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

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Survival & Ethics, Medical & Otherwise

The burial of the victims of last week's hate crime in Buffalo continues. The thought that this is mental health awareness month, as well as interfaith recognition month and something...

Replacement Theory, Hate, Gun Violence & The Rule of Law

If you had been thinking of shuffling off to Buffalo, NY, maybe you should not. The Monday morning news is full of the reasons why the shuffle can stand rethinking. Apparently,...

Moralization of Medical Abortion and the Rule of Law

A copy of a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning federal protection for women seeking an abortion was leaked to the public yesterday. Republican officeholders "to a man" and...

The Medicalization of Morality

As mortality from gun violence increases in the USA (and worldwide), and the Ukraine invasion by Russia continues, some of us are pushed to wonder about the nature of man. Homo...

All Things Medical

A holder of a lifetime Federal judiciary appointment who never appeared before a trial, jury, or judge, and who is deemed unqualified by the American Bar Association made a medical...

Speculative Analysis Continued

If the idea that Putin anticipated a prearranged walkover aided by anti-semitism is correct, the exposure of Russia as a third-rate Military is intolerable and required the revival...

World Threats Mount, Giving Rise to a Speculative Analysis of the Ukraine Crisis

We are told by the UN health advisory committee that we have less than two years to bring burgeoning climate temperatures under control before irreparable damage is done. Clear...

Unmasking, Vaccination, Homo Neanderthals, and The Future of Homo Sapiens

Yesterday was National Doctor's Day, and in a month dedicated to women, MLK memory, Asian and Indigenous peoples, President Biden signed into law the anti-lynching bill making...

Gambit Declined

Poland offered to supply Ukraine 12-23 first-generation MiG jets by way of Germany and Romania if the USA approved and replaced them with more modern US jets. The USA didn't approve...

The End of Black History Month & The Ukrainian People

As we come to the end of Black History Month we can anticipate International Women's Day. The framework of observation is the demonic Russian invasion of Ukraine and the unmistakably...

SARS-CoV-2, Omicron, Etc.

Thank you KG for forwarding the excellent summary of the history and origin of the SARS-CoV-2 article written by a capable virologist and researcher. I will not identify him further...

Black History Month

Black History Month nears its end, the Ukrainian crisis its denouement, the Omicron crisis its transition, etc, we are left wondering what is real. I am forced to conclude that...

Unmasking and the Pandemic

In keeping Super Bowl 56 from becoming a super-spreader event, LA county is going its own way in extending masking, social distancing, and vaccination requirements for six additional...

COVID-19 and the Parallel Universe

As the numbers of infected increase in largely rural areas and the number of deaths surge among the unvaccinated again largely in rural areas, a politic of infection and disillusionment...

Omicron, Delta, Ebola, Vaccines, etc.

The shape of the future is unknown but not undetermined. The number of Americans being infected by the new virus is in excess of 120,000 every 3 to 4 hours. There is some evidence...

War Games Revisited

We can explore some pandemic realities together by combining some of the aspects of the movie, The Silent Spring, with some of the aspects of the movie, War Games. The grim reaper...

600,000 Victims of The Big Lie: First Responders and SARS

Police and Firefighters account for 60% of those infected by SARS-CoV-2. Yet these responders are 80% dead set against mandated vaccination and indeed vaccination of any sort....

Educators vs Teachers

The alarming response of California, New York, and regions not controlled by the Republicans, to concepts like mandates for masking, social distancing, and proof of vaccination...

Captain Kirk and Blue Horizon

Many moons ago, William Shatner in his personification of Captain Kirk commented on an article written by my son, Jeff the neurosurgeon, on stroke and its prevention. Though their...

COVID-19 Update

General Colin Powell died today from SARS, he was 84 years old. My late sister Pearl had taught him at Morris HS in The Bronx way back when. She had reported him to be a marginal...

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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