May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

What is Depression?

Depressive disorder is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care.  Some will only experience one depressive episode in a lifetime, but for most, depressive disorder recurs. Without treatment, episodes may last a few months to several years.

Symptoms

Depressive disorder changes how one functions day-to-day, and typically lasts more than two weeks. Common symptoms include:

• Changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Lack of concentration
• Loss of energy
• Lack of interest in activities
• Hopelessness or guilty thoughts
• Changes in movement (less activity or agitation)
• Physical aches and pains
• Suicidal thoughts

Causes

Depression does not have a single cause. It can be triggered by a life crisis, physical illness or something else—but it can also occur spontaneously. Scientists believe several factors can contribute to depression:

• Trauma
• Genetics
• Life circumstances
• Brain changes
• Other medical conditions

Treatments

Although depressive disorder can be a devastating illness, it often responds to treatment. The key is to get a specific evaluation and treatment plan. Safety planning is important for individuals who have suicidal thoughts. Treatment plans can include any or a combination of the following:

• Psychotherapy
• Medications
• Exercise 
• Brain stimulation therapies
• Light therapy

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

What is Anxiety?

We all experience anxiety. Some anxiety motivates us to prepare and practice or keep us alert and cautious. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities, an anxiety disorder may be the cause.  All anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent and excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States.

Most Common Anxiety DisordersGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD produces chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life. This worrying can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish daily tasks.

Social Anxiety Disorder: More than shyness, this disorder causes intense fear about social interaction, often driven by irrational worries about humiliation. Someone with this disorder may not take part in conversations, contribute to class discussions or offer their ideas, and may become isolated. Panic attacks are a common reaction to anticipated or forced social interaction.

Panic Disorder: Characterized by panic attacks and sudden feelings of terror sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. Often mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful physical reactions. Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid an attack, including social isolation.

Phobias: Certain places, events or objects that create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear.

Scientists believe that many factors combine to cause anxiety disorders:

• Genetics.  Studies support evidence that anxiety disorders “run in families,” as some have a higher-than-average amount of anxiety disorders among relatives.
• Environment. A stressful or traumatic event such as abuse, death of a loved one, violence or prolonged illness is often linked to the development of an anxiety disorder.

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointment or to ask about your EAP benefits.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:  

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• Family history of mental health problems

Mental Health and Wellness – Positive mental health allows people to:

• Realize their full potential
• Cope with the stresses of life
• Work productively
• Make meaningful contributions to their communities

Ways to maintain positive mental health include:

• Getting professional help if you need it
• Connecting with others
• Staying positive
• Getting physically active
• Helping others
• Getting enough sleep
• Developing coping skills

Learn More About Mental Health: The importance of prevention and wellness

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.

Peaceful Transition Ritual: Letting go of stress at the end of the day

You are likely more overloaded at work now than ever before, and with changes to your routine at home and work, stress may be steadily increasing. If you feel spent at the end of your shift, try this peaceful transition exercise so you can return home in a more relaxed mindset:

Engage in this routine sometime between getting in your car at work and before entering your house:

• Honor the difficult parts of your day.
• Take a few deep exhales to release these parts.
• Celebrate the good parts of your day.
• Take a few deep inhales to enhance these parts.
• Anticipate your evening going well, visualize it happening, and identify how you’ll feel as those anticipated events occur:
  Example: I come home from work and see my hound dog wagging his tail, I feel happy. I give my husband a hug and kiss and feel connected and safe.  I take a relaxing bath, eat a tasty dinner, and then get cozy on the couch with my dog and husband and watch a show we enjoy together. I go to bed feeling grateful and at peace, and I sleep soundly through the night. 

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointment or to ask about your EAP benefits.

Mantra #1: With every breath, I feel myself relaxing.

• How to use: Say as you inhale, and then exhale, visualizing any tension you have melting away with the breath.
• How it can help: Releases pent-up tension in shoulders, neck, & stomach; helps to shift focus from worried thoughts to the body which relaxes the mind.

Mantra #2: I have control over how I feel & I choose to feel at peace

• How to use: Place one hand over heart, one over belly, recite 3 times.
• How it can help: Reminds you that you may not be in control over everything in life, but you are in control of how you feel and how we respond to the situations that come our way.

Mantra #3: All experiences are helping me grow.

• How to use: Repeat several times when you feel overwhelmed
• How it can help: It reframes stress as a new challenge, an opportunity for growth; empowers you, decreasing feelings of helplessness.

Mantra #4: I give myself permission to let go of what no longer serves me.

• How to use: Repeat several times, especially when you feel stuck thinking about old situations, patterns, emotions etc.
•  How it can help: Releases energy and tension spent focusing on the past and makes room for improving thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships.

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointment or to ask about your EAP benefits.