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/
After hearing the tragic news of a death, there are three possible reactions the bereaving person could have to our response: feel even sadder, become angry, or feel reassured that things will be okay. We, as the reactor who is not directly experiencing their exact loss, want nothing more than to miraculously attain Merlin’s wand, and magically make their sadness, pain, confusion, and grief disappear. We just want to make it better. But for some reason, a completely inoffensive, caring response seems like it’s a fictional, fantastical possibility.
With a response that knocks us loving, caring people to our knees, Litsa Williams, licensed clinical social worker and creator of an online grief community called What’s Your Grief, says that none of our well-thought-out poignant phrases, earnest lamentations, or solemn sorrow at the beginning of the grieving process “can’t make it even a little bit better.” To prove her point, Williams brought some examples of common, pithy sayings that people say and the counterexamples of the griever’s possible thoughts in response:
Well-meaning person: “He/she is in a better place now.” Grieving person: I couldn’t care less! I want them here with me now!
What we learn: Closely following the death, a grieving person won’t find comfort in other people telling them that their loved one is “in a better place.” At that moment, they just want them back, and think there is no “better place” than being right here on Earth with them. It can also perpetuate confusing thoughts they are having about an afterworld, and it may induce guilt because they believed their whole lives that Heaven is a good place, but right now they don’t want that loved one to be in Heaven – they want them here.
Well-meaning person: “I know how you feel.” Grieving person: No losses are the same. Stop trying to compare your pain to my current pain. You can’t possibly feel exactly what I am feeling.
What we learn: Comparing grief doesn’t get anyone anywhere. Even if you might think that it’s rational that you lost your loving mother and so did your friend, your friend isn’t in the headspace to start having that conversation. They want to be comforted – not told that their grief is comparable to yours, or anyone else’s, for that matter.
Well-meaning person: “It will get easier.” Grieving person: It’s impossible for me to forget the person I love, and will never move on from this strong, intense grief! It would be wrong to do that to them and their memory!
What we learn: Williams points out, “Remember, this list is not about things that aren’t true. It is about things that aren’t helpful to say.” Rationally, we know that most people learn to live with the grief, and the pain doesn’t feel as strong or new over time, but when that bereaved person is still processing the death and feeling the fresh, raw sting of the loss, they want nothing other than for someone to recognize, accept, and hold their hand through their current reality. Additionally, they may feel like it’s unjust or cruel to start healing and “moving on” from the one they are grieving. They probably won’t want to even imagine the possibility of letting go of that pain to some extent. Giving them the space to feel their grief at the moment is crucial so that they know that your intentions are to be there if they ever need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to squeeze, or some more tissues delivered, and not to be imposing or offering what you think to be wisdom but they think to be insulting, hurtful, or condescending.
Well-meaning person: “God has a plan,” “It was God’s will,” or “Everything happens for a reason.” Grieving person: Why would God plan or will something so painful to someone? Why would God make us suffer and feel pain like this? I don’t care if this is God’s plan or not – it sucks.
What we learn: Many do find it comforting to think that there is a greater plan that God has for them. However, the grief and intense pain they feel now might cause them to doubt, or even hate, God, religion, or even their faith and beliefs as a whole. These troubling thoughts can even occur in the minds of very religious people. Williams says that it can even cause faith-based doubts in the minds of those who do not consider themselves religious. To sum up, Williams says, “Better safe than sorry – steer clear.”
Essentially, grieving people are uninterested in comparing or doubting anything. They just want to be listened to. Williams suggests doing things to remove stress and help them feel at ease during the process, whether that be sending over meals, arranging for childcare, or helping financially by collecting funds for the funeral costs, just to name a few. Frequently, those grieving don’t remember what you said, so don’t worry about possibly hurting a grieving friend or loved one in the past. Just focus on listening, being sympathetic, and loving.
While experiencing feelings of grief, some may have difficulties such as trouble sleeping, concentrating, eating, anger, extreme sadness, difficulty socializing, drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs, just to name a few. Some disorders related to grief or losing a loved one include acute stress disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, prolonged grief disorder, and substance use disorder.
Major depressive disorder is a condition that affects many individuals. Major depressive disorder can range from being clinically mild and short-lasting to recurring over and over again, to being highly chronic and treatment-resistant. Depression is known to run in families indicating that there are genetic factors. It can be a combination of life experiences and environment. Genetics plays a mild role in depression. Also, families with certain genetic patterns lived eight years shorter than average. As depression may range from transient to debilitating it is expected that many different sets of genetic alterations are involved. Some genes are associated with weight and body, neuron development, and brain inflammation and another group is associated with proteins that tell the immune system which cells are friendly and which are not. This means that our genetics can not only influence our physical characteristics but also how our brain functions and our immune system interacts and identifies with different cells in the body. Your environment can modify the genetic factors that play a role in depression.
If you are concerned about a strong history of depression in the family and are scared about it affecting you or your future children a study suggests that even with a high tendency for depression, psychotherapy or behavioral activation therapy can reduce it. Individuals need to understand the life-changing impact their environment can have on their mental health. Our emotions are generated by our thinking which may serve as an influence on our behaviors. You may have had genetic roots of depression, a difficult upbringing, or a terrible tragedy that has currently occurred but if you change your thinking then your emotions will change as well.
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
Remember that episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit where Sarah Hyland gave us an Oscar-worthy performance as a genius prep school student, Jennifer Banks, who attacked her roommate because of their academic rivalry? During the trial, the defense was able to prove diminished capacity on Jennifer’s behalf, meaning that Jennifer’s impaired mental state at the time of the crime prevented her from fully controlling her violent actions. Jennifer, who had been taking a form of modafinil that allowed her to stay awake for six consecutive days before she committed her crime, was suffering from sleep deprivation psychosis. Because the defense was able to prove this, she was able to plead guilty to her crime on a lesser charge and was only sentenced to seven years in prison at the conclusion of the episode.
Let’s talk about sleep deprivation psychosis from a clinical standpoint. On the show, it is mentioned that being awake for 17 hours is similar to having a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% – that’s legally impaired in the state of Utah, even though the federal limit is 0.08%. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health corroborates this finding, adding that being awake for 24 hours is the equivalent of having a BAC of 0.10%. Now, imagine Jennifer’s psychological state after being awake for 144 hours without a minute of sleep, running off of a stimulant drug designed to block dopamine receptors and consequently increase the body’s overall levels of dopamine. It’s no wonder that her memory of the encounter with her roommate was hazy at best.
According to a 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, sleep-loss developments such as hallucinations and perceptual distortions can occur in individuals with no history whatsoever of psychiatric issues. This study essentially found that the more time a person spends awake, the more he or she will progress towards a state of psychosis. Symptoms such as anxiety, disorientation, and depersonalization began after 24 – 48 hours without sleep, evolving into disordered thinking and complex hallucinations after 48 – 90 hours without sleep. Once a person reached the 72 hour-mark without sleep, the study claimed, his or her psychological state resembled that of toxic delirium or acute psychosis.
If an individual is experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, or any other conditions that can lead to a deficiency in proper sleep, he or she should seek help immediately. A wide variety of intervention methods and medications are available to help gradually regulate an individual’s sleep-wake cycle and prevent cognitive impairment resulting from sleep deprivation. Make sure to speak with a mental health professional to see what options are available to you.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sleep, anxiety, or 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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
References:
Davis, C. (Writer). (2009). Hothouse (Season 10, Episode 12). [TV series episode]. In D. Wolf (Executive producer), Law & order: Special victims unit. Hulu. https://hulu.com
Waters, F., Chiu, V., Atkinson, A., & Blom, J.D. (2018). Severe sleep deprivation causes hallucinations and a gradual progression toward psychosis with increasing time awake. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 303. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00303
Stress: Does Job Stress Contribute to Mental Illness
By Josette DeFranco
Work stress is not often addressed. We tend to take on many tasks, leading to feeling overwhelmed physically and mentally. For some, work is a routine and many find working under stress helps them concentrate. On the other hand, some people don’t work as much and try to maintain a slower pace. In either circumstance, work can cause severe stress. Stress in the workplace can lead to decreased productivity and burnout. It is important to note how our body feels so we can find signs earlier that our mental and physical health needs a break.
Some negative effects of stress in the workplace manifest in various ways such as a lack of motivation, reduced job satisfaction, physical and mental health problems, and interpersonal conflicts. If you notice you are feeling more fatigue, irritability, or apathy it may be best to give yourself a break. Job stress can lead to some mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Stress prepares your body for a defensive action, like an alarm for the brain. It impacts your nervous system releasing hormones that help sharpen your senses and tense your muscles. You may have heard of something called the “flight or fight response.” This is important because it helps you defend against situations your body finds threatening. If stressful situations go without being addressed it will keep your body in a state of activation. Some ways to help alleviate job stress are to ensure that the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities and resources, allow yourself to take a break, create boundaries, provide opportunities for social interactions among workers, and establish work schedules that accommodate your responsibilities outside the job.
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
Tardive dyskinesia is a syndrome in which a person exhibits repetitive, involuntary muscle movements. This syndrome directly affects the central nervous system and is typically seen in patients who are prescribed antipsychotic drugs, usually for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Tardive dyskinesia is chronic, with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition mandating that symptoms must persist for at least a month after an individual discontinues his or her medication in order to be officially diagnosed.
Neuroleptic drugs, also known as antipsychotics, are the most common inducers of tardive dyskinesia. Antipsychotics are often prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in order to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. These drugs successfully work by blocking receptors in the nervous system – specifically D2 dopamine receptors in the midbrain and forebrain – and consequently lowering dopamine levels within an individual. This is crucial for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because overactivity of dopamine in the brain can alter brain chemistry, leading to many of the psychotic symptoms associated with these disorders. Thus, antipsychotic medications are able to help assuage some of these symptoms by regulating an individual’s dopamine levels.
Like most medications, neuroleptic drugs have the potential for negative side effects. A person who has been taking neuroleptic drugs for an extended period of time may start experiencing abnormal involuntary movements, contractions, tics, tremors, and restlessness. All of these actions, in the context of long-term antipsychotic use, encompass tardive dyskinesia. These symptoms occur as the result of dopamine receptors having been blocked for too long; blockade of these receptors prevents fluid communication between nerve cells, resulting in a lack of stable movements in an individual.
If an individual finds that he or she is experiencing medication-induced tardive dyskinesia, he or she should consider talking to a doctor about stopping or switching the current medication that is causing it. Additionally, deep brain stimulation can also be utilized as a solution. This procedure employs a neurostimulating device that sends electrical signals into the brain to stimulate the blocked dopamine receptors and encourage movement.
Tardive dyskinesia should not be disregarded, as there are plenty of methods of intervention that can help reduce symptoms within an individual and make the condition more manageable. Make sure to consult with a healthcare provider about a treatment plan if you or a loved one is experiencing this condition.
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
Caretaker: How to Take Care of Yourself When Taking Care of a Loved One
By: Josette DeFranco
Participating in caregiving can come with a lot of stress and responsibility. Many individuals believe that they have to handle it all on their own which can lead to exhaustion and anxiety. Family caregivers at any age have reported that they experience a terrible sleep schedule, poor eating habits, failure to stay active, and failure to make medical appointments for themselves. If you are experiencing this, it is okay to let go of the load you are carrying and know that you are not alone. Caregiving can be an emotional roller coaster that may trigger the same hormonal and neural mechanisms that cause stress chemistry. However, it is noted that those who are caregiving for a loved one find this a rewarding experience.
Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself:
Prioritize sleep
Eat well
Acknowledge your feelings
Set boundaries
Take on fewer tasks
Ask for help
Practice Mindfulness
Treat yourself
Let go of guilt
Be honest with yourself
Here is a reminder that self-care isn’t selfish. To take care of others you have to take care of yourself first. Caring for you is the most important tip because we can’t share our assistance if we lack it in ourselves. Be kind to yourself. You may tell yourself “I never do anything right” or “There’s no way I can find time for myself.” Our brains are a reflection of us meaning your brain will start to believe what you are saying. Instead, try positive affirmations like “I am doing a good job at taking care of my parents” or “I will take at least 15 minutes for myself each day.”
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
Are you feeling overwhelmed due to the lack of balance in your work and personal life?
Work-life balance is important because it affects you, your family, and others. You need the time and energy to participate in your own personal interests, family, and community activities. A workplace that supports employees’ well-being and allows their employees to focus on their mental health is an excellent way for them to avoid burnout.
Here are some healthy work-life balance tips:
Take breaks
Set boundaries
Learn to say no
Prioritize your mental health
Set goals
Practice Mindfulness
Create a flexible work schedule
Seek support
It is important to acknowledge how this balance can benefit you. It’s easy to get caught up in your job and neglect your wants and needs. These are just a couple ways having a work-life balance can help you; create healthier workplace relationships, improve your mental health, enhance your physical health, and have better productivity at work.
If you, your child, or someone you know is experiencing back-to-school anxiety, social anxiety, or other anxiety disorders or mental health issues, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan offices respectively, at 201-368-3700 or 212-722-1920 to set up an appointment. Please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ for more information.
A question you don’t hear enough but should be asked more is “What is grief?” Grief is the terrible pain that accompanies loss. Since grief is a reflection of our love, it can feel suffocating. There is no time limit for healing the pain that comes along with loss. Many individuals try to suppress their pain and agony causing them to feel guilt and stagnant. Many individuals may experience grief in short passes where the feeling of distress and sadness comes and goes. Meanwhile, others may experience grief for a long period, such as months or years. It’s important to remind yourself and others that you can grieve at your own pace.
In addition, children experience grief and loss in many different ways. Children are like sponges; they take in information through observation and learned behavior. Although they are young they have deep feelings and can understand their own emotions more than it is perceived. When children grieve it can be a confusing time for them and parents. Do you tell the truth? Or do you rationalize and give simple answers such as “Grandpa is just sleeping.” Being present with them allows you to grieve as well. When children see that their parents can be vulnerable and compassionate it allows them to express themselves and be who they really are.
Here are a couple of ways to help children cope with grief:
You can tell children the truth, even though you might not include all the specific information. Mentioning to them that Grandpa is sleeping may cause them to feel afraid to go to sleep or telling them he is in heaven may make them pack their belongings and find heaven. Be clear, honest, and simple.
Allow them to ask questions. You can’t protect them from the truth but you can give them your empathetic support and love.
Attending the funeral or keeping children home. Ask your child and allow them to decide. If they say yes, have someone who will be present with them and can keep them occupied in case being around sad adults gets overwhelming. If they say no, you can offer another way to remember or honor the person such as showing pictures or lighting a candle.
Give reassurance.
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
Social Anxiety: The Impact of Social Media on Social Anxiety
By: Josette DeFranco
Social anxiety is very common and can be a part of your everyday living whether it is online or offline. Social anxiety means you have persistent fears about being in social situations. Social media has become society’s major way of communicating. It has allowed users to create their own distinctive profiles and content to share with others. It has been found that social media use has caused unrealistic goals and expectations. This can create low self-esteem and a lack of in-person interactions. This may lead to anxiety because you may feel like you don’t live up to your social media image. Nonetheless, it may cause you to feel judged by your choices or appearance. It is important to pay attention to your emotions when logged onto social media and to remember that others experience similar thoughts.
Should you take a break from social media?
Social media can affect individuals differently. However, if you notice social media is causing damage to your mental health, self-esteem, social interactions, and making your moods worse then you may want to consider a social media break. Having a social media break even for a week or a month could enhance your mental state, allowing you to reflect and focus on your mental health needs. It has been noticed that individuals felt more grounded and less anxious, isolated, and depressed.
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 respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/
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