Melissa Renee Valdez, M.D.

Once again the holidays are here—a time to spend with friends and family, sharing gifts and laughter — and for some, feeling blue or depressed. For some people, the holiday season can be a very difficult time of year. It can be a time of sadness and loneliness, a time of regret and reflecting about [...]

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The headlines coming out of Connecticut are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with those affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Parents, teachers and other caring adults may be helping children and youth face emotional strains after such a traumatic event. When children experience a trauma, watch it on TV, or overhear others discussing [...]

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SAMHSA

The article below is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) blog. You can view the original article here.  This is especially pertinent for those of us enduring another hot Central Texas summer!  Excessive Heat Exposure Can Pose Higher Risks for those on Psychotropic Medication or Other Substances During this period when [...]

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Dr. Kimberly Arlinghaus, Director of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health for Lone Star Circle Of Care, appeared live on Austin CBS affiliate KVUE on Wednesday, May 23rd for Mental Awareness Month. Dr. Arlinghaus discussed with KVUE News Anchor, Melissa Gale, the complexity and many forms of stigma that impact people living with mental health disorders and their [...]

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The following are highlights of the data presented in Mental Health, United States, 2010 published on April 2012 by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Mental Health, United States, 2010 is a comprehensive resource for mental health statistics at the national and state levels [...]

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Tracy Asamoah, M.D.

When taking care of patients, psychiatrists and other behavioral health professionals, are often confronted with a lack of available resources. This is even more of a challenge when treating poorly understood or new disorders. Internet addiction is an under recognized disorder emerging on the mental health scene. Currently the disorder is not formally recognized in [...]

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Brenda Bible, LCSW

In part one of this article, we reviewed how at times, all people have negative thinking, usually taking  the form of self depreciating thoughts or statements that pop into our head almost automatically. The problem with negative thinking is that when we suffer from depression, anxiety, life stressors or other chronic illnesses, we can have [...]

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Harry Livesay, LCSW

May is month of special significance for behavioral health care and treatment. For more than 50 years, Mental HealthAmerica, the nation’s largest and oldest community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans live mentally healthier lives, has designated the month of May as Mental Health Month. This year, Mental Health Month will focus on two vital [...]

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Dorothea Pitikas, LCSW

For parents having difficulties getting their children to follow directions and to take ownership of their behaviors,  1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children by Thomas Phelan, PhD,  offers some helpful and simple information for use with children ages 2-12. According to author, Dr. Thomas Phelan, parents must get rid of the idea that children are [...]

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Robin May- Davis, MD

The Mindful Prescription for Adult ADHD is a new book out by Dr. Lidia Zylowska.  Dr. Zylowska has put together an eight point plan to integrate mindfulness meditation to improve focus and emotional regulation.  Her book is grounded in research and is full of references looking at both ADHD and applications of meditation, but does [...]

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