MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Moms with Depression

Moms with Depression

Have you ever wondered how mother’s (or primary care giver’s) mental health can affect children’s development? Studies show that children of depressed mothers are more likely then other children to develop behavioral problems as they get older. The potential explanation could be that a mom with depression is not able to provide the stimulation that the child needs and is less likely to engage in social activities with her child. A more recent study followed 438 Australian mothers and their children from infancy until the age of 5 years old. Their findings indeed support that at risk children (i.e.; children of mothers with depression) were 4 times as likely to develop depression, anxiety, withdrawn behavior and aggression. They also found that spending half a day in daycare significantly reduced the risk of these behavioral and psychological problems. Apparently, when children are away for at least a few hours per day, every body gets a break. The mom with depression gets a break and can be more receptive towards her child after its return from daycare, the child gets a break from mom’s depressive symptoms and gets a chance for social stimulation and interaction with peers. So moms, do not feel guilty in feeling the need for a break. A break is healthy not only for you but also for your developing children. Take the time to pamper yourself and recharge your batteries, while babies are not around. Motherhood is not easy but it can be a joyful and pleasant experience if you have the energy.

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Westmount psychologist: Insomnia and stress

Insomnia and Stress

Insomnia, difficulty to fall asleep and/or sleeping through is a very common problem in adulthood. With increased stress and responsibilities it seems that many of us have difficulties to shut off our brain and as such sleep disturbance, irritability, fatigue and diminished concentration become a daily struggle.

Interestingly, a recent study found that taking a nap on a slowly swinging / rocking bed helps shorten the time needed to fall asleep. More importantly, rocking seems to also improve the quality of sleep and encouraging a deeper sleep.

Given that we usually rock and cradle our babies to sleep, it is not that surprising that rocking would have the same effect for adults. Thus, taking the time to get on a gently rocking hammock might be indeed a good stress relief and recovery time for your insomniac brain. You can read more about the study on June 21 issue of Current Biology.

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Montreal Psychologist: Teenage Depression and Anxiety

Teenage Depression and Anxiety: The impact of parenting

According to a recent research by the University of Glasgow and the Medical Research Council (May 2011), children's perception of how they are parented is a major predictor of their future mental health. Researchers reported that among 11 year-old children that felt both neglected and controlled by their parents when tested again at age 15, they were much more likely to have developed psychiatric problems, which included anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), depression, and behavioral disorders. In addition, conduct disorders such as antisocial and violent behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were also much more prominent among this group. Obviously, parenting is not the only contributing factor to teenage mental health issues. Nonetheless, parenting is a big and important job, which unfortunately, does not require prior training or certification. However, taking parenting classes shows to be extremely helpful for young parents and also for parents of teenagers. It is inspiring to see that more and more parents are taking advantage of these learning opportunities to ensure a healthier future for their children. These classes are offered by various psychologists in Montreal and could be found either online or just contact them directly to find out if they offer these services. For more information contact Clinique Dr. Bita at info@drbita.com or call 514-999-2482

Dr. Bita, Psychologist, Director

Emotional Focused Therapy (E.F.T.)

"In essence, E.F.T. helps individuals understand their emotional experience(s) so that they can move forward and feel more integrated. The process of Focusing is used so that clients can just be with their internal experience in order to use it for information. For instance, the ability to fully experience sadness helps one to grieve important losses. It can also help someone create boundaries after having been hurt/taken advantage of, etc. The experience of fear, anger and self-criticalness are also often worked with in order to help clients feel happy with life and less stuck, in general.", explains Dr. Rick Parker, a Westmount Psychologist at Clinique Dr. Bita.

To know more about E.F.T. or to work with a Montreal psychologist specializing in E.F.T., you can contact Clinique Dr. Bita at 514- 508-1422 or email info@drbita.com

Clinique Dr. Bita

MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST

HOW TO FIND THE TOP 10 MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST?

When choosing a psychologist, first you want to know about their credentials, academic and clinical background, and their expertise in relation to your presenting problem.This information is usually found in their websites, since, luckily, we are living in a world with virtual features and most of professionals do have a website. Once making a selection based on their credential, the next important factor is the relationship with the psychologist once you have started the sessions. Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable with him/her? Do I feel understood? Do I feel that my psychologist is confident / competent? It is also important to discuss theses concerns with your psychologist and give yourself sufficient time to decide whether or not you are comfortable with him/her, as it is not uncommon for us to have a different impression than our first one when encountering new people in our life.

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MONTREAL / WESTMOUNT PSYCHOLOGIST

MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST: How to choose a psychologist

At some times in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and may need help dealing with our feelings and problems that seem outside of our control. Some of the most common problems that we may face are marriage or relationship difficulties, stress at work or losing a job, the death of a loved one, anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, substance abuse, eating disorders (binge eating, anorexia...), lack of confidence and low self-esteem, PTSD (traumatic experiences), and sexual difficulties, among many others. Sometimes we need help from a trained, licensed professional in order to work through these problems. The trick is to identify the need to seek help and act upon it before the problem(s) become too overwhelming and way out of our control. Asking for help is NOT a weakness but rather a sign of strength and courage. The good news is that we have many trained and licensed psychologists in Montreal with various specialties. A follow up blog will specify the points to consider when choosing a psychologist.

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MONTREAL / WESTMOUNT PSYCHOLOGIST

Montreal Psychologist: Erectile Dysfunction and Performance Anxiety Facts that can solve or reduce performance anxiety in men: Many men with erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety are concerned about their penis size and and the inability to sexually satisfy their partners. Men may be surprised to know that while they are concerned about their “size”, their partners actually think that they are just fine. A 2006 study showed that while only 55% of men reported being satisfied with their penis size, 85% of women reported satisfaction with their partner’s “size”. This is due to the fact that most sensitive parts of a woman are on the outside of her body and the first 3-4 inches of her vagina. The average erect penis is over 5 inches and thus additional length may not influence female sexual satisfaction; however, it matters when it comes to the condom size! Info@drbita.com

MONTREAL / WESTMOUNT PSYCHOLOGIST

Depression, Anxiety and Confidence #4

In order to become confident you have to be able to see yourself as a confident person and behave like one. Look at a confident person of your choice and see how he/she walks, dresses, behaves, talks etc. Practice the moves. The way you carry your body will change how you feel about yourself. What you wear will impact how you feel about yourself and how you behave. You are more likely to feel cozy and relaxed in your pajama and more goal-oriented in your business suit. So dress appropriately, correct your posture, build confidence. And...say bye to depression and anxiety.

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MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Depression, Anxiety and Confidence #3 Do not be afraid of making mistakes and admitting your mistakes. Instead, recognize and learn from them. The process of acknowledging and learning from our mistakes is a humbling and confidence building experience. It allows you to be fully aware of who you are, what your skills are and which one you need to build or strengthen. Reinvent yourself, build confidence and put an end to depression and anxiety.

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