QA

Most people have a common fear – fear of clowns, spiders, snakes, darkness, etc. These fears are quite normal; even if someone fears a spider, they will still take a walk through the woods on a lovely day. A phobia is much different from a typical, rational fear, because it’s severe to the point of affecting daily life. Many people who have a phobia will go out of their way to ensure they do not come into contact with their fear. According to Chris Iliades, MD and writer for Everyday Health, these are the most common phobias:

In a study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, between the years 2002-2012, approximately 18 million Americans practiced meditation. Mindfulness and meditation are common practices used to ground us and gain perspective on our lives. When we practice mindfulness, we practice being aware of our present moment. Through meditation, we learn to develop a more heightened sense of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound, leading us to appreciate each moment. We tune in to others and feel more compassion - ultimately for ourselves, others, and then the world. These forms of practice bring into light a very important term, “present-awareness”. Present-awareness is the notion of being fully alive and aware at any given moment, because at that moment, that is all that we have. Staying present helps us to appreciate our experiences and explore our senses more in-depth. Here are some ways in which you can practice present-awareness:

Paula had her first panic attack 5 months ago. She was at school preparing for a health science presentation and suddenly felt a wave of fear come over her. The entire room started spinning and she felt like vomiting. Paula felt dizzy, breathless, hot, and felt like she was going crazy. She called her partner to help relax her, but the event shook her pretty bad. Paula had another intense panic attack about 2 weeks later, and she feels like they have been getting worse each time. She is afraid of having another panic attack, so she has been refraining from any of the extracurricular activities that she used to participate in. Paula is also scared to speak to her boss at work because she is afraid of having another panic attack. A person who suffers from surprising panic attacks and is afraid of having them is considered as having a panic disorder.  According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 2-3% of Americans suffer from a panic disorder, and it most often occurs in women. Panic disorders are a form of anxiety disorder and can significantly impact daily life – from neglecting work responsibilities, to several doctor visits, to avoiding situations where the person may fear they will have a panic attack. Panic disorder may occur with depression, anxiety disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, or substance abuse. This can be very challenging for someone, especially if they have not been diagnosed yet. When someone has a panic attack, their heart pounds, they feel like they can’t breathe, and the person may even feel like they are dying or going crazy. Panic attacks are so intense because they are often unexpected and leave the person feeling debilitated. A person has a panic disorder if they experience frequent panic attacks for no apparent reason, if they worry a lot about having another panic attack, and if they are behaving differently because of the panic attacks – such as missing out on fun activities. Many people are afraid of seeking help for their panic attacks because they are afraid of stigma or being told that nothing is wrong. However, there are so many tools to help someone who suffers from this. Psychotherapy is a fantastic way to learn relaxation and imagery techniques. Discussing your irrational fears with your therapist could help you learn more about yourself and what you can do to possibly prevent panic attacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another excellent tool used to treat panic disorders. This method will help you restructure your thinking to more positive, realistic thought scripts. If you suffer from a panic disorder, know that help is available to you. Speak with a doctor today to learn more about your options.

With several popular fast-food options today like McDonald's, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Burger King and more, obtaining quick, relatively inexpensive food is more attainable now than ever. While many find the convenience of these restaurants alluding, fast food isn’t always the best (and healthiest) option. One Green Planet, a website aimed at growing a compassionate and eco-conscious generation, breaks down several components of fast food that are both unhealthy and factor into addiction:

“Addiction begins with the hope that something “out there” can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” According to a study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2014), approximately 43.8 million people ages 18 and older experience some form of mental illness. Of those, approximately 7.9 million people suffer from a mental disorder and a substance abuse disorder, also known as a co-occurring disorder. According to the Foundations Recovery Network, an organization that assists individuals with several addictions and mental illness, the following are the most common co-occurring disorders:

When it comes to cocaine and heroin, the various and harmful effects these drugs have on the body when overused are well documented. Substance abuse of both drugs is common and on the rise. There are, unfortunately, general misconceptions that one drug is often “better” or “safer” than the other, and these perceptions can lead people to try a drug that is still incredibly dangerous and addictive.

Ecstasy (MDMA), is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Its chemical composition is like that of stimulants and hallucinogens, and the effects are increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, distorted sensory and time perception. Ecstasy has commonly been used at raves, parties, and concerts, and individuals typically take this drug in the form of a capsule or tablet, although they can also snort the powder or drink it in liquid form. Also known as “Molly”, Ecstasy is man-made and when purchased in capsules, individuals are often consuming other synthetic drugs or bath salts. Ecstasy affects the dopamine chemical in the brain by producing feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity. Norepinephrine is also affected, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. This can be particularly risky for people who suffer from heart or blood vessel problems. Serotonin is another brain chemical that is affected, produced in excess amounts by Ecstasy – mood, appetite, and sleep patterns change, as well as sexual arousal and trust. When taken, MDMA lasts approximately 3-6 hours, and with it accompanies nausea, muscle cramping, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, chills, and sweating. Taking Ecstasy poses many risks:

Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. Many people use theanine to treat anxiety, high blood pressure, to aid in prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and to help make cancer drugs more effective. According to Calm Clinic, L-theanine is a psychoactive substance with access to the central nervous system, and is perceived to affect mental abilities and states including perceptions of the outer world, speed of thinking, and mood. There are several benefits of using theanine:

According to the Pew Research Center in 2015, 68% of Americans own a smartphone and 45% have tablet computers. Technology is much easier to access, and with that access comes many tools that individuals can use. For instance, Statista, a statistics portal, claims that as of March 2017, Android users can choose between 2.8 million apps, with the Apple store containing around 2.2 million. There are many apps that people can use for a variety of topics – gaming, monitoring, health related issues, and more. As apps are becoming more popular, their use is even becoming prevalent in the recovery world. The American Psychological Association (APA) has identified more than 165,000 health-related apps worldwide, helping users with diet and weight management, mood monitoring, managing chronic diseases, and more. According to Robert Parkinson of U.S. News, there are apps that now help people with recovery – which changes the way that diseases are treated entirely. For example, Sober Grid is an app that helps people find immediate support based on their current location. Squirrel Recovery allows people with a former addiction to develop their own digital support groups. Other apps even help people to track their alcohol consumption, or even to view inspirational messages by others to help them continue their journey through recovery. Instantaneous therapy sessions are also making way into the app world, with some providing video and camera options to connect patients and therapists through phone directly. The APA has also mentioned that apps are so popular because they are available to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They help keep patients connected to their physician as they track their information outside of the doctor’s office. Apps are also often formatted in a way that’s easy for users to understand and provides more compelling images and usability. Some researchers are skeptical of these health-related apps, however. The fear is that some of these apps are not research and scientific-based, which could provide misleading information to users. While research is still being conducted and new apps are emerging, one thing is for certain: in a technology-based era, apps are becoming more and more used for people recovering. If you are using a health-based app, consider talking with your doctor about which app you are using. You may be able to find out more information on that app and its usefulness, and may even be able to provide results from the app to better aid your patient-physician interactions.

According to Better Health, herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well-being. Medicine Plus, a government website, notes that herbal remedies can be sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. Herbal remedies can be a great natural source of healing, but should still be taken with precaution. Many of the herbal medicines used today have been used for centuries to treat symptoms of depression, allergies, asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ancient Chinese and Egyptian writings describe herbal medicine dating back to 3000 B.C. Indigenous cultures have also used herbs as part of healing rituals, while others have developed more traditional medical systems. Unlike medicine prescribed today, herbal remedies can typically be bought in common grocery stores and online. Some of the following are common herbs used to treat various maladies:

For those of us who have taken the courageous route to overcoming our problems and obtaining skills to help us better manage our lives, therapy is likely a plausible component to our success. Many of us seek therapy in hopes that we can at least resolve our most distressing issues – once we have found a therapist that we feel we can truly trust, the recovery process becomes much easier to manage. In our sessions, our therapists may use a variety of techniques. This is mostly since we are all different in our perceptions and ways of learning skills, as well as our tactics for coping. Many therapists are specialized in a certain “area of expertise” – but most can implement a variety of techniques to see which ones “stick” with us and which ones don’t. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - the goal of this technique is to help the client recognize negative thought and behavior patterns, and to help them construct more positive, productive thoughts in its place. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – like CBT, dialectical behavioral therapy aims to help individuals with negative thought and behavioral patterns, but integrates the use of mindfulness. With this, the client can become more present in the moment and can learn to better cope with stress and other negative emotions. Sand Tray Therapy – with this technique, clients (children through adult years) select small objects or figures to create their own little world on the sand tray. This allows the client to visualize their world and explore their problems and feelings more effectively. This also enables the client to explore potential solutions on the sand tray. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – this technique is often used to help people who suffer from addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, panic attacks, and more. By recalling a triggering, negative memory, clients relearn healthier ways to respond through sets of eye movements that their therapist guides them through. These are only a few of the many successful techniques that your therapist may use. What’s most important is not the technique used, but the effect that it has on you and your ability to overcome obstacles. If you feel that a certain technique isn’t working well for you, express those concerns to your therapist. Open communication and trust are crucial elements to success in therapy and could greatly improve your chances of recovery.

According to Foundations Recovery Network, narcotics are also known as opiates or painkillers, both of which are commonly abused in the United States. Narcotics work in the body by attaching themselves to receptors in the central nervous system so that a person’s pain signals are blocked. Due to this, narcotics are often prescribed for serious injuries and surgeries. The most common types of narcotics are codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, and more. Illegal drugs that are considered narcotics are heroin, opium, and taking the previously mentioned medications outside of a doctor’s recommendation. Side of effects of narcotics include a decreased sense of pain, dizziness, euphoria, decreased respiration, sedation, upset stomach, and developing a tolerance to the drug. Medline Plus, a government website, states that narcotics should typically not be taken for more than 3-4 months unless stated otherwise by a trusted doctor. Narcotics are very addictive, which is why there is an opiate crisis in America today. When someone takes their medication in higher doses and more frequently than their prescription states, they may easily become dependent. When this happens, the body begins to crave the drug to feel relaxed. Dependency can lead to addiction when a person continues to take increasing amount of medication to achieve the same desired effect they felt when they first started. WebMD notes several signs of opioid use disorder: