tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51425731661921317752024-03-18T21:00:09.144-07:00The Ottawa Psychologist BLOGI am an Ottawa psychologist in private practice. Here you will find my thoughts on various mental health issues. I want this blog to serve two functions - advocacy for mental health and providing education to the general public. Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-81101331777813047452015-03-05T12:01:00.002-08:002015-03-05T12:01:43.709-08:00We Can't Erase The Traumatic Memories of First Responders with PTSD, But....
Who Gets PTSD and Why?
Approximately 50-60%
of people living in the US report having at least one traumatic event in their
lifetime1. These traumatic events usually cause symptoms in the days
and weeks that follow. These symptoms might be flashbacks, nightmares, feeling
numb and detached from people, and avoidance of trauma reminders. Obviously,
people who work as first responders (soldiers,Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-30758854698301695872015-03-03T11:49:00.002-08:002015-03-03T11:49:20.152-08:00Why I Don't Like the Term Mental Illness
I have to admit something embarrassing. I am a registered psychologist working in private practice and I don't know what the term mental illness means. Well, on a general level I know that it refers to psychological problems, but I don't know exactly what is meant by the "illness" part.
As far as a I can tell, there are two possibilities. First, illness could be a metaphor. If a writer used a Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-29710624033895595332015-03-03T11:48:00.000-08:002015-03-03T11:48:12.536-08:00The Importance of Insuring Mental Health Care
In 2006, a research paper was published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, where the authors argued for greater public access to psychotherapy - specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). To make their point, the authors did not rely on emotional appeals to compassion or empathy for those in need. Rather, they examined the very thing that directs much of the decision-making in Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-44162740995129408182015-03-03T11:47:00.001-08:002015-03-03T11:47:11.487-08:00What You Should Know Before Starting Anti-Depressant Medication
The Problem
My new patient sits down to start our first therapy session.
Me: "So, what can I help you with."
Patient: "I've been feeling nauseous, panicky and depressed lately."
Me: "I'm sorry to hear that. When did this start?"
Patient: "Well, I recently tried to stop taking my Paxil...."
This fictional encounter is an approximation of the conversations I have had with many clients over Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-59716679922160055622015-03-03T11:45:00.000-08:002015-03-03T11:45:00.423-08:00Some Mental Health Tips for Students
I have been fortunate enough in my career to work with many university students throughout Canada. Sitting across from these students in therapy has certainly provided me ample opportunity to get a handle on some of the more pressing issues facing them during their college years.
I thought I would pass along some advice that might be helpful to university and high school students hoping to Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-2967953962043945532012-06-21T17:21:00.000-07:002012-06-21T17:21:25.716-07:00The Fabrication of Reality Among People with Rejection PhobiaI recently wrote about rejection phobia and the impact it can have on people's lives. One of the more tragic aspects of rejection phobia is how self-sustaining the problem can be. In fact, people who are rejection phobic ultimately fabricate their own reality that perpetuates their phobia and can leave them socially isolated.
Rejection phobia is always associated with a core belief about the Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-87600748205126511182012-06-20T07:37:00.003-07:002012-06-20T07:37:27.483-07:00Unwanted Thoughts: Are They Really Dangerous?
Sometimes, while waiting for the subway, I imagine someone getting pushed in front of the train.
Does this sound like someone with good mental health? A patient in need of medication or a good therapist?
Nope. The above quote comes from me -- a clinical psychologist!
It is a line that I often use with a number of clients seeking therapy -- particularly clients suffering from Obsessive Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-60372514413126884292012-06-19T07:40:00.001-07:002012-06-19T07:40:28.777-07:00Do You Have Rejection Phobia?
Psychologists often make a distinction between fears and phobias. A fear is an emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Fears are common in the population and are often normal -- or at least innocuous -- reactions to objects or events. For example, many people fear spiders -- they experience a mild to moderate anxiety reaction when they see one.
A phobia is similar to a Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-71167258375760893192012-01-15T18:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T18:17:48.379-08:00Time to Stop Our Obsession with Positive ThinkingMy latest article with the Huffington Post on the downside to positive thinking. Click here.Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-72096081106541856242011-11-30T07:44:00.000-08:002011-11-30T07:44:33.848-08:00Book UpdateThe Need to be Liked is now available for sale around the world with a number of book sellers:
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (Canada)
Google Books
Barnes and Noble
Alibris
Booktopia
Loot
Booksamillion
NBCIndia
Angus Robertson
Mighty Ape
Buy.com
Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-66770401259064942212011-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:002011-06-07T08:00:55.962-07:00Shyness, Social Anxiety and Your Rank in the Social HierarchyImagine this:
You arrive at a party where you know a few of the guests, but most are strangers. Your anxiety is elevated, with increases in breathing rate, heart rate, and perspiration. You seek the people you do know, which offers some sense of comfort. You feel unable to maintain eye contact with the people you don't know and feel a bit insecure. You work hard to appear cool and calm. You do Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-48557909514366227212011-05-31T07:51:00.001-07:002011-05-31T07:57:06.488-07:00Public Health Agency of Canada Offers Encouraging ResponseAs readers of this blog may be aware, I have trying to raise awareness of an inaccuracy in Canadian mental health statistics.
Many Canadians have probably heard or read that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. This number appears in official government reports and exists on numerous health websites, including the Canadian Mental Health Association and Health CanadaDr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-17296071763218843912011-05-30T11:06:00.000-07:002011-05-30T11:06:47.857-07:00The Need to be Liked - PaperbackThe Need to be Liked is now available in paperback at Amazon (click here to visit Amazon.com).
For those interested in downloading the e-book version, please visit here to learn how The Need to be Liked can be downloaded on various platforms (ex: iPad, Kindle, etc.)
If you have read my book, I would love to hear your feedback.
Sincerely,
Dr. Roger Covin (roger@drcovin.ca)
Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-78895679175914141262011-04-28T17:43:00.000-07:002011-04-28T17:44:34.447-07:00Tylenol for Rejection? Reducing the Pain of Rejection With Acetaminophen
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Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-52025329883824482042011-04-18T08:57:00.000-07:002011-05-13T12:19:43.891-07:00The Need to Be Liked - Ebook Now AvailableAfter approximately 18 months of research, writing and editing, my new book "The Need to be Liked" is now available for sale on Amazon.com. It is currently available as an e-book, which can be downloaded and read using many devices, including a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or Kindle.
I am planning to make a hardcopy available for purchase in the near future.
For more information about theDr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-1998724226983408012011-03-10T09:17:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:42:34.866-07:00Are Elecronic Devices Ruining Sleep for Americans?One of my favourite sections of the newspaper is the Health section. I particularly enjoy reading articles about interesting scientific studies that reveal fruitful information about mental and physical well-being. Unfortunately, journalism and science are not always a match made in heaven, and it is not uncommon to read headlines and articles that are biased and poorly represent the practice of Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-59390368150774278382011-03-07T08:44:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:41:23.732-07:00Underestimating Mental Illness in Canada: Response from PHAC Only Validates "Orphan" StatusAs I wrote in an earlier post, it is common for health organizations in Canada (or even corporations involved in mental health awareness, such as Bell Canada), to use the statistic of "1 in 5" when describing lifetime prevalence of mental illness. I thought this estimate was too low because it is nowhere close to the U.S. data, and after a little reading, I presumed that the 20% figure originatedDr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-88527282519185987152011-03-03T06:54:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:39:11.985-07:00Charlie Sheen's Behaviour: A Case of Cognitive Dissonance?I am compelled to start this post by stating that I am not in the business of speculating on the mental health of strangers, nor am I interested in providing pseudo-psychological assessments of celebrities in the news. It is important to make this clear because I don't want readers fooled by the title of this post. Indeed, there are enough armchair psychologists in the media offering analysis of Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-70956377322150562182011-02-25T17:40:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:43:02.619-07:00From Weight Loss to the Treatment of Depression: The Importance of Understanding "Rate of Change"Of the many factors that influence change, one's expectation or understanding of how change occurs is significant among them. People can vary considerably in their understanding of how change occurs - specifically, rate of change. Rate of change can be defined as the speed and consistency of improvement when trying to eliminate a problem. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, there are Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-81542766695997195862011-02-09T10:46:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:41:23.734-07:00Bell's "Let's Talk Day": Right Idea - Wrong Estimates: Are Health Organizations in Canada Underestimating the Prevalence of Mental Illness?Bell Canada is promoting mental health awareness today with their "Let's Talk Day." It's a great idea that will see Bell contribute 5 cents from every text and long distance call to support mental health programs. I also love Clara Hughes' involvement in the project - an act that is both courageous and generous.
However, I am quite certain that Bell has its "1 in 5 Canadians" figure wrong. You Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-91843620866899414802011-01-28T13:01:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:41:02.423-07:00What Qualities Make A Person Likeable?As a clinical psychologist I often work with clients with low self-confidence. This low self-confidence can sometimes be attributed to negative biases in thinking which causes the person to underestimate the number of positive qualities they have, and overestimate the number of negative ones. You could refer to this bias in thinking as reflecting a problem with accuracy - the person is not Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-59118994260942247482011-01-13T14:11:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:42:38.800-07:00The Benefits of Stress and AdversityDo stress and negative life events may us weaker or stronger?
A recent longitudinal study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology* sheds light on this question. The researchers followed a large, representative sample of people over a period of several years. They asked participants to indicate how many negative life events they had experienced in their lives, out of a list Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-70076537123713312732011-01-06T13:00:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:41:59.751-07:00The Colour Red Makes Women More AttractiveWhile doing some research for my book, I came across a fun and interesting article* in the highly respected Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. I've been meaning to write about the results for a while, but kept forgetting. So here's the study in a nutshell...
The authors (psychologists) were interested in examining whether the colour red can influence men's perception of the physicalDr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-2707533253446847632010-12-08T07:33:00.000-08:002011-07-08T18:41:33.715-07:00Psychological Flexibility and Pain ManagementIn a previous blog post, I briefly wrote about the benefits of psychological flexibility. Psychological Flexibility refers to one's ability to adapt thinking, emotions and behaviour to various situations. A helpful way to think about psychological flexibility is to use the example of 'control.' There are things in life we have control over and things that we do not. For example, while driving a Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142573166192131775.post-14034915075699354562010-09-20T11:50:00.001-07:002011-07-08T18:42:31.453-07:00Tis' the Season to Get SAD: A Review of Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Winter BluesWith the Fall and Winter seasons on the horizon, many of us will start to notice changes in our mood in the coming months. Seasonality is the term used to describe the mild to moderate decrease in positive mood that a significant number of people in the population experience when daylight hours are reduced. For a select portion of population, this decrease in mood will be significant enough to Dr. Roger Covinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207113103863253418noreply@blogger.com1