Hypnosis reduces complications & pain in labor

Dr. Paul Schauble of the University of Florida reports that after giving 42 pregnant teenagers either standard counseling or instruction in self-hypnosis for childbirth, those who underwent the hypnosis remained in the hospital for a shorter period of time than those who did not learn self-hypnosis. None of the patients in the self-hypnosis group needed surgical intervention whereas 60% of those in the non-hypnosis group did. In addition, fewer patients in the hypnosis group experienced such complications as high blood pressure or vacuum-assisted delivery. Dr. Schauble concludes, "...This study provides empirical data demonstrating that the use of hypnosis in preparing pregnant women for labor and delivery reduces the risk of complications, decreases the need for medical intervention...and promotes safer, more comfortable delivery for mother and child."

Journal of Family Practice 2001, 50, 441-443

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Psychological factors with chronic pain

Drs. Dennis Turk and Akiko Okifuji write that there has been a growing recognition that chronic pain involves emotions, social factors, and environmental factors as well as the meaning (or narrative) that the person experiencing the pain ascribes to their condition. Therefore, to successfully treat patients with chronic pain, physicians need to take in consideration these varied psychosocial factors as well.

Turk and Okifuji reiterate the need for using a biopsychosocial model of pain that incorporates psychological processes and socio-contextual variables that can contribute to and sustain chronic pain. Along the lines of research carried out by the late Dr. Richard Lazarus of UC Berkeley, medical professionals need to take into consideration the appraisal process that chronic pain patients engage in order to comprehensively and effectively treat their chronic pain. Concluding that their pain symptoms are a threat through primary appraisal, and that the threat is too big for their resources to be able to cope with through a secondary appraisal process, can profoundly and negatively affect physical mobility, attempts at coping, behavioral responses and treatment regimen adherence.

The authors conclude by saying that chronic pain should be treated like any other chronic disease and that The National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Panel and the American Psychological Association Division of Clinical Psychology's Task Force on the Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, have both endorsed cognitive-behavioral therapy as a "well-established" treatment approach for treating several chronic pain conditions.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002, 70(3) 678-690

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New Guidelines on Dyslipidemia Treatment in Diabetic Children

The American Diabetes Association issued new guidelines recommending that diabetic children be screened for dyslipidemia starting at age 12 or at puberty, whichever comes first. The panel stated that children with elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to suffer coronary heart disease, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at less than 35 mg/dL.

Diabetes Care 2003, 26, 2194-2197

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Evidence of effectiveness of psychotherapy with children and adolescents

Dr. Helmut Remschmidt reviews the results of efficacy and effectiveness studies of empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatments for children and adolescents. He states that several of the reviewed studies demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy in children and adolescents suffering from depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Interpersonal psychotherapy also was effective in treating adolescent depression. Remschmidt concludes by writing, "...In general, psychotherapeutic treatments have been demonstrated to be effective in children and adolescents. This, however, does not apply to all kinds of psychotherapy. In my opinion, recent progress has focused, and future developments will focus, on the following directions: 1. disorder-specific psychotherapeutic approaches tailored to the disorder... 2. combination of psychotherapy with medication...3. the development of multi-component treatment programs applicable in out-patient, in-patient, day-patient and home settings...and 4.combination of efficacy and effectiveness studies in order to gain a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of psychotherapeutic interventions and, at the same time, achieve appropriate modification of experimental therapies and their implementation in everyday clinical practice."

Current Opinions in Psychiatry 2003, 16(4) 389-393

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Herbs and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder/depressed children

Suzanne Cala, Pharm.D., and her colleagues from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin, found that out of 117 children being treated for psychiatric disorders, 15% of them had been given herbal treatments within the last year by their primary caregivers WITHOUT communication with their childÕs psychiatrist, pediatrician or pharmacist. Herbal medicines were that were most frequently given for behavior disorders were ginkgo biloba, Echinacea, and St. JohnÕs Wort. Thirteen percent of the caregivers combined the herbal remedies with prescription drugs. The researchers conclude by saying, "...A need exists for better communication between health professionals and caregivers regarding the use of herbal therapy."

Pharmacotherapy 2003, 2, 222-230

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Larry Lachman, Psy D is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in psychooncology, pain management and grief and loss. He has a private practice in Monterey, California, as well as being a clinical health psychologist with Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City, California. He is the author of a new book on coping with cancer with Carmel Poet Laureate Ric Masten entitled, "Parallel JourneysÑA Spirited Approach to Coping and Living With Cancer."

Dr. Lachman, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Monterey and Salinas, California, specializes in psychooncology and pain management, and leads a weekly cancer patient and grief therapy groups. Dr. Lachman has just completed a new book on coping with cancer entitled, Parallel Journeys—A Spirited Approach to Coping and Living With Cancer.” Carmel, California: SunInk Presentations, 2003, ISBN # 0-931104-50-5, (March/April 2003)

Psychooncology Associates, P. O. Box 22151, Carmel, Ca. 93922
Ph: (831) 643-2635/Fx: (734) 448-4724
Co-Author of the new book:
"Parallel Journeys--A Spirited Approach to Coping and Living with Cancer,"

http://www.ParallelJourneys-cancer.com
DrLarry@ParallelJourneys-cancer.com