Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Headline stress disorder - HSD


Stop picking the worst story.

The old newspaper editorial moto is "If it bleeds, it leads." Why? Why would editors and publishers lead with the worst story? What is the impact of this practice on the mental health of individuals, families, groups, communities, nations, and the world?

Are most media users aware of how they are being manipulated? Do media users understand what is contributing to their anxiety disorders and depression. How often do they share the worst of what they have seen and read on media?

Someone suggested last week that new psychiatric diagnosis be adopted named "Headline Stress Disorder." Like "ADD" is now commonly used in popular psychology for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, the new disorder can be referred to as HSD.

Perhaps before physicians prescribe anti-anxiety and antidepressant psychotropic medications they should suggest that the patient complaining of symptoms of and anxiety and depression stop consuming media for at least two weeks. The hypothesis is that discontinuing media consumption would be far more beneficial to patients who are complaining of anxiety and depression than meds.

Friday, March 8, 2019

High functioning anxiety



Editor's note:
Clinically, I usually find that this kind of high functioning anxiety is related to perfectionism which is also the root of OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. People with high functioning anxiety also experience depression, feeling overhwelmed, and suicidal ideas. As mentioned, because of the exceptional performance of the person, few people know or would guess at the anguish this perfectionism causes.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Benzodiazepines Continue to be Prescribed Without Psychotherapy to Older Adults

From Mad In America, 02/24/17

"A new study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, finds that older adults continue to be prescribed benzodiazepines without being offered psychotherapy. This practice persists despite decades of research warning of safety concerns with these drugs and demonstrating the effectiveness of alternative treatments."

I have a few "geriatric" clients in my practice. When they get off the benzos which is difficult because of the withdrawal which exaggerates the symptoms, such as anxiety, for which they were prescribed to begin with, they usually report that they feel better. I usually suggest they only take them if absolutely needed, and don't take them on a regular basis to avoid the development of physical tolerance.

Listening to older people's complaints takes time, time the primary care physician is not reimbursed for in our mercenary system of health care. There are many barriers and obstacles to the PCP referral to mental health professionals, but when done and psychotherapy is engaged in, benefits are worth in the cost in most cases.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Hovering (helicopter) parents may create "maladaptive perfectionism" in their children with increased anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation

From Medline Plus, June 26, 2016
SATURDAY, June 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Children with "intrusive" parents who push too hard for good grades may be more prone to become highly self-critical or anxious and depressed, a new study suggests.
"When parents become intrusive in their children's lives, it may signal to the children that what they do is never good enough," said study leader Ryan Hong, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the National University of Singapore.
The five-year study of primary school students in Singapore found that those whose parents acted intrusively, had high expectations of academic performance or overreacted when the child made a mistake were at increased risk of being overly critical of themselves.
The researchers also found that children who were highly self-critical had higher levels of anxiety or depression symptoms, although the study did not prove that parental pressure caused anxiety or depression.
"As a result, the child may become afraid of making the slightest mistake and will blame himself or herself for not being 'perfect,'" Hong said in a university news release.
For more click here.