ADAA Mental Health Blogs for the Public
The current border crisis where children are being forcibly separated from their parents has many of us wondering about the impact of such a practice. As a child psychologist who understands the effects of trauma on a child’s mental health, cognitive and emotional development, physical health, social adjustment, interpersonal formation, and academic challenges, I am disheartened by what these innocent children have been experiencing. As a mother, I am filled with anguish when imagining the utter fear and terror of a child being pulled away from the safety of a parent or loved one.
As a clinical psychologist, I probably think about suicide more often and in different ways than most. I’ve read the research. I’ve been trained to ask the hard questions. I am all too familiar with the frustrating gaps in our knowledge base: what causes it, who is at risk, how do we prevent it? I understand the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it, and I know, firsthand, the collateral damage that stems from it.
La ansiedad es una emoción natural que nos ayuda a dirigir nuestra atención hacia posibles amenazas. Aunque necesitamos la ansiedad para sobrevivir, en ocasiones se puede convertir en un problema. En particular, si la ansiedad ocurre sin ninguna razón, es una reacción exagerada al estresor o nos crea disfunción en nuestras vidas podría ser señal de un trastorno de ansiedad.
Anxiety is a natural emotion that directs our attention to possible threats. Although we certainly need anxiety to survive, it sometimes can be a burden. This is especially true when anxiety appears without an identifiable stressor, is out of proportion to the stressor or creates dysfunction in our social or professional lives. If the anxiety presents with any of these characteristics, then it might be part of an anxiety disorder, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Worryland: Familiar Territory for Women with Narcissistic Parents: Caroline’s diamond solitaire glitters on her clenched left hand. She’s engaged to Ryan, a man she truly loves. However, Caroline’s happiness comes with a warning: her mother, Trudy. Already Trudy has told Caroline that if she invites her future mother-in-law to go wedding dress shopping with them, then Trudy is not coming. She’s the mother, and it’s her day. Worry keeps Caroline awake at night. Maybe she and Ryan should just elope.
