Mental Health

We hear the term “emotional security” quite a bit in 12-Step programs of recovery. Many of us have seemingly placed our emotional security in the hands of others our entire lives. We have based our actions and decisions on what others want and need, as a means of maintaining personal safety. In return, we expect others to do the same for us, putting our security above their own and validating our thoughts and emotions. But what exactly does all this mean? And how do we achieve emotional security independent of others?

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises that developed long ago in ancient India. It’s a spiritual discipline that bears many benefits. Not only does yoga exercise your mind and spiritual practice, but it also exercises your body. It is a type of movement that is quite simple to ease into for people who may not already do physical exercise. For individuals in recovery from addiction, yoga can be a great form of self-care since it works towards balancing the mind, body, and spirit.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. Unfortunately, those of us struggling with mental health disorders face compounded challenges during these uncertain times. Not only are we experiencing a collective trauma that can be triggering for those of us in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders, but the pandemic calls for social distancing and isolation which tends to intensify mental health symptoms. While things may feel difficult, it’s important to remember that there are still many ways to stay connected and maintain our mental health. Below are some resources can be helpful during this unprecedented time.

Most people have experienced anxiety in one form or another. Sometimes it is experienced as a feeling of stress and overwhelm associated with a certain situation. Other people struggle with anxiety disorders and chronic anxiety. Panic disorder is another mental health disorder in which the sufferer experiences frequent panic attacks. In the last decade, panic attack awareness and available treatment have increased. While panic attacks may seem similar to general anxiety, understanding the differences between the two is important and plays a big role in ensuring proper diagnosis.

Statistics report that in the United States, 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Of those that have experienced trauma, 20% will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). About 8 million people experience PTSD in a given year and one in thirteen people will develop PTSD at some point in their life. PTSD was mainly diagnosed in veterans and was a bit controversial when it was first added to the official list of medical disorders. However, PTSD can be experienced by anyone and isn’t exclusive to just veterans that have been in war. Being diagnosed with PTSD can feel intimidating and scary, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Meditation is a practice in which you use different techniques to focus and calm the mind. Consistently practicing meditation improves attention and awareness, helping to achieve improved mental clarity and a peaceful state of being. It is unsure if meditation came from India or China. Regardless, it is an ancient practice that is common today. Meditation can help with any problem that you may be experiencing and the benefits are endless. There are three main types of meditation: vipassana, chakra, and yoga.

Technology has taken over many of our kids’ lives. While they can gain a lot of information from the internet, the fact is that mobile apps, movies and more can be damaging to a teen’s mental health, especially if the user isn’t properly monitored. All too often, parents battle with limiting their teens’ use of technology, thinking that they’ll grow out of it. The reality is that our teens’ mental health is connected to their physical health. If they’re spending more time staring at screens than outside getting exercise, this could be a recipe for disaster.   Previous studies have found that exercise can help our teens and their mental health in a variety of ways, such as:

Depression can be an incredibly debilitating disorder to have, and those who experience depression may feel isolated and hopeless. If you have been diagnosed with depression, you can probably relate to feeling empty and exhausted. Unfortunately, millions of people around the world struggle with depression. The recovery journey looks different for each person, but it is crucial to move forward and live a happy and healthy life. For some, medications work wonders. Others have found that a combination of therapy and holistic practices, like yoga and meditation, can make a world of difference.

When you view life, people or situations as “all or nothing”, that is known as black and white thinking. For many people, these thought patterns appear from time to time, especially when they’re feeling upset, angry, disappointed, hopeless or frustrated. This type of thinking also occurs quite often for those who have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Understanding why black and white thinking occurs, and how to cope with it, can have a positive effect on the progression of your recovery.

Addiction recovery can be a stressful time. While all change is overwhelming, sustaining sobriety requires massive changes in lifestyle and behavior. Previous studies have found that nearly 4 out of 5 Americans are afflicted with daily stressors. Unfortunately, individuals in addiction recovery have to face these normal daily stressors in addition to those specific to their addiction. These stressors come in many forms, including pleasing family members, ensuring that children are taken care of, paying bills on time and so much more. Often, stress coupled with poor coping skills holds people back in their recovery. Recognizing the ways that stress can negatively impact sobriety is critical, as this awareness can motivate changed behaviors and improve stress management skills.

When it comes to personality disorders, there are often symptoms that seem to overlap – and without a proper diagnosis, a person can find daily life challenging. Many people with personality disorders have difficulty maintaining relationships, as their perceptions of themselves and others can feel quite unstable at times. Despite the unique characteristics of various personality disorders, it’s still quite possible to be misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, without proper care and attention, distinguishing differences between these disorders can prove to be very difficult.  It’s been said before that borderline personality disorder (BPD) and histrionic personality disorder are practically the same, but there are still some key differences that are worth knowing. Take a look at the following differences:

Note: If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters and you are not alone.   Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects millions of people across the United States, with the majority of cases being women. BPD is typically characterized by an intense fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, self-harm, anger and irritability, and more. Many people with this disorder feel alone and misunderstood by others, reporting a sense of inner despair and utter chaos. Unfortunately, death by suicide is a common occurrence as a result, with a suicide rate of more than 400 times the national average – and this was a statistic presented by the government several years ago. Luckily, there are treatment options that have proven quite successful.