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How Can Self-Discipline Improve My Life?

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Discipline is defined as the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. Therefore, self-discipline is the practice of monitoring, restraining, or regulating your actions according to your code or values. It typically involves holding off on receiving immediate, short-term benefits, in favor of a higher payoff later on. The positive results you receive as a result of your strength and patience can be well worth it. 

 

For example, imagine you are presented with a buffet of your favorite desserts, fudge brownies, red velvet cake, Boston creme donuts, and caramel apples. You can either indulge yourself or pick only one dessert to enjoy and forgo the rest. What would you do? At that moment, you might have a hard time controlling your desire to consume and cave in. On the other hand, if you are self-disciplined, you might remember that you don’t need all that sugar. You’ve been doing so well managing your eating habits lately, so you decide on the latter. This decision might seem easy, but if you struggle with self-discipline in situations like these, doing so in higher-stake circumstances may be very challenging.

 

What is the Point Anyway?

 

Disciplining yourself can seem boring and arduous. It can be difficult to find the motivation to keep going when you’re tired or disinterested. There are various aspects of self-discipline that you will need to develop, such as self-control, persistence, commitment, self-regulation, motivation, and willpower. Nevertheless, self-discipline can have immense benefits like improving the quality of your work and learning, following through on your commitments, accomplishing life goals, and enhancing your attention to detail. 

 

When this practice becomes habitual, making future decisions that are in your best interest will become easier. As a habit, it can also push you to be consistent in the quality and timeliness of your work, improve your work ethic, and strengthen your reputation, as colleagues will know what to expect from you. You must be willing to spend the time and energy it takes to master an art or technique, and it takes discipline to do so.

 

There Can Be Consequences 

 

A lack of self-discipline can indeed have negative consequences. Reconsider the earlier example at the buffet. If you consistently give in to sugary treats, weight gain, diabetes, and other health issues are real concerns. A study published in the National Institutes of Health explains that “lower self-control is associated with unhealthy coping strategies (avoidance coping), which in turn are associated with worse mental health outcomes and greater reports of physical health symptoms.” Shockingly, 40% of deaths are estimated to be attributed to issues related to poor self-regulation.

 

On the other hand, fewer mental and physical health symptoms were found in those that had increased self-control. Moreover, those who can regulate their behaviors typically demonstrate improved relationships, better mental health, and increased job, interpersonal, and academic success. Such persons have also been found to be at a lower risk of substance use disorders and engaging in risky sexual behavior which can result in sexually transmitted diseases. The practice and benefits of self-discipline have clear implications for persons struggling with a behavioral addiction or substance use disorder. What do you have to lose to become more disciplined? 

 

How You Can Cultivate It

 

An important point to make here is that self-discipline is a lifelong practice. You need to continue to flex those mental muscles to keep them strong and supportive. If you’re interested in embarking on this mental and spiritual journey, consider some of the following suggestions for how you can get started today: 

 

#1 Remove distractions and temptations.

Turn off your phone, dump the cookies and cake, and find a quiet space if you have to. If you know something in particular bothers or tempts you, don’t hesitate to remove it from your space entirely. 

 

#2 Eat healthy foods on a regular schedule. 

This is important because low blood sugar can compromise your decision-making capacities and ability to focus. This can make sticking to your self-discipline goals challenging.  

 

#3 Embrace getting out of your comfort zone with new habits. 

Maybe you want to start waking up early every morning and go running. You may not enjoy it at first, but you will likely get over the initial discomfort. You will be okay!

 

#4 Treat yourself. 

Setting self-discipline goals doesn’t mean you can’t take breaks or indulge. Carve out time to enjoy a treat, take a break, or reward yourself for your hard work.

 

#5 Accept the hiccup and move on. 

Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t always accomplish your goals, no matter how small they might be. Determine where you went wrong and set a new goal. 

 

Self-discipline is the practice of monitoring, restraining, or regulating your actions according to your code or values. It involves being persistent and committed to your goals, pushing forward even when you’re tired or unmotivated. Practicing self-discipline can improve the quality of your work and build your reputation as a person who never gives up on their goals. It also has implications for other aspects of well-being, with studies indicating that fewer mental and physical health symptoms are found in those with increased self-control. Those suffering from mental illness or behavioral addictions could benefit from such practices and techniques used to control detrimental behaviors and emotions. If you or someone you know is experiencing these issues, Achieve Concierge is at your service. We offer comprehensive mental health services that treat the body, mind, and spirit. We know that each patient is a unique individual and deserves to be treated as such. Call us today at (858) 221-0344.

Managing Academic Stress in College

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In 2020, approximately 20 million students were projected to be enrolled in colleges across the United States. The transition from high school to college that new cohorts of students go through every year can be an overwhelming change, filled with new faces, ideas, and experiences. Although there are many great things about college, such as increasing your chances of obtaining a stable, well-paying job, considerable stress is commonplace. 

 

Finding time to adjust and enjoy this new phase of your life can feel impossible, especially if your curriculum is jam-packed with readings, assignments, and exams. Some students need to work part-time to make ends meet, while others are struggling to get by with a mental health challenge. The good news is that there are many strategies and tools at your disposal to manage stress during your academic studies.

 

Recognizing ‘Normal’ Stress & Anxiety 

 

Although most people might think that stress is a bad thing, it is completely natural. It can even help you. By forcing you to become alert and focused in the event of a threat, you will be prepared to respond readily. For example, maybe you’ve felt stress due to an upcoming exam, but it pushed you to organize your schedule and carve out ample time to study.

 

Stress tends to last for short periods, and you can normally pinpoint what’s causing it (like that upcoming exam). Anxiety results from stress and can linger for longer periods. Determining the exact cause can be tricky. Symptoms of both conditions can be similar and may include increased heart rate, perspiration, and breathing, anxious thoughts, and irritability, feeling overwhelmed, tense, and restless, and general unhappiness coupled with a sense of dread.

 

It is important to monitor your stress and anxiety levels to ensure that your mental health is not beginning to deteriorate. Anxiety and depression are common disorders in the United States and these can severely impact your academic performance. If you continue to have daily disturbances due to stress and anxiety despite your best attempts to alleviate it through coping mechanisms, it may be time to get some help. Here are some red flags to be aware of:  

 

  • Excessive anxiety that undermines the completion of daily tasks  
  • Using drugs or alcohol to cope or escape 
  • Having irrational fears and intrusive thoughts
  • Significant changes in sleeping, eating, or personal hygiene habits
  • Having a prolonged low mood and feeling out of control
  • Self-harming, thinking about self-harming or suicide 

 

The Importance of Working-Memory 

 

Stress is a natural part of the college experience. However, it is a leading cause of poor performance among students. Stressful academic situations can “reduce the working memory available to attend to a task’s information processing requirements and to control its execution.” This is important because working memory allows a student to focus on the immediate task at hand, like retaining a sequence of events while trying to understand the main idea of a story.

 

Another example could be completing several steps of mental arithmetic necessary to solve the problem at large. In other words, working memory allows a person to keep a small amount of information in mind to be used at a moment’s notice. Although it might not seem that important, it is central to being able to plan, comprehend, reason, and problem-solve. Therefore, anything that disrupts this process (i.e., stress) can hinder the production of high-quality work and your ability to score high on an exam. In stress-filled environments, the brain’s working memory is in a game of tug-o-war between task execution and performance-related worries. 

 

Take Advantage of Campus Resources

 

Some stress may indeed be unavoidable, but getting a handle on it and ensuring you know how to deal with it healthily and consistently is essential to your mental health and grades. Most colleges and universities have numerous resources on-campus that are available to students free of charge. Check out your school’s mental health and psychiatric services, which may include options like prescribed medications and individual, group, art, and music therapies. You’ll have the opportunity to express your concerns, get creative, build inter-and intrapersonal skills, and develop healthy strategies for dealing with academic stress.

 

 Finding time to be active and social is also essential to your physical and mental well-being, so find out about your school’s gym, sports teams, clubs, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities. A final piece of advice is to get organized. Taking a little time to plan your daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly schedule can make a world of difference when it comes to stress during the college experience. This will help you not only gain a sense of control over your life but also keep you on track to achieving your goals. Importantly, you’ll never miss a deadline again!

 

Millions of American students enroll in college each year.  A world of new faces, opinions, lifestyles, and ideas await them as they make their transition. The experience can be frightening, exciting, and adjusting can be downright challenging. As students embark on this new academic chapter, they will discover the great opportunities college has to offer, as well as the intense stress that comes along with it. Stress and anxiety are unavoidable aspects of the human experience. It helps us respond to threats and pushes us to get work done. Nonetheless, school can become so overwhelming that it impairs academic performance and mental health. Although there are often resources on campuses to help manage these stressors, some students need more support. If you or your child is struggling during this important time of their life, Achieve Concierge is here to help. Our flexible and same-day services are perfect for students’ hectic schedules. Schedule a consultation with us today: (858) 221-0344. 

behavioral addictions

Understanding Behavioral Addictions

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Millions of Americans battle addiction each year, whether it be to a substance like alcohol or cigarettes, or activities like shopping and eating. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are particularly challenging due to the physical dependency the body develops over time and the associated health risks of use and withdrawal symptoms.

Nevertheless, behavioral addictions – also known as process addictions – are likewise characterized by the uncontrollable compulsion to act out the behavior or engage in the activity. They continue, regardless of the negative and even harmful consequences that may be inflicted on their mental and physical health. Relationships with their friends and family may start to deteriorate along with their finances and career.

Connection to Substance Use Disorders

Behavioral addictions are indeed quite similar to SUDs. This condition tends to reveal itself in adolescence and young adulthood. Persons typically report “tension or arousal before committing the act” and “pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of committing the act.” In other words, engaging in the activity can alleviate anxiety and promote a kind of high like drugs can. Moreover, research has shown that negative feelings analogous to substance tolerance and withdrawal are also found in process addictions. Such intense cravings and urges can lead to chronic and relapsing behavioral patterns that make it hard to quit without help.

Some evidence also suggests that there may be a link between behavioral addictions and SUDs. For example, high rates of alcohol use disorders co-occurring with gambling and internet addictions have been found in U.S. and Canadian population studies. Clinical samples on other addictions like kleptomania, pathological skin picking, and compulsive sexual behavior suggest that such co-occurrences are far from uncommon. This may indicate that there is common pathophysiology between SUDs and process addictions.

Could I Have a Problem?

There are numerous kinds of addictions and according to a study published in the National Institutes of Health, behavioral scientists figure that “any source which is capable of stimulating an individual could become addictive.” The following are just a few of the activities that some people are addicted to sex and porn, gambling, shopping, exercise, eating, internet browsing, gaming, stealing, and skin-picking.

So, maybe you play Call of Duty every day or enjoy cookies. How do you know if these habits are becoming a problem? There are variations on diagnostic criteria for behavioral addictions, although, there are a few questions you can ask yourself:

#1 Does the activity dominate your thinking, feelings, and behaviors?

#2 While engaging, do you experience great satisfaction, high, or something akin to escaping?

#3 Do you have to spend more and more time engaging to feel satisfied?

#4 If you can’t engage, do you become moody, irritated, or physically discomforted?

#5 Are you experiencing inter-and intrapersonal conflicts – especially with friends, family, and at work – because of the activity?

#6 Have you reverted to engaging after periods of abstinence or control over the behavior?

If you answered yes to these questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a behavioral addiction. However, it is a strong indicator that you should consider speaking to a trained professional.

What’s the Root Cause?

Although research is ongoing and the underlying causes of behavioral addictions specifically are not clear, some precursors indicate the condition may develop. These include psychopathologies like depression, social anxiety, a lack of social support, and substance dependence or withdrawal. Moreover, behavioral addictions may be the result of using the activity as a coping mechanism to deal with past and present psychological pain.

More generally, though, the causes of substance and behavioral addictions can be the result of biology, trauma, and severe stress that alters the brain, environmental factors, and genetics. More than one hundred genes may be associated with a person’s risk of addiction. There is also some evidence that suggests that the dysfunction of chemical pathways involving serotonin and dopamine significantly contributes to both disorders. Serotonin is important to the inhibition of behavior, while dopamine is involved with learning, reward anticipation, and motivation.

Help is on the Way

If you or someone you know is struggling with a behavioral addiction, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you participate in the activity or behavior, the more likely negative consequences may result. Depending on your particular situation, you may risk losing your job, home, friends, or spouse. It isn’t worth it. The good news is that there are programs that can help you identify the driving force of your condition. A trained therapist can guide the development of strategies that will help you overcome your unique challenges. Don’t lose hope.

Experiencing an addiction of any kind can be scary and life-changing. Substance use disorders and behavioral addictions are different, but related classes of addictions. Both are characterized by compulsivity and the inability to stop the behavior regardless of the negative and even harmful consequences. Cravings, withdrawals, and tolerance are likewise found in behavioral addictions as they are in SUDs, and some research indicates there may be a larger connection between the two. Addictions can cause your mental and physical health to suffer. Determining if you have a behavioral addiction requires an evaluation by a trained clinician. If you feel as if you’re spiraling out of control and you just don’t know what to do, there is hope. At Achieve Concierge, we specialize in psychological disorders like this and are dedicated to finding the best treatment option for you. Call us today to find out how we can help you at (858) 221-0344.

veterans

How Can Active Combat Affect Military Personnel?

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When it comes to war, most people would probably agree that they do not understand what it is really like. Only those who have lived it and came out alive on the other side know and feel the chilling memories of first-hand experiences of deployment into a combat zone. Family members and close friends experience a different kind of pain as they watch their loved ones deal with post-war trauma. The tragedies that come along with working in a warzone can haunt veterans for years and cause them long-term mental and physical pain. Whether you were in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, your indispensable service requires not only thanks but effective and wholesome treatment if you are suffering from subsequent physical and psychological discomfort. Luckily, there are ways to manage these issues and programs designed to help you recover.

Common Illnesses Vets Experience

Over two million American soldiers were deployed over the last decade. Depending on their branch and personal experiences, there are some different illnesses they may encounter. For example, veterans commonly report physical conditions like:

  • Lost limbs
  • Tinnitus and/or hearing loss
  • Shrapnel and gunshot wounds
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Severe stress from disturbing experiences can also lead to substance use disorder and/or mental health problems like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk of developing co-occurring conditions and attempting suicide are also major concerns. In fact, in 2018, over 1.7 million Veterans got mental health treatment in a VA specialty program. Similarly, a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that over 1.1 million Veterans treated between 2010–2011 were diagnosed with at least one of the following disorders: substance use disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

 

PTSD: A Leading Condition Among Vets  

It may come as no surprise that PTSD is one of the leading disorders among military personnel. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, this challenging condition is characterized by four main symptoms:

#1 Reliving the terrifying event at any moment and being triggered by sounds and situations. You might experience nightmares or flashbacks.

#2 Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the event (i.e. avoiding crowds, driving, certain movies).

#3 Experiencing increased negative thoughts and/or feelings (i.e. feeling numb or guilty, losing interest in old hobbies and loved ones, and thinking that the world is too dangerous and people can not be trusted)

#4 Being hyper-aroused or in a constant state of fight-or-flight. As a result, you may experience insomnia, difficulty concentrating, sudden anger or irritability, and become startled by a loud noise or surprise.

According to a JAMA Psychiatry study from 2014, the rate of PTSD among veterans is 15 times higher than that of the civilian population. The percentage of veterans suffering from PTSD also varies by service era. For example, it is estimated that approximately 20% of veterans who served in the Gulf War (Desert Storm) had PTSD in a given year. Similarly, 11-20% of those who served more recently in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Enduring Freedom (OEF) experienced PTSD.

What Trauma Does to the Brain

Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hyperarousal, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and changes in memory, concentration, and startle responses are all related to how trauma alters brain function. Severe stress can cause long-term changes in brain circuits that regulate responses to stress, thus making future responses abnormal or irrational. The main parts of the brain associated with stress responses include the hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex.

The hippocampus is central to emotions, learning, and memory formation, while the amygdala is involved in processing fearful and threatening stimuli. Similarly, the medial prefrontal cortex modulates aversive learning and memory. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone that mediates fear-related behaviors, and norepinephrine, another hormone that increases heart rate and blood pressure, are both central to the brain’s stress response.

Across numerous studies examining various types of PTSD patients including Vietnam and other combat veterans, varying degrees of reduced hippocampal volume were discovered. The researchers hypothesize that “stress-induced hippocampal dysfunction may mediate many of the symptoms of PTSD which are related to memory dysregulation, including both explicit memory deficits as well as fragmentation of memory…” They also found that amygdala function increased while medial prefrontal cortex function decreased. Patients with PTSD also demonstrated increased cortisol and norepinephrine in response to stress, which can harm the body over time.

Active military personnel and veterans live a life far different from most Americans. They have put their life on the line to protect our country, a service that often comes at a great cost to their health. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are common mental conditions among soldiers. PTSD, in particular, can cause paralyzing flashbacks and nightmares that turn civilian life into a battlefield. Trauma alters regions of the brain central to healthy stress and fear responses. There is no shame in getting help and truth be told, it is the least we can do. At Achieve Concierge, it is our honor to assist you in recovering. We understand that trauma, whether it grows into PTSD or another disorder, doesn’t wait until you are in front of your therapist. It can hit at any time and that is why we offer same-day and next-day appointments. We’re here to help you, call (858) 221-0344.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

I’m Anxious: Do I Have a Disorder?

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Each person experiences and deals with a variety of unique stressors in their everyday life. It is perfectly normal to worry about an important meeting coming up, a midterm, moving, or whether or not your teenager will make the right decision when pressured to do drugs. Stress and anxiety are a natural part of what makes us human. It clarifies what is important to us and pushes us to make a move in the right direction.

Many people can effectively manage this stress, meaning that their mental health remains stable and they can carry out their daily tasks without significant psychological hurdles. By contrast, others experience something quite different; every day is a battle just to determine if their anxiety is warranted, or if it is just another figment of their imagination.

Identifying Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

So, what differentiates these two types of people? Persons that have a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) experience the same symptoms of “healthy” anxiety, except common symptoms of increased heart rate, nervousness, and worry are magnified. For example, imagine you have a presentation to make at work tomorrow and you are feeling nervous and a bit unsure of how you’ll perform. A person with GAD might start to spiral into telling themself a terrifying narrative of all the things that can, but are highly unlikely to, go wrong. Not only that, but these thoughts can be so alarming that the person can’t sleep all night. They are working out in their mind how they would respond to each devastating but entirely imagined occurrence.

GAD is characterized by persistent and irrational fears, well out of proportion to reality. This can cause significant problems at work, school, and with friends and family. Here are some other symptoms to look out for:

  • Sudden panic attacks
  • Trouble sleeping/insomnia
  • Persistent low mood and irritability
  • Breathing rapidly, sweating, and trembling
  • Feeling weak or tired, especially after an episode
  • Trouble concentrating and unable to control worry
  • Recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional numbing
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety but pose little or no threat

Some People Are More Vulnerable Than Others

If you think you might have a GAD, you are not alone. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, about 18% of the U.S. population experience an anxiety disorder in a given year. The National Institute of Health explains that there are biological and environmental risk factors that can result in a GAD in adulthood:

  • Family history of anxiety or other mental illnesses
  • Temperamental traits of shyness/behavioral inhibition in childhood
  • Experiencing repeated stressful or traumatic events in childhood or as an adult
  • Medical-related conditions (i.e. diabetes, thyroid disorders, heart arrhythmias, use of caffeine or other substances/medications, drug withdrawal)

Personality traits are also important to consider in risk factors associated with developing GAD and other mental health disorders. For example, high neuroticism, low extraversion, and personality disorder traits from Cluster C have been found to be “at least markers of risk for certain anxiety disorders.”

Neuroticism stands out in particular and is one of the Big 5 personality traits. It means that a person tends to a multitude of negative emotions and feelings including anxiety, tenseness, depression, self-doubt, moodiness, shyness, and lowered self-esteem. Like other personality traits, it exists on a spectrum with some more neurotic than others. You can also think about neuroticism as low emotional stability, making one more vulnerable to experiencing negative emotions. It may come as no surprise that these traits can cause a person to be more susceptible to developing an anxiety disorder.

It’s Time to Seek Guidance

Generalized anxiety disorder is not the only kind of anxiety-related condition out there. There are several others including:

  • Panic disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Phobias (i.e. claustrophobia, agoraphobia)
  • Separation anxiety disorder
  • Selective mutism
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It is important to do the best you can in using easily accessible coping mechanisms such as art, breathwork, exercise, and mindfulness to manage your disorder. In the end, it may not be enough. If you find yourself needing a little extra support, that’s okay. Please know that there is no reason to be embarrassed. Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be incredibly challenging to live with but you don’t have to do it alone. There are different types of treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and prescription medications that can help you work out the underlying causes to manage your anxiety.

Anxiety is a normal response to everyday stressors. Like a puppy nipping at your heels, it can push you to respond, focus, and get work done. Many people can deal with stress healthily and responsibly, while others have a much harder time. Characterized by persistent and irrational thoughts and fears, Generalized Anxiety Disorder can make even minor hiccups feel like the end of the world. Frequent panic attacks, nightmares, and flashbacks make it hard to work and maintain relationships. You may be at a higher risk of GAD if mental illness runs in the family, or if you experienced severe stress or trauma as a child. Certain personality traits like neuroticism and introversion have also been found as markers of anxiety disorders. Located in the San Diego area, Achieve Concierge offers treatment plans tailored to your unique concerns. There may be a deeper reason for your condition; let us help you discover it. Call us today: (858) 221-0344.

personality disorder

How is Emotional Well-Being Related to Personality Disorders?

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From the moment you were born, your experiences, genetic, and environmental factors started to guide the development of your unique personality. If you’ve spent even a little bit of time with babies as young as one year old, you’ve probably noticed their personality starting to shine through. Shy, outgoing, generous, and adventurous – it can be amazing all the shapes and sizes personalities come in. Research is still ongoing to determine when our personalities stop evolving, and some studies point out that they may be more fluid than we once thought, continuously changing throughout adulthood.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, personality is defined as “the way of thinking, feeling and behaving that makes a person different from other people.” It’s this abstract thing that attracts or repels us from another person. Some have a personality disorder, meaning that their way of thinking, feeling, and behaving is unhealthy in a significant way. This may prevent them from maintaining functional relationships with others and themselves.

Types of Personality Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that almost 10% of the adult population in the United States have some sort of personality disorder. Some variations include:

  • Paranoid Personality Disorder (characterized by extreme paranoia and the belief that others want to demean, harm, or threaten them)
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder (avoidance of social activities and interaction, expresses a limited range of emotions)
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder (persistent disregard for morals, manipulates others)
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (intense fear of abandonment, tumultuous relationships)
  • Histrionic Personality Disorder (narcissism, constantly seeking attention, acting dramatically)

The American Psychological Association explains that the causes of such disorders are not certain, however, there are some associated risk factors. Family history and dysfunctional genes linked to traits like aggression, anxiety, and fear play a major role in some of these conditions. Childhood sexual trauma and verbal abuse have also been found to increase the chances of developing Borderline, Histrionic, or Paranoid personality disorders in adulthood.

Reflecting on Your Emotions

Among many personality disorders is the central issue of abnormal emotional expression and/or instability. The inability to manage and convey your emotions appropriately can make your relationship with yourself and others feel like a rollercoaster. There are basic ways, though, that you can start getting a handle on your emotions today.

Ensuring your daily, basic needs are being met is an essential first step. For example, consider developing a practical routine that you can commit to; it can help ground and focus your emotional and physical energy. Integrating fun exercises, well-balanced meals, consistent sleep patterns, and uplifting hobbies in your schedule can set the foundation for your physical and mental well-being.

Due to the nature of personality disorders, you might find it especially important to carve out time to sit down quietly and reflect on your emotions, reactions, and thought patterns. Introspection can help you identify things that bother you or that you’d like to change. Write these thoughts down and ask yourself why they came up. Don’t be afraid to embrace yourself, even if you don’t like what you find during this exploration. All humans have flaws.

You don’t need to wait until you are alone to do some soul-searching. In fact, a lightbulb moment may come to you during heated moments of conflict. The next time you’re in a sticky situation, ask yourself: what are the impacts of my emotions? Perhaps emotional outbursts are causing constant disruptions at work and school, and strife with family and friends. These troubles may lead you to start drinking or using drugs. It is in these moments that you have the power to pause and identify these behaviors for what they are.

Living With Your Disorder is Possible  

Through introspection, you might realize that you need some extra help getting through this difficult time. That’s perfectly okay! Depending on your personality disorder, there are various treatments available to help you manage and overcome it. Psychotherapy is one option that involves discussing your emotions, thoughts, mood, and behaviors with a clinician. There are a few different kinds:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Interpersonal Therapy
  • Family-focused Therapy

Here, you have the opportunity to develop social skills and coping mechanisms that put you in control of your disorder, not the other way around. Your therapist can help you replace unhealthy thoughts and perceptions with positive ones, examine your childhood to identify the root cause of the disorder and manage interactions with family and friends. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications are additional options to treat some of the symptoms of these disorders. A residential treatment program may be the best option for some.

Personality is the abstract stuff that makes each individual unique and special. It is the embodiment of the way we think, feel, and behave. Impacted by everyday experiences, environmental factors, and genetics, our personalities evolve. Some have a personality disorder, meaning that their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are disruptive and potentially harmful to themselves and others. Some aren’t aware of the disorder, while others simply try to get by. Don’t be ashamed if you are experiencing the challenges of a personality disorder. There are programs with understanding and experienced therapists that can help you figure out how to manage your condition. Located in San Diego, California, Achieve Concierge has just that. We understand how hard it is to struggle daily with a disorder that affects almost every interaction. We also know that some days you may urgently need to see a therapist while in the grips of an episode. We can help you today: (858) 221-0344.

moving

How Does Frequently Moving Affect Children?

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When children are born, they begin observing their surroundings and learning how to manage interactions with the world. The environment created by parents for their children and the techniques they use to raise them helps shape the kind of adult they will grow to become. Children require a safe, nurturing, and stable household. Nevertheless, these requisites can be challenging to provide for some parents and can leave lasting effects on their children.

Stability is the keyword here, meaning that kids will generally know what to expect from their day-to-day activities. It also means they feel secure in their relationships, health, and safety. Destabilization can occur for a variety of reasons. Parents might experience turbulence in their marriage and separation or divorce. Financial concerns could become known and passed onto the child as a significant stressor. Sudden and frequent changes in routine can bring about great uncertainty. There are more examples, but perhaps the most impactful is moving to a new home and school. Children of military personnel feel the brunt of these changes, which can be exacerbated by cultural changes experienced when moving to an entirely different country.

What’s the Research Say?

The effects that moving has on children can be complicated to determine. Studies that track families over many years are typically required to rule out other variables that may influence the findings. These other variables set aside, studies have found similarly conclusive results. According to the Institute for Family Studies, stress due to repeated transitions can undermine a child’s sense of control over their life. Parents may also feel this and begin to suffer from mental health issues, affecting their ability to parent and instill a sense of security and trust in the child’s life. In turn, the child may develop their own emotional, social, and academic deficits. Children can also experience learned helplessness, meaning that, as a result of prior stressful experiences, they come to accept and remain passive in negative situations that they have the power to change. The implications of this on future decision-making can be detrimental.

One study looking at the effects moving had on children found that moving two or more times before the age of two “was associated with increased internalizing behavior problems in children at age nine.” Internalizing behavior was characterized by withdrawal or depression, meaning that the moves resulted in negative mental health outcomes for the child during adolescence. The researchers hypothesize that this may suggest the first two years of a child’s life are particularly sensitive to residential mobility, although more research is needed.

In the short term, moving frequently can indeed cause children to have increased behavioral and academic problems. However, one group of researchers wanted to look at the longer-term effects of such life changes and evaluated 7,108 adults. Regardless of age, gender, and education level, the likelihood of reporting lower life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and quality social relationships during adulthood was higher in persons who frequently moved as a child. Researchers also discovered that introverts and those with neuroticism fared worse when it came to moving repeatedly. Persons who hold these personality traits tend to have a difficult time forming new relationships and managing stressful situations.

We’re in the Military

For children of military families, moving is nothing new. Some move every two to three years, whether it be to a new state or a different country. According to the Office of Policy Development and Research, these are some difficulties children have reported:

  • Increased family tensions
  • Separating from friends and teachers
  • Developing new friendships and student-teacher bonds
  • Learning and adapting to a new school and community
  • Getting accepted into extracurricular activities and social networks

These changes can be exceedingly difficult to adapt to and affect the child’s mental health. A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that military children aged 6-11 years old had an increased chance of mental health and outpatient visits due to moving in the past year. Similarly, children aged 12-17 experienced increased chances of mental outpatient visits, psychiatric hospitalizations, and emergency psychiatric visits.

Comforting the Kids  

There is a clear need to address the instability that children experience as a result of relocating. As a parent, there are a few things you can do. For example, be honest and clear about why the move was necessary. Spend time familiarizing them with the new area, get them involved with local activities, facilitate communication and visits with old friends, and encourage the child to participate in the moving process and designing their new room. There are optimal mental health programs that help develop stability and teach healthy coping mechanisms for children.

 

Children require a safe and stable environment to grow into healthy, functioning adults. Frequent disruptions in their environment and relationships can result in emotional, behavioral, and academic deficits that follow them into adulthood. Moving is a stressful and burdensome process, and multiple relocations during early childhood and adolescence are associated with increased psychiatric visits and hospitalizations. Some children may become withdrawn and depressed. Children in military families know this reality all too well and may move every two to three years on average. Leaving friends and family can be painful, but addressing these issues sooner rather than later can help children overcome these changes. If your family is experiencing this, consider Achieve Concierge as your go-to mental health service. We specialize in treating children, adolescents, and adults for a range of mental health conditions. We are highly flexible and take a comprehensive approach with our patients. Call us today: (858) 221-0344.  

The‌ ‌Effects‌ ‌of‌ ‌Long-Term‌ ‌Meth‌ ‌Use‌

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Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that is consuming our communities. Illegal meth can be created in meth labs by combining various harsh and dangerous chemicals that can easily be obtained. With accessibility and low costs to manufacture, homemade meth has become a massive problem throughout the United States, spiking widespread addiction, an increase in overdose cases, and ruining families. 

 

According to a 2017 survey, approximately 1.6 million people reported that they had used methamphetamine within the previous year and that 774,000 reported that they had used it in the past month. In 2016, the average age of a methamphetamine user was 23.3 years old. Additionally, in 2017, it was estimated that 964,000 people aged 12 or older had a methamphetamine disorder. 

 

Short-term Impact on Individuals

 

When taken, meth gives users a false sense of well-being and energy, causing individuals to push their bodies faster and further than it is meant to be pushed. Afterward, meth users can experience a severe “crash” or physical and mental breakdown once the effects of the drugs wear off. The effects of long-term meth use can be detrimental to a person’s overall health and livelihood. 

 

With continued use of the drug, individuals may experience a decrease in the desire to eat, resulting in extreme weight loss. Other negative effects can also include:

 

  • Disturbed sleep patterns, including insomnia
  • Hyperactivity
  • Nausea
  • Delusions of power
  • Increased aggressiveness
  • Severe irritability
  • Confusion
  • Auditory and visual hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Panic and psychosis
  • Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
  • Dilation of pupils
  • Convulsions, seizures

 

Long-term Impact on Individuals

 

For those who use meth long term, they can experience irreversible harm to their body and mind that may include:

 

  • Addiction
  • Liver, kidney, and lung damage
  • Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes, and death
  • Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
  • Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
  • Malnutrition
  • Severe dental problems (also known as meth mouth)
  • Intense itching, leading to skin sores from constant scratching
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Changes in brain structure and brain function
  • Severe memory loss and confusion
  • Violent and unstable behavior
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations

 

How Do People Use Meth? 

 

Crystal meth can be snorted, smoked, eaten, or injected. It can be a powder that can be made into a pill or a crystallized rock. The powder can be eaten or snorted. When mixed with a liquid, meth can be injected intravenously. Crystal meth can also be smoked using a small glass pipe. 

 

Due to the “high” of the drug fading quickly, people often take repeated doses in what is known as a “binge and crash” pattern. In some cases, individuals who use meth have been known to give up necessary things like food and sleep, as they continuously attempt to take the drug every few hours for several days.

 

The Dangerous Effects

 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that continued methamphetamine use can cause changes in the brain’s dopamine system that have been associated with reduced coordination and impaired verbal learning. Studies have shown that long-term use causes severe changes affecting areas of the brain that directly affect emotion and memory. This would explain why individuals who use meth struggle with emotional and cognitive behaviors. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that those who once used meth have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease which is a disorder of the nerves that affects a person’s movement. 

 

What Treatment is Available?

 

The most effective treatment for methamphetamine addiction is behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as contingency management intervention. Individuals struggling with a meth addiction can benefit from a 16-week comprehensive behavioral treatment approach that strives to combine behavioral therapy, family education, 1:1 counseling, 12-step meetings, drug testing, and a strong support system that encourages a healthy lifestyle. Contingency management interventions help to provide tangible incentives in exchange for participating in treatment while living a clean, sober lifestyle. Motivational Incentives for Enhancing Drug Abuse Recovery (MIEDAR) is an incentive-based method that promotes abstinence from cocaine and methamphetamine. It has been shown to have positive outcomes for methamphetamine users through NIDA’s National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network. 

 

Although individuals in treatment have received medications to help treat their substance use disorder, there are currently no medications that counteract the specific effects of methamphetamine or that help to eliminate the desire to misuse the substance. 

 

Methamphetamine use continues to ravage our communities, taking control of individuals and ruining their families and lives. Individuals who become addicted to meth showed both short-term and long-term effects. Some short-term effects can include increased heart rate, delusions, and irregular sleep patterns while the long-term effects of continued meth use can include addiction, destruction of an individual’s overall health, as well as serious mental health issues such as depression and schizophrenia. The longer someone takes meth, the higher dosage they will need, and the more severe their dependency will be. Withdrawal symptoms can be managed through a medical detox regime that can be provided in a comprehensive treatment program. Although there are no medications designed specifically to treat meth addiction, there are certain medications that can help ease a person’s symptoms of withdrawal. Don’t wait any longer. Reach out to Achieve Concierge today to start your recovery journey. Call us today at (858) 221-0344.