Inessa Manevich,Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
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When to Listen to Our Doubts

1/23/2013

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I just read an interesting article in the New York Times Magazine, which looked at a recent UCLA study that found that having doubts before marriage predicted higher divorce rates for women and higher dissatisfaction with marriage for men.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/avoiding-cold-feet-down-the-aisle/?ref=health

While the finding that uncertainty about a major life decision may indicate further uncertainty and dissatisfaction down the line may not be initially surprising, the article points out that some individuals may miss important considerations by labeling their misgivings as simply dismissing them as "cold feet". Since most major life decisions have both a rational and an emotional component, it may be helpful to decouple the various components by viewing the situation from an objective perspective. By writing out one's concerns, by creating a list of both pros and cons or by simply talking through one's doubts and misgivings with an objective, neutral participant one can quiet the often-confusing emotional noise around a given dilemma and gain a clearer perspective.

While it is natural to have certain misgivings and doubts when making a major life decision, dismissing one's gut reactions as "only natural" in hopes that they go away, may not be the best way to a desired outcome. During times of change, it is often important to create a space where one can safely work through one's feelings, thoughts, reactions and doubts, and come out with a firmer, more measured decision. 
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Exercise as a Treatment Option 

1/3/2013

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We all have heard just how important exercise is for health and weight loss, and hence, increasing exercise and fitness is surely one of the most popular new year resolutions. While most of us focus on the overt physical benefits of exercise, few consider the benefits of regular exercise on their psychological health. While exercise certainly has not received as much press and endorsements as psychopharmacological treatments for depression and anxiety, regular exercise may be a viable medicine against certain psychological problems. 

In fact, a recent study investigated the effects of exercise on depressed patients who have been taking antidepressant medications (SSRI's) with little success, found that a fair number of the patients (nearly 30%) achieved remission with the addition of regular exercise.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/prescribing-exercise-to-treat-depression/

Regular exercise not only releases the "feel good" chemicals in our bodies, but may break the cycle of nagging thoughts, ruminative worry, and improve one's general outlook, simply by changing one's surroundings, providing a distraction, and increasing one's awareness of the world outside of ourselves.  Perhaps, as suggested by the article above, if we thought of regular exercise as a form of medication that must be take regularly in order to feel well physically and psychologically, we would have an easier time sticking with it and keeping our new year's resolutions.
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    Dr. Inessa Manevich

    *Information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should NOT be used as a substitute for professional therapy*

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