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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Gun Control, Mind Control, Cult Control, and the Merchant of Malice

Following closely on the heels of the sixth of January, the latest incidents of probably (at least in part, if not wholly) racially motivated mass shootings in San Diego and Boulder,...

Saints Days, Spring Break, and Covid-19

St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, Collegiate Spring Break, and Easter are all supplying ample opportunity for bored and beleaguered Americans to throw caution to the winds...

SARS and Cynicism

The Covid Relief Act is finally the law of the land having survived by virtue of the so-called nuclear option with the deciding vote cast by Kamala Harris ex officio the vice presidency...

SARS-CoV-2, B117, and What Have You Done For Me Lately?

The optimism that perhaps justifiably accompanied the deployment of new supplies of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the arrival of Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine coupled...

SARS-CoV-2, Biden/Harris, Celebrity Status, and The Rule of Law

Close to 30 million documented infections, 501,000 deaths, evidence of deadly new variants which may evade current vaccines, lack of sufficient vaccines, varying state and county...

Black History Month and SARS-CoV-2

We are almost to the end of Black History Month and post-presidential election America finds itself as divided as was the case in 1871. Systemic racism has been identified in...

Youth Must Be Served, Even In Covid-19 Time? Maybe The Old Testament Was Wrong

Bill Maher and Alexa bet against Tom Terrific and his buddies including #87 Rob Gronkowski. The secret of course is that #12 represents the western cowboy ideal; working for...

Covid-19, the NFL, and Racial Norming

As the struggle for the soul of America heats up following the enormity of January sixth and the related struggle for the physical and mental health of Americans against SARS-CoV-2 shows...

Scam, Fraud, and Ethical Concerns in the Age of the Merchant of Malice (formerly POTUS) and SARS Pandemic

This post is in acknowledgment of the particular vulnerability of the elderly but is also in recognition of the intrapsychic stress associated with SARS-CoV-2 sheltering, distancing,...

Covid Rages on as the Merchant of Malice Departs for Mar-a-Lago

The number of reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 is now well above 400,000 and is expected to exceed one half million by the end of February. The production of vaccines with the necessary...

Covid-19 Rages as Troops Bivouac on Capitol Hill

There are six days remaining in the Trump Presidency as MOM is impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time. Close to 400,000 U. S. deaths of SARS origin have...

Covid-19 Pandemic Mismanagement's Connection To Capitol Invasion

Five people are dead as a result of MOM (aka POTUS) inspired and spiritually led rioting and sedition at the nation's core of government. There is no question that the President...

Sedition, Revolt, Coup, and Covid-19

As the number of Americans dying from SARS-CoV-2 accelerates and ICU bed availability disappears, 18 million confirmed cases have been documented nationwide. The neglect of the...

SARS-CoV-2 vs Biden/Harris Continued

There have been 309,000 deaths with 2 Americans dying every 50 seconds. We have 18% of world mortality and infectivity statistics while only 4% of the world population. A mutation...

16.4 Million Cases, 300,072 Deaths From SARS-CoV-2 Virus Overshadow Federal Executions

Covid-19 vaccines are on the way to both coasts via USPS & FedEx jets. In the absence of federal coordinated instructions, distributions are up to the states, in some areas...

Coronavirus Vaccine Dilemmas

The FDA is considering approval of the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in the USA amid reports of adverse reactions in a few people with allergen hypersensitivity in the U. K....

Pandemic and Epidemic Variations on an Electoral Theme: Martyrs Beware

Yesterday was HIV remembrance day. Reminding us of the terror of the 1980s, and that pandemic etiologic agent is still around but controlled by science not euphemism, and linkable...

Covid-19, Biden/Harris vs Trump/Pence and 60 Days of Structural Damage With Orders That Shouldn't Be Obeyed

With the Covid epidemic surging wildly across the world and infectivity/death rates highest in the USA, MOM (aka POTUS) is busily exploring pardons with self and family first and...

Covid-19 Is Winning The Battle With Mankind

There have been 250,000 deaths and 12 million cases of Covid-19 in the USA. The Biden transition team is being denied access to the current coronavirus task force and in the foot...

Relief From Election Results As Covid Rages On

More than 150,000 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in a 24 hour period. Some 7 million cases exist in the USA and some quarter-million have died. Fall and winter were predicted...

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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