More than 2,000 years ago, Plato suggested, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Play is essential for learning and human development.
Interest in play is very much on the upswing among psychologists, educators,and the general public , according to developmental psychologist Peter Gray.
“People are beginning to realize that we have gone too far in the direction of teaching children to compete,” he said. “We have been depriving children of the normal, noncompetitive forms of social play that are essential for developing a sense of equality, connectedness, and concern for others.”
A new theory about early human adaptation suggests that our ancestors capitalized on their capacities for play to enable the development of a highly cooperative way of life. Writing in the current edition of the interdisciplinary American Journal of Play, Gray suggests that use of play helped early humans to overcome the innate tendencies toward aggression and dominance which would have made a cooperative society impossible. [continue reading…]
I became a Geriatric Psychologist in the UK at a time when you could count the number of such psychologists on one hand; on the other hand, you would have enough fingers to count the number of Geriatric Psychiatrists. The body of knowledge then available on elderly people was minimal, and our treatments reflected this. It really is good to reflect on how far we have come in the last 30 years, and Dr. Valentin Bragin’s book Conquering Depression in the Golden Years (Practical Guide for Older Adults)Â really does capture the current breath of knowledge. Firstly, it’s written in big print; this really does help if you are over the age of 55. The information is conveyed clearly and concisely, and it is grounded in well researched data. Depression is an ugly illness at any age, but to me it seems even more cruel in the latter years of one’s life. I urge anyone who is suffering with depression, or has a family member or friend suffering with depression, to read a copy of this well written book. You will find it to be full of practical knowledge and suggestions. Dr. Owen James, is a registered and licensed psychologist in the province of British Columbia (CPBC #1070 )where he has been a practicing psychologist since 1992.
Dr. Valentin Bragin uses his forty-plus years of experience to give readers easy-to-access information about depression and its effects on the body, and how to combat the disorder — providing proven coping mechanisms and exercises, both mental and physical, and allowing seniors to begin living depression-free lives.
When left untreated, depression becomes a deadly disease. It damages the functioning of every organ and shortens lives. But there is hope.
Based on science and years of clinical testing, Dr. Valentin Bragin provides a proven program for geriatric patients to recover from depression.
With Dr. Valentin Bragin’s book Conquering Depression in the Golden Years , elderly patients, their families and caretakers will learn to:
Recognize depression – the “whole body” disease
Activate the senses
Improve concentration and attention
Boost memory
Lift mood
Trigger better health and well beingÂ
This life-altering book describes what works and explains why it works, in a recovery program that has already helped countless elderly patients suffering from depression.
 really does capture the current breath of knowledge. Firstly, it’s written in big print; this really does help if you are over the age of 55. The information is conveyed clearly and concisely, and it is grounded in well researched data. Depression is an ugly illness at any age, but to me it seems even more cruel in the latter years of one’s life. I urge anyone who is suffering with depression, or has a family member or friend suffering with depression, to read a copy of this well written book. You will find it to be full of practical knowledge and suggestions.