Dr. Quratulain Zaidi of MindNLife looks at society’s tendency to normalise spanking and child discipline, and how we as parents can do better. “Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” This quote by prominent health administrator C Everett Koop reflects my own strong belief on being a … Read more
Divorce is often perceived negatively, despite its prevalence. In the US, nearly 41% of first marriages end in divorce, and the emotional turmoil that follows can be overwhelming for both parties involved—especially when infidelity is a factor. In these moments, guilt, anger, sadness, and anxiety often dominate, making it difficult to imagine parting ways with … Read more
DR QURATULAIN ZAIDI of MindNLife discusses bullying, an all-too-common phenomenon found in schools (and, indeed, the daily life of adults) around the world, including Hong Kong. What is bullying? Bullying is defined as repeated interpersonal behaviour, typically between children with unequal power, which is intended to do physical or psychological harm, and can lead to … Read more
Are your children anxious? Children as young as five are presenting for treatment showing signs of anxiety and stress. But how much of it is linked to behaviours exhibited by their parents? Clinical psychologist Dr Quratulain Zaidi of MindNLife Hong Kong looks at the issue in parents and children and some steps that can be … Read more
Conflict and anger are natural in any relationship. But when the parties involved don’t know how to manage, contain or neutralise these suppressed emotions, these bottled-up feelings more often than not lead to anger. Many family and relationship counsellors have now reported an increase in couples’ conflicts and anger issues at home. Find out how … Read more
Mindful Parenting in Hong Kong: Raising Grounded Kids in a Fast-Paced City It’s easy to let our kids indulge in Hong Kong, what with all the access to shops, technologies, entertainment and attractions. Everything is practically within reach, it’s a challenge for every parent in Hong Kong to raise their grounded children. With the city’s … Read more
It’s challenging enough for married couples to move to any new city, and Hong Kong is no different. If expat couples are not vigilant enough to recognise the pitfalls of living in Hong Kong, this can lead to divorce. I spoke to Expat Living to examine these pressures and offered advice on how to overcome … Read more
Let’s talk about something that’s becoming impossible to ignore – our teenagers are struggling. You might be surprised to learn that the National Institute of Mental Health has found around 25% of teens between 13 and 18 are dealing with anxiety disorders. Without help, they’re more likely to have trouble at school, miss out on … Read more
Social Media ‘recovery accounts’ offering eating disorder support should not replace professional help – an expert’s advice From selfies and motivational quotes to photos and videos of meals and gym workouts, Instagram offers a variety of posts that support recovery from an eating disorder or ED. While a 2016 study showed being a part of … Read more
It would be no surprise to many that expat living in Hong Kong can put pressure on a relationship. Couples living in Hong Kong, including those with young families, often come to me for counselling because they seem to have lost their connection with one other. What I tend to find is that these couples … Read more
It can be easy to assume that good relationships are effortless and frictionless, with each party able to completely be themselves, and ask for anything and get it. As DR QURATULAIN ZAIDI of MindNLife explains, a good relationship takes constant work – especially when it comes to dealing with conflict. Once upon a time, many (but not … Read more
Talking about mental illness amongst family members is difficult and not a subject most people are comfortable discussing. Mental illness of a family member affects everyone in the family. But perhaps talking about it can help make the situation better for everyone. Dr. Monica Borschel recently contributed to an article in the South China Morning … Read more
ADHD and Teens – growing up with this disorder presents some unique challanges for youth today. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. It’s a chronic condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity and sometimes impulsivity. ADHD begins in childhood and … Read more
DR Quratulain Zaidi of MindNLife discusses strategies for adult relationships where one or both partners have ADHD and how to spot ADHD symptoms. The meaning of ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves problems with attention, concentration, impulse control and increased activity levels. Millions of people are affected by … Read more
Some say that Hong Kong is a marriage graveyard. But can a particular city really have an effect on your marriage? Moving to a new country, new job, new house and a new cultural experience can be exciting but having to leave behind familiar people and places will eventually take a toll on anyone. The … Read more
DR QURATULAIN ZAIDI of MindNLife discusses the learning challenges that can attend a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and suggests ways that you as a parent can help. — At a recent meeting of Special Educational Needs professionals, I was asked to host one of six round-table discussions, and the topic I chose was … Read more
PHOTO BY VIKTOR HANACEK I’ve previously written about how Hong Kong is a “marriage graveyard” due to some of the unique stressors in our lovely metropolis, but it doesn’t have to be death and destruction when you find that special someone. In fact, in a pressure-cooker city like Hong Kong, a good relationship can … Read more
I was recently asked to talk to teenagers about the impact of social media on teens, and the affect that too much screen time might be having on them. One question I posed was this: “In one hour, how much time do you spend working on your device, and what do you do for the … Read more