Be-Kind-To-Your-Mind rainbow with Mental Health Matters underneath

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness

Taking Care of Your Mental Health By Taking Prescribed Medications

When I was thinking about what to write for Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness, I realized how I would be remiss if I did not talk about medication during Mental Health Awareness Month.

When I broach the subject of medication with folks, almost everyone expresses concern. Typically, I hear some combination of the following concerns.

  • You might not consider yourself to be a “medication person,” meaning you also typically avoid basic pain medication including Advil, Aleve, and/or Tylenol.
  • In part, there is a fear of being labeled “crazy.”
  • Finally, is also a fear of dependence.

I don’t like taking medication of any kind.

Taking medication is not something I take lightly. My preference is to work on coping strategies first. We will work together to identify the strategies that could be the most effective for you. These will change depending on the situation and circumstances of the moment. Over the course of therapy, your potential strategies and skills will continue to develop and grow. If I observe the coping strategies are not providing enough relief and/or your symptoms are severe enough to impact daily functioning, I am going to have a conversation with you about the benefits of medication.

Just as medical providers might suggest medication to optimize your physical health, sometimes the most effective treatment for depression is to add medication to your treatment.  My goal is to always help you reach your fullest potential for growth and wellness.

Won’t people think I’m “crazy” if I take medication?

Hopefully not. The reality is, it is more common for people to need antidepressants than to need medication for diabetes or high cholesterol. While many people face situational depression, Major Depression is a serious health issue.

There are five main types of psychotropic medications. They include anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, stimulants, mood stabilizers, and anti-psychotic medications.

  • Anti-depressants
  • Anti-anxiety
  • Stimulants are typically prescribed if you who have ADHD. Stimulants have also been found to work for some sleep disorders.
  • Mood stabilizers are prescribed if you have experienced an episode of hypomania, mania, or a severe episode of depression.
  • And, Anti-psychotic medications are prescribed if you have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness including schizophrenia, or if you have experienced a psychotic episode in conjunction with your Bipolar Disorder. Anti-psychotics have also been known to help folks with Alzheimer’s.

Interestingly, I have found that when you are vulnerable with others and share you are taking a psychotropic medication, most find people come out of the woodwork and disclose they are also taking a psychotropic medication. You will likely end up comparing medications and your experiences!

What if I don’t like taking medication or am afraid of becoming dependent?

If you have a mental illness, or a mental health condition, you might benefit from psychotropic medication.

While I have not done the additional schooling it would take to become a prescribing psychologist (available in some states, including Illinois), by reviewing your medication(s) with you, I can help you determine if they are working effectively. Over the years, I have seen a sizable portion of folks who do not realize they are not receiving maximum benefit from their medication. This typically occurs because a person might have been experiencing their symptoms for so long that they have not had experienced feeling their best and/or they have forgotten how it feels to be in their best place. In these situations, it often requires trust in me and a willingness to try medication.

Usually, the idea of dependence you are typically thinking about is connected to alcohol or substance use dependence.  In those situations, dependence usually means that the alcohol or substance controls a persons’ life.  They are often thinking about their substance, figuring out ways to get their substance (potentially including stealing from loved ones), or using their substance. 

Yes, there is the matter of your body becoming “addicted” if you mean that your body needs the medication to reach optimal functioning.  Psychotropic medication is effective because it either providers neurotransmitters and/or improves the rate with which they communicate to your brain.  Medication helps “even things out” in a way your brain (specifically, the limbic system) cannot do on your own.  There is a part of your mental health experience that is out of your control.  What is in your control is if you choose to help improve functioning by taking medication.

I hope this helps you understand the use and importance of medication when it comes to managing and improving your mental health.  If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to comment below or send me a message.  You can also call 630.912.2908 to schedule an appointment.

Relationship Solutions Center logo and tag line

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness

Gives an update on RSC’s #NEDAWalk.

Hi everyone!

There’s still plenty of time of donate to such a great cause! I am participating in a #NEDAWalk on April 23rd.

Eating Disorders effect girls, boys, women, and men of all races. This is video shares the varied experiences of folks who suffer from disordered eating. Please watch and learn more about eating disorders.

Did you know that…

Those are horrifying numbers and we can make a difference. Thank you for your support.

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness

Shares the first Awareness event RSC will participate in

Hopefully, you read my blog post from February 17th (https://rscil.com/thursday-thoughts-on-mental-illness/), where I announced practice goals for RSC. This year, I will be participating in more national and international events for 2022.

The NEDA Walk is the first event I have committed to.

Did you know that 30 million Americans struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives? And, despite their prevalence, eating disorders receive significantly less funding than other major mental illnesses, and support options are often inaccessible!

As a result, too many people are left feeling helpless, hopeless, and frightened.

This is why I’m participating in the NEDA Walk on April 23rd to benefit the National Eating Disorders Association.

As the leading U.S. nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. Learn more about NEDA’s mission and work at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Thank you so much for your support!

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness

Shares an announcement with you

Good morning everyone,

I am excited to announce a new goal for Relationship Solutions Center, P.C. this year.

As a practice, RSC will be planning and participating in more national and international events in 2022.

The first event going on the calendar is a walk to support

NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association)

on April 23rd.

Here is more information according to the NEDA website,

What is a NEDA Walk?

Quickly growing since 2009, NEDA Walks now bring together over 25,000 people of all ages and backgrounds to fight eating disorders.

NEDA Walks are inspirational, community-building events where passionate walkers raise money to fund eating disorders education, prevention, and support, as well as advocacy and research initiatives. NEDA Walks are the largest eating disorders awareness events in the nation. They are also a celebration of hope and strength, filled with body-positive activities, motivational guest speakers, and a short walk to symbolize unity in the fight against eating disorders.

Furthermore, NEDA Walks create a safe and supportive space where no one will feel alone in their battle. It seems as though everybody knows somebody who’s been affected by an eating disorder – so everybody is invited to walk with us! Together, we’ll stand up to stigma and send the message that recovery is possible.

Why do we walk?

Eating disorders are a serious illnesses that affect millions of individuals and their families every day. Despite their increasing prevalence, eating disorders receive less than $1 in research funds per affected person, compared to an average of $70 for other major mental illnesses. Eating disorders are widely misunderstood illnesses and support options are often inaccessible. As a result, too many people are left feeling helpless, hopeless, and frightened – this is why we walk. NEDA Walks are raising critical funds, restoring hope, and changing the conversation surrounding eating disorders.

As the leading U.S. nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. The funds you raise through NEDA Walks put vital resources into the hands of those in need. With every dollar you raise, we are one step closer to our shared vision of a world without eating disorders.

Personally, I have had at least two family members I am aware of who have struggled with eating disorders.  Professionally, I have also seen folks struggling with eating disorders, as well as severe emotional eating problems.

As I find other events I can participate in, I will let you know.  I welcome your questions, and certainly your potential desire to support various organizations as I become aware of national and international mental health and mental illness related events.

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness shares more information about Depression

Back in December, I promised to share information about the remaining four types of Depression.

Phew, that was a long time ago.  LOL  I try to practice what I preach and my time management has been a bit off.

As a reminder, in the last post of Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness I discussed Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Major Depression Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), and Premenstrual Disorder.

That brings us to:

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder

This diagnosis applies when depression developed during or soon after intoxication, withdrawal, or exposure to a substance or medication.  In these situations, there needs to be evidence the Depression cannot be attributed to a non-substance related situation.

Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

This diagnosis is used when depression is specifically caused by the physiological effects of another medical condition.  Common medical conditions include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, a stroke, or a TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Other Specified Depressive Disorder

This diagnosis is used when there are several symptoms of depression that cause impairment in social, occupational/school, or other critical areas of functioning but there are not enough symptoms to qualify for one of the other diagnoses in the Depression category.

Unspecified Depressive Disorder

This is similar to other specified depressive disorder, yet the clinician might not have enough information and wants to gather more information before giving another diagnosis.

I just realized it would be helpful to talk about why we use diagnoses as a profession.  I’ll share my understanding and thoughts with you next time on Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness.

Transforming Relationships From the Inside Out

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness!

Let’s talk about Mood Disorders

The diagnosis of a mood disorder means the primary feature is a disturbance in mood.  There are three types of mood disorders: Unipolar Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder. 

CAUTION: While I am listing the specific symptoms of various mood disorders, this is NOT a substitute for an official diagnosis by a clinician, therapist, or psychologist.  There are nuances and rule outs professionals consider when making an accurate diagnosis.

To start, it would be helpful to understand Depression.  There are eight (8) types of Depression.  For brevity’s sake, I will only discuss four of them in this post.  They include:

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

The symptoms of DMDD begin before age 10.  The symptoms cannot be attributed to other types of depression, mania, or hypomania.  Specific symptoms include:

  1. Severe recurrent temper outbursts manifested verbally and/or behaviorally that are grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the situation or provocation.
  2. The temper outbursts are inconsistent with developmental level.
  3. The temper outbursts occur, on average, three (3) or more times per week.
  4. The mood between temper outbursts is persistently irritable or angry most of the day, nearly every day, and is observable by others.
  5. These symptoms have been present for twelve (12) or more months and throughout that time, the individual has not had a period lasting (3) or more consecutive months without all of the symptoms.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

MDD looks different for everyone.  Folks need to report feeling depressed and/or a loss of interest or pleasure.  Beyond that, a person needs to have a minimum of five (5) symptoms.  Potential symptoms include:

  1. Significant unintentional weight loss or gain.
  2. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
  3. Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
  4. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
  5. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
  6. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness nearly every day.
  7. Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a plan, or a suicide attempt, or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (previously known as Dysthymia)

The major difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) and the other types of depression, is the depressed mood lasts at least two (2) years.  I tend to explain it as a milder form of depression or feeling “blah.”  Folks with chronically low self-esteem tend to have Persistent Depressive Disorder.  Most people can function well day-to-day.  They do not appear like the folks you see in the commercials for depression.  One characteristic I have noticed is a lack of spark or twinkle in their eyes. 

Officially, at least two (2) of the following symptoms must be present along with the depression for the course of the 2 years:

  1. Poor appetite or overeating.
  2. Insomnia or hyposomnia.
  3. Low energy or fatigue.
  4. Low self-esteem.
  5. Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions.
  6. Feelings of hopelessness.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD)

The symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder are present in the final week of the menstrual cycle and begin to improve within a few days of starting menstruation.  In the week following menstruation, there are minimal or no symptoms of depression.

Symptoms fall into two categories: in the first category, there needs to be one or more symptoms present.
  1. Marked effective mobility including mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity to rejection.
  2. Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts.
  3. Marked depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-depreciating thoughts.
  4. Marked anxiety, tension, and or feelings of being keyed up or on edge.
In the second category, a person must have at least five symptoms:
  1. Decreased interest in usual activities.
  2. Subjective difficulty in concentration.
  3. Lethargy, easily fatigued, or marked lack of energy.
  4. Marked change in appetite; overeating; or specific food cravings.
  5. Hypersomnia or insomnia.
  6. A sense of being overwhelmed or out of control.
  7. Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, and a sensation of quote bloating or weight gain.

You made it!  I know this was a lot to take in.   Look for my next blog on Thursday Thoughts On Mental Illness and I will go through the remaining diagnoses in the depression category.

Thank you for reading my blog. Please hit “like” and share on your Social Media platforms. I also encourage you to reach out to me directly if you would like to talk further or if you have any questions. General comments that do not discuss your symptoms are certainly welcome on this blog or if you got here through Facebook or LinkedIn.