01.03.2010 The Darkness of Depression, The Heaviness of Weight Management No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Chicken or the Egg?: Obesity and Depression

In a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) multi-study, researchers found a significant link between obesity and depression.  “We found bidirectional associations between depression and obesity: obese persons had a 55 percent increased risk of developing depression over time, whereas depressed persons had a 58 percent increased risk of becoming obese.” Available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636477

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

23.02.2010 The War with Cancer No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Bitter Melon Extract: A New Tool Against Breast Cancer?

An intriguing Saint Louis University study indicates that Bitter Melon may potentially be helpful in the fight against breast cancer.  One of the researchers noted, “The bitter melon extract killed only the cancer cells, not the healthy breast cells.”  Although it’s just a preliminary study and hasn’t been human tested yet, it’s good to see research like this.  Available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636317

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

22.02.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Be Happy for Your Heart’s Sake

A Columbia University study shows that happiness can potentially reduce the risk of heart problems.  The authors found, “For every point on the happiness scale, people were 22 percent less likely to have a heart problem.”  As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/18/happiness-helps-when-it-comes-to-the-heart/

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

18.02.2010 Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Migraines – Hurting More Than Your Head

An interesting research based article discussing overall negative effects for migraine sufferers that go beyond pain.  This includes factors ranging from increased depression to job disability to increased risk of diabetes.  http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636117

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

05.02.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Growing Depression….Stop the Takeover!

A Columbia University shows that untreated mild depression can grow into much more.  Remember, be aware of your symptoms, talk to your health care provider, and stop depression from taking over.  The article is available at http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=635574 Let me know if you have any questions.

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

13.01.2010 What is Biofeedback? No Comments

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is one of many tools that Dr. Schwartz utilizes to treat health conditions and improve quality of life.  It is a very basic, yet extremely effective physiological monitoring tool.  It is a non-invasive “treatment” in which patients are connected to a computer via electrodes to obtain information such as temperature, sweat gland activity, muscle tension, breathing, and heart functioning [NOT for treating or diagnosing heart conditions]. These measurements represent common physiological reactions to anxiety, stress, chronic pain and discomfort; even depression and trauma.  This data is then “fed back” to the individual via information displayed on a computer monitor. This information can be monitored while performing relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy sessions, during psychotherapy, etc; thus making it an outstanding learning and awareness tool.

13.01.2010 Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck No Comments

Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck

Headaches generally include discomfort and pain around the neck, shoulder, skull, eyes, scalp, jaws, and/or forehead.  Types of headaches include migraines (vascular), tension headaches (muscle contraction), cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and what we call “Atypical Migraines” or “Painless Migraines”

13.01.2010 Services Posts No Comments

Pain Management: Controlling Your Life

Chronic pain involves continued pain symptoms typically lasting longer than 6 months in which either (1) the bodily damage appears to be completely healed, (2) the origin is unknown, or (3) the cause is not sufficient for the duration, intensity, and frequency of the pain.  Acute pain involves pain symptoms that, in general, last the duration of an event and a brief time afterward.

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13.01.2010 Services Posts No Comments

The Heaviness of Weight Management

Weight management is your ability to sustain or manage a certain weight that you, or one of your resources, has determined for your daily living. Two of the most important factors (aside from how you chose your optimal weight for yourself) are diet and exercise.  Although being underweight can have health risks, much of the research focuses on excessive weight and obesity.

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12.01.2010 Home Posts No Comments

Overview

Derek T. Schwartz, Ph.D., BCIAC

Clinical Health Psychologist

Certified Biofeedback Practitioner

License # PSY22176


Contact Information

8813 Villa La Jolla Dr.

Suite 2002

La Jolla, CA 92037-1937

Direct Line: (858) 877-0770
Fax: (858) 452-1517
E-mail: drschwartz@sandiegopsychologist.com

[Serving the San Diego region]


What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is one of many tools that Dr. Schwartz utilizes to treat health conditions and improve quality of life. It is a very basic, yet extremely effective physiological monitoring tool. It is a non-invasive “treatment” in which patients are connected to a computer via electrodes to obtain information such as temperature, sweat gland activity, muscle tension, breathing, and heart functioning [NOT for treating or diagnosing heart conditions]. Read more