Mental health resource

More than Baby Blues: What Are The Best Options For Treating Postpartum Depression? Author: Dan Micheals

Most people will tell you that having a baby is a joyous time. That there are few things in life that can compare to the elation that comes with having baby and becoming a mom why then do you feel so down and depressed. The fact is that postpartum depression is more common than many want to admit. Whats more is that it is completely treatable, and you can treat it naturally so that you can enjoy being a mom to your new baby.

In order to fix a problem you must first admit that you have a problem. Unfortunately, postpartum depression (aka PPD) is not only not talked about; many mothers deny the fact that they have it. Look, you are not a bad mother because you feel the way you do. If you had baby almost a month ago and you are still feeling sad, blue and tired you need to acknowledge the fact that you could have postpartum depression. That way you can do something about it, and despite what the professionals say you can do it on your own, and you can do it naturally.

There are number of natural treatments that you can do to help you get through your postpartum depression, once you admit that you have it. One treatment option is to talk to someone, this can be a therapists, it can be your best friend or another mother. Often joining a new mom support group is helpful because then you know you are not alone. You need to know that you arent alone, as a matter a of fact some research shows that PPD affects 70% of new moms.

You can also try to include natural herbs in your daily diet that will help you boost your mood and energy. While there are many different natural herbs and supplements available here, I will list just a few. Please keep in mind that I am not offering medical advice and I encourage you to talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement especially if you are breast feeding to make sure that there are not any negative effects for baby.

Aurum metallicum can be used by women who feel that their PPD is dark and they feel helpless. Women that should look into this herbal supplement would be those that are starting to believe that baby would be better off without them, that the world would be better off without them.

Another remedy that is used by women when they feel that their depression is for emotional as well as hormonal reasons is cimicifuga. Ignatia is another that is used by many mothers when they are starting to feel upset, tense or grief-stricken after giving birth.

There are still other natural treatments for postpartum depression including mediation, yoga, and aromatherapy and music therapy. Ask yourself right now, if there was someone that would show you how to feel better so that you can be a better mom to your baby, would you listen to them? Postpartum depression is completely treatable, and you can treat it effectively naturally.

>Genetic Testing and Screening Author: aesha shah

Genetics, a discipline of biology, is the science of heredity and variation in living organisms. The fact that living things inherit traits from their parents has been used since prehistoric times to improve crop plants and animals through selective breeding. However, the modern science of genetics, which seeks to understand the process of inheritance, only began with the work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-nineteenth century.

Genetic testing is one of the important techniques of medical science for detecting alterations in the genes and chromosomes of an individual. It helps in diagnosing genetic disorders, predicting the risks of disease occurrence and also in identifying carriers of genetic disorders.

Genetic testing or screening is a procedure for determining any changes in the genes, proteins and chromosomes. There are about 20,000 – 25,000 genes in a human genome. Genetic tests are conducted to diagnose any abnormalities in the genomic content of an individual that are responsible for causing genetic disorders. In addition to the study of genes and chromosomes, genetic testing involves biochemical tests to identify proteins that signal anomalous genes.

In genetic testing, genes of an individual from cells (blood or other body fluids samples) are examined for any alterations. The possible results are; there can be deletion or addition of bases in the DNA strand. Sometimes, a part of chromosome or an entire chromosome may get added, deleted or translocated. In such situations, the genes may be suppressed or over expressed. An individual can carry abnormal genes without expressing them or the genes can be expressed leading to genetic diseases.

Lets look into the details of some of the common genetic tests,

Prenatal Genetic Tests:

As the name suggests, prenatal genetic tests are conducted to identify genetic disorders in a fetus during pregnancy. Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, neural tube defects and other chromosomal abnormalities can be detected with this test before birth. If there is a positive result for any of the disorders, parents can opt for termination of pregnancy. It can also be used in determining the sex of the fetus. However, it is illegal, if abortion is done after determining the sex of the fetus.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD):

Preimplantation diagnosis or embryo screening is an alternative to prenatal testing. Here, genetic testing is done on embryos before implantation and sometimes, on oocytes before fertilization. Usually, an embryo results from in vitro fertilization (IVF) is tested before implanting it to the uterus. PGD helps in identifying the embryos, which pose a risk to certain genetic disorders. Many couples opt for PGD instead of prenatal diagnosis, to diagnose genetic disorders beforehand so as to avoid the dilemma of abortion.

Newborn Genetic Screening:

Newborn genetic screening is done to identify genetic disorders in newborn infants. In this procedure, DNA sample of the baby is studied for defects. Studies are also done for confirming the absence of key proteins that are essential for proper functioning of the body. Early diagnosis of any genetic disorders will be helpful in reducing symptoms that can cause disability and certain chronic diseases.

Predictive Gene Testing:

Predictive tests are done in order to look for disorders that have been inherited in the family. In many cases of genetic disorders, members of a family suffer from the same disease. In other words, the defective gene runs in the family. In predictive gene testing, DNA samples of the family members are studied to mark any common genetic disorders. Usually, a comparison is made between the genomic content of an individual suffering from the disorder and an individual that is free of the disease. Thus, the defective gene is marked for further treatment and study. It has been found that when there is familial history of cancer, genes causing cancer are present amongst most family members.

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Anxiety and Depression – What Are The Best Treatments Options? Author: Dan Micheals

Anxiety and depression are real problems, and they’re ones that can feed off of one another. When you worry a lot, you also increase the chance of feeling like you lack worth, of having long spells of sadness, or just feeling emotionally exhausted. Being depressed can also make you tend to worry more, as feeling down for no apparent reason can lead to a real sense of dread. However, you shouldn’t let yourself get caught up in these problems. There are things you can do to significantly reduce the hold they have on you.

You might feel like drugs are the only option for treating anxiety and depression. While it’s true that drugs work well for many people, they’re simply not the right choice for many more. They’re probably best used as a last resort, since they tend to be expensive and have some side effects. While you shouldn’t rule them out completely, other methods, including counseling, behavioral modification, and just trying to develop different ways of thinking can also help you.

That’s not to say that you can just shrug off anxiety and depression. Anyone who tells you to “just get over it” has no idea what you’re going through or how hard simply making it through the day can be. However, that very struggle to get through is what can help reduce your symptoms. Every time you get through your daily routine, it’s a victory, and it’s important not to forget that. There are things you can tell yourself that will make it easier, and help you keep from getting caught in the downward spiral.

While the things you can do will vary according to your schedule, simply taking care of yourself and breaking the day up can prevent problems with feeling down or depressed. Make sure that you exercise regularly (make it something you like, so it’s not a chore), that you eat well and often enough to prevent mood problems exacerbated by blood sugar levels, and that you get enough sleep. If you can manage it, take a short walk in the middle of the day, and make sure you get some fresh air and sunshine.

Anxiety problems can be reduced using behavioral methods, too. Therapists recommend that you identify the situations and things that trigger feelings of panic, and avoid them whenever possible. You should also try to reduce stress levels, and if you feel an episode of anxiety coming on, try to pick it apart logically. Identify what you’re worried will happen and the likelihood of those things actually occurring. Above all – get yourself out of the situation that’s making you feel anxious.

These aren’t the only things you can do to help with anxiety and depression, and none of them are magic bullets. However, there are lots of non-drug ways to improve your emotional and mental state. So, if you don’t want to have to resort to medication, try a few other options first. You may be surprised by how much they can help.

How Is Depression Treated Author: depression1

People who are suffering from depression take prescription drugs to deal with their everyday life. These people may benefit greatly from natural herbal remedy that is time-tested instead of taking prescription medication. wort is well known for its treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of depression that may prove to be even more effective than antidepressants.

The definition of the word “wort” is medicinal plant. It is made from the extracts of Hypericum Perforatum plant also known as Tipton’s weed. It has been prescribed in the European countries as a depression and sleep disorder treatment.

symptoms of depression

Depression is a mental affliction that affects millions of people worldwide. People may get depressed in response to a particularly sad event like the death of a close person. However there are many other causes that lead to depression including physical illness, stress, medications and social problems amongst other factors. The symptoms of depression include:

• Sense of hopelessness and sadness
• Sad and empty feeling
• Insomnia
• Feelings of helplessness and worthlessness
• Loss of energy and feeling of constant fatigue
• Overeating or starving
• Inability to concentrate or focus on any task at hand
• Lack of motivation to do anything or get anything done

Depression oftentimes can easily get in the way of an individuals daily activities and his or hers normal functions, ones zest for life can quickly and easily dissipate due to depression. And in place of an individuals sunny disposition is more or less a person who hates his or herself, having no self-confidence, trying to isolate ones self from the world and basically just not caring about living any more. More so, a person suffering from depression isnt the only one whos going to suffer from this destructive illness, his or her loved ones are sure to follow suit. By seeing the individual grow through such rough patches, basically not caring about anything or anyone anymore, its highly likely that not only will depression ones relationship with ones self but with his or her loved ones too. But this shouldnt really pose as such a problem since people who suffer from depression are actually lucky that there are all sorts of depression treatments that can be used to aid an individual through the course of having a sound mental health.

Psychotherapy, a popular type of depression treatment actually includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks promising to actually be able to make positive results for the depression patient. This type of depression treatment actually helps the individual by slowly making them to actually open up about their feelings, the root of their problems, more so, the root of their depression.

How You Can Cure Depression Fast And Drug-Free Author: Dan Micheals

The two most popular methods of dealing with depression are use of medication to balance brain chemistry, and non-drug methods such as counseling and behavioral adjustment. Each method has its benefits and downsides, and you should never make a decision before you talk to a qualified mental health professional. Remember, even if someone recommends medication to you, that doesn’t mean you have to take it. It’s an option that’s available, but if you’re not comfortable with it, you shouldn’t use it. There are a number of other options available to treat and cure depression.

For instance, exercise can help you moderate your moods and feel better over all. You might think you have to join a gym, but that’s not really true. All you need to do is be active on a regular basis. Moderate activity, like biking, jogging, walking, dance, swimming, and just about anything else can help. Taking a yoga or pilates course, taking up a new sport, or even using a video game system that has an exercise program can all help you with your depression.

If you work somewhere that you’re mostly sedentary, such as a desk job, it’s important to take a break during the day. On your lunch break, take a walk outside if you can. Find a reason to walk around the office once an hour or so, and remember that you shouldn’t skip meals. Good blood sugar levels are important if you want to keep focus and keep your mood regulated. If you subsist on infrequent junk food and takeout, there’s a much higher chance of feeling depressed.

Reduction in stress is another way to help cure depression. A lot of pressure can make you feel run down and make it a lot harder to deal with simple day to day activities. This means making sure that you have time and a good place to relax. Think about what makes you anxious and try to eliminate those things from your life. You’ll be surprised by how much it can help. Rest when you need to, make sure you’re getting enough sleep on a regular basis, and remember that there’s nothing wrong with taking it easy on yourself, as long as you can get by, day to day.

Depression is a real problem that many people suffer from, and it can really get in the way of leading a successful life. However, it doesn’t have to, and the only option to cure depression is not medication. Take a little time to look into other options for treatment and see what they could do for you. A few changes to your life could help you live a happier life and reduce the symptoms of your depression – without the need for drugs. It isn’t easy, and there’s no simple cure, but you can do it.

3 Common Things that Prevent Stress Reduction Author: Dushan Vaithilingam

Stress reduction is something that all of us want. Some stress is good–I like to call this eustress–while other stress will put you in a state of distress. Distress usually happens when the resources needed to relieve the stress aren’t available. Eustress is when there are plenty of resources available to help eliminate stress.

In some cases, stress is a natural reaction to handling more than you’re used to. Your body kicks in and gives you an energy burst that pulls you through a rough time. Other times, prolonged stress will have a negative effect on your body making it hard to sleep, eat, concentrate, or maintain a healthy immune system

Commonly, a lot of stress could be prevented just by changing the way we look at things. For example, the way you perceive things can greatly contribute to stress reduction. One person may sit in a traffic jam and curse and get angry while it doesn’t even faze another person. They’re just having a good old time listening to the radio

Some of the most common perceptions that prevent us from feeling relief from anxiety and stress are:

• Negative thinking- I won’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t, are all negative statements that dominate your life if you let them. Think of it this way. “I can’t go to the picnic,” or “I can go to the picnic, but I choose to clean the house today.”

• Over-generalizing- For example, you want to go to an amusement park this summer. You decide that all amusement parks are hot and have long lines. This is an overgeneralization. Plus, it has no consideration for the fun and good times that you’ll share with your friends. You let the negative outweigh the positive.

• Overanalyzing- Getting lost in the details of a situation and not being able to clearly see a solution.

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What Are The Most Effective Depression Cures? Author: Dan Micheals

You may hear people telling you that there are natural depression cures available which are just as effective as or more effective than anti-depressant drugs. You might wonder if that’s really the case, or if drugs are required to fight depression. Let’s take a look at how depression works, and whether or not medication is needed to treat it, or it natural cures might work.

Outside of the United States, vitamin treatment, herbs, and other treatments are regularly used as methods to treat mild to moderate depression cures. They’re not know to work on the most severe cases, unfortunately, but they do seem to be effective for people who only suffer from less severe episodes. These treatments are not approved for serious use in the US, however. Still, many psychologists and other mental health professionals encourage their use by patients who don’t feel that medication is appropriate for them.

There are a lot of benefits to depression drugs, but they also come with a lot of side effects, after all. They can cause weight gain and loss, affect sleep schedules, cause changes in libido, and even affect moods in ways they’re not meant to. Every drug works differently for every person, and the process of finding one that works well can be long and arduous. Some drugs, meant to improve the mood, can even make it worse. Add to that the cost of regular use of anti-depressant medication, and it’s no wonder that many people are looking to other methods first. While medication is a legitimate depression cure, for many of us, it’s the last resort.

Remember that if you’re experimenting with vitamin treatments or herbal cures, you should know the expected results and side effects, and understand how each substance is meant to work on your body. These depression cures may also have side effects, though they’re generally not as severe as those of anti-depressant drugs. For instance, St. John’s Wort, a common herbal treatment for mild depression, is also associated with sensitivity to the sun. Don’t get caught up in hype and promises from companies that just want to sell supplements, and make sure that you choose treatments that are of the highest quality. After all, herbal treatments can vary.

A balanced diet or vitamin and nutrient supplementation can help, too. For instance, amino acids have been used to treat some types of depression, and are showing promise in ongoing studies. For some people, a higher vitamin B ratio can help improve the mood. Regular exercise, a good diet, and a consistent sleep schedule have also been shown to be effective depression cures, since they can help balance chemicals in the brain which are responsible for happiness or unhappiness.

While there’s no magic bullet, there are depression cures out there that don’t involve medication. If you’re suffering from this disorder, you should take the time to check them out – it’s important to get treatment, because depression doesn’t just go away!

Relieve Stress through Meditation Author: Dushan Vaithilingam

For some reason, meditation is often stereotyped as being a part of eastern path thinking to relieve stress. To some extent, it is. However, meditation is more prevalent than some may think. You don’t have to sit on top of the Himalayans and reverberate “om” for the rest of your life to relieve stress.

Meditation doesn’t have to be a painful chore. Due to the heightened interest in popular culture with role models and celebrities like Madonna, Richard Gere, Sting, Danny Glover, and Jessica Alba who advocate the relief of stress through meditation. Resources to explore healthy opportunities for meditation can be found in some of the most rural communities of America.

Try a yoga class at your local Y. Look in the paper to see if you can find Reiki classes. There are even prayer meditation groups for common paths of spirituality such as Christianity.

Meditation is the process of turning your focus inward to increase you awareness. You must eliminate all outer stimuli to make contact with your inner self.

1. Find a comfortable position in a spot you won’t be disturbed.

2. Most people prefer to lie down or sit. Experienced yoga instructors have a whole list of postures called pranayama.

3. Take a minute to relax.

4. Concentrate on your breath.

5. Find a focus point. This could be your breath, a spot on the wall, a mantra (chant), or an image.

6. Focus your awareness on your breath.

7. How are you feeling?

8. If you find your mind racing, don’t worry. You don’t have to push the thoughts away. Just reflect and let it go. Go back to your breath.

To relieve stress, meditation is an easy answer that can be practiced anywhere for as little as 5 minutes or built up to as long as an hour. There are plenty of books out there that will help you find techniques to relief anxiety or stress.

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What Is The Best Method To Overcome Major Depressive Disorder? Author: Dan Micheals

A surprising number of people suffer from mood disorders, including major depressive disorder, but a lot of people don’t seek help. They either don’t realize that they’re depressed, think that others will look down on them if they admit their depression, or they simply can’t manage to get help because of the symptoms they’re suffering. After all, many of the symptoms associated with major depressive disorder make it hard to get through the day, much less manage to get through the mental health system. Sometimes, depression sufferers are also misdiagnosed as having physical illnesses, rather than emotional and mental issues.

There are a number of causes for depression, which can be caused by stressful situations, major traumatic events, chemical imbalances in the brain, or other problems. It may be related to genetic makeup, since people who are depressed also tend to have family members who are depressed, even if these people are not in contact. No matter what its cause, depression causes significant emotional pain and is a disruption to many people’s lives. It affects their friends and family, makes them less productive at work and more likely to call in sick or even lose their jobs, and it can cause many other problems, as well.

To be listed as someone suffering from major depressive disorder, at least five symptoms from the following list have to have been present during a two week period. They must represent a change from earlier functioning. People with fewer symptoms or those who haven’t had a change may still be depressed or suffering from a mood disorder, but that disorder will be classed differently. Possible symptoms include a depressed mood, lack of pleasure and interested in activities formerly enjoyed, a significant change in appetite or weight, greatly increased or decreased sleep, excess guilt or feelings of low worth, trouble concentrating and thinking, and recurrent thoughts about death.

Almost anyone can suffer from depression, and most people who are diagnosed with this problem are treated successfully. Major depressive disorder may come from just one trauma, or from a series of disappointments, problems, or stresses. Some people only go through one major depressive episode in their lives. Others will deal with many episodes. This illness is not selective and affects people of all ages, races, and other descriptors. About three percent of people in the US and Europe are depressed at any one time, rising to seven percent over the course of a year. Between ten and fifteen percent of us will suffer from a major depressive episode at some time in our lives.

Treating major depression can be done in a number of different ways, of which medication is only one, though many people aren’t aware of other options. Psychotherapy, behavioral and cognitive therapy, herbal treatments, and many other methods can also be used to improve symptoms and make the sufferer’s life easier. If you believe you’re dealing with major depressive disorder, it’s important to take control and seek help. There are lots of options, and something is likely to be of help to you.

Brain Fitness Interview with Dr. Shlomo Breznitz of CogniFit Author: Alex Colket

The following is a discussion of brain fitness, brain training and neuroscience between Dr Shlomo Breznitz of CogniFit and Alex Colket of PlayWithYourMind

Alex: In order to properly frame our conversation, can you start things off by taking a moment to explain neuroplasticity and briefly discuss the implications of this science for the emergent brain fitness industry?

Dr. Breznitz: Until quite recently, neuroplasticity was regarded as the capacity of the brain to respond to stimulation in early life. The main interest in this came from the study of language development and the “miracle” of the ability of a small child to learn any language that happens to be in his/her environment. Thus, neuroplasticity was seen as the ability of the brain to develop the necessary connections and pathways between neurons on the basis of the information received. Furthermore, up to a certain age, so went the argument, the brain had the capacity to rearrange those connections if needed. However, during the last decade or so, research revealed that a significant amount of plasticity remains in adult brains and even old brains. This means that the brain is responding to new stimulation and new types of information by establishing new connections between neurons. We know today that the more connections a brain cell has to other cells the more protected it is from death cell, which affects primarily cells that are isolated. This principle makes a lot of sense, since if a cell is isolated it means that it was inactive for a very long time and hence its loss would not impact the functioning of that person. On the other hand, a well connected cell implies its frequent usage and hence of greater relevance to what the person does and needs in the future. There are other mechanisms besides networking between cells that point out the advantages of new stimulation, but we can enter into those later, if you wish. In any event, these discoveries imply that cognitive training can enhance brain function and open the window of opportunity for specific software that does just that.

Alex: So throughout adulthood, and even into old age, our brains are still capable of learning, adapting and growing – and they seemingly benefit from this process. What great news for us all (there goes the adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”)! Presumably, there are a number of different ways to get the mental exercise necessary to keep the brain working, but it seems like computer games have become a particularly popular way of doing so. Why do you think CogniFit and other brain fitness programs have chosen this route? What is it about games that make them a logical choice for keeping our brains active and fit?

Dr. Breznitz: The computer has several advantages that make it the natural choice for brain training exercises (I prefer to think that ours are fun, but not really games). Chief among them is the opportunity to measure a whole host of data that would be otherwise unavailable. Thus, we can measure the precise speed of any decision, any movement with the mouse, even the slightest hesitations. In addition, all information is stored and like in our case sent into a database for both online processing and offline future research. It is precisely this feature that makes it possible for us to adjust the level of challenge to each individual for each task, which is critical for the effectiveness of the whole enterprise. Internet based applications, like our CPC, have the additional advantage that tasks can be interchanged (downloading new ones) according to needs, with particular advantage to making the program more interesting over time. The computer milieu also allows excellent feedback to the user and this feedback can be immediate, which is extremely useful for learning any skill.

Alex: OK, well it sounds like online brain exercises are a perfect tool in theory, but what are people finding in practice? What tools can you use to determine if programs like yours are effective? How are these computer-based mental exercises impacting participants in their day to day lives? What has the scientific community found when they have studied the efficacy of brain fitness workouts?

Dr. Breznitz: There are now a growing number of studies, including a multi-site NIH sponsored effort, that demonstrate the significant impact of computerized brain training on both standard measures of cognition and indicators of daily lives. Your question is an important one, since in psychology there are no clear indicators to quality of life and we have to rely on self reports. At the same time, self reports are a pretty robust indicator of morale, which in itself if of central, since it impacts everything we think, feel and do. The research record is developing now very rapidly and in spite of a few skeptic that are still around, the verdict seem to be positive.

Alex: In light of this growing body of scientific and anecdotal evidence, where do you see the brain fitness industry in 10-20 years? Do you think that mental exercise will one day be as emphasized and widespread as physical exercise is today? On that note, do you see this as something that people should be engaged in throughout their lives, not just in the latter part of them?

Dr. Breznitz: You could not have phrased it better. Yes, I am confident that cognitive fitness would be just another part of “total fitness”, which includes physical exercise, proper food, and mental exercise. And yes, I believe that while it is never too late to start, the sooner the better. It would become part of an enlightened person’s routine commitment and will be encouraged by the media, by the health professionals and by insurance companies.

Alex: I just read an article today about a recent finding of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study suggesting that cognitive exercises decrease the incidence of depression. A week ago I came across a report that some doctors have started prescribing brain exercise routines to their patients. Do you believe computer-based brain fitness programs can do more than help us keep track of our keys and play a mean game of bridge; do you think they might also play a role in keeping us happier or physically healthier? If so, what role do you think the health care industry should have in promoting this preventative approach to mental health?

Dr. Breznitz: The answer to this is definitely YES. We often see in our clients who use the program that they report higher energy, better morale and more involvement with their surroundings. All these are the antithesis of depression and anything that contribute to such a better state of mind is extremely valuable for elderly people. We believe that cognitive training serves both the treatment of some problems and more importantly, their prevention and/or delay of onset. Just like physical exercise is not prescribed only when one needs physiotherapy, but rather as a means to reach better levels of physical health, so is the case with cognition.

Alex: Having just completed stage 1 of the CogniFit assessment round, I am reminded of another question I wanted to ask you. I think it’s easy for people to see the value in cognitive exercises for memory, hand-eye coordination and planning, but a little more tricky to see the importance in some of the more obscure and less-commonly-used mental faculties (as it is not as apparent how we use these in day-to-day life). Let’s take the timing estimation games for example (in one such game, you are presented with a picture for a period of time, then played a sound, and you are asked which one had the longer duration) – why did you choose to include these exercises in your program and what would you say to someone who might be inclined to skip them due to lack of perceived relevance?

Dr. Breznitz: Time estimation is critical to many everyday life situations. Consider the need to evaluate effectively the time you have left before a traffic light changes from green to red, that can be a matter of life and death. Another important reason is related to diagnostics. The time estimation of certain types of cognitive decline (e.g. dementia) is seriously affected and we would like to know about this for obvious reasons.

Alex: Up until this point, I think we have agreed on just about everything, so I am going to mix things up a little by bringing up a topic that we may not see eye-to-eye on. My website playwithyourmind.com features around 100 different brain games and exercises that I developed without clinical trials, input from professional neuroscientists or any of the other scientific approaches taken by the more professional brain fitness programs. Not too long ago, I wrote an article questioning if these scientifically-developed programs are so much more effective than my amateur offerings as to justify the cost. With so many brain games out available on the web for free, why should people opt for a program like CogniFit Personal Coach that they have to pay for? What features make it more effective than the games on websites such as mine? Take this opportunity to defend your program against folks like myself who believe that there are sufficient opportunities for mental exercise without enrolling in a specific program.

Dr. Breznitz: Thanks for the opportunity to tackle this question. The answer in a nutshell is all about personalization. It also distinguishes CPC from all current competitors. First, the rationale: For any cognitive activity to be of value it must be close to the optimal level of challenge. Not too easy and boring and not too difficult and frustrating. Every person has a different level of challenge in the different cognitive domains. Consequently, the program must first assess the skills of the user as thoroughly as possible. CPC does just that by stating with a quite extensive assessment. The purpose of this is to plan a training regimen that best suits this person. Furthermore, the personalization does not stop there. As one starts training, the data collected feeds into a huge database and serves as an ongoing diagnostic tool to further personalize each exercise. Thus, if we start say with 10,000 people at the same day, after 3-4 training sessions there would not be two people doing precisely the same thing. This level of personalization is not important only for motivational purposes, but for the value of training as such. Stimuli must be novel in order to engage the brain and push it to develop new pathways and connections between neurons. Our brains are basically lazy and quickly learn routines and make the most of repetition in order to function almost automatically, without the need for effortful thinking. Thus, even the most complex activities become routine (chess, bridge, scientific research, etc.) and lose their capacity to challenge our brains. This implies the need to continuously monitor the level of difficulty of each task in order to optimize its impact. One of the main problems of elderly people is their vast experience, which saves a lot of cognitive processing effort, but at some cost to cognitive fitness.

Alex: So you find out where people are at and then give them what they need – a highly personalized program. Sounds good to me. Speaking of personalizing things, I’d like to conclude this discussion with a question about you. I would imagine that you, as an aging neuroscientist involved in cognitive health, are acutely aware of your own mental fitness and any potential decline therein. In your own experience, has there been one particular facet of your mind that you have noticed slipping, and if so, is there something you are doing to combat that change? Do you ever use your own exercises, or is coordinating all that you do exercise enough?

Dr. Breznitz: Like all persons who are not getting younger I have noticed slowing down of information processing. Sometimes a word is missing for a while and one has to develop detours to overcome the problem. Fortunately, it is not to serious and I attribute my luck to both cognitive training (which I do for more than one reason) and to being an entrepreneur at the age of 73, surrounded by smart young people who make sure that I am challenged all the time.