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

Reactivity and The Immune System

The effectiveness of the vaccination process is directly dependent on the reactivity of the immune system. That reactivity is high in youth and declines steadily or sometimes...

Infrastructure and Reconciliation While SARS-CoV-2 Goes Airborne

There are 2,000 U. S. deaths daily. One out of four new infections are affecting children between the ages of 5 and 18. Misinformation and disinformation about the pandemic...

SARS-CoV-2 and Politics

Even though 75 percent of Americans over 18 have received at least one vaccination, the goal set by the Biden administration has not been reached (70% fully). The reason appears...

COVID-19: Delta and Lambda Strains & Texas Abortion Law

With new COVID-19 infections rising to approximately 130,000 every 1 to 3 days and delta and lambda strains becoming dominant, it's difficult to conceive of worse things. Florida...

Horns of Leadership Dilemmas

In the morass of the Middle East, at least 12 U. S. Marines have been killed and at least 15 more wounded at the Airport in Kabul. Mainly it is believed to be the work of Isis...

SARS-CoV-2 & The Long Distance Runner

With a mere six months to his presidency, Joe Biden is defying the odds and declaring that no more lives will be lost to the game of nation building in America's longest war i....

An Enemy Till The End of Time?

It would appear that white tailed deer found in every state except Alaska are contracting the coronavirus in the wild. Blood analysis on samples from over 600 deer conducted by...

Associations of Old Age: Let's Hear it for the Hmong

The weight of the world descends on us and we seek refuge in recreational diversion, at least as much as old age permits. The Tokyo Olympics offers some respite although it has...

For the People...DACA...New Selma March, Infrastructure et al

There were 393 million guns estimated to have been in the hands of Americans in 2017. Most were not of the AKR variety. There were some 40 to 90 million victims of addiction...

The Gestapo Brownshirt Menace and the Delta Virus Threaten the USA

Over 1000 new cases per hour of SARS-CoV-2 are spiking across the USA. While 185 million Americans have received some vaccination too many are vulnerable because of fear or foolishness...

Voter Suppression and Covid Variation. Guns and Roses. Auction of Liberal Multiracial Democracy

With the damage done to the voting rights law by the Bush/Trump appointed Supreme Court and the refusal of the GOP to support a bipartisan examination of the events of 6 January...

An Ancient Delta Force and Party Loyalty

Joe Biden, the 46th president, is fighting a battle for the survival of the USA on many fronts. He is being assailed by the Vatican for his support of gay marriage, women's abortion...

Samaritans in the Era of Covid

Miami, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Los Angeles. . . the list of mass shootings, vehicular assault, etc. continues to grow. Car driving has become perilous because...

Black Wall Street, Independent Capitol Riot Commission, Valley Transit Authority and Covid-19

Do you know the way to San Jose? The Valley Transit Authority is down there somewhere, not too far from RPV. You can follow a blood trail if you are part wolf, bobcat, or coyote....

A Letter Concerning the Future to Selin, Karima, Lucie, Dimitri Andropolous, Kyle Pedersen, & Susanna

This is just a brief note to express appreciation for my invitation to the Urban Renewal Zoom event. I regret not being able to respond to a query because of the quirky Zoom connection....

A Numbers Game in the Era of the SARS Pandemic

Over 200 million shots have been administered to Americans by the 92nd day of the Biden/Harris administration's presence in office. Unfortunately, there are nearly 6,700 new cases...

Interpersonal and Intrapsychic Transactions in the Era of SARS-CoV-2 Special Attention: the Elderly and Minorities

There is a nationwide surge in covid cases in nearly half the country. The epicenter of the pandemic in the USA is the state of Michigan and the surge is apparently due to the...

The Interpersonal and Intrapsychic Environment of Individuals (Special Emphasis on the Elderly) in the Era of SARS-CoV-2

Only 13. 4% of the U. S. population but 63% of the U. S. arrests. This is the story of Black Americans and policing at all levels in the last 20 years of U. S. history. Some...

The Covid Interpersonal Environment and the Elderly

The issue of the role of government in assuring safety and well-being is repeatedly being brought to attention by gun violence episodes, public health pandemic precaution violations,...

SARS-CoV-2, Pan Anxiety & Violence

Orange County California was the site of the latest mass shooting episode in this country. As of 7: 30 pm, 6 people were reported shot, 4 reported dead, including a 9 year old...

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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