People are routinely asked by doctors about their family history of medical problems such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. But up until now, this has not been the case for mental illnesses.

New findings by an international group including University of Otago researchers make a strong case for changing current practice. They report that a short question-and-answer session about a person’s relatives and their symptoms of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse is enough to predict not only whether the interviewee is at greater risk for developing each disorder, but also how severe that future illness is likely to be. [continue reading…]

Your emotional and psychological well-being is just as important as your physical health. Today we are recommending Know Your Mind for your bookshelf. This book is a comprehensive guide to more than 50 everyday emotional and psychological problems – a definitive resource for anyone seeking advice for themselves, or for a family member or friend. The only self-help book to be endorsed by the British Psychological Society, it offers: a clearly signposted A-Z guide to a wide range of psychological issues and concerns – from anxiety, stress and depression to eating problems, tantrums and other children’s issues, memory loss and bereavement; practical strategies for tackling these issues; positive steps to keep your mind happy and healthy; and, recommendations on where to turn for more help. Co-written by one of the UK’s leading clinical psychologists, Dr Daniel Freeman, and informed by the best evidence-based clinical practice, it distills the best and most up-to-date psychological research to provide both a concise summary of the proactive steps you can take to stay mentally healthy and a comprehensive reference guide to common problems.

John C. Parkin said F**k It to his life in London as an advertising executive to set up the holistic centre ‘The Hill That Breathes’ in Italy with his wife Gaia. John is a longstanding student of shamanism and Chi Kung. He teaches courses on breathing at his beautiful centre set in the Tuscan hills.

F**k it!” No, I haven’t just spilt my coffee over the keyboard, I’m putting into practice a new form of therapy that’s going to transform my life. Yep, merely by uttering these two words at every available opportunity, I’m going to become happier, calmer and less anxious. I’ll see what really matters and stop worrying about the rest. At least, that’s what John Parkin, my new spiritual guru, promises. He swears by it — literally — and so does his wife, Gaia Pollini (who says “f*** it!” beautifully in an Italian accent). They preach their profane wisdom from deep in the Italian countryside, where they run spiritual retreats for the world-weary. …….continue reading

Source: The Times