The following are future events for the Spring of 2012 that we would love to extend an invitation and encourage you to participate to be educated on all of the amazing opportunities and developments in the field of mental health and traumatic brain injury- we hope to see you there.

May 4^th Military Family Listening Conference at Crossing Community Center in Oklahoma City, OK.

May 8^th Case Management Society of America- Eastern Oklahoma Chapter at Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott.

May 9^th Case Management Society of America- Kansas City Chapter at The Ritz Charles in Overland Park, KS.

May 10-11^th Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D. will be presenting “Expectations & Realities: Lifespan Issues Following Traumatic Brain Injury” at the Hamilton Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, for the 19^th Annual Conference on Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation in Acquired Brain Injury.

May 17^th Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D. will be presenting “The Double Whammy” for the Case Management Society of America- Oklahoma Chapter monthly meeting at The Sportsman Club in Oklahoma City.

• Major Depression- This serious medical condition has several symptoms that appear to overrun one’s ability to function daily (affecting sleep, eating habits, workforce).
• Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia)- Known as Neurotic Depression, this chronic  form of depression is less acute and severe as major depression but last a long time (2 years or longer).
• Minor Depression- This mood disorder is similar to the above listed disorders but the symptoms are far less severe and don’t last as long (2 weeks or less).

The chronic illness of depression affects individuals differently- no one sufferer has the same identical symptoms of another. There are several signs and symptoms of depression to detect within the disorder:

• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Fatigue or constant state of exhaustion
• Inability to concentrate or focus on memory recall
• Sleep deprivation/ insomnia/ or sleeping too much
• Eating disorder signs (compulsive overeating or anorexia- refraining from nutritional intake)
• Suicidal tendencies

Without knowing a direct cause of the onset of the illness of depression (stress, brain chemistry, etc.),one must take the first step towards recovery by seeking help. Depression is a life-threatening mood disorder, that is categorized as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States due to its relationship to suicide.  Mental Health America  stated “On average, people living with depression go for nearly a decade before receiving treatment, and less that one-third of people who seek help receive minimally adequate care”.  As a comprehensive health center for the treatment of behavioral health issues, Brookhaven Hospital helps individuals that seek direction and fulfillment in their lives by maximizing their capabilities. Our Inpatient Care programs create an opportunity for individuals to address their immediate mental health needs; while our Outpatient Care programs provide confidential, therapeutic guidance and medical consultation without a hospital stay. Currently our Outpatient Care program offers a therapy group focused on Depression/ Anxiety that meets every Tuesday at the facility from 12-2 pm and allows clients to experience a full spectrum of healing through balance and hope. If you or someone you know are suffering from any form of depression, contact one of our Admission Counselors to acquire the guidance you/ they deserve today by receiving an evaluation.

According to Drexler psychologist Michael Lowe, senior author of the study, the study has important implications. Lowe believes that “[Therapists] can argue that these drastic behaviors really aren’t working” and lead to weight gain.

The study ads evidence to the fact that the binge-purge cycle does not prevent weight gain. Though vomiting and laxative abuse can halt food absorption, those activities do not completely halt absorption. Therefore, consuming thousands of calories during a single sitting can actually cause one to gain weight, even in light of purging behavior.

Though bulimia can lead to weight gain, patients suffering with bulimia nervosa do not tend to be obese. Therefore, it’s best for therapists to focus on the harmful effects that bulimia can have on one’s system. Bulimic behavior can do damage to the teeth, throat and internal organs that is difficult-to-impossible to repair. However, it’s still worth noting to patients that bulimia is not a statistically effective weight-loss solution.

Though purging behaviors associated with bulimia are normally considered disgusting, they can actually create a sense of comfort. “[Binging] creates physical discomfort, so self-induced vomiting is both psychologically and physically a relief,” according to Michael Lowe. “Bulimics get stuck in a bind.” Breaking this cycle of behavior often requires that an individual enter a bulimia treatment program.

Many individuals who are struggling with bulimia require extra help in order to abandon their bulimic behaviors. There is no shame in admitting that you need help. A bulimia treatment program can provide you with the life skills that you need to engage in healthy eating behavior. By focusing on proper nutrition, you can remove the risks involved in sustaining bulimic behavior over long periods of time.

For many individuals recovering from a mental health condition, staying in control of their life is the key to a successful recovery. To put recovery into action, one must focus on their resilience and regaining control of their life before further treating or managing their symptoms. As an opportunity for personal growth and self discovery, recovery should be viewed as an optimistic opportunity to discover all the attributes that make you who you are and what you have to offer the World.

“Recovery is not managing illness, It’s discovering wellness. Recovery is not fixing what’s broken, It’s finding wholeness, meaning and purpose. A love for life, recovery is a journey. A reconnection to self, others, nature and spirit. A willingness to forgive, an openness towards reconciliation. A search for peace…” Duane Sherry

Here are a few tips to keep you on a successful path towards your journey of personal growth:

• Believe: Believe in yourself and what you are capable of accomplishing by focusing on the aspect of hope in relation to healing .
• Support: Surround yourself with individuals that encourage you, and bring out your best attributes by allowing you to shine at     your highest potential.
• Cultivate: Cultivate a healthy lifestyle by practicing good hygiene, eating properly, getting plenty of sleep and exercising                regularly.
• Recognition: Own the fact that you are only human and mistakes are part of the growth process- It’s not always about how many   times you fall, but how quickly you pick yourself back up.

Remember that recovery from a mental illness should be viewed as a journey rather than a destination. It does not signify getting back to where you were previously in your life prior to the discovery of the illness, but rather setting a path to find your best self and embracing all the steps that it took you to get to that point in your lives journey. Keeping a positive approach and taking each day one sunrise at a time will allow you to better cope with the everyday obstacles that you will encounter. Always remember that as a former client at Brookhaven, you have a strong support system of staff and friends behind you hoping for your continued success!

A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association reflected more than two-thirds of women have reported that their lives have been negatively impacted by the recession, causing them to neglect their own personal needs to cater to a loved one. In light of these statistics, seventy-six percent of the women polled, reported participating in more positive activities. These activities included dedicating more time to family, becoming more involved in their church or place of religious gathering and engaging in more hobbies of choice. The survey also reported that eighty-five percent of the women shared a positive view of seeking support from a mental health professional for emotional assistance and encouragement; the women viewed this form of outreach as strength of character.

Maintaining one’s mental health or mental well-being is the key to living an overall healthy life. Everyday challenges such as stress, disappointment and anxiety are opportunities for someone to practice positive coping skills for their overall emotional/ mental health. The following are ways to get started on this life changing outlook:

• Socialization: Surround yourself with positive people that uplift your spirits and bring out your best self
• Engage: Find activities that release endorphins that allow you to feel accomplished (walking, dancing, tending to yard work)
• Balance: Make sure that there is a neutral balance between your hierarchy of needs (diet, sleep, etc.)
• Connect: Limit your intake of worldly economic and social crisis’ in the media to a minimum- this will allow you to stay on a optimistic track

The Bureau of Labor Statistics  recently reported in the last twelve months,  1.3 million jobs have been created since the recession and only 10% of them went to women- allowing women to gain just 149,000 employment opportunities. Maybe with the positive focus on mental health, women can show society and government that mental health well being is the force that will drive this nation towards success.  If you or someone you know needs assistance in gearing their mental health needs towards a positive outlook, take the first step toward success by seeking help from one of our professionals.

Compulsive Overeating, often referred to as food addiction, is characterized by an obsessive/compulsive relationship to food. According to a recent study, 1/3 of America is obese- the obesity rate more than doubled from 1990 to 2010. Obesity is the number two cause of preventable death in the United States, the first being tobacco use. If this disorder continues to go unnoticed by many Americans then it will be the cause of about 21% of health care spending.

A few key signs of symptoms of the Compulsive Overeating Disorder are:

• Binge eating, or eating uncontrollably even when not physically hungry
• Eating much more rapidly than normal
• Eating alone due to shame and embarrassment- very low self esteem
• Feelings of guilt, depression or mood swings due to overeating
• Rapid weight gain or sudden onset of obesity
• Significantly decreased mobility due to weight gain
• Withdrawal from activities because of embarrassment about weight

Individuals with an eating disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder may have difficulty finding a treatment program which can meet their clinical needs and be covered by their insurance resources. For individuals on social security disabilities that have coverage through Medicare, finding a program to treat their Eating Disorder may be almost impossible. At Brookhaven’s Eating Disorders Treatment Program we can offer help to these individuals who have been struggling with the long-term aspect of their eating disorder and have few choices available to them due to their Medicare status.

Brookhaven’s Eating Disorders Treatment Program is an average 21 day inpatient stay with a comprehensive approach which addresses mind, body and spirit. By incorporating the Radar Eating Disorder Program at Brookhaven, a cognitive behavioral approach is used throughout our client’s treatment and dialectical behavioral therapy is incorporated. Patients receive on average five groups a day and have several individual sessions throughout the week including a family session and meet with a psychiatrist and internal medicine doctor on a daily basis. Clients also meet with our registered dietician for a full nutritional work up twice a week and receive an individualized meal plan during their stay at the facility.

“Diets and bariatric surgery tend to just address the symptom of the compulsive overeating disorder. While  at the Rader  program, we treat the root causes  of this disease, including issues such as abandonment, sexual abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, rejection, un-forgiveness,  interpersonal issues, lack of purpose, passivity, and lack of spiritual connection.”  -Sherry Smith, LPC Rader therapist 

By utilizing specialized therapists and a separate treatment program, our clients can reclaim control over their lives. Click here for more information on our facility or contact one of our Admission Counselors at 888-298-HOPE (4673).

A new study finds that Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with a mental health disorder are more likely to abuse prescription narcotic pain killers. When these war veterans return from active duty, they are often struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and are also dealing with chronic pain. With the modern advances of science/technology in active duty gear and weaponry, these veterans have a higher chance of surviving situations that in the past decades would have been fatal, which in turn increases  the number of cases of PTSD and shock related disorders along with many growing cases of traumatic brain injury, including soldiers with undiagnosed TBI’s.

The details of the study concluded the following:

• 141,029 veterans returning from the recent wars were examined; 15,676 were prescribed opioid painkillers for 20 or more consecutive days.
• 17.8% veterans suffering from PTSD received the painkillers/ 11.7% of veterans with a mental health disorder (excluding PTSD)/ 6.5% of veterans without any mental health conditions.
• 33.5%  of veterans with mental health disorders including PTSD and substance abuse were more likely to be prescribed painkillers over the 6.5% of veterans with no mental health symptoms.

Physicians are prescribing oxycodone(OxyContin), hydrocodone(Vicodin) and Codeine to treat these veterans’ symptoms and in turn are putting them at higher risk for accidents (including self-inflicted injuries), overdose and numerous other serious consequences.  The study suggests that most of these veterans are seeking medical help from the VA primary care system, when these physicians are not all specialized in treatment of PTSD and pain simultaneously; although VA clinical practice guidelines suggest differently with the approach of medication and therapy.

As returning heroes for our country, society should look upon these veterans as a symbol of our country’s success thus far and should strive for the healing of all of these men and women. There are several facilities across the country that provide aid for these servicemen.With mental health and neurological rehabilitation and with proper resources, no one veteran should ever lack in the area of healing.

Click here for more information on this study.

When many people think of mobile apps the first thing that might come to mind might be games like Angry Birds or social media apps like Facebook. However, some new mobile apps seem poised to help those suffering from behavioral health disorders like depression and anxiety.

Northwestern University’s school of medicine is working on a smartphone app called Mobilyze! that is designed to tell you if you are at risk for depression. The app constantly monitors your location and social interactions.

If you begin avoiding activities you enjoy like meeting up with friends on a Saturday, the app will bring this to your attention. People with depression often avoid positive activities. This app will hopefully inspire those with depression to engage in activities that they find pleasurable.

Harvard University is also developing an app that is designed to provide stress relief for people suffering with social anxiety. The app shows a neutral face and a hostile face. Users press a button to design a letter that appears on the screen. The effect is that users are distracted from the hostile face. The app has reportedly lowered anxiety levels for patients during initial testing.
The DOD has also released a mood tracker that can be used to monitor the mental health of service members. Monitoring emotional experiences associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and TBI.

On Feb 13, DSS Inc, which specializes in healthcare IT solutions, announced a new Mental Health (MH) Kiosk solution allowing behavioral health hospitals to expedite the note taking and interdisciplinary treatment needs of behavioral health hospitals. The Mental Health Kiosk was conceived as a complement to the existing DSS Mental Health Suite, which has been implemented in several Veteran’s Affairs and other large mental health care facilities.

The MH Kiosk will act as a private channel for patients to provide personal information before they see a doctor. Byers sees this as the next logical step in DSS’s efforts toward integrated healthcare.

The MH Kiosk was designed specifically to assist patients facing physical hardships, literacy limitations and cognitive disabilities. Bridging the gap between mental health and tech, the MH Kiosk offers the following features:

•  Touch-screen guidance and audio capabilities, allowing patients to easily complete clinical data “paperwork”
• On-the-spot behavioral self-assessments
•  Patient Education
• Administrative management of the kiosk that gives the controller the ability to select the most appropriate assessments for each patient

The electronic process automatically captures and transfers collected data to a patient’s digital record. The information is then available, in real time, to service providers. This will help health care professionals provide patients with more personalized discussions and exams.

Although, Ketamine is a Food and Drug Administration approved medication and any medical doctor could prescribe the substance, no one has been willing/ perceptive to administering it. It is becoming the new high for teens and being referred to as “Special K” because of the trippy effect it radiates in allowing the users to feel away from reality and their bodies. It also allows users to enter a state called “K-Hole” that allows a near death experience that allows one to feel an out of body occurrence, while immobilizing the body through muscle impairment. Side effects of Ketamine are increased heart rate, disruptions in consciousness and substance addiction.

If you or anyone you know is currently suffering negatively from the influence of the product Ketamine, take action to encourage them to seek the help that they deserve before the downward effects take a toll on their lifestyle/ well being.

Individuals who inject drugs are “at risk” for acquiring HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases. 9% of all new HIV infections in the United States involve injecting drug users, despite a decline in HIV in general. Of those who tested positive for HIV, 45% were unaware of their infection.  A report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/surveillance/resources/reports/2009report/index.htm  has identified that of the group with unknown or untested HIV status, 69% reported having unprotected vaginal sex, 34% reported sharing syringes and 23% reported unprotected heterosexual anal sex during the prior 12 month period. Clearly, individuals who are injecting drugs are in a group with the potential for acquiring diseases with serious, life threatening consequences.

The CDC recommends a high impact approach to education and prevention and care for injecting drug users. The program includes: HIV and HCV testing, effective linkages to care and access to clean, sterile syringes.  The CDC program is focused on addressing HIV and HCV infection rates through testing, treatment and clean needles. People who inject drugs also need access to drug treatment and support to get the help they need. Effective treatment begins with recognizing the problem, providing access to drug treatment and rehabilitation and helping people move towards a drug-free life after treatment through support groups in the community and aggressive after-care services. We hear about the “war on drugs”, but we also need to get people who use drugs adequate treatment.