Mental Health Resources, continued

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Anger is an agitated, often hostile state of arousal, varying in intensity, that is emotional, physiological, and cognitive in nature.  It originates from a perceived threat or a sense of wrongdoing.  What can be done to reduce it?  Anger and patterns of anger are a sign you are reaching your limit.  Rather than get to this point, it is a point of no return.  It is not an ideal place to fix problems, no matter how big.  Instead, learning what might trigger anger and learning skills to reduce stress and arousal will help to re-condition a person to stay away from this overly physical demand on our senses. 

Why are soldiers thought to suffer from PTSD so often?  PTSD is a condition where our ability to regulate our fight or flight response becomes damaged from too much use, or too intense of an experience.  As a result, thoughts become intrusive, substance use to keep the feelings at bay becomes more likely, and depression and anxiety become the rule, rather than the exception.  Warfare is not the only way a person may become afflicted with PTSD.  Having a volatile childhood, experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and the violent death or sexual abuse of someone close to us can also bring about this condition.  Counseling and EMDR therapies are designed to be able to help you get back to feeling like your former self. 

Why is substance use such a problem?  Substances help change our realities, and if our realities are not healthy or desirable, we will use unhealthy means to help change our experiences.  The problem is, these substances work too well.  Before long, these substances take over our lives, giving us less and less of an effect and demanding more and more of our time and energy.  Also, the repeated use of substances can turn us against those that love us the most.  What to do?  The good news is that addiction and abuse can be managed and changed.  Find a support group, find an AA meeting, get some counseling, and get yourself feeling and acting more like you would prefer.  When an addiction is in full throes, choosing otherwise becomes impossible.  Find better ways to limit and stop using substances to manage issues that can be solved without going to this extent, you will be glad you did. 

Have you ever wondered what your dreams mean?  Often the images can be overwhelming at best.  Dream images are best understood symbolically, although emotions in a dream often represent emotions you may be experiencing in real life.  Here is a dream dictionary website I have used for over 25 years with good information about what your dream content might signify.  www.dreamhawk.com To better understand your dreams or how to better manage a nightmare, sign up to receive therapy with Ben today!!

Getting the right quality sleep is likely the most important indirect factor in good mental health.  Here are some sleep tips to make sure you follow.  Having trouble sleeping?  Apply the attached ideas and get the kind of sleep you need: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-tips-to-sleep-better#The-bottom-line Here is a breathing technique to help induce sleep if you have insomnia: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/sleep-technique-andrew-weil-university-arizona.html

https://www.wesupportmentalhealth.org/ufaqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-psychiatrist-a-psychologist-and-a-social-worker-and-how-do-i-decide-which-one-is-right-for-me/ We also employ a Licensed Associate Counselor and a Doctor of Health Sciences in our practice.  What do these qualifications mean?  An associate counselor has met the educational standards to be a therapist, but also needs 2 years of supervised training under a licensed supervisor before able to apply for independent licensure. The Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc. or DHS) is a post-professional academic doctoral degree for those who intend to pursue or advance a professional practice career in Health Sciences and Health Care Delivery Systems, which can include clinical practice, education, administration, and research.