by Harper West | Sep 10, 2014 | Psychology, Uncategorized
Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam) and Klonopin (clonazepam) as if they have no side effects or long-term risk, but a new study links the use of these “benzos” to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Just a 3-month course of...
by Harper West | Feb 13, 2014 | Psychology
The February 2014 issue of National Geographic has an interesting article on the “Karma of the Crowd.” Laura Spinney reports on research by psychologist Stephen Reicher of the University of St. Andrews. He looked at the psychological and social effects on Indian...
by Harper West | Jan 28, 2014 | Psychology, Uncategorized
Meditation has become extremely popular and with good reason: The benefits for body, mind and spirit are well researched and well documented. Although I have practiced meditation since 1977, I recognize that phrases used in teaching meditation, such as “be in the...
by Harper West | Jan 24, 2014 | Parenting, Psychology
I had been seeing a pre-teen girl in therapy for a couple of months and recently saw the girl and her father for a review of the therapy goals. We discussed if her behaviors were improving, what was working about therapy, and what wasn’t. Although she and her father...
by Harper West | Jul 28, 2013 | Psychology, Uncategorized
“Fight-or-flight” is a concept I discuss in depth in “Pack Leader Psychology,” because I believe this primal fear response is key to understanding human behavior. This natural survival instinct is also a powerful driver of human emotions and interactions,...
by Harper West | Jun 21, 2013 | Psychology
Much of the Pack Leader Psychology book and concept is based on personal accountability. If one is unable to own up to faults or errors, it signals a person who has low self-worth and is unable to accept additional shameful feelings. Obesity is one sign that a person...
