The Checkup Archive: Psychology

Which diet makes you happy?

In the ongoing debate about which diet is the best, here's a question you may not have heard before: Which diet is most likely to make you happy? A new study, surprisingly, indicates that when it comes to elevating your mood, not all diets are created equal....

Sneezes spread paranoia

During these days of swine flu fears, common sneezes and coughs are spreading more than just colds and the flu. They're spreading paranoia, according to new research. University of Michigan psychologist Spike Lee and colleagues decided to test whether people's fears of sneezes and coughs spilled over into other areas....

In pain? Look at photos of your children

Are you facing a painful medical procedure? If you're looking for a way to help deaden the pain, you might think about taking along a photo of your husband or wife, according to new research. A study involving 25 women found that those who looked at photos of loved ones...

Getting Guys to Wash Their Hands

We all know that one of the simplest, best ways to stay healthy is to wash our hands a lot, especially these days during the swine flu pandemic. Some new research out Thursday offers clues to what gets people to actually do it. And guess what? Shame appears to be...

The Health Hazards of Pessimism

Can your attitude affect your health? Yes, according to a new study. Optimism appears to be good for your health and pessimism seems to be bad, the study found. In the largest study of its kind, Hilary Tindle of the University of Pittsburgh and her colleagues studied 97,253 postmenopausal women...

APA: Therapy Won't Change Being Gay

The nation's leading psychologists' professional organization has issued a new statement advising mental health professionals against leading patients to believe that therapy may somehow reverse their sexual orientation. On August 4 the American Psychological Association adopted a resolution that says there's no scientific evidence therapy can make gay people straight....

Older Entries in This Category »

For Suicide, Why Wednesday?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 15, 2009

Suicide Warnings Required for Anti-Smoking Drugs, Rob Stein , July 1, 2009

Fast-Food Calories: Maybe We Just Don't Want to Know, Jennifer LaRue Huget , March 30, 2009

Maintaining Good Health -- for Yourself, or for Loved Ones?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , March 10, 2009

Shame on Me, Jennifer LaRue Huget , February 20, 2009

Dying to Know the Cause of Death, Jennifer LaRue Huget , November 7, 2008

Narcissists on Facebook: We're On to You, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 26, 2008

Flirting with Flirtation, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 18, 2008

Brain Game, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 11, 2008

After Traumatic Event, No Need to Spill Your Guts, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 3, 2008

Sad Over Sex and the City, Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 30, 2008

A New Market for ADHD Treatment?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 28, 2008