Depression doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It causes a ripple effect that touches everyone surrounding the person. Family members and friends often feel helpless, not knowing how to reach out or what to do to help their suffering loved one. It would be nice if the depressed person could specifically vocalize their needs, so that…
Covid-19 CrisisdepressionBlog
Suicide prevention month
September is suicide prevention month. That doesn’t just mean check on your friends. Although that is important. It means: promote universal healthcare. Because most people cannot afford mental health. it means understanding that suicide is the third most likely cause of death, for ages 15 to 45, universally. it means understanding that the pandemic has…
suicide awarenessWhat is social anxiety disorder?
My patient is sobbing in the office, stating she could not order her meal in a restaurant, and felt tongue-tied. She was on a date, which also took immense courage. Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is a mental health condition. It is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.…
anxietyGeneralMental health and Corona
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly one in five of U.S. adults (47 million) reported having a mental illness in the past year, and over 11 million had a serious mental illness, which frequently results in functional impairment and limits life activities. Please remember that these are only the reported numbers, because many people do…
Covid-19 CrisisOn the Psychology of Superheroes
Mr. Boseman embodied the idea that anyone can be a superhero, if they choose. He played King T’Challa, a superhero and leader of Wakanda, in the film Black Panther – which was praised as a cultural milestone for having a primarily black cast and portraying women as more than equal warriors, rulers, leaders, and scientists.…
UncategorizedHow to help a loved one who is having mental health problems
We all go through tough times and people help us through them. Other times we have been worried about other people’s mental health. Whether they are a friend, family member, significant other, neighbor, or colleague, there are many ways to support somebody you care about. 1 in 6 people experienced a common mental health problem…
anxietyCovid-19 Crisisdepressionrace and mental healthsuicide awarenessCOLLEGE STUDENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH
According to 2018 and 2019 student surveys from the American College Health Association (ACHA), about 60% of respondents felt “overwhelming” anxiety, while 40% experienced depression so severe they had difficulty functioning. A 2019 Pennsylvania State University study noted that demand for campus mental health services increased by 35-40% during a period that saw only a…
adolescents and young adultsdepressionsuicide awarenessExecutive functioning and COVID-19
Many of you are excellent teachers, and probably didn’t know it. I’m a clinical psychologist of 23 years with a neural science background, and I have worked with children and teens every one of those years. I have literally met and spoken in detail with thousands of children and families. They are MY teachers. When…
adolescents and young adultsCovid-19 CrisisParenting Tips for Homeschooling
As homeschooling seems to stretch endlessly for many families, certainly school districts try to provide guidance and curriculum. These are some tips offered by my offices to ease the course. And even make it enjoyable. Establish structure The success of homeschooling depends on your willingness to commit to a structure and a schedule and your…
Covid-19 CrisisOn pandemic and homeschooling
Several of my local school systems as well as private schools in my work in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC have made it known that they are going to have a very limited schedule or no in vivo teaching this fall. I work with many parents and educators. It’s been an incredibly difficult process, since…
Covid-19 Crisisparenting