We commonly hear about how parents push their children to be the best at everything. Such lofty expectations can produce great uneasiness that remains with the children through adulthood. This form of extreme parenting causes children to develop anxiety disorders that pose serious future consequences. In an environment where the focus is on perfection […]
Author Archives: Carlos F Martinez
What Happens When You Try to Be Perfect?
Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Articles, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Family Issues, Personal Growth, Stress, Trauma in Children Comments closed
Ulysses Syndrome
Dr. Joseba Achotegui, a Spanish psychiatrist at the University of Barcelona, coined the term “Ulysses Syndrome.” According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, this is “a psychological syndrome characterized by chronic stress associated with the problem of migrants to settle in a new residence. The name comes from the mythical hero Odysseus, who after disappearing for […]
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Trauma in Children
There are many ways children may be exposed to trauma or adversities that lead to psychological consequences. Witnessing a crime or domestic violence; experiencing emotional, psychological, or sexual abuse; losing a loved one; or living through a natural disaster can all affect children and require them to seek help to overcome the traumatic experience. […]
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Therapy or Play?
I received a call from a lady saying that she felt uncomfortable with the service her 4-year-old daughter was receiving. She told me that the person who was supposed to provide the psychological counseling and offer a professional service to help her daughter was “just playing with her.” This mother did not see the counselor […]
Posted in Articles, Family Issues, Mental Health Services, Personal Growth, Play Therapy Comments closed
The Myth of the Bad Kid
Source: SAMHSA Not long ago, I had the opportunity to attend a conference where the main focus was the behavior of children and adolescents. In this conference, I heard the story of little John: John is 6 years old and has problems in school. He has a reputation among teachers as being a “bad kid.” […]
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Stigma in Mental Illnesses
Mental illnesses undoubtedly carry plenty of stigma and prejudice. Throughout history, our human condition has led us to label people as “crazy” if they behave differently. Fortunately, in recent years numerous studies have helped us understand why individuals with emotional and psychological problems often exhibit atypical behavior. When we understand the possible causes of many […]
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Solidarity Makes Us Happier
We often think what we are doing is trivial or what we do for others is not enough. Nonetheless, we are undoubtedly contributing something positive when we help others, and this action can make us feel better. According to a study by the University Complutense of Spain, contributing a bit to build a solid and […]
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Sexual Problems in Men and the Emotional Consequences
This is a topic that many people do not want to talk about, especially men. But the reality is that many individuals are experiencing sexual dysfunctions that often lead to psychological and emotional distress. There are several forms of sexual dysfunction. Many men experience a loss of libido (sexual desire) or premature ejaculation. The latter […]
Posted in Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, Articles, Depression, Loss and Grief, Sexual Issues, Stress Comments closed
Psychosomatic Disorders
Usually, psychosomatic disorders refer to diseases that are mainly caused by psychological factors. However, many professionals in the health field agree that such disorders are caused by the combination of biological, environmental, social, and psychological circumstances, all of which can influence any disease. Psychosomatic disorders involve the relationship between the mind (psycho) and the […]
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Are You Achieving Generativity?
On hearing the word generativity in the context of middle life, many may imagine productivity exemplified primarily by career accomplishments, accumulated wealth, or possessions. To 20th century psychoanalyst and developmental theorist Erik Erikson, however, generativity represents the making of contributions of lasting value. Caring for others is the key virtue to achieving this goal. […]