How To Combat The “Illusion Of Causality” That Contributes To So Many Healthy People Taking Multivitamin Pills They Don’t Need

Millions of people around the world spend time and money on healthcare remedies that mainstream science considers ineffective (in the sense of being no more effective than a placebo), like homeopathy and acupuncture. A study published recently in Psychology and Health investigated how to address this issue in the context of multivitamins, which evidence suggests provide no benefit for healthy people – and may even cause harm in some contexts.

Despite this research evidence, huge numbers of healthy people take multivitamins because they appear to be helpful. Scientists refer to this as the “illusion of causality”: when someone takes a vitamin and then their cold goes away, for example, they may believe it was the vitamin that cured them, even though they would have recovered just as quickly anyway. Past research has shown that simply giving people the raw outcomes of clinical trials that show remedies to be ineffective does not necessarily help combat this problem, perhaps because the data can involve large numbers and complex findings, which are difficult for the public to interpret.

Douglas MacFarlane and colleagues from the University of Western Australia have explored how to better inoculate people against this illusion. The researchers report that people need to be told clearly about the proportion of people who benefit from the remedy versus taking a placebo – and this data has to be accompanied by a scientific explanation for why the remedy is ineffective.



The researchers recruited 245 undergrad participants and split them into several groups, which were each given different levels of information about the effectiveness of a multivitamin. At one extreme, a control group received no information about the number of people who benefited from the remedy, and was simply told that there was insufficient evidence to make a recommendation for or against using it. At the other extreme, another group was told that 3 out of 4 people benefitted from the pills, but that 3 out of 4 people also benefitted from a placebo, so the evidence showed that the remedy doesn’t have any health benefit. This group was also given a scientific explanation for why this should be: healthy people already receive enough vitamins in their diet.

There were also various intermediate groups, such as one that received information about the proportion of people who get a benefit from the pills, but no information on the effects of placebo, and another that received information about the pills and placebo, but no scientific explanation.

Afterwards, all participants were asked how much they would be willing to pay for a tube of the multivitamins. The only group who showed a reduced willingness to pay for the pills was the one given full information on the pills’ efficacy compared with a placebo and the scientific explanation of why they are not effective.

The results suggest that simplified frequencies showing how many people have and haven’t benefited from a remedy compared with placebo could help prevent the illusion of causality. This strategy could be used by health authorities to assist people making healthcare decisions, say the authors. At the moment, they write, bodies like the National Institutes of Health in the United States often frame disclaimers about ineffective remedies in diplomatic language about “insufficient clinical evidence”, rather than giving people this kind of simple, explicit data.

Importantly though, the new findings suggest these frequencies are only useful when given alongside a scientific explanation. “This component may serve to fill the mental gap created when a prior belief is challenged by scientific evidence,” write the authors.

This conclusion comes with a hefty caveat, however. Because only one group was actually given the scientific explanation, it remains unclear based on the current results whether the explanation and the simple frequencies are both necessary. A scientific explanation about why a remedy is ineffective could, in theory, reduce a person’s willingness to pay regardless of how much they know about the underlying data. Of course, scientific explanations alone can be pretty unsuccessful at changing people’s minds, so this possibility seems unlikely – but it would be nice to see this question incorporated into the design of a future study.

SOURCE:

https://digest.bps.org.uk/2019/03/20/how-to-combat-the-illusion-of-causality-that-contributes-to-so-many-healthy-people-taking-multivitamin-pills-they-dont-need/(accessed 28.3.19)

The Personality Trait That Indicates High IQ

Higher IQ scores are linked to better jobs, higher income and more years of education.



People who are highly motivated score better on IQ tests, research reveals.

However, those who score lower on IQ test may simply be less motivated to complete the test.


Motivation could be a better predictor of success in life than IQ tests, the psychologists suggest.

In other words, what an IQ test is partly measuring is how well you want to do on an IQ test.

People with this motivation to succeed on an IQ test will also succeed in other areas of life.

When given an incentive to do well on an IQ test, those with lower scores improve dramatically, research has shown.


For the study, adolescents boys were observed taking an IQ test.


People watched the video and decided who was motivated based on whether they appeared to rush the test or skip questions.

The results showed that motivated boys got higher scores.


Professor Angela Duckworth, the study’s first author, said:


“IQ scores are absolutely predictive of long-term outcomes.

But what our study questions is whether that’s entirely because smarter people do better in life than other people or whether part of the predictive power coming from test motivation.

Could it be that part of the reason doing well on this test predicts future success is because the kinds of traits that would result in you doing well –compliance with authority, self-control, attentiveness, competitiveness — are traits that also help you in life?

This means that for people who get high IQ scores, they probably try hard and are intelligent.

But for people who get low scores, it can be an absence of either or both of those traits.”

SOURCE:

https://www.spring.org.uk/2019/03/personality-trait-predicts-high-iq.php(accessed 25.3.19)

Το αλκοόλ βλάπτει σοβαρά την εγκυμοσύνη

Εγκυος στην αυλή του σπιτιού της στην Μπάια Μάρε της Ρουμανίας.

ΜΟΝΑΧΟ. Η κατανάλωση αλκοόλ κατά τη διάρκεια της εγκυμοσύνης μπορεί να βλάψει σοβαρά το νεογέννητο, σύμφωνα με νέα γερμανική έρευνα, ενώ μέχρι πρότινος υποβαθμίζονταν οι συνέπειες της παθητικής κατανάλωσης οινοπνεύματος για τα μωρά. Παράλληλα, η ίδια μελέτη υπογραμμίζει ότι συχνά ακόμη και όσοι δεν πίνουν υποφέρουν από τις παράπλευρες συνέπειες της κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ: από τα ατυχήματα στον δρόμο που προκαλούν μεθυσμένοι οδηγοί μέχρι τις βιαιοπραγίες για τις οποίες συχνά ευθύνεται το αλκοόλ· εξίσου επηρεάζονται και τα αθώα αγέννητα παιδιά από μητέρες που πίνουν. Ολα αυτά προκύπτουν από τη σημαντική έρευνα περί παθητικής κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ που διενήργησε το Ινστιτούτο του Μονάχου για την Ερευνα της Θεραπείας και η οποία δημοσιεύθηκε στο εξειδικευμένο περιοδικό BMC Medicine.

Οι επιστήμονες υπό τον Λούντβιχ Κράους εκτιμούν ότι, με βάση διεθνείς μελέτες, περίπου 12.650 παιδιά γεννήθηκαν στη Γερμανία το 2014 με σοβαρά προβλήματα εξαιτίας της κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ, εκ των οποίων τα 3.000 είχαν σύνδρομο κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ κατά τη γέννησή τους (FAS). «Μέχρι σήμερα θεωρούσαμε ότι οι αριθμοί είναι πολύ μικρότεροι», εξήγησε ο Κράους. Στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις, τα παιδιά είναι λιποβαρή, κάνουν περιορισμένες κινήσεις, επιδεικνύουν διαταραχές στη συμπεριφορά, έχουν δυσλειτουργίες στη μνήμη, στην κατανόηση και στην προσοχή. «Τα προβλήματα είναι παρόμοια με αυτά του παθητικού καπνίσματος», ανέφερε ο επικεφαλής της μελέτης. Κατά τη γνώμη του Κράους, το «κλειδί» είναι η καλύτερη πρόληψη. Οχι μόνο η ενημέρωση των εγκύων για τα προβλήματα που μπορούν να προκαλέσουν στα νεογέννητα μωρά τους, αλλά και αυστηρές ποινές, καθώς και η εντατικοποίηση των ελέγχων στους δρόμους. Από τους 2.675 αθώους ανθρώπους που έχασαν τη ζωή τους στους δρόμους, οι 1.214 ήταν θύματα μεθυσμένων οδηγών. Την ίδια στιγμή, από τις 368 ανθρωποκτονίες, οι 55 διαπράχθηκαν από δράστες που βρίσκονταν υπό την επήρεια αλκοόλ.

To πρόβλημα εξακολουθεί να είναι ιδιαίτερα οξύ στη Γερμανία, βάσει συγκριτικών μελετών με άλλες χώρες. Ενώ σε πολλές χώρες μειώθηκε η κατανάλωση αλκοόλ τα προηγούμενα χρόνια, στη Γερμανία η ετήσια κατά κεφαλήν κατανάλωση καθαρού οινοπνεύματος έχει αυξηθεί από 12,9 λίτρα το 2010 σε 13,4 λίτρα το 2016, σύμφωνα με τα ευρήματα του Παγκόσμιου Οργανισμού Υγείας. Σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο, περίπου 237 εκατ. άνδρες και 46 εκατ. γυναίκες παρουσιάζουν πρόβλημα αλκοολισμού, με την πλειοψηφία εξ αυτών να ζει στην Ευρώπη και στην αμερικανική ήπειρο (Βόρειο και Νότιο Αμερική).

Το οινόπνευμα θεωρείται μακράν το πιο επικίνδυνο ναρκωτικό: ήδη από το 2010 ο Βρετανός ψυχίατρος Ντέιβιντ Νατ του Imperial College στο Λονδίνο είχε υπολογίσει τις επιπτώσεις από την κατανάλωση αλκοόλ στη χώρα. Κατέληξε, λοιπόν, στο συμπέρασμα ότι οι συνέπειες για έναν πότη και το περιβάλλον του είναι πολύ σοβαρότερες από πολύ πιο ποινικοποιημένες ουσίες, όπως η ηρωίνη, το κρακ και η κοκαΐνη.


ΠΗΓΗ:
http://www.kathimerini.gr/1015340/article/ygeia/ygeia-epikairothta/to-alkool--vlaptei-sovara-thn-egkymosynh(accessed 25.3.19)

Most LGBTQ are Cyberbullied. Here’s How to Stay Safe Online

Most LGBTQ are Cyberbullied. Here’s How to Stay Safe Online


We at vpnMentor conducted a survey in which we asked 695 LGBTQ+ people worldwide about their experiences online as they relate to their sexual orientation and gender identity. The results – referenced throughout this article – illuminated the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Here are some of our key findings:+
73% of all respondents in all categories of gender identity and sexual orientation have been personally attacked or harassed online.
50% of all respondents in all categories of gender identity and sexual orientation have suffered sexual harassment online.
When it comes to sexual orientation, asexual people feel the least safe online, and gay men the safest.
When it comes to gender identity, transgender women feel the least safe online, and cisgender men the safest.
Transgender women are the most likely to be outed against their will online, while cisgender men are least likely.


As experts in the field of cybersecurity, it is our mission to provide practical strategies for coping with adversity, bigotry, and abuse on the web, which is why we created this guide.

Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or are an ally, we hope you find this guide helpful.
Finding Community Online

Navigating a heterosexual and cisgender society can be difficult for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Alienated from their family, condemned by their community, and isolated from their friends, many LGBTQ+ people turn to the internet for solidarity.

With just the click of a button, they can escape their physical surroundings and immediately be transported to a place filled with like-minded, accepting people. There, they can seek guidance about coming out, ask questions about queer specific topics, and better understand their sexualities and gender identities.

Simply put, the internet facilities a sense of community among LGBTQ+ people, regardless of their physical proximity to one another.

“The internet and social media are essential to connecting individuals to information and people of the LGBT+ community,” states Mara,* who’s bisexual/pansexual.** “[It provides] spaces for them to find acceptance, community, and support. It is extremely important to keep these connections alive.”

Since the suicide rate for LGBTQ+ youth is substantially higher than that of their heterosexual and cisgender peers, the internet can literally become life-saving.

“There are so many wonderful support groups that help so much, they seriously saved my life and made my search for my identity so much easier,” recounts Mariela, a lesbian.

“[The internet is] definitely a great information sharer for our sometimes disjointed community, especially in rural areas,” says Blair, who’s genderqueer/non-binary.*** “Lots of my trans identity was discerned through language I accessed online as well as looking at other trans narratives online.”

The Dark Side of the Web

However, the internet can also be an intimidating and dangerous place. Just read the comments on any viral social media post and you’ll see a slew of insults and misdirected aggression.

Considering the fact that a large portion of these hateful comments include homophobic and sometimes even biphobic slurs, the internet is especially threatening to the LGBTQ+ community.

“I feel like there is a significant amount of intolerance from within the LGBTQ community” explained Gill, a genderqueer lesbian. “I’ve honestly been attacked more from within the community than outside of it.”

Given this ugly reality, we believe it is essential that all LGBTQ+ people know how to defend and protect themselves online. Therefore, we created this guide to minimize your personal exposure to online bullying and harassment.

It’s important for us to note that some of the advice here is aimed at people who do not feel safe enough to come out, or who prefer not to reveal certain aspects of their identity if they feel threatened. It is by no means an encouragement to stay closeted.

We also want to acknowledge the downsides of playing it safe. According to our survey, while self-identified gay people responded that they felt safest online, some believe it’s because they’re overly cautious about their internet activity.

“I haven’t experienced anything negative online,” explains Harris, who’s genderqueer and gay. “[But it’s] because I’ve worked very hard to not put myself in situations where I might be vulnerable to attack. This sort of extra mental effort keeps me safe online, but it does come at a price.”

It is our hope that one day none of this will be relevant, and all people, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, will feel free to express themselves online in any way they see fit, without fear.

Cyberbullying is a Near Universal Experience


According to our study, 73% of LGBTQ+ people have reported being personally attacked or harassed online. These incidents frequently revolve around attempts to alter or criticize a person’s sexual or gender identity. (Click to share on Facebook)

Shauna, a lesbian respondent recalls, “some lady commented on a post I made on social media that my being gay was a phase and that if I found Jesus, I would be converted just like her.”

“Back before Facebook filtered messages from people you aren’t friends with, I would often receive messages calling me a dyke or similarly abusing me,” adds Dylan, a non-binary respondent.

And the abuse isn’t always just verbal. Sometimes, it can even lead to physical violence. According to Zsófia, a genderqueer/non-binary lesbian living in Hungary, “In 2012, my whole Facebook profile was published (with several other [members of the] Hungarian LGBTQ+ community) on a far-right group’s website. The list was called “fagot-list” (“köcsög lista” in Hungarian).”

In addition to these assaults by bigots and religious and political extremists, we found that most of the online harassment respondents experienced was sexual in nature.

“I’ve gotten dick pics when looking for a roommate or when posting my phone number after my cat went missing. I’ve also been told by a few guys’ [that] bisexuality is a phase and I need a good dick to cure me,” explains a Jamie, who’s non-binary and bisexual.

Jamie’s sentiment was echoed throughout the survey, with dozens of people reporting that they have received unsolicited pornographic photos or vulgar, sexually explicit messages.

“I posted a photo saying I wish I could just keep my mouth shut, and multiple people offered their dick to keep it full,” recounts Tamika, a genderqueer lesbian.

“I have had death threats against myself and my family,” discloses Nova, an asexual transgender woman. “Bullying from outside and inside the community. [I’ve] been creeped out so much that I have left social media.”

Asexual people described feeling threatened by their non-asexual counterparts who refuse to accept asexuality as a valid orientation. Some of these men, women and non-binary or genderqueer people would accuse asexuals of having a latent or “not yet developed” sexual interest.

“People think they can cure my asexuality by sending me their nudes or just repeatedly telling me everyone has a sex drive you just need to wait for yours,” says Elijah, who’s genderqueer and asexual.

Despite reporting frequently receiving sexually inappropriate content or comments, many respondents downplayed their harassment and even excused this behavior as “just the usual.”

But you don’t have to accept “just the usual.” There are ways to filter out the abuse.


Cyberbullying on Social Media


Today social media is our main form of communication on the internet, and for LGBTQ+ people – especially those who are not supported by their families or friends – social media may be the only place they can find a loving, supportive community.

Unfortunately, social media is also rife with bullying. Studies have even shown that, due to the fact that not having to face their victim in person emboldens many abusers, bullying is much more widespread online than in real life.

Research has also shown that cyberbullying causes depression, and many victims turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs, alcohol, and self-injury.

While there is no way for individuals to stop the harassers from bullying in the first place, there are ways to shield yourself from them, making the repercussions of cyberbullying less severe.

Sometimes it’s as simple as blocking and reporting abusive users, so you don’t have to interact with them at all.




If problems persist, you also have the option of reporting the abuse to the platform – though unfortunately, site administrators don’t always take the necessary action to shut bigots down.

Other Ways to Silence Haters

When blocking someone online is not an option, there are other steps you can take to limit your exposure to them. Any of the following tactics can help you take control online:
Manually remove comments on your posts.
Most sites allow you delete specific comments, so you can remove the offensive responses quickly.
Report the incident to the platform.
If you don’t want it to be obvious that it was you who took action, reporting allows you to anonymously flag the issue, so the company can take action.

Create private lists and groups.
Most social networks have a feature to make messages, posts or groups private. By doing this, you can choose to include people you trust and keep potentially sensitive conversations away from harassers.

Cyberbullying on Online Forums

Online forums are a fantastic way to interact with your community, but they can often be a catalyst for arguments and discussions that can turn nasty. It’s not uncommon for LGBTQ+ people to be unfairly targeted on public boards, just because of how they identify.

LGBTQ folks should never be forced to mask their identity, but unfortunately, the world can be a very ugly place, and some people may choose to keep certain information private in order to keep themselves safe.

The following are all details that you should consider avoiding when talking to people you don’t know.
Address and Contact Information: Cyberbullying is one thing, but having an aggressor know where you live – or how to contact you – can put you in physical danger. Never share these details with anyone online, unless you know them personally and it’s via an encrypted chat. Even general information, such as your town or city, can be used to locate you, so keeping it to yourself is the safest option.


Real Names:

People can quickly connect the dots to work out who you and your friends are, so some choose to use pseudonyms for themselves and people to whom they refer in their posts. This simple habit is easy to adopt and will afford you considerable privacy, while still allowing you to share your experiences and opinions.


Links to Social Media:

If you’re commenting in forums, consider not linking your social media account, or at least keeping your social media settings private. While being verbally attacked on a thread is one thing, your social media account usually has a lot more personal information about you that could escalate harassment to a different level.

Closeted People Risk Being Blackmailed

Although more and more people are comfortable coming out of the closet, there are still many who unfortunately do not feel safe enough to do so. And there are cyber criminals out there who are ready to take advantage of that and are actively looking for victims to blackmail and extort. Therefore, it is important to know how to keep certain information private if you so choose.

Most online platforms have started to take privacy seriously and offer settings to hide parts of, or all, profile information from some users.


Controlling Your Identity During and After Transition

For many transgender people, the period of transition can be an extremely vulnerable time. For those who prefer to keep some or all of their transition private, the possibility of being outed is one of the biggest threats to their online safety. In fact, 26% of transgender women and 21% of transgender men report having been outed against their will.

Some of the respondents to our survey shared stories about how their friends and classmates maliciously revealed their gender identity on social media platforms – or even blackmailed them.

According to Dante, a bisexual/pansexual trans man, “The person [blackmailing me] said they will share my personal information (gender identity and sexual orientation) if I [didn’t] do some certain things.”

In order to avoid being outed, which could potentially create a hostile family dynamic, cost them their job, or instigate a barrage of hateful messages, many choose to live in secrecy.

As Jolene, a transgender lesbian woman recalls, “I live stealth. I hide my sexual orientation and gender identity online.”

Because most people transition as adults, they very likely have an online presence that presents them with the gender they were assigned at birth. As a result, those who fear being blackmailed or involuntarily outed will often choose to remove their previous identity from the web.

For instance, Bianca, a trans blogger, created an online community where she was able to help others in the same situation as her. However, it eventually led to an inability to secure employment and feed her child. According to her, “Then came reality. The world does not like trans – does not understand the cause or the effect.” Because of this, she made the decision to remove traces of her trans identity from her online presence.

Similarly, Yahel, who’s a trans man, first came out in an online forum he worked for, and was immediately met with harassment: “They started opening topics about me saying I’m a girl and that I have a mental illness; they used ‘she’ pronouns.”


Fortunately, because he was a staff member, he could block the offending users.

However, he also noted the limits to his abilities, observing, “when I left my position as a staff member in order to focus on my grades at school, the harassment continued, and I couldn’t do anything about it. When I reported it, no one did anything about it.”

If you are in a similar situation, and are afraid of the consequences of exposing your assigned gender or transition, you have the option of modifying your online persona.
How to Reinvent Your Online Identity
Delete your social media accounts and create new ones that reflect your true gender. Start posting more photos, so you have memories to pad it out with!
Contact websites that present you with your assigned gender, and ask them to remove or update their information on you – you can find out what’s on the web by Googling yourself.

If you don’t want to take these steps because you’ll lose your online following or contact list, you could just update your current accounts.
If you changed your name, update it on every account.
Delete or untag old photos from your social media accounts.
Contact websites, friends, and followers to delete or untag any images that you can’t untag yourself.
Create new photos, videos, and posts that reflect your true self.
It’s also good to know that some social media platforms, like Facebook, have the option to choose a custom gender.

Fortunately, with greater trans visibility, more and more people are open about and proud of their journey. Alex is a trans woman, who found it was easy to come out online. According to her, “Changing my identity online was very simple for me mainly because I already surrounded myself with supportive people. So, like, when I did change everything, everyone was already on board.”

Although she did experience some hate – particularly on dating sites – by being open and finding support among her friends, she found it easier to filter out the noise. Furthermore, she chose the keep posted photos that presented her with the gender she was assigned at birth, and even said that it seemed to help her parents adjust to the idea of her transition.

The decision about how open to be online is deeply personal, and no one should be pressured to reveal more or less than they feel comfortable with. You should decide what’s best for you.

Dating While Queer

Online dating is a huge part of modern relationships. Apps, dating websites, and social media all provide a platform for folks of any gender or orientation to meet, hook up, or fall in love. And they can be especially helpful for sexual minorities looking to find partners in a largely cis-hetero world.

Many of the people we interviewed who are in happy, long-term relationships met their partners on the web.

Ronnie found the love of her life online. “Once I decided to just talk to someone who I had judged was way out of my league. After a couple of weeks she asked me on a date […] now 6 months later, I’m so unbelievably in love.”

Unfortunately, however, online dating sites can be hives for sexual harassment.

In the survey we conducted, more than 50% of respondents who identify as gay, lesbian, queer, asexual, or bisexual/pansexual suffered sexual harassment online.

Similar studies revealed that sexual harassment affects a third of LGBTQ youth – four times as many as cis-hetero youth.

That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself online. Dating should be fun. In order for it to stay that way, check out the tips below.
Safety Tips for Online Dating

Meeting someone you first connected to online could potentially be risky. Even if they appear legitimate, there’s no way to guarantee the authenticity of their identity, and – even if they are the person they say there are – you don’t know how they might act or behave in a face-to-face encounter.

While this shouldn’t stop you from meeting new people, it’s important to maintain a strategy to staysafe, should the situation take an unwanted turn.
Don’t meet at home because you don’t want strangers to know where you live until you’ve vetted them. It may seem inconvenient, but it will make you much less vulnerable.
Tell a friend all the details of the arrangements, including who you’re meeting, where you’re meeting, and when you should be back.
‘Ask For Angela’ or use a similar scheme. Across the world, codes exist that allow you to discreetly ask for help at bars or restaurants should you feel unsafe during a date. Research the options used in your locale beforehand.
Use police apps such as SafeTrek (see below), which allow you to notify the police of your location and alert them to danger, without having to make a call. By pressing a single button, you can dispatch authorities without your date knowing.
Do your research before you meet. Most people have an extensive social media presence that you can use to validate their identity. If they don’t, then you know to be extra cautious during your date – or you might decide to skip the meeting altogether.


Safe Dating Apps

As more and more people rely on their smartphones, dating apps have largely taken the place of traditional dating websites. Some of these attract users who are looking to just hook up (and if that’s what you want, great!), while others are geared more towards those looking for long term relationships.

In either case, users are vulnerable to the same dangers, including sexual harassment or assault.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of apps designed to make your dating experience safer. These include online dating platforms with built-in security measures, as well as intuitive programs that can track your safety while you’re out.
Taimi: Cited as the biggest and safest dating app for men seeking men, Taimi lets users “make friends, find the perfect guy, or form meaningful relationships.” It uses secure login features, such as fingerprints and two-factor authentication, and has an AI bot to verify accounts and detect fraudulent users.
LGBTQutie: This simple app promotes cultivating meaningful relationships and friendships, rather than impersonal hookups. It’s aimed at inclusivity, supporting asexual, non-binary, pansexual, and intersex users, alongside other LGBTQ members.
Scissr: Catering specifically to lesbians, Scissr promises to be a safe space for women. It prioritizes finding fake profiles by weeding out and deleting them before they can cause problems. Alongside its dating service, it also offers users a community where they can share and discuss different topics with likeminded people.
Chappy: Chappy aims to change the stigma around gay-dating apps. They require each user to verify themselves via Facebook and they auto-delete any pictures that do not include a face. They also require users to each select one another before any messaging can happen, which significantly reduces the chance of harassment. Furthermore, they’ll alert you if anyone tries to screenshot your profile or photos.
Safe Sexting

With the rise of dating apps, sexting has become a common phenomenon. As a result, many have nude pictures stored on their phones.

Whether you take these pictures for yourself or for others, you can’t ignore the possibility that if they fall into the wrong hands, the result could be embarrassing – or in some cases – have devastating effects on your personal or professional life.

But swapping cheeky photos can be a fun and fulfilling part of your romantic life, and we want you to have fun. Just make sure you take precautions.


Apps to Secretly Store Your Photos

There are certain apps that you can use to increase security and store your intimate photos in a locked part of your phone. The following all provide this feature:
KeepSafe: KeepSafe provides an easy way to protect your pictures. Just transfer your intimate photos into the app, and it will lock them with a password.
Gallery Lock Lite: This app is a locked photo vault. It also features a stealth mode, which hides the app icon altogether – you can then only access it through a specific sequence of key commands.
Best Secret Folder: This privacy app allows you to hide the app (and your photos) entirely, as it appears on your phone as a ‘Utilities Folder,’ which diverts any suspicion as to what it contains.
KYMS: KYMS provides the standard locked album features but takes it a step further by appearing as a calculator on your phone’s menu. As long as no one grabs your phone to do some math, your secret photos will remain hidden.
Vaulty: As well as providing your photos protection, Vaulty also comes with a plethora of editing features. Plus, if you lose your phone, you can restore your pictures from another device.




Have Your Photos Self-Destruct

Often no real need exists to store your nude photos on your phone at all. Once you’ve sent them to the desired recipient, you may not have a use for them. Many apps exist that allow you to take and send pictures, but will automatically delete them from both phones after a certain amount of time. These platforms allow genuinely stealthy sexting:
Snapchat
StealthChat
Wickr
Kaboom
BurnChat

However, be aware that there are ways to get around this – meaning that the recipient of your photos could take a screenshot or save them in some other way. So never sext with someone you don’t trust.
How to Not Get Hacked

Unfortunately, it’s not just physical theft that could expose your private photos and information. Hackers are becoming incredibly sophisticated and can find your intimate information without you even knowing it.

The best way to protect yourself from hackers is to implement several layers of online protection.
Install antivirus software that will alert you if you accidentally download spyware onto your phone. Spyware intercepts your files, passwords, and online activity, and transfers them back to the hacker.
Only download apps from trusted users. Some unofficial apps are trojan horses for malware. If an infected program enters your phone, it can easily grant a third party access to your messages and photos.
Regularly update your apps, since updates usually include patches and fixes for security flaws.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts to make it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your files via brute-force attacks. This setting requires an additional code from a third-party platform, like your SMS or email, so (unless someone has managed to hack into several of your accounts) they won’t be able to gain entry.
Always use a VPN when using unsecured public WiFi networks. Open hotspots do not encrypt data, so other users can see and access your files. Rogue connection points also exist to intentionally farm your data. Using a VPN will encrypt your traffic and bypass this issue altogether. If you’re not sure which to use, here are some of our favorites.
Avoiding Unwanted Advances

Unwanted sexual advances, from illicit photos to sexual requests, can happen to anyone. However, LGBTQ+ people often face specific perils.

For instance, if you’re trans, it’s not uncommon to be bombarded by intimate questions about your genitalia and sexual experiences, or be solicited for paid intercourse.

According to our survey, when comparing the experiences of people with different gender identities, transgender women felt the least safe online, and cisgender men felt the safest. It was also revealed that transgender people are frequently fetishized due to their gender. Many have the experience of being asked to expose themselves to their cis peers under the guise of learning about their transitions.

Dean, a transgender man recalls, “A high school classmate asked to see me naked so he could understand trans people… even after I told him to research on his own. Then he started making sexual advances.”

Similarly, lesbian couples might receive unwanted advances from straight men that have fetishized their relationships, and bi women are often perceived as being hypersexual and open to any sort of encounter.

“Usually it’ll be an ignorant ‘Want to be in a threesome?’ kind of sleazy comment,” said Priya, who’s bi.

Hannah, also a bisexual woman, noted the existence of ‘unicorn hunters,’ on platforms like Tinder. She defined them as “people who search for bi girls to have threesomes with,” and gave an example from her own experience:

“The one that stuck in my head the most was this email I got from a joint profile. They were looking for a girl to have a threesome [with], and I apparently checked all the boxes they were looking for. The email was really polite actually, asking if I’d be into it and if I’d want to meet up.”

However, she was acutely aware of the lack of social niceties and small talk before the offer, and it left her feeling slightly dehumanized.

It’s important to note that not all uncomfortable interactions rise to the level of harassment. Especially on dating sites, where many are looking for a hook-up, what might feel like crossing a boundary to one person could be a welcome proposition to another. If the interaction falls into that gray area, you’re going to have to make a call as to how to deal with it.

Also remember that it’s not your job to educate people if you don’t want to. While it’s true that some act from a place of ignorance, rather than malice, helping them see the light requires the type of emotional labor you don’t owe anyone.

With that in mind, here are some steps you can take for various scenarios in which you are made to feel uncomfortable:
If you do choose to engage, inform the problematic person that they’re causing offense and explain how. Who knows, they might see the error in their ways and apologize for having crossed a line.
If they’re being totally rude and unacceptable, but you still want to respond in some way, you can tell them that if they continue their behavior you’ll report them to the platform. Sometimes a simple threat is enough to make online trolls step down.
If you’re not interested in a discussion, just block their account and report them to the platform through which you’re communicating.
If harassment persists or escalates, and you fear for your safety, report them to the police. While the authorities often don’t adequately respond to online harassment, it may be worth a shot, and reporting an incident at least begins an official paper trail that may become useful down the road.
Navigating the Workplace While Queer

Despite growing visibility and acceptance, some LGBTQ people still face discrimination in the workplace.

In the US, in 28 states, it’s still legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation, and termination due to gender identity is still allowed in 30 states.

“I’m worried my sexual identity being in the open could hurt my future career,” exclaimed Courtney, a bisexual woman.

These figures are truly shocking, but they highlight why it’s so important to know your rights.
Connecting with Colleagues on Social Media

By no means should anyone ever feel pressured to stay in the closet. That said, those who fear harassment or discrimination should know how to keep their personal and professional life separate if they so choose.

But what if a coworker friends you on Facebook or follows you on Instagram? Do you block them or ignore their request, potentially leading to an awkward work dynamic, or even confrontation?

If you do feel pressured into a friendship with anyone you’re not comfortable with, there are ways to filter what they see. Most platforms let you customize who can see each post, so you can vary the information you share with certain people. Here’s how to do this on popular social network sites:


Combating Harassment & Prejudice at Work

If you experience harassment or discrimination at work, it can be emotionally overwhelming. Especially with everything online nowadays, you might experience online harassment from your coworkers. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get recourse. Here’s where to start:
Document every relevant interaction and collect evidence to take to HR or your lawyer.
Use your phone to record potentially problematic conversations, so you have first-hand proof of what happened.
If any evidence exists within your work email correspondence, be sure to copy and paste or screenshot the content elsewhere – because your employer can delete or edit messages that exist within the company’s internal system. This applies to Slack or other online chat groups as well.
Find someone you trust to help gather documentation. Having a witness will increase the credibility of your claims.
If HR doesn’t take your accusations seriously, find a third-party you can contact to push the case further.
Know your rights. Being able to refer to specific legislation and guidelines regarding discrimination will help you go to battle with confidence.


Tips for Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth


If you are the parent of an LGBTQ+ child, it’s essential to verse yourself in online safety.

Queer youth are especially vulnerable to abuse and depression, mostly because they have less of an ability than adults to organize their lives around finding a supportive community.

It is important to stay involved in your child’s life and be aware of their mental health. By maintaining an open dialogue and monitoring their online activity, you can help keep them safe.

Similarly, if you discover that your child is queer but has not disclosed that information to you, it is important that you do not confront them about it. Instead, have an open dialogue and incorporate statements about the LGBTQ community that will help your child feel safe.

Talk to them, but more importantly LISTEN. Ask what help they need and what tactics they’re using to protect themselves online. Many resources exist to support LGBTQ youth and their parents, so feel free to reach out and connect with others.

Below is a list of organizations that offer a plethora of resources for LGBTQ youth and their loved ones.


Support Organizations for LGBTQ+ Youth and Their Families
It Gets Better: Created by married couple Dan Savage and Terry Miller, It Gets Better started as a social media campaign to provide hope for young LGBTQ+ people who face bullying and prejudice. Today it is an international media network with numerous partners.
GLAAD: GLAAD was founded in response to the slanderous coverage of the 1980s AIDS epidemic. Today, it plays a major role in tackling problematic media narratives and encouraging essential conversation about LGBTQ+ issues.
Born This Way: This foundation was created by Lady GaGa and her mother, following the success of the song of the same name. The organization aims to support and empower young people through research and by connecting them to mental health resources.
FFLAG: Standing for Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, this registered nonprofit’s primary focus is supporting and sharing information with the friends and family of LGBTQ+ people. In addition to providing resources, they also connect members with local groups and contacts.




Helpful Blogs & Forums

You can also find an infinite number of blogs and forums that are used to discuss problems and share personal experiences. Popular blogs for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents include:
Gay Christian Network Forum
Transparenthood.net
Parentingjeremy.com
Raisingmyrainbow.com
Exploitive Relationships Among LQBTQ+ Youth

Studies show that LGBTQ+ youth are presented with more relevant risk factors than any other group of young people.

Often this occurs when children or youth come from homophobic/transphobic families that don’t give them the support they need and deserve. Young people who are forced to stay in the closet due to fears of backlash from their parents are particularly at risk of sexual extortion.

“When I was younger, and the internet more ruthless, I had a man threatening to come to my house to tell my parents unless I sent him pictures,” recounts Giselle, an asexual transgender woman. “I had [nowhere] to go and thought that some stranger was going to tell my parents everything.”

In extreme (though unfortunately not uncommon) cases, youth without familial support end up homeless and often are forced to turn to sex work as their only means of survival. According to Gil Fishhof, the Director of the Human Rights Youth Organization: “these kids are engaging in sex as a means of acquiring the basic necessities that we take for granted like food, clothing, and shelter.”

And even those who don’t engage in sex work can be vulnerable to exploitation from adults who seek to establish a ‘sugar daddy/mommy’ relationship with someone who is young and easily manipulated. In explaining some of the potential reasons why young people who identify as LGBTQ+ might fall into unsavory relationships, Fishhof says, “youth are less likely to say no in these situations because they feel like they need to validate their sexual identities. It creates a fertile ground for sexual assault.”

In these situations, the responsibility falls to parents and caregivers to keep a watchful eye on the young people they care about. It’s particularly important to keep an open dialogue about internet use and ensure that minors stay away from the adult dating community.


The following are all 18+ apps that those who are underage shouldn’t be on:
Tindr
Grindr
Zoosk
HER
Hotornot
Badoo
Skout

If your child or a young person you care about is using one of these apps, have a conversation with them, and make sure they understand the risks of getting intimate with adults.

That said, while open and honest dialogue is always the best option for teaching your child about safety, if you think it necessary and have the ability to do so, you could also block their usage of these apps entirely.

One way to do this is by using parental control software.

These let you block apps, as well as track activity and messages. They can be as intrusive or unobtrusive as you want them to be, so you can find the balance between respecting your child’s privacy and keeping them safe.


The following are all highly-rated parental control programs:
Norton Family Premier: Available by itself or as an extension to the Norton Security Suite, this control app allows you to set ‘house rules’ for each device. These can determine time limits, app restrictions and under 18 filters.
FamilyTime: FamilyTime is available on most operating systems and allows you to monitor and manage your kid’s web use – giving you access to phone logs and location, and letting you block apps and implement geofencing.
Qustodio: This option allows you to set individual time limits for each app, or block them completely. It’s also simple to monitor your child’s texts and calls through the admin panel.
Net Nanny: Net Nanny is an award-winning software that offers real-time analytics, and that monitors activity and prevents users from accessing age-inappropriate content.
Pumpic: Targeting mobiles specifically, Pumpic gives you remote access to your child’s device, and the ability to block or moderate the content they see. It provides logs of their activity, calendar, contacts, and messages.
We Hope This Helped

In a perfect world, LGBTQ+ people wouldn’t face a heightened risk online and would be free to express themselves however they wish. Sadly, social norms aren’t changing fast enough, and we still have a long way to go before that reality is realized. Unfortunately, this means that LGBTQ+ people have to be extra careful, especially online.

We hope our guide helps you take control of interactions online and makes you feel safer, while at the same time empowering you to fully enjoy the digital aspects of your personal, intimate, and professional life.



*All names have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy.

**For the purposes of our survey, the categories bisexual and pansexual were combined.

***For the purposes of our survey, the categories genderqueer and non-binary were combined.
Appendix
Harassment Online

Respondents were asked, “Have you ever been personally attacked or harassed online?”
Answer Result
No 27%
Yes 73%



Sexual Harassment Online

Respondents were asked, “Have you ever received unwanted sexual texts/messages/pictures/advances online?”
Sexual Orientation Result
Asexual
No 57%
Yes 43%
Bisexual/Pansexual
No 50%
Yes 50%
Gay
No 49%
Yes 51%
Lesbian
No 51%
Yes 49%
Queer
No 41%
Yes 59%



Safety by Sexual Orientation

Respondents were asked, “In general, how safe do you feel online? Answer on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being ‘very safe’ and 1 ‘not at all safe.’”
Sexual Orientation Number of Respondents Average Response
Asexual 37 3.49
Lesbian 138 3.50
Queer 58 3.52
Bisexual/Pansexual 248 3.56
Gay 112 3.63
Straight 4 3.75
Total 597 3.552763819



Safety by Gender Identity

Respondents were asked, “How safe do you feel online? Answer on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being ‘very safe’ and 1 ‘not at all safe.’”
Gender Identity Number of Respondents Average Response
Transgender Woman 23 3.217391304
Transgender Man 43 3.441860465
Genderqueer/Non-binary 116 3.50862069
Cisgender Woman 276 3.565217391
Cisgender Man 138 3.65942029
Total 596 3.553691275



Outing by Gender Identity

Respondents were asked, “Have you ever been outed against your will online?”
Sexual Orientation Result
Cisgender Man
No 89%
Yes 11%
Cisgender Woman
No 88%
Yes 12%
Genderqueer/Non-binary
No 84%
Yes 16%
Transgender Man
No 79%
Yes 21%
Transgender Woman
No 74%
Yes 26%

SOURCE:

https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/lgbtq-guide-online-safety/ (accessed 21.3.19)

Άνοια και νόσος Alzheimer

Η άνοια είναι ένα σύνδρομο, το οποίο χαρακτηρίζεται από έκπτωση των ανωτέρω νοητικών λειτουργιών. Ο ασθενής με άνοια παρουσιάζει προβλήματα στη μνήμη, την προσοχή, τη συγκέντρωση, την ομιλία και τη σκέψη, με αποτέλεσμα να προκαλούνται ποικίλες δυσκολίες στην καθημερινή, επαγγελματική και κοινωνική ζωή του. Παλιότερα, χρησιμοποιούσαμε τον όρο γεροντική άνοια, ο οποίος έχει πια εγκαταλειφθεί. Η πιο συχνή αιτία άνοιας είναι η νόσος του Alzheimer,αλλά άνοια μπορεί να προκαλέσουν εκατοντάδες άλλοι νόσοι (π.χ. κάποιο σοβαρό εγκεφαλικό ή η νόσος του Parkinson).

Η νόσος του Alzheimer είναι μια επίκτητη και εμμένουσα έκπτωση των διανοητικών ικανοτήτων, που επηρεάζει πολλαπλά γνωστικά πεδία, και δημιουργεί πρόβλημα στην καθημερινή, επαγγελματική και κοινωνική ζωή του ατόμου. Αποτελεί τη συχνότερη αιτία άνοιας και είναι υπεύθυνη για περισσότερες από τις μισές περιπτώσεις άνοιας.

Τα διαγνωστικά κριτήρια της Άνοιας τύπου Αlzheimer κατά DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association 1994) είναι τα εξής:

Α. Ανάπτυξη πολλαπλών νοητικών ελλειμμάτων :

Α.1. Έκπτωση μνήμης.

Α.2. Τουλάχιστον ένα από τα ακόλουθα: α) αφασία β) απραξία, γ) αγνωσία, δ) διαταραχή των εκτελεστικών λειτουργιών.

Β. σημαντική έκπτωση της επαγγελματικής και κοινωνικής λειτουργικότητας και σηματοδοτούν έκπτωση από το προηγούμενο επίπεδο λειτουργικότητας.

Γ. Η πορεία της νόσου χαρακτηρίζεται από σταδιακή έναρξη και προϊούσα γνωστική έκπτωση.

Δ. Τα παραπάνω γνωστικά ελλείμματα δεν οφείλονται σε α) άλλες ασθένειες του ΚΝΣ β) συστηματικές νόσους γ) κατάχρηση ουσιών δ) άλλες ψυχιατρικές νόσους.

Ε. Τα ελλείμματα δεν συμβαίνουν αποκλειστικά κατά τη διάρκεια παραληρήματος.

Επιδημιολογία της νόσου του Alzheimer:

Η νόσος του Alzheimer αποτελεί την πιο συχνή αιτία άνοιας. Σε διάφορες μελέτες υπεύθυνη για το 40-74% του συνόλου των ανοιών.

17-25 εκατ. άνθρωποι παγκοσμίως πάσχουν υπολογίζεται ότι πάσχουν από την νόσο Alzheimer.

Στην Ελλάδα, υπολογίζεται πως υπάρχουν 140.000 με 160.000 ασθενείς με άνοια.

Η νόσος Αlzheimer είναι η Τρίτη πιο πολυέξοδη νόσος, μετά τα καρδιακά νοσήματα και τον καρκίνο.

Η Ελληνική Γεροντολογική και Γηριατρική Εταιρεία

210 38 40 317 - 210 38 11 612 - hagg@gerontology.gr

ΠΗΓΗ:

https://www.gerontology.gr/2015/07/10/%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%BD%CF%8C%CF%83%CE%BF%CF%82-alzheimer/(accessed 15.3.19)

The Placebo Effect, Digested – 10 Amazing Findings

The placebo effect usually triggers an eye-brow raise or two among even the most hard-nosed of skeptics. We may not be able to forecast the future or move physical objects with our minds, but the placebo effect is nearly as marvellous (Ben Goldacre once called it the “coolest, strangest thing in medicine”).

The term “placebo effect” is short-hand for how our mere beliefs about the effectiveness of an inert treatment or intervention can lead to demonstrable health benefits and cognitive changes – an apparently incontrovertible demonstration of the near-magical power of mind over matter. It’s not literally magic, of course. Our beliefs are the subjective echo of physical processes in the brain – and it’s this constellation of neurochemical and electrical events , and their downstream effects, that underlies the placebo phenomenon (in some cases the placebo effect can also be interpreted as a form of conditioned response, in which a learned physiological reaction occurs in the absence of the original trigger).

There is another angle to this topic. To research psychologists, the placebo effect isn’t always a phenomenon of wonder, but a methodological nuisance. Researchers must go to extreme lengths to rule out the influence of participant expectations, so as to establish which observed effects are truly attributable to an intervention.

Here, in a celebration of the mysterious and maddening placebo effect, and to help inspire future research into this most fascinating aspect of human (and animal) psychology, we digest 10 amazing placebo-related findings:



The Placebo Effect Works Even When You Know It’s A Placebo

For the placebo effect to occur, it’s usually considered that deception is required – tricking the patient into thinking that an inert treatment is actually a powerful drug or similar. It’s this need for trickery that has long meant the deliberate inducement of placebo effects in mainstream medicine is seen as unethical. Nearly ten years ago, however, researchers showed that people with irritable bowel syndrome showed greater improvement after being given a so-called “open placebo” that they were told was completely inert, as compared to receiving no treatment. Presumably some residual belief and expectation of an effect survives being told that the treatment is physically impotent (or there is a condition response to the placebo that does not require positive beliefs). More recent research has since shown benefits of open placebos for many other conditions including back pain and hay fever. Open placebos “bypass at least some of the conventional ethical barriers” to the clinical use of placebos, according to some experts. Others however have highlighted the lack of suitably robust research in this area, and it’s worth noting there have been some null findings – for instance, open placebos failed to speed up wound healing.

Branding, Colours and Medical Paraphernalia Can All Boost The Placebo Effect

Putting aside open placebos, there’s evidence that different forms of deceptive placebo vary in their effectiveness. The more powerful we imagine their effect will be, the larger the benefit. This means that four placebo pills have a larger effect than two; and placebo injections (filled with nothing other than saline solution) are more powerful than pills (in fact, in the context of osteoarthritis, a placebo injection was found to be more effective than a real drug). Also – depending on the condition being treated – pills of certain colours and descriptions are more effective than others, such as blue placebo pills making better sedatives than pink ones, and branded placebo pills being more effectivethan those without any labelling. The influence of the credibility of a given placebo on its subsequent effectiveness may help explain one of the most astonishing demonstrations of the placebo effect that I’ve come across. It involved “placebo brain surgery” – and what could elicit a greater hope for a treatment effect than the elaborate paraphernalia and protocols involved in experts operating on your brain? Specifically, the research showed that patients with Parkinson’s Disease who undertook a form of placebo brain surgery (supposedly, but not really, involving the injection of stem cells) showed greater symptom improvements than those patients who received the stem cell treatment, but didn’t think they had. “The placebo effect was very strong in this study,” the researchers said, “demonstrating the value of placebo-controlled surgical trials.”

Some People Are More Prone To The Placebo Effect Than Others

Certain personality traits are associated with it being more likely that a person will experience the placebo effect. This is logical since the placebo effect depends on our beliefs and expectations, which some of us may subscribe to more readily and enthusiastically than others. Among the results in this area, optimists are more responsive to analgesic placebos, as are people who score higher for emotional resilience and friendliness (this last finding may relate to the social dynamic involved in the elicitation of the placebo effect by physicians). Curiously, the traits related to placebo response vary according to the condition being treated – in the context of stress, for instance, one study found it was the more pessimistic and less empathic participants who showed a greater placebo response. Whereas personality traits appear to play an important role in the placebo effect, the evidence to date suggests that age and gender are largely irrelevant.

Some Doctors Are Better At Inducing The Placebo Effect Than Others

As placebo effects depend on the patient believing in the power of the treatment being given to them, it follows that some doctors will be better placed to reinforce this hope and expectation than others. Research backs this up: a study that involved a placebo injection for the treatment of an allergic reaction found that symptom improvement was greater when the injection was given by a doctor conveying warmth and confidence. Feelings of similarity toward one’s doctor may also be relevant: another study found that subjective pain was lower after a medical procedure when participants thought they’d been paired with a doctor who shared the same values and personal beliefs as them.

The Placebo Effect Isn’t Just About Pain Reduction – It Can Boost Creativity And Cognitive Performance Too

We usually think of the placebo effect in the context of medical interventions and especially pain relief. However, there is growing evidence that the effect can also work in other ways, including enhancing our physical and mental performance. In terms athletic abilities, various studies have shown placebo effects on speed, strength and endurance (in one placebo-like study, researchers asked cyclists to train to complete exhaustion and found they were able to persist significantly longer when their clocks had been secretly tampered with to make them run slow).

In relation to creativity, one study found that people who smelt an odour that they were told boosts creativity went on to excel at tests of their creative performance as compared with a control group who smelled the same odour but weren’t told it had any special benefits. Another experiment involved participants receiving placebo non-invasive brain stimulation and performing a learning task. The placebo group thought their brains had been stimulated by a mild electrical current – in reality they hadn’t – and they were led to believe that this stimulation would boost their mental function. The placebo participants were subsequently more accurate in the learning task, and showed steeper reductions in their reaction times than control participants. “We conclude that experimentally induced expectancy can impact cognitive functions of healthy adult participants,” the researchers said.

There’s Even Such A Thing As Placebo Sleep

There is almost no end to the ways that the placebo phenomenon can manifest. In one particularly novel instanceresearchers tricked participants into thinking they’d had more sleep than they actually had, and then observed how this affected their performance the next day. The researchers achieved this deception by wiring their participants up to various physiological measures and then giving some of them false feedback on how much REM sleep they’d had. After hearing that they’d had an impressive amount of sleep, participants performed better on tests of language and arithmetic. Other imaginative examples and manifestations of the placebo effect include the study that showed health gains among hotel cleaning staff who had been reminded that their work counts as exercise, including in terms of weight, body mass index, body-fat, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure. Another intriguing research finding, which might be explained by a kind of placebo effect, was that people who believe they exercise more than their peers tend to live longer, regardless of how much they actually exercise.

Animals Seem To Experience The Placebo Effect Too

It is common in drug trials involving animals to compare an active treatment against a placebo, similar to the procedure in human drug trials. And when this is done, researchers have often observed that a significant number of animals in the placebo group show a treatment response, such as happened in a trial of an anti-seizure medication for dogs, and in a dietary intervention for muscle stiffness in horses. The problem with interpreting these kind of findings is that it’s possible the placebo effect really lies with the owners, who may interact with their animals differently when they believe they are receiving medial care or nutritional supplements.

However, the argument that animals can demonstrate a kind of placebo effect is irrefutable in the context of lab studies involving rodents – in this case, researchers have paired an active drug, such as morphine, with a particular taste or smell, and then shown that the analgesic effect still occurs when the same taste or smell is repeated but without the drug. In this case the placebo effect is arising from a conditioned response rather than the animals’ expectations, but this is probably part of the placebo phenomenon in humans too. As Edward Ernst told BBC Earth: “A major chunk of what we believe constitutes the placebo effect has been in fact discovered in animals.”

The Placebo Effect Has An Evil Twin

If the placebo effect occurs simply because you believe a given treatment will be beneficial, it follows that if you have negative expectations, this could result in a worsening of your symptoms. That’s exactly what researchers have found and they’ve called this the “nocebo effect”. The placebo effect’s twin is not to be sniffed at either. A meta-analysis in the context of analgesia (in which some participants are told that an inert cream or pill leads to increased pain in some people) found that the nocebo effect is roughly similar in size to positive placebo effects.

Intriguingly, nocebo effects can even occur in the presence of real pain-relieving medications, not just inert treatments – in one study, participants were told that their pain would increase after an analgesia treatment was stopped. The physiological effect of the analgesia would normally persist, however in these participants it ended abruptly, as if the negative expectations had cancelled out the genuine analgesic effect. The real-life implications of these kind of findings are obvious – if nothing else, it’s probably worth taking care when you read the side-effects leaflet that came with your latest prescription.

The Placebo Effect Is A Bit Of A Pain For Many Psychology Researchers

The placebo effect is fascinating in its own right, but for researchers interested in establishing the efficacy of psychological interventions, it can be maddening. The influence of expectations on our thoughts, feelings and behavior is so powerful and pervasive that it complicates the interpretation of many studies, unless they are very carefully designed. In their 2013 paper titled “The Pervasive Problem With Placebos In Psychology“, a team led by Walter Boot at Florida State University argued that in fact many psychology studies (on things like brain training, expressive writing and internet therapy) do not do enough to match participants’ expectations across different conditions. They explain that simply having an active control condition is not adequate if participants in the control group do not expect it to have as beneficial or powerful an effect as participants in the intervention condition expect of their experience. The way around this, Boot and his colleagues explained, is to measure participants’ expectations and take steps to try to match them across control and intervention conditions as much as possible. “‘We are hopeful that, with better designs and better checks on placebo effects, future research will provide more compelling evidence for the effectiveness of interventions,’ they concluded.

The Placebo Effect Appears To Be Getting Stronger

Curiously, it’s become apparent in recent years that the placebo effect is getting stronger – this has been shown for placebo antipsychotic medications, placebo anti-depressants, and – in the US only – for placebo analgesics. With regards to that last finding, research team leader Jeffrey Mogil told Nature News, “We were absolutely floored when we found out”. Specifically, in the 90s, they found that participants receiving an active drug reported 27 per cent greater pain relief than participants receiving placebo, but by 2013, the difference was just 9 per cent. One explanation is that drug trials have become larger and more elaborate, especially in the US, thus increasing the drama and intensity of the experience for participants only receiving placebo.

Another possibility is that the general public has become more aware of the placebo effect – and of the idea that its impact on symptoms can be real (as reflected in less pain-related brain activity, for instance) and not merely illusory. That was the argument put forward by anesthesiologist Gary Bennett in the journal Pain last year. In fact, Bennett goes so far as to suggest that, because the term placebo now elicits such a strong placebo effect, its use should be dropped from drug trials. “The word ‘placebo’ should be avoided in all information and instructions given to the patients,” he advises. “Patient instructions should have the goal of forcing the patient’s expectations to the form: ‘I may receive pain relief’ vs. ‘I will not obtain pain relief’.”

SOURCE:

https://digest.bps.org.uk/2019/03/11/the-placebo-effect-digested-10-amazing-findings/(accessed 15.3.19)

Οι διαταραχές πρόσληψης τροφής «πληγώνουν» την καρδιά

Tον κώδωνα του κινδύνου για τις επιπτώσεις των διαταραχών πρόσληψης τροφής κρούει η 'Αρτεμις Τσίσικα, αν. καθηγήτρια Παιδιατρικής- Εφηβικής Ιατρικής & Επιστημονική Υπεύθυνος της Μονάδας Εφηβικής Υγείας (Μ.Ε.Υ.) της Β΄ Παιδιατρικής Κλινικής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.

Σε ομιλία της στο 5ο Δ|Υ|Ο FORUM (15 &16 Μαρτίου στο Ζάππειο Μέγαρο), αναμένεται να τονίσει ότι όλο το φάσμα των διαταραχών πρόσληψης τροφής έχουν επιπτώσεις στο καρδιαγγειακό σύστημα, όταν ωστόσο αφορούν παιδιά, οι επιπτώσεις αυτές αποκτούν ιδιαίτερη σημασία.

Η κ. Τσίτσικα εξηγεί ότι «στην ψυχογενή ανορεξία, η απώλεια μυικού ιστού, λόγω της μειωμένης πρόσληψης ενέργειας/τροφής, αφορά και τον καρδιακό μυ, ο οποίος αποδυναμώνεται με αποτέλεσμα τον μειωμένο όγκο του κάθε παλμού της καρδιάς. Παράλληλα, και λόγω μειωμένης λειτουργίας του θυρεοειδούς αδένα που προσπαθεί να περιορίσει τον μεταβολισμό και τις καύσεις εν μέσω του υποσιτισμού, μειώνεται και ο αριθμός των σφύξεων ανά λεπτό (σφυγμός) και συνεπώς προκύπτει ένα είδος «καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας», η οποία, ωστόσο, αν το άτομο επανασιτιστεί εγκαίρως, είναι αναστρέψιμη. Η ανορεξία μπορεί να έχει επίσης επιπτώσεις στην ηλεκτροφυσιολογική δραστηριότητα της καρδιάς, λόγω ηλεκτρολυτικών διαταραχών, όταν συνυπάρχουν προκλητοί έμετοι ή/και κατάχρηση διουρητικών ή/και καθαρτικών φαρμάκων προκειμένου να επιτευχθεί η επιθυμητή απώλεια βάρους! Διόλου τυχαίο, το ότι μια από τις πρώτες αιτίες θανάτου σε άτομα με διαταραχές πρόσληψης τροφής είναι η καρδιακή ανακοπή.

Και στην ψυχογενή βουλιμία, ισχύουν πολλά από τα παραπάνω: Οι προκλητοί έμετοι και η χρήση διουρητικών ή/και καθαρτικών σε πολλαπλάσιες από τις θεραπευτικές δόσεις προκαλούν σημαντική ηλεκτρολυτική ανισορροπία με επακόλουθες σημαντικές επιπτώσεις στις διαταραχές του ρυθμού της καρδιάς, ενίοτε θανατηφόρες».

Σύμφωνα με την καθηγήτρια, «στο φάσμα των διαταραχών πρόσληψης τροφής εντάσσονται και η υπερβαρότητα/παχυσαρκία που αφορούν όλο και περισσότερα παιδιά και εφήβους στη χώρα μας, λόγω του σύγχρονου τρόπου ζωής, αλλά και της έλλειψης διεξόδων εν μέσω της οικονομικής κρίσης (κατανάλωση ανθυγιεινών τροφών και σνακ, έλλειψη φυσικής άσκησης και υπερβολικός χρόνος σε οθόνες)».

Το υπέρβαρο, η παχυσαρκία, αλλά και η επεισοδιακή υπερφαγία (binge eating) είναι ύπουλες καταστάσεις, με επιπτώσεις στο καρδιαγγειακό σύστημα οδηγούν:

* σε αντίσταση στην ινσουλίνη, διαβήτη τύπου 2, δυσλιπιδαιμία,

* υπέρταση και στα κορίτσια στην εμφάνιση συνδρόμου πολυκυστικών ωοθηκών.

Σύμφωνα με πρόσφατη έρευνα (2015-2016), σε 414 παιδιά και εφήβους 10-18 ετών που προσήλθαν στη Μονάδα Εφηβικής Υγείας (ΜΕΥ) του ΕΚΠΑ με αυξημένο βάρος σώματος, 21% είχαν αύξηση της αρτηριακής πίεσης και των λιπιδίων του αίματος και 13% διαταραχή του μεταβολισμού της γλυκόζης (τάση για διαβήτη τύπου 2).

Όπως χαρακτηριστικά τόνισε η κ. Τσίτσικα, η οποία διατελεί και πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Εφηβικής Ιατρικής, «ίσως πρόκειται για την πρώτη γενιά στην ιστορία της ανθρωπότητας που μπορεί να έχει χαμηλότερο προσδόκιμο ζωής συγκριτικά με τους προγόνους της».

ΠΗΓΗ:

http://www.kathimerini.gr/1014439/article/ygeia/ygeia-epikairothta/oi-diataraxes-proslhyhs-trofhs-plhgwnoyn-thn-kardia(accessed 14.3.19)

Ανιχνεύοντας και παρατηρώντας τους ήχους και τις φωνές

Η έρευνα που δημοσιεύουμε ολοκληρώθηκε τον Ιούλιο του 2017 είναι διαπανεπιστημιακής συνεργασίας με επικεφαλής το Πανεπιστημίου του Durham.



Πραγματεύεται την ανίχνευση των ήχων ομιλίας, ποια μέρη του εγκεφάλου ενεργοποιούνται και πως εκείνα δραστηριοποιούνται, από τους ανθρώπους που ακούνε φωνές χωρίς συμπτώματα ψύχωσης (δίνοντας έτσι τη δυνατότητα να μελετηθεί και να παρατηρηθεί αυτή η εμπειρία μακριά από τους συγχυτικούς κλινικούς παράγοντες αλλά και την επιρροή που μπορεί να υπάρχει από τα φάρμακα) σε αντίθεση με αυτούς που ποτέ δεν είχαν εμπειρία ακρόασης

 φωνών.



Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας αναδεικνύουν μια δεξιότητα των ανθρώπων που ακούνε φωνές, καθώς φαίνεται ότι αυτοί μπορούν να διακρίνουν πιο εύκολα και πιο γρήγορα τις "πραγματικές" φωνές (την ύπαρξη των οποίων αναγνωρίζουμε όλοι/ες), που είναι δυσδιάκριτες για άλλους. Η ανακάλυψη και τέτοιων θετικών συσχετίσεων με την εμπειρία των φωνών αποτελεί μια ενδιαφέρουσα ερευνητική προσέγγιση που συμβάλλει στην αναθεώρηση ευρέως διαδεδομένων διακρίσεων και στερεοτύπων, σύμφωνα με τα οποία όσοι ακούνε φωνές υστερούν σε γνωστικά και άλλα επίπεδα έναντι των "φυσιολογικών".



Και μόνο το ότι υπάρχουν άνθρωποι που δεν έχουν συμπτώματα ψύχωσης και ακούνε φωνές είναι κάτι πάρα πολύ θετικό ως το ότι θα μπορούσε να δώσει λύσεις και τεχνικές διαχείρισης σε εκείνους που έχουν συμπτώματα ψύχωσης. Ας πούμε αν κάποιος έχει το μηχανισμό και μπορεί να αναλύσει τον τρόπο που τον κάνει πιο γρήγορο στο να ανιχνεύει μια φωνή ή ενός ήχου θα μπορούσε να βοηθήσει κάποιον που ακούει μια αρνητική φωνή ή έναν τρομακτικό ήχο να προλάβει να πει κάτι ή να κάνει κάτι στο χώρο που ακούει τις φωνές, πριν ο ήχος ή φωνή σωματοποιηθεί και του προκαλέσει αρνητικά συναισθήματα φόβο και ή παρανοϊκές ιδέες.

ΠΗΓΗ:

http://www.hearingvoices.gr/index.php/el/component/content/article/78-hvathens/150-2017-09-27-07-52-24(accessed 8.3.19)

Ελαφρώς αυξημένος ο κίνδυνος Αλτσχάιμερ για τις γυναίκες που κάνουν μακρόχρονη ορμονική θεραπεία

Η μακρόχρονη χρήση ορμονικής θεραπείας από τις γυναίκες για τον έλεγχο των συμπτωμάτων της εμμηνόπαυσης, σχετίζεται με ελαφρώς αυξημένο κίνδυνο για την εμφάνιση της νόσου Αλτσχάιμερ, σύμφωνα με μια νέα φινλανδική επιστημονική έρευνα, την μεγαλύτερη έως τώρα που κάνει αυτή τη συσχέτιση.

Ο απόλυτος κίνδυνος είναι πάντως μικρός: εννέα έως 18 έξτρα περιστατικά Αλτσχάιμερ ανά 10.000 γυναίκες 70-80 ετών ετησίως. Η ηλικία στην οποία ξεκινά η ορμονοθεραπεία, δεν φαίνεται να παίζει ρόλο στον μελλοντικό κίνδυνο.

Οι ερευνητές τόνισαν ότι αν και η πιθανότητα είναι μικρή, οι γυναίκες καλό είναι να ενημερωθούν για τον πιθανό κίνδυνο από την παρατεταμένη χρήση των ορμονών λόγω εμμηνόπαυσης, η οποία μπορεί να συνοδεύεται από εξάψεις, εφίδρωση, μειωμένη σεξουαλική διάθεση, ψυχολογικά «σκαμπανεβάσματα» και άλλα συμπτώματα. Υπάρχει μια ποικιλία σχετικών θεραπειών, όπως χάπια μόνο με οιστρογόνα ή με συνδυασμό οιστρογόνων και προγεσταγόνων, κρέμες, τζελ, δερματικά επιθέματα κ.α.

Οι ερευνητές, με επικεφαλής τον αναπληρωτή καθηγητή Τόμι Μίκολα του Πανεπιστημίου του Ελσίνκι, που έκαναν τη σχετική δημοσίευση στο βρετανικό ιατρικό περιοδικό British Medical Journal (BMJ), συνέκριναν στοιχεία για περίπου 84.700 γυναίκες μετά την εμμηνόπαυση που είχαν διαγνωσθεί με Αλτσχάιμερ, με άλλες τόσες γυναίκες χωρίς Αλτσχάιμερ. Περίπου 11.800 γυναίκες είχαν κάνει ορμονική θεραπεία για πάνω από δέκα χρόνια.

Διαπιστώθηκε ότι η ορμονοθεραπεία από το στόμα σχετιζόταν με 9% έως 17% μεγαλύτερο κίνδυνο εμφάνισης Αλτσχάιμερ, ενώ δεν υπήρχε ανάλογη αύξηση του κινδύνου για την κολπική ορμονοθεραπεία με οιστραδιόλη.

Oι ερευνητές επεσήμαναν ότι η μελέτη τους δεν μπορεί να αποκλείσει πως και άλλοι παράγοντες -πέρα από την ορμονοθεραπεία- μπορεί να έχουν επηρεάσει τα ευρήματα τους. 'Αλλες μελέτες στο παρελθόν μάλιστα έχουν καταλήξει στο αντίθετο συμπέρασμα, ότι η ορμονική θεραπεία της εμμηνόπαυσης μπορεί να προστατεύει από την άνοια.

Το Βασιλικό Κολλέγιο Παθολόγων της Βρετανίας δήλωσε ότι η έρευνα δεν αποδεικνύει πως η ορμονοθεραπεία προκαλεί Αλτσχάιμερ, συνεπώς οι γυναίκες μπορούν να τη συνεχίσουν, εφόσον υποφέρουν από έντονα συμπτώματα εμμηνόπαυσης. Οι περισσότερες γυναίκες έχουν τέτοια συμπτώματα για περίπου τέσσερα χρόνια, αλλά αυτά μπορούν να διαρκέσουν έως 12 χρόνια.

ΠΗΓΗ:

http://www.kathimerini.gr/1013469/article/ygeia/ygeia-epikairothta/elafrws-ay3hmenos-o-kindynos-altsxaimer-gia-tis-gynaikes-poy-kanoyn-makroxronh-ormonikh-8erapeia(accessed 7.3.19)

Πως η στεναχώρια εξασθενεί το ανοσοποιητικό μας σύστημα

Βρετανοί επιστήμονες ανακάλυψαν ότι μια μεγάλη στεναχώρια επιδρά τόσο πολύ αρνητικά τον οργανισμό, ώστε εξασθενεί το ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα, παρέχοντας, συνεπώς, την ευκαιρία σε επικίνδυνα μικρόβια να του επιτεθούν.




Το εν λόγω εύρημα εξηγεί περιπτώσεις ανθρώπων οι οποίοι αρρωσταίνουν βαριά ή και πεθαίνουν ακόμα όταν χάνουν τον/την σύντροφο της ζωής τους. Αυτό έγινε για παράδειγμα στην περίπτωση του διάσημου μουσικού Τζόνι Κας, που πέθανε το 2003 από επιπλοκές του διαβήτη.

Ο Κας είχε χάσει 4 μήνες νωρίτερα τη σύζυγό του Τζουν και οι συγγενείς του είχαν πει τότε πως ο 71 ετών συνθέτης και τραγουδιστής δεν άντεξε τον θάνατό της.

Τα ουδετερόφιλα

Ανοσολόγοι από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Μπέρμιγχαμ ανακάλυψαν ότι τα αυξημένα επίπεδα στρες και κατάθλιψης που προκαλεί η μεγάλη στεναχώρια, μπορεί να επηρεάσουν τη λειτουργία ενός είδους λευκών αιμοσφαιρίων, τα οποία λέγονται ουδετερόφιλα. Τα ουδετερόφιλα, που ανήκουν στο ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα, είναι υπεύθυνα για την καταπολέμηση βακτηριακών λοιμώξεων, όπως η πνευμονία.

Οι επιπτώσεις της στεναχώριας σε αυτά είναι πιο έντονες στους μεγάλης ηλικίας ανθρώπους. Και αυτό, επειδή έπειτα από τα 65 ο ανθρώπινος οργανισμός χάνει τη δυνατότητα να παράγει μία ορμόνη που μπορεί να εξουδετερώσει την εν λόγω αρνητική επίδραση.

«Υπάρχουν πολλές περιγραφές ζευγαριών που ήταν παντρεμένα επί 30 ή 40 χρόνια και όταν πέθανε ο ένας, ο άλλος τον “ακολούθησε” πολύ σύντομα. Ως φαίνεται, υπάρχει βιολογική βάση σε τέτοιου είδους περιστατικά», ανέφερε η επικεφαλής ερευνήτρια δρ Τζάνετ Λορντ, καθηγήτρια Βιολογίας των Ανοσοκυττάρων και διευθύντρια στο Κέντρο Έρευνας της Υγιούς Γήρανσης του πανεπιστημίου.

«Οι άνθρωποι αυτοί δεν πεθαίνουν από το σύνδρομο της ραγισμένης καρδιάς, αλλά από “διαλυμένο” ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα, που επιτρέπει την εκδήλωση πάρα πολύ σοβαρών λοιμώξεων».

Κορτιζόλη και DHEA

Τα ευρήματα βασίζονται σε αναλύσεις του ανοσοποιητικού συστήματος και των ορμονικών επιπέδων 48 υγιών εθελοντών ηλικίας 65 ετών και πάνω. Οι μισοί από αυτούς είχαν χάσει κάποιο αγαπημένο πρόσωπο μέσα στο τελευταίο 12μηνο.

Η αντιβακτηριακή δράση των ουδετερόφιλων στους εθελοντές που πενθούσαν βρέθηκε σημαντικά μειωμένη συγκριτικά με εκείνη στους υπόλοιπους εθελοντές.

Επιπλέον, όσοι πενθούσαν είχαν και σημαντικά αυξημένα επίπεδα της ορμόνης του στρες, της κορτιζόλης, η οποία είναι γνωστό ότι καταστέλλει τη δραστηριότητα των ουδετερόφιλων.

Τη δράση αυτή της κορτιζόλης καταστέλλει μία άλλη ορμόνη, η DHEA– και η αλληλεπίδραση των δύο ορμονών είναι που επιτρέπει στο ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα να λειτουργεί φυσιολογικά, ακόμα και σε περιόδους πένθους. Ωστόσο, η παραγωγή της DHEA μειώνεται με την ηλικία.

«Ένα άτομο ηλικίας 70 ετών, παράγει το 10-20% της ποσότητας της DHEA που παράγει ένας 30άρης», εξήγησε η δρ Λορντ. «Η έλλειψή της DHEA όμως δίνει την ευκαιρία στην κορτιζόλη να εξουδετερώσει τα ουδετερόφιλα κύτταρα, με συνέπεια να αποδεικνύεται εξαιρετικά επικίνδυνη η μεγάλη στεναχώρια για τους ηλικιωμένους».

Η ίδια ερευνητική ομάδα έχει ανακαλύψει ότι την ίδια ορμονική διαταραχή προκαλεί στους ηλικιωμένους και το κάταγμα του ισχίου, γεγονός το οποίο εξηγεί γιατί το περίπου 25% των ατόμων ηλικίας άνω των 80 ετών που παθαίνουν αυτό το κάταγμα, χάνουν μέσα σε ένα χρόνο τη ζωή τους.

ΠΗΓΗ:

https://www.newside.gr/2019/01/stenaxoria-eksasthenei-anosopoiitiko-sistima-2/#(accessed 7.3.19)

Norwegian Clinical Psychologists Reveal The Complexities Involved In Working With Children And Teens Experiencing Gender Dysphoria

With the number of referrals to the UK’s only gender identity development service (GIDS, at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust) increasing sharply in recent years – a pattern seemingly mirrored in other European countries and the US (anecdotally, at least — many countries don’t keep comprehensive data the way the UK does) – debate has inevitably intensified over how best to help transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) youth. As some expert clinicians have pointed out, there has been a tendency for commentators, campaigners and the general public to adopt an oversimplified view in which therapists are seen as fitting one of two categories: those who don’t believe their clients when they say they are trans (and who are therefore condemned by trans advocacy groups for practicing conversion therapy), and others who simply accept their clients’ statements about their gender, and who are therefore affirming or affirmative.

The clinical reality is more complicated: these days, there is a welcome consensus against actual conversion therapy— forcing a young person to “go back” to being cisgender — but at the same time responsible clinicians do not simply nod along to what a young person with gender dysphoria says. There are complexities inherent to childhood and adolescent development, and many experts warn it’s important not to accidentally medicalise perfectly normal qualms about growing up, hitting puberty, and being exposed to powerful and often frustratingly restrictive gender roles. Young people present at gender clinics with a wide variety of issues ranging from comorbid mental-health issues to unexamined trauma, and the process of helping them determine the best path forward, particularly with regard to medical interventions like puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, is a lot more complicated than making a rapid decision to deny or approve such interventions.

Indeed, in an open-access practice review published in the BMJ last year, clinicians at UCL, GIDS and Great Ormond Street Hospital explained that the thorough psychosexual assessment period for such clients “usually takes 6 months or more over a minimum of four to six sessions” and involves a range of psychometric measures and interviews, covering the client’s expectations and understanding of social and physical transition, their mood and emotional functioning. The review adds that, “With the adolescents, there is an in-depth consideration of their sexuality and fertility, and possible preservation approaches are discussed. The attitude of important people in the child’s life towards gender dysphoria needs to be explored and understood.”

Now a study published in Psychology & Sexuality by a pair of Norwegian researchers, Reidar Schel Jessen and Katrina Roen, has explored these complexities from clinical psychologists’ perspective, including what it means to help a young person work through the issues they are facing and to make important decisions about medical treatment.



For the study, “Five clinical psychologists working with gender non-conforming youth in an interdisciplinary team at a specialized gender identity clinic in Europe participated in interviews.” In reading their work, I was struck repeatedly by how similar their experiences were to what I heard when I spoke with American clinicians for an in-depth article about transgender youth for The Atlantic. For example, Jessen and Roen write that “Sometimes the clients themselves want to transition, but sometimes the possibility seems driven by the family or others in the young person’s life, such as school staff.” The pair include a poignant example of this:


One young person I worked with […] was referred by school. Biological male, who presented in very… like stereotypically… call it female clothes, like pink and yellow, long hair. Often was read as female, and the school didn’t know what to do with the young person. But when I met the young person, the young person didn’t have any issues with the body or […] developing in a masculine way. So all, so I was kind of again looking at where the stress lies, and it was really in the separation or gender division at school […] and they would ask him to cut his hair short, because he is a boy […] and I think in my report I wrote that… you know, I would really advise you not to address… the pupils as girls and boys, but just call them pupils, students. (Participant C)

I didn’t come across any examples quite so dramatic in my own reporting, but this was a common general storyline: I noted that “Several of the clinicians I spoke with, including Nate Sharon, Laura Edwards-Leeper, and Scott Leibowitz, recounted new patients’ arriving at their clinics, their parents having already developed detailed plans for them to transition. ‘I’ve actually had patients with parents pressuring me to recommend their kids start hormones,’ Sharon said.”

Kids who are gender nonconforming often make adults uncomfortable, and in some cases one way adults attempt to dispel this discomfort is to push for transition. “The [clinical psychologist] participants have the impression that sometimes the school or family expect these young boys to transition to girls,” write Jessen and Roen, “because they do not want them to be feminine boys. This illustrates how difficult it can sometimes be to understand which expectations belong to whom, and how gender non-conforming youth can be referred to the clinic by adults who hold the opinion that gender non-conformity is a problem to be addressed clinically.”

Similarly, as I wrote in my Atlantic article, clinicians told me about instances in which “the child might be capably navigating a liminal period of gender exploration; it’s the parents who are having trouble not knowing whether their kid is a boy or a girl.” Sure enough, this theme of pressure to choose a gender ‘side,’ too, popped up among the Norwegian clinicians:


Participants were concerned about the possibility that binary gender norms force gender non-conforming youth to become “the opposite gender,” instead of allowing them space to explore their unique gender expression. According to the clinical psychologists interviewed, many clients and families believe that gender is binary, and that there are only two gender identities. This belief does seem to influence clients’ expectations of outcomes, and may encourage them to seek physical treatment at the expense of exploratory work. According to the participants, many clients and their families experience societal and community pressure to conform to gender norms.

Exploration and nuance and liminality are key concepts that come up over and over again in interviews with experienced youth TGNC clinicians. But it can be challenging to tell a child who is in distress, or his or her parents, that it’s worth taking a bit more time to explore before proceeding to physical interventions or making other major decisions about transition — perhaps doubly so given the belief in some quarters that “exploration” or “therapy” are near-synonyms for “transphobia” and “conversion therapy.”

As “Participant B” told the researchers, “Not surprisingly, exploratory strategies can be aggravating to clients and families. We are always very subject to this discourse of the bigot […] this idea of you know transphobia […] so people that are bigoted are very narrow-minded […] this is where then you know the power that we then have starts to really create lots of tension and problems.” That is, at the end of the day, clinicians stand between young people (and their parents) and medical treatments they feel they need, so it’s an understandable reaction for delays caused by responsible, thorough clinical work to be misread as transphobia. This tension was partly what motivated last year’s practice review in the BMJ: “Faced with very distressed young people, they [clinicians] may feel under pressure to initiate physical intervention without consultation with psychosocial colleagues,” the review states.

If gender clinics in three very different countries with three very different healthcare systems are experiencing the same sorts of scenarios over and over, that’s a signal that everyone should try to better understand what’s going on. Many of the young people mentioned in this study likely will, in the long run, benefit from puberty blockers and hormones. But some won’t — their gender exploration will lead them elsewhere, whether or not they come to identify with their biological sex. It’s important to understand what separates these two groups, and scientists have only barely begun to do so.

SOURCE:

https://digest.bps.org.uk/2019/02/25/norwegian-clinical-psychologists-reveal-the-complexities-involved-in-working-with-children-and-teens-experiencing-gender-dysphoria/(accessed 4.3.19)