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Search Results for: self care

Getting the Most out of a Ketamine IV Infusion

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Getting the most out of a Ketamine IV infusion

Participating in IV ketamine infusions is a big deal. You have been suffering for years while trying medications, therapy, and alternative treatments. No matter what you tried, nothing seemed to work. Now, you are learning that a ketamine IV infusion is a viable option for those who do not respond to traditional medicines and medicine combinations. Ketamine can be administered by a clinical psychiatrist or doctor specializing in mental health, in their office, with the assistance of a nurse. The drug can be given in three forms: A nasal spray Injection into a muscle and Intravenously (IV) IV ketamine is a preferred method by many. One reason may be that there are numerous ways to get the most out of a Ketamine IV infusion. What is a Ketamine IV Infusion? Receiving a drug intravenously means your doctor delivers ketamine directly into your veins. There are two types of intravenous techniques, …

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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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