Mental Health Archives

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) During Summer

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is triggered by the changes of the seasons. SAD is commonly referred to as winter depression because symptoms typically occur during the late fall and early winter months.

Although most people living with SAD experience symptoms during the onset of winter, 10% of individuals with the disorder experience the reverse where symptoms present during late spring into early summer. This is known as summer depression.

The symptoms of summer depression can include:

Poor appetite
Weight loss
Trouble sleeping
Mood swings
Lethargy
Feeling agitated
Feeling anxious
Increased irritability
Violent or aggressive behavior

The cause of SAD in summer is not yet known; however, it is believed that the following are contributing factors:

Disruptions in routine schedules due to summer vacations or children being out of school
Changes in sleep routine
Body image issues
Excessive heat and humidity
Allergies
Longer days (which can interfere with melatonin production)

There are a few ways one can manage summer depression. Managing symptoms may involve:

Medications
Psychotherapy
Stress management
Getting adequate sleep
Staying cool by avoiding the heat as much as possible
Establishing and keeping a routine
Practicing self-care
Practicing mind-body techniques such as yoga, mindfulness, or meditation

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms associated with summer seasonal affective disorder, seek assistance by connecting with loved ones and talking to a mental health provider who can offer a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It is important to understand what Alzheimer’s is and what steps you can use to take care of your brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms like memory loss and the loss of other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain.

Different types of dementia include:

Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease
Frontotempotal Dementia
Huntington’s Disease
Korsakoff Syndrome

There are many signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, here are 10 early signs and symptoms:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time and place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality

Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other types of dementia, there are many preventative measures you can take to care for your brain.

Here are five ways to care for your brain:

Breaking a sweat: regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Fueling up right: Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets like Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may help.
Catching some ZZZs: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.
Taking care of your mental health: Some studies have linked a history of depression with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Seek medical treatment if you have experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.
Stumping yourself: Challenge and activate your mind. Try building a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play a strategy game. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Coping With a Difficult Medical Diagnosis

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Being diagnosed with a serious or chronic medical condition can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. You might feel sad, angry, anxious, or any number of different emotions, possibly all at once. This can be challenging to deal with on top of the symptoms you already experience as a result of your condition. However, there are effective strategies you can use to cope with this diagnosis and maintain as stable and positive of a state of mind as possible. These include:

Accepting your illness: It may be tempting to ignore the diagnosis or try to make yourself forget about it. While it’s important not to excessively dwell on your condition at every moment, it’s also important to consciously accept the current situation and do the best you possibly can.

Developing a plan: Once you’ve come to terms with your diagnosis, one of the most helpful steps you can take is to develop a plan of action. No matter what kind of condition you’ve been diagnosed with, part of this plan should involve working with your doctor to find an appropriate treatment plan that can improve your symptoms or potentially lead to a full recovery. If your condition is terminal, it’s also important to determine what steps you’ll need to take to ensure your family has future financial security and support.

Forming a support network: You may find it helpful to have trusted people to talk to about your thoughts and feelings regarding your diagnosis. These people could be loved ones, friends, or other important people in your life.

In addition to these steps, you may find it beneficial to speak with a licensed psychiatrist, who can provide you with a safe space to talk about your condition and help you to learn useful coping mechanisms to work through your thoughts and emotions in a healthy way. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5316.

Depression in Older Adults

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Older adults face a higher risk of experiencing depression than younger people. However, this does not mean that depression is a normal part of aging. Like many other health problems that can develop as we get older, depression is a medical condition that needs to be managed and treated under the direction of a doctor.

It may not always be clear whether what you’re experiencing is depression. It’s normal to feel sadness over things such as major life changes, difficulty coping with long-term medical conditions, or the loss of loved ones as we get older, even if that sadness lasts for a long period of time. However, this feeling of sadness is not necessarily the same thing as depression. Some signs that you may be depressed include:

Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
Frequent negative feelings, such as hopelessness, guilt, or low self-esteem
Fatigue and difficulty with thinking and concentrating
Overeating or loss of appetite
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Frequent aches and pains that do not improve with treatment
Thoughts of suicide

While most older adults do not experience depression, those who experience chronic health conditions are significantly more likely to develop it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 5% of older adults in general are depressed, but this number rises to 13.5% in people who require home health care and 11.5% in those who are hospitalized.

Healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and frequent socialization are all helpful for preventing depression or coping with its symptoms as we age. Additionally, most older adults who experience depression respond positively to treatment that includes psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or both.

You can receive treatment for depression from a psychiatrist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5562.

Holiday Loneliness

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

For a variety of reasons, many people may feel particularly lonely during the holiday season. In some cases, it can be due to the loss of a loved one who they would normally spend the holidays with; for others, it may be due to illnesses or other circumstances that isolate them from friends and family members.

No matter your personal situation, there are steps you can take to help either yourself or someone else feel less lonely during the holidays. Some of these steps include:

Calling family members or friends you don’t talk to often: If you feel disconnected from family members or friends during the holiday season, this may be a great time to give them a call and check in on them.

Joining a community or volunteer group: If you don’t have any plans or expectations of seeing anyone during the holidays, you may be able to find opportunities to participate in local community events. You may also be able to volunteer your time either at these events or at other needed places during the holidays.

Finding activities to enjoy on your own: It’s perfectly okay to enjoy the holiday season on your own doing things that you enjoy, whether it involves activities at home, going out to enjoy activities.

Loneliness during the holidays may be harder for some people to cope with than others; don’t be afraid or ashamed of seeking help from a mental health professional. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.

Holiday Mental Health Tips

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Despite the cheerfulness surrounding the holiday season, it can also be a difficult time for many people, bringing with it a variety of mental and emotional challenges. Some people may associate the season with a significant loss of a loved one, while others may become overwhelmed by the typical demands and expectations that come with this part of the year.

Whatever these challenges may look like for you, it’s essential to have healthy tools and coping mechanisms to help you overcome them while getting as much joy as possible out of the holiday season. A few helpful tips include:

Spending time with other people: A large number of people tend to feel lonely during the holidays. Some people may be distant from loved ones or may have lost multiple people they’d typically spend this time with. Whatever your circumstances may be, it can be helpful to spend time with any loved ones who are available, whether they’re friends, family, or any other important people in your life. If nothing else, it may help to find a local community, support group, club, or meetup to engage with during this time.

Giving yourself space as needed: While many people may feel lonely during the holiday season, others may encounter the opposite problem: feeling overwhelmed by gatherings, events, and expectations from the people around them. It’s okay to recognize and be up front about what you’re able to handle at this point in time, and to say no to anything that you feel would be too much for you.

Recognizing when you need help: It may not be easy for everyone to identify when they need mental help, or to make time to get that help, even if they recognize that it’s needed. However, your mental health should be a priority at all times, and you should get help from a licensed, qualified therapist when issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression start to overwhelm you.

If you need help from a psychiatrist during this holiday season, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.

What is Panic Disorder?

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Panic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected panic attacks over long periods of time. A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear coupled with physical reactions such as a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a headache; these symptoms appear despite the fact that no real, immediate danger is present. Many people may experience an occasional panic attack, but people with panic disorder experience these attacks more frequently than normal.

There is no specific known cause for panic disorder, but multiple factors may increase your risk of developing it, including:

Genetics
Continuous or extreme stress
Traumatic life events
Major or dramatic life changes
Changes in brain activity
Smoking
Excessive caffeine intake

Although the symptoms that accompany a panic attack are alarming and intense, they are not typically harmful or life-threatening. However, this can be difficult to remember or recognize when you are actively experiencing one. Additionally, even the possibility of having a panic attack (particularly for people with panic disorder, for whom attacks are more likely to occur) can have a detrimental effect on your life, potentially causing you to avoid certain situations and activities where panic attacks seem more likely to occur.

If you have experienced a recent panic attack, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent future attacks; this can help prevent panic disorder before it has a chance to develop. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and getting regular exercise can also help prevent this condition.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Psychiatric Department offers treatment for people at risk of experiencing panic attacks or developing panic disorder. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our outpatient psychiatric clinic at (718) 670-5562.

World Mental Health Day

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10^th. The observation was founded by The World Federation for Mental Health to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize resources for individuals who need support.

Each year, The World Federation for Mental Health creates a campaign to advocate for better mental health care and make it readily accessible for people worldwide. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Mental Health Is A Universal Right.’ It aims to promote and protect universal mental health as a basic human right for everyone. The World Federation for Mental Health also hopes to engage and unify communities and organizations in driving actions that support inclusion for those affected by mental health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, “People with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violations. Many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need or can only access care that violates their human rights”

Flushing Hospital Medical Center has implemented several initiatives to address these problems through raising awareness and providing quality mental health care and support to our community. This includes projects aimed at destigmatizing mental health services among underserved and older populations.

To learn more about the programs offered at Flushing Hospital, find out more about our outpatient mental health services, or schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach our clinic.

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Suicide is currently the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States. It can happen for a wide variety of reasons, but some of the most common risk factors include:

Personal or family history of suicide attempts
Personal or family history of mental disorders or substance use disorders
Chronic pain
Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
The presence of firearms in the home
Recent release from prison or jail
Exposure to suicidal behavior from other people

While suicide is most common among middle-aged people, particularly men, it can happen among people of all ages. Many of the same warning signs apply to both adults and young people, but some may be different. Additionally, not all of these signs necessarily indicate that a person actually intends to commit suicide; however, they can indicate that the person is at risk and may benefit from preventative treatment.

For adults, suicide warning signs to watch out for include:

Talking about or planning suicide
Anxious, agitated, or reckless behavior
Talking about being a burden to others
Talking about feeling trapped or experiencing unbearable pain
Increased or frequent usage of alcohol and/or drugs
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Insufficient or excessive sleep
Social isolation
Extreme moods or mood swings

In addition to the above indicators, warning signs for young people include:

Expressing hopelessness about the future
Severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress
Anger or hostility that seems increased and/or out of character

Whether or not you believe a person may genuinely commit suicide, do not dismiss these warning signs; they are indicators of serious underlying mental health problems. Let them know that you have recognized changes in their behavior, that they are not alone, and that you are there to support them. You should also do what you can to make sure that they feel comfortable speaking openly with you about what’s troubling them.

Aside from providing support, the most helpful step you can take for someone who may be at risk of committing suicide is to encourage them to get professional help. You can reach Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic to schedule an appointment or get more information by calling (718) 670-5562.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or demonstrating suicidal behaviors, get help immediately. Call 911, 1-800-SUICIDE, or 1-800-273-TALK right away.

What are Cognitive Distortions?

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Our thought patterns play a large role in the way we view the world around us, including things like our relationships, jobs, and living circumstances. The more experiences we have, the more patterns of thought we develop. Unfortunately, these patterns can often lead you to draw conclusions or interpret events in a way that is not actually based on facts or reality, typically in a negative way. When these false interpretations become a habitual way of thinking, they become cognitive distortions.

People often develop cognitive distortions in response to negative life situations as a coping mechanism. While they are not considered a form of mental illness on their own, they may be more likely to occur because of one.

Several types of cognitive distortions are particularly common. Some of these include:

Polarized thinking (thinking in extremes without considering all relevant facts)
Overgeneralization (applying a conclusion about one event to too many other events)
Catastrophizing (assuming the worst conclusion despite a lack of evidence)
Personalization (taking things personally that are not necessarily connected to you)
Mind reading (assuming to know what other people are thinking)
Mental filtering (ignoring positive things and focusing exclusively on the negatives)
Emotional reasoning (believing that emotions indicate the reality of a situation)
Labeling (classifying things in a negative way based on one negative event)

If you’re experiencing cognitive distortions, there are steps you can take to break out of these habitual ways of thinking. Once you’ve identified the thought, it can help to consider alternative evidence or interpretations that challenge your initial conclusion. Additionally, you may want to think in terms of how your initial thought is benefitting you as opposed to other conclusions.

Cognitive distortions can contribute to or indicate mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Psychiatric Department offers a variety of approaches to therapy that can help you achieve an improved state of mind and quality of life. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5562.