September 10th, 2001–Washington, D.C.–Dr. Larry Lachman gives the keynote address to the annual meeting of the American Humane Association, speaking on The Inter-Connections of Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Felony Animal Cruelty with the Reasons to Hope In Using Family Systems Therapy Interventions to Change Behavior.
1978-1981, Manila & Baguio, Philippines: Faith Healing In the Philippines: A Look At "Psychic" Surgery–An Audio Documentary by Larry Lachman, 1984, 2001. This documentary includes interviews with on-the-ground informants such as: Mr. Jaime Licauco, Journalist, Author & ESP Researcher, Dr. Tony "Pet" Araneta, Director of the Philippine Society for Psychic Research, The Late Dr. Hiram Ramos, Psychologist & Authority on Filipino "Psychic" Surgery, The Late Tony Agpaoa, Philippine "Psychic" Surgeon, and the Late Parapsychology Researcher and Author D. Scott Rogo, of Los Angeles, California.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Survival Improved with Counseling
In the July 1st, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007, 25: 2702-2708), Dr. Thomas Kuchler and colleagues from the Universitatskliniken Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel, Germany, found that supportive psychotherapy is associated with improved survival in surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The results are from a 10 year randomized study of 271 gastrointestinal cancer patients who either received usual hospital care or who received formal counseling by a psychotherapist. Dr. Kuchler reports that the psychotherapy group had significantly better survival than the controls with a result that 29 of the 136 psychotherapy subjects survived versus 13 of the 136 control subjects. Dr. Kuchler partly concludes that, "An individualized psycho-oncological approach delivered within an interdisciplinary surgical team that intervenes as early as possible preoperatively has a significant impact on long-term survival of patients with gastrointestinal cancer."
Poorer Outcomes for "Type-D" Chronic Heart Failure Patients?
In the July 2007 issue of the journal, Heart (2007, 93: 814-818), Dr. Angelique Schiffer and colleagues from Tilburg University in the Netherlands report that cardiac patients who suffer from chronic heart failure (CHF) who demonstrate a "Type-D Personality," (defined as internalizing a broad range of negative feelings with fear of rejection) are more likely to have poor outcomes to their treatment than those CHF patients without these personality characteristics—especially as it applies to patient self-care. Dr. Schiffer reports that after studying 178 CHF patients below 80 year of age, those who had the Type D personality profile experienced more heart-related symptoms, higher stress and were 2.7 times LESS likely to seek medical assistance than those CHF patients without the Type-D profile. Dr. Schiffer partly concludes by saying, "The results of our study indicate that type D personality is a risk factor for the delay to consult a doctor or nurse, despite clinically evident symptoms of CHF and associated high levels of health worry."
U.S. Adults with Alcohol Disorders Go Largely Untreated?
In the July 2007 issue of the journal, Archives of General Psychiatry (2007, 64: 830-842, Dr. Deborah Hasin and colleagues from New York's Columbia University report the results of data analysis of the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (which included face to face interviews with 43,093 respondents over 18) which showed that nearly one-third of American adults report having alcohol abuse or dependence disorders but few seek treatment. The study showed that on the average, alcohol abuse developed at age 22.5 years and dependence at 21.9 years but there was an eight to ten year delay before these individuals sought any kind of treatment. Dr. Hasin partly concludes by writing, "A call to action appears indicated to educate and update public and policy makers about alcohol-use disorders, to de-stigmatize the disorders, and to encourage help-seeking among those who cannot stop drinking despite considerable harm to themselves and others."
Pregnancy Depression Fueled by Social Conflict
In the July 2007 issue of the journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology (2007, 110: 134-140), Dr. Claire Westdahl of Emory University's School of Medicine reports that low social support and high social conflict contribute to prenatal depression in pregnant women. Dr. Westdahl and colleagues conducted a prospective study involving structured interviews of 1,047 low-income, minority pregnant women from early pregnancy to one year after giving birth and report that the subjects reported high levels of social support and moderate levels of social conflict with 33% reporting depressive symptoms with social conflict being the stronger predictor. Dr. Westdahl partly concludes by writing, "…we have learned from this research that social conflict predicts prenatal depression more than lack of social support and that social support doesn't protect pregnant women from prenatal depression."
Cinnamon Extract and Type 2 Diabetes
In the May 2007 issue of the journal, Pharmacotherapy (2007, 27: 595-599), Dr. David Pham from the Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, along with his colleagues at other centers from around the country, conducted a meta-analysis and report that two prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies involving a total of 164 Type-2 diabetic patients showed moderate improvements in lowering blood glucose levels with the administering of cinnamon supplements which was over-all well tolerated (although one trial in one of the studies showed no difference between cinnamon and placebo). Dr. Pham and his colleagues partly conclude by writing, "These data suggest that cinnamon has a possible modest effect in lowering plasma glucose levels in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. However, clinicians are strongly urged to refrain from recommending cinnamon supplementation in place of the proven standard of care, which includes lifestyle modifications, oral antidiabetic agents, and insulin therapy."
First Drug Treatment for Fibromyalgia Approved by FDA
On June 22, 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Lyrica (pregabalin) [already used for seizures, shingles-related rash and diabetic neuropathy] in doses of 300 to 450 milligrams per day, for use in the treatment of fibromyalgia. This is the first drug approved for this condition and it has been shown to reduce pain and improved daily functioning in fibromyalgia patients. The approval was based on two randomized double-blind studies involving 1,800 fibromyalgia patients. Side effects include: dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain, dry mouth, hand/feet swelling, and problems with concentrations. Dr. Steven Galson of the FDA in a statement said, "Today's new approval marks an important advance, and provides a reason for optimism for the many patients who will receive pain relief" with this drug." The drug's maker, Pfizer, released a statement quoting Dr. Don Golenberg, co-chair of the American Pain Society's fibromyalgia guideline panel as saying, "Having a medication approved for use in fibromyalgia, along with research advances, will go a long way to improving our understanding and treatment of this common disorder."
Families Often Find Hospice Is Too Late To Help
In the June 21, 2007 on-line version of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Dr. Joan Teno and colleagues from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island found that after surveying 106,514 bereaved family members of hospice patients served by 631 hospice programs, 11 percent said their family member/relative received hospice referrals, and care, too late as well as reporting that their family members received inadequate pain control while continuing to have difficulty breathing and emotionally coping with end of life issues. Among the 11 percent who thought that the physician referral to hospice was too late, 19 percent cited lack of emotional support, and 41 percent cited being uninformed as to what to expect, as the most common unmet family needs. Dr. Teno partly concludes by writing, "Ultimately," she said, "we need to educate the public about the benefits of early hospice referral so they can get the full benefit of hospice services and not just an intense intervention in the last days of life."
Dr. Larry Lachman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in La Jolla, California, who is the co-author of a book on coping with cancer entitled, "Parallel Journeys." Dr. Lachman is a Psychology Instructor at Chapman University and Argosy University in San Diego. Dr. Lachman can be reached through his web site located at: www.DrLarryLachman.com
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