Will Baum, LCSW

Ignored stress brings cravings, then relapse, says study.

Researchers supplied Palm Pilots to 55 college students who were in recovery from substance abuse ranging from alcohol to cocaine and club drugs. The students were asked to record the their daily cravings for alcohol and other drugs, as well as the intensity of negative social experiences — hostility, insensitivity, interference, and ridicule — and their general strategies for coping with stress…

A ScienceDaily write-up of baby rat study–Abusive mothering aggravates the impact of stress hormones.

“Our work shows that, while the infant brain is wired to form attachments at all costs, abusive attachments have negative consequences in social behavior development.”

Fatherhood is the new motherhood. Happy Father’s Day.

[S]everal studies show that fathers are now struggling just as much — and sometimes even more — than mothers in trying to fulfill their responsibilities at home and in the office. Just last week, Boston College released a study called “The New Dad” suggesting that new fathers face a subtle bias in the workplace, which fails to recognize their stepped-up family responsibilities and presumes that they will be largely unaffected by children.

NYT:  Add Psyche of Gulf Workers to Spill’s Toll.

Beyond the environmental and economic damage, the toll of the mammoth spill in the Gulf of Mexico is being measured in hopelessness, anxiety, stress, anger, depression and even suicidal thoughts among those most affected, social workers say.

In case you missed it, from the NYT: Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price about addiction to computers, cell phones, etc.

Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information…While many people say multitasking makes them more productive, research shows otherwise. Heavy multitaskers actually have more trouble focusing and shutting out irrelevant information, scientists say, and they experience more stress.

Related: An Ugly Toll of Technology: Impatience and Forgetfulness and First Steps to Digital Detox.

For Memorial Day, some progress amidst the generally sobering veteran’s mental health news:

Exposure therapy using virtual reality appears to be more effective for alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than traditional treatment among members of the military who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, researchers said here.

Here, a longer, older New Yorker piece covers the same in more detail.

A series about herpes is underway at the NYT Consults blog.  First posts:

5 Things to Know About Herpes

Do Stress or Diet Cause Herpes Outbreaks?

Can Oral Sex Cause Herpes?

Study:  Irritable Bowel Syndrome felled by song.

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial psychological and biological effects of singing, with associated feelings of relaxation, energy and joy. An inter-university Swedish study has set out to test whether there were any additional stress-related benefits from choir singing in comparison with other group activities…

(Via GoodTherapy.org.)

The stress management section of MayoClinic.com has lots and lots and lots of ideas about how to handle stress.  Here, a sampling of links:

Stress assessment Pinpoint your stress level and get tips for managing your stress.

Stress relief: Learn how to say no Discover the why, when and how of saying no to reduce stress.

Forgiveness Forgiveness and letting go can lead you down the path of healing and peace.

Massage Explore the health benefits, potential risks and what to expect from massage therapy.

Meditation Learn quick and easy ways to meditate, no matter where you are.

Science Daily:  Tai Chi Gets Cautious Thumbs Up for Psychological Health.

[A study] found that practicing Tai Chi was associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem.

What’s Tai Chi?  Wikipedia’s answer is here.