Americans Mental Health is Only Going Down

There have alarming trends in the state of mental health for America as psychologists and mental health experts have seen a steady decline in psychological wellness. Recently, America has had to confront some serious problems such as the growing substance abuse epidemic, particularly with opioids. In addition, suicide rates per 100,000 people have increased to reach a 30 year high.

Other problems are also raising concerns such as dramatic increases in mental health related disability awards and a surge in post traumatic stress disorder diagnoses among veterans. In 2013 a study of hundreds of different diseases found that the toll of mental disorders has grown in the past two decades even though other conditions have become more manageable. And although mental health has been steadily on the rise, unfortunately access to treatment still remains a huge problem.

Currently about 8.3 million Americans or about 3.4 percent of the adult population suffers from a serious mental health issue. Research has revealed that in spite of these numbers, access to professional help has been deteriorating. About 9.5 percent of people in one study didn’t have health insurance that will cover a psychiatrist, and about 10.5 percent of people experience delays in getting treatment due to insufficient mental health coverage.

In addition to problems with access to treatment there is also a lack of new solutions for mental health issues and research into potential treatments. The stigma behind mental health is also a factor that may prevent people from getting help and instead drive them to self-medicate through substance abuse. All of these issues possibly contribute to a rising problem with mental health that needs to be addressed in the U.S.

Mainly it is important for people to have easy access to treatment and options for new methods of recovery in order to combat the downward trend in American mental health.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/americans-mental-health/

Can You Prepare for Seasonal Depression?

For people that experience depression mainly during certain times of the year (usually winter), they may be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD as it is commonly called. The symptoms are associated not only with the coldness and darkness of winter but specifically with the shortness of days which can disrupt the body’s hormone levels. Although it is a difficult to disorder to fully prevent, it is possible for people to prepare for the season and ease some of their symptoms in the winter.

One way to prepare for seasonal depression is to start changing your internal clock before winter by waking up earlier and spending the morning in a well lit area. This will allow your body to adjust to shorter days and ease the transition into winter.

Light box therapy is also a very useful tool for SAD to help people cope with the lack of sunlight during winter. A light box exposes you to 10,000 lux brightness which can help ease symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, irritability and lack of energy. Taking walks in the afternoon when the midday sun is at its brightest can also help you get as much sunlight as possible.

Exercise can also be crucial for people with all types of depression, including SAD. Starting a regular exercise routine before winter can help you get your health up to speed so that you can minimize the effects of seasonal depression. Focusing on health in general can help with depression as well such as eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep every night.

If your symptoms of SAD are very severe you can even consider taking a trip to a warm, sunny place for a vacation at the beginning of winter. The important thing is to stay healthy and get as much sunlight and warmth as possible to minimize the effects of SAD.

The post Can You Prepare for Seasonal Depression? appeared first on The Gooden Center.

source https://www.goodencenter.org/can-you-prepare-for-seasonal-depression/

Treating Anxiety in Bipolar Disorder

There are a myriad of different symptoms that can be associated with bipolar disorder and they can all be challenging to treat. Anxiety is a common problem for people with bipolar disorder and many patients can even have a comorbid issue with an anxiety disorder. Problems like panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder can all be co-occurring with bipolar disorder.

Whether a patient has a co-occurring disorder or simply experiences anxiety as a symptom of bipolar disorder, it can significantly disrupt their life and cause problems with functioning. Anxiety can lead to constant worrying, restlessness, fatigue, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating. Treating anxiety as part of the overall management of bipolar disorder is crucial in order for the patient to live and work normally.

Someone with bipolar disorder and anxiety may need a certain combination of different medications to help stabilize them. Antidepressants can be very effective at treating anxiety but psychiatrists need to be cautious because they can potentially induce mania in some patients with bipolar disorder. Another option could be the use of antipsychotics although lower doses have been proven less effective for patients with bipolar disorder.

A combination of the right medication and psychological treatment is essential for reducing the symptoms of anxiety in people with bipolar disorder. Methods like cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven to be very effective at reducing anxiety in patients with all kinds of different disorders. Regular therapy sessions are an important step in helping patients learn to minimize their anxiety symptoms through positive coping mechanisms.

More than half of people with bipolar disorder also have anxiety so psychiatrists must assess each patient for the severity of their anxiety symptoms and come up with a treatment plan. It is possible to reduce anxiety along with other symptoms of bipolar disorder with qualified professional treatment.

The post Treating Anxiety in Bipolar Disorder appeared first on The Gooden Center.

source https://www.goodencenter.org/treating-anxiety-in-bipolar-disorder/

The Double Standard In Mental Health

Mental health disorders are a problem that affects millions of Americans every day and yet there remains a deep stigma in our country about mental health and treatment. While other physical illnesses are treated as legitimate issues that need medical attention, people with problems such as depression, anxiety or other disorders are still often ignored and even denied access to the care they need. Mental health problems are frequently seen as something within the individual’s own control or people are simply labeled as crazy.

There is often a double standard when it comes to the way people treat a person with a physical illness versus a mental illness. Health insurance companies are less likely to provide coverage for mental health issues and treatment compared to physical illnesses. People are more likely to offer support and sympathy for someone with visual health issue and might be more judgemental when it comes to mental illness.

It is important for people to be educated about mental illness and the need for medical attention regarding mental health issues.  A mental illness can affect the ability of a person to live a healthy and stable life. Mental illness is not a personal failure of an individual, they are often disorders that are inherited through genetic vulnerability or develop as a result of childhood trauma.

A mental illness, like any other disease, is not something that can be easily cured alone. People need access to professional care so that they can treat their disorder and eventually reach a state of better health. Raising more awareness to issues surrounding mental health is crucial in our culture in order to erase the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from getting the help that they need.

The post The Double Standard In Mental Health appeared first on The Gooden Center.

source https://www.goodencenter.org/the-double-standard-in-mental-health/