Mental Health

Mindfulness, simply stated, is the practice of gaining self-awareness. It is derived from ancient trans-Himalayan philosophies of contemplation and cultivation of awareness. Research has shown that frequent mindfulness exercises practice produces substantial changes in trait-like predispositions to being mindful in everyday life, even without being engaged in meditation. Many mindfulness practices are used in recovery therapies. Some are meditative, and some are more active approaches to mindfulness. Though, one technique seems to be both the easiest and most challenging for some to master—the art of being still.

Research suggests that both acute and prolonged use of drugs can affect a person’s brain responses. Some substances can exacerbate an already existing mental disorder. For instance, in people with a genetic disposition towards psychosis, using marijuana increases the chance of experiencing a state of psychosis. Marijuana is often viewed as a less destructive drug and has become increasingly more socially acceptable. However, there are implications of severe side-effects of marijuana use and mental health disorders. Diagnosing co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders can be difficult. The symptoms can often mimic each other, and providing treatment can be challenging. It is crucial to find a tailored treatment when dealing with co-occurring disorders. Many facilities offer inpatient treatment, which may be essential to treating mental health and substance use disorder (SUD). The great attention that inpatient provides is beneficial in treating co-occurring conditions. The best practice is to treat both disorders simultaneously. Treating them separately can be arduous, and one condition may take precedence over the other. When mental health is treated with SUD, relapse decreases due to awareness of mental health triggers. SUD and mental health disorders go hand in hand. You may be dealing with co-occurring conditions without realizing it. Some substances only exacerbate mental unwellness, and mental health may lead to drug use. A treatment program can address any mental health issues to provide the most effective care. Most recovery treatment models can be tailored to meet a person’s needs, and the addition of mental health counseling can only be positive in the long run. It is essential to research facilities before deciding to ensure they have the tools and resources to deal with co-occurring disorders.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is designed to help people who suffer from chronic bouts of depression and unhappiness. Research shows it can also aid people who suffer from chronic pain and mental health disorders. MBSR prevents “downward spirals” of depression, which tend to be very hard to get out of once they start. Employing MBSR practice helps us clearly see the issues in our minds and enter an alternate mode of thinking, shifting gears from behaviors that promote downward spirals.

Have you ever felt so stressed that it makes your stomach hurt or you get a headache? This is because your mind and body are connected in a way that may not be immediately obvious to us. The mind/body connection is the idea that physical stress translates to mental stress and vice versa. Our mind and body are constantly communicating with each other and an issue with one can lead to issues with the other. When we say mind, we aren’t necessarily talking about the brain. Our mind consists of our thought processes, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes.

Phobias can be debilitating for the many people who experience them. The symptoms of phobias go beyond feeling a bit uncomfortable or scared of something. We often hear people talk about being afraid of spiders and heights, which are very common phobias. But sometimes people have more intense phobias that interfere with their quality of life. Agoraphobia and social phobia are two types of phobias that prevent people from completing daily tasks. Fortunately, there are therapies available for the treatment of phobias. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most often used to treat phobias either alone or in combination with other therapies. In treating a phobia, be sure to seek the help of a mental health professional who has specific experience or expertise in the area.

It’s not news that abusing substances changes your brain in profound ways. Studies have been conducted showing permanent and short-term effects on brain processes and plasticity (the ability of the brain to change and grow). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways we can help our brain revert back to its state before the substance abuse started. It’s pretty simple, really, and it starts with one very important aspect of self-care; diet.

There are many reasons why you may feel angry while in recovery. You may judge yourself harshly, you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms, or you may just feel overwhelmed. Effectively dealing with your anger is important for recovery. Ignoring feelings of resentment, irritation, or annoyance can lead you down the slippery slope to relapse. Learning how to properly deal with emotions is crucial in controlling drug abuse and behavioral health disorders.  There are ways you can manage your anger on your own. If you are feeling overwhelmed with anger, consider these methods: ONE: Practice Relaxation Techniques When you feel yourself becoming agitated, try deep breathing exercises. You can also repeat a phrase or mantra that helps you focus on the moment rather than dwelling on the emotional response of anger. Listening to music also helps us relax. Try to pick music that is relaxing and upbeat.    TWO: Exercise Physical activity is a great way to deal with anger because it allows for the release of energy. According to an article in “Psychology Today”, studies indicate that exercise also increases the production and release of serotonin.   THREE: Count to 100 Although it may sound silly, counting to 100 when you feel angry is effective. Rather than reacting impulsively to your anger, counting forces you to take time before you act. This is important, especially if dealing with physical anger.   FOUR: Write It Out Journaling is a great way to deal with moods and emotional responses to various stimuli. There are many ways to write out your anger. You can write dialogue to yourself, you can create a timeline of anger that describes the situation, or you can simply free write; jotting down whatever comes into your mind. Journaling is especially helpful because we can use the record to become more aware of our triggers.

Stoicism is a centuries-old philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude to overcome destructive emotions. The Stoics believed that peace of mind is achievable through understanding our emotions and behaviors so that we can develop self-restraint and achieve a “passive” reaction to external things or events.

Depression affects everyone in different ways. Some people report feeling more depressed in the mornings and it’s common for people to report feeling more depressed in the evenings, even if they spent their whole day feeling upbeat. Depression comes in cycles for many who suffer from it, but if you’ve noticed your symptoms worsening at night, there are some common reasons why.

Whether dealing with addiction or mental health disorders, maintaining balance is crucial in attaining wellness. Both drugs and mental health issues can cause people to display erratic behavior or suffer from mood swings. This conduct leads to the feeling of chaos and a loss of control in life. It’s easy to lose balance when our needs take a back seat to other more trivial cravings and habits. Self-care is often the first piece of ourselves we lose when in the throes of addiction. It’s important not to judge yourself during this process. Remember that recovery is not a linear journey.

Substance use disorders and mental health disorders seemingly go hand in hand. You may be dealing with a dual-diagnosis, and some mental disorders exacerbate a substance abuse disorder. It’s critical that any mental health issues are addressed by healthcare professionals in order to provide the most effective care. Thankfully, most models of recovery treatment can be tailored to meet a person’s individual needs, and the addition of mental health counseling can only be positive in the long-run. Many substance users will characterize their use as “self-medication” because it is common for them to have been dealing with mental health issues since their teens or adolescence, and therefore likely started using substances as a way to self-medicate long before their mental disorders were diagnosed. While the method of self-medicating may seem feasible and easy to control at first, the individual’s mental health issues continue to remain untreated, and the drug use eventually tends to lose its luster. At that point, a longer, more complicated process of treatment may become necessary.

The internet is an incredible tool that gives us access to a wealth of information in just one click. With the world at our fingertips, we may be tempted to seek answers to all of our problems by searching online, but don’t let your search bar replace a visit to the doctor’s office — especially when it comes to matters of mental and emotional health. You may know your way around WebMD and other online medical consultation websites, but a self-diagnosis based on a few internet articles is ineffective and can sometimes be dangerous.