psychsense

New high tech (and high price) games are being advertised as increasing brain power. Forget it, save your money and reduce your stress. We all know about crossword puzzles and word-find or similar word games. These work just as well as computer games. A new ideas I read that I thought was very cool was to try and do something with your non-dominant side. Comb your hair or brush your teeth with your opposite hand. Walk backwards (with care), try to do a daily task something differently... Read Full Story

Question and Answer, Dear Dr. Duffy, I need desperately to leave my boyfriend but he threatens to kill himself if I do. What can I do? Please Help! Mary Mary, This is a tough situation and I can under why you feel scared. First let me tell you that unfortunately this situation is not that uncommon. Men who act like your boyfriend are often very dependent on the women they are wi th! They try to get what they want and need with threats of all kinds. Threatening to kill himself in... Read Full Story

The power of denial never fails to amaze me! The mind can fool itself to avoid discomfort,  make anything acceptable, refuse to look at repercussions of actions,  rationalize almost anything.    Powerful stuff denial, sometimes necessary often dangerous. Lets get real! Real in violence prevention Real in searching for the facts Real in accepting the facts Real in facing problems Real in looking beyond our own wants and needs Real in the normality and necessity of change... Read Full Story

Before you decide to treat yourself with herbs or supplements you should consider the following How herbs work is not fully understood (neither is it known how many medications work) They have been used for thousands of years and there is much antecdotal information and research from Europe They can be potent and should be used with care They should not be mixed with other medications for the same condition You should let your health care provider know if you are taking... Read Full Story

I wonder if sometimes people don’t get sick of hearing about how to recognize depression. Maybe so,  but did you know that 2 out of 3 depressed people do not get treated or get the wrong treatment? Untreated depression is the major cause of suicide, especially in the young. Depression is still stigmatized by the uneducated public and even health care providers as a personal weakness or failing that can be willed away if you are strong enough. This is just wrong and prevents directly... Read Full Story

I have been thinking a lot about fear lately. I believe it started with the threat to burn the Koran.  Fear is a powerful thing, but most powerful when we don’t recognize it. Fear is often disguised as anger; the more frightened we are the angrier we get. Fear is an unpleasant emotion and we try to avoid it with a number of psychological tricks. We can deny it and thus walk into dangerous situations because “that could never happen to me”. This seems to be a common strategy for teenagers... Read Full Story

What About Suicide? Most people with depression do not commit suicide, however depression (especially untreated) increases the risk of suicide. It is not uncommon for depressed individuals to have thoughts about suicide whether or not they intend to act on these thoughts. Almost all people who intentionally kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder with or without substance abuse. Alcohol is often  used as self-treatment for depression, but it increases depression and  suicide... Read Full Story

Hello my faithful readers. I want to let you that I practice what I preach!  I take care of myself so that I can reduce my stress prevent burnout and give to others.  Here is one way I do that. This last week I spent 4 days at a juice fast and spiritual retreat at  the PeaceWeavers on Thunder Mountain in Bath NY .  Yes, fasting is taking care of yourself.! This is my second time fasting and both times I was suprised that is was not as difficult as I thought it would be.  Homemade fresh veg... Read Full Story

Dear Dr. Duffy, My 36 year old sister is the concern of the entire family. She is very reclusive; seldom venturing out of the house where she lives with her aging mother. She does not have a job and hasn’t had one for a long time, 10. She is very anxious about so many things and agonizes over decisions that appear to be minor. Within the last couple of years, we have become aware of her talking (more like mumbling to herself.) It has increased in frequency and duration. Based on the... Read Full Story

When you are worried to reduce anxiety it helps to take charge as best as you can. This may be hard for some personality types, but any small step will do.   The action is  not expected  to solve the problem,  but is meant to help you feel that you are doing something and have some control over the situation (Which in most cases you really do.)  Remember it is the helpless feeling and anticipation of problems that cause so much discomfort.   Actions  may be as simple as reading up on a topic... Read Full Story