Stress Relief

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 Year in Review of Trauma and PTSD Research

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on December 27, 2021

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Psychological Pandemic That Never Was: Rx for Change

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on May 3, 2021

Did dozens of rushed-into-print studies get us close to the truth? The ninth, and last, post in my series on the poor quality of mental health research during the pandemic.

Did dozens of rushed-into-print studies get us close to the truth? The ninth, and last, post in my series on the poor quality of mental health research during the pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

True or False: There Exists a Science Learning Disability

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on March 31, 2021

Is there another reason besides hype to explain why media and science journals get science wrong? Eighth in a series on poor quality mental health research during the pandemic.

Is there another reason besides hype to explain why media and science journals get science wrong? Eighth in a series on poor quality mental health research during the pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Are Journal Editors Responsible for Poor Quality COVID-19 Research?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on February 21, 2021

Some journal editors relaxed peer review of research during the pandemic, revealing some cracks in the resiliency of science journals to achieve their mission in times of crisis.

Some journal editors relaxed peer review of research during the pandemic, revealing some cracks in the resiliency of science journals to achieve their mission in times of crisis.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Can I Trust Psychological Research of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on February 2, 2021

Strengths of the quality of psychological research have been overwhelmed by many weaknesses. The idea of a mental health pandemic seemed decided before it was studied.

Strengths of the quality of psychological research have been overwhelmed by many weaknesses. The idea of a mental health pandemic seemed decided before it was studied.

Trauma

2020 Year in Review of Trauma and PTSD Research

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on January 17, 2021

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

Psychiatry

COVID-19 and Patients With Preexisting Psychiatric Disorders

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on December 31, 2020

Still no evidence of a psychological tsunami. Some psychiatric patients are doing worse, some are doing better.

Still no evidence of a psychological tsunami. Some psychiatric patients are doing worse, some are doing better.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Mental Health Problems for Infected Survivors of COVID-19

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on December 15, 2020

Individuals who were infected and symptomatic often faced real risk of dying. Concerns of mental health problems are valid, but are probably being overestimated.

Individuals who were infected and symptomatic often faced real risk of dying. Concerns of mental health problems are valid, but are probably being overestimated.

Stress

The Mental Health Crisis for Healthcare Workers Is Not So Clear

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on December 2, 2020

Are healthcare workers paying a price for their heroics in the form of a massive toll on their mental health?

Are healthcare workers paying a price for their heroics in the form of a massive toll on their mental health?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Are Violence and Child Abuse Rising in COVID-19 Pandemic?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on November 20, 2020

The scientific data fail to support a surge in domestic violence or child abuse despite alarming stories by media and doctors.

The scientific data fail to support a surge in domestic violence or child abuse despite alarming stories by media and doctors.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Criticism of COVID Psychological Tsunami: It May Be Inflated

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on November 6, 2020

There is little reliable research evidence of a COVID-19-caused mental health pandemic in the general population. Instead, there may be a pandemic of low-quality mental health research.

There is little reliable research evidence of a COVID-19-caused mental health pandemic in the general population. Instead, there may be a pandemic of low-quality mental health research.

Types of Therapy

The Hype and the Truth About Measurement-Based Care

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on July 26, 2020

Voluntary implementation of measurement-based care has hit a wall. An alternative that seems to work better is involuntary implementation.

Voluntary implementation of measurement-based care has hit a wall. An alternative that seems to work better is involuntary implementation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Four Ways Sufferers Contribute to Missed PTSD Diagnoses

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on June 17, 2020

Missing the diagnosis of PTSD is a common problem for clinicians. Patients and not-yet-patients can also contribute to the problem.

Missing the diagnosis of PTSD is a common problem for clinicians. Patients and not-yet-patients can also contribute to the problem.

Stress

How Do I Find Mental Health Providers?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on May 3, 2020

Types and tips: The types of mental health providers and tips on how the find the right kind for your particular needs.

Types and tips: The types of mental health providers and tips on how the find the right kind for your particular needs.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD, Play Therapy, and the Lack of Research

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on April 19, 2020

Confused about the right treatment for children with PTSD? Here is clarification about the research evidence and some confusing claims.

Confused about the right treatment for children with PTSD? Here is clarification about the research evidence and some confusing claims.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Is Play Therapy Appropriate for Children With PTSD?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on April 5, 2020

6 reasons why play therapy may not be ideal for kids dealing with trauma.

6 reasons why play therapy may not be ideal for kids dealing with trauma.

Trauma

Joker and Thank You for Your Service: Impact of Trauma

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on February 28, 2020

Does trauma change your essential personality? Two recent films present different views on the impact of trauma on character and morality.

Does trauma change your essential personality? Two recent films present different views on the impact of trauma on character and morality.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD Research Developments of 2019: Year in Review

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on February 4, 2020

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

What’s new in trauma and PTSD research? If research is to be more than an exercise of confirmation bias to support belief systems, the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

How Fast Can Automatic Negative Thoughts Change?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on January 3, 2020

Clinic data show what percentages of psychotherapy patients can change in less than three months, between three and 12 months, and longer than 12 months

Clinic data show what percentages of psychotherapy patients can change in less than three months, between three and 12 months, and longer than 12 months

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

How Do I Change Negative Thoughts Related to PTSD?

Michael S. Scheeringa M.D. on December 27, 2019

Three steps to finding and changing automatic negative thoughts.

Three steps to finding and changing automatic negative thoughts.