Monitor on Psychology - February 2012 - (Page 4)

Letters Treatment guidelines I am concerned about APA’s plans to write treatment guidelines for obesity (“Treatment guideline development now under way,” December Monitor). Since when is obesity, per se, a psychological disorder? Why are we not writing treatment guidelines for eating disorders? As far as I am aware, the literature (scientific literature in general, not just ours) shows that obese people are no different psychologically than so-called “normal-weight” people except insofar as they have symptoms resulting from their being victims of discrimination. In that case, by the way, no psychological measurement is able to differentiate overweight people from, say, African-Americans who’ve suffered discrimination. More importantly, there is also research data to support the theory that weight is generally not a variable that people can control, whereas healthy habits (e.g., good nutrition, active lifestyle) are, and furthermore that it is perfectly possible — and pretty common — for obese people to be healthy via good habits while more slender people (not to mention the too-thin) can and frequently do have lifestyle-related cancers, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and/or high blood pressure due to poor habits or simply bad genes. So why would we write treatment plans based on weight? I would refer anyone who wants to know more about this to Linda Bacon’s and Lucy Aphramor’s article at http:// www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9 for an excellent review of the issues. ViRGiNiA S. WooD, PSyD Woodstock, Ga. 4 APA’s response The Advisory Steering Committee (ASC) considered a wide range of factors in determining the most suitable topics for APA’s initial treatment guidelines, including the functional and societal impact of the disorder and the potential for APA guidelines to improve the quality of care and health of those affected. On all criteria, depression and obesity ranked highest. The ASC is impressed by the evidence that psychological interventions have a positive impact on a range of health and mental health conditions, as well as by the pressing need for psychologists to work in partnership with other health-care providers to address these public health problems. However, the existing research evidence on effective treatments for obesity and their health benefits has not been adequately synthesized for widespread dissemination to psychologists. It is precisely because of the divergent viewpoints noted by Dr. Wood that evidence-based treatment guidelines are needed for obesity. As experts in behavior change, psychologists have been instrumental in developing, testing, and disseminating many of the most effective interventions for obesity. Behavior change is difficult, but treatments that use proven psychological techniques to address nutrition and exercise habits, as well as individual barriers to change, can help people manage their weight and prevent many of the health conditions that accompany obesity. Given the epidemic of obesity in modern society, targeting this area with guidelines to promote effective long-term behavior change is important and timely. For more information on APA’s work developing treatment guidelines, please visit www.apa.org/about/offices/ directorates/guidelines/clinical-treatment. aspx. STEVEN D. HolloN, PHD Chair, Advisory Steering Committee Exercise and mental health The December article “The exercise effect,” was decent, but I found it somewhat lacking. The implication in my reading is that there hasn’t been much research, while research goes back to the 1960s. When tested against antidepressants, there are a number of studies showing exercise was just as effective, and some studies showing it has more lasting benefits. Another omission was not mentioning John Ratey’s book published last year, “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” which documents studies in different chapters for depression, anxiety, addiction, ADHD and stress. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this topic. I also give testimony that running/ walking — “rulking” — is greatly benefitting me while a family member is experiencing major psychiatric issues. MikE MillER, PHD north olmsted, ohio Please send letters to smartin@apa.org or Sara Martin, Monitor editor. letters should be no more than 250 words and may be edited for space and clarity. M o n i t o r o n p s y c h o l o g y • F e b ru a ry 2 0 1 2 http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2011/07-14/clinical-treatment.aspx?__utma=12968039.916079207.1318604970.1326986145.1326996614.9&__utmb=12968039.3.10.1326996614&__utmc=12968039&__utmx=-&__utmz=12968039.1326905440.7.3.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=228528157 http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2011/07-14/clinical-treatment.aspx?__utma=12968039.916079207.1318604970.1326986145.1326996614.9&__utmb=12968039.3.10.1326996614&__utmc=12968039&__utmx=-&__utmz=12968039.1326905440.7.3.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=228528157 http://www.apapracticecentral.org/update/2011/07-14/clinical-treatment.aspx?__utma=12968039.916079207.1318604970.1326986145.1326996614.9&__utmb=12968039.3.10.1326996614&__utmc=12968039&__utmx=-&__utmz=12968039.1326905440.7.3.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=228528157 http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9 http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - February 2012

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012
Letters
President’s column
Contents
From the CEO
APA files two briefs in support of same-sex couples
New registry seeks to understand addiction recovery through ‘crowdsourcing’
APA launches a database of tests and measures
Watch for new member benefit: “APA Access”
Apply now for APA’s Advanced Training Institutes
PsycTHERAPY, APA’s new database, brings therapy demos to life
In Brief
APA scientists help guide tobacco regulation
A-mazing research
‘A machine for jumping to conclusions’
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Righting the imbalance
The beginnings of mental illness
Science Directions
Improving disorder classification, worldwide
Protesting proposed changes to the DSM
Interventions for at-risk students
Harnessing the wisdom of the ages
Anti-bullying efforts ramp up
Hostile hallways
R U friends 4 real?
Support for teachers
Speaking of Education
Record keeping for practitioners
Going green
At the intersection of law and psychology
Division Spotlight
Grants help solve society’s problems
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012

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