Archive for the ‘psychologist’ Category

How to Choose a Mental Health Clinic

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Christine Crotts

The process of choosing a mental health clinic begins by first identifying which kind of clinic you wish to opt for. There are various options of clinics to choose from such as – a mental health clinic that only caters to outpatients and is run by a privately owned organization or clinics which offer inpatient facility or a day patient facility, most of which are usually run by the government or the clinics run by health services or communities. Depending on what exactly are your needs, you can choose a particular kind of clinic.

The next important factor to be considered before selecting a clinic is whether the clinic accepts insurance or any other form of medical payments. Also, find out about the services being offered at the clinic, in detail. If you are not sure about the insurance coverage, then consult your insurance provider and find out about the mental health clinics covered by them or just go online to your insurance provider’s website and you can get these details. If you can, it is better to get a referral from your family doctor or the health care provider you have been visiting. Otherwise, you can speak to your friends and family members and ask for their inputs too. Since insurance policies on providers of mental health vary widely, always check your coverage details beforehand.

If a patient is quite unstable and requires hospitalization, then it is advisable to opt for a mental health clinic operated by government, as they have direct link ups with government mental hospitals, it is a better choice. However, even private clinics have their own advantages such as they may house a number of psychiatrists and therapists who work together and render their services to the patients, this way, if a patient requires the services of therapist and psychiatrist, then he can get that in a single place. Moreover, few of these clinics may have mental health practitioners who have specialization in certain kinds of clients or therapies, such as a a child psychiatrist or a couples therapist in particular, etc. Payments for services such as therapy for an individual or for groups can be very expensive, hence never forget to contact your insurance provider before you sign up for any of these activities.

Finding the best mental health clinic, requires considerable amount of effort, since not all the clinics cater to all kinds of requirements, you have to do intense research to narrow down onto the clinic that is the best for you. Especially for people who are not residing in urban areas, there might not be much choice, since there may or may not exist a mental health care center in their neighborhood. For most of these people, it is better if they can get a referral and then find out about the clinic before making any efforts of visiting the clinic.

You might not really realize the various kinds of options available in mental health clinics, until the day you start your search. Hence, keep the above mentioned factors in mind, before you begin searching.

About the Author: Christine Crotts likes to travel a lot and makes sure that her dog can travel with. Christine has written a site containing reviews on small pet carrier models, as well as a pink pet carrier.

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A Guide to Mental Health Services

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Christine Crotts

Do you ever feel you need some sort of help but are not sure what exactly it is? Asking for help is never really an easy task for most of the individuals, but it is the best you can do when you think you need help. People who have doubts related to mental health services can always get in contact with the local mental health centers and can obtain the required information. You can know about the various services designed for people with mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, phobias, schizophrenia, etc.

Defining mental health is never easy, rather it is easy to define what mental illness is. If you are wondering what exactly is the kind of treatment you will get in a mental health center, then there are a lot of kinds of treatments. Professionals at these centers work with individuals and determine the best needs for them. Depending on the type of illness, treatment or psychotherapy with medication is recommended. If you are in doubt that you need external help, then either you can have a straight talk with a medical counselor or if you prefer to find out on your own, they use internet. Go online and you can find information related to almost all the disorders explained in detail along with the symptoms. Once you confirm whether you are suffering from a disorder, you can then find a therapist or a counselor and seek consultation.

Therapy for emotional and mental problems may or may not always produce results. It is mostly interdependent on the honesty with which an individual shares his or her concerns with the therapist. Hence, it is always best to establish a trusted relationship with the therapist. Mental health services cater to all kind of age groups right from children to old people.

There are a few warning signals that an individual needs to watch out for. If certain behaviors become severe or persistent those are the signs of trouble. Keep an eye open and observe if an individual is acting differently than usually and try to relate that change to any incident that occurred in the recent past such as loosing a job, death of someone close, marital break up, etc. If any individual complains of uncontrollable or extreme nervousness or anxiety, it may be a sign. Observe if any individual turns aggressive or rude even for a small action, if he or she does this quite often, then they may need help. If any of the above mentioned symptoms persist for a period of time, then that particular individual requires professional help.

The basic goals of the treatments are to decrease the symptoms related to the disorders and bringing an improvement in the patient’s life. With the importance of mental health services being brought to light, many individuals can gain benefit. The more awareness is created among the people the more they can protect themselves or can diagnose any disorders they may be suffering from and can get the required treatments.

About the Author: Sitting under the stars, enjoying some S’mores, telling ghost stories, what could be better than that? Christine Crotts has written a site containing reviews on propane camp stove, as well as Coleman propane stove.

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Mental Health Counseling and Therapy

Friday, February 25th, 2011

By Jennifer McVey

When you are experiencing heavy emotional issues, you want to reach out for someone to help you. Many times that someone is a friend or family member. But while being able to talk to someone you know can be a great help, they can’t necessarily provide you with the proper direction and the steps to take to get past these issues.

This is why many people seek out a therapist that specializes in the issues they are experiencing. This way, they cannot just listen to you but also advise you on how to cope with any issues. Therapy helps you to go forward and maintain a healthy life.

Sometimes, people think they are being weak seeking out a therapist. Instead, it takes a strong person to admit they need help. This is a true sign of you knowing you want your life to be more than your emotional problems. It shows that you want to get beyond them.

You and your therapist can figure out what you want to accomplish together, and start working toward that goal. Therapy is all about producing a positive outcome for a situation that used to only give you troubles.

Many people will call this “talk therapy” because you talk over with your therapist how you are feeling, and what problems you are having. Through this communication you can come to understand why your emotional problems are occurring. Once you feel comfortable with your therapist you can go into further explanation about yourself.

After discussing your problems at length, the therapist will be able to give you their opinion on how to cope with or solve issues you are experiencing. Group therapy, medication, and even meditation are some of the solutions a therapist may recommend.

Make sure to research and check out a mental health provider just like you would any medical doctor to make sure they are right for you. Ask the prospective therapist a few questions to get to know them before you decide whether to continue with them or not. This way you will be sure that they are the right one to go to for the problem you are having. Below are two questions you should ask.

The first question you should always ask is, “Are you an expert on what my problem is?” There are specialties among all mental health providers. So be sure to ask what they specialize in so you know upfront if they can truly help you.

The next question you need to ask is, “What causes most individuals to have this problem?” Chances are, if they give you a stock answer that you have heard on TV you need to look elsewhere. Their answer to this question should sound personal rather than cookie-cutter.

Don’t waste time with a therapist you aren’t completely comfortable with. It is important to have a personal connection with the person you are entrusting your mental health with, so be picky! Now you’re ready to start making positive changes that will last a lifetime.

About the Author: Learn more about Del Mar family therapy for families and individuals. Find counseling services in San Diego.

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This is an Effective Mental Health Therapy Aid

Friday, February 25th, 2011

By Kirsten Whittaker

Vitamin D, a fat soluble nutrient found in oily fish, eggs, vitamin fortified foods like milk, cereals and drinks, or naturally received from sunlight might act as an effective mental health therapy aid by helping hold off the mental decline that can affect people as they age – this according to the latest research efforts of a team of British and U.S. scientists.

This vital nutrient is also known to be important in keeping bones healthy and helping strengthen the immune system.

It’s even been linked to the prevention of cancers like colon, breast and ovarian.

Yet many of us don’t get enough.

The recommended intake of vitamin D is 600 IU a day, though a more accurate recommendation is that both children and adults get at least 1000 IU per day.

Eating a diet with the right amount of vitamin D isn’t the easiest thing to do. This is why supplements have become so popular.

What’s more, as we age, our skin is less able to absorb vitamin D from the sun, so older people depend more on food sources (or supplements) for this key nutrient.

Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 50% of adults and children in the United States, so it’s a widespread problem.

Beyond our difficulty getting enough vitamin D through diet, we all spend our time in the sun lathered in sunscreen. Wearing sunscreens of SPF 15 is known to block almost all vitamin D synthesis by the skin.

Not only older adults, but anyone who is obese or overweight are also naturally less able to make vitamin D from sunlight.

Earlier studies have suggested that vitamins may have a beneficial effect on our cognitive function, and we also know that if you have impaired cognitive function you’re more likely to develop dementia.

Diet is also considered an important influence on dementia risk – a balanced diet, regular exercise and lots of social interaction are believed to be key to keeping this debilitating, life altering condition at bay.

The team of researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan, looked at 2,000 people over age 65.

They measured vitamin D levels via blood work as well as asking volunteers to complete a test designed to assess mental decline. The subjects used in the work had taken part in the Health Survey for England, completed in 2000.

Just over 200 of the study participants were found to have significant cognitive impairment, the team saw that those with lower vitamin D levels were at least two times more likely to have impaired thinking. As levels of vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up.

The paper detailing the study appears in the December 2008 issue of the Journal of Geriatric Psychology and Neurology. Of course more work is needed to solidify the relationship between vitamin D and keeping the aging brain healthy and vibrant. Still this is a good start.

Dr. Iain Lang of the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter points out, “Given the growing burden of care associated with dementia, even if it reduced 10 per cent of dementia, it would make a massive difference. The amount that’s contained in a regular multi-vitamin tablet is fine.”

So if you’re in your middle years and concerned about your dementia risk, being sure you get enough vitamin D from your diet, or exposure to natural sunlight, can help as an effective mental health therapy aid keeping you sharp for years to come.

About the Author: Next just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more health tips including other effective, natural mental health therapy aids and get 5 free revealing health reports.

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Mental Health And Vitamin Supplements

Friday, February 25th, 2011

By Darrell Miller

The connection between mental health and supplements is well known, if not fully understood. It is universally accepted that vitamins and minerals are essential for good health, and there is no reason why this should only apply only to bodily health and not also to mental health.

In fact, can the two be treated as separate entities? When a body suffers from a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, the organs do not work as effectively as they should. Certain conditions occur that can be ascribed to a lack of this vitamin or that mineral. The brain is part of the human body, and there is no reason why a nutritional deficiency should not also cause problems with the way that the brain works.

Vitamins and minerals are essential chemicals that take part in the biochemical reactions of the body that are responsible for the synthesis of complex enzymes that allow such functions as digestion, metabolism of food into energy and the proper functioning of brain cells and the neurotransmitters responsible for passing messages from the brain throughout the body.

These messages are passed through a massive network of electrical connections and nerve cells. If anything goes wrong with this system then the mental functioning of what is known as the mind can be disrupted due to faults in these electrical connections and signals within the brain. People have no conscious control over these connections, and when depressed cannot just ‘shake out of it’. Their problems are as medically genuine as those with any other disorder, and due to an imbalance in the chemistry of the body.

It is important to understand the effect of specific deficiencies on the brain and the mind, that can cause extreme sadness and helplessness in what is commonly termed depression. Mental health is frequently regarded as being connected with the condition of the mind as opposed to the brain as an organ. Naturally, any deficiency that interferes with the chemical processes necessary for the correct operation of the brain as a physical entity will interfere with human consciousness or psyche that is an abstract manifestation of the way the brain works.

Vitamins known and accepted as affecting mental processes include the B vitamins, of which even slight deficiencies can have an adverse effect on mental health. Significant deficiencies can be related to serious mental illnesses such as severe depression. Each one of the B vitamins is known to have a specific effect.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency can lead to depression, anxiety, fearfulness and irritability. The B vitamins are used to create specific enzymes needed for some of the functions in the brain, and it is a lack of these enzymes that ultimately leads to psychiatric disorders. Studies have determined a thiamine deficiency in a large proportion of psychiatric patients. Alcoholics and patients suffering from malnutrition have also been found to suffer from psychiatric disorders, and both of these conditions can lead to a deficiency in thiamine.

Riboflavin, too, has been studied in relation to psychosis. A few studies have indicated a deficiency of riboflavin, vitamin B2, to be associated with increased levels of depression and hysteria. Riboflavin, like thiamine, is essential for the formation and proper use of brain enzymes. The other B vitamins are also known to be essential in the biochemistry of the brain, and depression is a common result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Other symptoms include psychosis, memory defects and a slowing of the mental processes in general.

In all of these cases, a vitamin B complex supplement appears to have fairly rapid positive results, especially in the treatment of depression. Whether the more severe conditions are helped or not is uncertain since vitamin treatment has rarely been a significant part of the treatment of severe cases of psychosis. It is difficult to see how it could do harm, though while it makes sense for any deficiency to be treated with a corresponding supplement, the damage is generally caused by the presence, or lack of, a chemical farther down the biochemical pathway.

It is well known and accepted that depression is a symptom of insufficient vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and is also needed for the production of serotonin. Produced by the pineal gland deep in the brain, serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood and depression, and sometimes called the ‘molecule of happiness’. A lack of serotonin leads to depression.

It is not only vitamins that are essential for good mental health, however. Mineral deficiencies also feature in some mental problems, particularly magnesium and zinc. Take zinc first: this mineral is responsible for a large number of enzyme syntheses in the body, and influences nerve impulse transmissions and also the activity of the thyroid gland. A deficiency will give several symptoms including depression and bevioural problems.

Magnesium takes part in hundreds of biochemical reactions, and a deficiency can be caused by stress since stress increases the demand for magnesium. The deficiency then affects the ability of the heart to react to the stress, and it becomes a vicious circle. The magnesium deficiency manifests in the form of personality changes, depression, irritability and anxiety.

These are known effects and many studies have been carries out to confirm that knowledge. Many more vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, manganese, iron and potassium, are known to be necessary components of the human biochemical pathways that lead ultimately to chemicals essential for the proper functioning of the brain as an organism, and deficiencies of which can affect the mind. Mild depressions have been significantly reduced by use of the appropriate supplements but should not be regarded as a cure.

Since these known deficiencies cause known psychiatric defects, particularly depression and anxiety, it is only sensible to assume that intelligent and appropriate supplementation should help to avoid them, if not cure them. Some deficiencies are due to alcoholism and malnutrition. In alcoholism, the B vitamins are rapidly depleted in the body by the alcohol, even though there is no deficiency in the diet. Malnutrition speaks for itself, and while supplements can have a dramatic effect in that case, alcoholics must be cured for the effects of vitamin supplements to take real effect.

Vitamin and mineral supplements can be used to avoid many of the mental problems that a deficiency can cause. Of these, the various members of the vitamin B complex is that which is indicated most, and also zinc and magnesium supplementation are amongst the essential minerals required.

The treatment of minor disorders with supplements has had a degree of success but it is doubtful if any significant advantages can be gained by using them for severe symptoms. The more traditional methods have been found to be more effective, though some herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort might have some beneficial effects. These remedies, however, cannot be regarded as cures for depression or any other psychiatric disorder. The connection between mental health and supplements can be used towards finding a cure for many mental conditions.

About the Author: More information can be found at http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of vitamins supplements, herbs, and specialty formulas are found to support mental health.

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