Mental Health

Trauma happens in two primary ways. First, it can happen as a blatant and intended act against another person. When someone is abused in any way, they are experiencing interpersonal trauma. Second, trauma can happen indirectly, by way of an accident, giving the namesake to accidental trauma. Though interpersonal trauma is rarely of personal consequence, i.e. being someone’s fault or inviting the trauma to happen, accidental trauma is almost never someone’s fault. The differences do not end there. According to Insight, “The core difference between intentional interpersonal trauma and something like an accident is that the person's beliefs about themselves and about other people and about the world can be shattered [with the former],” the article explains. How the trauma incident plays out is significant. Trauma can completely disrupt one’s beliefs not only about themselves but about other people. For example, there are shifts which can resemble:

Smoking cigarettes is bad for you. This has been proven tenfold over the last few decades. Yet, people insist on smoking. Despite teeth staining, smelly clothes, a raspy voice, and the chronic threat of developing a lung disease, people continue smoking. The same phenomena applies to tanning. Excessive exposure to UVA and UVB ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer, which in advanced stages can become life-threatening. Without using hats, sunscreens, or cover ups, people persistently seek sunbathing or tanning beds to maintain the skin color of their choice. Though vitamin D therapy is helpful in treating depression types like seasonal affective disorder, too much can be damaging. New research suggests that the specific impulse to tan could be an indication of an addictive personality and lead to other addictions. Science Daily reports that the Yale School of Public Health found a correlation between substance abuse, mental health, and an addiction to tanning. “...Those who exhibited tanning dependence, also referred to as tanning addiction, were six times as likely to also be dependent on alcohol and three times as likely to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).” Additionally, those who demonstrated a tanning addiction were “five times more likely to exhibit ‘exercise addiction’”. What causes tanning addiction is not yet understood. Early understandings of the brain’s reactions to tanning indicate a surplus in the production of melanin and endorphins. Endorphins are a feel good brain chemical which many people feel when they exercise. Like many “addictions”, the brain associates behaviors and processes like tanning and exercising with reward. Interestingly, tanning and exercise are recommended treatments, in a healthy balance, for mental health conditions like depression, because of the way they produce endorphins and create healthy rewards. Learning to create balance and peace in life when recovering from mental or chemical addictions takes time and healing. The residential treatment programs at Avalon Malibu are designed to clinically guide you toward mental healing while providing other treatments for body and spirit. For a confidential assessment and more information on our programs, call 1 (888) 958-7511 today.

Living with depression can be manageable. Avalon Malibu has created programs that not only help clients heal but learn how to transform their lives. For a confidential assessment and more information on our programs, call 1 888-958-7511.

Dependency in mental health conditions takes many forms. People can be chemically AVLN-dependent, counter dependent, codependent, and dependent in other ways. Dependent personality disorder takes dependency to the extreme. For example, many people are dependent upon that first cup of coffee to get them going in the morning. Without it, they might be a little cranky and slower than usual, but they get by. In the case of dependent personality disorder, other people are their cup of coffee and without other people fulfilling their every need, they will not get by. Bustle explains that there is a difference between dependent behaviors and a fully developed dependent personality disorder. People can experience phases or tendencies of being clingy, needy, attached, and demanding. Often these behaviors are in reaction to a difficult emotion, fears and insecurities, or even a reaction to guilt. Dependency becomes a disorder “when it consistently impairs functioning over time, independent of factors like medical conditions or substance abuse,” the article explains. “Specifically, DPD is characterized by a pervasive need to be taken care of by other people,” in addition to, “a crippling fear of being alone.” Not wanting to be alone and calling on friends for support is normal from time to time. For dependent personality disorder, that time is all the time, to a debilitating degree. Bustle lists these as signs of DPD:

Depression is a mood disorder which impacts mind, body, and spirit. Symptoms of all three areas are prevalent in depression and can cause someone to feel as though they are out of control in their lives. Physical pain is a common accompaniment to depression. Aches, pains, muscle fatigue, and exhaustion are all common. The depressed body feels low in energy and mirrors pain being experienced in mind and spirit. Hopelessness, pessimism, fear, melancholy, detachment and emptiness can be felt as much physically as they are both mentally, as well as spiritually. Psychosomatization is not uncommon with mood and personality disorders, especially depression. Somatizing congested emotions which have not been confronted and processed can lead to physical pain, which only increases the difficulty of the experience of living with depression. Psychiatry Advisor cites new research which has found that physical pain is more common for those who are living with depression. This combination of symptoms has a greater affect than physical and emotional pain. “...those with both depression and pain are more likely to have cognitive impairment,” the article explains. The findings of the new research “...provide evidence to screen for pain in those with depression and cognitive impairment,” and emphasizes that “...effectively treating pain in these populations may increase cognitive and functional outcomes.” Screening for physical pain in a diagnosis which is known for providing someone with emotional pain, might be the answer to effective recovery. Cognitive impairments can last beyond treatment if they are not properly assessed and confronted. Cognitive functions are the functions within the brain which helps humans make decisions, make judgments, and perform almost every executive action they have. Importantly, cognition is what helps humans make meaning in their lives by assimilating information and transforming it into knowledge. Treatment for mood disorders often falls short when cognitive impairments get in the way. With an impaired ability to make sense of incoming information, all of the efforts of treatment become ineffective. Too often, this is blamed on the individual with accusations of being unwilling or not committed to recovery. Exacerbating an already exhausting amount of shame and stigma, too many clients give up on themselves and their recovery because they aren’t “getting it.” Screening for physical pain in depression could be an answer to interrupting and remedying cognitive impairments, leading to a successful and effective recovery. Treating mind, body, and spirit, stems beyond physical and emotional pain but has a significant effect on the entire brain chemistry. Avalon Malibu believes that holistic healing is the answer to trusted results in recovery. Our programs for mental health are some of California’s only certified primary treatment programs. For a confidential assessment and more information on our residential treatment programs for depression, call 1 888-958-7511.

Being in a relationship of any kind with someone who lives with borderline personality disorder is a special kind of challenge. Loving someone who has an especially difficult time loving themselves is an ongoing commitment to acceptance, understanding, and healthy boundaries. Borderline personality disorder is defined by swinging emotions, erratic emotional reactions, negative coping habits, and an insatiable insecurity. Feeling completely out of control of their emotional reactions, which can be helped through therapy like DBT, they develop a sense of self-loathing which complicates their emotions. Desperately wanting to be normal, those with borderline personality disorder lament their lashing out, mania and depression, as well as the way their mood can affect those they love. Fears Of Abandonment Have Nothing To Do With You Part of the inspiration for the borderline insecurity is a deep and inconsolable fear of abandonment. As the partner, parent, or friend of someone with borderline you might feel an intense pressure to constantly soothe their fears and validate the fact you aren’t going anywhere. This is not your responsibility. Understand that most people with borderline experienced some event of abandonment in their lives which manifested into this disorder. You can remind them in healthy ways how much you love and care for them, without being controlled by what they feel they cannot control. Suicidal Ideations And Attempts Are Part Of Borderline Sadly, one of the ways someone with borderline personality disorder seeks validation for their insecurities and fears of abandonment is through extreme and manipulative behaviors. Discussing suicidal ideations, threatening suicide, or even making an attempt at suicide are all demonstrations of someone in a very unsettled state. With borderline, it is hard to know when they are serious. Most importantly, you have to set boundaries with what you are capable of and not. Running to their aide in panic with every threat will leave you exhausted. Your only role is to help them learn what behaviors are not acceptable. Keep the suicide prevention hotline and the number for your local suicide watch department nearby. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Number is 800-273-TALK. They’re Going To Feel Lonely, Empty, And Isolated, No Matter What You Do Recovery with borderline personality disorder includes learning how to create their own happiness and take care of themselves in fulfilling ways. A common trap for those in a relationship with someone living with borderline is feeling as though you are responsible for their happiness. Due to the nature of the disorder, feeling lonely, isolated, and empty inside is inevitable depending on their mood. You can lovingly remind them that they are not. In this state, however, it will be hard to convince them. Keep in mind, it isn’t your job to do so. Treating borderline personality disorder is best in a facility dedicated to primary mental health treatment. Avalon Malibu is one of California’s few certified mental health treatment facilities. Our beautiful estate on the iconic Malibu coast serves as the perfect place for healing. For a confidential assessment, call us today at 1 888-958-7511.

30% of the American adult population lives with some kind of an anxiety disorder. Only a small percentage of those struggling will ever seek treatment. Problematically, many of them are not aware that they have an anxiety disorder which needs to be treated. Instead, they live with labels of being fearful, being sensitive, being afraid, or worrying too much. Coping with anxiety can be done in healthy ways or unhealthy ways. Many people who live with anxiety find themselves developing mechanisms for coping which work best for them, even if they aren’t healthy ones. When someone creates a coping mechanism, no matter how unhealthy, they stick to that routine because it has a benefit of some sort which works for them. Abusing mind altering substances like drugs and alcohol is one of these coping mechanisms. Co-occurring anxiety and addiction is common. Though the drugs and alcohol pose equally as significant a problem as the anxiety, the payoff of the effects of the substances is enough. Drugs and alcohol can either depress the system to reduce the tense feelings of worry or they can excite the system to create a kind of tension that feels more in control. Unfortunately with substance abuse, especially when co-occurring with anxiety, control does not last long. As chemical dependency full develops, the coping mechanism of substance abuse becomes a more serious manner of survival. Avoiding the combination of anxiety and substance abuse is possible. Here are 5 ways you can reduce your risk or watch over a loved one living with anxiety 10 Minutes Of Exercise Exercise is one of the ways that the Anxiety And Depression Association Of America recommends coping with anxiety. As little as ten minutes of exercise can clear up anxiety and produce hormones which focus the brain in a different direction. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Incorporating mindfulness into the home at an early age can help children learn how to manage their stress as well as their emotions. Mindfulness meditation practices reduce the heart rate and concentrate the mind on the present moment. Balanced Diet And Nutrition The brain needs essential fatty amino acids to function. Low sugar and low processed food diets help keep mood swings and emotional excitement to a minimum. Creating healthy meals as a process can be good for managing anxiety around food. Avalon Malibu is one of southern California’s leading dual diagnosis treatment centers providing primary care for both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. For a confidential assessment and more information on our trusted programs, call 1 888-958-7511.

Ruminating thoughts, feelings of impending doom, and pessimistic negativity are all hallmarks of depression. Learning how to live with and change negative thinking in depression is a primary ingredient in a recipe of successful recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most relied upon therapies for treating mental health conditions. Highlighting the relationship between thought and behavior, CBT helps clients identify their beliefs which fuel their behavior. Taking an objective look at them, ongoing CBT assists in being able to decide if these are thoughts a client wants to continue having and behaviors they want to continue acting on. Continuing therapy utilizing CBT tools allows clients to make proactive changes in their thinking and consequent behaviors. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Dialectical behavioral therapy was designed to treat more complex personality and mood disorders, like borderline personality disorder. While cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful and applicable to many different mental health conditions, it seemed to fall short for more intense emotions. Chronic major depression can include very low emotional states which include heightened sensitivity and a very intense form of pessimism. DBT is a system for coping with emotional moments when they arise, working to identify feeling-states rather than belief-states before taking action. Metacognitive Therapy According to Health.com, metacognitive therapy, or, MBCT, is similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, without the analysis. Rather than dissect certain thought patterns and beliefs, MCT leads clients to practical applications for “reducing the negative thought processes and take control over them.” For one study, 20 patients with depression went through 10 weeks of MCT therapy sessions, once each week. 80% of the patients scaled a full recovery from depression symptoms. Mindfulness Mindfulness based stress reduction is a system of tools which utilize mindfulness practices in order to alleviate emotional stress. Awareness, noticing, and paying attention are the primary functions of mindfulness which encourage autonomy in the emotional process. Without having to pause and engage in practices, mindfulness is an integrated lifestyle in which someone can simply notice how they are feeling and become aware of their behaviors. Importantly, mindfulness emphasizes an attitude of non-judgment. Healing from depression and learning to live with depression symptoms is possible for you in your life. If you are struggling with depression, Avalon Malibu welcomes you to our residential treatment program. One of California’s only certified mental health facilities for primary mental health conditions, we treat your depression directly and help you heal mind, body, and spirit. For a confidential assessment, call us today at 1 888-958-7511.

“Awe” is defined as “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Awe is often synonymous with wonder or wonderment. “Wonder” is defined as a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.” Recovery, in any of its forms, is all of these things. There is a clearly inexplicable process which can bring relief to depression, security to anxiety, healing to trauma, and an end to substance abuse. Having lived entire lifetimes with unmanageable symptoms, the transformation of recovery is unexpected and certainly unfamiliar. Yet, through the process, there is a reverential feeling with that something beautiful is happening. With a healthy sense of fear of what has been before the awe-inducing wonderment of the what is now, people live their lives in happy bewilderment at the miracle of recovery. Cultivating awe in your life is part of making meaning, which is essential to happy and healthy long term recovery. Mindful cites, “research suggests that awe has numerous psychological benefits, including increased life satisfaction, a sense of time slowing down or standing still, and  greater desire to help others.” In addition, experiencing awe regularly can improve one’s health. Recent studies have found that experiencing awe more frequently can reduce inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. “Awe may help people cope better with stress,” the article expands, “by promoting curiosity and exploration, rather than withdrawal and isolation.” What Is Awe? “...Awe involves feeling interconnected with others and broadening our horizons,” Mindful poetically describes. Awe is “...like a camera lens zooming out to reveal a more complex and inclusive picture. From this vantage point, everyday concerns tend to feel less overwhelming- as we get smaller, so do they.” Typically, we feel awe when we experience something greater than ourselves. We feel wonder, and a little bit of fear. Mountains, lakes, rivers, vast horizons, and nature tend to induce a feeling of awe. The miracle of birth, watching children grow, seeing healing in others, witnessing a proposal on a random afternoon- when we see life happen in all of its fullness, we are filled with awe. For this reason, the process of recovery is awe-inducing in itself. Being part of a life-saving transformation which takes the broken spirits of those who have been coping with life through the abusive use of drugs and alcohol is nothing less than a wonder. How is it that chronic addicts and alcoholics can stop drinking and using? How is it that people who have felt afflicted with great emotional pain their entire lives can find a profoundly realistic sense of peace and serenity? It is, indeed, a wonder. Creating Awe In Recovery A combination of gratitude and mindfulness are two of the most practical tools which could be applied to creating awe in recovery. Being mindful helps you to be aware of and notice the world around you. The more attention you pay, the more you will see. Finding and developing gratitude for that world helps you realize just how much awe there is to be had for everything from the satisfying taste of your favorite breakfast food to the gentle way a leaf falls from a tree in autumn. Drugs and alcohol create a small, specific world. Recovery opens your world up and invites you be be amazed. Recovery is possible. Avalon Malibu invites you to call for a confidential assessment and for more information on how our transformative healing treatment programs can help you find the wonder in life again. 1 888-958-7511.

Going to treatment helps when the mental health disorder you are living with becomes too much. However, just walking through the doors of a treatment center is not a magical cure all. The coming days will take a lot of hard work, honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, and strength. Every single component of a treatment program like the residential programs at Avalon Malibu is designed to help you gain the strength you need to continue enduring. You are being put through a daily design for healing your wounds, which will help you grow stronger. Staying so mentally strong when you feel as though you are constantly on the brink of falling apart is a challenge. Remember, you are learning to take things one day at a time. A lot can happen in a day. You will have moments of weakness. You will also have moments of great strength. Here are a few ways to keep yourself mentally strong as you work on your mental health and wellbeing. Stay Present In Treatment And Stay Focused On The Future After Treatment It might sound contradictory, especially when you are learning mindfulness based stress reduction techniques telling you to let go of the future and focus on the present. Having goals for the future can be exceptionally helpful in mental health treatment. You are working towards creating a better, healthier, more well-balanced life. If you keep dreading about the future and imagining it as a continuation of your current struggle, there won’t be any reason to keep going. To stay mentally strong, you have to have inspiration, a goal, or some kind of meaning to work toward. Don’t Be Bashful Of What You Accomplish Getting out of bed and putting on clothes every day is a pretty big accomplishment when you feel the weight of your mental illness pulling down on you. Going through the motions of a daily treatment program is full of tiny victories. Feel good about your accomplishments without judging them or labeling them “because you’re in treatment”. Treat Yourself With Kindness Nobody throws a punch like you do, in your own mind. You can beat yourself pretty well if you really want to. Treatment is a time to stop doing that. Practice self-kindness by being a little more gentle and understanding with yourself. As you take other actions to gain mental strength, this will be one of the more important ones. Nothing will wear you down faster than constantly being a bully to yourself. Avalon Malibu is one of California’s only treatment facilities providing residential treatment for clients with a primary mental health condition. If you or a loved one are in need of higher care and are ready to find healing, call us today for a confidential assessment at 1 888-958-7511.

Leave introverts alone. They’re literally not hurting anyone. There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert! According to Science of Us, there are four different kinds of introversion. To understand an introvert is to love them! Learn more below. Social Introverts Introverts who aren’t interested in being social are probably the most commonly understood model of introversion. Not all social introverts like to be alone all the time, though they often do. Solitude is the idea of a good time for many social introverts, preferring to do the things they love doing the most- alone. For other social introverts, just being with a small group of people as opposed to a big group of people is preferable. Thinking Introverts Ever notice people who seem to be stuck in a far away land deep within themselves? They might attend parties, go on large outings, and always keep to themselves. They’re thinking deeply, contemplating, reflecting, thinking, and often conjuring up brilliant creative ideas. Some people mistake thinking introversion for neuroticism or being anti-social. Instead, you could think of it as a matter of preference. They just prefer thinking and keeping to themselves. Anxious Introverts Introversion is usually enjoyable for introverts. For people who are anxiously introverted, their behaviors are a matter of necessity rather than choice. They feel extremely uncomfortable around other people because they’re uncomfortable with themselves. Seeking out solitude is a matter of survival as much as it is a social choice. Unfortunately, their introversion isn’t always the answer. Feelings of discomfort follow them even when they’re alone. Restrained Introverts Most people act on impulse. Practicing pausing before speaking and acting is a revolutionary development in many people’s lives. People who are more reserved or restrained don’t find it revolutionary, it’s a natural part of their lives. Before they become even remotely introverted on a normal scale, they have to get themselves going first. Avalon Malibu is a provider of mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment both on primary, residential levels. Our beautiful estate is the perfect home for clients who need to recover and heal. For a confidential assessment and more information, call us today at 1 888-958-7511.

A new research study from the University of Exeter reveals that bird watching, in addition to other outdoor activities, can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Over 270 people were surveyed for the study. “People who live in neighborhoods with birds, shrubs, and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress,” Good News Network explains. There are benefits for mental health wellbeing if you are able to see birds and natural things outside of your home. Staring out the window at the lovely world isn’t enough, though it is a good start. The study found that “those who spent less time out of doors than usual in the previous week were more likely to report they were anxious or depressed.” Isolation is a common side effect of both depression and anxiety. People who are living with depression don’t want to have to put forth the energy to interact with people, explain why they’re acting so different, or have to talk about any emotions. Those living with anxiety experience a similar sentiment. Their antisocial tendencies are caused by feeling too overwhelmed and anxious by the idea of being around any number of people, in a social setting, or feeling like they have to perform. Homes can become comfortable and safe. Most people feel that is what a home should be- a place of security and shelter. However, staying home all the time can be debilitating and worsen the symptoms of mental health disorders. This study is not the first to suggest that being near nature and being able to see nature is helpful to lessening the symptoms of mental illness. It does confirm that getting outside, leaving the comforts of home, and immersing oneself into the beauty of nature is critically important and beneficial. Ways To Enjoy The Neighborhood Not everyone can live next door to a park. You can look online to find your county or state’s parks and recreation website to locate all the parks nearby. You might even find just a street corner with a bit of grass and a few planted trees. The research proves that spending time even in that small space, especially if there are birds, will be helpful to mental health. Avalon Malibu is located on a beautiful estate overlooking the iconic California coastline. Surrounded by lush gardens, hovering trees and beautiful flowers, our residential treatment homes are encompassed by the healing power of nature. If you or a loved one are looking for treatment for a mental health or substance use disorder, call us today for a confidential assessment at 1 888-958-7511.