Mind & Mood Archive

Learning a new dance step involves exercise, socialization, and a challenge, all of which can help boost thinking skills.
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Challenging your brain, staying physically active, and being socially engaged may help keep our thinking skills sharp.

You may have heard of the “2-hour rule,” a guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that states children should get no more than 2 hours of “screen time” a day (and none at all for those under age 2). But given the sheer amount of handheld devices available today, not to mention the increasing need for children to use technology to do homework and talk with their friends, does the rule still apply? Recently, the AAP released 10 tips to help parents navigate the digital age. We’ve explained them all here.

Whether this time of year brings gift-giving rituals in your household or not, it’s a good reminder to practice the “skill” of gratitude. Even young children can learn to focus on what they have instead of what they lack. Practicing gratitude is more than a social grace. Research suggests it can help your child build resilience and it is associated with greater happiness in life. Dr. Claire McCarthy shares her tips for helping your child cultivate the skill of gratitude.

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Plan now to help prevent overeating, trips to the hospital, and depression.

The winter holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, filled with celebration. But they come with health risks, such as loneliness and depression, overeating, weight gain, falls in icy weather, foodborne illness, and heart problems. Here are ways to protect yourself while enjoying the season.

Ask the doctor

Q. I've had some severe bouts of depression before my periods. I have done my own research and I am willing to try an antidepressant. What dosage of Sarafem or Prozac is usually given to treat this?

A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are an excellent option for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In fact, most physicians now consider them first-line therapy. Many different SSRIs have been studied, including the one you asked about—fluoxetine (Prozac or Sarafem)—and they all appear to be equally effective.

Medical science is making good progress in unraveling the biological underpinnings of depression. Someday, these discoveries may lead to lab tests that can help identify or confirm depression and other mood disorders.

Right now, doctors and therapists rely on the symptoms reported by their patients, along with clinical expertise and experience, to diagnose depression and determine a course of treatment.

Sometimes, though, additional information can help distinguish depression from other problems. That's why your doctor might recommend any of the following tests:

Whether you get a recommendation for a therapist from your primary care doctor, a friend, or your insurance company, finding out about his or her background and training can help you feel comfortable with your choice. Here are some questions to ask before settling on a therapist:

1. What's your training (i.e., what certification or degrees do you hold)?
2. How long have you worked in this field?
3. What kinds of treatment or therapy do you think might help me?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to treatment, including medications?
5. How does the type of treatment you offer work?
6. What are the chances that treatment will succeed?
7. How soon should I start feeling better?
8. How will we assess my progress?
9. What should I do if I don't feel better?
10. How much will treatment cost?

It's hard for a therapist to give precise answers to some of these questions, because no single therapist or type of treatment is best for everyone. But there are some general responses you should be looking for: The therapist should easily be able to describe his or her formal training and certification, for example. And while there's a tendency for mental health professionals to offer only the particular type of psychotherapy that they do best, it's a good sign if the person can describe the merits and drawbacks of different types of treatment, including ones he or she doesn't do.

You’ve probably seen parents handing a smartphone or tablet to their young children to entertain them when they need to be quiet or patient. A recent study confirms what you’ve probably suspected: that most children use mobile devices every day. But widespread use of these devices cuts into time that kids could spend interacting with adults, which is crucial for brain development. The next time you’re tempted to hand over the smartphone, try a quick game instead.

Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism can resemble each other. In fact, it can be difficult to tell the two conditions apart, which can lead to delays in the correct diagnosis — and therefore missed opportunities for treatment. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, ask your pediatrician about testing for autism as well. The earlier a child with autism receives treatment, the better the outcome he or she will have.