Category: World events, a psychological view

WHAT DOES A PSYCHIATRIST SAY TO PENN STATE PLACE KICKER SAM FICKEN, WHO MISSED 4 FIELD GOALS? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Childhood Trauma, Penn State, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

Sam Ficken missed 4 field goal attempts and had an extra-point kick blocked in Penn State’s game against Virginia. What would I say to this young  freshman?

There’s another game next week! Really, Sam, it’s just a game. Think of all the energy and power we gave Joe Paterno, and where did that lead? This is an opportunity to show that this isn’t what you are all about.

Because others twist and attribute what we do or don’t do to suit their own needs, doesn’t mean we have to buy into it. I know it would have been easier and certainly more fun to be the hero. Well, you weren’t, but how many kids get a chance to play for a Big Ten team as a freshman? Not many!

Just getting out there, in front of thousands of screaming fans, even though you were frozen inside, was terrific. I hope Coach O’Brien gives you another chance. No-matter what happens, have courage and do your best. That’s how you’ll honor yourself. As we have learned, just winning football games is not what it’s all about. It’s about how we handle winning and losing and how we behave as human beings who care about other human beings that really counts.

Sam, don’t ever give up! And that goes for all of us…

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VIRTUAL FITTING ROOMS AND DEPRESSION! HUH? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

With new technology a person can enter a scanner, like one in an airport, and emerge with a number of definitive recommendations for which clothes will help them steal Brad from Angelina. Keep in mind, the winner gets to watch all the kids every other weekend.

So we have a plan to buy the perfect jeans, but we’re still somewhere in the sixties when we search for the perfect treatment for depression. Not a paltry challenge when you consider that almost 10% of the population suffers from sadness extreme enough to cause them insomnia, decreased concentration, inability to function or even suicidal thoughts. 21 million people in the US alone complain of being depressed.

So can buying the perfectly sized jeans reduce depression? Sometimes. Sometimes just looking better not only reduces depression, but can improve self-esteem and that can improve our personality which can make us more interesting which can then cause people to be more attracted to us which can then lead to more happiness… Ok, you get it.

BUT, what if the new perfectly molded jeans, that make your not so perfectly molded butt look terrific, just don’t reduce your depression?

That’s where all the self-help books that recommend searching within, going for it, and Even Good People Suffer, kick in. If they don’t work, don’t be afraid of seeing a therapist. Most of us are trained to help you figure out what’s really going on.

Gotta stop now, I’m off to the scanner to find the perfect see-through T to show off my six-pack, just like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte have. OMG, I forgot! I don’t have a six-pack.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist. Do it before Brad and Angelina. It’ll make you feel better.