Recent Blog Articles
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15477/conversions/59f61b05-2e23-463a-a0f7-b8aef6addd73-micro.jpg)
Testosterone-blocking drugs boost heart disease risk when given in combination
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15472/conversions/9f706d6e-3ba5-441f-a1ce-d93af96cdb5d-micro.jpg)
Parenting isn't easy: Two important skills can help
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14937/conversions/fcff561e-5fc9-4fbd-aac0-b9ea3778052b-micro.jpg)
Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15415/conversions/2acee670-1e43-413e-a07b-437512d22803-micro.jpg)
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14051/conversions/dea50ed5-99ea-4779-aa5b-56fae11aaa92-micro.jpg)
Hot weather hikes: Staying safe when temperatures spike
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15405/conversions/f22b5f3d-fd64-479d-b10a-b2409347f160-micro.jpg)
Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15404/conversions/ccd2e44a-96c4-492f-a05c-c2706549efc0-micro.jpg)
What is Lewy body dementia?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15083/conversions/2fa8315b-f48e-43fb-8b56-d681a1715343-micro.jpg)
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15386/conversions/33679f9f-8065-4e13-a188-2ca67472b36f-micro.jpg)
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14810/conversions/778f3d8c-0b73-420c-8d03-e8542d49660d-micro.jpg)
Shining light on night blindness
Ann MacDonald
Contributor
Ann MacDonald was the editor of the Harvard Mental Health Letter from October 2007 to January 2012. She has also written several editions of the Harvard Medical School Annual Report on Prostate Disease. Before working at HHP, Ann ran her own medical communications business. Previously, she served as eastern regional director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She became interested in mental health after her brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the late 1980s. Ann earned a BA in politics and women’s studies at Brandeis University.
Posts by Ann MacDonald
Ann MacDonald
New prostate cancer screening recommendation generates controversy and confusion
![How to become a better perfectionist featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8066/conversions/The-Perfectionists-Handbook-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
How to become a better perfectionist
Ann MacDonald
How do you know if you have obsessive-compulsive disorder?
![Therapy dog offers stress relief at work featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8061/conversions/Cooper-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Therapy dog offers stress relief at work
![Some “natural” therapies may be safe, effective for mental health featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8046/conversions/St-Johns-wort-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
Some “natural” therapies may be safe, effective for mental health
![The mental and emotional challenges of surviving cancer featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8006/conversions/Road_and_clouds-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
The mental and emotional challenges of surviving cancer
![Why Japan’s crisis causes worry, fear of radiation risk in the U.S. featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8000/conversions/Risk-horizontal-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
Why Japan’s crisis causes worry, fear of radiation risk in the U.S.
![How to do CPR when the heart suddenly stops: Press hard, press fast, don’t stop featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7996/conversions/CPR-compressions1-300x300-thumb.jpg)
Heart Health
How to do CPR when the heart suddenly stops: Press hard, press fast, don’t stop
![Teens who smoke pot at risk for later schizophrenia, psychosis featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7992/conversions/marijuana2-288x300-thumb.jpg)
Child & Teen Health
Teens who smoke pot at risk for later schizophrenia, psychosis
Ann MacDonald
Deep brain stimulation: Experts raise alarms about aggressive marketing
![What to do when health problems or medical treatments thwart your love life featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7984/conversions/Legs-in-bed-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
What to do when health problems or medical treatments thwart your love life
![Use your brain to avoid weight gain—by fighting portion inflation featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7982/conversions/WL0906-4-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
Use your brain to avoid weight gain—by fighting portion inflation
![Feeling S.A.D.? Lighten up if it’s seasonal affective disorder featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7980/conversions/gloomy_boston-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
Feeling S.A.D.? Lighten up if it’s seasonal affective disorder
Ann MacDonald
Good investigative reporting may finally debunk the myth that vaccines cause autism
Ann MacDonald
New insights into treatment-resistant depression
Ann MacDonald
Using the relaxation response to reduce stress
![Painkillers and drug addiction: An ongoing dilemma featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7971/conversions/Ether-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
Painkillers and drug addiction: An ongoing dilemma
Ann MacDonald
Why eating slowly may help you feel full faster
![Synthetic biology: Really cool science not yet ready for prime time featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7970/conversions/photo-300x225-thumb.jpg)
Ann MacDonald
Synthetic biology: Really cool science not yet ready for prime time
Ann MacDonald
Distinguishing depression from normal adolescent mood swings
Ann MacDonald
Advice for dealing with school bullies
Ann MacDonald
Dental fear? Our readers suggest coping techniques.
Ann MacDonald
Alzheimer’s study on biomarkers generates debate
Ann MacDonald
Mental illness affects the wallet as well as the brain
Recent Blog Articles
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15477/conversions/59f61b05-2e23-463a-a0f7-b8aef6addd73-micro.jpg)
Testosterone-blocking drugs boost heart disease risk when given in combination
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15472/conversions/9f706d6e-3ba5-441f-a1ce-d93af96cdb5d-micro.jpg)
Parenting isn't easy: Two important skills can help
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14937/conversions/fcff561e-5fc9-4fbd-aac0-b9ea3778052b-micro.jpg)
Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15415/conversions/2acee670-1e43-413e-a07b-437512d22803-micro.jpg)
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14051/conversions/dea50ed5-99ea-4779-aa5b-56fae11aaa92-micro.jpg)
Hot weather hikes: Staying safe when temperatures spike
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15405/conversions/f22b5f3d-fd64-479d-b10a-b2409347f160-micro.jpg)
Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15404/conversions/ccd2e44a-96c4-492f-a05c-c2706549efc0-micro.jpg)
What is Lewy body dementia?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15083/conversions/2fa8315b-f48e-43fb-8b56-d681a1715343-micro.jpg)
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15386/conversions/33679f9f-8065-4e13-a188-2ca67472b36f-micro.jpg)
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14810/conversions/778f3d8c-0b73-420c-8d03-e8542d49660d-micro.jpg)
Shining light on night blindness