Posts tagged with 'anxiety'
Handouts & questionnaires for “outcomes toolkit” (IAPT)
27th October 2008
The "Improving Access to Psychological Therapies" (IAPT) initiative is very ambitious and exciting. It states its principal aim is to support English Primary Care Trusts in implementing "National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence" (NICE) guidelines for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. IAPT go on to say that …
Four aspects of helpful inner focus: 1.) reducing negative states
19th October 2008
I started meditating regularly while I was still at university in the early 1970's. I then went on a number of meditation retreats and visited a whole series of monasteries and ashrams. By the late 70's I had a good deal of experience of a fruit salad of methods including …
Recent research: half a dozen depression & anxiety papers on CBT, telephones, exercise, relaxation, prevention and more
2nd October 2008
Here are half a dozen recent papers on aspects of depression and anxiety. They include an interesting overview on brain-psychology connections by Aaron Beck, one of the originators of CBT; a meta-analysis of studies on psychotherapy delivered by phone, internet & videoconferencing; details of a free database of studies on …
Handouts & questionnaires for panic, agoraphobia & depersonalization
1st September 2008
I've been working on the 'Panic & depersonalization' handouts list in the Good Knowledge section of this website. The list contains most of the handouts and questionnaires I currently use when working with people suffering from panic disorder, agoraphobia or depersonalization/ derealization disorder. Here they are with brief descriptions: Panic …
Agoraphobia
25th August 2008
I'm gradually adding content to the 'Good Knowledge' database. I've just put in some information on agoraphobia. It reads: The US DSM IV diagnostic system describes the "essential features" of agoraphobia in the following way: "There is intense fear of, or discomfort in, settings from which escape is difficult or …
Recent research: CBT, insomnia & depression, GP visits & health anxiety, desensitization & medication, agoraphobia & panic
31st July 2008
Manber, R., J. D. Edinger, et al. (2008). "Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia enhances depression outcome in patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and insomnia." Sleep 31(4): 489-95. [PubMed] STUDY OBJECTIVE: Insomnia impacts the course of major depressive disorder (MDD), hinders response to treatment, and increases risk for depressive relapse. …
Recent research: borderline, separation anxiety, bipolar disorder, telemedicine, fish oil, depression memory & safety behaviours
1st July 2008
Kitcheman, J., C. E. Adams, et al. (2008). "Does an encouraging letter encourage attendance at psychiatric out-patient clinics? The Leeds PROMPTS randomized study." Psychol Med 38(5): 717-23. [PubMed] An 'orientation letter' delivered shortly before their scheduled first appointment considerably reduced failure to attend at UK psychiatric outpatient clinics. Levy, K. …
NICE guidelines – IBS, osteoarthritis, and mental health topics
24th March 2008
The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is "the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health." NICE guidance applies particularly to England and Wales, but the opinions they come to are very carefully weighed …
Both negative & positive emotions can be functional or dysfunctional
30th January 2008
Unpleasant, negative emotions can be highly functional. For example, anxious hypervigilance in a dangerous situation can keep me on my toes, very aware of potential threats and more able to react rapidly and appropriately. Healthy anger when I am being taken advantage of can help me respond strongly and assertively …