Thursday, May 2, 2013
The CDC recently indicated that 1 in 50 children have Autism, causing a stir among parents and those considering children.
With last month’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) reporting that as many as 1 in 50 children in U.S. schools have Autism, the topic of Autism has created an increase in parental anxiety in my practice as a psychologist. Parents want to know what the CDC’s study and those numbers could mean for them and their own potential for having an Autistic child. The parents who are most concerned are those who are either planning for pregnancy or who are pregnant and expecting. One parent I met with recently expressed a profound sense of relief after learning that the sex of their fetus is female, reminding me that boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with Autism than girls. And, another parent indicated that, while …
Friday, April 5, 2013
The local psychologists provides advice to readers in his monthly column.
Merging His and Hers Financial Planning Dr. Mike, I work for the government and the Sequestration is something that is very real to me. My husband is completely oblivious to our reality and is still spending like everything is okay. For him it is life as usual as he continues to purchase electronics and plan for a pricey family summer vacation. How do I knock some sense into him that the Sequestration is real? R in Loudoun County R, Perhaps your husband is oblivious to your shared financial situation, or he may be in denial over it because it is consciously too much for him to handle. Moreover, our financial situation as a nation just does not seem to make sense, which may also be influencing his response to you. Think about it, …
Monday, December 31, 2012
The local psychologist takes on a range of new topics from readers.
Dr. Mike, We live next to a family with a very odd teenage boy. Many of his behaviors are consistent with Adam Lanza’s in that he isolates, has no friends and has a mental health history (so I have been told by other parents in the neighborhood). My children also think the boy is very odd as well. My husband thinks I am being ridiculous, but how can I be certain that the boy next door won’t be a threat to my children or others? After the Newtown, CT, shootings, I am really scared that something will happen in Virginia. Help. I in Loudoun County I, What Mr. Adam Lanza did in Newtown, CT, was horrific, and I am not surprised that you are experiencing a heightened sense of anxiety and concern for your family as a mother. But try to keep …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The doctor answers questions that often come up at the holidays.
Debating the Santa ‘Lie’ Dr. Mike, My husband feels that we should not lie to our 3-year-old child about Santa Claus. He is concerned that our child will resent us for it later and that it will compromise her trust in us as parents. He says he “wants to prepare her for life” as soon as possible. I, however, can’t stand the idea of raising our child in a Santa free environment. He and I grew up with childhoods that included Santa at Christmas, so his over the top pragmatism just doesn’t make any sense to me. I also have such fond memories of Christmas and want the same for our children. Thoughts? S in Loudoun County S, I do not think your husband is seeing the forest for the trees, as the old saying goes. I suppose Santa is “a lie,” and for…
Friday, November 9, 2012
Topics include electronics habits and sharing responsibilities and love, and dealing with Anorexia.
How Can I Get My Family to Unplug? Dr. Mike, I have two teenagers and a 9-year-old and they (and their father) are addicted to their screens. We used to have family dinner and weekends together, but now everyone is behind a TV screen, computer, iPad, gaming system or smart phone. It’s driving me crazy. Any thoughts on how to unplug and reboot my family? K in Loudoun County K, It seems that you are alone in your position that screen time usage is a problem in your family, so eliciting change will likely be met with defense by others. I would start by speaking to your husband about how you feel. See if he can manage your expectations for change and make sure that your expectations are reasonable. Some examples might include: reinstituting …
Thursday, November 1, 2012
This month, the doctor takes a look at how our brain affects our vote.
Patch contributor Dr. Mike takes a break from reader questions this month and ponders the psychological basis for our voting decisions. Polls show President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney neck and neck in their race for the presidency. And with the election just days away, both gentlemen are working hard to secure your vote and a victory. The economy. Obamacare. Foreign policy. Medicare. Education. Social Security. But what if these political issues, or at least how you feel about them, are actually not entirely in your control? What if the vote you cast on Nov. 6 turns out to be influenced more by your gray matter than by campaign ads, debates, career records or bus tours? Scientific research over the past several years has …
Monday, October 1, 2012
This month’s questions range from dealing with death and fear to the advantage of local support groups.
What’s Up with the Loudoun Gamer’s Union? Dr. Mike, What are your thoughts on the Asperger’s teen support group, Loudoun Gamer’s Union? The group meets monthly at the Rust Library in Leesburg. I was told by the librarian who runs it that the group promotes gaming for teens while the parents meet separately in another room with her. As a mother of a teen with Asperger’s, I am always open to new social possibilities, but am reluctant to try this one for a few reasons. First, my son games plenty enough and I don’t see how the meeting is therapeutic. Second, I was told that there is no formal guidance for the teens. Third, what in the heck does a librarian know about Asperger’s and what would we as parents speak to her about? Why would our …
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The doctor responds to questions about marriage, tolerance and anxiety over Aurora.
Teaching Tolerance Dr. Mike, My husband and I were at the movies the other day with our 8-year-old son. There were two teenage boys in front of us who were holding hands, which was uncomfortable for my husband to see. He was uncomfortable with having our son witness other boys display romantic affection in public in that way. My husband became so upset that we had to change seats, which upset both my son and me since we ended [up] with horrible seats. This wasn’t the first time we had to leave some place because of my husband’s disdain for homosexuality. My husband is vehemently against homosexuality, and so is his entire family. As Christians neither of us endorse homosexuality as a lifestyle, but his strong views concern me since I DO …
Friday, July 6, 2012
The advice columnist weighs in on Facebook, neighbors' children, bullies and sex with figures of authority.
Facebook, Family and Concerning Comments Dr. Mike, I know you just wrote about Facebook last month, but I have my own Facebook dilemma that I hope you can help me with. My 16-year-old niece has posted what I think are very concerning comments about her hating both herself and life. I reached out to her father (my brother) to express my concerns, but he just brushed me off, telling me that I am “being overly dramatic.” Neither he nor his wife is a Facebook friend with their daughter, which I think is irresponsible on their part. But I am and have access to her posts. Help. R in Loudoun County R, It is not uncommon for adolescents to make exaggerated or existential-like comments about life or death on Facebook. It is also not uncommon for …
Monday, June 4, 2012
This month, the doctor responds to questions about teens, Facebook, baby showers and spending sprees.
Assessing a Teen’s Actions, Needs Dr. Mike, Our 16-year-old son has become increasingly oppositional and defiant in the home this year. He is also smoking pot, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, although his tobacco use is probably the least of our concerns at this point. He has pretty bad academics this year as well. My husband and I are beginning to think he needs to go away given the stress he is causing his siblings and us. His attitude and outbursts have become unbearable for us all, and we tried everything with no change. My husband thinks our son just needs discipline and structure and has begun looking into military academy summer programs. I feel that our son’s problems are bigger than that and that he needs more of a …
Cynthia Parker
9:52 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
I'm glad you're here, Liz. Thank you. more ›