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Search Results for: self care

Vicarious Trauma

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vicarious trauma

By Ashley Barnes What is vicarious trauma? In understanding vicarious trauma, it is important to have knowledge about trauma itself. When many people think of and conceptualize trauma, they may immediately think of trauma as an event that occurs; for example, one may explain a near death experience as trauma. However, such situations are traumatic events. Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing traumatic event; it often manifests through changes in psychological and physiological responses.  Vicarious trauma, “also known as secondary trauma, can be described as indirect exposure to a traumatic event through first-hand account or narrative of that event” (Good Therapy, 2016). Vicarious trauma often involves a shift in someone’s worldview with repeated exposure to traumatic content, such as viewing the world as an inherently dangerous place or people as inherently untrustworthy. Who is at risk? Those in helping professions such as counselors, medical professionals, first …

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National Suicide Prevention Month

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vicarious trauma

By Ashley Barnes   What is National Suicide Prevention Month? National Suicide Prevention Month spans the entirety of September with the goal of uniting mental health professionals, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members to promote suicide prevention awareness; this is achieved through educating others with the use of resources, research, and powerful stories. September also hosts National Suicide Prevention Week from September 4th through September 10th as well as World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. Suicide Prevention. It is important to recognize warning signs of suicide as well as understand it’s prevalence in order to work towards suicide prevention. Suicide describes the act of ending one’s own life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2021). Research has found that around 46% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health …

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5 Treatment Options for Schizophrenia

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5 treatment options for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder. Symptoms are chronic and can be debilitating if left untreated. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, cognitive processing problems, disorganized speech, abnormal motor skills, paranoia, and exaggerated perceptions. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for schizophrenia that can improve one’s quality of life. A report compiling statistics from national agencies for mental health claims there are 20 million people worldwide with schizophrenia, making it one of the top fifteen causes of disability. In America, schizophrenia affects 1.5 million people annually. This same report also shows schizophrenia is associated with self-harm and harm to others. For example, people with schizophrenia are four to six times more likely to commit a violent crime. An estimated five percent die by suicide. Unfortunately, very few of those with schizophrenia seek treatment or stay in treatment long-term, even though many treatment options for schizophrenia are available. Treatment Options for Schizophrenia There is no cure …

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Effective Treatments for Addiction That Work

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Effective treatments for addiction that work

Treatments for addiction and substance use disorder that works for you may not work for anyone else. The reason is that every person has a different reason for having an addiction, or misusing drugs or alcohol. They also have a different drug of choice, method, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and motivation for recovery. When you enter treatment, you will receive a customized treatment plan of action that includes various activities and techniques that give you the best chance of maintaining recovery for the rest of your life. The programs and therapies you receive have been proven effective through multiple research studies. The most common treatments for addiction are discussed below. Detoxification How long you have been dependent on a substance and the severity of your withdrawal symptoms will influence where you begin the recovery process. For many, detoxification is the first step because medical supervision or medication-assisted treatment can ease withdrawal symptoms and curb …

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7 Uses for Ketamine Therapy

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7 uses for Ketamine therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ketamine for limited use as a general anesthetic, initially used in the 1960s and 1970s. Ketamine was the go-to anesthesia for treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Around this same time, researchers were discovering other uses for Ketamine. However, as the drug became popular among recreational users, President Nixon banned it and classified it as a schedule III narcotic. Uses for Ketamine in Mental Health In recent years, Ketamine has been making a comeback in the mental health industry. Psychiatrists can administer Ketamine as an off-label prescription in their clinic. No take-home prescriptions are allowed, however. Esketamine, a nasal spray, and an intravenous drip are the two most common treatment methods. The more time that passes and the more data gathered, the uses for Ketamine are expanding. Below are seven examples. 1. Severe Depression Ketamine is currently an effective treatment for severe depression. If …

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