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The Creativity Cure

How to build happiness with your own two hands

Fear
The Fear of Gaining Weight

Carrie Barron M.D. on February 21, 2016

Eating and weight gain can be associated with painful, inhibiting states of shame. Here is one person's story.

Eating and weight gain can be associated with painful, inhibiting states of shame. Here is one person's story.

Fear
7 Tips for Coping with a Paranoid Partner

Carrie Barron M.D. on January 7, 2016

Living with a paranoid person can take a toll. False accusations and delusional fears are not easy to manage, especially in a person who is otherwise functioning fairly well.

Living with a paranoid person can take a toll. False accusations and delusional fears are not easy to manage, especially in a person who is otherwise functioning fairly well.

Stress
Change Values, Decrease Stress

Carrie Barron M.D. on November 2, 2015

If we reduce stress, we reduce psychological and physical illness. It is both intuitive and now scientifically shown. A change in cultural values can start with leaders creating healthy work cultures or with grassroots initiatives. Either way, awareness begets change.

If we reduce stress, we reduce psychological and physical illness. It is both intuitive and now scientifically shown. A change in cultural values can start with leaders creating healthy work cultures or with grassroots initiatives. Either way, awareness begets change.

Mass Shootings
Oregon Murders and Risk Factors for Mass Shootings

Carrie Barron M.D. on October 3, 2015

There are clear psychological, biological and situational risk factors for mass shootings. Greater public awareness of what they are can help us figure out preventions.

There are clear psychological, biological and situational risk factors for mass shootings. Greater public awareness of what they are can help us figure out preventions.

Friends
8 Ways to Really Connect With Each Other

Carrie Barron M.D. on September 30, 2015

Research indicates that people are craving substantive experience. An "anti-depth" culture may feel easier at first, but with a surfeit of superficial engagements, people suffer.

Research indicates that people are craving substantive experience. An "anti-depth" culture may feel easier at first, but with a surfeit of superficial engagements, people suffer.

Ethics and Morality
Accusing an Innocent Child of a Major Crime

Carrie Barron M.D. on September 21, 2015

Punishing a person with a strong conscience or a child with unusual gifts of creativity, self expression or empathy because of mindless misunderstanding can cause serious damage. Understanding who someone is as well as what they do or have done is important for effective intervention. Rigid rule following can backfire..

Punishing a person with a strong conscience or a child with unusual gifts of creativity, self expression or empathy because of mindless misunderstanding can cause serious damage. Understanding who someone is as well as what they do or have done is important for effective intervention. Rigid rule following can backfire..

Law and Crime
Mental Illness Does Not Equal Dangerous, Mostly

Carrie Barron M.D. on September 14, 2015

There are many different kinds of mental illness and most people with these conditions are not dangerous. However a certain mix of psychological ailments combined with other known risk factors can be a set up for violent crime. If we can clear up the misunderstandings we will be in a better position to predict and protect.

There are many different kinds of mental illness and most people with these conditions are not dangerous. However a certain mix of psychological ailments combined with other known risk factors can be a set up for violent crime. If we can clear up the misunderstandings we will be in a better position to predict and protect.

Resilience
When You’ve Been Humiliated or Hurt by Someone You Trusted

Carrie Barron M.D. on September 8, 2015

Research suggest that the scars of childhood bullying have a significant impact later in life. This is one person's story of resilience and how "woe is me" turned to "woe is you."

Research suggest that the scars of childhood bullying have a significant impact later in life. This is one person's story of resilience and how "woe is me" turned to "woe is you."

Play
Play Makes Children Smart, Happy and Prepared for the Future

Carrie Barron M.D. on June 30, 2015

This blog is about the myriad benefits of play for children. Too much cerebral focus and too little spontaneous thought can be damaging for creativity, intellect and overall wellbeing.

This blog is about the myriad benefits of play for children. Too much cerebral focus and too little spontaneous thought can be damaging for creativity, intellect and overall wellbeing.

Health
12 Tips for Developing Greater Psychological Health

Carrie Barron M.D. on May 26, 2015

Six personal qualities are considered "mature defenses" and can contribute to a happier and healthier life. This blog outlines them with suggestions for how to develop them.

Six personal qualities are considered "mature defenses" and can contribute to a happier and healthier life. This blog outlines them with suggestions for how to develop them.

Persuasion
How Technical Devices Influence Children's Brains

Carrie Barron M.D. on May 18, 2015

Guest blog by Dan Riseman, president of Riseman Educational Counseling, covers children's brain development. Here are some dos and don'ts regarding devices.

Guest blog by Dan Riseman, president of Riseman Educational Counseling, covers children's brain development. Here are some dos and don'ts regarding devices.

Forgiveness
Should I Listen to the Advice of Celebrity Docs?

Carrie Barron M.D. on May 4, 2015

The debate about whether Dr. Mehmet Oz should resign from his position at Columbia for "quackery" continues. Questions about doing no harm, doing good, forgiveness, public shaming and responsible medicine are addressed in this blog.

The debate about whether Dr. Mehmet Oz should resign from his position at Columbia for "quackery" continues. Questions about doing no harm, doing good, forgiveness, public shaming and responsible medicine are addressed in this blog.

Psychosis
After the Germanwings Crash, 7 Lessons About Mental Illness

Carrie Barron M.D. on March 30, 2015

Not all depressions are alike. Severe depression with psychotic features may elude a clinician as they are well masked or not present at the time of the exam. Symptoms ebb and flow, troubled people can be high functioning and we have much to uncover about the conditions of the Germanwings co-pilot.

Not all depressions are alike. Severe depression with psychotic features may elude a clinician as they are well masked or not present at the time of the exam. Symptoms ebb and flow, troubled people can be high functioning and we have much to uncover about the conditions of the Germanwings co-pilot.

Embarrassment
Humiliation, Recovery and Monica Lewinsky

Carrie Barron M.D. on March 27, 2015

Public shaming, online harassment and cyber-bullying are ubiquitous but they were not always. This blog examines the heart wrenching plight of one woman and how she overcame humiliation to become a tour-de-force and an agent for public good.

Public shaming, online harassment and cyber-bullying are ubiquitous but they were not always. This blog examines the heart wrenching plight of one woman and how she overcame humiliation to become a tour-de-force and an agent for public good.