What is autism?
What is autism? Ruth Shidlo, PhD Autism is considered to be a neurologically-based, developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood. Even if recognized and diagnosed later, signs and symptoms from childhood must be present, according to DSM-V (2013), a psychiatric manual commonly used in diagnosis of mental conditions. The multi-disciplinary diagnostic team (e.g., psychologist, […]
Avoidance
Ruth Shidlo, PhD Manifestations of avoidance Have you ever postponed something you needed to do? Put it off for another day when your energy level is greater? Procrastination is best understood as avoidance. So what is it that are we attempting to avoid? What is avoidance and how do we understand it? Avoidance refers to […]
Some Myths and Research Findings Regarding Parental Alienation
Some Myths and Research Findings Regarding Parental Alienation Ruth Shidlo, PhD Millions of children worldwide are forced to accept parental divorce as part of their lives. Often, an arrangement is achieved in which the child either lives with and/or sees both parents regularly, via some form of benign custody arrangment. However, in all too many […]
Neural Exercises to Improve Self-Regulation
Neural Exercises to Improve Self-Regulation Ruth Shidlo, PhD No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main … John Donne Prevalence, Epidemiology and Comorbidity Self-regulation is crucial, but throughout life, we also need each other for co-regulation. Initially the co-regulation our primary caregivers […]
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression? Ruth Shidlo, PhD Did you know that the majority of new mothers may experience a period of so-called “baby blues,” sometimes lasting up to ten days? Often peaking during the fourth day, this syndrome may include irritability, weeping, sadness, anxiety and confusion. This mood disturbance is transient, does not affect […]
Egg, Sperm and Embryo Donation —The Importance of Genetic Information and Screening
Egg, Sperm and Embryo Donation —The Importance of Genetic Information and Screening Ruth Shidlo, PhD A gene is made of DNA and constitutes the basic unit of heredity. Humans have between 20,000 – 25,000 different genes, each of which has two copies — one from each biological parent. Although most genes are the same in […]
The window of the soul: From connection to protection and back
The window of the soul: From connection to protection and back Ruth Shidlo, PhD By poet and scientist alike, the face (and in particular the eyes) is considered the window of the soul, allowing us to look outside us, while others, in turn, “read” our facial expressions as best they can (with the help of […]
Nightmares and their treatment
Nightmares and their treatment Nightmares Ruth Shidlo, PhD During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, it is thought that we digest and process the daily residue of experiences that accumulated during the day, and perhaps, additional experiences as well, upon dreaming. When people are deprived of REM sleep, they tend to become irritable and are less […]
Living with cancer: a new reality
Living with cancer: a new reality Living with cancer Ruth Shidlo, PhD Improved awareness in both the general public and the medical profession, as well as constant advances in diagnosis and treatment, are making it possible for more and more people to survive cancer (an umbrella term for many diseases) and live longer. After the […]
Social anxiety
Social anxiety Social anxiety (formerly called “social phobia”) Ruth Shidlo, PhD Social anxiety is not the same as shyness. It is characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations (e.g., school, work). For example, the person may fear and avoid public speaking, or go through it yet experience it as a taxing […]