Emotions & Memory

Do your emotions impact memory in any way?

The results of a study led by Dr. Claudia Haase involving about 1,000 older adults over two decades showed that optimism is linked with a better memory. In general, memory does tend to decline with very old age. However, those with higher levels of positive affect—optimistic about the future, cheerful, and enthusiastic—showed fewer memory problems along with better judgement and problem-solving abilities. They were at a lower risk for memory problems with age. Optimism can be developed by being thankful morning, noon, and night for as many things as you can think of. Before long it can become a habit. Those with the most positive emotions retained a better memory with age.

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Caffeine Withdrawal

What are some caffeine withdrawal symptoms?

If you are dependent on caffeine and stop using it, withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Irritability or crankiness
• Persistent headaches
• Sweating
• Muscle aches and pains
• Anxiety.

The severity of symptoms may depend on a variety of factors including age and amount of caffeine ingested.

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Trypophobia Treatment

Trypophobia has not yet been added to the DSM-5 of mental disorders, perhaps because research data on this phobia and its potential underlying etiology are scarce. Trypophobia can be treated; whether it can be completely cured is another question. Treatment strategies may include:

·       Exposure Therapy to help you learn breathing and other techniques to use during a phobia attack.

·       Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist you in altering your perceptions and responses to trigger objects.

·       Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and visualizing soothing images to help avoid or successfully manage the symptoms.

·       Talk therapy or psychotherapy has been found to help as many as 9 out of 10 individuals successfully overcome trypophobia.

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Trypophobia Research

Studies have found that for an individual with trypophobia, the aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps can be instantaneous, intense, and disproportionately strong. The visual reaction results in uncontrollable fears, disgust, or both. According to the NIH, future studies and case reports are needed in order to determine the limit or boundary between trypophobic discomfort as an aversive response and trypophobia as a clinically valid anxiety disorder. Specific underlying causes for the condition have not yet been identified although there are several theories. So far it has not been recognized as a mental disorder in the DSM-5 statistical manual of mental disorders. It is being recognized as a specific type of phobia.

Trypophobia Symptoms

In the Trypophobia cases that have been studied, symptoms were associated with seeing a visual trigger with a resulting immediate reaction. Trigger objects included dotted patterns such as polka dots on clothing or paintings, and bubbles; bright or conspicuous elements protruding from a surface as in clusters of pustules or roughly circular shapes on human skin; breads containing seeds; fruits with small seeds; an empty honeycomb or holes on musical instruments; irregular patterns of holes in cement or on painted surfaces, and many others. Symptoms can include uncontrollable fear or disgust or both; nausea and vomiting; chills or sweating; itching, shaking, dry mouth or choking, and panic attacks. More tomorrow.

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Trypophobia

My daughter was recently diagnosed as having trypophobia. Evidently it is fairly rare. I sure never heard of it before. Can you help me understand what it really is? I don't even know how to pronounce it!

Try-po-phobia was first diagnosed in 2005. A study in 2013 found 16% of participants exhibited trypophobia when viewing a picture of a lotus seed pod. Current estimates are that as many as 17% of children and adults experience this. More females are affected than males.Those who already have anxiety, depressive, or obsessive-compulsive disorder at at higher right for trypophobia. Phobias are characterized by excessive, uncontrollable, and persistent fear or disgust or both, leading to anxiety and other symptoms—whether there is danger present. Aspects of the condition have been linked with socio-demographic variables, clinical features, co-morbidities, levels of distress, and associated psychological traits. So far it appears that features of the stimuli that trigger the reactions involve something that the individual sees: in person, in print, or in pictures. More tomorrow. 

Variety or Novelty

You’ve mentioned that the brain likes variety. Is that the same as novelty?

The brain likes both variety and novelty. However, they are not synonyms but different types of stimulation. Variety can be defined as a difference or variance from others of the same kind. Take potatoes, for example. Variety in potatoes could include Idaho potatoes, Japanese potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams. Preparation variety could include baked, boiled, riced, mashed, scalloped, fried, French fried, potato pancakes and waffles, potato skins, and potato soup or chowder. There may be others. Variety has been called the spice of life. In fact, Dr. Zehr, wrote an article titled “Variety is the spice of brain health.” Variety keeps the brain interested and alert and can minimize boredom and depression.

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