Are positive childhood experiences good for you as an adult?

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Basic Parenting 101: The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With

I am often asked by parents, “Did I mess my kids up”. This common question happens after some parent/teen argument that was particularly nasty.

I like to point out that parenting is a very long marathon and one nasty argument is not very powerful. The goal is to get the kids to 18 with both eyes. This often is hard, because kids often like to do stuff that endangers themselves.

Studies have shown that long term negative childhood experiences can lead to an increased likelihood of adult depression and underdeveloped relationship skills.

In this study, the authors looked at positive childhood experiences and how they influence adulthood wellbeing.

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Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental Health

In this cross-sectional study, in JAMA Pediatrics shows adults that reported higher incidences of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) also reported lower incidences of depression and/or poor mental health (D/PMH).

The researchers’ state: 

Conclusions and Relevance  Positive childhood experiences show dose-response associations with D/PMH and ARSES after accounting for exposure to [adverse childhood experiences] ACEs. The proactive promotion of PCEs for children may reduce risk for adult D/PMH and promote adult relational health. Joint assessment of PCEs and ACEs may better target needs and interventions and enable a focus on building strengths to promote well-being. Findings support prioritizing possibilities to foster safe, stable nurturing relationships for children that consider the health outcomes of positive experiences.

Obtain a PDF of this research paper.

Please let me know what you think by clicking the “comments” below.

5.7 Million Kids Water Bottles Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

Contigo Kids Cleanable Water Bottles and their replacement lids have been recalled.

The water bottle’s clear silicone spout can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.

The product was sold at Costco, Walmart, Target and other stores nationwide and online on various websites from April 2018 through February 7, 2020 for between $9 and $24.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bottles and the replacement lids provided in the previous recall, take them away from children, and contact Contigo for a free water bottle. Consumers who received replacement lids in the previous recall should contact Contigo for the new water bottle.

Consumer Contact: 

Contigo toll-free at 888-262-0622 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.gocontigo.com/recall or www.gocontigo.com and click on Recalls at the bottom of the page for more information.

Read the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice.

Who is smoking pot in US? 2019 Gallup Poll

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

In July 2019 Gallup found that 12% of American adults smoke pot. The percentage hasn't changed much since 2015.

A few interesting findings:

• Men are more likely to use than women.
• 18 to 29-year-olds are most likely to use marijuana.
• Liberals are more likely than conservatives or moderates to use.
• Whites use more than non-whites.
• Folks living on the west coast are more likely to use, but only a little more likely.

Read the details of this interesting Gallup poll: What Percentage of Americans Smoke Marijuana? BY ZACH HRYNOWSKI

Little Lounger Rocking Seats RECALLED

Little Lounger Rocking Seats - Your fabric may look different.

Name of product:

Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seat

Hazard:

Infant fatalities have been reported with other manufacturers’ inclined sleep products, after infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side, or under other circumstances.

Remedy:

Refund

Recall date:

January 29, 2020

Consumer Contact:

Contact Graco toll-free at 800-345-4109 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.gracobaby.com and click on Recall Information.

Recall Details

Description:

The Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seat™ is two products in one, a rocking seat and a vibrating lounger.  Most models (model numbers 1872034, 1875063, 1875102, 1877160, 1882081, 1896313, 1908957, 1914283 and 2047734) have multiple incline positions and one model (model number 1922809) has one incline position.  The model number is located on a label on one of the metal legs.

Remedy: 

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Graco for a cash refund or a voucher.

Incidents/Injuries: 

None reported.

Sold At:

Target, Babies R Us and other stores nationwide and online at various websites from 2013 through 2018 for about $80.

Importer(s): 

Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.

Manufactured In: 

China

Recall number:

20-062

Information from The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Teens Tattoos and Piercings: MD’s advised to talk with patients

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Basic Parenting 101: The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With

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In my practice, I work with a lot of teenagers. Most are angry, and often confused, about their feelings and role in society. Regularly, they want tattoos and often are bashing heads with their parents about getting them.

In the last 10 years, the age of children who want a tattoo or piercing has gotten younger. It is common for parents to consent to earrings, especially for their daughters. The conflict often starts when the child, as young as 11, wants a bar across the upper ear cartilage, or a lip hoop, nose bobble, belly button jewelry, or a tongue barbell.

Many parents try to be reasonable and chose to barter, “OK, when you are 13 you can get a small nose ring.” At this point the whining starts, “But why do I have to wait?” “Sarah’s mom let her get a tongue stud.” The incessant whining often comes with tears and tantrums.

In a recent article in MD Edge Pediatric News, the author states:

“Although Dr. Breuner didn’t want her daughter to get the piercing, she knew saying “no” wasn’t likely to stop her teenager any more than it would another adolescent…”

I hear this often. And I agree. Parents need to say, “no” if they believe that, “no” is the correct answer. Unapproved piercings and tattoos may happen, but it is not a guarantee. The important thing is to set the expectation.

If I say no my teen yells and hates me more

OK. Your child does not like the limit setting you are doing. Welcome to parenthood. My question to you, as a caring parent, when will you set a limit? At a tongue piercing? At a nipple barbell? At a penis or labia piercing?

Tattoos, piercing, and/or cigarettes are often a fight for control

Often teens demand permission to smoke, get a tattoo, or a piercing as a way to gain a feeling of control. (Similar to a balding, newly divorced man buying a sports car.) The issue isn’t the tattoo or the piercing it is an attempt at a quick fix. The teen is trying to solve the age-old problem they struggle with, “I want to be taken care of but I also want complete freedom.”

Teens often know what they want but not what they need. I recommend having the ongoing discussion (drama and all) with your teen. Buckling because of your fear of being disobeyed or being yelled at will not help you build a supportive relationship with your child. 

I recommend digging deep into why your teen wants to change their body. What do they expect to change in their lives when they have the new piercing or tattoo? 

I have been told, by teenagers, many deeply held reasons for getting a tattoo or piercing:

• I want to be noticed
• I want to be cool/different/feared
• I want to get a boyfriend/girlfriend
• I want excitement in my stressful life
• My favorite answer came from a 15-year-old, profoundly shy boy who had never had a date or held a girl’s hand: I want a tongue stud so I can pleasure girls the way they like to be pleasured.

Please note, the issue often isn't the tattoos or piercings it is the problem the teen thinks the tattoo or piercing will solve.

The following article has lots of helpful ideas and solid information concerning teens, tattoos, and piercings. 

Read the article, Adolescents Should Know Risks of Tattoos and Piercings, in Pediatric News 

Please let me know what you think by clicking the “comments” below.

Shark week gets it wrong

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

I know when it is (cue the music) Shark Week!!!!

I get a few calls every time Shark Week comes around. The caller is a scared TV viewer that has lost sleep because of her fear of sharks. 

I have to worry about sharks!

I try to reassure her that she is safe because she doesn’t live by the ocean. She is usually not impressed by this information. I continue, “We live in Redding, California, a long way from sharks. Plus, Redding is pretty much a desert. In fact, this year Redding is a desert on fire. Sharks want no part of our very hot and dangerously dry environment.

Shark week may be good programing for selling commercials, but it is poor programing in terms of what we should be cautious about. So, let's play a game. Here is an alphabetical list of dangerous animals. See if you can rank this list from most dangerous to shark. That is right, the shark is the least dangerous animal on this list.

Dangerous Animal List/Alphabetical

____ Ants

____ Bees

____ Cows

____ Deer

____ Dogs

____ Hippopotamuses

____ Horses

____ Humans

____ Jellyfish

____ Mosquitoes

13   Sharks

____ Snakes

____ Spiders

Answers below:

01. Humans 

About 17,000 people die due to homicide in the US every year. (Yep, people are animals.)

02. Mosquitoes

About 650,000 people die worldwide every year because of protozoan parasites transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

03. Hippopotamuses

About 3,000 people are killed a year by these highly territorial, semiaquatic mammals, especially during the mating season.

04. Deer

About 125 people are killed by deer in the US alone, mostly due to car accidents. 

05. Bees

About 70 folks are killed a year by our busy buzzy friends in the US alone due to allergic reactions to being stung. This number includes the bee “cousins,” wasps and hornets.

06. Dogs

About 40 Americans are killed each year due to dog bites. This does not account for the deaths, most often elderly people, who accidentally fall due to their pet dog.

07. Ants

About 30 people a year are killed in Africa because of swarm stinging leading to a deadly allergic reaction.

08 Jellyfish

In the warm waters of the Philippines, about 30 people die from a severe allergic reaction to Jellyfish venom each year. 

09. Cows

About 25 people are killed by bovine.

10. Horses

About 20 people die from horse kicks or from falling off their mount. 

11. Spiders

About 6 people die per year in the US from spider bites. 

12. Snakes

About 6 people die in the US each year due to snake venom. (Most snakes are not venomous.)

13. Sharks

Less than 1 person in the US dies per year from shark attacks. You can up your chances by going to Australia and purposefully swimming in shark-infested waters. (About 3/year).

And for the vegetarian reader that loves coconut, about 150 people die every year due to falling coconuts. 

Stay safe and please use your seat belt. (Cars are very dangerous.)

Please let me know what you think by clicking the “comments” below.

CDC new guideline for diagnosing and managing concussion or mild traumatic brain injury in children

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Basic Parenting 101: The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the first evidence-based clinical guideline in the United States for

•diagnosing and 

•managing concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) 

from all causes in children.

The guideline was published online September 4, 2018 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Study finds a correlation between food allergies and autism spectrum disorder

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Basic Parenting 101: The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With

Researchers looked at almost 200,000 US children ages 9 to 17 years of age. 

The researchers found, “children with food, respiratory, and skin allergies were significantly more likely to have autism spectrum disorder than children without these allergies.”

This is a correlational finding. It means that the two observations occurred, in this case, allergies and autism spectrum disorder, together at a significantly higher level than by chance. It does not necessarily mean that one causes the other.

Read the study in JAMA Network Open

4 of 10 Doctors Feel “Burned Out”

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

“When I grow up I want to be a doctor,” is a common statement heard from children. Our society respects doctors and often pays them well, but on the other side of the equation—the work of a doctor is often long and hard.

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The survey says:

Alicia Ault reports on Medscape Psychiatry, that:

42 percent of doctors say they are burned out with their job

15 percent feel depressed 

Over 15,000 physicians from 29 medical specialties answered the survey.

Medical specialties that are not happy at work:

• Critical care physicians (48%)
• Neurologists (48%)
• Family medicine doctors (47%)
• Oncologists (39%)
• Orthopedic physicians (34%) 
• Ophthalmologists (33%)
• Pathologists (32%)
• Dermatologists (32%)

Plastic surgeons reported the lowest level of burn out at 23 percent.

Female physicians report more burn out than their male colleagues.

The survey takers reported that too much bureaucracy and paperwork was the main factor contributing to burnout (56%).

James Randi Educational Foundation - 2017 Award

James Randi Educational Foundation announced today their award for 2017.

The honor was given to Susan Gerbic and her team of "guerilla skeptics" for their work "to enlist and train a team of editors who continually improve Wikipedia as a public resource for rationality and scientific thought."

For more information about the James Randi Educational Foundation see: JREF - Home

Learn more about Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia.

Congratulations Susan and all the Guerrilla Skeptics.

Should you call an ambulance or drive a gunshot victim to the hospital?

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Life's Laws For New Adults: Mastering Your Social I.Q.

Let’s start off with a theoretical problem: 

You come out of a restaurant just as a man you do not know gets shot right in front of you. The gunman runs off and the gunshot victim and you lock eyes.

The victim is bleeding from the center of his body, you find yourself taking your shirt off, putting it to the man’s abdomen, and applying pressure. You can’t believe what is happening, as you yell, “Call a doctor! Call a doctor!”

Your thoughts are racing. “What if he bleeds out before the ambulance arrives?”

You think to yourself, “My car is right there, should I drive him to the hospital? It’s not far, but I’m not an ambulance driver. I have no idea what to do! I have no emergency medical training.” 

Should you transport a gunshot victim, or should you wait on emergency medical services?

Before you read on, take a minute to play the thought game. You desperately want to save this person’s life, what should you do? Wait for help, or get your patient to the ER?

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A study in JAMA Surgery found…

Do whatever gets the patient to the Emergency Room the fastest. For most injuries, the prehospital support of an ambulance was often best. But when it came to gunshot or knife wounds, the evidence showed that time was the most important factor. The faster the victim got to the hospital the better. 

The senior researcher, Elliott Haut, at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says:

Typically, protocols for prehospital interventions are established at a regional or statewide level, which allows first responders to determine what, if any, medical procedures should be performed prior to and during transport to the hospital, Haut says. But research studies have rarely, if ever, evaluated or compared all of the effects of system-driven pre-hospitalization policies, leaving ideal prehospital care strategies undefined, he adds.

Read the report 

I’m too bored to do this for another second!

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

I am often asked by patients, “How can I get myself to do stuff I don’t want to do?”

To this, I give the simple answer, “Switch up the stuff you’re doing, so that you aren’t totally bored.”

I am not a big believer in willpower. At best, people can only bully their way through a task for so long. Willpower may work for short bursts, mainly when you are newly motivated, but it doesn’t work in the long run.

In the real world, we often have to do stuff that needs to be done, but we get no direct reward for doing it. We like the idea of getting the boring project done, but we really don’t want to do it.

The project could be laundry, exercise, or a big report—we want it done, but we really don’t want to do it.

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Break it up into small chunks

The old question is: How do you eat an elephant? The answer: One bite at a time.

For example, if I am working on a large writing project I take regular breaks, usually every hour and fifteen minutes. Then, for the next 15 minutes, I do something else that needs to be done, such as move laundry from the washer or clean the bathroom. Yep, it’s true. I don’t want to do the laundry or clean the bathroom, but I do want it done.

After 15 minutes, I go back to my writing project. (I have a load in the dryer as we speak.)

By changing activities, I have found that I can get more done and stay motivated to complete tasks.

Research from the University of Toronto backs up my actions

University of Toronto (U of T) News reports, “…according to new University of Toronto research, there may be no noticeable dip in our motivation and ability to do something as long as we switch up tasks throughout the day.”

Dan Randles, is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Michael Inzlicht, a professor of psychology at U of T Scarborough. He says, “While people get tired doing one specific task over a period of time, we found no evidence that they had less motivation or ability to complete tasks throughout the day.”

Wiggle Balls recalled by Toys "R" Us: choking hazard to infants

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported today, October 5, 2017, a recall involving Bruin Infant Wiggle Ball toys also called a giggle ball. They were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us or Toys “R” Us.

"The firm has received six reports of rubber knobs breaking off, including four reports of pieces of the product found in children's mouths." the report said.

From the news release:

Description:
This recall involves Bruin Infant Wiggle Ball toys also called a giggle ball. The blue ball has textured bumps for gripping and has orange, green and yellow rubber knobs around the ball. The ball wiggles, vibrates and plays three different musical tunes. It has an on/off switch and requires 3 AA batteries to operate. The recalled wiggle balls have model number 5F6342E and Toys “R” Us printed on the product.

Remedy: 

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled balls, take them away from babies and return them to Babies “R” Us or Toys “R” Us for a full refund.

Incidents/Injuries: 

The firm has received six reports of rubber knobs breaking off, including four reports of pieces of the product found in children's mouths.

Sold Exclusively At:

Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us stores nationwide from June 2016 through January 2017 for about $13.

Importer(s): 

Toys “R” Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J.

Distributor(s): 

Toys “R” Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J.

Toys “R” Us at 800-869-7787 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.toysrus.com and click on Product Recalls for more information.

Manufactured In: 

China 

Units: 

About 29,700 (about 3,000 were sold in Canada)

Read the recall. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Toys-R-Us-Recalls-Infant-Wiggle-Balls

Does your dog vote “lets go” or “stay” by sneezing?

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

When it comes to domesticated dogs, there is no evidence that sneezing is used to communicate, but in the African Wild Dog population of Botswana, sneezing seems to be used to vote: “Let’s go on a hunt” or “lets not”. 

Read the article in the Proceedings of the Royal Society - Biological Sciences

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Research: Specialized talk therapy and antidepressants help children and teens

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. ~ Author of Change: How to bring real change to your life: The psychology and secrets of highly effective people

A specialized mental health treatment called, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been clinically shown, many times over the last few years, to help patients deal with common diagnoses such as depression, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders.

CBT is a form of talk therapy that teaches patients how to challenge negative patterns of thought, about themselves and their world; thoughts that often lead them to self-destructive decisions and behaviors.

This research looked at how CBT worked by itself, and with mental health medication, for childhood anxiety disorders.

The medications were:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. SSRIs slow how quickly the brain picks up serotonin from between the nerve synapsis, thus leaving more available for the nerves to use.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), is a class of antidepressants that work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters) in the brain. SNRIs slow how quickly the brain picks up serotonin and norepinephrine from between the nerve synapsis, thus leaving more available for the nerves to use. SNRIs affect a wider range of neurotransmitters and are often used with multiple types of mood disorders.

Size of the study and its findings

•This meta-analysis looked at data from 7,719 patients in 115 studies. 4290 (55.6%) were female, and the mean (range) age was 9.2 (5.4-16.1) years. A meta-analysis statistically analyzes data from multiple studies.

•When SSRIs were compared to placebo pills, this study found that SSRIs significantly reduced anxiety in patients.

•Patients in this study taking Benzodiazepines and tricyclics (Older forms of anti-anxiety medication, tranquilizers.)

•Concerning CBT the researchers wrote:

When CBT was compared with wait-listing/no treatment, CBT significantly improved primary anxiety symptoms, remission, and response. Cognitive behavioral therapy reduced primary anxiety symptoms more than fluoxetine and improved remission more than sertraline. The combination of sertraline and CBT significantly reduced clinician-reported primary anxiety symptoms and response more than either treatment alone.

•It was noted that medication had some negative side effects while CBT did not:

Adverse events were common with medications, but not with CBT, and were not severe. Studies were too small or too short to assess suicidality with SSRIs or SNRIs. One trial showed a statistically nonsignificant increase in suicidal ideation with venlafaxine [antidepressant brand name Effexor XR].

• Cognitive behavioral therapy had fewer patient dropouts than placebo pills or medications.

Read the research paper

Citation: Wang Z, Whiteside SPH, Sim L, Farah W, Morrow AS, Alsawas M, Barrionuevo P, Tello M, Asi N, Beuschel B, Daraz L, Almasri J, Zaiem F, Larrea-Mantilla L, Ponce OJ, LeBlanc A, Prokop LJ, Murad MH. Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Pharmacotherapy for Childhood Anxiety DisordersA Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. Published online August 31, 2017. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.3036

Please let me know what you think by clicking the “comments” below.