Posts

Most parents know that the first step in addressing bullying is to report it to the school. Unfortunately, though, parents don’t always get the response they are looking for. Sometimes, this is the result of having unrealistic expectations, and other times, it is because the school investigation takes longer than anticipated. In some cases, it may seem like the school just isn’t taking the complaint seriously. While there are still teachers and administrators who brush it off, there are plenty of educators that do their best to eradicate bullying and make sure their students are kept safe....

Many families opt to keep child care within the extended family to help with costs and to provide the opportunity to strengthen relationships. But is it a good arrangement? The short answer is “it depends,” and often communication is the key to ensuring the arrangement is effective and positive. Here are our best tips. 1. Set expectations from day one. Sure, it’s grandma, and she can’t wait to have one-on-one time with your child....

Going to middle school for the first time can be exciting for both you and your child. One of the most exciting moments that a new middle schooler experiences is when he or she gets her middle school schedule for the first time. Your child’s school schedule is important: it will list all of the classes your child will take during the school year, as well as the teachers assigned to your student....

Time-outs are a discipline method created in the 1950s, back when corporal punishment was culturally the norm. Time-outs were invented as a way to discipline children without physical harm. The process is rooted in a principle of cause-and-effect, and is designed to diminish negative behavior over time. Mona Amin, DO is a board-certified general pediatrician, the founder of Peds Doc Talk, and a mother to 2-year-old Ryaan. For our Ask Dr....

To date, there are no medications approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, some individuals with BPD are prescribed anti-anxiety medications, also known as “anxiolytics," to treat the intense anxiety and agitation associated with BPD. This is completely up to your individual doctor and your unique situation. Like any medication, however, there are both advantages and drawbacks to treatment with anti-anxiety medications. Here are some things to keep in mind and to ask your doctor if your psychiatrist is considering prescribing anti-anxiety medications for your BPD symptoms....

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, it is believed to affect 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and up to 1.6% of adolescents. The disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating without the compensatory behaviors (such as purging) found in bulimia nervosa. Binge eating disorder was only recently (in 2013 with the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition; DSM-5) classified as an official diagnosis....

Fans of the television series This Is Us know the scenario well. After attempting to process the video of the murder of George Floyd and other racially charged incidents, one of the lead characters, Randall, decides to stop seeing his white female therapist. He instead chooses to seek out a therapist who looks more like him—a therapist who is Black. While a fictional situation, Randall’s decision to find a therapist of the same race is a very real phenomenon....

The ongoing stress and uncertainty of the pandemic caused collective stress for many, resulting in a sharp decline of mental health across the United States and the world. Many factors, including changes in job responsibilities, sick friends or family, fear of illness, and general uncertainty for the future, contributed to this decline, Key Takeaways Mental health is at an all-time low due to the long-term effects of pandemic anxiety, isolation, social distancing, job loss, and other related concerns....

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder introduced in 2013 in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Although newly recognized as a distinct disorder, it is the most common eating disorder and is more common than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Approximately 40% of those with binge eating disorder are male. BED often begins in the late teens or early 20s, although it has been reported in young children as well as older adults....

Student loan debt is a reality for many U.S. adults. Estimates suggest Americans owe approximately 1.75 trillion dollars in student debt. Around 62% of 2019 graduates left school owing an average of $28,950. For many, taking out student loans is often the only way to afford higher education. Even so, it isn’t uncommon for many people to look back and wonder if college was worth the debt they acquired to pay for it....

When our children experience a mental health crisis, it can be hard to know why it happened, or how we as parents should react. Candace Yoder, Executive Director of the Matthew Silverman Memorial Foundation, has first-hand experience. Her brother-in-law’s son died of suicide in 2006. The foundation is named after him. Yoder’s daughter, Mia, also experienced suicidal ideation and attempted suicide twice during middle school after Candace’s father passed away....

What Is Extrinsic Motivation? Extrinsic motivation is a motivation that is driven by external rewards. These can be tangible, such as money or grades, or intangible, such as praise or fame. Unlike intrinsic motivation, which arises from within the individual, extrinsic motivation is focused purely on outside rewards. People who are extrinsically motivated will continue to perform a task even though it might not be in and of itself rewarding. For example, they will do something at their job that they don’t find enjoyable in order to earn a wage....

Across the United States, 33.8 million people experienced food insecurity last year. In 6.2 percent of households with children, neither the children nor the adults had consistent, reliable access to food. At the same time, an estimated 30% to 40% of the food supply goes to waste. Key Takeaways On September 28, 2022 the Biden administration hosted the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 50 years.The president aims to completely eliminate food insecurity by 2030....

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and nerve pain. It is often prescribed “off-label” to treat migraines, fibromyalgia, and pain. If you’ve been on this drug for some time, you may experience withdrawal when discontinuing its use. Gabapentin withdrawal can begin within 12 hours and last up to 7 days. Gabapentin is not currently a controlled substance because experts have always believed it showed little potential for abuse or dependence....

Pregnancy is a time when you may think about your nutrition more than before. While your nutrient needs for most nutrients do not double, contrary to the old “Eating for two” adage", you do need more food and more nutrients while pregnant. Since taste preferences can change during pregnancy, it’s helpful to have an assortment of snack ideas on hand. How Much Extra to Eat While You’re Pregnant There’s no definitive answer to the question of how much more a person might need to eat during pregnancy since we each have individual energy needs....

There are so many reasons why families become interested in homeschooling their children, and these days the choice has become much more mainstream and accepted. You may be interested in homeschooling starting from preschool or kindergarten, or it may be something you are considering for your older child. You may want to try homeschooling for a year or so, or long term. While there are a lot of factors to weigh as you consider the option of homeschooling, the good news is that now, more than ever, there are many resources out there to help you....

What do you need to know about sleep and sleep patterns when you have bipolar disorder? If you’ve found that your sleep patterns abnormal, for example, if you either sleep 12 to 14 hours at a time or stay up all night, you may find that changing the way you sleep can substantially improve your condition. Studies tell us that sleep issues can have a profound impact on those with bipolar disorder or even those at risk for bipolar disorder....

As a new parent, it can be frustrating and upsetting to realize that your plan to breastfeed your little one isn’t a viable option anymore. Sometimes, for reasons such as engorgement, latch issues, or nipple soreness, breastfeeding does not work despite your—and your baby’s—best efforts. While “fed is best” when it comes to how your baby eats, it’s natural to feel a deep disappointment and sense of failure at not being able to feed baby at your breast....

Physiological responses are the body’s automatic reactions to a stimulus. Most of us are familiar with the automatic and instinctive physiological responses we experience every day, but we typically remain unaware of them. Many of us are also prone to more severe physiological responses to stimuli like stress that tap into what is known as the “fight or flight” response. When placed in a stressful situation, you might begin to sweat and your heart rate may increase, both types of physiological responses....

ADHD is a condition that is characterized by problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. While there is no cure for ADHD, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. L-theanine is an amino acid that is found naturally in green tea. L-theanine has been shown to have a calming effect and can help reduce anxiety and stress. Some research has also suggested that L-theanine may be helpful in treating ADHD....