Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Michelle Burdzy on Pinterest
Image: Stockxpert
We know a lot about the links between a pregnant mother’s health, behavior, and moods and her baby’s cognitive and psychological development once it is born. But how does pregnancy change a mother’s brain? “Pregnancy is a critical period for central nervous system development in mothers,” says psychologist Laura M. Glynn of Chapman University. “Yet we know virtually nothing about it.” Glynn and her colleague Curt A. Sandman, of University of the California Irvine, are doing something about that. Their review of the literature in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science, discusses the theories and findings that are starting to fill what Glynn calls “a significant gap in our understanding of this critical stage of most women’s lives.”
At no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” [continue reading…]
A number of studies have found that just being around a dog or petting a dog can lower blood pressure. One study found the same with a pet goat. Another found that simply watching a Lassie movie was enough to lower stress.
Well we haven’t got a pet goat at our practice Tri-City Psychology Services, but we do have therapy dogs!
Over the years we have observed the special fondness and respect our clients develop for our dogs.
Many clients starting therapy are unsure and nervous on their first visit.
We want very much for our new clients to feel safe and comfortable, and aim to set them at their ease from the moment they first step through our door.
We have worked hard to achieve this by creating an inviting and calming office space, a dog picks up on any nervousness in a person, and our little greeters are there ready and eager to help clients through that first uncertain encounter.
Sadly in August we had to say goodbye to first therapy dog, Portia (a stalwart Scottish Terrier) who succumbed to kidney disease.
Mac our younger Scotty, missed her terribly. We knew it would just be a matter of time before we got another dog.
Lola & Kathy
istockphoto
Researchers reviewed databases for adults age 65 and older in Ontario, Canada, between January 1, 2000, and October 31, 2007. A total of 159,678 individuals had a crash during the study, of whom 7,393 (5 percent) received an antidepressant in the month prior to the crash, but antidepressants alone did not lead to a heightened risk of a motor vehicle crash. Rather, risk was associated with crashes in which the individual used another strong, centrally acting medication, such as a benzodiazepine or anticholinergic as well. Noted limitations to the study included a lack of information about the dose of the antidepressants and the possible effects of dementia. Much more research is needed on the effect of depression and antidepressants on driving, the researchers noted.
