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Alternative Methods in Mental Health Care

dpi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:04:17 +0000

What are alternative approaches to mental health care? An alternative approach to mental health care is one that emphasizes the interrelationship between mind, body, and spirit. Although some alternative approaches have a long history, many remain controversial. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health was created in 1992 to help evaluate alternative methods of treatment and to integrate those that are effective into mainstream health care practice. It is crucial, however, to consult with your health care providers about the approaches you are using to achieve mental wellness.
Diet and Nutrition - Adjusting both diet and nutrition may help some people with mental illnesses manage their symptoms and promote recovery. For example, research suggests that eliminating milk and wheat products can reduce the severity of symptoms for some people who have schizophrenia and some children with autism. Similarly, some holistic/natural physicians use herbal treatments, B-complex vitamins, riboflavin, magnesium, and thiamine to treat anxiety, autism, depression, drug-induced psychoses, and hyperactivity.
Pastoral Counseling - Some people prefer to seek help for mental health problems from their pastor, rabbi, or priest, rather than from therapists who are not affiliated with a religious community. Counselors working within traditional faith communities increasingly are recognizing the need to incorporate psychotherapy and/or medication, along with prayer and spirituality, to effectively help some people with mental disorders.
Animal Assisted Therapies - Working with an animal (or animals) under the guidance of a health care professional may benefit some people with mental illness by facilitating positive changes, such as increased empathy and enhanced socialization skills. Animals can be used as part of group therapy programs to encourage communication and increase the ability to focus. Developing self-esteem and reducing loneliness and anxiety are just some potential benefits of individual-animal therapy (Delta Society, 2002).

Agoraphobia

dpi — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:42:13 +0000

The fear of traveling is the common definition of agoraphobia. This can be a serious condition in which a person isn’t able to leave the home at all or it can be a mild disorder in which a person can’t travel more than a few hours away from home. When a person attempts to go beyond what is considered their “safe” boundaries then they go into an agoraphobia panic attack.

Starting by taking baby steps is the best way a person can slow their agoraphobia panic attacks. In order to finally master their fears the individual must set specific goals to overcome their panic attacks. Family and friends are the best people to help a person through this process.

To the sufferers themselves an agoraphobia panic attack is very frustrating. This is because an agoraphobic attack is often less rational than the typical panic attacks.
A fear of public places, especially those where there is a large gathering of people such as a grocery store can develop from a social anxiety. An individual who suffers from general panic disorders can become embarrassed of their disorder, which can then cause a fear of traveling and suffering a panic attack in public.

The only way for a person to overcome these attacks is to push their limits, which makes treatment of agoraphobia panic attack difficult. Before getting better many agoraphobics tend to get worse for this reason. Since all an individual has to do is stay within their “safe” zone they tend to ignore their agoraphobic problem. However, while the problem can be easy to ignore it is a stifling symptom that comes from a chronic panic disorder.

Little by little, agoraphobia can be overcome. It takes time and a lot of patience. This is one time the person with this disorder must learn to turn to someone trusted to help them through.

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

dpi — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:59:23 +0000

Adult attention deficit disorder, or adult ADD, can be a very frustrating condition to have. Almost all of the initial research and focus for the attention deficit disorders was focused on children and adolescents, but adults are just as likely to have the condition as youths. The disorder normally makes itself apparent during childhood, with difficulties at school being one of the most common hallmarks of the condition, which helps to explain why so much focus has been on children with the disease. But children with attention deficit disorder grow up to be adults with attention deficit disorder.
If you are an adult and you are having trouble focusing at work, difficulty listening to people in everyday conversations, find yourself interrupting people a lot, losing things frequently, are easily distracted from tasks, are easily frustrated or find yourself feeling over stimulated often, you may have adult attention deficit disorder.
Treatment for the disorder mirrors the treatments used for children with the condition. The first step you need to take if you suspect you may have an adult attention deficit condition is to see a doctor. There are other disorders that can mimic an adult attention deficit condition, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder, and it is important that these be ruled out before trying treatments.
Most health professionals will agree that there are also a number of non-medication based steps you can take to alleviate some of your symptoms. Getting regular vigorous exercise has been shown to help a lot of people with ADD. Also a diet high in lean protein is recommended. Keeping lists, writing notes, breaking large tasks down into smaller parts and taking other similar steps to counter your disorder will certainly help as well. Medication is also another option. Talk with your doctor and decide together what method is best for you.

Abilify

dpi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:17:21 +0000

More than two million people within the United States suffer from schizophrenia, a chemical imbalance within the brain. Schizophrenia has a variety of symptoms that have a direct effect on the ability to relate with others, make decisions, manage emotions, and have clear trains of thought. If you are one of the many people in the nation suffering from schizophrenia, you should talk to your physician about Abilify.
Abilify can help in reducing a number of symptoms experienced by schizophrenics. For example, taking Abilify can help you regain interest again in things you once loved. It can also clear your mind leaving you less you confused and free from disturbing or uncomfortable thoughts and could prevent hallucinations.
When taking Abilify, you could start feeling better in as little as one to two weeks. However, no two people are the same, and every person reacts differently to medications, therefore, it is important to keep taking the medicine even if you do not start to feel better right away.
What is great about Abilify, is that you can treat schizophrenia without having to cater your day around the medication. As a once daily medication, you only have to remember one dose and the rest of the day is yours. Abilify comes in two different forms - tablet and oral solution. Tablets come in doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 milligrams. The oral solution comes in doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 milliliters.
As with any type of medication, Abilify does come with some possible side effects. Some common side effects of the schizophrenia medication include tremors, constipation, restlessness, lightheadedness, and sleepiness. Those taking Abilify may also experience vomiting, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. In studies, some patients showed some instances of weight gain while taking Abilify.