Achieving “Togetherness” in an Intimate Relationship – Help in South Florida

Achieving “Togetherness” in an Intimate Relationship – Help in South Florida

Every day people struggle with interpersonal relationships. But with Valentine’s Day on the horizon these struggles can become a prime focus. Just as all relationships have their special moments, they all also have the potential for problems – separation of responsibilities or lack of sexual intimacy to name a few. But one of the biggest issues couples struggle with in an intimate relationship is togetherness. Finding the balance for togetherness in an intimate relationship is like a balancing act. If…

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Positive Thinking, Goal Setting, and New Years Resolutions

Positive Thinking, Goal Setting, and New Years Resolutions

Did you make any New Years resolutions this year? Are you still on track with the promises you made to “better yourself” this year?  Probably not – if you are like most of us, you had great intentions, but you won’t even make it past the end of January before you give up on them.  Why can’t we stick to those resolutions? We know they will help us become better people in some way – we’ll lose some weight, start…

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On the Use of Prescription Medications for Psychiatric Disorders

On the Use of Prescription Medications for Psychiatric Disorders

I thought it would be helpful to share some of my thoughts on what is involved in the prescription of medications for psychiatric disorders. Many individuals are fearful of psychiatric medications because of concerns about: side effects the belief that medication may permanently alter their personality that they will develop physical dependence and need to stay on the medication forever that some medical harm will come from taking medications for mood disorders that taking a psychiatric medication will label them…

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South Florida Psychiatric Services – What Should You Expect From Your Psychiatrist?

South Florida Psychiatric Services – What Should You Expect From Your Psychiatrist?

I thought that it would be helpful to jot down some of my thoughts and observations about the field of Psychiatry after almost 40 years of manning the front lines.  My field is one of the most unique medical disciplines. Unlike other specialists, psychiatrists cannot rely on objective laboratory tests or radiologic imagery to help with diagnosis and treatment planning. Psychiatrists have to rely exclusively on our patients’ subjective report and our subjective observations of how our patient presents their…

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Feeling Depressed: Is it Depression, or is it Unhappiness?

Feeling Depressed: Is it Depression, or is it Unhappiness?

The word depression is used indiscriminately to describe a variety of mood states. When a psychiatrist utilizes this term it represents a clinical entity that requires medication and/or psychotherapy.   When asked why they are here to see me, my patients frequently state that they are feeling depressed. My task is to then determine what they mean by these words. The practice of psychiatry is a unique specialty. If an endocrinologist is consulted by a patient to determine if the individual…

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Marijuana Effects on the Teenage Brain: “Marijuana Madness” – Get Help in South Florida

Marijuana Effects on the Teenage Brain: “Marijuana Madness” – Get Help in South Florida

I decided to write this piece after seeing yet another young patient suffering from a psychotic state directly related to regular use of marijuana (MJ). To see a capable, bright young person become so deeply disturbed because of marijuana effects is troubling to say the least. This individual had lost complete contact with reality and had to withdraw from his life to the safety of his family. Fortunately, many cases recover but some do not. Recovery can be a slow…

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The Teenage Brain: Why Your Adolescent is Like a Puppy Dog

The Teenage Brain: Why Your Adolescent is Like a Puppy Dog

You are probably wondering why I chose such a puzzling title. It’s not that I truly believe that adolescents and puppy dogs have a lot in common. However, I believe that there is a lot to be learned from a comparison of the two. The puppy dog analogy stems from recent developments in our understanding ofteenage brain development. We had believed that the human brain was fully mature by the age of puberty, usually around thirteen. This meant that our…

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Coping With Stress – Help in South Florida

Coping With Stress – Help in South Florida

Even the most peaceful and calm person experiences stress occasionally, but most people go through some degree of tension on a daily basis. Stressful events can produce symptoms of stress that vary from person to person, and can include: increases in blood pressure and heart rate digestive problems sleep disturbances compromised immune system fatigue headaches skin problems panic attacks decreased sex drive and much more! Because different people react to stress in different ways, to begin coping with stress you…

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Adult ADHD Symptoms

Adult ADHD Symptoms

We hear so much today about Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in children, but there isn’t much focus on the disorder in adults. It is known that in about 60% of children with the disorder, ADHD will continue into adulthood. This means that about 8 million adults in the U.S. have adult attention deficit hyperactive disorder. These individuals can have ADHD with out hyperactivity, ADHD with predominant hyperactivity, and ADHD where both inattention and hyperactivity are prominent. Sadly, because there…

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Treatment Helps Victims Cope

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Treatment Helps Victims Cope

We’ve all heard about how stress can affect people long after a trauma has occurred. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result after almost any event that is life-threatening, that causes intense fear, or that severely affects a person’s emotional well-being. Military veterans who have served in combat zones often return with PSTD and people who have witnessed or sustained a severe accident or physical injury can later be diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In fact, getting a life-threatening medical diagnosis…

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