“Should” Thoughts: Doing More Harm Than Good for Your Mental Health

on October 27, 2020 at 5:26 PM /

I’ve always had a bad habit of telling myself that I should be doing this and shouldn't be doing that. I apply it to everything: work, family, friends, you name it. These thoughts haven’t cured me of my misdeeds and don’t seem to motivate me at all. For example, I ate way too much junk food last week while telling myself that I should’ve been eating healthier instead. This morning when I looked in the mirror, I regretted it all. I was really disappointed in the choices I made and felt lousy. This dialogue I continue to have with myself...

What’s So Funny? Why Having a Hearty Laugh Can Help During These Times

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 19, 2020 at 10:59 AM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. With so much negativity going on this year, my mindset was in the red. Somehow, I’d turned into a pessimist who focused on the negative side of things almost exclusively. I was so tuned into seeing the negative things in everything. It got so bad that my therapist diagnosed me with anxiety and depression. During one session, we got to talking about turning things around and seeing the other side, the optimistic or positive side. So far, I’ve been doing great, and one thing that’s helped is laughing more. I’d...

How Depression, Anxiety, and Even ADHD Can Lead to Unhealthy Coping Habits

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 9, 2020 at 3:00 PM /

This week, I’m sharing my own true story. Here’s part one. When the pandemic hit and people started shopping because they thought it was the end of the world, I was a bit late to the party. I missed the memo about buying toilet paper and ended up ordering mine from Wish.com but found tons of delicious treats in all of the other middle aisles in the supermarket. Suddenly, I was back to my childhood eating habits and had my kitchen stocked with Oreos of all varieties, sugary cereals, cookie dough, cake and brownie mixes, pasta, the list goes on. And...

What a Nonverbal Learning Disorder is and Why it Shouldn’t be Ignored

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 2, 2020 at 9:32 PM /

While I enjoy speaking to others in social settings, understanding what they’re saying is sometimes difficult. I tend to overanalyze every little thing someone says to me and sometimes take things way too literally. It’s become overwhelming as I’ve gotten older. I’ll soon be undergoing some cognitive testing, but I’m incredibly nervous. My family and therapist are extremely supportive and are guiding me through this whole thing. My mind is racing about what the diagnosis will be. It’s becoming mainstream to hear celebrities opening up about their mental health struggles. Comedian and actor Chris Rock is the latest to open up...

Teaching Your Children the Importance of Saving Their Money

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on August 17, 2020 at 10:57 AM /

Consider the following example as it relates to this week’s topic. It’s a true story but the child’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. I’m so proud of my young son. A little over a year ago, Alexander and I had a discussion about the importance of earning and saving money. We set a financial goal for him to achieve, and I committed to match his earnings/savings and assist him with opening a bank account once that goal was reached. He worked hard by completing chores and saving money that he’d received for special occasions (birthdays, the tooth fairy,...

An Anxious Return: Heading Back to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 29, 2020 at 1:51 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. The company I work for reopened last week. I was excited at first to finally get out of the house and earn a paycheck again, but seeing the crowded hallways, closed office doors, and multiple face-to-face meetings are making me very anxious. At home, I was mindful of keeping things especially clean due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When going out to get groceries, I was even more careful. But now at work, with people hovering over me so much and participating in one meeting after the next, my anxiety is...

A Few Effective Ways to Deal with Someone Else’s Anger

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 15, 2020 at 1:51 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. A coworker and I were handling a project for a few weeks. Our big presentation was this morning and it didn’t go the way we wanted. We made a few mistakes, and because of it, our boss came down on us. Afterward, I was ready to discuss and correct our mistakes, however, my coworker lost her temper and said some pretty aggressive things to me. I was really surprised after her rant but was clueless about how to handle it. We all get angry sometimes. Anger is a normal and...

Dr. Nikel Rogers-Wood Vlog

By Rice Psychology Group

on March 13, 2020 at 4:11 PM /

Social Distancing ...

The Benefits of Breaking Your Daily Routine and Trying Something New

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on February 20, 2020 at 12:49 PM /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. My husband and I were talking about our individual daily routines. Every day, we do the same thing: wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed. While we both enjoy the structure of our daily routines, we could really use some excitement in our lives! We talked about some things we've always wanted to do but have been too afraid to try, such as taking dancing lessons (me) and learning to rock-climb (him). So, we got online, found some places that offer these activities, and we...

Complex ADHD: New Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on February 13, 2020 at 11:45 AM /

Recently, my husband and I noticed that our 9-year old daughter was having difficulty paying attention, and she’s rarely able to sit still. At school, her teacher notified us that she was falling behind in class and recommended setting up a meeting with the school psychologist because she believed she might have ADHD. After some testing, she was officially diagnosed. To say that I’m scared is an understatement. What does this mean? How will this affect her life? The school psychologist informed us about some new ADHD guidelines that might find more behavioral issues. I’m so grateful that her ADHD...