Mental Health Nursing - Could You Cope?

A CDC report states that about 996,000 individuals suffer from some form of mental illness in the United States of America, in a given year. The report also mentions that a whopping 25% of adults in the country suffer from a mental disorder (That is about 1 in 4 adults). Mental health nursing helps the individual fix the mental disorder and in a way contribute to the betterment of the society and the country's economy.

The task is tough, because these nurses don't see any visible symptoms of the illness. They have to understand the behavior of the individual and try to find out the possible reason. They can definitely interact with the families of the patient to find out the reasons responsible for the sudden change in behavior of the individual.

Mental Health

The other problem mental health nurses face is that they do not normally know the severity of the illness. This makes it very tough for the nurse to subscribe to a set treatment process. Typically, a person with severe mental illness symptoms would need a more rigorous course of treatment than individuals with less severe symptoms.

Mental health nursing indeed seems to be the best cure for people with diagnosable mental illnesses, but the question is how many of them actually receive this treatment? In a survey done on 3,000 participants by National Institute of Medical Health (NIMH), it was found that only 50% of children in the age group of 8-15 received treatment for their mental illnesses. The symptoms of these illnesses grew with the children as they progressed with age, only for them to find out about the disorder when they symptoms appeared more severe.

Statistically, an increase in cases of drug and alcohol addiction with young individuals and adolescents has thrown a spike on the mental illness graph. Youngsters addicted to these substances face severe withdrawal symptoms when they are forced to get out of these habits, resulting in them suffering from some kind of mental illness.

It is quite clear that mental health nursing can only benefit the society. By fixing mental illnesses in a person, the symptoms of which are not easily visible to the naked eye, these nurses overcome a steep challenge to benefit the country and the society in a big way.

A mental health nurse needs to a caring individual who treats the patients with fairness and respect.

Mental Health Nursing - Could You Cope?

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Mental Abuse - The 7 Most Important Things To Know

1. Sticks and stones won't break my bones" - and words won't leave any measurable physical damage, but they will cause progressive, long-term harm. Never underestimate the power of words: words are used to brainwash.

Being told you are "stupid", "ugly", "lazy" or "worthless" is never acceptable. The first times you hear it, it will hurt, naturally. In time you "may get used to" hearing it from a partner. That's when you start to internalise and believe it. When that happens you are doing the other person's work of putting you down for them. This is why your feelings of self-worth suffer increasingly over time.

Mental Health

The good news is that just as words have been used to bring you down, you can learn to harness the power of words to build you up and restore your confidence and belief in yourself.

2. You are always told that it's your fault. Somehow, whatever happens, however it starts, the ultimate blame is always yours. Notice that we are talking ultimate blame here. The blaming partner will always tell you that their behaviour was caused by what you said or did. In fact, their argument runs along the lines that you can't possibly blame them for anything, because if you hadn't said what you said, or done what you did it would never have happened.

3. You're more inclined to believe your partner than you are to believe yourself. Have you ever reeled with a sense of hurt and injustice, or seethed with anger at the way you've been treated? Have you found yourself asking: "Is it reasonable to feel like this?" "Am I misinterpreting things?" "Have I got it wrong?"

If this is you, what it means is that you have become so brainwashed you've stopped trusting in your own judgement. Your mind keeps throwing up the observations and questions because, deep down, you know that what is happening is utterly wrong. But right now you can't feel the strength of your own convictions.

4. You need your partner to acknowledge your feelings. Have you ever felt desperate to make your partner hear what you are saying and apologise for the hurtful things they've said? Have you ever felt that only they can heal the pain they've caused?

Does your need for them to validate your feelings keep you hooked into the relationship?

When a partner constantly denies or refuses to listen to your feelings, that is, unquestionably, mental abuse.

5. Your partner blows hot and cold. He can be very loving but is often highly critical of you. He may tell you how much he loves you, yet he is short on care or consideration towards you. In fact, some of the time, maybe even a lot of the time, he treats you as if you were someone he truly dislikes.

You do everything you can to make him happy, but it's never good enough. You're more like the pet dog in the relationship than you are the equal partner. Your constant efforts to get his attention and please him meet with limited success. Sometimes he'll be charmed, often he's dismissive.

If you find yourself puzzling about how your partner can treat you that way, it is because you are trying to live in a love-based relationship, when in reality you are living in a control-based relationship. The mental abuser struggles with his own feelings of worthlessness and uses his relationship to create a feeling of personal power, at his partner's expense.

6. You feel as if you are constantly walking on eggshells. There is a real degree of fear in the relationship. You have come to dread his outbursts, the hurtful things that he will find to say to you. (Maybe the same anxiety and need to please spill over into your other relationships also.)

Fear is not part of a loving relationship, but it is a vital part of a mentally abusive relationship. It enables the abuser to maintain control over you.

7. You can heal. Mentally abusive relationships cause enormous emotional damage to the loving partner who tries, against all odds, to hold the relationship together and, ultimately, can't do it, because her partner is working against her.

Whether you are currently in a mentally abusive relationship, have left one recently, or years later are still struggling with the anxieties and low self-worth and lack of confidence caused by mental abuse, it is never too late to heal.

But you do need to work with a person or a programme specifically geared to mental abuse recovery.

Women who have suffered mental abuse expect radical change of themselves, and they expect it right away. This is why they often struggle and, not uncommonly, take up with another abusive partner.

Mental abuse recovery is a gradual process. Low self-worth and limiting beliefs about what kind of future the abuse sufferer can ever hope for are the blocks that can stop women from moving on. But they are blocks that you can clear very effectively. Just as language was once used to harm you, you can now learn how language can heal you. You can overcome past mental abuse and keep yourself safe from it in the future. You can also learn to feel strong, believe in yourself and create the life and the relationships you truly want.

"The Woman You Want To Be" is a unique workbook designed to accompany you on a year long journey into emotional health and happiness.

(C) 2005 Annie Kaszina

Mental Abuse - The 7 Most Important Things To Know

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Herbs for Mental Health and Energy: A Look at What Herbs Support Mood, Focus and Alertness

In some of the previous articles I've written we've looked at herbs for memory and function, but today I'd like to look at herbs for mental health and energy. Memory issues are not the only problems people deal with when it comes to the brain. Many suffer from mood swings, depression and a lack of mental energy. Herbal remedies can help with that too.

For most of us, one of the primary factors that affects our mental health and well being is stress. We all deal with stress in our lives to varying degrees. It seems that the level of stress in life is increasing rather than decreasing. News reports and scientists have done numerous stories and studies showing that people are spending longer hours at work, taking fewer vacations and in general doing more to increase rather than reduce stress. This has a significant impact on how our minds function. Mood deteriorates, energy levels decrease and mental focus becomes more difficult.

Mental Health

To combat this it would be most beneficial to cut back on work hours, take more time off, relax, exercise, etc. However, the reality is that this seems to be difficult for our generation to follow through with. As a result, people are looking for ways to help their bodies cope with stress without the negative side effects of prescription drugs and other methods. One of those tools is herbs for mental health like Siberian Ginseng.

Ginseng has undergone intense studies by scientists in recent years. This herb has been used for generations in China and other parts of asia as a herb for mental health. It has become popular in Europe and the US and research is supporting its use as a beneficial mind herb.

Ginseng is what scientists call an adaptogen. It is a substance that interacts with the brain and other body systems in different ways to help adjust to stress. It levels the systems out so stress has less of an effect on both mind and body thereby helping maintain mental health and stability.

Along with stress comes mood or anxiety issues. Stress and anxiety often seem to come hand in hand. To fight anxiety and help calm mood herbal experts suggest Passion Flower and Bacopin as two herbs for mental health that have a positive effect in reducing anxiety and nervousness and calming mood. Again, research is so far supporting these herbs as helpful to the brain.

After dealing with stress and anxiety, people are often left with fatigue and a lack of mental energy. To that end there are two herbs for mental energy that are often recommended. They are Ginkgo Biloba and Gotu Kola.

Ginkgo is often used to help increase memory and cognitive function. It does so by increasing blood flow to the brain. Another result of this process is that it helps increase focus and alertness by supplying the brain with more oxygen and nutrients due to the rise in blood traffic. That makes Ginkgo one of the more important of the herbs for mental energy.

Gotu Kola is also an useful in providing energy and focus to the brain. It also has some effect on the blood flow in the body. It helps with fatigue by reducing insomnia and boosting mental functions. It also has the added benefit of helping to reduce anxiety and level mood, making it not only one of the herbs for mental energy, but one for overall mental health.

While the problems of stress, anxiety and fatigue may not something that we can just wave our hands and make go away, there are things we can do to protect ourselves from their effects. Though exercise and rest are important to our bodies being able to cope, it may not be enough or even possible to get what we need in today's world. Using herbs for mental health and energy may be an increasingly important tool in our fight to overcome the negative effects of the heavy demands we face each day.

Herbs for Mental Health and Energy: A Look at What Herbs Support Mood, Focus and Alertness

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The Mental Benefits of Exercise and Its Influence on Mood, Function and Aging

The benefit of exercise on the body has been talked about for years, but what needs more discussion is the mental benefits of exercise. The brain needs exercise in order to combat aging, function properly and keep mood positive. Here's why.

The effect of exercise on the brain is profound. Several studies of exercise and mental health have observed large differences in memory ability, critical thinking skills, balanced mood and increased learning potential in the subjects who were on a physical exercise routine compared with the subject of the studies that were not. The difference was not minor. What was interesting is that the gap was even wider for studies done on people over 60. Those who did not exercise had a significant drop in mental health and brain function as opposed to those who maintained an active lifestyle.

Mental Health

The mental benefits of exercise begin with increased blood flow to the brain. The brain requires large amounts of oxygen and glucose to fuel the organ and maintain proper function. Decreases in blood flow either due to a sedentary lifestyle or old age is a major factor in mental decline.

Exercise and mental health are also connected by the effect exercise has on neurotransmitters. Studies done measuring the effect of exercise on neurotransmitters revealed that increased activity aided the body in producing higher levels of various brain chemicals necessary for function, mood improvement and memory. Exercise increases endorphins, which affect mood and decrease pain as well as increases aceytlcholine, which supports memory and mental processing in addition to voluntary muscle movement.

Exercise and mental health experts also noticed that exercise levels also impacted the number of pathways through the body for acetylcholine. This directly effects the ability of the chemical to work within the body.

One of the more interesting of the mental benefits of exercise is how it combats aging. It seems that exercise has a positive effect on nerve cell health and in many ways is directly linked with how long those cells live. Exercise maintains healthy cells and also helps enhance the activity of antioxidants which protect cells from free radical damage, one of the leading causes of cell damage related to the aging process.

Exercise also helps the body reduce the risk of stroke and clotting which can lead to deep vein thrombosis and death. This is important for not only our lives but for reducing the risk of damage to the brain that can result for stroke or clotting. This becomes increasingly important as we age and the circulatory system become more fragile.

One encouraging note in all this is that researchers found that even if a person has been inactive for much of their lives they can still receive the mental benefits of exercise whenever they start. It is important to start as early as you can, but any age will see improvement when they begin to increase exercise. The choice you make in this area can determine the quality of your mental health and how well you can function in later life. Whatever your age, get active.

The Mental Benefits of Exercise and Its Influence on Mood, Function and Aging

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Schizophrenia - physical, serious mental breakdown

Schizophrenia disease remains to be a concern. To say that someone is "schizophrenic", is usually characterized with a seriously crazy. Well, this is madness just a result of a physical abnormality in the body or brain. Yes, that schizophrenia is a physical illness, but the consequences are mental. It leads to a psychological breakdown that appear as "crazy" to other people. The nature of this disease remains too vague, and that medical science has yet to find out moreon it. The same with the causes of schizophrenia are not fully known. Studies have cited that the disease is genetic in nature.

And 'because of bad genes, they say, and it works in families. This is what is often said to mental illness. Some people tend to, it's in their genes, as mentioned. It triggers will follow later. Would increase their susceptibility to the disease until they develop it. They would then mentally ill. The condition ofmentally ill will be further exacerbated by the stigma of their disease. They are seen as "crazy." People will pretend to shame and resentment. Even disgust. These people are easy because their illness is misunderstood, discriminated against. What is itself recognized by mental health problems that are just like any other disease.

Mental Health

And a large number of patients were treated and are able to live a functional life. In this way the causes of schizophrenia are generallyphysical brain processes and procedures. Not much was still not known about, he said. But what about treatment? The drugs have been developed to correct the chemical imbalance in the brain. First, it has given clozapine. The schizophrenia drug clozapine is as effective as newer medications. But the problem with him is that the drug has many side effects. Are indeed heavy. Then there are also new drugs for the disease, such as risperidone andOlanzapine.

Effective as clozapine, but with fewer side effects. There are also other types of treatment such as ECT or electroconvulsive therapy. These treatments are designed to manage the disease and symptom control. As for symptoms, hallucinations and delusions may be. One obvious symptom of a schizophrenic is their megalomania. You have to think of an increased perception of themselves that they have a "cut above the rest" are. How "special" that they, Think that others are trying to do this is very essential for a schizophrenic paranoia and grandeur. These symptoms are those that eliminate the disease to focus on treatment, or at least control.

Medication and psychotherapy often go hand in hand in the treatment of schizophrenia. Adequate psychiatric care, family support and group therapy are often helpful for a faster recovery. So much is still not known about the causes of schizophrenia andDiagnosis and treatment. But when you hit a person, can lead to paralysis. Efforts should then be concentrated in the treatment of patients, and in many cases, they could not do it alone. The disease has robbed them and their reason. Help and why the concerns of intimate relationships and family, friends and authorities concerned are required.

Schizophrenia - physical, serious mental breakdown

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Mental Health - Understanding the Borderline Personality Disorder

The following article provides a comprehensive overview of borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder has only been adopted as an official diagnosis in 1980 so that it is very recent addition to personality disorders.

Keep it close, Michael Douglas and Glenn in the movie Fatal Attraction? She played a woman with many features of borderline personality disorder. Another example is Winona Ryder as a young girl she played in Girl, Interrupted.

Mental Health

What isBorderline personality disorder (BPD)?

People who suffer from this disorder show impulsivity and instability in relationships, moods and self-image. Emotions can lead to errors and sudden movements, especially passionate idealization of anger contempt. It 'obvious that these people are emotionally unstable personality.

The symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD)

The borderline patients often appear to be argumentative, sarcastic,easily offended, irritable, and are usually difficult to live with or take. Their behavior is impulsive and unpredictable regularly. Habits, gambling, shopping, sexual activity and non-selective eating sprees are potentially harmful in itself can comprehend.

People are often manipulative, very sensitive to the way they are treated by others, who react strongly to criticism and above and or be offended. They often show a risk of self harm and suicidal thoughtsTrends.

Where did it come from?

BPD has a lot of environmental factors and psycho-social dynamics of families of patients. It turns out that this disease runs in families, suggesting that may have genetic components and to ensure that the traumatic events that happened during childhood correlated.

BPD usually begins in adulthood and is more common in women than in men.

Treatment Options

Drugas antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are treated regularly to co-existing symptoms of depression but the evidence for benefit is weak for BPD.

Therapeutic support in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy studied and used. Working for a therapist with the borderline patient, it takes a lot of flexibility and strength of will to be projected with negative attributions.

FrequentlyPsychiatric hospitalization is necessary, or at least out-patient services.

Getting help

Dealing with BPD, or in your family is not something that can be managed on their own.

Note: If you suspect that you are trying to make a loved one with borderline personality disorder, external support and have them checked by a doctor.

Mental Health - Understanding the Borderline Personality Disorder

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The importance of mental health

What is mental health?

Although there is no concise definition, mental health is basically your attitude and outlook on life. Psychological, environmental, genetic or physiological factors have a profound effect on general intellectual development.

Mental Health

What is mental illness?

Mental illnesses affect the ability to perform routine tasks, foster healthy relationships, or cope with anger or stress. It can beclassified on the basis of extreme mood swings, irrational or destructive thought patterns and behavior disorders.

How important is mental health?

Your mental health has a huge impact on every aspect of your life.

or Self-Image

Good mental health means that the value of your services and the acceptance of your weaknesses. A mental illness can lead to an inferiority complex, a negative body image and intense feelings of hatred, anger, disgust and futility, which could mutate into extreme depression, psycho-social disorders or eating disorders.

or Education

Students with mental problems socially isolate themselves and develop anxiety and concentration problems. Good mental health provides all-round educational experience that lead to intellectual and social skills, confidence and a better quality improved.

or relationships

Health> Mental largely contributes to the functioning of human relations. Mental illness can also basic interactions with family, friends and colleagues to clogging. Most people who suffer from mental illness have difficulty maintaining relationships, have problems with commitment and intimacy, and often face sexual health.

or sleep

It is the inability to manage stress or anxiety insomnia. Even if you fall asleep you mangecan wake a dozen times in the night with thoughts of what went wrong the day before or how bad will happen tomorrow. You can have a serious sleep disorder, leaving exhausted and less productive.

or food

People with mental disorders are susceptible to food for comfort or to indulge in emotional binges. Finding comfort in food is something we all do from time to time. But with a mental illness, is difficult to control yourself. Overeating canlead to obesity, which puts you at risk for heart disease and diabetes, but also for the creation of an unhealthy body image.

The physical health or

Your mental state directly affects your body. For example, stress can lead to high blood pressure or stomach ulcers. People who are mentally healthy are at lower risk of complications to your health.

So, a conscious effort to do to improve and maintain your mental health.

The importance of mental health

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