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Thursday, 01 July 2010 |
Study reveals sharp rise in people suffering stress, anxiety and depression due to redundancies and job insecurity
An office worker contemplates redundancy Among people who have lost their jobs in the last year, 71% have suffered symptoms of depression.
The number of people suffering stress, anxiety and depression because of redundancies, job insecurity and pay cuts owing to the recession is soaring, a study published today reveals.
Worries about the effects of the downturn have produced a sharp rise in people experiencing symptoms of common mental health conditions, according to the report, by academics from Roehampton University and the children's charity Elizabeth Finn Care.
The incidence of depression has jumped by between four and five-fold as unemployment, cuts in hours and concern about security of tenure have become common, the report found. Among people who have lost their jobs in the last year, 71% have suffered symptoms of depression, 55% said the same about stress and 52% experienced symptoms of anxiety.
Those ranked as of middle socio-economic status were more likely to experience depression (59.8%) than those from lower (44.9%) or higher groups (46.7%).
Among those who had experienced a drop in salary or cut in their hours or days, 51% said they had experienced symptoms of depression, 48% said the same for anxiety and 45% experienced stress symptoms.
Those aged 18-30 were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms than any other age group.
Dr Joerg Huber, principal lecturer at Roehampton University, said: "What makes our findings worrying is the high percentage of people reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. This applies even more to those who have lost their job or experienced a major loss of income."
Left untreated, depression could turn into "a vicious cycle of related disability and an inability to work", he added.
Mental health problems cost the UK about £110bn a year, according to a recent report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the London School of Economics and the NHS Confederation's mental health network. They found that demand for mental health treatment had increased during 2009 because of rising levels of debt, home repossessions, unemployment and threat of redundancy.
Prof Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the increase in mental health problems identified by the researchers reflected the recent experience of family doctors. "GPs across the country have been seeing a definite increase in the last year in the number of patients coming to see them with mental health and physical issues. These appeared to be related to either losing their job or fearing their job and livelihood are threatened," said Field.
He added: "There's been an increase in people coming to see me with backache and tiredness, as a way of discussing the fact that they're actually stressed and depressed, because their job is under threat or they are no longer earning enough to feed their family."
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Wednesday, 30 June 2010 |
Review of Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy: by Donald Robertson.
Which Forms of Hypnotherapy are Evidence-Based?
Hypnotherapy as Empirically-Supported Treatment (EST)
Ratings using Chambless & Hollon (1998) criteria reviewed by David M. Wark (2008)
Copyright © Donald Robertson, 2009 Reprinted from The Hypnotherapy Journal Spring 2009
I beg farther to remark, if my theory and pretensions, as to the nature, cause, and extent of the phenomena of [hypnotism] have none of the fascinations of the transcendental to captivate the lovers of the marvellous, the credulous and enthusiastic, which the pretensions and alleged occult agency of the mesmerists have, still I hope my views will not be the less acceptable to honest and sober-minded men, because they are all level to our comprehension, and reconcilable with well-known physiological and psychological principles. – James Braid, Hypnotic Therapeutics, 1853
One of the most useful articles to be published recently was arguably Wark’s review of those studies on hypnotherapy that were rated as meeting the Chambless & Hollon (1998) criteria for “empirically-supported treatments” in the field of psychology, known as ESTs for short. It may not surprise many NCH members to know that when the research literature on psychotherapy was previously reviewed by a task force of nineteen psychologists led by Prof. Dianne Chambless most of the psychological therapies identified as “empirically-supported” (formerly termed “empirically-validated”) tended to be specific forms of cognitive and/or behaviour therapy (CBT). Most forms of psychotherapy, ranging from the more controversial and pseudoscientific ones to some of the more “respectable” and mainstream approaches, do not meet these strict criteria for empirical support. However, one study was identified which demonstrated that cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH) was “probably efficacious” for weight loss in obese clients. In this respect, hypnotherapy might (tentatively) be said to have garnered more compelling evidence for its efficacy than many other modalities of psychological therapy, apart from the cognitive and/or behavioural treatments and some brief psychodynamic approaches.
However, over the past decade, many additional studies of a high quality have been published which provide support for the efficacy of hypnotherapy, including meta-analyses and systematic reviews which collate data from multiple studies to form a more general picture of the research findings in this area. David Wark’s review entitled ‘What we can do with hypnosis: a brief note’ identifies over thirty additional studies on hypnotherapy which he rates using the revised Chambless & Hollon (1998) criteria for either “possible”, “probable”, or “specific” empirically-supported treatments, depending upon the nature of the evidence available (see the explanations below). I have compiled this information into a new table which you will find underneath. Of course, these are not all the possible applications of hypnotherapy, simply the ones which currently have the strongest empirical support, based on Wark’s rating using established criteria for research quality. More studies are published every year which potentially meet these criteria and might be included on a future list.
I think it might be observed that certain hypnotherapy treatments for certain types of pain, anxiety, and weight loss are supported by the strongest evidence at present, by this standard. In total, three studies (anxiety due to asthma, public speaking, and taking a test) provide good evidence for the efficacy of hypnotherapy as a treatment for anxiety. Assen Alladin’s recent study which provides support for the use of hypnosis in the treatment of depression is rated as meeting the “possibly” efficacious criteria. Most of the other studies provide evidence relating to the treatment of acute or chronic pain, and certain stress-related or psychosomatic medical conditions such as insomnia, migraine and IBS. Wark even finds one study on hypnotherapy for smoking cessation which meets the criteria for “possibly efficacious”, an area where well-designed research has previously been lacking.
This overview is consistent with a general trend in the literature, since the Victorian era, which tends to point toward hypnotherapy showing most promise in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, pain management, and several stress-related medical conditions, with mixed findings in relation to its use for the treatment of habits and addictions such as over-eating, smoking, and alcohol abuse. For example, a committee of experts commissioned by the British Medical Association concluded in 1892 that,
The Committee are of opinion that as a therapeutic agent hypnotism is frequently effective in relieving pain, procuring sleep, and alleviating many functional [i.e., psycho-somatic] ailments.
However, we can now go beyond those early clinical observations and primitive experiments and provide an overview of the therapeutic usefulness of hypnotherapy based on modern research design meeting the highest standards of quality.
“Specific” empirically supported treatments
1. Anxiety about asthma attack Brown, 2007
2. Headaches and migraine Relaxation + image modification > wait list control Hammond, 2007
“Effective” empirically-supported treatments
3. Cancer pain Syrjala et al., 1992
4. Distress during surgery Hypnosis reduces distress and pain > controls Lang et al., 2006
5. Surgery pain (adult) Self-hypnosis reduces drug use > attention control Lang et al., 1996
6. Surgery pain (child) Hypnosis reduces pain + hospital time > control Lambert, 1996
7. Weight reduction Hypnosis + CBT > CBT, differences increase over time Kirsch, 1996
“Possible” empirically-supported treatments
8. Acute pain (adult) Patterson & Jensen, 2003
9. Acute pain (children) Hypnosis > distraction for bone marrow aspiration Zeltzer & LaBaron, 1982
10. Anorexia Staged treatment with hypnosis > same without hypnosis Baker & Nash, 1987
11. Anxiety about public speaking Hypnosis > CBT Schoenberger et al., 1997
12. Anxiety about taking a test Self-hypnosis>discussion control Stanton, 1994
13. Asthma Hypnosis>attention control Ewer & Stewart, 1986
14. Bed wetting Suggestion with or without hypnosis > wait list control Edwards & Van der Spuy, 1986
15. Bulimia Hypnosis = CBT > wait list Griffiths et al., 1996
16. Chemotherapy distress Hypnosis>conversation + antiemetic medication Jacknow et al., 1994
17. Cystic fibrosis Self-hypnosis>wait list control Belsky & Khanna, 1994
18. Depression Hypnosis enhances CBT Alladin & Alibhai, 2007
19. Duodenal ulcer relapse Hypnosis + medication > medication only Colgan et al., 1988
20. Fibromyalgia Hypnosis > physical therapy for subjective symptoms Haanen et al., 1991
21. Haemorrhage Preoperative suggestion reduces blood flow Enqvist et al., 1995
22. High blood-pressure Hypnosis > wait list in reducing BP long-term Gay, 2007
23. Hip or knee osteoarthritis pain Hypnosis = relaxation > wait list control Gay et al., 2002
24. Insomnia (primary) Hypnosis + CBT > medication long-term Graci & Hardie, 2007
25. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Hypnosis > psychotherapy Whorwell et al., 1984
26. Nausea & hyperemesis Hypnotic-like relaxation > control Lyles et al., 1982
27. Obstetrics Apgar score Hypnosis associated with higher Apgar score Harmon et al., 1990
28. Obstetrics pain Hypnosis shortens labour and reduces analgesic use Jenkins & Prichard, 1983
29. Smoking cessation Hypnosis or relaxation > wait list controls for good subjects Schubert, 1983
30. Trauma recovery Desensitisation = hypnosis = psychodynamic therapy > control Brom et al., 1989
31. Wart removal Suggestion with or without hypnosis > control or medication Spanos et al., 1990
These ratings are derived from the review published by Wark (2008), in which the references and criteria are given in full. In brief, the main criteria for the ratings are those set by Chambless & Hollon (1998), which they define roughly as follows but see their article for a more specific and detailed account of the criteria.
Possible
A treatment is “possibly” empirically-supported if peer-reviewed studies meet the following minimum criteria. Studies should normally contain samples of at least 25 subjects who are randomly assigned to treatment and control groups, i.e., the study is a randomised control trial (RCT). There is a treatment manual or equivalent (such as a hypnosis script) so that the treatment can be replicated in other studies. Treatment must be conducted upon a specific condition which has been adequately assessed, and adequate outcome measures must be used which are subject to suitable statistical analysis. The outcome must essentially show the treatment to be significantly more effective than a placebo or no-treatment control group, or equivalent to another empirically-supported treatment.
Effective
A treatment is termed empirically-supported as being “effective” if statistically significant superiority to control group measures have been replicated with completely independent samples or by independent research teams, and data supporting the treatment in question must be shown to predominate if there are conflicting data from other studies.
Specific
A treatment can be considered empirically-supported as “specific” (i.e., better than “non-specific” treatment) if it has shown statistically significant superiority to a placebo (“sham”) therapy or another psychological therapy in at least two independent studies.
References
Bolocofsky, D.N., Spinler, D., & Coulthard-Morris, L. (1985). ‘Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight management’, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41.
Chambless, D.L., & Hollon, S. ‘Defining empirically supported therapies’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66.
Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures. ‘Training in and dissemination of empirically validated psychologist treatments: report and recommendations.’ Clin Psychol 1995;48:3–23.
Chambless DL, Sanderson WC, Shoham V, Bennett Johnson S, Pope KS, Crits-Christoph P, et al. ‘An update on empirically validated therapies.’ Clin Psychol 1996;49:5–18.
Chambless DL, Baker MJ, Baucom DH, Beutler LE, Calhoun KS, Crits-Christoph P, et al. ‘Update on empirically validated therapies, II.’ Clin Psychol 1998;51:3–16.
Wark, David M. (2008). ‘What we can do with hypnosis: a brief note’, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, July 2008 |
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Thursday, 17 June 2010 |
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We’ve all heard the terms left-brained and right-brained, but you may not know which side of your brain you use most, or why this knowledge is even important to you. We’ve explored how the different sides of your brain influence the way you process information, ultimately affecting how you communicate and learn—in your work environment and beyond.
From IT to creative fields, knowing your brain dominance, and that of others in your workplace, can help you adapt your message and bridge the communication gap so everyone can work more efficiently and more contentedly.
Small misunderstanding, big consequences
According to Businessperformance.com, poor communication in the workplace can be directly linked to increased operating costs and reduced efficiency causing:
* lower productivity
* employee dissatisfaction and turnover
* lack of understanding of business strategy
* lack of common direction
And, poor communication can also be extremely costly. IDC research shows that UK and US enterprises are losing an estimated $37 billion a year as a result of employee misunderstanding.
To help you improve your communication, we’ll take a look at the root of communication—how your brain processes information—and give you tips on how to better maximize the full capacity of your brain in a workplace setting.
What’s the difference?
Although we all work using both the left and right hemispheres of our brain, most of us have a dominant side which affects the way we process information, approach problems and communicate. Understanding the key differences can help you communicate (and also be understood) better every day.
The left side of the brain processes information from part to whole. Think of it as a linear approach; taking pieces of information, lining them up in a logical order, reflecting on this structured information and finally drawing a conclusion. In the other hemisphere, the right side of the brain processes from whole to parts. It starts with the answer, grasping the big picture first, not the details. Individuals with right-brain dominance need to know the purpose of their actions. Just knowing “the overview” can help them better prepare and absorb the more detailed information to come.
Left-brained people tend to be more:
* Analytical
* Logical
* Mathematically and scientifically inclined
* Verbal and concise
* Detail oriented
Right-brained people tend to be more:
* Visual
* Intuitive, pick up on other’s feelings
* Imaginative
* Non-verbal
* Spatial
When reading the above, you may see traits on both sides that pertain to you, and that’s a good thing. A key to enhancing your own learning and thinking process is to tap into both sides as much as possible.
Two halves make a whole
No matter what your dominance, here are a few tips for the workplace that can help the two sides work together in harmony.
Power up your presentations: Consider your audience when preparing any presentation, lesson or meeting, and tailor your approach as much as possible to their brain dominance using tactics they will best comprehend. If you aren’t sure about the brain dominance of your audience, here’s a general list of professions and the characteristic brain dominance of each.
Professions that are typically suited to right-brained people include:
* The arts and entertaining
* Teaching
* Writing
* Decorating
* Architecture
* Counseling
* Motivational speaking
* Advertising and marketing
* Sales
Professions that generally attract left-brained people are:
* Engineering
* Accounting
* Research
* Law
* Computer technology
* Science
Tip #1: When presenting to the right-brained, include visuals with your message, charts, graphs and images. When presenting to the left-brained, structure your presentation so it starts with the details and leads up to the big picture.
Tip #2: Use the traits listed above as a cheat-sheet or check list. Include information in your presentation that meets characteristics from both sides. For the right-brain’s “imaginative” characteristic, include a true story about your topic or try incorporating a metaphor to explain your point. For the left-brain’s “mathematically-inclined” characteristic, find statistics on your topic which further prove your point.
Amplify color usage: Color can be a powerful tool in the workplace. In fact, the use of color, printed, on screen or otherwise, increases retention by an average of 65%.
Tip #1: Communicate in color. If you have colored markers lying around your office, use them! Do you use a white board or flip chart in meetings? Or frequently sketch your ideas on paper when communicating with clients? If so, organize your thoughts using a variety of colors, pairing like ideas and correlations with similar colors. Both your left- and right-brained colleagues will better grasp the big picture through your use of structure and color to explain your ideas.
Tip #2: Incorporate a color-coded filing system to signify categories of information. It will appeal to the right-brain, image-trained mind, while the part-to-whole nature of grouping by color appeals to those who are left-brained.
Provide agendas: This might be a no-brainer, yet you might not realize how it affects our ability to process information. Sending out an agenda with the objective of the meeting in advance allows your right-brained coworkers to get a sneak peek of the overview, helping them better prepare for the details to come, while your left-brained coworkers can identify which topics (in parts) will be discussed. Using this simple technique gives you a good start to ensuring your message gets through to everyone.
Whether you favor the left side of your brain, or the right, supporting the dominance of those you interact with can add up to a more focused, more creative and more productive workplace. Souece:http://h30458.www3.hp.com/ww/en/smb/967572.html?jumpid=em_taw_GB_jun10_across-bg_857894_hpgl_gb_975407_0&DIMID=1086107054&DICID=null&mrm=1-4BVUP |
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Thursday, 17 June 2010 |
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Research suggests that therapy effectively decreases patients' depression and anxiety and related symptoms - such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy, particularly anxiety therapy, has been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that psychotherapy can improve a person's overall health.
There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated individuals with emotional difficulties. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in counseling psychotherapy improved by the end of six months. Psychotherapy with children is similar in effectiveness to psychotherapy with adults.
If you or your child are facing challenges in life, or just need a little extra support in managing your work, family or relationship stresses, counseling psychotherapy can help you learn techniques to manage stress efficiently.
There are several different therapeutic methods a therapist may employ—cognitive behavioral (CBT), art therapy, play therapy, anxiety therapy, hypnotherapy, family system therapy—and many counseling psychotherapy approaches draw upon various methods to create a custom-made therapy program. Therapists often work with their clients to create a treatment plan that encompasses different techniques to best address their client's particular problems.
Whether your prefer play therapy, anxiety therapy, or an eclectic approach - psychotherapy should be a partnership between you and a licensed professional. The appropriate counseling psychotherapy approach will depend on your personal therapy goals. Search TherapyTribe.com online directory to review profiles of psychotherapists trained to help you understand your feelings and assist you with changing your behavior.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety.
Visit TherapyTribe.com to learn more about the benefits of psychotherapy in treating depression and anxiety. Search for a therapist in your area and find a treatment approach that will work for you. Popular treatment approaches include:
Art Therapy : Art therapy uses the creative process to help improve the mental health of clients, children and adults. This approach is utilized to treat a wide range of emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, family and relationship problems, abuse and domestic violence, and trauma and loss.
Play Therapy : Because children develop cognitive skills before language skills, play is an effective way to understand a child. The therapist may observe a child playing with toys--such as playhouses and dolls--to understand the child's behavior and diagnose the problem.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) : Cognitive-behavioral therapy stresses the role of thinking in how we feel and behave. CBT has been clinically proven to help clients in a relatively short amount of time with a wide range of disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Family Systems Therapy : Family systems therapists view problems within the family group dynamic. The therapist helps each individual understand how their childhood family operated, and how that experience has shaped their role in their current family.
Hypnotherapy: Through trance-like analysis, hypnosis decreases blood pressure and heart rate, putting one's physical body at ease. Working with memories, hypnotherapy helps a person to reframe, relax, absorb, dissociate, respond, and reflect. The process reconstructs healthier associations with a person's past events.
TherapyTribe, online therapist directory, is brought to you by WebTribes Inc., the leading provider of online community websites designed to bring people together from around the world in need of support. Each online community offers members a convenient and safe place to connect. Founded in 2006, WebTribes has quickly become the top support destination for those isolated by their illness. In February 2008, WebTribes was featured in the American Psychological Associations publication, "Monitor on Psychology."
TherapyTribe, online therapist directory, offers individuals looking for help a simple and effective way to find a qualified therapist in their area. TherapyTribe also gives professionals a reliable, targeted and convenient way to market their practice. Learn the benefits of listing your practice. Source: http://www.i-newswire.com/therapytribe-com-promotes-proactive/42075 |
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Thursday, 17 June 2010 |
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British women are unhappy with their lives
According to a new study, around two thirds of British women are unsatisfied with their lives, citing pressures from work and household chores as the main reasons for unhappiness.
The study by Florette Fruit found that of the 3,000 women surveyed, half said they were bored of daily life, with 46 per cent saying that they had an unfulfilling social life.
The most pressing reasons for dissatisfaction include routine, lack of social life, housework, appearance, responsibilities and job stress, with 25 per cent of women stating that they would love to quit their current role.
Despite a general consensus of unhappiness, many women feel too unconfident to make impromptu changes to their lives, worrying about whether they have the time and the gumption to perform such changes.
With women most susceptible to anxiety related illness and depression, it is important to address the reasons behind such a trend, encouraging women to make changes. Hypnotherapy and life coaching can provide that boost to empower women into updating their appearance, going for that new job or making time to see friends. Such therapies can provide that confidence to enable women to take courageous life decisions, such as relocating or organising that holiday of a lifetime.
Marketing manager at Florette, Elaine Smith was cited in The Telegraph as commenting on the survey, saying: ''It's no surprise two thirds of British women are bored with their lives and half are sick of doing the same thing day in and day out. Women have lost the get-up-and-go to shake up their lives and try something different.''
by Sarah Howard
Source:http://www.thetherapylounge.com/hypnotherapy-news/c-3681/british-women-are-unhappy-with-their-lives Hypnotherapy News - The Therapy Lounge
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 |
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Mary-Joan Gerson, Ph.D. and Charles D. Gerson, M.D. of the Mind-Body Digestive Center have been kind enough to send me the results of the research they presented at Digestive Disease Week 2010. Entitled "Gut-Focused Hypnotherapy in a Group Format Significantly Reduces Symptoms in Refractory Irritable Bowel Syndrome", their study took a rare look at the effectiveness of gut-directed hypnotherapy in a group setting.
The study involved 75 patients who received seven 45 minute hypnotherapy sessions, one every other week, led by a clinical psychologist specifically trained in an IBS hypnotherapy approach. Group meetings included a brief opening discussion of the experience of having IBS in work and relationship life. Patients listened to the hypnotherapy tape at home between sessions. Data regarding symptom improvement was gathered at the end of treatment, as well as three, six, and twelve months.
The results indicated that the treatment was effective in reducing IBS symptoms by the end of treatment and throughout the year following treatment. Patients shifted their categorization of IBS as being "severe and moderate" to "mild and inactive". (How nice does that sound?)
The study also sought to determine what characteristics would be predictive of treatment success. Interestingly, patients who were more likely to attribute their symptoms to emotional factors experienced less symptom improvement. On a more optimistic note, patients whose symptoms were more severe at baseline experienced greater symptom improvement.
The Gersons said it perfectly: "We hope that this more cost-effective group approach will make it more feasible for this kind of effective treatment to be made available to IBS patients." My thanks to the two Dr. Gersons for sharing this important research. Perhaps it will inspire you to give gut-directed hypnotherapy a try.
Mary-Joan Gerson, Ph.D. and Charles D. Gerson, M.D. of the Mind-Body Digestive Center have been kind enough to send me the results of the research they presented at Digestive Disease Week 2010. Entitled "Gut-Focused Hypnotherapy in a Group Format Significantly Reduces Symptoms in Refractory Irritable Bowel Syndrome", their study took a rare look at the effectiveness of gut-directed hypnotherapy in a group setting.
The study involved 75 patients who received seven 45 minute hypnotherapy sessions, one every other week, led by a clinical psychologist specifically trained in an IBS hypnotherapy approach. Group meetings included a brief opening discussion of the experience of having IBS in work and relationship life. Patients listened to the hypnotherapy tape at home between sessions. Data regarding symptom improvement was gathered at the end of treatment, as well as three, six, and twelve months.
The results indicated that the treatment was effective in reducing IBS symptoms by the end of treatment and throughout the year following treatment. Patients shifted their categorization of IBS as being "severe and moderate" to "mild and inactive". (How nice does that sound?)
The study also sought to determine what characteristics would be predictive of treatment success. Interestingly, patients who were more likely to attribute their symptoms to emotional factors experienced less symptom improvement. On a more optimistic note, patients whose symptoms were more severe at baseline experienced greater symptom improvement.
The Gersons said it perfectly: "We hope that this more cost-effective group approach will make it more feasible for this kind of effective treatment to be made available to IBS patients." My thanks to the two Dr. Gersons for sharing this important research. Perhaps it will inspire you to give gut-directed hypnotherapy a try.
Source:http://ibs.about.com/b/2010/05/14/study-group-hypnotherapy-reduces-ibs-symptoms.htm
Study: Group Hypnotherapy Reduces IBS Symptoms
Friday May 14, 2010
Gut focused Hypnotherapy is available from www.hypnofix.co.uk |
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