Have you been recommended a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial implantation by your treating physician? Are you wondering what to expect from the required pre-surgical psychological evaluation? Are you asking yourself, why is a psychological evaluation even required? Well then, read this article, you shall. What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator? In brief, an … Read more
Survivors of traumatic brain injury are often left to deal with unforeseen changes and symptoms. Impact to various regions of the brain, such as the area responsible for regulating emotions, can cause survivors of TBI to sense a lack of control over their feelings. Adjusting to life after brain injury may also trigger stress and … Read more
Written by Beverly Sharifian, LPCCIn the modern era, our lives are characterized by constant connectivity, a barrage of notifications, and the constant pull of instant gratification. We live in a world where our smartphones are never out of reach and where the allure of social media and other digital temptations can hijack our brain’s reward system. … Read more
Dr. Silva was among psychologists that were interviewed by Hanna Calkins for this article in the APA Monitor (November 2022) article discussing long COVID: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/psychologists-long-covid
What is Dementia? The term “dementia” refers to a group of conditions that deteriorate the brain over time, causing changes in cognition (thinking), behavior, and physical functioning. When the symptoms are severe enough to impact a person’s ability to function independently, dementia can be diagnosed. They are now more commonly referred to as “neurodegenerative diseases” … Read more
Daily routines can be essential to maintaining physical and mental health, as they increase productivity, help manage stress, and enable us to make progress towards our short-term and long-term goals. Disruptions in daily routines and activities can be upsetting, particularly for those navigating the recovery process. It is natural to want to return to our … Read more
Speaking up to a medical provider for your healthcare needs can feel a bit intimidating. This can become even more uncomfortable if you feel as though your provider is not “hearing you” or appears to dismiss your concerns. This type of experience can lead to retreating and avoiding contact with a medical provider; however, this … Read more
Having trouble sleeping lately? Whether it involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or feeling restless the next day, it is no wonder that with the ongoing pandemic, there has been a surge of troubled sleepers worldwide. Some experts are even coining the term “coronasomnia” for the increased COVID-19-related sleep issues, creating a vicious “insomnia-causes-stress-causes-more-insomnia cycle” … Read more
Written by: Delia Silva, PsyD, ABPP-CN What is Long-Haul COVID? “Long-Haul COVID” is a term that has been used extensively in the media to describe people who have experienced persisting physical, cognitive, or emotional symptoms for months following recovery from the acute phase of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. The reported symptoms have included: “brain fog,” sleep … Read more
One way or another, the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted our daily lifestyle. No more movie theater night outs, meeting up with a friend for coffee, or the usual morning rush to get to school and for some, work. The safety recommendations to stay home and “flatten the curve” is creating a new way … Read more
