Retiring Baby Boomers — Better Communications and Talk Therapy.

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                                                   Older Couple

     The article “How Therapy Can Help in the Golden Years” in today’s New York Times discusses how the elderly can benefit from talk therapy.  There is less stigma today than in earlier generations where people were sometimes institutionalized for mental health issues. In my practice I have noticed many older couples exploring roadblocks in their marriages for the first time. They have spent years getting by with day-to-day challenges and never having time to focus on deeper concerns.  Now they often want more than just staying together.  They don’t want to sweep their issues under the rug. They want a meaningful relationship that can sustain them through tough times ahead.  They want and need help with building communication skills, exploring intimacy, and setting new goals into the future. This is a welcomed development.

www.VirginiaCounselling.com and SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net

Little Spousal Lies or Better Communications?

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Little Lies
“Little Lies Spouses Tell” is an interesting article the appeared recently. Its theme is that a little “buffering” may make a marriage happier. But you have to be careful. Trust is the cornerstone of a good marriage. It’s not what you say but how you say it that is very important.

 

E-Mail: SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net
Website: www.VirginiaCounselling.com and www.Counseling-Connection.net

Does ADHD in Children Lead to Adult Mental Health Problems?

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 ADHD
A new study finds that ADHD often follows children into adulthood with other mental health disorders. This new study is worth a second look.  To me an early accurate diagnosis is extremely important.  ADHD is sometimes a catchall diagnosis for children when they are inattentive, impulsive or acting out.  The causes could be attributed to other issues such as anxiety, depression or family stressors.  A dual diagnosis, such as ADHD and anxiety can also exist.  An early and complete diagnosis and a treatment plan is necessary. It may eliminate complications or a continuation of symptoms into adulthood.

“ADHD Follows Into Adulthood.” Wall Street Journal (March 4, 2013).

www.VirginiaCounselling.com  and SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net

 

 

When Not to Forgive — Was Failure One of Competence or Character?

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Depression

Sometimes it’s good not to forgive. This may depend if the wrongful act stemmed from a lack of competence or character. If there was a failure of competence, maybe then you should forgive. But if there was a failure of character, what’s the use of forgiveness. It’s not going change anything. What do you think?

“Sometimes It’s Good Not to Forgive.” New York Times (February 23, 2013).

My website: http://www.counseling-connection.net

Couples and Business Partners — Yes, It Works.

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Couples in Business
Very interesting article about couples who are also in business together. This tells me that a business relationship can really reinforce a couple’s relationship generally. Perhaps not always but often. This is important as more couples are entering the marketplace together in these uncertain times. “Couples and Business Partners.” Washington Post (Feb. 14, 2013).

Website:    http://counseling-connection.net

E-Mail: …. SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net

Online Dating in the Decade of Algorithms — Real Communications Between Couples Needed — Sooner the Better.

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    Online Dating

    Interesting discussion in today’s papers on online dating and the digital age. The problem I see is that computerized analytics, which are central to mostl dating sites, can never replace personal communications. Such communications are critical and provide for a reality check on forming new and lasting relationships. The earlier this happens the better. “Love Isn’t a Battlefield Anymore. It’s a Marketplace.” Washington Post (Feb. 10, 2013) and “Modern Love: Quantifying Courtship.” Washington Post (Feb. 10, 2013) (From Slate).

SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net and www.Counseling-Connection.net

Couples and Communication — Who are the Happiest and Most Intimate?

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Prescription Medication and ADHD — Better Oversight Needed.

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Depression

The Sunday New York Times (Feb. 2, 2013) printed a lengthy article today about the downside of treating ADHD by medication and the abuse of medication by some patients. The real problem to me, as the article makes clear, is the lack of oversight by doctors prescribing them. This needs to be seriously addressed as a public health problem.

“Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions.” New York Times (Feb. 3, 2013).

See my website at www.Counseling-Connection.net and E-Mail at SandyMalawer@Counseling-Connection.net

Success & Schizophrenic — Develop Relationships and Engage in Meaningful Work.

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Mental Health

     The following is a great upbeat discussion of schizophrenic. “Successful & Schizophrenic” in the Sunday New York Times (January 27, 2013). The bottom line is to develop relationships and to engage in meaningful work — in other words, ‘find the wellness within the illness.’

Here’s a particularly interesting quote from this article ……………..

  • An approach that looks for individual strengths, in addition to considering symptoms, could help dispel the pessimism surrounding mental illness. Finding “the wellness within the illness,” as one person with schizophrenia said, should be a therapeutic goal. Doctors should urge their patients to develop relationships and engage in meaningful work. They should encourage patients to find their own repertory of techniques to manage their symptoms and aim for a quality of life as they define it. And they should provide patients with the resources — therapy, medication and support — to make these things happen.

www.Counseling-Connection.net

Better Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Needed, Now.

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Mental Health

In light of the Newtown shootings the issue of insurance coverage of mental health issues is again a hot topic. The 2008 federal law (“Parity Bill” governing firms with more than 50 employees) and President Obama’s “Affordable Care Act” addresses this to some extent but doesn’t solve the problem.

Newer federal and state legislation is needed.

Also needed is a change of attitudes of mental health professionals (to encourage more individuals to seek such care and to provide it at reduced rates) and individuals needing such care to seek it no matter what. “Walking the Tightrope of Mental Health Coverage.” New York Times (December 22, 2012).

My website …. www.Counseling-Connection.net