Victoria Dunckley's Blog, page 4

Ask Your Doctor If You Should Take Advice from a Commercial

Commercials about psychiatric drugs are now ubiquitous. Are they helpful or harmful?

Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally With These Five Steps

Does research support the use of natural methods for treating ADHD? Here are five evidence-based suggestions for tackling the poor focus and disorganized behavior that are part and parcel of this disorder.

Why CFL's Aren't Such a Bright Idea

New (and old) research points to fluorescent light causing not just poor sleep, but physiological stress reactions. In light of rising neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and ADHD seen in children, are energy-saving CFL's costing us dearly?

Dumb & Dumber: Interactive Screentime is Worse than TV

Few parents would argue that television is good for kids' brains, while many mistakenly believe that interactive screen-time--in the form of video games, internet use, and social media--has beneficial effects that outweigh any risks. But is it possible that interactive screen-time is WORSE than passive?

Why You Should Run Away from Your Problems

How many times have we heard that exercise helps with depression? But does it really work? Researchers recently discovered that the amount and frequency really does matter. In an age where patients increasingly seek natural, drug-free treatments, it's helpful to know what works--and how to prescribe it.

"Mommy, Pretend I'm Playing a Game on my iPad!"

Technology offers children instant gratification, role playing, and intense stimulation. The result? The desire to escape from the real world to the virtual gets stronger and stronger, as does the desire to become the false image created on Facebook, to become the TV, sports, or gaming character, to become the device, to become-in short-transhuman.

Lipoic Acid: The Little Supplement that Could

Do you become overwhelmed when you’re in the supplement aisle? Do you ever feel like you're shoving a fistful of pills into your mouth every day and can no longer remember why you’re taking what? For these reasons and more, it's helpful to be aware of potent agents that serve multiple roles. Meet lipoic acid, the little supplement that packs a powerful punch.

Screen Free Week is Just around the Corner!

Screen Free Week is right around the corner: May 5-11, 2014. Although children will naturally engage in healthy play once liberated from screens, parents often panic in regards to "what will my child DO?!" Here's a list of activities to get those brainstorming juices flowing, along with some important reasons why going screen-free is worth the effort.

The Link Between Light-at-Night, Depression & Suicidality

With teen depression and suicide on the rise, environmental factors cannot be ignored. A growing body of evidence suggests light-at-night from electronic devices—a favorite pastime of teens—may be to blame.