UTHealth Psychiatry Blog

Healthy Boundaries, Healthy Relationships

Boundaries is one of those “big B words” that can have great meaning when used effectively. Technically a boundary is...

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What to do when a child or loved one expresses suicidality

The word suicide can be a scary thing that many of us may not know what to do with. As...

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My Child Can’t Pay Attention – Assessing ADHD During COVID

One of the most common mental health complaints in school-aged children is issues with attention. In most cases, patients present...

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The Pressure of Perfection

Even if you don’t follow Olympic gymnastics, you have probably heard of Simone Biles. She is a Houston-area based Olympic...

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Prepping for back to school

Many of us have children who are getting ready to return to school for a new year and most students...

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ADHD & Executive Function: Tips & Tricks for Parents

In our blog last week, we discussed the six key areas of executive function that can cause challenges for people...

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Executive Function: Common Challenges for Children with ADHD

If your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have heard the term executive function....

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10 Tips to Help a Child with Weather Anxiety

Almost four years have passed since Hurricane Harvey pummeled Texas’ coast, causing widespread devastation. Homes were destroyed by flooding, families...

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How we see ourselves

The way we view ourselves can play a big part in the things we do and our interactions with others....

Read More How we see ourselves

10 Ways to Enhance Your Child’s Self-Esteem

Self-esteem and positive self-image are characteristics that children can develop through both positive and negative life experiences. A child with...

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We say I, not you

Continuing on with our communication series, this week we are introducing a communication technique that can help with expressing yourself...

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Using all Your Resources for Strong Communication

Previously in our blog series, we covered communication styles. Were you able to identify yours? A quick recap: The Mouse:...

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Cognitive Dulling

Life has changed so much in the past year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The way we work,...

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Communication Styles – The mouse, the lion, the fox, and the owl

Communication is so important in our interactions with others. Good communication allows both you those you are trying to connect...

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Human Connection

For some, it feels like life may be returning to normal, for others there is a new normal. We have...

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Self-Advocacy – Standing up for what is right for yourself

Self-advocacy is a way to stand up for ourselves, make our own decisions, and go for what we believe is...

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Anti-Asian Sentiment and Mental Health Implications during COVID

Since the onset of COVID, anti-Asian sentiment and racism has been an ongoing issue worldwide. Between March and December 2020...

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A Challenge with Social Media: Self-Diagnosing Mental Health

There is a popular trend right now of utilizing social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where influencers post content leading children,...

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The impact of bullying on mental health

There has been a lot of conversation in the media lately about bullying and the damaging impact it can have...

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Substance Use, Misuse, and Dependence: When is it too far?

Did you know that dependence can happen at any age? Often times it starts at a younger age. It is...

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Giving yourself a break

Wow, what a week Texas experienced! Have you stopped to check in with yourself to see how you are feeling?...

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Grief and Loss

Talking about grief and loss is never easy. Experiencing it can be even harder. There are many situations that cause...

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Maintaining a balance through life’s stressors and burnout

While life is forever evolving, many people are finding it hard to manage all of life’s stressors that come with...

Read More Maintaining a balance through life’s stressors and burnout

What if I suspect mental illness in my child?

Those who are parents know that parenting isn’t just a job; it is all the jobs. From cooking, cleaning, ensuring...

Read More What if I suspect mental illness in my child?

Reducing isolation during the pandemic

Many of us have adjusted our lives due to the pandemic. Vacations cancelled, concert tickets refunded, not watching our children...

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Human Trafficking…What is it, Who does it Affect, Where is it Happening

Human trafficking is the recruitment or transportation of a person or persons for the purpose of exploitation, which typically includes...

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How to talk to kids about big events and scary things

Monsters under the bed, strangers, and things they hear as their parents are watching the news, or things they may...

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Managing the holidays and a pandemic

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….maybe. For many, the holidays bring added stress along with the expected cheer...

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Radical Acceptance During Difficult Times

It seems like an understatement to say we are in a time of unknown. We hope COVID is coming to...

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

It would not surprise most people to hear that childhood trauma can have an impact across the lifespan.  What might...

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Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue: Helpful tips for our Frontline Workers

Frontline workers have been showing up and working hard to provide the best service possible in these trying times. Many...

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Transitioning In Times of COVID

The world feels so unknown right now and many families are faced with conflicting decisions, – do I send my...

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Daily Tips to Support a Child With Autism As The School Year Starts

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted the way we all live our lives and how we go about our daily...

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Using DEAR MAN to Guide Difficult Family Interactions in COVID-19.

Written by: Melissa Goldberg, Psy.D COVID-19 has been tough on our family relationships.  Whether it’s a mother-to-be feeling anxious about...

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What is Disordered Eating?

  Written by: Nicole Bartek, DNP What a “good, healthy meal and/or body” looks and feels like can become a...

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What To Do If You Think Your Child Is Having Suicidal Thoughts

Written by: Meaghan Lightbody-Warner, LCSW-S In the United States, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among children/adolescents aged...

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Teen Mental Health and COVID: A Letter for Parents

Written by: Meaghan LIghtbody-Warner, LCSW To say these are trying times for most is an understatement. Things are unpredictable, big...

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Story Time: Using Popular Media to Talk to Your Children About Mental Health

Written by: Jennifer Yen, MD, FAACAP Let’s face it: it’s tough to talk about mental health and mental illness. This...

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How to know when your child is experiencing everyday stress versus an anxiety disorder?

Written by: Angela Durbin-Garfield, APRN, PMHNP-BC Collectively, our nation is experiencing a multitude of events such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19),...

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Depression in Adolescents

  Written by: Meaghan Lightbody-Warner, LCSW-S Being a teenager can be a challenging time.  As a parent, it can sometimes...

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What’s so Important About Getting A Good Night of Sleep?

  Written by: Nicole Bartek, DNP While most people know that sleep is important, if you ask most kids and...

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Making Sure Kids Stay Safe Online

Written by: Hikari Ward, LMSW COVID-19 has left many parents relying on technology to engage their children in learning and...

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Can hiring a diverse staff actually help patients from different backgrounds open up more during sessions?

Written by: Zeshen Wu, MD Hello, I’m Zeshen Wu, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at UTHealth, and I was very...

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Suicide in bipolar disorder

  Written by: Gabriel Fries, PhD, MSc Being among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States...

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Challenges for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research in COVID-19 Era

Written by: Deborah A. Pearson, PhD In a recent article, Drs. Michael Aman (Ohio State University) and Deborah Pearson (University...

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Medical school education remains strong during COVID-19 pandemic

Written by: J. Chase Findley, MD The COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous challenges throughout every aspect of our society. More...

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The Research Track Residency Program at the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Written by: Marsal Sanches, MD, PhD, FAPA The last several decades have witnessed an unprecedented shift in the way medicine,...

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Providing Project ECHO® to Support Our Community in Addressing Child Mental Health Needs When and Where it Matters Most

Written by: Elizabeth Newlin, MD As a mental health clinician, it has never been more important to reach out to...

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Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month

Written by: Kimberly Samuels, PhD May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a time in which we focus on increasing the...

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COVID-19; a professional and personal testimony

Similar to the experiences of most others, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused me to make many adjustments in my personal...

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Helping our patients with Telemental Health and Social Support in the times of COVID-19 and Social Distancing

Written by: Melba A. Hernandez-Tejada, PhD, DHA Telemedicine (or in the case of psychological and psychiatric services: telemental health), has...

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Managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic

Leslie K. Taylor, PhD, spoke with Newsweek, offering tips for managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.newswise.com/articles/managing-stress-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

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Alamo Area Housing Summit Review

Around 100 participants attended the Alamo Area Housing Summit. There were several presentations involving housing and homeless problems in the...

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Written by: Valeria A. Cuellar, MD The external world became changed as in a dream. Objects appeared to gain in...

Read More Psychedelics: Where we started and where are we now

Electronic Cigarettes: The truths and myths

Written by: Jin Yoon, PhD Cigarette smoking continues to be a significant public health issue in the United States. The...

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The U.S. Opioid Crisis: How Did We Get Here?

Written by: Michael Weaver, MD, DFASAM In the 1990s, there was a concerted effort in the United States to address...

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2019 Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Holiday Party

The Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences celebrated the holidays with a dinner at Armadillo Palace. Food, fun, fellowship,...

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Addressing Housing as a Social Determinant of Health to Improve Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness

Written by: Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S Social determinants of health (SDoH) are conditions in which people are born, grow,...

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What is CBT?

Written by:  Ana M. Ugueto, PhD Cognitive-behavioral therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that focuses...

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Age-Friendly Health Systems Movement changes approach

The Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC) is proud to be recognized as part of the “Age-Friendly Health Systems Movement.” The...

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Child Sexual Abuse and the Myth of Vampire Syndrome

Written by: Melissa Goldberg, PsyD During the Q&A section of a Grand Rounds presentation I gave last week titled “Classification...

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2019 Houston Mood Disorders Recap

  The 2019 Houston Mood Disorders Conference is going to be one we don’t forget for quite some time. In...

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Psychopathology, Life, and Society: Coulrophobia: Are you afraid of clowns?

Written by: Marsal Sanches, MD, PhD, FAPA Psychopathology, Life, and Society: Coulrophobia: Are you afraid of clowns? When we think...

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Mitochondrial hypothesis and its relationship to bipolar disorder

Written by: Giselli Scaini The “mitochondrial hypothesis” suggests that bipolar disorder is triggered, in part, via dysfunction of the cell’s...

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A year in review: from Dr. Soares

Written by: Jair C. Soares, MD, PhD The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is dedicated to the mission of...

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UTHealth-HCPC Program Shows Promise for Psychosis

Written by: Alia Warner, Ph.D. Individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, often experience substantial...

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What is test anxiety and how can we support students when they experience it?

Written by: Leslie K. Taylor, PhD As the first day of school approaches, parents and children gather their backpacks as...

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Using extracellular vesicles to study bipolar disorder

Written by: Dr. Gabriel R. Fries, PhD In the search for ways to better understand bipolar disorder and develop better...

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Psychopathology, Life, and Society: On being a psychiatrist in the XXI century

Written by: Marsal Sanches, MD, PhD, FAPA In a recent article published in Academic Psychiatry(1), the authors discuss the progressively...

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Ketamine – Could it Bridge Treatment Gaps in Postpartum Depression?

Written by: Sudhakar Selvaraj, MD, PhD Maternal depression is a seriously disabling form of mood disorder that occurs in 1...

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Am I aging faster than I should be?

Written by Dr. Gabriel Fries The concept of “accelerated aging” was first introduced after researchers started studying biological markers of...

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How can families prepare for hurricane season?

Written by Dr. Leslie Taylor It’s the end of the school year and many children and families are ready for...

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Vicarious Trauma

Written by: Jennifer B. Hughes, PhD At times, it can feel nearly impossible to find the motivation to keep showing...

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Alcohol Use Disorder: An Overview

Written by: Austin Lin, MD Although the opioid epidemic garners national attention, alcohol use remains a major problem. According to...

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How Talking to Your Child about Sexual Health can Help Protect them from Child Sexual Abuse

Written by: Melissa Goldberg, PsyD Recent reports highlight the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse. According to the National Sexual...

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Suicide in Teens

Written by: Ana Ugueto, PhD Despite best efforts in public health to reduce youth suicide, rates of teen suicides have...

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How Genes may Lead to Psychiatric Disorders

Written by: Gabriel Fries, PhD Psychiatric disorders are known to have a high heritability and a strong genetic component. This...

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“It hurts doc!”— The Complex Relationship between Sickle Cell Disease, Pain, and Psychiatry

Written by: Kairav Shah, MD Sickle cell disease is an inherited group of disorders that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red...

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TMS and Treatment-Resistant Depression

Written by: Bobby Nix, MD The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences continues to be on the forefront of revolutionary...

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ADHD vs. Bipolar: Diagnosing the Difference in Kids

Diagnosing behavioral conditions can be challenging, especially in kids. Consulting a specialist with a trained eye, who follows best practices...

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Traumatic Brain Injury: A Silent Epidemic

Written by: Dharmendra Kumar, MD, and Reena Kumar, MD Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and...

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as an Effective Treatment Option for Depression

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is a localized, non-invasive outpatient procedure, in which magnetic energy is directed towards specific areas...

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Silvia’s Corner: The Mystery of Sleep  — Part 4

Silvia’s Corner is written by Silvia Hafliger, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry. In her posts, Dr. Hafliger will discuss a...

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Silvia’s Corner: The Mystery of Sleep – Part 3

Silvia’s Corner is written by Silvia Hafliger, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry. In her posts, Dr. Hafliger will discuss a...

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Silvia’s Corner: The Mystery of Sleep – Part 2

Silvia’s Corner is written by Silvia Hafliger, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry. In her posts, Dr. Hafliger will discuss a...

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Silvia’s Corner: The Mystery of Sleep – Part 1

Silvia’s Corner is written by Silvia Hafliger, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry. In her posts, Dr. Hafliger will discuss a...

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Being a Spouse or Partner of a Person Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Can Be a Roller Coaster

Written by: Thomas D. Meyer, PhD Spouses and partners of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder may experience specific challenges. Being...

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Exploring Inroads to Schizophrenia

Consuelo Walss-Bass, Ph.D., is on a quest. Currently, she is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences...

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