The Mental Breakdown

When we think of bravery, we tend to think of heroes and knights. People who have done amazing and life threatening things. Those who did not allow fear to stop them from accomplishing their mission. But what if consider the idea that bravery goes just a little bit deeper? What if we consider the fact that many of the things we do every day require bravery? And if we can imagine that, what does it mean when we fail to stand up for ourselves or take the risks necessary to make our lives better?

In this podcast, Dr. Berney and Dr. Ellen discuss the idea of bravery and how this common, though under-appreciated concept is being "safetied" right out of us. So many of us are too hesitant to ask for what we want, others of us would rather remain frustrated, scared, and/or unhappy than stand up for ourselves and demand that we get what we deserve. What's more, we are teaching our kids the same thing. Today we talk about what we can do to change this pattern and take back our bravery.

Here is the link to Ms. Reshma Saujani's TED Talk and her site for Girls Who Code.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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In our modern culture, we work more than twice as much as our hunter-gatherer ancestors. According to most researchers, hunter-gatherers "work" approximately 20 hours per week (7 days), whereas statistics suggest that modern Americans work approximately 45 hours per week (5 days). So in our "progressive" world, we actually work more than ever before.

In 1966, anthropologist Marshall Sahlins wrote "The Original Affluent Society" after studying hunter-gatherer cultures. In that paper, Sahlins wrote, "To accept that hunters are affluent is therefore to recognise that the present human condition of man slaving to bridge the gap between his unlimited wants and his insufficient means is a tragedy of modern times."

In this podcast, Dr. Berney discusses the importance of play and the need to take time to just "be."

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

Why do we work so hard when it seems as though our hard work results in more work?  There are many explanations for why we work hard - our individual personality, what has been modeled for us, and our overall view about the purpose of life. But how do we accept the fact that when we do a good job, we tend to be "punished" by being asked (or told) to do more?

In this podcast, Dr. Berney discusses three strategies for dealing with the consequences of competence. By simply shifting our perspective, appreciating our limits, and taking time to recharge our batteries, re have the opportunity to perform at our best and use these opportunities for advancement.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

In this podcast, Dr. Berney discusses the difference between being independent and being self-sufficient. As parents, it is important that we use our child's developmental drive for independence to build competence and self-esteem. Instead of doing everything for our child - "because it is faster" - it is critical that we allow our children to try, fail, and then try again. It is through this cycle that they become truly self-sufficient.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

In today's podcast, Dr. Berney responds to a listener question about online personality tests. The listener wrote:

HELP! I AM ADDICTED TO THESE ONLINE PERSONALITY TESTS.  I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO KNOW WHICH OF THE HOUSES AT HOGWARTS I WOULD BE SORTED INTO. OR WHICH LORD OF THE RINGS CHARACTER WOULD BE MY SOUL MATE. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT IF ONE OF THOSE TESTS POP UP ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE, I CANNOT RESIST. IS IT PART OF MY PERSONALITY TO DO THESE PERSONALITY TESTS OR AM I JUST A SUCKER FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS?

THANKS, ELLEN

Listen to this episode, where Dr. Berney talks about the validity of those online personality tests and the spectrum between individuality and the need for a tribe.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Paedeia.

Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

In preparation for our upcoming Parenting Your ADHD Child course, this podcast is a brief primer on ADHD, briefly covering diagnostic considerations, differentiating ADHD and ADD, and a little about treatment.

Dr. Berney and Dr. Richard plan to roll out their online ADHD parenting course by the end of July. So stay tuned and watch for updates.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Paedeia.

Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

Alzheimer's Disorder and other neurodegenerative disorders affect nearly 50 million people worldwide and there are as many as 7.7 million new cases each year. As a result, there is a large portion of the adult population who are responsible for the care of their parents. The Sandwich Generation, as they are called, are put under the pressure of managing the needs of their aging parents while working and supporting themselves as well as their children.

In this episode Dr. Berney and guest co-host, Dr. Ellen, talk about the impact of this new role many adults find themselves in and review ways for caregivers to also care for themselves.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

It has to be one of the most challenging things a parent must learn to manage, the incessant "why questions" we hear from our young children. Why is the sky blue? Why can't I have that candy? Why Why Why?

In this episode, Dr. Berney discusses why kids ask why and provides a few considerations for parents who find themselves having a difficult time managing these questions.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

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Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

In the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, the worst mass shooting occurred at a nightclub in Orlando, FL. With at least 50 dead and 53 injured, it was the worst mass shooting in US history. As investigators work to learn more about the incident, it is important that we, as a community, work together to pick each other up, mourn and honor those who have passed on before their time, and look ahead to our future.

In this episode, Dr. Berney talks about managing life after a tragedy. While we want to find someone to blame, doing so does not change what has happened. It does not bring our loved ones back. And it does not bring us the comfort we a looking for. Investigators may discover a reason, they may find evidence to say THIS is WHY he did it. But moving forward in our own lives is a process and a decision that we make for ourselves.  When the pain eventually subsides, you do not want your memories to be tainted by the thoughts of a hate filled individual who acted in violence and stole someone from you. Instead, you want to be left with the positive memories of your loved one. That is a process that you must work through. So anticipate the grieving process, work through it as best you can, but get help if you need it!

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!

Spare the rod, spoil the child. We have all heard this rationale for using spanking kids. In fact, many of us have used it as a rationale for the use of corporal punishment with our own children. But is spanking as effective as we imagine it to be? What are the long term effects?

In this episode Dr. Berney and Dr. Richard talk about the true meaning behind the idea of "spare the rod, spoil the child" and review what the research actually suggests as it relates to the efficacy of spanking.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today!

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

NEW!! The Mental Breakdown Podcast is now on Google Play Music!