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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Uncle Sol had Chutzpah
I am regularly asked to tell the story of Uncle Sol. Here is a video of me telling the story for www.ChutzpahMarketing.com
Please feel free to pass this or any of my other blog entries along to friends, coworkers, and family.
Please feel free to pass this or any of my other blog entries along to friends, coworkers, and family.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Exaggerating Problems
Dear Dr. Phil,
My husband tells me that I am always exaggerating my problems. I know he is right but I can’t stop myself from looking at the negative side of a situation.
In all honesty, I know I am blessed, but I am constantly nit picking and grumpy.
Negative in Washington, D.C.
Often we all exaggerate a problem
Mary came into my office and growled, “I’m having a terrible day. People are sick at work and I’m picking up all the pieces. On top of all this, my back is killing me, I keep thinking I probably have liver cancer or something.”
When I talked with Mary about the specifics of her “terrible day” it turned out that in reality she had three-five minute problems that she really believed were “terrible” over the course of her day. She had 15 minutes of “terrible” in her 480 minute workday.
When Mary evaluated the day honestly she said, “Four hundred and eighty minutes? Huh… I guess 15 minutes of crap wasn’t so bad.”
With her new honest evaluation of her day, Mary’s shoulders lifted along with her spirits.
Hyperbole
When we use hyperbole, exaggeration to prove a point, we can accidentally beat ourselves up from the inside. By always focusing on the negative, we teach ourselves to only see the negative. By honestly evaluating our day, we have a greater chance to see the normal ups and downs of life.
Visit Dr.Copitch's website: www.copitchinc.com
Visit Dr.Copitch's website: www.copitchinc.com
Dealing with Fears
Dear Dr. Phil,
I am a little embarrassed to tell you this, but I need your advice. I find that I am constantly fearful. It seems that I worry incessantly about my kids, my parents, and about getting injured myself. I know it sounds crazy, but I think about accidents round the clock. I wonder all the time if I am getting sick or if I am about to have a heart attack. I have seen my doctor lots of times and it always turns out that I am healthy.
I talked to my doctor about it, and he said that it is normal to be cautious. I don’t think that he took me seriously.
Fearful in Walnut Creek, CA
Dear Fearful,
I am glad you sent me this email. This gives me a chance to talk about the very common issue of anxiety. About 10% of Americans suffer from anxiety problems. These problems range from inconvenient fears to total debilitation of a person’s life.
If your fear gets to the point of interfering with your daily activities, you may need to consult a therapist. Anxiety disorders are very treatable. I am sorry that your medical doctor didn’t take your concerns seriously. Thankfully, most MDs are good listeners and will help their patients talk about embarrassing or uncomfortable problems. If yours is not, it may be best to find another general practitioner.
Most people can get themselves easily into worry mode. If life stress is higher than normal, or there is a loss of sleep, even calm people can become worriers. I advise patients to question their own thoughts by asking themselves the following three questions. The questions are easy, it will be your answers that are hard. You will have to be totally honest with yourself.
Getting control over our own minds
1. What is the worst case scenario?
2. What is the best case scenario?
3. What is the most likely scenario?
By honestly answering these 3 questions you give yourself solid footing to define your fear.
If, after honest reflection, you come to the conclusion that worst case scenario is also the most likely scenario you have a call to action. And I do mean action. You will need to do something about your problem.
Action cures fear
Sally was concerned that the apartment complexes’ pool gate latch was not working correctly. She found herself worrying about the little children that tended to be left unsupervised in her apartment complexes’ play area. When she answered the three questions, she realized that the worst case scenario and the most likely scenario were very scary.
1. What is the worst case scenario?
“A child could drown.”
2. What is the best case scenario?
“The children are safe.”
3. What is the most likely scenario?
“The children are excited by the water, a child could drown.”
I am a little embarrassed to tell you this, but I need your advice. I find that I am constantly fearful. It seems that I worry incessantly about my kids, my parents, and about getting injured myself. I know it sounds crazy, but I think about accidents round the clock. I wonder all the time if I am getting sick or if I am about to have a heart attack. I have seen my doctor lots of times and it always turns out that I am healthy.
I talked to my doctor about it, and he said that it is normal to be cautious. I don’t think that he took me seriously.
Fearful in Walnut Creek, CA
Dear Fearful,
I am glad you sent me this email. This gives me a chance to talk about the very common issue of anxiety. About 10% of Americans suffer from anxiety problems. These problems range from inconvenient fears to total debilitation of a person’s life.
If your fear gets to the point of interfering with your daily activities, you may need to consult a therapist. Anxiety disorders are very treatable. I am sorry that your medical doctor didn’t take your concerns seriously. Thankfully, most MDs are good listeners and will help their patients talk about embarrassing or uncomfortable problems. If yours is not, it may be best to find another general practitioner.
Most people can get themselves easily into worry mode. If life stress is higher than normal, or there is a loss of sleep, even calm people can become worriers. I advise patients to question their own thoughts by asking themselves the following three questions. The questions are easy, it will be your answers that are hard. You will have to be totally honest with yourself.
Getting control over our own minds
1. What is the worst case scenario?
2. What is the best case scenario?
3. What is the most likely scenario?
By honestly answering these 3 questions you give yourself solid footing to define your fear.
If, after honest reflection, you come to the conclusion that worst case scenario is also the most likely scenario you have a call to action. And I do mean action. You will need to do something about your problem.
Action cures fear
Sally was concerned that the apartment complexes’ pool gate latch was not working correctly. She found herself worrying about the little children that tended to be left unsupervised in her apartment complexes’ play area. When she answered the three questions, she realized that the worst case scenario and the most likely scenario were very scary.
1. What is the worst case scenario?
“A child could drown.”
2. What is the best case scenario?
“The children are safe.”
3. What is the most likely scenario?
“The children are excited by the water, a child could drown.”
Sally told me about the problem.
“I talked to the apartment manager last week and he said that he was aware of the problem. He was waiting on a replacement key lock that should be coming any day now. I’m worrying myself sick. I’m constantly looking out my window hoping to God that the little kids are being supervised correctly,” Sally explained.
“I don’t want to sound harsh, but your worrying isn’t protecting the little kids. Action cures fear, what can you do to protect the little kids?”
“I talked to the manager.”
“I know you did, but you are still worrying. Worrying about a real problem from what you have told me,” I said. “Is there someone more powerful than yourself that the manager will listen to?”
“You’re right, I’m going to the fire department. The manager will listen to the fire department!”
Sally drove right over to the fire department and they dispatched a large firetruck. The gate was fixed within the hour.
Worry solves nothing. Action cures fear.
When is help needed?
If anxiety issues are taking over your life, seek help. The common symptoms of anxiety disorders are:
Ongoing and excessive worry
Feeling nervous most of the time
Feeling irritable frequently
Headaches
Unexplained sweating
Unexplained upset stomach
Trouble falling and/or staying asleep
Trembling in your arms and legs
Muscle tension (often worsens at night)
Finding yourself easily startled
Trouble concentrating
Others often tell you that you have an “unrealistic view of your problems.”
Talk with your doctor about treatment options. Therapists that specialize in anxiety disorders are available in most communities. Research has shown that cognitive -behavior therapy and/or medication treatment are helpful in treating anxiety disorders.
Common medications:
Common benzodiazepines include Xanax, Librium, Valium and Ativan.
Common Antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor, Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft.
Visit Dr. Copitch's website: www.CopitchInc.com
“I talked to the apartment manager last week and he said that he was aware of the problem. He was waiting on a replacement key lock that should be coming any day now. I’m worrying myself sick. I’m constantly looking out my window hoping to God that the little kids are being supervised correctly,” Sally explained.
“I don’t want to sound harsh, but your worrying isn’t protecting the little kids. Action cures fear, what can you do to protect the little kids?”
“I talked to the manager.”
“I know you did, but you are still worrying. Worrying about a real problem from what you have told me,” I said. “Is there someone more powerful than yourself that the manager will listen to?”
“You’re right, I’m going to the fire department. The manager will listen to the fire department!”
Sally drove right over to the fire department and they dispatched a large firetruck. The gate was fixed within the hour.
Worry solves nothing. Action cures fear.
When is help needed?
If anxiety issues are taking over your life, seek help. The common symptoms of anxiety disorders are:
Ongoing and excessive worry
Feeling nervous most of the time
Feeling irritable frequently
Headaches
Unexplained sweating
Unexplained upset stomach
Trouble falling and/or staying asleep
Trembling in your arms and legs
Muscle tension (often worsens at night)
Finding yourself easily startled
Trouble concentrating
Others often tell you that you have an “unrealistic view of your problems.”
Talk with your doctor about treatment options. Therapists that specialize in anxiety disorders are available in most communities. Research has shown that cognitive -behavior therapy and/or medication treatment are helpful in treating anxiety disorders.
Common medications:
Common benzodiazepines include Xanax, Librium, Valium and Ativan.
Common Antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor, Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft.
Visit Dr. Copitch's website: www.CopitchInc.com
Monday, November 8, 2010
Germs hide even from doctors
According to researchers in the United Kingdom, doctors that wear wristwatches while seeing patients provide a hiding place for germs. The good news was that even doctors with wristwatches had clean hands.
The researches concluded, “Wearing a wristwatch results in an increase in bacterial contamination of the wrist but excess hand contamination does not occur unless the watch is manipulated.”
Other studies have found that neckties, rings, and stethoscopes help germs move around the hospital.
Quiz yourself
Your goal is to make a hospital or medical clinic as-safe-as-possible from bacterial cross contamination. What has research shown to be disinfected only 10% of the time by nurses and doctors?
Want a few hints?
This item is becoming common in elementary schools across the United States.
Michael Douglas has had one since the The Streets of San Francisco.
You probably have one.
Germs hide - Answer
Cell Phones.
According to the researchers, “Mobile phones have become veritable reservoirs of pathogens as they touch faces, ears, lips and hands of different users with different health conditions. This infection could be reduced through identification, and control of predisposing factors, education and microbial surveillance. Most people do not understand the inherent danger in sharing phones. Sharing phones undoubtedly means cross sharing. Effective means of disinfecting cell phone should be established to reduce its potential biological hazards.”
Want to read the whole journal article? http://www.sciencepub.net/rural/0102/wro09_0102_10_69_72.pdf
The researches concluded, “Wearing a wristwatch results in an increase in bacterial contamination of the wrist but excess hand contamination does not occur unless the watch is manipulated.”
Other studies have found that neckties, rings, and stethoscopes help germs move around the hospital.
Quiz yourself
Your goal is to make a hospital or medical clinic as-safe-as-possible from bacterial cross contamination. What has research shown to be disinfected only 10% of the time by nurses and doctors?
Want a few hints?
This item is becoming common in elementary schools across the United States.
Michael Douglas has had one since the The Streets of San Francisco.
You probably have one.
Cell Phones.
According to the researchers, “Mobile phones have become veritable reservoirs of pathogens as they touch faces, ears, lips and hands of different users with different health conditions. This infection could be reduced through identification, and control of predisposing factors, education and microbial surveillance. Most people do not understand the inherent danger in sharing phones. Sharing phones undoubtedly means cross sharing. Effective means of disinfecting cell phone should be established to reduce its potential biological hazards.”
Want to read the whole journal article? http://www.sciencepub.net/rural/0102/wro09_0102_10_69_72.pdf
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Psychologist “honored” on toilet paper
Every introduction to psychology text of the last 50 years explains the groundbreaking work of John Ridley Stroop who, for his doctoral dissertation in 1933, described the phenomena of cognitive interference. First published in 1935, Stoop showed that the human brain has a tendency to be “tricked” and that this tendency is measurable.
In Stroop’s experiment, subjects were shown words that were printed in color. When the ink color did not match the word, the subject tended to read the word incorrectly.
For example, if you are asked to name the ink color of the following words:
Cognitive tests based on Stroop’s work are still used today. The amount of time it takes to answer the question of ink color versus written printed word can be used as a measure of mental fitness. As our society ages, this non invasive mental evaluation is being used increasingly as part of mental status exams.
On the assumption that mental exercises can help stave off mental aliments, game manufacturers have incorporated Stroop’s research in to modern electronic games. Nintendo sells "Brain Age" with the slogan "Train your brain in minutes a day!" It features a version a Stroop test.
A novelty company in England has added the Stroop test to toilet paper called, Mind Trainer Toilet Paper. Their slogan is “Train your brain as you drain."
In Stroop’s experiment, subjects were shown words that were printed in color. When the ink color did not match the word, the subject tended to read the word incorrectly.
For example, if you are asked to name the ink color of the following words:
Red
Blue
Your confusion when answering the question of color is noticeable while your brain sorts out the printed word “red” from the color “green.”On the assumption that mental exercises can help stave off mental aliments, game manufacturers have incorporated Stroop’s research in to modern electronic games. Nintendo sells "Brain Age" with the slogan "Train your brain in minutes a day!" It features a version a Stroop test.
A novelty company in England has added the Stroop test to toilet paper called, Mind Trainer Toilet Paper. Their slogan is “Train your brain as you drain."
Friday, November 5, 2010
Quitting Smoking Tips from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these tips to stop smoking.
Are you one of many smokers who want to quit? Then try following this advice.
1. Don’t smoke any number or any kind of cigarette. Smoking even a few cigarettes a day can hurt your health. If you try to smoke fewer cigarettes, but do not stop completely, you’ll soon be smoking the same amount again.
Smoking "low-tar, low-nicotine" cigarettes usually does little good either. Because nicotine is so addictive, if you switch to lower-nicotine brands you'll likely just puff harder, longer, and more often on each cigarette. The only safe choice is to quit completely.
2. Write down why you want to quit. Do you want to—
Feel in control of you life?
Have better health?
Set a good example for your children?
Protect your family from breathing other people’s smoke?
Really wanting to quit smoking is key to how much success you will have in quitting. Smokers who survive a heart attack are the most likely to quit for good—they're very motivated. Find a reason for quitting before you have no choice.
3. Know that it will take effort to quit smoking. Nicotine is habit forming. Half of the battle in quitting is knowing you need to quit. This knowledge will help you be more able to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal that can occur, such as bad moods and really wanting to smoke. There are many ways smokers quit, including using nicotine replacement products (gum and patches), but there is no easy way. Nearly all smokers have some feelings of nicotine withdrawal when they try to quit. Give yourself a month to get over these feelings. Take quitting one day at a time, even one minute at a time—whatever you need to succeed.
4. Half of all adult smokers have quit, so you can too. That’s the good news. There are millions of people alive today who have learned to face life without a cigarette. For staying healthy, quitting smoking is the best step you can take.
5. Get help if you need it. Many groups offer written materials, programs, and advice to help smokers quit for good. Your doctor or dentist is also a good source of help and support.
Lots more info at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/index.htm
Are you one of many smokers who want to quit? Then try following this advice.
1. Don’t smoke any number or any kind of cigarette. Smoking even a few cigarettes a day can hurt your health. If you try to smoke fewer cigarettes, but do not stop completely, you’ll soon be smoking the same amount again.
Smoking "low-tar, low-nicotine" cigarettes usually does little good either. Because nicotine is so addictive, if you switch to lower-nicotine brands you'll likely just puff harder, longer, and more often on each cigarette. The only safe choice is to quit completely.
2. Write down why you want to quit. Do you want to—
Feel in control of you life?
Have better health?
Set a good example for your children?
Protect your family from breathing other people’s smoke?
Really wanting to quit smoking is key to how much success you will have in quitting. Smokers who survive a heart attack are the most likely to quit for good—they're very motivated. Find a reason for quitting before you have no choice.
3. Know that it will take effort to quit smoking. Nicotine is habit forming. Half of the battle in quitting is knowing you need to quit. This knowledge will help you be more able to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal that can occur, such as bad moods and really wanting to smoke. There are many ways smokers quit, including using nicotine replacement products (gum and patches), but there is no easy way. Nearly all smokers have some feelings of nicotine withdrawal when they try to quit. Give yourself a month to get over these feelings. Take quitting one day at a time, even one minute at a time—whatever you need to succeed.
4. Half of all adult smokers have quit, so you can too. That’s the good news. There are millions of people alive today who have learned to face life without a cigarette. For staying healthy, quitting smoking is the best step you can take.
5. Get help if you need it. Many groups offer written materials, programs, and advice to help smokers quit for good. Your doctor or dentist is also a good source of help and support.
Lots more info at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/index.htm
Tobacco Use in the United States
Current* Smokers
19.8% of U.S. adults (43.4 million people 18 years of age and older)1
20.0% of high school students2
36.4% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults1
21.4% of white adults1
19.8% of African American adults1
13.3% of Hispanic adults1
9.6% of Asian American adults (excluding Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders)1
*Current smokers are defined as persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime and who, at the time of interview, reported smoking every day or some days.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. 2008;57(45):1221–1226 [accessed 2009 Mar 31].
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette Use Among High School Students—United States, 1991–2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. 2008;57(25):689–691 [accessed 2009 Mar 31].
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