Researchers consistently find a relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical health problems, including (but not limited to) chronic pain, obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. One possible explanation for this relationship is that people with PTSD take part in more unhealthy behaviours (e.g., illicit drug use, excessive drinking) and …

The best way to overcome one’s fears and concerns is to confront them. This is as straightforward as it is true. Many studies show that exposure with response prevention (ERP) is the most efficacious treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental illness characterized by intrusive thoughts (e.g., fears about getting …

Roughly 1 in 6 adults in the United States smoke. Females, compared to males, are less likely to quit smoking successfully and are at greater risk of developing smoking-related illnesses, like cardiovascular disease. Female smokers are also more likely to use cigarettes help cope with distressing emotions, like anxiety and …

Our social support networks affect us in a variety of ways, and a large body of research has examined the physical and mental health correlates of the positive (social support) and the negative (negative social exchange) aspects of social support networks. Our study builds on that research by examining the …

Depression affects at least 10% of women in pregnancy, and the negative impact of post-natal depression and anxiety on mothers and babies is well documented. Women are often very short of time in this demanding period of their life, and examining if a very brief, self-help approach to treatment is …

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an individual experiences an impact or jolt to the head immediately followed by a transient loss of consciousness, alteration of consciousness (e.g., feeling dizzy or confused), or disruption of memory. Importantly, a growing body of work suggests that individuals who experience one or …

From interactions with hostile suspects and emotionally distraught victims, to a heavy workload and interference with family life, the demands that police face can negatively affect their mental wellbeing. Increasing police officers’ ability to successfully cope with stress may be one strategy for improving their mental health and preventing the …

Even thirty or more years after the end of a war, veterans can suffer from their dramatic, humiliating, and life-threatening experiences. The experiences might be such to impact their life also now. If for instance veterans report symptoms of sleep disturbances, impulsivity, restlessness, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, lack of concentration, negative …

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is one of the psychological treatments for tinnitus with the best empirical evidence of efficacy (Cima, Andersson, Schmidt, & Henry, 2014) and cost effectiveness (Maes et al., 2014). Although CBT has been demonstrated to be effective, there are specific barriers in tinnitus patients seeking psychotherapy in …

Eating disorder cognitions are frequently reported as a symptom of the condition. Individuals often go further in their descriptions and commonly report something more than simply cognitions, but rather describe the phenomenon of an ‘eating disorder voice’. This voice is much like a commentator accompanying one through their day-today experience, …

Anxiety manifests when an individual perceives an immediate threat. Despite evidence that on average, holding all things equal, the world has never been safer for most people, anxiety has continued to rise in the general population. Anxiety is often driven by difficulties tolerating the inevitable uncertainties that make up our …

Depression is one of the most common and serious mental illnesses. Indeed, more than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Importantly, depression has various personal and societal consequences, which supports the increasing need for more research to better understand this debilitating disorder. One of the common misconceptions about depression …

Many college students experience symptoms of insomnia. Unfortunately, college students who experience problems with sleep may also be at risk for engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as maladaptive eating patterns and behaviors. However, little is understand about why insomnia and aspects of eating are related. The current study examined difficulties …

Studying patterns of symptom change in psychotherapy has potentials for identifying how specific theory-driven treatment techniques and non-specific factors (i.e., those that are common across treatment modalities, such as the therapeutic alliance) interact to create change over the course of treatment; which has important implications for enhancing treatment effectiveness  (Kazdin, …

Little is known about the response of Arab adults to psychological treatments. One psychological treatment that may be compatible with Arabs preferences for a short-term and directed psychological treatment that focuses on practical skills is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is an effective psychological treatment for anxiety, depression and PTSD …