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The Impact of Antidepressants on Sex

The Impact of Antidepressants on Sex

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People who take antidepressants report side effects from their mediation. A large number of those people report sexual dysfunction. Therapists who treat men and women for depression know how to assess the different types of medications that are available and choose the right one for their patients. Diagnosing the mental health issue or issues a patient has is an integral part of finding the right prescription.

What to Expect in a Doctor Appointment

If you want to begin taking antidepressants, you should expect a few things to take place during your first appointment. A doctor will examine your current mood, frequency of sex, interest in sex, and create a baseline of sexual function before prescribing an antidepressant.

After a medicine is prescribed, regular visits with the prescribing doctor will take place to assess sexual function. During those visits, your doctor or psychiatrist will separate the underlying mental health issue with the medication’s side effects to determine if an adjustment to your prescription is necessary.

When you are in one of these appointments, don’t be embarrassed to talk about an increase or decrease in sexual interest. Some treatment facilities offer testing of your genes to determine which medication you will respond to better. Genetic testing and blood tests gauge levels and how your body will respond to medication.

When you call a treatment facility to schedule an appointment, ask if it offers genetic testing and labs. The benefits of these tests are not limited to learning how your body will react to a prescription. The tests will also detect genetic predispositions to alcohol or substance abuse, mental health disorders, and other findings that can assist you in treatment.

Women and Sexual Dysfunction

Women are at an increased risk for depression. In a study performed by the Mayo Clinic, the researchers found:
Relative to men, women are at increased risk for depression and anxiety, as well as increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Depression may impair sexual well-being by reducing motivation for or reward from engaging in pleasurable activities, interfering with intimate relationships, or increasing the risk of smoking or substance abuse.

The study also noted:

  • Notably, as depression can itself impair sexual function, some women’s sexual function improves when taking antidepressants. For example, in a large clinical trial, depressed women who were untreated had a higher odds ratio of experiencing sexually related personal distress than depressed women who received antidepressants.

The study supports the belief that taking an antidepressant is beneficial and may increase your well-being.

Men and Sexual Dysfunction

Men who take antidepressants are not immune to the side effects associated with antidepressants. The most common side effect is erectile dysfunction. Men can also experience:

  • A change in sexual desire
  • Orgasm issues
  • Problems with becoming aroused or sexually satisfied

The side effects of antidepressants are not uncommon, and you aren’t alone in experiencing some form of sexual dysfunction.

Types of Antidepressants

There are different types of antidepressants. Your doctor or psychiatrist will determine which type will work for you based on their assessment. Talk with your doctor about the side effects.
The Mayo Clinic reports these types of antidepressants are more likely to cause sexual dysfunction:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which include venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
  • Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), and clomipramine (Anafranil).
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). However, selegiline (Emsam), an MAOI that you stick on your skin as a patch, has a low risk of sexual side effects.

The Mayo Clinic also reports these have fewer sexual side effects:

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR)
  • Mirtazapine (Remeron)
  • Vilazodone (Viibryd)
  • Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

Your doctor or psychiatrist wants you to be successful in your treatment and work with you to find the right medication. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist about the side effects of the medicine. If you are afraid, you might forget to ask questions, write your questions down before the appointment.

Ways to Increase Sexual Function

Taking a prescription for depression doesn’t mean your sex life is over. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist about how you can retain a healthy and satisfying sex life. Be open to different ideas and suggestions. An article published by Harvard from their medical school reviews a few ways to boost your sex life:

  • Lowering the dose. Sexual side effects may subside at a lower, although still therapeutic, dose.
  • Scheduling sex. Your medication may produce more pronounced side effects at particular times of the day, for example, within a few hours of taking it. If so, you can try scheduling sexual activity when side effects are least bothersome—or take the drug at a different time.
  • Taking a drug holiday. Depending on how long the drug usually remains in your body, you might stop taking it for a few days—for example, before a weekend, if that’s when you hope to have sex. Scheduling sex isn’t spontaneous, but it can work if you carefully follow your doctor’s directions about how to stop and resume your medication. However, there is always a chance that this might cause a relapse, especially if it is one of the drugs that leave your system relatively rapidly.
  • Switching to a different drug. Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), and mirtazapine (Remeron) are less likely to cause sexual problems. Bupropion, which affects both norepinephrine and dopamine, can sometimes improve sexual response.
  • Adding a drug. For some men, taking sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) can alleviate SSRI-induced erectile dysfunction. For women, these drugs haven’t proven very helpful. However, men and women may both benefit from adding bupropion to their treatment. This medication has been found to counter SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, boost sexual drive and arousal, and increase the intensity or duration of an orgasm. Another drug, buspirone (BuSpar), can restore the ability to have an orgasm and increase libido.

An antidepressant doesn’t mean the end of your sex life. Instead, taking an antidepressant can address a mental health disorder that is causing sexual dysfunction. Mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety can cause women and men to withdraw from intimate relationships furthering their depression or anxiety. Those with mental health issues may seek unhealthy alternatives such as alcohol or substances to help them feel better emotionally or sexually. Alcohol or substances are not the answer to mental health disorders or sexual dysfunction. Achieve Concierge understands the link between sexual dysfunction and depression or other mental health issues. We also know it is essential to understand how your genes can affect how sensitive your body will be to a prescription. Our doctors and psychiatrists provide genetic testing to assess your genetic predisposition to mental health issues and certain medications. Schedule an appointment to learn more. You can call us today at (858) 221-0344.

The Difference Between Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder

The Difference Between Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder

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A diagnosis of a mental health disorder can be fluid. Not every symptom presents itself at the initial diagnosis. Sometimes it takes weeks, months, or years before a manifestation of a different mental health disorder presents itself. When a new symptom does appear, the original diagnosis can change.

However, the appearance of new symptoms doesn’t rule out one diagnosis. Often, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are linked. The symptoms of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder can make diagnosis difficult at times.

Guidelines exist that outline the signs and symptoms of each mental health disorder. Still, there are instances when the lines between bipolar disorder can blur with borderline personality disorder symptoms. Borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder share similarities, which can lead to confusion.

Many people mistake the symptoms of borderline personality disorder with bipolar disorder. Due to this difficulty, therapists assess a patient and make a diagnosis based on the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM sets a standard protocol for borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder recognized across the country.

Referring to the DSM is also necessary when behaviors change, and new symptoms occur. People can have more than one diagnosis, and in the case of those with borderline personality disorder, they can be diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well.

Before understanding the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, it is helpful to follow the signs of each mental health disorder.

Bipolar Disorder

There are five different types of bipolar disorder. Most people are familiar with bipolar I and II disorders. The various bipolar disorders are listed below to help explain the difference between the two mental health disorders.

Bipolar I disorder: is marked by severe episodes of depression and mania. When a person is experiencing a manic episode, their behaviors can include overspending, having sex with people they usually wouldn’t have sex with, actively pursue unrealistic plans, become delusional, or be bizarre.

Bipolar II disorder: has severe depression and hypomania episodes, but the mood levels are milder than bipolar I disorder. Those with bipolar II disorder can go for periods between episodes and often live healthy lives. They are usually the fun people to hang out with at events. Hypomanic episodes can progress into manic episodes that lead to instances of over-spending, having sex people that they usually wouldn’t have sex with, an increased frequency of sex, or seek out risky activities.

Cyclothymic disorder: instead of extended periods of depression or hypomanic symptoms, the episodes alternate at a shorter rate.

Mixed features: hypomania, depression, and manic episodes symptoms can occur at the same time.

Rapid-cycling: a person is diagnosed as a rapid-cycler when they have four or more mood swings in one year. The mood symptoms must last a certain amount of time to be considered one episode.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder occurs because, according to researchers, the brain is on high alert. The brain flips easily to the fight or flight mode. When the flight or fight switch flips for most people, they can control the urges or impulses. The urge to be self-destructive is demonstrated by active thoughts of suicide, cutting, burning, or comments about committing suicide.

People with borderline personality disorder can slip from one emotion to another. They also have unstable relationships that can influence their feelings. What they like and dislike is often continually changing, as well as a revolving view of oneself.

Emotions tend to run high for those with borderline personality disorder. Some report they feel everything people say, or they can’t control their feelings. They are easily angered, saddened, or happy. Unfortunately, the increased moods also come with an inability to soothe oneself or control responses. 

A person explained, “I don’t know why I feel the way I sometimes do. I’m extremely angry or sad and don’t know how to curb those feelings. Those emotions are why sometimes I cut myself. I don’t want to commit suicide, but cutting helps me focus on something else.”

The most common mental health disorders co-occurring with borderline personality disorder are

  • Depression or bipolar disorder
  • Substance abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Anxiety

 The chart below distinguishes the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Bipolar I Disorder Bipolar II Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder
Manic Episode Symptoms Hypomanic Episode Symptoms Fear of abandonment
Rapid thought cycle Rapid thought pattern Unstable relationships
Rapid uninterruptable or loud speech Overly high self-confidence Unclear or shifting self- image
Increased energy – hyperactivity w/ less need for sleep Rapid and loud speech pattern Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors
Inflated self-image Increased energy – hyperactivity w/ a decreased need for sleep Self-harm
Overspending Similar depressive symptoms Extreme mood swings
Hypersexuality   Persistent feeling of emptiness
Substance or alcohol abuse ( Manic and Depressive )   Extreme anger
Severe depression   Paranoia
Suicidal thoughts    
Need for more sleep    
Low to little energy    
Lack of interest in hobbies, relationships    
Poor self-image    

 

Causes of Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder

Researchers believe both mental health disorders can be inherited by biological factors or by environmental factors. Environmental factors can include childhood trauma or abuse. Researchers are still uncertain of the exact causes of both bipolar and borderline personality disorders.

Mental health disorders can occur at the same time. The similarities between some, such as borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder, can make it difficult to diagnose. Because borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder seem alike, people may diagnose themselves. They can do this by going online and taking quizzes that ask them simple questions regarding their behavior. These quizzes don’t provide the full techniques needed to make an accurate diagnosis. They can be wrong. Instead of seeking answers online, you should talk with a mental health counselor, therapist, or psychologist. Reaching out for help isn’t something to be ashamed of; it is a sign you are ready to heal. Trained mental health professionals can assess and provide the care necessary to improve your mental health. Achieve Concierge is available 24/7 to talk to you about any concerns you have about borderline personality disorder. Call us at (858) 221-0344.

Walking Through the Process of Divorce

Walking Through the Process of Divorce

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Divorce is a blow to our self-identity and confidence. The feelings we encounter during a divorce can range from anger, sadness, and depression to relief. The decision to divorce a spouse is either made due to an unhappy marriage, realizing one or both partners are no longer in love, an affair, or mutual agreement. There are many reasons why divorce occurs, but regardless of the decision, it still hurts.

Marriage and divorce rates fluctuate over the years. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) keeps a detailed account of marriage and divorce rates by state, age, ethnicity, etc. The overall results for 2018 are:

  • Number of marriages: 2,132,853
  • Marriage rate: 6.5 per 1,000 total population
  • Number of divorces: 782,038 (45 reporting States and D.C.)
  • Divorce rate: 2.9 per 1,000 population (45 reporting States and D.C.)

Divorce involves many factors, and it’s difficult, to sum up how to cope with divorce by using lists and tips. We asked two women about their divorces.

Celeste’s Story

Celeste is a sports mom in her 40s. She works, spends time with her friends, participates in school and sports events. Celeste talks about her marriage and divorce.

“I thought everything was okay. We went on vacations, spent time together, we were involved with the kids’ school and sports; I even belonged to the Booster Club. We worked our schedules to allow us time to get out without the kids.

I noticed he was preoccupied and was spending time at work, but he was always there for the kids’ events. He was active, happy, and present, you know? The kids knew he was there for them.

Our personal life wasn’t sizzling, but with everything we did and our commitment to our kids, I didn’t think about sizzle. Who does? We’re in our 40s, trying to pay the bills, be everywhere, work, and everything. We had our date nights, and I thought we were close. We stopped having sex because we were tired, or so I thought.

He came to me and, out of the blue, asked me for a divorce. There was another woman—what a liar. He was good at hiding the affair. After the kids came, it was my job to take care of them. I thought I made time for us.

When your world comes crashing down, the emotions range from anger and sadness to hurt and despair. My husband announced he would stay in the house until we sell it. He told me he couldn’t afford to move out because he was still paying the mortgage. We talked about co-parenting. He didn’t want to co-parent or have partial custody.

The kids didn’t understand why he no longer wanted to raise them or speak with them.
I realized then that I was becoming a single parent. My focus needed to be on the kids and making sure we would be financially and emotionally secure. I worked with my kids to fix up the house and yard so we could put it on the market. Now the kids and I take day trips. I want them to feel loved.

There is a realization when your life turns upside down. You realize you need to look inside yourself and work on your emotional well-being. The thoughts of self-doubt were flooding my waking moments. Was it my fault? Did I lose my appeal to him? I know I gained weight, but so did he. He lost all of his hair; I didn’t cheat on him.

My journey to peace includes an exercise program; I lost 15 lbs already. The most important part of my journey began in therapy. I sat and talked to someone who listened. I don’t know why I didn’t start therapy years ago. Do you know how nice it is to speak to someone? My kids are starting therapy. They need to talk about their feelings. Maybe someday their Dad will join them, but I want them to speak to someone right now.

We are considering home sessions. Maybe having someone in our home, seeing the dynamics we experience will help. All I know is therapy helps. I no longer doubt or blame myself for the choices he made.”

Dawn’s Story

“My ex and I weren’t angels. We loved each other, but not enough. We were in love at one point, but now we’re more like a brother and sister. Does that make sense? I thought I was finally making the right choices when it came to men. I used to love ‘bad boys.’ My ex, he is a good guy. I don’t want anyone to think any less of him; we agreed to be friends throughout this divorce.

I had an affair. I met the guy when I missed my bus and had to wait for the next one. There was a bar near the stop so I went in for a drink. A guy near me complimented me. I looked at him, and we began to talk. The affair lasted a little over a year. I told my husband the truth. He couldn’t say anything since he had several relationships during our marriage.

For example, two days before we got married, a woman called to say wanted him to call off the wedding. She told me they were together for over a year, but he wouldn’t call off the wedding. I asked him about it, and he admitted he was sleeping with her. He’s a good guy, though. He never hit me like my ex-boyfriends.

My decision to begin therapy helped me work through my self-esteem issues. The act of talking to someone opened my eyes. Individual and group therapy is a place of comfort.”

Divorce is difficult. Whether the divorce is mutually agreed on or one-sided, the result is learning to accept your new life. As you go through a divorce, there will be open wounds, self-doubt, anger, hurt, and depression. Seeking help is part of healing. Talking with a therapist isn’t selfish; it’s positive. Healing begins with learning how to cope with feelings like depression, betrayal, anger, and relief. Every emotion felt during the divorce process is valid. You deserve to have a place to process your thoughts and feelings without worrying. Therapy also gives you the chance to learn more about you. At Achieve Concierge, we offer treatment for those going through a divorce. We can come to your home and help you evaluate the dynamics within your environment, or you can come to our offices. If you have any questions, call us at (858) 221-0344.

military mental health

Why Military Mental Health Services Are Essential

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Mental health for service members is essential. Coming home to a life torn apart by politics, the coronavirus, and protests can be stressful. Trying to readjust to civilian life presents difficulties of its own. Regardless, if military individuals are transitioning out of the service or coming home after a tour, the fact is that talking with those who haven’t seen or experienced what they have is hard. Mental health services are necessary, but some military personnel seeking mental health have a difficult time.

Mental health treatment continues to carry a stigma. Military personnel can hesitate to seek help because they feel shame, embarrassment, or a fear of ruining their career. Military Medicine describes the reason military men and women are hesitant to seek mental health treatment as:

  • Military health and mental health services do not fully meet the complex needs of active duty service members. Military providers must balance obligations both to patients and to the military command. Due to this “double agency,” problems of trust and confidentiality become barriers to care. Increasing recognition of conflicting obligations has led to re-examinations of professional ethics in the military. Dealing with suicide or suicidality has become a significant source of burnout for military health professionals. Mental health professionals also address mass casualty events and wounded or injured children. Other barriers include stigma, a negative impact of seeking care on one’s military career, beliefs that care would not be useful, and lack of services in specific geographic regions.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

Disclosing your mental health issues and seeking treatment is to your benefit. There are dangers to not revealing your mental health. Military Medicine also reports:

  • Service members exhibit high rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol, other substance use disorders, behavioral problems, and adverse consequences of military sexual trauma. The mental health consequences of military service manifest themselves most dramatically in high rates of suicide, recently averaging 20 per day among veterans and over 1 per day among active-duty military personnel; more active-duty personnel have been dying from suicide than from combat.

Mental Health Concerns

Learning how to recognize mental health issues takes time. Often, especially when deployed, your mental health status is not a priority. However, even when deployed, it is essential to take care of yourself. Knowing what some of the mental health issues those in the military face and their causes is a step towards seeking treatment. The National Alliance on Mental Health discusses these three primary mental health issues:

  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Traumatic events, such as military combat, assault, disasters, or sexual assault, can have long-lasting adverse effects such as trouble sleeping, anger, nightmares, jumpy, and alcohol and drug abuse. When these troubles don’t go away, it could be PTSD. The 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study found the rate of PTSD to be 15 times higher than civilians.
  • Depression: More than just experiencing sadness, depression doesn’t mean you are weak, nor is it something that you can simply “just get over.” Depression interferes with daily life and normal functioning and may require treatment. The 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study found the rate of depression to be five times higher than civilians.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of a significant blow to the head or body. Symptoms can include headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, memory problems, and mood changes and mood swings.

Seeking Help

If you recognize any of the signs or symptoms of these mental health concerns, seek help. Who can you turn to for help?

  • Therapists or counselors – many treatment providers, know and understand the difficulties you are going through
  • Primary Care Providers – if you are unsure of your mental health status or need to find out who to talk to your doctor is an excellent person to provide answers
  • Fellow military personnel who volunteer to help military personnel with mental health issues
  • Group sessions designed to address the needs of service members

Transitions

Transitioning from military life to civilian life presents new opportunities and new situations. Military life is different from private life. The skills you learned and needed in the military aren’t always useful in civilian life. You can transition from military life and find you need new skills for a job. Military life provides a rigid structure and sometimes that structure doesn’t exist in civilian life.

When you are in the military, you meet new people, make friends, and have shared experiences. These friendships and experiences can be challenging to replicate in civilian life. Finding a group or volunteering with those who were in the military can help you in the transition from military life.

Prepare yourself for questions and thoughts from those who didn’t serve. Some may want to know what you saw and experienced while others can needlessly express their opinions. You don’t need to answer questions or react to rude ideas.

Seeking mental health treatment while you are in the military or are a veteran may be right for you. Speaking with someone who will listen, help you build a treatment plan, and connect you with veterans’ support groups provides you with ways to process everything you experienced. Reaching out to others is a sign of strength. Transitioning from one lifestyle to another is filled with challenges. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, and reach out for help if you need it. There is help that is accessible, safe, and private. Mental health treatment during or after military service will make you stronger. If you are in the military and worry about continuity of care because of base changes, look for a treatment center that provides centers near your base. Achieve Concierge is proud to help those in the service. We have people available 24/7 to guide you in your questions. Achieve Concierge also has treatment centers in California, Alaska, and Oregon. For more information, contact us at (858) 221-0344.

botox and depression

The Benefits of Botox For Depression

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Struggling with depression can be overwhelming. Major depression is a common mental health disorder that can create severe obstacles to activities. For those who suffer from major depression, living can become a burden.
The National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) data defines major depression as:

  • A period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy,
  • concentration, or self-worth.
  • No exclusions were made for major depressive episode symptoms caused by medical illness, substance use disorders, or medication.

NIMH also relays the statistics for the prevalence of major depressive episode among adults:

  • An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults.
  • The prevalence of major depressive episodes was higher among adult females (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%).
  • The prevalence of adults with major depressives episodes was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (13.1%).
  • The prevalence of major depressive episodes was highest among adults reporting two or races (11.3%).
  • An estimated 65% received combined care by a health professional and medication treatment.
  • Treatment with medication alone was the least common (6%).
  • Approximately 35% of adults with major depressive episodes did not receive treatment.

Standard Treatment

Standard treatment for major depressive episodes isn’t always effective. Researchers have discovered a surprising regimen for the disorder: Botox. You may be wondering “what is Botox?” Botox is well-known for its use as a cosmetic procedure to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

The Benefits of Botox

Botox is more than a remedy for wrinkles. Doctors have prescribed it for

  • Chronic migraines
  • Excessive underarm sweating
  • Overactive bladder
  • Crossed-eyes
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Severely cold hands
  • Cleft lip scars in babies
  • Painful sex
  • Severe neck spasms
  • Depression

Botox can aid in reducing symptoms from a major depressive disorder. Botox also doesn’t have the side effects some people experience with antidepressants.

A study titled “Efficacy of Botox versus Placebo for Treatment of Patients with Major Depression” researched whether or not Botox is an effective treatment for those with major depressive disorder. The study consisted of 28 patients with major depressive disorder. The patients were assigned to either receive a placebo or Botox. Researchers followed the patients for six weeks.

At the end of the first week, two of the researchers saw little difference between the patients in the placebo group and those in the Botox group. However, the results after six weeks were encouraging. The patients who were given Botox showed an improvement in their major depressive disorder. The same patients were also found to have little or no side effects from Botox. This finding offers hope to researchers, therapists, and those with major depressive disorder.

How Does Botox Relieve Symptoms of Depression?

Studies regarding the effectiveness of Botox for the treatment of major depressive disorder began in 2006. A study in 2016 published in the Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology theories demonstrated how:

  • BTA yields a cosmetic effect, which indirectly leads to improved mood
  • More pleasant facial expressions lead to positive social feedback with resultant mood improvement
  • Decreased glabellar muscle activation decreases afferent nerve signals back to the brain, thereby reducing “negative emotional feedback”
  • BTA itself reaches the brain, causing direct effects on emotional processing

A preliminary finding was the benefit of Botox can be linked to “facial feedback.” Emotions and their expressions can send feedback to the brain. Botox suppresses the contraction in the forehead that produces frown lines. The suppression of the frown lines may result in improved mood. For those who tried everything and still suffer from the effects of major depressive disorder, the idea of Botox may be worth considering.

What to Expect at a Botox Appointment

Before choosing a doctor to give you a Botox injection, take the time to find a doctor who not only specializes in providing injections but can also address your mental health needs. Here is the step by step procedure for getting a Botox injection:

  • The doctor will clean your face with an alcohol wipe
  • A medication will be injected to numb the area
  • Botox will be injected into the muscles between your eyebrows

Botox causes temporary paralysis of the fine or frown lines found between your eyes or on the forehead region. The paralysis is thought to suppress the mood feedback to the brain. Without a frown forming between your eyes, it is believed that depression is suppressed.

Botox Side Effects vs. Antidepressant Side Effects

Based on findings from the Mayo Clinic, Botox side effects can include:

  • pain, swelling, or bruising near the injection site
  • headache
  • flu-like symptoms
  • droopy eyebrow or eyelid
  • dry eyes or increased tears

The effects of Botox are thought to last for several weeks longer than when used for cosmetic purposes. On the other hand, the side effects of antidepressants can include:

  • nausea
  • sexual dysfunction
  • drowsiness
  • fatigue
  • increased appetite
  • weight gain
  • insomnia

When to Contact Your Doctor

Sometimes the use of Botox can result in severe side effects such as

  • muscle weakness
  • vision changes
  • problems speaking or swallowing
  • breathing difficulties
  • loss of bladder control

If any of these symptoms occur, you should immediately call your doctor and let them know. These side effects are not typical and only happen in rare cases.

Before deciding to use Botox as a part of treatment for major depressive disorder, talk with your therapist about the pros and cons. Ask whether you will remain on an antidepressant, how it will work, and if it is right for you. Botox, when combined with the proper treatment, can be an effective way to help you cope with the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Choosing to try something new for your major depressive disorder doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you exhausted the standard care treatments prescribed by your doctor or therapist, take the time to ask about using Botox as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Studies show how Botox—when combined with therapy, and if necessary, an antidepressant—can improve your mental health.

Before you decide to start Botox, consult with your doctor or therapist on how you will decrease your current antidepressant. Also, trying genetic testing to see how certain antidepressants affect you is useful; ask your therapist if you can try genetic testing. Following all avenues to improve your major depressive disorder can help you understand your genetic predisposition to certain medications, how they can interact with your body, and if Botox can help relieve your major depressive symptoms. Call Achieve Concierge for more information at (858) 221-0344.

How to Avoid Stress

How to Avoid Stress

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We deal with stress every day. Stressful situations occur regardless of where we are. When we are at work, home, in the car, or other places, stress happens. Controlling conditions to get rid of stress can be impossible. Therefore, learning healthy ways to cope with stress is essential to living better lives.

When our body undergoes stressful situations, our organs, emotions, and bodies respond to how we feel. Stress can not be eliminated from our lives, even if we wish it would disappear. Recognizing the symptoms of stress and how it affects us is necessary.

According to Workplace Stress, “Stress has become one of the most serious health issues of the 20th century and a worldwide epidemic.” You are not alone in feeling stressed. You suffer from an illness that affects millions. Now that you know you are a part of a global issue, let’s narrow down the focus and discuss the symptoms, harms, and ways to handle stress.

What Is Stress?

There are two types of stress: good stress and bad stress, which can positively or negatively impact our lives. How do we know which stress is which? Medline Plus defines stress as “a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.”

There are two different types of stress:

  • Acute stress is the type of stress you feel when you have a heated discussion, slam on the brakes, or try something out of your comfort zone. Your body responds to this type of stress by releasing adrenaline. Everyone encounters acute stress.
  • Chronic stress is the type of long-term stress, such as grieving after the death of a loved one, relationship issues such as an unhappy marriage, money problems, or workplace issues. Chronic stress can last for weeks, months, and even years. This type of stress can become a part of someone’s life, making the stress associated with long-term circumstances unnoticeable. However, even if we don’t notice it, our body does.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress presents itself in various ways. Sometimes we may have multiple symptoms, and sometimes there can be only one symptom. Your body differs from other people’s bodies in how it responds to stress. Here is a chart that can help you identify signs of stress.

Effects of Stress

On your body                  

  • Headache
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Change in sex drive
  • Stomach upset
  • Sleep problems

On your mood

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Lack of motivation or focus
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Irritability or anger
  • Sadness or depression

On your behavior

  • Overeating or undereating
  • Angry outbursts
  • Drug or alcohol misuse
  • Tobacco use
  • Social withdrawal
  • Exercising less often

How Stress Harms Our Bodies

Long-term stress will harm our bodies. The National Institute for Mental Health states:

Coping with the impact of chronic stress can be challenging. Because the source of long-term stress is more constant than acute stress, the body never receives a clear signal to return to normal functioning. With chronic stress, those same life-saving reactions in the body can disturb the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep, and reproductive systems. Some people may experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, sadness, anger, or irritability.

Over time, continued strain on your body from stress may contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.

Stress Management

Since we can’t always control our situations—for example, work, traffic, other people—we need simple strategies to improve how we handle stress.

Stress management is a way to handle stress. How you choose to handle stress will be different from your partner, family members, or friends. As long as the ways you manage stress are valid, that’s all that matters. Eight ways to cope with stress are:

  1. Meditation
  2. Yoga or any form of exercise that brings you a sense of peace
  3. Art – drawing, painting, sculpting, or any other form of art will help you relax and focus on something else. Creativity is good for the soul.
  4. Read – whether it’s a book, magazine, or journal taking time to focus on what interests you is essential.
  5. Cook
  6. Take a walk outside
  7. Take a bath
  8. Work on a home project or garden

Another way to help with stress is to make sure you get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet. Find what feels right to you. Relaxing and taking your mind off of the stressful situation is the goal. Relax, have fun, or try something new.

When to Seek Help

If you feel chest pains, shortness of breath, jaw or back pain, pain going up to your left shoulder, dizziness, or nausea, these can be signs of a heart attack. Call 911 for help.

Seeking help isn’t a sign of defeat. If you are still feeling stress after incorporating techniques to handle the stress, you should talk with your doctor or make an appointment with a therapist. Your doctor may want to run tests to see if there are any other potential issues. Seeking help from a therapist is a way to identify sources of stress and learn new coping mechanisms. In some cases, seeking treatment at a center will allow you to talk with a therapist and have other causes examined by a doctor.

Stress is an aspect of life. Recognizing the difference between acute stress and long-term stress is essential. Long-term or chronic stress is the type of stress that will harm our bodies. We can’t control every situation, but we can learn how to manage our response. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress is essential. Creating a stress management plan will help us control our stress. When we realize we can’t manage stress with stress management skills, we should seek help. Making an appointment with a doctor or therapist will provide answers. At Achieve Concierge, we provide complete care. We can see your symptoms of stress by scheduling you with a doctor, a psychiatrist, or a therapist. We can also visit your home or workplace to help you identify stressors and teach you healthy coping techniques. For more information, call Achieve Concierge at (858) 221-0344.

anxiety and addiction

Ways to Recognize Anxiety and Addiction

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The line between worrying and having an anxiety disorder occurs when a person experiences emotions more significant than the event that triggered the anxiety in the first place. Anxiety disorders disrupt your ability to function in your everyday life. The limbic system’s response to stress disrupts daily life.

Our fight or flight reaction comes from the limbic system in our brain. The limbic section of our brain is where researchers found addiction stems. This part of the brain also regulates mood, attention, parts of rage, memory, and sex. Addiction is more significant in individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than those without an anxiety disorder.

There are three types of anxiety disorders. Each type includes symptoms that occur at varying levels. Not everyone has the same intensity of feelings or the same triggers. The types of anxiety disorders are:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic Disorders
  • Social Anxiety

Distinctive symptoms identify each type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can occur alone or with another anxiety or mental health disorder. Many times anxiety disorders and depression co-occur. Talk with your therapist about the symptoms you experience to determine if you have an anxiety disorder or a combination of anxiety and depression. The signs of each type of anxiety disorder are distinctive. The symptoms of panic, generalized, and social anxiety are as follows:

Panic Disorders Symptoms:

  • Attacks of fear
  • Excessive worry about the attacks of fear returning
  • Loss of control over feelings of fear
  • Avoidance of places where fear attacks happened

Generalized Anxiety Disorder includes:

  • Experiencing fatigue
  • Feeling restless or on edge
  • Tense muscles
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Problems falling asleep or staying asleep

Social Anxiety Symptoms:

  • Feeling anxious because interacting with others is difficult
  • Have difficulty with making friends or keeping friends
  • Avoiding people
  • Being overly worried about being judged
  • Difficulty speaking, blushing or sweating when others are near
  • Feeling violently ill in situations of interaction with people

Self-Medication

“Maybe my addictive tendencies weren’t limited to my zest for things I could drink. Like maybe (I learned while working with my therapist), I had broader issues with control and addiction and using substances to dial down my anxiety. And maybe self-medication is an unsafe way of trying to quiet the noise of a mental health disorder. And maybe alcoholism also runs in the family.”

― Anne T. Donahue, Nobody Cares

The urge to self-medicate feelings of anxiety with alcohol or drugs is strong because drinking or using provides temporary relief. Unfortunately, drinking or using substances causes long-term damage to the brain, while it relieves anxiety symptoms.

Alcohol or substance consumption can be benign in the beginning. Using alcohol or substance use relieves anxiety. The brain’s effect is building receptors that depend on alcohol or a substance to induce relaxation or feeling calm. Over time tolerance to alcohol or substances occurs, and more is needed to achieve the same feeling of calm once produced by a small amount. Repeated drinking or substance use leads to addiction.

Continued drinking or substance use affects our lives. We take chances we wouldn’t usually make, such as driving under the influence or engaging in risky behavior. Individuals can also experience a loss of interest in sports or hobbies or neglect their responsibilities when drinking or using overtakes normal activities. Alcohol or substance dependence can change our relationships.

Our family and friends can react to our changed behavior by adopting roles that disrupt family dynamics. Our alcohol or substance dependence shifts how we see our position in the family. We can distance ourselves, become manipulative, or become dependent on others to cover for us.

Seeking help for an anxiety disorder and addiction is the first step in learning how to spot triggers and employ healthy coping mechanisms. Beginning treatment isn’t easy because it means your body will be withdrawing from alcohol or drugs. The medical staff in a treatment center will monitor your body’s response to withdrawal and begin to work with you to identify the root of your anxiety.

Recovery programs are available. An assessment of our needs and the level of care required will occur at the first appointment. There are two primary forms of treatment: in-patient and out-patient.
In-patient treatment means a patient checks into a treatment or medical center for around the clock care for a specified amount of time. The length of stay at an in-patient facility depends on a patient’s need for medical, therapeutic, and social responsibility.

Out-patient care doesn’t necessitate a person staying at a facility. A patient attends therapy and group sessions according to their treatment plan. There are several types of outpatient treatment. Patients may meet one or two times a week for two to three hours. Intensive outpatient programs often consist of two to three days a week, from 3 to 4 hours. The highest level of outpatient care is partial hospitalization. These programs meet 5 to 7 days a week for 4 to 6 hours a day.

Anxiety disorders are treatable. Through therapy, medical intervention, and gene testing, we understand how anxiety disorders and addiction are linked. Understanding our brain’s genetic composition affects how we respond to stress, and our environment is essential for comprehensive care. At Achieve Concierge, we focus on the patient as an individual. Every person has symptoms that are unique to their emotional and physical ability to cope with anxiety. After an initial diagnosis, we involve you in your treatment plan and can adjust prescriptions if a diagnosis of another mental health disorder occurs. We believe each patient needs to receive comprehensive care to be successful in their recovery journey. We offer gene testing, therapy, and medical services, meeting the patient’s needs. If you have any questions, please contact Achieve Concierge: (858) 221-0344.

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