The recommendation to "put your oxygen mask on first" comes from the safety videos on airplanes. A parent should put their mask on before helping their child with their mask. This spirit of this expression is supported by research in child and adolescent psychiatry, indicating that parental wellness can drastically impact the wellness of their child. Tending to one's self-care before helping others isn't always easy, in every day life and especially during the fallout of a ma

Map of the Los Angeles fires including the Palisades and Eaton fires On January 7th, 2025, devastating fires erupted in Los Angeles, resulting in at least 27 fatalities and extensive destruction. Approximately 180,000 individuals have been displaced, with thousands of properties lost to the flames. The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are noted as two of the most catastrophic fires in California's history, highlighting the urgent need for community support and recovery efforts.

Teen walks through the crowded hallway, ready to tackle another day of high school. Understanding the Challenges of High School Every school year comes with its own set of challenges, but high school introduces some distinct obstacles. The academic demands increase considerably with a multitude of assignments, studying, and exams. Social demands like navigating cliques, friendships, and dating can be stressful and preoccupying. This phase also involves significant changes in

Mindful Breathing for Anxiety: A Simple Practice with Meaningful Benefits Mindful breathing practices have been widely studied and shown to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress. While the concept sounds simple, the effectiveness of mindful breathing often depends on consistency, intention, and a willingness to work with some of the common challenges that arise in practice. Mindful breathing is not about “doing it perfectly.” Instead, it’s about gently training attention

Not sure where to start? A psychiatry consultation is often the first step. Psychiatric disorders are a clinical diagnosis that requires...

Diagram of the Wise Mind showing the overlap of the Rational Mind and the Emotional Mind Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) #dialecticalbehaviortherapy #dbt is an evidence-based psychotherapy that effectively addresses various mental health issues. DBT is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, behavioral impulsivity, suicidal ideation, self injury, substance use disorder, anxiety, and depression. One of the core concep

Often a target of psychotherapy treatment, these types of difficulties are common and can create a lot of psychological distress. Working...

Psychotherapy is another way to say talk therapy. There’s often an unhelpful and potentially harmful misconception that working with a...

Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (sometimes called social phobia), separation...

Followed by a close second of Anxiety Disorders, ADHD has been found to be the top mental health diagnosis for children in the United...

Gregory Sayer MD is a psychiatrists at Ficus Psych and provides evidence-based, compassionate care.

ficuspsych Weather can have a significant impact on mood. Everyone is different; some love the rain and find it calming while others...