From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - A Modernization of Schizophrenia

Roughly 1 in 100 people around the world are diagnosed with schizophrenia. While the recognition of this mental illness has been around since the early 1900s, have we been successful in treating the condition? No, in fact, some data suggest only one in seven people recover. 

So despite the advances in mental health treatments, the number of people who recover from schizophrenia has not increased over time. Many experts in the mental health field suggest this lack of improvement is due to the language and concepts surrounding schizophrenia.

A New Language

The term schizophrenia poorly characterizes the actual features of the illness and gives the diagnosed an instant stigma to overcome. In other parts of the world, the term schizophrenia has been renamed. In Japan, for instance, they have renamed schizophrenia as “integration disorder”. We must follow suit and begin speaking of this mental health disorder using a different language. 

New Thinking

In order to begin using a new language around schizophrenia, we must begin to form new concepts. It is now believed that psychosis, typically characterized by confused thoughts and delusions, should also exist along a continuum and in degrees, much like autism spectrum disorder. Schizophrenia would then be the severe end of the spectrum.

We must also begin to think differently, or rather understand more deeply, how people end up with the characteristics of this condition. New science is pointing to things like exposure to parasites, cannabis use, and childhood viral infections as potential pathways to specific mental disturbances.

And finally, we must stop thinking of this condition as a hopeless chronic brain disease. This idea excludes the many people who do have positive outcomes.

A New Treatment

Antipsychotic drugs are historically the first line of treatment for schizophrenia. But these medicines can have serious side effects, which is why many patients refuse to take them.

In recent years, many mental health professionals have begun to advocate for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an adjunct to antipsychotic drugs. Recent studies, including meta-analysis, have shown some success with CBT’s ability to reduce psychotic symptoms. It is believed that CBT could help patients stop trying to fight or suppress hallucinations or stop engaging with the voices in their heads.

There will no doubt need to be further discussions about how we think about, speak about and treat schizophrenia. But we must all agree that those discussions need to happen.

In the meantime, if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and would like to discuss CBT treatment options, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920996421003595?via=ihub#bb0155

  • https://theconversation.com/the-concept-of-schizophrenia-is-coming-to-an-end-heres-why-82775

  • https://www.science.org/content/article/schizophrenia-time-flush-meds

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - HELLO MASSACHUSETTS!

BIG NEWS!!!

Maesk Counseling is pleased to announce that we are now serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of today, you may book a telehealth appointment and be seen within days.

As you may know, there is a shortage of mental health professionals in Massachusetts, and we are pleased beyond words that we can now step in to help fill that gap.

You can book your appointment here: APPOINTMENT NOW!

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Overcoming Trauma

You know you got your hairline from your Dad’s side of the family and your eye color from your mom. You know diabetes runs in your family, as does heart disease and Parkinson’s.

But do you know that many families also pass down trauma to their loved ones? It’s not just our physical makeup and risk of disease that we inherit from our family, it is also the emotional wounds as well.

What is Transgenerational Trauma?

Before you were born you were in your mother’s womb and very susceptible to her emotions. As your mother felt joy, her body released hormones that made you feel joy.

When she felt sad, scared, or angry, her body released hormones that made her experience these same emotions.

Eventually, you were born and raised in a house that may not always be happy or harmonious. Your parents may have been emotionally distant or even abusive because they may have been brought up by parents who had their own reasons for being emotionally absent or abusive.

Many families have unresolved trauma that works its way through one generation to the next. Those families who have dealt with addiction, depression, anxiety, terror, racism, and the like, often continue to pass on negative emotions, poor behaviors, low self-esteem, and maladaptive coping strategies. These not only lead to a painful and hard life, but they can also lead to chronic health conditions.

It Can Stop With You!

If you have a history of family conflict or trauma, you can be the individual who puts an end to the cycle. You can be the one who begins a new cycle, one of passing down loving communication and positive self-images. 

Of course, it will take work on your part to overcome the pain of your family history. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a mental health professional who can offer you the right tools and coping strategies that you can then pass down to your own children.

If you’re interested in exploring therapy, please get in touch with me! I’d love to help you end the cycle of trauma in your family.

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-flourishing-family/202107/breaking-the-chains-generational-trauma

  • https://tinybuddha.com/blog/overcoming-intergenerational-trauma-we-can-break-the-cycle-of-abuse/

  • https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/latinx-mental-health-stigma

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Relationship Independence

Relationship Indepence

The Importance of Independence in a Relationship

When we first fall in love with that special someone, we want to spend all of our time together. In fact, we seem to feel better when we are with our significant other.

This is the infatuation stage, and admittedly, it feels really good. But enduring relationships move past this stage and into a place of mutual respect and care. This will require each partner to give the other space to be their own individuals.

Why Individuality and Independence are Important in Relationships

First, what does it really mean to be an independent individual? It means you know how to be your own person, whether you are single or in a relationship. It means while you make the effort to make your partner happy, you also ensure that you continue to do the things you enjoy that bring you happiness.

The following are just some of the reasons why there should always be independence in a relationship:

No One Likes Clingy

When you lack independence and don’t have a solid sense of yourself, you can come across as “clingy” or needy. If you want to be around your partner 24/7 and they are wanting space, your neediness can drain their energy.

Mutual Growth

When the two of you stay independent, you give each other the opportunity to grow as individuals, which then can lead to growth as a couple. 

Mutual Support

Independent people are strong people, and strong people can be counted on when it matters most. When you are both strong individuals, you can lend that support when the other needs it.

Need Help Getting Your Independent Spirit Back?

Most of us demanded our independence when we were in our teens and early 20s. But life happens, and we can often lose that independent spirit and lose our own identities. If you need some help reconnecting with yourself so that you may one day enjoy a beneficial partnership, please get in touch with me. I’m more than happy to discuss how therapy can help.

SOURCES:

  • https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/be-independent-in-a-relationship/

  • https://www.symbiosiscoaching.com/why-independence-is-important-in-a-relationship/

  • https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-being-independent-improves-your-long-term-relationship.html

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - HELLO UTAH!

Maesk Counseling is happy to announce that we are now licensed to practice in the state of Utah, and are welcoming new telehealth patients throughout the state.

More details will follow in the days and weeks ahead, but if you are ready to get started, please go HERE and you will be able to register as a new patient and set an online appointment.

We look forward to serving everyone in the great state of Utah!

Sandstones Valley, Utah

#Utahcounseling #Utah #Counseling #Utahtherapy #Utahmentalhealth

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth” and marks a very important day in American history. This is the day federal troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 and took control to ensure all slaves were freed. Juneteenth is thought to be the longest-running African American holiday. It became an official federal holiday on June 17, 2021. 

While slavery was abolished over 250 years ago, there is lingering trauma that has been passed down through the generations in the black community. As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, it’s important to focus on the overall mental health and well-being of the community. 

Barriers To Mental Health Care 

Historically, the African American community has been faced with certain barriers that have made seeking mental health services challenging. 

Socioeconomic Disparities 

It is common for members of the black community to experience socioeconomic disparities that make it hard to finance mental health treatment. Recent data suggest that 11% of black adults in this country have no form health insurance.  

Stigma 

It is common for people in the black community to have negative attitudes and beliefs about mental health issues and treatment for those issues. In fact, one study found that 63% of black people still believe that admitting to struggling with a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness.  

As a result of this lingering stigma, people often feel shame for having a mental health condition and choose to not seek help for fear of being bullied or scorned.  

Trust 

People of color often prefer to speak with therapists within their own community. Speaking with another person of color, who understands the microaggressions and burdens you face on a daily basis, can be tremendously helpful for healing.  

Currently, the psychology workforce is predominantly white, which often makes it difficult for BIPOC people to find a therapist they feel comfortable with. It is hoped that in the coming years, more young people of color will take an interest and the initiative to become a trained and licensed therapist. 

Making a Commitment 

This Juneteenth, it is important that people in the African American community make a commitment to their mental health. It may be helpful for you to get on the phone with a few potential providers and ask some questions to get a sense of their level of cultural awareness. What is their history of treating people of color? How sensitive are they to the plights black people face today? 

When you find a provider that can meet your needs, you can begin the journey of healing. 

SOURCES:

  • https://www.history.com/juneteenth

  • https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-and-african-american-communities-and-mental-health

  • https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American

From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - The Power of Nature

The Healing Power of Nature

One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to our mental and physical health.

The Many Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

Research is now clearly indicating that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on our health. Whether you bike, hike, or simply sit under a tree enjoying the sights and sounds, time in nature has shown to reduce stress, slow heart rate, improve pain, lower cortisol, and stimulate the immune system by boosting the production of natural killer cells that fight disease and infection.

In addition, time outside means time in the sun, and THAT means getting a nice boost of vitamin D, which can do everything from preventing disease, make our bones and teeth stronger, and improve our mood.

Give Ecotherapy a Try

Ecotherapy, which is also sometimes referred to as nature therapy, is a practice in the emerging field of ecopsychology. The idea behind this practice is that many modern people, whether they are aware of it or not, feel a massive disconnect from the natural world. When you think about it, our ancestors spent hundreds of thousands of years living WITH nature, feeling it under their bare feet, being outside, ebbing and flowing with the shifts in seasons.

But today, most of us are only connected to a digital device. Ecotherapy gets us away from our screens and out into the beauty of the natural world. Many clinicians, including myself, believe that the earth has a natural ability to balance us. When we get back in touch with the systems of nature, we can experience improved mental health.

If you are feeling out of sorts and like the idea of trying ecotherapy, you can simply spend more time outside. If you would like someone to help you reconnect with nature, please get in touch with me. I am a big proponent of nature therapy and use it in my practice.

SOURCES:


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From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - How Anger Affects the Family

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Does My Family Have Anger Issues?


It’s not easy accepting that you or someone in your immediate family has trouble controlling their anger. But the sooner you can accept it, the sooner you and your family can find help and begin to heal and learn more respectful ways to communicate. 

Here are some signs you and/or someone in your family has anger issues.

  • The person becomes overtly angry at a mild or insignificant frustration or irritant.

  • There are later feelings of shame and guilt over something said or done in anger.

  • You or a family member has experienced big ramifications because of an angry outburst. These can include lawsuits, physical altercations, school suspensions, etc.).

  • Extended family and/or friends have suggested you or your loved one get some help for your/their anger.

  • You or your loved one have chronic physical ailments such as hypertension, anxiety, gastrointestinal difficulties.

As young people, we learn to interact with others based on how our family members interact with each other. Once these communication patterns become established in our young minds, it’s hard to change them as adults. This means that any relational patterns that include angry outbursts or aggressive behaviors are apt to appear in our relationships later in life.

Getting Help 

Fortunately, you and your family do not have to live the way you currently are. Family counselors are trained to identify behavioral patterns that have been passed from one generation to the next. Once these patterns are uncovered, your therapist can help your family learn appropriate expressions and communication patterns. He or she can also facilitate healthy communication among the group, allowing each family member to share their thoughts, concerns, and feelings safely and without judgment.

Family issues do not have to be severe to seek guidance from a trained therapist. The treatment provides all families the opportunity to understand one another better and communicate in healthier ways.

If you’re interested in getting your family some help, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss treatment options.

SOURCES:

https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Effect_of_Anger_on_Families.aspx

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rediscovering-love/201908/how-anger-affects-intimate-relationships

https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/family-problems