How to Help Your Child Cope With Going Back to School

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March marked a full year since many schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools across the country shut down without much warning, transitioning to remote learning on the fly. It was a huge adjustment for students, parents, teachers, and administrative staff alike. With many Americans receiving the vaccine and reports of virus cases dropping, more schools are transitioning their students back to campus learning. 

For some, this is an exciting time. Many students have been waiting for months to get back into the classroom. They get to see teachers they have only met through Zoom and see friends they haven’t connected with for a long time. The trials and tribulations of the past year have negatively impacted young people’s mental health all over the world, and now there are reasons to celebrate. At the same time, the pandemic is not yet over. Although many people are rejoicing over the transition back to school, there are plenty of people who are struggling with the decision to send their children back to on-campus learning. 

How You Can Make This Transition Smoother

Parents, children, and teachers are all worried about contracting and spreading COVID-19 at school. It’s reasonable to be anxious about whether students will follow social distancing and mask protocols. After spending a year avoiding close physical quarters with other people, the thought of cramming 20 or more students into a classroom can cause uneasiness in children and adults alike. While school staff must follow strict protocols to make this transition happen, the thought of forcing many children to effectively social distance at school can seem almost impossible.

It’s understandable if you and your children experience anxiety or concern, as these are uncharted waters for everyone involved. As a parent, you have a complicated mission ahead of you as you attempt to manage your feelings and reactions towards this transition, reassure your children that they know how to be safe, and encourage them to be careful and flexible if the situation changes. Here are a few tips to help you and your children navigate this transition together: 

Let Your Kids Come to the Table

Make sure to give your kids a voice. If your children tell you that they are worried about going back to school or are experiencing anxiety, listen carefully and validate their feelings. Give them a space to talk about it while also letting them know that their feelings are important to you. Do your best not to “feed the fear.” Instead, listen to their concerns and search for ways to help them ease or eliminate the stress they are experiencing. You can say things such as “I’m going to miss you too, but we’re going to have so much to talk about” or “Feeling worried is normal; I feel it too!” Giving your kids space where they are comfortable talking about their feelings is one of the best things any parent can do for their children. 

Set the Emotional Tone of the Conversation

To set the tone for your discussion is to lead by example. If you approach the conversation about transitioning back to school from a place of anxiety, you’re likely to fuel your children’s anxiety as well. Avoid asking leading questions such as “are you nervous about going back to school?” Implications like these can cause your kids to believe that they should be more nervous than they are.

When answering questions, be sure to remain calm, even if you are struggling inside. If your child has questions you don’t know how to answer, you can say, “that’s a great question. I don’t have the answer, but we can find the answer together.” Before school starts, try making a list of the questions or concerns they may have and address them one at a time. Doing this will show your children that you take their concerns seriously.

Emphasize the Importance of Safety Measures

While you want to protect them, it’s important not to give your kids false hope. The reality is that we can’t promise them that they won’t get sick. You can express confidence that everyone is doing their part to minimize risk and keep everyone safe and healthy. Schools have taken the time to implement strategies to keep everyone as safe as possible before reopening. Remind your children that even though vaccines are becoming available to some, it’s still essential to follow safety protocols. Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing are the best ways to keep everyone safe, including you and your family, as kids start going back to school.

 

After a long year, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our mental health. As schools shut down to slow the spread of the virus last March, we experienced a spike in the frequency and intensity of mental health symptoms in children and teenagers. As schools begin to reopen and attempt to implement on-campus learning, many children are expressing anxiety and concern for their safety. Although many people have received the vaccine and cases appear to be declining, the fear of contracting the virus is still very real, especially for kids being sent back to school to mingle with many others. There are ways to help decrease your child’s anxiety and worry as they transition from remote learning to on-campus schooling. If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, reach out to Achieve Concierge. Our team is dedicated to helping children and teens navigate mental health challenges and achieve lasting happiness. Call us at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.

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Signs That Your Child is Self-Harming

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As a parent, you want nothing more for your children than to be safe, happy, and healthy. The thought of your child hurting themselves can stop you in your tracks. If you learn or suspect that your child is hurting themselves, you might feel shocked, afraid, or even angry. You may feel guilty, as though you could have done something to prevent it. It’s hard to understand, and it can leave you at a loss. Your first step is to figure out how you can help. It’s important to be able to identify the signs of psychological distress that can lead to self-harm.

What is Self-Harm and What Causes It?

Self-harm is when a person deliberately hurts themselves to help them manage or cope with strong negative emotions. It can allow the individual to gain control over the overwhelming feelings they are experiencing or serve as a means of finding relief. Some turn to self-harm to feel something other than the loneliness, emptiness, or hopelessness that they are experiencing. Ultimately, self-harm is a sign of distress. It’s crucial to find out why your child is self-harming to allow you to find the right solution to their problems. 

Forms of Self-Harm

Whether obvious or subtle, physically dangerous or symbolic, self-harm can look different for everyone. Forms of self-harm can include:

  • Cutting, scratching, or carving themselves
  • Branding or marking the body
  • Pulling hair, or ripping it out altogether
  • Picking at scabs to prevent them from healing
  • Burning themselves
  • Biting or hitting themselves
  • Hitting their body against something

Signs That Your Child is Hurting Themselves

Most people who self-harm attempt to hide their wounds. They may feel ashamed of their behavior or worry that others will be angry, judge them, or won’t understand. If you’re concerned that your child might be self-harming, look out for these signs:

  • Injuries from cutting or scratching as if with a razor, paperclip, tack, or anything that can break the skin
  • Multiple similar marks in one area
  • Any wound or injury that your child cannot clearly explain
  • A sudden fascination with or desire to learn about self-harm and other destructive behaviors
  • A desire to hide certain body parts by covering them up unusually, such as by wearing long-sleeved shirts on hot days, constantly wearing band-aids, or other means of covering specific areas
  • An increase in symptoms of anxiety, stress, or depression
  • A traumatic or emotional event that can trigger distress such as a breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend, ending a friendship, pandemic isolation, or rejection from a university
  • A dramatic change in behavior, such as isolating themselves from friends and family

Talking to Your Child About Self-Harm

One of the most productive and powerful things you can do for your child is to let them know that you are there to listen and that you love them no matter what. If your child does open up to you, listen to them carefully and validate their feelings. Remember that they are in distress. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, they feel the way they do for a reason. Do your best to understand and validate their feelings to maintain a safe environment where they can feel heard and respected. 

Speak calmly, directly, and without judgment. Make compassionate statements like “I can tell you’re upset about this,” “I’m here to listen to you, and I won’t get angry.” Avoid saying counterproductive things like “you’re only doing this for attention” or “just grow up already.” Most self-harm isn’t about getting attention, and even if that’s the source, it still indicates a dangerous emotional imbalance.

Finding a Solution for Self-Harm

Your child may feel ashamed to talk about self-harm, so be sensitive in initiating the conversation and let them know that you are there for them. You can say things such as “I noticed the scars are your arm. Would you like to talk about them?” At the same time, limit your questions. While it’s normal for you to want to know why this is happening, bombarding your child with questions on a subject that makes them uneasy can overwhelm them and limit their willingness to continue the conversation. 

If you witness any cuts or injuries, address them calmly. Most kids who self-harm hide their injuries from their parents to prevent them from worrying. Do your best not to overreact or make them feel uncomfortable about the injuries they’ve caused themselves. Get medical attention as necessary. Reach out to a mental health counselor who can recommend different therapies depending on your child’s needs. Treatment might include psychological therapy for your child as well as for your family. 

 

Finding out or even entertaining the notion that your child is cutting or otherwise hurting themselves in any way can leave you feeling shocked, sad, guilty, and overwhelmed. It can be extremely painful to figure out how to help your child while also managing your feelings. Although you might feel angry or want to ask your child a barrage of questions, the best thing you can do is to remain calm and provide a space for your child to feel loved and free of judgment. While self-harm stems from a variety of causes, the signs are often consistent. If you are concerned that your child is practicing self-harm, you must seek professional help right away. The expert professionals at Achieve Concierge specialize in youth mental health services. Our mission is to provide individualized services to your child or teen at the deepest mental level. Let us help you to help your child through this difficult time. Call us at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.

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Helping Your Soldier Battle PTSD

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I was awakened by loud, erratic noises. I was still partially asleep, so I tried to push through the fog and figure out what was going on. Though I could hear the hustle and bustle of the city outside our downtown apartment, that wasn’t the noise that awoke me. My husband was frantically moving around our bedroom, mumbling words I couldn’t make out. It could have been that the words were incomprehensible, or that I wasn’t fully awake. I kept asking him what he was doing, only to receive replies that didn’t make sense to me. He was looking for his rifle, and he got angrier when he couldn’t find it. We didn’t have any guns in the house – what was he even talking about? As I watched him scurry about the bedroom shoveling things around, I realized he wasn’t mentally in that room. Physically, he was present, but mentally, he was back in Afghanistan. He was searching for the weapon that he had used so many times in combat – the weapon one that saved his life. His nightmares and dissociations would only increase in the years to come, and I soon realized I needed to do everything I could to help my husband manage his PTSD. 

If you have a loved one currently enlisted or who has served in the military, you’ll want to support them however you can. You’ll feel pride in the sacrifices they chose to make to protect the country they love and are honored to serve. Sometimes there’s a darkness that comes with the sacrifices that these men and women carry for a lifetime. Many veterans come home with deep pain that they can’t shake by themselves, and without access to the right tools and support, that pain can take over their lives.

The Link Between Military Service and PTSD

PTSD is commonly caused by a single traumatic event or the accumulation of numerous high-stress situations. Exposure to combat situations, live or simulated, can profoundly negatively impact a person’s mind and body. The correlation between military service and post-traumatic stress disorder is strong; it is estimated that as many as 500,000 U.S. troops who fought in wars over the past 13 years have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The U.S Department for Veterans Affairs lists that about 30% of Vietnam veterans and about 12% of Gulf War veterans have or had PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD

Sometimes PTSD symptoms may not appear until your loved one comes home and attempts to return to civilian life. They may begin to develop night terrors or dissociate when triggered by different sounds, smells, or encounters. While they are undoubtedly doing their best to cope with what’s going on inside their head, the memories the body is trying to connect can be confusing, especially when a person is alone in trying to manage them. Symptoms of PTSD can include:

  • Feeling upset or discomforted by things that trigger memories
  • Difficulty sleeping due to nightmares and restlessness
  • Vivid memories or flashbacks of traumatic events
  • Feeling isolated 
  • Feeling numb 
  • Being constantly on guard or easily startled
  • Angry outbursts or hostility
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Substance abuse
  • Self-harm and suicidal thoughts 

How to Help Your Veteran 

If you live with someone who’s battling PTSD, you will likely witness their symptoms and may even feel secondhand effects. Trying to help your loved one effectively manage their PTSD may require turning to professional help, and there’s nothing wrong with that. While you may not be able to cure them on your own, there are steps you can take to make a difference right away.

Educate Yourself. Take the time to learn about PTSD and recognize its symptoms. Like most mental illnesses, there’s a great deal of stigma surrounding PTSD. Try to relate to your loved one’s emotional experience by gaining an understanding of how PTSD makes them feel.

Be Supportive. They will likely experience some form of social isolation. This can arise from feeling unsafe, experiencing anxiety, or worrying about being judged. Support their choices to skip events, and don’t presume to know better than they do.

Be Patient and Listen. Don’t pressure them to tell you what happened or why they are feeling a certain way. If they decide to open up to you, just listen. Provide a space where they feel safe and comfortable.

Learn Their Triggers. Being able to identify your loved one’s triggers can allow you to help them avoid those situations whenever possible. Symptoms of PTSD can be triggered by sounds, smells, people, locations, events, and even types of weather or environment.

Encourage Them to Seek Treatment: 

Fortunately, there is treatment for those who have PTSD. Two types of treatment have shown to be particularly effective in addressing PTSD: counseling and medication. These can both help your loved ones find stability, learn coping mechanisms, and manage their symptoms.

 

Watching your loved one struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can be challenging and heart-wrenching. Though you want to help them, you may not know how, causing you to feel closed off from them and powerless. There are ways for you to show your soldier that you see them and that you are there to support them through trying times. It is important to learn to recognize their triggers, watch for symptoms, and educate yourself. For expert guidance on how to help your soldier fight this battle, reach out to Achieve Concierge. Our expert clinicians provide care for PTSD that aims to treat the entire body, which helps achieve positive long-term results. PTSD is not an easy battle, and you don’t need to face it alone. Get your loved ones the help they need to move forward. Reach out to us today for a free treatment consultation. Call Achieve Concierge at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.

toxic

The Importance of Cutting Toxic People Out of Your Life

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Although removing toxic people from your life won’t always be a walk in the park, sometimes it’s the best thing you can do for your mental and physical well-being. It might not take you long to think of which person or people in your life are unhealthy for you. They may treat you cruelly, manipulate you, or criticize you constantly. They may cause you to feel bad about yourself to the point that the shame drives you to engage in destructive behaviors. Interacting with someone like this can constitute emotional abuse.

Despite these red flags, it isn’t always easy to understand or accept how dangerous these relationships are. You may think that such a person really does have your best interests in mind. It’s vital to be able to recognize when a relationship is causing you serious turmoil or is negatively impacting your mental health.

While the thought of creating space can be scary or overwhelming, it is important to prioritize your mental well-being. Although you are not responsible for how people behave, you can end relationships that do not treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Here are a few tips to help you end an unhealthy relationship to allow your mental health to blossom:

Identify the Toxic Relationship

The first thing you need to do is identify the person or people negatively affecting your mental health. You may already know exactly who this person is, or it may take some careful thought. Try to think about whether anyone in your life makes you feel bad about yourself or tries to control or manipulate you. Does anyone in your life make you feel anxious? Do you feel overwhelmed with dread by the thought of talking to or seeing someone? These may serve as indicators that this person is toxic. In general, people should not make you feel anxious, depressed, or cause you to doubt your self-worth. Instead, they should lift you up and bring joy to your life. Here is a list of toxic traits to look for:

  • They manipulate you
  • They make you feel bad about yourself
  • They judge you constantly
  • They are consumed by negativity
  • They are passive-aggressive
  • They are overly self-centered
  • They have issues with anger management
  • They are controlling or demanding of your time and attention

Stand Your Ground

When deciding to cut a toxic relationship out of your life, there is a chance that you may experience backlash. A toxic person is not likely to immediately go away or change their behavior just because you asked them to. They may make promises that they will change or attempt to manipulate the situation, sometimes even making you feel like it was your fault. No matter what they do, stand your ground. Be upfront with them about why you are choosing to move on with your life and stick to it. Although this conversation can feel uncomfortable, it is necessary for your mental safety and stability. You can be kind, but you must be firm.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is an important tool to keep you from accidentally slipping back to old habits. For example, if you have decided that you will cut all contact with a toxic person, take measures to eliminate your ability to reach out to them and prevent them from reaching out to you. Block or delete their number, email address, and social media accounts. Remember that it is equally important for you to maintain your boundaries as it is for them to respect the boundaries you set. 

Find Your Support System

Removing a toxic person from your life is a difficult process that can make you feel numerous negative emotions. It is important to find a healthy support network that you can depend on to help you maneuver through this painful time. Surround yourself with people who bring you joy and lift you up. Reach out to friends and family who will be there to listen, validate, and help you move forward. 

In some cases, a toxic relationship can isolate a person from their friends, family, and others who might serve as a support system. Don’t hesitate to make first contact; you might be amazed by how many of those friends and family members have been waiting for this day and will welcome you back with open arms. In other cases, reaching out to a mental health professional who can help you through this new chapter is the healthiest decision you can make. 

 

Choosing to close the door on a toxic relationship can feel challenging and scary. The person who is unhealthy for you might be a close friend, relative, work associate, or even your spouse. No matter who it is, if your relationship is harming your mental health, the best decision you can make is to cut them out of your life. Toxic people can make you feel consumed by a negative outlook on yourself or isolate you from people who truly are good for you. It’s crucial to take the necessary action to get your life back and be treated with the respect you deserve. Learning to stand your ground and set boundaries is one of the first steps you can take to eliminating toxic relationships. If you need professional assistance with this challenging process, or if you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as a result of a toxic relationship, call Achieve Concierge at (858) 221-0344 for immediate help.

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Talking to Your Kids About Addiction, Recovery, and Your Past

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It’s tough to be vulnerable, especially with the people that you are supposed to protect. Many parents in recovery struggle to talk to their children about addiction; whether it be explaining why they have to leave for treatment, or discussing uncomfortable parts of their past that occurred while they were drinking and using. As a parent, you may also worry about how your addiction and recovery could affect your children, both now and in the long run.

Children who grow up in the presence of parental substance abuse are often confused, scared, and uncertain about the things they see happening around them. Some parents feel like it’s better to keep their children in the dark to protect them from the pain and ugliness that comes with addiction. This approach can leave children feeling insecure and distrustful of their caregivers. Avoiding difficult conversations with your children on topics like addiction may lead them to develop destructive beliefs, such as that household chaos is their fault or that they can fix it. Children may also experience overwhelming feelings of shame surrounding their family’s secrets or perceived brokenness.

Although talking to your kids about addiction may be uncomfortable, it can have tremendous short-term and long-term benefits. Choosing to ignore the issue or pretend that it doesn’t exist is likely to lead only to negative consequences, and won’t protect your child from the pain and turmoil that arise from addiction. You may be surprised by how much your child already knows about addiction in your household. Your addiction has already impacted your children; talking openly about addiction can help them find healthier ways to cope and process the trauma they are experiencing. 

Educate Yourself and Invest in Your Relationship

Before you have a conversation with your child about their parent’s addiction, be sure to educate yourself. It’s important to make sure that the information you’re sharing is both accurate and age-appropriate. For instance, children under the age of 10 often still view the world from a self-centered perspective. They may tend to blame themselves or believe that their parents are behaving a certain way because of something they did. They might think, “Maybe if I did better in school (or didn’t misbehave, or didn’t spend as much time with my friends), my parent wouldn’t need to drink so much.” These kinds of beliefs can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as codependency. Make sure to reassure your children that your addiction is not their fault and that they didn’t cause it, even inadvertently. Remind them that there is nothing that they could have done differently to prevent their parent’s substance use disorder. Finding a local or virtual Alateen for your child to participate in will help them build a supportive network of understanding peers and mentors. 

Children whose parents have an alcohol or substance use disorder are at higher risk for developing their own issues with drugs and alcohol later on in their life. Having open and honest conversations about addiction at this stage can help strengthen your relationship with your children and pave the way towards a better relationship in the future. Having a stronger relationship will give you the chance to help prevent your children from developing substance issues, as well as allow you to set a precedent of honesty and safety for them to come to you if they begin to experiment with drugs and alcohol. 

4 Messages Your Child Needs to Hear

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) lists four important messages that children of parents who suffer from addiction need to hear. Be sure to tell your children:

  1. Addiction is a disease
  2. It’s okay to talk about addiction
  3. It’s not your fault
  4. You are not alone

The NACoA also suggests that parents and caregivers encourage children to remember the “7 Cs of Addiction”:

  1. I didn’t cause it
  2. I can’t control it
  3. I can’t cure it
  4. I can care for myself
  5. By communicating my feelings,
  6. Making healthy choices, and 
  7. By celebrating myself

It’s Normal for This to Be Difficult

It’s completely understandable to feel uneasy about having the conversation of addiction and recovery with your child. Talking about these difficult issues can make you feel vulnerable and bring up feelings of shame and guilt, which can even cause you to wonder if you are doing the right thing, or whether you are going to lose the respect of your children. You may feel uncomfortable thinking about facing your child after you’ve exposed them to the truth about your addiction, or you could be dreading the questions they might ask you about your past. Challenging though it is, all of these feelings are normal parts of the healing process that the entire family must go through to reach acceptance and stability.

 

Choosing to speak openly about addiction with your children can be scary. You may feel that they aren’t ready to hear about tough topics like substance abuse and rehab, and you might worry about losing their respect or damaging your bond of trust. These are all normal concerns for a parent in recovery. While addiction can feel difficult to discuss, the more we talk honestly about our issues, the more we can break the stigmas that surround them. The initial conversation you have with your child about your past or present addiction will set the tone and precedent for a future relationship built on honesty and mutual support. To make sure that your efforts towards recovery benefit your family along with yourself, reach out to Achieve Concierge. We’re here to provide expert assistance during this challenging time. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Call us at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.

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Understanding Gender Dysphoria

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Gender dysphoria is an extreme discomfort that arises from a discrepancy between the gender that a person was assigned at birth and their experienced or expressed gender. People with gender dysphoria can experience severe anguish from the inability to relate to their assigned gender, leaving them to feel overwhelmed by a deep feeling of being trapped inside a body that doesn’t match the person they feel themselves to be. 

On top of immense feelings of isolation, interpersonal conflicts, rejection, and judgment from family, friends, and society at large, dysphoric individuals struggle with intensely elevated risks of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, self-harm, and suicide. 

What Contributes to a Diagnosis?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines gender dysphoria in children, adolescents, and adults as a marked incongruence or incompatibility between one’s expressed gender and their assigned gender, lasting for at least 6 months. Before diagnosing patients with gender dysphoria, most healthcare providers take into account the quantity and intensity of the following symptoms, especially if any of them are impairing the individual’s ability to function at school, home, or in social settings:

In Children

  • A strong desire to be a different gender or the insistence that they are another gender and the desire to be treated accordingly
  • A strong preference for wearing clothes that are typically associated with the expressed gender and resistance to wear clothing associated with the assigned gender at birth
  • A strong preference for cross-gender roles during make-believe and fantasy play
  • A severe dislike for one’s sexual anatomy
  • A firm conviction that they have the typical feelings and reaction of their expressed gender

In Adults and Adolescents

  • An incongruence between the individual’s expressed gender and their primary and secondary sex characteristics, lasting for at least six months 
  • A strong desire to change or remove one’s primary and/or secondary sex characteristics
  • A strong desire for the primary and secondary sex characteristics of the expressed gender
  • A strong conviction to be and be treated as their expressed gender 
  • A strong conviction that they have the typical feelings and reaction of their expressed gender

Finding Support for Yourself or Your Loved Ones

There are several ways individuals can receive support to help alleviate distress surrounding their gender identity. Most often, patients engage with an effective form of psychotherapy such as dialectical behavior therapy. DBT helps patients interpret and more effectively manage their emotions while also working with a therapist to validate and process their feelings. The therapist can also help a dysphoric patient develop effective coping skills designed to reduce risks of self-harm and suicide.

If an individual is experiencing mental health symptoms such as those associated with depression or anxiety, treatment for these symptoms can be incorporated into their DBT session, which can function as a combination of talk therapy and skills building. DBT can also serve as a great way for families to understand better and support their loved ones struggling with gender dysphoria. 

How to Support Your Child

As a parent looking to support your child who may be struggling with gender dysphoria, it’s important to do your research and adopt the right approach. Some suggestions include:

  • Provide a safe space for your child to feel accepted and supported. You can do this by allowing your child to express themselves freely in front of you without judgment. Rejection and judgment are enormous obstacles for those suffering from gender dysphoria. 
  • Be patient. Dysphoria is profoundly personal and can be intensely challenging to discuss with another person. Your child will come to you when they are ready. Be sure to let them know that you are there to listen any time they want to talk.
  • Do your research. If you’re reading this right now, chances are you are looking for ways to help yourself or someone you love. You’re doing the right thing. Look into which forms of support are available at your child’s school or from local services. Find supportive groups they can attend that can help reduce their sense of isolation.
  • Communication is everything. Listen to what they are saying and validate their feelings. You can serve as their biggest advocate by showering them with the support they need. Individuals with supportive families tend to have a decrease in mental health symptoms and reduced risks of self-injury and suicide. 
  • Ask your child how you can better support them. They will let you know how they want to be addressed. Respect their wishes and do your best to adapt to their preferences. 

 

Grappling with gender dysphoria can be a painful and confusing part of a person’s life. Having access to healthy sources of support can make an invaluable difference to your loved ones as they navigate their exploration of gender identity. The right forms of acceptance and assistance can lower mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety and reduce the risk of destructive behaviors like substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide. Learning the different terminology associated with gender dysphoria and gender identity can allow you to better process and understand what your loved ones are experiencing. There is a lot of information out there, so be sure to find trustworthy and factual resources. If you are unsure where to start or need any other kind of support, reach out to Achieve Concierge. Our team of professionals can help adults, children, and families on this journey. You do not need to figure this out all by yourself. Call us today at (858) 221-0344.

nicotine

When You’re Ready to Quit Smoking for Good

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Deciding to give up tobacco is one of the most important decisions you can make to better your overall health. Just two years after you quit smoking, you’ll experience a wide range of benefits, including:

  • A tremendous decrease in risk of stroke
  • A decrease in heart rate and blood pressure: some former smokers achieve the same levels as a nonsmoker just a couple of hours after quitting
  • A 50% decrease in risk of heart disease
  • Reduced risk of lung cancer: over 80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking
  • Significant financial savings from no longer purchasing tobacco products

Of course, quitting smoking is no easy task; for many, it can feel downright impossible. Despite wanting to quit, and despite knowing the negative effects on your health, the urge to light up can be simply overwhelming. Most smokers harbor the belief that their attempts to quit are sure to fail, making it hard to justify the agony of attempting to go cold turkey.

If you’ve struggled to quit smoking, you’re not alone. Tobacco use is a global addiction that affects roughly 1.2 billion people, creating substantial health and financial burdens. The CDC reports that there are over 7 million tobacco-related deaths worldwide every year. Nicotine is highly addictive, causing many to smoke for decades. Individuals who attempt to quit on their own often relapse within the first month; only 3-5% stay abstinent.

Here are some tips to use when you’re ready to quit smoking for good. This is an important and celebratory moment in your life, and it’s important to walk into it with as much strength and conviction as possible.

Find Your Reason to Quit 

The best motivation to quit any habit is to find what drives you. It could be to improve your health, save money, or protect your family from secondhand smoke. Whatever the reason, make sure that it’s strong enough to outweigh any urge that will compel you to light up. 

Know Your Triggers

A person who quits smoking can experience cravings years after they have quit. Make a list of things that trigger your urge to smoke and reduce your contact with them as much as possible. Some triggers are unavoidable; for these moments, you’ll have to learn to manage by using healthy coping skills or replacement behaviors. 

Set a Date That Works for You

Quitting smoking is a big decision that will come with trying times. Setting a quit date can let you prepare yourself for what’s to come. For some, setting a date can bring on negative feelings like anxiety or discouragement due to previous failed attempts. Think of those times as stepping stones on the road to success. Take into account what didn’t work for you the last time to avoid falling to the same obstacles.

Consider Using Medication

Quitting cold turkey isn’t right for everyone. It isn’t even always the recommended approach. Nicotine replacement products can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and increase your chances of kicking the habit. Because nicotine is so addictive, smokers who quit can experience serious withdrawal symptoms. Using medication to quit is not a sign of weakness; it’s designed to help you. If you’re unsure which options are best for you, consult with your doctor. 

Be Prepared for Challenges

Although the urge to smoke doesn’t last long, those few minutes can feel like an intense eternity. Before you quit smoking, look for replacement behaviors or ways to occupy your time when urges arise. Some people use exercise to help blow off steam, while others listen to music to promote relaxation. You can also try reaching out to friends or family to help occupy your mind. Write down all the ways you can help yourself make it through moments of temptation unscathed, and be prepared to use one or even all of them when urges arise.

Clean House

Get rid of it all – everything that reminds you of smoking and things that can set off the desire to smoke. Once you’ve smoked your last cigarette, throw away paraphernalia such as ashtrays and lighters. Clean any household items that smell like smoke to eliminate potential urges. If you smoked in your car, clean it out. One of the best things you can do to stay abstinent is to eliminate anything that reminds you of smoking.

Never Give Up

Most people make numerous attempts before they can successfully give up smoking for good. If you slip, don’t let that discourage you from quitting. Remember to treat those moments like steps on the path that you must walk to reach success. Think about what led you to relapse and remember to avoid that trigger next time, and each attempt will bring you closer to your goal.

 

Deciding to quit smoking takes some serious mental and physical strength. Whether it’s your first attempt to quit or your hundredth, never give up, because the rewards are too great to pass up. Quitting will improve your health in a wide variety of ways almost immediately, elevate your physical appearance, and can even lead to significant financial savings. Despite knowing the benefits, quitting smoking can challenge you to muster all your willpower and more. If you’re ready to take advantage of professional-grade resources to overcome the habit for god, reach out to Achieve Concierge. From the initial moment of quitting to managing withdrawal symptoms and prolonged urges, our mission is to provide you with the tools and skills you need to successfully navigate every step of this important transition. Achieve Concierge is committed to providing the highest level of mental wellness care with personalized service that is second to none. Call us today at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.

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Supporting the Mental Health of Your Loved Ones

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There’s no sugarcoating it: watching someone you love struggle with symptoms of mental illness can be one of the most heart-wrenching and confusing experiences you will ever endure. Though you wish you could, you may not know how to help someone grappling with mental turmoil. Every person deals with mental illness uniquely; searching for answers on the internet can leave you more confused than before on how to support your loved one. 

Many people living with mental illness have been misdiagnosed or diagnosed unprofessionally, making it hard to recognize and interpret their symptoms. Whether you suspect your loved one has a specific diagnosis or you’re simply concerned for their well-being, trust your gut if you think something’s wrong. While you might have an idea of where to begin supporting your loved one’s mental health, you might benefit from further guidance, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Here are some ways that you can support your loved one or connect with a professional who can provide them with the help they need. 

Know the Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems

Everyone deals with bad days and challenging circumstances that make life seem dark and stressful. There is an enormous difference between normal anxiety and a state of depression. You know when your loved ones aren’t themselves. Keep an eye out for behaviors such as:

  • Withdrawal from social interaction or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
  • Trouble functioning at work, school, or social activities
  • Dramatic changes in sleep and appetite
  • Intense changes in moods or behaviors
  • Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thought
  • Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, or touch
  • Feeling disconnected from the world or a sense of unreality
  • Fear or suspicion of others, paranoia, and nervousness
  • Erratic, unusual, or unsafe behavior

Although these signs alone do not confirm mental illness in your loved one, any of them is a good reason to follow up with an evaluation from a medical professional to help get to the root of any problems.

Learn to Say “I See You”

Gut-wrenching and uncomfortable though it might be, initiating a heavy conversation with your loved one can play an invaluable role at this point in your relationship. You don’t have to be a psychological expert to let somebody you love know that you’re there for them. Chances are your loved one isn’t looking for you to solve their problems or banish their pain; they just want to be seen and understood. Dealing with mental illness can be intensely lonely. Opening up to someone who loves you can eliminate some of that loneliness. 

Express your concern in a non-judgment way, and let them know that you are willing to learn and to be there for them. Don’t let fear guide you; be proactive and ask questions. Reassure them that you are there because you care for them. Use “I” statements, such as “I am worried about you” and “I want to help you,” rather than “you” statements like “You are” or “You should.”

Encourage Your Loved One to Open Up

Be patient with your loved ones, and don’t pressure them to talk to you. When they want to talk, listen; don’t invalidate their feelings or perceptions, for they are their own. One of the worst things you can do during these tough conversations is to invalidate how the other person is feeling by using dismissive statements like “You’re crazy,” “That’s not true,” and “It’s not that big of a deal.” 

Encourage your loved one to talk with a mental health professional. If you have ever spoken with a therapist and feel comfortable talking about it, share your experience with them. One of the best ways to eliminate the stigmas surrounding mental health issues is to share your stories and normalize things like seeing a therapist. Seeking professional help is a sign of strength.

Be Prepared to Handle Objections in Advance

Before you bring up the possibility of seeking professional help with your loved ones, make sure to invest some time into researching and eliminating potential barriers that could arise. For example, have on hand a list of therapists who are taking on new clients, or look into childcare services if needed. Try to anticipate any objections or obstacles your loved ones might cite as objections to your suggestion for treatment. In the end, you want what’s best for them, and that means knowing when you can’t help them on your own.

 

It’s difficult to watch as someone you love struggles with mental illness. You may want to jump in and do anything you can to help, only to realize that you simply don’t know what to do. Don’t let yourself be overcome by feelings of helplessness when your loved one needs you. You don’t have to be an expert to take fundamental steps to provide the people you care about with effective help. Educate yourself on mental illness to learn which symptoms your loved one is experiencing and to identify behavioral red flags that signify the need for professional help. If you or someone close to you is battling mental health problems, reach out to Achieve Concierge. Our mission is to provide you with the tools and skills you need to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people you love. Call Achieve Concierge today at (858) 221-0344 to learn more.