My recent post about genetics included the statistical fact that the illness of alcoholism and chemical dependency is highly genetically linked. An identical twin separated from it’s sibling at birth who developed alcoholism has a 70% chance of developing the illness. How can this be, and just what is inherited? Five gene sites have been...
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Author: garymalonemd
Psychiatrists and all in behavioral health have long studied the relationship between nature and nurture. Biology, your “raising”, your current environment and “free will” compose the essence of who you are. Spirituality and our shared universal connection complete the picture. Recent genetic statistical studies involving identical twins have given new data to help with this...
I met two of my cousins this weekend at our grandparents family farm in West Texas. The new owners said they were tearing down the rock house as it has had no occupants for over a decade. My grandfather “Pampaw” build it by hand with rocks he had drug out of the creek with his...
Seasonal affective disorder is a specific condition describing symptoms arising in the dead of winter involving hypersomnia, hyperphagia and depressed mood. It differs from classic depression which has depressed mood, but usually decreased and disrupted sleep and anorexia. Dysthymia has variable physical systems, but consistant feeling of depression and hopelessness. Separating out neurochemical as opposed...
The holidays can be stressful times for families with increased activities and emotional expectations. Often the days are action packed and buzzing with activity. Visiting relatives added to the mix as well as all sorts of overindulgences make this time of year intense and full. Hopefully, you avoided the pitfalls of overt family conflict or...
The natural biological bond that exists with your own children is not there with step children. The nurturing instinct is transferable, but never as intense as with natural children. This is complicated by the inevitable tensions and stressors inherent in step parenting. Loyalties to the biological spouse break down the coparenting needed to run an...
In blended families often the most tense relationship exists with your new spouse’s ex. Inheriting a hostile husband in law or wife in law can undermine and disrupt all efforts to make a new relationship work. Worse, this person may use you as the whipping post for all their anger over the divorce and make...
Freud first wrote of sexual inhibition over 100 years ago, believing many emotional problems arose from not allowing a reasonable outlet for our biological sexual drives. He correctly identified the psychic manifestation of drives and established the universality of human libido. A goal of treatment was to come to peace with our drives and find...
As the high profile sex abuse cases play out in the media the overriding factor in all instances is the silence of those who knew and did nothing. A spouse protecting her husband and family, or a coworker protecting a friend and an institution, all result in “enabling” the perpetrator to continue. The other factor...
Newsweek just dedicated a cover article to Sex Addiction and, in light of numerous public scandals, this subject is getting more scrutiny. What does this term mean and how does it differ from someone just acting out her desires? Addictive behavior is when a person is compelled to act even if it is detrimental to...