Friday Factoids - Western State Hospital Internship Program

January 01 2018

Friday Factoids: Imposter Syndrome

Although the imposter phenomenon is not an official diagnosis listed in the DSM, it is a very real form of intellectual self-doubt that can significantly impact one’s social and emotional well-being. Further, imposter feelings are often accompanied by anxiety and depression.

Imposter Syndrome is a fear of being discovered or unmasked. Many graduate students question whether or not they are prepared or truly worthy of doing the work that they are tasked to do. Often the work is being done well but the pervasive feelings of self-doubt, fraudulence, and insecurity dismiss successes and chalk it up to timing, luck, or a divine intervention. Imposter feelings often presents when students question how they ever got accepted into graduate school or matched through the stressful APPIC process. These students often view everyone else as a better candidate and continue to worry they don’t belong.

The following are ways to overcome imposter feelings while learning to acknowledge your strengths:

Learn to accept praise.
Create a visual tally of your accomplishments.
Process your feelings of anxiety and inadequacies through journaling, and/or talking to trusted others.
STOP FEELING LIKE A FRAUD AND ENJOY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Georgetta Harris-Wyatt, MS
WKPIC Doctoral Intern

December 12 2017

Friday Factoids: Keeping the Magic of Santa

Around age of 6-9 years, children begin to question the idea of Santa Claus. Suddenly, rather than asking questions to learn more about “Santa’s magic,” they begin asking questions regarding the plausibility of Santa. It is around this age that children become skeptical of the stories they have been told. How is it possible for him to visit every house in the world in just one night? How can he fit down the chimney?

As children develop conceptual abilities, the stories of Santa Claus no longer seem plausible. For some children, this can be validating in that they have confirmed their perception of reality. For others, it can lead to anger about being “lied to” by adults. The acceptance of this new reality doesn’t have to be a negative experience. Explaining your idea about the spirit of Santa Claus and allowing your child to participate in creating the “magic” for others can help create a smooth transition to this new line of thinking.

Shtulman, A., & Yoo, R. I. (2015). Childrens understanding of physical possibility constrains their belief in Santa Claus. Cognitive Development, 34, 51-62. doi:10.1016/j.cogdev.2014.12.006

When Your Child Asks, Is Santa Real? (2016, July 17). Retrieved November 27, 2017, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/when-your-child-asks-is-santa-real/

Crystal Henson, MA
Doctoral Intern

December 12 2017

Friday Factoids: Altruism–Is It Innate Or Taught?

Research has shown that altruism increases positive feelings. Many parents often wonder how they can increase their child’s empathy and kind behavior. There has been some debate as to whether this is a characteristic that individuals are born with or learn from their environments.

Numerous studies have shown that children as young as 1 year old can be observed participating in altruistic acts, suggesting that this was an innate ability. However, more recently there have been studies completed showing that children aged 1 – 4 years showed participation in more altruistic acts when they had recently been involved in reciprocal play. This implied that children who are exposed to others who help them, or are in environments where they observe others helping each other, are more likely to engage in benevolent behavior.

If you want to increase a child’s number of altruistic acts, you can increase the number of reciprocal acts they are involved in with others. Children who observe environments where reciprocity is taking place are more likely to pick up on social cues that someone may benefit from their “help.” However, children who received material reinforcement for their helping behavior were less likely to continue the behavior in the absence of a tangible reward, regardless of the environment. Children should be exposed to others being kind to one another in an attempt to increase the likelihood that will continue to show kindness to others just because it feels good.

References
Barragan, R. C., & Dweck, C. S. (2014). Rethinking natural altruism: Simple reciprocal interactions trigger children’s benevolence: Fig. 1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(48), 17071-17074. doi:10.1073/pnas.1419408111

Warneken, F. “The Development of Altruistic Behavior: Helping in Children and Chimpanzees.” Social Research: An International Quarterly, vol. 80 no. 2, 2013, pp. 431-442. Project MUSE, muse.jhu.edu/article/528213.

Crystal Henson, MA
Doctoral Intern

December 12 2017

Friday Factoids: Avoiding the Holiday Blues

For many, the holidays become synonymous with stress: finding the perfect tree, having the perfect decorations, finding the perfect gift, and spending time with family. These things can quickly turn holiday cheer into holiday drear. However, there are ways to reduce the stress that can come along with all the holiday hustle and bustle.

Set a budget, and stick to it (even if your budget is free). Send a heartfelt card, make something, offer to help someone else. Gifts don’t have to be material, and often the more heartfelt gifts will be remembered the longest.

Plan ahead and don’t spread yourself thin. Make a list, divide and conquer, delegate to other family members. You don’t have to do everything. Remember, it’s okay to say no. Scheduling conflicts will occur. That’s okay. Things will not go as planned. That’s okay.

Set realistic expectations and don’t strive for perfection. Things will not always go as planned. Sometimes dinner gets burnt, sometimes the cat knocks over the tree, sometimes it snows (or it doesn’t). Sometimes important people aren’t able to make it. It’s okay. Don’t stress over what you cannot control. Do what you can and nothing more. Are there important people who you can’t spend time with? Find ways to keep everyone included. Take pictures, make a phone call, or send a video.

Accept people for who they are. Agree to disagree. Acknowledge your feelings and realize it’s ok to not be okay. Holiday events are not the time to hash out disagreements. Learn to accept others and forgive past transgressions.

Remember to take care of yourself. Give yourself 15 minutes to do something alone. Remember to maintain your healthy habits. This includes exercising, eating healthy, meditating, whatever it is you typically do, keep doing it! Try to give yourself a day of rest before returning to your daily routine.

Get additional support. Reach out to friends, attend community events, volunteer, or seek out professional assistance if needed. Don’t isolate yourself.

Not every get together will look like a Hallmark card. Not every family interaction will be like they are in the movies. Remember, this is real life. And in real life, it is what you make it…even if that means allowing things to be perfectly imperfect.

References

5 Tips for Managing Holiday Stress. (2016). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from

https://www.healthline.com/health/holiday-stress-management-tips

Wiegartz, P. (2011, November 12). 10 Common Holiday Stresses and How to Cope with Them.

Retrieved November 24, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-the-

age-anxiety/201111/10-common-holiday-stresses-and-how-cope-them-0

Tips for coping with holiday stress. (2017, September 16). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544

Crystal Henson, MA
Doctoral Intern

December 12 2017

Friday Factoids Catch-Up: Strategies to Help People With Mental Illness During the Holidays

The Christmas season in America is thought to be carefree and whimsical, associated with joy, food, and fun. However, for some, especially individuals with severe mental illness, it can be a time of despair, loneliness and depressing memories. Turnbull (2015) found in his study, 36% of individuals with mental health problems have engaged in non-suicidal injurious behaviors during the holiday season, but more than half of the participants considered harming themselves around Christmas, while 45% have considered taking their own life. A further 76% of participants in the study reported having problems sleeping, and 60% of people reported experiencing panic attacks over the festive period.

Research has found components that can aid individuals with severe mental illness, such as engaging in leisure activities (Lloyd, King, Lampe & McDougall, 2001), but unfortunately these individuals lack possibilities to spend this time in ways that are meaningful to them (Perese, 1997). Leisure activities for individuals with severe mental illnesses have shown to have the potential to improve quality of life (Pieris & Craik, 2004; Carruthers & Hood, 2004). Leisure around the Christmas holiday for both individuals with and without disorders/disabilities is often what is wanted and hoped for, which is why it seems to be readily researched but the importance of holiday trips for people with severe mental illnesses is not widely known (Pols & Kroon, 2007). Results from Pols and Kroon (2007) found that one can assist individuals with severe mental illness while on a holiday trip by managing their medication, finances, and creating a somewhat structured routine. In addition, the researchers found holiday trips were linked with rehabilitation goals that were hard to identify by staff members who worked with the participants in the institutional setting. Holiday trips for individuals with severe mental illness helped the participants establish and maintain social relationships.

That is what the holiday season should be about, positive supportive connections, with the people that matter most in life. Turnbull (2015) suggested to combat unhealthy activities and coping methods, to “Look out for one another and show that you care by listening supportively, be affectionate, appreciative, or simply by spending time with loved ones.”

References
Carruthers, C. P., & Hood, C. D. (2004). The power of the positive: Leisure and well- being. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 38(2), 225-245.

Lloyd, C., King, R., Lampe, J., & McDougall, S. (2001). The leisure satisfaction of people with psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25(2), 107-113. doi:10.1037/h0095035

Perese, E. F. (1997). Unmet needs of persons with chronic mental illnesses: Relationship to their adaptation to community living. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 18(1), 19-34. doi:10.3109/01612849709006537

Pieris, Y., & Craik, C. (2004). Factors Enabling and Hindering Participation in Leisure for People with Mental Health Problems. The British Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 67(6), 240-247. doi:10.1177/030802260406700602

Pols, J., & Kroon, H. (2007). The importance of holiday trips for people with chronic mental health problems. Psychiatric Services, 58(2), 262-265.

Turnbull, A. (2015). Pressures of Christmas lead to rise in mental health problems. Independent Nurse, 1.

Katy Roth, MA, CRC
WKPIC Doctoral Intern

Previous page 1 2 3 4 5 … 30 Next page

Innovative Psychology Internship Program in Western Kentucky. See what we are all about!

Teaching Excellence

Category Archives: Friday Factoids

Friday Factoids: Imposter Syndrome

Friday Factoids: Keeping the Magic of Santa

Friday Factoids: Altruism–Is It Innate Or Taught?

Friday Factoids: Avoiding the Holiday Blues

Friday Factoids Catch-Up: Strategies to Help People With Mental Illness During the Holidays

Phone: 270-889-2741

Phone: 270-889-2811