Pathoplasticity Regardless of what illness or injury we have incurred, no two of us appear to respond the same to almost identical situations. This is the concept of pathoplasticity. When we have the flu, or a sprained ankle, or a bruised knee, we have different levels of alarm, concern, expectancy and different ways of responding, …
Depressed Mood Depressive disorders are a complex combination of numerous physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. It is estimated that ~8% of the general population suffers from depression at any given time. However, depression is not, itself, a disabling condition, and mood is only part of the concern. It is characterized by a series of psychological …
Procrastination Procrastination is a behavior involving the delaying of actions to a later time. Procrastination is a way of coping with anxiety that is associated with starting or completing any task/decision. Researchers also have three criteria they use to categorize procrastination. To be “procrastination,” it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying. Importantly, while people procrastinate …
Return to Work As well as extent of energy, there are other factors that decrease the probability of return to work: a. Does the individual have a role-modeling adult authority in their past who has lived on disability benefits? b. Has the patient truly a career path or simply worked for sheer financial survival? c. …
Before the patient is treated: If formal psychological diagnostic exam reveals that a psychological disorder exists that has resulted from injury or been exacerbated by injury, then the following series of decisions must be made: a. Is the patient sufficiently motivated for change; interested in being treated? b. Is the patient intellectually capable of understanding …
I see many Hispanic patients, and they may be more difficult to return to work for several important, and often overlooked, …
Read Blog Post
Diagnostic Failure: “If a patient has pain, the authorized treating physician uses diagnostic tools and therapeutic …
Read Blog Post
Understanding, predicting and controlling human behavior is both an art and a science. Most people can learn the science. …
Read Blog Post
