5 Common OCD Alternative Treatments and Therapies

5 Common OCD Alternative Treatments and Therapies More in OCD Treatment Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Types Living With OCD Related Conditions Although there are currently a number of effective medical and psychological treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder  (OCD), these treatments dont work for everyone. As such, there has been great interest in developing new treatments for OCD or using new methods to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments.   St. Johns Wort Alternative medicines such as herbal remedies have been growing in popularity in both Europe and North America. Many people with anxiety disorders such as OCD have tried alternative therapies at one time or another. One of the most common herbal remedies for anxiety is St. Johns Wort. Because antidepressants that target the serotonin system, such as Paxil (paroxetine) and Anafranil (clomipramine), are effective in treating OCD, it has been suggested that St. Johns Wort, which is said to also have natural antidepressant qualities, could be an alternative therapy for reducing OCD symptoms. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS, is a relatively non-invasive procedure that has received considerable attention as a possible alternative treatment to reduce OCD symptoms. Repetitive TMS involves placing a small device directly on the skull. This sealed device contains a coil of wire that carries electricity. The flow of electricity through the device causes cells in the brain called neurons to become either more or less active. The activity level of neurons has been linked to symptoms of mental illness like OCD. Supplementing Behavior Therapy With D-cycloserine   Psychotherapeutic techniques such as exposure and response prevention therapy  (ERP) are highly effective in treating symptoms of OCD. However, these treatments do not always work for everyone. Also, the challenging nature of behavior therapy and the associated cost cause many people to decline or drop out of treatment. Given this, there has been a lot of interest in identifying ways that behavior therapy can be made both more effective and accessible for more people. One possibility may be to supplement behavior therapy with medication. A medication that has generated a lot of interest with respect to this is the drug D-cycloserine. Exercise and OCD We all know that  aerobic exercise  has great physical benefits, including reduced cholesterol levels and lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now there is significant evidence that physical activity may also help to reduce symptoms of mental illness. Indeed, it is now known that aerobic exercise can be used therapeutically to improve mild to moderate symptoms of depression, as well as reduce overall stress and anxiety levels. Recently, preliminary studies have also examined whether aerobic exercise is helpful in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms. Deep Brain Stimulation for OCD Although a number of medications and psychological therapies are available to treat OCD, it has been estimated that between 25% and 40% of people will not respond satisfactorily to these traditional treatments. In the past 20 years, the development of sophisticated brain imaging technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), has led to explosive growth in our knowledge of the inner workings of the brain. Results of these investigations have begun to explain the biological and anatomical basis of OCD. In particular, these studies have suggested that treatments targeting specific circuits in the brain could be helpful in reducing OCD symptoms in those people who have severe symptoms and do not respond to traditional treatment. Deep brain stimulation may offer such alternative treatment. Find Relief With the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs

Research Study On Research And Research - 1406 Words

3.1 Introduction The chapter focuses on to identify the research approach, research onion and the research philosophy to conduct the research in proper manner. The research design based on which the entire research will be conducted is identified in the chapter in details. Robson and McCartan (2016) argued that the specific research process requires to be identified by the researcher to conduct the research efficiently. The research methodology identified in the chapter will help the researcher to formulate the outcomes of the study. 3.2 Method Outline This section deals with the research procedures of the study. In the research, the research the descriptive research is chosen to analyse the collected data from various trustable sources. The section will help the researcher to understand the research study in appropriate manner. Mackey and Gass (2015) stated that the quantitative analysis is done based on the collected data from various sources. The quantitative analysis is done by collecting the data from the company’s website, statistical sites and the published journals over the internet. The qualitative analysis is done by taking the interview of the stakeholders of the company. 3.3 Research Philosophy The first layer of the research onion is the research philosophy. The research philosophy deals with the concepts of epistemology. The epistemology of the research philosophy includes the realism, positivism, interpretivism, objectivism, ontology of the research. TheShow MoreRelatedA Research Study On Research772 Words   |  4 Pagesand evaluate any given research work, research onion. This model helps in exploring the various available research approached and methods and selecting the most suitable for the research work. This research work will adopt the following research methodology. 3.1 Research Philosophy Research philosophy is based on the assumptions which define research strategy and explains the relationship between a research study and the data collection process (Zikmund, 2012). The research philosophy is categorisedRead MoreA Research Study On Research1173 Words   |  5 PagesThe research topic is selected, the testable research question is developed, research on the topic is found, the literature review is completed, and a decision is made on the research design. Now, one of the most important steps in the research process to accomplish is the collection of data. Notwithstanding the research project and whether the method of research is whether qualitative or quantitative, data must be collected. Data collection is essential whether the method of choice is a mailRead MoreA Research Study On Research2254 Words   |  10 Pagesobjective of qualitative research is to gain a deeper meaning and understanding of a phenomenon by conducting research in the forms of case studies, interviews and observations (Cohen Crabtree, 2008; Family health international, 2006; Holloway Wheeler, 2009). Semi-structured interviews are required in qualitative research, as it allows the researcher to ask questions, which can probe and are spontaneous with the intention to gain more meaning. It also enables the researcher to study the participant inRead MoreA Research Study On Psychological Research1657 Words   |  7 Pages Psychological Research can range from being simple to very complex. Psychological research deals with the research that psychologist have conducted to research and analyze the behavior of individuals. When conducting these researches there are special guidelines which need to be taken. If the researcher fails to meet these guidelines the research may be classified as unethical. When conducting psychological research there are many important ethnical guidelines which need to be followed. The researcherRead MoreA Research Study On Animal Research961 Words   |  4 Pagesyears, animal research has led to the development of numerous vaccines and cures that are now used to save lives in several countries across the globe. Scientists and doctors alike acknowledge this and recognize how essential and beneficial animals are in biomedical research. However, before discussing the different views that are associated with conducting biomedical research experiments on animals, one must understand its history. It is a common misconception that animal research is a new scientificRead MoreA Research Study On Observational Research796 Words   |  4 Pages1. Observational research is the process of ANSWER- (a) Using the sense to collect data Observational research is a process of using all of the senses, particularly sight and hearing to collect data about a phenomenon of interest. It focuses on the behavior of people through their verbal comment or nonverbal expression, body movements and physical contact between two or more people. Although observational research is a preferred approach it is not always flexible and some behavior of interest isRead MoreResearch Study On Quantitative Research1197 Words   |  5 PagesQuantitative Research – Research that goes through a specific method to reach a conclusion, based upon a hypothesis, research problem, gathering of data, analyzing and interpreting the data using statistical means. One way quantitative research is used in educational practice is looking at test scores among a specific group of individuals, and comparing data outcomes with other groups to notice trends. 2. Qualitative Research – Research that is performed in a more holistic way. This type of research beginsRead MoreA Research Study On Experimental Research892 Words   |  4 PagesExperimental research is sometimes done with risk of harming the subjects under study. In a research study, participants could be physically and emotionally harmed. As nurses, we are advocates for our patients. Therefore, our goal is to protect them from any harm and discomfort when they participate in experimental treatment. Many dilemmas arise when trying to determine the level where an experimental treatment becomes harmful. In the past, researchers conducted unethical experiments without theRead MoreA Research Study On The Research Design1747 Words   |  7 PagesThe research design was a quantitative with qualitative comparison using a mixed methodology as previously mentioned. This study is a descriptive correlational study based on describing associations among variables rather than to conc lude cause and effect relationships (Polit Beck, 2008, p. 556). The study also encompasses a prospective longitudinal component which demonstrates causality between study variables, which produces improved quality of evidence. The sample participants consisted ofRead MoreA Research Study On Research Design874 Words   |  4 PagesScientific research is conducted for a variety or purposes, including gathering preliminary information, to help define a scientific problem, describing a structure or phenomenon, develop new scientific methods or tools, testing a scientific theory, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a policy or program. Many methods are used for conducting scientific research. However, research can only be considered valid and â€Å"good† if it is conducted ethically. A sound research design must be aligned to its

Acts of Terrorism and Social Change in the United States...

On 10 September, 2001 the citizens of the United States went about their day-to-day activities without any thoughts of a terrorist attack occurring. Americans who were lulled into this mindset by the false pretenses of security and the history that America has never had a multifaceted terroristic attack occur on her soil. However, on the morning of September 11, 2001 this attitude would be ceaselessly changed and change the life of all Americans. The United States has become known as the melting pot of culture due to the diversity of citizens; consequently, this has also led terroristic events committed by individuals and factions to share their ideologies and attempt to bring about social change. This social change may influence an†¦show more content†¦In the past 20 years the United States along with the world have entered a period referred to as â€Å"New Terrorism† (Kurtulus, 2011). This new type of terrorism is generally indiscriminate, networked, based off religious ideologies, and committed by individuals and factions with little to no organizational structure (Kurtulus, 2011). The problem with the individuals who commit this new type of terrorism is that they are generally indiscriminate and do not necessarily have a selected target. The victims of these attacks are generally thrown into disarray with little to no explanation on why they occurred. International terrorism or terrorism that occurs outside the United States, but in turn affects the U.S. also has a dynamic effect on the occurrence of social change. The Heritage Foundation’s 2011 study also found an occurrence of 380 international terroristic attacks in between 2001-2009 (Muhlhausen McNeil, 2011). The 2011 study also showed that the general targets of international attacks were aimed toward business and diplomatic offices (Muhlhausen McNeil, 2011). Some of these international attacks have led to military actions known as War on Terror and encompassing Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. The events of September 11, 2001 sparked a wave of social change that will forever have an impact on America and her citizens. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 withShow MoreRelatedTerrorism Has Been Used For Centuries As A Weapon Of Change1074 Words   |  5 PagesTerrorism has been used for centuries as a weapon of change. Terrorism used to force change even altered the English language, the creation of the word assassin because of the Hashhashin’s in the 11th century and the Roman’s use of decimation changing the meaning from killing one in ten to massacring all involved. Much of early terrorism was based on nationalist or ethnic groups, which had exhausted all other options while reaching for political freedom and therefore resorted to violence. The mostRead MoreTerrorism, Cia, And South America1062 Words   |  5 PagesTerrorism, CIA, and South America Terrorism. This word has caused more change in the 21st century than any other thought, policy, or idea. This change can not only be seen in the political realm, but in the academic realm as well. Since the attacks on September 11, the study and research of terrorism has grown exponentially. One area of research that is gaining popularity is whether or not the United States itself has participated in acts of terrorism as defined by the CIA. The largest of theseRead MoreThe Effects Of Terrorism On Terrorism And Terrorism944 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Terrorism â€Å"The history of terrorism is a history of well-known and historically significant individuals, entities, and incidents associated, whether rightly or wrongly, with terrorism,† (History of Terrorism). The history of terrorism is a long bloody road. One of the bloodiest of acts of terrorism in the early years, was the reign of terror. In which, the Jacobin leader, Maximilien Robespierre, executed 40,000 people. Newspapers coined the word â€Å"Terrorism† as a way of describing RobespierreRead MoreNuclear Weapons Essay1533 Words   |  7 Pagesinternational relations. As seen in the class lecture slides, states often embark on nuclear weapons programs to counterbalance the power of other states. This is particularly true for states such as China and Iran, who are trying to balance the power of the United States. States such as China, Russia, and the United States are all powerful international influences. This is partially due to the fact that they are a part of the United Nations Security Council and own nuclear weapons. If they did notRead MoreNuclear Weapons Essay1598 Words   |  7 Pagesinternational relations. As seen in the class lecture slides, states often embark on nuclear weapons programs to counterbalance the power of other states. This is particularly true for states such as China and Iran, who are trying to balance the power of the United States. States such as China, Russia, and the United States are all powerful international influences. This is partially due to the fact that they are a part of the United Nations Security Council and own nuclear weapons. If they did notRead MoreTerrorism Is A Global Issue1462 Words   |  6 PagesTerrorism is a global issue that has been a problem for many for centuries. Many agree that there is not just one clear definition of the word. The Dictionary.com definition of terrorism is, â€Å"The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.† Thi s definition is incomplete. It doesn’t tell you that the act of terrorism is wrong or does it describe who can be affected by it. The FBI’s definition seems to be a better description. They define it as, â€Å"TerrorismRead MoreDomestic Terrorism Is America s Greatest Threat : Mass Shootings And Hate Crimes1389 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic Terrorism is America s Greatest Threat: Mass Shootings and Hate Crimes I. Introduction The United States has been in a national state of emergency fighting a war on terrorism since September 11, 2001. The intelligence communities have pursued and tracked down terrorist suspects who pose a direct threat to this country, yet one of the greatest threat to this country is the astronomical number of mass shootings and hate crimes that have occurred in this country post 9/11. The UnitedRead MoreHow The United States Should Combat Such A Horrific Form Of Warfare And Political Change1398 Words   |  6 Pages Much has been made of terrorism and political crime lately. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon most have asked questions such as: How could this happen? Why would someone do this to so many innocent people? And possibly even more importantly, how do we prevent this from happening again? The attacks on that tragic day weren’t the first in our country though they were the most devastating to date. They were devastating in accordance with casualtiesRead More The True Meaning of Terrorism Essay813 Words   |  4 PagesThe True Meaning of Terrorism Think of the word terrorism. What is the first thing that comes to mind? One might think of kidnapping, assassination, bombing, or even genocide and guerrilla warfare. Because it is such a broad and complex issue, an all-encompassing definition is hard to formulate. The United States Department of Defence defines terrorism as†¦ The calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societiesRead MoreThe Psychology of Terrorism761 Words   |  3 Pages Terrorism Psychology The assignment being completed within this report asks the author of this paper to answer several questions. The first relates to the psychological attributes of terrorists. The second question asks for historical and cultural antecedents to September 11th. The third and final one asks for mental illness and its inconclusive link with terrorism. Reasons for the inconclusiveness as well as reasons people become terrorists. Psychological Profile of a Terrorist The primary

Exercise 31 Free Essays

1. What are the two groups whose results are reflected by the t ratios in Tables 2 and 3? The two groups are pre-test and 3-month measures and pre-test and 6-month measures. 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Exercise 31 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Which t ratio in Table 2 represents the greatest relative or standardized difference between the pretest and 3 months outcomes? Is this t ratio statistically significant? Provide a rationale for your answer. The t ratio for Total risk score represents the greatest relative or standardized difference between the pre-test and 3 months outcomes because the value of t test statistics is bigger than any other group. This ratio is statistically significant because the p-value corresponding to this group is less than 0. 05. 3. Which t ratio listed in Table 3 represents the smallest relative difference between the pretest and 3 months? Is this t ratio statistically significant? What does this result mean? The t ratio for Stress management the smallest relative difference between the pre-test and 3 months because the values of t test statistics is smaller than any other group. This ratio is not statistically significant because here the p-value is bigger than 0. 5. This result depicts that there is no significant difference in the stress management at pre-test and after 3 months. Stress management is same at pre-test and at 3 months. 4. What are the assumptions for conducting a t-test for dependent groups in a study? Which of these assumptions do you think were met by this study? The assumptions for conducting a t-test for dependent groups in a study are the data for both group should be normally di stributed and the groups are correlated with each other. The groups are correlated because the same measurement is taken over from the same subject at pre-test, 3 months and at 6 months. There are 25 subjects in this study and out of 25, 21 have completed the study, it means that the data is enough to conduct the paired sample t test. Also the data should be continuous and this assumption was met because the data is obtained on a interval or ratio scale. 5. Compare the 3 months and 6 months t ratios for the variable Exercise from Table 3. What is your conclusion about the long-term effect of the health-promotion intervention on Exercise in this study? We can see that the magnitude of the score value is larger at 3 months and levels off at 6 months, thus we conclude that over time the long-term health-promotion intervention on Exercise in this study has less of an effect than in the short-term. 6. What is the smallest, significant t ratio listed in Table 2? Provide a rationale for your answer. The smallest significant t ratio is 2. 03 for variable Cholesterol at 3 months. This ratio is significant at 5% level and this is smallest among all other significant t ratios. 7. Why are the larger t ratios more likely to be statistically significant? The larger t ratios are more likely to be statistically significant because it takes a larger difference between the treatment and comparator with smaller variation. The larger the t ratios the more confident we are about our results. In terms of mathematics, the 99% of the observation for t distribution falls between -3 and +3. So if the t ratio lies outside these values we are more likely to get significant results. 8. Did the health-promotion program have a statistically significant effect on Systolic blood pressure (BP) in this study? Provide a rationale for your answer. No, the health-promotion program do not have a statistically significant effect on Systolic blood pressure (BP) in this study because at both end points such as 3 months and 6 months, the p-values are bigger than 0. 05, so we can conclude that the health-promotion program do not have a statistically significant effect on Systolic blood pressure (BP). 9. Examine the means and standard deviations for Systolic BP at pretest, 3 months (completion of the treatment), and 6 months. What do these results indicate? Are these results clinically important? Provide a rationale for your answer. The mean and standard deviation for Systolic BP for pre-test is 121. 7 and 14. 6, for 3 months the means and standard deviations is 117. 2 and 12. 3 and for 6 months the mean and standard deviation is 115. 6 and 13. 4. These results are clinically important because we can see that the mean Systolic BP is decreased after 3 months and after 6 months. The treatment is effective in lowering the Systolic BP as the time passes. In a long run, these results can be significant. 10. Is this study design strong or weak? Provide a rationale for your answer. The design for this study is strong because the there is only one group and we want to see whether there is any significant difference or reduction in some measurement after receiving the treatment or therapy. This design serves the purpose of the study. The only drawback in this design is that there is no blinding of treatment. Table 2 *p 0. 05. aPaired t-test results between the pretest and 3-month measures. bPaired t-test results between the pretest and 6-month measures. Table 3 *p 0. 05. aPaired t-test results between the pretest and 3-month measures. bPaired t-test results between the pretest and 6-month measures. How to cite Exercise 31, Essay examples

Women and Society free essay sample

Women and Society Tannen, Kingston, and Sandberg all provide insight on the subject of the cultural expectations American women face on a daily basis. Women have always been thought to be intellectually and physically inferior when in comparison to men. Throughout time, women’s potential was limited, as they were expected to be nothing more than housewives. Today, American women are powerful and intelligent, living up to their potential. Although women have come so far along, they still receive harsh views; their success, rather than being applauded, is criticized. New doors opened for women with opportunities in education, the work place, and even their social life. A great step forward for women was gaining the right to vote in 1920; empowering them as far as to feel the liberty to pursue more personal freedoms. Women begin engaging publicly in â€Å"male† activities, such as smoking and drinking. They worked toward attaining sexual freedom as well as equality in the work place. We will write a custom essay sample on Women and Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Skirt lengths went up, hair was cut, and the journey began for women’s success! The right to vote for American women it paved way for women leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi, who became the first female Speaker of the House. In the 1940s, as World War II played in the background, women took the jobs of the men gone at war. Their efforts during the war proved the misconception that women were incapable of manual labor. This was a significant because men realized that women were able to keep the country moving. In the article â€Å"His Politeness Is Her Powerlessness†, Tannen states that â€Å"women’s style is negatively evaluated† (9). Each culture has its own customs and beliefs on how women should behave. Often we find that men tend to speak straight forward and demanding, overpowering a woman’s soft voice. Since women are emotionally tied, they speak indirectly as a form of respect, or as others would consider it, playing it safe. But rather, men take this form of speech as â€Å"sneaky† and â€Å"covert† (3). In an article focused on Sheryl Sandberg, we find that women’s success is  viewed negatively. An experiment was led by the Columbia Business School and New York University professors where they gave the students a success story with two versions, in one story the person’s name was â€Å"Howard† and in the other the person’s name was â€Å"Heidi†. The results were that ‘Howard came across as a more appealing colleague† and on the other hand, ‘Heidi was seen as selfish’ (11). While males are recognized as being â€Å"assertive† and â€Å"taking leadership†, females are simply seen as â€Å"bossy† (9). As a female, I am very proud of how far women have come along, not letting themselves get held back. Women have surpassed the â€Å"standards† a woman had, such as to be nothing more than a housewife. Women have proven that they can perform any task men can. Today’s American women are powerful and intelligent, though dealing with constant negativity. Women lack confidence, therefore allowing the put-downs to continue. Accepting their compliments would help gain the confidence to match their power and potential.

Unemployment in California

Unemployment in California Unemployment in California As a result of the current increase in the unemployment rate in California, this paper will discuss an article by Semuels (2011) on â€Å"California unemployment rate hits 12.1% as employers slash jobs† posted on the Los Angeles Times on September 17, 2011.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Unemployment in California specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Introduction On August this year, California’s employers slashed some jobs resulting to an increase in the unemployment rate by 0.1% to 12.1%; the job loss was due to uncertainty arising from the economy recovery leading to reduction of payrolls by 8,400 (Semuels, 2011). The increase in unemployment rate has raised some signs of worries in the labor market in California, but the situation is turning around since this year alone the California’s jobs increased by 98,500 (Semuels, 2011). The unemployment rate increased due to va rious reasons such as uncertainty arising from the slow growth in the economy, current slide in the stock market and the debt crisis from the European region, which spooked the employers; as a result employment was delayed awaiting the restoration of the market confidence. The unemployment was also triggered by differences in Washington on how to sustain the economy; this was evident as state and local agencies cut positions in order to reduce costs and in the process 3,600 positions were lost by the government in California (Semuels, 2011). In the USA, Nevada has the highest unemployment rate followed by California and the chronic unemployment has affected many families in California because the families’ income is currently less than federal’s poverty level of 16.3%, an increase of 1% compared to year 2010. Therefore, approximately 2.2 million young people in California live in such families where children have a higher chance of not going to college compared to chil dren from richer families. These less fortunate families are likely to have poor health and they may also engage in illegal activities (Semuels, 2011). In order to reduce the unemployment Obama sanctioned work-sharing plan that was implemented in Europe in the attempts to avoid layoffs by distributing the pain amongst the co-workers, and also contentious bridge-to-work plan, which will provide temporary work or training to individuals relying on unemployment benefits thus putting them on a pathway to regular jobs (Semuels, 2011).Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Obama also suggested part of the stimulus bill worth $447,000 million be used as tax credit of $4,000 employers. The Obama’s main objective was to rescue individuals relying on funds from unemployment insurance considering the real economic situations given that about 6 million employees in the US ( approximately 43%) of unemployed individuals have so far survived without work for at least six months (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011; Lee and Puzzanghera, 2011). As a result many employees have been discouraged and have withdrawn from the labor market altogether; if they remain unemployed for a long time this will mean that they will suffer the results of permanent unemployment which would drastically cut their income levels. This is a severe problem in US since it implies that the country will be less productive making it harder for the nation to make payments to Medicare, infrastructures and defense that affects everybody. Therefore, it is completely evident that the huge amount of resources pumped towards alleviating unemployment is a massive waste (Lee and Puzzanghera, 2011). In conclusion, the US must spend money in capital investments so as to create more jobs for its people thus reducing the rate of unemployment and hence increasing productivity which will eventually incr ease services and goods available for consumption thereby enabling investments and exports. References Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011). Regional and State employment and unemployment – August 2011. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/laus.pdf Lee, D. and Puzzanghera, J. (2011, September 9). Obama suggests changing unemployment system. Los Angeles Times, p.1. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/ Semuels, A. (2011, September 17). California unemployment rate hits 12.1% as employers slash jobs. Los Angeles Times, p.1. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-sep-17-la-fi-california-jobs-20110917-story.htmlAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Unemployment in California specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

The Rise and Fall of the Automat

The Rise and Fall of the Automat It all sounds so futuristic: a restaurant without waiters, without workers behind the counter, without any visible employees whatsoever, where you simply feed your money into a glass-enclosed kiosk, remove a steaming plate of freshly made food, and carry it to your table. Welcome to  Horn Hardart, circa 1950, a restaurant chain that once boasted 40 locations in New York City and dozens more across the U.S., at a now-distant time when automats served hundreds of thousands of urban customers every day. The Origin of the Automat The automat is often considered to be an exclusively American phenomenon, but in fact, the worlds first restaurant of this kind opened in Berlin, Germany in 1895. Named Quisisana- after a company that also manufactured food-vending machinery- this high-tech eatery established itself in other northern European cities, and Quisisana soon licensed its technology to Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart, who opened the first American automat in Philadelphia in 1902. An Appealing Formula As with so many other societal trends, it was in turn-of-the-century New York that automats really took off. The first New York Horn Hardart opened in 1912, and soon the chain had hit on an appealing formula: customers exchanged dollar bills for handfuls of nickels (from attractive women behind glass booths, wearing rubber tips on their fingers), then fed their change into vending machines, turned the knobs, and extracted plates of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cherry pie, among hundreds of other menu items. Dining was communal and cafeteria-style, to the extent that Horn Hardart automats were considered a valuable corrective to the snobbery of so many New York City restaurants. Fresh-Brewed Coffee for a Nickel a Cup Its not widely known today, but Horn Hardart was also the first New York restaurant chain to offer its customers fresh-brewed coffee, for a nickel a cup. Employees were instructed to discard any pots that had been sitting for more than twenty minutes, a level of quality control that inspired Irving Berlin to compose the song Lets Have Another Cup of Coffee (which quickly became Horn Hardarts official jingle). There wasnt much (if any) choice, but in terms of reliability, Horn Hardart could be considered the 1950s equivalent of Starbucks. Behind the Scenes Given all the  high-tech accouterments and lack of visible personnel, Horn Hardart customers could be forgiven for thinking that their food had been prepared and handled by robots. Of course, that wasnt the case, and an argument can be made that automats succeeded at the expense of their hard-working employees. The managers of these restaurants still had to hire human beings to cook, convey food to the vending machines, and wash the silverware and dishesbut since all this activity went on behind the scenes, they got away with paying below-par wages and forcing employees to work overtime. In August of 1937, the AFL-CIO picketed Horn Hardarts across the city, protesting the chains unfair labor practices. In its heyday, Horn Hardart  succeeded partly because its eponymous founders refused to rest on their laurels. Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart ordered any food uneaten at the end of the day to be delivered to cut-price, day-old outlets, and also circulated a hefty, leather-bound rule book that instructed employees on the proper cooking and handling of hundreds of menu items. Horn and Hardart (the founders, not the restaurant) also constantly tinkered with their formula, assembling as often as possible at a sample table where they and their chief executives voted thumbs up or thumbs down on new menu items. Fading in Popularity by the 1970s By the 1970s, automats like Horn Hardart were fading in popularity, and the culprits were easy to identify. First, fast-food chains like McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken offered much more limited menus, but a more identifiable taste, and they also enjoyed the benefits of lower labor and food costs. Second, urban workers were less inclined to punctuate their days with leisurely lunches, complete with appetizer, main course, and dessert, and preferred to grab lighter meals on the fly; one imagines that the fiscal crisis in 1970s New York also encouraged more people to bring their meals to the office from home. Finally Went out of Business in 1991 By the end of the decade, Horn Hardart gave in to the inevitable and converted most of its New York City locations into Burger King franchises; the last Horn Hardart, on Third Avenue and 42nd Street, finally went out of business in 1991. Today, the only place you can see what Horn Hardart looked like  is in the Smithsonian Institution, which harbors a 35-foot-long chunk of the original 1902 restaurant, and this chains surviving vending machines are said to languish in a warehouse in upstate New York. Rebirth of the Concept No good idea ever truly disappears, though. Eatsa, which opened in San Francisco in 2015, seems unlike Horn Hardart in every way conceivable: every item on the menu is made with quinoa, and ordering is done via an iPad, after a brief interaction with a virtual maà ®tre d. But the basic concept is the same: with no human interaction at all, a customer can watch as her meal almost magically materializes in a small cubby flashing her name. In the food industry, it seems, the more things change, the more they stay the same!