Helping Psychology – February 2010

Helping Psychology offers a new perspective on love in February with several articles featuring advice on relationship counseling, sexual disorders, love theories and more. 

Fetishism: Diagnosis of the Week

Sometimes more than just a sexual preference, Fetishism is considered a psychological disorder by the American Psychological Association. Listed under the sexual disorders category, this inclination towards receiving sexual gratification when confronted with a body part or inanimate object is considered a mental illness only if it interferes with daily functioning or in the event of psychological distress.

Philip Zimbardo: Noteworthy Psychologist

Philip Zimbardo, Ph. D., is a leader in the field of modern psychology and is famous for conducting the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment. He is also founder and head researcher at The Shyness Clinic in Menlo Park, California. His contributions to the field of psychology are numerous and have paved the way for innovative theories and concepts now widely used in the profession. 

Psychology Based Stress Relievers

Some people say that stress is all in the mind; so why not try stopping it at the source rather than relying on medication or other unnatural means. Psychologists use certain psychotherapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, relationship counseling and biofeedback to uncover the root of a patient’s stress and then provide mental exercises geared towards learning to control the body from within.

Psychology of Love: Sternberg's Triangle

February is the month dedicated to love and romance. But what is love really? Dr. Robert J. Sternberg, with his Triangular Theory of Love, attempts to classify love into various categories depending on how a couple relates to the points of a triangle. Sound confusing? Discover the genius of his theory by first understanding his definitions of love.

Love Stinks: Relationship Therapy 101

Every couple experiences relationship woes at some point, and relationship counselors are trained to reconcile differences and help people move forward in their relationship. Relationship therapy encompasses a variety of subfields including couples therapy, marriage counseling and family therapy, and even work-related therapy for employees and management. Find out how relationship counseling works to bring partners closer together.

Music for the Mind: The Psychology of Music

Some doctors recommend that mothers use music to soothe their babies; students often listen to music while studying for a test; music is played at weddings, funerals and celebrations all over the world. Music, from a psychological standpoint, plays an integral role in enhancing the quality of ones life, in addition to offering numerous therapeutic benefits. Patients suffering from certain mental disorders often show improvements in their symptoms after listening to music.

Junk Food Linked to Mental Disorders

Candy, crackers, soda; everyone knows that eating copious amounts of junk food is bad for the body, but according to The American Journal of Psychiatry, it may also be bad for the mind. A new study links eating poorly with increased levels of anxiety and depression, along with a higher risk for obesity. Now that one’s a no brainer.

Gender Identity Disorder: Diagnosis of the Week

Patients suffering from Gender Identity Disorder are defined by their desire to become the opposite sex for a variety of reasons. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, feelings and actions relating to gender dysphoria are also called transsexualism. No cure is available for this disorder, however, because it is not a malfunction in the brain to be corrected, but rather a characteristic of an individual, which sometimes causes mental distress.

Specializations of Psychologists

As with any profession, several specializations in the psychology field are available to students, each with varying requirements. Psychiatrists, psychologists, master's level counselors, social workers and therapists alike are all part of the psychological career spectrum. Learn more about these fields and work environments.

An Introduction to Humanistic Psychology

Introduced in the late 1950s by Abraham Maslow, humanistic psychology endeavors to expand the role that patients play in their own treatment, regardless of their disorder. Humanistic psychologists believe that humans are innately good and that we each possess the power for self-improvement.

Dan Gilbert: Noteworthy Psychologist

Daniel Gilbert, Ph.D., is known for his contributions to the field of affective forecasting and is currently a professor of psychology at Harvard University. There, he heads the Hedonic Psychology Laboratory, which studies human happiness in its various complexities. Among his many achievements, Daniel Gilbert is the author of the best-selling book "Stumbling on Happiness," which explains why humans often fail miserably in their quest for happiness.

Acupuncture May Relieve Depression During Pregnancy

Being pregnant is generally unpleasant, but researchers have found a link between pregnancy depression and acupuncture that may leave more women feeling better during this harrowing time. Pregnancy depression, including postpartum, is a fairly common condition. Acupuncture may be helpful in reducing many depressive symptoms including insomnia, sadness, lack of motivation and more.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Classified as a personality disorder, narcissism is a mental disorder marked by a patient’s feelings of self-Importance, lack of empathy, entitlement, envy and arrogance; among others. People with this disorder generally live ordinary lives, but have obstacles in work and friendship, as they are often viewed as overbearing or rude. Treatment for this disorder includes specialized cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy.

Anxiety Disorders Demystified

Anxiety encompasses a wide range of symptoms and is a different experience for every person. Categories of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress, agoraphobia, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Learn about the various types of anxiety and the most effective treatments available today.

DSM Changes Affect Asperger's Syndrome

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is changing the classification of the mental disorder Asperger's syndrome. The new classification is integrating the disorder into the broader category of Autism, which has some patients feeling less than satisfied with the decision. Some advocates voice concerns that since a diagnosis of Autism is far more stigmatizing than Asperger's, it would cause more problems in the long run for the patient.

Caffeine Psychology: The Daily Struggle

Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and other parts of the body. Even though it is not classified as an illegal drug, it is still a chemical substance that causes addition. Unlike drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, caffeine is a mild stimulant and is not terribly dangerous when used appropriately. But many people struggle with withdrawal and other symptoms if not able to consume a daily does. Find out why here.

Sleep's Effect on Memory

A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold. Sleep can have a positive or a negative impact on one's memory depending on the quality and length of sleep achieved, and researchers are now aware that it’s not the amount a person sleeps that affects memory, but the processes that take place during that time.

GRE Prep for Psychology Programs

Taking the Graduate Record Exam is a pivotal step for getting into grad school, so learning to effectively study for the test is essential. Helping Psychology offers students a study guide cheat sheet that will help them follow the path to success.

Academic Psychology Careers

Rather than practice in an organization or clinic, psychology students may want to end up teaching the subject they are currently studying. Careers in academic psychology are growing as more college students take an interest in the field. Academic psychologists can work in an array of different spheres including schools and even certain organizations. 

ASPD: Antisocial Personality Disorder

Not all people with antisocial personality disorder are averse to socializing; they may be suffering from mental block when it comes to being in a social setting. Classified as a personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, this disorder’s symptoms include deception, impulsiveness, absence of remorse, irresponsibility, aggressiveness, quick temperedness and social awkwardness. Some people with this disorder even develop criminal tendencies and other problems.

Psychology of Consumer Behavior

There is a science to consumerism as every marketing and advertising guru well knows. But what are the psychological reasons behind the way people shop? Consumer behavior is a branch of psychology that strives to find out what makes people purchase certain things as opposed to others, which then can be used to further product campaigns. 

Migraine and Depression: The Missing Link

Recently researchers have become increasingly aware of the link between migraine headaches and depression. Studies show that people who are prone to migraines suffer higher instances of depression and that substantial evidence exists for the heritability of both migraine and major depression. Find out more by reading the full text.

Sports Psychology in Action

The Olympics has wowed viewers as usual, but what really goes into becoming a star athlete? Years of exercise and training no doubt, but surprisingly psychology plays an important role in the making of a champion. Sports psychologists assist athletes with mental preparation including goal-setting, coping skills and the resilience needed to face defeat.

Internships for Psychology Students

Psychology students in search of job experience can turn to internships to fill a variety of needs. First of all, graduate schools look kindly upon students who take the initiative to undertake an internship. Second, students who are close to graduating and want to try out a given field can engage in an internship in a variety of settings. It never hurts to gain a little knowledge and hit the job market with a leg up on the competition.

 Parenting Styles in Psychology

The four styles of parenting include: demanding, undemanding, responsiveness and unresponsiveness. Each combine in certain ways to create a unique style of parenting that plays a huge part in the development of a child. Learn about the different methods and how they affect the children involved.

Psychology Term Paper Tips

Writing a psychology term paper involves a bit more work than your average term paper. Coming up with an interesting, well studied topic is the first step, and then comes loads of research and theorizing. Helping Psychology offers tips and tricks to writing a first-rate psychology term paper. 

Transpersonal Psychology for Beginners

Unlike other forms of psychology, transpersonal psychology explores the spiritual side of the human psyche. Used more as a tool of personal growth, this branch combines psychotherapy with spiritual practices and beliefs from many of the world’s religions, including non-traditional denominations such as Wicca and shamanism.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a treatment that seeks to discover how a patient's thoughts can create disruptive behaviors that interfere with daily life, Akin to cognitive behavioral therapy, psychologists use this form of treatment to nullify the overpowering emotions that plague some patients.

Problem Solving in Cognitive Psychology

A problem is any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty that can be solved using principles found in cognitive psychology. The problem-solving cycle is a model that incorporates seven principles into the act of solving problems of varying degrees of difficulty.

Mindfulness Based Interventions

Psychologists are now discovering the role that meditation can play in treating patients with mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Mindfulness based interventions incorporate ancient meditative practices into common psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy to facilitate stress reduction.