12 Films That Feature Mental Illness
In celebration of the 2014 Oscars is my list of movies that feature mental illness. Many of these movies have won Oscars, while others should have, but didn't. As we roll out the red carpet and honor this year's best films, keep in mind that there's no shame in having a mental illness. 1. Ordinary People (Depression, PTSD, Suicide)This is my absolute favorite movie of all time because it portrays the human experience of loss so well and it also features psychotherapy in a realistic way. This was Robert Redford's directorial debut, which also starred. Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Judd Hirsch and...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - March 4, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: cinema Source Type: blogs
An Open Letter to Doctors
Dear Doctor,I can’t begin to convey the frustration I experience as a patient waiting to see you. If it’s not the overbooking that tests my patience, or the rudeness from your overworked office staff, it’s the brisk ten minutes of time I have with you to discuss my symptoms that ends up being misused because you don’t listen.Let me write this again. You. Don’t. Listen.Maybe it’s because you’re pressed for time. The health care system isin crisis, and well, you need to see more patients per hour in your clinical practice to offset your financial costs. Perhaps you're having a bad day - or worse, lost your...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - February 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: anxiety depression diagnostics healthcare well-being Source Type: blogs
The Power of "What."
Sometimes the question "Why?" is a good one. Like, why can't we live in a more peaceful world? Or why did I eat all those cookies? Or why don't we call mustaches mouthbrows?But there are times - especially during a crisis - when "why" may not the best puzzle to solve. When you're in an emotional entanglement, a difficult predicament or a physical hardship, asking "what" will do more.Positive: What has directionality. Negative: Why keeps you stuck in circular thinking. Positive: What offers solutions. Negative: Why offers no game plan.So, the next time you find yourself in a bad place, use the power...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - February 17, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: mental health treatment well-being Source Type: blogs
February 10-16 is Random Acts of Kindness Week
Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 10th thru the 16th. The Random Acts of Kindness foundation is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded on the powerful belief in kindness - and dedicated to providing resources and tools to encourage kindness around the globe. Research shows that tiny acts of kindness ripple exponentially across social experiences - essentially sparking a contagiousness of generosity and cooperativeness. Simple stated, a single kind act influences dozens more. Kindness - especially spontaneous acts of kindness - surge the feel good hormone dopamine in both the giver a...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - February 4, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: awareness days self-esteem well-being Source Type: blogs
3 Humorous Books That Help Your Mental Health
Laughter is good medicine. This belief is thousands of years old. And even more impressive is that evidenced-based research says so too. Humor is an important, but often under-used tool for dealing with mental illness. In this context, humor can be a means of empowerment, a source of comfort, and a bridge toward problem-solving. Physiologically, laughter strengthens our immune system, improves heart rate, decreases blood pressure and surges feel-good hormones like dopamine. The important thing, though, is that the funny stuff mustn't be derogatory, stigmatizing, hurtful or humiliating. When humor is used in a clever a...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - January 20, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: anxiety depression fun mental health well-being Source Type: blogs
The Do's and Don'ts: Talking about Death with Your Child
It's never easy to deal with death. As adults, it overwhelms us. And it's even harder for children to move through. Though we know it's an inevitable part of life, talking about death is something most of us aren't really good at because the subject is so painful. I work with people in trauma, and grieving is a process that takes time. Part of the experience is finding ways to express what's happened, to make sense of what's happened, and finally, to accept what's happened. Here are some tips to help you talk about death with your child: Do’s · Tell the...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - January 4, 2014 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: depression mental health self-esteem trauma well-being Source Type: blogs
Staying Positive During the Holiday Season
Sometimes it's a challenge to stay positive during the holiday season. But here are a few ways that are sure to help keep the hub-bub and the hum-bug to a minimum.1. Avoid over-scheduling yourself. Use an agenda to keep track of your holiday commitments so that you can physically see what you are committing yourself to. Along with your commitments to others make sure to include some downtime for yourself - even if it is half an hour here and there. Knowing that you have some personal time will help you to stay positive.2. Lower your expectations. Don’t strive for perfection, good enough is okay.Don’t expect your f...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - December 19, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: well-being Source Type: blogs
International Survivors of Suicide Day
Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors International Survivors of Suicide Day - reaching out to thousands of people who have lost a loved one to suicide.On November 23, 2013 conferences, supportive workshops and community walks and awareness campaigns will bring together those who have lost a loved one to suicide.It is critical to know that bereavement following a suicide is different from the grieving after other types of deaths. Research shows that there are three significant experiences that are distinctive to survivors of suicide: 1) F...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - November 12, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: awareness days depression stigma suicide Source Type: blogs
10 Tips for Dealing with a Teacher-Bully
Bullying has been front and center in the public arena for some time now. In recent years, schools have promoted a zero tolerance for schoolyard bullying. Guidelines and resources are more readily available to cope with the workplace bully, as well as for cyber bullying that happens on the computer superhighway. But what if your child's teacher is the bully? At a National Bullying Convention held in 2005, it was found that 2% of children are bullied by a teacher in their lifetime. Teachers who are bullies have the same characteristics of other bullies. They are sadistic and petty, gaining self-esteem through the humiliatio...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - October 27, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: anxiety mental health trauma Source Type: blogs
National Depression Screening Day
is Thursday, October 10th. Each year, more than half a million children and adults are screened for depression with this campaign.Depression affects more than 120 million people worldwide and is the one of the leading causes of disability across the globe. Why Screen for Depression?Depression is a serious, but treatable illness.Depression can lead to suicide.Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a "normal part of life."Depression affects men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.One in four women and one in 10 men will experience depression at som...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - October 1, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: diagnostics depression awareness days treatment Source Type: blogs
Moving Through A Difficult Anniversary Date
"Anniversary Effect", sometimes called Anniversary Reaction, is defined as a unique set of unsettling feelings, thoughts or memories that occur on the anniversary of a significant experience.Sometimes you can trace the reason why you're feeling sad, irritable or anxious. One look at the calendar and you connect the dots from your current emotional state to the traumatic event. For example, the birthday of someone who's no longer alive, the date of an accident, a natural disaster or a miscarriage, just to name a few.Sometimes finding the Anniversary Effect isn't as easy to trace because the event doesn't have a time-specifi...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - September 11, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: awareness days mental health trauma well-being Source Type: blogs
Depression and Your Child: The Virtual Book Tour
I'm happy to announce that I'll be on a virtual book publicity tour for the next two months for my new book "Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers." Thanks to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Your Book. I can't wait to visit all these great blogs, magazines and websites!Monday, September 2 – Book Trailer of the Week at Pump Up Your BookTuesday, September 3 – Interview at BlogcriticsWednesday, September 4 – Interview at The Writer’s LifeThursday, September 5 – Book Review at Reviewing ShelfFriday, September 6 – Book Review & Guest Blogging ...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - September 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: depression Source Type: blogs
Bibliotherapy: When A Good Book is All You Need
Bibliotherapy, also known as Reading Therapy, is the inclusion of books to help a child or adult move through emotional experiences. From fiction, non-fiction, poetry or pictures books - a good dose of literature can really provide support and education.Historically, bibliotherapy dates back to the 1930's when librarians began compiling lists of written material that helped individuals with trauma, thoughts, feelings or behaviors for therapeutic purposes.I often use bibliotherapy to help people I work with move through difficult events or traumas, like death, divorce, chronic illness, teasing or hospitalization, just to na...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - August 16, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: diagnostics well-being treatment Source Type: blogs
15 Mental Fitness Tips
1. Learn to Relax: Allow yourself to let go of inner tensions by giving yourself a “mini vacation.” Give your mind a break by becoming engrossed in a good book, watching a movie, listening to music, taking a walk, working on a hobby, meditating or similar activity that is relaxing for you.2. Be Kind To Yourself: People are frequently too hard on themselves when things don’t go right. Tune into your self talk, and counteract your negative thoughts about yourself with positive statements.3. Eat Properly: Nutrition has a direct impact on feeling mentally positive. Limit your intake of sugar, fat, salt, ca...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - July 9, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: mental health well-being mind Source Type: blogs
Depression and Your Child: How a Book is Born
Watch my book "Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers" by The Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group go from proposal to full on manuscript, from considered book covers to the one chosen, from publicity buzz to galley signings.This is how a book is born. (Source: Dr. Deborah Serani)
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - June 6, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: depression well-being treatment trauma suicide Source Type: blogs
