Anxiety Disorders: Signs and Symptoms

Posted on by nwmind5bg

ANXIETY DISORDERS: Signs and Symptoms

Many people often experience anxiety, whether the source is stress from work, the weight of making an important decision, or anything else. Anxiety disorders, however, are more than temporary worries. For those with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can even get worse over time. The symptoms of these disorders can interfere and create challenges within daily life and responsibilities. 

SYMPTOMS

Although there are multiple types of anxiety disorders with their own unique symptoms, they all have the feature of “persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” (NAMI) The following are commonly experienced symptoms in those who have an anxiety disorder:

  • Emotional Symptoms
    • Feelings of dread
    • Feeling tense
    • Irritability 
    • Restlessness
    • Anticipating the worst
  • Physical Symptoms
    • Pounding or fast beating heart
    • Sweating or tremors
    • Headaches
    • Fatigue or insomnia
    • Upset stomach

COMMON TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobias

TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

  • To learn more about anxiety disorders, or find out if you may be affected by one, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
  • To read more about anxiety disorders, the following resources are suggested:
    • NAMI: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders
    • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/

 

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Posted on by nwmind5bg

NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Each July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized to help bring awareness to the unique mental health struggles faced by both racial and ethnic minorities. 

One’s background and identity can often make finding adequate mental health treatment more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was founded by Bebe Moore Campbell on the idea of changing this. Together as a community, we can take on the challenge of creating an inclusive mental health network for all.

For more information, use the following links to these nationally recognized organizations:

HHS https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health/

MHA https://www.mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-health-month

Common Types of Eating Disorders

Posted on by nwmind5bg

 

COMMON TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, weights, and backgrounds. Although there are more, listed below are three of the most common types of eating disorders and symptoms. It can also be noted that a large portion of individuals with eating disorders don’t meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, but instead may be diagnosed with Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

People with anorexia nervosa avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of only certain foods.

  • Extremely restricted eating
  • Excessive exercise
  • Relentless pursuit of thinness
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Distorted body image

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Binge-eating followed by behaviors that compensate for the overeating, such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors.

  • Chronically inflamed or sore throat
  • Acid reflux disorder or other gastrointestinal problems
  • Severe dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalance

Binge-eating disorder

People with binge-eating disorder lose control over their eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge-eating are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting.

  • Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
  • Eating even when full or not hungry
  • Eating fast during binge episodes
  • Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about eating

TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

  • To learn more about eating disorders, or find out if you may be affected by a disorder, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
  • To read more about eating disorders, the following resources are suggested:
    • https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/
    • https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Physical and Emotional Well-Being

Posted on by nwmind5bg

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

“Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and proper sleep.”

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

“Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.”

Use the following link or watch below, for a video featuring Dr. Richard Davidson and Dr. Bruce McEwen, brought to you by the NCCIH, to learn more about emotional well-being:

Creating a balanced life that supports physical and emotional well-being will help contribute to one’s overall wellness. To learn more, visit the following link to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/wellness-and-well-being

Tips for Better Sleep

Posted on by nwmind5bg

TIPs FOR BETTER SLEEP

Sleep is vital to our health and wellbeing. Getting better sleep can help you wake up feeling energized and ready to be your best self. If you struggle with getting a good night’s rest, consider implementing the following CDC recommended tips into your routine.

01

Consistency

Everyday, including both weekdays and the weekend, try to wake up each morning and go to bed each night at the same time.

02

DITCH THE ELECTRONICS

While trying to fall asleep, or just before, try to avoid using electronics and looking at screens.

03

AVOID LARGE MEaLS

Before going to bed, try to steer away from large meals, caffeine, or alcohol consumption.

04

EXERCISE

Attempt to increase your physical activity throughout the day.

To learn more about getting a better night’s sleep, use the following link to visit the CDC’s page on sleep and sleep disorders: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html

ADHD: Signs and Symptoms

Posted on by nwmind5bg

ADHD: Signs and Symptoms

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a developmental disorder that affects both children and adults, creating a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

Primary Characteristics

  • Inattention
    • Difficulties sustaining attention
    • Not following through or failure to finish tasks
    • Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
    • Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts and/or stimuli
    • Forgetful in daily activities
  • Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
    • Often fidgeting or in motion
    • Restless
    • Interrupting others
    • Difficulty doing tasks quietly 

Symptoms can vary

ADHD, like other disorders, can have varying symptoms depending on the person at hand. The characteristics listed are often found in those with ADHD, but that does not mean the symptoms are limited to those mentioned.

TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

  • To learn more about ADHD, or find out if you or your child may be affected by the disorder, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
  • To read more about ADHD, the following resources are suggested:
    • https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
    • https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/ADHD
    • http://www.russellbarkley.org/factsheets/adhd-facts.pdf
Posted on by nwmind5bg

 WE are now offering primaRY care services

Contact the office today to schedule your appointment!

503-707-1950

 

Supplements Now Available Through NW Mind-Body Wellness

Posted on by nwmind5bg

Quality Supplements now available

Your body is a finely crafted organism that requires proper care, rest and nutrition.  If you are deprive yourself of any one of these, you feel it in your mind and body.  NW Mind-Body Wellness now offers quality supplements to give your body what it may be missing for optimal wellness.  Contact a provider for a consultation of how supplementation may benefit you.

5 Ways to Protect Mental Health Amid Chaos

Posted on by nwmind5bg

5 ways to protect mental health

  “Breathe, Take 5, Focus, Disconnect and Reflect.”

5 Ways to Protect Mental Health Amid Chaos

Who knew the year 2020 would bring so many changes to our lives! This year has brought COVID, quarantines, social injustices, mass protests, and political upheavals. Many of us have also been faced with job losses, childcare disruption, and loss of loved ones. It is no wonder we are all struggling with maintaining some sort of balance in the “new normal” we all live in. How is it even possible to maintain any sense of normalcy, let alone protect our mental health? Consider these five easy steps toward finding your balance:

1

Breathe

  • Take time every day to simply stop and breathe. When we are constantly moving and going all day, we fail to realize how much our bodies bear the stress. Subconsciously we are holding our breath, gritting our teeth, and tensing muscles. Our stomachs are upset, our head hurts, and our body generally ache. Why? We forget that sometimes the most important thing we can do for ourselves and those around us is to simply stop… and breathe.

2

Take 5 Minutes

  • Take 5 minutes at the beginning of every day to remind yourself of what you are thankful for. Doing so, sets our mind in motion on a positive path that will filter light into all aspects of our lives. Too often we become consumed by how bad things may feel or seem in the moment and find ourselves down a rabbit hole of despair. In doing so, we fail to realize how good the reality of our situation or circumstances truly are.

3

Focus on What You can Personally Control

  • Focus on what you can personally control and let go of the rest. Anytime you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, focus on the aspects of the situation that you can control or change. You cannot control the actions, words, or thoughts of other people. You can however control how you choose to respond to a situation or a person. Never give up this control or power to anyone… it belongs to you and no one else.

4

Disconnect

  • Disconnect from social media. Yes, I know this is hard, but doing so has exponential benefit! I have recently adopted the phrase “doom scrolling” … How often do find yourself scrolling through social media and physically feel yourself becoming more stressed, sad, or anxious? I dare say, we have all been there at least once or twice. Know when to say when. Set a daily time limit for yourself. Take social media holidays. Embrace the disconnect!

5

Reflect

Reflect at the end of every day on the positive. What went well? What did you achieve? What made you smile? How did you make a change to better yourself today? How did you demonstrate joy or love to another person today? Reflection is a simple practice that if done consistently will reduce insomnia, limit rumination, and overall improve your quality of sleep. In the same light that starting your day with gratitude sets you on a brighter path, finishing your day reflecting on the good provides balance to our otherwise chaotic world.

For more ways to find your balance in the chaos, check out https://tinybuddha.com/blog/4-ways-to-remain-centered-amid-all-of-the-chaos/.

 

Contact Us