Archive for the ‘psychotherapy’ Category

An Educator’s Guide To Student Mental Health

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Kate McLaughlin

During the course of a school year, even a school day, teachers spend more time than anyone else with adolescents and teens. And since the average age of onset for serious mental illnesses (including depression, panic and anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) is seventeen, teachers are likely the first to recognize subtle changes in a young person developing a disease of the brain. Unfortunately, most teachers aren’t trained to interpret those symptoms or to recognize their significance.

A teen in the early phase of mental illness might look like a defiant child, a lazy student, a trouble maker. That’s why it’s important for teachers to have access to basic information that allows them to recognize illness for what it is, and to separate illness from intentional behavior. This checklist should do just that.

Symptoms of emerging mental illness include:

* Sudden, unexplained drop in grades and school performance

* Change in school persona, i.e. the all-American kid who suddenly “goes Goth”

* Change in social circle/friends

* Focus on death, violence, morbidity

* Withdrawal from normal or previously pleasurable activities

* Undue, continuing anxiety or worry

* Lack of personal hygiene and self-care

* Extreme high or low feelings or moods

* Tension-caused physical problems (backaches, headaches, jaw clenching, stomachaches)

* Excessively strong feelings of anger, guilt, or remorse

* Persistent negative or overblown positive self-image or outlook

* Substantial, rapid weight gain or loss

* Too much or too little sleep

* Self-harm (cutting, burning, head-banging, punching walls)

* Alcohol and/or drug abuse

* Family history of mental illness, alcohol abuse, or addiction

If a teacher notices several of these symptoms or behaviors, prompt action will help the student toward diagnosis and/or treatment. Consider the following:

* Talk to the student. Share your concern and offer to help. Encourage the student to communicate with his parents and to seek help from his counselor or doctor.

* Make yourself available to the student. It often takes time for a sick and scared teen to open up to another person.

* Make a list of the observed signs and symptoms, adding notes that might be pertinent to getting help for the student. Remember, this is an aide to access appropriate help for a student in need. Dispose of judgmental attitudes and preconceived notions. Stick to facts and observations.

* Contact the school guidance counselor or administrator, sharing the list of signs, symptoms and notes that can be used to create a plan for assisting the student and his family.

Once a teacher has offered support to a needy student, it is important to maintain sensitivity to the fact that mental health concerns still carry the burden of social stigma. Often we add to that stigma without realizing it by making judgments and assumptions based on our own life experience. When offering support to a young person with a mental illness, adhere to these guidelines:

* Remove feelings of blame or guilt about the source of the student’s mental health concerns. The fact is, most mental illnesses are genetic, NOT a result of childhood trauma or inappropriate parenting.

* Recognize and acknowledge that parental denial and anger may exist.

* Communicate empathy and compassion for the student and the parent’s circumstances.

* Provide parents with resources and share with them that education and treatment are vital to living well with mental illness.

* Take a problem-solving approach to addressing mental health concerns. Stick to facts and viable solutions.

* Recognize the value of parents, school personnel, support providers and medical staff working as a team.

* Maintain open, honest, respectful communication.

Worldwide, one in five students will ultimately be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Teachers often know something is wrong before anyone else suspects a problem. A proactive and engaged teacher can dramatically alter the course of the illness and treatment. The right attitude combined with the right approach can make all the difference in the life of a seriously ill student. The ensuing actions may even safe his life.

About the Author: Kate McLaughlin writes, speaks and advocates for mental health awareness. She is available to speak at events for high school & college students and faculties, as well as mental health support groups. Visit her at: Kate McLaughlin and read her newest book, MOMMY I’M STILL IN HERE.

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Original post: An Educator’s Guide To Student Mental Health

CCTV Cameras: Big Brother in Mental Health

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Nahshon Roberts

If you are of the opinion that CCTV cameras are instruments used by Big Brother-type governments and employers to spy on your most private matters, then you will welcome their presence in medical care facilities for those with mental illnesses. And if you are also of the opinion that Big Brother contestants need to have their brains checked with the way they flirt with and flaunt at the cameras 24/7, you cannot accuse staff and patients with such deliberate displays of skin and silliness.

Patient Safety and Therapy

From your readings, you have known that mental illnesses like depression can induce suicidal thoughts. CCTV cameras help in monitoring patients that are in danger of self-destructive behaviors as well as in monitoring others who can be endangered by said actions. Since nurses cannot check on the patients 24/7, the surveillance system acts as the eye in the sky that enables them to assess conditions within the patients’ rooms without need for constant patrolling. They are nurses, not patrol guards after all.

There is also the consideration of alerting other medical care providers should destructive behaviors happen. CCTV cameras can be incorporated with panic emergency systems. Without surveillance cameras to capture events as they happen, health facilities would have a hard time monitoring everybody for their own good.

Also, surveillance cameras help in formulating medications and therapies even with geographical distance in the picture. Just imagine the potentials of telemedicine where patients and medical care providers stay in touch via the wonders of technology like two-way closed circuit television! If you live in a rural area that offers little by way of expert medical care, telemedicine is a heaven-sent alternative.

Pharmacy Access

Unfortunately, some patients with mental illnesses are either guilty of substance abuse or guilty of contemplating drugs to harm themselves to oblivion. With CCTV cameras in a security system, access to pharmacies is limited to authorized personnel. The opportunities for sneaking into and stealing from the drug cabinets, which are heaven-sent for the addicted and the obsessed, are therefore lessened.

And this goes for authorized staff, too. Hospital administration can monitor violations of safety rules and regulations on medication dispensing as well as theft and pilferage by the staff. Indeed, you will hear reports of medical care providers profiting from the sale of strictly-prescribed drugs that you could not get anywhere!

Panic Alarms

As previously stated, CCTV cameras can be implemented alongside panic emergency systems. When the nurses observe anything out of the ordinary on the closed circuit television, they can either check out the situation or activate the panic alarm. This is especially convenient when you work with many patients on many rooms.

When panic does ensue, surveillance cameras provide an extra set of eyes to alert authorities on areas that will need reinforcements and results. You do remember those movies where surveillance cameras are used to identify areas of concern, don’t you?

If your worry is about unscrupulous use of video footages of patients with mental illnesses, you need not worry. Though footages from CCTV cameras are kept for a year depending on policy, these are not broadcasted to others. Everybody’s human rights are respected and this goes even for our brothers and sisters who are afflicted with such unfortunate illnesses.

Now, if only the madness of Big Brother contestants have any cure.

About the Author: Visit Video-Surveillance-Guide.com today and get expert information on how CCTV home security with closed circuit TV and CCTV cameras can help you have peace of mind.

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Cycler’s High – Cycling For Mental Health

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Matt Reich

All of our lives are filled with more stress and problems than we may want to admit. The key to having a healthy mental life is to figure out ways to manage those things. This is not always the easiest of tasks. It is, however, easy to let some problem eat away at you until you feel flat out depressed. None of us want to get to that point. That is not a fun state of mind to be in and once you’re there it’s not easy to break out of it. There has to be ways to battle the stressors of our lives. Some people may see a therapist to work through their issues. I won’t say that it doesn’t work, but it’s not for me. I prefer a more proactive approach to mental health…cycling.

I have always been an active person so I will back up the idea that some sort of exercise will help keep you mentally healthy. Scientifically, aerobic exercise increases the amount of endorphins you body produces. Endorphins are chemicals produced by your body when you aerobically (get your heart rate up) exert yourself. They affect your brain in a manner that allows you to feel less pain, reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, and even delay the aging process. You may have heard someone talk about getting a “runner’s high” after a tough workout. That is the result of the increased endorphin level in the brain. It’s a sweet feeling and it is not just reserved for “runners”. You can achieve that feel from about any aerobic activity. The bottom line here is that regular aerobic exercise will help keep you mentally healthy. You can’t argue against that.

I have become an avid bicycler over the last four years or so and there is not doubt in my mind that regular riding helps keep my mind fresh. Granted I could probably get a similar result from about any aerobic activity, but I feel that cycling has a few added benefits. I’m looking for that “cycler’s high”.

First off, I ride in basically three separate “genres” of cycling. I commute to work, I trail ride on a mountain bike, and I road ride on a road bike. Each has special benefits to my mental health.

Let’s talk about commuting to work. I love to ride my bike to and from work. The ride to work in the morning really gets me going. It wakes me up. There is nothing that wakes you up more than getting your heart rate up a bit. This is not a difficult ride, but it gets the job done. The commute sort of jump-starts my brain. The ride home after work gives me a chance to wind down a bit. It helps to dissipate whatever stress had built up during the day and gives me some time to myself to clear my head. Another more obvious benefit of the commute is that I get some exercise.

Trail riding was really the catalyst to my cycling passion. This is the area I started to take more seriously before the others. I would go on a two hour ride and think I was out for 20 minutes. This is the effect of the trail ride. You can “lose” yourself in the woods away from the hustle and bustle. I don’t mean literally get lost. You can get into a state of mind where the only thing you are thinking about is the next obstacle in front of you. For the time you are on the trail that is the only thing on your mind, or at least it should be. If you’re not paying attention you could wreck and I think we all like to avoid those whenever possible. You can also take a break anytime during your ride, take a deep breath and enjoy where you are…the great outdoors. That’s therapeutic on its own. A couple hours on the trail isn’t going to be a solution to some heavy problem, but it will at least give you a break from it. It’ll also get those endorphins flowing and maybe put you in a better state of mind to attack your problems. I always feel invigorated and refreshed after a good session out on the trail. There’s the cycler’s high.

Road riding is something that has almost the opposite affect as trail riding to me. I like to get out on the open road and just ride. There seems to be more time for thinking when I’m on my roadie. Not that I don’t have to pay attention to what I’m doing, it just isn’t as intense as a trail ride. This is a great time to really think through whatever is on your mind. The next thing you know you’ll have ridden 30 miles. It’s really a great experience. You’re not going to solve the problems of the world, but you’ll allow yourself some time to work on it. The combination of aerobic activity and the wind in your face has a profound effect on how you see things. Everything seems simple. If you’re looking for a different perspective this is the way to do it. It’s easy to see how people get hooked on road riding. There’s something almost intoxicating about the whole experience. Once you start you can’t get enough. Again…the cycler’s high.

These are my personal experiences of how cycling helps me keep my sanity. They are by no means the only way to benefit from getting on your bike. That’s the beauty of it. Get out and ride in whatever way you can and I guarantee you will get more than a workout.

As always…Ride On.

About the Author: Matt is the owner and operator of http://www.thebicycleguide.com. He is an avid bicycler who enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences. Check his website for some more bicycle related information.

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The Power And Weakness Of Women

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Monica Washington

Women are very strong individuals who deal with many natural changes during a lifetime such as pregnancy, menopause and the monthly inconvenience of the menstrual cycle. Due to the fact that all these factors are natural many women simply put up with the symptoms and other discomforts during these stages.

However, all natural occurrences in a woman’s natural course of life have different influences on her body such as an hormonal imbalance, which can lead to depression at times. Women always try and put a strong front, but women’s mental health is fragile and can easily be disturbed should any of the natural factors go out of hand.

Between Facts and Myth

Many women even today simply put up with many daily discomforts because they were told this is a natural thing and they have to deal with it; many women put up with depressive moods and some even end up with suicidal thoughts or worse because they do nothing about it until it is too late.

Women’s mental health is as prone to snapping as that of a man’s therefore, it is important you learn about your body and try to provide it with the required help when needed. During menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause to many a few of the instance that women’s mental health is put at risk, hormonal imbalance occur which influence your moods vastly.

Hormonal imbalances can cause symptoms such as irritability, anger for no reason, sadness for no apparent reason, loss of appetite or huge appetite, sleeplessness or over sleeping and lack of interest to socialize or take part in any activity. Women’s mental health is affected during these periods of time and at times, it can turn into depression.

Speak Out When You Hurt

The very first step you need to take it to speak out and let other know you hurt or that you need help. Today the majority cases of women who suffer from depression is because they never knowledge it in the first place. Accept the fact that these are normal symptoms and that you can do something about them with medication or other activities such as exercise, meditation and other relaxing hobbies which naturally improve women’s mental health.

There are many women’s health clinics that will be happy to assist you with both information and cure alike should you decide you need any of the above. You deserve a happy, healthy life too and you are the only one who can take the first step in this direction.

About the Author: Monica Washington is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, Calfornia. For free tips and resources covering Women’s Mental Health, please visit our Womens Mental Health Resource.

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Marjaraasana – For Sound Physical And Mental Health

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Sharon Hopkins

Yoga today is all the rage. It is a subject that excites people’s curiosity and enjoys much popularity. This is especially so since the asanas (exercises) and pranayamas (breathing techniques) that owe their origins to ancient Indian wisdom have proved beneficial in promoting holistic health and mental peace as also in developing personality. In this article we will discuss Marjaraasana – the cat pose.

Process: Sit on your haunches with the knees and toes on the ground. Keep the palms on the floor in such a way that the distance between them is about the same as that between the shoulders, i.e. equal to the width of the back. Keep the distance between the palms and the knees about the same as that between the shoulders and the hips, i.e. equal to the length of the torso. The distance between the knees should be the same as the width of the waist. Turn the toes back so that the soles face upward. The distance between the soles should be the same as that between the knees. Relax the muscles in the trunk region and let the trunk descend under gravity. At the same time, let the neck and head curve backward as far as possible. Relax the stomach and close the eyes. Direct your attention to the entire body and practise conscious differential relaxation. Keep the mind engaged in pranadharana (consciousness of breath). This is the final posture of marjaraasana –maintain it according to capacity.

An extension of the above posture can be attained in the following manner: staying in the final posture obtained above, open your eyes. Move the palms about 10-15 cms towards the knees. Curve the back upwards so that it shapes like an arch. Relax the neck and hang the head down. Draw the chin towards the chest and relax the abdomen, practice differential relaxation and then do prandharana. This is the final extension posture of marjaraasana- maintain it according to capacity.

Releasing the asana: Start by lowering the right leg by bending it at the knee, then rest the knee on the floor. Lower the head and make the back parallel to the ground, loosen it up and relax.

Benefits: The spine becomes flexible and supple; it helps to correct the functional defects of the back and spine. The health of the organs in the torso improves. You are relieved of backache and pain in the neck resulting from exertion. It also soothes the neck muscles and the lumbar region of the spine and invigorates the spinal nerves, improves blood circulation in the abdominal region thereby making digestive, respiratory and excretory processes. This asana is also useful in treating respiratory disorders.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before following any of the asanas from this article and the site. To avoid any problems while doing the asanas, it is advised that you consult a doctor and a yoga instructor. The responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

About the Author: Sharon Hopkins helps us know more about yoga through websites which mentions the growing value of yoga and the benefits one can reap by it. Marjaraasana – The Cat Pose is very useful for your digestive system and respiratory disorders.

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