It is referred to as geriatric psychiatry and there is focus on the treatment of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, as well as depression. There is shortage across the nation of psychiatrists, even more so, psychiatric providers who specialize in treating older populations. Mental illness affects close to 15% of the older population. This number is a mere estimate, and doesn’t account for the untreated elders who do not have access to mental health services. In order to support our elderly loved ones as they approach end of life, it is important to educate ourselves on what they are truly going through so that we can be there for them as they have helped us throughout our life. 
|
Older individuals often do not report their psychiatric symptoms, instead there is more focus on somatic symptoms and so there is a high risk for isolation and depression |  |
The elderly are also at risk for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and it is estimated there will be a substantial increase of these cases in the next 25 years.
These neurological diseases are typically not a normal part of the aging process; however, aging is a primary risk factor for developing these disorders. Symptoms involve a progressive decline in memory and overall cognitive functioning. Although there are no cures, research is being done to develop more effective treatments for these disorders.
Aging is a natural part of life and we may face these challenges. Social support is shown to be a huge protective factor against mental and physical illness. It feels important to ensure that our elders are receiving adequate social support. Keeping an open line of communication has a profound effect.
An interesting aspect of social support is its correlation to socioeconomic status, mental wellness, and physical health
Research has found that greater social support was linked to higher socioeconomic status and better health outcomes.
Socioeconomic status encompasses educational achievement as well as financial security and individuals with a lower status are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes. Low-income older individuals living below the poverty line often depend solely on Social Security for income and lack other resources.
It is helpful for older adults to plan for the future as they approach retirement and feel supported by their loved ones. The gaps in healthcare across socioeconomic classes impacts the elderly deeply. They are a vulnerable population and need social support to help combat adverse physical and mental health outcomes.
Socioeconomic status encompasses educational achievement as well as financial security and individuals with a lower status are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes. Low-income older individuals living below the poverty line often depend solely on Social Security for income and lack other resources.
It is helpful for older adults to plan for the future as they approach retirement and feel supported by their loved ones. The gaps in healthcare across socioeconomic classes impacts the elderly deeply. They are a vulnerable population and need social support to help combat adverse physical and mental health outcomes.
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.
0 Comments
Fear is a state that comes from within
Once one falls into a state of fear, their external realties will begin to play out with the internal fear state. For example, a man who enters his work environment in a fearful state will be faced with a negative perception that may play out with a supervisor who is strict and authoritative in addition to co-workers that feed into the fearful state. Those who have power sometimes will prey on the fearful and play mental games to entrap them in their snare.
To mitigate this fearful state, one must understand and recognize that this external reality is coming from within.
Where did the fearful state come from? A lot of mindsets are brought into our reality from childhood. Survival instincts can drive us to treat others poorly as we are afraid of facing or confronting deeper realities. Deeper realities are paradoxically scary, and we wonder, what is better, to focus on the fear projected from our internal world onto the external world, or to focus on deeper levels of fear within us.
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.
Research has found that mental health and social interaction have a strong connection with one another.
We find that consistent and positive patterns of social interaction boost overall mental health as well as physical health. Humans naturally gravitate towards social interaction. Hanging out with friends, seeing the smiling face of another person, these moments of social interaction all trigger a response in our bodies.
It is a central part of an individual’s survival. Research has found that the neurotransmitters responsible for regulating stress and anxiety are typically released during these moments of social interaction.
It is a central part of an individual’s survival. Research has found that the neurotransmitters responsible for regulating stress and anxiety are typically released during these moments of social interaction.
We find that social interaction plays an important role in boosting and maintaining good physical and psychological health in an individual.
When we strip this away, we find the opposite effect. This can be observed in the prison system. Prisoners are removed from society as a punishment for their crimes. The social isolation is necessary for the safety of the community, and we can observe very clearly the effect the social isolation has on these individuals. Most inmates already have existing psychiatric disorders and so they experience an even greater decline in their mental health with the loss of social interaction.
The Impact of Social Isolation on Mental Health
There was a study done which found that rats would rather have social interaction than drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine. Another study found that individuals who experience lots of social interaction also experience lowered stress levels.
Social isolation is directly linked with many mental health illnesses and so we see the importance social interaction has upon overall wellbeing. A marked symptom of depression is social withdrawal. One risk factor we observe amongst individuals who commit mass shootings is social isolation. The effects of social isolation have a negative impact not only on the body but also the mind. Research finds that social isolation was linked to a higher release of cortisol in both men and women. Cortisol is a hormone the body produces in response to stress. If cortisol levels gets too high we
Social isolation is directly linked with many mental health illnesses and so we see the importance social interaction has upon overall wellbeing. A marked symptom of depression is social withdrawal. One risk factor we observe amongst individuals who commit mass shootings is social isolation. The effects of social isolation have a negative impact not only on the body but also the mind. Research finds that social isolation was linked to a higher release of cortisol in both men and women. Cortisol is a hormone the body produces in response to stress. If cortisol levels gets too high we
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.
Mass Shooting Tragedies
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.
The Mental Health of A Mass Shooter
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.
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.
6 Psychiatric Risk Factors
1. Social Isolation/Rejection
- They have no social support and feel a sense of alienation from others in society.
- They are often alone and feel generally rejected by others.
2. Narcissism
- They exhibit excessive selfishness and grandiosity.
- They will overestimate their abilities and hold their beliefs in very high esteem.
3. Self-Esteem Issues
- They often struggle with developing a healthy sense of self-esteem.
- Self-esteem regulates narcissism and because of the presence of high narcissism, a healthy sense of self-esteem is never achieved.
4. Persecutory Delusions/ Paranoia
- They may feel as though society as a whole is out to get them.
- They express general disgust towards society and views of hopelessness.
5. Suicidal Ideation
- They may struggle with past or present thoughts of suicidality.
6. Depression
- These individuals also may struggle with Major Depressive Disorder.
Considering All The Factors
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.
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.
Stigma of Mental Health Illness-
Society & Culture
Many individuals experience social stigma associated with their mental illness. Historically in society and certain cultures, mental health illnesses have been illegitimated and there was intense shaming towards individuals who were suffering from. Seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders was considered a sign of weakness and personal failure. Resilience was considered the treatment for psychiatric disorders and individuals often suffered silently, further worsening their symptoms.
Society heavily stigmatized mental illness and dismissed symptoms as illusions, individuals who suffered from mental health illness were often ridiculed and labeled as "crazy", and the isolation they experienced made psychiatric treatment near impossible.
Society heavily stigmatized mental illness and dismissed symptoms as illusions, individuals who suffered from mental health illness were often ridiculed and labeled as "crazy", and the isolation they experienced made psychiatric treatment near impossible.
Physical Illness vs. Mental Illness
Mental Illnesses are also subject to social stigma due to the manner in which illnesses present themselves in individuals. For physical illnesses the symptoms are material and observable in the body. If an individual breaks a bone, that person often receives immediate medical care, and sympathy from close friends and family who support them as they recover. If an individual suffers for depression, that person may receive sympathy from close friends and family if they feel comfortable to be open with them; however, the sympathy is often superficial in nature. The individual's depressive symptoms are typically regarded as a mood swing and they are encouraged to be strong, to cheer up, the feelings will pass.
Due to the symptoms of mental health illnesses being based in neuro-chemistry, they are often dismissed as figments of psychological illusion. Individuals fear to open up about their symptoms because they fear judgement and the invalidation of their symptoms; they often suffer silently in isolation with their symptoms.
Due to the symptoms of mental health illnesses being based in neuro-chemistry, they are often dismissed as figments of psychological illusion. Individuals fear to open up about their symptoms because they fear judgement and the invalidation of their symptoms; they often suffer silently in isolation with their symptoms.
Mental Health Stigma Today
Increasingly, mental health awareness has gained social traction. This is in part due to prominent celebrities opening up about their mental health struggles. This media presence does not necessarily eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Many of these celebrities share their stories on social media and receive mixed reviews from readers. Some comments express support and understanding, while others express shame, judgement, skepticism, and criticism.
There have also been very heart breaking tragedies that have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people. The individuals responsible for these casualties are demonized by the media and in some instances if they are suffering from a psychiatric disorder, it is often implicated as what drove their actions. This type of coverage reinforces the stigma that the mentally ill are inherently dangerous, evil, and a threat to society. Of course, not all those who suffer from a mental illness will carry out such vicious acts of aggression onto innocent people, but the stigma is widespread and media helps to support this.
Mental health awareness is important not only for those who suffer from a mental illness, but also those who do not. It is important we educate ourselves and help build a world in which the people in our community feel safe and supported. If you feel someone close to you is struggling, helping them to seek treatment is life changing. No one should face their struggles in isolation and shame.
There have also been very heart breaking tragedies that have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people. The individuals responsible for these casualties are demonized by the media and in some instances if they are suffering from a psychiatric disorder, it is often implicated as what drove their actions. This type of coverage reinforces the stigma that the mentally ill are inherently dangerous, evil, and a threat to society. Of course, not all those who suffer from a mental illness will carry out such vicious acts of aggression onto innocent people, but the stigma is widespread and media helps to support this.
Mental health awareness is important not only for those who suffer from a mental illness, but also those who do not. It is important we educate ourselves and help build a world in which the people in our community feel safe and supported. If you feel someone close to you is struggling, helping them to seek treatment is life changing. No one should face their struggles in isolation and shame.
What Is Ketamine?
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.
How Is Ketamine Administered?
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.
How Does Ketamine Work On The Brain
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.
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.
What Are The Effects Of Ketamine Infusion Treatment?
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.
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.
Is Ketamine Infusion Treatment A Good Option For Me?
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!
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!
Home Court Advantage
Many people are probably tuning in to the March Madness Basketball tournament, it is entertaining to watch the skill of these young athletes, their sportsmanship, teamwork, and passion representing their college in this highly competitive tournament draws in many viewers.
Some viewers may be placing bets on who will advance to the next level and there are many aspects that go into determining which team has the best chances.
One aspect we find in not only basketball but many other sports is the "home court advantage."
Some viewers may be placing bets on who will advance to the next level and there are many aspects that go into determining which team has the best chances.
One aspect we find in not only basketball but many other sports is the "home court advantage."
The Mental State
Why is it that the home team tends to score more points than the visiting team?
You would think that people who are trained at the top level wouldn’t be affected by cheering or noise in a stadium, and would focus on what needs to be done.
Home Court Advantage in basketball is described as the sixth man, because it's like having another player assist the team. The sixth man is essentially the crowd cheering on and supporting the home team and this is an advantage for that team.
Yet, even the most professional of us are human. Even the best of us are fallible to human shortcoming and emotions.
You would think that people who are trained at the top level wouldn’t be affected by cheering or noise in a stadium, and would focus on what needs to be done.
Home Court Advantage in basketball is described as the sixth man, because it's like having another player assist the team. The sixth man is essentially the crowd cheering on and supporting the home team and this is an advantage for that team.
Yet, even the most professional of us are human. Even the best of us are fallible to human shortcoming and emotions.
Using the Home Court Advantage Mentality for Symptoms of Depression & Anxiety
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.
Contact us to speak with a mental health professional today!
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.
Contact us to speak with a mental health professional today!
Practicing empathy is a simple way to add value to your life. Empathy enhances a person’s:
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.
- 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.
Empathy & Mental Health
Mental health disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), may reduce our sense of empathy. Life comes with its fair share of challenges each day and this makes it difficult to be anchored into an empathetic state of mind consistently.
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and feel what another person experiences.
Empathetic people are able to tap into a wide range of emotions and are able to take on a different perspective with ease. This is effective in managing stress and finding satisfaction in one’s life.
What can help us develop this mind state?
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and feel what another person experiences.
Empathetic people are able to tap into a wide range of emotions and are able to take on a different perspective with ease. This is effective in managing stress and finding satisfaction in one’s life.
What can help us develop this mind state?
Active Listening
Encouraging Others
- We have conversations with our friends, family members, colleagues, and strangers routinely.
- “Active Listening” is a helpful practice during conversation.
- Ask open-ended questions to learn more.
- Summarize the other person’s feelings, repeat what they say, helping them
- Maintain eye contact.
- Keep a neutral tone.
Encouraging Others
- It doesn’t matter how small, bits of encouragement in your conversation can make a huge difference.
- You not realize how impactful a small statement of encouragement can have on someone that may be going through a tough time internally.
- Finding common ground and giving uplifting and motivating feedback strengthens your relationships with others.
Acts of Kindness
Alone Time
Connection to Nature
- 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.
Being the Peacemaker
Self-Improvement
Practice Honesty
- Being the peacemaker during times of chaos is a nice display of leadership and is a hallmark personality trait of empathetic people.
- You don’t have to get in the middle of arguments and it may be difficult to be a peacemaker in the heat of the moment, however some skills that are helpful is:
- Maintaining neutrality
- Being non-reactive, no opinions
- Asking what would help the person?
- Encouraging them to follow that path
Self-Improvement
- Setting goals for ourselves, even if they are small become especially powerful when the goals are motivated by the concept of self-improvement.
- Typically, our goals have a specific gain which is fine. It is nice to have goals solely for self-improvement and not a tangible gain.
- Goals based on self-improvement helps boost our self-esteem and helps us to know ourselves better.
Practice Honesty
- Life comes with many ups and downs, it is easy to feel disconnected with how we truly feel sometimes.
- We repress difficult emotions as a way to survive the challenging moments of our life, it is human nature.
- Practicing honesty is an important tool in which we strengthen our principles and gain access to a wider range of emotions.
- Empathetic people tend to have access to this array of emotions and are able to develop meaningful connections to others around them, as well as to themselves.
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.
Contact us below to speak with a psychiatrist for any concerns regarding depression, anxiety, or other disorders. You are not alone, we want to help.
Struggles in Life
We all manage the challenges we face in life differently. There are therapeutic powers to be found in our daily lives that we often engage in, in order to naturally alleviate and cope with our life challenges.
There are professional services for more debilitating mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. It is important to receive professional psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care for these types of disorders because they affect us in a much more disabling and persistent way than everyday life challenges.
Life challenges, such as getting a bad grade, making a mistake at work, having a disagreement with a friend, these experiences naturally cue fluctuations in our mood.
There are professional services for more debilitating mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. It is important to receive professional psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care for these types of disorders because they affect us in a much more disabling and persistent way than everyday life challenges.
Life challenges, such as getting a bad grade, making a mistake at work, having a disagreement with a friend, these experiences naturally cue fluctuations in our mood.
Negative Moods Linked To Depression and Anxiety
There is a range of negative moods we experience. The spectrum of these negative emotions can be condensed into 3 categories:
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.
- Dejection (Emotional Root: Sadness)
- Irritation (Emotional Root: Anger)
- 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.
Examples of coping mechanisms that many use to starve off depression
Therapeutic Powers :
- Distraction
- Examples: reading, listening to music, planning trip in your head, daydreaming/imagining future events
- Benefits:
- Effective in alleviating all of the three negative moods: irritation, stress, and dejection.
- Transfers the person’s thoughts from the issues related to the negative mood to something else
- Mere sensory stimulation from the consumption environment (sights, sounds, smell, tactile senses) gives relief from negative emotions
- Self-Indulgence
- Examples: going out to eat, shopping, buying something nice for yourself
- Benefits:
- Effective in alleviating all of the three negative moods
- Reduce negative emotions felt and reinstates a more neutral mental state that enables a person to think and function normally
- Calms down the mind by exposing person to exclusively pleasant experiences which gradually releases negative energy from body
- Mind calms down the body
- Stimulated Elaboration
- Examples: hanging out with friend, going on a hike
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating irritation and stress
- Inspire deep thinking which leads to new realizations
- Changes a person’s attitude towards negative emotions (new perspective)
- Activation
- Examples: learning to cook new recipe, going to an exhibit, learning to play a new sport, shopping
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating dejection (sadness)
- Changes perception of helplessness
- Engages person towards feeling of accomplishment
- Retreat
- Examples: traveling, vacationing, visiting friend or family’s house, going to the movies
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating stress
- The change of environment relieves people of the feeling of being responsible
- Physical escape gives way to mental escape of the negative mood
- Discharging
- Examples: physical exercise, chewing gum, doing household chores,
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating irritation
- Activities help to discharge the negative energy from the body
- As a result, this calms down our mind
- Re-Charging
- Examples: going to the movies, going to the sauna
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating stress and dejection
- Feelings of powerlessness are diminished
- Activities help a person regain strength so that they may deal with negative circumstances at a future time
- Consumption Activities
- Examples: gardening, fixing car, painting a picture, playing basketball with a friend
- Benefits:
- Most effective in alleviating irritation and stress
- The activities have therapeutic qualities in and of themselves.
- The therapeutic qualities have a wide range and can be aesthetic (e.g. painting), utilitarian (e.g. repairing a car), social (e.g. emotional support), or self-esteem (e.g. self-actualization) related
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.
Victimization in the work place causing depression is not a new concept.
We’ve all come across cases of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and bullying taking place in the workplace. It is portrayed in news articles, television, movies, songs, and more. It is considered a social issue and has inspired a degree of activism.
The complexities of how these experiences of victimization affect us psychologically have not gained much coverage. It is expected that being victimized at work will have a negative impact on a person’s mental health and stability. However, do we understand the many ways in which it affects us? How exactly does it affect us mentally, emotionally, and physiologically?
Define Victimization
The dictionary defines the word “victimization” as:
“The action of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment.”
We can all agree that this has no appropriate place in the work environment. If you go to work each day and you are being victimized this will eventually have grave consequences on your overall well-being.
How do we know we are being victimized?
Laws in effect, prohibit overt forms of victimization such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and prejudice. So does this mean that victimization never occurs in the workplace? Of course not, and the complexities surrounding this are important to note.
Research has been conducted on victimization in the workplace and it has been found there are various constructs that may exist within the workplace that align with the definition of victimization.
Victimization Constructs in the Workplace:
- 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.
The Psychological Outcomes of Victimization and its impact on depression:
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
Coping with Workplace Victimization:
We all have basic emotional human needs, this includes needing a sense of belonging, self-worth, and trust in our environment. The outcomes of victimization in the workplace undermine these needs and create serious mental health problems that we do not deserve to experience.
Coping strategies for situations where you feel you are being victimized allow you to have greater control of the situation. We will discuss in detail effective coping strategies in our next blog!
Coping strategies for situations where you feel you are being victimized allow you to have greater control of the situation. We will discuss in detail effective coping strategies in our next blog!
Read more about the mental health disorders that are linked to experiences of victimization discussed in this blog here:
Thank you for checking out our post and please contact us if you would like to connect with a mental health professional.
Author
Archives
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
Categories
All
Adderall
Addiction
Adhd
Anxiety
Artificial Intelligence
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Awareness
Big Picture
Cell Phones
Child Psychiatrist
Coping Mechanisms
Depression
Empathy
Human Psyche
Isolation
Ketamine
Ketamine Infusion
Marijuana
Mass Shootings
Meditate
Meditation
Mental Health
Mindfulness
Music
Parenting
Parenting Tips
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pstsd
Psychiatrist
Psychiatry
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysts
Risk Fators
Social Interaction
Surviving
Technlogy
Telemedicine
Telepsych
Telepsychiatry
Therapy
Victimization
Work Place
RSS Feed
