Mental Awareness and Turmoil Blog

Author: Vicky

  • One Young Man’s Struggle

    One Young Man’s Struggle

    Thomas Mayfield is a 31-year-old, white, single male. He stands a little over six feet tall and weighs around 278 pounds. He is a very pleasant young man with dark black hair and deep brown eyes. Thomas is a soft-spoken, easy-going, and gentle young man. The few friends he does have state that he is a big, gentle teddy bear. He loves to laugh and smiles most of the time. Thomas is interested in watching wrestling and cooking shows, loves to fish, play cards, play horseshoes, and shoot pool. Thomas enjoys listening to music and watching different sports on television, such as football, basketball, and baseball. He likes to watch professional racing and good action or comedy movies. Thomas loves animals and has a small pet dog.

    He also likes children and tends to spoil his nephews and nieces. He gets upset when someone does something wrong to either an animal or a child. Thomas informed his parents that he does not want children of his own for health reasons. He often does not make friends that well and states he has very few loyal friends. Thomas currently lives at home with his parents. Unfortunately, Thomas does not work because he is on disability due to a mental illness that he was diagnosed with when he was nineteen years old. Thomas is seeking counseling due to several problems that he has because of his illness. One of the problems is severe depression. Thomas graduated from high school when he was just seventeen years old.

     After high school, Thomas decided not to enter college but to work full-time for a while in a steel factory. During this time, he lived at home with his parents and paid all his bills on his own. Thomas was a very responsible young man. He was independent and liked to live life to the fullest by hanging out with good friends every weekend, going to various places, and enjoying himself. There were times when he spent weekends with family for cookouts, birthday parties, and other family outings. It was only after Thomas turned nineteen years old that he started having behavioral and mental problems. He became very withdrawn from family and friends. He was also severely depressed and thought about suicide several times before he turned twenty-one years old.

    Thomas even attempted suicide once by stepping out in the path of an oncoming truck. He was fortunate that a good friend had jumped out of his car and saved him. Thomas has not attempted suicide again and feels he was indeed very lucky to have such a good friend who risked his life to save him. Unfortunately, Thomas’s good friend died several months later from an unknown cause, which bothered Thomas very much. This incident created a lot of stress for Thomas and more depression. Thomas started seeking counseling due to his current difficulty with severe depression. He has stated that he was very unsatisfied with his life and would like to make changes. Thomas now understands that he is the only person who can truly make amends to his life.

    Thomas is having a challenging time understanding why he does not have a girlfriend, and this has especially caused further depression. Thomas feels that most women close to his age or a little younger tend to be afraid of him. He further believes that a minority of women, as soon as they find out he has been diagnosed with a mental illness, have negative thoughts, and they are afraid of him. It is often exceedingly difficult for him to explain to others that just because he has been diagnosed with a mental illness does not mean he is a horrible person. Thomas tries extremely hard to have a cheerful outlook. He has his own vehicle and can drive anywhere. He takes full responsibility for paying his own bills, keeping his car clean and maintained. He is keeping his room clean at home.

    Thomas washes his own clothes. He enjoys buying and cooking his own food. He has regular standing appointments with his family doctor, psychologist, and counselor. He does not like to miss any of his medical appointments. Thomas takes his medications faithfully every afternoon at the same time, so he will not forget them. Thomas understands that for him to continue to live a stable life, he must take all his medications. He knows fully well there have been times when he saw different mental health providers who thought his medications needed to be switched and changed.  Unfortunately, this did not work well with Thomas, and he started to have serious behavioral problems. He has since read and learned a lot about different medications.

    Thomas was incredibly happy when, due to unnecessary medication changes, a family member decided to help him get back on track with the medications that worked well for him. Thomas has learned to be aware of his illness. Thomas knows what works best for him, and he is aware that not all changes are good, especially when it comes to medications used to treat an individual who has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Mainly because he knows every individual is different. He is fully aware that the mediations that work for him in controlling his symptoms may not work well for another individual with the same illness. He is aware that everyone has their own opinions, but for him to have a normal, stable life, his medications are necessary.

    Thomas currently attends college and is optimistic that he will be able to graduate, return to work, and one day live on his own. He would like to return to the workforce environment full-time. He would also like to meet a nice young woman. Although Thomas prefers not to have children of his own, he is willing to adopt children, provided that a family medical background is established. He is afraid that he will pass down his mental illness to his own children. Thomas stated that it would take a special woman to love him. He would like to overcome his fear and move on with his life. Thomas believes that in his heart, he would never harm another human being and that the biggest risk would be in harming himself, mainly because of his mental illness and becoming unstable.

    This is why he tells others that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, visiting your medical care team providers, and taking the correct medications are an especially important part of your lifestyle.

    Note from author: This is a brief story based on an actual individual I know, but his name has been changed for privacy. It is just an insight into how an individual who has been diagnosed with a severe mental illness feels. Thomas has continued to keep a positive outlook on life, regardless of his mental illness diagnosis.

    Here is a book you might be interested in reading: “Living with mental illness:A personal journey,” by author John Francis Griffin. {Paperback }.

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  • Musician Tom Harrell: Dealing with Schizophrenia

    Musician Tom Harrell: Dealing with Schizophrenia

    I have always enjoyed music played by a good trumpet player. When I think of a trumpet player, the name Tom Harrell comes to mind. I drafted an article about Tom during my college years and was amazed at what I learned about him. I found Tom to be a magnificent human being. Tom started playing the trumpet when he was eight years old. And in 1969, he became a professional trumpet player. Tom was considered one of the best creative jazz trumpeters and composers towards the end of the 20th and 21st centuries.

    Most musicians struggle to create something wonderful and magical out of their music. Unfortunately, many individuals are turned away by the musical world because they are considered not “talented enough” to play. Millions of people all over the world travel every day with high hopes of breaking into the world of music and daydreaming of becoming a famous musician. What makes Tom Harrell special? In a world where most normal-thinking people struggle to rise in the musical world, Tom was incredibly different altogether. He never gave up, even when he was diagnosed with a horrible illness.

    Tom fought back against one of the most crippling mental disorders known to mankind. Tom was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia during his late adolescent years while attending his freshman year in college. One must question what made Tom love music? Could his father have influenced him as a small boy? Tom once stated that he had grown up listening to his father whistling to the sounds of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. What made him so special in the musical world to start with?

    There were few eight-year-old boys at that time who could play a trumpet and be considered talented. Tom not only learned to play the trumpet at an early age, but he also learned to play the piano by the age of eight. He did not just play music either; at the beginning of his fifth grade, he could compose and arrange music. Tom did something that many adults struggle with and often did not get right. Tom could write musical notes and had the most amazing talent at such an early age of arranging music than most adults.

    Several individuals, before meeting him, had often thought that he was an adult. By the time Tom was in the seventh grade, and at the tender age of thirteen, he was playing music professionally. He often traveled worldwide with groups everywhere he could play. Regardless of his illness, Tom graduated in 1969 from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in music composition. Throughout his lifetime, Tom has traveled and played with numerous groups and bands. In 1989, Tom started playing and leading his own bands.

    He traveled on a regular schedule throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Japan. In one year, Tom was known to have performed 80 to 100 times. Tom not only fought with the symptoms of his illness, but he also struggled with the side effects of many different medications that were prescribed to stabilize his symptoms throughout the years. Unfortunately, several medications left side effects of permanent damage to his body. In a world where people often shun those with a mental illness, Tom has gone beyond what most doctors could believe was possible for someone with a mental illness.

    I heard him play live on the radio many years ago. I had an aunt who loved his music and had several of his recordings. Regardless of the demons in which he fought throughout the years, he was by far one of the most talented jazz musicians that I have had the joy of hearing play. It is hard to imagine that this talented and gifted musician has such a crippling disease of the mind, but that did not stop him from reaching for his dream. It has been said that when seen in an interview, he is not only gentle spoken but is a humble and gentle human being.

    It is the commitment to his music with the incredible talent that he has, regardless of his disease, which has made him an incredibly special person. It is heartbreaking that so many people strongly believe that individuals with severe mental disorders are violent or dangerous, despite research findings. A minority of individuals that I have seen throughout my medical career who were medically diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were pleasant to talk with. Many have a wonderful sense of humor and are highly intelligent in many areas. According to Tom, when playing his music, he feels more at peace with himself.

    Tom Harrell is still alive and well. He is still active within the music world and continues to travel, write, record as well as perform music. Tom Harrell was born June 16,1946 and this coming June he will be 80 years old. It is utterly amazing that he continues to be incredibly involved in the musical world. An extraordinarily talented man of great strength and determination. A friend told me about this book that I need to read, “The Definitive Schizophrenia Recovery Handbook.” .Kindle Edition by author Robert Francis. The amazing thing about this author is the fact that he was diagnosed years ago with schizophrenia himself. I am going to enjoy reading this book.

    There are two books I like to read on schizoaffective disorder, written by the author, Guenevere MacDonald. “Schizoaffective Disorder: A Patient &Family Guide.” {Mental Health and Wellness. Book One. Paperback Edition and “Schizoaffective Disorder: A Self-Care Guide.” {Mental Health and Wellness} Book Two. Paperback Edition.

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    References

    1. https://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002566/Tom-Harrell.html
    2. https://stanfordmag.org/contents/making-music-that-catches-the-wind
    3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-beautiful-note/

  • Mental Illness and Obesity

    Mental Illness and Obesity

    Several years ago, while I was in college, I drafted an article about schizophrenia and obesity. Throughout the years, I learned several interesting facts that I would like to share. Studies have shown that weight gain is by far the most common side effect of most antipsychotic medications. The type of medications used to treat mental illness plays a significant role in weight gain. Atypical antipsychotic medications like Olanzapine (brand name Zyprexa) and Clozapine (brand name Clozaril) are second-generation atypical antipsychotic medications that increase the risk for serious weight gain.

    Aripiprazole (brand name Abilify), Ziprasidone (brand name Geodon), and Lurasidone (brand name Latuda) can help prevent serious weight gain. The other critical area to remember with any antipsychotic medications is to consider an individual’s metabolism. One must understand that genetics plays a huge role in an individual’s body structure. It is particularly important to understand that not everyone is the same. Everyone can react to the same type of drug but in a separate way. What works for one individual to maintain a healthy weight may not work for someone else.

    Sadly, it is more so for individuals who are diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder than for any other individual diagnosed with other mental illnesses. According to research, weight gain is the primary cause of other major health problems and obesity in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. It is a known factor that antipsychotic medications can cause very rapid weight gain that leads to obesity and other major health problems. Many individuals who are seriously obese are prone to skin breakdown, which leads to serious skin infections, and that is just one example.

     I am fully aware that individuals with schizophrenia /schizoaffective disorders who are obese increase their risk for many other life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and cerebrovascular accidents. That is just some of the health problems that can arise from not monitoring their weight regularly. Unfortunately, this has increased the cost of care for individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and for society to provide care for them especially if they are unstable.

    There are way too many individuals with a mental illness who do not have a dedicated support system. This leads to unsupervised care in a home environment setting. “Abdominal obesity contributes to increased health risk of those with schizophrenia.” {Van Gaal,2006.} “A major risk for all of these, and one that is amenable to lifestyle intervention is abdominal obesity.” {Meyer et.al., 2005. This plays a leading factor in most individuals diagnosed with any type of mental illness.

     “Most persons with schizophrenia do not understand the risk involved in not eating a proper, nutritious diet and exercising every day. A simple diet must consider the cognitive limitations of clients with schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia may not understand the relationship between weight and diet or may not understand how to improve their eating habits. {Dixon ,2003}. “Studies have documented that persons with schizophrenia consume more saturated fats.” {Ryan, Collins, & Thakore,2003.

      As well as more “refined sugar than healthy persons, and probably less fiber than people with no mental illness.” {Stokes &Peet, 2003}. This is why it is particularly important for each person to have the care necessary to monitor their weight gain. Primary care providers, spouses, other family members, caretakers, adult children, and even close friends can help. I worked in the medical field for years with clients who were severely obese and had no support other than a medical care provider. These are the individuals who fall between the cracks. I have family members who were diagnosed with a mental illness.

    The challenge facing the medical field today is understanding the importance and risk factors involved with antipsychotic medications. Because some individuals with mental illness tend to be less active and have poor diet habits. That is why it is so important to find a good primary care provider, psychologist, and counselor. I am a firm believer that not everyone in the different areas of the medical field need to be there. Throughout the years that I have worked in the medical field I have questioned several medical providers about their own decisions as to how they treated their patients / clients.

     The most important thing to remember is finding someone who really listens and who you feel comfortable talking   with them. One needs to remember as well that it is especially important to be honest with the medical providers that care for you. If you have concerns about your care do not be afraid to ask questions. Therefore, I will continue to believe it is especially important for individuals to learn about their medications and their side effects. Every individual knows their own body better than anyone else. I encourage you to learn to look out for yourself.

    And again, I will state this is why it is also even more important for everyone who is on antipsychotic medication to learn to monitor their own weight, if possible, by incorporating positive eating habits. One must remember that there are many diverse types of antipsychotic medications. Individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or for that matter, anyone who may exhibit any type of mental illness should understand how important it is to choose one that will help stabilize and control the symptoms, but also not create a serious weight gain.

    If one medication causes a lot of weight gain but does an excellent job in controlling the symptoms associated with the mental illness diagnosed, there needs to be a diet change put in place. The outcome for controlling symptoms and controlling serious weight gain will depend on the individual. Providers need to make sure everyone receives the correct care. What works for one individual with schizophrenia / schizoaffective disorder may not work for another individual with the same diagnosis. The same applies with individuals diagnose with other types of mental illness.

     Everyone is different. It is equally important for healthcare providers to screen and monitor weight again closely. “Most of the antipsychotic medications will increase weight gain and play an important factor in causing further health problems for a person with schizophrenia.” {Beebe,2005. This is why teaching plays an important part in helping individuals to learn about antipsychotic medications. An individual will not understand the danger involved in serious weight gain unless someone takes the time to collaborate with them and explain the outcome.

    I had a gentleman who once told me that he believed his young daughter, who was 20 years old and weighed over 350 pounds, did not have enough sense to understand choices concerning her diet change. He said that he believed due to her mental state, that she was stupid. I strongly disagreed with him. I politely explained to him that the lack of strong family support, frequent consumption of fast foods, unstable living conditions and poor diet habits contributed a lot to obesity in many individuals that had a mental illness. But again, that is not true in all cases.

    Eventually, this young woman was removed from her family home, due to the lack of a strong family support system, into a more supported environment. And within a period of 2 years, she ended up losing two hundred pounds. She did this by attending classes provided by a local church on learning to create healthy food choices and to be more involved in her own self-care routine. Furthermore, she decided to engage in art painting classes. I spoke with her after art class and was incredibly happy to learn that she had found a positive way to help her cope with stress. She was maintaining her weight by eating a lot better, attending different classes or sessions on mental illness, and healthy lifestyles, taking her prescribed medications that worked for her. She displayed a lot more confidence in herself. An interesting book to read is “Schizophrenia: Understanding Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment.” by author Anthony Wilkenson.

    Unfortunately, several individuals that work within the medical field, which do not provide direct patient care and are not fully aware that psychiatric medications have a great deal to do with the large amount of weight gain for people with schizophrenia. And can cause weight gain with individuals suffering from other mental illness issues. The author Beebe stated that, “Inventions to increase confidence and include education, appropriate equipment, footwear, and the like. Memory prompts of earlier physical competence, and discussion of other activities in which the client is proficient.” {Beebe,2008. She believed inventions played a crucial role in self-care for persons with a mental illness.

    Mostly individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are not the only individuals that suffer from serious weight gain on antipsychotic medications. I have known several medical providers that prescribed antipsychotic medications to treat other diverse types of mental illness. And these individuals also struggle with serious weight gain as well until they take responsibility for maintaining a healthy weight or they have family support to encourage them to eat healthier.

    Remember: The main goal for anyone diagnosed with any type of mental illness is to be involved in the outcome of your own healthcare by learning about your illness, medications, side effects, choices, and dietary factors that will lead to a healthy lifestyle. I like this magnet, “Magnet Schizophrenia Awareness No One Walks Alone Tomorrow Needs You Magnetic ,” so check it out today!

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    References

    1.Van Gaal, L.F. 2006} Long term health considerations in schizophrenia. Metabolic effects and the role of abdominal adiposity. European Neuropsychopharmacology, Suppl.3} S142-S148.

    2.Meyer, J.M., Nasrallah., McEvoy J.P., Golf, D.C., Davis, S.M., Chakos, M., ET AL. 2005. The Clinical Antipsychotic Trails of Intervention Effectiveness {CATIE} schizophrenia trail. Clinical comparison of subgroups with and without the metabolic syndrome, Schizophrenia Research, 9-18.

    3.Dixon, I.B. 22003.Diabetes and mental illness. Factors to keep in mind. Consultant, 3. 337-348

    4.Ryan, M.C., Collins, P., & Thakore, JH. 2003. Impaired glucose tolerance in first episode, drug naïve patients with schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, {2}, 384-289.

    5.Strokes, C., & Peet, M. 22003.Dietary sugar and polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption as predictors of severity of that schizophrenia symptoms. Nutrition and Neuroscience, 7,{4}, 247-249.

    6.Beebe, Lora Humphrey {2008, Jan. Obesity in Schizophrenia: Screening, Monitoring, and Health Promotion. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 1, 25-31.

  • What is PTSD? Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

    What is PTSD? Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

    PTSD stands for “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” PTSD is considered a mental health condition. The main cause of PTSD is a drastic or frightening event that has occurred in an individual’s life at one point. For a long time, it was thought that only adults experience PTSD. Time has proven that children can also experience it even at an incredibly early age. PTSD results when an individual is part of something horrible that happened to them, or they witnessed something devastating that is traumatic. There are times when it is extremely difficult for several individuals who suffer from PTSD to adjust to life.

    Sadly, it can be a lifetime battle to overcome PTSD. It is often an uphill battle to overcome the symptoms associated with PTSD. Unfortunately, in several incidents, some individuals really do not cope well with their PTSD symptoms. There are multiple symptoms related to PTSD, such as reliving traumatic events often due to triggers, bad dreams (nightmares), hallucinations, panic attacks, severe anxiety, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, night sweats, and withdrawal. This usually leads to a change in the way an individual acts, feels, or even thinks. In some cases, an individual’s whole personality changes.

    Not every individual who has been through or witnessed a traumatic event will develop PTSD symptoms. Studies have also shown that not everyone experiences the same or all symptoms associated with PTSD. What causes PTSD? There are several, such as childhood trauma, involving childhood neglect and physical abuse, sexual assaults, whether it is molestation or rape, physically assaulted in a fight, domestic violence, witnessing a horrible accident or being involved in one, watching and losing a loved one to death, or warfare, aka combat duty. Many veterans go through this a lot.

    Individuals going through a divorce or a relationship breakup can suffer from PTSD without violence being involved. Separation alone creates overwhelming stress. Several other complications involving PTSD, including individuals developing eating disorders, seeking out street drugs, even prescription drugs to mask their symptoms, mood swings, depression; many individuals deal with suicidal thoughts. Symptoms of PTSD never go completely away. There are always triggers that will bring up a memory. The important thing to remember is that you can learn to cope with PTSD in a better and more effective manner by seeking professional medical help.

    I always encourage individuals to seek professional help as soon as possible. My experience with PTSD involves my childhood. Throughout my childhood, I often heard adults say that young children do not remember things. This is not so, I can tell you that! Question is … “How young can a child be to remember something traumatic that happened or involved them?” This depends on the child and how strongly it affects them. For a brief time in my childhood, I lived in my grandmother’s old farmhouse. During that time, I experienced not just one traumatic event in my life but two.

    The first one was my mother becoming sick, and she ended up being taken away to a psychiatric hospital. The second one was when my grandmother’s house caught on fire. My siblings and I were left inside by one of my aunts. If it had not been for two of my older cousins walking back from a country store and seeing the house on fire, my siblings and I would have died inside. My sister was 4 years old, my brother was 7 months old, and I was only three years old at both times these incidents occurred. My grandmother had walked down the road to take something to her own sister’s house, and she left my aunt there with us.

    The house, in a brief time, was burnt down to the ground. My aunt later told my father that she panicked and ran outside. I have yet to understand how a grown woman can run outside of a burning house and leave three small children inside to die. Throughout my life as a child, I had times when I experienced nightmares about both incidents in my childhood. My mother, who left me, plus the house fire. I remember waking up and crying as a child. I thought these nightmares would be gone when I became an adult. During a period, from my teens until early twenties, occasionally, I might have had these bad nightmares every few weeks.

    I still remember the picture in my mind of my mother leaving as I stood by the window in my grandmother’s house, crying. Again, as I stated before, that was the first incident involving PTSD. I remember waking up in the middle of the night, crying for my mother, screaming, and banging my small fist on the window, telling them to leave my mother alone. The second was my grandmother’s house fire. That happened not long after my mother was taken away. So, unfortunately, for most of my exceedingly early adult life, I have had nightmares of both events that occurred.

    There was an event that brought nightmares about my grandmother’s house fire back in full force, as an adult, which involved a house that burnt down. That fire killed not only the grandmother inside but also seven children, ranging from a 4-month-old baby to a 14-year-old teenager. This happened at the time, right down the road from where I lived. And before I started a career in the medical field. I can honestly say that for a good 6 months afterwards, I had horrible nightmares. I never really understood why, at that time, I had these nightmares when something bad happened to other people.

    This was especially true as an older adult when I worked in the medical field. Especially, as a certain medical emergency would cause me to have “brief flashbacks” or “nightmares.”It was only after I started working in the medical field with individuals who suffered from PTSD that I could finally put a name to what was happening to me as well. Later, when I started back to college for my master’s degree, I learned a lot about different mental health issues. This included studying the symptoms and outcomes of PTSD. During my college years, I spent a lot of time talking to professors while earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

    I faced for the first time the fears of my childhood and learned how to cope with my own PTSD symptoms positively. I learned what could trigger them and how to manage my own reactions to them without a horrible fear. Can I say that I no longer have nightmares? As for my nightmares involving my mother, I have long ago laid that to rest. The main reason was learning “why” she left! Because, as a small child, no one in my family, not even my father, bothered to explain to my sister or me why our mother had to leave. Often, I would hear my father or my aunts talking about my mother, but as soon as I walked into the room, they would stop talking.

    When I asked about her, I really did not receive a clear answer. Why my mother left is a whole different story that I will talk about at another time. As for my nightmares concerning my grandmother’s house fire. Yes, there are times when I still wake up in the middle of the night, sweating, shaking, and feeling like I cannot breathe. I get up, start doing my breathing exercises, get something to drink, and sometimes get a delightful book to read. There are times I might work on drawing or painting. The main thing for me is to do something positive to help put my mind in a better place and help calm me down.

    Once I am calm, I might go back to sleep or decide to work in my flowerbed or garden. Of course, this depends on the weather! But the main thing is creating a positive outcome for me. Then again, there are times in the early mornings when I might sit back in my favorite comfortable chair, relax, and drink a nice cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate. I like watching the hummingbirds that fly around in my flowerbed. Everyone is different in how they respond to PTSD symptoms. The most important thing that anyone can do is seek professional help to learn how to cope without harming themselves or someone else.

    So, if you know anyone suffering from PTSD symptoms, including yourself, again, seek out help. Stay strong because the symptoms are not going away overnight. It takes time and patience. In the meantime, stay focused on the good things in life. It is particularly important to have family, friends, or someone who can give you emotional support during the challenging times in your life! As one of my college professors told me years ago, “The first important thing in life to remember when you have gone through a difficult part in your life is to learn to love yourself! You must love yourself before you can absolutely love another!” You can read more about PTSD by clicking on the websites listed under my references.

    Take the step, learn more about PTSD, find the extra support you need, and seek out positive ways to cope. Check out this paperback book by author Alex J. Carter, “The Complex PTSD Workbook for Self-Healing: A Practical Guide to Understand Trauma, Calm Emotional Flashbacks, Manage Dissociation, and Rebuild Identity After Abuse, Neglect, or Chronic Stress.” A very interesting workbook. There is another author I like as well, who wrote, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Self-Help Book – Understand the Causes of PTSD Step by Step and Treat It Successfully – Including a 10-Week Transformation Plan for Trauma Recovery” by Carolin Rehnberg in Kindle edition.

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    References:

    1. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/types-of-conditions/posttraumatic-stress-disorder/

    2. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

    3. Navy Seal Foundation. https://www.navysealfoundation.org/

    4. Veteran Crisis Line. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

    5. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

    6. Mayo Clinic.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973

  • Is bulimia nervosa a form of Mental Illness?

    Is bulimia nervosa a form of Mental Illness?

    Individuals with bulimia nervosa experience periods of binge eating and then purging. This is often just referred to as just {bulimia}. What does that mean? They eat too much {overeat} or eat until they feel like it is time to stop. Often, they eat like this in secret and then start to feel guilty plus ashamed about how much they consume. This is when the purging starts. What does purging mean? An individual will make themself vomit. Of course, there are other ways that individuals will practice getting rid of what they consume that are just as dangerous and unhealthy.

    So, let us really look at the whole picture here. There are multiple ways that an individual with bulimia nervosa purges. Listed below are several of the unhealthy habits they develop.

    -Purge {vomiting}

    -Intense exercising

    – Using Laxatives

    -Taking diuretics

    -Enemas

    -Consuming dietary products often.

    Individuals who purge are very self-conscious of their bodies. Most are ashamed of their bodies, and no matter how much weight they lose, it seems never enough to satisfy them. Again, they are afraid of gaining weight and will do everything they can to get rid of the extra food they consumed. Unfortunately, many individuals do not realize how dangerous bulimia can truly be. It is considered a serious eating disorder and can be life – threatening. Most individuals suffer from serious symptoms associated with bulimia.

    The following is a list of health problems that need to be watched closely if you are aware of someone who suffers from bulimia. Dehydration creates a considerable number of problems involving someone who purges because the individual is more likely to suffer from syncope episodes. They become lightheaded and dizzy. Years ago, I collaborated with a female who suffered from bulimia. There were several times she lost consciousness completely. She lost her job due to developing serious health issues.

    Many individuals involved in purging who experience syncope episodes end up having lifelong health issues that cannot be reversed. Some individuals have multiple health problems that take a toll not only on their bodies but also on their entire lifestyle. They can develop problems with heart palpitations, chest pains, dental decay due to all the vomiting, and shortness of breath. One such female that I knew had multiple miscarriages. There are so many more dangerous symptoms associated with bulimia.

    I encountered a female who did not realize that purging can lead to serious heart problems due to electrolyte imbalances in her body. Many other signs of dehydration can lead to syncope episodes of instability, disorientation, tiredness, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, cloudy or dark colored urine due to the body being dehydrated, as well as a drop in blood pressure, which can be usually incredibly low. Not only can the above problems be caused by dehydration, but can also lead to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, and seizures. And even in some severe cases, a coma and organ failure.

    Several individuals whom I have known developed problems with gastroesophageal reflux as well, which created a painful problem with their throats due to sticking fingers down their throats to create forcible vomiting. Because of this, usually the esophagus will become damaged (scarred) over time from repeating this process of purging. Doing my time in the medical field, I have seen individuals who had so much damage to their throat that it was required for them to have surgery just to be able to eat and swallow food again. One individual ended up having throat cancer.

    According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), bulimia and other eating disorders are considered mental illnesses. Most individuals, even with serious health problems, tend to continue to have a negative view of their body image. In many incidents involving individuals of different ages, no matter how much help they receive, it will not stop until that individual wants to stop or they die. They must make that choice themselves. Sadly, no one can make it for them.

    Years ago, I had a close friend who suffered from bulimia from the time she was in her early teens, as young as 13 years old, well into her forties. Sadly, it took years of treatment for her to overcome bulimia. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done to her body. At one point, she weighed sixty-three pounds, and at 5 feet and eight inches, she looked like a walking skeleton. Seeing her like this broke my heart. The real pain was watching her parents, siblings, husband, and children suffer from watching her starve herself. They did everything possible to help her.

    After months of treatment in a facility for bulimia, she was able to come home only to be diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, otherwise known as ESRD. Usually, at stage 5 of kidney disease, dialysis is needed to prolong life. She was on dialysis for 3 years before she finally died. If you know someone suffering from bulimia, listen to them. Encourage them to see a dietitian, to develop healthy hobbies, to seek professional help, such as a counselor or therapist, but most of all, please be a friend and be non-judgmental towards them.

    So again, is bulimia nervosa a form of Mental Illness? The answer would be “Yes” according to well-documented medical research!

    References:

    1. WELL. Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists (EDRS).https://eatingdisorderspecialists.com/blog/

    2. NEDA. National Eating Disorders Association.https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/binge-eating-disorder/

    3. National Alliance for Eating. Disordershttps://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

    4.WEDMD.https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder/default.htm

    5.MentalHealth.com.https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/bulimia-nervosa

    6. MHA. Mental Health America.https://mhanational.org/conditions/eating-disorders/

  • Schizoaffective Disorder

    Schizoaffective Disorder

    Throughout the years, many doctors believed that schizoaffective disorder was the same as schizophrenia. While researching schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia, studies showed that they seem similar. But research has finally decided that both disorders are considerably different and display their own specific symptoms.

    Many individuals that I have worked with who were diagnosed with schizophrenia see and hear fictional voices, but to these individuals, this is very real. So, in a way, these disorders do have some separate symptoms, yet tend to appear to be very much alike. Yet, they are very much different as well, and each will need to be treated differently.Several people ask, “What is considered a schizoaffective disorder?” Schizoaffective disorder includes the following symptoms: mild depression, delusions, hallucinations, and mania depression. The psychotic symptoms include hallucinations or delusions. The mood swing disorder of the disease includes the state of bipolar and depressive symptoms.

    Schizoaffective disorder is often extremely challenging to diagnose and treat. Most individuals will need to be monitored for several months to make a proper diagnosis. An individual can be diagnosed with the disease but have depressive symptoms that can impair their ability to function daily and create a decrease in their ability to communicate within a normal range. Most individuals who display bipolar symptoms of the disease include both mania and major depression. This will depend on the individual. In the mania state of the disease, an individual will often display an irritable mood of highs and lows. They may feel the need not to sleep.

    The lack of sleep only makes the symptoms worse for the individual. They often are very talkative and seek attention by talking with others, often at an inappropriate time. Well, other individuals may become withdrawn and unsociable. An individual can have both bipolar and depressive symptoms of the disease or just one part of the disease.The actual cause of the disease is still not completely known. Although it is believed that many factors have been blamed as the reason for schizoaffective disorder. They include a family history of mental illnesses, the inability to cope with overwhelming and stressful events in their life, and drugs that alter their mind, and even traumatic brain injuries.

    I believe that the disease does reflect two unusual types of mental illness. One type is schizophrenia, a mental illness, and the other type is bipolar mental illness, which is combined to create the “schizoaffective disorder.” Many factors should be considered when diagnosing any type of mental illness in an individual. There are so many types of mental illness that it is especially important for individuals working in the mental health field to make the correct diagnosis. Doctors need to eliminate other mental illnesses, other medical conditions, and of course, substance abuse. The disease varies, and treatment for everyone diagnosed with this mental illness is different as well.

    Treatment will usually depend on the severity and type of symptoms an individual displays. Treatment will often include education in the ability to function with daily life skills, a combination of medication(s), and group therapy or individual therapy. Regardless of what type of mental illness you may have, it is particularly important to have in place a solid self-support system that can provide you with a routine, stable treatment plan, and a strong family support system. Although many individuals do not have any family members at all, others have family members who can or will provide support. I have told many individuals that family does not have to include someone who is biologically related to you.

    Family is whatever you make of it. Frequently, many people have friends who are usually closer to them moreso than their own blood relatives. Family can be the bond that you share with someone who loves and respects you for who you are. They accept the fact that you have a mental illness and provide the support you need to stay stable. Every individual with any type of mental illness should try to learn and understand their illness. Education plays an important part in an individual’s understanding of their mental illness, as well as that of family members and friends. Learning about your mental illness will help you to know the warning signs of when you may have a breakdown.

    Receiving education about your illness can help teach you about the symptoms or triggers that you experience leading up to your breakdown. Every individual is different, and they have different triggers that can cause an outburst. There is no such thing as everyone being alike. Everyone has their own unique symptoms. I encourage individuals with any type of mental illness to learn the signs and symptoms of their illness. Learn what can cause triggers that lead to an outburst.

    References:

    1.Mayo Clinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354504

    2.National Alliance of Mental Illness. Org. https://www.nami.org/types-of-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/

    3. verywellmind.com. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-schizoaffective-disorder-4171702

  • Mental Turmoil

    Mental Turmoil

    Ask me about when an individual states their mind is in “Turmoil.” I believe half of the individuals who struggle with diverse types of mental illness frequently feel that their lives are burdened with a lot of emotions, such as interruptions in their daily lifestyle, rivalry, and turmoil. Turmoil is just another word for confusion that includes panic attacks, mood swings, unhappiness, despair, and that only touches on a few of the emotions that many individuals with a mental illness feel. The trademark sign of emotional turmoil is when an individual feels extremely “out of control.” I will not sugarcoat it because there may be times an individual will and can become violent due to their mind being in a state of “turmoil.”

    An individual’s issues seem larger than life to them, and they are very intense. Being able to calm themselves down once they are aggravated is often particularly challenging. It is exceedingly difficult to watch a loved one go through a “state of mind” where they are out of control, unable to focus on just a simple daily lifestyle. There are times when an individual may flare up with uncontrollable emotions that are entirely different from their original personality. This can frighten loved ones, friends, co-workers, and other individuals. Their outburst may include shouting, irritability, pacing from room to room, throwing things, and saying things that are not true, presenting a hostile attitude towards certain family members, friends, and other individuals.

     Sometimes an individual may lose their temper due to frustration over the simplest thing. There may be other times they act carelessly, unable to sense that things may be dangerous to them. This makes it difficult because they are unable to recognize things or their surroundings that can put them, as well as others, in danger. They become unaware of their surroundings, which can lead to that individual not being able to eat, drink, or take their medications, or could lead to an inability to sleep. Of course, everyone is different, and some may overeat and sleep much more than usual. Often, when an individual becomes silent and unsociable, they may even refuse to acknowledge or talk to anyone.

    Many reasons can cause turmoil in an individual’s life that creates a “mental meltdown.” The loss of a loved one, detachment from a relationship, whether it is a friendship, parents, marriage, their children, loss of employment, financial hardship, refusing to seek help when necessary, or refusing to take prescribed medications to improve their mental wellbeing. Even with ongoing serious health problems, being involved in an abusive relationship, or even witnessing a horrible event. Unfortunately, when an individual suffers from any type of mental illness, these common triggers can be devastating to them. According to “The Free Dictionary .com website, “Turmoil is a state of great commotion, confusion, or disturbance, tumult; agitation: disquiet.”

    How does emotional turmoil affect an individual’s mental health?

    Most of the time, it is due to distress. And there are many circumstantial triggers related to distress, as noted in the above paragraph. I learned years ago that an example of this would be my neighbor’s house burning down. Unfortunately, her family lost everything in this disaster. My neighbor, who had always been a strong individual, completely broke down. She ended up with medications to help calm her nerves and was in therapy for several years. The point here is that anyone, regardless of how mentally strong they seem, can break down due to a disastrous event that has occurred in their life.

    Throughout the years, while working within the medical field, several individuals not only suffered from emotional mental turmoil but also from physical distress and displayed symptoms of several types of body ailments, such as upset stomach, stomach pains, joint pain, headaches, and muscle spasms. So, one can honestly say that when an individual shows signs of emotional turmoil, not only does it affect them mentally, but also physically.

    Emotional Turmoil is often attributed to extreme and devastating feelings. It has been known to cause mental confusion and emotional disharmony. Often, it is due to diverse types of conflicts, frightening circumstances, or continuing aggravations. Acknowledging the basic reasons of emotional turmoil can help individuals to recognize triggers and establish coping methods to manage their emotions adequately.

    Note:

    It would also be helpful to set up therapeutic sessions with interventions to help an individual cope, such as counseling, accurate methods/ techniques, and cognitive -behavioral therapy, on a regular schedule. In the past, while collaborating with individuals who had mental health problems, I suggested to them to start keeping a journal. I like the journal book I found, which is called “My Therapist Told Me to Journal: A Creative Mental Health Workbook” by author Holly Chisholm. I like this paperback book written by authors Ari Jackson and Frank Allen, “Overcoming Mental Turmoil: Mind Under Authority Six Weeks Of Spiritual Redirection & Inner Healing.”

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    References:

    1.Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “turmoil.” Retrieved February 15, 2023.https://www.thefreedictionary.com/turmoil

    2.NeuroLaunch.co. https://neurolaunch.com/psychological-turmoil/ 3. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/

  • Lynn

    Lynn

    Several years ago, I had lunch with my old friend, Lynn. She had always been the type of person who never tried to hide anything. She was incredibly open about her life. Lynn was a drug addict for over 18 years. She started using drugs as a teenager when she was 14 years old. During her school years, Lynn usually would buy her drugs from friends and classmates. These drugs were prescription medications that her friends and classmates stole to sell for money. You see, she did not use illegal street drugs. For the longest time, Lynn never thought she had a drug problem. Because in her mind … she was not a drug addict! Lynn’s choice of prescription drugs at that time was codeine and valium.

    As the years went by and Lynn got older, she eventually started buying Xanax and Oxycodone from the streets most of the time. Eventually, Lynn would lose everything, including her husband, children, job, and home, due to her drug problems. Lynn’s drug problems created a lot of legal problems for her. She used it heavily every day, and her drug habit had gotten out of control. She used every game possible to get these drugs. You name it, and she did it. Stealing money and jewelry, sold her body for sex, and did anything else she could to steal from family, friends, co-workers, or anybody just to sell for money. Shoplifting to sell items for money, writing bad checks on a banking account in her husband’s name, and hers.

    Lynn did not have a problem stealing blank checks and forging them from other people’s banking accounts, including her stepfather, mother, and grandparents. It was all about having the money to get her drugs. Lynn had suffered from depression for many years, starting as a child. Lynn never understood why her biological father left shortly after she turned four. It was believed that Lynn’s drug addiction was related to her depression. She had a tough time accepting the fact that even later in life, as a teenager, her father still wanted nothing to do with her. Because of her drug addiction, Lynn’s stepfather and mother filed ECOs on her multiple times within 18 years.

    “An ECO is an Emergency Custody Order for adults who are incapable of making an informed decision for themselves.” Sometimes this is necessary to save a life when the addiction becomes bad. Lynn’s drug addiction had become worse after her husband left. Lynn’s ex-husband received full custody of their children. He had also gotten a court order barring Lynn from seeing the children until she could get clean. Unfortunately, Lynn blamed her stepfather and mother for many things. Lynn had a big attitude problem with her stepfather throughout the time of her drug addiction. Mainly because Lynn often thought he kept her mother from helping her.

    Lynn believed for a long time that her parents had given up on her. What hurt the most was the fact that Lynn believed her own “flesh and blood,” her mother, had given up on her! But their home was always open for Lynn to have a place to stay, clothes to wear if needed, food to eat, and medical care as well. They made this known to her several times throughout the years. It took Lynn years to understand that her parents did not give up on her. I certainly can state, “her parents,” because Lynn had just turned 6 years old when her stepfather married her mother. Lynn’s stepfather was the only real father figure who was there when she was growing up.

    During the years of Lynn’s drug addiction, they had tried many times to talk to her about the medications she was taking. But it did no good. She always stated to them, “I do not have a drug problem. My medications are prescribed by my doctors for me.” Lynn went from one doctor to the next doctor. She would even go out-of-state to different medical facilities for appointments seeking these (2) drugs: Xanax and Oxycodone. If not by prescription from doctors or hospital ER visits, then on the streets. As stated before, prescription drugs like Xanax and Oxycodone are sold on the streets and the cost of these drugs on the streets will depend on where you lived.

    Lynn’s parents continued to talk to her about seeking help for her drug problem through the years. Lynn stated that during that time she would often become enraged, angry, and violent, and she would tell them to shut up! Doing some of her most violent moments, Lynn’s parents had no choice but to call the police when she was staying at their home. Primarily due to Lynn becoming so violent that she started breaking things. Nothing did any good! Lynn would not listen to them. After several years of attempting to talk to Lynn and many trips to the hospital ER for a drug overdose, they were finally worn down. They decided it was time to step aside and see if someone else could help her.

    What they did was step back and allow an outsider to step forward to help Lynn when she was at her lowest point in life on her last trip to the ER. Finally, at the age of thirty-two, this completely helped to save her life. Lynn was able during the past 20 years of her life to mend many fences. She got her life back together by getting clean. Lynn got educated in both illegal and prescription drug abuse. She became a motivated speaker on substance abuse. She repaired the damaged relationships with her mother, stepfather, and grown children. Unfortunately, her grandparents died before Lynn got the chance to be effective in her life.

    It is one regret that has always weighed heavily in Lynn’s heart. During one of the worst times in Lynn’s life, she had stolen money from her grandparents as well as some of her grandmother’s valuable jewelry and pawned those items for money to buy Xanax and Oxycodone on the streets. As I write today, I have often thought of my friend, Lynn. Lynn, when not using drugs and spaced out, was genuinely a very likable and funny person. Lynn loved to tell jokes. She certainly could make you laugh. Lynn died from liver cancer several years ago less than 4 months after her birthday. She was only 53 years old. Cancer had already spread to her bones the last time I saw her.

    I knew it would be only a matter of a few months before cancer would take her life. Unfortunately, the repeated years of drug abuse had finally taken their toll on her liver. There are few people aware that even prescription drug abuse, as well as illegal street drugs, can lead to liver, kidney, and pancreatic damage. It can also cause damage to other parts of your body. Sadly, when the damage is done to a person’s body by years of repeated drug abuse, it usually has gotten to the point that it is not reversible. Most drug addicts find out way too late about the damage the history of drug abuse has done to their bodies. By this time, most of them are at a point in their life where they do not care.

    And as Lynn once stated to me. “I am very thankful that for the last 20 years of my life, I had an incredibly special person (my mentor) who came into my life. She helped to keep me out of prison and change my life. She saved me when no one else could. Lynn was grateful to have had the chance to help others with substance abuse over the years. She said that “they were lost souls like me, and I helped to guide them to a better place in their lives.” Unfortunately, not everyone that Lynn encountered throughout the years was able to be saved. I honestly believe Lynn was at peace with herself when she died. As stated before, Lynn often spoke about how very thankful she was that the damage her drug addiction caused to her relationships with family and friends had been mended.

    Throughout the last 20 years of her life, Lynn has been able to see all three of her children go to college, get married, and have children of their own. Lynn once told me that she counted her blessings every day to have gotten the chance to be part of their lives. Throughout Lynn’s life, she has made many friends. I hope that those who knew Lynn will always remember all the good that she had done. In Lynn’s own words, “For it is not what I was but what I became at the end of my life that mattered.”

    ♥ Fly high, my friend!

    Conclusion:

    ♦♦Anyone interested in learning the dangers of misusing Xanax or Oxycodone, as well as other controlled prescription drugs and illegal street drugs, should check out the websites listed under my reference section. If you need help, seek out resources that can provide the information you need to get back on the road to recovery before it is too late.

    References:

    1. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/street-drugs-risks

    2. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery

    3. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/

    4. CAMH. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/straight-talk-oxycodone

    5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

  • Knowing the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Mental Illness!

    Knowing the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Mental Illness!

    Mental illness is a touchy subject for many individuals. Multiple questions are asked by an individual diagnosed with a mental illness, as well as their family and friends. When do symptoms and warning signs of mental illness show up? How old can a person be before signs of mental illness show up? What type of behavior can you expect from a child, adolescent, or adult experiencing symptoms of mental illness? Will each show different signs of mental illness based on their age and gender? These are just a few questions that even individuals working in the medical field have often wondered about as well.Check out this kindle edition of , “the Hidden Signs of Mental Illness: How to Recognize Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and Emotional Struggles Early,” written by author Tertia Uys.

     The minority of individuals who work in the mental health field usually follow the guidelines for a diagnosis that are outlined in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” written by the American Psychiatric Association. ” A century ago, doctors were slow to diagnose a child or an adolescent with a mental illness. They even question that of an adult with a mental illness. Why? Mental illness is still an unknown area for most individuals to approach and talk about. Why were doctors hesitant to label an individual with a mental illness diagnosis? Mainly because once an individual is diagnosed and labeled with a mental illness, regardless of age, it often stays with them for the rest of their life.

    The problem is learning to understand the behavior of any individual, regardless of age, within their normal range, before deciding on their mental health and well-being. One would also have to ask what has been studied outside of their normal range of behavior before a decision is made about their mental health. Many mental illnesses have their own symptoms, but several share common symptoms and warning signs.

    According to the website, Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority, “Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the sign of mental illness is not always easy. “According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “These are just a few signs and symptoms of mental illness listed below that can be associated with adults and adolescents.”

    Agitation / Anxiety.

    Avoiding or having difficulties relating to loved ones, friends, co-workers, and other people in society.

    Confusion, disbelief, or turmoil.

    Difficulties conducting their daily personal grooming habits, such as bathing, washing their hair, brushing their teeth, changing into clean clothes, or even holding down a job.

    Distorted or additional mood swings.

    Failure to maintain their health by refusing to seek medical care when necessary.

    Inability to have or continue a normal intimate relationship.

    Loss of touch with reality—the inability to understand what is real and what is not real.

    Sleepiness/insomnia.

    Suicidal, threatening self-harm, or others.

    Violent or a display of unmanageable behaviors for no known reason.

    Engaging in substance abuse by seeking illegal street drugs, alcohol, or the overuse of prescription narcotic drugs.

    There are many more different symptoms and warning signs of mental illness known to have been displayed throughout the century in adults and adolescents. These were just a few common ones displayed. Everyone diagnosed with a mental illness is different in the degree of symptoms. According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “When it comes to mental illness in children under the age of thirteen, it is more difficult to make a diagnosis. Below is a list of several ways in which children in this age range have several ways of displaying abnormal behavior outside of their regular, normal characteristics.”

    Anxiety.

    Bedwetting.

    Changes in their grades.

    Disobedience towards parents, teachers, and other adults.

    Destructive behaviors.

    Fighting in school.

    Lack of interest in developing friends, engaging in sports, or any other activities.

    Loss of appetite.

    Nervousness.

    Overeating.

    Repeated nightmares.

    Suicidal, threatening self-harm, or others.

    Temper tantrums.

    Again, these are just a few of the signs and symptoms of mental illness associated with children under the age of thirteen. Often at this age, it is their way of trying to tell an adult something is wrong. Children in this age range usually are afraid to talk to anyone, including their parents, for fear of punishment. Mental illness is like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. It can be caused by many different things. No one is certain as to “why” some people live all their lives and do not suffer from mental illness, while others do.

    Scientists have yet to develop a test that can detect and diagnose the early stages of mental illness in any individual, as they have helped to do so for the following diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. Learn to reach out for help as soon as possible for yourself, a loved one, a friend, or anyone in need of help. If you are having problems or suspect someone else may have problems with mental illness, do not wait to seek help. Early detection and diagnosis are especially important to help stabilize mental illness symptoms before the condition worsens.

    Once you or someone you care about is diagnosed, it is especially important to learn all that you can about that type of mental illness. Find out the necessary steps in seeking treatment. According to the (NAMI), which is the abbreviation for the National Alliance of Mental Illness website, “Getting a diagnosis is just the first step. Knowing your own preferences and goals is also important. Treatment for mental illness varies by diagnosis and person. There is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment. Treatment options can include medication, counseling (therapy), social support, and education.” Check out the first book from the “National Alliance on Mental Illness. “You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health,” written by Dr.Ken Duckwork.

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    References:

    1.American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

    2.National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

    3. American Academy of Child &Adolescent Psychiatry.https://www.aacap.org

    4.Hearts 4 Mind. https://www.hearts4minds.org/updates/how-to-recognize-the-signs

    Knowing the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Mental Illness!

    Mental illness is a touchy subject for many individuals. Multiple questions are asked by an individual diagnosed with a mental illness, as well as their family and friends. When do symptoms and warning signs of mental illness show up?

  • Life as a child

    Life as a child

    I first related to mental illness as a child. I can remember as a small child standing and looking out of a living room window at my grandmother’s house. What I saw frightened and scared me enough to make me cry. My Dad was trying his best to get my Momma into his car. I heard loud voices and saw my Momma crying. She refused to get into the car. I heard my dad cry out for help and heard him say to others that she did not know what she was doing. Suddenly, people surrounded my dad and pushed my mom into the car. I remember taking my small, little fist and hitting the glass windowpane.

    I was, at that time, upset, angry, and crying very loudly. I started yelling, ” Leave my Momma alone! Do not hurt her! Stop making her cry! “My grandmother came quietly into the living room and gently took my small hand into hers. She led me across the room to a rocking chair, picked me up, and placed me onto her lap. I heard my grandmother say,” Quiet child, stop crying. It is going to be all right. I was a 3-year-old child, and they had just taken my Momma away. Most adults often believe that children do not remember things that happen when they are exceedingly small.

     Only later did I grasp what happened that day. At ten, I knew things would never be the same. Studies have shown that many adults worldwide can recall the past from when they were incredibly young. Especially if it was a traumatic experience for them. I did not understand then, and as a small child, no one bothered to explain the reason my Momma was taken away. All I knew was that my Momma was not with me, and I was frightened. Shortly after that, my grandmother’s house caught on fire and burned down to the ground.

     My Dad and grandmother lost everything. We had no fire insurance. Once the house burned down, we had nothing, and times were extremely hard. We were extremely poor at that time. I grew up in old houses that sometimes had broken or cracked windows, or even holes in the walls. Dad would put old rags or newspapers that the neighbors gave us to stop the holes and cracks to keep the cold out. The old windows were covered in large sheets of plastic in the wintertime to keep the chilly air from coming into the house as well.

    Dad and my grandmother, at that time, had to depend on family members, church members, and neighbors to give us things to start over. For a minority of my life growing up, I wore hand-me-down clothes and shoes. It was considered a blessing if my siblings or I got one new outfit or a pair of shoes at Christmas. Toys at Christmas were another thing. You were lucky to get one simple little toy. Birthdays were considered just another day. There were no birthday parties or gifts. Nor did I get a “Happy Birthday” unless my sister and I exchanged that greeting with each other.

     And as my little brother got older, we included him, too. And every year when I was little, I remember my sister and I would say a prayer that one day Momma would come home. My brother had been a baby when she was taken away. He did not remember her, and it would be some time before he even got the chance to meet her. In fact, it was some time before my sister, and I got the chance to see her again. I was a teenager before I understood what had happened to my Momma. My sister and I would listen to my grandmother and aunts talking about Momma.

    Especially when they believed we were not paying any attention to what they were saying. They believed that children should not hear these things. I remember asking a teacher in middle school what” mental illness meant.” After my talk with the teacher, I knew that the chances of my Momma ever coming home were not good. It was especially so at that time because people simply did not understand mental illness, nor were a lot of people educated about it. The world was a different place for individuals diagnosed with any type of mental illness back then.

    There were very few people who talked about mental illness openly and the effects it had on an individual, as well as their families. Even then, the medical field had limited knowledge of what caused some individuals to develop a mental illness while others did not. I learned as a young adult and throughout the years that the research in the mental illness field is limited. Mental health, throughout the years, has been at the bottom of the list as being important enough to be granted enough research funds to make an enormous difference.

    Many incidents can cause PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in a child or an adolescent. I strongly believe that PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects children at a very young age. I encourage parents and other family members, as well as authorized caretakers, to seek help for a child who may display signs of PTSD. A few weeks ago, a friend showed me a paperback workbook written by author, Lisa Weed Phifer called,“Trauma-Informed Social-Emotional Toolbox for Children & Adolescents: 116 Worksheets & Skill-Building Exercises to Support Safety, Connection & Empowerment.” I found this workbook very interesting.

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  • The National Mental Health Hotline For All 50 States!

    The National Mental Health Hotline For All 50 States!

    NORTHEAST

    MIDWEST

    SOUTH

    WEST

    Reference

    1. Mental Health Hotline.https://mentalhealthhotline.org

  • In-depth Look at Panic Attack /Disorder

    In-depth Look at Panic Attack /Disorder

    Panic Attacks / Disorder:

    It is a sudden, intense episode of horrible fear. It is often triggered because of many distinct reasons. Most individuals experience severe physical reactions to panic disorders. A panic disorder can cripple an individual to the point that they cannot function and even perform simple, everyday life skills. During an episode, several individuals believe they are truly dying when they have a panic attack.

    Although most panic attacks only last a few minutes up to 30 minutes, some last a little longer. Once an individual is back in control, they often feel relieved but exhausted. Panic attacks/disorders go hand-in -hand with anxiety attacks, except symptoms are stronger. Most individuals who have anxiety often start with anxiety attacks that build up over time into full-blown panic attacks.

    Symptoms of panic attacks /disorder:

    There are many symptoms associated with panic attack such as the following listed below:

    -Tachycardic, etc., rapid heartbeats/heart palpitations

    -Hyperventilate or have shortness of breath

    -Headaches

    -Dizziness

    -Difficulty breathing

    -Nausea

    -Sweating

    -Hot flashes

    – Cold / Chills

    -Some individual’s vomit

    -Trembling/Shaking

    -Tingling/numbness in their fingers, feet, face, arms, legs, and even their lips.

    There are a lot of panic attacks often mistaken for heart attacks due to the ongoing chest pain symptoms. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that during a panic attack, they are experiencing a full-blown heart attack, and they are truly dying. Panic attacks can also be caused by an individual worrying about health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, etc. When left untreated, panic attacks can lead to the most serious health problems for an individual.

    Reasons for panic attacks /disorder:

    Research has shown there are no underlying causes for panic disorders/attacks. There are several different things in an individual’s life that may trigger a panic attack.

    -Genetics can play a part in this illness

    -Stress- worrying about anything can bring on an attack. Work, family, friends, health concerns, or just being sensitive to stress can trigger a panic attack.

    -Being prone to negative emotions/feelings.

    -Worrying about bills or health concerns.

    -Having a sudden change in your brain functions. {Stroke, trauma, or illness that affect certain parts of the brain.

    Yes, most panic attacks come suddenly, they create an unnecessary feeling of fear, and sometimes provoke strong physical reactions, usually to everyday life stressors that are non-threatening to an individual. It is important to remember that panic attacks are always treatable. If you are not on any medications to help with panic attacks, then you should be if you cannot get control over them on your own.

    Ways to help:

    1. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking. They will increase and make panic attacks worse.

    2. Exercise daily on a regular schedule.

    3. Eat a healthy diet.

    4. Do not use illegal drugs.

    5. Learn to avoid places, people, and things that trigger panic attacks.

    6. Learn to manage your stressors in healthy ways.

    7. Practice deep breathing exercises.

    8. Stay focused on the present.

    *You can also refer to my article on anxiety to see other ways to help with panic attacks.

    *The most important thing to remember is never to be afraid to reach out for support when panic attack symptoms start! It is never too late to get help, and the sooner, the better!

    References:

    1. National Institute of Mental Health. Panic Disorder.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/panic-disorder

    2. American Psychological Association. Panic Disorder: Answers to your most important questions. https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/panic-disorder

    3. Cleveland Clinic. Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-attack-panic-disorder

    4. PsychCenter. All about Panic Disorder. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/panic-disorder-overview#whats-panic-disorder

    5. National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide Prevention.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

    6.Mayo Clinic.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases

  • Bipolar-II Disorder

    Bipolar-II Disorder

    It is a sudden, intense episode of horrible fear. It is often triggered because of many distinct reasons. Most individuals experience severe physical reactions to panic disorders. A panic disorder can cripple an individual to the point that they cannot function and even perform simple, everyday life skills.

    Fortunately, the less-elevated moods displayed in bipolar II disorder are often classified as “hypomanic periods,” or as some refer to them as “hypomania events!” Most individuals with bipolar II disorder will experience at least one “hypomanic event” in their lifetime.

    Symptoms associated with bipolar-II disorder:

    *An individual experiencing a “hypomanic event” displays the following symptoms:

    -Their thought process changes rapidly, and they often go from one idea to another.

    -Often, these individuals overstate or enlarge their feelings of self-confidence.

    -They speak in very loud, rapid voices and do not like to be interrupted.

    -Most individuals need little to no sleep when they are in the state of “hypomania.”

    -They function at a remarkably elevated level of energy!

    Most people enjoy being around an individual experiencing a “hypomanic event” in their life. “Why!” These individuals seem to be “very sociable, lively, and amusing individuals.” They bring a lot of excitement and joy to a party. They tend to have an intense, outgoing personality. They enjoy cracking jokes, goofing off, acting like a clown sometimes, and displaying “happy feelings” when around others. They are considered the “Life of the Party!”

    Let’s again look at the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorders.

    Unfortunately, both bipolar I & II have mood episodes. During the highs, they are basically known as “manic episodes.” While the lows are mostly known as “depressive episodes.” Depending on the type of bipolar disorder, many individuals will not experience episodes of depression with their bipolar disorder. Everyone should learn what the main difference is between bipolar I and bipolar II.

    Mostly, it depends on how severe your mania episodes are. If you have bipolar II, your “mania” episode is not as severe as that of an individual with bipolar I. It is reversed where “depressive episodes” are concerned. An individual with bipolar I may not experience a depressive episode at all. Unfortunately, an individual diagnosed with bipolar II may have a major blow-out depressive episode.

    The symptoms associated with “Mania episodes” include:

    • The inability to sleep
    • Not being able to focus
    • Having a huge amount of energy
    • Restlessness
    • Extremely joyful/happy
    • Acting out in a harmful manner

    The symptoms associated with “Major Depressive  episodes” include:

    • fatigue
    • impatience
    • distracted
    • inability to sleep well
    • loss of appetite
    • Maybe suicidal

    Bipolar disorders are based on the severity of an individual’s mood episode, the duration of the mood, and the type of mood. The difference to the International Bipolar Foundation, “One major difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is the intensity of manic episodes. Bipolar I involves periods of severe mania, whereas Bipolar II involves periods of less hypomania. Bipolar I and Bipolar II involve different mood swings, elevated levels of energy, and intense focusing in one area.

    Different Types of Bipolar Disorders {2}

    1. Bipolar I disorder.

    2. Bipolar II disorder

    3. Cyclothymic disorder

    4. Other specified bipolar and related disorder

    5. Unspecified bipolar and related disorder

    Cyclothymic Disorder– often referred to as cyclothymia} is diagnosed when an individual has repeated events of hypomanic and depressive symptoms, but an individual does not experience events for a lengthy period to be considered hypomanic or depressive episodes.

     Other specified bipolar and related disorder–

    When it is referred to this type of bipolar disorder the symptoms that an individual is diagnosed with (such as manic or depressive episodes), do not fit into other bipolar categories.

    Unspecified bipolar and related disorder-

    Unfortunately, with this diagnose it may be very much alike and tend to fall close to the “other specific bipolar and related disorder.” It is often used in emergency departments when a doctor has not been given enough information to make a complete diagnose or the individual has not been in the emergency room long enough for an ER doctor to make a complete diagnosis.

    To be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, you must have experienced one or more mania episodes. When an individual experiences bipolar II disorder, the characteristic of this disorder involves both hypomanic and depressive episodes. Individuals who experience bipolar II disorder will never have completely intense, full -blown mania episodes. The symptoms of bipolar II disorder are not weaker than those of bipolar I disorder. It is simply different in the symptoms an individual may experience.

    Research has shown that bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder are just two of the major forms of bipolar disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA} has included research studies that have shown there are at least five diverse types of bipolar and related disorders.

    Summary

    If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of any type of bipolar disorder, please see a doctor as soon as possible for a referred to a professional mental health provider. Always be upfront about your symptoms. Remember that it is particularly important for your overall health to keep an open, honest line of communication to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment plan for you. Treatment plans vary differently depending on the individual’s symptoms.

    References:

    1. National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder

    2. Toler, Lindsey {Updated 2022. Aug.06. https://www.verywellmind.com/are-there-different-types-of-bipolar-disorder-5194673

    3. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.https://archive.org/details/american-psychiatric-association-diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-of-mental-dis

    4.Gaissert, Anna. Bipolar I vs Bipolar II-What is the difference? https://ibpf.org/articles/bipolar-i-vs-bipolar-ii-whats-the-difference/#_ftn4

    5.National Alliance on Mental Illness. Bipolar Disorder. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-Disorder/

    6.MentalHealth.com.https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/bipolar-1-vs-bipolar-2

    Note: “Bipolar II is just as serious as Bipolar I.”

  • Bipolar-I Disorder

    Bipolar-I Disorder

    What do we know about Bipolar I Disorder?

    Bipolar Disorder is basically classified as a manic-depressive disorder or manic depression. It is classified as a form of mental illness. Most individuals who experience bipolar I disorder have severe symptoms that can last a week or longer. Individuals experiencing the “mania” state often display similar behaviors; yet they can also differ in other individuals during their periods of mood swings. There are many symptoms associated with bipolar I disorder. Research has documented that not all individuals have shown the same symptoms during a “mania” state.

    Symptoms associated with bipolar I disorder: Listed below are just some of the symptoms.

    1. Not sleeping at all. {Or sleeping for short periods of time.}

    2. Not eating. [Or overeating.}

    3. Impulsive behaviors. [Spending money they did not have.}

    4. Easy to become annoyed. [Or irritated and provoked easily.}

    5. Often distracted. {Cannot focus even for a short amount of time.}

    6. Displaying racing thoughts. {Usually towards people. places, other things in life.}

    7. Showing signs of an elevated level of energy. [High levels of energy.]

    8. Not able stay still. {Unable sit down, stand, or stay in one place for long.}

    9. Speaking in an extremely fast tone of voice. {Using a different tone of voice.}

    10. Being very talkative. {Talking again extremely fast about things does not make any sense.}

    11. Not really making full sentences. {Talking using an odd, unknown language pattern.}

    12. Having greater self-esteem. {Used to make themselves feel more important.}

    13. Displaying overindulging habits. [Spending money unnecessarily.}

    14. Doing things that become dangerous. {Not only to themselves but also to others.}

    Studies have shown there are several important reasons why some individuals develop bipolar disorders, and others do not.

    -Genetics and stress play a major part in developing bipolar disorder.

    – Research throughout the years has documented studies on individuals in which diseases or trauma that directly affected the brain could cause bipolar disorder as well.

    Unfortunately, throughout the years, many individuals whom I have known about bipolar disorder display suicidal thoughts. Several attempted or committed suicide.

    Words that an incredibly good friend spoke told me once…. She said, “When my bipolar symptoms are at their worst… My whole life feels like it is falling apart. It is like I have no control over anything in my life. It is a horrible, crippling, and frightening feeling! And unless you have this disease, you cannot understand the fear that it brings!”

    ♠Suicide Prevention♠

    If you are aware of anyone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or who may have the intent of harming another person:

    -Please talk calmly to them.

    -Listen to them talk without making any judgments about them.

    -Ask if they are thinking about harming themselves, others, or if they have any suicidal thoughts.

    -Call the local emergency 911 number for help or an emergency hotline number to see if the individual will talk with a crisis counselor. {If someone else is with you, have them step aside and make this call}

    -If you are with the individual, please do not leave them. Stay until the local emergency service providers arrive to transport the individual to a nearby facility for immediate help.

    – If you are not with them. Please get someone who will remain calm, whom the individual may know and trust, to talk to over the phone.

    – Then, if you are close by and comfortable with going to the individual’s home, then go to their home. {Only do this if you feel sure the individual will not harm you.

    -Try to remove any immediate danger from the individual’s home. Such as weapons, medications, and any other items that the individual may use to harm themselves or someone else.

    -Always encourage the individual to seek help.

    -Always take the time to explain the importance of taking medications to treat their symptoms to the individual. [Especially if they do not understand how important this really is for their own.  overall health.

    -Never give up on a loved one or a friend in need.

    ♥ If you are experiencing a crisis, please call the 988  LIFELINE!

    References:

    1.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  https://988lifeline.org/

    2. Healthline.com. Everything You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder. https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder

    3. WebMD. Bipolar Disorder. https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-1-disorder

    4. Mayo Clinic. Bipolar Disorder. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

    5. National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide Prevention. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention