Pediatricians throughout the United States now have the opportunity to become specialists in the area of child abuse and neglect. In fact, Ofelia Casillas of the Chicago Tribune reported that more than 200 physicians have already taken the first certification exams in child abuse (read the full article here).

The hope is that this new sub-specialty will help promote research into child abuse, as well as provide the field with much needed expertise in this area. Pediatricians with the certification will be able to consult on child abuse cases and to teach other physicians how to spot child abuse. This is potentially good news for the BPD community, given the link between BPD and chronic childhood maltreatment.

I recently did an interview with a journalist on the topic of domestic violence and the holidays. She wanted to know whether there is an increase in domestic violence over the holiday season. Actually, the research doesn't show any link between domestic violence and situational stress. However, there are also lots of reasons that people do not want to report incidents of relationship violence during the holiday season.

If you are in a violent relationship, know that there is help. There are a number of hotlines set up to help you understand your options and stay safe. In the U.S., you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. If you are outside of the U.S., check out this list of organizations/agencies that can help. 

Over the past couple of weeks some of the BPD forum members have been compiling a list of recommended reading for people with BPD and their families. Do you have any books you'd like to add? Visit the thread here at the BPD Forum.

Maybe all those annoying holiday songs are getting on your nerves, but there is a lot of research to suggest that listening to music that conveys a certain mood can in fact lead to a change in emotional state.

I've had quite a few clients who have used this strategy with success: when you are stuck in a certain mood, listen to some mood incongruent music (i.e., music that conveys the opposite mood from the one you are in). For example, if you are sad, listen to something upbeat. If you are angry, listen to something soothing. Just don't get pulled into that latest Evanescence song!

How to Cope Using Music