The New DSM V - Helping Patients or Hurting Them?

By: Richard Failla, Chief Executive Officer

It is interesting to follow all the articles about the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V (DSM V). We are seeing more criticism about DSM V then we have about any other previous manual revision. Actually, the criticism is not new. Almost every edition has had its critics going back to the early 1990’s when 'The Selling of the DSM', a book by Stuart Kirk, and 'Making us Crazy', a book by Herb Kutchins, appeared on the scene. What makes the current criticism of note is that the attacks are coming from within the Profession of Psychiatry. One of the leading psychiatric researchers who was in charge of developing the DSM IV, Allen Frances, says that the authors for the DSM V have failed to ask the most important question: Will the new diagnosis help patients or harm them?

Silencing the Bell of Suffering

By: Peggy Cunningham, MA, NCC,LPC

I am familiar with a mental health organization that has a bell that it rings at an annual event.  The bell is made of chains that were from old psychiatric state hospitals, or “Asylums”, where a lack of understanding of mental illness and often ineffective methods of treatment had us treat these individuals in inhumane ways.  When this bell rang you could almost hear the voices and the cries of those who were chained and suffering from mental illness. It was a very eerie.  We have made progress from those days but still have much progress that needs to be made.

I have long believed that people fear that which we don’t understand and mental illness is one of those areas many people fear.  Mental illness is an impairment that can affect how one thinks, feels, socializes, and behaves.  The precise causes are not always clear.  Those who suffer from mental illness are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors. Their behavior is often unpredictable and bizarre.  One is embarrassed, baffled and afraid by how mental illness plays out in the here and now. Those who are mentally ill suffer from a disease of the brain.  Mental illness is treatable with medication and various forms of therapy.  One would never be embarrassed by someone who suffers from diabetes, heart disease or diabetes and would never hesitate to seek medical assistance.  Yet when it comes to mental illness we hesitate to recognize it or seek help. 

Those who suffer from mental illness are not predestined to a life misery, criminal behavior or disability.  Those who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety or any other mental illness are not predestined to become mass murderers.  These individuals have thoughts, feeling, love, hurt, cry, and work.  It is the responsibility of each one of us as individuals and as a society to embrace and support those who suffer from mental illness and to offer encouragement and assistance to their families.

Post-Holiday Mental Health: Blowin' Down those Blues

By: Rosanne Parks,  BSN, MSN, Director SAGE Unit

For some people, the time period after the holidays can be more than just a “let-down.” After the holiday rush, family time is short as most people go back to work.  There is increased worry about money from all that Christmas spending, the weather is often cold, and daylight hours are in short supply until spring.  It’s no wonder that maintaining mental wellness gets put on the “backburner.” 
If this is a difficult time of year for you, keep in mind some measures to take which can help you cope. Research shows the best areas to focus on are: 

Depression is a Disease, Serious and Treatable

By: Peggy Cunningham, MA, NCC, LPC

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 10 adult in the United States suffers from Depression.  In the state of Missouri it is estimated that between 9.2% and 10.3% of the adult population suffers from depression.  This means that everyday in our workplaces, at the grocery store, in our neighborhood, or places of worship we see the face of depression.  Sometimes it is the elderly grandmother, sometimes it is the urban professional, other times it is the factory work, the medical technician, the high school football player or the third grade student who appears to be a book worm. The faces and lives of those suffering from depression surround us.

Supporting Those with Mental Illness is Our Responsibility

By: Mary E. Bellcock, LPC

As a manager of an Intensive Outpatient Program that serves adolescents with mental health and substance abuse issues, I have become increasingly aware of the necessity of outside support for these individuals. Equally important is the responsibility that parents and primary caregivers have in recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, in particular adolescent depression. According to the California Adolescent Health Collaborative (californiateenhealth.org), common signs to look for include, sleep disturbances, problems with academic performance, frequent statements about feeling sad and substance abuse.

Substance Abuse Among Teens

By: Doug Hall, RN, BSN, Nurse Director - Adolescent Unit

Not surprisingly, there are some adolescents that are at a higher risk for chemical dependency then others. These at-risk teens tend share several common characteristics. They are often children of substance abusers, adolescents with mental health issues, depressed or suicidal teens, or victims of physical, psychological or sexual abuse. Cultural or social norms can also influence teens to experiment and/or overuse drugs and alcohol.

Substance abuse treatment programs most commonly vary based on their length of stay.  Many inpatient programs are long term to help manage treatment and help with the detoxification process. Long term treatment programs typically provide group meetings, psychosocial support systems and drug free supervision with tests. Family support is absolutely key to the success of a patient that is struggling with a chemical dependency. Outpatient programs also feature groups, friend/family support and individual psychotherapy.

Top 5 Elderly Mental Health Concerns - Do Services Meet the Needs?

Rosanne Parks, BSN, MSN, Director SAGE Unit
Managed by Research Psychiatric Center

Since our SAGE Geri-Psychiatric unit deals mainly with those who are 55 years of age or older, I often do research looking for more creative ways to evaluate and engage our patients.  During one such search, I came across an article that discussed the top five mental health issues for the elderly. 

After thinking about this article and how it accurately reflects the patients that we see daily, I once again came to the conclusion that I've reached before - public/private services for the elderly mentally ill simply can not keep pace with the need. Given the increased number of seniors, the limited resources available to educate families and treat their loved ones (especially in rural areas like ours at SAGE) I'm afraid that too many aging dementia and Alzheimer's patient will continue to suffer needlessly.

The top five elderly mental health issues are:

Depression, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Anxiety, Suicide

Elderly, Depression and the Loss of Pets

By: Patty Putnam, R.N., B.S.N., Director, Senior Adult Unit

RPC's Senior Adult Unit admits many patients who suffer from severe depression as a result of life changing events or losses, often seemingly beyond their control. One loss that is frequently overlooked by both family and physicians is the loss of a special pet. The loss of a beloved pet could be due to the death of the pet or due to the patient having to leave their home and transfer to a long-term care facility where pets aren’t allowed. In many cases, the loss of a pet can be an extraordinary pain for an elderly person. This is especially true for the elderly who have already lost many family members, friends, as well as their spouse. In some cases the pet may have been the last significant 'personal' attachment they had in the world.

The loss of a pet in these cases needs to be treated more seriously. Counselors and other care givers must be alert to the potentially dramatic negative response that can occur following the loss of a beloved animal. Without the relationship and bond that comes from having something or someone to care for, as is often the case with pets and their owners regardless of their age, seniors become susceptible to falling into depression and may lose the will to live. If the elderly person is healthy enough, a new pet or hobby should be sought after. 

We have witnessed the loss of a beloved animal be the last straw, the final blow to a senior's emotional and physical well being. Those who are alert to this often overlooked risk can help reduce the negative impact on the individual and lessen the potential for depression and sense of loss that may follow.

Bruce Springsteen Blues: Musicians ‘Self-Medicating’ Through Their Performances

Stephen M. Jolly, Director, Business Development

Courtesy of yahoo.com

A profile of Bruce Springsteen in the latest New Yorker magazine reveales how the world-renowned rock star has battled depression for most of his life, to the point of considering suicide on several occasions. It should hardly be surprising that many musicians (and other kinds of artists, for that matter) use the stage as a means to purge themselves of the loneliness or the feelings of inadequacy (the “paralyzing depression” in Springsteen’s case) that many of them may feel, despite their rock-god status.

Springsteen goes on in the article about how he wrestles with and expresses his difficult relationship with his father. “My parents’ struggles, it’s [sic] the subject of my life,” Springsteen says. “It’s the thing that eats at me and always will.”

The 3 P’s (Patience, Persistence, Perseverance)

By: David Robbins, LPC

A lot of people come to Research Psychiatric Center or to my office with an expectation of getting an immediate fix for their problems.  It’s understandable, especially in our society, but decidedly so when you’re feeling intense depression, anxiety, or whatever symptom or stress you are under.  We humans seek pleasure, and avoid pain.  No one wants to feel the pain.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic pill to make things instantly better when it comes to mental and emotional health and wellbeing.  Patients frequently ask me to give them some simple things to keep in mind that apply to all situations, and so I always give them “The 3 P’s”

New Generics Now Available!

By: Lisa Conrad, R.Ph, Pharmacy Director

Psychiatric illness can be expensive to treat.  Without insurance, patients can spend thousands of dollars per month on prescriptions alone.  Both the psychiatric health care industry and patients alike have been awaiting the arrival of generic medications with the excitement of a 6 year old at Christmas.  In recent months, Lexapro®, Zyprexa®, Geodon®, Seroquel® and Ritalin LA® have become manufactured as generic.  This is very exciting as these medications treat depression, psychosis and ADHD and have had retail sales of BILLIONS per year.

A New Pair of Glasses for the Holidays

By: Peggy Cunningham, MA, NCC,

Peggy Cunningham

As we approach the holiday season one is reminded that it is not happiness, joy, family, friends, fun, music and celebration for everyone.  Depression is prevalent in many people’s life.  The story heard from many people is I’m lonely, broke and sad.  I hate everything about the holidays, commercials, music, and families.

 What is depression?  It is a feeling of being sad, empty, anxious, hopeless, and worthless.  One may experience decreased energy, sleep disturbances; difficulty concentrating lost of interest in activities, and finds it difficult to carry out ones normal daily activities. 

College Students and the Stigma in Mental Health

By: Richard Failla, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Failla

Reducing stigma in mental health can be as simple as asking for help from your college student health center. There is tremendous pressure on students today to take heavy academic schedules, engage in research projects, and complete comprehensive examinations all in a very short academic semester.

As the pressure and stress of being a student mount it is very easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Many students enter college today with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety.