Let's Talk About Mental Illness

Robin Williams and Suicide, Addiction and Mental Illness

2014-08-12T07:31:00.002-04:00

I'm starting to get angry as I hear all the comments surrounding the "sudden" death of Robin Williams. Suicide is suspected and the ignorant comments scare me.

With all the media coverage the last decade regarding mental health issues have we learned nothing?

Depression is an equal opportunity disorder. It touches Oscar-winning comedians and the guy next door. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, ugly or pretty, etc.

"If only he had gotten help" was one of the many comments that made my blood boil. HELP doesn't always help!

Reports are that recently Robin Williams recognized his depression was severe. He checked himself into rehab for his struggle with alcoholism. Sadly this recent rehab attempt didn't work.

As someone who battles depression knows, it isn't always about getting "help". Also, getting "help" isn't that easy.

There are a combination of factors that need to fall into place in order for "help" to be successful.

Underneath it all it comes down to the person who is being treated. You can go to the most expensive, highly recommended treatment center but at the end of the day, sometimes the demons win.

I wish it didn't sound that cut and dry, but sadly sometimes it is.

Robin Williams' legacy on film will last forever. His life, as many have commented, was NOT a waste. He left us laughing but with a tear in our eyes because no one was able to save him from the demons that eventually won.

Coping with Triggers

2014-06-01T09:07:00.000-04:00

Sometimes panic happens and there doesn't seem to be a reason why. Other times you know the triggers but avoiding them is sometimes not easy.

I'm making a lot of changes in my life lately and the last thing I need is to have to deal with is negativity and people who push my buttons. Unfortunately some people you cannot avoid.

It is work to learn how to cope with anxiety. I take it day by day. It's those things you cannot control that can throw a wrench into your progress.

Avoidance is unrealistic. There are some things that happen that you have to deal with. So how do you cope when others' behaviors threaten your sanity?

Stop. Breathe. Use the mantras that work for you. Repeat repeat repeat!

Sooner or later the panic will pass and you will regain control over the thoughts in your mind.

I avoid overwhelming myself and instead I focus on the moment. I try to avoid the "what ifs". That is easier to do when you just simply focus on the moment and remember that any icky feelings will pass. Don't allow the panic to consume you and don't allow the negative thoughts to multiply.

Explore how you are feeling but do not obsess about it. Negative people can only drag you down if you let them.

I firmly believe that after a while if someone in your life keeps insisting upon bringing you down with them, maybe it is time to reconsider their importance in your life.

Refuse to be abused by others' anger, disappointment in themselves or misplaced guilt. How you react to situations is totally under your control. The panic will want to control you but it doesn't have to. Don't let it consume you. Fight back by not allowing it to take space in your mind.

Panic doesn't have to win.

Helping Your Adult Child in Crisis

2014-05-04T17:02:00.000-04:00

Mental illness most often can manifest in the late teen to early 20s. This is most heart-wrenching for the parents because once their teenager turns the magic age of 18, a parent is powerless.

Laws regarding mental health have changed over the last decade or more, giving the patient more rights to avoid abuse by the system.

Unfortunately the system that is protecting the rights of the patient is often enabling patients who need help from receiving it.

You cannot force someone to get mental health treatment unless they are proven to be a danger to themselves or others. Proving this is time-consuming and often the person will act out at the risk of their own well-being or someone elses'.

Being a parent of a young adult is not easy. Not many young adults are financially stable enough to live on their own and they often stay home until they have either finished their education or gotten settled in a career. Meanwhile the once-together young adult can exhibit signs of depression or other mental illnesses and the parent cannot do much to help their "child".

Early adulthood is when most mental illness issues come to the surface. There might have been some signs during the teen years but many parents chalk it up to moody teenage behavior. Many don't take it seriously because they are uninformed or just unwilling to face the idea that their child is less than "perfect".

What can a parent do to help their young adult child when it becomes obvious that their mental health is at issue?

The first thing to do is try talking to your adult child about their behavior. Depending upon the kind of relationship you have, you might be able to get them to see that they need to speak to an outsider about how they are feeling.

Counselling should be the first step along with a visit to your family doctor to rule out medical causes for how he/she is feeling.

If he/she is not receptive to the idea or reacts with anger, assure them that it is perfectly okay for them to have mixed feelings about seeking help. Pull up a website like NAMI which has tons of information about depression and other common mental illnesses. They have links to guides for where to find treatment and what to expect.

Most of all, don't give up!

You might not be able to force your adult child into treatment but you can be supportive and active in trying to get them to accept help.

Don't look the other way. Don't assume he/she will "snap out of it". You have to deal with this. This is your child even though he/she is now legally an adult.

Consequences of his/her actions can affect the rest of his/her life. You want to make sure that you do all that you can to get them to accept the idea that right now they are not in control of their emotions and they need help to get through this time in their life.

Never lose hope.

NAMI also has great information for parents whose adult child is resistant to treatment. You might need to go down that road of tough love but doing nothing will only bring guilt later on. Don't be ashamed and don't be afraid to talk to others about what your family is going through. No one is immune from mental illness.

Who Becomes a Drug Addict?

2014-02-02T15:40:00.001-05:00

Today the world lost another celebrity and the whispers are it was drug-related. Philip Seymore Hoffman was found dead in his NYC apartment possibly due to his use of heroin.

Many people ask why do people do a drug like heroin which can kill you after one use? Why do people turn to drugs at all?

Of course I am no doctor or expert but from what I have seen many turn to drugs out of desperation to ease the pain of just living. Undiagnosed or mistreated mood disorders are often common amongst those who turn to drugs. I've said it before and I will say it again- the mental health treatment in this country is seriously lacking.

Treatment is time-consuming, expensive and not always easy to come by. Mental illness can strike anyone. Rich or poor, fat or skinny, black or white, young or old.

People who have been living with a mood disorder know the frustration of the journey. Many of us have also self-medicated. Those who are in denial of their illness turn to drugs which is dangerous. Even those who admit they have a substance abuse issue live dangerously either by still using or struggling to stay clean.

What is the answer?

That's tough.

We need more quality care accessible to all. We need understanding from others that mental illnesses are real and treatable.

We need to be more compassionate and knowledgeable and less judgmental.

Maybe it is our society that keeps us all on this hamster wheel that keeps us living stressful lives.

It is so easy to say that we are just going to slow down but in reality many of us cannot.

There has to be a way to fix this problem that plagues us so greatly.

Drug addiction is rarely seen without an underlying cause.

How to Treat Your Anxiety

2014-01-19T08:56:00.000-05:00

No one needs to suffer from anxiety. There is help but sometimes it takes time to figure out just what to do.

Traditional anxiety treatment often consists of your doctor prescribing an anti-depressant. This will help to relieve the symptoms of anxiety but in the long-term, what does it solve?

Anxiety can happen because of life stressors and often there are "reasons" why you have become anxious. If you just take a pill daily you are ignoring the reason for the anxiety.

Another "cause" of anxiety can be a medical condition. Hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety symptoms as well as other medical conditions. Not treating the underlying problem is putting a band-aid on the problem.

Non-traditional treatments like acupuncture and massage can help anxiety symptoms. Chances are good that your doctor is not going to recommend them. Acupuncture can help to balance you out and often allow you to release the emotions that are bottled up.

The first course of seeking treatment should be a blood test to rule out any abnormalities. Someone with a history of thyroid problems might just be in need of a medication adjustment.

From there you can figure out how to best treat your anxiety. If you just get on an anti-depressant you are not really treating your anxiety.

The most effective treatment for anxiety is to personalize it. Your body is not like anyone elses'.

Step 1 is to find out what your body is trying to tell you by getting your blood tested.

Step 2 is to "fix" any deficiencies that your blood work shows.

Step 3 is to discuss with your doctor how to cope with any anxiety symptoms you might be having.

Sometimes medication is helpful short-term to cope with symptoms while you work on getting your body back to optimum health.

Coping methods could be stress-reducing techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, massage and talk therapy.

No one needs to suffer from anxiety. It is a process to "fix" it but it is better than suffering through panic attacks.

Fighting the Isolation of Being Mentally Ill- Teens with Bipolar

2013-04-23T19:34:00.000-04:00

Fitting in when you are growing into adulthood can be tough enough but when you are also coping with a mood disorder, life can sometimes be lonely.

Teenagers can be self-absorbed and many are not compassionate to the needs of a friend who suffers from a mood disorder. Unless a teen lives with it, most teens can get tired of an emotionally needy friend.

When you suffer from a mood disorder you are often just trying to survive the mood swings and you may not be the best friend you can be.

A teen with a mood disorder often doesn't realize how straining it can be to deal with their ups and downs. Their erratic behavior can be a turn-off and sometimes their actions can cause the break-up of friendships. A teen suffering from depression often isolates themselves from the world and then is sad because they feel so alone.

As the parent of a teen with bipolar, it saddens me how lonely my teenager is at times. The depression usually causes him to isolate himself from everyone. At other times he is bored because he lacks the "normal" teenage social life. Many times it seems like he looks to me for entertainment.

Being an adult with adult responsibilities sometimes I just want a break from it all. I fight my own demons at times and getting "me" time just isn't possible with an emotionally fragile teenager.

I remember my own teen years and although I wouldn't want him to emulate them, I do wish that he had half the adventures I did.

I don't long for "normal" but I do hope for something more than he has right now.

Learning how to find your place in the world is essential for every teenager. You do this by socialization, getting your first job, having your first date, etc. My teen is so far behind in the "normal" teenage experiences.

It is a much different world for today's teens. With social media/networking, many teens form strong bonds with people they have never set eyes on. Even teens with a so-called "normal" social life choose to spend their time communicating through texting instead of old-fashioned conversation.

It is so easy to get caught up in technology. I fear that it does cause many of our teenagers to lack learning the social skills to grow into healthy adulthood. Imagine the teen who has a mood disorder and instead of being forced to be out there in the real world instead gets caught up in the cyber world.

A parent needs to push them to put the phone down and get out there. How many parents actually can devote the time to policing their teen into a healthier way of life?

As a parent who has tried, I admit that I am not always successful. Time demands keep me for putting up a fight some days.

The challenge of being a mom to a teenager with bipolar is great. Hope is something that I never lose- no matter what.

I can't.

Someday maturity will catch up and that inner fight will burn. My teen will choose to find his place in this world and will overcome or learn to cope with the symptoms of bipolar.

The future might be different than what I expect it will be. Our children are growing up in a much different world than we did. For all the good technology has given us it has also given us bad. Finding the balance and growing up healthy is more of a challenge than ever. For a teen with bipolar it is a much bigger challenge.

In the meantime I encourage my teen to physically get together with friends. I urge him to join after-school clubs and look for his first job.

I encourage him to get outside and exercise even if I have to go along for the walk. (it doesn't hurt me but it sure is tough to make the time)

Balance is the key and if I can teach him to find that healthy balance, hopefully he will grow into an adult with better coping skills to handle a life with bipolar.

Coping with the High Cost of Treatment

2013-04-09T20:46:00.001-04:00

Being without health insurance is a scary thing for most people but when you have a mental illness and rely upon daily medication, it is really scary.

The good news is that many pharmaceutical companies are sympathetic to patients and offer several different programs to help. Even if you have insurance but your prescription coverage is lacking, there are programs for you.

The fear many patients have is not being able to afford their care. This is the biggest reason why many skip treatment, cancel therapy appointments and often go off needed medication. For someone with a mood disorder this can set you back in your treatment.

When you find yourself without insurance, the first thing to do is get busy on the Internet. Write down the medications you take and Google them. Go to the pharmaceutical company's website and check out what programs they have to help with the cost of your prescription drugs.

The next thing to do is to talk to your doctor. Explain your financial situation and if you are currently stable, see if you can put off your appointment for medication management. If you cannot, see if your doctor will charge you on a sliding scale until you are able to get new health insurance.

Clinics are another option but many times they have waiting lists of 6 weeks of longer. As soon as you lose your coverage, call up and get on that list!

If you are secure with a good therapist, have a discussion with them about your financial situation. See what they can do to help you out. You will never know unless you ask.

Consistent treatment is essential for mental illness. Financial setbacks and lack of health insurance are stumbling blocks on the road to your wellness. Try and work through them so you don't suffer!

Addiction Knows No Boundaries

2012-02-13T16:22:00.001-05:00

With the recent death of yet another celebrity addict, people on many news sites are making some very ignorant comments.

No one chooses to become an addict.

Today's world is one of great stress and the pharmaceutical companies have conditioned us to believe that we do not need to feel "sad", "depressed" or not "ourselves". They have a medication for it.

The problem is that many of these medications act as band-aids; they cover up the symptoms but never force us to explore the root of the problem.

In this case of anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids, the danger is the addictive nature of them.

The other danger is how so many people who take these medications do not consider the fact that having a cocktail is mixing drugs.

ALCOHOL may be legal but it is a DRUG!

In my life it never ceases to amaze me how ignorant people are about drinking alcoholic beverages when they also have been prescribed an anti-depressant.

Alcohol messes with your brain chemistry and ruins the affect the pharmaceutical drug has on you. The two do NOT mix.

It is not okay to have a drink every now and again and take anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication or sleeping aids.

I don't believe that Whitney Houston intended to die. Whitney's usage of prescription drugs for anxiety, sleeping pills and alcohol put her at a higher risk for "accidents" to happen.

An accident did happen. Toxicology reports (although not complete yet) will most likely show that the combination of Xanax, Valium and alcohol led to her tragic death.

No one said life was easy. Stress can overpower us and sometimes we go to our doctor in desparation for help. We are prescribed help in the form of a pill which does come with a warning but no one fully can understand the addictive nature of these drugs until it is too late.

You may think that you can handle it; perhaps cut yourself off when you recognize there may be a problem but often that is not the case.

As your body gets used to Xanax or Valium, you need more of it to create the same affect. If you enjoy your wine along with your prescription you are living dangerously. Maybe you think that you have it all under control.

All you are doing is gambling with your life.

It is best not to even start taking these anti-anxiety drugs. I don't even think that prescription sleep aids are a good idea even though I myself suffer horrible bouts of insomnia.

There are much better ways to deal with the stresses in our lives. If you feel like you just cannot take it anymore (the stress), schedule an appointment with a therapist. Don't fill that prescription for a pharmaceutical fix.

It is far too easy to have it become a crutch that you cannot easily get rid of. It also can be deadly.

BiPolar - Over or Under Diagnosed?

2012-02-11T09:20:00.002-05:00

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that seems to have become much more commonly diagnosed in recent years. It is also a disorder that can go undiagnosed because of the nature of the symptoms.

There are several different kinds of bipolar disorder but what defines bipolar is the extremes in moods from high highs (mania) to low lows (depression).

The truth is that mania feels good. The person is on top of the world and the behaviors that go along with this feeling of euphoria often cause reckless behavior. People do not usually seek medical help when they are feeling manic.

The other side of bipolar is the lows. The depressive symptoms can make a person feel suicidal and this is what often brings them to seek medical help. The psychiatrist only sees the person in a severely depressed mood and treats them with an anti-depressant. This will help them at first to cope with the depression symptoms, but as time goes by, the anti-depressant will actually make their manic episodes worsen. The depression will not be "fixed" either. A doctor who doesn't recognize that there are mood swings will increase the dosage of anti-depressant and the person will often continue the cycle of mood swings.

Diagnosing bipolar is difficult. It involves many visits to the psychiatrist and unfortunately, if those visits do not coincide with your mood swings and you do not verbalize these feelings, a doctor can easily miss that you have a form of bipolar.

This is most evident in children and teenagers. A psychiatrist who allows the parent to "speak" for the child is trusting that the parent's observations are correct and not biased or overly exaggerrated.

As a parent of a now-teenager, I have sat in psychiatrists' offices for years listening to my daughter either not verbalize her symptoms or seemingly forgetting how severe her moods often can be.

Over the years she has been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anxiety, depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and now mild Bipolar II.

As a parent who has 20 years experience with psychiatrists, I am frustrated.

I have been paid to research, cite sources and write about mental illness and treatments. I do not have a degree in any medical field (aside from a certification in massage therapy) but I feel that I have enough knowledge to guide my daughter's treatment.

What disturbs me greatly is that my research and personal experience has shown me that often symptoms can be affected by a person's lifestyle. In my daughter's case, I know that she needs a structured schedule to stick to. If allowed to just do as she wants, during depressive episodes she will withdraw and literally spend most of her time sleeping or laying around.

Her diet is also an issue. Always a picky eater, her bloodwork shows that she has a Vitamin D deficiency. People with a deficiency can suffer from depression symptoms. Like many teens, her diet is deficient in many areas. There is a direct connection to her mental health.

Psychiatrists often poo-poo the idea that a vitamin deficiency can affect your mental well-being. Many instead will increase your medication instead of referring you to a nutritionist.

I call this the zombie affect. It is also putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches.

To sum it all up, bipolar disorder is not always easy to see and even when it is, the journey can be one full of frustration.

Patients need to educate themselves in order to ensure that they receive the correct diagnosis and treatment that is best for them.

Stress and Mental Illness

2011-07-14T07:55:00.000-04:00

Stress is a killer but if you are also coping with a mental illness, it can make coping even tougher.

read about coping techniques here

Going through treatment for conditions like anxiety can often produce more anxiety as you get to the bottom of what triggers your panic attacks. Learning a stress-reducing technique will only help your treatment and speed your recovery.

Developing a plan that works for you may take time. Some people find that setting aside even 15 minutes in the morning to quietly reflect through meditation can put their mind into a place where they can better cope through a stressful day.

For others, a daily exercise routine helps to keep them balanced.

Remember that we are all unique and what works for one person may not be what works for you.

Try many techniques until you find one that is right for you and practice it daily.

Your mental well-being will improve. Guaranteed!

A Parent's Denial

2011-07-09T08:12:00.000-04:00

Children can and do suffer from mental illness. It can range in severity but if it is not treated, it will not go away on its own.

read "Not my child"

Facing the fact that your child may be having trouble coping is not easy to accept. You would not ignore if your child was kept up at night with a horrible cough and recognizing symptoms of depression and other mood disorders is just (if not more) important.

A child who has experienced a trauma in their life may seem fine but actually may be deeply affected and need some help coping. There are many reasons why a child may have a mood disorder.

The parent who can let go of the idea that "my child is perfect" and see their child realistically can help them to be mentally healthy.

Not everyone copes the same way with difficulties in life. Parents who think that their children are not effected because they may not understand are wrong. Some children are more sensitive than others and what a parent may consider a small thing could be huge to a child.

how to find mental health care for your child

A parent who denies that anything is wrong will often be faced with a bigger challenge with their child later on. A child who has anxious feelings will only become more anxious. A child with depression may later on suffer in school, with social relationships and may even turn suicidal.

Mental illnesses are treatable and a parent should not fear what treatment may be like but remember that they need to address these symptoms so their child can live a happy and healthy life.

Educating your Bipolar Child

Schedules and your Bipolar Child

Depression and your Teenager

Recognizing Conduct Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

The Consequences of Untreated Mental Illness

2011-07-03T08:02:00.000-04:00

We have come a long way in lowering the stigma against mental illness and promoting awareness of mood disorders.

Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. One of the problems is that the laws that were put in place to avoid abuse of those who have a mental illness can often keep them from getting the help that they desperately need.

Take the case of Jared Loughner. read more here

Although he was indicted for the shootings in Arizona and will probably spend the rest of his life behind bars, will he receive the mental health treatment that he so badly needs?

It should have never come to this. The tragedy should never have happened. Although many recognized Jared to be someone who did not "fit in" to society and exhibited unacceptable behavior, he was an adult. No one can force treatment upon an adult.

That is a part of the problem. Although violent behavior by the mentally ill only occurs in about 3% of patients, that is 3% too much.

A young adult who is undiagnosed or refuses treatment (which is their right) can lead an unproductive and often criminal life. They commit crimes such as theft and they indulge in illegal drug use.

A parent of a young adult who is out of control due to a mood disorder cannot do much to force treatment. All a parent can do is refuse to enable their adult child. This often means that the relationship becomes broken and the parent spends many sleepless nights worrying about what their adult child's fate will be. Tough love can be hard to live with but it is better than enabling their behavior.

This is why it is so important for parents of teenagers to recognize when something is "off" with their teen's behavior. If you can catch a problem before the teen reaches legal age, there is a better chance of avoiding their self-destruction when they reach adulthood.

How to recognize depression symptoms in your teen can help to save them from themselves. Teens who do not receive treatment often turn to drugs or even suicide.

There is help out there for parents of teens who need a mental health evaluation. Where to find mental health treatment is not difficult. Local and state agencies have resources and if you are insured, your insurance companies website has resources also.

Looking the other way when you feel that something is just not right with your teen's behavior could escalate into tragedy in the future. Mood disorders are treatable mental illnesses. Ignoring them will not make them go away.

Familys That Enable

2011-06-30T07:59:00.000-04:00

Watching the Casey Anthony murder trial is a lesson in dysfunctional families. The enabling that goes on in this family is mind-boggling. read more here

Maybe what fascinates a lot of people is that they recognize themselves or others they know in this real-life drama.

Casey Anthony is beyond being "just a good liar". It is obvious that her parents have had issues with her for a long time. She did not graduate high school and her father admits that she has always "lived on the edge".

Cindy Anthony is the kind of person who tries to control things but also avoids dealing with anything that may be upsetting to her world that she tries to control. Her daughter's pregnancy, for one, was something that the family didn't speak about. Denial is a coping mechanism for some people and Cindy Anthony held onto that denial like a security blanket.

Lee Anthony is obviously someone who needs intensive therapy. Whatever went on in his household affected him deeply. Although he is an adult, he still feels this pain and in order for him to live a happy life, he needs to confront this damage.

Some people are just not able to face reality when a family member behaves badly. They enable their behavior by allowing them to continue it. They may make excuses or pretend all is well. They may try and force their beliefs onto others or demand that things be their way.
Ultimately, the person who has a problem runs the show and everyone else is sucked into their world.

Casey Anthony's lies and criminal behavior has torn this family apart. Testimony showed that as an unwed mother she frequently took Caylee to a boyfriend's house and spent the night. She lacked the emotional maturity or concern to be a real mother to Caylee and I am sure behind closed doors there were battles about that.

Being that Casey was of legal age, there wasn't too much her parents could do. They enabled her behavior out of fear of losing the granddaughter that they loved.

I have heard stories of young mothers who use their child as pawns with their mothers in particular, in order to get what they want. In Casey's case, she was living rent-free, her parents were supporting her daughter and she came and went as she pleased.

Her parents seemed to be in fear of being firm with her. Did they create the monster she appears to be? In part, they did but I believe that some people are just born with the potential to be "bad".

Did they overindulge her and not expect her to be responsible for her own actions? I don't know. Tough love is not called tough because it is easy to do. It takes strength to say no to your child, no matter what their age. Obviously, it is important for parents to speak their minds and demand certain behavior. In this case, life with Casey was probably crazy before she got pregnant out of wedlock. By then, the patterns were set.

Is this what happens when you allow your child to be the center of your world? Parents want to install a certain amount of self-esteem in their child but when you do not teach personal responsibility along with it, are you helping to create a narcissistic monster?

How to break the cycle of dysfunction in a family is not always easy but it will free you from repeating what probably is a long history of dysfunctional behavior.

This family's dynamics have been put under a microscope. It is obvious through public statements that they have made that they all had their "roles" in the family. Cindy tried to have things be a "certain way". Others, like her husband, tried to please her. Things were not talked about the way they would be in other families. This frustrated their son Lee, who eventually grew tired of it. Even though he seems to want to break free of this, he still has this loyalty to the people who caused him so much emotional hurt and damage.

Seeing this unfortunate dissection of a family's dynamics reminds many of us that we have no clue what goes on at the house next door. We also are reminded that none of us are human and sometimes what we think we are doing out of love may be doing more harm than good.

Read more about why enabling is a bad idea

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2011-06-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

Severe anxiety can be overcome and the way to successfully treat anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy.

read more about anxiety here

Cognitive behavioral therapy in simple terms means that a trained therapist helps to guide the patient while teaching them new ways of coping with triggers that produce their anxiety symptoms.

For someone with anxiety, even though their fears may seem "unreasonable" they are very real. Sometimes anxiety goes along with post traumatic stress disorder and the reason why a patient may fear something is because of a traumatic event that they experienced.

Facing your fear is absolutely terrifying for someone with severe anxiety. When a patient figures out that anti-anxiety medication is not "curing" the anxiety, therapy is usually where they turn for help.

Living with anxiety is frustrating. You can try stress-reducing techniques in order to learn how to cope better with stress which will lower anxiety symptoms. This can definitely help but ultimately, when you have severe anxiety, you will notice that until you decide to face your fears head on they are not going to go away.

The decision to try cognitive behavioral therapy is a tough one to make. Therapy takes making a commitment towards mental wellness and it is not without pain. If you keep yourself focused on the belief that you will experience some rough emotional episodes while you go through the process of therapy but in the end you will be free, your journey will be easier.

Find the courage to commit to cognitive behavioral therapy by focusing on your ultimate goal- freedom from anxiety. Just think how great it will be to begin life over again without anxiety holding you back.

NAMI article about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

More on what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is

Mental Wellness

2011-06-17T21:51:00.000-04:00

In the American culture, not enough is done in the area of preventive care. If you eat healthy foods and exercise, limit alcohol and avoid drugs and smoking, you can avoid conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and many other chronic conditions.

Studies show that people who take care of their mental wellness deal better with stress and generally live happier lives.

Yoga , meditation, exercise, a hobby or talk therapy can all help you keep mentally balanced. If you do have a mental illness any of these activities can help you to cope and even help you to overcome conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.

Just as you practice daily hygiene, practice something for your mental wellness daily. As your practice gets to be second-nature, you will feel the change in yourself. It can help you if life throws you something unexpected and it will also enrich your life.

When is a disorder NOT a mental illness?

2011-06-14T20:55:00.000-04:00

Awareness is a great thing. Knowing that there is help for when you truly need help and seeking it means that you can go back to feeling "normal" again. (whatever normal is)

The problem today is that sometimes it seems as if there is a disorder for every possible kind of behavior. How are you supposed to know when you need help and what isn't a real disorder?

A psychologist writer friend of mine recently tackled this subject in a way that only he can. Read his article here

There are serious conditions that require treatment but the truth is that just feeling a little "off" sometimes doesn't mean that you are bipolar. Although it is true that having mental illness or substance abuse in your family history does put you at a higher risk for developing a disorder yourself, it doesn't mean that you will.

Some women are moody (most men reading this will not argue) but mood swings in itself are not bipolar. We all go through periods in our lives that cause us to worry and feel more stress. We can sometimes have times of extreme elation; think "falling in love". Does this mean we are experiencing depression, anxiety or a manic episode?

Probably not.

Bipolar disorder (for example) should not be diagnosed based upon a month of ups and downs in your moods. Proper diagnosis of most mental illnesses takes time and careful evaluation. A good doctor will not jump to label a patient.

Most people seek out an evaluation when they are feeling desperate and tired of the way they are feeling. These symptoms, whether they are ones of depression or those of anxiety are usually not good feelings. They disrupt your life and you know that you are in need of help.

Of course if your symptoms such as extremes in moods continue on and off for several months you should see a mental health professional. If you ever (even once) feel like you may hurt yourself or someone else - go to your local emergency room immediately. Do not wait for the feelings to pass. You will get help immediately.

Mental health awareness and reducing the stigma by talking openly about mental health is great. Remember that with most disorders the symptoms will be continuous for several weeks and may only increase in severity.

A woman (or man) can be moody without it being a disorder. A sloppy person may just be a sloppy person. Someone who likes things to be "just so" is not necessarily suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. The bottom line is unless it disrupts your life and alters how you live, it probably is your "normal".

Who is at risk for Substance Abuse?

2011-06-11T22:29:00.000-04:00

Substance abuse is widespread today mainly because of prescription drugs. Pain pills, sleeping aids, ADHD medication and anxiety medications are widely misused by patients.

Most patients do not intentionally use prescription drugs to get high; the dependence happens because of a patient's needs.

The patient who has suffered an injury and is desperate to relieve the pain will find that after several days of taking pain medication as prescribed that they will need to increase their dosage to get the same amount of pain relief.

Weeks will go by and the patient's dependency on the pain medication will cloud how much pain they are actually in. They have become dependent on pain medication. Often their pain may be more manageable but since they have developed a need for the narcotic pain pill they may think that they are still in pain.

This is just one of the dangers of prescription medications that have addictive properties.

Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax can have the same affect. A patient can become so dependent on Xanax that although they may not feel anxious, they will find themselves suffering from withdrawal if they skip a dose. They take a pill to avoid the discomfort of the withdrawal and the cycle of needing to take more to control their anxiety coupled with keeping withdrawal symptoms at bay makes a dangerous combination.

Withdrawal from Xanax can be emotionally, psychologically and physically painful. It can take from several months to a year to fully get the drug out of your system. It depends on how long you have been taking Xanax and how much you take.

Another prescription with addictive tendencies are sleeping aids. Insomnia can ruin your life and the person who cannot get sleep like those in pain or with anxiety is just desperate to get some rest. Sleep aids can be a good thing but because of their addictive tendencies, they also can fool you into thinking that you need them. Often you do because your body gets so used to taking them that your insomnia may actually worsen if you try and skip a night without taking them.

If you find that after several weeks you cannot sleep without taking a prescription sleep aid, you need to see your doctor and talk about other options.

The other prescription drug that is widely misused are stimulants that are prescribed for attention deficit disorder. The stimulant medications will help you to focus better but some people find that they become more productive when taking them and before long, take them to keep up that level of energy and focus.

For patients who have anxiety, insomnia, ADD, or pain, looking towards alternative therapies to help you cope is one way of avoiding the risk of addiction to prescription drugs.

Withdrawal can be a painful process and if you are not dealing with the real problem, taking prescription drugs will only serve as a mask to what is really going on.

Natural remedies like vitamin supplements and herbs are not addicting. Using natural remedies in combination with stress-reduction techniques, alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture and meditation and cognitive behavior therapy can help you cope with these issues that may make your doctor pull out his prescription pad.

Especially if you have other medical conditions that require maintenance, lowering your risk of substance abuse and dependency will make your overall health better.

Remember that substance abuse addiction is a treatable disease. Just like mental illness, there should be no shame in admitting that you need help to get over addiction. It is a battle that can be won if you are serious about receiving help for your addiction.

Five ways to deal with a substance abuse addict

Anxiety Treatment Options

2011-06-11T11:25:00.000-04:00

A typical anxiety sufferer does not usually realize that it is anxiety that is causing their symptoms. Many people find themselves in the emergency room of their local hospital or at their primary care physician's office complaining of heart palpitations, shortness of breath or just a feeling that "something" is horribly wrong.

Many feel embarrassed to find out that the cause of their symptoms is due to anxiety. There is nothing is be ashamed about; the truth is that many people experience anxiety at some point in their lives. Having anxiety symptoms severe enough to cause a person to seek medical attention is also not uncommon.

In order to effectively treat anxiety, a patient needs to become proactive in their treatment. We are conditioned to believe that our doctor has a pill for anything. Many times the way traditional medicine views dealing with a patient's symptoms is not the best way to treat the illness.

Anxiety is treatable and studies prove that taking pharmaceutical drugs alone is not the way to do it.

We live in a hectic world and if you begin to feel like you are "losing control", it may be time to take a step back, recognize the anxiety that has become a part of your life and take steps to help yourself.

Hypnosis for Anxiety Control

2011-06-06T21:04:00.001-04:00

Anxiety is irrational fears that threaten to consume a person until they are powerless over them.

After suffering from anxiety for years and trying "traditional" treatments, I discovered that there was a better way to overcome anxiety.

I had tried several anti-anxiety medications over the years and the results were always the same. After an initial period of side effects, the medication would help my symptoms for a period of about 3 months. The doctor would then increase the dosage and after a few more months I would wean myself off the drug.

When taking anti-depressants, I would always get to a place where I just felt emotionally numb. My sex life would suffer and I often felt depressed. I needed Xanax to sleep and on some days, I needed Xanax just to get through the stress of a work day.

Once I finally said no more medications and allowed my body to become free of the pharmaceutical drugs, I began to feel things again. It wasn't all pretty. I cried a lot. My anger sometimes was hard to manage. What really began to work for me was a combination of things.

I started to regularly take B-stress vitamins twice a day. I cut out coffee except for one cup a day.

I started to read a self-help book for overcoming anxiety. Most importantly, I decided to conquer my anxiety.

Believe it or not ( I sometimes still don't) I found hypnosis really made me turn a corner and get on the road to really finally beating anxiety.

Hypnosis is something that has always interested me. I read many books on it and was fortunate enough to have a friend who is certified (and also a psychologist). He first hypnotized me over the phone. YES. Over the phone.

He spoke to me and although I cannot quote what he said, I listened and all he asked was that I stay open to what he was saying.

After he was done, we hung up and I felt an inner "glow". I slept like a baby that night but for the next 2 days, I felt miserable. Moody is the best way to describe it.

Then on the 3rd day, I woke up and it was like the sun was shining for the first time ever. I felt glowing again. Soon it was time to put the hypnosis to a test. I had to be a passenger in my hubby's car in order to go see a concert with my daughter. I hate the Garden State Parkway. I have for a long time. Riding with my husband is another anxiety producing event. Although I was excited about making my daughter's dream come true to see a concert with her favorite Green Day, getting there was my issue.

Long story short, the ride was enjoyable. I didn't experience the all-too-familiar panic that I used to. I felt relaxed and almost excited. When we arrived I excitedly texted my doctor friend and thanked him. He reminded me that I held the power over the voice.

As time goes by, I remember the techniques that he taught me. I still get days where I am anxious for no apparent reason. I am not 100% "over" my anxiety. I am winning the battle though. When I am in a car and I start to feel those familiar feelings, I let them run their course. I do not give them room to breed and I focus my energy elsewhere. I use breathing to calm myself.

I don't try to fight with the voice that wants me to feel fear. I am stronger than it is. Sometimes it is like taking baby steps but I keep focused on my goal and I reach it. I don't let my anxiety cripple me like it used to.

If you suffer from anxiety, find the practice that is going to allow you to find your power. Practice it daily. Even if you are feeling good; don't ignore the practice. It will become a routine and your power over anxiety will grow stronger until one day, anxiety will be so far in your past that you will forget it ever existed.

Tracking Your Symptoms

2011-06-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

Diagnosing mental illness takes time and skill. There are many psychiatrists but some will rush to diagnose which can be harmful to a patient.

To make sure that you don't get too quick of a diagnosis, track your symptoms.

You do not need to spend money on a fancy calendar, a simple notebook will do. No matter what, every single day write down something.

If you are a female, note if you are premenstrual. If you take vitamins or any supplements, write it down.

Write down how you slept. Write down what you ate or drank. Track your moods.

You may experience highs and lows in your moods. Even if these highs and lows occur within one 24 hour period- write it all down.

Whatever else may be going on in your life, at your job, with your relationships, anything in your life matters so log it!

Getting an appointment to have an evaluation often takes a few weeks. You can start the work towards getting a proper diagnosis by tracking your symptoms as soon as you decide that you may need help.

Bring this notebook with you to your mental health evaluation. This will be a valuable tool for your doctor to help determine why you are feeling the way that you are. He/she will be able to guide you towards the help that you need.

Remember that you know yourself best. If you feel that something is off and you feel a lack of control over it, there is help out there that can get you back to feeling good again.

How Divorce Affects Your Child's Mental Health

2011-06-01T08:05:00.000-04:00

You are going through a divorce and although emotionally you feel drained, have you noticed how it is affecting your children?

Your child who was normally well-behaved, may become defiant due to the changes going on in the household. The child who seems to be adjusting just fine to your divorce may actually be holding their feelings inside, afraid to open up.

It is completely normal for children to blame themselves for their parents divorce. If parents are unable to keep their children out of their personal battle it will only further damage the children.

While it can be devastating to face up to the fact that your marriage is over, imagine how your child feels. To your children, their entire world is being ripped apart. What has been "normal" for them is now changing. Their sense of security is threatened and that can lead to anxiety and depression. Children most definitely can suffer from anxiety and depression.

If a parent fails to acknowledge their child's mental health issues, it can lead to more serious problems.

Divorce is not just about a man and a woman ending their relationship. When a divorcing couple has children, they are affected also and often more seriously than the adults are.

Don't ignore your child's feelings at this time. Sit down and talk to them about how life will be different after the divorce and reassure them that they can come to you. Keep your personal feelings about your soon-to-be ex OUT of the conversation. Bad mouthing your spouse to your children is just wrong. YOU are hurting YOUR child by doing this.

Look for changes in your child's eating, sleeping and behavioral habits. Talk to their teacher or childcare provider about what is going on in your home. If you notice changes- get your child to a counselor who can help.

Having your child speak to a professional who they will see as someone safe that they can tell their feelings to can help them adjust to the life changes. Remember, your child did not ask for their family to break apart. Sometimes divorce is inevitable and although you may feel that it is "for the best", it still is a change that your child may not be able to understand.

Children can learn to cope with the changes that divorce can bring. BOTH parents should do their best to put their personal issues aside and put their child's needs first in order to ensure that the child's mental health and well-being is taken care of.

You and your children can come through divorce and begin a new life with few scars. Be aware of your child's feelings and have respect for them.

For more about divorce read these articles

The Emotional Stages of Divorce

How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child or Teen

Psychopath or Sexual Abuse Victim?

2011-05-27T08:11:00.000-04:00

The trial of Casey Anthony is a study in why it is often so difficult to properly diagnose mental illness.

Anyone who is at all familiar with the case of the "Tot Mom" who allegedly killed her two year old daughter Caylee and for 31 days carried on a life of a party girl, already believes her to be a pathological liar. Now that she has gone to trial (for her life), her defense is claiming that Caylee's death was an accident and because Casey had been sexually abused and therefore "taught" to lie, this explains her behavior.

Most experts are not buying the defense's claims. Although it is true that sexual abuse victims do not always talk about it and many do seek to numb their pain through substance abuse, there is enough reason to be confused when it comes to Casey Anthony.

A psychopathic personality can appear to be a victim but that is also the characteristic of a narcissistic personality. Not accepting blame for their own actions they can claim abuse as a reason for their actions.

Many people get annoyed by defendents who "use" sexual abuse as their excuse for bad behavior. Although the battered woman or sexual abuse victim defense is true in some cases, it often does not work because of the woman's actions.

Children are affected by how they are raised. A child who is taught to lie, for example, will grow up to be an effective liar.

When a sexual abuse victim lies, it is the kind of lie that is meant to protect their dirty little secret. A victim of sexual abuse can be made to feel guilty by their abuser or told that no one will believe them. It is not usual for a victim of sexual abuse to become sexually promiscuous. There is also a fear that a victim has and that causes them to lie.

In Casey Anthony's case, there is too much there to believe that she is a victim of sexual abuse. I do believe that life in the Anthony household was dysfunctional but is it really an excuse for her behavior?

Casey Anthony could simply be an overindulged young woman who perhaps was affected by her dysfunctional upbringing but not sexually abused.

A defense attorney's job is to defend his client. Using a defense that points fingers and accuses people of sexual abuse can damage someone's life and reputation forever.

With so many of the characteristics of an abuse victim mirroring other conditions, it takes a very thorough evaluation to determine the truth. This takes time. Like diagnosing many mental illnesses like bipolar or schizophrenia, emotional disorders can mimick other conditions.

Sexual abuse of a child is a horrendous crime. For a victim, healing can be life-long. To use sexual abuse as a defense for a child murderer hurts true victims of this crime. It can make it harder for them to come forward or to trust that they will get justice for the crime committed against them.

Living with Depression

2011-05-20T08:44:00.000-04:00

Depression is the demon and many people can relate to what it is like to be caught in the grips of it.

Depression is often misunderstood unless you happen to have suffered from it. Many people who are ignorant about the disorder believe that a depressed person can just "snap out of it" when the truth is that it is not that easy.

read more about how depression impacts your life here

The news is not all hopeless because depression is a treatable mental illness. Therapy does work.

The latest research shows that there are genetic links to depression .

This is good news because major depression affects about 20% of people at any given time in their lives and for 4% of people, their depression is chronic and harder to treat. Exploring this genetic connection can help researchers to develop treatments that will help those whose depression is harder to treat.

These findings won't make new medications available immediately; it will take another decade at least but the good news is that progress is being made.

In the meantime the best treatment for depression is a combination of efforts. These include lifestyle changes which means switching to a healthier, all-natural diet, avoiding over-consumption of alcohol and regular exercise. Learning stress reducing techniques and practicing them is another key to successful depression treatment. Therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy in which a professional teaches you how to change your reaction to situations can help you to gain a more positive outlook. Lastly, an anti-depressant can be useful, especially in the beginning of treatment. This can help give you the "fight" to face your inner demons and work to pull yourself out of this often debilitating condition.

Depression that goes untreated will not go away on its own.

If you have been experiencing symptoms of depression for several weeks and it is not lifting, seek out help for your depression!

Anxiety

2011-05-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

Anxiety affects many adults and children. Everyone lives with a certain level of anxiety due to stress and other reasons but when anxiety becomes a problem that controls your life, you can either give in and allow it to swallow you whole or you can take back control.

Working through anxiety is hard work. Treatment for anxiety is more than just taking anti-anxiety medication. If only there was a "magic" pill. Once you are adjusted to the anti-anxiety medication that your doctor prescribes you may have more confidence to tackle the source of your anxiety. Often it is not that easy.
read the rest of the article here

I know this first-hand. Life circumstances that have been beyond my control have challenged my fight against anxiety lately. I have a fear of driving. Although in my teens I was able to drive anywhere, after the birth of my first child I suddenly found myself with a fear of being a passenger and with driving in certain circumstances.

I managed through the years and although I admit that I gave into this fear too many times, avoiding certain highways, not driving in inclement weather, etc., I got by.

Unemployment was the first catalyst in my fight against this anxiety. With no place that I had to be, it became easier to avoid driving. I suffered many health problems that caused me to rely on others for transportation. After having three surgeries, I was forced to have others drive me home from the hospital. This was a huge anxiety producer. Again, I managed to get through it and even did it in a relaxed state.

Is it a control issue? Maybe. Some psychologists feel that there is an underlying cause for fear. I have never been in a car accident so this fear really seems unrealistic. I do not fear death; I am truly confident that there is an afterlife. So what is my issue? I don't know. All I can do is continue to reason with my fear and work to overcome it.

In December of 2010, the worst possible situation happened. My car died. I got it briefly running in March for 4 days. During that time I didn't drive a lot but I did drive. Then the car died for good. Every day that goes by my fear of getting behind the wheel again grows. I cannot borrow a car; for me, being in an unfamiliar car is more than I can handle.

Occasionally I have no choice but to leave my house by way of car. My son will take me to where I have to go; he is one of 3 people that I can calmly ride with. The more I am a passenger, the better I can control my anxiety. Unfortunately, I do not ask him to take me out enough.

I am a smart woman. I hate the idea that this unrealistic and often uncontrollable fear has made me a prisoner. I am independently minded. I don't like to be controlled by anything yet anxiety has control over me.

I have fought through chronic depression and often feel like I am winning that battle. I am sure that I can win this battle against anxiety. I have to. I hate feeling weak and I hate that it has so much power over me.

Anxiety will someday be something in my past. The day is not here yet but it will be. Giving up is not an option.

May and Awareness of Mental Health Issues

2011-05-18T11:15:00.001-04:00

May is a month where mental health organizations strive to bring awareness and educate people about mental health. "Let's Talk about Mental Illness" was started out of my own personal need to educate others. Along the way I have discovered many helpful sites that educate and provide resources.

Bring Change to Mind an excellent organization started by the actress Glenn Close and her sister who has bipolar.

When celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones discuss their personal struggles with mental illness (Catherine has bipolar 2) I get excited. One more voice to put a face to something that is misunderstood and feared by too many people.

Mental illness is not the result of having a personal "weakness", if anything, seeking treatment shows your strength. Successful treatment involves digging deep inside of yourself and facing the demons within.

There is help for mental illness. Once you bravely come to terms with the idea that you need help- go for it! You won't be sorry.

It can be a scary journey to wellness but it is always scary when you are on a road that you are not familiar with. Know that this road has been traveled before and you are not alone on it.