The difference between depression and grief.
Posted Friday, February 8, 2008 by Dan B
In my last post we took a look at depression and grief. There is some thought that antidepressants can be beneficial to people going through the grieving process. Most of the information that I am finding in medical and psychiatric findings, such as this one, explain that it's important to understand the point that grief becomes full on depression before looking at mental health medicines as a form of treatment.

These articles mention these key differences between grieving and clinical depression:

  • Most people who are deeply grieving will still have lighter moments where the pain is less intense, (Emotional ups and downs) whereas with depression the emotions are constant and heavy.
  • Those who are grieving may still have moments of "hope" for what the future may bring, while those suffering from depression will mostly feel "hopeless".
This article does a good job of summing the differences up in this statement:


The main difference between grief and depression concerns the presence or absense of self-esteem and guilt. When a person is experiencing depression, there is typically a loss of self-esteem and overall feeling of guilt. This can be somewhat complicated, as some people will experience guilt as a result of the loss of a loved one, but this type of guilt is specific to the event of loss. It is helpful to consider seeking help through counseling if you are unsure about your reactions to the loss or would like support through the mourning process.


Keeping in mind this difference between clinical depression and grieving, most mental health professionals do not prescribe medicine for people who are grieving. Since most of the mental health medicines that deal with depression are more long term and take some time to take full effect, they are not really suited for people dealing with grief. There are some "fast acting" medicines for depression and anxiety, such as Lorazepam or Ativan, that are sometimes used for people suffering from extreme depression during the grieving process.

As always, it's best to consult with your doctor about any issue that you are facing that affects your mental or physical health. They will be able to work with you to better understand your situation and needs.
Comments (0)

The personal side of mental health issues.
Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by Dan B
In my last blog we took a look at how research and science explained the connection between bipolar disorder and other disorders. Today I want to look at the personal side of the issue and discuss how people living with multiple disorders are coping with them.

As I said, I subscribe to a few blogs written by people who have the courage to share their personal lives with others. A couple of them are people dealing with more than one mental health issue, and they are doing a great service by sharing their experiences with others.

I'd like you to take a look at this blog written by a talented young man who is a published author, as well as a very courageous person. He is dealing with some very hard issues in life, including the combination of bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The amazing thing is that he is willing to share his experiences and personal feelings with us, so that anyone dealing with these issues can see that they are not alone, and anyone who is not dealing with exactly the same thing can gain a better understanding. He discusses how mental health medicines are affecting how he deals with bipolar disorder and epilepsy, as well as a very personal and experienced look at how the two disorders may be linked.

Re-think Mental Illness.I'd also like you to take a look at this blog, written by a gentleman who describes himself as "a former mental health counselor who now lives on the other side of the wall with four concurrent disorders." He has taken up the cause of fighting against the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders by offering an open and honest opinion that doesn't pull any punches. I am thoroughly impressed that he has not only done great things in his life as a counselor, but also continued to help people by sharing his experiences.

The reason I want you to look at these blogs is that we often forget the very personal side of mental health issues. People coping with mental health issues often fall into societies stigmas and are labeled as "That bipolar guy" or "The epileptic one". We often read of the research and scientific side of these issues, but doctors and medical journals rarely write about the patient experience. It takes understanding and community awareness to help fight the stigmas that follow mental health issues, and it's up to each of us to do our part to help.

Click on the picture above to take a look at rethink.org, a great site with information on living with mental health, as well as ways that we all can get involved!
Comments (2)

Issues that affect mental health travel in packs.
Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2008 by Dan B
So we are going to take a break from looking at how mental health issues can be affected by nutrition and exercise. If you've been reading my posts you know that I will shift gears when I see an issue that I want to discuss that seems to be of more importance and relevance to people at that time.

I subscribe to some other blogs that talk about mental health issues. It amazes me how people are able to open up and talk about some very personal issues. As I said before, blogging can not only offer you the chance to help someone else by sharing your experiences, it can also be a good form of therapy for the blogger themselves!

In reading some of these other blogs, and then reviewing my own posts, I am noticing that issues that affect mental health seem to travel in packs. I have talked about anxiety and depression, as well as how PTSD can be accompanied by (or sometimes replaced by) depression, anger, anxiety, grief, or any combination of these issues. Now I'd like to take a look at some other trends that I am noticing.

In my next few blogs we'll take a look at some common combinations of mental health issues that I see people dealing with. The thing that interests me the most is how the health professionals and their patients are adjusting their treatment techniques and even the mental health medicine that they are using because of the affects of multiple issues.

In the next post we will take a look at how bipolar disorder and epilepsy are linked, and how treatment for both is being approached by both doctors and their patients.

Stay tuned!
Comments (0)

What's good for the soul is good for the mind.
Posted Sunday, January 20, 2008 by Dan B
So I've talked about mental health medicine, support groups, hobbies, and finding your passion as ways to improve your mental health. Now I'm going to look at how things that are good for your soul can help with your mental health.

Now, I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about doing things that are good for your soul, you know, random acts of kindness.

Here's my thought process on this one, stick with me! Grief, depression, anger and stress can all greatly affect how a person looks at the world. We live in a time where the media only shows the negative, where hate is seen more than love, and where trivial issues get more attention than genocide and famine in other countries. It's hard enough to deal with that normally, much less when you are fighting something that affects your mental health. It can really make it hard to see the good in life, and the good in the people and the world around you.

The thing is, it's out there. There is a lot of good going on, but sometimes it's hard to see. The best way to help yourself remember what's good in the world is to do something good for your soul. Once you make the effort to care again, you start seeing other people around you doing the same. You'll be amazed how quickly your mental state will change when you start doing things that make you feel good about yourself.

The thing is, as a whole we all want a better world. Take a look at this video, it hits home. It's an ad from an insurance company, but watch how it makes you feel. Those little random acts of kindness...


We'll come back tomorrow and look at some things that you can do that are good for your soul, and ultimately your mental health. You can't have a healthy mind without a healthy soul!


Comments (0)

Welcome to my blog!
Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2008 by Dan B
This is just a quick summary of the topics that you will find in my blog. I am writing about how you can fit healthy living into your lifestyle, which includes everything from nutrition and exercise to mental health.

I started with some issues that can affect our mental health, and the ways that we can cope with them. Since the main page only shows the 25 most recent posts, some of the older ones can be accessed by clicking on the links below. Here are the topics I have talked about so far:

PTSD
Mental Health Medicine
Coping with Grief
Dealing with stress
Overall Mental Heath
How your lifestyle can affect your mental and physical health
Remember: Healthy living includes Mind, Body, and Soul!

Stay tuned!!! There's a lot more to come!
Comments (1)

Art Therapy
Posted Tuesday, January 8, 2008 by Deann Marin
"The pursuit of art on a regular basis may be the key to healing our minds and bodies."      Kim Blair


Mental Health Medicine is not just about taking a drug to ease your emotional  pain.  As a matter of fact, dulling your senses doesn't alleviate the problem, it only masks it. More than likely, the issues causing you heartache and distress will return.  So it is better to face your problems head on.  I hope that the methods I am going to talk about in my next series will help you to help yourself.

First up, is a self-healing technique called Art Therapy, this includes painting, sculpting, dance and eurythmics which is a combination of speaking, music and motion. This alternative remedy is most often used in conjunction with psychotherapy because it taps into your subconscious allowing you to express yourself in a creative way, without the use of words.

Have you ever looked at a painting that evoked strong emotion causing you to feel sadness, or give you a sense of peace and serenity?  Artists have the unique ability to use shapes and color combinations to do just that. A mental health therapist uses art as a method to enable you to express your inner feelings such as depression, grief, addiction, stress, anxiety and more. You don't necessarily need artistic talent or a therapist to benefit from this creative activity. It can be done in the privacy of your home.  You would be amazed at how much better you feel after releasing your emotions through artwork, sculpting, dance,etc.

When you allow your creative juices to flow, your mind becomes stimulated and you open yourself up to self-healing. These alternative modalities stop your thoughts from racing because you are focused on something other than your problems, they enhance your imagination, and help to release pent up tension. Interestingly, the colors you use in paint therapy have psychological meaning for example; red stands for passion, energy,etc., blue for tranquility, yellow for happiness, white for purity, black for sadness, grief, anger, or fear.

 Working with clay is an effective way to get in touch with your emotions.
  • Make a ball with clay by kneading it with your hands.
  • Without looking at it pay attention to the way it feels, its softness, and  texture.
  • Allow your imagination to run freely and make any shape that you want.
  • After you are finished with your sculpture, pay attention to how it makes you feel, what does it remind you of? Is it something that relates to what is on your mind?
  • Your finished piece tells something about your emotional outlook. Try to look at it with an open mind. For instance, a large strong looking sculpture may indicate strength and stability. Is the shape pleasing to you, or do you want to crush it and start all over again? Do you see yourself in it? Is it an indication about something that you would like to achieve or change in your life?
So, you see that without even realizing it, you have completed something that has helped your mind, body and soul.

There are many more mediums that you can work with such as charcoal, water colors, oils, finger paint, etc. to see which ones suit you the best. Remember, you should do what is the least threatening and most comfortable for you.


You can use art therapy to get in touch with your feelings, but be aware of the fact that extreme psychological difficulties are best alleviated when you see a certified mental health therapist or counselor.  The statements on my blog are not intended to take the place of advice from your health care professional.


Look for the rest of my mental health series about Self Healing techniques in the  Creative Arts where I will be talking about the following topics: music therapy,  drum therapy, sound therapy,  and dance therapy.


Refererence

The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
     Pittsburgh, PA.
Comments (0)

Mental Health Medicine, a closer look.
Posted Saturday, January 5, 2008 by Dan B
We are going to take a look at some mental health medicine now. What I will be discussing will be the psychotherapeutic medications, which are commonly prescribed medications for mental health related issues such as depression, anxiety, and more.
MENTAL HEALTH MEDICINES

Just as aspirin can reduce a fever without curing the infection that causes it, psychotherapeutic medications act by controlling symptoms. These medications do not cure the mental health issue, but in many cases, they can help a person function better. For example, drugs like chlorpromazine can turn off the “voices” heard by some people coping with psychosis and help them to see reality more clearly. And antidepressants can lighten the dark moods of depression. The degree of response to these medications depends on a variety of factors related to the individual and the disorder being treated.

How long someone must take a psychotherapeutic medication depends on the individual and the disorder. Many depressed and anxious people may need medication for a single period—perhaps for several months—and then never need it again. People with conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), or those whose depression or anxiety is chronic or recurrent, may have to take medication indefinitely.

Centre for Mental Health ResearchLike any medication, psychotherapeutic medications do not produce the same effect in everyone. Some people may respond better to one medication than another. Some may need larger dosages than others do. Some have side effects, and others do not. Age, sex, body size, body chemistry, physical illnesses and their treatments, diet, and habits such as smoking are some of the factors that can influence a medication’s effect. There are many mental health tests that can test a person's possible responsiveness to treatment, and your doctor is always the best place to start with these kinds of issues.

Next we will take a look at some great questions that you can ask your doctor if you are considering medication for mental health.
Comments (0)

Argentum Nitricum for Mental Health (Worry)
Posted Thursday, January 3, 2008 by Deann Marin
"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."
                                                                   Ben Franklin (1706-1790)



Sometimes we worry excessively about circumstances that we can't change, or things that have not yet happened.  Today's mental health medicine of choice is a homeopathic remedy called Argentum Nitricum (Silver Nitrate).  You may be thinking to yourself that this alternative medicine is poisonous, well, it is, if taken in large doses. However, since homeopathic remedies are in a highly diluted form, Argentium Nitricum, is safe for us to take for these conditions; depression, anxiety, worry and restlessness. Let me reiterate that if you have any questions or concerns about ingesting any type of medicine, you should consult with your mental health practitioner, a naturopathic doctor, or your primary care physician. As I have outlined in my previous blogs a naturopath would want to do an in depth study of your personality and will want to know if you feel better or worse in these situations.

                                                                            
               Better
  • When you are chilly.                                             
  • When you apply pressure to your body.
  • Outside in fresh air.
  • When drinking something that is cold.
  • After burping.
                                
               Worse
  • After eating something sweet.
  • When you get jumpy, or nervous.
  • With heat.
  • With mental stress.
  • For women - during the menstrual cycle.

If you are an Argentum Nitrate type, you most likely will have dark brown, or black hair with fair skin.  You tend to be nervous, easily irritated, in a rush to do things without much thought, and may become exhausted both physically and mentally. You may also have a negative and unhappy outlook towards life.

To decide whether or not this alternative mental health remedy is for you, please look at the following statements, if at least 3 apply to you, then this, in fact, may be just what you need to calm you down and alleviate some of your symptoms.

  • I worry excessively.
  • I have insomnia because my mind is racing.
  • I become stressed over the little things that happen.
  • I get very uncomfortable when I am in a crowd.
  • I have vertigo (dizziness).
  • I have irrational thoughts and phobias.



Watch for the next remedy Ignatia for Grief in my series of homeopathic aids for mental health.



Reference
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
     Pittsburgh, PA.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/argentum_nitricum_faq.htm
Comments (0)