How is trauma passed down through the generations?

It's well known that children of trauma survivors often experience secondary trauma-- a kind of stress reaction that is 'caught' by someone, simply by hearing about the original trauma.  A substantial amount of literature, for example, has been written that examined Second Generation Holocaust Survivors.  The children of Holocaust survivors often went on to have a unique constellation that seemed to be related to their parents' trauma. Recent research suggests that our DNA may actually store our memories, and pass them down to our children.  Who knows-- perhaps Jung was correct when he postulated a collective unconscious.DNA transmits memories through generations

A great new podcast!

The hidden brain podcast

I've reviewed this and it looks like it will be phenomenal.  Thanks, NPR!

Individuals do not just suffer with Psychiatric symptoms.  Instead, they have a complex relationship with their symptoms.  A depressed person may both love and feel intimate and secure with the familiar feeling of melancholy, and a person with occasional bouts of psychosis may strongly believe that the perceptions they have are helpful at
times.

What kind of relationship did Robin Williams have with his illness?

I stumbled across this article from the New York Times in my Newsfeed (Zite).  I really enjoy the way it supposes we are individual in our relation to our symptoms (for example, some might find it helpful to receive a diagnostic label whereas others might find it harmful) and that the window to understanding someone is, of course, through relationship.  I have treated numerous people with symptoms they didn't want to change, which to me, has always seemed to be a morally valid and acceptable choice.  Have a look and let me know what you think:

Redefining Mental Illness

When a loved one suffers from mental illness

I found this poignant article on one of my news feeds and want to share it on this site.  Where do you turn, when a loved one becomes mentally ill?  How can you help alleviate suffering, and foster understanding?  This author's take is a frank look at how difficult it can be for the partners of those who have been debilitated by major mental health problems.


When a loved one is hospitalized in a psychiatric unit

Perhaps there is hope for Alzheimer's sufferers and their loved ones

Has you or anyone you know suffered from dementia.  For loved ones of individual's with Alzheimer's, everyday grief is the norm.  However, it looks like researchers at Stanford may have made a breakthrough.  Take a look: Alzheimer's researchers potentially find cure

If we were all a little more mindful...

I sometimes wonder how life would change, if we all took the time to be a little more mindful in our everyday lives.  Here is one author's quest for mindfulness, and what he noticed about more mindful living.    mindful living

What are YOUR challenges to mindfulness?  What do you notice, when you slow down?

It's been awhile since I've posted.  Teaching kept me busy, in the Fall of 2014.  I ran across this, however, and thought that I should share it.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it gives a little too much weight to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in my opinion.  Other than that, I thought it had some useful tips.

How to choose a therapist and type of therapy