MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON VETERAN’S DAY
This year on Veteran’s Day, I would like to suggest that each of us thinks about how we can better support those who have served in the United States Arm Forces. Many people in society provide valuable service to their community and country but few occupations require the possibility of losing life and limb as do members of the military, Given this unique role in society, it’s only fitting that we set aside a special day to remember them. Thanking a veteran for their service is certainly an easy thing to do and probably appreciated, but from the perspective of a mental health professional, I think we need to do more. Read more...
GET UP AND MOVE FOR A LONGER, MORE ENJOYABLE LIFE
Have you heard the phrase: “Sitting is the new smoking”? In this brief article, I’ll explain what that phrase means, and more importantly, how getting up out of the chair and moving more can be helpful to our mental health, longevity and enjoyment of everyday life. In recent years there has been increased awareness among both medical professionals and the public that the more time we spend sitting down, the worse our health gets. Just as it took decades for the medical profession to acknowledge the serious and widespread health risks of smoking, so has it taken awhile to recognize the risks of prolonged sitting. Research has shown that the amount of time we spend in the sitting position is directly to “all cause mortality” (death from all causes). In addition to increased risk or worsening of heart disease, diabetes, blood clots, and arthritis, a sedentary lifestyle—associated with too much sitting—even increases the incidence of certain cancers. And as a physician specializing in psychiatry I am particularly interested in the effects of both inactivity and exercise on brain functioning and mental health. Read more...
Part II: Sunshine and Other Natural Mood Enhancers
Last month we focused on the effects of sunlight on mood and in particular the role of the “sunshine vitamin” (Vitamin D) in mental and physical health. By the time you read this, the days will have gotten shorter and the sun will have passed the mid-point (the fall equinox) of its daily path across the sky. This usually means that we will have less time after the usual workday outside (and less natural production of Vitamin D) but fall is still a good time to get outside for yard work, picnics with friends and family and pleasant walks in the fall colors all of which can be natural mood enhancers. In general there are two important things we should continue to do to naturally enhance our mood and help keep ourselves from getting sad and depressed especially when winter sets in: 1) stay physically active and 2) eat healthy. Ok, I know, readers probably hear that that kind of advice all the time and maybe you feel that you’ve heard it all enough! But please consider a few pointers that might be news to you or might make it easier to follow through on what you already know are healthy behaviors. Read more...
FULLNESS OF SUMMER, PART I: SUNSHINE AND OTHER NATURAL MOOD ENHANCERS
Those of us who live in parts of the country which experience all four seasons tend to appreciate our summers much more than those who live in tropical or subtropical areas. Summer also provides opportunities for activities which science is increasingly showing are beneficial to our mental health. The first thing that comes to mind is summer sun. Sunlight can help those who suffer from winter depression and if we get morning sunlight (at least 30 minutes) we can help regulate our sleep-wake cycle by “setting the melatonin clock” in the pineal gland deep within the brain. But recent research has also highlighted the role of Vitamin D which is naturally produced in our skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Read more...
MENTAL HEALTH MATTER— TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM
What activity works best with minimal effort, starts easier when we’re tired, causes you to be totally unaware or makes you believe (temporarily) in strange, wonderful or scary things and takes up a third or more of our time? Of course I’m talking about sleep. We all know we need it, function well when we get enough of it and feel just plain rotten if we don’t. But it also has become clear to medical science that not getting sufficient sleep increases the risk of a variety of disorders including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, as well as depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Read more...
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS—PSYCHOTHERAPY THROUGHOUT THE LIFE SPAN
In the last edition of Mental Health Matters, I interviewed therapist Robin Dromey, LCSW. I thought her explanations about counseling and individual and group psychotherapy were informative and raised more questions so Robin has agreed to a follow-up interview.
Robin, one question that came to my mind after our last interview was this: it seems that as we progress through life, we face different challenges. The well known psychologist Erk Erikson wrote about the different developmental tasks we encounter at different ages. I assume this means that the therapist will be approaching a 13 year old who is referred by his/her parents or school official much differently than say a college age student seeking help on his or her own vs someone in their in the late 40s or early 50s experiencing a “midlife crisis”. Can you comment on how, as a therapist you approach these different situations, perhaps using Erikson?s terminology as a guide? And by the way, it may be helpful if you could comment on your experience treating patients of different ages. Read more...
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS—PSYCHOTHERAPY
For our 4th edition of Mental Health Matters, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the topic of psychotherapy. For that purpose I have invited Robin Dromey, a licensed clinical social worker and MSW, LCSW at Senior Life Solutions based at Putnam Co. Memorial Hospital to answer some common questions about this important form of mental health treatment.
First, the term "counseling" is sometimes used interchangeably with "therapy". Are these the same or are there important differences? Read more...
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS—HEALTHY MENTAL AGING
Most of us have heard---and many of us expect—that as we age our memory and mental capacity in general will decline. However numerous, recent research studies are providing evidence that this is not a certainty. Not only that, but some of studies of “super-agers” show that some of us actually become mentally sharper as we age. Of course, as in other areas of health, genetic predisposition can in fact result in premature cognitive impairment and lead to diseases such as early onset dementia, but there are a specific steps that we can all take to reduce our risk of cognitive decline as we grow older. Here are a few important ones: Read more...
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS—INTRODUCTORY COLUMN
Welcome to the first of hopefully many monthly columns on mental health issues written by me and other members of the treatment team at Senior Life Solutions. We started the program last fall and have all been pleased and impressed with the positive feedback we have received from participants. We also have felt very welcomed and appreciated by the hospital staff as well the community in and around Unionville which have made referrals to the program. Read more...
GET UP AND MOVE FOR A LONGER, MORE ENJOYABLE LIFE
Have you heard the phrase: “Sitting is the new smoking”? In this brief article, I’ll explain what that phrase means, and more importantly, how getting up out of the chair and moving more can be helpful to our mental health, longevity and enjoyment of everyday life. Read more... |