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cyber bullying

How Bullying Can Affect Mental Health

December 29, 2020/0 Comments/in Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

Bullying can severely affect a person’s mental health. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Bullying often occurs among kids in school, on the bus, or in the playground. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many schools to remain closed, and children participate in online distance learning. As a result, stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression are increased due to the absence of in-person socialization, the inability to gather with extended family and friends, and the uncertainty of future events and learning. 

According to the American Psychological Association, “Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words, or more subtle actions.” A person who is bullied often has difficulty defending themself against the aggressor. 

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the act of using technology to send or share mean, intimidating, harmful, or embarrassing messages or pictures to or about someone. Kids and teens are targeted online through social media apps, text messages, and chat rooms. Cyber-bullying victims are often bullied, harassed, and intimidated through posts and comments on social media platforms.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in kids using multiple digital platforms for online learning and other educational purposes. Cyberbullying has been around for a long time, but now kids are more stressed and prone to boredom, so there is a greater risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying. With the increased use of smartphones and social media, students who bully others are likely to cyberbully.

Effects of Bullying On Students

Bullying has a severe impact on a student’s ability to learn. Students who are bullied have trouble with concentration, which shows a decline in grades. A bullied student may lose self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. They may even be at high risk of substance use disorders and addiction due to using drugs or alcohol to cope.

Bullying or harassment at school or work can put a person at high risk of health problems. A student who is bullied is at risk of physical issues, such as headaches, stomachaches, and sleep disruption. Bullying can be devastating and can contribute to the development of heart problems due to the high level of stress the body is continually enduring.

Bullying can also lead to behavioral changes. The victim might act out and become aggressive and unreasonable, may develop mood swings, and become hostile or withdrawn and isolated. Bullying affects appetite and can result in weight loss or weight gain.

Kids Who Bully Others

A kid who bullies others may lack attention from a parent at home. This can include neglected children, children of divorced parents, or children with parents under the regular influence of drugs or alcohol. Kids who bully might engage in violent, spontaneous, and risky behaviors into adulthood.

According to Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Yale Child Study Center, bullies are “impaired in their ability to perceive another person’s distress.” These kids tend to have difficulties with anger management and aggression, and many have had life experiences that most likely contribute to their behavior.

Kids who bully are at high risk of:

  • Using drugs and alcohol in adolescence and as adults
  • Getting into fights, vandalizing property, and poor school performance
  • Engaging in early sexual activity
  • Having criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults 
  • Becoming abusive toward their partners, spouses, or children as adults

Adult Bullying

Bullying also happens to adults. Bullying manifests into behaviors like verbal abuse, sabotaging work and relationships, and misusing authority. Verbal bullying refers to words that harm others, such as name-calling, insults, sexual or discriminatory comments, teasing, intimidation, and taunting. Forms of adult bullying can include:

  • Verbal abuse
  • Threats
  • Humiliation
  • Gaslighting
  • Ostracism or isolation
  • Intimidation
  • Sabotage
  • Reputation damage due to rumors

Mental Health Services

Bullying can have a significant impact on the lives of victims and their mental health. Victims of bullying may experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, and in some cases, suicidal ideation. Children who experience a mental health disorder may have difficulty coping and engaging in daily activities. They may show signs of negative moods, disruptive sleep patterns, and frequent bouts of anger.

A mental health disorder can affect school performance and make it hard for children to find activities they can enjoy. Some youth mental health disorders may cause excessive worrying and anxiety accompanied by nightmares. They may also engage in aggressive behavior and spend extended periods in isolation.

Fortunately, child mental health services are available and can help kids cope with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health disorders. Adult mental health services are also available and can be tailored to each individual’s unique needs. If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental health disorder, get help today.

 

Bullying among children and adults can create or worsen mental health disorders. As someone is continuously taunted, they may experience depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bullies may also have a mental illness, as the most likely cause of bullying is home life problems. Mental health disorders can make it challenging to engage in everyday activities. The COVID-19 pandemic may also be stressful for people. At Achieve Concierge, you can receive individualized support to cope with the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. If you or a loved one is a victim of bullying or cyberbullying and suffering from a mental health condition, do not wait to get help. The stigma surrounding mental health prevents some people from seeking help. We believe in treating the person as a whole with a holistic approach that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. We offer same-day appointments, Telemedicine, and at-home appointments. For more information about our services, call (858) 221-0344.

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health

Staying Healthy in Recovery

December 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Healthy Eating /by Achieve Concierge

Addiction is a complex disease that leads to self-destructive behavior, a host of health problems, or sometimes death. When a person struggles with addiction or substance use disorder, they continue using drugs or alcohol despite any harmful consequences. This is due to the brain’s chemical and physiological changes that make an individual unable to stop using. A healthy lifestyle in recovery makes it easier to stay sober.

Lifestyle Changes

Since the brain changes with addiction, it will take time for the brain to learn how to function without drugs or alcohol. Focusing on healthy activities in recovery will help you maintain sobriety and sustain your physical and mental wellbeing. Physically recovering is a vital part of the recovery process, and establishing new, healthy habits can lay the foundation for years of health in sobriety.

Ways to Stay Healthy

Maintaining an active lifestyle will give you less time to think about using drugs or alcohol. Staying active lessens the risk of boredom and promotes mental, emotional, and physical health. Participating in healthy activities supports cardiovascular health, reduces weight, builds strength and stamina, and rejuvenates the immune system. Exercise and good nutrition can help decrease symptoms of depression or anxiety. It can also regulate restful sleep patterns.

Another way to stay healthy involves keeping a journal. Writing allows you to reflect on your progress and see how you managed emotions and challenges in early recovery. Developing new routines will replace old habits and helps you to avoid thinking about using drugs or alcohol.

Managing Stress in Recovery

Mindfulness of self and others allows you to be in the present. Meditation and yoga are healthy activities that use deep breathing techniques to clear the mind and renew the spirit. Meditation stimulates and trains your brain to be happy without the need for any addictive substance.

An article about oxygen levels and brain function for the Lung Institute (2016) states, “When you’re calm, breathing becomes easier, and stress levels are lower. Deep breathing, meditation, and positive thinking exercises are good ways to help you relax. Exercise also increases the oxygen in your blood.”

Certain drugs and alcohol can result in decreased blood concentration and deprive brain tissue of oxygen. A lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to brain cell death and coma. Staying active helps boost morale, reduces stress, and makes the recovery process much more comfortable.

Gratitude in Recovery

Substance use disorders and addiction can make you feel guilty, scared, and alone. Gratitude means being mindful of the positive things that you have received in recovery. Pay attention to the little details of your day that you can be thankful for, and you will discover the goodness in life. In recovery, you will find a new perspective on the world.

 

When you begin to feel the positive effects of the changes, it will be easier to stick to them. Having gratitude will increase your quality of life as you practice self-care. Focus on healing yourself first. Then it will be easier to work on broken relationships.

Leonard Jason, a community psychologist at DePaul University, remarked on the importance of helping those in recovery transition into society. He stated, “Just getting people clean and releasing them to the social environments that helped encourage the substance use and other negative behaviors (such as crime) has been shown to be not effective.”

Transitioning Into a Sober Lifestyle

Here are some helpful tips to help you transition into a sober lifestyle:

  • Eat nutritious foods. Most people do not maintain a healthy diet during their time of using drugs or alcohol. Eating healthy foods will help to restore physical and mental health.
  • Get enough rest. Addiction often disrupts sleep patterns. Ensuring you get enough rest will translate to higher energy levels, a better mood, sharper mental alertness, less illness, and more.
  • Find new, healthy, sober activities. While actively addicted, your mind is clouded with toxic substances, your mental and physical health is affected, and your spirit is broken. After treatment, you can discover your interests, find hobbies, and participate in healthy activities to maintain good health.
  • Learn to love yourself. Practice self-care and discover what your goals are. This will help you decide what you want to do and have in life.

 Getting Help

There is no cure for addiction, but treatment is available, and there is hope in recovery. Treatment can be tailored to your unique needs and will help restore your health, renew your spirit, and allow you to enjoy a new, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle in sobriety. You will have the ability to explore the world around you, find new things, and nurture your needs productively and healthily.

 

When using substances, health may not have been at the forefront of your mind. You may have neglected not only your body but your mind and spirit as well. You may have been broken and finally decided to seek treatment. While in recovery, learning to live a healthy lifestyle is essential. You must nurture your mind, body, and spirit. To do this, you can find a new diet and exercise routine, keep a journal, find new hobbies, and, most importantly, learn to love yourself. At Achieve Concierge, we believe in treating the person as a whole with a holistic approach that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Addiction can make you feel isolated, but you are not alone. We want you to feel comfortable with our caring and dedicated team of professionals. We offer same-day appointments as well as at-home appointments. For more information about our services, call (858) 221-0344.

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emdr

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

December 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Achieve Concierge

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that is an effective treatment for victims of past trauma and distressing life experiences. It can be hard to heal from past trauma, and if left untreated, some people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope.

Addiction is a complex disease that creates physiological and chemical changes in the brain. People who struggle with addiction might also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The Effectiveness of EMDR Treatment

According to the EMDR Institute, the effectiveness of EMDR treatment in some studies shows that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have PTSD symptoms after only three 90-minute sessions. EMDR also affects how the brain processes information. After EMDR therapy, a client will still remember the trauma, but it is less upsetting.

EMDR can treat unprocessed memories of adverse experiences quickly and has important implications for the medical community. These memories appear to be the foundation for a broad spectrum of clinical health symptoms. This includes various psychological problems that affect patients and family members, stress-induced physical disorders, and other medically unexplained symptoms. 

How EMDR Therapy Works

According to the American Psychological Association, EMDR therapy incorporates eye movements and other forms of rhythmic left to right stimulation using tones or taps. While clients briefly focus on the trauma memory and simultaneously experience bilateral eye movement stimulation, memory’s vividness and emotion are reduced.

Post-traumatic stress affects the brain and disrupts the way information is processed. EMDR treatment changes how the brain processes information. 

EMDR therapy appears similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. That means EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less upsetting way.

Trauma and the Brain

Remembering the trauma can feel just as painful as the original traumatic experience because the senses become trapped in time. The images, sounds, smells, and feelings are the same as when the trauma initially occurred. These memories have a lasting negative impact that can interfere with all aspects of a person’s life.

According to Dr. Francine Shapiro, a senior research fellow at the Mental Research Institute and director of EMDR Institute, “When working appropriately, the innate information processing system “metabolizes” or “digests” new experiences. Incoming sensory perceptions are integrated and connected to related information that is already stored in memory networks, allowing us to make sense of our experience.” What a person learns is stored in memory networks with appropriate emotions. Current experiences must link with memory networks to be interpreted. If there is an unprocessed memory, negative emotions and reactions can emerge and cloud a person’s perception. (EMDR Europe).

A disturbing incident can become trapped in its own neural network in the brain, unable to connect with other memories that hold adaptive information. Often, the memory of the trauma is forgotten as time goes on. However, when the memory is stored in a stressful form, painful feelings such as panic, anger, or despair are triggered in the present by internal and external stimuli. This causes intrusive and unpleasant thoughts, severe anxiety, nightmares, and other reactions.

EMDR and Other Mental Health Conditions

EMDR can also be used to treat other mental health conditions. Panic attacks, grief, stress, phobias, depression, abuse, and dissociative disorders can be treated with EMDR. When mental health complications co-occur with addiction, both conditions need to be treated simultaneously as a dual diagnosis for the best outcome in recovery.

In EMDR treatment, the memory is aligned correctly while the brain is stimulated. The memory is transformed into a learning experience, and negative emotions can be morphed into a positive sense of self and mindfulness. 

Children also suffer from traumatic experiences, which often come in the form of abuse, neglect, loss, and grief. This can lead to PTSD, anxiety, depression, or dissociative disorder and puts a child at risk of self-harm, substance abuse, or addiction. EMDR therapy is an effective therapy for treating children and adolescents.

Treatment is Available

Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are treatable, and recovery is possible. The COVID-19 pandemic can also amplify depression, anxiety, and isolation. If you or a loved one suffers from mental health complications or addiction, do not wait to get help. At Achieve Concierge, we believe in a mind, body, spirit approach to treatment and help our patients discover the best ways to manage their mental health.

 

Traumatic experiences can provoke symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be used to treat traumatic experiences. As you bring up traumatic memories, your eye movement is directed from left to right. During EMDR therapy, you allow your brain to go through its natural healing process. While traumatic memories will remain, they will not have the same effect on you. If left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to drug or alcohol use to cope. Treatment is available, and there is hope in recovery. These conditions can make you feel isolated, but you are not alone. Sometimes, the stigma surrounding mental health disorders prevents people from getting the help they so desperately need. At Achieve Concierge, we answer your questions, do not rush through appointments, and make you feel comfortable with our caring and dedicated staff. We offer same-day appointments as well as telemedicine appointments. For more information about our services and treatment modalities, call (858) 221-0344.

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stress

How to Cope With Depression and Anxiety During the Holidays

December 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Mental Health, Stress /by Achieve Concierge

“We can all help prevent suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255.”

Many people struggle to cope with depression and anxiety, especially during the holidays. The holiday season is a time of year when you get together with family and friends, laugh, have fun, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, this time of the year can bring a lot of pain and suffering for those who struggle with depression and anxiety. The isolation enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic makes those feelings even more unbearable and intense, as we are unable to gather and celebrate with our loved ones.

What is Depression?

Depression is more than sadness – it is debilitating and makes you feel alone, tired, and unable to participate in normal daily activities. Depression is a heaviness that makes you feel like you’re suffocating, and you cannot breathe. It disrupts eating habits, sleep patterns, can increase symptoms of anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Depression impacts about 7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with depression. The symptoms of depression are challenging to cope with and often interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy life to the fullest.

Treatment For Depression

There are different modalities of treatment for depression. Treatments include medications, psychotherapy, light therapy, and exercise. Medicines for treating depression involve using an antidepressant, anti-anxiety, or antipsychotic drug to manage symptoms. Psychotherapy treatment involves a mental health counselor to discuss symptoms of depression and ways to cope with them.

Light therapy helps some patients who struggle with depression to improve their mood and sometimes is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a form of depression related to the reduced sunlight during the colder winter months. Exercise is a natural, healthy way to increase the body’s production of endorphins, which significantly reduces symptoms of depression.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than feeling anxious or scared. Anxiety is the body’s response to stress and a feeling of despair and fear beyond a person’s control. It interferes with daily activities and can impair a person’s ability to work, go to school, and form new relationships. Anxiety can produce unrealistic feelings of hopelessness, obscurity, and insecurity.

There are several different forms of anxiety disorders:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobia
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
  • Seasonal Anxiety Disorder

Risk Factors For Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can be linked to genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each type of anxiety disorder’s risk factors can vary. Still, there are some general risk factors for all kinds of anxiety disorders, which include:

  • Temperamental traits of shyness or behavioral inhibition in childhood
  • Exposure to stressful and negative life or environmental events in early childhood or adulthood
  • A history of anxiety or other mental illnesses in biological relatives
  • Some physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias, or caffeine or other substances/medications, can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms; a physical health examination is helpful in the evaluation of a possible anxiety disorder

Many people experience a wide range of symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, rapid heart rate, and heavy breathing. Some anxiety disorders can induce an anxiety or panic attack, marked by an overwhelming fear or dread.

How to Cope With Anxiety Disorders

Unrealistic expectations, financial pressure, and excessive commitments can all contribute to holiday stress and anxiety. Poorly managed holiday stress can cause headaches, overeating, and insomnia. A lack of adequate social support, recent trauma, or co-occurring illness can make it hard to manage. Still, there are ways to cope with anxiety orders, especially during the holidays.

Anxiety disorders are usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. Set realistic goals and expectations, reach out to family and friends for help, and find inexpensive ways to enjoy yourself. Share family responsibilities, limit commitments, and take time for self-care. Proper nutrition, daily exercise, and meditation are all healthy ways to cope with anxiety disorders.

Treatment is Available

Symptoms of depression and anxiety can worsen during the holidays. Isolation due to COVID-19 can also amplify depression and anxiety. Treatment is available, and at Achieve Concierge, we take a mind, body, spirit approach to treatment and help our patients discover the best ways to manage their depression and anxiety symptoms.

 

Depression and anxiety can increase during the holidays and can make you feel afraid and alone. Isolation due to COVID-19 can also worsen depression and anxiety symptoms as you experience feelings of boredom and isolation. This holiday season, ensure that you are taking care of yourself. Self-care is essential to the recovery process and managing the difficulties of mental health. You may want to consider setting boundaries with family, watching what you spend on gifts, and share family responsibilities with others. If your anxiety and depression seem unmanageable during this holiday season, you may want to consider seeking professional help. Sometimes, the stigma of mental health disorders prevents us from getting the help we so desperately need. At Achieve Concierge, we make you feel comfortable and offer same-day appointments with our caring and dedicated staff. We also offer telemedicine appointments if you prefer. For more information about our services and treatment modalities, call (858) 221-0344.

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selfcare

What is Self-Care in Recovery?

December 16, 2020/0 Comments/in Holistic Treatment, Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

Self-care can get lost when you are in the throes of a mental health challenge and can make you feel more depressed, tired, and unforgiving of yourself. Physical, mental, and spiritual health can suffer when you are actively struggling with addiction. Self-care in recovery means you change unhealthy behaviors for new healthier ones. For example, a healthy diet, exercise, and spiritual wellness encompass healthy habits and self-care behavior in recovery.

Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

Addiction can affect your relationships with loved ones, your financial status, and your daily activities. It can be hard to ask for help due to the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. Most addictions stem from underlying mental health problems. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 7.9 million adults had co-occurring disorders in 2014. During the past year, for those adults surveyed who experienced substance use disorders and mental illness, rates were highest among adults ages 26 to 49 (42.7%).

Getting help is a massive step in your journey to success in recovery. With self-care, we learn to love and forgive ourselves while maintaining a positive attitude.

Healthy Activities

You may experience a range of emotions when drinking or using substances and may sometimes feel unworthy, guilty, depressed, hopeless, and lonely. When getting treatment, you should have healthy support from family and friends who can encourage you on your lifelong journey in recovery. Healthy activities such as exercise, a well-balanced diet, interests in hobbies, reading, yoga, or sports will occupy your mind, help you cope, and remain positive.

Healthy activities will make the transition to a lifestyle without drugs more comfortable. Old habits will be replaced with new healthy ones. The mind will be preoccupied with activities, and there will be less time to focus on drugs or alcohol. Fun activities with family and friends can also be comforting and provide psychological improvements.

Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit

A lifestyle change is a commitment to self-care. Holistic treatment helps you understand why you became addicted to drugs or alcohol in the first place. In treatment, you will find healthy alternatives to cope without drugs or alcohol. Since addiction affects all aspects of your health, healing must encompass the mind, body, and spirit simultaneously for success in recovery. The holistic approach is successful because it focuses on healing the whole person. The body cannot heal physically without mental health and vice versa. 

Drugs and alcohol hijack our brains and fill our minds with self-doubt, negative thoughts, and the inability to reason with sound judgment. Practicing mindfulness helps us to forgive ourselves for harmful thoughts and negative emotions and be aware of our surroundings and others. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques are excellent ways to increase your mindfulness.

Healing the body means taking care of your physical health. When you maintain a well-balanced diet, your body will have a healthy response to treatment. Eating unhealthy foods can negatively affect emotions, fatigue, and stress. A lack of adequate nutrition can impair your ability to lead an enjoyable, healthy life and increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. It can also contribute to depression and eating disorders. A healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases and severe health complications. (Centers for Disease Control, 2020)

Spirituality is defined as an action or feeling that makes you feel at peace or grounded. We need to find what makes us feel relaxed, grounded, and ourselves. Spiritual wellness can mean trying new things or going back to a place you felt comfort and strength to build a strong foundation. 

Self-care allows a person in recovery to treat him or herself better. The journey to lifelong recovery is very challenging and can be stressful, but it is possible. When you practice self-care, stress and anxiety will lessen, and the focus can be on getting better. 

Other Ways to Practice Self-Care

Family and friends can be supportive of your self-care. Incorporating laughter, fun, games, movies, and outings with loved ones are great self-care remedies. Meeting sober people will also ensure the focus stays more on your health rather than drugs or alcohol. Maintain your commitment to getting better, live healthier, and be patient with yourself.

It will take time to heal from addiction, substance use disorder, and mental health problems. Healthy activities will make the transition to a lifestyle without drugs or alcohol more comfortable. Replacing old habits with new healthy ones will keep your mind preoccupied with positive actions and enable useful self-care remedies.

Self-care in recovery allows you to treat yourself better. The journey to recovery is very challenging and can be stressful. When you take care of yourself, the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed will lessen, and the focus can be on you getting better.

 

Self-care is essential to the recovery process. When you take care of yourself, you allow your mind, body, and spirit to heal. Focusing on your well-being will make all the difference in your recovery journey. You may want to consider building a support system, journaling, finding hobbies you enjoy, exercising, and creating a balanced diet. Addiction is isolating, but you are not alone. The stigma of addiction and mental health disorders may prevent you from getting the help you so desperately need. At Achieve Concierge, we take a holistic approach to treatment tailored to your unique needs to heal the mind, body, and spirit. We offer same-day appointments with our caring and welcoming staff, and if you prefer, we can make at-home appointments. Take the first step to a fulfilling and healthy life in recovery. Get help and start your journey to recovery today by calling Achieve Concierge at (858) 221-0344.

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ptsd

Treatment for PTSD as a First Responder

December 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Mental Health, Treatment /by Achieve Concierge

“We can all help prevent suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255.”

First responders are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their profession’s nature. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and provide emergency care, even in dangerous and life-threatening situations. However, treatment is available for first responders who suffer from PTSD and other mental health conditions.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a severe mental health condition that affects a person’s wellbeing and relationships with loved ones. Many people who have PTSD will go through temporary feelings of discomfort that can get better with time and self-care. Others may experience symptoms of PTSD for months or even years.

PTSD can interfere with a person’s daily activities and cause sleep disturbances, nightmares, and flashbacks. If left untreated, PTSD can lead to substance use, addiction, or suicide. Mental health conditions and addiction can affect anyone, including first responders who are committed to helping others. The term “first responder” refers to the police, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, military, mental health workers, emergency dispatchers, and emergency and paramedical teams.

Ending the Shame Surrounding Mental Health

Shame and stigma often surround mental health within professions that symbolize bravery and toughness. A stigma is a false perception and negative attitude against someone based on a characteristic, such as mental illness, health condition, or disability. Unfortunately, many people in these professions do not seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health.

First responders often mask their mental anguish in humor. According to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that advocates for and advances the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout our society, first responders are at higher risk of dying by suicide than in the line of duty. “In 2017, there were at least 103 firefighter suicides and 140 police officer suicides. In contrast, 93 firefighters and 129 police officers died in the line of duty.”

Everyday Stressors For First Responders

Our first responders in the police, fire, EMS, and military professions need to be ready for anything, at any time. They live with a fear that something will happen that they cannot control. The weight of the responsibility they carry can be paralyzing and debilitating. Fear sometimes needs to be buried deep within for first responders to perform their job.

The skills they have to do their job effectively need to be nurtured and continuously challenged. When a skill is learned, it needs to be re-learned at every available moment to ensure competence. There is always something new to perfect. “The training is the foundation that everything else depends upon. Having the skills to perform embedded in you through repetition helps when the real deal comes your way.” (Michael Morse, Fire Rescue 1, 2015). 

First responders mentally prepare themselves to face death, disfigurement, and disease while at work and off duty. It becomes the “norm” to them, and it eats away at their humanity and compassion. They have erratic sleep schedules and miss important events and holidays with loved ones. The feeling of impending doom and despair will always be with them, consciously or subconsciously.

Trauma-Related Substance Use

People who experience PTSD or other mental health conditions may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate, which can result in destructive behavior, disruption with job performance, trouble with loved ones, severe health complications, and death. Individuals who experience trauma may use drugs or alcohol to:

  • Fall asleep due to disruptive sleep patterns caused by PTSD
  • Avoid traumatic memories or flashbacks
  • Forget about problems
  • Deal with mood disturbances caused by PTSD
  • Numb emotions

Substance use disorder and PTSD often co-occur and can be treated as a dual diagnosis. Those who have PTSD might have flashbacks and repeatedly relive the event. They may avoid certain places or people and can be easily startled and have angry outbursts.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances in individuals who develop PTSD due to its central nervous system depressant effects, availability, and acceptance across every social level. Developing PTSD is a risk factor for developing a substance use disorder or addiction. Having a pre-existing substance use problem is a risk factor for the development of PTSD.

Mental health is critical to study in the context of disasters because often in tragic events, loved ones are lost suddenly, horrifically, and unexpectedly.

Treatment For PTSD

It can be challenging to ask for help, but asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Anyone can develop symptoms of PTSD due to traumatic events. Do not let the stigma surrounding PTSD interfere with getting the help you desperately need. If you or a loved one has PTSD or other mental health conditions, make the life-saving decision to get help now.

 

Many first responders may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As they put their lives on the line and witness horrifying scenes, they can become traumatized. Suffering from the symptoms of trauma can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use. As first responders wish to numb their emotions, forget their memories, or cure sleep disturbances caused by PTSD, they use more and more substances, creating the possibility of developing substance use disorder. First responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty to the multitude of adverse effects of PTSD. Although PTSD is a debilitating mental health disorder, it can be managed with the right medication and psychotherapy. Sometimes, the stigma of psychiatric disorders prevents people from getting the help they desperately need. At Achieve Concierge, we offer in-person appointments and even at-home services if you are more comfortable at home. Take the first step to self-care. Get help today and call (858) 221-0344.

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brain

How Addiction Changes the Brain

December 7, 2020/0 Comments/in Anxiety, Depression /by Achieve Concierge

The brain is a vital organ in the human body that controls how we function. It determines how we move, walk, talk, and think. The brain adapts to environmental changes and allows us to cope with negative emotions, form new memories, and learn. When left untreated, a person who suffers from depression, anxiety, or stress might turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. This puts them at high risk for addiction, which can lead to risky behavior, serious health complications, organ failure, overdose, and early death.

Understanding Addiction

Addiction is a complex disease that chemically and physiologically changes the brain, making it extremely hard for a person to quit using drugs or alcohol. These substances affect the brain’s neurotransmitter, dopamine, which invokes a temporary burst of pleasurable feelings and euphoria. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, How Addiction Hijacks the Brain (2011), “Dopamine not only contributes to the experience of pleasure but also plays a role in learning and memory — two key elements in the transition from liking something to becoming addicted to it.”

When a person suffers from addiction, they might feel emotional or physical distress whenever they are not taking the substance. Withdrawal symptoms can become hard to tolerate. As a substance use disorder deepens in intensity, using drugs or alcohol is the only thing that produces relief from the bad feelings associated with withdrawal. 

Addiction is similar to other chronic diseases because it is preventable, treatable, it changes biology, and if left untreated, it can last a lifetime. A person struggling with addiction will develop a tolerance and seek more drugs or alcohol to achieve the same euphoric feeling as the first time they drank or used. Eventually, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the release of more dopamine to feel the same pleasure. This leads a person to use more drugs and alcohol more frequently or turn to substances with a higher potency.

Health Risks Caused by Addiction

The brain adapts to substance use and changes with addiction. According to Dr. George Koob, director of the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2015), “The brain actually changes with addiction, and it takes a good deal of work to get it back to its normal state. The more drugs or alcohol you’ve taken, the more disruptive it is to the brain.” If drug or alcohol use continues, the changes become more permanent.

Drugs and alcohol impact major organ function and can lead to heart disease, liver failure, some types of cancer, kidney failure, overdose, and death. Drugs and alcohol affect the brain’s ability to form and store essential memories, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. This means missing significant and meaningful dates and events with loved ones.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Some people do not realize they are physically dependent on drugs or alcohol until they try to quit using them and experience unbearable withdrawal symptoms. The uncomfortable and sometimes painful withdrawals are a response to the brain needing more of the drug or alcohol to function. Withdrawal symptoms make the brain crave more of the drug to feel “normal” again.

Risk Factors of Addiction

Addiction does not discriminate and can happen to anyone. While there are no specific reasons why one person becomes addicted, and another does not, some factors can put a person at higher risk of developing an addiction. Risk factors may include:

  • The age when use begins
  • Genetic makeup and other individual biological factors
  • Psychological factors related to a person’s unique history and personality
  • Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
  • Environmental factors, such as the availability of drugs and family and peer dynamics
  • Financial resources, cultural norms, exposure to stress, and access to social support

Specific combinations of factors can drive the emergence and continuation of substance misuse and the progression to a disorder or an addiction (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).

Mental Health and Addiction

Some who struggle with addiction also suffer from an underlying mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD, ADHD, or schizophrenia. Those who live with a mental health condition might turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. The drugs or alcohol can heighten the symptoms of some mental health disorders, resulting in continued drug or alcohol use in a seemingly never-ending continuous cycle. For the best success in recovery, treatment for mental health and addiction must be addressed simultaneously.

Recovery is Possible

When struggling with substance use, the idea of recovery may seem impossible. However, your brain can learn how to function without having to use drugs or alcohol. When pursuing sobriety and throughout recovery, be patient. It will take some time for your brain to be re-trained to function normally without controlling unhealthy substances. Addiction is isolating, but you are not alone. Every day, people get help for addiction and live a happy, meaningful life in recovery.

 

Our brain is the center of activity in our bodies. When you use substances, brain changes occur that change your behavior. Substance use is now your top priority. You may do anything just to feel the same high you did the first time you used. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that cannot be cured but can be managed with the right treatment. Recovery is possible. You no longer have to suffer from the binds of addiction and can live a happy, fulfilling life. Sometimes, the stigma of addiction and psychiatric disorders prevents people from getting the help they desperately need. At Achieve Concierge, we tailor treatment to your unique needs. We offer same-day appointments with our caring and welcoming staff and can do house calls if necessary. Take the first step to a fulfilling life in recovery. Get help and start your journey to recovery today by calling Achieve Concierge at (858) 221-0344.

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digital

The Digital Age and Human Intimacy

December 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

Throughout the era of evolving technology, we have crafted fortuities that were utterly unattainable only decades ago. For the first time in human existence, anyone across the entire planet can connect in an instant. We can text or email to communicate through words, we can make calls for a more personal connection, and we can even video chat to watch each other’s expressions in real-time. But perhaps the most infamous route of connection is the double-edged sword that is social media. By developing these social networks of connection, we’ve created a hub for existing and sharing as the self-designed, “perfect” versions of ourselves that we long to be. Here, we can name ourselves whatever we please, post pictures and comments articulate to any facade we wish, and share these things at any moment of every day with the promise of an attentive audience. It is, quite literally, a virtual wonderland where we have the power to control the way others perceive us. 

Destructive Comparison

While initially developed to foster distant connections and bring like minds together, social media has opened the doors to a rapid diminishing of self-worth throughout our society. A virtual profile is, in essence, a highlight reel of exceptional moments, and as we scroll through endless reels of perfection, it’s easy to forget that behind each highlight lies hundreds of lowlights that have been polished out of the public eye. Yet the longer this passive observation draws on, scrolling through hundreds of images lacking a single flaw, it becomes near impossible to refrain from harsh self-critique. Comparing our daily lives, looks, and actions to the unattainable transcendence we view on our devices becomes inevitable. 

Utilizing techniques of mindfulness conscious awareness of how particular things affect our psychological well-being can allow us to build a buffer between ourselves and the screen. This buffer will give us time to acknowledge the illegitimacy of comparing our everyday selves with these impeccably polished highlight reels. Another nuance to remember when criticizing your self-worth over the immeasurable beauty of a virtual photo is that whoever is on the other side of that photograph more than likely perceives themself in the very same insecure nature that you do.

Conversation vs. Connection

Shelly Turkle, MIT Professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology, has remained an opinionated voice of reason around technology’s social ethics since the origin of social media. In a 2012 New York Times publication titled, “Flight from Conversation,” Turkle exposes the underlying truth behind why humans have jumped at the opportunity to virtually connect from a distance rather than immerse ourselves in authentic conversation. From behind the screens of our devices, we hold full control over who we are. More accurately, how people perceive us takes away the fear of vulnerability brought about through real, intimate relationships. Turkle regards that “Human relationships are rich: messy and demanding, but the only way to reap the utter satisfaction desired in a relationship is to return to the way which could now be called old fashioned.” 

In a modern society of infinite connection, we now sacrifice real human conversation for technological blips of scarce interaction. The virtual link will never equate with the deep, personal connection fostered by human empathy in real conversation. We have lost the piece of humanity that keeps us united, that keeps us growing, learning, and changing. We’ve lost each other. However, by pushing our fears aside and immersing ourselves in conversation, we can reclaim our uniquely human ability to create profound ideas as a collective of like minds and grow as individuals through the flourishing bonds we forge with others. 

Evolutionary Need to be Liked

Have you ever wondered why it hurts so deeply when you feel humiliated in public or why it’s easier to express yourself from the comfortable distance of social media? Well, the human brain neurologically recognizes social embarrassment in the same fashion as physical pain, so it is more than fair to be afraid to leave the comfort of hiding behind a device. With social media at our fingertips, humanity has become socially satisfied with this idea that we are “liked” and we are “heard,” but are shielded from the physical pain of social failure. We fear the vulnerability that comes from unedited moments so vastly that we’ve forgotten why we need them at all. 

Our minds have tricked us into believing we are happy because we have not felt the agony that comes with social denial. But while this isolated tradeoff between vulnerable human relationships and ingenuine distanced-connection does remove us from feeling pain, it is not true happiness that we feel; it is nothing. We feel comfortable holding ourselves in this space of numb isolation because, while it’s not necessarily pleasant, at least it’s a pain that we are the masters of. We are content with this feeling of nothing because allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience real heartache would hurt in an unfamiliar manner. It is not so much that we’ve stopped caring about intimate human conversation altogether; we’ve simply forgotten how it feels.

Revealing Ourselves Through Intimate Conversation

Through risking our vulnerability and accepting the possibility of social hiccups, we can begin to eradicate the unnatural polish of distant connection that keeps us from revealing who we are. For if we open ourselves up to social failure, we may cultivate a safe space, free of judgment, where those around us feel comfortable revealing their authentic selves as well. With time, expressing our unrefined selves, highlights, lowlights, and all, can help us find a healthy balance between innovation and our human selves, separate from the technology. 

We’ve devoted decades to revolutionizing modern technology unto its sheer elegance, but now it’s time we vindicate our relationship with it. We must redefine our society as one comprised of an eclectic people who have deliberately chosen to revert to intimate human conversation. We shall go forth into this new day to reintroduce ourselves to those around us without the filter of editing who we are. The truth is, as Turkle remarks, “it is often in unedited moments, moments in which we hesitate, stutter, and go silent, that we often reveal ourselves to one and other.”

 

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is no easy task. With the endless opportunity to connect virtually, it takes time, acceptance, and real guts to open yourself up to intimate conversation. Beginning upon the path of building inner-strength can be quite intimidating when confronted alone. Our passionate team at Achieve Concierge understands the many obstacles that can make reaching self-confidence seem like an unattainable goal. While alcohol, substance use, and many other psychological disorders can hinder your path to wellness, we are here to help you reach the real strength that lies within. Merely deciding to embark upon the path toward improving your psychological health is an incredible feat of inner-strength in itself! Seeking treatment is never a sign of weakness; it is a sign that you care for yourself enough to push through fear and work through obstacles for the sake of your wellbeing. Here at Achieve Concierge, we offer individual, group, and in-home therapy so you can choose the route of recovery best fit for you. For more information, call us at (858) 221-0344.

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