Archives for July 2014

The pain of divorce is often compounded by a difficult custody battle, and it’s sometimes necessary for forensic psychologists to perform careful evaluations of both parents and children to determine the safest and healthiest living and visiting arrangements. If you’re not familiar with the process, it can seem intimidating, but when you know what to expect, you can prepare. With a little knowledge and a calm approach, you may even be able to help ensure that a forensic psychology evaluation works in your child’s favor.

The Purpose of a Custody Evaluation
Custody evaluations are needed when a couple cannot agree on the legal or residential custody of their child. They’re also conducted when there’s suspicion of physical or mental abuse, mental health problems or substance abuse. An evaluation may be ordered by a judge or requested by another party. The procedure’s primary purpose is to help the court determine which outcome is in the child’s best interest. Relevant factors include parenting abilities, suitability of living environments, emotional connections and conflicts and your child’s behavioral reactions to the divorce. The preferences and wishes of an older, emotionally mature child are also considered.

What Happens During the Evaluation?
The evaluation process generally involves several meetings with you, the other parent, your child, and a psychiatrist or psychologist. Third parties such as your child’s pediatrician, counselor or childcare provider may also become involved. The evaluator will perform a series of tests and interviews to assess both obvious issues and subtle factors that could potentially affect your child’s well-being. These include evidence of serious psychological problems in either parent, signs of child abuse, unresolved conflicts and destructive behaviors. The evaluation also determines who is emotionally and psychologically closest to your child. You and your co-parent will be interviewed individually and with your child. Your child may also receive a private interview in which the psychologist will ask simple, non-threatening questions about home, school or family life. Your child may also be asked to draw pictures or demonstrate activities using toys. When you’re interviewed with your child, the evaluator will observe how you interact during conversations and everyday activities like playing and reading.

Make Friends with Forensic Psychology
Observing the following tips can help ensure a smooth evaluation process, and help you make a good impression.

• Heed your lawyer’s advice, and follow his or her directions.
• Always be honest. Mental health professionals are trained to spot lies. Never instruct your child to lie.
• Keep your appointments, and don’t be late.
• If an official or evaluator of any kind is coming to your home, be sure it’s clean and orderly.
• Try to remain reasonably calm and objective when talking about the other parent. Don’t confuse marital problems with parenting issues.
• Cooperate with your evaluator. Be sure to follow up on all instructions and suggestions you receive.

Comprehensive Consultation Services, P.C. Cares About Your Family
At Comprehensive Consultation Services, we understand how important getting an accurate custody evaluation is to the future mental health and well-being of your family. We offer careful and thorough psychological assessments to help determine the best possible outcomes for children facing their parents’ divorce or legal separation. Contact us for more details about our forensic services.

Almost 10 percent of the U.S. population currently suffers from some form of diabetes. If you have the illness, you’re probably acutely aware of what can happen when you don’t keep your blood sugar under control. Unfortunately, managing diabetes and preventing complications like kidney failure, blindness and diabetic neuropathy is easier said than done. Only about half of diabetic patients reach and maintain their A1C goals.

Beyond the Test Strip: Emotional and Mental Challenges of Diabetes
Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range isn’t as simple as taking a pill or a shot every day. It’s a lifelong trial-and-error process. You must often juggle food intake, exercise and reactions to your medications on an hour-by-hour basis to maintain control. Managing diabetes can interfere with social events, travel, work and school. It requires knowledge, patience and persistence, and it can be frustrating and disheartening when it forces you to give up the foods you love or the freedoms you once had.

The challenges of dealing with diabetes can cause depression in people of any age. In fact, depression is twice as common in diabetics as in the general population. If you have a family history of the disease, and you’ve witnessed loved ones die or suffer serious complications, failing in your struggle to manage diabetes can be also terrifying and cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.

Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Conquer the Lure of Cupcakes?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective and proven type of psychotherapy. It works by revealing thought patterns that lead to irrational fears, destructive behaviors, anxiety, depression and other mental or emotional problems and replacing them with positive alternatives; this approach encourages healthier reactions and enables coping mechanisms.

New evidence reveals that cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful in helping diabetes patients combat depression and manage their disease more effectively. One example is a recent study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital involving 45 diabetic participants. The patients received nine to 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions in addition to standard diabetes counseling from dietitians and medical personnel. The results revealed that patients who received the additional therapy were more successful in adhering to their prescribed medical recommendations and glucose testing routines. They also had better overall glucose control; the effects were compared to the addition of a mild glucose-lowering medication.

We Can Help Struggling Diabetics Gain Control
Managing a chronic disease is difficult for anyone, but when the frustration leads to depression or apathy, maintaining control can seem impossible. At Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C., we offer diagnostic and treatment services including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you cope with the challenges of managing a chronic illness and the depression that may accompany it. Contact us today to book an appointment.

When adults experience the strain of a stressful situation, most are able to use that pressure as motivation to solve any problems. For children and young teenagers, this isn’t always possible. The younger generation has to climb heaps of day-to-day challenges at school which often leads to stress overload. If a child or teen can no longer cope, he or she can develop serious health issues.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Because many young people hide their feelings as if they’re protecting buried treasure, you may be unaware that your son or daughter is distressed. This is why it’s important to tune into the behavioral or physical cues associated with school-related stress. Once you recognize the signs, you can provide support and guidance to help your child work through the difficulties.

A school-age child experiencing stress may show subtle or obvious physical symptoms. The most common indications include frequent headaches, stomachaches and muscle pain. Stress can also cause restlessness, fatigue or eating disorders. A more inconspicuous and serious sign that your child is feeling crushed under the fist of stress is cutting or any other form of self-injury.

Other red flags to look for include:

• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Expressions of fear or hopelessness
• Lack of focus
• Sadness or moodiness
• Social withdrawal
• Clinginess to parents
• Alcohol, drug or tobacco use

Possible Long-term Effects of Stress
High-pressure conditions don’t just create short-term health problems for students. Persistent stress can have a major impact on the long-term wellness of your child. When the brain detects a stress factor, hormones are released and physical reactions are triggered. As a result, the body’s normal processes become disrupted, which can raise the risk of developing chronic illnesses.

Children and teenagers who are continually overwhelmed by school stresses may have an increased risk of heart disease. Stress elevates the blood pressure as well, and chronic cases can cause long-lasting hypertension. Prolonged stress can also lead to unhealthy weight gain, constant muscular pain, anxiety disorders, digestive issues, severe depression and concentration impairments.

Seeking Professional Help
School-associated demands can turn even the most sweet-natured child into a stranger. If you send your Dr. Jekyll off to school and Mr. Hyde returns home at the end of the day, it may be time to contact an expert. A professional evaluation will determine if your child’s stresses are likely to create long-term health issues. Physicians and psychologists can provide coping strategies for the child as well.

In addition to seeking advice from an authority, there are many other ways to help your teenager or young child manage the stresses of a school environment. Students of all ages worry about meeting high expectations, and this concern can be manifested in emotional or physical disorders. By observing behaviors and paying attention to warning signs, you may be able to prevent unnecessary health problems for your child in the future.