Here are some thoughts on how and why to reduce screen time:
-- Excessive screen time has been linked to various mental health concerns, including increased stress and reduced sleep quality.
-- A Digital detox can give your brain more space to think creatively, and may allow for new plans and opportunities to emerge.
-- Tech-free gifts and Tech-free activities can promote improved relationships as they provide more time for fun engagement, especially during times where kids are at home from school.

Why Choosing Less Screen Time This Holiday Season Can Bring More Joy
In today’s digital age, screen time has become a constant presence in our lives, shaping how we connect, learn, and unwind. While technology undoubtedly brings many benefits, the holiday season offers a perfect opportunity to unplug, reconnect with loved ones, and rediscover the joys of tech-free living with a tech-free holiday.

The Impact of Screen Time
Research continues to highlight the impact of excessive screen time on our mental health and relationships. For children, it can affect social skills, sleep quality, and emotional well-being. For adults, over-reliance on devices can lead to increased stress, reduced productivity, and less meaningful interaction with others, as well as reduced ability to fall asleep when used before bedtime.

By intentionally reducing screen time, we create space for experiences that nurture our minds, bodies, and relationships. Tech-free activities can enhance creativity, encourage movement, and deepen bonds with family and friends.

How to Encourage Tech-Free Time During the Holidays

1. Set Family Goals: Create a family plan for tech-free hours or days. Commit to shared activities like baking, playing board games, or crafting.
2. Lead by Example: Show children that reducing screen time is for everyone by putting your own devices aside.
3. Gift Creatively: Choose gifts that inspire imagination, learning, or connection rather than a new screen.

If you're looking for inspiration, Screenagers’ Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide offers wonderful ideas for all ages. From puzzles and outdoor gear to books and hands-on activities, these gifts encourage creativity, connection, and exploration. Engaging in screen-free activities, such as family board games or outdoor adventures, can strengthen relationships and promote mindfulness.

The Benefits of a Tech-Free Holiday
Prioritizing tech-free time doesn’t mean rejecting technology—it’s about balancing its use with opportunities for meaningful moments. Unplugging during the holidays can help:

• Build Stronger Relationships: Less screen time means more time to bond over shared activities and create lasting memories.
• Promote Mindfulness: Without constant notifications, it’s easier to be present and enjoy the moment.
• Encourage Restful Breaks: The holidays are a time to recharge, and stepping away from screens helps us truly unwind.

Make It Personal
This holiday season, consider your own relationship with screens and the habits you want to cultivate. Small, intentional changes can lead to significant benefits. Whether it’s a tech-free dinner, a family hike, or a puzzle night, these moments remind us of the joy in simplicity and connection.

By choosing less screen time for yourself and others, you’re giving the greatest gift of all: your presence.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out the Screenagers Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide to make this holiday season truly meaningful. [ This is NOT an affiliate link, I just really thought this was a good list.  :) - Dr. C ]

As a psychiatrist, I’ve spent years treating depression with every tool available—medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and more. Yet, I know there are patients for whom traditional treatments just aren’t enough. That’s why I decided to personally test out Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). While I didn’t undergo the full course of treatment, I wanted to know what the experience feels like for my patients when they sit in the chair and begin this innovative therapy.

TMS involves 36 sessions over six weeks, each about 20 minutes long. That’s only 12 hours total to target the debilitating symptoms of depression in a non-invasive way. During my test session, I felt a mild tapping sensation directly under the coil positioned on my scalp. It wasn’t painful, but it was noticeable, like a flicking sensation or muscle twitch. After a few minutes, the sensation became less distracting, and I understood how most patients describe it as tolerable. For those undergoing treatment, the mild discomfort often diminishes significantly as the scalp muscles adjust to being activated.

One of the most exciting aspects of TMS is how quickly many people notice improvement. Patients often report changes after just a few sessions—energy returning, a spark of hope reigniting, and the heavy cloud of depression starting to lift. While every individual’s response is different, this timeline is often much faster than what we see with other treatment options.

Testing TMS for myself helped me appreciate the precision and simplicity of the process. I now have a deeper understanding of what my patients experience during their journey, and it’s made me even more enthusiastic about offering this treatment.

If depression has held you back despite your best efforts, TMS might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. It’s non-invasive, effective, and from what I’ve experienced, an approachable way to find relief.

If you are interested in learning more, please complete the PHQ-9 questionnaire here and we will reach out to you!  You are also welcome to fill out our New Patient Inquiry Form if you are ready to get started on your treatment journey today.

Understanding Treatment Options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex and often debilitating condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While first-line treatments like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective for many, a significant portion of patients experience what is known as treatment-resistant OCD. This means that despite trying these standard treatments, their symptoms persist or improve only slightly.

First-Line Treatments and Their Challenges

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are commonly prescribed as the initial pharmacological treatment for OCD. These medications help regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which can alleviate the symptoms of OCD. However, not everyone responds well to SRIs. In fact, up to 60% of patients might not achieve significant relief from their symptoms through these medications alone. When SRIs fall short, doctors often explore higher doses or consider adding other treatments to enhance their effectiveness.

Exploring New Pharmacological Options

When first-line treatments are insufficient, various alternative or adjunctive therapies are considered. These include medications that target different neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate. Among these, dopamine antagonist treatments—such as atypical antipsychotics—are currently the most supported by research, although they are not without risks, including potential side effects like metabolic issues.

Another area of interest is the exploration of glutamate-modulating drugs. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter involved in many brain functions, including those linked to OCD. Medications like memantine and ketamine, which affect the glutamate system, have shown some promise, though more research is needed to establish their effectiveness fully.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

In addition to medication, non-pharmacological treatments are gaining attention. One promising option is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS is particularly appealing for individuals with treatment-resistant OCD, as it offers a different mechanism of action compared to medications.

Types of TMS:
- Repetitive TMS (rTMS): This is the most common form of TMS used in treating OCD. It involves delivering repeated magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the supplementary motor area (SMA). These areas are targeted based on their involvement in OCD-related neural circuits.
- Deep TMS (dTMS): Deep TMS uses a different type of coil, called the H-coil, which can penetrate deeper into the brain compared to standard TMS. This allows for stimulation of deeper brain structures that are implicated in OCD. dTMS has been shown to reduce symptoms in some patients with treatment-resistant OCD.

TMS Coil Options:
- Figure-8 Coil: This coil is commonly used in standard rTMS and focuses the magnetic field more superficially on specific brain regions. It is effective for targeting cortical areas but may not reach deeper brain structures.
- H-Coil: Used in deep TMS, the H-coil generates a magnetic field that can reach deeper areas of the brain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula, which are often involved in OCD. This coil is designed to stimulate broader and deeper brain areas, potentially offering greater benefits for patients with OCD who have not responded to other treatments.

TMS is generally well-tolerated, with few side effects, the most common being mild headaches or scalp discomfort. The non-invasive nature of TMS, combined with its ability to target specific brain regions implicated in OCD, makes it a valuable tool in the treatment of this disorder. However, it's important to note that while TMS has shown promise, not all patients respond to it, and it is usually considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include other therapies.

Another non-pharmacological treatment to consider is deep brain stimulation (DBS). This surgical option involves implanting electrodes in certain brain areas to regulate abnormal activity. DBS is usually reserved for severe cases where other treatments have failed, but it has shown encouraging results in reducing OCD symptoms for some patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Approaches

Recent research has also highlighted the potential role of inflammation in OCD. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as celecoxib, are being studied as adjunctive treatments for OCD, especially in cases where there is evidence of an immune system component. While these treatments are still in the early stages of research, they offer a novel approach to managing OCD symptoms.

The Path Forward: Personalized Treatment Strategies

As our understanding of OCD evolves, so too does the approach to treatment. The future likely lies in personalized medicine—tailoring treatments to the specific characteristics of each patient’s OCD. This could mean selecting medications based on a patient’s unique neurobiological profile or combining different therapeutic approaches to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

For anyone dealing with treatment-resistant OCD, it’s important to stay hopeful. The landscape of treatment is continually advancing, and with it comes the promise of new and better options for managing this challenging condition.

References

1. Goodman WK, Storch EA, Sheth SA. Harmonizing the Neurobiology and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. *The American Journal of Psychiatry*. 2021 Jan 1;178(1):17-29. [https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20111601](https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20111601?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed).

2. van Roessel PJ, Grassi G, Aboujaoude EN, Menchón JM, Van Ameringen M, Rodríguez CI. Treatment-resistant OCD: Pharmacotherapies in adults. *Comprehensive Psychiatry*. 2022. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152352](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152352).