EXPERT

Dr. Claudewell S. Thomas, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Claudewell S. Thomas, MD, MPH, DLFAPA, is an established psychiatrist who is currently retired ,, He received his medical degree in 1956 at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and specializes in social psychiatry, public health psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. Dr. Thomas was board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Learn More About Me

69 years Experience

Dr. Claudewell S. Thomas, M.D.

Specializes in:

Psychiatric Disorders
Public Health

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Not accepting new patients

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Chronic Pain In the Elderly Impaired and the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic rages on. Federal court judgments have been handed down against Big Pharma companies, sending one into bankruptcy, pending appeal. Physicians have been fined...

Revisiting Healthcare as Commodity: With Implications for the Opioid and Other Epidemics

In the past six months or so, I’ve witnessed two friends experiencing finger injuries that required suturing. Both were attended to quite well. One of them, a woman, required...

More on the New Specialists

In the Journal Medical Care, (April 18,2019), Muensch, Spets, Jura et al. described their research involving opioid prescribing outcomes of medicare beneficiaries managed by nurse...

The Health Care Dilemma: New Specialist Impact

A new medical specialty has been defined, called Addiction Specialist. It has its own specialty board and certification standards. It requires a MD and specialization beyond...

Health Equity: What Does it Mean?

The upcoming November APHA meeting has as its central theme Health Care equity. For a nation and a world in deep trouble because of global warming, human trafficking, worldwide...

Health & The Supermarket: The Profit Motive Is Alive and Well in the 21st Century-- So You Must Be Too!

The other day I made a series of rare visits, first to a supermarket, then to a drug store, and finally to an auto body shop. A friend and neighbor drove past as I had to drive...

Health Care Providers, Patients, and the Undeclared War:

We (The USA) are at war. It is undeclared, it is cyberwar, it is spyware, it is economic war, and it is psychological war. There are no treaty derived rules that can be pointed...

Another Look at Gun Violence, The Opioid Epidemic, Suicide, and Depression/Anxiety

According to the July 15 issue of Psychiatric News, suicide deaths in the U. S. have climbed dramatically in the last several years. They have nearly doubled in women. While...

Technological Innovation in Medical Research and Practice and Ethics: Are the two in conflict?

On June 26th, 2000, the POTUS (Bill Clinton) and the British Prime Minister (Tony Blair) announced the completion of the Human Genome Project, a feat once thought unaccomplishable...

Healthcare and Politics

Previous postings have outlined relationships between health and disposable income, health and environment, etc. A public health/epidemiologic approach to identification of factors...

Pubic Health in Pursuit of Happiness

The May issue of Psychiatric Times declared the USA an unhappy nation based on reports from psychiatric centers across the country. Anxiety and depression are the primary indicators...

The Definition of Addiction vs, The Meaning of Addiction: What Patients and Potential Patients (All of Us) Need to Consider

The most recent edition of The American Scientist featured an article which challenged assertions made by last September's National Geographic magazine and JAMA, American Journal...

What Does A Public Health Approach Mean To The Nations Health and to Governmental Purpose and Function?

Epidemiologic studies of addiction, gun violence, disease outbreak, cancer, etc are of enormous value to citizens of any nation including ours. The resources to pursue such issues...

Health, Happiness, Anxiety/Depression, Addiction, Gun Violence... One Hell of a Gordian Knot!

The November issue of National Geographic magazine, in an article written by Dan Buettner, amply illustrated, with photographs and commentary by Cory Richards, that Costa Rica,...

Work and Physical and Mental Health

Finland has been declared "The Happiest Country on Earth" by a U. N. commission with Scandinavian countries occupying the top four entries in the category. With recent immigrants...

A Pandemic of Anxiety/Depression: What Does It Mean for Each Individual in the US?

We have discussed the prevalence of the tandem of anxiety and depression in the U. S. A. and worldwide. From what we are able to learn from published literature, there is a pandemic...

Globalism and Healthcare: Staying Tuned

In the midst of the failure of the 'repeal and replace' effort of the GOP, is the "America First" issue representative of nations first, healthcare protectionism versus globalism,...

Prodrome or Concomitant?

Depression and anxiety: Prodrome or concomitant? A number of questions arise for patients who experience acute or persistent depressed mood. Instant access to the Internet or...

National Angst and the Opioid Epidemic

I don't know whether or not the POTUS has gotten around to declaring the opioid epidemic a national crisis. It seems that he has been busy with declarations that have added to...

World Leadership and Individual Wellbeing

We live in a world of turmoil and tumult word of which is transmitted at nearly warp speed. The devices that acquire the stream of information are numerous and diverse. With...

I am suddenly binge eating. Is it a mental disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a serious mental problem requiring psychiatric or psychological intervention. Psychiatric intervention carries with it the potential use of medication. READ MORE

Binge eating disorder is a serious mental problem requiring psychiatric or psychological intervention. Psychiatric intervention carries with it the potential use of medication. Specialty clinics and practices are appropriate for the treatment of this disorder which can be life threatening.

I feel negative most of the time. Is it a sign to be worried about?

There is not enough information to give you an answer. Important issues like age, sex, family history, general health, habits, length of time negativity has been present have to READ MORE

There is not enough information to give you an answer. Important issues like age, sex, family history, general health, habits, length of time negativity has been present have to be considered. Once again, a visit to your LMD is a logical place to begin. A visit to a mental health specialist can also be a place to begin.

How should a person requiring psychiatric help be approached?

A lot depends on the kind of friendship you have. If it is not solid and previously tested, it would be wise to ask him about his feelings concerning psychiatric help rather than READ MORE

A lot depends on the kind of friendship you have. If it is not solid and previously tested, it would be wise to ask him about his feelings concerning psychiatric help rather than proposing it.

I discovered anti-depressant pills in my daughter's cupboard yesterday. How should I confront her on this?

Asking her while explaining how you found them should not be a confrontation. I don't know how the two of you have been interacting. Are there no other family members to involve? READ MORE

Asking her while explaining how you found them should not be a confrontation. I don't know how the two of you have been interacting. Are there no other family members to involve? Kindness and concern while respecting her proximity to adult independence particularly as part of family discussion can help reduce anger and shame, some usual components of "reacting badly."

Does my son need to go through some kind of counselling during my divorce proceedings?

It is not likely that he can be emotionally unaffected by the divorce. His father might be helpful in discussing the necessity for divorce, if willing and capable. The effect of READ MORE

It is not likely that he can be emotionally unaffected by the divorce. His father might be helpful in discussing the necessity for divorce, if willing and capable. The effect of the divorce can take a long time to manifest if ever. In any event, I would think that "watchful," respectful waiting is indicated. Reduction of rancor in the proceedings can help reduce trauma to your son.

Antidepressants and fibromyalgia

Consultation with a neuropsychiatrist could be helpful. You might suggest that to your doctor.

What is the reason for constant negative feelings in my daughter?

Adolescence is a very stressful time. The reorganization of brain connections can produce distractedness, apathy, anger, or depression. Consulting with her school health service READ MORE

Adolescence is a very stressful time. The reorganization of brain connections can produce distractedness, apathy, anger, or depression. Consulting with her school health service and her academic counselor (with her permission) can sometimes reveal too heavy a load on a student. Try to ensure with the aid of your LMD that there is no physical problem, if all these measures fail ask about psychiatric consultation.

Can BP medicines cause hallucination?

Consult with your LMD about the hypertensive vacillation, ask him or her to review the medication for potential side effects. Some agents can produce euphoria and other mental READ MORE

Consult with your LMD about the hypertensive vacillation, ask him or her to review the medication for potential side effects. Some agents can produce euphoria and other mental symptoms or unmask early dementia. Ask about psychiatric consultation.

Is depression a sign of madness?

This sounds like a classical "reactive" depression; it should still receive medical screening. Your brother's LMD may choose to follow up (in the absence of physical findings) READ MORE

This sounds like a classical "reactive" depression; it should still receive medical screening. Your brother's LMD may choose to follow up (in the absence of physical findings) with an antidepressant or may refer to a psychiatrist. You can best help by keeping track, supplying bridging info (appropriately) to family and supplying supplementary family history of illness including alcohol use or abuse. Your willingness to be of help is likely to be well received by all and sundry.

Why do I have stabbing pain in my lower abdomen?

Your best follow up is a visit to your LMD. A visit by referral or directly (if you are authorized) to an ob-gyn specialist seems indicated.

Are there any exercises for the brain?

Yes, there are many brain exercises; the better exercises seem to focus on improving ones capacity for categorizing objects and ideas. Games like checkers and chess also seem to READ MORE

Yes, there are many brain exercises; the better exercises seem to focus on improving ones capacity for categorizing objects and ideas. Games like checkers and chess also seem to be helpful. Improving categorization seems to help memory. Memory facilitation seems to directly improve brain function.

Can a psychiatrist help with my memory loss?

The psychiatric specialization that deals with that is called neuropsychiatry. A careful total evaluation (healthwise) is called for.

Vivid daydreams

Vivid daydreams may or may not be significant depending on your age, your dietary habits, whether or not you are on medications prescribed or otherwise (cannabinol,ethanol,etc.), READ MORE

Vivid daydreams may or may not be significant depending on your age, your dietary habits, whether or not you are on medications prescribed or otherwise (cannabinol,ethanol,etc.), the length of time they have been going on, your family history, your general health etc. A basic health workup is the place to start. It would be good to know what causes the symptom that you are trying to control.

Is bipolar disorder hereditary?

There is an hereditary predisposition in bipolar disorder development. You can avoid severe worsening of the tendency by avoiding alcohol and marijuana. Maintenance of general READ MORE

There is an hereditary predisposition in bipolar disorder development. You can avoid severe worsening of the tendency by avoiding alcohol and marijuana. Maintenance of general health is desirable and early psychiatric evaluation for advisability of prescriptive intervention is needed.

I think I started binge eating. Is it a mental disorder?

Once more it starts with your general health. Check with your usual doctor to query your general health. Are there new habits that accompany the bingeing (smoking, pot alcohol)? READ MORE

Once more it starts with your general health. Check with your usual doctor to query your general health. Are there new habits that accompany the bingeing (smoking, pot alcohol)? Are you under undue stress? As you can see there are many questions to be asked and answered. Binge eating is something not to be ignored. To conclude that it is purely mental disorder, complicated as that is, is premature. Perhaps family can help answer some relevant questions.
Dr.Thomas

Is negative thinking a disease?

Negative thinking is a sign or a symptom.Your general health should be your first concern. LMD assessment is called for. If a clean bill is given then the twin duo of anxiety and READ MORE

Negative thinking is a sign or a symptom.Your general health should be your first concern. LMD assessment is called for. If a clean bill is given then the twin duo of anxiety and depression need to be looked for via mental health assessment (psychiatry,psychology,social work) team. Depression often has negative thinking as an early sign. Negative rumination (obsessional) is beyond sign but is a symptom of depressive illness. Remember start with a general health assessment.

Privacy and confidentiality with caregivers

Discussion with the psychiatrist and with the patient is called for. A mutually agreed upon posture may be arrived at. Issues like the nature of your caregiver status (family or READ MORE

Discussion with the psychiatrist and with the patient is called for. A mutually agreed upon posture may be arrived at. Issues like the nature of your caregiver status (family or not), family concurrence, if you are not and state laws need to be considered. If property disposal and/or a will are at issue, legal consultation may be necessary.

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