Mental Health

Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. Each year, millions of people across the world die by suicide, and it’s tragic. While many people don’t realize it, what we see on the T.V. screen and how suicide is depicted in the movies plays a major role in how we view this issue and how it’s talked about in our society. Quite a few shows and movies have received negative attention over the years due to the seeming glamorization of suicide. Preventative measures were not shown in the media until people started speaking up against it.

Unfortunately, education on mental illness is greatly lacking in today’s society. As a result, the issue doesn’t receive enough support. Scenes of people acting out or breaking the law due to mental illness often perpetuate stigmas. People who don’t know someone personally with a mental illness may find it hard to empathize with someone who has a mental illness because they simply don’t understand or can’t relate. Bipolar disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses. By learning about what many people with bipolar disorder experience, we can help others understand what it really means to have this disorder and how it can affect daily life.

Each year, hundreds of veterans experience PTSD. Alongside the many symptoms that accompany PTSD, such as nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks and more, those who have served in the military tend to experience a tremendous amount of stress upon their return from war. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are extremely prevalent among our military veterans, and unfortunately, many don’t receive the social, financial and mental health support that they deserve.

Each year, Valentine’s Day reels in billions of dollars. On average, each person in the United States spends over $100 on jewelry, cards, chocolates and more. So many gifts are given on this day, especially as those in relationships seek to show their love by offering each other meaningful gifts and tokens of their affection.

Many people experience a mental illness each year and, while a diagnosis may seem frightening or saddening, there are many ways to hold a light to mental illness to see what good it does for us. Conversations surrounding mental illness often involve challenging symptoms that affect daily life, but there are many wonderful qualities that mental illness can mean for us as well. In fact, history has shown that many creative and scientific geniuses have had mental illness – so there’s some good that comes from it!  For example, some of  those with bipolar disorder tend to experience colors more vividly which can be a beautiful quality in daily life.  In fact, those with this disorder may even consider it like holding a “magnifying glass” to certain aspects of life. For others with mental illness, it can propel them to take certain steps for their health and wellness that perhaps they wouldn’t have done before. With this, mental illness sometimes gives us an opportunity to dig deeper into something we may have not noticed as much before, and may also give us the perspective we need to push forward towards our dreams. Bipolar disorder isn’t the only mental illness with upsides; a clear example of this is that mental illness can help us to see life at a larger – or smaller scale – and this can benefit us in many ways depending on what we’re doing. Individuals with depression often develop a sincere ability to notice when others are feeling depressed. This gift of “noticing” could mean saying some nice or even giving someone a hug if they can tell it’s needed.  Having a mental illness does not mean that one is subjected to experiencing only painful or crippling circumstances. If you’re ready to look at mental illness in a more positive light, and begin working towards healing, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Whether you’re hosting, attending, or neither, New Year’s can bring about stress. On top of cooking or hosting a party with friends and family that you may not have seen for a long time, it can also be stressful to think of all the goals that you’d like to accomplish this upcoming year – especially if you have anxiety and a fear of failure. With the right mindset however, anxiety and stress does not have to hold you down at the start of this next year. Here are several wonderful tips that you can use to get through it and stay focused on your addiction recovery:

After a traumatic event has occurred – even years after it’s happened, it’s not uncommon for a person to struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For many people, it’s a recurring experience that involves waking up from a terrifying dream, while having been sweating and their heart racing quite fast, then unable to fall back asleep because their nightmares shook them so much. The person who experiences this could range from an older man who’s served in the military, to a young woman who’s experienced a traumatic situation. Trauma and PTSD truly don’t discriminate – but this can make it incredibly difficult for a person to recover if they don’t seek help. Unfortunately, nightmares can occur for many people with PTSD; as the mind and body are trying to recover, those terrifying moments of the traumatic event are stored in memory and all senses can find themselves emerging again the minute the mind recollects the memories of the event – even suddenly. Those who’ve been diagnosed with PTSD tend to experience a wide range of other symptoms alongside their disorder, such as:

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is experienced by many adults – and children – throughout the United States. OCD is considered a mental health disorder that includes obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repeated actions). Oftentimes, television shows try to depict OCD in certain ways – such as a character knocking on the door a certain number of times or needing to wash their hands a certain number of time before being able to move on. However, it’s important to note that obsessions of OCD can be much different from what tends to be depicted.

If you struggle with depression, then you know how it feels to be isolated and wondering where you fit within this world. Depression is a harmful disease that involves changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, self-esteem, and more. Other physical signs of depression may include migraines, joint pain such as fibromyalgia, digestive problems such as constipation and bloating, chest pain, back pain with tension in the neck, and more – all of which can make daily life more and more difficult if not treated. Previous studies have shown that most people with depression experience aches and pains; if you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, Avalon Malibu can help you reach healing at the levels of your mind, body and spirit. Research has shown that depression can grealty help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and can help with pain management as well. While depression can make it challenging to get out and receive massage therapy, it’s a very conducive type of treatment because it essentially involves healthy human touch – and this alone can prove to be very relaxing for many people in recovery. Massage therapy can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, manage lower back pain, reduce muscle tension, relieve tension headaches, improve balance, lower blood pressure, and much more. Avalon Malibu offers massage therapy that can be completed alongside traditional treatment programs activities; if received on a consistent basis, massage therapy can really help a person experience healing over time. In a relaxing setting, you will be able to release all of the pent up stress, energy, and tension acquired from life’s obstacles. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu about seeking treatment for addiction recovery as well as mental illness. Depression can be a heavy weight to carry, but you don’t have to carry it alone – help is available.

A personality disorder is a form of mental illness that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life; it can make relationships, careers, and daily life challenging if not treated appropriately. Many people who suffer from a personality disorder may show symptoms but may not recognize that they’re experiencing a disorder. By understanding the different characteristics that can take place, you can better assess if you or a love done needs help:

Many people with mental illness are limited in their ability to find and create a rich, meaningful life either due to the heavy stigma that's placed on them by society, not many opportunities for growth, or because the symptoms of their mental illness prevent them from carrying out certain aspects of their daily life. When it comes to recovery, it’s crucial for a person to be able to make sense of their experiences. If you’re ready to get involved in a program that will support your mental, physical and spiritual health, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. Research studies have previously explored leisure activities and how they’ve aided in a person’s success in addiction recovery. There are so many examples of activities that can be relaxing for a person who is working on their sobriety, such as hiking and other recreational activities, running, quilting, volunteering, storytelling, and more. If a person becomes involved in more leisurely activities, they’re likely to experience an enhanced way of life in a multitude of ways:

For millions of Americans across the nation, the holidays bring about added stress. So many people feel pressure to make the “perfect” dish, to “impress” others with latest achievements, and to overall “look” the part that is portrayed in media – but naturally, these high expectations can’t always be met, and this can cause considerable anxiety for people as they try their best to go above and beyond. If you’re struggling with anxiety on top of recovering from addiction, it can definitely be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are several wonderful tips for handling anxiety during the holidays: