Tag Archives: Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox

The Scoop on Schizophrenia

March 15, 2018 0 comments Health Education, Mental Health Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist Dr. Leesha

Misunderstood. Feared. Stigmatized. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia regularly battle derogatory stereotypes. The media portrays those with schizophrenia as crazy, suffering from split personalities, or as deranged killers that commit mass murders. Others use the term “schizophrenic” to describe erratic weather patterns. But the psychiatric illness that is schizophrenia is none of this. Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that impacts about 1% of the adult population.

HELP! My Child is Struggling in School!

March 7, 2018 0 comments Children's Mental Health, Health Education, Mental Health, Parenting, Schools Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, children, disruptive behavior, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, education, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist, schools, special education Dr. Leesha

From kindergarten through high school, our children spend the bulk of their day at school. Within the school setting, they learn new skills and demonstrate mastery of educational concepts, form new friendships and nurture old ones, solve problems, manage conflicts and disagreements, and grow. Not infrequently, however, children begin to experience symptoms of a psychiatric illness that may greatly interfere with his ability to accomplish these tasks at school. The statistics bear out this very real risk of psychiatric illness.

The Scoop on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

February 27, 2018 0 comments Children's Mental Health, Mental Health, Parenting abuse, Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, bullying, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, neglect, Parenting, Psychiatrist, PTSD Dr. Leesha

School shootings. Bullying. Sexual assaults. Hurricanes. Flooding. Tornadoes. Car accidents. Fires. Physical and sexual abuse. Exposure to violence. These days, the traumas that our children face seem endless. Exposure to traumatic events such as these can lead to the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

This Valentine’s Day …

February 13, 2018 1 comment Faith, Healthy Living Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Cultivating healthy minds, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Faith, harvesting hope, love Dr. Leesha

February is the month of love. No one can escape the commercialism that is Valentine’s Day as images of pink and red hearts, bouquets of lush red roses, and delicious chocolates flood every media outlet and our social media newsfeed. But love – real, unadulterated love, has nothing to do with any of that valentine stuff.

The Scoop on ODD

January 31, 2018 1 comment Children's Mental Health, Mental Health, Parenting Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, disruptive behavior, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, Parenting, positive parenting Dr. Leesha

Typically first diagnosed in elementary-aged youth, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, is a psychiatric condition characterized by a chronic pattern of disruptive behavior. Estimates suggest that anywhere from 6 – 10% of children have ODD. Core features include negativity, anger and hostility, verbal aggression, and behavioral outbursts. While all children periodically display developmentally appropriate oppositional behavior and test limits, those with ODD have frequent anger outbursts and repeatedly refuse to comply with rules and instructions.

The Scoop on ADHD

January 23, 2018 0 comments Children's Mental Health, Mental Health, Parenting Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, Parenting Dr. Leesha

In an effort to educate parents and families about mental illness, I have decided to write a series called, “The Scoop.” Every week, I will feature a different psychiatric disorder and discuss 5 facts about that illness to promote awareness and improve understanding of the condition. This post focuses on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 11% of children ages 4 – 17 years old have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.

Dr. Leesha | Psychiatrist, Therapist, and Parenting Expert