October Psychology News!

When to Take Time Out from College

From Psychcentral by Marie Hartwell Walker, ED.D.

Students are wondering whether they should be in school. They are not feeling motivated to study, can't find the time or energy to do the assignments, and they nod off or forget to take notes. Marie Hartwell Walker says take a break. Why? Here are some reasons: If you don't have clear goals, it's reasonable to ask yourself why you are taking loans and using up your parents' savings to be there. Stressing out really bad could leave to depression, fear, and maybe panic attacks. And big decisions sometimes need all of our attention, not a distracted part of it like the decision of choosing or changing your major. So it's best to think about your decisions clearly first and do it without academic demands pulling for your attention.

Kids with Mental Disorders Are Often the Bullies

From Psychcentral by Rick Nauert PhD

New research suggests children diagnosed with mental health disorders are often the perpetrators of bullying. Researchers determined that in 2007, 15.2 percent of U.S. children were identified as bullies by a parent or guardian. Overall, children with mental health disorders were three times more likely to bully other children. A sub-analysis by type of mental health disorder found that children with a diagnosis of depression were three times more likely to bully, while a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was associated with a six-fold increase in the odds of being identified as a bully.