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November 11 2024

Friday Facts for October 2024

Author Susan Vaught Categories Current Interns, Friday Facts 0 Comments

Friday October 4, 2024

National Depression and Mental Health

Everyone has mental health. Mental health does not mean mental illness.

Forty-six percent of people will meet criteria for a mental health condition at some point in their lives (Mental Health America).

Mental health can be strengthened by protective factors such as social support, physical activity, pets, community engagement, hobbies, creative activities, and abstinence from drugs/alcohol.

 

Friday October 11, 2024

How can we start to destigmatize mental health? By using inclusive language and being mindful when talking about mental health.

By decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness, inclusive language helps people who struggle with suicidality, depression, and other mental health issues feel understood. (Source: APA (2023). Inclusive language guide (2nd ed.)

Examples of inclusive language for mental health:

Using first personal language: This means putting the person before their diagnosis or condition. Example, instead of “a schizophrenic” or “an addict”, say “a person with schizophrenia” or “a person with substance use disorder”

Using respectful and accurate terms: Avoid using outdated offensive or inaccurate words when talking about mental health issues. For example, instead of “crazy”, “psycho”, or “insane”, say “mental health issue”, “mental illness”, or “psychiatric disorder”.

 

Friday October. 18, 2024

Mental Health Screening

What is a mental health screening? A mental health screening is a standard set of questions that a person answers to help a health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder.

What is it used for? It is usually used as the first step to find out if a person has a disorder, is at risks for a disorder, and/or might need further testing to rule out a mental health disorder.

Why would I need one? You may have developed symptoms that are new to you and need some help to find out why. They may also help a mental health professional develop a plan for future treatment or needs.

What can I expect during? You may be asked a lot of questions about yourself, your feelings, mood, sleep and appetite.

October 10 2024

September’s Friday Facts

Author Susan Vaught Categories Friday Facts, Mental Health and Wellness 0 Comments

Friday September 13, 2024
Recently there has been a growing interest in patients’ affective and emotional needs, particularly for those patients who are forced to spend the last phase of their life in residential facilities (Sollami, et al., 2017). Many studies have shown that pet therapy can reduce loneliness and isolation, improve mental and physical health, and provide a sense of purpose. Nursing home residents who participate in pet therapy are shown to have better sleep quality and improved cognitive function as pets can provide companionship, love, and support.

In the geriatric population, interaction with animals reduces behavioral disorders (agitation, aggression), stress and mood disorders, and appears to stimulate cognitive function (Sollami, et al., 2017). Pet therapy is even shown in some studies to benefit long-term memory, as well as improve sensory stimulation. Research has found that the presence of a dog during facilitated social activities, can act as a catalyst for interpersonal relationships (Sollami, et al., 2017). Therefore, pet therapy would be particularly beneficial for a patient who may be more withdrawn, as it supports feelings of belonging and sharing with others.

Friday Sept. 20, 2024

Suicide Awareness

Myth: Talking about suicide will lead to and encourage suicide

Fact: Pre-discharge education and follow-up contact or outreach for psychitiatric patients who were recently discharge from the hospital increases productivity in suicide prevention and scalability (Mann et al., 2021)

Talking about suicide reduces the stigma, allows people to share their experience, and feel comfortable seeking help.

Facilitating connection pre- and post- discharge may contribute positively to suicide prevention and address the prevalence of SI related admissions.

Friday Sept. 27, 2024

Autism and Suicide

Many people do not know that those with autism are at greater rick for co-occurring mental health difficulties (Eave & HO, 2008). The difficulties associated with daily living, including “masking” autistic traits, difficult social interactions, sensory distress, among other challenges, can result in autistic burnout, which his linked to an increased risk of suicide. In fact, according to a metanalysis by Brown et al. (2024), individuals with autism spectrum disorder are up to eight times more likely to die by suicide compared to non-autistic individuals.

Facts About Suicide

  • A leading cause of death and serious public health problem with far reaching impact in the U.S.
  • Many people contemplate suicide, including neighbors, friends, and family members
  • CDC preventative resources include : ensuring good economic supports (i.e. stable housing, improved financial security, etc.)
  • Suicide prevention can include creating a positive environment, such as reducing access to legal methods that increase healthy organization policies and culture.
July 07 2022

Friday Facts: Did You Know…? Facts About Schizophrenia (Originally Published 2/9/2019)

Author Susan Vaught Categories Blog, Former Interns, Friday Facts, Resources for Interns 0 Comments

 

  • No one born blind has ever developed Schizophrenia.
  • Auditory hallucinations seem to be culturally shaped. In the U.S., AH of voices are often described as harsh and threatening, while those heard by individuals with the same diagnosis in Africa and India report the voices are more benign and playful.
  • The Soviet Union created a fake mental disorder called “Sluggish Schizophrenia” in the 1970s. It allowed anyone who criticized the leadership to be arrested.
  • Schizophrenia come from the Greek language and roughly translated means “split mind.” This does not imply an individual has a split personality, but rather a split from reality.
  • Schizophrenia is mentioned in literature dating as far back as the second millennium BC in the Egyptian text called The Book of Hearts.
  • Addiction to nicotine is the most common form of substance abuse in people diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
  • The cause of Schizophrenia is unknown. It is thought to be a combination of genetics, brain biology (including chemistry and structure) and environment.
  • Many individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia experience anosognosia. This means “without knowledge” and refers to the fact that the person is unable to identify that they have a mental disorder. They often do not realize they have developed symptoms and may deny experiencing the symptoms.
  • Auditory hallucinations are more common than visual hallucinations.
  • When experiencing active psychosis, individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia are often mistaken as being under the influence of a substance.

 

 

Crystal Henson, Psy.D.
WKPIC Instructor

 

July 07 2022

Friday Facts: Double Trouble? A Brief Look at Comorbid Substance Use in Schizophrenia (Originally Published 2/1/2019)

Author Susan Vaught Categories Blog, Continuing Education, Friday Facts, Mental Health and Wellness, Resources for Interns 0 Comments

Schizophrenia affects one in every one hundred persons with half of those affected likely to experience co-morbid substance use (as cited in Hunt et al., 2018). This use, in turn, exacerbates the overall symptomologic course of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been associated with an increased frequency of adverse consequences (Hunt et al., 2018).

 

 

In comparison to those who are singly diagnosed with schizophrenia alone, persons with co-morbid alcohol and/or illicit drug use are more likely to experience “hospitalization, homelessness, aggression, violence, incarceration, and suicidality” (as cited in Hunt et al., 2018, p. 234).

 

 

Specifically pertaining to an increased frequency of hospitalizations, Schmidt, Hesse, and Lykke (2011) found that patients who were dually diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder were psychiatrically hospitalized two times more frequently than individuals who were diagnosed with schizophrenia alone. Likewise, this group of patients were three times more likely to experience an outpatient episode, including emergency room visits. (Schmidt et al., 2011). However, the duration of their treatment was typically briefer (Schmidt et al., 2011).

 

 

References

Hunt, G. E., Large, M. M., Cleary, M., Xiong Lai, H. M., & Saunders, J. B. (2018). Prevalence of comorbid substance use in schizophrenia spectrum disorders in community and clinical settings, 1990-2017: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 191, 234-258. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.011

 

 

Schmidt, L. M., Hesse, M., & Lykke, J. (2011). The impact of substance use disorders on the course of schizophrenia – A 15-year follow up study: Dual diagnosis over 15 years. Schizophrenia Research, 130, 1-3, 228-233. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.04.011

 

 

Shirreka Mackay, LPC
Practicum Student, Western State Hospital

 

July 07 2022

Friday Facts: December Fun Facts (Originally Published 1/6/2019)

Author Susan Vaught Categories Blog, Continuing Education, Current Interns, Friday Facts, Mental Health and Wellness, Resources for Interns 0 Comments

This time of year is one of the more enjoyable times for adults, but especially children. The darkest time of the year is also a time whereby a hero emerges. Lights on the Christmas tree are symbolic of the return of illumination. Beaming through the nighttime sky emerges Santa and his reindeer. Santa and the representation of a “all knowing” creature bringing gifts for good children is an innocent game played between children and parents. Some parents believe that exposing their children to Santa is harmful. As future psychologists, it’s important to note the distinctions on both sides of the “Santa” debate.

 

Some psychologists view the belief in Santa as a negative occurrence. Johnson (2012) argues that parents who promote Santa are guilty of lying unjustly to their children, damaging parental trust, and encouraging negative behavior (Johnson, 2012). Furthermore, Johnson states that engaging in the Santa fantasy risks even more damaging consequences such as diminishing the child’s spiritual beliefs or allowing the promulgation of magical thinking (Johnson, 2012). Other arguments include the belief that sometimes even the “good” children do not receive gifts due to financial hardships. This time of year can be extremely difficult for children in poverty and their parents whom feel shame and guilt if they are unable to provide material gifts for their families.

 

A counter argument for the promotion of Santa with children underscores the value that Santa plays in developing the imagination of young children (Waugaman, 2013). Waugaman also emphasizes the idea that parents are able to create magical memories for their children that ultimately represent a parents eternal love (Waugaman, 2013). Upon the age whereby, the child comes to the realization of Santa he graduates to a stage from being a receiver of gifts to more importantly a giver of gifts. The ultimate hope is that children when matured will one day share their unique gifts and talents with human kind.

 

Parenting is one of the most difficult aspects of life. Deciding as to whether to incorporate holiday traditions into Christmas family routines should be handled carefully. The complexity of the Santa debate will continue to go forward in the future. However, for all parents the challenge is to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for their children. Anyone can adopt the spirit of hope, peace, and goodwill to humankind. The epitome of the Christmas spirit does not require a white beard or sleigh full of reindeer. Instead, anyone with a big heart and twinkle in their eye can become Santa.

 

References
Johnson, D. K. (2012, December 12, 2012). Say Goodbye to the Santa Claus Lie. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plato-pop/201212/say-goodbye-the-santa-claus-lie

Waugaman, E. P. (2013). The Santa Question. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/whats-in-name/201312/the-santa-question

 

References
Johnson, D. K. (2012, December 12, 2012). Say Goodbye to the Santa Claus Lie. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plato-pop/201212/say-goodbye-the-santa-claus-lie

Waugaman, E. P. (2013). The Santa Question. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/whats-in-name/201312/the-santa-question

 

Chris Morrison, MA, M.Ed.
WKPIC Doctoral Intern

 

 

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