Concur

July 2015

FAME OR DEPRESSION KILLED MONROE? I got the elephant off my back!

HOW SAFE ARE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS? MIDI SKIRTS Never out of fashion!

CONCUR is a wellness magazine with a new twist. We focus on both your mind and body,

CONCUR is Here for YOU! CONCUR is not only a magazine it’ C t s a ric ich, h, div iverse se and d fun journe neyy tha hatt our rea aders rss gets to takke. CON ONCU CUR R is an n allll abo b utt you u m ga ma azi z ne ne. It’s cre reat a ed e forr you, revol o ve v s around you and dellivver e ed to loca al businessess in you ur nei e gh g borhoo od. d CONCUR … if you believe more can be achieved in life.

CONCUR … if you believe life can be better.

CONCUR … if you believe you can reach your goals and live your dreams.

CONCUR ... And the journey begins.

CO CONCUR UR bring gs the e peo eopl ple e and d the h storiess tha hatt infl n uenc ce ourr lives into in to foc ocus us.

Each Ea h issue is created ed d to hel elp p our rea e de ders r live e wel e l and learn morre.

We briring ng current event ntts and top opic ic cs tha at infl n ue uenc nce our u liv ives es most to th he local al lev e el and offer wor o ds ds of wissdom m tha ha att tur urn n cha halllle enge g s int nto triu tr iump m h.

CONC CO NCUR UR R hititss hom o e witth refreshing g and pos osititiv ive sto toriries e tha es h t tac a kle e some of lifife’s mos ostt difficult issue es — parenting, relat atio ions nshi hips hi p , wor o k/ /lilfe balance, diet, exe xerc rcis ise, e bea eaut uty, well--being, g menta al hea alth h and more e.

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THE COVER

Fame or depression killed Monroe

18

44

60

Contents July 2015

Read online at www.concurmagazine.net

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36

54

SPECIAL FEATURES

FITNESS

66

OPINIONS

38 52 64

22 70

NUTRITION

Portrait You. Meet Dr. Ahmed at The PsyClinic

Bullying.. It’s about time to face the problem What you are not likely to learn about video games

14

Smart phone apps for fitness Stay cool while working out this summer How to take up running

How juicy is your diet?

STYLE

COMMUNITY

69 33 60

34

Flip flops this summer Must haves this summer Midi skirts ... Why they don’t go out of style?

BEAUTY 10 6 17

Best skin care for the budget Are you and your stylist in a rut?

Product of the month

How safe are our neighborhoods

PARENTING 18 30

Ask Cynthia Bedtime stories

TRAVEL AND LEISURE 48 54

Organize your home the Japanese way Keep your kids busy this summer

HEALTH 44 46

You survive. I’ve got the elephant of my back An Unlikely Father-Son Adventure

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Publisher’s Message July 2015

3

W

hen summer knocks our doors, life gets more hectic. We start thinking about travel plans, summer camps, swimming lessons, reading programs and much more. Have you ever thought about a different summer? A summer with a twisted plan?

Perhaps a “do nothing� summer? A Winnie the Pooh-style summer where doing nothing is the best thing to do?

Mr. Rogers once said, “Children live to play, play to learn, live to learn.�

Play is often talked about as if it’s a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Child psychologists agree that kids need free play to thrive. Peter Gray’s new book “Free to Learn� explains how crucial play is for the healthy psychological development of our children. He suggests playing with other children as a way for them to learn to make their own decisions, control their emotions, see from others’ perspectives and make friends.

I concur that it’s a kid’s right to have fun in the summer after a long school year. Play is really the work of childhood. So before you cram their summer schedule with planned activities, give your kids a chance to just play.

The Publisher Sarah Elsadre, MD

Publisher and Editor in Chief Sarah Elsadre, MD Creative Design Editor Mary Bradshaw, Houston Desktop Graphics Beauty and style Director Sarah ElSadre, MD Research Editor Mona Hassan

Sales Executive Claudia Madrigal

Photography Austin Miller

Web Producer Michael Mocilac

Psychology Editor Beauty and Fashion Editor Cynthia Plymons, LPC Bobby Wells

Fitness Editor Emilia Benton

Travel and Leisure Editor Michelle Ong

Hair Editor Phiet Pho

Image Researcher Liz Davila

Writer at Large Patricia Gras

Writer at Large Tammy Adams

Writer at Large Susan Neuhalfen

Contributing Writers Bayan Raji Sara Zaske Mona Hassan

Read a digital copy at www.concurmagazine.net and like us on Facebook & .FEJDBM $FOUFS #-7% 8FCTUFS 59 t 5FM t 'BY Contact us at Editor@concurmagazine.net To advertise with us contact sales at sales@concurmagazine.net CONCUR Magazine does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information found within articles. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to CONCUR Magazine belong to them alone and do not necessarily reect the views of CONCUR Magazine or its staff. Š

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Copy Right by CONCUR .BHB[JOF BMM SJHIUT SFTFSWFE

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LITTLE PICASSO CORNER

EMILIO MADRIGAL is 2, enjoys ďŹ nger painting, hide-and-seek, music, swimming. He plays soccer and T-ball. His favorite movie is the Lion King.

MARIO A CARDENAS JR. is a 14-year-old 8th grader. He plays soccer and basketball and loves volunteer work.

Get your young artist work published by e-mailing us a piece of his art in a PDF format to editor@concurmagazine.net. We will be glad to feature it in this corner.

YOU STYLE

Are You and Your Stylist

RUT? in a

By Phiet Po

R

elationships go through a few similar patterns.

The butterflies in the belly in a new relationship, the growing closeness and excitement of learning of one another, the natural ease of getting into a comfortable groove. The relationship you have with your stylist is no different.

When you find a stylist that fits it’s a wonderful feeling. You feel excited about learning how he/she can bring out the best version of you and your hairstyle. Once all the kinks are straightened out (pun intended) you start to develop an amazing trust and unique partnership with your stylist. Together you both explore what looks and feels good for you but with any relationship, it takes work. continued...

Hairstyles and trends, like relationships, are constantly evolving. Is your stylist evolving with the times or drumming out the same hairdo time and time again? How do you recognize both you and your stylist have fallen into a routine where you are asking for the same looks or your stylist is no longer being innovative or challenging themselves or you? Have you and your stylist (gasp!) become an old married couple?

Here’s a few questions to ask yourself to gauge where your compatibility lies with your stylist:

WHAT’S YOUR STYLIST’ COMMUNICATION STYLE? DOES HE/SHE EXPLAIN IDEAS CLEARLY? DO THEY LISTEN ACTIVELY AND HEAR YOUR CONCERNS? Before any work is to be done, there needs to be a clear understanding between you and your stylist. While the hair is dry and before any shampooing begins, your stylist should first communicate with you about what your needs are. A thorough consultation helps the stylist establish a game plan for your new look based on your hair’s natural texture, face shape, and suitability. Your stylist should be able to teach you the ins and outs of a particular style you may be interested in before you commit to it.

IS THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR STYLIST MOSTLY ABOUT HAIR, BEAUTY, AND FASHION, OR IS IT ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE? Going to the salon is a chance for you to be self-indulgent and relax. Your stylist is a big part of that experience but is it getting too comfortable? The salon experience can naturally evolve into a therapeutic one, however, the main focus should take on the feel of an ongoing consultation. Your stylist should be able to update your look each visit and give you some new recommendations to maximize your style. The stylist should be able to guide you toward a new look by showing you photos, educate you on styling tips and products to help you achieve the look at home. If your stylist is personable, conversation can definitely veer off topic; however, make sure your hair concerns are addressed accordingly.

IS YOUR STYLIST STILL EXCITED ABOUT CUTTING, COLORING, AND STYLING YOUR HAIR? When you seek out a professional for services, you want that person to be the best person for the job. They should be knowledgeable on the latest techniques, products, and education for their field. Hair and beauty is no different. A hairstylist will commit to furthering their knowledge and education, and in turn you will reap the benefits. Having a stylist that 8

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is complacent or lacking creativity will only translate into a humdrum relationship and hairdo.

Like with any relationship, it takes two. Your stylist and you should be on the same page with ideas, communicating and the direction in which your style is evolving. Doing a little leg work, before your next appointment, can quickly communicate your ideas to your stylist. Try collecting styles of hairstyles you like from sites like Pinterest and Instagram. This can take all the guess work out of which length, texture, or color you might want. You can be proactive with the style change by sending your stylist photos of your desire hairstyles before your hair appointment. This will allow time for your stylist to think about what will be best for you. Sometimes getting yourself out of the style rut can be as simple as asking your stylist to spend a few minutes talking about your hair again. It’s a relationship that has been built on communication and trust. Both you and your stylist have a hand in making sure you have the most optimal salon experience. Being in tune with what your needs are and relaying that to your stylist will lay the foundation for a an ongoing successful relationship. Q Phiet Ho has been a hairstylist for 22 years. He has been the owner of Salon Vivid for the past 12 years. The salon has been recognized for its continued support of local charities as well as mentoring young stylists new in the hair industry. Salon Vivid was recently voted Best Salon in the Bay Area by The Citizen newspaper.

YOU GLOW

By Bobby Wells

E

veryone I know has been on that quest for the “fountain of youth.” And no, ladies, that fountain is not located at your local plastic surgeon’s office!

Today’s society has taken the liberty of poking and prodding our face with all sorts of liquids and potions - None of which have a proven long term effect. Gravity pulls all of us down sooner or later. Sadly, all we can do is slow the process by controlling what we eat and what products we use on our skin.

From the runway shows in Paris to the glitzy red carpet - models and celebrities “Give Good Face,” always looking fabulous with a captivating, radiating, fresh-faced, glowing complexion. But how can we look like that? What can us non-celebrities do, since not everybody can afford to get weekly facials, monthly Microderms, and dazzling diamond peels...

Perhaps there is a coveted secret to saving our skin. Happy to discover this myself, the secret is all about trial & error. No need to invest a bundle of needles and injections to save us from the dreaded sag. Sag is the inevitable case of gravity beating us down and draining our skin of elasticity.

As a working class citizen, I have not had the luxury of a bottomless bank account. So I found a way to master the art of magnificent skin on a skinny budget! Remember what your mother says, “We learn from our ancestors.” Indeed, home recipes like those that our forefathers developed are home-grown recipes from our kitchen cabinets. Very simple to conjure... Let’s start with a little Olive Oil. Most of us use fatty oils for cooking, but Olive Oil is a corrective cleanser that eliminates makeup residue and leaves the skin supple and soft.

Oils are especially good for dry skin, but can also work on an oily complexion, since olive oil will not clog the pores or cause continued...

SKINNY BUDGET

on a

breakouts. Another home remedy for a daily face wash is almond paste, honey, and egg yolk. This may sound unappealing and sticky - but it’s a saving grace for lifeless, dull, parched skin. Almond oil is rich in vitamin E, and adding honey to Almond paste , then dropping in a raw egg yolk will prove to be a powerful and super effective cleanser.

These three ingredients will not only cleanse your skin thoroughly but nourish and moisturize your skin too, while reducing wrinkles and treating any blemishes or acne.

Scrubbing our skin is also a key in the cleansing process to save us from the dreaded sag. A simple exfoliant can be created quickly in your kitchen with a few cub bard ingredients. Grab a bowl. Toss in some uncooked raw oats, not steel-cut. Pour in 1 cup of whole milk. Add two tablespoons of honey.

Add two teaspoons of sugar. Mix together until it has a soft consistency. This can also be whipped together in a blender for a finer consistency. The enzymes from the honey, the lactic acid from the milk, the fine scrubbing action of the sugar and oats.

All together, this is a powerful potion to fight lines, wrinkles, and dry patches. Enzymes and Lactic acid both work in conjunction to dissolve dead skin cells revealing a supple, rejuvenated complexion. All scrubs show best results when used at least two times per week.

Now the rest of the story has been completely an experiment. From working in the beauty industry for over a decade, I have been alongside some of the most prominent cosmetic skincare developments. Years of samples and trainings have given me the opportunity to truly see what works on my face. And fortunately for all of us, there are gadgets and gizmos besides La Mer Skincare which costs an abundance, upwards of $100 per product.

I became most impressed by my skin when I began using Epicurean Skincare, at a fraction of the cost next to the big league skincare advocates.

Epicurean Discovery is a family owned and operated business located in sunny California. The company is nestled amongst the waves of Laguna Beach. All of the products are crafted locally and use the finest raw materials. These products are free from Parabens, mineral oils, and potentially damaging chemicals. I will include the photo below of the products that I swear by - for serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Epicurean proves that snazzy skin is just a bottle away! Although we can create home-made concoctions for moisturizer and sunblock - it’s been through years of research and education that I give my stamp of approval to the essentials of Epicurean. Q

YOU NEED TO KNOW

PULP FICTION: Juice diets are all the rage.

But are they healthy?

Liquid fruit and vegetable nutrition may sound healthy enough, but experts warn against them

By Mona Hassan

Even before the birth of bathing suits, every woman has dreamed of owning a perfectly shaped body.

Today, men share this vision as

well. With these lofty dreams come promises aplenty – a pill and a fad diet around every corner, complete with your guarantee of achieving a flawless physique.

Many are obvious paths toward failure.

Some actually make perfect sense – like the “juice diet.” It’s a recent diet trend gaining popularity. After all, we’re supposed to eat lots of fruits and veggies, right? Right! But, keep in mind, the optimum word is “eat.” Let’s take a closer look at what juice diet fans are consuming.

DRINK THE FAT AWAY The basic juice diet consists of processing fruits and vegetables through a juicer, extracting the juice and discarding the flesh. The idea is to load your body with nutrients from these vitamin and mineral packed plant foods.

Sounds healthy enough. And even better, discarding all that difficult-todigest fiber gives your gastrointestinal system a rejuvenating rest, which is

Drinking so much juice could lead to unstable blood sugar levels. thought to decrease toxicity levels in your body, as well as excessive fat. Thus, weight loss occurs.

A regular juice diet “meal” might include a combination of cucumber, pineapple, spinach, carrots and celery juices. Enthusiastic juicers often consume five or six of these drinks each day in place of their regular meals, and the fat begins to fade away. There’s just one not-so-minor detail missing … protein. Supporters of the juice diet claim they get their protein from leafy green vegetables, including kale, spinach and collard greens. Which is true, to some extent.

Women should eat around 46 grams of protein per day, and men should eat around 56 grams, advises the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention.

Including leafy green vegetables in your diet can increase your protein intake somewhat. However, meat, fish, legumes, nuts and seeds have higher amounts of protein necessary to meet the required amounts we need to stay strong and healthy. Daily protein deficits can lead to muscle loss.

EXPERTS AND THE JUICE DIET Juice diet fans claim the diet helps the body cleanse itself of toxins. Most doctors believe statements like this need more research. Manuel Villacorta, RD, the founder of Eating Free, a weight management program, agrees. “I have not seen any research or science paper to support that cleansing is happening from

juicing,” he says. Physicians agree that the kidneys and liver naturally cleanse the body daily.

In addition, doctors believe certain medications and prescription drugs may interact with the juice diet and could possibly cause adverse effects. For example, some fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin K – like kale and spinach. Large amounts of these vegetables, consumed daily – as in a juice diet – may change how blood thinner medications like Warfarin work.

Furthermore, the diet may not be a good idea for people with certain health conditions such as diabetes.

“Drinking so much juice could lead to unstable blood sugar levels,” warns Liz Applegate, director of sports nutrition at University of California, Davis. Juice diets are high in sugars, making them a continued...

July 2015

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Some juice diet recipes call for spicy vegetables, such as cayenne pepper, which could irritate the colon. This is significant for people who have sensitivity or digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome.

In addition, the diet has been proven to cause headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, moodiness, stomach pain and hunger pangs. “Be prepared for changes in bowel function and frequent bathroom visits,” Applegate adds.

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SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS Nutritionists agree that adding fresh vegetable and fruit juice to a well balanced diet is a good idea. But all or nothing fad diets like the juice diet, which offer quick weight loss, are simply not sustainable. As soon as you return to your old food choices, the fat returns. Yet, lost muscle lost is harder to regain.

To achieve healthy, permanent weight loss, you must make long-term lifestyle changes. Eating reasonable portions of whole, unprocessed foods, avoiding junk food and incorporating exercise into your daily routine is the only way to stay trim and fit and feel great.

To start a life-changing plan you must first believe in yourself.

Your diet should never be about torturing yourself. Rather, it should be a pleasant journey to a happier you and a Most doctors believe the healthier life. Find the foods juice diet needs more and exercises you enjoy and research to support make them a habit. many of its claims.

Remember Dr. Seuss when it comes to your ability to make the right choices. “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose!” Take responsibility for your weight and your health. It all begins and ends with you! Q 16

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PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

Bobbi Brown EXTRA RINSE BALM This conditioning cleanser removes all traces of makeup and impurities quickly and completely. Leaves skin with a smooth, cushiony finish, and feeling instantly refreshed. Use daily for dry skin, or as a nighttime treatment when skin g needs more hydration.

How to apply: Warm a small amount in the palm of hands, apply directly to dry skin. Gently wash off with water or a damp face cloth.

For dry skin.

FRESH BROWN SUGAR SCRUB for face Sugar face polish with nourishing brown sugar and real strawberry seeds is an innovative formula for all skin types that exfoliates and hydrates the skin, instantly revealing a softer, smoother, more radiant complexion.

Made of brown sugar, a natural humectant that seals in moisture, gently buffs away dry, dull skin.

Real wild strawberries, packed with vitamin C, help to brighten and soothe.

Plum seed oil and grapeseed oil are notable for their hydrating and nourishing.

Gently massage on cleansed, moist skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and rise with warm water. Can be used 3-4 times a week.

Bliss YOUTH AS YOU KNOW IT night cream The youth as we know it anti-aging night cream delivers twice the wrinkle-fighting power and 1/2 the weight.

There’s a reason they call it beauty sleep: during the night, your skin puts all its energy into repair and rejuvenation. Make the most of that skin-fixing session with this potent PM potion. Not only does it deliver all the age-battling benefits of The Youth As We Know It Moisture Cream (plumping, retexturizing, brightening and visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines, to name a few), it’s made with twice the active wrinkle fighting power and half the weight.* Its feather-light texture sinks deep into skin to pack a serious age-defying punch - so get ready to wake up with the skin of your ‘dreams.’

YOU PUZZLE

Ask

By Cynthia Plemons Licensed professional counselor

My 13-year-old son does not listen to me. I will call him for dinner three times and he never comes. His father will call one time and he comes and says he didn’t hear me. How can I change this?

Teenagers are at a stage where they feel like they are adults. They have so much internal chaos happening and they are searching for some sort of control. They tend to try to exert their control anywhere possible. As a parent, it is important that

you maintain your position of authority.

Establish a set time for dinner and inform him of that time, 5:30 for example. Give him a choice as it gives him some form of control. Ask him if he would like you to call him for dinner or if he would like to be at the table by 5:30 on his own. If he chooses to come on his own, do

not call. Allow him to come on his own. If he chooses for you to call him, call one time. Give him a couple of minutes to wash and arrive at the table. Sit down to enjoy the dinner that you worked hard to provide.

Whether he is there or not, give thanks and eat.

When he joins you for dinner, thank him for his company and continue.

No lectures; only pleasant conversation. This could take a few attempts before it happens to your preference.

Do not allow his arrival time to disrupt the flow and pleasant atmosphere of your dinner.

The first time, your teen may try to make a point.

He may arrive when your dinner is complete. If he does, finish your dinner as usual, tell him how sorry you are he could not join you for family dinner, clear the table and wash the dishes. Let him know he is free to make a plate for himself as long as he cleans up after himself.

As always, your time and efforts are important. Set the firm boundary, enforce it, and stay consistent.

How do I get my 7-year-old son to take his time when doing his homework? His work is sloppy and he gets bad grades because the teacher says she cannot read it.

Children naturally want to play.

For most parents, the rule is they can play after their homework is complete. For children, their logic is as follows: The quicker the homework is done, the quicker they can play.

Establish the approximate time it should take your son to do his homework correctly; for example, 30 minutes. Get a timer and set it for 30 minutes. Inform you son that no matter how quickly he completes his homework, he will be sitting at his homework place for 30 minutes.

If he finishes his homework before 30 minutes, he can double-check his work or bring his work to you for review.

He will probably argue and complain. Firmly inform him this is not up for debate. Be consistent and enforce the new policy. Soon it will become routine.

Should I let my 6-month old daughter cry herself to sleep?

There are many schools of thought on this. From my experience working with children and parents, I believe a parent should respond to their crying child in an attentive, tender and continued...

July 2015

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nurturing manner in the first year of life.

It is during their first year that children are learning to trust and establish security with their parents.

By attending to your daughter when she cries, you are communicating the message that you can always be trusted to meet her needs.

As an aware parent, you know the meanings of different cries. Within the first year, you will learn to differentiate her cries of distress from the cries of, “I want more attention.” When she is about one year old, you may be more comfortable allowing her to self soothe.

I am 13 years old. Every time I try to talk to my mom, she blows up. I’ve stopped talking to her and we’re not as close as we used to be. How do I get my mom to stop yelling?

Distancing yourself from your mother is a sad situation. This could lead to more serious problems between you and your mother. If you continue to keep things from her, the mistrust could become dangerous for both of you.

Sometimes mothers become stressed over all of their responsibilities. I do not believe they realize that they yell as

much as they do. Many times, they need a reminder that their family loves and needs them.

You might ask your mom to find a therapist to assist you. With the assistance of a trusted adult, kindly inform your mother that the two of you are not communicating the way you need and you would like to work with her to re-establish your mother-daughter talks. You and your mother can create a code that you can say before you speak that reminds your mother to take a deep breath and listen.

In some families, the phrase, “Mom, I need you to listen to me,” delivered in a pleasant voice, helps mom to take a deep breath, compose herself and listen.

Another phrase I’ve heard children use with their mothers is, “Mom, don’t get angry with what I’m about to say.”

Try one of these or find a phrase of your own. Make sure you and your mother work and agree upon the phrase together. Do not deprive her of a heartfelt hug as physical touch can communicate love and concern. Let her know how much you love her and want to continue your trusting relationship. Q

Cynthia is a licensed professional counselor at The PsyClinic. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents both in residential and inpatient settings. Cynthia has numerous successes bringing together families separated by the State and Juvenile Justice system. Her experience with children include behavioral disorders, depression, conduct disorder, substance abuse and psychosis. She is a facilitator for “Parenting with Love and Logic.” Cynthia has worked with incarcerated adults and adults with substance abuse, depression and psychosis in an intensive outpatient, residential and outpatient settings. With over 13 years experience working with families, adults, adolescence and children, she takes a holistic approach, believing a healthier being requires a combination of mind, body and spirit. To ask Cynthia please email your questions or concerns to askcynthia@concurmagazine.net Your questions will be answered and published in an upcoming issue.

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YOU ACT

BUILDING RESILIENCE as Inoculation

AGAINST BULLYING

By Tom Winterfeld, M.Ed., LPC, LMFT, CART, CCTP

B

ullying has existed as long as mankind (and womankind) has been around. It’s not a new—or even recent—phenomenon. From the earliest times, wherever there have been two or more people in proximity to one another, there’s been the potential—and the probability—for aggressive, coercive, domineering, oppressive, forceful behavior. Simply put, that’s what “bullying” is: in the context of a “civilized world,” it’s the use of verbal or physical aggression (or sometimes emotional manipulation) to force, coerce, intimidate or dominate someone else. Consider the following:

continued...

Several thousand years ago, according to the history recorded in the Bible in the First book of Samuel (Chapter 17), the Israelite army was being taunted on the battleground by a soldier named Goliath, from the opposing Philistine army. He was the “stereotypical” bully: scholars estimate he was between 7-9’ tall (“six cubits and a span”), weighing enough to carry around 125 lbs. of heavy armor, sword, and spear with a 15-lb. Spearhead; what 2-3 normal-sized guys would have a tough time toting. He would appear on the scene, challenge the Israelite soldiers to fight him, and watch all of them run away from him, scared out of their tunics while Goliath laughed and threw insults after them.

Fast forward a few thousand years to the setting of the holiday movie, “A Christmas Story,” where Ralphie, his little brother and his friends Flick and Schwartz are tormented by the neighborhood bullies Scut Farkus and Grover Dill. Each time Ralphie and Co. walk down the alleyway, Farkus and Dill jump out to tease, harass, shove, punch and chase them away, all the while laughing and enjoying their conquest.

Great Bible story. Classic, funny movie. Bullying?

Not so funny. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’ve been the recipient of bullying at some point in your life. At the very least, you’ve had a friend or relative who’s been harassed or intimidated by someone. You may have felt terrified, angry, ashamed, demoralized—and a host of other related feelings. As a psychotherapist, bullying is a common theme that colors the stories of many children—and adults—who enter my office.

Research studies show that bullying accounts for a significant amount of anxiety and depression, school avoidance and truancy/drop-outs, lack of concentration, disruptive classroom behavior, feelings of helplessness, isolation, loneliness, lowered feelings of self-worth, and threats/attempts at suicide or homicide in children and adolescents who are the “targets.” Not to mention the longterm effects on the “bullies” themselves.

Countless schools around the world have researched and implemented various bully-free programs designed to increase awareness and acceptance of individual differences; formulate policies and procedures that protect students and provide a safe distraction-free learning environment, while joining with community partners to support, strengthen and expand their efforts. Every individual state in the U.S. has also enacted either policies, laws, or both, to address bullying and harassment, and to protect children (http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/).

These efforts are necessary on a broader system-scale to address 24

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bullying and aggression in the schools and community. However, another approach involves building individual protective factors into our children and youth as a preventive measure, minimizing and neutralizing potential bullying attempts.

Resilience is defined as “ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.” One middle-school student described it this way: “It’s about bouncing back from problems and stuff, with more power and more smarts.” Kind of like a rubber band. Building resilience involves nurturing our children’s positive identities: who they are based on their inherent value and worth, not on an insult someone throws at them; not on their inclusion or exclusion from a group of peers; not on physical similarities to, or differences from, others their ages; not even on the sum total of “right or wrong” decisions they’ve made. Self confidence in one’s identity, unique personality and abilities acts as a “vaccination,” if you will, against negative effects of bullying.

Here are three resources that can help parents and other adults build resilience in our kids. Check them out:

1

The Search Institute (www.search-institute.org) 40 Developmental Assets Search Institute was founded in 1958, using social science research to understand the lives, beliefs, and values of young people. In 1990, the Developmental Asset framework was

2

“Izzy” (Israel) Kalman, MS (www.bullies2buddies.com) Izzy uses “The Golden Rule System” and a creative nononsense way of helping kids deal with bullying.

3

Dr. Steven Stosny (www.compassionpower.com) Dr. Stosny’s approach to helping people involves “act(ing) in your long-term best interests, no matter what other people do.” Responding out of our “core value” rather than what he calls our “core hurts,” which can be triggered when we are confronted, insulted, accused.

Supporting anti-bullying programs which build a layer of protection from the outside is important; equally as crucial is nurturing the assets, strengths and value of our kids from the inside so they can avoid the negative effects of bullying and develop healthy identity and character as adults. David (mild little shepherd boy who became king— the other character in the Goliath saga) never hesitated at the taunts of the giant. He was confident in his identity and his purpose. He ran toward, rather than away.

BULLYING

introduced, which identifies a set of skills, experiences, relationships, and behaviors that enable young people to develop into successful and contributing adults—“building blocks” for healthy development.

I don’t advocate “beating up our bullies;” but would that all our children had the self-confidence and sense of immeasurable value and purpose, that would enable them to charge assuredly and hopefully into life and remain unscathed by those “bullies” who would try to hold them back. Q Tom Winterfeld is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage & Family Therapist, having graduated from University of Houston with a Master’s in Education, and has been counseling over 20 years. His experience is diverse, having worked in inpatient and intensive outpatient settings; school-based prevention; community mental health agencies; and private practice at The PsyClinic.

Tom enjoys coming alongside individuals and families during times of distress--both the natural times of growth, change and development that create stress; and the “not so normal” times when anger, anxiety, disappointment, depression, trauma, compulsions and addictions keep them from enjoying healthy relationships and experiencing inner peace.

Although Tom uses various counseling methods tailored to individuals, he approaches the counseling relationship from a solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, systems perspective within the context of Christian values. Tom sees individuals (adolescents and adults), couples, families and groups, besides offering parenting consultation through therapy and workshops.

July 2015

25

YOU CAN DO IT

NO EXCUSES!

FREE/LOW COST

exercise options in Houston! options in Houston!

By Emilia Benton

L

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continued...

YOGA ON THE PLAZA, ROTHKO CHAPEL REFLECTING POOL Saturdays in March, April, October and November, 9 a.m.

This class, led by Bayou Bliss Yoga instructors, offers an invigorating yoga practice allowing participants to connect with the body and breath. The 60-minute sessions focus on building strength and flexibility. Admission is free, though a $10 donation is suggested. Visit www.rothkochapel.org for more information.

MEMORIAL PARK SWIMMING POOL Memorial Park offers a 33-meter pool, adjacent to the Fitness Center. The pool is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is free.

Visit www.houstontx.gov/parks.

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This year, the Memorial Park pool will be open for lap swim Tuesday through Friday from 6-10 a.m., May 26 through Oct. 30 (or earlier if water temperature drops below 72 degrees).

BRIAN O’NEILL’S RUNNING CLUB Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

BON Running Club’s 5-kilometer route begins and ends every Tuesday night at the Gorgeous Gael Pub (formerly Brian O’Neill’s Pub) in Rice Village. Membership is completely free; check-in and registration is open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in front of the pub. Small organized group runs start at 6 and 6:30 p.m., but members may begin running anytime after checking in. The route begins from the pub, circles the Rice University campus loop, and ends back at the same starting point. Runners, walkers and joggers of all levels are welcome. The club offers prizes and perks after hitting certain milestones, such as member shirts and free weekly beers after 10 runs, a Brooks running jacket after 75 runs, and so on. Visit bon.ffprunningclubs.org/ for more information.

ARCHITECTURE CENTER HOUSTON WALKING AND BIKING TOURS Saturdays, 10 a.m., select Thursdays at 6 p.m.

For those looking for a less intense way to get exercise in, consider exploring your home city on foot. These two-hour tours allow participants to explore the architecture, design, and history of Houston’s urban landscape at locations such as Rice University, Buffalo Bayou, the Texas Medical Center, Museum District, downtown and more. The center also offers bike tours through the Third Ward and Houston Heights neighborhoods.

Admission is $5-$10; visit www.aiahouston.org.

DON’T PREFER TO DRIVE MUCH? Check out The McGuire-Dent Recreation Center and the Wright Cuney Recreation Center in Galveston. They are both free to area residents and offer classes such as Latin dance and kickboxing. Visit www.cityofgalveston.org. Q Sources: linked at the end of each section.

July 2015

29

PARENTING WITH GLORY

By Cynthia Plemons, LPC

I

recently came across an article at abc.net.au stating that children with loving parents have a significant and even unfair advantage over children whose parents are absent in their lives. It was stated that bedtime stories should be restricted because not all children have nurturing parents and the advances children with loving parents receive in life is just not fair.

This age-old tradition of story telling takes minutes, but creates one of the most cherished bonding times a parent and child can have. You can bring stories of your youth to life with your children in the same way someone in your past did for you.

This is a time when cultural heritage can be shared with new generations, creating a magical evening to send your children to slumber.

Parents who choose not to participate in regular storytelling with their children are missing out on creating the most enchanting memories. These opportunities are fleeting and when they are gone, they are gone. No re-dos. As with anything valuable, bedtime story time should be done thoughtfully to gain the most benefit.

Bedtime story time is the conclusion of your child’s day. It is the last impression you will leave on your child’s memory for the evening. Keep in mind you are creating a fun family time and setting the stage for a calming period.

For example; the evening routine is coming to an end as you thoughtfully check off your list: dinner, some playtime, a warm bath, comfy pajamas, and only family voices breaking the silence. Your little tykes will either continue to wind down and fall asleep

or get pumped up with excitement and rule the evening. As a clever parent, you will gain control and create the tempo for the evening.

When you are ready, let her have that one last glass of water, encourage a potty run and then tuck her into bed and cuddle up next to her. If you have more than one child, naturally, you will bring the story to life from one bed one night and another bed the following night, so you can keep peace in the family.

Children can be great manipulators and might eventually request to use your bed for story time. Always remember that your bed is not a choice. Once in your bed, they will manage to “fall asleep� during the story. They know that mom and dad will not disturb them or carry them off to their own rooms. And you know if you do, they will awaken with an abundance of energy,

and you will never get them back to bed, much less to sleep.

Allow your child to choose the story. If you have more than one child, allow them to take turns selecting a story. It can be a story from your childhood or a fairy tale tucked away in your bookshelves. Make sure to have a collection of popular fairy tales on hand. Children use visualization to work through their problems in life and fairy tales help them learn to work through their struggles.

A cautionary note about many of the politically correct stories available for selection; they can be tedious to read and you have a high probability of losing your audience to something more enticing and stimulating in the room. After all, you are wanting to provide good and evil scenarios with positive continued... continued

outcomes. Remember, you are giving your child an “unfair�� advantage in life.

If you have one child, shee iss snuggled next to you on onee si side. i d e.

With two or more children,, th they heyy are nestled on each side of you you. u.

Leaning against your arm or maybe under your arm, as close losse to you as they can possibly get, gett, their heads are lying on your ur shoulders. You feel the warmth mth h of their bodies and the softness nesss of their cheeks against you.

You hear their heartbeats and nd the rhythm of their breathing ng as it slows, they relax and the he sandman taunts them into sleep. You smell sme mell ll the the freshness fre resh shne ness ss of of their recently bathed bodiess and shampooed hair as you lay your head on theirs and take in a slow deep breath. Hopefully they brushed their teeth, as you instructed, so you can smell their minty breath as they laugh or make comments about the story. Finally, you see their precious faces when you glance back and forth from the story to them.

As you and your children travel together into a world of fantasy and adventure, you can keep them engaged in the story by using soft sound effects. Heed this warning; dads tend to get really involved with sound effects which can stimulate your relaxing children into acting out the adventure on the pages delaying sleep.

Be sure to give each character of the story a different voice and use facial expression; your children are watching. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy this magical time. As the story progresses, your children may have questions and make comments. Attentively answer their questions, acknowledge their comments and continue to move through the story. Be cautious, children are born with the innate ability to stall for time so as not to fall asleep. Do not allow them to stall for long.

It is a delight to watch them use their little finger to follow the words or point out a picture, making connections between the words and their meanings. Their involvement in the story as they follow along promotes reading and spelling. Over time, as their reading improves, they will be excited to show off their advancing skills to a proud mom or dad. Eventually, they might even be reading the bedtime story to you. How rewarding! What parent would want to miss out on the bedtime story? Parent/child bonding, adventure, role modeling and education. Most importantly, you are giving them a valuable, inexpensive tradition that they can pass onto their children; your grandchildren.

Now, go and give your child an unfair advantage! Q 32

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SUMMER TOP PICKS Tory y Burch’ Burch s PERRY TOTE Feels as good g as it looks: cool slouch and buttery pebbled leather with a contrast-color interior. The roomy shape can hold essentials, with enough space for a 15” laptop and a full day’s e an extra pair pai of shoes. Finished with an open pocket and a compartment for your phone, it’s lightweight and easygoing — compartme weekends and wherever in between. for work,, wee

J.Crew’s LEMON TIGER LILLY PENCIL SKIRT Made from crisp cotton sateen, this classic pencil skirt sports a lush and lemony floral print that’s arguably a wearable work of art. This comes as no o surprise, since it comes to us from Italy’s Luigi Verga, founded in 1940 and famous for its digital and hand-painted motifs. Bello, isn’t it?

Kate Spade’s BINA WEDGE We all love stripes, so it’s a joy to see them somewhere unexpected;; wrapped around the heel of a pairr they add a graphic kick of wedges, wedg k (pardon the pun) to any ensemble. e.

Banana Republic’s HERITAGE FLORAL DRAPEY SILK PANT Ba Modern, limited edition. Zip fly. 100 percent silk. Great for summer evening or morning. ev

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

OPINION

Is it safe to let your kids play outside?

By Susan Neuhalfen

I

s it safe to let your kids play outside?

Many of us have fond memories of playing outside when we were children. We played softball or kickball with friends until it was too dark to see the ball. We rode our bikes to the neighborhood pool and took a trip to the 7-Eleven for a Slurpee. There was never a parent with us. There was no such thing as a playdate. Our parents sent us out the door after breakfast and often, we didn’t see them again until dinner. So what is stopping us from letting our kids have that same freedom and those same fond memories?

The first thought of most parents is the danger involved in letting kids out of their sight. To watch the news, you would think child abductions are as common as the common cold. Of the more than 460,000 missing children under the age of 18 entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center in 2014, approximately 90 percent of these children have simply misunderstood their parents’ instructions, have gotten lost or have purposely run away from home. As for child abductions, statistics show most are taken by a family member during a custody dispute or by someone the child knows.

Children taken by strangers represent only about one one-hundredth of 1 percent of all missing children according, to a recent article in the Washington Post. Roughly 100 children in the United States are kidnapped each year in the stereotypical stranger abductions you hear about in the news. continued...

Thanks to mainstream media, social media and organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 97 percent of these children are found and returned home safely. Child abduction is still a concern for parents, but it’s actually very safe to send your child outside.

So what would it take for parents to be more comfortable with allowing their child more freedom outdoors? We have to prepare our children for any and all situations life might throw at them and letting them play outside is no different. Here are a few ideas to make letting go a little more comfortable for everyone involved.

1 Go with them at first. For example, a trip to the local park. Show the safest route and point out any hazards along the way. If your child will be riding a bike, explain the necessity of safety equipment such as helmets and make sure they understand proper bike signals to turn. If walking a road, stay to the left. If riding a bike, stay right. Explain that if they want the responsibility, they have to follow the rules of the road.

1 2

2 Buddy up. It’s always best if children stay with at least one friend. It will give the parents a comfort level knowing that if one is injured, the other is there to get help. It’s always better to be with a friend and even better to be with a group of friends, when possible.

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3 4

3 Pack a cell phone. In addition to bringing the necessities like water, snacks and money, give your children a cell phone when possible. Set alarms on the phone to remind them to check in with you with a simple text as to where they are. Apps such as Find My iPhone can help you track children if necessary.

4 Remind them about stranger danger. Schools do a good job of teaching stranger danger and it will do no harm to remind them of it. However, don’t scare them to the point where they are afraid to go on an adventure. Most of the people in the world are good. You just have to watch out for those few bad ones. Make sure they know that you trust them and you’re proud of how responsible they have become.

5

5 Remind yourself that you’re doing the right thing. It’s important that children gain independence. Playing outside helps them to grow not only in responsibility but in creativity as well. Sunshine, imagination and freedom will lead to a healthier body and a healthier mindset.

It’s so much easier to hand children electronic devices and keep them “safe” with us; just as it is easier to make their beds for them than it is to remind them multiple times to do it themselves and then to “inspect” the job and show them again how to do it correctly. As hard as it is to let go, the easier we make their lives now, the harder we will make their lives later. Starting with these simple steps, parents can help their children grow up to be healthier more responsible children, and later, adults. Q

July 2015

37

YOU FIT

5

fitness apps

to help you stay on track

By Emilia Benton

W

hen you’re looking for efficiency in a certain aspect of your life, you know how the saying goes: “There’s an app for that.”

Fitness and exercise are no exception to this rule. There are tons of apps out there to help you keep track of progress and motivate you to keep going.

Here are five we recommend trying out.

C25K

ing Clubroid, offers over Nike+ Trafoin nd r both iOS and A

This app, free all created by us fitness levels, rio va r fo al s ut ko or 100 w cted your person Once you’ve sele . rs ne ai e tr et r pl te m as s co Nike m ple workout plan sim d fin n ca u yo , fitness goal ls. with video tutoria

MapMyFitness

This app , free for both iO proven to S and A turn cou ndroid, h c h who stic potatoes as k with th into legit e plan, and r unners sport. A imed at ultimate getting u ly with th of their sers to th e first 5k, e s this app tarting li training o n ff e e r plan tha s an eigh t allows t-week alternati them to ng been s ta r t w s a low by lk building ing and up to mo running , r e e intense ventually features workouts an audio . The app coach to each wo help you rkout an through d keep y ou motiv ated.

MapMyFitness’s two components, MapMyRun and MapMyRide, are known for being some of the best tracking options out there, especially when it comes to sharing and saving your routes for later. Featuring an easy-to-navigate interface, MapMyFitness allows you to track your activity, set challenges for yourself, and even has the option to set reminders for when it’s time to buy new gear. This app also is free for iOS and Android.

Strava

ps out there, but st favored running ap mo e th of e on is is Th ng. Strava allows e of its focus on cycli it mainly wins becaus distance, speed sily track their rides by bike enthusiasts to ea to a community of ows them to connect all o als d an e, tim d an ng. Strava also is st each other in traini ain ag ete mp co to rs cycle oid. free for iOS and Andr

Endomondo

Users of Endom ondo, which is fr ee for both iOS and Android , begin by taking a fitness test aimed at asse ssing their fitness le vel. From there, the app su ggests a plan base d on their preferred metho ds of exercise. E ndomondo uses your smartp hone’s GPS to tr ack fitness activities such as walking and runn ing. The app’s virtual traine r also makes sure to tell you if you’re about to set a personal re cord, and also helpfully su ggests when you should pick up the pace.

Find these apps and more by searching in the App store on your smartphone. Q

CELEBRITY-LIFE LESSONS

FA M

E

or

KILLED MONROE?

By Jesse Itkonen

W

hen people think of Marilyn Monroe, there are multiple images that come to mind.

The platinum blonde woman standing over a subway grating, as the wind from a passing metro lifts her skirt up into the air. The ukulele playing bandleader from “Some Like It Hot.” The down-on-her-luck actress from “Bus Stop.” Rarely, if ever, is she recognized as one of the earliest poster childs of depression, even 40 years after her long considered mysterious suicide.

Believed to have both been a victim of assassination by either the U.S. government, the mob, or by her own history of substance abuse, Monroe’s death has remained a source of speculation and discussion for decades— yet always on a superficial, disconnected level.

The legacy Monroe left behind is as contradictory as she was. Celebrated as a sexual icon, renowned for the looks and recognizable, wispy voice, Monroe herself remains an unknown, her personality rarely a topic of conversation in the multiple retrospects given about her. It was only in 2008, when her diaries were made public in the collection “Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters,” published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, that the glamorous veneer was pulled back to

reveal a person suffering from severe depression and loneliness.

Hounded by the press, Monroe remains proof of the elusive nature of the disease. Not even a single article or photograph of the millions printed about her managed to grasp that she was suffering.

Born as the third child to a single mother, Gladys Monroe Baker, who suffered from schizophrenia, Monroe was all but orphaned at a young age due to her mother’s frequent and long stays in various psychiatric hospitals. Raised by foster families and by Grace Goddard, a close family friend, Monroe rarely had a home to call her own - eventually spending as long as two years in a state orphanage before marrying James Dougherty at the age of 16.

In the personal diaries brought to light decades after her passing, Monroe paints the picture of an insecure, unhappy young woman, who wrote of herself as “greatly attracted to him [Dougherty] as one of the few young men I had no sexual repulsion for, besides which it gave me a false sense of security to feel that he was endowed with more overwhelming qualities which I did not possess.”

The marriage did not last; the couple divorced on September 13, 1946, just two years later. Of the marriage, Monroe would continued...

later write: “My relationship with him was basically insecure from the first night I spent alone with him.”

It is the beginning of the personal documentation Monroe would leave behind of her life. Her personal diaries continue to make frequent references to a person insecure with herself, alone in a crowded room. One of her earliest discovered notebooks begins: “Alone!!!!!!! I am alone I am always alone no matter what...”

Encouraged by her acting teacher and, by most accounts one of her only close friends, Lee Strasberg, Monroe began seeing Dr. Margaret Hohenberg up to five times a week. Though Strasberg’s belief was that looking back into her childhood would help open up Monroe as an artist, it was through psychiatry that Monroe was able to remember a childhood of abuse, including sexual abuse, by her great-aunt Ida Martin.

For a while, it seemed that the therapy worked. In 1956, Monroe starred in the critically well well-received film “Bus Stop,” which would become one of her defining dramatic roles.

It was in her later career, after finishing filming of “The Misfits”(written by Arthur Miller, her third, and final husband), that Monroe was dealt another heavy emotional blow. Her co-star and friend Clark Gable passed away from a sudden heart attack, only five days after production had ended. Seeking seclusion, Monroe was suddenly thrust into the spotlight again. This time it was by hungry reporters seeking confirmation to rumors (which had spread like wildfire), that Clark’s wife, Kay, Gable blamed Monroe for the death of her husband. Monroe, whose diary revealed her greatest terror as letting people close to her down, took the news particularly hard. Filmed in the Nevada desert, the production had been grueling not just for the heat, but also due to Monroe’s then husband, Arthur Miller, falling in love with a photographic archivist on set.

Already having been in and out of numerous psychiatric hospitals, it was in February of 1961, at the behest of her new psychiatrist, Dr. Kris, that Monroe checked into the PayneWhitney Clinic in New York for treatment. Almost immediately the staff had stripped her naked, forced her into a bath and muscled her into a solitary confinement cell with padded walls, with no communication to the outside world. On the street, the paparazzi circled the building, hoping for a scoop on the star. Her psychiatrist never appeared to see her at the clinic.

Eventually Monroe managed a call for help, which emerged in the form of her second husband and long time companion Joe DiMaggio. DiMaggio organized for her release the same week, and flew from Florida to New York to escort her to the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, where she spent the next three weeks in treatment.

It was in her final year before her suicide that Monroe fell back into depression. In a letter to Lee Strasberg’s wife, Paula, Monroe writes: “I wish I knew why I am so anguished. I think maybe I’m crazy like all the other members of my family were, when I was sick I was sure I was.”

During the night of August 4-5, Marilyn Monroe died alone in her bed.

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The press descended upon on her house even as her body was wheeled to the ambulance. One reporter was overheard saying, “I’m just as sorry as the next fellow about Monroe. But as long as she had to do it, what a break that she did it in August.”

Rumors began to circulate, more than likely perpetuated by the same people who said Kay Gable blamed Monroe, that Monroe had been in simultaneous relationships with both Kennedys, Robert and John, as well as singer Frank Sinatra at the time of her death. Armchair investigators appeared all over the country, each of them tying various members of organized crime in her death, either to frame the Kennedys for something they hadn’t done or vice-versa.

It wasn’t long until the story of her death being suicide took form. Sinatra had been tied with potential mob connections; Kennedy, the divisive president, had been the ire of organized crime for year. Instead of a story about a lonely, depressed woman, the more glamorous, cinematic story took place, leaving. Monroe was once again trampled.

Not until the release of her diaries have these theories been so easily dismissed. The erratic, often incoherent notes Monroe left behind cement the image of a person unable to find help for the disease that ate away at her.

It is a testament of Monroe’s iconic screen presence and bigger-than-life image that, even in death, fiction overtakes the harsh reality. Q

YOU SURVIVE

I got the elephant off my back!

By Sarah ElSadre, MD

Q

uin and his mother share a very special bond. It is evident to anyone who spends more than a few minutes with the two.

His battle with depression lasted long enough to span about a quarter of his short 20 years. But even more prominent than his depression was his OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), a condition that greedily snatched control of his young life.

His mother recalls that he was only five when he had a conversation with her about what he wanted to be when he grew up. His answer was strange and she didn’t understand.

Quin didn’t want to be a police officer so he wouldn’t get shot.

He didn’t want to be a lawyer because he didn’t want to put anyone in jail. Didn’t want to be a fire fighter because it was too dangerous! Quin never rode a bike on his own because he was concerned about injuries and still remembers one day when his dad insisted that he give it a try and offered to follow him all the way. Quin made it but was nervously checking for his dad every turn of the wheel along the way. His OCD became so severe that he had to skip the first year of the Honor College program he was accepted into because he wasn’t able to turn in assignments on time, being overly focused on accuracy and perfection. For a student with a normal range IQ, that would have been fine, but for a student like Quin with an above average IQ, he perceived this set back as total failure. For Quin, failure was not in his dictionary; he strove for perfection in everything, including his grades.

Isolating himself at home, Quin began to slip into depression. He describes it as, “feeling like drowning in a sea of

people.” He would not go out with friends and would spend all day at home, mostly in bed. During this rough time, his mother, who was Quin’s best friend and advocate, would suffer in silence, trying everything she could to help him but with little progress. For Quin’s mom, it was a battle she had to fight with him and she was determined to help her son find his way out of this dilemma.

So she started to research his illness and read more about it, looking for clues to help her son, finding answers in textbooks and online. Quin’s mother played a huge role in his recovery.

About this same time, Quin started seeing Dr. Ahmed, board certified adult and child psychiatrist, who in turn, recommended TMS (transcranial-magnetic stimulation of the brain). Quin started TMS right away with great enthusiasm and hope to improve.

In as little as four weeks, he began noticing an improvement.

He woke up one day feeling so good that he decided to shave, dress and go out. He had high hopes that this innovative treatment would work for him and it actually did. “From the beginning, I was not too skeptical; I trust Dr. Ahmed and know that he has always given me the best options,” said Quin. “He is very compassionate and listens to everything I have to say.”

During the treatment, Quin was also seeing Tom Winterfeld at The PsyClinic. Tom was conducting therapy sessions with Quin. “He taught me a lot of things that helped me through my treatment,” said Quin. “I am not going to be a victim to my fears anymore and I am very thankful to him.”

In time, Quin’s life dramatically improved. He became happy, outgoing and was able to rid himself of all the fears that had plagued him for as long as he could remember. He even drove

up to Dallas on his own for the first time. He enjoyed a night out with friends. Quin has started planning for college and is looking forward to resuming his studies.

Quin’s mother has been watching her son’s changes closely not only with a mother’s eye but with a mother’s heart as well. She watched him steadily improve and celebrated his progress day after day. She could not be happier that her son is finally standing on his own, full of energy and optimism. This wonderful transformation could not have been accomplished without the love and support of a wonderful mother. “Thanks for believing in me and for never quitting,” Quin said to his mom.

When I asked Quin to name his story, he suggested, “I got the elephant off my back!” referring to his depression. It seems like Quin’s depression was a heavy burden he carried for so long but finally was able to release. Q Dr. ElSadre holds a Medical Bachelor and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Cairo Medical School, Egypt. She is the Director of clinical services of one of the largest and most successful practices in South east Texas, The PsyClinic. Leads a team of more than 20 mental health providers and supporting staff. Created several new successful mental health programs such as the” You are beautiful” program. Started TRANS-CRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION program -TMS certified- at the Psyclinic and performed on more than 60 patients by now.

An Unlikely Father-Son Adventure A heart attack was the last thing on n their list of family fun

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By Diana Dunne

J

erry Brawner woke up at 3 a.m. on a Monday with what felt like severe indigestion.

By the time 4 p.m. rolled around, it had only gotten worse, and he knew something was wrong. A single father, he woke his 9-year-old son, Jesse, and told him to pack a backpack while he called an ambulance “Come on, buddy, we’re going on an adventure,” he said.

Once the paramedics arrived, Jerry explained, “They hooked me up and said, ‘yeah, you’re having a heart attack.’”

At 45, Jerry didn’t expect anything like this on what should have been just another normal Monday morning.

“What’s scary,” he continued, “is that as soon as they tell you that, you know, your life flashes in front of your eyes and your adrenaline starts pumping.

I’ve got a 9-year-old …

There’s nobody else who lives down here with me.

I’ve got nobody for him.”

Jesse rode along in the front seat of the ambulance as his father was attended to in the back. When they arrived at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, Jesse waited with the Emergency Department staff as the doctors saved his dad’s life.

WHAT HAPPENED? Jerry had suffered a STEMI, or ST segment elevation myocardial

infarction. This potentially lethal type of heart attack occurs when a blood clot cuts all or part of the heart off from its blood supply. The lack of oxygen in the heart can cause muscle injury or death.

STEMIs strike a quarter-million people every year.

STEMIs typically present initially as heartburn, and the pain may radiate outward from there. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, weakness and palpitations.

WHAT CAUSES STEMIs? Dr. Palur Balakrishnan, who treated Jerry, said, “Myocardial infarctions can result as complications from other infirmities, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Smoking, lack of exercise and even stress can also precipitate a STEMI.” He continued, “Due to the nature of these causes, many STEMIs can be prevented with a healthy diet and exercise.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Jerry has been making an effort to adopt a healthier lifestyle and has been back to Houston Methodist St. John as he gets healthier. Jesse said, “I feel like my dad is a new person now. He eats a lot healthier, and he doesn’t eat as much, and he’s losing weight.”

With the help of the team at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, Jerry is on the road to recovery and a healthier lifestyle. Q

A healthier h Jerry Brawner and his son, Jesse, after an unlikely adventure landed them in the Emergency unli i Department at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

D ep p JJuly uly 2015 2015

47

YOU ORGANIZE

ORGANIZING YOUR HOME the Japanese way

By Mona Hassan

M

ost of us live with such a hectic schedule and busy lifestyle that it often becomes nearly impossible to relax and find an inner state of peace. However, at some point, we all feel the urge to press the pause button on our brains and place everything on hold, even if only for just a few moments. During this pause mode, we tend to turn to something we enjoy and give it all our energy while completely disconnecting from the outer world. It could be a stroll around the house after dinner, a bubble bath, reading a few pages from a book or even eating a quick snack while listening to your favorite music.

I believe this brief mental break is one way that helps us survive everyday stresses.

I have noticed that whenever things get too stressful, my desire to have a clean nest increases. It normally occurs when a number of things in my life become uncertain that I feel the irresistible urge to clean out my pantry and sort my closets. However, I have never found a reasonable explanation to my behavior.

It wasn’t until recently, when I saw a book titled, “The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up”, that I started to make the relation between the two factors of stress and cleaning. In this very

you should and shouldn’t do. When you’ve finished putting your house in order, your life will change dramatically.”

In her book, Kondo combines the beautiful spirit of the Japanese culture, to which she belongs, and her experience as a counselor for growing families and businesses in New York City. She visits homes and businesses, provides them with advice as well as a step-by-step guide in how to make their space more organized for life. She is so busy that her services are booked three months in advance.

You might be surprised to learn, writes Kondo, that decluttering is an art that has quite a bit of science behind it. There are many myths when it comes to house organizing. Kondo debunks some of the most common myths about decluttering and shares how to best organize your space using the Mary Kondo way.

Myth #1: Don’t try to organize your entire space at once; tidy a little at a time.

Wrong, writes Kondo. She suggests the best way to tidy a place efficiently is to do it quickly, before you start to give up. As long as you do it correctly, then quick is fine. According to Kondo, “A tidying marathon doesn’t cause rebound. If you tidy up in one shot, rather than little by little, you can dramatically change your mindset. If you use the right method and concentrate your efforts on eliminating clutter thoroughly and completely within a short span of time, you’ll see instant results that will empower you to keep your space in order.”

interesting book, the author Marie Kondo claims that house organizing and decluttering could be used as a form of therapy, and if done correctly, it could change a person’s life significantly.

“When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order, too,” Kondo writes. “As a result, you can see quite clearly what you need in life and what you don’t, and what

Myth #2: You should not aim for perfection when it comes to tidiness.

Well, maybe perfection is a little out of reach, but if you aim at least somewhere close to that high standard, then you won’t need to re-do the job over and over.

According to Kondo, “I can tell you from experience that you will never get your house in order if you only clean up half-heartedly.”

She suggests. “All you need to do is look at each item, one at a time, and decide whether or not to keep it and where to put it.

That’s all you need to do to complete this job.” continued...

Myth # 3: Storage is a convenient way to tidy your place.

Nope. Tidying should never be translated into storage, writes Kondo.

Although those adorable and colorful bins and containers might seem to provide a solution to the clutter problem, it is a temporary one. “Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved,” writes Kondo. “But sooner or later, all the storage units are full, the room once again overflows with things, and some new and easy storage method becomes necessary, creating a negative spiral.”

Myth #4: Tidy one room or location at a time.

Contrary to common belief, it’s best if you start tidying by category rather than by location. In her book, Kondo claims that when you tidy by location, it is likely to find that you stored the same types of items in different locations around the house, making it more difficult for you to stay organized. “Tidying by location is a fatal mistake,” she writes.

Myth #5: You don’t have to discard everything.

When it comes to tidying, we are all very picky about what to keep and what to toss, and sometimes, we tend to keep things we really are not going to end up using. If the process of discarding is not done efficiently, we most likely are going to end up repeating it in a few weeks or months.

For this reason, writes Kondo, it’s best if you always discard efficiently and make sure you get rid of everything you are not going to use before you even start the organizing process.

Myth #6: Hanging it is better than folding it.

It is commonly believed that hanging clothes works best for tidying.

However, Kondo claims that this is a common misconception and that if done in the right way, folding could be the most efficient way of tidying your closet and saving space. “Although it depends somewhat on the thickness of the clothes in question, you can fit twenty to forty pieces of folded clothing in the same amount of space required to hang ten,” writes Kondo. Moreover, “By neatly folding your clothes, you can solve almost every problem related to storage.” Inspired by her Japanese spiritual beliefs, Kondo also impresses her clients with an added benefit to folding, in addition to saving space. Folding could be one way to transfer positive energy from your body to your clothes. “When we take our clothes in our hands and fold them neatly, we are, I believe, transmitting energy, which has positive effect on our clothes,” she writes.

Myth #7: Start with photos, frames and albums.

Kondo argues, that sentimental value items are the most difficult to get rid of and, therefore, it would be smart to keep them to the end of the process. “The degree of difficulty involved in selecting what to keep and what to discard differs greatly depending on the category,” she writes.

“People who get stuck halfway usually do so because they start with the things that are hardest to make decisions about. Things that bring back memories.” Instead, start with paper clutter, kitchen cabinets or even toys and games.

Now that you know some of Marie Kondo’s best techniques for decluttering your space and making a change in your life that will bring more peace, it’s time to get off the couch and start the hard work, look for the reward and remember, sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. Q

Because every moment must be treasured.

MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Visit www.thepsyclinic.com Or call 281-837-MIND (6463) The regional leader in mental health services.

330 E Medical Center BLVD Webster, TX 77598 4201 Garth RD, Suite 212 Baytown, TX 77521

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YOU FIT

STAY COOL while working out

THIS SUMMER

By Emilia Benton

M

ake no mistake about it: We weathered a big storm last month, and summer is back with a vengeance. Having lived and marathon trained in Houston for the last four summers in a row, I can attest to the fact that it’s still challenging to acclimate to it every year. Here are some tips to make running and other outdoor exercise more tolerable in the hot and humid Houston summer months.

Ditch your music and find a buddy. Humid runs are more tolerable when you’ve got a friend to commiserate and chat with, right? It took me many summers of iPod earbuds suffering death by sweat to finally ditch the music. We can all agree that safety also is important, and you’re more likely to be aware of your surroundings if you “runplug.”

Three words: Sunscreen, sunglasses and shade. Make an effort to protect your skin and you’ll be more likely to get out there. The perimeter of Rice University and the outer loop of Hermann Park (both crushed gravel paths) are both almost completely shaded places to seek relief from the sun.

Invest in a quality handheld water bottle and stick it in the freezer. If you’ve ever slogged through a workout because you were dehydrated even once, you know how miserable it can be. There’s nothing better than ice-cold water during a hot Houston summer run, so I make sure to freeze my handheld every night before a workout. It’ll melt down within a couple of miles; trust me. Nathan Sports and Amphipod have several great models.

Run shirtless. I’m a very heavy sweater in Houston summers, and the last thing I need is a sweat-soaked shirt weighing me down for several miles, especially in a race. If you’re worried about getting judged for your abs, or lack thereof, trust me: no one cares. They’re just wishing they had your guts.

Pop some electrolyte capsules. Again, if you’re a heavy sweater like I am, take measures to decrease the chances of dehydration. You can find brands such as Hammer Endurolytes, S!Caps or SaltStick at most local athletic stores.

Make the summer your “off-season.” Did you have a big fall or spring event like a marathon? There’s no better time than summer to take a step back and switch to light and easy training, such as decreased mileage and intensity in your workouts. Consider leaving your GPS device behind if you’ve got your route’s distance memorized, so as not to fret about pace. Q

YOU PLAN

Keeping Your Kids

By Michelle Ong

S

ummer holidays are finally here and the kids are home.

Long summer days stretch out before them and everyone is excited about having more free time. But now they’ve parked themselves in front of the television and are spending hours on the Internet or playing video games. Before they start complaining about being bored, here are some ideas to keep your kids occupied this summer.

SUMMER CAMP With a variety of lengths and interests, there is a summer camp for everyone. Are your kids interested in science, robots, and dinosaurs? The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers weeklong camps throughout the summer for children ages 6-12.

For parents with older kids interested in science, mathematics, and engineering, the University of Houston-Downtown hosts Houston PREP, a free summer enrichment program for middle and high school students held from June 15 to July 24. continued...

s i h T y s u B r e m m Su

Are your kids creative? The Museum of Fine Arts Glassell Junior School has an extensive summer course catalog for students aged 3-18 on diverse subjects ranging from mixed media to animation.

Splash Kids offers one-month art classes on topics like paper mache, painting, and drawing. City Art Works holds 4-, 6-, and 10-week camps on sculpture, printmaking, painting, drawing, and other art forms for children aged 3-12. Several local theater companies, including Main Street Theater, Alley Theatre, and Wildfish Theatre, also offer summer camps for kids interested in acting and musical theater.

For overnight camps, check out YMCA Camp Cullen or Camp Olympia, which are both located in Trinity. At YMCA Camp Cullen, kids

can adventure, go horseback riding, and enjoy water sports during weekly themed sessions. At Camp Olympia, campers can choose from 40 different activities, ranging from archery to rock climbing and wakeboarding, for a personalized summer schedule.

MORE INFORMATION Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030 713-639-4652 xplorations@hmns.org http://www.hmns.org/index. php?option=com_content&view=arti cle&id=148&Itemid=155

Houston PREP 1 Main St., Houston, TX 77002 713-221-8686 HoustonPREP@uhd.edu http://www.uhd.edu/academic/ colleges/sciences/ccsds/hou_prep/ Glassell Junior School 5100 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006 713-639-7700 juniorschool@mfah.org http://www.mfah.org/visit/glasselljunior-school/ Splash Kids 8951 Ruthby St., Houston, TX 77061 713-882-9878 http://houstonart.webs.com/ summer-camp-registration

City Art Works 1330-R Wirt Rd. Houston, TX 77055 713-681-1331 http://www.cityartworks.org/in-ourcommunity/summer-art-camps/ Main Street Theater Four locations in Houston 713-524-7998 http://www.mainstreettheater.com/ ed/summer.html Alley Theatre Play Makers Carnegie Vanguard High School 1501 Taft St., Houston, TX 77019 713-315-5424 playmakers@alleytheatre.org http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alley/ Camps_and_Classes.asp Wildfish Theatre 1703D1 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056 713-899-7595 wildfishtheatre@gmail.com http://www.wildfishtheatre.com/ YMCA Camp Cullen 460 Cullen Loop, Ste. A, Trinity, TX 75862 936-594-2274 http://www.ymcacampcullen.org/ Camp Olympia 723 Olympia Dr., Trinity, TX 75862 1-800-735-6190 campinfo@campolympia.com http://www.campolympia.com/

MORE INFORMATION Splashtown 21300 I-45N, Spring, TX 77373 281-355-3300 http://www.wetnwildsplashtown. com Daily admission: $30.99-$39.99 Season pass: $64.99; family four-pack: $59.99 each Parking: $10 Schlitterbahn 2625 Lockheed St., Galveston, TX 77554 409-770-9283 http://www.schlitterbahn.com/ galveston Daily admission: $38.99-$48.99

Orchard, and strawberries at Froberg’s Farm. Your kids can interact with farm animals and learn about the beef and dairy industry at Oil Ranch or try horseback riding at Hickman Ranch, which specializes in Western and English riding lessons, or Needville Horseback Riding, which offers hunter, jumper, and dressage lessons.

MORE INFORMATION E&B Orchards 28268 Clark Bottom Road, Hempstead, TX 77445 979-826-6303 http://www.eandborchards.com/ continued...

HEAD TO THE COUNTRY Escape the city for a fun family outing in the country. Your family can pick summer seasonal fruit at a number of orchards throughout the Houston area, including peaches, nectarines, and blackberries at E&B Orchards, jujubes and pears at Matt Family

WATERPARKS Summer is the perfect time to cool off at the waterpark. The newly renovated Splashtown in Spring features an expanded kids’ area, with eight water slides and an exclusive toddler-only play area. Two new rides, the Big Kahuna, a tube raft ride, and Flow Rider, a simulated wave system, offer fun for the whole family. The 26-acre Schlitterbahn in Galveston boasts more than 35 water rides and attractions, including the Transportainment River System, which floats guests throughout the entire park, twister slides, freefall slides, and a wave pool. Several attractions are designed just for kids for fun at all ages.

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Matt Family Orchard 21110 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball, TX 77377 281-351-7676 http://www.mattfamilyorchard. com/ Froberg’s Farm 3601 West Hwy 6, Alvin, TX 77511 281-585-3531 http://www.frobergsfarm.com Oil Ranch 3501 Macedonia Rd., Hockley, TX 77447 281-859-1616 info@oilranch.com http://oilranch.com/ Admission: $14.95/per person Hickman Ranch 2403 Miller Road, Rosharon, TX 77583 832-689-2285 kayhick@attglobal.net http://www.hickmanranch.org/ index.htm Needville Horseback Riding 8610 Padon Road, Needville, TX 301-646-3200 needvillehorse@gmail.com http://www.needvillehorseriding. com/

SUMMER READING PROGRAM For families not traveling this summer, why not take your kids to the library? Through books, your kids can access other lands and cultures, visit imaginary worlds, and catch glimpses of other people’s lives. Every year, the Houston Public Library hosts a summer reading program to encourage kids to read and participate in workshops, performances, and other library events held throughout the summer. Kids can earn rewards based on the number of books they’ve read, including tickets to see the Houston Dynamo or Houston Dash. The grand prize this year is an Xbox One console.

MORE INFORMATION Visit your nearby library branch or access http://houstonlibrary. org/summer. Q 58

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YOU FASHION

T H E M I D I AG E S The

&Fall

Rise

of the Hemline

By Jessica Miller

O

ver the years, many fashion trends have made a comeback. While most are fleeting, some stick around to become the latest generation’s lasting favorite. We have seen a reemergence of everything from bellbottoms and tights to denim overalls. But the latest and most widely loved comeback might just be the midi skirt.

Falling in between the mini and maxi, the midi skirt is defined by having a hemline reaching anywhere from just below the knee to mid-calf. Other than length, the styles vary greatly. You can find the midi in just about every cut, color and fabric available.

A BRIEF HISTORY The midi first gained popularity in the 1940s-50s and was known for its ladylike elegance and conservative versatility.

After years of wearing full-length skirts, the midi offered a refreshing freedom. Full style midi skirts and dresses were often worn and made trendy by beauties of the silver screen, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Russell and Lucille Ball. With the arrival of the 60s and the rising feminism movement, skirts got shorter and progressive women started showing more leg, thus giving us the well-known mini skirt. In 1970, a women’s continued...

fashion magazine publisher tried to revive the 50’s trend by declaring that it would be the year of the midi skirt. The public wasn’t having it and his forceful efforts failed to revive the love of the midi.

The midi skirt’s latest comeback took off last year and ladies everywhere fell in love with this vintage beauty. It was seen on runways everywhere by designers such as Michael Kors and Donna Karan. The midi was featured in many classic looks as well as fresh reinventions.

SO MIDI CHOICES What makes the midi so popular is its versatility as well as its many styles. You can find a midi perfect for any occasion. There is the classic full, the subtle A-line, the sophisticated pencil and don’t forget the bi-layer and pleated midi. The midi can be dressed up with a blouse tucked in, and complemented with a stunning pair of high heels, perfect for a cocktail party. Or it can easily be dressed down and worn with a cropped t-shirt and ballet flats, ready for a fun date night. Midis are best worn above the hips creating a high waistline. A belt can easily be added to help accentuate the waistline as well. The full shape pairs well with a more fitted top to balance the fullness of the skirt.

The A-line is great with a t-shirt or blouse. The pencil can be all about business with a structured button down or warm and cozy with a sweater. However you choose to don a midi, you can’t go wrong.

The midi is perfect for all seasons. In spring and summer, opt for a lighter fabric such as cotton or lace and pair with a cute pair of strappy heels or sandals. You can have fun with bright colors and patterns or stick to soft pastels. In warm weather, a midi pairs great with a tank. In the late fall and winter, go for a thicker fabric such as wool or leather and pair it with tights or boots, or both. All styles can easily work with a light jacket or coat. Elegant black or rich bold colors will make your winter ensemble the talk of the dinner party.

MIDI FOR EVERY BODY The midi is also well liked because it is ageless and flatters any body type. It looks just as stylish and appropriate on a girl in her teens as it does on a sophisticated businesswoman in her 50s. Likewise with height, because of the varying lengths, the midi can work on petite as well as tall women.

If you are more petite, go for a midi that falls right below the knee and pair it with a heel. Taller ladies can pull off the

the longer lengths better. If you are slender and have more of a straight hip, go for a slim-fitting pencil midi and make it pop with a print. If you are a full-figured hourglass, wear an A-line high on the waist to accentuate your smaller waistline. If you are smaller on top and full in the hip, try a flowy A-line just above the hip with a cute button down knotted at the waist.

HEAD OVER HEELS What more can be said? We have fallen in love with the wonderfully versatile and fabulously feminine midi skirt.

From the runway to the sidewalks, the midi quickly reclaimed its place as the perfect piece for any occasion and for every woman. This is one comeback that is here to stay. Q

YOU EXERCISE

How

By Emilia Benton

O

nce upon a time, I was seemingly the most unathletic kid in the world. I got my running start when I joined my high school track and cross country teams at 16, and I now regularly run long-distance races and have hopes of someday qualifying to run the Boston Marathon. But I certainly didn’t just wake up one day with the ability to run a 5k, let alone a marathon.

So if you are interested in finding your running start, here’s some tried and true advice. Beginners, keep in

mind your journey toward becoming a 64

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runner is, figuratively speaking, a marathon and not a sprint.

Don’t pile on too much too soon. When I decided

to give running a try, I started with a few minutes of running with walking breaks, eventually building up to one, two and three miles. Be patient and give yourself time. You will eventually get stronger, run longer and avoid injury. The popular online Couch-to-5k plan (www.active.com/mobile/ couch-to-5k-app) has proven to be successful for many beginning runners.

Do invest in one key item: shoes. If you plan

to run consistently, wearing appropriate shoes is nonnegotiable. Worn-out shoes are one of the most common causes of injuries, so shoes should be replaced every 300 to 500 miles. While it’s not a bad idea to at least get fitted at a specialty store (Fleet Feet and Luke’s Locker are great local options in the Houston area), you often can find your chosen pair of shoes at a lower cost on sites such as runningwarehouse. com and shoebuy.com.

to take up

RUNNING Don’tt becom become o e pr preoccupied with pace. W When hen you you’re ou’r’re just ju starting out,

the last las astt thingg you want wan to do is go out as hard rd as you can.. Whether Whe your long-term goal is tto o rrace ace compet competitively or simply maintain fitness, s, you you main m goal from the beginningg should be to t build endurance while remainingg injury-free. injur Don’t get dis discouraged sco cou u by slow progress. p pr ogress. Again,, your og you main goal is to

build endurance without witho getting hurt. It’s normal to have to stop frequently when learningg to run yourr fi first mile, or to have difficultyy runningg a fe few minutes without feelingg outt off breath when w first starting out.. We all startt somewhere. some Piling on too much too soon commonly co leads to injuries such as shin sp splits, iliotibial (IT) runner’s knee, as band syndrome and ru well as plain old burnout. burno You don’t want to sideline yourselff be before you’ve barely gotten started.

Do differentiate b between pain and discomfort. Oc Occasional muscle

aches and soreness are to be expected, especiallyy when firstt sstarting out. But if you experience sharp,, persistent pain that possiblyy gets worse wi with walking, take a step backk and restt forr a few days. Q Happy running!

Sources: www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml www.coolrunning.com/e www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line/howwww.runnersworld.com/t start-running-if-youre-already-exercising start-running-if-youre-alrea

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PORTRAIT YOU

DR. MOHAMED AHMED OF THE PSYCLINIC Life…Can be Better!

By Tammy Adams

T

o look at the headlines, it appears the world is at a breaking point. Racial tensions, debates swirling around gun control and mental illness, political unrest and the threat of war are just a few of the top billing issues in the first half of 2015. The constant barrage of bad news in the media can bring fear and anxiety. In fact, the Mental Health Foundation reports that prescriptions for insomnia are up and anxiety is at an all-time high. Additionally, one in four American adults (that’s 61.5 million) will experience some sort of mental health problem in the course of a year and about 20 million Americans suffer from clinical depression.

It’s one thing to get the occasional blues or feel a little down if you are going through a rough time. But clinical depression is quite another matter. “Depression is a serious medical condition that involves the brain,” said Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and founder of The PsyClinic. “If you are clinically depressed, these negative feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.”

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MEET DR. AHMED

THE PSYCLINIC DIFFERENCE

A respected leader in his field, Dr. Ahmed has more than 15 years of experience in psychiatry and clinical research.

In addition to his work at The PsyClinic, Dr. Ahmed serves as Chairman of the department of Psychiatry at Baytown Methodist hospital and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UTMB Galveston, Texas.

Dr. Ahmed completed his residency in General Psychiatry and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas medical branch in Galveston, Texas. He also holds an international master’s degree in Psychiatry. He is Dual Board Certified in both Adult and Child Psychiatry. He is a distinguished Laughlin Fellow and has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Robert B. White and an International medical graduate fellowship award.

Over the years, Dr. Ahmed has helped countless families with his comprehensive multidisciplinary approach that is deeply rooted in genuine concern and compassion for human suffering. “I have never once regretted my decision to become a psychiatrist,” said Dr. Ahmed. “I see people struggling with the most devastating illnesses and can help them return to satisfying and fulfilling lives.”

The multidisciplinary approach taken at The PsyClinic means children and adults needing help with any mental health issues have more choice when it comes to their treatment. Dr. Ahmed has such a wonderful reputation in the community because patients know they can trust him.

He works hard to find just the right treatment plan for each individual patient. Medication is always a last resort.

“At The PsyClinic, we strive to be the regional leader in mental health services by offering comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services from a multi-disciplinary team of competent and compassionate providers,” said Dr. Ahmed.

The PsyClinic has two locations in the Houston metropolitan area. Drs. Ahmed and ElSadre lead a team of more than 20 mental health providers including licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a board certified mental health physician assistant.

TMS THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION Depression can be treated in a number of ways. Dr. Ahmed and his team at The PsyClinic are pleased to be able to offer a cutting-edge treatment option that is showing great promise in the field of treatment for depression. “TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy,” said Dr. Sarah ElSadre, MD, who serves as the TMS program director.

“It is a new treatment cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients suffering from depression who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant treatment.”

TMS Therapy is a treatment that can be performed in a psychiatrist’s office, under doctor supervision, using a medical device called the NeuroStar TMS Therapy system. NeuroStar TMS Therapy is: R Non-invasive, meaning that it does not involve surgery. It does not require any anesthesia or sedation, as the patient remains awake and alert during the treatment R Non-systemic, meaning that it is not taken by mouth and does not circulate in the blood stream throughout the body.

The typical initial treatment course consists of at least 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period, for an average of 20-30 total treatments. Each treatment session lasts approximately 40 minutes. TMS is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that uses a pulsed magnetic field similar in type and strength to those produced by MRI machine.

The electric current induced by TMS results in the release of neurotransmitters that are provided artificially through medication.

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COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY The PsyClinic treats the following disorders in children, adolescents, adults and the elderly from a psychological, behavioral and pharmaceutical approach: R Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorders R Oppositional Defiant Disorder R Conduct Disorder R Behavioral Disorders and Anger Control in children and teens R Autism, Asperger’s and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders R Major Depressive Disorders R Bipolar Disorders R Anxiety Disorders R Sleep Disorders R Substance Abuse Disorders R Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders R Dementia When dealing with a mental disorder, many people try to tough it out, keeping it a secret from family and friends, hoping it will just go away. Dr. Ahmed and the entire staff at The PsyClinic believe that mental and emotional wellbeing should warrant the same attention as any physical concern. In the same way you wouldn’t ignore a broken bone, you should not ignore symptoms of a mental disorder. The PsyClinic is here to help. To make an appointment at either of The PsyClinic’s convenient locations, readers are invited to call:

THE PSYCLINIC 281-837-6463 The Baytown Clinic: 4201 Garth Road, Suite 212 Baytown, TX 77521 Office hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm

The Clear Lake/Webster Clinic: 330 E Medical Center BLVD Webster, TX 77598 Office hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm

ThePsyClinic.com

r e m um Time!

YOU FASHION

It’s

S

Flip-flips or slip on

sandals are the trend. end d. ean But that doesn’t mean you should settle for the drug store variety.

These flip-flops range from the $24 at Gap to the $98 Kate Spade design for a more elegant look. Keep your feet happy with your favorite pick for whatever adventure you decide to go on..

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME

By Jesse Itkonen

N

o doubt, the video game industry gets somewhat of a bad rep from media and parents alike. There is a collective fear about the unknown long term effects of video game usage on young minds.

Throw in the violence that is found in many popular video games, a people get downright squeamish. No doubt an important topic in this generation, let’s look at some statistics and studies that address this multi-million dollar industry.

The American gamer population today is 56 percent male and 44 percent female, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) study conducted in 2015. In 2014, approximately 183 million people played video games of some form in the U.S. alone. The PC game League of Legends was featured in Forbes in 2012, when it peaked the charts as the most popular game on the planet; over 1.2 million people in the U.S. play it on a daily basis.

It’s safe to say that gaming is here to stay and is a major part of the modern day culture. Yet to this day, gaming remains a

What you are not about video

hot topic in both mainstream media and for concerned parents.

While the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) reports that approximately 85 percent of parents are aware of the ratings system implemented for video games, there is still a wide disparity in what games actually reach the hands of children too young to play them. A common question from parents continues to be: what is an appropriate game for my children?

In 2013, a YouTube video began making the rounds online of an 11 year old boy from France weeping with joy as his parents surprised him with a copy of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 5. Rational voices dissented; the game (rated M for mature) was obviously meant for people far older than the boy, and the parents should have taken closer care of what they had bought for their child.

In fact, a UK-based study from playr2.com in 2012 revealed that two thirds of parents don’t even bother checking the ratings on the box. Combined with the media image that video games

cause violence and aggravated behavior in developing minds, it’s no wonder gaming continues being demonized by news outlets.

But the statistics aren’t there. Between the years 19952008 video games sales quadrupled, creating an $11.7 billion dollar industry in the U.S., yet the arrest rate for juvenile murder during that same time period fell 71.9 percent and the arrest rate for all juvenile violent crimes declined 49.3 percent, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics published by the ESA. The image that video games are for the most part violent is also untrue. In the 2014 Entertainment and Software Association study, 46 percent of games rated by the ESRB that were released in 2013 received an E for Everyone rating, making them suitable for children.

Nineteen percent of games received an E10 rating, making them suitable for children above the age of 10, and 23 percent of games received a T for Teen rating, making them suitable for children above the age of 13. The M for Mature rating, limiting the content for adults over the age of 18, was reserved for only 12 percent of the games released that year.

Out of the games released in these rating brackets, one of the largest functions remains unrated still: online interactions. In continued...

likely to learn games July 2015

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the highly connected society in which we live, more and more young people are online and playing in communities together.

According to Constance Steinkuehler Squire, associate professor in digital media and codirector of the Games+Learning+Society Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, these communities can lead to a challenging, creative environment that is actually healthy for children.

“You create these communities around the game that do an incredible amount of intellectual work, and when they’re done with the work, they will leave the game and go on to another game that’s more challenging. Can you imagine if we had that kind of environment in classrooms?” she says.

The 2014 ESA study also finds that 56 percent of parents believe that video games are a positive part of their child’s life, while 47 percent of parents say that they enjoy playing video games as much as their child does. If anything, the studies are showing that the right kind of games can not only create a positive influence in the lives of children, but bring families together where gaming can become part of a nurturing experience.

“Games provide a wonderful platform for intergenerational play and learning. Kids often take the lead in showing their moms what they know how to do in the game—they are the experts!

This gives both moms and their children a chance to interact and learn together, which we know from a developmental perspective has great benefits,” says Katie Salen, executive director of Institute of Play.

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So what games should families play together? While the best selling games of 2013 still consisted of action heavy titles for mature audiences such as Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, more family friendly games such as Minecraft and Disney Infinity have stayed as top selling heavy hitters for years now. The Lego franchise, with their hugely popular takes on popculture icons such as The Avengers and the Lord of the Rings films, have also become yearly hits.

Minecraft, in particular, has been lauded by critics and gamers worldwide as a modern day lego set in the digital world. Giving players near unlimited control in a block based world to build, craft, and shape the world around them, Minecraft is a game solely driven by creativity and the ability to make new things either alone or with friends.

One of the brands that parents who want to be a part of their children’s gaming should look into is still Nintendo, who have been the forerunner of bringing consoles into homes since the 80’s. Their iconic mascot Mario remains a strong part of their gaming foundation to this day. Parents with younger children can easily find suitable games for the whole family in the wide Nintendo backlog, either for the Wii or Wii U consoles, and even families with older children can find great experiences in games like Mario Kart or the Legend of Zelda series. A search on the ESRB website for games rated Everyone to Teen turned out 4,917 games for Nintendo consoles alone.

For parents wanting even more information, the ESRB website and game store employees are a valuable source on a day to day basis. While gaming today is a part of everyday life and culture, it still remains the responsibility of parents and gamers themselves to find out what they’re playing. Q

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