How Your Food Choices Affect Your Mental Well-Being

Dan Bates, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on November 11, 2022 in Mental Health Nerd

If you’re struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety, consider changing your diet.

If you’re struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety, consider changing your diet.

Solve Mental Pain to Resolve Physical Pain

David Hanscom MD on November 8, 2022 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

There is no separation of mind and body. They are a unit. Mental threats have to be addressed in order to decrease physical symptoms. You cannot escape your thoughts.

There is no separation of mind and body. They are a unit. Mental threats have to be addressed in order to decrease physical symptoms. You cannot escape your thoughts.

The Health Risks of a Dysregulated Nervous System

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D., CCTSA on November 5, 2022 in Understanding PTSD

Long after a traumatic event has passed, a person’s nervous system can be reactivated whenever they perceive danger, whether or not danger is present.

Long after a traumatic event has passed, a person’s nervous system can be reactivated whenever they perceive danger, whether or not danger is present.

The Psychology of Extreme Heat for Endurance Athletes

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 1, 2022 in The Power of Prime

If you associate negative thoughts with the heat (“This heat is so bad. I know I’m going to cramp.”), you create a defeatist mindset that will make the heat far worse

If you associate negative thoughts with the heat (“This heat is so bad. I know I’m going to cramp.”), you create a defeatist mindset that will make the heat far worse

Pain Brings Out Our Mean Streak

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on October 24, 2022 in Time Travelling with Apollo

Physical pain can increase our aggression. A recent study explains why.

Physical pain can increase our aggression. A recent study explains why.

Will These Novel Drugs Replace Opioids?

Ed Ergenzinger J.D., Ph.D. on October 20, 2022 in Night Sweats and Delusions of Grandeur

A non-addictive alternative to opioids is discovered that provides analgesia without addiction or sedation and that is easy to manufacture and administer.

A non-addictive alternative to opioids is discovered that provides analgesia without addiction or sedation and that is easy to manufacture and administer.

Chronic Illness and the Body

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on October 14, 2022 in Chronically Me

It can be hard to like our bodies when we live with chronic illnesses. These principles from trauma-informed yoga can help.

It can be hard to like our bodies when we live with chronic illnesses. These principles from trauma-informed yoga can help.

The Significant Sacrifices Migraine Sufferers Make

Kathleen O’Shea on October 3, 2022 in So Much More Than a Headache

What sacrifices did you first make when diagnosed with migraine or chronic illness? Did they change over time?

What sacrifices did you first make when diagnosed with migraine or chronic illness? Did they change over time?

But You Don’t Look Sick

Odessa S. Hamilton MSc, MBPsS, FRSPH on September 30, 2022 in The Bridge

You’re a go-getter with an illness, but you don’t look sick. This can lead to dysfunctional team dynamics, poor mental health, and bad work outcomes, despite efforts to the contrary. Here's what can be done about it.

You’re a go-getter with an illness, but you don’t look sick. This can lead to dysfunctional team dynamics, poor mental health, and bad work outcomes, despite efforts to the contrary. Here's what can be done about it.

7 Reasons Why Some People Feel Pain More Strongly

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on September 28, 2022 in Science of Choice

All pain is real, but it is also true that pain is constructed in the brain and that we can have some control over it.

All pain is real, but it is also true that pain is constructed in the brain and that we can have some control over it.

3 Must-Haves for a Different Approach to Chronic Pain Care

Jeff Krauss M.D. on September 27, 2022 in Pain and the Whole Body

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is complex and can’t be addressed solely with surgery, injections, or physical therapy.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is complex and can’t be addressed solely with surgery, injections, or physical therapy.

The Opioid Public Health Crisis: One Mother's Mission

Elaine Miller-Karas MSW, LCSW on September 19, 2022 in Building Resiliency to Trauma

How one mother turned her son's tragic opioid overdose death into an empowering nonprofit to prevent addiction.

How one mother turned her son's tragic opioid overdose death into an empowering nonprofit to prevent addiction.

Body Awareness in Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on September 15, 2022 in Chronically Me

Listening to our bodies is a skill worth developing.

Listening to our bodies is a skill worth developing.

A Guide to Skillful Action for the Chronically Ill

Toni Bernhard J.D. on August 31, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

When considering what is skillful action and skillful inaction, pursue actions that ease emotional and physical pain and avoid actions that intensify them.

When considering what is skillful action and skillful inaction, pursue actions that ease emotional and physical pain and avoid actions that intensify them.

Measuring What Matters to Patients

Salene M. W. Jones Ph.D. on August 31, 2022 in All About Cognitive and Behavior Therapy

Do one-size-fits-all pain measures work for everyone? (Spoiler alert: no!)

Do one-size-fits-all pain measures work for everyone? (Spoiler alert: no!)

Our Kids Are Using a Lot More Drugs

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on August 29, 2022 in Nurturing Resilience

A new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that the rate of cannabis use among young adults is rising dramatically. There is reason to be worried.

A new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that the rate of cannabis use among young adults is rising dramatically. There is reason to be worried.

Playfully Moving from Trauma and Pain to Healing and Peace

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC on August 19, 2022 in Simplifying Complex Trauma

Need to release trauma from your body? Try these simple play techniques.

Need to release trauma from your body? Try these simple play techniques.

Isolation in Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on August 15, 2022 in Chronically Me

The use of public space can be challenging for people living with chronic illnesses. Learn how to enhance access and improve quality of life.

The use of public space can be challenging for people living with chronic illnesses. Learn how to enhance access and improve quality of life.

20 Tips From 21 Years Sick

Toni Bernhard J.D. on August 1, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

Breathe Your Way to Better Brain Health

Evan Parks Psy.D. on July 18, 2022 in Pain Rehabilitation

The studies are in—slow breathing and focused attention can improve your brain health. Learn how breathing exercises disrupt the faulty neuropathways that trigger distress.

The studies are in—slow breathing and focused attention can improve your brain health. Learn how breathing exercises disrupt the faulty neuropathways that trigger distress.

4 Illness Identity States and How to Work With Them

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on July 15, 2022 in Chronically Me

Chronic illness changes one's identity in multiple ways.

Chronic illness changes one's identity in multiple ways.

Turn Down the Volume to Turn Down the Pain

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 11, 2022 in Time Travelling with Apollo

New research shows that listening to music can help reduce pain, but only if the music is played at a low volume.

New research shows that listening to music can help reduce pain, but only if the music is played at a low volume.

A Writer in Pain

Sylvia R. Karasu M.D. on July 3, 2022 in The Gravity of Weight

Pain is often indescribable to those who suffer chronically. Both writers and artists can create illness narratives to communicate their pain.

Pain is often indescribable to those who suffer chronically. Both writers and artists can create illness narratives to communicate their pain.

21 Tips from 21 Years Sick

Toni Bernhard J.D. on June 28, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

A Personal Perspective: In the 21 years since I got sick, much has changed in my life. The one constant, however, has been chronic illness, which includes chronic pain.

How to Transform Your Pain Into Something Beautiful

Sean Grover L.C.S.W. on June 12, 2022 in When Kids Call the Shots

3 ways to take your pain out of storage and transform it into something meaningful.

3 ways to take your pain out of storage and transform it into something meaningful.

Is It Possible to Flourish With Adult ADHD?

Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., ABPP on June 9, 2022 in Rethinking Adult ADHD

Research provides a cautious "yes" you can thrive. However, it will require coping.

Research provides a cautious "yes" you can thrive. However, it will require coping.

How Slowing Down Reduces Physical Pain and Mental Stress

Toni Bernhard J.D. on June 6, 2022 in Turning Straw Into Gold

A personal perspective: Slowing down calms mental stress and can also lessen physical pain.

A personal perspective: Slowing down calms mental stress and can also lessen physical pain.

Spine Surgeon Shot—"The Pit of Despair"

David Hanscom MD on June 5, 2022 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

The shooting of a spine surgeon reflects the failure of medicine to implement proven treatments for chronic pain.

The shooting of a spine surgeon reflects the failure of medicine to implement proven treatments for chronic pain.

Dealing With Pain Through Hypnosis

Ran D. Anbar M.D. on June 4, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis

How can the use of our imagination change the experience of pain?

How can the use of our imagination change the experience of pain?

How to Make Your Headache Optional

Evan Parks Psy.D. on May 27, 2022 in Pain Rehabilitation

Are you convinced you know what will trigger a severe headache? What if you are wrong? Learn how to disrupt the process in which pain is produced by thinking differently.

Are you convinced you know what will trigger a severe headache? What if you are wrong? Learn how to disrupt the process in which pain is produced by thinking differently.