HOW EFFECTIVE ARE COVID-19 VACCINES, REALLY?

HOW EFFECTIVE ARE COVID-19 VACCINES, REALLY?
The most basic measure of the effectiveness of the COVID 19 vaccines is simple:  thus far, only two people have died after being vaccinated, according to reports available. One death in Florida was due to a rare blood disorder, not COVID. One death in California is of still undetermined causes. 

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HOW to HELP KIDS WITH ADHD LEARN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ADHD presents special challenges with school efforts and homework, all the  more in the current remote learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Being able to sit still and sustain focused effort is all the more difficult when learning is limited to screen time.  Please see previous blogs and articles for some of the basic issues involved.  Here are some specific strategies to help

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HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN HOPE in CHALENGING TIMES? – Part 1

Maintaining hope during the recent COVID surge in California and around the country is helpful, even essential, in many ways.  Hope reduces anxiety, despair, and of course depression.  We have more effective coping skills and recover from disappointments more quickly when we have hope.  We are more skilled at problem solving, communicate better, and are more trusting of others. 

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HOW DOES LAUGHTER HELP WITH COVID 19?

In basic biochemical terms, laughter releases nitric oxide, which reduces blood pressure, decreases clotting, and relaxes blood vessels.  A study of older men and women in Japan associated laughter with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.  A Norwegian study found an association between humor and a longer life, especially for women.  Dr. Miller “prescribes” a “deep psychological laugh that elicits tears of joy and relaxation” each day.

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HOW CAN YOU MAINTAIN an EXERCISE ROUTINE?

As the COVID 19 pandemic stretches on and on, maintaining your motivation to exercise may be more and more difficult.  Even though recent blogs have cited the benefits of exercise for our immune system, as well as it being an antidote to depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties, losing interest and energy for exercise is understandable, even predictable perhaps

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HOW CAN WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS DURING COVID 19?

The last few months of blogs have focused on the COVID 19 pandemic: how to cope; how to help our kids cope; dealing with grief; dealing with psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence; risks of losing insurance coverage for telehealth; strengthening our immune system; maintaining exercise. 

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WILL INSURANCE COMPANIES CONTINUE to COVER TELEHEALTH SERVICES?

Insurance companies are moving towards reducing the benefits for telehealth services. They may be lowering reimbursement levels to pre-COVID 19 levels so that reimbursement to providers will be lower and out-of-pocket co-pays will be higher for patients.  They may also re-institute prior authorizations for services, which is a time-consuming process for providers that often discourages them from even providing service.

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COVID 19 is a MENTAL  HEALTH CRISIS TOO:  DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SUICIDE RISK, SUBSTANCE ABUSE

COVID 19 is a MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO. Two-plus months into sheltering at home due to the COVID 19 crisis, and beginning to re-open our economy, we are in the midst of another kind of health crisis.  This one has to do with psychological health and well-being. 

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HOW DO YOU COPE WITH COVID 19?

By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D.

How do you usually cope with stress? Do you quickly take action to deal with a challenge, seek relief and resolution?  Do you pause, reflect, perhaps check-in with trusted friends, family members, work colleagues, formulate a plan of action and begin to take steps?  Do you try some online research to understand the problem more deeply? 

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AMERICANS ARE LIVING SHORTER LIVES

Drug overdoses, suicides, and also diseases involving internal organs have caused an increase in middle-aged deaths.  So much so that the life expectancy in the US has actually declined since 2014 after increasing for the previous 60 years.  The largest increase in deaths was in New England and the Ohio Valley. (Ken Pope:  US Life Expectancy Down in Recent Years After Increasing for Decades). 

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Is Counseling a Part of Good Health Care?

“Fifty percent of the patients seeing me for cardiac care are really dealing with psychological issues.”  So said a cardiac physician in an informal conversation recently.  “So, I quiet myself, listen quite a bit, and then watch for an opportunity to counsel the patient about his anxiety, depression, etc.”  This comment was made about patients receiving care after a procedure had been completed.

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What is Executive Function in ADHD?

A more in-depth view of ADHD considers “executive functions”, in addition to issues of attention/concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.  Executive functions “organize thoughts and activities, prioritizes tasks, manages time efficiently, and makes decisions”. 

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How Can You Afford Quality Mental Health Care?

Is quality psychotherapy affordable?  Our members at the Independent Psychotherapy Network are committed to quality care and affordability. 
We are all very experienced therapists, practicing throughout Los Angeles County.  Our regular meetings are one way we remain committed to maintain and enhance our skills, as well as renew our commitment to quality, caring psychotherapy that is crafted for each individual client.  Much of our time together in monthly meetings is devoted to our own professional training and development, as well as supporting each other’s focus on caring for our clients

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Eating Disorders

Individualized psychotherapy, carefully attuned to each individual and their own issues, family history, and struggles is an effective way to identify these deeper issues.  More genuine and ongoing relief – more constructive ways of coping – can develop through the support of an experienced and caring therapist. 

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