Key Distinctions in Mania and Hypomania

A client says, “I can’t get started.” That is an important clinical observation. It is also incredibly ambiguous. How many possible diagnoses or explanations have already flashed through your mind? Difficulty initiating tasks is frequently associated with ADHD. But “I can’t get started” is not an ADHD symptom with only one possible meaning. It is a description of an experience—and many different processes can produce that experience. What Does “I Can’t Get Started” Actually M

For a time, children with chronic irritability, severe emotional outbursts, and dramatic shifts in behavior were increasingly diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder. The reasoning seemed plausible. These children could be intensely reactive, impulsive, aggressive, distractible, and difficult to settle. Their emotions sometimes appeared to shift rapidly. Because irritability can occur during mania, some clinicians began to view this pattern as a childhood version of bipolar

We always talk about how to do an assessment, but what about how to end the testing?

Understanding our psychological history is crucial for shaping effective current practices in mental health support. The intertwined relationship between intelligence, historical context, and thorough assessment sheds light on how these elements inform our present-day methodologies. Often, in the rush of our day-to-day responsibilities, we may overlook the journey that led us to our current practice. It's easy to lose sight of the passion that first ignited our commitment to

Oh, the Wechsler Test? Let us discuss the Wechsler assessments and their applications in evaluating IQ and cognitive skills. The Wechsler test has been a staple in psychological evaluation for many years, and it remains a key tool for clinicians and evaluators today. Most testing professionals incorporate this test into their assessments at least weekly, underscoring its widespread use in the field. However, it's crucial to ask ourselves: are we applying the Wechsler test app

Do you know how to create an unbiased, objective assessment?

Psychology has some troubling aspects in its history, including asylums, electric shock therapies, and non-regulated experimentation. It's important to acknowledge that when we learn better, we do better. However, this doesn't mean we shouldn't know about and respect the origins of our current practices.

It might never be ADHD. When is the assessment not correct?

When evaluating young children for possible learning difficulties, it's important to understand the categories defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). This legislation provides a framework for identifying specific types of learning disabilities, which are critical for determining eligibility for special education services. While we are covering how IDEA defines these areas today, it’s also important to keep in mind that the schoo

What do you think: Do people accurately report their own psychological symptoms?