Month: November 2024

The Importance of Mental Health: School Systems

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

By: Nicole Cutaia

The Importance of Mental Health: School Systems

The lives of children and teenagers may appear stress-free, but unfortunately, this is not the case for all children and teenagers. Anxiety and depression among young adults is more common than society believes it to be. Children and teenagers do have their own stress factors in their lives such as school work, their appearances, relationships or friendships, and or extra curricular activities.

Some children and teenagers may come from a household where mental health is overlooked and not openly discussed. That is why it is extremely important that school systems and districts prioritize mental health and related services. Making sure every student within a school is heard and feels as though they belong is extremely vital in creating a safe space.

Other than school counselors, school systems and districts can participate in providing students with school-wide presentations that review mental health. These presentations should incorporate guest speakers as well.

Mental health should be mandatory in health classes. The depth of the curriculum and structure of the material will be dependent on the age and academic level of the students. Children and teenagers should be exposed to information that is appropriate for their age.

Various children and teenagers view their school as a safe place. It is crucial that we make it known to students that their feelings and emotions are normal and valid.

 If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health difficulties, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Depression: Postpartum Depression

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Depression: Postpartum Depression

By: Josette DeFranco

Postpartum depression is a vulnerable time for a woman’s health. Many women are experiencing mood changes and are expected to have an amazing transition into motherhood. However, many women struggle with mental health issues after giving birth. It’s important to spread awareness and show support to the women who are struggling with postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression symptoms start to occur four to six weeks after giving birth and can gradually decrease as time goes on. Nonetheless, depression can reoccur within three years after pregnancy or giving birth. Some common symptoms of postpartum depression can be intrusive, unwanted thoughts and postpartum rage.

Here are some ways to help someone you know or who is struggling with postpartum depression:

  • Seek help from a licensed mental health professional
  • Look for a community to help you in both emotional and practical ways
  • Practice mindfulness and relaxation therapy
  • Use positive affirmations and be more kind to yourself
  • Practice skin-to-skin care which can help with reducing the stress hormone cortisol
  • Avoid alcohol or recreational drug use
  • Eat healthy
  • Prioritize rest for yourself
  • Gaining more knowledge about postpartum depression

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ, or Manhattan, NY offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/

Resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-translator/202306/how-to-improve-postpartum-mental-health

Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

By Madison Gesualdo

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) refers to a decline in neurocognitive function from a patient’s baseline functioning that occurs in individuals who undergo surgical processes and are put under anesthesia. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction complicates a patient’s central nervous system, delaying their neurocognitive recovery process as a whole. Individuals who endure POCD typically experience issues with their attention span, memory, learning, perception, executive functioning, and motor skills. POCD is not to be confused with postoperative delirium; while postoperative delirium is an acute state of neurocognitive functioning lasting approximately 1-3 days post-surgery, POCD typically persists longer, lasting weeks, months, or in some cases, years.

While POCD is not yet a formal psychiatric diagnosis, it is characterized by the DSM-5 as a mild neurological disorder, falling under the cognitive impairment classification. POCD occurs in roughly 10-54% of patients within the first few weeks of surgery.

A variety of risk factors for POCD have been identified, including advanced age, severity of the surgery being performed, type and amount of anesthesia being used, electrolyte imbalance, and pre-existing conditions (such as dementia and diabetes). These factors are examples of factors that would put a patient at higher risk for suffering from POCD after his or her surgery.

Although no specific treatment exists for postoperative cognitive dysfunction, different treatment methods have proven to reduce the effects of the condition. These methods include, but are not limited to:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Biologically active substances
  • Surgical techniques and anesthesia best suited to fit the specific patient being operated on
  • Improving a person’s cognitive functioning prior to surgery

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychiatric Services. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

References:

Brodier, E. A., & Cibelli, M. (2021). Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in clinical practice. BJA Education, 21(2), 75–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjae.2020.10.004

Spriano, P. (2024, September 9). What do we know about postoperative cognitive dysfunction? Medscape Medical News. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/what-do-we-know-about-postoperative-cognitive-dysfunction-2024a1000g9b?ecd=WNL_trdalrt_pos1_240909_etid6816496&uac=445328CY&impID=6816496

Zhao, Q., Wan, H., Pan, H., & Xu, Y. (2024). Postoperative cognitive dysfunction-current research progress. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 18, 1328790. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1328790

Mental Health Services: The Significance of Geography

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

By: Nicole Cutaia

Mental Health Services: The Significance of Geography

            While numerous mental health services are available today, the abundance and equality of services and resources depend on the location. Some individuals reside in rural landscapes where the nearest healthcare professional, psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker can be miles and miles away. This can become an issue for individuals who need mental health treatment and assessment in a physical setting. Although telehealth is an alternative option for face-to-face appointments, many may not gravitate toward the technology option.

            Depending on the diagnosis, receiving face-to-face treatment and therapy can be the most beneficial to managing the diagnosis. Unfortunately, due to the distance, some individuals would rather decide to not treat their mental illness and continue to live with it. If something is so far out of the way, it may feel like a chore or burden for individuals to attend to instead of viewing it as a resource to benefit their mental stability and mental balance.

            Also, the stigma and awareness about mental health depend on where someone lives. Based on the area, the education focused on mental health can be very limited or ample. Therefore, if an individual happens to reside in an area with little to no education toward mental health, the treatment and the services may not normalized and accepted. This unfortunately may then lead to individuals not receiving the assistance they need.

 If you or someone you know is having mental health difficulties and/ or experiencing symptoms of any form of inner conflicts, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/