Dr Rothstein
As a psychologist, I work with people who may be, or think they are outside what is deemed normal by their own standards or by those set for their age, gender, or social group. Take depression, for example. People frequently confuse sadness or normal grief with depression. Depression, however, is a deep pervasive sadness, which often affects sleep, appetite, social interactions and pleasure or joy for considerable time. Anxiety problems take several forms, but those needing help go beyond occasional worry. Anxious folks are plagued with the “what ifs” that affect the quality of their life and relationships. Anxiety may restrict travel; affect social activities, work, or health.
How then, does one know when to seek help? An inexact, but helpful standard is apparent happiness and quality of life. And you can ask questions like these: Does a child have friends and function in school and home? Is he/she destructive, often untruthful, explosive, cries very frequently? Does he/she complain of frequent stomachaches? Does an adult travel away from home freely or does he avoid crowds, germs, or animals? Does a teen seem isolated or friendless, tantrums or cries often, cuts or is otherwise self destructive? Do a couple disagree frequently, intensely or violently? Are worries, fears, or sadness intruding into sleep, relationships and social support? Does an individual verbalize or find fascination with suicide or death? If you think you or someone close to you has left the continuum we call normal and would like to find out if they need some help, call Doylestown psychologist Dr. Cary Rothstein at 215-987-5182.