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Video games vs. real life

May 22, 2012 By

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

Video games are nearly 40 years old. Their popularity with children and youth is unquestionable. Most games are appropriate for young players and can provide practice in problem solving and logic.

Since its inception, video game use has two problems. One is the questionable effects of violent video games and the other is the effects of overuse or video game “addiction.”

The information on the effects of violent video games is established. These include an increase in physiological arousal that can include aggressive thought, emotions and actions, and a decrease in positive pro-social actions.

More recently, video game addiction has surfaced as a concern.  This pertains to non-violent games as well.

These addictions can affect children as well as adults. The effect of video game addiction can have negative social, economic and emotional consequences on all age groups. There is a difference between someone choosing to play a video game and feeling compelled to play, which interferes with mental growth and social development.

Using games as a substitute or escape from the “adventure” of real life robs a person of the necessary learning from life. Computer game addiction should be treated seriously by the parents and adult individuals so affected. Early intervention in limiting game playing is crucial, for obvious reasons and because some long-term effects of game addiction can be disastrous. 

Parents need to limit their child’s video game time, which includes access during the night, establishing and prioritizing desirable activities before video game time is allowed, setting and enforcing clear consequences for not observing limits.

Help groups are available online for parents and children seeking help.

The “Parent Further” tab on the search-institute.org provides information such as symptoms, addiction survey, assessment and recommendations to begin interventions.

Online Gamers Anonymous (olganon.org) helps in the recovery of individuals who have become addicted to gaming.

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Neurofeedback vs. mood disorder

April 24, 2012 By

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

Lana (not her real name), an attractive twenty-something young lady always struggled emotionally. Keeping her life together and planning for her future were difficult; therefore, staying in school and later keeping a job were insurmountable challenges. Her mood swings always interfered, and attempts at medication were not successful. After dropping out of high school her life seemed directionless.

Her family was concerned about her lack of motivation, initiative and goals. Her mood disorder had made it difficult for her to set and keep goals. Even a driver’s license was a very remote topic. Her life seemed to be at a stand still, and at such a young vibrant age.

She was referred for neurofeedback as treatment for the lifestyle through which she seemed unable to navigate. She agreed to the treatment and seemed happy with the calmness she began to experience. Gradually, her life was improving.

She was a bright girl and began to talk about getting her GED, which would be a boost to her future goals. She applied for and got a job, which increased her feelings of independence. Her social interests improved, she began dating, and she soon had a boyfriend.

Making decisions and being happier became the more consistent behaviors. Marriage became another goal that she happily planned for.

She now is actively enrolled in a program to further her education. After graduation, she hopes to embark on a career that is a stepping-stone to a brighter future.

Lana has made great progress with neurofeedback. She no longer has the distracting mood swings and the sadness that kept her from becoming a successful and happy woman.

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New Hope psychiatrist is the one to ask when you’re ready for help

February 21, 2012 By

Dr. Laurie Schray by June Portnoy

Dr. Laurie Schray is a board certified psychiatrist who offers more than 25 years of experience and expertise in a broad range of treatment modalities at her private New Hope psychiatry practice. Compassionate, comprehensive mental health care, along with customized treatment developed in collaboration with her patients, are a few of the core values that Dr. Schray brings to her practice. She completed her training in Philadelphia and after fulfilling her National Health Service Corp. obligation, returned to Bucks County. 

She was in private practice and had offices in Ambler and Langhorne. Her career then began to expand, encompassing many new areas. She became involved in corporate America and earned a degree as a Certified Physician Executive while working for a national healthcare organization in the Midwest. 

Over time the pull of the East Coast grew stronger and she moved to New Jersey where she served as a Medical Director in correctional healthcare and later as Medical Director for a county government agency. She has since returned to Bucks County and has opened her new private practice that incorporates her broad range of experience and knowledge into the care of her patients. 

Dr. Schray’s career has provided her with diverse experiences in caring for patients with many different problems, ranging from the expected challenges of living our lives to facing the challenges of having a severe mental illness. Having taken on many different roles as a physician, Dr. Schray has come to appreciate the challenges associated with change. 

“Change can be both an exciting and stressful time for people whether eagerly anticipated or totally unexpected,” says Dr. Schray. “Regardless, change is an essential part of life, yet frequently we can have trouble dealing with the transitions and need help when things become overwhelming.”  

For example, in a more recent position, Dr. Schray worked with adolescents and young adults with ongoing Attention Deficit Disorders (ADHD) accompanied by drug addiction and legal issues. According to Dr. Schray, getting the help one needs when struggling with the fairly common triad of addiction, legal issues and ADHD is especially difficult if the symptoms of ADHD have not been recognized or treated.

Unfortunately, many adolescents go on to struggle with symptoms of ADHD beyond high school and into adulthood and never get the treatment necessary to cope with change and transitions in their lives.

“Patients usually seek treatment when they are at some crisis in their lives, and being able to trust that someone will really listen is paramount,” says Dr. Schray. 

[Read more...]

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COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK PROFILE: CONTACT Greater Philadelphia – A caring network

February 20, 2012 By

For the past 40 years, CONTACT Greater Philadelphia has provided free and confidential telephone crisis and suicide prevention/intervention services to those in need. All services offered by this organization are provided by volunteers that are recruited and trained by CONTACT and are provided on a 24-hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year basis.

In general, clients who telephone for assistance suffer from loneliness, depression, anxiety, marital or relationship difficulties, problems related to work and an array of other social and mental health issues. CONTACT also answers two national suicide lines and provides intervention for the 215, 610, 484, and 267 area codes.

Listeners provide a caring ear for anyone who is contemplating taking his/her own life, assess risk, and dispatch emergency help when necessary. The organization also operates a Reassurance Program, which recruits and trains volunteers to make daily calls to shut-in seniors and the infirm. The calls provide both socialization and safety check functions, and in many cases enable isolated seniors to remain in their homes. Calls are made on a 365-day-a-year basis.

After referral, a home visit is made to develop an individualized protocol about the client, which enables them to know whom to contact should they be unable to reach their client. On many occasions, they have sent in life-saving assistance.

CONTACT also manages the information and referral line for the national Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) organization. This activity provides outreach services to the many adult caregivers of elderly parents.

CONTACT is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. Crisis line listeners receive 40 hours of training. CONTACT is seeking new volunteers and is most interested in hearing from people of good values who are interested in providing this important service to those in need in our community.  Call 215 355 6611 for information.

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COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK PROFILE: Family Service Association – Strengthening individuals, families, and communities since 1953

January 30, 2012 By

Every day Family Service Association (FSA) offers hope and opportunity to hundreds of children, adults, and families by supporting each person’s efforts to live a better life. With offices throughout Bucks County, FSA offers a variety of programs that treat the whole person, the whole family; emotionally and physically.

Family Service operates eight offices/program locations including Doylestown and Quakertown. They are headquartered in Langhorne. Their staff of therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and case managers advocate on behalf of individuals and families by working with them to identify their goals and challenges and to increase their ability to make healthy and safe choices.

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Neurofeedback defeats depression

November 30, 2011 By

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

Her eyes were downcast and her posture slumped slightly in the chair. That is what Pearl (not her real name) looked like as I approached her in the lobby. She had dropped out of college because of the emotional drain, and was working in construction. She was a pretty girl with strong muscles. She didn’t like how she was feeling with her latest round of antidepressant, and hoped for something else.

After a diagnostic workup, Pearl began treatment with neurofeedback. She began to smile more, feel happier and was more cheerful around her family. Self-critical thoughts were decreasing and her appetite improved.  It was delightful to see her smile as she spoke.

Depression, a major health problem affecting one-in-10 adults, has high consequences on work, family and social life. Effectiveness of antidepressant treatment is reportedly as low as 30%. Depression is characterized by several types of variations in the brainwave patterns mainly in the frontal lobes. Neurofeedback rewards the more positive brainwaves, and by a system of positive feedback, gives the brain cues about what to change.

During treatment, Pearl was able to produce more of the desirable brainwaves, and over time substantially improve her overall mood. Mood, behavior and thoughts were part of specific brainwave activity that improved with neurofeedback training, and Pearl completed her treatment. After a two-year follow up she reported she was doing fine.

Neurofeedback is brainwave training and offers an effective treatment for many conditions including ADHD, conduct problems, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and autism.  Substantial evidence indicates a significant relationship between brainwave abnormalities and a variety of disorders of behavior, emotion, thinking, learning and development.

Ongoing research clinically and at the university level provides consistent evidence for neurofeedback as an intervention.   

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Foundations presents workshop on bipolar depression

November 30, 2011 By

Foundations Community Partnership, a private non-profit operating foundation benefiting youth in Bucks County invites educators, counselors, parents, and mental health professionals to attend their upcoming workshop, “Latest Treatments of Bipolar Depression.” It will be held on Wednesday, December 7th, from 8:30am – noon at the Doylestown Health & Wellness Center in Warrington.

Claudia F. Baldassano, M.D., Director of the Bipolar Outpatient Resident Teaching Program and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania will present the program. In this informative presentation, participants will learn how to identify bipolar depression and gain an understanding of the latest treatments.

The role of traditional antidepressants in bipolar depression and when it is appropriate to use these agents will be discussed. The workshop will also cover the use of mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications in the treatment of bipolar depression, and present novel treatments, such as Transmagnetic Stimulation and psychosocial treatments.

Three continuing education credits will be offered for PA Social Workers & Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, NBCC Counselors, PA Nurses and Act 48 credits.

The Doylestown Health & Wellness Center Auditorium is located at 847 Easton Road/Route 611, Warrington. Cost is $55 and includes breakfast.

For more information or to register, call Foundations Community Partnership, 267-247-5584 or visit www.fcpartnership.org.

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Sharon Curran named Co-Chairperson of Bucks County CIT Task Force

November 1, 2011 By
Sharon Curran

 

Sharon Curran, LCSW, CCDP-D has been named co-chairperson of the Bucks County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Task Force. Sharon serves as Associate Executive Director of Clinical Services for Lenape Valley Foundation (LVF) in Doylestown and Bristol. 

In 2007, Bucks County Commissioners opted to include CIT as a component of its crisis improvement effort. The Task Force was created in 2008 to implement a CIT model for law enforcement departments in Bucks County. Law enforcement management and patrol divisions are offered 40-hour extensive training sessions provided by community mental health professionals to become certified as CIT officers. There is also a six-hour CIT introductory class. 

The goal of the CIT program is to improve the outcomes of police response to citizens whose behavior is influenced by mental illness, substance use, intellectual disabilities and related conditions. Officers learn to recognize psychiatric distress and other conditions and how to de-escalate a crisis – avoiding officer injuries, consumer deaths and tragedy for the community. In addition, CIT officers learn how to link people with appropriate treatment services.

[Read more...]

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Arbors at Buck Run opens Memory Lane facility

November 1, 2011 By

ARBORS The Arbors at Buck Run, 1730 Buck Road, Feasterville, welcomed nearly 200 families, neighbors and professionals to its Memory Lane Housewarming Celebration on October 13th. 

Memory Lane is a brand-new, state-of-the-art neighborhood specializing in caring for residents with memory impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Nearly every aspect of the community is designed to meet the needs of these special residents, and this event gave prospective families and community leaders an opportunity to learn about the subtleties that make Memory Lane at The Arbors at Buck Run a unique option for memory care assisted living. 

Pictured is The Arbors at Buck Run Marketing team, Marianne Reuter, Move-In Coordinator (left) and Jessica Strom, Director of Sales & Marketing (right). For more information about Memory Lane, call 215-322-4960.

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Conquering autism, one child at a time

November 1, 2011 By

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center

Ray (not his real name) was a very cute little guy, but his behavior was a challenge. Screaming, argumentativeness, spontaneous agitation, anger, stubbornness, impulsivity and resistance to redirection, were commonplace. There was no consoling him when screaming over extended times, soothing him when upset, or redirecting him when off track. He was alone in his own world and always unpredictable.

His early years were exhausting with behaviorists, therapists, speech and occupational therapy, and only the beginning of a long road for this kindergartner. Nothing was producing lasting changes in his chaotic life. Ray’s parents were frustrated, voicing serious concern for their child’s future. Could he ever behave like other children or have hopes for a normal future?

They heard about neurofeedback and decided to try it. Gradually, Ray became less volatile, less resistant, less agitated and less unreachable. Brief conversations with him and behavioral expectations were beginning, and slowly he was becoming reachable. He screamed less, appeared happier, smiled more, talked more and became more pleasant to be around. Life was beginning to look more normal for Ray and his future more promising. How could this be? 

After a careful diagnostic program, a treatment plan was determined. Ray’s twice weekly neurofeedback program rewarded his brain for more appropriate brain waves in order to normalize his behaviors. The initial focus was to calm his emotionality, hypersensitivity and over reactivity. Secondly, the focus was on improving the communication between parts of the brain that corresponds to better information processing. 

For Ray, treatment meant playing brain wave video games. For his parents, it was life changing. There is a long hoped for air of peace and tranquility in the home and success in school. Soon to be discharged. The difference now? Ray is a happy and cute little guy.  

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