- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
Latest entries
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May 8, 2013
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April 17, 2013
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April 3, 2013
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March 20, 2013
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Stress blog
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Aug. 29, 2012
Strong emotions short-circuit logic
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
You're angry, frustrated and tired. You're running late. As you rush out the door, you realize you're forgotten your keys.
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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
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Often in a fit of anger or frustration, we say things that are hurtful. In a moment of lashing out, we fire off an email or a Tweet that we wish we could retrieve.
Everyone can relate to these scenarios. So what's going on here?
There's now overwhelming evidence that during times of strong and powerful emotions, our brain becomes flooded with chemicals, such as adrenaline and norepinephrine, that short-circuit and interfere with the parts of the brain affecting judgment, reasoning and logic. Specific parts of the brain actually become smaller and less biochemically active.
Hence the wisdom of the advice to count to 10 — or better yet to 1,000 — or to sleep on it. When the heat of the moment has passed and you're calmer, you can think more clearly. Taking time to chill out can prevent remorse and embarrassment over regrettable behavior or poor decisions made under stress.
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.
7 comments posted
December 26, 2012 3:51 a.m.
Diet and exercise is great but the key to a long and hthelay life is really just simple happiness. My grandparents both lived into their hundreds and they commented regularly they had never been happier.They also traveled EXTENSIVELY and took a sojourn to South America on a 10-day Panama Canal cruise both when they were in their late 80 s.I'd settle for a lifespan a couple decades less than them. Here's hoping I inherited their long-living genes.
- Issa
October 16, 2012 4:16 a.m.
Felt so hopeless liookng for answers to my questions...until now.
- Ving
October 7, 2012 5:47 p.m.
We are so blessed to have Dr. Creagan's continuing direction for our peaceful, healthy mind-body future. Been fortunate to have heard him speak and talk to him personally. He and his wife are as kind and supportive as he writes to us. Sometimes because I feel so much gratitude for other's kindnesses shown to me, my emotions overwhelm me with joy that tears just come rolling out of my eyes. Lots of times this "crying" as others may look at it is misread, and I have to explain I am just overwhelmed with gratitude...can't believe how. what, where, I at this moment in time am so blessed? Many people cry at celebrations. What part of the brain is causing this uncontrollable emotional reaction? On the inside of my mind-body-spirit I feel so joyful! Is this also happening to you? Thanks.
- Kristina
September 5, 2012 11:52 a.m.
Yes, the effects of stress are noteable in everyone today, however many healthcare professionals believe that you can do "this" or "that" and it will help. It is important for everyone to understand that conditions of daily life are difficult for many people. Stress will be prevalent. There are limited resources to help those of us who are alone; specifically without family or friends. It is also important to note that "help lines" do not often help. Mental health is one of the areas that our communities have ignored for many years. If you do not have insurance, or a family or belong to a church you have to "go it alone". Hopefully with a new healthcare plan in place possibly things will change for the better. People need help and shouldn't be alone in times of crisis —hard times like we are experiencing right now. We are all human and need each other. Too many people in our communities are left alone... smart phones, help lines and social media do not help people. People spending time together is the "help". It is an old-fashioned concept that works. Why have we missed that in our world?
- D
August 31, 2012 12:40 p.m.
I really appreciate Dr. Creagan's articles. His wisdom and insight are so "real" and helpful! I have made many poor choices under stress & will pay for them for the rest of my life. I had to learn the hard way, like many others, that stress can change your thinking and decision-making powers in a drastic way. It's a comfort to me to read in Dr. Creagan's articles that even highly-educated professional people have made bad choices while under stress. I am trying to learn to forgive myself and move on, you know? Forgiving yourself is tough work. Best wishes to all who struggle with stress and anxiety. I wish you well! Never be too shy or embarrassed to ask for help. There are so many great professionals out there who are wonderful resources and truly want to help us. If you don't know where to start, check with a church office, your local clinic, or call your local hospital. There is so much help available.
- Linda
August 30, 2012 9:37 a.m.
This is good information. How do the military and police/fire departments train to compensate for this? I'm confused by the response to situations where, under intense pressure, bad choices are made, and then that person is charged with a crime and censured. Of course we don't want to condone those who would misuse their power, but how easy to make the "honest mistake" under fire.
- Susan
August 29, 2012 2:54 a.m.
I once read: email is ok for good news or neutral situations but always call for bad news...especially in a work situation. Tone is lost online. And when you are annoyed or angry, better to calm down and call rather than emailing...or...texting.
- Margaret
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