How Models Make Us Fat March 30, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Health, Mental Health.Tags: beauty standard, Cover Girl, fat, Health, models, thinness, Top Model, Tyra Banks
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Yes, this does make me want to eat. A lot.
And this is why I, as a former fat kid, advise against putting pictures of Gisele on the fridge as motivation. Although looking up to models might motivate you to throw away that box of cookies, it can also create extreme behaviors that lead to “binge dieting and the kind of unhealthy eating habits that ultimately result in weight gain, not loss, ” according to this article from Newsweek. And not to mention hunger imagining the starvation that some of these models might be experiencing.
Although we all know that “as American women have gotten heavier, models have gotten thinner and taller,” I had no idea that not only ded models 25 years ago weigh only “8 percent less” than the average woman, but models ten years ago averaged at around 5 feet 5 inches in height.
Well, that explains the new Top Model, which I’m surprised health experts haven’t commented on as much as they could-I mean, wouldn’t promoting a show for “short” models just lead to an even higher number of young women starving themselves? It seems healthier knowing that being a model is impossible based on height alone, though that Cover Girl contract does look tasty..I mean, um..okay, I’m going to lunch now.
Don’t Get Mad, Get… March 30, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health.Tags: Germany, revenge, roommates
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Soak for 5-8 minutes, depending on severity. Warning: Please wait until roommate leaves apartment before attempting.
Wait…don’t. According to scientists in Germany, people who focus on getting even have less life satisfaction, fewer jobs and even fewer friends. I bet these scientists have never had a roommate who convinced the landlord to overcharge them for rent. Because if they did, they would know that using said roommate’s toothbrush to scrub the toilet is actually very satisfying, and who wants to be friends with him?
But anyway, getting even, according to this article from Psych Central, is a reflection of a focus on “negative reciprocity,” and it is separate from “positive reciprocity” like when you buy a friend a drink for helping you move. These two are independent, and you can have one more than the other, which can possibly negatively affect your life.
12 Things You Could Learn from Therapy March 24, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health.Tags: bizarro, Psychology, self help, therapy, Therese Borchard
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Therese Borchard gives some literal free therapy as she tells us what she learned from her therapist. The list is really helpful and got me thinking, especially the “Know Your Triggers” and “Categorize Your Problems” bits . However, there’s one tip I felt Borchard left out: know that the world does not revolve around you.
Yes, that sounds harsh, but really, a friend telling me this one day really did change me for the better. It was during one of those dating someone who was not “into me” times” when I had convinced myself that his ex-girlfriend’s new Facebook picture had something to do with me. Learning that other people have their own universes just like I had mine snapped me back into reality pretty quickly, and it’s a lesson I remind myself of all the time. Ah, the early twenties–can’t live without ‘em, so I take a shot to forget.
Bad Economy? Get Rich Writing Self-Help! March 24, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health.Tags: James Arthur Ray, self help, the new york times, the secret, Think and Grow Rich
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It's all so simple, really. (Photo: AaronJasinski.com)
According to this article from RecessionWire.com, the self-help industry began with The Great Depression when Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, which led to a 12-step manual that became the world’s best-selling self-help book. And if you think The Secret is original, Think And Grow Rich was the first to “[lay] out a strategy of repeated positive thoughts to attract happiness and wealth by tapping into an ‘Infinite Intelligence.’”
And if you’re tired of The Secret, it’s not ending anytime soon. Desperate times call for people to seek feel-good stories of triumph and also to try to create some of their own. Check this out:
“The New York Times recently described a gathering of laid-off and unemployed folks who shelled out over $1,000 to attend an event called the “Harmonic Health Weekend” led by James Arthur Ray, an up-and-coming figure in the $11 billion self-improvement industry.”
I think I just found my new job.
Channel Your Anti-Corporate Rage March 23, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health.Tags: A.I.G., bailout, ceo, corporate, economy, politics, protest, the new york times
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These people look healthy to me.
If A.I.G. is leading you to evil thoughts of flying to New York to throw bricks covered with your student loan bills at CEO office windows (wow, that is a really good idea), here are some tips to help you deal with your rage without getting arrested.
This article from The New York Times states that A.I.G. rage isn’t healthy, but I disagree. I would have preferred an explanation on how to channel the rage into political action so crap like this doesn’t happen again. But until then, I suppose I can use a punching bag. Oh, wait, I’m too broke for a gym membership-maybe I should punch the walls of the office bathroom stall instead. Excuse me, I’ll be back.
Your Heart Needs Detox Too March 20, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Health, Mental Health.Tags: Anderson Cooper, Barack Obama, CLA, detox, Diet, economy, natural health magazine, organic, Pakistan
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Try putting the pills aside and breathing. And let me know how that feels.
Now that the economy sucks and most of us can’t afford ridiculous organic lemon and maple syrup diets and CLA pills, we’re going to need a lot of this kind of detox from Natural Health Magazine. The tips on controlling anxiety are especially relevant for anyone who gets daily phone calls from her mother with information on jobless statistics, Anderson Cooper’s latest ensemble and the latest news on how Pakistan will start WWIII.
Teenage Girls Defend Chris Brown March 20, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health, People Who Need Therapy.Tags: Chris Brown, dating violence, Rihanna, teenage boys, teenage girls, teenagers, the new york times
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The New York Times cites a recent survey conducted by the Boston Public Health commission that says 46 percent of 200 teenagers believe Rihanna was responsible for the alleged beating by Chris Brown. The article also explains that the teenagers’ opinions are a reflection of a “stage of development” during which they are apt to support boys more than girls.
Okay, what stage was this, because I don’t remember going through it. The only one who should be able to slap a girl is her mom, and only after she’s stolen her mom’s money to buy herself the next Chris Brown CD.
I don’t think that teenager believing a girl getting a beat down from her boyfriend is at fault is a developmental issue, but one of sexist values that are being passed down to these girls, and I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them held on to these values into adulthood if they aren’t dealt with today.
Offended When Your Therapist Yawns? Maybe He’s Human After All. March 16, 2009
Posted by whoneedstherapy in Mental Health.Tags: ex-girlfriend, hypersensitivity, psych central, relationships, self help, therapist, therapy
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Even Toto gets tired of your ex-girlfriend stories.
PsychCentral’s list of the “12 Most Annoying Bad Habits of Therapists,” includes eating, checking a cell phone and yawning. I agree that if therapists I’ve had whipped out a burger and fries during our sessions, considering my therapy appointments were always in the morning, I would have screamed and then be sent somewhere in a straight jacket. And cell phone-checking is just rude in general. But yawning? Don’t know about that one.
Both my therapists would yawn at times, but I didn’t take offense-people get sleepy, people get bored by my boy stories, and I felt part of the purpose of therapy was to build a relationship with the therapist, so comfort should be mutual, as long as she’s listening.
It’s their job, people-you yawn at work too, and no body runs out crying because you didn’t listen. In my opinion people too often forget that therapists are human, and this can lead to hypersensitivity to their reactions no matter the moment. Your therapist is a separate person, not a cheerleader on call, so let the poor guy yawn. And if you wonder whether he’s listening or not, just ask. Most likely he’ll tell you he ate at the Olive Garden for lunch, not that your story about your ex-girlfriend’s shoulder mole might be getting a bit old.
