Category Archives: anxiety

Anxiety Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

07 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by in anger management, anxiety, COVID-19, depression, mental health, stress, suicide prevention, veterans

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Due to the COVID-19 virus, we are all going through a unique set of circumstances that none of us or our recent ancestors have ever experienced.  It is something none us caused and we cannot fix the problem alone.

This situation affects not only our health but our interactions with our family, friends, acquaintances, jobs and plans for the future.  We feel confident when we have reasonable control over what happens in our lives.  As our ability to control this situation by ourselves is not an option, anxiety and stress around the world is extremely high.  If you are anxious and somewhat angry you are not alone!

You can benefit from talking to someone about what you are feeling and how this situation affects you as an individual.  Call your family members regularly. Contact your friends and acquaintances by phone. Just as it makes you feel better to talk to them, they need to talk as well.  In this way you can bring comfort to each other and reduce the anxiety level on both sides.

If you do not have anyone you trust sharing your thoughts and feelings with, contact us.  Your conversations are kept in confidence and this is a safe place to share.

Even though you do no know how you will manage this situation, you will get through this.  Life may be different, but you can make adjustments as necessary and go forward.  Best wishes to you and yours.

Esketamine for Depression

09 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in addictions, alcohol abuse, anger management, anxiety, depression, drug abuse, mental health, military, stress, suicide prevention, Tell us what you think, veterans

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As a mental health therapst, I read a lot and try to stay abreast of different treatment options that may or may not be helpful to my clients.  I read an article published in the Medical News Today on March 8, 2019 that was very well written by Catharine Paddock PhD and fact checked by Jasmin Collier.  The article is titled: “The FDA approve esketamine nasal spray for severe depression”.

The author covered important things.  She gave the name of the company that is making the drug as a nasal spray.  She stated that the spray is to be used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant by adults with treatment-resistent depression.  The article stated “The most common side effects the teams observed in the trials included dizziness, disassociation, sedation, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, lethargy, decreased sensitivity, raised blood pressure, and a feeling of intoxication.”

She noted that due to the risks involved with the use of this drug, which also includes “abuse and misuse”, it will be closely monitored. The article states: “the drug will only be available through a restricted distribution system, and it must be administered in a certified medical office where the healthcare provider can monitor the patient.”  Users will not be allowed to take any of this medication home.

I am providing a link to the full article so you may read it for yourself.  I would like to know what you think of this treatment and its possibilities.  Please leave a comment on this post.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324656.php

Happy New Year

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in alcohol abuse, anxiety, drug abuse, family, mental health, stress, veterans

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We wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.

As you think back on your life in 2018, are you satisfied with how you handled the many situations that occurred?  Could you have done things differently that would have given you better outcomes?  Did you struggle with things like grief, stress, addictions, depression, anxiety, relationships or parenting and procrastinated about contacting a counselor to get help?

This is a new year.  If you are struggling you do not have to do it alone. Now is the time to take steps to make this year better than the last. 2019 could be your best year ever.  Contact us now for an appointment.

Goodbye and Hello

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in alcohol abuse, anger management, anxiety, drug abuse, family, Holiday, mental health

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As we prepare to say goodbye to 2018, look forward to saying hello to 2019.  This year has had its ups and downs.  There were things we handled well and some things we could have handled better.  Now is the time to reflect on this year, note any shortcomings and create a plan not to repeat past mistakes in the New Year.

May 2019 be the best year you have ever had.

Fourth of July Stress

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in alcohol abuse, anger management, anxiety, drug abuse, Fourth of July, Holiday, mental health, stress

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The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate the independence of the United States.  However, it can also be a time of great stress for many.

If a person struggles with anxiety, the act of making sure everyone is invited to the family gathering and ensuring the decorations and food are just right could be overwhelming.

For a person who is in recovery from alcohol or other drugs, the holiday could be a trigger to use.  Gatherings often have alcohol on display.  Even worse, there are usually people there who “knew you when you used to…” even though you have been sober for a while and are trying to stay that way.  Despite the fact that you told them you are no longer using, they are still offering – trying to get you to indulge again.

A person who has difficulty controlling their anger may have problems at the celebration.  Often there will be someone there who knows how to push their buttons to contribute to their loss of temper.

The key to successfully getting through these stressful situations is to:

  1.  Plan ahead.
  2.  Recognized the situation for what it is.
  3.  Have a planned response.
  4.  Implement that planned response.

If you have a response that may help someone in any of the above-mentioned situations, please leave a comment to share.  If you liked this post please let us know.