Providentia

New Psychology Today blog post up

People often believe things that aren’t true about sexual assault: i.e., that the victim was “asking for it,” and the offender wasn’t responsible for different reasons. Research into Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA) has linked these beliefs to sexually aggressive behavior and attitudes. So, it’s important to understand what causes RMA if you want to promote healthier social values and stop sexual assault. A recent study (2023) by David M. Tokar of Ohio’s Central State University looked at this problem and how conformity to masculine norms and the Dark Tetrad of personality affected RMA in a group of heterosexual men in the United States.

To read more, check out this link.

Witchcraft and Superstition: A Deadly Combination

The recent death of a young boy in Maharashtra, India, after being beaten by a witch doctor to expel a supposed demon, highlights the dangers of believing in superstitions and resorting to witchcraft. The 13-year-old boy was taken to the witch doctor by his parents, who believed that he was possessed by an evil spirit. The witch doctor proceeded to beat him with a stick, causing injuries that eventually led to his death.

This tragic incident is not unique to India. Superstitions and witchcraft are prevalent in many parts of the world, especially in rural areas where people have limited access to medical facilities and education. Believing in superstitions and resorting to witchcraft can have deadly consequences, as seen in this case.

It is important to understand that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of demons or evil spirits. Mental and physical illnesses should be treated by medical professionals, not by witch doctors or other practitioners of alternative medicine. It is also the responsibility of governments to ensure that their citizens have access to quality healthcare and education, which can help to dispel myths and superstitions.

Communities should be encouraged to speak out against practices that are harmful and dangerous. Education and awareness campaigns can help to promote rational thinking and dispel superstitions. It is also important to hold those who use witchcraft and other harmful practices accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, the death of the young boy in Maharashtra is a tragic reminder of the dangers of superstitions and witchcraft. It is the responsibility of governments, communities, and individuals to promote education and rational thinking and to hold practitioners of harmful practices accountable for their actions. Only then can we hope to create a world where such tragedies are a thing of the past.

Dr. Stanton Samenow Passes Away At Age 81

Dr. Stanton E. Samenow, renowned psychologist and author, passed away on May 8, 2023, at the age of 81, at a hospital in Fairfax County, Virginia, after a courageous battle with leukemia. A celebrated thinker and writer, Dr. Samenow was revered for his profound contributions to the understanding of criminal psychology and the development of rehabilitation programs for offenders.

Born on October 16,1941 , Dr. Samenow grew to become an expert in his field, carving a legacy in criminal psychology that fundamentally reshaped modern perspectives on criminal behavior. His influential work was derived from decades of extensive research and in-depth interviews with hundreds of offenders, leading to groundbreaking discoveries about the thought processes of criminals.

His book "Inside the Criminal Mind," first published in 1984, has been widely regarded as a seminal work in the field. Dr. Samenow debunked common misconceptions about criminal behavior, suggesting that criminal tendencies were not primarily the result of environmental factors, but rather stemmed from individual choices and behaviors.

Dr. Samenow's visionary ideas laid the groundwork for the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy model used widely today in the treatment of offenders. His research was integral to the creation of effective offender rehabilitation programs, which emphasize personal responsibility and behavioral change over societal blame.

In addition to his acclaimed books, Dr. Samenow's professional life was marked by a dedication to public service. He worked tirelessly as a clinical psychologist, consultant, and expert witness in numerous court cases. His lectures and workshops were instrumental in educating legal professionals, therapists, and law enforcement personnel around the world.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Samenow was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, deeply cherished by his family. He was known for his compassionate spirit, his unwavering dedication to his work, and his insightful, measured wisdom.

 left by Dr. Samenow's passing is significant, but his invaluable contributions to psychology and the criminal justice system continue to inspire those in the field. His insightful writings, profound understanding of human behavior, and unwavering commitment to positive change will endure as his legacy.

 

New Psyxhology Today blog post up

In recent years, video games have emerged from their former subculture status and become an increasingly accepted and important component of everyday life. But there is a dark side to the trend. Although these virtual worlds can be a source of entertainment, promote social ties, and even assist in the development of critical thinking skills, gaming can also become compulsive and share some signs of addiction. The desire to advance to the next level, conquer the next kingdom, or finish the next quest may become so powerful that it causes players to lose sight of important real-world concerns. A study recently published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media by Ellithorpe, Meshi, and Tham (2023) sheds light on the potential health hazards of problematic video gaming.

To read more, check out my new post at Psychology Today

The Tragic Death of Dr. Barbara Capovani: A Wake-Up Call for Mental Health Reform in Italy

The shocking and tragic death of Dr. Barbara Capovani, a psychiatrist, at the hands of a former patient in Pisa, Italy, has provoked an outcry for mental health reform in the country. Capovani, a dedicated healthcare professional, mother of three, and organ donor, was senselessly beaten to death in broad daylight outside her workplace.

The 55-year-old psychiatrist was repeatedly bludgeoned with a metal bar by a 35-year-old man, who had been her patient, as she was leaving work last Friday. The brutality of the attack left her brain-dead, a state from which she could not recover. Her organs were donated in a poignant act of generosity that further underscores her selfless dedication to saving lives, even after her own was cruelly cut short.

This horrifying incident is not isolated. In recent months, Italy has seen an unsettling rise in violent assaults on healthcare professionals, raising serious concerns about the safety of medical practitioners in the line of duty.

Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has called for urgent action, stating, "We must work so what happened to Barbara Capovani doesn't happen again." The incident has precipitated a critical appraisal of Italy's mental health care system, which has been under scrutiny for some time.

Italy's mental health care paradigm, largely defined by a 1978 law that effectively closed down psychiatric hospitals and made all psychiatric treatment voluntary, has drawn criticism for its inadequacies. This law envisioned a comprehensive system of public health facilities at a community level, delivering robust mental health care. Regrettably, this vision never fully materialized.

The chilling attack on Capovani was carried out with a chilling sense of premeditation. Surveillance footage shows the perpetrator waiting for Capovani to leave the hospital. When she finally did, he launched his brutal assault, leaving her with fatal injuries. This raises pressing questions about the security of healthcare facilities and the protection of their staff.

Dr. Capovani's colleagues remember her fondly as a warm, serious-minded professional who was always ready to take on new patients. She was well-respected and loved, making her loss all the more heartbreaking.

Over the past year, other harrowing incidents have also been reported - a machete attack on a doctor in Milan, a psychiatrist in Mantua beaten with a stick after a professional decision, and a doctor in Naples physically assaulted by a patient's relatives.

Dr. Capovani's death is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for reforms in Italy's mental health care system. It's a wake-up call that highlights the dire need for effective patient management strategies, improved security measures at healthcare facilities, and policies that ensure the safety and well-being of medical practitioners.

The reform process must be swift and decisive, not just to honor Dr. Capovani's memory, but to prevent future tragedies. Italy’s health care system needs to be fortified with a robust mental health care infrastructure that can handle the complexities of patient care and protect its professionals. It's time to turn this tragic wake-up call into a catalyst for change.

 

Studying The Dying Brain

The idea of a near-death experience has captured our imagination for centuries, with reports of white light, visits from loved ones, and hearing voices. But are these experiences simply the product of a dying brain or do they reveal something more profound about human consciousness? A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain.

Led by Jimo Borjigin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and the Department of Neurology, the study is a follow-up to animal studies conducted almost a decade ago in collaboration with George Mashour, M.D., Ph.D., the founding director of the Michigan Center for Consciousness Science. The researchers identified four patients who passed away due to cardiac arrest in the hospital while under EEG monitoring. All four of the patients were comatose and unresponsive. They were ultimately determined to be beyond medical help and, with their families’ permission, removed from life support.

Upon removal of ventilator support, two of the patients showed an increase in heart rate along with a surge of gamma wave activity, considered the fastest brain activity and associated with consciousness. Furthermore, the activity was detected in the so-called hot zone of neural correlates of consciousness in the brain, the junction between the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes in the back of the brain. This area has been correlated with dreaming, visual hallucinations in epilepsy, and altered states of consciousness in other brain studies.

The fact that similar signatures of gamma activation were recorded in the dying brains of both animals and humans upon a loss of oxygen following cardiac arrest raises the question of how vivid experiences can emerge from a dysfunctional brain during the process of dying. “Dr. Borjigin has led an important study that helps shed light on the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms,” said Mashour.

While the findings are exciting, the authors caution against making any global statements about their implications due to the small sample size. Moreover, it is impossible to know what the patients experienced because they did not survive. “We are unable to make correlations of the observed neural signatures of consciousness with a corresponding experience in the same patients in this study. However, the observed findings are definitely exciting and provide a new framework for our understanding of covert consciousness in the dying humans,” said Borjigin.

Larger, multi-center studies including EEG-monitored ICU patients who survive cardiac arrest, could provide much-needed data to determine whether or not these bursts in gamma activity are evidence of hidden consciousness even near death.

The idea that consciousness does not completely disappear after the heart stops beating raises profound questions about the nature of human existence and the meaning of life. While we may never fully understand the mysteries of the human mind, this study provides a tantalizing glimpse into the possibility that there is something beyond death.

 

Justice for Irvo Otieno

The death of Irvo Otieno at Virginia’s Central State Hospital has sparked calls for justice and an investigation into the events leading up to his death. The 28-year-old, who suffered from mental health issues, was taken into custody on 3rd March after Henrico police responded to a possible burglary report. His mother was present at the scene and urged the police to not use force against her son. Otieno was subsequently placed into custody without incident, but whilst in hospital he became “physically assaultive towards officers”. Otieno was held on charges of disorderly conduct in a hospital and vandalism, as well as three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer. On 6th March, Otieno was transferred to Central State Hospital for evaluation but became “combative” during the intake process and was restrained, leading to his death. A video of Otieno’s treatment has been shown to his family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. In a news conference, Crump called the video a “commentary on how inhumane law enforcement officials treat people who are having a mental health crisis as criminals rather than treating them as people who are in need of help.”

Irvo Otieno’s tragic death has highlighted a problem in how people with mental health issues are treated when they come into contact with law enforcement. Despite clear signs that Otieno was experiencing a mental health crisis, he was restrained and charged as a criminal, which ultimately led to his death. Otieno’s mother, Leon Ochieng and civil rights attorney Ben Crump have all called for justice for Otieno, with Crump comparing the incident to the death of George Floyd. The video of Otieno’s treatment has caused outrage, with many people calling for an independent investigation into his death. It is hoped that by shining a light on the way law enforcement treats those with mental health issues, incidents like this can be avoided in the future.

This tragic incident is also a reminder of the importance of supporting those with mental health issues. Otieno’s mother spoke of his mental health issues, which she said could be hard to detect, and called for greater awareness of how to treat those with mental illnesses. The case has also highlighted the difficulties faced by those with mental health issues in the criminal justice system, with many people calling for a rethink of how they are treated. It is hoped that Otieno’s death can lead to a wider conversation about mental health and how it is treated in the criminal justice system.

In conclusion, the death of Irvo Otieno has sparked outrage and calls for justice for a man who was clearly in need of help. His tragic death highlights the difficulties faced by those with mental health issues and the importance of better support and treatment for those who need it. It is hoped that the incident can lead to a wider conversation about mental health and the criminal justice system, and ultimately prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

New Psychology Today Post Out

Rape is a heinous crime that can have long-lasting physical and psychological consequences for the victim. In addition to physical injuries, rape can lead to mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, approximately 1 in 5 women in the United States has experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. This prevalence makes it crucial to address the psychological impact of rape and identify the factors contributing to PTSD and depression.

To read more, check out my new blog post now up at Psychology Today.

Spanish Climber Emerges After Spending 500 Days in Isolation Underground

On April 14, 2023, Beatriz Flamini, a 50-year-old Spanish mountain climber from Madrid, emerged from a cave after spending 500 days in isolation, setting a potential new world record. Flamini began her underground adventure on November 21, 2021, in a cave in southern Spain.

Due to a technical issue, Flamini had to temporarily halt her challenge after about 300 days and leave the cave for eight days. During this time, she stayed in a tent with no contact with anyone before returning to the cave to complete her isolation.

The project, called Timecave, aimed to study how a person would cope with extended solo underground isolation. Flamini documented her experiences with two cameras, exchanging the recordings with her team through a retrieval site where they also dropped off food and other necessities.

Psychologists, researchers, speleologists, and physical trainers involved with Timecave studied Flamini's recordings without having direct contact with her. At a press conference, Flamini said she felt as though she was still living in 2021 and was unaware of events that had occurred since, such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

Flamini did not want to give up on her challenge, even during difficult moments, such as an invasion of flies. She spent her time underground reading, drawing, weaving, and enjoying her experience. Flamini admitted to missing certain things but accepted it as part of the project.

"Addressing the Urgent Need for Mental Health Resources in America: Insights from the CNN/KFF Mental Health Survey"

A recent survey conducted by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that 90% of US adults believe mental health is a crisis in the country [2]. The survey was conducted between July 28 and August 9, 2022, and involved a nationally representative online panel and a dual-frame random digit dial telephone sample. The samples were combined and weighted to match the US adult population based on data from the 2021 Current Population Survey (CPS) [1].

The survey covered various aspects of mental health, Including access to resources and experiences of those who have struggled with mental health issues. The survey found that many Americans feel mental health is not given the same priority as physical health, and respondents expressed frustration with the high cost of mental health care and lack of access to resources. The survey also found that people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lower incomes were more likely to experience mental health challenges and face barriers to accessing care [2].

To address the mental health crisis in the United States, it is important to increase attention and resources, including addressing systemic inequities that contribute to mental health challenges for certain groups of people. Resources are available for those struggling with mental health, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the American Psychological Association (APA) [2]. It’s important to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.

The survey highlights concerns around mental health In America as the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty [2]. The project focuses on those who struggle with managing their mental health and those who have experienced severe mental health crises in their families [2]. The survey includes articles on the perception of mental health as a crisis, hindrances to kids’ access to mental health care, challenges in seeking help, mental health workers responding to 911 calls, and a summary of the main findings of the survey [2].

Overall, the survey underscores the urgent need for increased attention and resources for mental health in the United States. By addressing systemic inequities and prioritizing mental health, we can work towards a future where all Americans have access to the resources they need to maintain their mental well-being.

References:

1. The CNN/KFF Mental Health Survey. https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-cnn-kff-mental-health-survey-methodology/

2. “90% of US adults say mental health is a crisis in the United States, CNN/KFF poll finds.” CNN. Oct. 5, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/05/health/cnn-kff-mental-health-poll-wellness/index.html