Posts Tagged ‘CBT’

Exercise Equals Elation

Posted by pansywade

Did you know that exercising can help elevate your mood?  A new study suggests that only five minutes of exercise performed in a natural setting can improve mood and personal well-being.  Abundant scientific evidence shows that activity in natural areas decreases the risk of mental illness (i.e. depression or anxiety) and improves the sense of well-being.  “Exercise appears to affect, like an antidepressant, particular neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and it helps patients with depression re-establish positive behaviors. For patients with anxiety disorders, exercise reduces their fears of fear and related bodily sensations such as a racing heart and rapid breathing.” says Jasper Smits, Director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, TX. 

       Many therapists, myself included, utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a method to work many symptoms of depression, anxiety, and in anger management. At times, it works really well but there are times when that method may not be effective in treatment.  Therefore, adding a little outdoor exercising or activities as a supplement can have a positive effect on healing. 

   Examples of a natural exercise environment include exercise in a park, working in a backyard garden, or hiking on a nature trail.  Basically, anything that active and can get the patient off of the sofa.  “Exercise has been shown to have tremendous benefits for mental health; also it can supplement traditional treatments, helping patients become more focused and engaged.” says Jasper Smits

By combining the CBT treatment and exercising together, the client can receive the benefits of mental freedom and emotional elation from the feelings of stress, anxiety and anger. Throughout treatment, both the client and the therapist must be willing to do whatever it takes to obtain the primary objective of healing and recovery. Let’s work together to achieve your goals…

                                                                                                                 ~pansy wade, lpc, ncc

Posted March 9th, 2010 in Article Topics | No Comments »

What About Depression?

Posted by pansywade
What do we know about depression? Is there a difference between sadness and depression? Does everyone who is depressed thinks about or attempts suicide? So many questions, but there are answers that can help…What are some symptoms of Depression?
 
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities                                                    that were once enjoyed, including sex or hanging with friends
                                            • Decreased energy, fatigue,having a ”lack of motivation”
                                            • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
                                            • Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
                                            • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
                                            • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
                                            • Restlessness, irritability, agitation
                                            • Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, various digestive disorders, and chronic pain
 
           For some people being depressed or having sadness is a situational problem – meaning it will alleviate once the situation gets better. If a person loses his job, then he will feel sadness and have depressive feelings, because of the unexpected change and the loss of income. Another example is the ending a serious relationship can bring on an episode of depression or having to move to another state away from close friends and family, creating an occasion for situational depression to develop. While most people will experience sadness over such events, people with a tendency towards depression will react more strongly, especially in the absence of appropriate coping skills or an adequate support system.
               Those are also, the ones who experience depression because it’s hereditary (a primary family member suffered with it) or because of a chemical imbalance in the brain. A lack or rather low supply, of serotonin is the cause for the imbalance. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to regulate moods, emotions, sleep and appetite urges in a person’s brain. Without it, that’s when everything gets ‘off-kilter’, everything else will be out of order. To correct the imbalance, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Paroxetine (Paxil) are used.
              This type of depression doesn’t disappear overnight. It is a condition that can linger for years and only gets better, if the sufferer wants to work it out. It’s truly not a hopeless situation. With the help of medication, prayer/meditation, and talk therapy to develop coping skills, the condition can be controlled and/or alleviated. Never give up – there’s always HOPE. Just reach out to someone – anyone, help is only a phone call away.
                                                                                 ~pansy wade, lpc, ncc

Posted February 20th, 2010 in Article Topics | No Comments »