

• CNN has an article online (click the blog title to check it out) on Facebook addiction and the signs to look for if you're a proponent of staying on the computer way past your bedtime and ignoring things like *life* to check in on the computer.

Facebook users are even posting links to satires of the Facebook phenomenon, underscoring its salience in today's technology. Check this one out:  "Failbook"
It shows the possible (and probable) banter that occurs daily on the hit url.

Pretty interesting how we have laymen who understand the psychology behind how and why people post the things they do online for the world to see, mindless as they are, and then can't seem to untangle themselves from the keyboard long enough to grab another cup of coffee. See, this is me doing that same thing right now. Perhaps I'm addicted.

But before we go that far let's peruse a few of the "warning signs" CNN believes either supports my argument that I'm a Facebook-freak, or shoots it down altogether:

• Pile's "Facebook Compulsion Inventory" is a psychological test-of-sorts that shows whether or not your interest in Facebook is minor, or social life threatening: Pile's Facebook Compulsion Inventory --The test includes items such as the following:
1. "I have more in common with the people I chat with on Facebook than I have with my spouse or partner."
2. "Sometimes I lose sleep because of the time I spend on Facebook."
3. "I feel excited and energized when I access my Facebook page."
4. "I feel that others would think less of me if they could see my private messages on Facebook."

There's several other criteria that tend to point to Facebook addiction, but I think you get the idea. Take the test. That is, if you're not too busy on Facebook.

What Depression Looks Like.

I've written before in this blog about different issues and ailments that a certain percentage of the population has to contend with. Depression is just one of these issues. Sometimes, though, it's hard to spot. Here's a list of the most common symptoms, followed by a list of not-so-commonly known ones:

Common Depression Symptoms:

• fatigue and decreased energy
• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
• feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• overeating or appetite loss
• persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Not-so-Commonly Known Symptoms:

• difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• irritability, restlessness
• persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment                               http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression

This last symptoms is one that took even me by surprise (as I have personal knowledge of what depression looks like, in all it's ill-fated glory). The idea that a psychological ailment can manifest itself as pain in the body is something that I've intuitively known for years. I've been a casual student of the school of thought that we cannot escape negative cognitions. Our thoughts do not go away simply because we ignore them. But to think that they can show back up in our body is amazing and a little off-putting at the same time.

The main point I'm trying to get across here is this: Depression is a real thing. If you or someone who is close to you is dealing with the above symptoms, it would behoove you to get him/her/yourself a doctor's appointment and a referral to a mental health professional. The hype and stigma surrounding mental illness is a tragedy, but no one should let it become their own personal tragedy. Help is available. There are plenty of medications and types of therapy that can and do treat depression symptoms. Getting out of bed and doing normal every day tasks shouldn't be difficult -- take advantage of the help that is attainable to us. You're worth it.

It's easier to keep smoking than we thought...

Once upon a time, there was an ex-smoker. He went to a movie. He saw someone smoke. He smoked. The end.

Well, not really. I heard of a study done many years ago that said that if you go to a movie and sit and watch the entire thing (not including potty breaks, of course) that your brain is actually tricked into thinking that you're actually there with the actors, in the same situation.

Ever wonder why you come out of a movie sad (if it's a drama), on edge (if it's an action film), angry (if there's a lot of violence), or giddy (if it's a comedy)??? This is why. So, it's no surprise to me that the following study showed that smokers who see other smokers smoke, even in a film, will be more likely to light up the next time. [Click on the blog title for the whole article]

It doesn't seem fair, but there's been a study done on it. Here's an excerpt:

In this study, researchers led by senior investigator Todd Heatherton, PhD, and graduate student Dylan Wagner of Dartmouth College set out to determine whether the parts of the brain that control that routine gesture could be triggered by simply seeing someone else smoke. The authors found that seeing this familiar action -- even when embedded in a Hollywood movie -- evoked the same brain responses as planning to actually make that movement. These results may provide additional insight for people trying to overcome nicotine addiction, a condition that leads to one in five U.S. deaths each year.

 Think about it next time you follow someone outside to chat and they light up a cigarette. I'm not sure what the implications are for non-smokers, but beware. It's an interesting, yet scary, phenomenon. 

Cognitive differences between men and women

Just in case you were wondering, men are from another planet. Just kidding. We do think differently, however. Click on the post title and you'll discover what I did:

• Men tend to be better at things like mathmatics 
• Women tend to be better at things like language.

So, women: When someone tells you that women talk too much, tell them it's the way we're wired -- literally. There's a deficit in word-usage between men and women of several thousand words. See this article on "Sex Linked Lexical Budgets." It talks about how women use 20,000 words a day, while men use 7,000. You do the math. Given this information, it's no wonder why men think women talk too much, but just remember: We're wired that way.