Health Psychology
Dr. Bob Orndoff
Latest Articles
Body Image: The Case of the Broken Mirror
A psychologist's research confirms what we all have known: women worry excessively about the appearance of their bodies and, if other issues contribute, they can easily develop eating and body image disorders.
The article defines and discusses stress and the stress reponse, the reaction our mind and body makes to stess, and explains how the stress response itself is also a stressor. Relaxation benefits include significant reduction in the stress from the stress response.
Relaxation techniques reviewed, assessed and taught.
The Body of the Mind-Body Interaction
This article discusses the common medical admonition, "relax", and how far too often patients are left with only the advice and no useful means of following it. Relaxation therapy is extremely beneficial but must be learned and practiced to become fully effective. This, part one of three parts, article introduces relaxation, ...
For the Hypochondriac--Internet Opens New Worlds of Illness
A thin slice of the of The Onion's humor, from a frequently funny and always irreverent on-line magazine, in it's all-too-true spoof of the Hypochondriac--followed by a serious section of facts on Hypochondriasis from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Lifting the Curse: Article and Comment
A new use of the old--original--contraceptive pill, one that blocks monthly menses, is now available. The question is: How will you know if you're not pregnant?
Psychosomatic: When Body and Mind Join Forces
These conditions are ubiquitous, we all have them to one degree or another at some point in our lives. After all, a psychosomatic response is the normal reaction our body gives to stress, whether it be physical or mental. Therefore, to doctors they are commonplace and not at all regarded as ...
Psycho-Immunology: Patient Heal Thyself.
Relatively new programs of medical research--since the 1970's---have shown that the immune system may be mediated by psychological factors. Can how and what you think influence your health? That's one of the intriguing questions this research generates. The other is, "Can you train your mind to willfully influence your health and ...
The Internal Milieu: Hormones- Their Role in Psychology and Health
This series, taken from Chapter One of my book to be presented here in three weekly installments, details three case studies, all involving psycho-hormonal anomalies--Part two and conclusion of Patricia's story.
The Internal Milieu: Hormones -Their Role in Psychology & Health
This series, taken from Chapter One of my book to be presented here in three weekly installments, details three case studies, all involving psycho-hormonal anomalies.