by Melinda Beck of the Wall Street Journal
Therese Borchard likens herself to Goldilocks of the mental-health world: She tried six psychiatrists before she found one that was “just right.” One learned she was a writer and asked for help with a book proposal. Another put her on sleeping pills, ignoring her history of substance abuse. One even wanted to try hypnotic regression by candlelight to address unresolved childhood issues.
Finally, No. 7 diagnosed bipolar disorder, found medication that was effective, helped her to be less hard on herself and “salvaged the last crumb of my self-esteem,” says Ms. Borchard, who writes the popular “Beyond Blue” blog on Beliefnet.com.
The search for the right therapist can be baffling—and it comes at a time when would be patients are feeling most vulnerable.
(Image by Ryan Snook)
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by Melinda Beck of the Wall Street Journal
Walk into psychiatrist Drew Ramsey’s office in Manhattan and you’ll likely be greeted by Gus, a four-year-old shih tzu. After escorting you through the waiting room, he may hop onto the ottoman and go to sleep or sit beside you on the couch.
Some patients pat Gus while they talk to Dr. Ramsey. A few talk to Gus instead. And if they get emotional, Gus provides physical comfort that therapists can’t offer. “We can’t hug patients, but patients can hug Gus,” says Dr. Ramsey, who began bringing his dog to his office two years ago. Now, he says, “I think about Gus the way a cowboy thinks of his horse—he’s part of the job.”
A small but growing number of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other therapists are bringing their dogs to work in their private practices, where they help calm patients down, cheer them up and offer a happy distraction with a wagging tail. The job is similar to what therapy dogs do when they visit at hospitals or nursing homes, but these “canine therapy-assistants” often work full days and get to know the patients just as well as the doctors.
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What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness?. Many people stigmatize mental illness and avoid professional help saying, “I’m not crazy, I don’t need to see anyone.” Mental health is something you can maintain.
If your life seems to be in shatters and still you uphold this belief of I’m OK, you could be doing yourself a disservice. You could rectify things in your life a lot quicker if you just have a chat with someone independently neutral. Gone are the days when you could stroll over to the village elder and smoke a pipe together for a yarn.
Mental Health Month in Australia is this month of October, and psychologists and Allied health professionals are working hard to bring people’s awareness to the facilities available to promote well being. Continue Reading
In many eastern cultures, it is known that the physical body has many lines along which energy flows. These are called meridian lines and Acupuncturists and Acupressurists are working with that knowledge. The web of intricate meridians link with your essential organs, such as your kidneys and lungs. These are vital sources of energy for your whole body.
Eastern therapists/healers insert needles or apply pressure at key meridian points to stimulate and release the energy of particular organs. This action floods the network and restores any imbalance into your tired, ol’ body.
How can this information improve your sex life? Ms Margot Anand, author of the “Art of Sexual Magic” explains how you can tap into those subtle meridians, to channel sexual energy right up the wassu. Interested? Click here to read more… Continue Reading
If you want an effective psychological treatment and you want results fast. If you are willing to commit to the work, then take a look at Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Research studies show that for evidence based treatments, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy wins hands down, as the treatment of choice for anxiety related problems and depression and many more clinical conditions. It is a common sense approach, sometimes seemingly so simple e.g. for obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) or very difficult to start, for people suffering from obsessive thinking and ritualizing. But it works!
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Maybe you have less energy , can’t enjoy your favourite activities anymore, or maybe you can’t seem to finish anything you start . If this is you, you may be experiencing some depression. These are common complaints of people with depression.
Its easy to cut back on things you do in that state, and it may seem logical or necessary, but beware, this actually aggravates one’s symptoms. One can fall into that dreaded, dark spiral of even further lack of interest in doing things, increased helplessness and lowered self esteem. Eventually coming to the point of thinking that one is incapable of solving problems.
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Shopping is fun ! It can promote social bonding and a new outfit always does wonders for your self esteem. But there is a whole new species being created in those malls.
True shopaholics develop retail habits that put other areas of their lives in peril explains psychologist April Lane Benson, Ph.D., author of “To Buy or Not to Buy”. A great title , I must say so I read on…..
” they’re put on probation at work because there’re caught shopping online, or they’re working two to three jobs to pay off their credit cards” , oops sound familiar? ” Their personal lives are in shambles because of the secrecy and the humiliation”. Weeeeell, not me but I know someone who hides her shopping in the closet and brings them out one by one, ” this old thing? Oh no, I’ve had it for ages”.
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Often clients will come to their first appointment, anticipating instant remedies, the new miracle pill once assigned to the doctors. “Just give me some techniques to cope and I’ll be fine!” they cry. It’s true that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is well known for its effective intervention techniques.
However, its really important and it’s an essential part of this approach, to take the time initially, to develop a working concept about you as a particular individual. CBT starts with having a concept that ties a cognitive behavioural theory with your unique psychological makeup. Continue Reading
For those of you who know of people who have been in psychotherapy for years, yet still can’t get over their anger at their parents or find a healthy relationship. You may be asking “so why go to a Psychologist?” It may be useful to know what is happening in the realm of help and Cognitive behaviour therapy.
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Finally, No. 7 diagnosed bipolar disorder, found medication that was effective, helped her to be less hard on herself and “salvaged the last crumb of my self-esteem,” says Ms. Borchard, who writes the popular “Beyond Blue” blog on Beliefnet.com.