Hello all,
I am very passionate about this thread as I do this for a living. I am a clinical psychologist working in a family medicine residency clinic.
Jackie has quoted the works of Aaron Beck most eloquently. The New Mood Therapy by David Burns, MD is another powerful resource.
Albert Ellis is the psychologist who pioneered Rational Emotive Therapy.
I do believe that having my academic background with the access to clinical resources such as these has been the key to my survivial thus far.
I will pass along the research on stress that is being conducted by the University of Chicago. I have corresponded with these researchers who have examined how when exposed to stress the telemers on the DNA strands change. Whereas this study has been conducted with mice, the trials to human studies needed conducted. Also, there is research on the impact of cortisol on breast cancer survival. The only issue with this study is that participants' cortisol was measured after the cancer diagnosis. It would have been most interesting to know those cortisols levels before diagnosis. I asked my PCP to measure my cortisol levels before my diagnosis by 8 months. I knew something was wrong but could not understand why I was so fatigued. Cortisol levels were high but after much testing and consulting with endo could not figure out why. I guess we now know why.
I have researched this subject at length and would be quite happy to pass along the journal articles. I have access to full journals since I work in a hospital but did not know if it was appropriate to share lengthy passages on this site. But since others have begun this sharing I shall pass along what ever information I can to all of you. Be prepared.
Take care,
Jackie