Smells and Likeability

New research from Northwestern University shows that people are sensitive to infinitesimal scents that affect whether or not we like somebody.

According to ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2007) "We may think our judgments are based only on various conscious bits of information, but our senses also may provide subliminal perceptual information that affects our behavior."

Apparently the study showed that smells that could be detected such as perfume and loud body odor did not effect the participants decision in determining the likability of a stranger. However, scents that were not readily noticed were powerful factors in the participants decision to like or not like someone.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that subliminal sensory information -- whether from scents, vision or hearing -- affects perception.

*The paper "Subliminal Smells Can Guide Social Preferences" was published in the December issue of Psychological Science.

Worry, Anxiety & Self Confidence

Worry is one of the most common forms of anxiety, and one of the easiest to understand. We worry because we don't like the feeling of not being in control of the world around us. We worry because we have at some point in our life convinced ourself that if we can't control the world around us, then worry is the next best way to stay on top of those things we cannot control.

Anxiety or worrying in its simplest form is neither a problem nor an emotional deficit. It is when we have created a habit of worrying that interferes with our ability to fully relax and/or enjoy life that it can become a devastating problem.

The degree to which we worry is directly linked to our lack of self confidence. We worry because deep inside we do not believe that we have the ability to cope with the traumatic situations we worry about. We become anxious and worry because we do not have confidence in our own ability to deal with the difficulties that life might present to us.

Acknowledging your worrying as a negative influence in your life is the first step. Making a commitment to overcome your irrational fears by replacing a negative habit with something more positive is the way to begin your journey toward a healthier way of coping with life.

One of the best ways to begin to work your way out of habitually worrying is to start a worry journal.

• Whenever you find yourself worrying intensely about something, write your worry down in your journal.
• Attempt to determine to what degree your fear is rational and to what degree it is having a negative effect on your emotions, and behaviors.
• Then think through the scenario that is fearful to you and imagine to what degree you would be able to take control of the situation. Find those aspects of your personality that will enable you to cope, to survive and to carry on in spite of life's unexpected difficulties. In essence create a plan of empowerment.
  

Most of us are afraid of what we do not understand and what we fear we cannot control. So begin by replacing irrational fears with rational solutions. Doing so will increase your level of self confidence. And when you feel confident in your ability to deal with life's trials, you will no longer have the need to worry.

Computer Program for Healing Depression

By guest writer Caroline Lovell

Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce physical symptoms and illnesses caused by depression by over 25%, according to new research.

Despina Learmouth at City University, London, looked at the effect of the Beating the Blues interactive therapy system on 504 service users.

“These findings are significant because besides the obvious fact that alleviating depression is important for individuals’ well being, physical illnesses and symptoms are known to be made worse by mental ill health,” said Learmouth. “Pain can become worse, immune functioning can be lowered, and stress levels can be increased – leading to further potential health risks.”

Beating the Blues was recommended for use by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence last year.

In April, the (English) government issued guidance urging primary care trusts to make the system available to people with anxiety and depression.

Click here to read more about the program

Post Traumatic Stress and the Media

Post Traumatic Stress disorder or PTSD is a very real and very curable problem. Anyone, even an infant can acquire symptoms of PTSD upon experiencing a serious trauma.

When my brother first saw the movie "Forest Gump" he nearly hit the floor during the scenes about Vietnam. Not because of the film, but because of the realistic sounds of the gunfire. It had been decades since he was in Vietnam but the piercing sound of gunfire that seemed to be coming from behind the movie viewers was enough to take him back to fright-filled days at war.

In today's world of 24/7 news coverage of terrorism, war and crime, it is even possible for someone to develop PTSD by immersing themselves in videos and newscasts about an event in which they had no actual involvement. This was made clear to clinicians after 911, and again during the Virginia Tech shootings.

After the Virginia Tech shootings however the process of developing PTSD was more widely understood, and after a few days nearly all of the footage was taken off the air. For those who had already watched hours of video, and who were already at risk for PTSD, it was too late.

Children are particularly at risk of developing intense stress reactions upon watching real or realistic events on film or television. Intense fear can cause them to regress into more childlike behaviors like wetting the bed, moodieness or having nightmares.

If you suspect that you or your child is experiencing serious effects of stress it is important that you get help immediately. Otherwise the stress can hang on for year, and can develop into phobias and other psychological problems.

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