Teenagers Need More Sleep

Double board certified Dr. Ginari G. Price has been practicing medicine for over 10 years. Currently serving as the medical director at Psycare, LLC, in Fayetteville, Georgia, Dr. Ginari G. Price has also completed a fellowship in sleep medicine. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, most 13-18-year olds do not sleep enough each night.

Recent studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control show that up to 69 percent of teenagers do not sleep the recommended 8-10 hours per night. The lack of sleep not only hinders a teen’s ability to learn, but can also increase mood problems and patterns of bad decision-making.

Sleep is an important ingredient in promoting a teenager’s overall good health. In order to help teenagers receive the recommended amount of sleep, parents can set good examples and work to optimize good sleep habits.

First, a regular and consistent routine helps establish a teenager’s natural sleep rhythms. Additionally, parents can help their teen wake up more fully by exposing them to sunlight first thing in the morning. Finally, ridding a bedroom of electronic devices such as televisions, phones, and computers can help a teen rest more fully by eliminating the temptation to stay up late communicating with peers.

Since most junior and senior high schools begin classes at a very early hour, many parents have petitioned their school boards to delay school start times in an effort to help teens get the rest they need. These efforts have met varying results across the country. Currently, only 14 percent of schools begin at 8:30 or later.

AMA Backs ONC's Expanded Oversight of Electronic Health Records

Since 2008, experienced psychiatrist Dr. Ginari G. Price has served as the medical director of Psycare, LLC in Fayetteville, Georgia. In conjunction with her career, Dr. Ginari G. Price belongs to various medical organizations as part of her ongoing professional development. One such organization is the American Medical Association.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced its support of more rigorous monitoring and testing standards released by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) regarding oversight of electronic health records. The AMA also says it will provide support for the ONC’s framework.

Under the new rules, the ONC has an increased ability to analyze and remedy problems with electronic health records. They will also assess these records to ensure they adhere to certification standards. In cases where electronic health records are not in compliance, the ONC can require vendors to draft and follow plans to correct the issues. 

Health record compliance is one of the key issues that the ONC has brought to the attention of the Obama Administration, and the AMA has gone on record supporting this effort.
By taking a greater role in ensuring electronic health record compliance, the ONC provides physician support by relaying appropriate information regarding the health of their IT programs.

The Roots of Soul Food

Board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Ginari G. Price has over 10 years of experience practicing medicine. In addition to managing a demanding schedule at Psycare, LLC, in Fayetteville, Georgia, Dr. Ginari G. Price enjoys cooking, especially soul food recipes.

At the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, “soul food” became popular across the nation. Soul food consists of traditional recipes that have been prepared within the African-American community for hundreds of years. Although the name is relatively new, the food has stood the test of time.

Soul food traditionally consists of basic, inexpensive, locally sourced ingredients that were accessible to the newly freed African Americans after the abolition of slavery. Ingredients that are commonly used in soul food include lard (rendered pork fat), cornmeal, and a wide variety of cuts of pork. Some popular soul food dishes include black-eyed peas, stewed greens, friend chicken, hushpuppies, and cornbread.

More recently, soul food has taken a turn, reflecting the health-conscious trends of the day. “Down Home Healthy” soul food uses lighter ingredients such as margarine instead of lard, turkey instead of pork, and sugar substitutes. Down home recipes return to the vegetarian roots of traditional soul food recipes.

Depression and Insomnia in Adolescents

Dr. Ginari G. Price leverages more than a decade of clinical experience to serve as medical director of Psycare, a psychiatric treatment agency in Fayetteville, Georgia. Dr. Ginari G. Price also completed a fellowship in sleep medicine, a field which she has researched extensively.

The link between depression and insomnia is broadly documented across multiple populations. For instance, clinical evidence shows that those diagnosed with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression than those who experience regular sleep, while those with depression are prone to develop sleep disturbances. 

For teenagers with insomnia, this dual diagnosis presents both mental and physical health risks. Recent studies reveal that children with co-morbid sleep disorders have more severe and longer-term depression symptoms, as well as a risk of impaired movement, weight loss, and the inability to experience feelings of pleasure.

Co-morbid depression and anxiety may also lead to increased risk-taking behaviors, such as substance abuse. Fortunately, clinical data also reveals that early treatment of insomnia can reduce depression risk by as much as 47 percent. Such treatment often involves the implementation of good sleep hygiene practices, which include eliminating screen time before bed and establishing a regular bedtime routine. However, because of the potential severity of adolescent insomnia and its side effects, experts recommend professional assessment for teenagers who show signs of sleep disturbances.

The Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 Senate Bill

 

Dr. Ginari G. Price has served as the medical director of Psycare, LLC, in Fayetteville, Georgia, since 2008. A psychiatrist with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Ginari G. Price holds membership with numerous professional organizations, including the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (AACAP).

Established as its current incarnation in 1988, AACAP strives “to promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families” and offers support and assistance to professionals in related fields. AACAP also organizes and supports advocacy initiatives.

Currently, there are three legislative advocacy campaigns underway, one of which is focused on comprehensive mental health reform. The senate bill S.2680, entitled the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016, is requesting numerous alterations to government processes, including the following changes to syntax:

- Renaming the Centers for Disease Control. The bill advocates for the new title, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

- Striking “substance abuse” from administrative terminology, and replacing it with “mental and/or substance use disorders.”

- Reordering the term “treatment and prevention” so that it reads “prevention and treatment.”

This bill is under the jurisdiction of the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar in April 2016.