A Message From Mona
I was out to dinner with a close friend of mine and the topic of gratitude arose. Ellen faced medical, mental health and financial problems in the past year and I asked her how she was coping. Her short answer:…
I was out to dinner with a close friend of mine and the topic of gratitude arose. Ellen faced medical, mental health and financial problems in the past year and I asked her how she was coping. Her short answer:…
◊ A young woman takes her troubles to a therapist. “You must help me,” she pleaded. “Its gotten to that every time I date a nice guy, I end up in bed with him. And then afterward, I feel guilty…
A Kaiser Family Foundation/Economist three-country survey recently found that one in five Americans report always or often feeling lonely or socially isolated. These feelings are accompanied frequently with physical and financial consequences. An interesting finding in the report is that…
This is shocking. Instead of trading a washer and dryer for what you hope will be a brand new car-one set of parents offered to trade embryos based on its sex. A mother was so anxious to give birth to…
It all depends. Some employers frown on the very idea even going so far as to include the topic in their employee handbooks. Employees counter that this is an infringement on their first amendment rights to free speech. The analogy…
The Food and Drug Administration has been verbalizing for quite sometime its desire to curb smoking and vaping among youth. Recently, the FDA announced plans to ban menthol cigarettes, many flavored small cigars and to move forward with restrictions on…
I recently returned from my 4th annual convention with the American Medical Billing Association in Las Vegas. There was a breakout section for Mental Health Billing companies of which I am an active, contributing participant. Every year we exchange ideas…
√ Canada legalized recreational marijuana this month and, while business is brisk, dispensaries are already finding it challenging to keep pace with demand. One young entrepreneur discovered another benefit of long lines to purchase weed. Elina Childs, age 9, stood…
A U.S. study published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports maintains that after just one hour of screen time, children and adolescents may exhibit less curiosity, lower self-control and reduced emotional stability. Nursery school children who used screens frequently were…
Associated Billing Center, LLC is a supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The following is their message concerning this upcoming election: “For decades mental health advocates have shaped laws, increased funding and promoted research to address the…
A man is strolling past the mental hospital and suddenly remembers an important meeting. Unfortunately, his watch has stopped, and he cannot tell if he is late or not. Then, he notices a patient similarly strolling about within the hospital fence. Calling out to the…
It is a fact: Men around the world cry significantly less than women and when they do cry it is for shorter periods. The primary contributing factors are both social and biological. Ad Vingerhoets, a psychologist at Tilburg University in…
WalletHub is out with its list of the hardest working states in America. The survey shows that the average American works approximately 1,800 hours per year and 52 percent do not take all the vacation time available to them. So…
Throughout the course of a month I will get several calls from therapists telling me they would like to refer Associated Billing Center, LLC to a friend or an acquaintance. I very much appreciate these calls on two levels. First,…
The opioid crisis is affecting our friends, our families and our communities, including too many people with mental illness. 1 in 5 adults with mental illness have a substance use condition. Congress is expected to vote soon on a final bill…
Coughing, hacking, shortness of breathe, lung disease-absolutely all can be by-products of breathing polluted air. But, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, prolonged exposure to dirty air has a significant impact on…
** A patient goes to his therapist and says he is depressed. He says life seems harsh and cruel. He says he feels all alone in a threatening world, where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. The therapist says…
International Overdose Awareness Day is held on August 31st each year. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the disease and the physical and emotional toll it takes on the addicted individual, family members and friends. Yes, it is a…
I never thought I would trend in this direction. More about that later. Men across America are increasingly growing beards from the stubble to the goatee, or the full beard. Procter & Gamble (Gillette’s parent company) says it’s easier for…
A number of mental health providers are now reporting seeing a growing number of parents and children concerning sexting. What is sexting? It is defined as sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images, primarily between mobile phones, of oneself…
Joe had been seeing a mental health therapist for four years for treatment of the fear that he had monsters under his bed. His progress was very poor and it had been years since Joe had gotten a good night’s…
We are aware that we include stories concerning opiate addiction often on this Blog. We are also aware that many of our providers offer addiction counseling and we hope that the information provided will be useful. Another reason we write…
Stress at work! Wow, by no means a startling revelation or a newly discovered phenomenon. What is newly discovered is the fact that a simple saliva test can show within hours whether someone is stressed out on the job. The…
– Patient to Therapist: I keep thinking I’m a bell. Therapist to Patient: Well, just go home and if the feeling persists, just give me a ring. – Patient to Therapist: I feel like a pack of cards. Therapist…
This comes under the banner “We report-you decide.” The World Health Organization has recognized compulsive sexual behavior as a mental disorder but says it remains unclear if it is an addiction on par with gambling or drug abuse. The organization…
– I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure. – Hypochondria is the only illness that I don’t have. – Patient to Therapist: I think I’m a cat. Therapist: How long has this been going on? Patient: Oh, since…
It can be extremely annoying. Walking or driving near someone who is immersed in using their cell phone. Now, a shopping center in China has added a pedestrian lane in the mall for those of us who simply cannot part…
It’s the kind of Déjà vu we can all live without- another mass shooting in the United States. The tragic event at the Capital Gazette took the lives of five people and injured others. According to data from the Gun…
Many parents and mental health therapists continue to advocate for and support initiatives calling on public schools to include a class on the subject of mental health itself. The Huffington Post reports that New York and Virginia are now including…
If you love her act you are smitten with her stage presence, voice and artistic skills. If you are indifferent to Lady Gaga as a performer you probably know little about her. She is passionate concerning her efforts to support…
Mental Health therapists deserve the public’s gratitude. You have chosen a profession that can uniquely alter the course of an individual life. Therapists can provide a person with a pathway, a GPS if you will, toward a more contentment filled…
After living in opioid hell-of constantly being sick to my stomach, of throwing up, of having the shakes and feeling depressed and crying-my body and brain are back to normal. Michael Reagan is the elder son of former President Ronald…
All that glitters at the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and American Actress Meghan Markle is not attached to joy, jubilation and happiness. When we are asked about our level of interest in the fairy tale event it ranges from…
An estimated 42 million Americans are the primary caregivers to family and friends. Many have no formal training or guidance and give of themselves unselfishly to assist a loved one in daily chores and to live life to the fullest…
-A very shy guy goes into a nightclub and sees a beautiful women sitting at the bar. After an hour of gathering up his courage, he finally goes over to her and asks, tentatively, “Um, would you mind if I…
A man goes to a therapist and says, “I got a real problem I can’t stop thinking about sex.” The therapist says, “Well let’s see what we can find out,” and pulls out his ink blots. “What is this a…
We hear people offering us advice when we are upset, angry, or frustrated to calm down. Now, researchers from Iowa State University finds that angry men aged 20 to 40 are one-and-a-half times more likely to be dead 35 years…
Patient to Therapist: People tell me I am a wheelbarrow. Therapist to Patient: Don’t let people push you around. Patient to Therapist: People keep telling me I’m ugly. Therapist to Patient: Lay on the couch, face down. The mother of…
Several publications are reporting that you might soon be able to ask your spouse or boyfriend if he has taken his oral contraceptive. Before you believe you did not get enough sleep last night and your reading comprehension skills are…
The official theme for Social Work Month, March 2018, is Social Workers: Leaders, Advocates, and Champions. Celebrated each March the nation’s more than 650 thousand social workers turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make…
-A prize was recently awarded to mental health researchers in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada and the United States for asking a thousand liars how often they lie, and for deciding whether to believe those answers. -What’s the difference between…
Psychiatrist and clinical professor, Dr. Sudeepta Varma at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, comments on the obsession some individuals have with British Royalty. “Keeping it as a hobby is OK. Being obsessed to the point that you are spending a lot…
Sacramento TV station WCVB reports that about 35 librarians in California have completed a course in how to respond to signs of mental illness or substance abuse. Many homeless people visit libraries to use computers and to read. Staff is…
“You’ve got more issues than Time Magazine.” “Therapists like Kentucky Freud Chicken.” “If you get a fruit basket from your therapist it will probably be shrink-wrapped.” “Therapists and rectal doctors deal with odds and ends.” Source: punoftheday.com “The reason I…
It is official. Britain has appointed its first Minister For Loneliness. No, this is not a story taken from the Onion but an acknowledgement by our friends across the Pond that being lonely can trigger a wide range of physical…
-Two therapists are thinking of forming a partnership. Partner A: “I deserve a 60 percent share of the revenue because my patients need more therapy and counseling.” Partner B: “That’s nonsense. How did you reach such a conclusion? Partner A:…
The World Health Organization is ready to classify “gaming disorder” as a mental health problem in its 2018 update of the ICD. A tentative draft of WHO’s 11th update to the International Classification of Diseases states that gaming disorders could…
“I look at it. I stare at it with anticipatory delight.” “I eat the outside first.” “I look lovingly at the cream between the cookies.” “I don’t like them, never have.” “I will never eat a generic version, it’s hideous.”…
The dreaded and hopeful moment cross paths every year at this time for many of us. We commit to making New Year’s resolutions and to convincing ourselves that this year will be different, “We will find a way to stay…
Do you or someone you know feel a compulsion to constantly take selfies? If so, you might be suffering from what some researchers call selfitis. Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and the Thiagarajar School of Management maintain that those who…
Many individuals who are in need of mental health counseling worry that there is a public stigma attached to the activity and never get the therapy they need. Innumerable celebrities have come forward recently to speak openly and honestly about…
The American Journal of Psychiatry published what it calls the “largest study of opioid deaths”. Researchers started with 13 thousand adults, under the age of 65, enrolled in Medicaid who died of an overdose between 2001 and 2007. The research…
-Everyone is entitled to be stupid but some abuse the privilege. Source: Unknown -There is a new Barbie doll on the market-Chain Smoker Barbie-with the Surgeon General’s warning on the box. -There is a new Barbie doll on the market-Hockey…
Health insurance premiums continue to rise well beyond the rate of inflation. And, given the uncertainty in the marketplace, these premiums could increase exponentially in certain geographic locations. There is a plethora of contributing factors but the epicenter seems to…
When you hear about tax reform, you may not think it affects people with mental health conditions and their families. But the bills in Congress do. Here’s how: Increases the cost of health insurance.Under the Senate bill, people will no…
-What do you know when you see three rabbits walking down the street wearing tuxedos and top hats? You know you need a therapist! -Patient: Why did you charge me a group rate? Therapist: You’ve got multiple personalities. –…
It truly is amazing. The advances in digital technology are now affecting the pharmaceutical industry. Check out the link below for an extremely interesting story focused on a digital pill that records whether or not a patient took his or…
Mental Health therapists agree that for doctors, nurses, firefighters, EMT’s and bystanders who witnessed the deadliest mass shooting in American history, the road to mental health recovery could be challenging. For 20 percent of firefighters and paramedics on the scene,…
– “For your manic–depression I’m going to put you on lithium batteries.” – “I never realized how empty my life was until I started tweeting about it. – Mental health professional to patient-“You must remember that the doctors slap all babies at…
The University of Texas at Austin reports that the more children are spanked, the more likely they are to defy their parents and experience increased anti-social behavior, aggression, mental health problems and cognitive difficulties. The conclusion is drawn from an…
President Trump has taken direct aim in his attempt to dismantle and disrupt Obamacare. The President has taken two actions that could mortally wound the Affordable Care Act. The first tasks his administration with increasing competition among insurers that would…
If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a therapist. -Ed Koch If you can fight directly with your mother, you can…
Federal, county and city court officials are looking hard at Buffalo, N.Y.’s new opioid crisis intervention court as one potential model solution to the epidemic of heroin and opioid overdoses that continue to devastate families and communities across America, taxing…
It truly is simple. Debate over gun control is once again reaching a fever pitch in the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting that took 59 lives (at last count) and injured more than 500. Why is the topic of…
One therapist to another: “I am seeing more patients who are worried about the Trump administration.” Other therapist: “Well, he did promise to increase business.” -Gary R’nel One therapist to another after lovemaking: “Darling, that was wonderful for you. How…
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, Senate leadership announced that the Graham-Cassidy bill would not be voted on. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)—and their Democratic colleagues—publicly opposed the Graham-Cassidy bill, making it impossible to reach…
Senate Republicans are giving it one last shot. They have until the end of September under budget reconciliation rules to repeal and/or replace Obamacare without having to resort to 60 votes in order to quash a filibuster by the opposing…
The Psychologist and the Genie A psychologist was walking along a Hawaiian beach when he kicked a bottle poking up through the sand. Opening it, he was astonished to see a cloud of smoke and a genie smiling at him….
That’s right. Therapists need to exercise due diligence in maintaining their own joy, contentment and happiness. An article appearing on huffingtonpost.com states that, “While there is no secret to happiness, regular care can go a long way towards boosting your…
According to the World Health Organization more than 300 million people suffer from some form of depression. About one in ten Americans take an antidepressant, now the most commonly prescribed drug in the United States. There are a variety of…
“Asking for help is always a sign of strength” Michelle Obama “My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth.” -Kerry…
The Trump administration has formally announced the end of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The program had protected 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. President Trump has given Congress six months to craft…
My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you’re ugly too. I told my therapist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous- everyone hasn’t me yet. I…
Walk through most of the aid centers for victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and you are more often than not going to see the following sign: “Need to Talk”. Many of the survivors have lost all their worldly goods…
Dr. Tom Price, Secretary of Health and Human Services, says researchers are working on a vaccine for addiction. The latest suggestion for a vaccine comes from a government commission lead by NJ Governor Chris Christie tasked with suggesting ways to…
The Waiting Room In a therapist’s waiting room two patients are having a conversation. One says to the other, “Why are you here?” The second answers, “I’m Napoleon, so the therapist told me to come here.” The first is curious…
Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University has affixed a label to those individuals born between 1995 and 2012: “IGen.” Twenge says members of this generation are physically safer than those who came before them. They…
It’s happened to everyone: you walk down the street, trip, stumble and fall. Assuming you aren’t seriously injured, you might peer around to see who bore witness to your foible and either a) be completely embarrassed and horrified that you…
Blue Shield of California and its claims administrator wrongly restricted patients’ access to outpatient and residential mental health treatment, a class-action lawsuit says. The complaint comes from two parents who allege their teenage children were repeatedly denied coverage under their employer-based plans despite serious…
How often have we all said to a friend or family member, “I can use a mental health day but I am afraid my boss will not understand.” USA Today reports that when a web developer shared with her team…
A man walked into a therapist’s office looking very depressed. ” You’ve got to help me. I can’t go on like this.” “What’s the problem?” the therapist inquired. “Well, I’m 35 years old and I still have no luck with the ladies. No matter how…
We are all very familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome as it relates to combat veterans returning home. Now, England’s National Health Service is reporting that children who view terror attacks on social media could be at risk of PTSD. The…
Studies have shown that incarcerated individuals are 5 times more likely to experience a mental health problem than the general population. Only one-third of inmates in the United States with mental health issues actually receive treatment according to a just…
-One day at a trial, an eminent psychologist was called to testify. A severe no nonsense professional, she sat down in the witness chair unaware that its rear legs were set precariously on the back of the raised platform. “Will…
According to a published report in the Mirror, Rebeckah Jones suffers from depression and anxiety as a result of bullying experienced most of her life. Her school insists that she is to unwell to attend. Rebeckha and her family have…
The Economist reports that in 2015 more than 52,000 Americans died of drug overdoses according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is an average of one death every ten minutes. Nearly two-thirds of them were from opioids,…
-What do you know when you see three rabbits walking down the street wearing tuxedos and top hats? You know you need to see a therapist. -Patient: Why did you charge me a group rate? Therapist: You’ve got multiple personalities….
The Fidget Spinner was originally promoted as a therapeutic device to help children with anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity and autism. Its creators never envisioned that this device, composed of premium hybrid ceramic bearings, would be mass marketed to consumers. Stores…
Many critics were asking, “What’s taken you so long?” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces that it will remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to combat fraud and illegal use. The new cards will use a unique,…
A therapist was visiting a mental health clinic when he entered a patient’s room. He found Patient #1 sitting on the floor, pretending to saw a piece of wood in half. Patient #2 was hanging from the ceiling, by his…
At any given time seventy percent of those currently employed are searching for other jobs. According to Mental Health America, less than one-third of us are happy or content with our work. Eighteen percent are dissatisfied with their current position…
The National Alliance on Mental Health as well as several mental health advocacy groups maintain that President Trump’s proposed budget would dramatically slash funding to those who can least afford mental health services. Mary Giliberti, CEO of NAMI says it…
-The head therapists in an insane asylum had a meeting and decided that one of their patients was potentially well. So they decide to test him and take him to the movies. When they get to the movie theater, there…
Laura Greenstein reports on the National Alliance on Mental Illness website revealing her top seven movies dealing with the topic of mental health. Here we go: Autism: Rain Man (1988) Anxiety: What About Bob (1991) OCD: As Good As it…
NPR reports that for young adults, social media may not be so social after all. Heavy use of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram could be associated with feelings of isolation according to a recent study. Brian Primrack is…
-Why is therapy a lot quicker for a man than a woman? Because when it’s time to go back to childhood, a man is already there. -How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb? None, the light…
The number of teenagers visiting emergency rooms in the state of Colorado more than quadrupled after marijuana was legalized in the state-according to a University of Colorado study. Researchers say most of the hospital visits were related to mental health…
Americans deserve better from our elected officials. The timeline and manner in which the latest attempt to repeal the ACA was unacceptable by normal standards. Regrettably, the “normal standard” is now defined as this contentious, angst filled relationship that exists…
May is designated as Mental Health Month. The theme for 2017 is “Risky Business”, bringing attention to the importance of addressing mental health symptoms early, and identifying when behaviors and habit can be unhealthy. Mental Health Month is also defined…
Is it still possible to feel alone and isolated while being surrounded by an explosive social media? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes. An article featured in USA today written by Laura Petrecca focuses on this very topic….
Your Mental Health
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A New Jersey based company servicing the Continental United States.
