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What do muscle tension, sleep problems, fatigue, and irritability have in common? They’re all physical signs of agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that will affect an estimated 1.3% of the population at some point during their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Because these physical symptoms are commonly seen in other mental health issues as well as physical conditions, they often go undetected as part of agoraphobia. Knowing all the symptoms of agoraphobia can be the key to getting this anxiety disorder under control.

WHAT IS AGORAPHOBIA?

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that involves extreme fear or anxiousness about being in open spaces, enclosed areas, or any place where you may feel trapped. Panic can arise in places most people find completely safe, such as the grocery store, a park, or a coffee shop. People with this condition may experience intense, irrational panic in these situations. When the anticipation of the fear becomes so great, they eventually choose to stay at home rather than risk finding themselves in a stress-inducing environment. One of the key characteristics of agoraphobia lies in the fact that the fear is out of proportion to the actual threat. This greatly interferes with daily living and can be harmful to personal relationships, career, and schoolwork. This debilitating condition currently affects approximately 0.8% of adults in the U.S., however, experts suggest the numbers may be rising due to the pandemic.

WHAT IS PANDEMIC AGORAPHOBIA?

Due to the pandemic, many people have experienced a new or increased sense of angst about going outside of the house. A fear of being around other people on public transportation, in restaurants, or at sporting events is understandable. COVID-19 and the subsequent variants that have emerged continue to pose a threat to health and well-being. For some people, however, rational caution has spilled over into crippling fear of leaving home. In these cases, people may be suffering from what psychiatrists are calling pandemic agoraphobia. If your concerns about going out in public have morphed into a sense of dread that keeps you housebound, it may be time to consider the possibility that you may be struggling with agoraphobia. Due to the pandemic, many people have experienced a new or increased sense of angst about going outside of the house. Some of these people may be suffering from what psychiatrists are calling “pandemic agoraphobia.”
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PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF AGORAPHOBIA

People with agoraphobia may feel a range of both psychological symptoms and physical symptoms. Mental and emotional symptoms include: When in a stressful situation, people with agoraphobia may experience physical symptoms similar to those seen in a panic attack, such as: Chronic physical symptoms associated with agoraphobia can include: All of these symptoms can range from mild to severe. Recognizing your symptoms is one of the keys to understanding your condition and getting the right help.

WHAT CAUSES AGORAPHOBIA?

Experts are still researching what causes agoraphobia. Although the exact cause or causes remain unknown, the following factors increase your risk for agoraphobia.

GETTING A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATING AGORAPHOBIA

Getting the right treatment for agoraphobia depends on getting the right diagnosis. This condition is sometimes misdiagnosed as other types of anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or major depressive disorder. For an accurate diagnosis, functional brain SPECT imaging can help. SPECT measures blood flow and activity in the brain and reveals patterns commonly seen in mental health conditions. For example, SPECT has helped the psychiatrists at Amen Clinics identify 7 types of anxiety and depression. Knowing your type and identifying any co-occurring disorders can be so helpful in getting the targeted treatment you need. In general, treatment for agoraphobia may include: With a treatment plan that is targeted to your needs, you can begin to overcome agoraphobia, whether it is something you’ve been dealing with for years or only since the pandemic hit. Agoraphobia, anxiety disorders, 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has earned a place in the social consciousness due to increased media coverage about the condition. If you’re like most people, you probably think PTSD predominantly affects military veterans. Wrong! Surprisingly, the #1 trigger of PTSD in the U.S. is rape. Statistics from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America shows that 46% of women and 65% of men who are raped will develop the disorder, which affects 7.7 million adult Americans. Other forms of sexual assault—including attempted rape, unwanted physical contact, and childhood sexual abuse—can also increase the risk of developing PTSD. If you’re like most people, you probably think post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) predominantly affects military veterans. Wrong! Surprisingly, the #1 trigger of PTSD is rape.
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HOW COMMON IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?

Sexual assault is alarmingly common. Every 68 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted, according to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. And CDC statistics show that over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Experts agree that the incidence of sexual assault is likely much higher as many cases go unreported. The lack of reporting is due, in part, to the stigma attached to being a rape survivor. Victims often feel guilt and shame about the experience, so they keep it to themselves. In some cases, an abuser threatens the victim or their loved ones with physical violence if they tell anyone. In other instances, victims feel hopeless and think that telling someone will do no good. Still, others may fear that speaking up will invite unwarranted scrutiny and victim-blaming. Sadly, this means that millions of Americans keep rape and other forms of sexual assault a secret and don’t seek help for the distressing psychological consequences they bring.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PTSD

Following sexual trauma, it’s common to experience feelings of stress, anger, fear, anxiousness, guilt, and sadness. For most survivors, these feelings subside over time, but in others, they fester into PTSD. The researchers behind the 2020 meta-analysis mentioned earlier suggest that the trauma associated with sexual assault can result in the dysregulation of the body’s stress response system, leading to chronic stress or PTSD. Sexual assault survivors are more likely to develop PTSD than people who experience other forms of trauma. An epidemiological study of over 4,000 women found that 32% of rape survivors and 31% of sexual assault survivors will have PTSD at some point during their lifetime. Compare that to just 9% of survivors of traumatic events, such as a car accident or natural disaster, that aren’t crime-related. Brain SPECT imaging, which measures cerebellar blood flow and activity, shows that PTSD is associated with overactivity in the emotional centers of the brain. This overactivity seen on SPECT scans typically looks like a diamond pattern that is also associated with an increased risk of other mental health issues.

OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF RAPE

PTSD isn’t the only psychological fallout associated with rape and other forms of sexual assault. Being the victim of this form of trauma is also linked to a heightened risk of a range of psychiatric issues, including:

Depression and anxiety.

Take a look at the findings of a 2019 study involving over 300 middle-aged women in JAMA Internal Medicine, for example. In this study, 22% of the participants said they had been sexually assaulted, and the survivors were 3 times as likely to experience symptoms of major depression and twice as likely to have anxiety.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

For some victims, the psychological impact of the incident is so powerful that they begin having suicidal thoughts. A 2020 meta-analysis of dozens of studies with over 88,000 participants found a significantly greater prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among people with a history of sexual assault compared with those who had no such experiences. Specifically, over 27% of sexual assault survivors experienced suicidality compared to just 9% of people with no history of assault. This analysis confirms earlier research indicating a rise in suicidality following sexual assault. For example, a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry indicates an increased risk of suicide attempts in women with a history of sexual assault. When the sexual trauma occurred before the age of 16, the rate of attempted suicide was 3-4 times higher. Increased suicide risk also affects teens. Troubling findings in JAMA Pediatrics point to an increased rate of suicide attempts among teenage females who have experienced recent dating violence and males who have been subjected to sexual assault.

Addictions.

A wealth of research indicates that sexual assault and rape increase the risk of developing substance abuse. Experts suggest that sexual assault victims may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the psychological distress that typically follows an attack.

Dementia and other brain disorders.

New brain imaging research from the University of Pittsburgh shows that not only does sexual assault impact mental health, but it can also harm brain health. This 2021 study in Brain Imaging and Behavior found that experiencing trauma, and especially sexual assault is associated with greater volumes of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), which are considered neuroimaging markers of dementia, cognitive decline, stroke, and other brain disorders.

OVERCOMING PTSD ASSOCIATED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT

If you’ve endured the trauma of a sexual assault and developed PTSD, it is possible to heal. In order to overcome PTSD related to rape—even if it occurred decades earlier—it’s critical to get a comprehensive assessment. SPECT can help you see if there are changes in blood flow or activity in the brain, such as the diamond pattern, that are typically associated with trauma and PTSD. Determining if you’re also suffering from other mental health issues—such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse—is another critical part of the process to ensure you get the most targeted and effective treatment plan. PTSD, anxiety, depression, 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression or depression, is the leading cause of disability around the world with close to 300 million affected, according to figures from the World Health Organization. While depression certainly needs to be taken seriously, it’s important for those who have it to know that depression is not a life sentence of gloom and doom. Indeed, depression is highly treatable.     We are not controlled by events or people, but by the perceptions we make of them.
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In addition to seeking the guidance of a mental health professional, there are many actions you can take that will help you to successfully overcome this common mood disorder. Here are 7 to get you started.

7 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION 

1. Know your depressive type.

You need to know the type of depression you have in order to treat it effectively. Brain SPECT imaging at Amen Clinics has shown that there are 7 brain patterns associated with anxiety and depression, two closely linked conditions that occur together 75% of the time. With each type, different areas of the brain are activated. For example, the “Pure Depression” type often results from excessive activity in the deep limbic system—the brain’s emotional center with symptoms that range from chronic mild sadness to crushing major depressive disorder. Check out the 7 Types of Depression to help determine your type.

2. Eliminate your Automatic Negative Thoughts.

When you are depressed, rampant automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) randomly pop into your mind without your permission. Often distorted from the truth, these angry, unkind, hopeless, helpless, worthless, sad, or irritating thoughts actually affect your brain chemistry causing you to feel bad. You can work to eliminate these ANTs and develop a new habit of accurate, honest, and disciplined thinking, which can help you feel better by following these steps: Step 1. Pay attention to what your mind says. Notice when you have ANTs and write them down, especially the most persistent ones. Step 2. Identify the ANT. These are common examples of negative thoughts: Step 3. Question your thought. Is it true?  Are you 100% certain it is true? Step 4. How do you react when you think that thought? Step 5. Who would you be without that thought? How would you feel? You’ll find that shining the light of truth on the ANTs causes them to disintegrate.

3. Start a journal to record your moods.

Begin taking note of your moods, keeping a daily journal to record and measure your feelings—all of them, including joy, happiness, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, grief, or other emotions.  What you record at first will serve as a baseline to measure your progress as you begin to get better. If you have a tough day or a string of challenging days, your journaling may start to reveal trends. Perhaps your mood is low at the start of the week and gradually gets better, or you feel great at certain times of the day. Writing down your feelings also helps you to get them out of your head and allows you to gain perspective.

4. Start every day with “Today is going to be a great day.”

It may sound silly, but it works! Our brains have a negative bias. They store bad news for future reference in order to keep us safe. That’s why it is especially important to counter your brain’s natural inclination to look for the negative. When you state “Today will be a great day” aloud first thing in the morning, your brain will find the reasons why it will be so. This is a simple way to start training your brain to focus on things that are going right in your life.

5. Cultivate gratitude.

Don’t underestimate the power of gratitude to transform. A 2020 analysis of 50 research studies posted by the Happier Human suggests that gratitude can remarkably enhance your life in 31 different ways from boosting your self-esteem, to helping you reach your goals, to enhancing your relationships, physical health, and longevity. One study found that a daily practice of writing out 3 things for which you’re grateful can improve emotions, health, sleep, and relationships, as well as increase optimism and altruism. Similarly, sharing gratitude in the form of appreciation of people in your life can increase your own good feelings while spreading it to others. So, write down what you are grateful for daily. And make it a practice to tell one person a week why you appreciate him or her.

6. Change your perception of events.

Consider this idea: We are not controlled by events or people, but by the perceptions we make of them. Our perception is the way we interpret ourselves and the world around us. While our 5 senses take in the world, our brains process the incoming information through our “feeling filters.” When we are feeling good, we translate information in a positive way. When we are feeling angry or temperamental, we perceive the world as negative toward us. Because our perceptions of the outside world are colored by how we feel, we can often interpret events or the actions of others incorrectly. If you question the accuracy of your perception (especially the negative ones), you have a better chance of seeing things as they are. In fact, when you learn to challenge your initial negative perceptions and see other alternatives, you’ve traveled a long way toward emotional health!

7. Take mood-boosting nutraceuticals.

A number of nutraceuticals have been researched for their mood-boosting benefits with promising results. Make use of them! Over a decade of research has shown that saffron benefits mood, including a randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Affective Disorders that found saffron to be as effective as antidepressant medication in treating people with mild to moderate depression. Another study in World Psychiatry showed EPA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, to have positive effects on mood. Additional research in The American Journal of Psychiatry showed that S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), folate, and vitamin D helped to improve low mood. Nutrient deficiencies can be associated with depression. Make sure your multivitamin includes plenty of B complex and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium, as well as amino acids like acetyl-l-carnitine—which are all needed in adequate amounts to maintain a stable mood.

Pull Every Lever

To successfully overcome depression, do your best to “pull every lever” to promote brain health and a positive mood. While we’ve listed 7 things you can do to defeat depression here, there are many more, including exercise, consuming what we call mood foods, and achieving a healthy weight, to name a few. You may also find that in fighting depression, your overall health improves too! Depression 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Do you struggle to pay attention? Have trouble retaining important information? Put off big projects in favor of menial tasks? You may think this sounds like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is also called attention-deficit disorder (ADD). But ADHD isn’t the only cause of attention problems. A host of other issues can sometimes be at the root of inattention, forgetfulness, and procrastination.     ADHD isn’t the only cause of attention problems. A host of other issues—such as anxiousness, stress, or lack of sleep—can sometimes be at the root of inattention, forgetfulness, and procrastination.
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That’s what chef and wellness expert Radhi Devlukia-Shetty discovered when she visited Amen Clinics with her husband Jay Shetty. The couple wanted to see their brain SPECT scans so they could learn how to optimize their brains for ultimate health and well-being. In an episode of Scan My Brain with Daniel Amen, MD, Devlukia-Shetty says that her mind can be very creative, but structure, attention, and focus can be difficult. She has trouble starting on projects unless there’s a deadline approaching. In addition, she says that “names won’t stay in my mind” and wants to improve her recall. Although these are some of the characteristics seen in people with ADHD, the wellness influencer’s brain scan and psychological assessment did not indicate this condition. According to Dr. Amen, when people who don’t have ADHD but who experience issues of inattention, forgetfulness, or procrastination, there are likely other issues at play.

INATTENTION AND ANXIOUSNESS

In some cases, anxiousness can get in the way of paying attention, processing memories or tackling a big project. On brain SPECT scans, anxiousness is often associated with a “busy brain”—meaning there is heightened activity in the brain’s emotional centers. People with a busy brain tend to overthink things, feel restless, and can have trouble concentrating. In addition, anxiousness can interfere with the memory-making process, making it harder to recall people’s names, what’s on your grocery list, or the details of that vacation you took as a teenager. When it comes to working on a complex project, such as creating a new product, writing a book, or delivering a speech, anxiety can throw you off track. Having trouble making decisions, which is common among anxious people, can make it hard to know where to start. And when a project is so big that it makes you feel angst, you’re more likely to put it off rather than diving in. These issues may resemble symptoms of ADHD even though they are unrelated to the condition.

HOW STRESS IMPACTS FOCUS

We live in a stressful world. For some people, that stress builds up and impacts brain function in a negative way. This can lead to symptoms—such as restlessness, distraction, and inattention—that look like ADHD but have nothing to do with the disorder. Having chronic stress also negatively impacts areas of the brain involved in memory formation. In some people, however, a little bit of stress can be a powerful motivator. Take Devlukia-Shetty, for instance. She says she performs best when under pressure. “When there’s a deadline, I can get things done and focus,” she says.

MOOD ISSUES AND CONCENTRATION

The energetic and bubbly Devlukia-Shetty does not grapple with low moods, but many people who do struggle with blue moods have trouble concentrating. Depression is linked to focus problems, forgetfulness, low motivation, and low energy—all issues also seen in ADHD.

THE SLEEP-ATTENTION CONNECTION

Sleep issues can have a powerful impact on the ability to pay attention, learn new things, or recall facts and events. For Devlukia-Shetty, who’s a good sleeper, this isn’t an issue. For others, however, not getting enough shut-eye produces ADHD-like symptoms. A lack of adequate sleep decreases blood flow to the brain, which disrupts concentration and memory while lowering energy and motivation.

WHAT’S STEALING YOUR ATTENTION?

Discovering what’s behind an inability to pay attention or focus is the key to finding the right solutions. Anxiousness, stress, low moods, and disrupted sleep can all contribute to inattention, forgetfulness, and procrastination. Brain SPECT imaging, which looks at how the brain functions is one way to gain a better understanding of what’s causing your symptoms. ADHD, anxiety, depression, 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. In recent years, researchers and health experts have recognized that anger, when used constructively, is an important, useful, and even beneficial emotion to well-being. It appears that anger, which can be destructive, also has a vital energy to it that motivates us to action, helps to improve communication in both personal and professional relationships, and promotes optimism, among other benefits. Yet, for many people, anger is a fraught emotion. It can be misused to dominate and intimidate others in both work and personal relations—while others deny they have any angry feelings at all, as it may be too uncomfortable or scary to feel them. Anger can facilitate greater cooperation and harmony in relationships. If the anger is justified, expressed constructively, and the response is appropriate, misunderstandings and conflict are often resolved.
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Anger is a powerful emotion that requires some skill to manage. On the one extreme, unchecked externalized anger can turn to violence and aggression; and on the other, repressed, internalized anger can cause depression, health problems, and communication difficulties. Somewhere in the middle, feeling and constructively expressing anger are essential and necessary to health and well-being. Let’s take a look at several ways anger helps you.

6 SURPRISING BENEFITS OF ANGER

1. Anger Helps Us to Survive

Scientific research recognizes that anger has played an important evolutionary role in ensuring survival. Our primal “fight” response stems from anger. Anger motivates us to vigilantly detect threats and sharpens our focus. When our safety is at risk or we are attacked, our anger is automatically activated and drives us to defend ourselves, sometimes quickly and forcefully. Anger essentially alerts us when someone or something wants to hurt us and provides the aggression needed to overcome a stronger attacker.

2. Anger Motivates Us

Researchers have discovered that anger is associated with what’s called approach-related motivation. They assert that there are two basic motivational forces that underlie all behavior—the impulse to approach, or move toward something desired, and the impulse to withdraw, or move away from unpleasantness. Approach motivation comprises emotions, cognitions, and actions that are driven by the wish to achieve desirable results. As it turns out, research shows that anger significantly activates the left anterior cortex of the brain, which is associated with positive approach behaviors. Conversely, emotions such as fear and sadness activate the right frontal cortex, which is tied to the more negative, withdrawal motivational system, marked by inhibition, timidity, and avoidance of some kind of punishment or threat. Thus, anger can potentially provide you with the energy that may be necessary to take action towards achieving certain goals or to correct difficult or unjust situations. Of course, the physiological arousal that happens with anger is motivating too—a quickened heartbeat and breath, as well as tense muscles. They prepare one to take critical action. A more passive or calm emotional state does not have the same impact on the body.

3. Anger Gives a Sense of Control and Optimism

Anger provides us with a sense of control and corresponding optimism. Anger propels us to use our individual power, alone or collectively, to inflict costs or withhold benefits to get what we need. Individuals who constructively experience and express their anger are in a better position to fulfill their needs and control their destiny than those who suppress their anger. Harvard researcher Dr. Jennifer Lerner, who studies emotion and decision theory, found in one study that anger and risk assessment were associated with optimism and risk-taking, whereas fear was associated with pessimism and risk-aversion. Additionally, the study noted that angry people are more similar to happy people than fearful people in how they assess risk outcomes! Now that’s a surprise. In another study, Lerner examined Americans’ reactions to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and discovered that angry feelings evoked a sense of clarity and control on a large scale, helping to reduce fear, ultimately allowing people to come together for a common cause. Interestingly, those who became angry were less prone to anticipate future attacks, while those who were fearful worried about future attacks. In short, when we are angry, we can feel more optimistic about our ability to change a particular situation. This empowers us to take action and move from an undesirable position to a desirable one.

4. Anger Increases Cooperation

Anger can facilitate greater cooperation and harmony in relationships. If the anger is justified, expressed constructively, and the response is appropriate, misunderstandings and conflict are often resolved. The constructive expression of anger in personal relationships is healthy and necessary. It allows for greater emotional intimacy and/or cooperation. A study published in Society for Personality and Social Psychology determined that too quickly moving to forgiveness is not healthy, stating, “Sometimes expressing anger might be necessary to resolve a problem—with the short-term discomfort of an angry but honest conversation benefiting the health of the relationship in the long-term.” Conversely, failing to express anger in a relationship can be destructive, according to one research study. This can apply to all different types of relationships. Ultimately, expressing our anger constructively teaches people to respect us.

5. Anger Can Lead to Self-Improvement

Anger can serve as an opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth. Anger can be an indication that there’s a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. A willingness to look at the source of our anger can be beneficial. Being both curious about and constructive in exploring our anger can provide insight into our faults and shortcomings, and lead to character development and greater self-esteem. One study examined how participants’ recent expressions of anger had impacted them.  More than half of the 747 participants responded that getting angry ultimately led to a positive outcome, and a full third of them observed that their experiences of anger had provided useful insight into their own faults.

6. Feeling Anger Expands Emotional Intelligence

Ultimately, having a willingness to embrace difficult emotions such as anger, rather than avoiding or repressing them, is a sign of emotional intelligence. When a person is emotionally intelligent, they do not resist anger, but instead, welcome it with curiosity and caution. Anger is potent, after all, and needs to be treated with care. People who practice this are more emotionally resilient as a result. One study observed that “people who prefer to feel useful emotions, even when they are unpleasant to experience, must understand emotions and seek to regulate them in strategic ways.” The study also asserted that those who tend to only want happy feelings do not exhibit the same level of emotional intelligence or resilience. There’s a benefit to feeling and dealing with the unpleasant aspect of anger.

Working Through Anger

Science is still learning about how using our anger constructively helps us to be safe and healthy in the world. If you struggle with aggression and destructive anger or you have trouble expressing anger at all, talking to a mental health professional can help. Brain SPECT imaging can also provide valuable insights, as research shows that mild traumatic brain injuries can lead to aggression and violence in some people. Destructive anger issues, intermittent explosive disorder, 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. When the responsibilities of parenting, work, and life are too much, parents can fall into overload, or worse, burnout—a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced by parents and caregivers. Symptoms may include depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, trouble concentrating, marital conflict, and even illness. Since the spring of 2020, we’ve been living in a time of parental overload. The world pandemic brought an avalanche of responsibility on parents’ already burdened shoulders.   At times, you need a break from your kids, and they need a break from you.
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A survey called “Stress in the Time of Covid-19,” conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association from earlier this year found that 46% of parents with children under 18 said their stress level was high. Fast forward to today, and parents are still overloaded. Even though many parents have returned to work and kids have returned to school, the question of vaccinations and mask-wearing are new stressors. A study from Yale University that examined stress on children during the pandemic found that parental “buffering” of stress was critical to the well-being of a family, and “parents who reported higher levels of parenting stress and anxiety-related symptomatology were less likely to effectively buffer stress.” Parents can take measures to reduce stress and prevent overload. Here are several ways to help right now.

5 WAYS TO PREVENT PARENTAL OVERLOAD

1. Rest Better, Eat Right, Move More

Parents who take care of their brains and bodies by ensuring restful sleep, a brain healthy diet, and regular exercise are at less risk of having brain health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Sleep disturbances are associated with an increased risk of a host of problems that busy parents shouldn’t have to contend with such as depression, diabetes, and heart health issues. It’s recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Good sleep is associated with sharper brain function, stable mood, healthy weight, better athletic performance, healthy blood sugar levels, and stronger immune function. A diet of brain healthy foods such as colorful vegetables, antioxidant-rich fruits such as berries, whole grains, healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, and lean proteins will support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and mood. There are even anti-anxiety foods that you can incorporate into your diet such as asparagus, avocado, and pumpkin seeds. Daily exercise, either aerobic or strength training, is one of the best ways to keep stress levels in check while boosting your brain health and mood, according to research. Proper sleep, diet, and exercise help to regulate parents, and make children feel secure. When parents are off, children know and tend to act up, making things worse.

2. Reduce Your Load

If you have the financial means or the support of family, take simple tasks off your plate. Are you carrying a heavier load than your co-parent? Ask for help. Instead of spending 5 hours on your day off cleaning your home, hire a cleaning professional or ask the entire family to pitch in. If you have in-laws nearby or another family member who can help with childcare, ask for help. The Wall Street Journal recently featured the development of new apps that will match families with an assistant to organize schedules, appointments, meals, and errands. If you can afford this kind of support, sign up. Perhaps the greater load you are carrying is an emotional load. Mental health professionals almost uniformly recommend that parents have support in the form of friends, family, or professionals to talk to. Sharing your emotional concerns regularly with someone you trust can do wonders for your spirit as well as help you to find new perspectives or solutions you would not have come to on your own. If expressing your emotions verbally is challenging, consider journaling to release your burdens. One study noted both emotional and physical benefits from expressive writing. Writing can help you to find ways to further lighten your load.

3. Notice What You’ve Done

Have you ever heard of the Zeigarnik Effect? It’s based on the work of Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. He found that people remember and fixate on uncompleted tasks much more often than finished ones. Uncompleted and interrupted tasks take up mental space and cause tension. We get anxious when we can’t complete things. For busy parents, living with never-ending to-do lists is a way of life. There are to-do lists at work and at home to manage, and they can cause significant stress. Begin the practice of noting tasks completed each and every day. Have a list that you add to. Take note and savor the progress. You will never get your to-do list done, but you can find satisfaction and relief by giving your attention to what you have achieved.

4. Take Time to Be

One simple way to avoid being on overload is to take time out to just be. Do nothing. Maybe in the morning before the kids wake up, sip a cup of tea and daydream looking out the window. Schedule a bit of time on the weekend away from family not to do anything in particular. Maybe drive to the beach or a park and just sit and look out at the ocean or up at the clouds. Research shows that there’s great value in doing nothing. It’s a precursor to creativity. Taking these pockets of time may allow you to come up with creative ideas to better handle the load of work and parenting. Consider time carved out to be a time of enriching solitude. When one deliberately chooses to have solitude time, research indicates that it can be beneficial to well-being and highly restorative. If you choose to be in nature, the benefits multiply. Spending just 20 minutes in nature will significantly lower your stress hormones, according to a 2019 study.

5. Get Out of Town

At times, you need a break from your kids, and they need a break from you. Get out of town. Visit friends, have fun, enjoy being out with your partner. If the idea of getting away for a couple of days is stressful, then start small with an afternoon or evening out with friends or a special date with your spouse. One study showed that traveling to new places was associated with stress relief and well-being even a month after taking the trip. What’s more, it’s a good practice for your children to learn that they can be without you and receive care from other trustworthy and loving adults.

Make Well-Being A Priority

Ultimately, preventing parental overload means going to whatever lengths necessary to ensure your wellness. If you are already on overload, reach out to a mental health professional for help. Stress, anxiety, 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. While most mothers-to-be are aware of the hallmark symptoms of pregnancy—nausea, fatigue, tender/swollen breasts, sensitivity to smells, loosening joints, swelling hands and feet, hair and skin changes, etc.—the profound changes to the brain during the same period are often overlooked or grossly misunderstood. “Mommy brain” is the term given to the symptoms of mental fogginess and forgetfulness without a deeper grasp of the brain metamorphosis taking place.     Based on research developments in recent years, experts now believe that a woman’s brain essentially restructures itself to be better prepared for the demands of being a mother.
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In recent years, researchers have come to understand that pregnancy and early motherhood is a period of radical change to the female brain. In fact, the brain undergoes its most rapid and dramatic changes during this time than at any other time in a mother’s life, including puberty. Mommy brain symptoms are likely an indication of something greater happening in the brain—a transformation of sorts. Based on research developments in recent years, experts now believe that a woman’s brain essentially restructures itself to be better prepared for the demands of being a mother. The altered brain appears to help women be sensitive and effective caretakers who are less affected by stress and more focused on the needs of their infants. What’s more, the brain changes during pregnancy and early motherhood may likely boost brain function permanently. It seems “supermom brain” would be a more fitting term for this period of transformation! Let’s take a closer look.

WHAT IS MOMMY BRAIN?

Mommy brain generally refers to the cognitive changes, such as momentary memory lapses and brain fogginess, that happen anytime during pregnancy or after birth. It’s also called pregnancy brain, mom brain, momnesia, or baby brain, and it is very common. Between 50 and 80% of pregnant women report thinking problems during pregnancy and postpartum, according to the American Psychological Association. Mommy brain is a real occurrence. A recent 2021 study measured the cognitive function of pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. The study found “an impairment in memory among pregnant women” and noted that language skills, particularly naming, were also diminished. While mommy brain can partly result from lack of sleep and multitasking, researchers believe it has more to do with a surge of pregnancy hormones. There are 15 to 40 times more progesterone and estrogen “marinating” the brain during pregnancy. Progesterone is known to have a sedating effect, which could affect cognition. The hormonal influx likely triggers the architectural changes within the brain, which factors in as well.

PREGNANCY AND THE BRAIN

Starting in the early 2000s, scientists began taking note of structural changes in the brain related to pregnancy. A 2002 study found that women’s brain volume diminished by about 4% during pregnancy, then returned to normal after delivery. Interestingly, this apparent brain shrinkage is not the deficit that it might appear to be. It does not seem to be the result of brain cell loss but rather changes in cellular metabolism. Dr. Louann Brizendine, in her book The Female Brain states that the shrinkage is a sign of brain circuits that are being restructured in preparation for their being changed from “one-lane highways” into “superhighways.” Think of it as restructuring for greater efficiency. A number of animal studies examining the effects of pregnancy on the female mammalian brain followed with remarkable results. Research published in Scientific American showed mother rats to be better, more efficient learners who are less fearful and are therefore better providers for their young compared to non-mother females. Mother animal subjects were also more resistant to stress and showed enhanced memory and cognition. The researchers theorized that the pregnancy brain undergoes revolutionary changes, at first appearing to be a disorganized construction zone, which may account for mommy brain symptoms. However, once the infant is born and the neuronal changes start to organize and take hold, the result is a better brain. The transformed mother brain is more efficient and focused, having evolved from a self-centered organism to an other-focused caregiver. What’s more, a 2011 animal study conducted by the same lead researcher suggests that better cognitive skills and protection against neurodegenerative disease may last well into later life.

GRAY MATTER PRUNING

Impressed with the research findings on pregnancy and enhanced brain function in animals, scientists set out to learn more about the transformative brain changes in human subjects. A 2017 breakthrough human study found that new mothers experienced gray matter reductions that lasted for at least two years after birth – and this apparent loss came with important benefits. The gray matter shrunk around the brain regions involved in social cognition, and mostly in the network dedicated to the theory of mind. This is the region that helps us think about what is going on in someone else’s mind. When the new mothers looked at photos of their infants, it was these areas that had the strongest response. Researchers observed that where there was the greatest mother-infant bonding, there was also the greatest consolidation of gray matter. Scientists call the phenomenon of gray matter shrinkage “gray matter pruning.” A similar process happens in early childhood and adolescence. The gray matter has myriad interconnections among neurons, and during pruning, the most important connections are strengthened while the others are left to perish. Rather than indicating a loss of function, pruning means that a brain region has become more specialized. This specialization is what will help new mothers adapt to motherhood and respond to the needs of their baby.

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

The research on brain plasticity during pregnancy and early motherhood is ongoing. In a newer study published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health, brain plasticity is recognized in areas that implicate caregiving, namely regions involved in reward/motivation, salience/threat detection, emotional regulation, and social cognition (such as the ability to understand and respond to the mental state of the baby).  Yet, this new study explores how these changes also make certain women vulnerable to the development of mental disorders such as postpartum depression. While the research is not conclusive at this point, it hopefully can lead to the prevention of these disorders, which can threaten both the mother and child.

SUPER-MOMMY BRAIN

If you or someone in your life becomes pregnant, remind yourself or that person that the forgetful, foggy brain of pregnancy is actually a sign of a stronger, more able supermom brain in the making. Perinatal 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. As a society, we tend to look down on mental health problems and focus solely on the negative aspects of these issues. One psychiatrist at Amen Clinics says that’s the wrong approach. In fact, according to Daniel Emina, MD, in some instances, it’s better to think of specific challenges as superpowers. In an episode of Scan My Brain with Derek Clark, a motivational speaker known as the “Rapping Dad,” Dr. Emina explains why people with certain psychiatric issues are like superheroes. Before delving into this superhero concept, let’s look at how Clark went from being an emotional wreck to finding his superpowers.   In a session with Derek Clark, a motivational speaker known as the “Rapping Dad,” Dr. Emina explains why people with certain psychiatric issues are like superheroes.
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How Trauma Ignites the Emotional Brain

As a child, Clark experienced horrific abuse and emotional distress prior to being abandoned at age 5. Growing up in the foster care system, he struggled with extreme anxiety, had learning disabilities, displayed aggression, and couldn’t concentrate. Filled with emotional stress, he withdrew from reality. Psychological assessments left him misdiagnosed and labeled in ways that negatively impacted his self-esteem. For many years, Clark lived with anger, bitterness, resentment, rage, and sadness related to his upbringing. In 2021, Clark wanted to see how that childhood emotional trauma may have affected his brain, so he visited Amen Clinics for a brain SPECT scan. SPECT is a functional brain imaging tool that looks at blood flow and activity. SPECT reveals 3 important factors about the brain—areas with healthy activity, too little activity, and too much activity. Like many people who experience trauma, Clark’s SPECT scan showed increased activity in the emotional centers of the brain. Overactivity in this brain region makes people more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, negativity, worry, and obsessive thoughts. Seeing his brain scan helped Clark gain a better understanding of himself. He says it’s like “I’ve been emotionally fighting against my brain—fighting my thoughts, fighting my worries, fighting my stress, fighting my anxiety.” That’s how many trauma survivors feel as if they’re battling their automatic thoughts and feelings.

Turning Pain into Purpose

At age 16, when Clark was still mired in angst, he saw two kids doing a rap battle and was instantly enthralled. “I have to do this,” he thought. Rapping became a way for him to express himself and get his anger out in an artistic fashion. The creative outlet helped him turn his life around and change his outlook on life. By the age of 21, he discovered how to “divorce his story and go from a victim mindset to feeling like a victor.” Going to therapy helped him build a psychological toolbox that allowed him to strengthen his emotional fortitude and gain better control over his anxious thoughts, anger, and emotions. This set the stage for him to connect with other trauma survivors and become a motivational and inspirational speaker on the topics of childhood trauma and resilience. He’s also an author of 7 books and his viral rap videos have over 250 million views. These days, Clark likes to call himself a “hope dealer, not a dope dealer.” At times, Clark channels his powerful emotions into his work, losing himself in what he calls the “Derek Zone.” When he’s working on a book, for example, he can write for 16-18 hours a day. That’s what Dr. Emina says is one of Clark’s superpowers.

Turn Emotional Challenges into Superpowers

According to Dr. Emina, people with an overactive emotional brain like Clark’s are like superheroes. They have an ability to feel things—the good and the bad—more richly and more deeply. They can also be highly motivated and persistent. “They have a superpower, but they have to learn to control it,” says Dr. Emina. “In those superhero movies, in the first half of the movie, the soon-to-be hero initially doesn’t know how to control their superpower. They’re shooting lasers out of their eyes, blowing things up, and breaking things. Learning to control your emotional brain can be like that.” But at a pivotal point in the movie, they discover their true power, their true self, and learn to harness it for good. Just as Clark was able to gain control of his emotions and turn his pain into purpose, you too can access the tools needed to harness your superpower and make it work for you instead of against you. Engaging in psychotherapy and optimizing brain health will help you attain the emotional control you want, so you can unleash your superpowers in a positive way. Emotional trauma 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Communication problems, differences in social skills, learning challenges, behavioral issues—these are just some of the symptoms associated with autism. Symptoms can range from mild to severe with this condition that affects approximately 1 in 54 children but only an estimated 2.2% of the adult population (about 1 in 45 adults) in the U.S., according to statistics from the CDC. Autism symptoms can change over time—improving in some people and worsening in others. A child, teen, or adult’s daily habits, treatment, and support plays a major role in which direction symptoms evolve.   Autism symptoms can change over time—improving in some people and worsening in others. A child, teen, or adult’s daily habits, treatment, and support plays a major role in which direction symptoms evolve.
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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience a wide range of symptoms, including but not limited to: Not all people with the condition will exhibit all of these symptoms and because autism is a spectrum disorder, symptoms may range from mild to severe.

HOW AUTISM SYMPTOMS CHANGE

Symptoms of ASD may change over time. Signs of the condition may emerge in the first year of life in some children or may not develop until a child is 2 or 3 years old. Some children initially meet developmental milestones but stop acquiring new skills or begin to lose skills they used to possess. For example, a youngster may begin to lose the vocabulary they once had. As a child ages, symptoms can change. Whether symptoms worsen or improve often depends on a person’s treatment plan. With an effective treatment program that involves behavioral therapies, educational support, and lifestyle changes, many children’s autism symptoms improve as they age. Exciting research from the Mind Institute found that nearly 30% of children who received substantial interventions showed reductions in the severity of autism symptoms at age 6 compared with age 3. In fact, in this 2021 study, which assessed 125 children diagnosed with ASD, some children no longer met the criteria for ASD by age 6. This study builds on previous research showing that autism intervention can decrease symptom severity. A 2016 follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in The Lancet found that parent-mediated social communication interventions aimed at 2- to 4-year-olds with autism resulted in long-term reductions in symptoms. to clarify, parent-mediated therapy involves parents learning intervention techniques from professionals and implementing them with their children in daily life. Similarly, a 2019 study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders involving 60 children diagnosed with ASD found that follow-up assessments after intervention showed significant improvement in autism symptoms and cognitive gains. By contrast, when autism goes undetected or untreated, symptoms typically worsen as time passes. In addition, as children grow into adolescence and adulthood, they may develop mental health issues. A 2019 study in JAMA Pediatrics concluded that people with ASD are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder compared with people who don’t have the condition. Other research points to an increased risk for ADD/ADHD and substance abuse among those with ASD. These issues can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and exacerbate negative symptoms.

AUTISM INTERVENTIONS

Because there is such a broad range of autism symptoms, treatment typically requires a multidisciplinary approach. Interventions may include: Considering that children and adults with autism experience a variety of symptoms with differing levels of severity, no single treatment plan will work for everyone. Understanding your child’s (or your own) individual needs is key to finding the most effective solutions to mitigate symptoms.

BRAIN PATTERNS SEEN IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism is a brain-based disorder, and brain SPECT imaging research at Amen Clinics shows that it is not just one thing in the brain. On SPECT scans, which show blood flow and activity in the brain, there are different patterns of activity associated with ASD. The Amen Clinics database of over 170,000 brain scans includes scans from over 1,000 individuals with autism. These scans show high levels of brain activity in some individuals with autism and low activity levels in others with the condition. Repetitive speech and behaviors, difficulty with changes in routines, and moodiness are more common in those with the overactive brain pattern of ASD. Learning problems, communication issues, and sensory processing abnormalities are more often seen in people with autism with underactive brain patterns. Optimizing each of these brain patterns requires a different set of interventions. Knowing which brain type a child or adult with ASD has can be very beneficial in finding the most effective treatment program to improve autism symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Here’s a fact that should take your anxiety down a notch: Some anxiety is good! Whether you are an anxious person, you have an anxiety disorder, or you suffer from occasional bouts of angst, we all know that feeling of nervousness and dread. Anxiety can sometimes be mildly distracting, and at other times, all-consuming. Anxiety affects us on many levels, impacting our emotions and our bodies as physical sensations, and often contributing to negative thoughts. Hopefully, it brings some consolation to the anxious that moderate amounts of anxiety can yield important, meaningful, and even life-saving benefits. Here are some of the more positive aspects of anxiety. Hopefully, it brings some consolation to the anxious that moderate amounts of anxiety can yield important, meaningful, and even life-saving benefits.
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7 GOOD THINGS ABOUT ANXIETY

1. Motivation

While overwhelming anxiety can lead to paralysis, some anxiety can motivate you to take action when facing challenges. In a study focused on the benefits of worry, the researchers noted that worry illuminates the importance of taking action to prevent an undesirable outcome. For example, anxiety and worry may motivate you to work diligently to avoid failure and successfully complete a work or school project. A 2018 study found that some anxious people in work environments have learned to harness anxiety to help them focus on tasks. They use their anxiety to regulate their performance. Anxiety can be very useful when it comes to things like test-taking and competition. Research shows that students and athletes who experienced some anxiety actually displayed improved performance on tests or while participating in competitive sports.

2. Resilience

In a presentation at the 2019 annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologists acknowledged the beneficial role stress and anxiety can play in our everyday lives. Specifically, one presenter, Dr. Lisa Damour, noted that the stress and anxiety inherent in taking on a challenge and working to the edge of our abilities can actually make us stronger and more resilient when we are faced with new difficulties. She said that moderate levels of stress and anxiety “can have an inoculating function, which leads to higher than average resilience.” Examples of anxiety helping to build resilience may occur when you start a new job or take on a more challenging role at work.

3. Cautiousness

Anxiety is designed to protect us from danger and allow us to react quickly to emergencies. Anxious feelings are part of the fight-or-flight stress response. Practically speaking, for example in California, when the warm Santa Ana winds start blowing in the fall, anxiety may put you on alert and prompt you to trim the foliage surrounding your home in case a brush fire erupts. On the other side of the nation, the fear of flooding from a looming hurricane may drive you to use sandbags to protect your property. Anxious people also tend to be more cautious, and that’s a good thing. A U.K. study found that anxious adolescents had fewer accidents and accidental deaths in early adulthood than those who did not suffer from anxiety. In cases like this, anxiety may serve to keep you safe – and alive!

4. Longevity

In 1921, psychologist Lewis Terman at Stanford University in California embarked on what has become the world’s longest-running longitudinal study. It began with 1,500 children starting at age 11 into adulthood, collecting a variety of data that might predict later success. The fascinating results show that the trait most associated with longevity was conscientiousness. The don’t-worry-be-happy people died the earliest from accidents and preventable illnesses because they tended to underestimate risks. A new study from the University of Edinburgh and University College London that examined health information on more than 500,000 people also found that people who are highly neurotic (anxious people) are more likely to live longer. The researchers believe that their worrying dispositions drove them to underestimate their wellness and take action to check and care for their health. In other words, they were very vigilant about their health. Meanwhile, the non-neurotic patients were less likely to seek treatment for symptoms and had health difficulties later on!

5. Warning Signs

Anxiety can be like a red flag or warning sign to an area of your life that needs attention. In this regard, the unpleasantness of recurrent worry and nervousness may be serving you well. Dr. Damour, the APA presenter mentioned above, noted this positive attribute of anxiety in her talk. She described anxiety as an internal alarm system that was handed down by evolution to alert us to both internal and external threats. Perhaps you have anxiety about something your teenage child is doing and it’s telling you to pay attention and take action, or maybe you need to end a relationship that is no longer working, or maybe your anxiety is increasing because you have an important deadline approaching, and you need to get working. Whatever the warning signal is, your anxiety may be alerting you to take notice or action on something very important.

6. Empathy

Suffering makes us more empathetic human beings, and that is definitely the case when it comes to suffering from anxiety. Personal struggles with painful anxious feelings have likely made you a more empathetic person, according to research. That means you may be more sensitive to, loving, and accepting of loved ones and people in general who are dealing with personal challenges. The world is a better place with more empathetic people.

7. Good Leadership

Leaders need to run multiple scenarios and be prepared for any outcome. It turns out that anxious people are really good at this, and often prepared for a crisis when it arrives. These are very important qualities for effective leaders. Interestingly, data shows that anxious people process threats differently, using areas of the brain that are responsible for taking action. Anxious people react quickly in times of danger and tend to be more comfortable with uncomfortable feelings. If these qualities are applied intelligently, anxious leaders are wonderful at making their teams more resourceful, productive, and creative.

ANXIETY: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

While moderate amounts of anxiety can be beneficial in the ways just mentioned, too much anxiety can cause panic attacks, health problems, and destructive behavior. If your anxiety is out of control, or if it’s interfering with your daily life, it’s time to seek professional help. Anxiety 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 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.