Category: Mental Health

Categories
Mental Health Recovery

Teen Mental Health Treatment

Children experiencing mental health problems require special care due to their unique developmental issues, contradictions in values, and belief systems. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers were created in 2002 to provide cutting edge mental health, substance abuse, and family treatment. The majority of their patients come from southern California while others come from big cities like NYC, Chicago, and internationally.  

Mental health illness can be brought on by varying factors such as genetics or environmental exposure in the womb. Such disorder affects mood, thought, and behavior. Symptoms can usually be managed with proper medication and counseling.

Some common symptoms that may require teen mental health treatment are:

  • Exhilarating highs and depressive lows
  • Confused thinking or poor concentration
  • Excessive fears or worries
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations
  • Excessive anger or hostility

Visions’ centers offer different programs that provide clinically-based teen mental health treatment for adolescents aged 13 to 18 years and their families.

Visions Adolescent Residential Treatment

In the hills of Malibu lies Visions Residential Treatment Center. A Mediterranean style home sits in a 25 acre gated community. The average length of stay is 45 to 90 days. A day and night staff supervise sleeping quarters separated for male and female patients. Crisis intervention is available on a 24-hour basis.

Founding clinicians have stayed with Visions while new team members are added for continued program growth. All Visions personnel are highly skilled professionals who specialize in adolescent recovery. The medical doctor conducts a history and physical exam for medical clearance. A psychiatric director performs the psychiatric evaluation to determine admission. Each patient is assigned a licensed therapist and counselor to work with throughout the teen mental health treatment program. A registered dietitian provides nutritional assessment for each patient and dietary consultation as needed. An activities director leads a physical fitness program “tailor-made” for each individual. Visions Residential offers on-site schooling while providing teen mental health treatment.

Other specialists called on as required include:

  • Supervising Nurse
  • Psychologists
  • Equine Therapist
  • Art Therapists
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Programming

Visions’ focus is not on the child alone but advocates for the family as a whole. Mental health issues affect the entire family. Studies have shown that family participation increases the success of teen mental health treatment. A family therapist leads a Multi-Family Group, Individual Family Sessions, and Family Education. Family passes are an incentive for good behavior and allows for outings every Sunday and Monday.

Visions’ goal for teen mental health treatment is as follows:

  • Encourage and motivate the adolescent to achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle
  • Help the adolescent to develop new, more effective problem-solving strategies
  • Assess and meet the psychological and psychiatric needs of the adolescent
  • Assist the adolescent with recognizing and acknowledging the existence of destructive behaviors and mental health issues in their lives, and the impact they have on their family, friends, and future

Visions Residential is a private pay program and full payment is required from the family. Our team will assist with insurance benefit verification and utilization review.

Visions Adolescent Outpatient Counseling

Visions provides two Los Angeles outpatient centers for teen mental health treatment. Sessions are held in the afternoons, allowing the child to resume daily activities and go home to family afterwards.

Visions’ outpatient program has a variety of specialists that take part in the teen mental health treatment. Each adolescent is assigned a personal counselor to work with throughout treatment.

Other consultants utilized for teen mental health treatment as needed include:

  • Licensed Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrist
  • Medical Doctors
  • Registered Dietician
  • Art Therapist
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

1st Step Program is the introduction to the treatment process. The program helps families reintegrate into everyday life after long term treatment. It includes:

  • 8 Weeks of Clinical Support
  • 2 to 3 Nights Per Week
  • 1 Individual Session

Intensive Outpatient Program is the next step in the care process. The staff helps with family communication and addresses existing psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs. It includes:

  • 1 Year of Clinical Support
  • Individual Sessions
  • Family Sessions

Visions Outpatient works out of network with insurance. We will provide the following services to our outpatient families – benefit verification, pre-authorization, utilization review, and billing and collections.  

Discharge and Aftercare is given to each adolescent upon leaving the residential and outpatient teen mental health treatment. The discharge plan is created by the counselor with help from the patient and treatment team. The plan addresses continuing care which may include family relations, academic needs, and social needs.

The Fourth Dimension is the Vision Alumni Program for patients discharged from the residential and outpatient programs. Aftercare groups are offered on an on-going basis with attendance of up to two groups a week. Individual sessions are available on a fee for service basis. An alumni coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention and relapse prevention so the child never feels alone.

The alumni group holds annual events such as:

  • Winter Ski/Snowboard Trip
  • Alumni Family Weekend
  • Alumni vs. Staff Softball Game
  • Knott’s Scary Farm Night
  • Magic Mountain

Visions Adolescent Day School

Visions provides a safe learning environment for those unable to function in a regular school. The program has open enrollment and curriculum accreditation is transferable. Many graduates have continued on to esteemed colleges and universities.

  • Individualized Educational Planning
  • 3 to 1 Student to Staff Ratio
  • Individualized Counseling
  • Education from Remedial to Honors Level

Don’t wait any longer for teen mental health treatment. Early intervention leads to a healthy and successful adult.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on August 17, 2014 @ 8:01 am

Categories
Mental Health

How Nutrition Affects Mental Health: A Focus on Teens

Just as our mental health has an impact on our physical well-being, so does our mood influence how and what we eat – and the reverse is true in both cases, as improving physical health and eating healthy has shown to have a significant impact on mood and mental health. A good diet correlates with fewer instances of depression, even when accounting for other factors and stressors, and improving one’s nutrition can relieve and reduce anxiety. Clinical nutrition plays a significant role in treating conditions such as depression, emphasizing the importance of systematic research and professional collaboration in advancing the field.

This is doubly important for teens, who are still growing and need as many quality nutrients as possible to reach their full potential. How and why food interacts with the mind is a complex question, and the answer lies in the many interactions between nutrition, nutrients and the brain, as well as the effects of so-called micronutrients – minerals, vitamins, beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols.

On the flip side, there are the negative effects of certain additives, calorie-dense but low-nutrient foods, diet-related inflammation, and meals loaded with simple sugars and trans fats. Maximizing the good and minimizing the bad – and identifying between them, as well as cost-effective and simple ways to eat “clean” – can go a long way towards reducing symptoms and helping in the management of anxiety and depression.

 

The Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health

The relationship between nutrition and mental health is complex and bidirectional. A growing body of research suggests that a healthy diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can have a positive impact on mental health, while a diet high in processed foods can exacerbate mental health conditions. The brain is an organ with high metabolic and nutrient demands, and a diet that provides adequate building blocks for monoamine neurotransmitters, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can support mental wellbeing.

Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, ensures that the brain receives the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally. On the other hand, processed foods, which are often high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives, can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, negatively impacting mental health. By prioritizing a healthy diet, teens can support their mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of developing mental health conditions.

 

How Nutrition Shapes the Developing Teenage Brain

A healthy diet and a conscious approach to nutrition is no substitute for an individually-tailored treatment plan – but it can be a critical part of it. Identifying a teen’s eating habits and improving on them can help improve symptoms of mental health conditions by:

Nutritional counseling, through structured dietary interventions like the Mediterranean diet, can also play a significant role in enhancing mental well-being and self-efficacy.

Improving Mood and Mental Wellbeing via Key Nutrients

The mysteries and complexities of the mind are ultimately tied to the mechanical and physical nature of the brain, and like most things, the brain needs fuel to run well. Premium fuel does less damage and gives you more mileage, and the same goes for food. The Mediterranean diet, known for its rich inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and improve mental health outcomes. Key nutrients can protect the brain from oxidative stress, eliminate potential deficiencies, and correlate with better mood regulation. These include:

  • Polyphenols: A family of thousands of different compounds (mostly found in plants) thought to play a role in anti-inflammation.
  • Omega-3: A fatty acid found mostly in oily fish, certain types of algae, and flax, and a key nutrient that is often missing in standard Western diets and correlates with better heart and brain health.
  • Vitamin D: The most important source being ultraviolet light. Vitamin D supplementation is not heavily researched, and a good dietary source would be eggs and fish. However, making sure to get plenty of outdoor activity in during the summer months is often enough to reduce the likelihood of deficiency. Vitamin D may be linked to seasonal affective disorder.
  • Folic Acid: A deficiency of which is often linked to depressive symptoms and low mood. Folate supplementation may help improve mood regulation and serotonin levels.
  • Tryptophan: An amino acid found in several different protein sources, may have a link to serotonin release and mood regulation. However, more research is needed.

Better Gut Health with Nutrient Dense Foods

Scientists have increasingly been paying more attention to the neurological role that our gut plays, to the point that our digestive tract has colloquially been named the “second brain”. Every human body contains billions of bacteria living in a microbiome within our digestive system, and careful balance and health of these bacteria seems to play a vital role in mood, emotion, and even thoughts.

Our guts are individual enough that people will be sensitive to different foods, meaning your teen may require minor dietary adjustments to keep their gut healthy, and in turn influence their mental health. Probiotic foods have long been associated with better gut health. Some teens are more sensitive to certain foods that may negatively impact their gut. Dietary choices can also significantly influence psychological health, improving mental well-being through proper nutrition.

Experimenting with probiotic foods and food sensitivity diets may impact your teen’s mental as well as physical health. Future, more in-depth gut-related treatments for mood and mental health may include fecal transplants, but it will take time before we fully unlock the mysteries between the gut and our mental health.

Addressing Inflammation via Food

Inflammation is a critical function in the body for preserving important life processes and fighting off potential foreign bodies and infections. It is by no means “bad”. But prolonged inflammation, and inflammatory foods, are associated with several chronic illnesses, stressors, and low mood, as well as much more oxidative stress.

Managing sources of inflammation from outside via anti-inflammatory foods may help certain teens better manage both their physical and mental health. Polyphenols and antioxidants may help reduce unnecessary or excessive inflammation or aid the body’s own antioxidant functions. Additionally, focusing on simple, healthy food can play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and supporting mental health.

The Impact of Nutrition on Mental Illnesses

Nutrition plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A diet rich in healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil, and nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help alleviate depressive symptoms and improve mental health outcomes. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods and added sugars can exacerbate mental health conditions and worsen symptoms.

Healthy fats, like those in olive oil, support brain health by providing essential fatty acids that are crucial for brain function. Nutrient-dense foods supply the vitamins and minerals necessary for neurotransmitter production and mood regulation. By incorporating these foods into their diet, teens can better manage symptoms of mental illnesses and support their overall mental health.

Healthy Eating Habits for Teens

Establishing healthy eating habits during adolescence is crucial for supporting mental health and wellbeing. Teens should aim to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoiding processed and sugary foods, and limiting screen time and sedentary activities, can also help support mental health. Additionally, teens should prioritize regular meals and snacks, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Encouraging teens to develop healthy eating habits early on can set the foundation for a lifetime of good mental and physical health. Simple changes, like incorporating more fruits and vegetables into meals and choosing whole grains over refined ones, can make a significant difference. Staying hydrated and maintaining a regular eating schedule can also help stabilize mood and energy levels.

The Benefits of Homegrown Food

There’s more to food than just eating it, and another way in which our diet and nutrition may play a role in treating mental health issues is by taking more interest in the way we grow and precure our own food. Even when space is an issue, certain herbs and spices can be grown on minimal real estate with nothing but a south-facing window and some do-it-yourself (DIY) pots.

For families with more space, setting up a small vegetable patch can be incredibly rewarding, and can make for a source of nutritious food. Pumpkins, leafy greens, potatoes, peppers, and various herbs can easily be grown in a backyard, and gardening has a number of benefits from the rewarding feeling of nurturing something, to the benefit of an outdoor physical activity. A meta-analysis on the topic shows that growing your own vegetables can have a tremendous effect on mood and mental health.

Why Teens Should Learn to Cook for Healthy Eating

Growing and eating good food can affect mental health, and so can preparing it. Not only does preparing a meal help teens cultivate a greater understanding and respect for the ingredients they’re working with, but cooking itself is a creative craft, one that requires a lot of improvisation and leaves room for experimentation with a myriad of potential results.

Not everyone can be a great cook, but it does not take much effort or practice to be a good cook. Learning to prepare and enjoy a variety of meals can also instill a sense of independence and freedom, and help a teen feel like they are ready to live on their own at some point.

While formal research on the topic has led to positive albeit limited results, demanding more qualitative research, cooking interventions may be an effective way to further boost a teen’s self-esteem, help them embrace a creative endeavor, potentially discover a new talent, and learn to provide for themselves and feel accomplished in the process.

Food, from its origins in the soil to how it interacts with the bacteria in our gut, plays an important role in our mental and physical development and health. We eat and enjoy food every day, usually multiple times a day, and developing a healthy relationship with nutrition pays dividends.

The Role of Social Connection in Nutrition and Mental Health

Social connection plays a critical role in nutrition and mental health, and eating with others can have numerous psychological, social, and biological benefits. Sharing meals with family and friends can provide a sense of rhythm and regularity in life, and can help support mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. Additionally, cooking and preparing meals with others can foster social connection and community, and can help promote healthy eating habits.

Eating together allows for meaningful conversations and strengthens relationships, which can be particularly beneficial for teens navigating the challenges of adolescence. The act of preparing and sharing meals can create a supportive environment that encourages healthy eating habits and provides emotional support. By prioritizing social connections around food, teens can enhance their mental health and overall wellbeing.

Categories
Mental Health Parenting Therapy

Can a Teenager Refuse Mental Health Treatment? How to Get Someone Mental Help When They Refuse

Can a teenager refuse mental health treatment?

It’s an important question many parents ask themselves when faced with a teen who refuses to get help for their worsening mental health symptoms. The answer is that it depends. For the most part, minors cannot refuse care – but some states do insist that mental healthcare providers need a minor’s consent to continue treatment. It is crucial to seek help from a qualified health professional when a teen refuses treatment. Most therapists and psychiatrists will not work with a teen if they are not interested in seeking help, unless their care has been court-appointed.

If your teen is an adult – meaning, 18 or older – then there’s nothing you can do to force them to seek treatment. The most you can do with a teen under the age of 18 is force them to show up to the therapist’s office – but without their consent and willing participation, the whole exercise can feel a little pointless. And remember, depending on the state you live in, you may not be able to force your teen into any kind of mental health treatment without their consent.

An inpatient program can help, a little bit. You can make your minor go to rehab, but it’ll likely damage your relationship with them if it isn’t something they ever agreed to, and it can take a lot of time for them to begin opening up to the lessons they will potentially learn while in recovery. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to manage mental health conditions effectively and ensure the involvement of qualified professionals. This can be a very expensive mistake.

 

Understanding Mental Illness

Mental illness, also known as a mental health disorder, encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect an individual’s mood, thinking, and behavior. These conditions can arise from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Mental illnesses do not discriminate; they can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a serious health condition that impacts millions of people worldwide. It can manifest in various forms, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many others. These conditions can significantly affect an individual’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding the nature of mental illness is the first step in recognizing the need for mental health treatment and support.

Recognizing the Signs of Mental Health Issues

Recognizing the signs of mental health issues is crucial for providing timely support and treatment. Mental health issues can present differently in different individuals, making it essential to be aware of the common signs and symptoms.

Identifying mental health issues in teenagers

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues due to the significant physical, emotional, and social changes they experience during this stage. Some common signs of mental health issues in teenagers include:

  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches or unexplained pain
  • Withdrawal from social activities and friends
  • Increased irritability or aggression

Being vigilant about these signs can help in identifying mental health problems early, allowing for timely intervention and support from mental health professionals.

The Role of Stigma in Refusing Mental Health Treatment

Stigma plays a significant role in the refusal of mental health treatment. Many individuals with mental health conditions fear being judged, labeled, or ostracized by their community, which can prevent them from seeking the help they need.

How stigma affects mental health treatment refusal

Stigma can affect mental health treatment refusal in several ways:

  • Fear of being labeled as “crazy” or “weak”
  • Fear of being judged by family, friends, or the community
  • Fear of losing employment or social status
  • Fear of being institutionalized or hospitalized
  • Lack of understanding about mental health conditions and treatment options

By understanding the role of stigma in refusing mental health treatment, we can work towards creating a more supportive and non-judgmental environment. This encourages individuals to seek help without fear of being stigmatized, ultimately leading to better mental health outcomes for everyone involved.

What Should I Do If a Teen Refuses Treatment for Serious Mental Illness?

Depending on your teen’s condition, they may be interned in a psychiatric hospital or may be forced to go to rehab against their will. Psychiatric hospitalization is a short-term treatment plan utilized in cases where people suffer from an acute episode of self-harm, suicide, psychosis, or other mental health conditions that cause harm to themselves or others around them. Outpatient treatment can be a viable option for teens who refuse inpatient care, providing structured support without the need for hospitalization.

After psychiatric hospitalization, a person is often referred to an inpatient program or an intensive outpatient program, such as a partial hospitalization program, to transition back to living at home. All in all, it can take multiple weeks for them to return home and feel better.

In some cases, a court might force someone to go into rehab for their condition. Court-mandated or court-ordered rehab is only imposed in cases where people committed a crime in connection to their drug use. If your teen went on a drinking spree and drove drunk, endangering others, they may choose to go to rehab instead of facing jail time.

Serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, presents unique challenges and often requires comprehensive treatment plans. But if you’re aware of your teen’s condition and its worsening symptoms, you will want to fight as hard as you can to make sure it doesn’t have to come to that. You can work with a therapist to convince your teen that getting help is the best thing for them to do right now.

Should I Even Force Mental Health Treatment on My Teen?

It’s rare for your only option to be to force your teen into treatment, whether it’s a therapist’s office or an inpatient facility for drug use. You may still have options in between. Understanding and supporting various mental health care options is crucial in encouraging your teen to seek the help they need.

The most obvious downside to seeking forced treatment is that your teen doesn’t want it. This means they won’t be receptive to treatment. They won’t trust their treatment providers, be dismissive towards therapists and other treatment specialists and professionals, and have a harder time benefiting from treatment in any possible way.

It’s hard enough as it is to successfully seek help for conditions like teen depression, drug addiction, and teenage anxiety and come out the other end with improved symptoms and a better quality of life. It’s much harder when you start off vehemently against the idea of getting help. However, you may have other options.

Talking to a Mental Health Professional About Interventions

Interventions are basically confrontations between loved ones or family members with the goal of convincing the target person to seek the help they need. Interventions might feel famously cliché, but when done right, they can break through to a person and make them realize that getting treatment really is the best thing for them and what they need to do right now.

Teens may be becoming adults, but they’re still ultimately children, and they may be your children. Mental health symptoms can be scary and make the world a more terrifying place to be in. Seeking help might be something they’ve been conditioned to avoid or not accept, and helping them remember or learn that it’s okay to be helped can open them up to finally seeking care.

It’s important to talk from the heart here, but it’s also important to stick to the framework your therapist provides. It’s easy for interventions to break down into arguments, and that will not be conducive to your goal.

Try To “Sell” Your Teen on Mental Health Treatment

Your teen might have all manner of misconceptions about what treatment really means. Maybe they’re worried about having to take medications and being forced to endure all manner of side effects. Maybe they’ve heard horror stories about bad therapists and poor experiences in rehab centers. It’s important to talk to them about their treatment expectations and find out what it is they’re specifically worried about.

Most teens who struggle with anxiety or depression to a debilitating degree are aware of the fact that they’re different and that they might have trouble with things other people don’t. Dealing with a mental health condition can be challenging, and understanding these challenges is crucial for providing the right support.

Talk to your teen about treatment and what it might mean for them. If your teen feels like committing to treatment ignores all the problems they’re facing at home, consider making a commitment for them. Talk to a therapist about family therapy or group therapy. Take notes and apply what you learn in therapy at home together. Addressing substance abuse issues alongside mental health conditions is also important, as integrated support can lead to better outcomes.

However, some conditions are harder to seek care for. For teens with schizophrenia, it might be hard to convince them to get help if they’re currently experiencing a psychotic break or have been more paranoid than usual.

Some personality disorders also feature paranoia as a primary symptom, which can make it harder to get treatment. Other conditions, like narcissistic personality disorder, may become violent or irritable if you imply that they need help. It may be in your best interest to talk to a therapist about approaching your teen with these conditions.

Commit To Mental Wellness at Home Together

One of the reasons group therapy is helpful to many people is because it helps remind them that they are not alone, and that they are not the only people who need help, or who are getting help. Accessing mental health services is crucial for ongoing support and can provide various resources and support systems. It also allows people to forge new friendships with others who have shared their experiences and have a unique insight into what it might be like to live with certain conditions.

If you and your teen both similarly struggle with certain symptoms, getting help together can not only improve your mental health but strengthen your bond as parent and child.

It’s not easy to convince someone who doesn’t think they need help that they should reach out for it. But if you reach out together, it might feel a little easier.

Categories
Depression Mental Health Recovery

Visions Remembers Robin Williams

It is with a heavy heart that I write this piece about comedic legend Robin Williams. He was someone that literally touched lives across generations. His comedic value was priceless, and he continued to break barriers throughout his career. Robin Williams also suffered deeply from substance abuse and mental illness, both of which were a common thread through his all-too-short life.

 

Here’s a touch of what Robin Williams taught me:

  • He taught me that being different was ok, if not downright cool.
  • He taught me to be who I am and to take risks.
  • He taught me to laugh in the face of adversity.
  • He reinvigorated my love of poetry.
  • He taught me that love is invaluable and that sometimes we have to do whatever we can to let it shine.

I only wish that the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse didn’t rest in his shadow. I wish he had time to see the outpouring of love and celebration for his genius. My hope is that we can SEE our loved ones who are suffering with kind and compassionate eyes, and that we can make efforts to normalize mental illness and substance abuse. Depression is serious business, it cannot be ignored or swept under the rug. Self-care is often low on the priority list in depression; it’s that thing often out of reach. It’s up to us to give depression and mental illness a voice.

We all have fond memories of Robin Williams, moments of his comedic genius (some of which are too rife with expletives to post  here), and moments of seriousness. Here are a few fine moments with Robin Williams that capture a mere smattering of his versatility and light:

 

His compassion in Patch:

 

Telling stories to heal in Fisher King:

https://youtu.be/6s26WxsgyKE

 

His quirkiness in Mork and Mindy:

https://youtu.be/v9g1yRXF8I8

 

And a reminder of the innate value of poetry in Dead Poets Society:

Originally posted on August 13, 2014 @ 9:52 am

Categories
Mental Health Personality Disorder Recovery Therapy Treatment

Do I Have Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

We’ve all done it: called the arrogant, self-righteous, unsympathetic person we know a

Narcissus (oil on canvas) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“narcissist” and we may have even felt pretty confident that they are most certainly suffering from a Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  It’s a buzzword for the selfish and self-indulgent people we have difficulty with. We may even be right on occasion. I know I have, much to my chagrin. We never really want our laymen’s assessment to be true, do we?

 

While it’s true that someone can have narcissistic tendencies, to receive a diagnosis for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, you have to meet some significant traits and they have to have been present for some time. Because of this, adolescents aren’t typically diagnosed with this particular personality disorder because their brains are changing so rapidly. However, if an adolescent presents with the traits of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, they have to be actively present for at least a year.  I do think it’s important to remember that Narcissistic Personality Disorder is diagnosed as a result of it being a long-standing, enduring behavior.

 

It’s not common for someone with any personality disorder to seek help. Often times, one ends up in treatment or in a therapist’s office for something else and it’s determined then. Rather than trying to diagnose someone who is innately selfish, ensure that you have firm boundaries and limits around this difficult person.

 

I asked Noelle Rodriguez to give me some clinical insight on Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

 

“A narcissist is only interested in what reflects on them. All she/he experiences is a reflection of self, denial of profound feelings and grandiose fantasy as a shield from unworthiness caused by not feeling truly loved by their parent. A narcissist attacks separateness in everyone with whom he must have a relationship; either they fit into his ego-supporting mold or they are excluded from his life.

Narcissistic rage and aggression is based on fear. His entitlement and absolute control over others must go unchallenged.”

Noelle went on to expand on part of the child’s development that may contribute to Narcissistic Personality Disorder and where parental neglect or denial is a factor, “The child’s natural growth sets off a parental alarm: he or she is blamed for their emerging individuality as if it were a crime. He is made to feel that there is something wrong with such development.”

 

According the DSM-V, Narcissistic Personality Disorder is described thusly:

 

  • A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
  • Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).
  • Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
  • Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
  • Requires excessive admiration.
  • Has a sense of entitlement (i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).
  • Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends).
  • Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
  • Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
  • Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.”

For more information about personality disorders, please speak to a therapist, or medical professional skilled in working within this genre of mental illness.

 

 

Originally posted on August 11, 2014 @ 2:13 pm

Categories
Bipolar Disorder Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Mental Health Recovery Therapy Treatment

A Brief Overview of DBT – Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

In this brief overview of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), we are illustrating the efficacy of  DBT for the treatment of patients with suicidal behavior, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. DBT has been shown to reduce severe dysfunctional behaviors in clients. DBT uses validation has a tool to the client accept unpleasant thoughts and feelings rather than react to them in a dysfunctional way.  Simply put, dialectical means that two ideas can be true at the same time. Validation is the action of telling someone that what they see, feel, think or experience is real, logical and understandable. It’s important to remember that validation is non-judgmental and doesn’t mean you agree or even approve of the behavior you are validating.

 

Over the last year, Visions has effectively trained the staff to be DBT informed. We hold regular DBT skills groups at our residential and outpatient facilities. We have adopted and incorporated DBT skills into our day-to-day interactions with clients and are finding it to be incredibly beneficial.

 

I took some time to speak to Jesse Engdahl, MA, RRW, about his observations and experience with running the DBT skills group. He said, “We are happily surprised that it’s (DBT) become a community within a community. It’s set itself apart through the kids’ commitment to not only use the skills but in their support of each other. There is a high level of trust. We have kids coming into IOP who’ve felt marginalized and who hadn’t felt a broader amount of support, but find their place in DBT.”

 

The emphasis on validation in DBT is profound. Someone suffering from borderline personality disorder often has a movie playing in their heads and when the validity of that “movie” is denied, it can create a waterfall of dysregulation which can include anxiety, depression, anger, and fear. Taking a counter-intuitive stance and validating one’s reality is has been shown to be particularly efficacious. It deescalates the anxiety, and it teaches the client to self-regulate.

 

Joseph Rogers, MDiv-Candidate and DBT skills group facilitator and mindfulness teacher succinctly illustrates the value of our DBT groups, “Our DBT skills group gives our clients the confidence that they have the ability to meet their difficulties with skills that can be found within themselves and their capabilities.  By utilizing daily skills diary cards and reporting on their results, clients are able to see where they are being effective and can acknowledge the positive outcomes they are responsible for through their actions.  DBT has the ability to move clients out of their diagnosis toward a confidence in their personhood.”

 

Originally posted on August 8, 2014 @ 11:29 am

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Mental Health Recovery Service Treatment

Morgan Parker — Educator

Morgan Parker is one of our remarkable educators in our Residential program. She spends her time teaching the clients at our Latigo facility, providing them with a well-crafted through-line to their education in a supportive, clinical environment. Morgan determines the relevant educational needs for the clients, provides the appropriate support for those working with learning disabilities, and  she maintains a high standard of education.  Morgan Parker is a bright light in the Visions family: she is colorful, wise, kind, and dedicated. She is highly intelligent and not afraid to share her wisdom through humor and play. Morgan carries herself with confidence and compassion, adeptly caring for the clients and melding with the staff with grace. Morgan Parker is a true gift to Visions and we are honored that she’s been with us since 2009.

 

Read on for some kudos from the staff!

“Morgan is the Rock of Gibraltar. She is the backbone of Visions Latigo. When Morgan decided to take the job as teacher, she was a perfect fit. She had worked with our challenging population of kids as a Program Aide, and brought her experience and calm demeanor with her. Morgan’s attention to detail is impeccable. She notices glitches in the machine that help to prevent major hick-ups later on. She cares about the kids and her job, silently facing everyday frustrations with grace and dignity. I am proud to be her supervisor.” – Daniel Dewey

 

“One of the most reliable, insightful ladies out there.” —  Roxie Fuller

 

Morgan is so multi talented I don’t even know where to begin. She effortlessly blends her educational expertise with a loving and fun demeanor and tackles anything that comes her way.  Morgan insists on encouraging our kids to rise to the occasion academically, we couldn’t ask for a better teacher!  — Patrick Schettler

 

“Working with Morgan has been a great experience. Not only is she super helpful and efficient with our students but she is also fun to be around. She has a great sense of humor and says some of the funniest and most random things. She is a great addition to the Visions family.” — Adriana Camarillo

 

“I’ve always thought of Morgan as the Rainbow Bright of Visions.  The Visions family is always battling dark and complex issues, and its people like Morgan who show up with pink hair and the brightest clothing that remind us to never take life too seriously.  No doubt the work she does with the VTeam is seriously exceptional!”   — Christina Howard-Micklish

 

I love Morgan’s answers to our 10 questions — she has real wisdom and wit. Read on:

 

1: What do you miss from the 80s?

My childhood! And MTV when it actually played music videos.

 

2: If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would you go, who would you take and what would you do?

This is an overwhelming question! My brain floods with possibilities and fantasies: Sweden, Scotland, Japan, Fiji, Iceland, Bali, New Zealand, the Isle of Man…but because I’d take my 3 kids, I may choose Italy to help make some historical sites of Western civilization come alive for them, and then still have access to the beach. Travel provides the best education, and we love the beach!

 

3: What is your favorite subject to teach?

I am a bibliophile and logophile, but surprisingly I have enjoyed working with students on algebra. It is reassuringly procedural to teach, but it’s also like solving puzzles, which is fun and interactive. I like to see students figure problems out, recognize patterns, and become less intimidated by math.

 

4: Which character in To Kill a Mockingbird are you?

My only solid response to this is that I think we can all aspire to be Atticus Finch: fair, decent, resilient, accountable, courageous, and truthful.

 

5: Coffee, Tea, Soda or Water?

I am notorious for my Diet Coke consumption. I am still trying to find an acceptable, healthier replacement beverage.

 

6: What was your most embarrassing hairstyle?

Bangs were never the most flattering look for me.

 

7: What is your grammatical pet peeve?

Dangling modifiers are never OK! I also find irksome the improper use or omission of the apostrophe. And I am always willing to explain the difference between “effect” and “affect.”

 

8: Would you rather be a wizard or a ninja? Explain…

Wizard! I gravitate toward the cerebral choice. I am not known for physical prowess. I’d rather be a magician than a fighter! A ninja needs smarts but a wizard has wisdom.

 

9: Favorite time of day?

After midnight, when the world gets quiet and my brain gets alert and creative. I have always been nocturnal.

 

10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?

Everyone needs community and purpose, and it is rare to find both in a workplace, but at Visions I have found where I belong and can contribute. There is a lot of love, support, humor, good work, and good deeds happening here, and I am proud to be a part. I have truly met some of the most incredible people at Visions, both clients and staff!

Originally posted on July 29, 2014 @ 10:34 am

Categories
Mental Health Recovery Service Treatment

Fiona A. Ray, MA, LMFT – Clinical Director

Bill Hoban has been our infallible Clinical Director for the last 12 years. His expertise and dedication helped make Visions the program it is today. It has been an honor working with him in that capacity. Recently, Bill has stepped down from his role as Clinical Director; he has passed the torch to the inimitable Fiona Ray as she steps into her new role as Clinical Director.

 

Fiona’s had an inspired vision for our clinical growth. Her fierce determination to execute positive change and create a solid team in our Outpatient facilities has been remarkable and we are excited to have her take on this role and do the same for our residential team. In her role as Director of Outpatient Services, Fiona created an environment replete with a dedicated staff willing to stand on the front lines alongside her to ensure that clients get the best care available. Fiona is not afraid of change, nor is she afraid to make the tough decisions sometimes necessary in treatment; she does it with compassion and wise intention. She is keen on creating an environment that is supportive and respectful for her staff to flourish and be the team they are meant to be.

 

We are thrilled to support Fiona Ray in new her position as Clinical Director. She is a well-respected fixture in the recovery community, recognized for her tenacity, dedication, and quiet, but fierce presence. Fiona has this ability to approach difficulty in a calm, collected way while making a family feel secure, supported and cared for. She has been instrumental in building out our Extended Care program, Launch, and the DBT training for the staff.  Fiona’s desire to create an environment that is healing and empowering for clients and co-workers is astounding.  Her drive to make Visions the best adolescent treatment is something to behold. Fiona is one of a kind and we consider ourselves deeply fortunate to have her in our midst.

 

Originally posted on July 24, 2014 @ 11:00 am

Categories
Addiction Mental Health Recovery

The Challenge and Freedom of Letting Go

Are you faced with a big breakup and having trouble letting go?  We all know breaking up is hard to do. It’s tough whether you’re in a failing relationship, a waning friendship, a job that isn’t working out, a partnership that feels splintered, or any relationship that has simply stopped serving you. What if that relationship you so desperately need to end is your relationship with drugs and alcohol? What if the relationship that isn’t serving you is your relationship with your anger or greed? Being faced with a breakup of this caliber is tough.

 

It’s not ironic to me that we stay when we should go. Letting go is hard. It’s scary. It’s full of what-ifs and the unknown. Letting go of something that isn’t working can mean failure, but really what it most often shows us is great success. Our attachment to the familiar holds us back from investigating and cultivating change. In fact, change is something many of us fear. I once knew someone who was so afraid of change that he stayed in the same house, wore the same clothes, ate the same foods, spoke to the same people, and lived in the same town, all to his detriment. Every time an opportunity for change appeared, he recoiled, and became angry, volatile, even. The unknown was unbearable; change was his bogeyman. He ended up stuck in the sticky bitterness of his fear.

 

Addiction and the behaviors around addiction represent an unhealthy relationship. Addiction is that relationship we attach to while spinning out of control, creating external and internal harm, along with a cycle of shame. This relationship with addiction reminds me of the abuse cycle itself:

 

  • We are intimidated by it
  • We feel threatened by it
  • We feel bad about ourselves because of it
  • It isolates us and controls our relationships
  • We deny its existence
  • We lose our jobs or can’t get a job
  • It makes us financially unstable
  • It lies to us, making us feel good so we forget and start all over

 

These relationships with addiction and anger are the ones we need to end. Breaking up is hard to do. In letting go and moving toward freedom, we face the unknown, and often times, we have to face the thing we were hiding with our addiction. Things like untreated mental illness, poverty, sexual abuse, domestic violence, alcoholic parents or caregivers, and untended trauma are daunting. They are the beasts in the shadows. Still, the relationship to addiction has to end in order for any truths to come out. We have to lean toward our difficulties so we can eventually move through them. This is the breakup of your life: the one that will change your life for the better, and the one that will ultimately set you free.

 

Your relationship to addiction does not serve you. It never did. This breakup? It will serve you well. Recovery will set you on a path to heal. You will learn to set healthy boundaries; you will learn to love yourself; you will learn to be of service. You will learn to let go.

 

Remember this: Asking for help is a form of self-care, and accepting it is a form of self-love. You are worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

Originally posted on July 22, 2014 @ 5:41 pm

Categories
Feelings Mental Health Recovery Self-Care Trauma

Acknowledging and Honoring Grief

With addiction and mental illness comes something that we often don’t want to look at, which is grief and the deep sense of loss that arrives when we or a family member steps into recovery. Drugs and alcohol and/or mental illness are often viewed as the villains in the aftermath of addiction. But the underlying weight of grief often gets shoved to the side or bypassed entirely.

 

The truth is, grief can be crippling. It can take the wind out of us and make us feel like we’ve landed flat on our faces, gasping for air. When we ignore it, or devalue the importance of the grieving process, we suffer more.

 

Mental illness and/or addiction may have ripped your family at the seams. It may have poked holes in your belief system, and placed a shadow on your hopes and dreams for your family. The truth is, everyone suffers: the one with the disease and the ones close to them.

 

I grew up with a parent mired by the tragedy of her own childhood, which was fraught with a mentally ill mother and a stoic father. Now, I see this same parent as an adult and it affords me the opportunity to recognize the untended grief and loss she’s endured and the great suffering that has resulted. A large portion of our existence in a scenario like this revolves around survival and learning how to endure the shame and fear associated with our circumstances. It’s not uncommon for the grief we feel to be ignored or for us to feel as though it is something to endure.

 

How can we stand tall in the midst of suffering while honoring our grief?

 

Talk about it. Develop a relationship with someone you trust that can help you process your feelings. It could be a counselor, a therapist, a psychologist, a good friend. What we hold onto holds onto us. Processing grief is part acknowledgement and part letting go. It evolves and becomes something we can hold with care instead of treating it like a hot stone.

 

Practice self-care. Take walks, meditate, do yoga, surf, get a massage, take a bath. Indulge in yourself. Healing is hard work; it’s important to nurture ourselves in the process.

 

Lean toward your difficulty. As counterintuitive as that may sound, this is ultimately the way out. That which we fear, can hold us back. We have to find a way to feel our feelings, touch our own hearts with kindness and compassion, and begin the process of finding acceptance and letting go. Take baby steps here. You don’t have to take on the high dive just yet.

 

Grief is present all around us. In adolescence, we grieve the loss of childhood and the inference of responsibility. In recovery, we grieve the person we were, the things we missed, and the damage we did. We also grieve the perceived “fun” guy/gal we thought we were. Be patient: recovery will afford you many more fulfilling ways of having fun.  This list goes on, but it doesn’t have to be daunting.

 

My experience has shown me that when I lean toward the thing I fear, the fear lessons. When I acknowledge the shadow side and hold the difficulties with compassion, the light starts to trickle in. I suffer when I turn away, and when I ignore the suffering, it becomes more unbearable.  The work in recovery teaches us that we can walk through difficulties with grace, we can begin to feel our feelings and we can crack open the barriers around our hearts. With our feet planted on the earth, and our minds open to possibility, the plight of suffering has a place to fly free.

Originally posted on July 18, 2014 @ 8:52 pm

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