Submitted by Wilson Banwell

"You see, when you're hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind," says Pollyanna. The optimist. "One who looks on the bright side of things or takes hopeful views." One who anticipates a positive future, who looks for the silver lining. The optimist. Somewhat suspect? Are you shallow? Naive? "You don't seem ter see any trouble bein' glad about everythin'," says Nancy to Pollyanna. Is a Pollyanna glow masking great depths of despair? Can you be trusted? How, given hard realities and the suffering of others, can you maintain this relentlessly hopeful attitude? Don't you read the newspaper?

Sumbitted by Wilson Banwell

David Aboussafy, Ph.D.

Acute pain after an injury is a common experience. However, chronic pain can be debilitating and is becoming an extremely costly major health problem. US costs due to all forms of chronic pain are estimated at $90 billion a year due to lost income, disability and direct patient care costs. Some types of chronic pain are increasing, for example, the lifetime prevalence of recurrent low back pain may now be as high as 80%. Improving understanding about the nature of pain and how acute pain can become chronic is very important.

Submitted by Wilson Banwell

She sits with the phone hanging limply off her finger. Your son is dead. Hit by a car. Hit by a car. She strains to make sense of the words. "What's wrong, Mummy? What's wrong?" She looks blankly at her daughter. "Mummy?" "Daddy, Daddy," her daughter runs shrieking up the stairs, "something's wrong with Mummy."
The Germans have a word, schmerz, to describe the physical and emotional pain we suffer when we face a major loss. A friend dies after a long fight with cancer. A family dog is put down. You suffer a miscarriage, lose a leg, lose your hearing. Your marriage breaks up. We fear serious loss. When will it happen? How will it affect me? Will I survive it?
Grief is the natural reaction to loss. It is an exhausting process that robs us of both physical and emotional energy. Everything feels so raw, so painful. We are surprised at the depth of our grief, at the toll it takes on our bodies.

Submitted by Wilson Banwell

David Aboussafy, Ph.D.

The term insomnia refers to a number of sleep complaints including inadequate duration and quality of sleep. These sleep problems may involve difficulties falling asleep, difficulties staying asleep, poor sleep quality, and daytime tiredness. Poor sleep and sleep problems are extremely common. It is estimated that approximately 35% of the population suffers from insomnia during the course of a year. The proportion of people who simply do not get enough sleep on a regular basis is much higher.

Sleep problems have important consequences. Falling asleep while driving is a major cause of serious motor vehicle accidents. Poor sleep the night before has been linked to impaired cognitive performance the following day. Having inadequate sleep (4 hours or less) is associated with a mortality risk 1.5 to 2 times higher than those who sleep 7-8 hours a night. Sleep problems are also associated with emotional disturbances. Finally, adequate, restorative, sleep is an important determinant of quality of life.
Overcoming sleep problems

How can sleep problems be overcome?
Many sleep problems respond well to simple behavioral interventions. In cases of common daytime tiredness resulting from inadequate sleep, ensuring a reasonable amount of time for sleep (e.g., retiring by 11pm if one must rise by 6 or 7am) is a logical first step. "Sleep hygiene" is also important. The sleeping environment should be comfortable (good mattress, temperature, noise level) and should not be used for activities such as work, study or eating. Work, TV watching or internet surfing, highly stimulating activities, should be avoided before bedtime. Remember, taking the time for adequate sleep may improve your performance the following day. Activities such as quiet leisure reading, a hot bath, massage or sex may promote sleepiness.