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Practical psychiatry articles for people seeking strategies, solutions, and healing now—not years from now.

Boeing airplane
Anxiety
Despite Boeing's 737 Max, We Have to Fly

Robert London M.D. on May 2, 2019

Two deadly crashes in less than a year are bringing up justified fears about flying. Here is what you can do to get back in the air.

Two deadly crashes in less than a year are bringing up justified fears about flying. Here is what you can do to get back in the air.

Anxiety
Part II: Treating Anxiety in Pregnancy Without Meds

Robert London M.D. on April 9, 2014

Various cognitive-behavioral approaches are viable alternatives to psychotropic drugs when treating pregnant women who are suffering from anxiety. This article is part II of a two-part series on treating anxiety in pregnancy without drugs.

Various cognitive-behavioral approaches are viable alternatives to psychotropic drugs when treating pregnant women who are suffering from anxiety. This article is part II of a two-part series on treating anxiety in pregnancy without drugs.

Anxiety
Treating Anxiety in Pregnancy Without Psychotropic Drugs

Robert London M.D. on March 19, 2014

Planned pregnancy should be a time of joy. But for working women without paid medical leave, it's also a time of anxiety. The use of psychotropic medications to address anxiety in pregnant women is controversial. This 2-part series presents a non medical approach—cognitive behavioral therapy—to treat anxiety. Part I explores one component: restructuring thought patterns.

Planned pregnancy should be a time of joy. But for working women without paid medical leave, it's also a time of anxiety. The use of psychotropic medications to address anxiety in pregnant women is controversial. This 2-part series presents a non medical approach—cognitive behavioral therapy—to treat anxiety. Part I explores one component: restructuring thought patterns.

Health
Bridging the Gap between Primary Care and Mental Health Professionals

Robert London M.D. on June 21, 2012

Due to a lack of knowledge and experience with psychiatric illnesses, primary care physicians are often unable to meet the needs of their patients with mental health issues. Mental health referrals should be as routine for primary care physicians as the ordering of lab tests.

Due to a lack of knowledge and experience with psychiatric illnesses, primary care physicians are often unable to meet the needs of their patients with mental health issues. Mental health referrals should be as routine for primary care physicians as the ordering of lab tests.

Stress
A New Idea to Combat Workplace Stress: Mental Health Days

Robert London M.D. on December 26, 2011

If employers allow for sick days, why not institute "Mental Health Days"? Doing so could minimize workplace depression and help to destigmatize mental health conditions.

If employers allow for sick days, why not institute "Mental Health Days"? Doing so could minimize workplace depression and help to destigmatize mental health conditions.

Fear
Fear of Man's Best Friend: A Self-Help Strategy that Works

Robert London M.D. on February 3, 2011

Unlike other phobias, such as fear of elevators or fear of flying, a dog phobia can be effectively cured by a motivated patient himself, using cognitive-behavioral therapy tools and techniques. All it takes is self-awareness, patience, time, and a willing friend with a dog.

Unlike other phobias, such as fear of elevators or fear of flying, a dog phobia can be effectively cured by a motivated patient himself, using cognitive-behavioral therapy tools and techniques. All it takes is self-awareness, patience, time, and a willing friend with a dog.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Decluttering — Is it Therapy?

Robert London M.D. on November 5, 2010

Decluttering experts, also known as professional organizers, are engaged in a process with their clients that is very much akin to cognitive-behavioral work. Too often, we psychologists and psychiatrists turn up our noses at such helping professions.

Decluttering experts, also known as professional organizers, are engaged in a process with their clients that is very much akin to cognitive-behavioral work. Too often, we psychologists and psychiatrists turn up our noses at such helping professions.

Psychiatry
A Mind-Body Approach to Dermatology Conditions

Robert London M.D. on September 15, 2010

Psychiatrists and psychologists trained in mind-body approaches to health can play a key role in helping patients with such conditions as eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis. Using creative visualizing and cognitive techniques, a trained professional can help such patients recover faster from debilitating skin problems.

Psychiatrists and psychologists trained in mind-body approaches to health can play a key role in helping patients with such conditions as eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis. Using creative visualizing and cognitive techniques, a trained professional can help such patients recover faster from debilitating skin problems.

Assertiveness
Learning to Be Assertive -- Part II

Robert London M.D. on June 10, 2010

Using a combined guided imagery and desensitization technique can be of great help when working with people who feel insecure, fearful, and lack confidence in social and professional settings. When used in conjunction with the behavioral-cognitive techniques discussed in Part I of this blog, this is an excellent and highly successful approach to assertiveness training and yields good and measurable results.

Using a combined guided imagery and desensitization technique can be of great help when working with people who feel insecure, fearful, and lack confidence in social and professional settings. When used in conjunction with the behavioral-cognitive techniques discussed in Part I of this blog, this is an excellent and highly successful approach to assertiveness training and yields good and measurable results.

Assertiveness
Learning to Be Assertive -- Part I

Robert London M.D. on May 28, 2010

Learning to be confident and assertive is essential for success in all aspects of life, from relationships to careers to personal happiness. Assertiveness training -- which might encompass behavioral therapy techniques as well as guided imagery and systematic desensitization -- can be quite effective in a short time frame. This first blog of a two-part series discusses behavioral therapy techniques used in assertiveness training.

Learning to be confident and assertive is essential for success in all aspects of life, from relationships to careers to personal happiness. Assertiveness training -- which might encompass behavioral therapy techniques as well as guided imagery and systematic desensitization -- can be quite effective in a short time frame. This first blog of a two-part series discusses behavioral therapy techniques used in assertiveness training.

Self-Help
Going Off to College

Robert London M.D. on May 11, 2010

It's normal for new college students to experience loneliness during their freshman year. It's also normal for parents to feel the pang of worry and anxiety. Here are some ways parents can help their college freshman make that important transition--and find comfort themselves.

It's normal for new college students to experience loneliness during their freshman year. It's also normal for parents to feel the pang of worry and anxiety. Here are some ways parents can help their college freshman make that important transition--and find comfort themselves.

Therapy
The Tennis Racket and the Mind

Robert London M.D. on May 4, 2010

Combining the "split-screen technique" with an ancient Zen philosophical approach helped a patient improve his tennis game after three in-office visits.

Combining the "split-screen technique" with an ancient Zen philosophical approach helped a patient improve his tennis game after three in-office visits.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis: An Underused Technique

Robert London M.D. on April 23, 2010

When integrated into a behavior modification strategy and used by a trained therapist, hypnosis can be a powerfully effective tool for treating many disorders. 

When integrated into a behavior modification strategy and used by a trained therapist, hypnosis can be a powerfully effective tool for treating many disorders. 

Anxiety
Managing Anxiety in Stressful Times

Robert London M.D. on April 13, 2010

Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is not an uncommon condition today---made worse, no doubt, by information and media overload. Cognitive therapeutic techniques can help. Taking a media break couldn't hurt either!

Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is not an uncommon condition today---made worse, no doubt, by information and media overload. Cognitive therapeutic techniques can help. Taking a media break couldn't hurt either!