EEG Alpha Blocking Correlated with Perception of  Inner Light During Zen Meditation

According to the experimental results and practitioners' subjective experience, we report some hypotheses that may account for meditative phenomena during the practice of Zen-Buddhism. Orthodox Zen-Buddhist practitioners, aiming to prove the most original true-self, discover and uncover the inner energy or light on the way towards their goal. Perception of the inner light can be comprehended as resonance. Uncovering the inner energy optimizes physiological and mental health. In the meditation experiment, a significant correlation was observed between perception of the inner light and electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha blockage. We further examined this phenomenon by recording the EEG from subjects during a blessing that the subjects did not know being given. During the blessing period, significant alpha blocking was observed in experimental subjects who had been practicing meditation for years in preparation for being in resonance with the inner light. This report provides a new insight into the debate that meditation benefits our health.

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“I Didn’t Know What They Wanted From Me”–the Perspective of Individuals with Mental Disorders on Police Interventions

Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology ◽

10.1007/s11896-021-09449-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linus Wittmann ◽

Gunter Groen ◽

Janusz Ogorka ◽

Astrid Jörns-Presentati

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorder ◽

Police Officers ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Communication Strategies ◽

Police Training ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Personal Space ◽

Police Encounters

AbstractEncounters between individuals with a mental disorder and police forces can be harmful and dangerous for both parties involved. Previous research explored mostly police officers’ subjective experience of these encounters and focused on their recommendations. The present study takes the perspective of individuals with a mental disorder and investigates their subjective experience of dealing with the police. Thirteen semi-structural interviews were conducted with individuals with a history of mental health problems who have had encounters with the police and experienced contact-based anti-stigmatization interventions as consultants. Interviews revolved around the subjective experience of these police encounters. Questionnaires were used to inquire about context factors, individuals’ perceptions of police officers, and their sense of security during these encounters. Furthermore, individuals were asked to rate police officers’ ability to recognize signs and symptoms of ill mental health and give recommendations in regard to adequate communication strategies, interventions, and police training. The results indicate that encounters were experienced predominantly as positive and non-threatening. Participants emphasized the importance of communication strategies with a focus on empathy and respect. Keeping personal space and satisfying basic needs was recommended. Contact-based anti-stigmatization interventions were regarded as an effective approach to reduce stigma. Empathy and respect are perceived as key strategies for police officers when dealing with individuals with a mental disorder. To promote these strategies, trialogical anti-stigmatization interventions and crisis intervention training, including communication skills and face-to-face contact, are promising approaches.

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Occupational therapists’ self-insight into their referral prioritisation policies for clients with mental health needs

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal ◽

10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00881.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 417-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Priscilla Ann Harries ◽

Kenneth J. Gilhooly

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Insight Into

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Experimental study of the $ \gamma p \rightarrow K^{0}\Sigma^{+}$, $ \gamma n \rightarrow K^{0} \Lambda$, and $ \gamma n \rightarrow K^{0} \Sigma^{0}$ reactions at the Mainz Microtron

The European Physical Journal A ◽

10.1140/epja/i2019-12924-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. S. Akondi ◽

K. Bantawa ◽

D. M. Manley ◽

S. Abt ◽

P. Achenbach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Cross Sections ◽

Differential Cross ◽

Legendre Polynomials ◽

Neutral Kaon ◽

Experimental Results ◽

Differential Cross Sections ◽

Theoretical Predictions ◽

Photoproduction Reactions ◽

Insight Into

Abstract.This work measured $ \mathrm{d}\sigma/\mathrm{d}\Omega$dσ/dΩ for neutral kaon photoproduction reactions from threshold up to a c.m. energy of 1855MeV, focussing specifically on the $ \gamma p\rightarrow K^0\Sigma^+$γp→K0Σ+, $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0\Lambda$γn→K0Λ, and $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0 \Sigma^0$γn→K0Σ0 reactions. Our results for $ \gamma n\rightarrow K^0 \Sigma^0$γn→K0Σ0 are the first-ever measurements for that reaction. These data will provide insight into the properties of $ N^{\ast}$N* resonances and, in particular, will lead to an improved knowledge about those states that couple only weakly to the $ \pi N$πN channel. Integrated cross sections were extracted by fitting the differential cross sections for each reaction as a series of Legendre polynomials and our results are compared with prior experimental results and theoretical predictions.

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Transition Experiences of Indian Nurses Into Australian Mental Health System

Journal of Transcultural Nursing ◽

10.1177/10436596211026373 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104365962110263

Author(s):

Bindu Joseph ◽

Michael Olasoji ◽

Cheryl Moss ◽

Wendy Cross

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Mental Health System ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Hermeneutic Phenomenology ◽

Dual Culture ◽

The Past ◽

Transition Experience ◽

Depth Interview ◽

Insight Into

Introduction: In the past decade, there has been an influx of migrant nurses from India to Australia. Migrant professionals have specific transition needs associated with working in Mental Health (MH). This study aimed to explore the transition experience of overseas trained nurses from India working in Australian MH settings. Method: Hermeneutic phenomenology was the methodological approach used in the study. The participants ( N = 16) were overseas trained nurses from India. Data were collected through in-depth interview and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings resulted in the identification of the following themes: (1) Living in dual culture, (2) Loneliness, (3) Discrimination, and (4) Feeling incomplete. Discussion: It is evident that the transition to work in MH in Australia was a journey of mixed experiences. While certain findings of this study are comparable with experiences of migrant nurses in other settings, it provides insight into those that are working in MH.

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Pain Detection and the Privacy of Subjective Experience

American Journal of Law & Medicine ◽

10.1177/009885880703300212 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 33 (2-3) ◽

pp. 433-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Adam J. Kolber

Keyword(s):

Subjective Experience ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Physical Pain ◽

Medical Evidence ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Pain Symptoms ◽

The Brain ◽

Insight Into ◽

Neuroimaging Techniques

A neurologist with abdominal pain goes to see a gastroenterologist for treatment. The gastroenterologist asks the neurologist where it hurts. The neurologist replies, “In my head, of course.” Indeed, while we can feel pain throughout much of our bodies, pain signals undergo most of their processing in the brain. Using neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (“fMRI”) and positron emission tomography (“PET”), researchers have more precisely identified brain regions that enable us to experience physical pain. Certain regions of the brain's cortex, for example, increase in activation when subjects are exposed to painful stimuli. Furthermore, the amount of activation increases with the intensity of the painful stimulus. These findings suggest that we may be able to gain insight into the amount of pain a particular person is experiencing by non-invasively imaging his brain.Such insight could be particularly valuable in the courtroom where we often have no definitive medical evidence to prove or disprove claims about the existence and extent of pain symptoms.

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The Person with Schizophrenia as a Person

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/s0007125000292830 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 164 (S23) ◽

pp. 103-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

John S. Strauss

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Mental Health Field ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Health Field ◽

Subjective Side

In the mental health field, the attention given to the subjective side of a person's experience is grossly inadequate. The best way to reflect the subjectivity of a person may be by means of the subjectivity of another. To take account of both subjective experience and objective measures in the course of mental disorders, a new concept is needed. This may be the person's story.

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Seeing through brain fog: disentangling the cognitive, physical, and mental health sequalae of COVID-19.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-373663/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Conor Wild ◽

Loretta Norton ◽

David Menon ◽

David Ripsman ◽

Richard Swartz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cognitive Measures ◽

Online Study ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Overall Performance

Abstract As COVID-19 cases exceed hundreds of millions globally, it is clear that many survivors face cognitive challenges and prolonged symptoms. However, important questions about the cognitive impacts of COVID-19 remain unresolved. In the present online study, 485 volunteers who reported having had a confirmed COVID-positive test completed a comprehensive cognitive battery and an extensive questionnaire. This group performed significantly worse than pre-pandemic controls on cognitive measures of reasoning, verbal, and overall performance, and processing speed, but not short-term memory – suggesting domain-specific deficits. We identified two distinct factors underlying health measures: one varying with physical symptoms and illness severity, and one with mental health. Crucially, cognitive deficits were correlated with physical symptoms, but not mental health, and were evident even in cases that did not require hospitalisation. These findings suggest that the subjective experience of “long COVID” or “brain fog” relates to a combination of physical symptoms and cognitive deficits.

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They Deserve Better: Preventing Suicide in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Patient Safety ◽

10.33940/interview/2021.9.7 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 60-65

Author(s):

Caitlyn Allen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Skilled Nursing Facilities ◽

Montgomery County ◽

Nursing Facilities ◽

Health Issues ◽

Skilled Nursing ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Insight Into

Suicide in skilled nursing facilities—centers that provide around-the-clock treatment and rehabilitation—is a serious issue. Chronic physical ailments often take precedent over mental health issues, which can make it easy to overlook them. Tony Salvatore, director of Suicide Prevention at Montgomery County Emergency Services, provides insight into the problem and how we can better quantify it, and some simple fixes that can have a big impact.

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The Acceptability of Text Messaging to Help African American Women Manage Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/15801 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e15801 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Terika McCall ◽

Todd A Schwartz ◽

Saif Khairat

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

African American ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

African American Women ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

American Women ◽

To Receive ◽

Insight Into

Background The rates of mental illness among African American women are comparable with the general population; however, they significantly underutilize mental health services compared with their white counterparts. Previous studies revealed that interventions delivered via text messaging are effective and can be used to increase access to services and resources. More insight into whether or not this modality is acceptable for use to deliver mental health care to help African American women manage anxiety and depression is needed. Objective This exploratory study aimed to gain insight into the acceptability of using text messaging to help African American women manage anxiety and depression. Methods A self-administered Web-based survey was launched in June 2018 and closed in August 2018. Eligible participants were African American women (18 years or older) who reside in the United States. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling (eg, email sent via listservs and social media posts). Respondents were provided an anonymous link to the questionnaire. The survey consisted of 53 questions on the following subjects: sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, mobile phone use, and acceptability of using a mobile phone to receive mental health care. Results The results of this exploratory study (N=101) showed that fewer than half of respondents endorsed the use of text messaging to communicate with a professional to receive help to manage anxiety (49/101, 48.5%) and depression (43/101, 42.6%). Approximately 51.4% (52/101) agreed that having the option to use text messaging to communicate with a professional if they are dealing with anxiety would be helpful. Similarly, 48.5% (49/101) agreed that having the option to use text messaging to communicate with a professional if they are dealing with depression would be helpful. Among participants who agreed that text messaging would be helpful, more than 80% noted being comfortable with its use to receive help for managing anxiety (approximately 86%, 45/52) and depression (approximately 82%, 40/49; highly significant positive association, all P<.001). More than 50% of respondents (56/101, 55.4%) indicated having concerns about using text messaging. No statistically significant associations were found between age and agreement with the use of text messaging to communicate with a professional to receive help for managing anxiety (P=.26) or depression (P=.27). Conclusions The use of text messaging was not highly endorsed by African American women as an acceptable mode of communication with a professional to help them manage anxiety or depression. Concerns around privacy, confidentiality, and the impersonal feel of communicating about sensitive issues via text messages must be addressed for this modality to be a viable option. The findings of this study demonstrated the need for further research into the use of mobile technology to provide this population with more accessible and convenient options for mental health care.

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