Recent Articles
Psychodynamics of Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma Experiences 8/25/22
While Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can arise spontaneously from any number of sources, one of the frequent causes of trauma exposure occurs when parents unconsciously re-enact their own trauma exposure(s) with their children. Sadly, most exposures to ACEs do not result in the affected individual (or their parent) receiving optimal psychological support and therapeutic intervention, […]
Psychotropic Polypharmacy with Children and Adolescents 8/5/22
The challenges of addressing behavioral health problems in children and adolescents remain an ongoing dilemma because of the high incidence of youth with significant problems, coupled with the ongoing difficulties for families and providers in accessing and optimizing care in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. Particularly in the arena of prescribing psychotropic medications, there are […]
Complementary and/or Alternative Medicine for Behavioral Health Conditions: Resources 7/20/2022
Many people are interested in using complementary and/or alternative medicine (CAM) when they are dealing with physical or mental health concerns. This is sometimes because they are worried about side effects from traditional medical treatments. Sometimes it is because they are not seeing the relief they expected from the traditional treatment prescribed by their medical […]
Sleep Problems for Youth with Autism: Common, Treatable, At Times Challenging 7/6/22
Sleep disturbances are common among children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Up to 80% of parents in one review of youth with ASD reported prolonged sleep disturbances (Malow et al., 2016). Many studies have explored epidemiology, phenomenology and treatment strategies for insomnia in children with ASD or other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders. While […]
Positive Mental Health: A Better Outcome Measure For Remission? 6/15/2022
Symptom remission has been traditionally used as the desired outcome measure for remission in mental health disorders clinical trials. This is not however what patients actually perceive as remission or what they want from treatment? When this contrast has been assessed, patients indicate that what they are looking for with remission is a return to […]
Impacting Social Determinants of Health in Primary Care 5/26/22
Approaches to Impact Social Determinants of Health: V & Z Code Awareness From the macro level of statistical data, we can readily demonstrate and appreciate that larger forces are at play in determining the health and welfare of groups and individuals, but translating that understanding about the Social and Environmental Determinants of Health down to […]
Refugees & Migrants Face Major Mental Health Challenges 4/27/2022
San Diego County is home to many refugees and migrants and the current crisis highlights the longstanding crisis of migration that is driven by multiple factors. According to the California Department of Social Services, between the year of 1975 to 2017, 86,598 refugees came to San Diego County. The rate of arrival has increased in […]
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale— Clinical Implications 4/13/22
As a public health concerns, suicide is a serious issue. It is the 12th leading cause of death accounting for the loss of nearly 46,000 Americans in 2020, occurring at a rate of 130 per day. There an estimated 1.2 million suicide attempts made in 2020. Overall male to female ratio for suicides is roughly […]
Depression in Adolescents 3/30/2022
The prevalence of Major Depression Disorder (MDD) in adolescents is 6%, with an additional 5-10% of teens presenting with sub-syndromal symptoms of depression. There is a 2:1 female: male ratio for MDD in adolescents. Teens frequently don’t necessarily present with the typical DSM criteria for MDD. Common depressive symptoms in adolescents include: irritability (as opposed […]
ADHD in the Primary Care Setting 3/16/2022
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can impact children’s lives in many ways. Unidentified and untreated ADHD can cause difficulties at school, at home and can contribute to anxiety and mood symptoms. In 2019, The American Academy of Pediatrics published updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, and management of ADHD, recommended ADHD evaluation […]