kelticwizard Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I posted this in the football section because I feel it belongs there. If this is even partly true, a lot of our posters should end up the equivalent of a turnip within five years. Cynicism linked to greater dementia risk, study saysBy Jen Christensen, CNN updated 8:56 PM EDT, Wed May 28, 2014 People who test as highly cynical late in life have an increased chance of being diagnosed with dementia later in life. STORY HIGHLIGHTS The most cynical people in this study had more than double the risk of dementia Cynicism is also linked to higher rates of cancer-related deaths and cardiovascular disease Cynical people tend to have a greater stress response, which can lead to inflammation (CNN) -- Your spouse "had to stay late at work" -- are you skeptical? Do you think your friend doesn't like you if he cancels dinner plans? Do you suspect that your co-worker is putting her ambitions ahead of the team? Curmudgeons of the world, listen up: This line of negative thinking might actually hurt your health. A new study in the latest edition of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that cynical people have a higher likelihood of developing dementia. "There have been previous studies that showed that people who were cynical were more likely to die earlier and have other poor health outcomes, but no one that we could tell ever looked at dementia," said Anna-Maija Tolppanen, one of the study's authors and a professor at the University of Eastern Finland. "We have seen some studies that show people who are more open and optimistic have a lower risk for dementia so we thought this was a good question to ask." Studying cynicism Cynicism is a deep mistrust of others. Psychologists consider it a kind of chronic anger that develops over time. Specifically, the kind of cynicism researchers looked at involved doubting the truth of what people say and believing most people are motivated by self-interest rather than by what is best for the community. Village only for people with dementia The study tested 1,449 people with an average age of 71. The study participants took a test for dementia. A separate test measured their level of cynicism. Both tests are considered reliable by researchers. The cynicism test asks if the person agrees with statements like "Most people will use somewhat unfair reasons to gain profit or an advantage rather than lose it"; "I think most people would lie to get ahead"; and "It is safer to trust nobody." Those who agreed with the critical statements in the test were considered highly cynical. The people with the highest level of cynical distrust had a 2.54 times greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest cynicism rating. Researchers also examined the test results to see if the subjects who were labeled highly cynical died sooner than the others. But once compounding factors were screened out, they did not. Previous studies have shown a link between cynicism and an earlier death. Still, the new study does not prove that having a bad attitude causes bad health outcomes. To prove a causal relationship, a study would need randomized controlled trials to show that a reduction in cynical attitudes through treatment actually lowered the risk of bad health outcomes. More research is necessary to replicate the conclusions. But the results complement a wide body of research showing how "over time, people with highly cynical hostility do worse health wise," said Dr. Hilary Tindle, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Why cynicism may be bad for you What might explain an association between cynicism and poor health? This is a complex issue that needs to be studied more, Tindle said. The relationships between psychological attitudes and health outcomes are very complex. "I can tell you from my clinical perspective from treating patients, I am absolutely certain that psychological attitudes can lead people down a road to poor health, because I see it every day when I talk to patients," said Tindle, who wrote the book "Up: How Positive Outlook Can Transform Our Health and Aging." Tindle was the lead author on a study that examined the health outcomes of over 97,000 women and found that cynical women had a higher hazard of cancer-related mortality. "The bottom line is that a high degree of anger/hostility/cynicism is not good for health," she wrote. Research shows cynical people also tend to smoke more, exercise less and weigh more. They also have a harder time following even the best medical advice, because their cynical natures won't let them believe what people tell them, Tindle said. Past studies have also found that people who are cynical have a higher rate of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular problems and cancer-related deaths. Cardiovascular disease can contribute to dementia because it essentially damages small blood vessels everywhere in your body, including in your brain. Cynical people also tend to have greater stress responses, which means they typically have a higher heart rate, a higher blood pressure peak, and a tendency to have greater inflammation of their immune systems. Chronic inflammation is now known to be harmful to one's overall health and it is linked to everything from Crohn's disease to high cholesterol to even Alzheimer's. Do what makes you happy Can you come out of cynicism? The good news is, being highly cynical is not a permanent state of mind. "I am also certain that people can learn to change -- they change every day in that they quit smoking, they lose weight, they cut ties in unhealthy friendships," Tindle said. "The ultimate message is people are not 'doomed' if they have cynical tendencies." So if your assumptions about people are making you angry and irritable, try having a little more trust. "All of us are capable of adopting healthier attitudes," Tindle said. "As a physician, I see people of all ages making positive change every day." http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/28/health/cynical-dementia/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurnleyJet Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I hope T0m's not reading this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Thanks for posting. But what you call "cynicism," I call "arbitrage of The Real." The great burden of keeping you people on the right path drives us over the edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 This would explain alot. (See internet tough guy thread) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Shepherding the sheeple ain't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I consider myself the Tywin Lannister of JetNation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slats Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Thanks for posting. But what you call "cynicism," I call "arbitrage of The Real." The great burden of keeping you people on the right path drives us over the edge. Shepherding the sheeple ain't easy. I consider myself the Tywin Lannister of JetNation. Clearly it's too late for T0m. Hopefully this article can help some other folks, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I call it pragmatism. People are by and large self serving. As far as negativity towards the Jets. I have a lifetime of empirical evidence, you have the same positive outlook every year based on mental gymnastics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexiRoll6 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Where am I? How did I get here? I'm very frightened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I consider myself the Tywin Lannister of JetNation. That would be nice. I consider you the Tywin lannister as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt39 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 You be positive. I'll be realistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Not being "cynical" IS dementia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I seriously doubt that conclusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I seriously doubt that conclusion. Its better to just play along. Questioning this article could cause cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I seriously doubt that conclusion. That's right, get on the train, Faba! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klecko73isGod Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sourceworx Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I consider myself the Tywin Lannister of JetNation. Some of us hope you're more like Brooks Hatlen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I consider myself the Tywin Lannister of JetNation. Suddenly everyone on this board wants to be Tyrion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTM Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 The cynicism test asks if the person agrees with statements like "Most people will use somewhat unfair reasons to gain profit or an advantage rather than lose it"; "I think most people would lie to get ahead"; and "It is safer to trust nobody." I know people who answer no to those questions, they are called suckers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Its better to just play along. Questioning this article could cause cancer. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Bullsh*t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 i am not a cynic. i will be cheering louder than anyone at each of our 4 wins this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Suddenly everyone on this board wants to be Tyrion. It's short dress season in the city. He's got a prime view and the financial wherewithal to land any aspiring actress by dropping his father's name if he likes the goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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