​We come across increasing media reports of mass shootings claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent people. These shootings take place in schools, religious places of worship, malls, and many other public places. Theses tragic events seem to be random acts of violence carried out by a ruthless, most likely mentally ill individual. In the case of school shootings, the perpetrator is often a student who may have been a victim themselves of bullying. Attempts to reduce the incidence of these tragic events are being made through the reform of existing gun laws. This is seen as a preventative measure to lessen the likelihood that a gun could be accessed by individuals with ill intent. However, research has found that the states in the United States with the most restrictive gun laws saw a 53% increase in the risk of a mass shooting event, so gun laws seem to be one piece to a larger puzzle.

​It is important we examine the risk factors that could predict an individual’s chances of engaging in acts of violence against innocent people in addition to the reform of gun laws. A study published in the Journal of Loss and Trauma explores the myriad of risk factors that can be identified specifically in the case of the student responsible for the Virginia Tech shooting. The risk factors discussed in the study focus exclusively on the student’s environment and its ultimate influence on him claiming the lives of his peers.
 
Could there be psychiatric risk factors as well that can help bring us closer to understanding how and why these mass shootings occur?
 
Below are 6 risk factors that describe psychological characteristics commonly present among mass shooters.
 
These risk factors give us some insight into the mental health and psychological dynamics of these perpetrators of mass shootings, that the individuals that commit these crimes may not necessarily have a mental illness, however, the presence of these characteristics predict a potential for engaging in acts of violence.

​An individual may present all of these characteristics and never commit acts of violence against others. Specifically, in the case of mass shooters, it seems to be a multifactorial situation, in which psychological/psychiatric factors interact with environmental factors leading the shooter to engage in an act of violence.
 
It is important to open up the conversation and take into account the many aspects influencing these types of events so that we can work as a community to prevent these tragedies in the future.

Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. ​​

 
Ketamine was developed in 1962 as an effective anesthetic for surgical procedures. High doses of ketamine induce a sedating effect in a safe manner; ketamine does not lower blood pressure or interfere with respiratory activity when administered at these high doses. Due to its safe and effective properties, it is widely used as an anesthetic for different medical procedures.
 
Ketamine is considered a Schedule III Controlled Substance and only available through licensed medical professionals.

​At low doses the effects of Ketamine are still safe and much different. At low doses Ketamine may be administered intravenously (IV) or intra-nasally. 

This is a very interesting aspect of Ketamine infusions. Antidepressants that are commonly prescribed work on changing the levels of specific neurotransmitters, notably serotonin. These levels are adjusted gradually, producing the anti-depressant effects after weeks of consistently taking the medication.
 
Ketamine does not work in this manner, hence the immediate changes it produces. Instead of adjusting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, Ketamine works on blocking specific receptors, in particular Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor. Studies have found that this specific receptor has links to depressive symptoms.
 
Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor and as a result influences communication between other neurotransmitters in the brain, such as the serotonin and opiate receptors.
 
There are continued studies investigating this mechanism in which Ketamine produces its effects.

The effects are a mild hypnotic, slightly dissociative state. It can be described as a moderate out of body experience, with altered perception, realizations, and swayed consciousness. There may also be mild auditory and visual reaction during treatment.
 
These effects are not harmful to the individual and any side effects experienced are usually mild and resolve on their own within a day after treatment, there are no reported long term side effects associated with Ketamine treatment.
 
Studies have shown it is a very effective treatment for individuals suffering from Treatment-Resistant Depression, as well as, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicidality, and certain Mood Disorders, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and pain syndromes, such as Fibromyalgia.
 
Another aspect of the Ketamine infusion treatment to consider is the onset of these effects. After undergoing treatment individuals will feel the effects and relief from the symptoms of their disorder instantly.
 
Traditional medications used to treat depression (SSRIs) typically take 8 weeks for full effects to be experienced. These antidepressant medications also come with many side effects. For individuals that do not find these medications effective in alleviating their depressive symptoms, Ketamine infusion treatment may be a better alternative.

​Ketamine Infusion Treatment is available at a licensed facility in your area. The first step is to speak with a psychiatrist to discuss your symptoms and concerns. If it is determined that you will benefit from Ketamine Infusion Treatment, you can then be referred to a clinic near you.
 
Ketamine Infusion Treatment is an innovative and effective treatment option for individuals suffering from many different psychiatric disorders and who have not found improvement in their symptoms through traditional psychiatric medications.
 
Contact our office below if you are interested in this treatment so we may connect you with a psychiatrist in your area today!

​When a basketball player shoots a free throw and misses it, most players tend to give a high five to the rest of the team on the court.
 
Missing one point can be psychologically taxing, and the rest of the team is saying, “let it go, this happens, let's move forward”. This logic goes for the home team and for the away team.
 
The home field advantage can be connected to our everyday life.
 
Do you feel that you have home field advantage? Do you feel that your support structure is truly supportive, and wants you succeed?
 
Life is already difficult, and if you do not feel that you have the support that you need to succeed, and feel that you are playing as a “visitor” in a basketball game, then you are much less likely to succeed, or be satisfied, and are more likely to have depression and anxiety, and a host of other mental health illnesses.
 
Find a way to have a home court advantage. It isn’t the number of people in your life that matters, it’s the quality of the support and cheering that matters.
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Contact us to speak with a mental health professional today!
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Practicing empathy is a simple way to add value to your life. Empathy enhances a person’s:

• Self-esteem
• Interpersonal relationships
• Happiness
• Overall life satisfaction

 
Empathy also improves a person’s social value. People are typically highly motivated and inspired by empathetic individuals.
 
Think of the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Jesus Christ. These are iconic figures we strongly associate with good. As a society we look up to these figures as people who changed the world with their philosophies and actions. All these figures displayed strong empathetic traits.
 
Empathetic people are considered leaders that we trust not fear, people we turn to for guidance and support, people who add value to our lives and the world.
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Acts of Kindness

• Much like words of encouragement, random acts of kindness can have a powerful impact on others.
• These acts of kindness can be small, such as bringing in an extra coffee for a colleague, or simply offering to help someone.
• Acts of kindness help us to stay connected with an empathetic mind state, and by building stronger relationships with others this adds value to our lives.

 
Alone Time

• Interactions are important, but we all need time to recharge. Having alone time means we are not being influenced by others and we are able to re-connect with feelings we may be repressing.
• Spending time alone doing something nice for yourself such as cooking your favorite meal, listening to music, reading a book.

 
Connection to Nature

• During alone time, it can be very refreshing to make a connection to nature, going on a hike, going for a walk, helps us to re-charge and being out in nature gives us a peaceful setting to refresh our mind and spirit.
• Meditation and exercise are healthy habits that can also be practiced in nature.

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There is a range of negative moods we experience. The spectrum of these negative emotions can be condensed into 3 categories:
 

1. Dejection (Emotional Root: Sadness)
2. Irritation (Emotional Root: Anger)
3. Stress (Emotional Root: Fear)

 
When we experience a fluctuation in mood that leads us into a negative emotion from any of the categories above, naturally we find things in life to help us cope with these negative emotions.
 
Looking beyond obvious coping methods, such as, medications, drug and substance use, sleeping, binge eating, let’s take a closer look into these therapeutic powers.

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• Workplace Harassment
  • Repeated actions directed towards a person who is unable to defend themselves, meant to cause mental pain.

• Bullying
  • An individual or group who consistently over a course of time, intimidates and subjugates a person who may not be able to defend themselves.

• Mobbing
  • A more severe form of bullying.

• A Petty Tyrant
  • A person who uses their authority over others in an oppressive or spiteful manner.

• Emotional Abuse
  • Verbal or non-verbal tactic intended to harm another person.

• Workplace Incivility
  • Uncivil behaviors, displaying lack of regard and intended to hurt another person.

• Victimization
  • Being exposed to aggressive acts made by another person or group, intended to harm.

• Abusive Supervision
  • Hostile and contentious verbal and nonverbal actions made by a supervisor or authority figure, intended to harm.

• Social Undermining
  • Actions made against another individual to deter and obstruct their capacity for positive relationships, reputation, and work-related successes.

• Identity Threat
  • Negative evaluations and other definite actions intended to lower another person’s sense of self-worth, morale, and competence.

 
After reading some of these constructs you may feel an eerie sense that you may have been victimized at some point during your career. It may have been at a past job or a current job. These constructs may even coincide with experiences you’ve had going to school.
 
These constructs illustrate the various forms that victimization can be presented and it is not limited to the workplace.
 
It is important to understand how experiencing these forms of victimization may affect us. It is possible we are being unknowingly victimized. Exploring the effects of these victimization constructs may help us to make connections with how they are presented in our life.
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Many studies have analyzed the connection between workplace victimization and the negative psychologically, emotionally, and physiologically consequences it has on the individual.
 
Psychological Outcomes:
Increased symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Increased job related stress
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Decline in overall mental health

Physiological:
Negative somatic symptoms
Sickness
Stress
Emotional exhaustion/ Burnout
Substance abuse as coping mechanism
Fatigue
Feeling traumatized

Emotional Outcomes:
Decreased emotional well being
Low level of job satisfaction
Low level of life satisfaction
Chronic feelings of:
Shame
Fear
Grief
Loneliness
Anger
Anxiousness
Sadness​​
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