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If you know someone who is suffering from depression or similar mental disorders there are some things that you should always avoid saying. These phrases and responses can be very harmful and cause your loved one to suffer even more pain and other negative emotions.
1. All you need is ……. This response can be especially harmful and damaging because you are minimizing the experience that the person is having. Someone who is depressed does not want to be that way, but they can not change their emotions and thoughts. Refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation can make things worse instead of better.
2. Think about people who have it worse than you do. This is a response that basically says the person with mental disorders like depression chooses to feel and think the way that they do. If this condition was voluntary no one would ever be depressed. Wealth, material things, and even love from friends and family alone can not make depression go away.
3. I know what you are feeling because one time I was depressed too. Just because you felt sad when a favorite pet died or you had a rough patch when things didn’t go your way this is not the same as being clinically depressed. Comparing a brief period of sadness to profound depression is like comparing apples and cars, it is not possible because they are two completely different things.
Someone who is depressed needs professional help, not tough talk or fake sympathy. If you can not say something supportive it may be better to say nothing at all.
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Depression is an equal opportunity mental disorder, and it affects both sexes, all ages, and all income levels without discrimination. Some of the most supportive things to say if someone that you know and care about suffers from this condition include:
1. Nothing. If your friend or loved one is having a tough time and is depressed sometimes the best thing to say and the most supportive solution is to say nothing at all and just listen instead. We all need a sympathetic ear and a sounding board once in a while, and just being there and listening can be incredibly helpful for someone who is depressed.
2. I am always available if you need me. This statement lets the individual know that you care and that you want to help, but make sure to follow up and check in on the individual often to see if you are needed.
3. Lets go somewhere and do something together. Someone who is depressed may start to withdraw socially, isolating themselves. In addition the person who is depressed may end up in a negative cycle, obsessing over the past or certain events. Offer to do something together that you both enjoy. Go to a movie, play a game, or even just go for a walk through your local park.
4. I don’t know what depression is like but I know it is hard for you. These simple words can have an enormous impact, and they can be one of the most supportive things to say. You are acknowledging the pain, loneliness, and withdrawal that the person feels without trying to pretend that you understand these feelings and emotions.
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Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, can be very effective yet this type of treatment is not often used when it comes to treating bipolar disorder. This disorder includes both manic ups and depressive downs, and the most common treatment for this disorder is a drug called lithium. In fact this drug was considered so effective when it was first available on the market that many mental health professionals use it as the first line of treatment. Today talk therapy is used for a wide range of mental disorders and conditions, but it is rarely used with bipolar disorder patients and this can be a big mistake. Too often professionals reach for a prescription pad in order to solve a problem when other methods may be just as effective.
Talk therapy does not have any dangerous side effects that can be a risk with drugs to treat bipolar disorder, and mental health professionals are starting to change their views on using this therapy. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania associate professor of psychiatry Holly A. Swartz, M.D explained this change in the journal called Focus. Swartz said “Toward the end of the 20th century, it became increasingly apparent that medication offered only partial relief from bipolar disorder. Treatment with pharmacologic interventions alone was associated with disappointingly low rates of remission, high rates of recurrence, residual symptoms, and psychosocial impairment.. Gradually, the field moved from conceptualizing bipolar disorder as a disorder requiring only medication to an illness that, like many chronic disorders, is best treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.” Do you think talk therapy should be used before drugs are prescribed? Why or why not?
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Antipsychotic drugs are commonly prescribed for those who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but recent research shows that these drugs can cause brain structure changes when they are used for a long term period. University of Brescia in Italy psychiatry professor and Spedali Civili Hospital psychiatric unit director Dr. Antonio Vita discussed the new research and stated “The role played by antipsychotic treatment on the pathophysiologic trajectory of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia is currently a matter of lively debate.” The study showed that more gray matter in the brain was lost when patients were placed on first generation antipsychotic drugs than what was lost when second generation drugs in this category were used. First generation drugs work differently in the body than second generation drugs in this class do, and that is a possible reason for the difference in gray matter volume and loss.
Dr. Vita treats patients with schizophrenia, and he has seen the imaging results which show the brain structure changes when antipsychotic drugs are used on a long term basis. Vita explained the new research by saying “Although this is a clinically meaningful result, many issues remain to be clarified. For instance, we still do not know whether the effects on the brain of antipsychotics vary as a function of age and stage of illness, or whether they may occur only when a certain threshold of exposure — daily dose or cumulative dose — is reached.. Clarification of these issues will have crucial importance in the clinical management of schizophrenia and will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the progression of structural brain abnormalities in the disease.” Have you or someone you know ever used these drugs?
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A number of research studies have shown that probiotics are an important food group that can offer mental health benefits. The study results have shown that individuals who have more good bacteria in their intestines and digestive system tend to have better mental as well as physical health, but why? How does bacteria in your gut affect your mental health? Which foods have probiotics in them? What about supplements? All of these are questions that you probably need answered. More beneficial bacteria in your digestive system promotes faster and more effective detoxification, a stronger immune system, and other positive benefits. People who include more probiotics in their diet generally have fewer negative thoughts, they are less anxious, and they have a better mood than individuals who do not regularly eat fermented foods which naturally contain large numbers of probiotics.
In the studies on probiotics and mental health researchers found that people who did not consume these beneficial bacteria as part of their regular diet had lower levels of brain activity in areas of the brain associated with emotion as well as other functions. An increase in foods with probiotics increased the activity in these brain areas. Foods that are rich in probiotics are usually foods which have been fermented. Yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut are all foods that have a lot of probiotics in them. When purchasing yogurt make sure that the product actually has live probiotic cultures in order to get the benefits of these good bacteria, some commercial yogurts may have little if any live bacteria cultures.
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When it comes to schizophrenia early intervention is very important. This step can help improve the quality of life for the patient, reduce the need for extensive and costly hospitalization due to this mental disorder, and improve the treatment outcome. With all of these benefits there is a shortage of early intervention programs and efforts that can make a difference. As soon as someone with schizophrenia starts to show signs that the mental disorder is worsening intervention should occur to prevent the symptoms from becoming worse. As this disorder progresses the individual may lose touch with reality, and it is common for hallucinations and delusions to occur when the disease worsens. These symptoms may put the patient at risk of harming themselves or others, leading to the need for hospitalization.
Early intervention when the first symptoms of schizophrenia start to show can make the difference between a hospital stay that could last for weeks or even months and the ability to stay out of the hospital and lead a better and more productive life. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness medical director and psychiatrist Ken Duckworth “All we ever saw in the ‘80s was the equivalent of stage 4 schizophrenia. It would be as if you were an oncologist, and all you saw were people with metastatic breast cancer.” Until now the focus has been on treating patients after symptoms worsen, but hopefully this will change and more public funding and support will be provided for early intervention programs as well. Do you know someone with schizophrenia who needs help?
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Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure used for people who are extremely overweight, and this surgery reduces the stomach size so that the patient consumes fewer calories each day. A new study on adults who have had this procedure shows that the risk of self harm after the surgery may be higher than what is seen in the general population. Bariatric surgery has shown a number of benefits for individuals who are morbidly obese, and these patients often suffer from medical complications linked to obesity like diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Losing weight can minimize or even eliminate these health conditions. People who are morbidly obese also tend to suffer from mental illness and mental health problems as well. That places this population at a higher degree of risk for self harm behaviors even before undergoing bariatric surgery.
Until the recent study it was not clear whether bariatric surgery aggravated the risk of self harm in patients though. Researchers compared the rates of self harm for each patient before the bariatric surgery and after the procedure. The results were surprising. Self harm emergencies increased by more than half after the bariatric surgery was performed, with 111 patients experiencing 158 self harm emergencies post surgery. Almost all of these self harm attempts or incidents occurred in patients who already had one or more mental disorders. According to the researchers “Findings from this study advocate a better understanding of these and other theories through future research of potential mechanisms of self-harm in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Additional clinical implications include active postoperative screening for self-harm risk among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and are presenting for follow up. Patient and surgery factors could help identify vulnerable patients. Overall, these findings imply that more work is needed to understand why self-harm behaviors increase in the postoperative period and how these risks might be reduced.”
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Children’s Hospital Los Angeles researchers have started testing out an ER screening tool that can identify adolescent mental health issues, using the tool on adolescents who come to the emergency room with medical problems that could be caused by or linked to mental health problems as well. The study involved 992 ER patients who were adolescents, and 47.5% or close to half of the patients gave a yes answer to key identifying questions concerning behavioral symptoms, substance abuse, and exposure to trauma. Studies have shown that one in 10 adolescents will suffer from some type of mental illness, but only about half of these adolescents will receive any type of mental health services. In some cases chronic medical conditions can be caused by mental illness which is undiagnosed.
The ER screening tool for adolescent mental health issues may allow ER physicians to determine whether mental illness plays a role in the medical complaints of younger patients. According to the first study author, Emergency and Transport Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles director Alan L. Nager, M.D., M.H.A. “Based on recommendations from organizations, literature and research, it is becoming clear that identifying mental health needs is part of quality medical care. The emergency department is the ideal place for that assessment to occur.” Another author on the study, Children’s Outcomes, Research and Evaluation program at CHLA director Jeffrey I. Gold, Ph.D. explained “By embedding mental health screening in the emergency department, we are making it part of our health care culture —reducing the stigma associated with mental health problems and providing the opportunity for early identification and treatment for all children.”
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When it comes to substance abuse treatment there are many different types of programs to choose from, and one of these is a luxury rehab, also frequently called an upscale treatment option. Many people mistakenly believe that this is an option only for celebrities and the very wealthy but this is actually not true. Luxury programs can offer many treatment benefits that others do not, and in some cases the results and recovery achieved are permanent. Many government and charity operated treatment programs for drug or alcohol abuse have a very limited menu of treatment methods available because they must operate on a shoestring budget. Usually these programs do not have individual counseling, which is generally viewed as one of the most effective treatment methods for substance abuse, because this method can be expensive to provide.
Another big consideration with substance abuse treatment at a luxury rehab is insurance coverage. While many insurance policies will cover outpatient group counseling few will cover the cost of an extended inpatient stay at a high end luxury rehab because of the price. Some of the most effective programs and facilities can run tens of thousands of dollars a month. In order to get a permanent recovery and eliminate the need for several rounds of treatment in between relapses a highly effective program is needed though. Group sessions and outpatient visits, or even a stay in a low budget inpatient program with very restricted treatment options, will not give you the same exceptional results and peace of mind that the best luxury rehabs can.
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1. Stress- Many attribute the high rate of substance abuse among professionals to stress, at least in part although there are usually other factors in play as well. Successful professionals generally have higher levels of stress, both on and off the job, and this can contribute to alcohol or drug use.
2. High Level of Responsibility- A high level of responsibility can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, and if this is not addressed then addiction treatment could become needed as the individual uses alcohol or drugs in order to cope with these emotions. Professionals often have a responsibility for staff and other employees as well as themselves.
3. Self Employed Means No Substance Abuse Screening- Since most professionals like doctors and lawyers are self employed it may be harder to detect substance abuse among professionals because there is no employer to insist on drug and alcohol abuse screening. The substance abuse may fly under the radar for much longer in these situations.
4. Stigma Associated With Treatment- Many people are hesitant to seek out addiction treatment because of the stigma that is associated with mental health and substance abuse issues. This stigma could cause the professional to lose patients or clients if the substance abuse becomes widely known.
5. Economic Losses- Another factor involved in the decision on whether to seek addiction treatment is the potential for economic losses. If a doctor, lawyer, or other professional has their own practice then being out of contact for weeks or longer could be economic suicide unless the right substance abuse treatment center for professionals is used.
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In the last few years there have been news reports about incidents involving pilots who were struggling with mental health issues. Many airlines and aviation regulatory agencies expect pilots to self report any issues but is this letting the fox guard the chicken coop? Pilots may fail to disclose any problems out of concern that they will no longer be allowed to do their job, leading to a lack of income and a stigma associated with them that could affect their entire career in the aviation industry. The recent Germanwings crash also highlighted the issue of mental illness among pilots. In the USA the FAA created an exception in 2010 for pilots who are on antidepressant medication for depression that is categorized as mild to moderate, but even this is questionable.
Statistics show that those who start taking certain antidepressants can see an increase in the risk of harming themselves or others. Pilots who have mental illness may try to hide this fact so that their job and financial security is not jeopardized, but this could place the public at risk and few passengers would be willing to get on a plane if they knew the pilot was depressed and on medication. A balance needs to be struck so that the safety of passengers and the public are not placed at risk while allowing pilots to report any mental illness in a way that is safe and confidential. This is also true for pilots who are struggling with substance abuse problems. As long as the current system is in place pilots may not disclose any mental illness symptoms.
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Even today the need for substance abuse treatment tends to carry a stigma attached to it, and it is still common for some people to think that alcohol or drug abuse is simply a lack of willpower or control on the part of the individual. Someone who has a problem needs care that is compassionate and that allows the individual to retain their self respect and dignity. Many programs, especially those designed by the government and those that tend to have a shoestring budget, do not offer the compassionate care that can be very beneficial during treatment. Many who use these programs end up relapsing fairly quickly after they leave, and they continue to suffer with self esteem and confidence issue as well.
Everyone has problems, struggles, and challenges, and no one except god is perfect. Substance abuse treatment professionals who offer judgment or who look down on those that they are treating can actually make recovery more difficult and lower the success rate of the program. Some Christian programs for substance abuse offer compassionate care, with the philosophy that you should hate the sin but not the sinner. Alcohol and drug abuse are no different than mental illness or physical disease, and all of these need to be treated in a compassionate manner in order to help the individual recover and get back to normal. Programs that do not involve staff with compassion are far less likely to achieve the desired outcome, and you could end up requiring several rounds of treatment in order to get better.
