tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61280814593389928892023-07-30T09:32:07.586-04:00News and viewsThe purposes are to present self-help tips, some behavioral research findings, book reviews, as well as to give people a sense of who I am, and to write about what it means to be human.
Mike Miller, PhDMike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-8399362511867207082012-07-15T12:36:00.001-04:002012-07-15T12:36:22.841-04:00Beginning to Make ChangesPerhaps the most difficult part of making changes is persistence. Human nature is to continue to do what we automatically do (habit). Change means establishing new habits. This requires intention and persistence. Gently (and sometimes NOT so gently) reminding ourselves of our goals helps maintain our motivation.
One of the tricks to successfully make changes is to approach tasks as Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-88599968845933303342012-07-15T12:24:00.001-04:002012-07-15T12:24:24.406-04:00New PostingsMy intent is to resume posting in the remainder of 2012.Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-78210548274150500862012-07-15T12:12:00.000-04:002012-07-15T12:12:47.443-04:00New West Side AddressAs of July 1, 2012 I now spend two days a week in Westlake, OH - 30400 Detroit Rd. #301 and am no longer in Rocky River, OH.
I now spend three days in Independence, OH - 6133 Rockside Rd. #207.
The phone number remains (216) 520-5969.Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-25017825123054013482011-09-07T20:28:00.002-04:002011-09-07T20:32:57.043-04:00Paradox of Exposure and AcceptancePsychologist Reid Wilson states that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety "Wins," i.e. maintains and gets stronger, by making the rules of the "game." By making the rules, it always wins. He sees the rules as: 1. Be careful or you might cause a horrible problem OR you have already harmed someone. 2. If a fearful thought ("content") occurs, take it seiously. 3.Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-32188566161159241072010-01-26T08:01:00.003-05:002010-01-26T08:05:07.109-05:00Comments on HaitiIf nothing else, the recent earthquake in Haiti should give us perspective with all that we have in our lives. We can focus on the stock markets correction or other negative things. But, we are alive. Our economy didn't collapse. We have clean water and food. We didn't lose our homes.Most of us were born in the United States. Perhaps by accident? Why weren't WE born in Haiti? Or in DarfurMike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-6180623272330504942010-01-14T06:19:00.006-05:002010-01-14T06:30:59.967-05:00Commentary About Study Questioning Anti-Depressants Effectiveness for Mild to Moderate DepressionAn article just published in The American Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) questions the efficacy of the use of anti-depressant medications (ADM) with mild to moderate depressions. The article is not an easy read! Here is an abstract from JAMA.It looked at six studies with randomized control groups. Three of the studies evaluated imipramine (an older anti-depressant) and three evaluated Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-49606224783804565362010-01-08T09:56:00.003-05:002010-01-08T10:06:21.201-05:00email reponse to feature on depression by WCPNThis morning, there was a segment on depression treatments on our local public radio station (WCPN). It was 99% about medical (brief reference to exercise at end) treatments, i.e., anti-depressants, deep brain stimulation, etc. This unbalanced and shallow report bothered me enough to email WCPN. Below is the email I sent to them. I am interested in how YOU feel about this.Your brief report on Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-68414053472706792722009-12-05T17:27:00.003-05:002009-12-05T17:40:41.222-05:00Seasonal Affective Disorder for Dummies book reviewWhile some may be put off by the “For Dummies” series title, I have found most to be excellent starting points. Seasonal Affective Disorder for Dummies by Laura Smith and Charles Elliot is where I would suggest you begin if you have questions or interest in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It references up to date research in a practical, readable manner. It is very well organized and Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-22375737784294368362009-11-24T07:44:00.004-05:002009-11-24T09:20:24.716-05:00Winter Blues book reviewWinter Blues (Revised 2006) by Norman Rosenthal, MD is THE classic book on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Rosenthal started his psychiatric career as a research fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and was one of the original researchers. In this addition, he also references his own experiences with SAD and what has been helpful to himself.While the main thrust is on Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-4025670258335787432009-11-18T08:11:00.004-05:002009-11-18T08:34:46.197-05:00Reducing further suicide attemptsSuicide is the fourth leading cause of death for those under 65! A study in Philadelphia showed that recent suicide attempters treated with cognitive therapy (CT) were 50 percent less likely to try to kill themselves again within 18 months than those who did not receive the therapy. People were recruited for this study in the emergency room, following a suicide attempt. One hundred and twenty Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-2838097123391609522009-10-11T23:31:00.008-04:002009-10-11T23:55:11.078-04:00Review of the Legend of Bagger VanceDirected by Robert Redford, this is an unusual tale of a champion golfer who comes back from WW I a broken man after all of his men were killed in one battle. Retreating into the bottle for over a decade, he is rescued by a golf exhibition, the support of Savannah (his hometown), and the life lessons from Will Smith. Smith plays Bagger Vance, who is the mystical caddy who helps Matt Damon's Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-57464696663728146232009-10-10T10:06:00.005-04:002009-10-10T10:19:12.720-04:00INSPIRING VideoWatch this and then try to NOT count your blessings. I don't think that can be done.To all of you who feel like giving up. VideoBest wishes,Mikehttp://drmikemiller.comMike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-13531357415193966052009-09-29T09:16:00.001-04:002009-09-29T09:19:00.099-04:00eletter - Peace of MindIf you get something from these posts, subscribe to my eletter "Peace of Mind." Send an email to drmike@drmikemiller.com.Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-65230331817228263062009-09-29T09:13:00.003-04:002009-09-29T11:17:36.135-04:00Catch Yourself Being GoodThe most powerful change strategy for children's behavior problems is the parents increasing the focus on positive behavior and reinforcing those behaviors. A powerful strategy of improving your mood and self-esteem is increasing positive self-talk. Human nature is such that most of us look for when we make mistakes and then be self-critical. Much of the time, that is automatic and under our Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-18525844315161885232009-08-24T17:32:00.006-04:002009-09-02T22:33:24.866-04:00Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy effective when delivered in real time by a therapistOnline therapy or “eTherapy” has been provided by some therapists in a number of different ways, ranging from email, to computerized therapeutic programs (one to be posted here soon), to real time video, for over 10 years. A brief history from 1972-2002 can be found at http://www.metanoia.org/imhs/history.htmA number of questions remain fully unanswered. Probably the most critical question is Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-52381759713433499862009-08-20T19:06:00.004-04:002009-08-20T19:12:08.467-04:00Leaving the Land of MiseryWhile this is aimed at teens, it is relevant for ALL of us.Do you tend to assume the worst in how you will be treated? Do you often have thoughts like “People are ALWAYS mean to me,” “NOBODY likes me,” “EVERYBODY is mean to me,” “Why bother? NOTHING EVER goes my way,” etc? None of these thoughts are true and any of these thoughts are guaranteed to make you MISERABLE!Do you look for being Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-44440259544440615552009-08-09T17:23:00.001-04:002009-08-09T18:15:04.318-04:00Tale of the Two Wolves RevisitedThere is a long told Native-American tale that I will paraphrase a little.There was a wise grandfather who was speaking with his grandchildren about life. He told them that he had two wolves battling inside of him. He went on to explain that Everybody has these two wolves.He said that the first wolf stands for love, peace, charity, kindness, forgiveness, and letting go of past wrongs that were Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-19717571869206468342009-08-06T14:55:00.002-04:002009-08-06T15:00:29.240-04:00Medical Cost-Savings from CounselingMedical insurance is increasingly being priced out of what many feel they can afford. It can be argued that ever increasing health insurance costs have largely decimated the US car manufacturers. What if there was a way to save 20% of medical costs? What if I told you that is such a way? It has been reported that when numerous rigorous studies were examined on medical cost savings after Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-45683730467694155342009-06-25T19:47:00.002-04:002009-06-25T19:50:34.654-04:00Dealing with mortalityMichael Jackson (50) and Farah Fawcett (62) both died today (6/25/09). Whether you liked them or not, both were fairly young. Deaths like this remind us that life can be short. After I turned 50, my experience is that mortality slaps me increasingly harder every year.Presently, I have two friends (ages 66 and 36) who are fighting cancer. My parents have been dead for years. My wife has not Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-1154032007528892332009-06-24T19:09:00.003-04:002009-06-24T19:17:36.490-04:0015 Tips to Deal with Anxiety During Difficult Economic TimesIt has been widely reported that anxieties have greatly increased as the economy has declined. This has sent many to their family doctors for medication and others seeking psychological services. With so many foreclosures, which has yet to bottomed out, many have valid reasons for concerns. Many have lost jobs, through no fault of their own and worry about paying their bills, being employed Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-61592248776001777152009-05-24T11:20:00.003-04:002009-05-24T11:25:10.871-04:00Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant OCDObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition, affecting about 2.2 million Americans. People have intrusive, distressing thoughts that are relieved by engaging in compulsive behaviors. Most people receive at least some benefit with behavior therapy and/or medications. Some, however, are treatment resistant. The FDA recently approved Medtronic’s Reclaim Deep Brain Stimulator Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-1293403935065015512009-05-17T18:07:00.003-04:002009-05-17T18:26:44.053-04:00Dietary Considerations for ADHD and Behavioral DifficultiesThere have been many claims for restricted diets to eliminate ADHD. I remember Dr. Lendon Smith on the Phil Donahue 40 years ago (yikes!) who claimed that all ADHD and learning disabilities were the result of food colorings and food allergies. When these claims were put to rigorous studies, very few kids improved significantly. For a very few, it made a huge difference.Since then, there have Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-49028257132026066962009-05-03T18:49:00.004-04:002009-05-03T19:00:01.491-04:00Affirmations for Anxiety and WorryAn affirmation is simply any positive statement that you say to yourself. Repeating these statements can help facilitate reprogramming your brain away from automatically going to and accepting negative thoughts. Affirmations are something that you use when you aren't especially anxious. Coping statements can be very similar, but are used more when you are especially anxious. Read through the Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-32322068513685075452009-04-28T09:31:00.005-04:002009-04-28T09:37:20.921-04:00Steps to Stop WorryingMark Twain said, “I’ve had a lot of problems in my day - most of which never happened.” It has also been said that worry is interest paid in advance on a debt you may never owe. Worry is a significant problem for many people. It is the major component of all anxiety disorders. It is also something that all of us do, to varying degrees.Some talk about "good" and "bad" worry. I feel that a Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128081459338992889.post-89580903785690194192009-04-15T22:52:00.001-04:002009-04-15T22:55:25.191-04:00Long-term (6-year) follow-up of children and adolescents who received Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders.A six year (6.17 average) follow-up was reported from Queensland Australia for anxious children and teens who were treated with CBT. Fifty-two clients (aged 14 to 21 years) who had completed treatment an average of 6.17 years earlier were reassessed, using diagnostic interviews, clinician ratings, and self- and parent-report measures. After receiving CBT, 85.7% no longer had any anxiety Mike Miller, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554780239874855504noreply@blogger.com3