What Does A One-Size-Fits-All Approach Mean?

A “one-size-fits-all” approach to mental health care refers to treatment plans that are designed for everyone, regardless of your differences. This might include the use of general therapy techniques, medication, or standard coping strategies that aren’t tailored to the unique needs of each person.

For example, many mental health care providers may prescribe medication for depression and anxiety without considering how your brain chemistry, lifestyle, or dietary needs could affect the medication’s effectiveness. Similarly, group therapy sessions or generalized CBT programs may not consider how your personal history or cultural context might influence their mental health experience.

In short, a one-size-fits-all approach assumes that everyone’s mental health struggles can be treated the same way. Sadly, that can overlook the importance of individual variation, cultural differences, and specific challenges.

Reasons Why One-Size-Fits-All Mental Health Care Fails

1. Individual Variations

One of the key reasons why a standardized approach fails is that people have different symptoms, triggers, and coping mechanisms when it comes to mental health. A treatment plan that works for one person may not work for another because mental health is not a one-dimensional issue. For instance, some people might struggle with social anxiety, while others may face generalized anxiety or panic attacks. The coping strategies and therapies that are effective for one person may not resonate with another.

Research shows that personalized treatments, which take into account an individual’s symptoms and triggers, significantly improve outcomes for those suffering from anxiety disorders. This, among other research findings, highlights the importance of tailoring treatments to individual needs rather than relying on blanket approaches.

2. Cultural Context

Cultural beliefs and norms play a significant role in how you perceive and express your mental health struggles. A “one-size-fits-all” approach often fails to recognize these cultural variations, potentially leading to multiple misdiagnosis or ineffective treatments. For example, some cultures stigmatize mental health issues or prefer alternative forms of healing. By 2050, it’s estimated that just over 50% of the U.S. population will be from minority and marginalized groups. Unfortunately, today’s healthcare system still has unfair differences based on race and ethnicity. It’s crucial for therapists to adopt a culturally competent practice that’s been proven to improve health outcomes in larger and more consistent numbers.

According to recent research, culturally sensitive interventions can lead to better engagement and outcomes in mental health treatment. A culturally tailored approach takes into account the unique perspectives and values of the person seeking help, which enhances the effectiveness of the treatment.

3. Socioeconomic Factors

Socioeconomic status can greatly influence access to mental health services and obstacles of location and access can make it difficult to find the right care. Those from lower-income backgrounds often face barriers to receiving care, such as lack of insurance, transportation issues, or limited access to quality providers. A standardized treatment model fails to address these disparities, which can result in lower adherence to treatment and poorer mental health outcomes.

Research shows that those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to experience mental health issues but are less likely to receive adequate treatment. This reinforces the need for mental health systems to be adaptable and accessible to people of all economic backgrounds.

4. Lack of Personalization

A standardized mental health care plan may fail to address the underlying causes or specific challenges an individual faces. Mental health struggles often stem from complex factors such as trauma, biological predispositions, or ongoing life stressors. Without a personalized plan that addresses these contributing factors, individuals may not experience lasting improvement.

Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that understanding the unique brain patterns using brain SPECT imaging and environmental factors of each individual is crucial in developing an effective treatment plan. Brain imaging research has shown that different mental health conditions have distinct patterns, and treating these conditions without personalized care can lead to ineffective outcomes.

5. Overlooking the Role of Lifestyle Factors

One additional reason the one-size-fits-all approach fails is its failure to account for lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and sleep. Research suggests that mental health outcomes are directly linked to lifestyle choices, yet many mental health treatment plans do not incorporate these essential aspects.

Addressing sleep patterns, nutrition, and physical activity can significantly improve your mental health, but it can often be ignored in traditional treatment plans.

Here’s What To Do Instead

1. Person-Centered Care

To effectively address mental health, it’s essential to prioritize the individual’s unique experiences, needs, and goals. Person-centered care involves creating a customized treatment plan that takes into account the person’s mental health history, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. This ensures that the treatment approach resonates with the person and meets their specific needs.

Research has found that people who are involved in the creation of their treatment plans report stronger engagement and higher satisfaction and better outcomes. This form of treatment allows you to feel empowered in your mental health journey, fostering a sense of ownership over your progress.

2. Collaborative Approach

Mental health care should be a collaborative process. Instead of a therapist simply dictating the course of treatment, a partnership between the client and therapist allows for more effective decision-making. By fostering open communication, clients can express their preferences, concerns, and feedback, ensuring the treatment evolves in a way that works for them.

Researchers have found that collaborative care approaches to mental health treatment led to better engagement and more successful outcomes, especially for patients with chronic mental health conditions.

3. Culturally Competent Care

As mentioned earlier, cultural context plays a crucial role in equitable mental health care. Training therapists to be culturally competent helps ensure that treatment approaches are respectful of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This not only promotes better understanding but also increases the likelihood of treatment success.

Studies have shown that culturally tailored treatments improve outcomes for people from diverse cultural backgrounds, increasing therapy participation and satisfaction.

4. Evidence-Based Practices with Flexibility

Utilizing evidence-based psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is important for effective treatment. However, these practices should be flexible and adaptable to your needs when necessary. For instance, CBT may work well for someone dealing with anxiety, but someone with depression may benefit more from an integrated approach that includes mindfulness or lifestyle modifications.

A review of multiple studies found that therapies that integrate evidence-based practices with a degree of flexibility were more effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions.

5. Integrative Approach

Integrating complementary approaches such as mindfulness, physical activity, and diet modification can enhance traditional mental health treatments. For example, a person with depression might benefit from outdoor activity and mindfulness alongside talk therapy for a whole-body approach. By addressing both the mind and body, individuals can achieve more comprehensive healing.

Researchers say that combining exercise with mindfulness therapy improves outcomes for people dealing with depression. This approach not only helps manage symptoms but also supports long-term mental and physical well-being for years.

6. Addressing Social Determinants

Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—everyone on the planet needs to know they are supported in their struggles. A report by the World Health Organization highlights that addressing social determinants is essential to improving mental health outcomes on a global scale. Social determinants, such as housing stability, income, and access to education, can have a significant impact on mental health outcomes. Addressing these factors within treatment plans helps create a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of mental health struggles.

If you’re seeking more personalized mental healthcare, Amen Clinics offers resources and expert guidance to help you take charge of your mental health journey and empower yourself to heal in a way that works for you.

SELF-ESTEEM AND FEELING INSIGNIFICANT

Most would agree that truly being ignored in relationships, overlooked or unacknowledged by loved ones, would take a serious toll. It would understandably affect feelings of self-worth, emotional well-being, and mental health.

But when someone is prone to low self-esteem, negative thinking patterns and emotions, and/or mental health conditions, they may feel invisible even when others are paying attention to them. In these cases, feeling unseen and unheard results from cognitive distortions rather than objective truths.

The experts at Amen Clinics have outlined nine common cognitive distortions, or automatic negative thoughts (ANTs). Many of these may accompany or contribute to feeling invisible in relationships:

• All-or-Nothing ANTs: Viewing things as either all good or all bad
• Less-Than ANTs: Comparing yourself unfavorably to others
• Just-the-Bad ANTs: Seeing only the bad in a situation
• Guilt-Beating ANTs: Using words like should, must, ought, or have to
• Labeling ANTs: Attaching negative labels to yourself or others
• Fortune-Telling ANTs: Predicting the worst possible outcome for a situation, despite little or no evidence to support it
• Mind-Reading ANTs: Assuming what other people are thinking
• If-Only and I’ll-Be-Happy-When ANTs: Regretting the past and longing for the future
• Blaming ANTs: Blaming others for your problems

HOW FEELING INVISIBLE CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

When your inner “mental dragons” are roaring, your brain listens. They breathe fire on the amygdala, an area in your brain’s temporal lobes that is involved in emotional reactions.

The amygdala is often referred to as the fear center and plays a role in the formation of emotional memories. It’s more rigid and fixed, so dangerous or threatening situations experienced during childhood trauma, for example, can persist for a lifetime.

The amygdala drives emotion-based responses, such as anger, irrational behavior, and automatic negative reactions. And because your brain is always listening to your internal messages—such as “I feel insignificant” or “I’m not important”—they can do real damage over time.

Until you recognize and learn how to tame and reframe these ingrained fears and negative thoughts, they can steal your happiness. They contribute to anxiety, depression, trauma, and prolonged grief—leading to both internal turmoil and relationship issues.

Over time, negative thinking may even increase the risk of cognitive decline. A 2020 brain imaging study found more buildup of the harmful deposits amyloid and tau in those with repetitive negative thinking habits. These deposits are seen in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease and may increase the risk of dementia.

Recurring negative thoughts such as feeling unseen or unimportant can also contribute to mental health disorders, substance abuse, and even suicide. Therefore, the impacts of feeling invisible can be quietly devastating.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL INVISIBILITY

Childhood trauma is a potential factor in feeling invisible as an adult. Emotional trauma triggers a stress response, and when these stressors are intense, frequent, and/or prolonged, they can create a variety of physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms.

For example, a 2024 study showed that higher numbers of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) raise the risk for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. These children may also have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy attachments later in life, leading to problematic relationships.

Similarly, early experiences of feeling insignificant can shape a child’s emotional and psychological development, creating lasting impacts. The psychological effects of feeling invisible are multifaceted and far-reaching.

A 2022 study named neglect as the most common form of child mistreatment, with roughly 674,000 U.S. children suffering from substantiated abuse or neglect in 2017. The side effects of childhood neglect include difficulty regulating emotions and maintaining peer relationships, as well as low self-esteem.

When childhood neglect leads to feeling insignificant, unnoticed, and invisible later in life, a grown adult may experience the following:

• Withdrawing from or avoiding relationships (fear of intimacy or commitment)
• People-pleasing behaviors
• Feeling alone even when in the presence of loved ones
• Feeling isolated, misunderstood, or like a “burden”
• Being afraid to express emotions, needs, and desires

Childhood neglect can be particularly insidious because it involves what did not happen in a childhood home, rather than what did. When obvious behaviors like physical abuse are not present, many children of neglect grow up thinking they had “normal” childhoods. They may not even realize the toll it’s taking on their self-esteem, mental health, and relationships.

OVERCOMING FEELINGS OF INSIGNIFICANCE

If you recognize the above behaviors and thought patterns, know that you can start on the path to healing. Take the following steps to start reclaiming a healthy sense of self-importance and building your self-esteem:

1. Question your thoughts.

When you’re feeling invisible, it’s important to ask yourself if those thoughts are accurate or a result of an ANT infestation in your head.

If it’s the former, you likely need to establish healthier connections—but keep in mind that the lack of them may result from your own behavior. As noted above, feeling invisible can lead to withdrawing from relationships, which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, if ANTs are the culprit, start questioning your negative thoughts. Ask yourself, when you feel invisible, if that thought is true. Can you be 100% sure it’s true?

Write down any ANTs that might be contributing to the thought. How do you feel when you have that thought? And how would you feel without it? This practice will create some distance and perspective, painting a clearer picture of the situation.

2. Find validation from healthy sources.

Healthy relationships marked by loving, respectful, mutual exchanges are a cornerstone of health and longevity. If your relationships don’t measure up, or have fallen into unhealthy patterns, prioritize making stronger, more meaningful connections.

Possibilities include joining a mental health support group, or working with a therapist or counselor who will listen to and validate your emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce ANTs, while eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is helpful for addressing childhood trauma.

Finding nonjudgmental spaces will get you more comfortable with sharing yourself with others. Like many other steps on this list, recognize that this will take practice.

3. Understand your brain.

SPECT imaging can help you understand how your brain functions. And trying brain-based interventions, such as neurofeedback, can help you heal from feelings of insignificance. For example, on brain SPECT scans, overactivity in the amygdala is linked to heightened anxiousness and a tendency to predict the worst.

Finding the underlying cause(s) for your feelings reduces stigma and shame. But brain imaging can also rule out or confirm other potential factors contributing to cognitive issues. These can include traumatic brain injury (TBI), infections, and toxin exposure.

Understanding the brain and its activity also guides diagnosis of mental health conditions and treatment when necessary, including all-natural lifestyle interventions that will help.

4. Support yourself.

Without self-acceptance and self-confidence, no amount of external validation will alter your feelings of invisibility or unimportance. That’s why it’s crucial to start practicing self-love.

To develop a better relationship with yourself, try journaling, prayer, mindfulness, meditation, or making a daily gratitude list. Start the day with a positive affirmation or by noting positive traits about yourself. Before bedtime, list some things you did right throughout the day.

Don’t forget to regularly check in with yourself and accept your own emotions without judgment. Set goals and celebrate your accomplishments, big or small, along the way.

HEALING FROM EMOTIONAL NEGLECT

Feeling invisible is a painful experience. But, with some perspective and practice, you’ll find that you’re the one in control of making yourself a priority. And changing the things you can control is an essential step to reclaiming your power.

Be patient with yourself as you build self-esteem and develop genuine positive self-regard. Change may not happen overnight, and there may be setbacks along the way. But the path to recovery will be rewarding—for you and all of your relationships, right now and in the future.

WHAT IS POLYDRUG USE DISORDER?

Polydrug use disorder, also called polysubstance abuse, refers to using more than one drug (which can include alcohol) at the same time. This behavior can be described as harmful, habitual, and/or compulsive.

While many addicts may express preference for a “drug of choice,” some of them combine more than one drug at a time to create different or more intense effects. Others may alternate drug usage on different occasions—for example, substituting when they can’t find their preferred substance.

Harboring multiple addictions is not uncommon. In a survey of 6,000 Canadian adults, published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 21% reported having at least two addiction problems in the past year. The authors pointed to previous study findings that “addictions frequently co-occur in the same individual…there might be a systematic progression from having difficulties with one excessive behavior to struggling with another.”

 Struggling with multiple addictions, the study added, leads to increased risk for negative outcomes, including being the victim of a crime, physical health issues, and suicide.

Co-occurring addictions can also complicate both diagnosis and treatment. For example, “One excessive behavior might mask another addiction,” the authors stated, “or addictions may alternate with each other.”

POLYDRUG ABUSE: A DEADLY COMBINATION

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, annual drug overdose deaths rose between 2019 and 2022, to 107,941. Of those, 73,838 involved synthetic opioids other than methadone (illicitly manufactured fentanyl was the #1 cause). Stimulant-related overdoses, including cocaine and methamphetamine, also increased, to 27,569 and 34,022 deaths, respectively, in 2022.

Not surprisingly, combining substances greatly increases the risk of overdose. The CDC reports that in 2022, nearly half of drug overdose deaths involved multiple drugs.

While an individual may use any combination of drugs, some substances tend to be combined in polydrug use disorder. Common possibilities include:

Alcohol and prescription drugs.

Mixing alcohol with sleeping pills, opiates, stimulants, and/or benzodiazepines is a recipe for disaster. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that mixing alcohol with medications can lead to:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Fainting or loss of coordination
• Increased risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulty breathing

Furthermore, when alcohol, a depressant, is paired with another depressant (such as a sleeping pill), the person can experience blackouts—even driving while under the influence and having no memory of the event. An overdose death may occur when the body’s systems slow down to the extent that breathing and heartbeat stop altogether.

Cocaine and heroin.

Known as a speedball, this combination mixes two powerful drugs that create opposite effects (a stimulant and a depressant). This deadly cocktail is notorious for killing celebrities such as John Belushi.

Cocaine and alcohol.

People reach for this drug duo thanks to its “longer-lasting, as well as more intense, psychoactive effect,” according to a 2022 study in the medical journal Cureus. Unique among any other drug combination, these two drugs actually create an entirely new psychoactive substance, called cocaethylene, within the body.

Alcohol and cannabis.

These drugs are socially approved and widely legalized, making them another common combination, especially among teens and young adults. Both have a long list of damaging health effects on the brain.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF POLYDRUG USE DISORDER

Addiction, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), means that the use of illicit drugs, prescription medications, and/or alcohol has veered into harmful territory. Habitual use of any substance, or multiple substances, can change the way the brain experiences pleasure.

When the individual becomes addicted, they have lost control of their usage and can’t easily quit the habit even if they want to. And, when multiple drugs are involved, quitting can involve a unique and difficult mix of withdrawal symptoms.

Whether you or a loved one has polydrug use disorder, you’ll likely notice a variety of behavioral, physical, and psychological indicators. Here are some signs and symptoms of substance use and polydrug use disorders:

• Changes in weight, eating or sleeping patterns, and/or activity or energy levels
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Red, watery, or glassy eyes
• Feeling sick, hung over, and/or “hangxiety”
• Blackouts or brownouts (forgetting some or all of what happened while under the influence)
• Requiring increasing amounts of substances to get the same effects
• Cravings or withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut down
• Using substances to reduce stress or mental health symptoms
• Mental preoccupation or obsession with using substances
• Negative changes in school, work, or day-to-day performance
• Isolation from family and friends
• Suspicious behavior (e.g., lying, stealing, hiding, or making excuses)

THE DANGERS OF POLYDRUG USE

When more than one drug is being abused, an individual can be more likely to experience negative consequences, including health issues and overdose. Furthermore, using multiple drugs can increase the potential for short- and long-term impacts on brain health and overall well-being.

A 2017 study on polysubstance use disorder among nearly 500,000 veterans—26.7% of which had two or more substance issues—showed how multiple addictions impacted them. Veterans with higher levels of polydrug use were more likely to have liver disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and personality disorders.

Multi-drug abuse was also associated with greater use of medical interventions: psychiatric inpatient care, residential and rehabilitative treatment, and multiple psychotropic medication prescriptions.

In the face of so many dangers, why do people engage in polydrug use? There are numerous contributing factors, from psychological and environmental triggers to trauma and stress.

Some people with addiction also have undiagnosed mental health conditions. When they remain untreated for these issues, they may use illicit drugs to cope with their symptoms instead. This begins a cycle of self-medication—with potentially devastating consequences.

Indeed, substance abuse and mental health conditions often overlap. Dual diagnosis refers to those with a mental health condition as well as addiction. Substance use disorder is strongly associated with mental health issues such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• ADD/ADHD
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

THE IMPACT OF POLYDRUG USE ON THE BRAIN

All brains are wired to seek out rewards, such as food and sex, but healthy brains are able to regulate their seeking behavior with self-control. In those who have addictions, the brain’s drive circuits (the nucleus accumbens and deep limbic system) prevail, while the self-control circuit (the prefrontal cortex, or PFC) is underworking.

However, as with any mental health issue, every case of addiction is unique. Through brain imaging work utilizing an imaging technology called SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography), Amen Clinics has identified six types of addicts:

• Compulsive addicts tend toward obsessive thoughts. This type is associated with low serotonin levels and increased anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) activity.
• Impulsive addicts have difficulty with impulse control. This type often shows low activity in the PFC and low levels of dopamine.
• Impulsive-compulsive addicts combine both of the above: low activity in the PFC and low dopamine, plus overactivity in the ACG and low serotonin levels.
• Sad or emotional addicts are prone to depression, boredom, or loneliness. SPECT scans often show increased activity in the deep limbic system and low activity in the PFC.
• Anxious addicts battle anxiety, tension, nervousness, and fear. This type is associated with too much activity in the basal ganglia, likely due to low levels of GABA.
• Temporal lobe addicts often have decreased activity (or increased activity) in the temporal lobes. Issues such as temper outbursts, emotional ups and downs, learning difficulties, and memory may be related to past head injuries, infections, environmental toxins, genetics, or a lack of oxygen.

The experts at Amen Clinics have found that brain scans of those who abuse substances reflect toxicity, with less activity and a shriveled, scalloped appearance.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT POLYDRUG USE DISORDER

Using multiple drugs at the same time can take a devastating toll on the body and brain. Brain imaging tools like SPECT help determine how different substances are impacting the brain and how to rehabilitate it back to a healthier state.

With multiple drugs—as well as potential mental health challenges—involved, addressing polydrug use disorder is complex. Brain scans combined with a targeted treatment plan inform a comprehensive addiction care for those with polydrug use disorder.

Functional brain imaging, such as SPECT, is a powerful tool in treating polyuse drug disorder because it helps:

• Determine if there are co-existing conditions requiring treatment
• Increase treatment compliance
• Decrease shame and stigma
• Reframe addiction as a brain health issue, rather than a personal weakness or character flaw

After a comprehensive evaluation including brain scans, individuals can receive personalized treatment options for polydrug use disorder. This may include:

• Detoxification
• An inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program
• Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy
• Support groups and/or addiction recovery programs
• Holistic lifestyle recommendations (diet, exercise, supplements, meditation, etc.)

While any of the above recommendations will promote progress, taking a brain-based approach to addiction recovery is crucial. Personalized care, education, early intervention, and addressing underlying mental health issues are all important steps in the process.

6 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT BRAIN IMAGING IN MENTAL HEALTH 

1. What Is a Brain SPECT Scan?

SPECT stands for single photon emission computed tomography. This sophisticated brain imaging technology is a helpful clinical tool for diagnosing and treating psychiatric, cognitive, and behavioral issues.

SPECT is a nuclear medicine technique that evaluates regional cerebral perfusion (blood flow) and activity patterns within the brain. The resulting scans can aid in the diagnosis of numerous mental health conditions, as well as previously undetected root causes of symptoms and disorders.

These brain scans show which areas of the brain are underactive (lower blood flow), overactive (abnormally high blood flow), and working well. Brain blood flow and mental health are closely linked. Therefore, brain activity imaging for mental health conditions helps clinicians observe the various influences that may be affecting clients’ mental health.

SPECT differs from other well-known types of scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Because each provides different information, choosing a SPECT scan vs. MRI for mental health concerns is often determined by the issue at hand.

For example, MRI and CT scans are structural brain imaging tools, which are used to view the brain’s anatomy. These are beneficial for spotting tumors, blood clots, or other abnormalities in the brain. SPECT, however, is a type of functional brain scan, which indicates how the brain is actually working.

SPECT is well-studied with over 15,000 scientific abstracts on PubMed, and it has a wide range of applications. It has been used since the 1970s to evaluate strokes, seizures, and brain tumors. Since then, scientists have employed SPECT to study Alzheimer’s disease, head trauma, schizophrenia, depression and other mood disorders, ADHD, and substance abuse.

In 2021, the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine unanimously endorsed the use of SPECT for the evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders and more. Today, in addition to these uses, medical experts utilize this type of brain scan to detect chemical exposure, Lyme disease, brain inflammation, and drug toxicity.

2. Why Is Brain Imaging Important for Mental Health?

Using brain SPECT imaging for mental health makes sense because brain health is mental health. The connection between brain activity and mental health symptoms has been well-established through research as well as over 250,000 brain scans performed at Amen Clinics over the decades.

Furthermore, traditional psychiatric diagnoses may fall short without the benefit of brain imaging techniques. Without a clear picture of how the brain is functioning, it can take years for individuals to be properly diagnosed and receive effective treatment.

That’s because traditional psychiatry too often looks only at the patient’s symptoms clusters. Mental health conditions are complex and nuanced, and every individual is unique. Therefore, cutting-edge mental health tools like brain scans enable the most effective diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

In a 2012 study, seven psychiatrists were asked to evaluate 109 medical charts, both with and without brain SPECT scans. In eight times out of 10, adding the scan to the process changed the diagnosis and/or treatment.

In more than one in five cases, the scan revealed a previously unknown brain injury. In another one in five cases, unexpected toxicity was found. And 60% of the time, the SPECT findings changed the medications or supplements recommended as part of treatment.

3. How Does a SPECT Scan Work?

Unlike the MRI process, which can provoke anxiety for some clients, SPECT scans are fast and easy to perform. They don’t require entering small, enclosed spaces or enduring noisy environments.

The clinician simply hooks up the client to a small IV containing an iodine-free imaging solution with a very small amount of a radioactive tracer. This tracer travels to the brain cells within just a few minutes of the injection and produces a “snapshot” of brain activity.

About 30 minutes later, the client enters a camera room and lies down on an imaging table for 20 minutes. The camera’s detectors rotate around the head, gathering data from the “snapshot” of brain activity.

A full evaluation at Amen Clinics includes two brain SPECT imaging studies. One study is done while at rest; the second is performed after the client completes a concentration task.

Images are then processed for reading by a trained and skilled physician, who writes a full report detailing the client’s brain function. An Amen Clinics doctor then evaluates these results alongside other information, such as neuropsychological tests and clinical history. The client is then provided with a personalized treatment plan.

4. What Mental Health Conditions Can SPECT Scans Help Address?

When used as part of a complete psychological evaluation, SPECT scans can help in the diagnosis and treatment of many mental health conditions, including:

• Depression and anxiety
• ADHD and its subtypes
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Addiction and its effects on the brain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

However, mental health conditions are never a simple or single disorder. Each manifests differently for different individuals, and numerous disorders share similar symptoms.

For example, utilizing SPECT scans, Amen Clinics has found that there are:

• Seven types of anxiety and depression
• Seven types of ADD
• Six types of addicts
• Five types of overeaters

Many people struggle with more than one mental health condition, which complicates both diagnosis and treatment. For example, a person who has been given a stimulant-type medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can experience unwanted side effects if they also have anxiety. The ADD medication may help them focus, but feeling more anxiety will detract from their ability to concentrate.

In addition, each symptom or condition can have multiple possible causes. Depression, for example, may indicate a hidden concussion or other undiagnosed head injury, exposure to toxins (such as black mold or chemotherapy), inflammation, or an infection like Lyme disease.

Alternatively, depression can be caused by overactivity in the deep limbic system or underactivity in the prefrontal cortex. A SPECT scan helps pinpoint which of these many potential causes of depression are present, which guides treatment.

Functional brain imaging also helps evaluate memory issues. Evidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, for example, can be detected years before symptoms appear. Conversely, SPECT can rule out dementia when there is another culprit to blame for issues like memory loss and other cognitive challenges.

5. What Are SPECT Scan Benefits?

Amen Clinics is a pioneer in creating personalized mental health treatment with the help of SPECT. Too many traditional psychiatrists merely guess at possible treatments based on reported symptoms. They may then prescribe medications that are ineffective or even harmful to the patient. Without SPECT scans, diagnosis and treatment are not as accurate as they could be.

Identifying the root causes of mental health challenges is crucial. With improper treatment, a symptom or condition can persist or worsen. And a trial-and-error approach to medications can expose clients to a roller coaster of side effects, leading to additional or increased mental health symptoms.

Clients can also feel demoralized when the supposed “correct” treatment isn’t working. Many people experience treatment-resistant depression because the root causes are misunderstood. Or perhaps they could benefit more from natural treatments like neurofeedback, diet, and exercise.

Tailoring treatment plans based on brain activity patterns facilitates a more precise plan of recovery. Brain SPECT imaging has many benefits, including:

• Identifying affected brain systems and previous brain trauma
• Showing brain blood flow deficits
• Highlighting co-occurring conditions that might need their own treatment
• Showing visual results to better inform clients, loved ones, legal experts, and others
• Increasing treatment compliance
• Informing follow-up appointments to determine the effectiveness of treatments
• Reducing stigma and shame associated with mental health conditions

Using advanced mental health diagnostics like SPECT has created thousands of success stories among clients at Amen Clinics. From pop stars battling depression to high-performing executives who want a better relationship with their brains, they have reported transformative outcomes and improved quality of life.

6. What Are Some Common Myths and Misconceptions About SPECT Scans?

As with any medical technology, some people have raised concerns about the efficacy of SPECT scans. Fortunately, over the past 35-plus years, Amen Clinics has amassed the world’s largest database of brain scans that relate to emotional, learning, and behavioral problems. These scans have been performed on patients from 9 months to 105 years old, and from more than 155 countries.

To back up its results, Amen Clinics has also led extensive scientific research on SPECT, with more than 80 peer-reviewed studies published in respected medical journals.

In terms of safety, other studies confirm that radiation exposure risk during SPECT scans is minimal, for both patients and clinicians. The procedure typically exposes patients to less radiation than a CT scan.

It’s also important to note that SPECT is best used as one aspect of a comprehensive mental health evaluation. SPECT provides invaluable insights to mental health professionals and helps them ask better questions to get to the root causes of mental health symptoms.

Ultimately, SPECT helps significantly improve patient outcomes. At the end of six months of treatment at Amen Clinics, 85% of patients indicate better quality of life.

THE FUTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH NOW

Although brain imaging for mental health may seem like a futuristic technology, it is currently available. If you (or a loved one) are struggling with mental health issues or aren’t responding to traditional treatment, you may find the answers you want with brain scans.

In addition, physicians and mental health professionals often partner with Amen Clinics in patient care. Sending patients for brain scanning helps medical professionals better diagnose patients with complex cases and develop more effective treatment plans.

As a growing number of individuals and mental health professionals understand the value of brain imaging, the use of SPECT will continue to expand. And a greater number of people will benefit by accelerating their healing journey.

The great news is there are many holistic health therapies supported by research—including natural ways to reduce stress and anxiety, the most common mental health disorder among U.S. adults.

These non-drug treatments for mental health disorders run the gamut from taking herbal or nutritional supplementation, to engaging in mindfulness practices, to participating in specific forms of therapy. Of course, there are lifestyle changes for better mental health as well.

In this blog, we’ll reveal 10 evidence-based natural treatments for mental health issues.

WHY NATURAL TREATMENTS?

According to 2022 statistics, over 23% of U.S. adults live with a mental illness, yet only about half of them will be treated. For the most prevalent conditions—anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder (excepting mild depression), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—the first line of treatment is typically medication.

While medications may be necessary and highly effective for some individuals, they are not for everybody. In fact, they can make some people feel worse.

Psychiatric medications don’t always work because brains function differently, and disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe, requiring a more tailored treatment approach.

For example, in mild cases of depression, antidepressant medication offers very little to no benefit at all. A natural course of treatment may be your only option.

Even when they do work, the National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) only work part of the time. It found SSRIs helped improve symptoms in 20 individuals out of 100—less than the amount of people helped by placebo.

The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics has shown that in cases of ADHD where there’s too much activity in the brain, a typically prescribed stimulant medication can make the condition worse.

Medications also come with many potential side effects. For example, SSRIs, commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression, can have a number of unwanted side effects, including:

• Sexual dysfunction (problems with sexual interest, desire, performance, and satisfaction)
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Joint and muscle pain
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Skin rashes
• Insomnia

Plus, they have a Black Box Warning placed on package inserts, which warns about the risk of suicidal thoughts, hostility, and agitation in children, teens, and young adults.

Some medications, such as benzodiazepines, typically prescribed for anxiety disorders, not only come with side effects, but they are also addictive.

There are many good reasons for choosing to try natural methods. If you are currently taking psychiatric medication or not, the following natural treatments can serve to further support your mental well-being. Be sure to discuss them with your medical doctor or mental health professional before making any changes to your current treatment plan.

10 NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

1. Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies can go a long way to support mental well-being. Here are several of the best-studied herbal remedies for mental health.

Saffron

Saffron has some very impressive research behind it showing efficacy in helping to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Over 20 studies show saffron to be more effective than placebo and on par with antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, and imipramine for the treatment of depressive symptoms.

A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that “saffron could be an effective intervention for symptoms of depression and anxiety,” and suggested continued research for greater understanding of its workings.

L-theanine

L-theanine, derived from green tea, is one of the best natural remedies for anxiety. In addition to helping calm anxious feelings, l-theanine has relaxing effects that are beneficial to other stress-related mental health issues such as depression and sleep problems, according to research.

Curcumin

Research has shown that curcumin (not as turmeric root but as super-absorbant Longvida) helps with depression.

St. John’s Wort

A 2022 study on medicinal plants for mental health found St. John’s Wort’s response and remission rates were comparable to SSRI therapy in depressive patients, although studies were only 12 weeks long. St. John’s Wort can be reactive with medications. It’s important to only take this herbal supplement under the direction of a medical doctor.

Valerian

The same study showed that valerian may be helpful for mild anxiety and sleeplessness.

Essential Oils

Essential oils of lemon balm, lavender, and peppermint have calming effects that may be beneficial to those with anxiety, the same study showed.

2. Time in Nature

Spending time in nature is one of the best things you can do to support your mental health. After examining data from more than 900,000 residents born between 1985 and 2003, one study found that children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of many psychiatric disorders later in life, including mood disorders, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance use disorder.

An American Psychological Association report noted researchers believe interacting with nature may be useful clinically as a support to existing treatments for major depression. Interestingly, walking in forests, sometimes called “forest bathing,” may potentially help in recovery from trauma and PTSD.

How much time in nature makes a difference? A 2019 study found that two hours of recreational time a week in nature, in one chunk or several visits, significantly increased feelings of well-being.

3. Nutritional Supplements

There’s an entire field dedicated to nutritional therapy for mental health called nutritional psychiatry. Taking brain-healthy supplements can ensure your brain is getting the necessary nutrients it needs to work optimally, which is critical to mental health.

Mental disorders are essentially brain disorders, and nutritional deficiencies can a play a role in their development. Here are a few key nutritional supplements to support your mental health:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

At the top of the list is omega-3 essential fatty acids. Approximately 93% of the population has sub-optimal levels of these essential nutrients. When it comes to your brain and mental health, the omega-3s sourced from fatty fish called DHA and EPA are the most efficacious.

DHA plays an important structural role in our brain cell membranes. It makes up about 20% of all brain fat. EPA helps support mood and emotional balance. Additionally, these remarkable omega-3s make neuronal transmission more efficient and have anti-inflammatory effects, which confer a number of benefits.

Omega-3s can be very beneficial to individuals with ADHD. A 2020 trial in Translational Psychiatry and a 2017 study in the Journal of Lipids, indicate that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for ADHD symptoms, including hyperactivity, attention, and impulsivity.

Importantly, studies also suggest that fish oil with higher levels of the EPA form of omega-3s is particularly helpful for some individuals with ADHD. (This may depend on the type of ADHD you or your child has as there 7 types.)

Omega-3s may help reduce anxiety and depression. A 2018 study in JAMA Open Network found that omega-3 supplementation improves symptoms of clinical anxiety. Similarly, a 2019 meta-analysis suggested omega-3s had beneficial effects on symptoms of depression.

Probiotics

Research also shows a strong connection between gut health and mental health. Taking probiotic supplements can help balance gut bacteria, which may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2023 review study concluded “…individuals with anxiety or depression can improve their mood and decrease the severity of their symptoms” when treated with probiotics.

Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium

A 2023 study found that folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D deficiency are associated with depressive symptoms. A review of the existing studies suggests possible benefits of zinc supplementation—as citrate or glycinate—either as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with antidepressants for depression. 

A 2020 review cited two studies indicating that increased magnesium intake is associated with decrease in depressive symptoms too.

It’s critical to choose high quality supplements and work with a nutritionally informed physician such as doctor of functional or integrative medicine, to check and optimize your nutrient levels to support mental health.

4. Diet

It is now recognized in the mental health field that dietary intervention is a key aspect in the treatment of individuals living with mental disorders. A 2022 review of 46 studies that examined dietary interventions in the treatment of mental health conditions—including severe mental illness, depression, and anxiety—found positive effects on mental health outcomes 

Indeed, diet and mental health improvement are closely associated.  Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, fermented foods, and healthy fats (like omega-3s) can support healthy brain function and reduce symptoms of mental health conditions.

A 2016 study showed a strong association between the number of fruits and veggies you habitually consume and your level of happiness. Basically, the more fruits and veggies (up to eight servings per day) you eat, the happier you will be! A diet that helps to keep blood sugar levels steady is beneficial to most people with mental health disorders.

Additionally, eliminating foods that are potentially contributing to symptoms is essential. That generally requires cutting out foods with high amount of added sugar (high-glycemic foods), food additives (preservatives and food dyes), artificial sweeteners, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. In some cases, eliminating gluten and dairy makes a big difference, as well as limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption.

A 2019 French study found that as consumption of ultra-processed foods go up, depression symptoms go up too. A Nutritional Neuroscience study suggests there is a link between the artificial sweetener aspartame and several neurophysiological symptoms, including anxiety and depression.

Animal studies show negative brain effects in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats fed synthetic dye. Alcohol use and depression are closely linked, as are caffeine intake and increased feelings of anxiousness.

Some research suggests that in individuals with ADHD or other mental disorders, eliminating gluten can improve symptoms. Consuming a higher-protein, lower-simple carbohydrate diet can help with focus and attention in most people with ADD/ADHD with one exception. People who have over-focused ADD do better with a diet that includes higher levels of complex carbohydrates.

5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Therapy plays a critical role in treating numerous mental health conditions. In particular, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)  has been found to be as effective or more effective than other types of therapy or psychiatric medications, studies have found. CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Indeed, correcting automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) can help with decrease anxious feelings and depressive symptoms. One simple way to begin doing this is inspired by CBT and the work of Byron Katie.

Whenever you have a hopeless, helpless, angry, or worthless thought, your brain releases neurochemicals that make you feel bad. On the other hand, your brain releases feel-good chemicals when you think happy, hopeful, helpful, kind, and loving thoughts.

Pay attention to what you are thinking. Learn to question and reframe your negative thoughts. Whenever you have a thought that makes you feel bad, pause and ask yourself, is it true? Chances are that it is not—especially if contains “always or never” in it. Reframe your thought to something that is true and makes you feel better.

6. Exercise

You can exercise for mental wellness! Indeed, routine physical movement improves mood, reduces anxiety and depression, and boosts overall mental health by promoting better brain function and releasing endorphins. In particular, aerobic exercises such as swimming, jogging, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing will deliver the greatest benefits.

One study suggests that the benefits of aerobic exercise are on par with medication. In a head-to-head study against the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline), exercise was equally effective in treating depression at 3 months. Exercise was more effective than antidepressant medication at 10 months.

Simply walking like you are late for 45 minutes 4-5 times a week will help get you the equivalent antidepressant benefits.

Additionally, weight training two times a week can increase testosterone levels, which is associated with improved memory, motivation, and mood. Engaging in some kind of coordination exercise, like table tennis or pickleball, will activate your cerebellum and the rest of your brain conferring more mental health benefits

For depressed individuals, moving your body may sound like a tall order. Remember, you can start small and build your way up. Any exercise will increase blood flow to your brain, which will likely improve your brain function and mood.

Researchers believe the self-efficacy, social connection, and healthy distraction that exercise provides all play a role in its mental health benefits.

7. Mindfulness Practices

It is well understood among mental health experts that mindfulness practices like meditation yoga, and tai chi can help to lessen stress, anxiety and depression while also boosting focus and emotional regulation.

A recent 2024 study on meditation for anxiety and depression had some heartening results for beginning meditators. It found that meditating just 10 minutes a day decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms among a statistically significant number of participants.

8. EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been shown to treat a number of conditions, including trauma, adverse childhood events, PTSD, as well as related mental health issues. EMDR therapy uses eye movements or other forms of alternate brain hemisphere stimulation to remove the body and mind’s stress response of traumatic memories.

Many studies show the benefits of EMDR therapy for trauma that commonly take years to achieve in psychotherapy alone.

For example, a 2014 review of 24 randomized controlled studies suggest benefits from EMDR treatment for emotional trauma and adverse life events. In some of the studies reviewed, 84% to 90% of people who have experienced a single trauma found relief from PTSD symptoms after just a few 90-minute EMDR sessions. 

9. Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a natural, non-invasive treatment that helps to retrain and rewire your brain, ultimately to support increased focus, improved mood, reduced anxiety, and other mental health benefits. 

It’s a form of biofeedback that analyzes brainwave activity in real-time and helps you to get control of your brainwaves to achieve a desired brain state. While more research is needed, one 2017 review found that neurofeedback showed promise in treating anxiety and depression.

10. Deep Breathing

Your breath has tremendous power in calming an anxious state of mind. Diaphragmatic breathing can calm the nervous system and reduce stress. It can also help lessen depressive symptoms.

A 2016 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that a yogic breathing practice was beneficial to individuals with treatment-resistant depression (people who did not respond fully to medication treatment), and it also lowered anxiety symptoms. The yogic breathing technique focuses on alternating between slow, calm breaths and fast, stimulating breaths.

NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Incorporating some or all of these natural treatments may improve mental health symptoms. In many cases, they may allow to you take a lower dose of medication or may eliminate the need for it altogether.

Work closely with your psychiatrist or other mental health professional to determine the best holistic mental health therapies for your needs.

WHAT IS SEX ADDICTION?

Sex addition goes by many names including sexual addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, sexual compulsivity, sexual impulsivity, problematic sexual behavior, hypersexuality, and hypersexuality disorder.

The addiction involves sexual activities—such as having multiple partners, masturbation, pornography, phone sex, cybersex, and more. It becomes compulsive sexual behavior when these activities, thoughts, and fantasies take over an individual’s life.

A sex addict typically exhibits a persistent pattern of being unable to control strong, repetitive, sexual desires and urges, which leads to repetitive sexual behavior that causes intense distress and disruption of daily functioning.

It’s common for a sex addict to continue engaging in compulsive sexual behavior knowing its negative consequences or despite getting minimal pleasure from the behavior.

Estimates of the prevalence of sexual addiction vary. However, recent epidemiological research estimates that roughly 8.6% of U.S. adults (7.0% of women and 10.3% of men) perceive themselves to have difficulty “controlling their sexual feelings, urges, and behaviors in a way that causes distress and/or impairment in their psychosocial functioning.” That means about 23 million U.S. adults struggle with sex addiction.

Co-occurring mental health disorders are also quite common among individuals with hypersexuality. Roughly 88% of sex addicts may also suffer from one of the following disorders, research has found:

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)
• Personality disorders
• Suicidality
• Other addictive disorders
• Impulse control disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SEX ADDICTION?

How do you know if you or a loved one is a sex addict? There are no established criteria for compulsive sexual behavior disorder yet. That said, one or more of the following behaviors is common among sex addicts:

• Obsession With Sex – Spending countless hours fantasizing about sexual desires and engaging in sexual behavior.
• Frequent Masturbation – Masturbating once to several times daily.
• Pornography – Spending an inordinate amount of time viewing pornography online, in videos, and magazines. Frequently masturbating when watching.
• Excessive Time Spent Planning Sexual Activity
• Engaging in Unethical Sexual Behaviors – This might be serial cheating or any sexual activity that conflicts with one’s values, spiritual/religious beliefs, or what is deemed appropriate by society.
• Frequent Use of Sexual Services – Sexual addiction is progressive. Beginning to involve human interaction is a sign of escalation. That may include phone sex, visits to strip clubs, having multiple partners or one-night stands, connecting through internet chat rooms, or paying for sexual encounters.
• Increased Reckless Sexual Activity – Starting to abuse substances during sexual activities or beginning to engage in aggressive or dangerous sexual acts (such as autoerotic asphyxiation).
• Frequently Engaging in Paraphilia – These are sexual behaviors that involve another person’s psychological distress, injury, or death. Examples include the following:
  • Exhibitionism (exposing genitals to strangers)
  • Voyeurism (watching or engaging in sexual activities with others)
  • Sadomasochism (sexual pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others)
  • Pedophilia (sexual feelings toward children).
• Loss of Control – The inability to control one’s sexual behavior despite negative impacts on finances, relationships, health, and mental well-being.

CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED SEX ADDICTION

Untreated sexual addiction or hypersexuality is highly destructive and corrosive. Some of the consequences may be:

• Failing to have a normal, healthy relationship with your sexual partner and family.
• Declining work performance and possible career loss due to one’s inability to focus and produce at work or watching pornography at work.
• Financial insecurity due to overspending on sexual activities.
• Negative health consequences such as unwanted pregnancy or STDs.
• Engaging in recreational drug use or excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Developing additional mental health disorders such as anxiety, stress, major depressive disorder, or suicidality.
• Incarceration due to sexual offenses.
• Great emotional pain, including feelings of shame, remorse, and hopelessness.

WHAT CAUSES SEXUAL ADDICTION?

The exact causes of compulsive sexual behavior are not entirely clear to scientists, but they believe several factors play a role in its development, including the following:

• Brain damage or dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe, and amygdala
• Imbalanced neurohormones (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine)
• Substance abuse, altered brain function that produces new neural pathways of addictive behavior, and sometimes even medication
• Emotional dysregulation, adverse childhood experiences (trauma, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse), and genetics
• Conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder

HEALING FROM SEX ADDICTION: JOSE’S STORY

The big question for many people is, can a sex addict change? Jose’s story demonstrates that it is possible.

Jose was a chronic cheater, and it was destroying his marriage and his family. Despite his behavior indicating otherwise, Jose expressed a strong desire to be with his wife, and he wanted to be a better role model for his daughter.

Understandably, his wife was hurt and angry by his infidelities and wanted him to change. If he didn’t, she threatened to walk out on him.

Jose’s addictive behavior extended beyond extramarital affairs. He had a need for speed, exhibiting excitement-seeking behavior that delivered an adrenaline rush—and a succession of speeding tickets.

He was also tattooed from head to toe. Getting tattooed can release endorphins—pain-relieving hormones that can create a euphoric feeling.

Before seeking help, Jose had been faithful for a year but still engaged in viewing pornography.

Jose’s brain SPECT scans proved to be instrumental in understanding why he had such a hard time breaking the cycle of sex addiction. His brain scans revealed three areas of brain dysfunction, which needed to be addressed:

1. Increased Activity in the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (ACG)

Located in the front of the brain, the ACG acts as the brain’s “gear shifter.” An overactive ACG is highly associated with compulsive behavior and lower levels of serotonin.

Imagine the gear shifter becomes stuck, and the brain gets stuck on negative thoughts and behaviors. This could explain obsessive thinking that is very much part of sex addiction.

2. Decreased Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Also located in the front of the brain, decreased activity in the PFC is associated with low dopamine levels and impulsivity. The PFC acts like the cop in our head, helping us to stay focused on our goals without distractions or poor choices that take us down the wrong path.

The PFC also acts as a brake, preventing us from saying or acting on the first thing that comes to mind. Jose’s behavior and scan showed that this was an area of great concern.

3. Evidence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Jose’s scans showed signs of head trauma, with areas damaged in the front and back part of his brain. This likely played a significant role in his troublesome behavior.

Thus, taking measures to balance his brain function could be what he needed to overcome his sex addiction.

JOSE’S HEALING PROTOCOL FOR SEX ADDICTION

SPECT imaging provided much-needed information to create a tailored approach to optimizing Jose’s brain, especially the areas that were struggling. The experts at Amen Clinics recommended the following protocol:

• No Alcohol

Alcohol would compromise Jose’s prefrontal cortex function and decrease his brain’s braking power to say no to his thrill-seeking and sexual urges.

• Adequate Sleep

Jose needed to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Less than six hours of sleep is associated with lower overall blood flow to the brain, which translates to more poor decision-making.

• Improved Diet

Jose had to learn to eat brain healthy foods to help keep his blood sugar stable. It’s difficult to make good decisions with low blood sugar levels.

• Eliminate Caffeine

Jose had to cut out the many energy drinks he had every day as caffeine constricts blood flow to the brain. Anything that limits cerebral blood flow fuels poor decision making.

• Brain Supplements

Recommendations for Jose included nutraceuticals to support healthy serotonin and dopamine levels as well as overall brain health and function.

In addition to the brain health protocol, Jose learned two words to ask himself whenever he had an urge to act impulsively: “Then what?” This helped him think about the consequences of his actions.

To Jose’s surprise—and his wife’s surprise too—Jose started making better decisions. After seven months of following the protocol, his ACG no longer had a hold on his thinking in the same way and his PFC was able to put the brakes on when faced with temptation. His marriage improved dramatically.

4 SEX ADDICTION RECOVERY TIPS

There’s no cure for sex addiction, but recovery is possible. Here are sex addiction treatment options to get you or a loved one started on a path of healing.

1. Get a psychiatric evalution.

A full psychiatric evaluation from a qualified mental health professional is critical for accurate diagnosis and to evaluate for co-occurring mental health conditions.

2. Try therapy.

Therapy for sex addiction can be instrumental in helping an afflicted individual learn how to manage their compulsive sexual behavior. Cognitive therapy for sex addiction can be particularly helpful, research indicates.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the individual identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with more effective ones—similar to how Jose learned to use “Then what?” when confronted with a compulsive urge. Therapy can help facilitate emotional healing from sex addiction as well.

And research has shown that EMDR (stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy can be a useful tool in the treatment of sex addiction as it helps resolve trauma.

3. Protect your brain’s pleasure centers.

In today’s world, many individuals are overwhelming their brain’s pleasure centers with near-constant exposure to intensely stimulating activities, such as social media, video games, text messaging, adrenaline-inducing movies, sexting, internet pornography, and more. These all have an effect on brain function and can lead to addiction.

Limit your exposure to too much intense pleasurable experiences and care for your brain health (as Jose did) to support optimal functioning for better control and decision making.

4. Explore a 12-step program for sex addiction.

Some research indicates that participation in a 12-step program such as Sexaholics Anonymous is linked to lower overall compulsive sexual behavior and greater well-being.  

As you can see from Jose’s example, overcoming sex addiction and compulsive cheating is possible. Focusing on brain health is a key component of healing, so you and your loved ones can work on rebuilding a relationship built on trust and honesty.

8 HAPPINESS TIPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Happiness and mental health go hand and hand. The following countries and places have cultural practices for happiness baked into their daily life. May learning about these global happiness traditions inspire you to adopt some happiness-boosting activities in your own life!

1. Denmark

Denmark consistently ranks among the top two or three happiest nations around the globe, according to the annual World Happiness Report. There’s no doubt that the concept of Danish hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) adds to the mental wellness and happiness of its people.

Hygge translates to something akin to “cozy contentment” in English. Hygge is the feeling that comes from snuggling up inside when it is dark and cold outside. The word is derived from the 16th-century Norwegian root hugga, which means “to console or comfort.” It’s also the root of our modern word hug.

Hyggelig evenings involve cooking with others, gathering around a table for a hearty meal, then clearing the table of dishes and breaking out board games. Thus, hygge is amplified by gathering casually with family and friends.

Create greater happiness with hygge:

Add a little hygge into your own life at any time of year. Light candles around your home. Candlelight can also bring a simple celebratory quality to sharing a meal.

If it is cold outside, take pleasure in creating warm, inventive beverages to sip and relax to.  Put digital devices away and enjoy curling up with a good book and a soft blanket.

Gather with friends around your dining table for a meal that all contribute to. Linger afterwards and talk.

2. Turkey

Turkish people have an expression called keyif (pronounced kay-eef), which translates to “pleasure” or “joy” in English. It is about taking a moment away from busyness to experience pleasure or savor a moment of life.

For example, Turks may practice keyif by sitting on a park bench to watch the sunset while enjoying gypsy musicians busking on a street corner or feeding birds a little bit of bread. Keyif is not just a pause but also enjoying a moment to do nothing at all.

Create greater happiness with keyif:

Try playing a game of backgammon with a friend or partner in the middle of the day just for the fun of it.

If you work from home, depending upon your interests, take a moment to play a musical instrument, knit for 10-15 minutes, or add a few jigsaw puzzle pieces to a jigsaw you have going. You can also have a cup of tea and enjoy a quiet moment to look out the window.

It’s good for the brain to get out of your chair and focus on something else pleasurable before going back to work.

You can enjoy keyif socially too! Join some friends at an outdoor cafe and people watch.

3. Nigeria

Nigerians follow an ancient philosophy known as ubuntu (pronounced oo-BOON-too). It is derived the Zulu phrase, “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” which loosely translates to “a person is a person through other people.” In other words, community is the building block of a society.

Archbishop Tutu of South Africa is credited with introducing the concept of ubuntu to the West. In an Amnesty International report, archbishop Tutu explains ubuntu “is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. I am human because I belong.”

Ubuntu is a reminder that no one is an island and every single thing we do, good or bad, has an effect on our families, our friends, and the community around us.

Create greater happiness with ubuntu:

Get involved with community service. Find a “Community Serve Day” sponsored by a local church or charity. Do a beach cleanup, make gift bags to show appreciation for first responders, clean up a baseball field, or paint a single mom’s house.

Seek out ways to celebrate the positive things that happen in your friends and loved ones’ lives that may go unnoticed. Live by this African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

4. The Netherlands

The Netherlands (also known as Holland) have a happiness concept called gezelligheid (pronounced guh-ZELL-eek-hite), which refers to a sense of well-being that encompasses comfort, ease, and togetherness. In different contexts, gezelligheid can refer to a social or relaxed situation but it also conveys conviviality, fun, and coziness. 

The Dutch believe the word gezelligheid (the noun form) and gezellig (an adjective) are not translatable because they are more about a feeling that happens in ordinary moments in life. An evening, a place, or a person can all be gezellig. In these contexts, it usually means something like quaint, lovely, cozy and time spent with loved ones or friends after a long absence or in general fellowship.

Gezelligheid is considered the Dutch secret to happiness by some. Gezelligheid is about creating a sense of belonging, a space where we can truly relax, be ourselves, and connect with those around us.

Create greater happiness with gezelligheid:

Consider taking a fun outing with friends and/or loved ones such as a boat ride or an enlivening walk. Put away your phones! Enjoy conversation. Relax.

The Dutch also have a phrase called: “gezelligheid kent gee tijd,” which means, “coziness knows no time.” So, there’s a lingering quality to this form of happiness. Don’t keep a tight schedule, instead leave ample time to enjoy your activities so you don’t have to rush and can savor the experience.

5. Indonesia

Javanese people live by the principles of guyub (pronounced guy-oob), which has been called Indonesia’s secret to happier, healthier communities. Similar to the general meaning of ubuntu, guyub embraces the brotherly or sisterly bond shared between everyone in the community.

Joy is shared and pain is consoled by the community. Guyub is how the community cultivates a strong sense of belonging, compassion, and sincere support for one another. It is the idea that you’re glad for another’s good fortune and trust that your own existence matters to other people.

Create greater happiness with guyub:

Practice guyub simply by improving your listening skills with others. Speak less and listen more. Really listen.  You’ll learn more about the people around you.

Extend a kind or encouraging word or act to others when the opportunity presents itself. One compliment can go a long way in improving someone’s day. When was the last time you complimented your partner at home for making a meal? Offer a helping hand to your neighbor. Express kindness in your interactions throughout your community.

6. Philippines

The hard-to-pronounce Filipino compound noun pakikipagkapwa-tao (pronounced pah-kee-kip-ahg-kap-wa-tao) places great value on community happiness, harmony, and unity.

The Filipino mindset is one of getting along with others rather than standing out alone. The entire community benefits if progress is achieved—no one is left behind, and this increases happiness for all.

The ethos of pakikisama, which means “getting along with others,” is deeply embedded in the Filipino psyche and value system. That’s why multigenerational households or having family homes near each other is common among Filipinos. Church plays a vital role in the Philippines as a place for communal bonding as well.

Create greater happiness with pakikipagkapwa-tao:

Participate in a food drive. Sponsor a child in a poverty-stricken country with organizations that give a hand up, not a handout, such as World Vision or Compassion International. Explore how you can help international humanitarian efforts such as Doctors Without Borders.

7. Japan

Japan has a relatively new tradition known as shinrin-yoku, loosely translated as “forest-bath” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.” The idea took root in the ’80s to counter city-life burnout.

It inspired the Japanese people to reconnect with their many forests. The simple practice entails taking slow walks in the woods to convene with nature through the five senses.

It’s a bit like Norway’s friluftsliv, but forest-bathing has become a practical way to reduce urban stress and boost mood among the Japanese—and its benefits are confirmed by research.

Create greater happiness with shinrin-yoku:

Make your next getaway an area where you can forest-bathe. When you do, engage four of the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, and touch.

Look up at the canopy and observe how the light comes through the trees. Listen for the breeze and the chirping of birds. Smell the richness of loam and soil. If you can’t get to a forest, you can also simply go to the park and engage your senses on a quiet stroll.

8. Hawaii

Hawaii was found to be the “Happiest State in America” in 2024 by personal finance website WalletHub. Its analysis compared states across metrics, including the depression rate, productivity, income growth, and the unemployment rate.

Of course, Hawaii’s beaches, swaying palm trees, warm trade winds, and majestic mountains may have something to do with all that happiness, but its culture factors into well-being too. 

The Hawaiian people have continued to practice traditions handed down from their ancestors who inhabited the islands long before Westerners. The tradition of ho’oponopono (pronounced hoe-pono-pono) comes from the Hawaiian words ho’o (to make) and pono (right or correct). Saying pono twice makes it “doubly right,” and it applies to oneself and others.

Ho’oponopono is defined as “mental cleansing: family conferences in which relationships are set right through prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, and mutual restitution and forgiveness,” according to the Hawaiian dictionary. Ancient islanders believed that errors, guilt, or anger caused physical illness. Their cure was forgiveness.

Create greater happiness ho’oponopono:

Do you need to ask someone for forgiveness or is there someone you need to forgive?   If so, make use of the ho’oponopono-inspired prayer of forgiveness, which is based on four key phrases: 

“I love you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Please forgive me.”

“Thank you.”

Write the prayer down on a piece of paper and put it somewhere you can see it every day.

Another way to embrace ho’oponopono is by having a family meeting known as a pule ‘ohana. That’s when the family gathers to review the day, discussing what went well.

HOW TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL HAPPINESS DAY

One way to honor this day of happiness would be to simply practice one of these eight happiness rituals on March 20. Of course, you can continue the good feelings by incorporating the remaining rituals that speak to you, one at a time, into your life gradually.

In this blog, you’ll learn the symptoms to look out for—and how to seek help.

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL LABILITY?

What does emotional lability mean? The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences defines it as “a distinct emotional process characterized by frequent, excessively rapid, and intense changes in emotions resulting in an inability to maintain a consistent emotional state over time.” Alternate terms include:

• Affective instability
• Affective lability
• Emotional impulsivity
• Emotional instability
• Emotional variability
• Mood instability
• Mood lability

Emotional lability differs from typical mood changes because the moods are rapid, intense, and severe. While both may result from an outside stimulus (a “trigger”), typical mood changes are generally less extreme in nature.

In 2013, an article in the journal Psychological Medicine noted that affective instability remained poorly defined and thus attempted to define clearer parameters. The study outlined four general categories to help measure affective instability: oscillation, intensity, ability to regulate, and the change in mood triggered by environment.

Ultimately, the authors suggested that emotional lability be defined as “rapid oscillations of intense affect, with a difficulty in regulating these oscillations or their behavioral consequences.”

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL LABILITY

Emotional lability may be confused with emotional dysregulation, a common feature of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD), the term “affective lability” is typically used for those with mood disorders, while “emotional dysregulation” is often attached to ADHD.

Some common behaviors associated with emotional lability include:

• Uncontrollable crying or laughter
• Anger outbursts or temper tantrums
• Rapid shifts between moods
• Overreactions to events
• Irritability
• Inappropriate emotions (such as laughing at a sad event)

When moving through rapid emotional shifts, an individual may suddenly move from crying to laughter without any apparent cause. During the episode, each emotion is also exaggerated in intensity and severity.

CAUSES AND CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTIONAL LABILITY

In 2015, an article in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined the significance, definition, and measurement of mood instability. It noted that mood instability is a common experience, affecting nearly 14% of the population. The issue is seen more frequently in women than men.

The authors stated that peak prevalence occurs in those ages 16-24, then gradually declines with age, affecting only 7% of those ages 65-74.

But they added that mood instability affects 40-60% of those with depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is also a prevalent feature of bipolar disorder and ADHD and can result from trauma that contributes to borderline personality disorder, hallucinations, paranoia, and psychotic disorders.

Emotional lability increases risk of suicidal ideation, alcohol misuse, and other issues that reduce quality of life. In addition, mood instability can lead to poorer long-term outcomes in those with conditions like bipolar disorder.

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), neurological conditions, such as stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s, TBI, multiple sclerosis, and dementia, can also contribute to emotional lability.

These neurological conditions create what’s called the pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also called reflex crying and involuntary emotional expression disorder.

PBA occurs because parts of the brain that control emotions are compromised. The ASA points to a “neurological disconnect between the brain’s nerve connections or chemistry that interferes with accurate emotional expression” as a reason for these intense mood swings.

Finally, certain medications—such as amphetamines prescribed for ADHD—have been associated with risk of emotional lability, according to a 2018 meta-analysis published in Journal of Affective Disorders.

THE ROLE OF THE BRAIN IN EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Since brain function affects mood stability, mood swings and brain health are closely linked. Key regions of the brain contribute to these symptoms. For example, the limbic system, as the brain’s emotional center, plays a vital role in mood regulation.

Part of the limbic system, the brain’s thalamus is important in processing emotions. It acts as a relay station for sensory and motor information, carrying external stimuli from the outside world to the brain. The thalamus has been linked to numerous issues, from chronic pain and PTSD to clinical depression and low moods.

The temporal lobes are also involved in emotional stability. Dysfunction in these areas may lead to symptoms like angry outbursts, aggression, or emotional ups and downs.

The involvement of multiple brain regions, as well as numerous conditions that may contribute to emotional lability, makes brain imaging particularly useful to pinpoint its underlying root causes.

Because SPECT scans paint a picture of activity and blood flow in the brain, they are invaluable—alongside a comprehensive evaluation—to successfully diagnose and effectively treat the condition(s) in question.

DIAGNOSING AND TREATING EMOTIONAL LABILITY

Emotional lability can significantly impact many aspects of daily life, including relationships. It creates challenges in both personal and professional settings, taking a toll on loved ones and leading to outcomes like poor performance at work or school. Therefore, obtaining the correct diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle recommendations is crucial.

Fortunately, various therapies and lifestyle tips can help individuals who are experiencing severe mood swings. Try these emotional lability treatment strategies to promote greater mood stability:

• Incorporate brain-boosting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which help support the limbic system (and therefore emotional well-being)
• Avoid sugary foods
• Listen to calming music
• Try dancing or other forms of rhythmic movement
• Practice mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, hypnosis, meditation, and/or neurofeedback, which help support emotional regulation
• Boost serotonin with exercise, diet, and a 5-HTP nutritional supplement
• Reduce screen time
• Increase cerebral blood flow with deep breathing, yoga, and cardiovascular exercise

Meanwhile, the caregivers and family members of those who experience emotional lability should educate themselves on this topic to better offer support to their loved ones.

Understanding that it’s an issue of brain health helps prevent them from taking these extreme mood swings personally or viewing them as a moral failing.

WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR EMOTIONAL LABILITY

While moderate shifts in mood are normal, emotional lability raises certain red flags that indicate the need for intervention. When mood swings are especially severe and/or rapid, out of proportion to situations, and interfering with daily life tasks and relationships, it’s time to seek help.

If you suspect you or a loved one are experiencing emotional lability, it’s important to receive a comprehensive evaluation, including brain SPECT imaging if possible, to pinpoint the underlying causes. Starting on the road to recovery with a targeted brain-body treatment plan will help regulate moods to make life more stable, manageable, and enjoyable.