Mental Health In The Winter Months: Tips About Seasonal Affective Disorder

The winter blues may not seem like such a big deal, but for some people the cold weather and short days of winter pose a constant problem. The proper name for ongoing seasonal depression is seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Some people suffer from SAD for months on end, particularly in areas where sunny days are limited in fall and winter months. Anyone suffering from SAD living in the northeast should know there are New Jersey Mental Health centers that help people deal with seasonal affective disorder specifically.

Causes of SAD

Seasonal affective disorder is caused by a lack of sunlight during the fall and winter months, though a small percentage of SAD sufferers experience symptoms with the onset of summer. Decreased sunlight can lead to a disruption of one's circadian rhythms, which in turn interferes with sleep patterns. It may also lower serotonin and melatonin levels in the body, which can result in mood swings, changes in appetite, and even depression. Other symptoms of SAD include anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, oversleeping, weight gain, and trouble concentrating.

Managing SAD and Its Symptoms

Seeing a specialist in mental health in New Jersey, or wherever the SAD sufferer happens to live, is a good first step towards managing this disorder. SAD sufferers should know the practitioner providing care for their mental health in New Jersey or elsewhere may prescribe medication to treat their symptoms. Those dealing with depression should be sure to stick with their course of treatment to combat the effects of SAD.

Since a lack of sunlight is typically at the root of the problem, exposing the body to additional light throughout the fall and winter can make quite a difference. A simple solution is to keep blinds and curtains open during daylight hours, and to spend time outside on sunny days. Sunless days can be made brighter with a sun lamp designed especially for counteracting the effects of SAD. People with SAD far from the equator often break up the winter by vacationing in a warm, sunny location to make up for some of the sun they are missing. As with any form of depression, the symptoms of SAD can be lessened with regular exercise and a healthy diet as well.

There is a range of alternative remedies recommended for SAD. St. John's wort is often used for depression in general and may work for people with SAD in particular. Other supplements, like SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), are supposed to help replace the chemicals that naturally decrease during the short days of winter. Those considering treating SAD this way should check with their health care provider first.

Finding Mental Health Resources

Anyone who thinks they may be suffering from SAD should contact a mental health care provider right away. Residents of NJ should be able to find a New Jersey Mental Health facility that can help SAD sufferers make positive and effective changes in their lives.

The Family Guide to Bipolar Disorder: New Jersey

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that commonly affects both men and women. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that affects a person’s mood and energy. It typically develops in a person during his late teens or early adulthood, but can even begin in small children. In kids, bipolar symptoms are often expressed by intense emotional states that are either overly excited states, or depressive states. The good news for the families of people suffering from bipolar disorder is that there are treatment options. For people living in New Jersey,mental health options are available with Capitol Care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over half of those with bipolar disorder have cases that started before the age of 25. Although this disorder begins in many children, the severity of the symptoms, often do not come out until a person is an adult. Symptoms of bipolar disorder vary based on the person, age and severity of the disorder. For some children, bipolar comes out in the form of acting overly silly, having an extremely short temper, being extremely sad for a long period of time, losing interest in normal activities and feeling worthless. Numerous behavioral changes also occur with bipolar, such as feeling tired, having trouble focusing, complaining about body aches, losing or gaining a lot of weight, feeling a loss of energy and experiencing suicidal thoughts. As a person ages, the symptoms generally worsen. Adults with bipolar disorder typically have problems performing normal daily tasks. With treatment, however, people with this disorder are often able to carry on normal, productive lives.

People, who suspect that a loved one has this, should seek help from experts. Capitol Care is an organization that specializes in treating New Jersey residents with bipolar. This organization focuses on diagnosing behavioral health issues and other mental illnesses, and treating it. They offer numerous locations all throughout the state, making it convenient for all residents of New Jersey.

Capitol Care takes a different approach for treatment and recovery for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They have helped many people over the years, and have a great percentage of success. This organization’s philosophy focuses on the lifelong recovery journey of the individuals who they help. They take each case on an individual basis, and realize that no two cases are identical. Capitol Care believes in four core beliefs: informed choice, empowerment, inclusion is the right of all people and responsive and flexible supports with outcomes.

Living with someone with bipolar disorder is extremely stressful, and many people cannot do it alone. It is not only difficult for the person suffering; it is difficult for other family members as well and can cause strain on a family. Capitol Care understands how difficult this is, and they are there to help. They have a tremendous amount of experience with this, and are trained to use medical and clinical methods for diagnosing and treating people with this. 

Non- Prescription Plan For Managing Bipolar Disorder

There's no shortage of medical interventions to choose from when it comes to managing Bipolar Disorders.  Taking medication is the key to reducing the frequency and severity of mood episodes, but it is not the only treatment option. Bipolar medications are most effective when used in conjunction with therapy and healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, and developing a social support network. These factors can affect the amount of medication required and play an important role in managing symptoms of mania and depression without causing intolerable side effects.

NJ Behavioral Health provider Capitol Care believes in integrating non-prescription drug ways to cope with Bipolar Disorders into a treatment plan.  Behavioral therapy and counseling have proven to be effective methods for managing Bipolar disorder, particularly if they're provided by trained and qualified mental health care professionals.  In addition, by taking a team approach to mental health therapy - one that includes teachers, parents, social workers, and psychiatrists or psychologists - families have seen great results in loved ones with Bipolar Disorder.  Other successful therapies involve parenting skills training, social skills training, family therapy, and support groups.

This form of non-medical treatment is at the heart of the types of services offered by Capitol Care.  Its team of professionals is committed to safely providing positive and supportive quality care to adults with Bipolar Disorder and their families.  Instead of taking a cookie-cutter approach to therapy, offering the same types of services to everyone, the counselors take a more individualized approach that empowers each patient to reach his or her highest capabilities.  In particular, the program relies on the individual's existing support system to make it more effective. 

Patients come to Capitol Care through one of many types of referrals, including inpatient providers, outpatient therapists, or friends and family.  Following an initial assessment, an individualized program is put together by a team that includes an intake coordinator, program director, case manager, Board-certified psychiatrist, and group facilitator.

Each program is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual and draws from a broad range of services, including recreational activities, prevocational management, clinical group processes, and psychiatric management.  The goal of the program is to meet the distinct and complex needs of each individual in a way that addresses their psychiatric and behavioral issues and enables them to lead full, productive lives over the long term.

Patients may participate in a number of activities, including

•Individual Counseling
•Creative arts groups
•Psycho-educational
•Recreational activities
•Wellness and recovery

Capitol Care is an inpatient and outpatient NJ facility that accepts Medicaid payments and has been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

For more information about this unique treatment paradigm, or to refer a friend or family member, please call  Capitol Care at (973) 426-1440, email info@capitol-care.org, or visit the website at www.capitol-care.org.

Think Your Teen Has Prescription Drug Addiction or Abuse? Top Warning Signs and Drugs

Government surveys show that every day 2,000 teens use prescription drugs without a doctor's consent.  Prescription drug abuse among children has become shockingly more prevalent in the past few years.  More importantly, many teens won't stop after their first time which can quickly lead to a dependence upon these drugs.  While these teens have the ability to easily gain access to these drugs, few of them are aware of the dangerous risks they are taking.

Recreational prescription drug use is growing rapidly among teens, and the reasons why are numerous.  Peer pressure is what leads most teens to try for the first time, but what happens next is more chemical than anything.  Many teens find that these drugs have a pleasurable psychological effect on them, which makes teens want to use again in the future.  As tolerance to a drug increases, the doses and methods of taking the drug can become more extreme and dangerous.  Some alarming reports say teens are snorting and even taking the drugs intravenously.  These are obvious signs of addiction, other warning signs can elude to a teen with a potential addiction.
   
The signals of drug abuse can be very blatant, but often times a perceptive person can notice the small signs before larger ones arrive.  For example, large mood swings, being extremely hyper or sedate, sleeping too much or too little, and even stealing, forging, or selling the prescriptions can be red flags.  These are some of the side affects related to using OxyContin, Vicodin, Xanax, Valium, and Adderall, which are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs.  Some teens have been known to "lose" their medications or even go so far as to request multiple prescriptions from different doctors in order to stay high.  Identifying drug abuse as early as possible is important, and in some cases can save a life.

Getting help to someone suffering with addiction can be a tricky path to navigate.  It is normal for the person to become angry and deny their use.  He or she may say or do things that could be bad for their relationships with those that want to help, but it is necessary to stay understanding and patient.  Always encourage your loved one to be open about his or her use and to accept the assistance that is being offered.  This alone can build the necessary trust to begin treatment for such addictions.

Capitol Care specializes in substance abuse in New Jersey, but similar establishments are available all over the country.  The aim of Capitol Care is to treat persons dealing with substance abuse with the professional guidance and dignity they deserve.  Multiple sessions are available in order to provide the best possible resolution.  Visit the Capitol Care website for more information on treatments and availability.  If you have a loved one that is being troubled by drug addiction, seek help immediately.  You may be saving someone's life.

Top Signs Your Child May Have Autism

While no parent wants to think that something is wrong with their child, autism is a real part of many lives. In some cases, a child may live with the condition for years before anyone provides the diagnosis of autism. One of the most difficult aspects of diagnosing autism is the range that the condition covers from very mild to quite severe. A NJ behavioral health service, such as Capitol Care, can help make a diagnosis based upon the recognition of symptoms of autism.

The state of a child's communication can be one of the first indicators that the child may suffer from autism. Children with autism often take longer to speak than their peers. When they do begin to talk, they often have difficulty using words correctly and understanding the words other speak to them. This includes their own name in some cases. A child with autism may have difficulty following instructions. It is difficult for the child to carry on a conversation with others.

Children diagnosed with autism often have difficulties in social situations. They are awkward around other children and may seem incapable of playing with the other children. Pretend play is something that an autistic child doesn't understand, making him stand out from his peers as they play around him. It is normal for some children to be shy and have difficulties joining in with their peers. The difference is that a child with autism doesn't warm up to the other children over time.

In addition to difficulty with verbal communication, children with autism also exhibit difficulties with small motor skills and other physical movements. A child who has autism isn't likely to point to objects. Many children develop this skill between 12 and 18 months. A child with autism won't. They also lack the ability to mimic those around him. Many young children copy the facial expressions and actions of those around them as a way of learning. A child with autism doesn't pay any or very little attention to what goes on around him.

A final sign to watch for among children diagnosed with autism is their obsession with repetition and familiarity. A child with autism has difficulty adjusting to changes in his daily routine or his surroundings. For instance, if his parents move the furniture around in the living room, he will likely be very distressed by this. The most well-known sign of autism is a child's obsession with order. Children who exhibit signs of autism often spend a lot of time arranging objects in a precise manner. If anyone disrupts the order, he becomes upset. The child is also likely to engage in a specific behavior that involves repetition.

If a child has been diagnosed with autism, a thorough evaluation at a NJ behavioral health facility can help a family find the right resources to help raise a child with autism and lead a happy, healthy life.

How to Choose the Right Recovery Plan and Treatment Program for Those with Weakening Mental Health

Watching a loved family member or friend experience mental health problems is difficult for anyone, especially as the symptoms progress, reducing the person’s abilities to tackle day to day tasks.  It isn’t always possible to be on hand at all times for your loved one, making it essential to locate a facility capable of taking care of them. Of course there are many options available for you when residing in New Jersey, which makes it imperative to select the best facility capable of not only caring for the individual but treats them with respect and kindness. For this, you need to really study up on the different New Jersey mental health facilities and the different recovery plans they have to offer.

Partial Care Services

As an individual first begins to show the signs of a mental disorder, they do not immediately need full care, 24-hours a day, as they are still capable of performing most of their daily tasks on their own. For this, partial care services are recommended. This option in New Jersey mental health locations allow the person being treated to stay home most of the time, but does have some structure and services set up for specific times of the day. This is beneficial as it provides set times for activities, such as art, recreation and counseling. Outside of counseling, most activities take place in a group setting, allowing your loved one to spend time with other individuals experiencing many of the same symptoms. Each New Jersey mental health facility has different schedules and class options, so it is vital to investigate exactly what is available.

Transitional Partial Care Services

You live a busy life, and it isn’t always possible for you to spend every moment with your loved one. For this, many New Jersey mental health facilities offer transitional partial care services. This is when a person does need some help no more than five days a week, but you are unable to be around, due to scheduling conflicts. Transitional options allow you to take in your family member or friend into the New Jersey mental health facility at set times in your schedule, for the required duration. You do need to create a schedule with the provider, as the more heads up time you give them the better, but many New Jersey mental health locations are willing to work with you, as they understand events come up, often with little to no warning.

Co-Occurring Services

Many New Jersey mental health locations offer a third option, known as co-occurring services. This is for individuals requiring more monitoring, but you still want to keep at home during the evening time and the weekends. This is helpful when watching over a parent that lives with you, but you must go to work during the week. Co-occurring services essentially means your loved one spends half the time with the New Jersey mental health service provider, generally during normal work hours of the week. During these times there are set group activities.

How to Approach and Overcome Substance Abuse

There are several ways to approach and overcome substance abuse in New Jersey. Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, the first step is acknowledging the fact that the addiction exists. Once this is secured, he or she can reach out to family members and friends for assistance. While this is surely an emotional and stressful experience, it is the best way to secure much needed help and recovery. For people suffering from addictions, accepting their addictions is the hardest part of any recovery program. While family members and friends may host interventions, this may not be the answer to long-term recovery and optimal results. To ensure the right treatment program, it is best to contact your local recovery center for assistance.

For New Jersey residents, Capitol Care, Inc. stands as a beacon of excellence in the recovery community. With Substance Abuse NJ continuing to soar, countless individuals are in desperate need of help and assistance. Whether it’s full treatment programs or just having someone to talk to, recovery centers feature a number of helpful members and staff. With true professionalism, recovery experts can diagnose addiction issues, while offering a range of viable options and issues. They are also trained to respect and listen to individuals, rather than shunning them away or acting like they do not exist. By catering to individuals afflicted with addiction, you can help them take control of their lives again. With empowerment, along with informed choices, individuals can begin the journey to a drug-free life and happiness.

Substance Abuse can affect countless individuals in New Jersey. Even with the actions of one, family members, co-workers, and even friends can be heavily impacted. As a result, people suffering from drug and alcohol addictions are alienated, which tends to make their situations even worse. At Capitol Care, Inc., their philosophy is based on direct interaction with individuals suffering from addiction. Utilizing the utmost care and respect, they work hard to gain the trust of all individuals. As a result, those with addiction can access a strong support system. This is then reflected onto friends, family members, and co-workers, who help their loved ones achieve desired results. Capitol Care’s staff is highly dedicated and fully committed to helping individuals with addictions. From strategic counseling to personalized attention, they address a number of factors that prevent individuals from leading clean and productive lifestyles.

Once these factors are addressed, the specialists at Capitol Care formulate plans to help individuals with full recovery. This includes mental and physical health conditions, along with tackling any enablers that will lead them down the wrong path again. With clinical leadership and advanced techniques, Capital Care, Inc. is designed to counter Substance Abuse NJ with lasting results.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.capitol-care.org

Don't let Substance Abuse prevent you from living the life you deserve. Take action now!