NAVIGATION- Dr. Charles R. Davenport; Licensed Psychologist

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Dad’s mental health effects kids a lot

worry and stress depression

There is not a whole lot of information about Dad’s mental health and its impact on his kids. Far more common is the discussion of mothers well-being and its impact on children.

Previous research has indicated that depressed mothers have altered immune function, are at greater risk for psychological disorders and may react to stress in life in a different way.

Recent Findings suggests that fathers who are in tune with their children’s feelings and supportive of their children rather than critical rear children with better social skills and language abilities independent of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

In addition previous findings have suggested that mental health disorders significantly impacts children’s social and emotional development. most recently research conducted by Parenting Research Center has suggested that one in five dad’s have experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression since becoming a father. This research consisted of a survey of 2600 parents, 40 of whom were dad’s. The data dound that less confident fathers perceived themselves to be less consistent and more impatient and critical with their child. They also reported engaging in activities with their child less often and were more likely to say they argued. Although it was suggested that the number of fathers reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety were lower than mothers, the fathers surveyed were less likely to identify someone they trusted they could turn to for advice. Many times men do not disclose or seek treatment for illness and especially mental health problems according to The Guardian.

If you or someone you could benefit from counseling or therapy services in Sarasota, FL or Venice, FL Dr. Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist can help. Please call Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC. today 941-321-1971

 

Social Media can harm mental health according to study by Facebook

Social media can be harmful to your mental health according to a new study by Facebook. research released by Facebook suggests that when used in certain ways social media and our mental health. This research was discussed on Facebook’s webpage “Hard Questions: Is Spending Time on Social Media Bad for Us?”

David Ginsberg, Facebook’s director of research, collaborated with psychology and sociology experts in mental health professionals looking at several studies that supported the findings. Facebook found that interaction has an impact on users. It was suggested that when people consume information on social media, such as reading a lot of information they tend to come away from the experience feeling worse. In contrast, users who had interaction reported having better feelings.

Facebook looked at a survey from the University of California San Diego and Yale that found people who open at least four times as many links as average users or who “liked” twice as many posts reported worse mental health than average. in addition, a study from the University of Michigan, college students who read only Facebook for 10 min. were no worse mood at the end of the day than those who read and post messages or communicated with friends.

The report from Facebook looked at a connection between technology use and teen depression. Facebook suggested that these problems have come about because mobile phones have changed relationships and created an environment where people are “alone together.” The researchers also suggested that some people become depressed after looking at social media profiles and posts of others and then comparing themselves negatively.

In contrast, a study by Carnegie Mellon University suggested that increased social interaction. Social media can leave people feeling better. the study found that people who received or sent more communications reported better improvement in social support, depression, and loneliness. Facebook suggested these improvements were enhanced when the connections to place with close friends or family. Other studies suggest that stress students are more likely to choose Facebook to feel better over watching videos online.

Facebook said that they believe it is not just social media use that affects someone’s well-being. They suggest that both good and bad things can come from the use of the service.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, or difficulty in relationships as a result of online media please contact Charles R Davenport PsyD LLC at 941-321-1971 for counseling or therapy services in Sarasota Florida or Venice Florida.

social media and mental health

In this Tuesday, April 18, 2017, file photo, a conference worker passes a demo booth at Facebook’s annual F8 developer conference in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

Neuroscience, compassion, and what helps change

What compassion means in the body and how we can work to find change, James Doty, a brain surgeon who studies neuroscience discusses these topics and more in his book The Magic Shop of the Brain. A recent episode of NPR’s On Being invites Dr. Doty to discuss his experiences in life, with compassion, and finding positive chance.

Can Compassion  Help us Change?

Some of Dr. Doty’s ideas seem overly simple for many people to be able to realistically implement to find lasting change. Just redirecting our mind to things that are more positive can be helpful in the short run, but in the long run, can leave us susceptible to the alerts from our bodies that were causing the unpleasant or negative thoughts or feelings in the first place. So using redirection in the short run so we don’t bogged down and can more aptly see the big picture can be a piece of the change.

However, there are many points in Dr. Doty’s presentation that might be helpful, at least ,and critical as most to find therapeutic change in life. We may not be able to change what we have lived through or done to ourselves or others but we can influence what we do when these memories, worries and feelings arise. If we can find compassion for all parts of us we and work toward integration and more peace. This does not mean we will not feel things that stink, but that over time we can work toward reacting differently.

There are so many questions out there but working toward understanding where we begin and others end is powerful as well as having an incorporative viewpoint that allows both vantage points to be considered and preserved.

Venice Florida Psychologist, Dr. Charles R Davenport, provides counseling and therapy services at Dr. Charles R Davenport PsyD LLC.

Dr. Charles R Davenport works with patients to help them find change and deal with career stress, anxiety, depression, and communication difficulties. Please feel free to contact Charles  R. Davenport, Psy.D. , LLC at 941-321-1971.

Psychologist Venice, FL- Dr. Charles R. Davenport

Charles R. Davenport, Psy.D., LLC. Licensed Psychologist- Dr. Charles R. Davenport

 

Narcissim: Am I a Narcissist?

A recent press release by the American Psychological Association (APA) discusses an article published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Narcissism and the Use of Personal Pronouns Revisited.

Common belief is that words such as “I” and “me” being overused is evidence of  narcissism. however, empirical research for this belief is at best sparse and at least inconsistent.

Generally narcissists are described his people  who have an unrealistically positive sense of their own goodness, superiority, and self-importance. Most people who are narcissists are not reading this article wondering if you may relate to them, as the nature of narcissists predispose them to be certain there is nothing wrong with anything related to them.

This most recent study found no association between pronoun use and narcissism. There are some limitations in the study given the relatively small sample size from the United States and Germany. Other limitations include the assessment tool used to detect narcissism. These limitations aside, it is probably safe to say that the use of personal pronouns does not mean someone is narcissistic.

Many times characteristics of narcissism stem from misguided attempts to protect ourselves from vulnerability that we may not be good enough in our own eyes or in the eyes of others. This set of defenses leaves the person certain that there are wonderful at times wondering why things are not more how they would like them in their lives. Frequently, it is in these situations folks may begin seeking treatment. In fact, there may be gradations of narcissism. those who are completely entrenched in their insistence that they are right frequently do not seek out counseling or therapy in less things are in particular crisis. It is also frequently the case once the acute crises resolved these individuals discontinue therapy and resume their certainty of their excellence. Sometimes living with her growing up with a narcissist results in individual realizing that the best way for them to be unscathed is to mirror the narcissistic values. When this happens these individuals may look like narcissists but they’re much more curious about themselves and their lives and tend to benefit significantly from individual therapy and counseling. Dr. Davenport does much work with these kinds of folks frequently looking at how they can live happier more fulfilling lives without having to rely exclusively on outdated and frequently misguided self protection techniques.

It is likely we all have aspects of narcissistic defense. Dr. Davenport recommends that we consider counseling or therapy if any of these characteristics interfere with someone’s life being how they would like it to be.

 

 

Treating and assessing learning disabled students

It is extremely important that therapists be aware of the biases affecting their thinking and judgment. In a clinical setting therapists frequently draw conclusions biased on heuristics derived from initial impressions of their clients. These impressions can range from assumptions of intellectual competence to social aptitude. However, these conclusions, frequently, do not accurately represent reality. If the clinician incorporates statistical reasoning with their impressions they are far more accurate in representing the clients actual traits.  Frequently, Learning Disabled (LD) clients are referred to therapists after having being labeled LD. In many of these cases the LD client is at a disadvantage being that the therapist may have preconceived notions as to the traits of LD individuals. Where in actuality these traits vary greatly from one LD individual to another.

Unfortunately, the initial conceptualization the therapist constructs is difficult to change in the face of opposing information or collected data. This may be a result of pride, the anchoring, or labeling phenomenon. If the therapist reads a new LD clients file without having prior knowledge regarding the variability within this diverse population they may form several false pretenses biased on stereotypical knowledge.

Another dynamic, which may distort the therapists’ interpretation of a LD client, is the influence of the confirmatory bias. The therapist who believes their LD client is intellectually deficient or less capable than other individuals may look for and be more open to observations that confirm these beliefs. Which, again, is a disservice to the client.

The therapist, being in a position of extreme power, has a responsibility to be aware of these elements of impression formation. They should also be in tune with their emotional responses to clients and assess the origin of these thoughts and emotions. It is helpful for therapists who are working with a new sector of the population to consult with an expert in the particular area in order to minimize inaccurate conceptualizations of their clients.

Therapists tend to overlook alternatives to their initial assessment of a client. In the case of the LD client, there are several characteristics which are shared with and frequently misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These behaviors are elevated distractibility and in some cases hyperactive behavior. Therapists should be mindful of possibly delaying and/or making less automatic judgments when assessing these clients regardless of past diagnoses. When suspecting an ADD or ADHD diagnosis it may be beneficial for the therapist to consider alternate diagnoses such as LD if evidence supports such a diagnosis.

Closely tied with delaying diagnosis and considering alternative diagnosis is the therapists’ ability accept the possibility of personal fallibility. Frequently, the therapist perceives himself or herself, and wants to be perceived as, an expert. Therefore, therapists tend to rule-out personal fallibility in all aspects of the therapeutic process. We know this is not an adaptive trait such therapists surely would not recommend this behavior to their clients. Yet, they are frequently unaware of this aspect which distorts their judgment.

In other words, the therapist should be aware of the origins of their thoughts, behaviors, and preconceived notions. They should be mindful of the unconscious heuristics and elements of ego support, acting on, and possibly distorting their judgment and assessment. This seems especially relevant when working with a population such as LD clients who have a host of social and clinical stereotypes. These stereotypes frequently depict their abilities and traits inaccurately and tend to conglomerate unique individuals inaccurately.

 

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