A case for family treatment

We cannot escape family. Their presence or absence will always impact us on some level because family is interconnected in a way that nothing else is. It’s foundational to who we are. A family can be composed in many ways – with blood being only one possible tie – and we will all have different “families” throughout our lifetimes. Sometimes we may be more alone than others, but we all started in a family and that is paramount to the people we become.

There’s an analogy that compares a family to a mobile or a wind chime. There are independent units, but you can’t move one without moving the others. Everything we do impacts our families – and everything they do impacts us. For instance, if a child graduates high school and moves out to go to college, the family has to readjust to the environment without that person. This can mean practical changes, such as redistributing chores, or emotional ones, like when the sibling closest to the one who moved feels left out and has to form new bonds with the remaining family.

  

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There’s a concept in psychology called the “identified patient” (IP). The IP is the family member who has a “problem.” This could be an alcoholic parent, a child failing out of school or someone struggling with physical or mental illness. Everyone else in the family can convince themselves that they are okay because they are not the IP. In this way, all the problems of the entire family get shifted on to one person. 

This isn’t done with bad intentions. Often, the family has benevolent or fond feelings for the IP. A wife will make excuses for her partner’s absences due to a drug problem in order to save face or get him off the hook. A parent gives a child lots of attention because she’s acting out at school. A teenager is happy to have an ill brother because he distracts the parents so she can rebel. This isn’t the family being mean. It’s the family adjusting.

These adjustments that are made for the IP do, however, have consequences. The wife is saving the husband from the repercussions of his drug problem, enabling him to continue to use. The siblings of the “problem child” feel like their parents don’t care about them. The sister gets in trouble because the parents were busy caring for the sick brother. Trying to cover up the problem is just creating more problems, but because they aren’t the IP, the other family members eschew their own troubles in favor of those of the IP.

Remember that mobile? One person “moves” by having a problem and everyone else shifts their problems somewhere else. 

This brings up the question of where the real problem lies. Is the identified patient of concern, or is it the family as a whole? What starts out as an obstacle for one family member can set off a chain reaction wherein everyone becomes involved.

So what happens when the IP gets better? First of all, the family often stands in the way of the IP improving. If her problems are resolved, then theirs become real again. While the family wants what’s best for the IP, they also want to retain the balance they have established. They might even fear becoming the next IP because the family doesn’t know how to function without one. 

This is why family treatment is so important. It allows all the cards to be put on the table, making it easier to notice connections between family members and their various problems. Sometimes, having a mental health professional take a look at your family unit as a whole can help all of the family better understand what is going on and how to make the family healthier. Everyone’s problems get a chance to be addressed, not just the IP. A good therapist will know not to blame the IP for everything.

   

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Family treatment can cause upset, though. It’s a time of change as new habits and coping skills need to be put in place. It will bring out all sorts of things that no one knew were there and things might even feel worse for a while. But having the family unit heal both individually and as a whole is worth it. There is no price for having stronger, healthier bonds and better problem management. 

When each family member learns to see what he contributes to the problem, he can learn valuable information about how he relates to others, which will be useful in any type of relationship. As she examines her real issues and how she displaces them, she can learn to take more responsibility and thereby have more control over her life. None of us exist in isolation and none of us can heal that way.
                                                                                                                   Individual and common concerns are intricately
                                                                                                                   interwoven.

Even if all the family members aren’t struggling, consider getting treatment together anyway. If nothing else, the love and support shown by joining the treatment is irreplaceable. There is work that simply cannot be done in individual therapy. Besides, by learning healthier patterns, you can improve the lives of the generations to come by having and teaching the skills necessary to have a healthy and happy family.

Have you had any experiences with family treatment? Post your experience in the comments.

10 commonly used psychological assessments

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Sometimes, meeting with a client in therapy isn’t enough for a therapist to know what is going on. You are seeing someone out of her regular context, moved into a intrusive (though supportive) environment. You aren’t the same self in therapy as you are the rest of the time, so it can be good to get a closer look at traits and symptoms. If your therapist needs more insight into your situation, he might request that you take one or a series of assessments. Following are some of the most widely used ones.

1. Clinical interviews

Clinical interviews are a series of set questions that focus on any symptoms you may have, helping the clinician better assess if you have a diagnosable disorder. During the interview, you will be asked open-ended questions. The interviews generally last between 30 minutes and two hours. Sometimes, the clinician that is administering the test will assess 

attitudes, appearances and behaviors in order to 

supplement the verbal answers given.

2. Screening inventories 

A screening inventory is an assessment that is looking at client symptoms and distress. They can be used both to diagnose mental illnesses and to look at therapy progress and outcomes, depending on the test and context you are taking it in. For instance, the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) can be used before each session to check in on where the client is at. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) might be used to get a better handle on a client’s depression symptoms. The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) might be used to look at a number of symptom clusters while conducting a psychological study. There are a wide variety of tests to suit many purposes.

3. Rorschach test

The Rorschach test (also known as the inkblot test) is perhaps the most famous psychological test of all time. It is a projective assessment wherein the subject is shown a series of symmetrical images created by ink on paper. The subject says what she sees in the images and the test administrator will write down everything, no matter how trivial it may seem. These statements are later interpreted in regards to personality, emotional functioning and to detect thought disorders. 

4. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

The TAT is another projective assessment. In this one, the subject is shown ambiguous images of people. The client will tell the proctor stories about the individuals the pictures, which can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. This test is considered a glimpse into the subconscious and the way people see the world. It has been used to study a variety of items, such as motives, concerns, personality and emotional stability. 

5. Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB)

A third commonly used projective test is the RISB. In this assessment, the subject is given a list of 40 sentence stems, or incomplete sentences. These are deliberately vague and encompass such phrases as, “I need…,” “Other people…” and “My greatest fear…”. The subject simply completes the sentences however he wants. There is not much in terms of standardized scoring, but themes will emerge, such as a preoccupation with ones appearance or social anxiety. These can help the therapist better tailor treatment to areas of concern. 

                                                                                                                   6. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

   

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The WAIS, currently in its fourth edition, is an intelligence test. It measures raw intelligence and gives you an IQ score. The average IQ is 100. It focuses on a variety of areas, including working memory, processing speed, arithmetic and vocabulary. It has questions ranging from picture completion to finding similarities between words. This test measures your aptitude, not how well you are actually doing in the areas tested.

7. Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities

The Woodcock-Johnson, in contrast to the WAIS, is made to measure cognitive performance. It shows how well you actually do in the areas of math, reading and writing. You may score higher or lower than your actual IQ would indicate; for this reason, it can be useful in identifying learning disorders. 

8. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

The MMPI is the most commonly used psychological test. It is used to assess personality and psychopathology. Depending on the version of the test you take, you answer either 338 or 567 true or false questions about yourself. This is used to gauge your level of pathology in areas such as depression, hysteria and paranoia. Based on the areas you have the highest scores in, a portrait of your personality and psychological issues can be made. There is also an adolescent version of this assessment, the MMPI-A, which is 478 items long.

9. Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI)

Used strictly to assess psychopathology, the MCMI does not tell you about personality in the same way the MMPI does. It has a clear focus on psychological symptoms, as it identifies personality disorders and clinical syndromes. It is, however, much shorter than the MMPI, only having 175 true or false questions that can generally be answered in 25-30 minutes. The adolescent version of this assessment is called the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) and is 160 items long.

10. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

This test is designed to be used with minors, starting as young as 18 months of age. A parent or caregiver takes the test and reports social, behavioral and emotional observations of the subject. There are also versions of the test that can be filled out by teachers or the youth themselves. The assessment asks how true certain statements are, such as “talks or walks in sleep” or “acts too young for his/her age.” Because parents and teachers have higher access to the youth than the therapist does, it can be helpful to get input from someone used to seeing the child in other settings. 

Have you taken any psychological assessments? Did you learn anything interesting about yourself? Talk about it in the comments. 

Diagnosis spotlight: depersonalization/derealization disorder

We all experience dissociation in some way or another. It can be as simple as highway hypnosis, where you suddenly realize you’ve driven for miles without noticing, and as complicated as dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. Somewhere in-between, there is depersonalization/derealization disorder.

First of all, what are depersonalization and derealization?

Depersonalization refers to a distortion in self-awareness. You are, in a sense, unfamiliar with yourself. One typically experiences detachment from the body or the sense that it is unreal. It can even mean watching yourself from outside your body. The self just doesn’t feel real and things might seem like a part of a dream. It can also be watching yourself go about your day and making decisions, but not really feeling in control. Time might also be distorted and there can be physical and/or emotional numbing. 

Derealization is when everything else doesn’t feel real. Your surroundings might feel foggy, distorted, unreal or, again, like a dream. People, places and things that may be familiar seem strange or surreal. It’s hard to fully perceive the world around yourself and it might seem like you are watching everything through a filter of sorts. It can be like living in a bubble. What is around you is very separate from you and it can be hard to fully engage in life. 

Depersonalization/derealization disorder means having episodes of one or both of these. It can be accompanied with a feeling that you’re “going crazy.” There might also be vague physical symptoms, like tingling or lightheadedness. It is often associated with anxiety and/or depression. 

Approximately one-half of adults have had an episode of depersonalization or derealization. It happens. But when it is recurring or even constant, it can become pathological. Onset is almost always before age 25, so it’s something that can be experienced from a very young age. Childhood trauma is considered one of the causes of depersonalization and derealization, but it can happen without it. Symptoms can also be caused by physical conditions or substance use, so those need to be ruled out. Episodes are often preceded by high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, traumatic events (or reminders of them) and/or drug use.

Both therapy and medication are used to treat depersonalization/derealization disorder. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy allows people to reinterpret the symptoms and psychodynamic therapy can look at unresolved and suppressed internal conflicts. Medication-wise, nothing has been approved specifically for the treatment of this disorder, but anxiety medication and anti-depressants have shown some success. There is also research supporting the use of lamotrigine, an anti-convulsant typically used to treat epilepsy. Using grounding techniques can also be very helpful.

Having the experiences of depersonalization and derealization can be very frightening. But it is a recognized mental health condition and a notable amount of people experience it. If you feel like the symptoms described apply to you, please talk to a doctor or therapist. It is possible to gain control over it enough to where it is not interfering with your life, if it doesn’t go away altogether. 

Have you experienced depersonalization or derealization? What was it like for you? Share your experience in the comments.

7 signs of abuse in children

Child abuse is one of the greater evils in society. It can be incredibly damaging to children and affect them for the rest of their lives. This is why it’s so important to catch abuse as often or early as possible. Here are some signs to look out for. (This list is by no means comprehensive.) 

1. Problems regulating emotions

It’s hard for abused children to safely express emotions, so they might have outbursts of strong feelings. This can manifest in their behavior as well. When the child does something somewhat explosive, try to find out what feelings were behind it. This trouble regulating emotions can continue into adulthood.

 

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2. Excessive fear of doing something wrong

When a child has a strong fear of doing something wrong, it might be because she is used to being punished for her mistakes and shortcomings. Even trivial decisions might be difficult due to fear of making the wrong choice. This fear might also manifest as being withdrawn or anxious. It might be a fear related to a certain type of choices or a generalized fear.

3. Unexplained physical injuries

Look for bruises, cuts and other injuries. If the child has no explanation – or provides an unconvincing one – monitor it. If there is abuse in the home, it may be continuous, leading the child to have frequent injuries. Accident proneness is one thing, but that will have more credible explanations (though it might still indicate neglect). 

4. Extremes in behavior

Another sign of abuse in children is that they are very extreme in their behaviors. This can go either way. They might be very rigid or they might be disorganized. They can be excessively obedient or completely rebellious. If a child is “too much” of anything and completely lacks the ability to navigate a middle ground, it’s a bad sign.

5. Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge

If a child seems to know a lot more about sex than he should, it might be a sign of sexual abuse. This can manifest both verbally and in behaviors. They might have a lack of appropriate physical boundaries with others or even be overtly seductive. This can, however, also swing to the other extreme, where the child is wary of touch in general.

6. Avoiding someone specific

A child may be trying to escape abuse by avoiding the abuser as much as she can. If there is no obvious reason for the child to avoid this person, it’s worth looking into. This is more than just going to his room because he doesn’t feel like being around someone. The child might hide when the person is nearby or even run away from home.

7. Regressing to earlier behaviors

An abused child might use coping skills from a younger age. This might include wetting the bed, fear of the dark, thumb-sucking, needing a comfort object and clinginess. It can even extend to the child being less skilled in language usage, talking like someone who is younger. It is especially worrying if the child has quit the behavior before, but is returning to it.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, you need to contact someone. A good starting point is a child abuse hotline. In the U.S., the national number is 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). If you live elsewhere, search online for a number or contact local authorities. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to children who might continue to be hurt if you don't seek help.

Do you feel like you could notice if a child is being abused? Talk about what helps identify these children in the comments.

Are antidepressants safe for youth?

Antidepressants are used both as first line and adjunct treatment for depression. The most commonly used type is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. A simplified explanation of how SSRIs work can be found here. These drugs are also used to treat other mental health conditions, mostly anxiety disorders. It does takes several weeks for the positive effects of the medication to manifest, at least with depression.

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All medications come with certain risks and side-effects. SSRIs, however, can be extra hard on children, teens and young adults. The FDA has issued a black box warning on all SSRIs, which is its strongest warning. It states that taking these medications can cause an increase in suicidality in those up to age 25. 

This warning is issued because 4 percent of children treated with SSRI medication experience suicidal thinking and behavior (including attempts). This is twice the rate of those who took a placebo (sugar pill). So while the odds of having this reaction to an anti-depressant are low, it is important to watch for, especially in the first month or two and around dosage changes. 

It is believed that the benefits of taking an SSRI outweighs the risks. And it is true that it is a fairly rare reaction. But without discouraging antidepressant use, I want to stress how real that suicidality can be. I was 20 the first time I took an SSRI and there was a marked difference in my level of suicidality. I went from thinking about dying to planning on it. As soon as I realized this, I contacted my psychiatrist and he reduced the dosage. I had to be watched for a few days, but it got better.

What I learned from that is to not go through medication changes alone. Let important people in your life know about the change. These include family, significant others, therapists and other healthcare providers. When symptoms become worse, it can be hard to reach out for help. If others are looking out for you, it is much safer to go through medication changes. They can notice if you change and help make sure you talk to your healthcare provider.

Suicidality isn’t the only side effect of medications. Even in adults, SSRIs can make you more depressed before you get better. I’m now 26, but I let my mom, boyfriend and therapist know every time I go through a medication change, even if it’s just changing the dosage of something I’m already on. No matter what you are taking – whether it’s for a physical condition or a mental one – I think it’s good to tell those who will be around you the most. 

So are SSRIs safe for those under 25? For the most part. Just monitor any adjustments very closely. If you are thinking of taking or having your child take antidepressants, mention any concerns you have to your prescribing physician. She can help you make a plan for how to handle any side-effects that might come up.

Have you taken antidepressants while under the age of 25? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.

"Mom, Dad, can I have a therapist?"

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With the prevalence of mental health issues in children and adolescents, it’s important to seek help. Since research shows that half of all lifetime mental illnesses start before the age of 14, ignoring potential problems at a young age can lead to a lifetime of difficulties. It’s easier to treat symptoms when they are first appearing rather than waiting for a full-blown disorder to develop. 

Kids/teens: Asking for help is hard. Really hard. I know it is because I've had to do it. The systems that are in place to help you won't always work. Frankly, I'm surprised that some of the assignments I did in high school didn't lead to an after-class talk or referral to a counselor. Unfortunately, not being taken seriously can lead to an escalation in symptoms as you try to get someone to understand that you are
                                                                                                                experiencing internal distress.

If mental health issues are not prevalent in your family (or simply ignored and under-recognized), it can be a challenge to get taken seriously. A sixteen-year-old with mood swings? Nothing new. But when those "mood swings" involve not sleeping for a week followed by two months where all you want is to stay in bed, you probably need some help from someone. If your parents won’t listen, try talking to a trusted teacher or a school counselor. Seek help from the adults in your life that you feel comfortable with. And don’t give up. If you know something is wrong, it’s worth pushing until someone will listen because it will save you so much trouble in the long run.

Parents: Listen to your kids. Going in for an evaluation or talking to the school counselor won't kill you. A "better safe than sorry" approach (within reasonable limits) can save your child years of suffering. Since they are not finished developing both physically and mentally, where they're at is critical. Make sure they are at the best place possible. 

If you think your child might be struggling with symptoms of mental illness, try to find out as much as you can. Look for both patterns of behavior and out-of-character actions. Talk to teachers or others who spend significant time with your child. Ask what they have observed. Keep track of everything you notice and find out. Then talk to your doctor or health care provider. Depending on what she sees, she can make referrals to specialists or local resources.

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Look for ways to make it easier for your child. When you know what is going on, talk to his school to find out what they can do to accommodate him. Create a supportive and safe home environment. If there are extracurriculars or other activities that are causing problems, consider withdrawing your child. Show her that her mental health matters and that it’s healthy and good to take care of yourself. 

As part of your child’s treatment, consider looking at the whole family. Going to family therapy may be helpful because your child’s condition is not happening in isolation. In addition, all family members are impacted by the struggles of one. A good counselor will not merely single out the child with the problem, but will look at how the family as a whole can be healthier. 

The most important thing you can do is to take your child’s mental health seriously. Seek appropriate treatment from licensed professionals. Well-intentioned religious leaders or other significant adult figures can be helpful, but are not substitutes for professional help. Listen to specialists regarding treatment recommendations. By showing that you are taking your child seriously, you are helping him see that he and his health matter, which is a lesson that is valuable across the lifetime.

What have you found helpful in getting children and adolescents mental health help? Answer in the comments.

Mental health myths: children and mental illness

I am taking some time to discuss issues related to childhood and adolescent mental health. Let’s start with a very basic mental health myth.

Myth: Children cannot develop mental illnesses.

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Fact: A significant number of children and teens struggle with mental health issues. 

Sadly, being a minor does not eliminate the possibility of having mental health issues. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 13 percent of kids and teens between the ages of 8 and 15 struggle with a severe mental health condition. For teens between 13 and 18, that number increases to 20 percent. And those are just severe conditions – there are even more that are struggling with mild and moderate mental health issues.

There are dozens of diagnoses that are considered childhood disorders. These include learning disorders, but also conditions related to development, attachment, behavior, and more. In addition, mental illnesses that adults get can have separate diagnostic criteria for childhood versions of the same condition.

By some estimates, there are more children suffering from mental illnesses than physical ones in North America. These conditions can be devastating not only to children, but to entire families. When one family member struggles with mental illness, it affects the whole family. The family dynamic is disrupted and other family members can experience stress, anger, guilt, shame or denial. It is therefore important for everyone’s needs to be considered, not just those of the one struggling with mental health issues.

By being young, kids and teens won't always have the perspective of knowing what is and isn't normal in terms of their psychological health. We assume that others are like us, so until someone points out that, no, most people don't have to wash their hands repetitively, they might think it's the standard. Some children have never really had a chance to not struggle with mental health, so they don’t know that there is something wrong. That’s why it’s so important for adults to look for signs of mental illness in children.

Some symptoms to watch out for in children and teens include:

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• Being unable to cope with everyday problems.

• Not doing well at school (especially if the child is really trying).

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Loss of interest in activities and friends.

• Persistent negative moods.

• Sleep problems, including disrupted sleep, nightmares and sleepwalking.

• Frequent physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches.

• Changes in eating habits.

• Unwarranted amounts of worry and anxiety.

• Regressing to behaviors of a younger age, such as becoming clingy or bedwetting.

• Risk-taking behavior.

• Repeated anger outbursts.

• Frequent disobedience and aggressive behavior.

• Self-injury.
• Substance abuse.

• Unusual amounts of time spent alone.

• Disproportionately intense feelings.

• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

Take these symptoms seriously. On Saturday, there will be a post detailing how to get help when children and teens experience mental health concerns.

Do you have an experience with childhood or adolescent mental illness that you’d like to share? Please post in the comments.

Childhood Disability Rates Rising For The Past 10 Years

A recent study shows a rise among children with disabilities over the past 10 years. The same study also revealed that disabilities relating to physical health conditions have decreased, while disabilities relating to neurodevelopment and mental health have increased dramatically. In addition, the most significant increase has occurred among children from higher-income families.

Lead author Amy J. Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH, chief, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine admits that previous studies have already demonstrated that the prevalence of childhood disability is on the rise. "Nearly 6 million kids had a disability in 2009-2010 -- almost 1 million more than in 2001-2002" says Houtrow.

Results were derived from the analysis of data gathered from 102,468 parents of children ages 0-17 years of age that participated in the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2001-2002 and survey data from 2009-2010.

The surveys questioned parents on whether their child…

• had any limitations in play or activity
• received special education services
• needed help with personal care
• had difficulty walking without equipment
• had difficulty with memory
• had any other limitation

If parents responded yes to any of the preceding questions, the surveys questioned whether their child's limitations were due to…

• a vision or hearing problem
• an asthma or breathing problem
• a joint, bone or muscle problem
• an intellectual deficit or mental retardation
• an emotional or behavioral problem
• epilepsy
• a learning disability
• a speech problem
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• a birth defect
• an injury
• some other developmental problem

Meanwhile, researchers classified conditions into three groups:

1. Physical
2. neurodevelopmental/mental health
3. other

Their research uncovered that “the prevalence of disability increased by 16.3% from 2001-2002 to 2009-2010”. In particular, the neurodevelopmental and mental health-related disabilities increased while those disabilities resulting from physical conditions had decreased over the decade. Remarkably, the increase was most significant among children less than 6 years of age, as their rate of neurodevelopmental disabilities nearly doubled over the decade.

Furthermore, results demonstrated higher rates of disabilities among children living in poverty over the entire period of study without any real increase; however the highest rate of growth was identified among children living in higher income households (i.e. household incomes at or above 300% of the federal poverty level or $66,000 a year for a family of four).

Unfortunately, Dr. Houtrow states: "the survey did not break out autism, but we suspect that some of the increase in neurodevelopmental disabilities is due to the rising incidence or recognition of autism spectrum disorders".

Evidently this study has put a broader perspective on an area in desperate need of research. The study leaves the several unanswered questions. Why are rates of disabilities rising among children? What could these demographics really mean? Could it be that children living in poverty are simply being undiagnosed? Could it be that affluent families are more persistent in obtaining a diagnosis? Could there be other reasons or factors yet to be revealed?

Childhood Disability Rate Jumps 16 Percent Over Past Decade

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Early Emotional Neglect May Predict Strokes

New research conducted by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center suggests that emotionally neglected children are at risk of stroke as adults. 

"Studies have shown that children who were neglected emotionally in childhood are at an increased risk of a slew of psychiatric disorders. However, our study is one of few that looked at an association between emotional neglect and stroke," said study author Robert S. Wilson, PhD, a neuropsychologist at Rush.

Researchers’ selected 1,040 participants aged 55+ without dementia from the Memory and Aging Project were surveyed on physical and emotional abuse before the age of 18. Participants were questioned on such areas as how much love they felt from their parents or caregivers as children, whether they felt afraid or intimidated by their caregivers, the method of physical punishment suffered and other questions relating to divorce and family finances.

The participants were followed over a period of 3.5 years. In that time, 257 participants had died. Of the deceased participants, only 192 had brain autopsies, which revealed that 89 of them had experienced strokes. Furthermore, forty of the participants were said to have had strokes based on medical history or an examination.

Furthermore, participants that expressed moderately high levels of emotional neglect in childhood were nearly 3 times more likely to experience a stroke than those reporting moderately low levels of emotional childhood neglect, even when other factors such as diabetes, physical activity, smoking, anxiety and heart problems were controlled.

"The results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that early life factors such as traumatic childhood experiences influence the development of physical illness and common chronic conditions of old age" says Dr. David A. Bennett, director of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and co-author of the study

Of course results may not be completely reliable since this study relies on a self-report of recalled events many years later, which may be even further clouded given the nature of the potentially traumatic memories.

Emotional Neglect in Children Linked to Increased Stroke Risk Later in Life

© www.mentalhealthblog.com