Special Topics on Finding My Psych
At Finding My Psych, we cover a variety of special topics based on the feedback from our readers and listeners. For instance, within the category, “Psychology,” we have broken down our content into logical content areas (e.g., Anxiety).
Anxiety
Anxiety is both an emotional and physiological experience, typically triggered by events past, present or future. Symptoms include panic and fear, sleep disturbance, sweaty/tingly hands and feet, heart palpitations, and even nausea.
Extreme anxiety is influenced by the adrenal cortex, causing a flight-or-fight response to an internal or external stimuli. This often leads to a sense of panic.
Clinically, an individual can be diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Phobia. Anxiety is also a common feature seen in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
CHANGES
The CHANGES model was developed by Dr. David Christian in the early 90’s. CHANGES is a biopsychosocial approach to prevention and treatment, heavily influenced by work done by Dr. Dean Ornish. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of obesity, clinical depression, panic, anxiety, and learning.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach, popularized by the work of Aaron T. Beck and Dr. David Burns. Cognitions are thoughts that trigger emotional and/or physiological responses. Maladaptive patterns of thought have the propensity to cause persistent anxiety and/or depression.
Clinical Depression
Clinical Depression, also known as, Major Depression (mild, moderate, or severe), is a common presenting problem throughout the health care system. It is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, difficulty thinking, persistent low mood, sleep disturbance, eating disturbance, and even thoughts of wanting to die. Treatment often takes into account the various biopsychosocial influences when designing an effective treatment plan.
Interviews
At Finding My Psych, our best podcast recordings are spent sitting down with incredible people willing to tell their story. Each conversation is a heart felt reflection revealing the wisdom learned by those walking through their own fire. Our guests share personal insights and experiences sure to inspire your own wellness journey.
Alcohol
Alcohol misuse is both harmful and pervasive. The impact on individuals and their families is profound. Our articles and podcast episodes explore the physical, psychological, social and spiritual consequences of alcohol, while considering multiple approaches for care. Finally, we promote, “Meeting individuals where they are at,” through an ongoing assessment of readiness for change, free of judgment about historical or current choices.
Goal Setting
If there is one skill everyone must master, it is goal setting. Insight is the first step in ten. From there, creating your transformation focused journey is all about setting effective goals with measurable outcomes. Discover the power of goal setting using techniques such as SMART. Understand the difference between short-term outcomes vs. long-range potential. The result is only as good as the measurability of what you want to achieve.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) revolutionized clinical perspectives on addiction. The paradigm acknowledges the inherent power of the individual, dropping the concept of, ‘personal defects,’ and addictive personalities. Instead, MI techniques are designed to assess readiness for change, while empowering motivation through a stepwise therapeutic approach.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), or “MBTI Test,” was derived from Jungian psychodynamic theory in the 1920s (also known as, “Shadow Type”). It measures preference for how individuals orient themselves in both their internal and external worlds. The application is broad and profound. The MBTI provides a framework for how we understand ourselves, and therefore, how we understand each other. The model promotes communication sensitive to the types we engage with every day.
Running
Running has a profound impact on both physical and mental health. It is an effective approach for maintaining weight and has been shown to significantly improve mood. Learn ways to incorporate running into your life as part of your personal transformation journey.
Challenges
Periodically, a member of the Finding My Psych team engages in a wellness challenge. If we can’t put it to the test, why would we ask you, right? In the following articles, we put ourselves through a variety of challenges, including testing the impact of running using the Maximum Aerobic Function (MAF) method, eating a High Carb Low Fat (HCLF) diet, and going alcohol free for 90 days.
