Let Them "See" Cake

According to research in the latest journal Appetite, looking at pictures of mouth watering food can actually help improve self-control.

Hmmm.

Let me get this straight. Gazing at the above photo is supposed to satisfy my desire for chocolate cake? I'm not sure that it's working for me. See, all I keep thinking about right now is the Pepperidge Farm cake I keep in the freezer for pop-in company.

The data analysis for this study reveals only 54 subjects were tested, so the generalization for this conclusion may not have sturdy reliability. But I'll give it a try. I wonder if my family will thumbs-up or thumbs-down the scads of pictures of chocolate and juicy cheeseburgers that'll be up.

What about you? Would looking at pictures of your favorite foods help or hurt?


Kroese, F., Evers, C., & De Ridder, D. (2009). How chocolate keeps you slim. The effect of food temptations on weight watching goal importance, intentions, and eating behavior Appetite DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2009.08.002

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)

Recent research has psychometrically validated the criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) - a disabling intense state of grief that persists for months, sometimes years. Though not a recognized mental disorder in the DSM-IVTR and ICD-10, inclusion could become a reality with the upcoming DSM V and ICD-11.

I have worked with a few individuals whose significant bereavement would fall into this category. Unable to move forward, paralyzed by the loss and grieving deeply, these individuals were often chastised by family and friends for "not getting on with it already." Often, friends and family don't realize that such statements are hurtful.

The inclusion of PGD as a recognized disorder would bring credibility to this specific grieving process. With it, too, would come ways to deal with the disorder. Dr. David Kessler, Grief and Loss Specialist for Tributes.com offers the best and the worst things to say to someone in this grief state :


The Worst Things to Say:

* At least she lived a long life, many people die young.
* He is in a better place.
* She brought this on herself.

* There is a reason for everything.

*Aren’t you over him yet? He has been dead for a while now.

The Best Things to Say:

* I am so sorry for your loss.

* I wish I had the right words, just know I care.

* I don’t know how you feel, but I am here If can help in anyway.

* You and your loved one will be in my thoughts.
* My favorite memory of _________ is _________

Prigerson, H., Horowitz, M., Jacobs, S., Parkes, C., Aslan, M., Goodkin, K., Raphael, B., Marwit, S., Wortman, C., Neimeyer, R., Bonanno, G., Block, S., Kissane, D., Boelen, P., Maercker, A., Litz, B., Johnson, J., First, M., & Maciejewski, P. (2009). Prolonged Grief Disorder: Psychometric Validation of Criteria Proposed for DSM-V and ICD-11 PLoS Medicine, 6 (8) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000121

5 Reasons You May Be Tired

I was reading this article written by Dr. Mark Liponis in Parade magazine regarding reasons that might cause fatigue. So if you find yourself tired or yearning for some Zzzs, check out the overview of his suggestions below:

1. Sleep Disorders
Two common medical sleep disorders—obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome— could be responsible for getting in the way of a good night's sleep.

Remedy: Talk about your concerns to your physician. From there, a series of tests will help you discover if you have either of these disruptive, yet treatable, sleep disorders.

2. Thyroid Conditions
The thyroid regulates your mood, metabolism heart rate and energy levels - just to name a few. The thyroid is a tricky gland. You can experience sluggishness or fatigue with either an underactive or even an overactive thyroid.

Remedy: Makes sure your thyroid function has been properly tested. If it's been a while since you've had a full physical, stop reading this, get on the phone and make an appointment!

3. Diabetes
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and nearly 25 % of people with diabetes don’t even know they have it! Besides fatigue, it’s common for people with diabetes to experience weight gain, increased appetite, thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.

Remedy: The good news is that Type 2 diabetes can be helped and even prevented with proper diet, exercise, and weight loss. Diabetes can be detected with a simple blood test, so if you’re having symptoms or are at increased risk, don’t wait—get a checkup.

4. Depression
Depression, which often has symptoms of tiredness and fatigue, affects more than 20 million Americans and is a major cause of disability. Depression is a real illness, not a result of a flawed character or laziness.

Remedy: Make an appointment to see your physician or contact a mental health professional. Most depressive disorders can be effectively treated with medication, therapy or a combination of the two.

5. Anemia
This common medical condition occurs when there is a reduced number of red blood cells—the cells that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the rest of your body. Because less oxygen is delivered to the muscles and tissues, you feel tired. You also may experience shortness of breath or a faster pulse.

Remedy: Again, see your physician. A simple blood test will determine if you are anemic or iron deficient. It would be important to discover the reasons for your low iron counts. Treatment usually includes the taking of iron supplements.

I have restless legs, depression and iron poor blood. And though I sleep pretty well at night, I find myself tired from time to time during the day. With the help of health professionals, I take iron supplements, monitor my clinical depression with medication, moderate my restless legs with a multivitamin trio, and catnap nearly everyday. These interventions definitely help.

So, if your dragging or perpetually pounding the pillow, talk to your health professional.