May 9 2013in addictions, ADHD, communication, diagnosis docsabet No Comments »
I was in the middle of taking a full medical/psychiatric history. The patient seemed disinterested and non engaged. He had responded to my screening questionnaire on Adult ADHD syndrome in the worst possible light and exaggerated his symptoms. This did not match the gestalt of his presentation. As the interview went on, it became clear that [...]
Read moreApr 3 2013in ADHD, anxiety, benefits of ADHD docsabet No Comments »
Many ADHDers have social anxiety. The reasons are obvious: Verbal impulsiveness makes the ADHDer prone to talk without thinking in social gatherings. This leads to negative experiences in social situations and an exaggerated awareness of perceived threats from interactions with others. A delayed sense of social propriety can induce post event analysis that often lead to rumination and obsession with recalled [...]
Read moreMar 27 2013in addictions, ADHD, pornography, sex docsabet No Comments »
I have addressed pornography and ADHD in an earlier post. I have had more ‘confidential’ confessions and comments on that topic than any other that I have discussed throughout the years. Some of my patients have commented that my points were simplistic and increased their sense of shame and guilt. Since this was not my intention I will discuss some further issues. The [...]
Read moreMar 19 2013in addictions, anger management, cultural issues, spirituality docsabet No Comments »
Personality disorders are lifelong maladaptive patterns of thought, behavior, and coping that lead to suffering and dysfunction for the afflicted person and his/her social interactions. Some of these patterns have psychiatric labels such as narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial disorders. These styles are often accompanied by anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders. The unspoken clinical truth is that most [...]
Read moreMar 1 2013in addictions, anxiety, choosing doctor, medication docsabet No Comments »
Your primary care physician did all the tests but found nothing, and referred to a cardiologist for sudden onset of fear, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in the legs, sweating, and general discomfort. Your million dollar work up turned out to be negative for any identifiable cause of your symptoms. The symptoms started after a series of losses [...]
Read moreFeb 26 2013in addictions, ADHD, medication docsabet No Comments »
You have been recently diagnosed with ADHD and are considering options for treatment. If you have abused stimulants and have struggled with addictions in the past, your choice of future therapy needs to be tailored to your unique experience. By now you have learned about the manifold hazards of unchecked addictive behavior and have organized a comprehensive program of recovery to maintain your abstinence [...]
Read moreJan 14 2013in ADHD, benefits of ADHD, family, relationships docsabet No Comments »
He was exciting and unpredictable; you liked the spontaneity and creativity he brought to your life in college. He was warm and sincere. He had an admirable sense of justice and impatience for boredom. You had never seen such an open and honest person before. You met in the third year of college and were married [...]
Read moreDec 21 2012in anger management, cultural issues, trauma, Uncategorized docsabet 1 Comment »
The tragic and catastrophic events in Newtown, Connecticut have left all of us shocked, traumatized, and heart broken. We are left helpless and have offered prayers for the strength of the survivors and protection and peace for all, especially the children of the world. The national dialogue quickly and properly turned to frank discussion on assault rifle possession. Mental health issues also received secondary attention. My [...]
Read moreDec 20 2012in bad news, communication, cultural issues, trauma, Uncategorized docsabet No Comments »
She was frightened by the holidays and the family gatherings. She was panic ridden at the prospects of being criticized and ridiculed for her choices and a thousand and one shortcomings for which she erroneously held herself responsible. The childhood memories of family conflict and the anxiety-ridden environment were taking their toll on her. It was as if all these [...]
Read moreDec 20 2012in cultural issues, diagnosis, evolution, spirituality, Uncategorized docsabet No Comments »
Our personal philosophy of life informs every aspect of our daily existence. Most of us are unaware of the sources that have contributed to our biases. Unconscious and subtle influences are powerful, and accumulate and to become major forces. There are belief systems in vogue that profoundly influences in our psycho-spiritual health. These deserve recognition and honest assessment. Here are some, [...]
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