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Category Archives: Mental Health
Straight, No Chaser: Abusive Head Trauma aka Shaken Baby Syndrome
The discussion regarding the line between parental discipline and child abuse has proven to be a passionate one. Without wading into opinions, let me elaborate and give a concrete
Straight, No Chaser: The Emotional Signs of Child Abuse
In a previous Straight, No Chaser, we provided a pictorial demonstration of the physical signs of child abuse. Unfortunately for many, the emotional signs are even more dangerou
Straight, No Chaser: Questions and Answers About Problem Gambling
Whether or not you’re willing to admit to a gambling addiction, the presence of a gambling problem should concern you. This Straight, No Chaser takes information adapted from t
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part II – Bulimia
If you read Part I of this conversation on eating disorders (anorexia nervosa), you will recall that eating disorders are a mix of an abnormal body image combined with abnormal b
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part I – Anorexia
Simply put, our society doesn’t do the job it should in promoting a normal image of health at either end of the body size spectrum. The typically promoted American ideal of b
Straight, No Chaser: Stalking
Introduction Stalking awareness conversations aren’t held very often. However, the scope of stalking is wide enough that you should know about it. Stalking is a serious endeavor.
Straight No Chaser: Your Stress Management Plan
The path to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” isn’t as simple as the old song suggests, but if the song had a heart, it would be in the right place. Today’s contribution to your Ne
Straight, No Chaser: Pass The Stress Test
Let’s agree not to go into the New Year filled with last year’s tension or without a plan to avoid new stress. In fact, let’s take this time to lay the groundwork for one now
Straight, No Chaser: Depression – How to Avoid It, When to Get Help
This is the third post in a series on depression and suicide. In our first post, we focused on the magnitude of clinical depression and suicide. In the second post, we provided
Straight, No Chaser: Are You Depressed and/or Suicidal?
In our first post on clinical depression and suicide, we looked at the scope of the disease, and in the next post we will provide tips for you to address depression and an inclina
Straight, No Chaser: Suicide Data 2016 – Understand the Threat
There are amazing, shocking and saddening facts about suicide. It is equally amazing that we aren’t discussing this as an epidemic. After a period of nearly consistent decline
Straight, No Chaser: Tips to Deal with Depression and The Holiday Blues
I don’t mean to bring anyone down during what is supposed to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ but in reality there are many people hurting. For some, life’s traged
Straight, No Chaser: Battered Woman Syndrome and Why Victims Stay In Abusive Relationships
Domestic violence has been in the news quite a bit lately, and among the many questions asked, perhaps the most frequent is beguiling to many: “Why do the victims stay in the abu
Straight, No Chaser: Domestic Violence – How to Get Out of an Abusive Situation
Remember: You are not to blame, and you need not face domestic violence alone. With the recent attention in the news on domestic violence and debates about responses and responsibi
Straight No Chaser: Identifying Risks of Domestic Violence
Today we point to knowledge as the key to preventing potential life-threatening episodes in the household. This is the second in a three-part series on domestic violence. The prev
Straight, No Chaser: Focus on Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, although it doesn’t take a break during other months. Are you concerned about domestic violence? You are not alone. Domestic vio
Straight, No Chaser: Keys to Mental (Un)Health and (Un)Happiness
Straight, No Chaser is mindful that there are multitudes of us excessively happy and unhappy. Everyone has thoughts about the keys to happiness, but we can objectify the conversati
Straight, No Chaser: Fibromyalgia
Previously, Straight, No Chaser has discussed the frustration of uncertainty some patients have with having symptoms and not being given a diagnosis (much less a cure). Imagine i
Straight, No Chaser: Life Begins (To End) at 40 (Unless It Doesn’t) – The Cerebrovascular System (Your Brain)
Last but not least, in the first part of this series, let’s talk about your brain. But first a summary comment. Life after 40 poses both opportunity and obstacles. 35 to 40 is ei
Straight, No Chaser: Suicide and Suicide Risks in College Students
I just had the privilege of spending time at my alma mater addressing issues on behalf of students and mental health services. Among many other things discussed, I was shocked by t