Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

Old leather journal on wood plank table with a favorite pen beside.

Journal Keeping for Health and Productivity

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 26, 2022. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Getting Things Done, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Purpose, Types, Benefits, and Tips

Journaling is one of the most valuable and accessible self-help tools available.

In times of stress and duress, journaling can help work through some of the most difficult life challenges, such as the death of a spouse with the difficulty that follows.

An award-winning author, grief support advocate, and marketing consultant, Linda Donovan,¹ shares a personal piece about the healing power of journaling in her life as an opening to our exploration of a valuable tool anybody can use. Dr. Parks then continues the narrative about the history and purpose of journaling, how his fascination with it developed, journal types, benefits, eight tips for doing journal keeping, and resources.

Inspiration, Rebirth, Butterfly on a flower

Spring’s Challenge in Conflictual Times

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 9, 2022. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Non-duality, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Viral Pandemics.

Ten Tips for Restoring Peaceful Coexistence when Discord Arises

A New Beginning and Hope

The season for a fresh start seemed upon us with its promise of renewal and healing. Out of the deep darkness, a seed, a kernel of insight, grows towards the light and life with opportunity and challenge. People were reemerging after a trying and difficult period with some hopefulness of new beginnings.

The scourges of a pandemic seemed to recede with the anticipation of a reopening of society. The regaining of prosperity and security was the hope. But then, there was the possibility of new variants and surges. There were still people that had lost their faith in science, vaccines, climate control, our government, and democracy.

Surviving Anxiety and Trauma

Written by Ron Parks, MD on November 9, 2021. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

Unexpected Fall

Dr. Sid—endearingly just called “Sid” by his peers, colleagues, and fellow healthcare workers—made his way through the city in the early morning darkness. For fifteen years, he’d traveled this way, but the ordinarily busy city was now quiet, a sad reminder of the pandemic’s impact. He cranked the heater as a shiver crept up his spine at the thought of what lay ahead of him.

Storms and Mental Health

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 26, 2021. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Bipolarity, Coronavirus, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

Mary’s Challenges

Mary¹ had a history of mood swings, depression, anxiety, and PTSD from childhood sexual abuse. Her years growing up were in a chaotic and disruptive home, especially after her alcoholic father deserted her and her mother. She had experienced a hard time growing up with parental neglect, physical, and emotional abuse. Her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) returned after the hurricane with a vengeance.

Yoga & Eastern Influence on Holistic Healthcare

Written by Ron Parks, MD on August 16, 2021. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Bipolarity, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Spirituality & Health, Trauma. 1 Comment

An Awakening Fall

As a nine-year-old boy, while enjoying the warmth of the midday sun, I was easing my way out onto a branch of a wild apple tree. It was in a deserted field with the sweetest green apples I had ever tasted. These weren’t like the shiny red ones you can buy at the local store. The tree’s singular presence in an untamed field of weeds and wildflowers made it an even more tempting challenge to climb.

Lightning in a thunderstorm and natural disaster

Crises, Career, and Mental Health

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 27, 2021. Posted in Addiction, Bipolarity, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neuroplasticity, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

My journey from crises to a career in medicine and mental health began early in life.

Growing up in the rural countryside, I loved to run and play, in the open fields and woods, with my friends and dog. I became good at swimming and other sports. Even though polio was in the news with pictures of children paralyzed from the untreatable illness—there was no effective treatment or vaccine. I felt invincible and in robust health. But with a turn of fate, the virus found me one summer day.

COVID-19 and Mental Health Crises Book

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 8, 2021. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Bipolarity, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Coronavirus, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neuroplasticity, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Viral Pandemics. 1 Comment

If a mental health crisis or the pandemic has affected your life, then this book is written for you.

COVID-19/Mental Health Crises: Holistic Understanding & Solutions

In his timely book, now published, Ronald R. Parks, MPH, MD, examines the impact of COVID-19 or other forms of crisis, loss, or tragedy on individual mental health.

Epilogue to COVID-19

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 14, 2020. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Coronavirus, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Meditation/Mindfulness, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

The U.S. and all the other countries of the world lost the cherished and innocent beliefs of individuality, separateness, and independence.

There was no security from a devastating infectious pathogen, quickly crossing permeable national boundaries. The self-conceived bubble of safety and autonomy had burst into the reality of living in a global interconnected population. The impact of one individual potentially effects the health and wellbeing of all on the planet.

If you prefer to listen, a podcast version is available as you go to the full post article.

Planet in a hand with ocean and a butterfly

Pandemic LifeSavers

Written by Ron Parks, MD on August 27, 2020. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Coronavirus, Depression, Grief and Loss, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Podcasts, PTSD, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

To ensure a safe journey through the present hazardous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, make wise choices.

Be vigilant to protect yourself and others from one of the most virulent and destructive viruses of the century. Keep tuned to the latest news and recommendation from reputable sources, but be careful to avoid any politically motivated misinformation. The COVID-19 infections and spread will continue until effective anti-viral drugs, vaccines, adequate testing, and contact tracing are available.

Covid-19 Depression & Grief

Written by Ron Parks, MD on May 2, 2020. Posted in Coronavirus, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Mood, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Trauma, Viral Pandemics.

With a catastrophic pandemic as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) with exposure to overwhelming circumstances and a high number of deaths, survivors have to manage the aftermath of potentially occurring anxiety, grief, major depression, and PTSD.

Mental health services have, at times, been overwhelmed because of an inadequate number of available trained professionals and preparedness to handle such a high demand on available resources.

Category: Grief and Loss