Here are 10 of the biggest challenges facing women with ADD.
1. Self-esteem issues
Girls and women with ADD often don’t display the hallmark hyperactivity that is typically associated with the condition, which is why this blog will refer to it as ADD rather than ADHD. Instead, they have inattentive ADD, which is one of the 7 types of ADD identified by the brain imaging work at Amen Clinics. Inattentive ADD is characterized by a lack of focus, distraction, trouble paying attention to details, forgetfulness, low motivation, and other symptoms. Sadly, these traits are often viewed as character flaws, and people are labeled as slow, lazy, spacey, or unmotivated, which can lead to self-esteem issues.
2. Remaining undiagnosed
While hyperactive people bring negative attention to themselves with their constant chatter and conflict-driven behavior, girls and women with inattentive ADD tend to be quiet and distracted. For this reason, girls and women with ADD often go undiagnosed and untreated, which causes problems throughout their lifetime.
3. Internalizing
Females with ADD tend to internalize their problems and blame themselves rather than others, which leads to higher levels of anxiety.
4. Unplanned pregnancies
Teens and women with ADD are more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as sexual activity. A 2019 study shows that girls with ADD are 6 times more likely to become pregnant as teenagers compared with those who don’t have the condition. Among patients at Amen Clinics, there is a much higher percentage of teenage pregnancies in ADD girls. They do not think through the consequences of their behavior.
5. Sexual issues
Distractibility makes it harder to have an orgasm. Think about it—what does an orgasm require (besides a reasonable lover)? The answer is focus. You have to pay attention to the feeling long enough in order to make it happen. Many people, especially women, with ADD struggle to have orgasms, which can lead to relationship problems and feelings of dissatisfaction.
6. Hormonal influences
A woman’s hormones play a major role in ADD and can worsen around the time of puberty, during the premenstrual phase of a woman’s cycle, and also around the time of menopause. A number of brain SPECT studies have shown an overall decrease in brain activity when estrogen levels are low. During perimenopause or menopause, many women who previously had only mild ADD develop more acute symptoms.
7. More at risk for depression
Major depressive disorder is more than twice as common in teenage girls with ADD than in girls without the condition, according to research in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Brain imaging studies have demonstrated that females, on average, have a larger deep limbic system than males. This gives females several advantages and disadvantages. Due to the larger deep limbic brain women are more in touch with their feelings and are generally better able to express their feelings than men. They also have an increased ability to bond and be connected to others. Having a larger deep limbic system, however, leaves females somewhat more susceptible to depression.
8. Chronic stress connected to caretaking
Women are expected to be the primary caretakers in our society, but when they have difficulty planning and organizing their own lives, doing so for their children can make daily living seem overwhelming. When daily duties related to child-rearing pile-up, it can lead to feelings of emotional overwhelm and chronic stress.
9. Feeling like a failure
Organizing holiday parties, family dinners, and birthdays—these are some of the everyday areas where women are expected to excel. But when you forget to send a birthday card, neglect to call your mom on Mother’s Day or overlook a key ingredient in a recipe for a big holiday dinner it can make you feel like a failure.
10. Self-harm
Girls with ADD are at a higher risk for self-harm and suicidal behavior when they reach adulthood, according to findings in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. ADD (or ADHD) and co-existing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.By Rishi Sood, M.D.
Although there is a growing amount of research on and increased awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder, many misconceptions about PTSD persist.
PTSD and its effects on military veterans have been well documented, but other types of trauma are also known to cause the condition. For example, childhood abuse in the form of physical and sexual trauma is known to lead to PTSD. Children exposed to such trauma often struggle with mood regulation and have increased rates of self-destructive and suicidal behavior. PTSD can also occur later in life as a result of medical illnesses—such as myocardial infarctions, obstructive sleep apnea, or stroke—or due to stays in the intensive care unit, which many people have unfortunately experienced because of COVID-19.
Myth #2. PTSD develops immediately after suffering a trauma.
Symptoms of PTSD can occur 3 months after a traumatic experience, but it often occurs much later. Delayed-onset PTSD describes a situation where an individual does not develop symptoms until 6 months after the inciting event. In some cases, individuals experience PTSD years later. In a study of World War II veterans, many reported experiencing such symptoms later in life. This was thought to be brought on by major life changes such as losing a spouse. Just because someone is not affected by a traumatic event soon after does not mean that the individual is immune from being significantly affected many years down the road.
Myth #3. PTSD makes people violent.
Many individuals who experience PTSD do not display violent tendencies. In fact, many individuals with PTSD shut down and avoid situations that pose any perceived threat. This puts significant strain on personal relationships and the ability to effectively function at work. In the dissociative subtype of PTSD depersonalization and derealization are seen. Individuals who experience depersonalization feel disconnected from their body while individuals who experience derealization feel the world around them is not real.
Myth #4. PTSD is just one thing.
Individuals with PTSD can vary significantly in their presentations. As a result of trauma, some individuals can develop externalizing symptoms, which are characterized by symptoms of aggression and impulsivity. To cope, many will turn to substances such as alcohol and marijuana to calm the brain. Unfortunately, this can lead to brain injury and can worsen focus and mood. Others may develop internalizing symptoms, which are characterized by somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Individuals who were once extroverted and had a secure sense of self can become more isolated and distant.
Myth #5. PTSD isn’t treatable.
Although PTSD can have devastating effects, the great news is that effective treatment is available. Psychotherapy can be an effective tool and there are different modalities utilized. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other trauma-focused therapies can be helpful. In some cases, medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs can provide significant relief. MDMA-assisted therapy in a controlled clinical environment and in the presence of a trained therapy team is also being studied and appears promising.
Dr. Rishi Soodpractices at Amen Clinics, which offers in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Dr. Sood is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to his background in psychiatry, he is a board-certified pediatrician. Find out more about our services at AmenClinics.com. Many people think of mental health disorders as isolated conditions. When we hear someone say, “I have depression,” or “My husband has anxiety” it leads us to think that there’s a specific solution for each of these problems that would help people feel better. But it’s not quite that simple.
For instance, if someone had only depression, you might think antidepressants would be the simple solution to reduce symptoms and boost their mood and energy. But more than half of depressed patients don’t get the relief they want from taking antidepressants, according to a large study. Similarly, if someone has ADD/ADHD, you might think that prescription stimulants are the easy answer to their issues. But they often aren’t. Why are the standard treatment models ineffective for so many people?
Increasingly, physicians and other clinicians recognize that most patients with psychiatric conditions have complex conditions that don’t fit into the tidy categorical boxes described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (DSM)—and for a good reason. Many people with mental health issues have an array of symptoms that can occur in a variety of disorders and confound the diagnostic process.
Here’s an example of the same symptoms which can be seen in different mental health issues:
Having More Than One Psychiatric Diagnosis is Common
While there are other symptoms that cross diagnostic categories too, recognizing that most mental health problems are not single or simple disorders is helpful in understanding why so many people struggle to get adequate relief of their symptoms.
A 2019 research study published in the journal, JAMA Psychiatry, reviewed the mental health history data of more than 5 million people and found that having one mental health disorder increased the risk of having another. This means that comorbidity (having two or more conditions) may actually be more common than having just one.
Comorbidity (having two or more mental health conditions) may actually be more common than having just one.
This means it’s common for people to have multiple conditions at the same time, such as depression and anxiety, ADD/ADHD and depression, panic disorderand bipolar disorder, addictionand anxiety or depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and an eating disorder, and so on. Having multiple psychiatric disorders is referred to as dual diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, or co-existing disorders. Treating only one of the conditions will never be adequate. All of the issues need to be treated in order to get well.
While it is still not yet known why mental health problems are more complex than originally believed, there are likely some genetic influences and environmental experiences that make some people more vulnerable to them.
Mental Health Disorders Have Multiple Causes
However, what wedo know, is that a person’s mental health is directly linked to what’s going on in their brain. During the past 30 years, many people have sought treatment at Amen Clinics after they’ve had several failed attempts to feel better elsewhere. This is largely because of traditional psychiatry’s reliance on the limited DSM symptom-cluster approach to diagnosing their patients. Plus, most psychiatrists don’t use advanced imaging technology, such as SPECT (single-photon-emission-computed-tomography) to actually look at their patients’ brains to assess for the biological underpinnings of their symptoms.
Consequently, many people are misdiagnosed and/or inadequately treated because underlying brain problems are missed altogether. Using the example of depression again, to accurately treat a patient, it’s necessary to identify what could be driving a person’s symptoms, since there are several potential causes, including these:
Because of this, what works well for one person isn’t necessarily going to work for someone else. There is not a one-size-fits-all treatment for depression—nor for any other psychiatric disorder—because of the complexities that come with each condition as well as the uniqueness of each person’s brain.
A Game-Changing Discovery
Another discovery that helps to explain the problems with treatment response also comes from the extensive brain SPECT imaging work done at Amen Clinics, which now has a database of more than 183,000 patient scans. One of the most important findings is that some of the more common mental health conditions have several identifiable subtypes, which are based on specific brain patterns.
The doctors and researchers at Amen Clinics have identified:
What makes this work so important is that each of the disorders and their subtypes has different characteristics, which require individualized treatment plans that take into consideration a patient’s symptoms as well as their brain biology and clinical history. Without having SPECT scans as an adjunct tool, it would be much more difficult to accurately diagnose and treat patients.
As Dr. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics, has said, “How do you know unless you look?”
By having incorporated such a comprehensive evaluation process for each patient—including the valuable information from the scans—the doctors at Amen Clinics have successfully helped tens of thousands of people finally find relief from symptoms of multiple conditions, so they can live more fulfilling and healthy lives.
Complex mental health problems can’t wait. During this ongoing time of uncertainty, your mental well-being is more important than ever. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. If you’ve witnessed a parent, grandparent, relative, or friend suffer from the ravages of dementia, you know that it is a condition you wouldn’t wish on anyone. It is devastating and heartbreaking to see previously vibrant, energetic, and smart people you care about develop symptoms and lose their memory and cognitive abilities—or even have personality changes.
Yet it happens all too often. And the trend is likely to continue—especially with the youngest of the baby boomer generation getting closer to their 60s, along with the significant rise of obesity and related inflammatory illnesses—such as diabetes—in the general population.
While there are several different types of dementing diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common and accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. Most people who are diagnosed with it are 65 or older. However, early-onset Alzheimer’s affects about 200,000 younger people in the U.S.—some of whom are in their 30s and 40s.
Basic Brain Biology in Alzheimer’s Disease
Many years ago, doctors and researchers found that the underlying pathology of AD begins decades before the onset of clinical symptoms. Slowly, certain abnormal neurobiological processes start to take place, including these:
Plaques of beta amyloid protein build up between brain cells and interfere with cell-to-cell communication.
Twisted strands—or tangles—of tau protein accumulate inside brain cells.
While beta amyloid and tau proteins are normally found in our brains, there are abnormal amounts of them in people with AD. The significant accumulation of plaques and tangles cause brain cells to die.
Although brain SPECT imaging doesn’t assess the quantity of beta amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, it can show the degree of damage caused by them. In AD patients, SPECT typically shows areas of low blood flow in the temporal lobes, parietal lobes, and posterior cingulate gyrus. Other areas of the brain can be involved as well, depending on the progression of the disease.
Promising New Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
As researchers continue to investigate the molecular underpinnings of this terrible disease, some fascinating results have recently been discovered. Scientists from around the world collaborated on a research study that was recently published in the scientific journal, Nature Medicine. Using positron emission tomography (PET—a type of functional scan, like SPECT) and a tracing agent that attaches to tau proteins, the brains of more than 1,600 people with varying progressions of AD were analyzed.
The researchers identified 4 variations in the pattern and spread of tau protein found in the subjects’ brains, and these patterns aligned with the patients’ more pronounced symptoms. The findings from this study include:
33% of subjects showed the spread of tau primarily in the temporal lobes, which are involved with memory.
18% had a greater amount of tau in the cortex (grey matter) and this reflected problems with self-control, ability to focus, and difficulties with executive function.
The 3rd variant—30% of the cases—had an accumulation of tau in the visual cortex (back of the brain), which affects one’s orientation to space and the ability to identify shapes, contours, and distances.
An asymmetrical spread of tau across the left hemisphere of the brain was found in 19% of the subjects and reflected their difficulty with language skills.
This study, and others similar to it, have found that Alzheimer’s disease, like so many other brain conditions, is not a simple disorder. Although it is not yet understood why one person would have a particular pattern of tau vs. another, the variations in the underlying pathology can help explain why a universal cure has not been found, despite all the clinical trials that have been conducted so far. This new knowledge may be useful for the development of different types of treatment that can address the varying disease patterns.
As mentioned above, the pathology of AD and other dementias begins in the brain many years before a person shows symptoms. Therefore, what you do today can have a positive—or negative—impact on your chances of becoming demented down the road. So, if you’ve been on a less-than-healthy path, you can still take steps to make changes that could have big payoffs later on in life.
Here are a few recommendations to get you started:
Switch to a diet with lots of fresh produce, healthy fats (like walnuts and avocados), and clean protein, especially fish such as salmon and tuna that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Exercise your body regularly because it increases blood flow to your brain, which helps to ensure your brain cells are getting the glucose and oxygen they need.
Exercise your brain, too, by learning new things and playing brain games.
Protect your brain from injury by wearing a helmet when you bike, skateboard, ski, inline skate, snowboard, or ride a motorcycle.
If you have depression, seek treatment to reduce symptoms, since depression increases your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Connect to others by spending time with friends and loved ones, and volunteering in your community.
Avoid things that are harmful to your brain, such as toxins (i.e., smoking cigarettes and using alcohol and illicit drugs) and getting concussions.
You can also look into the Memory Rescue Program to identify any early signs or risks you might have for memory problems. In addition, you’ll learn about more ways you can optimize your brain function now, to reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia in the future.
Concerns about memory problems and dementia shouldn’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever!At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. There’s no question that the past year has been unlike anything we have ever experienced before. We had to learn how to adapt quickly and do our individual parts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in an effort to protect those at risk as well as our loved ones and ourselves.
Think back to March 2020 when suddenly, we had to wear masks in public and wait in line to get into the grocery store while keeping our fingers crossed that there would still be some toilet paper on the shelves when it was our turn to go inside. The sparse availability of frozen vegetables, canned foods, and disinfecting products—let alone the dearth of critical supplies desperately needed for healthcare workers—gave all of us a front-row seat to the growing national emergency we were facing.
On top of this, social distancing requirements, stay-at-home orders, the closing of schools, daycare centers, restaurants, lodging, health clubs, and non-urgent doctor visits reshaped our world as we knew it.
Many people believed that within a few months, life would be back to normal, but as the spread of COVID-19 accelerated across the U.S. and around the world, things got worse instead of better. People were becoming more stressed and mental health problems were increasing. At times, life became too much for some and research showed the risk of suicide climbed.
Just as we struggled to adjust to the restrictions of the pandemic, it’s likely that many people will not find it so easy to jump right back into the way things used to be. A few reasons for this are:
While those who have been fully vaccinated might be embracing that extra layer of protection, there are many who either haven’t had the opportunity or don’t plan to get the vaccine. Since the contagious virus continues to spread and there are plenty of people who are at risk of getting it, they may still feel unsafe going to restaurants, social events, and other public gatherings—even while wearing a mask. Thus, feeling any pressure to do so will likely increase their concerns and anxiety.
So, if this applies to you, be sure you are eating a healthy, low-inflammatory diet, taking your supplements, and getting regular exercise to help manage your worries and keep your immune system strong.
Working from home has been a bit of a curse for some, but a blessing for others. As staff is required to return to their offices in the coming months, some folks can’t wait for workplace camaraderie to resume—but not everyone is happy about it. The flexibility of working from home along with avoiding a commute has been very helpful for many individuals and families. Having to give that up is a big cause of stress for some people.
In addition, offices are well-known for spreading germs like colds and the flu. COVID-19 germs are of even greater concern right now. If you do have to go back to your office, it’s ok to wear a mask, even if others don’t. Washing your hands regularly and avoiding the all-too-common temptation to touch your face, can help lower your chances of getting sick.
Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders have increased during the past year. Social distancing and staying at home allowed some people who are dealing with these conditions to keep them private. With restrictions being lifted and social distancing protocols changing, they may be feeling vulnerable and experiencing increased levels of shame or despair.
If you are struggling right now, it’s okay—and courageous—to reach out and get the help you need to work through and overcome your mental health issues.
Coming Out of Hibernation
While we have weathered the pandemic together, it’s important to recognize that people will come out of it in different ways and in their own time. Some are ready to be free of wearing a mask inside, but others are terrified of that idea. Likewise, some folks are looking forward to hugging, high-fiving, and shaking hands again, but some people are not. Your preference is okay—as is that of your family, friends, and neighbors—so being respectful of what others want and need is necessary to ease into the transition that is ahead of us.
Humans are remarkably resilient, and we will eventually get to whatever the post-pandemic normal is going to be. Even though some things might be different than before, it is likely the challenges of the past year have made us all a little stronger.
Anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health problems are treatable and shouldn’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Most people equate chronic illnesses with the elderly, but a recent Harris Poll study reveals that 44% of millennials born between 1981-1988 have been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition.
What’s really alarming is that 4 of the top 5 chronic health conditions (and 6 of the top 10) among millennials fall into the mental or behavioral health category, according to a study from Blue Cross Blue Shield. And the rates for these conditions are rising dramatically. That’s not even counting the increases so many people have experienced due to the pandemic.
It begs the question: What’s wrong with millennials?
What’s really alarming is that 4 of the top 5 chronic health conditions (and 6 of the top 10) among millennials fall into the mental or behavioral health category, according to a study from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Millennials include those born between the years 1981-1996, but the BCBS study focused on older millennials (ages 34-36 in 2017). The findings are disturbing and show that adults in the age range are struggling. Here are the top 10 chronic conditions among older millennials with the mental and behavioral issues highlighted in bold.
*Note that psychotic conditions included a wide variety of disorders, including schizoid, delusional, paranoid, dissociative, personality, hysteria, tics, sexual, gender, identity, food-related, somatoform, affective, childhood disintegrative, pervasive developmental, and more.
What were the two conditions that saw the biggest increases in prevalence from 2014 to 2017? Major depression (31% increase) and hyperactivity (29% increase). In a newer BCBS study from 2019 that tracked statistics from 2017-2018, the biggest spikes were seen in major depression (12% increase) and alcohol use disorder (7% increase).
What’s even more alarming is that millennials are experiencing all of these conditions at a higher rate compared to Gen Xers when they were the same age (34-36).
Millennials, Pandemic Bad Habits, and the Brain
According to the 2019 study by Blue Cross Blue Shield, millennials—all millennials, not just the older ones—are also some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, with 92% saying COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental health. Among millennials, the pandemic contributed to major increases in unhealthy behaviors, including:
At Amen Clinics and in Dr. Daniel Amen’s book, Your Brain Is Always Listening, these are referred to as “Bad Habit Dragons.” These inner dragons breathe fire on your emotional brain and fuel habits that don’t serve you.
Inside your brain, there is a constant dance between your prefrontal cortex (involved in focus, judgment, and impulse control), your amygdala (the part of your emotional brain that responds to threats), and your basal ganglia (where habits are shaped and stored). When the PFC is healthy and strong, it can help direct and supervise the addition of healthy habits. When it is weak, you are more easily influenced by untamed dragons, and your impulses can take over, causing many bad habits to form. Once formed, good or bad habits take the same amount of energy.
The rampant stress and anxiety of the pandemic weakened peoples’ PFCs and led to an increase in bad habits. This helps explain the rise in drinking, smoking, vaping, and recreational drug use during the pandemic.
The Link Between Mental Health and Physical Health
Millennials who have behavioral health conditions are also at greater risk of having chronic health conditions. They are 2.7 times more likely to have coronary artery disease, 2.1 times more likely to have diabetes, 1.9 times more likely to have Crohn’s disease/ulcerative colitis or hypertension, and 1.7 times more likely of having high cholesterol.
The mental health/physical health connection goes both ways. At Amen Clinics, we have found that your physical health greatly impacts your mental well-being. Problems with blood flow (such as hypertension), inflammation, head trauma, exposure to toxins, infections (such as Lyme disease or COVID-19), autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, and diabesity (obesity and diabetes) all contribute to psychiatric problems. Learning to improve these areas of your life can enhance your mental health.
Depression, anxiety, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here. Living with anxiety can be tough. It’s bad enough with the frightening thoughts swirling in your head, the endless worrying, and the panic you feel for seemingly no reason. It’s even worse that anxiety disorders also come with a host of symptoms that are not only uncomfortable but also can make you feel embarassed. If you’re among the 40 million people in the U.S. who typically have some form of anxiety each year, you can probably relate.
Whether you have a generalized anxiety disorder, a phobia, panic disorder, or social anxiety—among other diagnoses—you may struggle with symptoms that are noticeable to others. This occurs because your body is reacting to the worrisome thoughts running consciously or unconsciously through your mind. And at times, these outward signs can be hard to control, especially since anxiousness can be unpredictable and crop up suddenly. When these outward anxiety symptoms manifest in the presence of others, they can make you feel worse.
When embarrassing anxiety symptoms manifest in the presence of others, they can make you feel worse.
Know that if you’ve ever experienced any of the following bothersome issues, you are definitely not alone!
1. Sweating
While it’s normal to sweat as the temperature goes up, when you’re exercising, or even giving a presentation, people with anxiety can break into a serious sweat when they get triggered. You can thank your stress response system for this. When it is activated, your heart rate goes up which raises your body temperature, and sweating is nature’s way to help cool you down. Nonetheless, it can be very uncomfortable for your face, head, or armpits to show obvious signs of profuse sweating for no apparent reason—especially while everyone else looks cool and collected. The self-consciousness you may experience when this happens can make your anxiety feel even worse.
2. Shaking and Trembling
The brain is wired for survival and responds immediately and unconsciously to any perceived danger. However, since people with anxiety are more predisposed to having fearful thoughts, they tend to have an elevated sensitivity to perceived threats (even if they aren’t real). The brain, however, responds to real and imagined threats the same way. When the fight-or-flight mode kicks in, stress hormones speed up your heart rate and respiration, while preparing your muscles to respond. This leads to varying degrees of uncontrollable shaking or trembling, which often can affect your hands, voice, legs, or your whole body—and even cause your teeth to chatter.
3. Gastrointestinal Distress
Your fight-or-flight system is also responsible for anxiety-related nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and other G.I distress. When it is activated, some of the neurotransmitters and hormones released get into your digestive tract and disrupt the balance of micro-organisms that live in your microbiome. This can lead to the sudden onset of G.I. symptoms. In turn, this can elevate your fear about having to get to a bathroom quickly, especially when you’re out in public or with friends, which of course can make you worry even more or cause you to repeatedly make up excuses for staying home.
4. Stuttering
While stuttering is a different disorder than anxiety, it isn’t unusual for someone who’s really anxious to stutter when talking. This can be caused by difficulty slowing down and organizing your thoughts or overthinking them which basically makes you trip over your words as you try to express yourself. Interestingly, a 2014 study in the Journal of Fluency Disorders has found that many people who stutter also have social anxiety disorder.
5. Raggedy nails
It’s not uncommon for someone who struggles with anxiety to bite their nails. The act of chewing on your nails can relieve stress—it’s a habit that usually starts in childhood or adolescence. However, those who continue to bite their nails and fingers when nervous can cause damage to the tissues of their fingers and nails which can be hard to hide and is another source of embarrassment. Also, chronically biting your nails can progress to a more severe condition called onychophagia which goes beyond nervous nail chewing to a category of disorders known as body-focused repetitive behaviors that are related to obsessive compulsive disorder.
Many of the patients who have come to Amen Clinics to get help for their anxiety, undergo a SPECT scan as part of their evaluation. They often learn that one of the biological underpinnings for their anxiety is overactivity in the basal ganglia, which is a part of the brain that is involved in setting the body’s idle. Armed with this important information, the doctors can develop comprehensive treatment plans to reduce anxiety, so these patients can get be free from their symptoms, including those unpredictable ones that can make you feel even worse about yourself.
Anxiety disorders and other mental health problems can’t wait.and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples.Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here. Got into a fender bender and slammed your head on the steering wheel? Fell off a ladder, whacked your skull, and now you’re seeing stars? Knocked noggins while playing soccer and can’t feel woozy? Getting a concussion is serious business, and what you do in those first few minutes, hours, and days can either help heal your brain or hurt it and set you up for lasting cognitive, emotional or psychological issues.
Getting a concussion is serious business, and what you do in those first few minutes, hours, and days can either help heal your brain or hurt it and set you up for lasting cognitive, emotional, or psychological issues.
Your skull is very hard for a reason. It’s designed to protect your brain—the magnificent organ that is 100% in charge of you. Made up of 200 billion neurons (brain cells) and trillions of connecting fibers that are essential for everything you do, the brain is surprisingly soft and extremely delicate. Inside the skull, it is held in place by many sharp bony ridges; however, if your head hits something or there is a force against your head, your brain can get injured by slamming into the ridges and other parts of the skull. When that happens, it is likely to result in a concussion.
Trauma to the brain can also occur without a direct blow to the head, such as with a whiplash injury. The sudden forward and backward or side-to-side motion can make the brain move around the inside of the skull. The force of those movements can cause shearing of the axons—the fibers that allow neurons to communicate with each other—which can then interfere with brain function.
Although it is the most complex organ in the known universe, the brain was simply not designed to take any kind of physical punishment. Therefore, hits, bumps, or any kind of injury to the head should never be ignored. Whether caused by a fall, sports collision, motor vehicle accident or being hit by an object—and even if your skull is intact or you were wearing a helmet—concussions and the symptoms that result from them can be quite serious.
Although it is the most complex organ in the known universe, the brain was simply not designed to take any kind of physical punishment. Therefore, hits, bumps, or any kind of injury to the head should never be ignored.
The first and most important thing to do after suffering head trauma is to seek medical care as soon as you can to be evaluated for a possible concussion or TBI. In addition to understanding the cause of your head injury, your doctor will assess for symptoms, such as:
Confusion
Loss of memory about the event
Headache
Nausea
Head injuries can also cause bleeding in the brain which can be life-threatening and must be identified and treated immediately—often with surgery to release pressure on the brain. Although these cases are usually rare, it is imperative to get to an emergency room or call 911 as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms, along with the ones listed above:
Fortunately, most head injuries don’t involve bleeding in the brain, but they still need to be taken seriously in order to avoid a deterioration of symptoms.
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE MILD HEAD INJURIES
What if you just bumped your head, didn’t pass out and didn’t experience the common concussion symptoms? All too often, mild head injuries are minimized or overlooked, but there can be long-term consequences for undiagnosed and untreated concussions. The residual damage to the brain can exacerbate or lead to an increased risk for mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger and aggression, cognitive problems and dementia—and even suicide.
If your head is injured in any way, take it seriously and get the help you need right away, so you can start to recover in the healthiest and most expeditious way possible.
9 Strategies for Recovering from a Concussion
After being diagnosed with a concussion and following the advice and recommendations given to you by your doctor, the following 9 strategies* can also help you optimize your chance of a successful recovery:
Have a TBI first aid kit on hand and support your brain with powerful antioxidants and nutritional supplements.
Avoid strenuous activities such as working out, playing sports, or lifting heavy objects.
Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night and relax as much as possible during the day to minimize stress on your body and brain.
Limit time spent on the computer, TV, phone, or other screens because the light they emit—or eyestrain from looking at devices—can worsen concussion symptoms.
Keep away from alcohol and recreational drugs. They are harmful to your brain and can extend your recovery time. You don’t need to add fuel to the fire!
Stay well-hydrated with water and steer clear of caffeine.
Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with clean protein, lots of fresh greens, veggies, and berries, and healthy fats like avocados.
Be sure to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids because they are critical for building healthy cell membranes, including the ones in your brain—think salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Eliminate sugar products and simple carbohydrates because they destabilize your blood sugar, which leads to anxiety, irritability, and moodiness, plus they increase inflammation in your body.
Avoid any activity that increases your risk for another concussion! It could lead to a condition called second impact syndrome, which can cause permanent brain damage.
Be patient. Rushing the recovery process can set you back. By taking it easy and giving yourself the time needed for proper healing, you can potentially resume your regular activities more quickly.
*PLEASE NOTE: These strategies are not a substitute for actual medical care. If you have not seen a doctor for your head injury, do that first.Concussions and head injuries can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
