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Mental Health Center

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Self-care Spotlight 001

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Self-care Spotlight 001

By Ashley Barnes, Ketamine Therapy Coordinator at Mental Health Center Self care is a concept that is often misinterpreted. Many believe it is synonymous with self-indulgence, deeming it unnecessary and frivolous. In reality, we need to engage in self care in order to maintain our mental and physical health, keep up with our numerous responsibilities, and to find a sense of balance in our lives. If we don’t attend to ourselves and our own needs, we will find it increasingly challenging to attend to others’ needs. Readers may have heard the same idea communicated through the cup analogy. Imagine your life being represented by a full cup of water. In front of you are other cups, some representing responsibilities such as work or school, others representing organizations or communities you may be involved in, and other cups may be the people in our lives. The water represents our time, energy, …

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Family History and Mental Illness

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Family History and Mental Illness

What the research says. Much of scientific literature seeks to address heritability and genetic links to certain mental health disorders. To start, it is important to understand what is meant by heritable. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word as meaning “the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (such as height) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones” (2022). A 2017 twin study found schizophrenia to be 79% heritable (aligned with findings of previous research), and when expanding illness outcomes to schizophrenia spectrum disorders, the heritability estimate was 73% (Hilker et al., 2017). A study conducted in 2018 explored the potential multigenerational transference of psychiatric disorders, specifically honing in on bipolar disorder; the study found that out of a sample size of nearly 1,000, the illnesses seen in prior generations were associated with the same type of illness in offspring of a …

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Addiction Treatment Plan: Screening, Assessment, and Treatment

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addiction treatment plan

Addiction is a disorder of the brain that causes a person to act compulsively in activities that provide a rewarding sensation. An individual will continue to engage in reward-seeking behaviors even if they are experiencing negative consequences, such as the loss of a job, deteriorating relationships, or legal problems. In many cases, people who experience a substance use disorder or addiction to a specific substance will continue to abuse the substance until a medical emergency or legal matter emerges. In this article, we will explore the various stages of developing an addiction treatment plan, including the screening, assessment, and treatment process. The Addiction Treatment Plan Developing an effective treatment plan involves several steps, starting with a screening, followed by an assessment by a licensed mental health professional, and recommended path forward toward the most effective addiction treatment plan possible. Here’s what you need to know about the various stages of …

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The Many Benefits of Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

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benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy

There are many benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Suppose you met the partner of your dreams today. You think about them all day and with each thought, you feel happy and excited. Eventually, you think about them so much you decide to send them a message and ask them on a date. Now suppose you have been married for years. A recent argument over finances ended with your partner saying some very hurtful things to you. You have been reliving that moment in your thoughts. To cope with the stress your thoughts are creating, you decide to go to a bar for a drink.  As you can see, what you think influences how you feel. And your feelings influence how you react or behave. Thoughts are like the first domino that leads to the falling of other dominoes represented by Cognitive-behavioral therapy your feelings and actions. What if you could learn how …

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