Psychologists across the country agree that a key element of self-care during the quarantine and isolation periods associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is staying connected to one another. Most disability service centers that normally provide adult day programs, support groups, recreational activities, and events have had to shut down in order to maintain the safety…
During the COVID-19 outbreak, families across the country are practicing social distancing, quarantining, and isolation. Children are home from school and parents are home from work. For parents, this can mean planning activities to keep their kids busy at home when they aren’t in school. Why is self-care important? According to a recent article in…
According to recent research, adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions than are adults without CP. Daniel Whitney and colleagues from Michigan Medicine (a healthcare system run by the University of Michigan) published a study (1) that emphasizes the need for increased knowledge of mental health conditions and…
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently published a committee opinion discussing necessary precautions for patients who may have eating disorders. Eating disorders encompass a wide range of conditions in which a person has abnormal feeding habits; often, eating disorders affect physical health in addition to mental and emotional well-being. Some of the…
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves located near the neck, which are connected to the arm. Sometimes, these nerves are damaged during the delivery process, when physicians apply excess force to get the baby out of the birth canal. The risk of shoulder dystocia is increased by use of forceps or vacuum extractors,…
It is well known that returning soldiers often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by flashbacks to a trauma, hyperalertness, avoidance of situations that trigger upsetting memories, and negative emotions such as guilt or shame. However, fewer people know that parents commonly experience similar symptoms after their babies stay in the neonatal intensive…
The diagnosis of a birth injury following childbirth is understandably shocking and painful for new parents. Many parents don’t expect lingering emotional pain after the fact. However, many new parents do feel these emotions; according to an article on HealthyChildren.org. Parents commonly experience anger, guilt, fear, loss, and powerlessness after learning that their newborn requires…
