- Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the last few weeks, we have all been learning how to live online while being asked to remain at home. Whether it’s grocery shopping, working or browsing the internet, doing so much from home has taught us how to transition into a more virtual world. Similarly, children have felt the frustrations of social restrictions and the challenges that come with adapting to online learning. And whereas before they could go to school or to the playground before, now they are home. It’s easy to scroll through your phone or sit in front of the TV and binge watch new and old shows. And it’s ok to do that once in a while. At the end of the day, we’re all learning a new way of life and how to navigate through a pandemic. But it’s also important to remember that smartphone addiction is a real thing and that balance is important, especially for mental health. Our phones are a big part of our lives. Sometimes, it even feels like they’re an extension of our hand — placing us at the mercy of whomever calls, texts or tags us next. Those posts and messages, despite our best attempts, alter our mood and decisions. Our kids are just as digitally connected, and are displaying a similar, sometimes more extreme, shift in behavior as a result. Studies also show links between social media and depression and anxiety. So how can you help combat this? Encourage your kids to put their phone or tablet down and reroute their focus to the present moment. Although there are social restrictions that limit us from going outside, there are plenty of things you can do with your children to help them disconnect from technology: Carve tech-free time into the family schedule. Make electronic devices off limits at specific times. Dinnertime and before bedtime are a good start, but additional breaks from technology each day is also ideal. You can also limit digital distractions by creating tech-free rooms in the house, such as the kitchen or living room. Designate a drawer, a shoebox or a shelf as the place where everyone puts their phones away for tech-free time. Set your goals. Are you trying to have more family time? Talk about your children’s worries or fears? Decrease the amount of time you’re on your screens? Whatever you’re trying to achieve, make it clear so everyone can participate and work toward the goal collaboratively and intentionally. Use tools for mindfulness. You can create cards with questions that will make your child think and initiate a conversation. For example, ask them about a time they had to handle a difficult situation and how they successfully overcame it. Your child can’t be present if they’re sitting on the other side of the table on their phone. When you’re talking, you’re learning about the other person and, even more importantly, gaining their trust. Trust is essential to a good relationship. Make things fun. Think of fun activities that can replace the time your kids spend on their phone and computer. You can suggest going out for a walk together around the neighborhood. You can also ask them to share their ideas of what you can do together as a family. Think about non-verbal messages. Non-verbal signals, like using eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and body language will help your child recognize emotions and understand the intent of a message. These non-verbal cues are lost when someone’s face is turned down to a screen. It’s a new way of life. We’re all individually learning how to best navigate this time of uncertainty and what works best for us. If you need to scroll through social media and laugh at memes or watch your favorite show, do what feels right to you. Just be mindful to take care of your mental health and the mental health of your youngest family members. What kids are going to remember is how they felt during this time. Carve tech-free time to talk and go over their worries and feelings. Try to make it a positive and rewarding experience for kids as much as possible – it will in turn be a more positive experience for you, too. Author Daniel Watkins is the nursing manager at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach him at 410-573-5434.0
- Primary CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs the new year begins, many across the country are looking to improve their health. You may hear about family, friends or colleagues trying a “Dry January,” a growing trend to abstain from alcohol for the first 31 days of the year. This movement continues to grow in the US, especially as the World Health Organization emphasizes that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health. However, any month can be a dry month. Taking a break can provide some significant health benefits and offer you a chance to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. Benefits of a Dry Month The impact of a month without alcohol can be profound. Studies reveal that participants experience numerous benefits from a dry month, including improved sleep, weight loss, increased energy, and even noticeable enhancements in skin quality. Mental health and overall well-being can also undergo positive transformations. Let’s not overlook the obvious perks: financial savings and the welcome lack of hangovers. Exploring Alternatives Discover various substitutes, social strategies and activities to make the dry month experience enjoyable and sustainable. Prepare by having alternative beverages on hand; flavored seltzer water and low-sugar beverages make a great substitute in social situations. Challenging your friends and family to participate in a dry month can make the experience fun and competitive. You can also opt for outdoor activities away from alcohol-serving venues to add exercise to your routine as well. It may be helpful to keep a weekly journal to document the personal health milestones and benefits that you experience. Preparing for Success Considering a dry month? Just like any challenge, preparation significantly boosts your chance of success. Most importantly, if you drink every day, are concerned about your alcohol use or have experienced withdraw symptoms in previous attempts to quit, it is important to talk to your doctor or seek professional help before stopping alcohol. Taking a break from alcohol can be a great way to kickstart a healthier version of yourself in 2024. Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the US, behind tobacco consumption, and illegal drug use. While complete abstinence is the healthiest choice, even a reduction can have positive effects. Thinking about New Year’s resolutions? Challenge yourself and explore the health benefits that a dry month can bring about. If you find yourself struggling with avoiding alcohol, this is a great opportunity to talk to your health care provider about your challenges. For those seeking professional assistance or guidance on alcohol use, Luminis Health Pathways is a comprehensive addiction treatment center, offering a range of services to support individuals on their journey towards recovery and a healthier lifestyle. Your journey to better health matters. Connect with our primary care teams for continual support in achieving a longer, healthier life. Author Dr. Andrew McGlone is the executive medical director of Luminis Health Primary Care and Population Health.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDivorce is never an easy decision for any family, yet for many families it is an unfortunate reality that leads to the formation of a new type of family unit. The ending of a marriage brings out a wide array of emotions that may encompass feelings of guilt, anger, hurt, sadness, happiness, loneliness, or even a sense of relief. Both parties involved will most likely go through one or more of these feelings. As adults, we may find our own outlets for processing these feelings. We eventually learn to cope with the decision that we have made no matter how hard it may have been. But what about the children who are all too often stuck in the middle of two divorcing parents? How do parents make sure they are taking care of their own emotional and financial needs, while catering to the cycling emotions of the child or children who still has an equal amount of love for both parents? Children must never be treated like property or taken for granted when their parents decide to end the marriage. Here are some tips to help your child through the divorce process. Have a conversation as a family Talking to your children is important. However, depending on the age of the child or children, this conversation may look very different. Children are not mini adults, but they are also not oblivious to dysfunction within the household. Children know when parents are no longer showing love to each other. They know when parents are sad or angry at each other. They sense tension at the dinner table, and know when one parent is spending an excessive amount of time out of the house. The conversation does not have to be detailed, but it does need to be truthful. Reinforce the love that you have for them as parents, and inform them of the plans for visitations, and what holidays will look like, if that information has been worked out. If your child is feeling guilty, reassure him or her that the divorce is not the result of anything that he or she did or said. Honesty, warmth, and standing as a parental unit will help children with the transition to a new type of family. Refrain from bad mouthing the other parent Yes, you may be angry, well, very angry, but remember that the person you are saying negative comments about is your child’s mother or father. You may happen to get remarried and have another spouse, but your child will only have one biological mother and father. Save the negative comments for your friends or your therapist, and allow the other parent to be a parent to the children. Co-parent responsibly Co-parenting can be the hardest part of a divorce for many couples. Children are not property, so there should be no fighting over who gets them and when. Do not use them as a bargaining chip in the divorce. Fight over who gets the big-screen TV or the nicer car, but never fight over who gets the children. If the divorce is very messy and you find that talking is not a valid form of communication, I recommend keeping a co-parenting notebook and writing notes in the notebook for your ex-spouse. If you find that text or email is better than actual voice communication, then use electronic communication. Keep the conversations solely about the children, short, and straight to the point. Your child is not your friend or your therapist; stay away from forcing them into those roles. I see this a lot with parents who have older children. Older children are easy venting targets when they are trapped in the car while you drive them to school, practice, or the mall. Children hate playing the role of the “middle man”, and venting forces them to pick a side. Children should not have to be in a position to pick a favorite parent. Children are only born with two parents; both of you can and should be your child’s two favorite people. READ MORE: The 5 emotions you should talk about with your child Never limit visitations as a punishment for your ex-spouse Unless you suspect or there is evidence of any form of abuse, visitation should not be used as a parental reward or punishment. In order to establish healthy emotional development, and adapt to the new family situation, frequent visits with both parents are encouraged. When visits are limited or stopped out of spite, it hurts your child just as much as it is hurting your ex-spouse. Remember the two of you decided to end the marriage; your child did not chose to end his or her relationship with one parent. Remember to pay attention to any behavior changes that your child may have at school or at home. Children display mental health symptoms by acting out or withdrawing. Make sure that you have frequent contact with your child’s teacher, coach, or youth group leader, in case any behavior changes occur at school or in any additional environment. If you feel you need further assistance in helping your child process divorce, please speak to your school counselor or school social worker, or contact a licensed therapist for a consultation. Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.0
- Location16088336tel:(301) 623-45328200 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706-3511Partial hospitalization mental health program in Lanham, Maryland This intensive daytime treatment program offers mental health services for adults and teens age 13 and older. Adults attend daily sessions from 9 am until 3:30 pm and return home at night. The adolescent program runs from 8 am to 2:30 pm. The program is halfway between inpatient and outpatient care. It's designed to help those moving from 24/7 inpatient care or those who need to stabilize a condition to prevent a hospital stay. LHDCMC Psychiatric Day Hospital Lanham Referral Form A referral is needed before enrollment, using this referral form . Meals Patients enrolled in the day program are provided lunch and snacks. Educational support For adolescents in our partial hospitalization program, we offer support with schoolwork, to help students keep up with their studies during treatment., The psychiatric day program features many of the same types of therapy as the inpatient program, but patients go home at night. If you've been discharged from the inpatient unit, it's an excellent step-down approach. Adults attend daily sessions from 9 am until 3:30 pm and return home at night. Adolescents attend daily sessions from 8 am to 2:30 pm and return home after. We use many of the same therapeutic approaches as experienced in psychiatric inpatient units. Patients discharged from our inpatient unit can continue with their personal behavioral health work. We create a tailored treatment plan for each person. How long they stay depends on their unique needs. Whenever possible, we invite family members and support systems to take part in the treatment and healing process.0
- Location17790041tel:(301) 464-96604175 N Hanson Ct, Ste 104, Bowie, MD 20716We are dedicated to helping improve and maintain the health of you and your family. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides primary care and family medicine services near you., At our practice, we provide the following primary care and family medicine services for adults ages 17 and older, including: Annual physicals Vaccinations including flu shots Well woman exams/pap smears Management of acute injuries and illnesses Management of chronic diseases including (but not limited to): diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, depression/anxiety Osteopathic manipulations for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain0
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