Mental Wealth

Media

How the Tech Industry Uses Psychology to Hook Children

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on October 24, 2018

Why is it so hard for kids to look away from their devices? The answer is persuasive design—sophisticated techniques that exploit kids' reward systems.

Why is it so hard for kids to look away from their devices? The answer is persuasive design—sophisticated techniques that exploit kids' reward systems.

Creativity

9 Reasons to Leave Video Games Home During Vacation

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on June 25, 2018

Think vacation is the perfect opportunity to loosen the screen-time reigns? Here are 9 reasons to go screen-free on your next family getaway.

Think vacation is the perfect opportunity to loosen the screen-time reigns? Here are 9 reasons to go screen-free on your next family getaway.

Stress

Is Your Child Overstimulated from Too Much Screen Time?

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on November 24, 2017

Are your children are experiencing electronics-related symptoms that mimic mental health. learning, and behavior issues? Take this quiz.

Are your children are experiencing electronics-related symptoms that mimic mental health. learning, and behavior issues? Take this quiz.

Stress

Hey Parents—Put Down Those Devices

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on June 27, 2017

Did you know being strict about your own screen time greatly improves the odds that you'll manage your children's in a healthy and mindful manner? Here are seven reasons why.

Did you know being strict about your own screen time greatly improves the odds that you'll manage your children's in a healthy and mindful manner? Here are seven reasons why.

Friends

Growing Up in a False Reality

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on May 20, 2017

Seeking artificial validation not only results in addictive, destructive behaviors, it also displaces the very experiences that would otherwise offer us authentic validation.

Seeking artificial validation not only results in addictive, destructive behaviors, it also displaces the very experiences that would otherwise offer us authentic validation.

Education

The Radical Notion of Returning to Handwriting

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on May 14, 2017

Need to remember something or learn something new? Write it by hand.

Need to remember something or learn something new? Write it by hand.

Sleep

10 Ways to Protect the Brain from Daily Screen Time

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on April 1, 2017

You may have heard that screen time can wreak havoc on children's nervous systems. But aside from restricting technology, what can parents do to buffer against overstimulation?

You may have heard that screen time can wreak havoc on children's nervous systems. But aside from restricting technology, what can parents do to buffer against overstimulation?

Social Networking

Why Social Media Is Not Smart for Middle School Kids

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on March 26, 2017

Wondering why your middle schooler's social media use has ratcheted up your stress levels? Understanding the brain at this age can help you can take back control.

Wondering why your middle schooler's social media use has ratcheted up your stress levels? Understanding the brain at this age can help you can take back control.

Health

Toward Integration: Mental Health Defined

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on March 3, 2017

We're all familiar with mental health issues or symptoms. But what does a mentally healthy brain look like? And how do we get there?

We're all familiar with mental health issues or symptoms. But what does a mentally healthy brain look like? And how do we get there?

Guilt

Is Guilt Affecting How You Manage Your Child's ScreenTime?

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on January 3, 2017

Parental guilt can undermine the best of intentions when it comes to restricting children's screentime. Here's how to give guilt the boot.

Parental guilt can undermine the best of intentions when it comes to restricting children's screentime. Here's how to give guilt the boot.

Autism

Autism and Screen Time: Special Brains, Special Risks

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on December 31, 2016

Is your gut telling you that your child with autism has too much screen time? Here are 11 reasons why ASD kids are more vulnerable to screen time effects, including addiction.

Is your gut telling you that your child with autism has too much screen time? Here are 11 reasons why ASD kids are more vulnerable to screen time effects, including addiction.

President Donald Trump

Managing Trump-Related Tears, Fears & Taunts in Kids

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on November 11, 2016

Teachers across the country are reporting children are acting out deportation-related worries, ranging from fearfulness to bullying and feelings of separatism.

Teachers across the country are reporting children are acting out deportation-related worries, ranging from fearfulness to bullying and feelings of separatism.

Addiction

Will Your Gamer Survive College?

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on September 26, 2016

If you're concerned about your son's video game habits spinning out of control when he goes to college, you're right to be worried—but here's what parents can do.

If you're concerned about your son's video game habits spinning out of control when he goes to college, you're right to be worried—but here's what parents can do.

Stress

This Is Your Child's Brain on Video Games

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on September 25, 2016

Playing video games produces a fight-or-flight response unaccompanied by a physical discharge of energy. So guess where all the energy goes?

Playing video games produces a fight-or-flight response unaccompanied by a physical discharge of energy. So guess where all the energy goes?

Shyness

Screentime and Arrested Social Development

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on June 30, 2016

Millennials can have a hard time conversing and making eye contact when face-to-face. How will this affect them when it comes time to be an adult in the real world?

Millennials can have a hard time conversing and making eye contact when face-to-face. How will this affect them when it comes time to be an adult in the real world?

Traumatic Brain Injury

7 Myths About Concussions

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on June 9, 2016

Despite ongoing controversies over head injuries in athletes, misconceptions regarding concussions persist–which can prevent players from getting appropriate treatment.

Despite ongoing controversies over head injuries in athletes, misconceptions regarding concussions persist–which can prevent players from getting appropriate treatment.

Health

The Illuminating Tale of Sunlight's Impact on Health

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on June 5, 2016

Research shows our genes are programmed to respond to exposure to full spectrum light, which we now know to be a critical factor in how healthy we are. But are we getting enough?

Research shows our genes are programmed to respond to exposure to full spectrum light, which we now know to be a critical factor in how healthy we are. But are we getting enough?

Empathy

The Unique Impact of Dads

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on March 31, 2016

Dads often report feeling undervalued, yet research shows their influence offers unique, long-term developmental benefits.

Dads often report feeling undervalued, yet research shows their influence offers unique, long-term developmental benefits.

Stress

Restricting Screens: Why Your Child WON'T Get Left Behind

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on March 22, 2016

When it comes to limiting screen-time based on tolerability, parents needn't worry whether keeping the child from electronics now will put them at a disadvantage later.

When it comes to limiting screen-time based on tolerability, parents needn't worry whether keeping the child from electronics now will put them at a disadvantage later.

Psychiatry

Rethinking How to Help Kids Lose Weight

Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on February 26, 2016

Is it possible to "tweak" a child's metabolism to help them lose weight naturally? How do psychiatric issues and medications impact weight in children?

Is it possible to "tweak" a child's metabolism to help them lose weight naturally? How do psychiatric issues and medications impact weight in children?