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

68 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

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Medical and Political Risk

As the multiple pandemics roll along, more and more Americans decide that they have had enough and resume to their pre-covid lives. The behavior, the shortage of beds, and emergency...

When Worlds Collide Revisit

It's difficult for John and Jane Q Public to resist the call of faraway places as they hopefully say goodbye to the Tripledemic. But the recent pandemics are not gone and Malaria...

Tripledemic Realities and The Re-Emergence of Hate.

The emergence of a particularly invasive strain of beta hemolytic streptococcus is adding to the perils of human interaction. BETA hemolytic streptococcal infection has long been...

Old and New Threats for Old and Young

The trio of COVID-19 and its omicron variants, the flu, and respiratory syncytial vesicular disease are ravaging through the United States. Hospital beds and space are insufficient...

Covid and its variants

The respiratory Syncytial syndrome,the augmented flu syndrome, augmented Ba variants of Covid 19, increased gun. violence, increased stabbings, vehicular homicides and suicides...

Ancient Enemies, Independent Judiciary, Dark Money, and the Loss of a Hero.

Much of the masking and distancing behavior is the USA is predicated on the belief that COVID-19 and its variants are on their way out or on the way to controllable status. The...

Climate Change, Covid Variants, and Mental Illness

There is increasing evidence that Covid-19 viruses particularly Ba4 and Ba5 are increasing the prevalence of mental disorder in the American population. Jackson Mississippi's...

Drugs and Politics

The Biden administration is being lauded for bringing forward a measure decriminalizing marijuana and freeing a number of people who have been jailed for its possession. It was...

Generational Conflict

As new omicron variants manifest, the hope that the loss of one million Americans, largely through mismanagement, begins to fade. As public health proponents are retired, fired,...

Remembrance of Things Past?

I have addressed the role of academic institutions in previous publications of the Octogenarians and in prior editions of this blog. The issue of alternative truths to spare feelings...

Lux et Veritas,Lux sans veritas?

There has been an upsurge of violence both physical and intellectual against public health principles and practice. The burgeoning anger of a politicized hoipoloi is expectable...

Threats of Violence and Medical Care

There is a burgeoning spate of episodes of violent behavior in association with administered medical care. Statistical analysis reveals 10 to 12 percent originating from caregivers...

Money and Mental Health

The special relationship between the quality of health and mental health services available to a given population and the sociopolitical nature of that population is coming under...

COVID-19, Neuro-Cognitive Change, Social Isolation, and Climate Change

There appears to be an upsurge in violence directed against visible minorities and not dependent on rapid fire handguns or AR15s. In Saskatchewan, Canada ten are dead and 19 injured...

Defensive Medicine, Pandemics, Politics, and Public Health

The CDC by a narrow margin has joined the WHO in naming Monkeypox as an pandemic. Monkeypox has jumped from 17 to 1720 countrywide in one day and now it's approaching 10,000 in...

Leadership and Age.

President Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 infection. News reports indicate that he is tired, but quite functional. Vice President Kamala Harris is uninfected and separated...

COVID Isn't The Only Menace

I had speculated on a previous text that omicron represents an increased infectivity with a modified downward severity for a time. BA4 & BA5 has increased infectivity and...

Covid Spreads. Vaccines Available for Children under 5. People Seem Fed Up and Prone to Primitive Responses

The U. S. population is beset by geometric increases in gun violence, a resurgence in new cases of new variants of the omicron strain of the COVID-19 virus, the realization that...

Coronavirus and Geometric Increase in Gun (and other) Violence

The hearings on the Capitol invasion on January 6th or 2021 reached their conclusions to the general public via television yesterday. To those who were constantly tuned in prior,...

Uvalde, Texas Shooting

Uvalde, Texas, is north of the border down Mexico Way, 80 miles west of San Antonio, and the site of the NRA's most recent success of demonstrating the effectiveness of war weapons...

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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