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Psych Notes™ Newsletter


CHILDREN WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER

All children are oppositional from time to time, particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset. They may argue, talk back, disobey, and defy parents, teachers, and other adults. Oppositional behavior is often a normal part of development for two to three year olds and early adolescents. Read more...

WHAT IS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe interferences with the normal functioning of the large intestines and colon. Symptoms of IBS may include cramping, bloating, gas, and/or mucus in the stool. In addition, individuals who suffer from IBS often experience constipation, diarrhea, or alternating periods of each. Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects as many as 1 in 5 people, occurring more frequently in women than men. Read more...

ANXIETY DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Young people with an anxiety disorder typically are so afraid, worried,or uneasy that they cannot function normally. Anxiety disorders can be long-lasting and interfere greatly with a child's life. Read more...

MAJOR DEPRESSION

Major depression is a serious medical illness affecting 9.9 million American adults, or approximately 5 percent of the adult population in a given year. Unlike normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states, major depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individual's thoughts, behavior, mood, activity, and physical health. Read more...

TIPS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (AD/HD)

Many families have described their home as more of a "battlefield" than "haven" when there is an AD/HD child in residence. Like other children, AD/HD children test limits and have considerable potential to violate household rules, resist doing their homework, fight with siblings, etc. Read more...

ANXIETY DURING PREGNANCY

For the majority of women, pregnancy is a time filled with extreme happiness and great anticipation. Books and magazines geared toward expectant mothers joyously discuss baby shower games and nursery decor themes, recommend the best baby products, and present thousands of baby names with associated meanings and origins. Read more...

PARENT STRESS MANAGEMENT TIPS

If you are a parent with school-age kids, then you probably know the drill. Your clock gets you going very early in the morning on a school day. You then drag yourself out of bed and realize that, not only do you have to prepare yourself for the day, but you also have to manage the children, the dog, and maybe even the cat! Read more...

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES WITHOUT PUNISHMENT

For many parents, punishment is often an automatic response to their children's misbehavior. Some parents often feel as if their children are "always being punished." Yet only a small percentage of these parents ever consider the possibility that the punishments must therefore not be working! There are many reasons why punishments may be ineffective. Read more...

A PARENTS' GUIDE TO SURVIVING HOMEWORK

Homework has been part of our education system for over a century. Yet in recent years, the amount of homework given to students has increased exponentially, particularly in the primary grades. In most schools today, it is customary for children as young as first grade to receive homework assignments that are challenging. . . Read more...

IS INATTENTIVE ADHD REALLY ANOTHER TYPE OF DISORDER?

There is another form of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that often goes unnoticed in those suffering silently from its adverse effects - the Inattentive Type of ADHD. When people think of ADHD, the first thing that comes to mind is a child who "cannot sit still," "cannot stay in his seat," or "cannot stop fidgeting for more than 30 seconds." This version of ADHD is referred to as Combined Type. However, . . . Read more...

BEWARE OF UNPROVEN METHODS TO TREAT ADHD

Significant changes have occurred over the years regarding our understanding of the etiology of ADHD. In the 1950s and 1960s, we didn't know what caused it. People assumed that hyperactive, impulsive, and "off-task" behaviors were the result of bad parenting or social learning factors. Read more...