Pop Quiz: What do cats have in common with the following?
Answer: Toxoplasma gondii
Did you know that more than 40 million Americans may be infected by this tiny single-celled parasite that is often carried in cats and shed in their feces? The parasite infects many animals, but it can only sexually reproduce in cats. When it infects a rat—or a mouse or a bird or some other small creature—it releases an enzyme to boost the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in risk-taking, reward, and motivation.
Scientists believe it effectively rewires the brain, so the rat gets hooked on cat urine and basically turns into a cat-seeking missile. Instead of instinctively fearing and running away from cats, the rat runs toward their natural predator. Not surprisingly, the cat eats the rat. And then the T. gondii starts to reproduce at an alarming rate.
In an amazing TED talk, science writer Ed Young recounts this most unusual love story and calls it a classic tale of “Eat, Prey, Love.”
The story doesn’t end there.
When an unsuspecting human empties the cat litter box and comes in contact with the parasite, they can become infected. The T. gondii shed in feline feces can also seep into our water and into the ground, where it can be picked up by humans. This infection, called toxoplasmosis, has a strong association with a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
In addition, if a pregnant woman becomes infected, she can pass the infection to her developing fetus, which can lead to brain damage or blindness at birth, or mental disabilities later in life.
The parasite is controlling the host. It makes you think that maybe we don’t have as much control over our behavior as we think we do.
If you’re experiencing mental health issues—such as schizophrenia, psychosis, anxiety, depression, or memory problems—and you aren’t seeing improvement from standard treatment, it’s worth investigating if an underlying infection like toxoplasmosis is involved. Brain imaging and screening tests can help detect infectious diseases and get an accurate diagnosis so you can get the proper treatment.
At Amen Clinics, when we see evidence of infections on brain SPECT imaging scans, we do additional lab work and testing. Our integrative medicine physicians are trained to diagnose and treat any infections, such as T. gondii, Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, H. pylori, and others.
If you want to join the thousands of people who have already visited Amen Clinics and enhanced their brain function with our personalized diagnosis and treatment plans, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
By Daniel G. Amen, MD
Father’s Day will be different this year. With the ongoing pandemic and physical distancing, many families won’t be celebrating the way they usually do. For me, this holiday will never be the same since my dad died earlier this year. Many of you may also be missing your late fathers on this special day. Be prepared that the holiday may give rise to feelings of grief and sadness which is completely normal. For others, it may bring on a depressive episode. And for those whose parents died in a violent or sudden way it may trigger symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Whatever feelings arise, remember that there are a variety of ways to honor your late father, even if he passed years ago. See if any of the following ideas resonate with you.
Using your smartphone, tell a memorable story about your dad or narrate a slideshow, and share it with your family or on your social media pages. Sharing what made your father special to you can put a smile on your face. And it’s likely to generate support from others that can help fill the void you may be feeling.
Spend some time at your father’s gravesite (if it’s allowed in light of the pandemic), if that helps you feel closer to him. Talk to him as if he were still alive.
Did the two of you like gardening, playing golf, or fixing cars together? Relive those times by engaging in that activity again. Say a few words in his memory before you start.
Did your dad love watching the sunset from the top of a local hiking trail? Did he enjoy sitting on a park bench and watching the people passing by? Did he feel most at home just hanging out in the garage? Visit this spot, if possible, and try to see it through his eyes.
Some people find comfort in writing a letter to their late father every year. Share the things in your life that you wish you could have told him in person and read it out loud on Father’s Day. Or you can write something about him. When my father died this year, I wrote the following poem for him and it helped me process my feelings.
I see him in every flower that blooms; he was a master gardener,
I see him in every brilliant Pacific sunset; which he loved to photograph repeatedly,
I see him every time we play cards and someone says gin; he was a master strategist who stomped us all,
I see him in his big chair surrounded by his grandchildren; he was a great, great grandfather,
I see him in every brain we scan because he helped me invest in our first imaging cameras, and
I see him every time I check my Schwab account and look at the UNFI stock he recommended, which goes up and down like my emotions since he left.
Good Grief … he’s everywhere in my brain.
I hear his beautiful deep voice saying, … “Danny, it’s your dad, give me a call, I have tangerines, avocados, and lemons.” When I want to cry and have good grief, I play his voicemails over and over.
I hear him when the television blares too loud because like me he has trouble hearing and won’t wear hearing aids,
I hear him whenever someone says “bullshit” or “no” or “I’m the boss, do what I say”; he was a very strong leader,
I hear him whenever I hear a tennis ball hit a racquet, as we had so many great games together. (pause)
I hear him when he tells me I can do anything I put my mind to; he encouraged so many people and set us all up for success.
Good Grief … he’s everywhere in my brain.
I sense him whenever I smell a sweet orange from his ranch or a gardenia from his garden,
I sense him every time I go into a supermarket; it was his life,
I sense him every time someone calls me a maverick; because I inherited it from him,
I sense him whenever we go on vacation because he taught us that families have fun together.
I sense him whenever our very large family gathers, which he and my mother created with love. When I told my mother that cinnamon was a natural aphrodisiac, she hit her forehead and said that’s why we have 7 children he would never leave me alone. Lebanese cook with a lot of cinnamon.
Good Grief … he’s everywhere in my brain.
I feel him every time I lift weights, as we did so many Sunday workouts together,
I feel him whenever I do a plank, knowing he will go longer than anyone in the room, even me because he was so stubborn,
I feel him every time I walk Mr. Vinnie. I remember buying him for dad because he was so sad when the original Vinnie died. He loved his dogs … sometimes more than his kids.
I feel him every time I remember kissing the top of his head when I’d say see you next week, and
I’ll always feel his soft hands before they took him away the day he died.
Good Grief … he’s everywhere in my brain and is intricately woven into the fabric of my soul.
He was bold, brilliant, outspoken, and the essence of the American Dream. I won’t lie, early on it was hard being his son … the boss’s kid. How could anyone live up to the success he created. As a grocer he fed thousands, he was a leader in his industry and a financial wizard. He was tough, opinionated, and yes I know many of you don’t want to hear it, but he could be brutal. He used to say, “I don’t get heart attacks, I give them.”
In 1980 when I told him I wanted to be a psychiatrist, he asked me why I didn’t want to be a real doctor, why did I want to be a nut doctor and hang out with nuts all day long? It hurt my feelings. He later came to respect what I did and sent me many, many patients. Apparently, he also knew a lot of nuts 😊.
Good grief … my father is everywhere in my brain …
From longing for his approval as a child while he was away working to build an empire …
To adopting his work ethic … he was working the day he died, and I suspect I will be working too when my time comes …
To finally being one of my best friends in the last years of his life and the father who was perfect for me.
If you’re suffering from grief, depression, anxiety, or other issues, understand that mental health problems can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
In an intimate conversation on YouTube, singer Halsey opens up about what she has learned about living with bipolar disorder since being diagnosed with the condition as a teen. In this video, which is intended to be educational, the 25-year-old award-winning singer talks about how she wrote her latest album “Manic” during a manic episode.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that involves severe changes in mood, energy, and activity levels—swinging from euphoria (mania) to depression. Nearly 6 million Americans are affected by the condition, which causes them to cycle between manic episodes and depressive episodes.
Although Halsey was diagnosed at an early age, not everybody gets diagnosed as quickly. As is mentioned in her video, it can be 6 months for some people but 10 years for others. And there can be several misdiagnoses along the way. The symptoms seen in bipolar disorder can be similar to those associated with depression, ADD/ADHD, or even schizophrenia, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Making the distinction between bipolar disorder and other conditions is critical because following the wrong treatment plan can make symptoms much worse.
Halsey says the one question she wishes she would have asked when she was 16 or 17 that might have helped her cope with what she was going through is, “How do I know what I’m allowed to feel?”
This is a common concept among those with mental health conditions. People suffering from psychiatric issues—such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, and other conditions—often try to squash their uncomfortable feelings. A better approach is to recognize your thoughts and feelings and accept them for what they are, but don’t let them have power over you.
In the video, Halsey says that a lot of people have questioned her diagnosis, saying, “You don’t seem like you have bipolar disorder.” She explains, “They see a young woman who’s achieving all these goals, and they think, ‘Well, there really can’t be anything hindering her from that.’”
In reality, successful people are also vulnerable to mental health issues, which brain SPECT imaging studies show are actually brain health issues. For some people, like Halsey, it’s possible to channel the emotions and struggles in a creative way that resonates with others.
Halsey admits in the video that as she became more familiar with her condition, she was better able to recognize the onset of a manic or depressive episode. When out-of-control euphoria or deep sadness is returning, it’s a good idea to get more serious about interventions. Treatments that can promote stable moods and energy levels in people with bipolar disorder include natural supplements, healthy nutrition, exercise, helpful forms of therapy, and (if necessary) medication.
The manic episodes experienced in bipolar disorder are characterized by abnormally elevated moods, inflated self-esteem, grandiose ideas, racing thoughts, inappropriate behavior, and sometimes delusions or hallucinations. Halsey admits she thinks her mania is “the worst part of me” and considers her manic self irresponsible, untrustworthy, and unreliable. At the same time, she says, “When I’m manic, that’s also when I make my best art. It’s when I’m the most compassionate. It’s the version of me that has given me everything that I have.”
Don’t focus solely on the downsides of bipolar disorder. Be grateful for its upsides too. This will help you keep a more balanced view of your condition.
All relationships are challenging, but it can be especially hard when one person in the couple has bipolar disorder. In her video, Halsey explains that if she meets someone when she’s in a stable phase, things might be great at first. But when a manic or depressive episode returns, that person might want out of the relationship. “That’s not what I signed up for,” is something she says her dates may have thought.
Helping significant others understand more about bipolar disorder may ease the ups and downs in these relationships. A partner who’s in tune with the cyclical nature of the condition can also be helpful in making sure the person with bipolar disorder continues to follow their treatment plan to minimize risky behavior during manic episodes and prevent them from falling into a deep depression. This can help a relationship.
When Halsey first got her diagnosis, she says, “People were telling me all the things I couldn’t do.” Fortunately, she was able to look past the negativity and think about all the things she could do. If you’re diagnosed with bipolar disorder or any form of psychiatric condition, it’s always a good idea to stay focused on the positive things you can do in your life.
Halsey’s inspiring educational video also explores how mental health is a perpetual journey that requires constant care, attention, and energy. These are wise words. Following a brain healthy treatment plan that enhances brain function and diminishes symptoms is not a temporary program. To maintain more stable moods throughout the lifespan, you need to continue with a targeted treatment plan that includes healthy lifestyle habits.
Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
There’s no question the coronavirus pandemic has taken a psychological toll on us. Now there’s hard data showing just how many people are suffering. A new Census Bureau poll called the 2020 Household Pulse Survey reveals that a staggering one-third of Americans are showing signs of anxiety or depression, or both.
This represents a huge spike in relation to pre-pandemic numbers. In an average year, an estimated 18% of Americans are affected by anxiety disorders whereas 30% are currently experiencing symptoms of the condition. And the number of people reporting depressive symptoms during the pandemic is twice as high compared to a 2014 national survey that included a question about depressed moods.
As the pandemic and its sweeping effects on health, unemployment, personal finances, education, and relationships rage on, it will continue to affect mental health. The Census Bureau plans to continue taking weekly surveys to track the impact.
According to the latest survey, some people are hurting more than others. Some of the hardest hit are younger Americans. Among young adults aged 18-29, 42% have symptoms of anxiety and 36% are feeling depressed. Although younger people are less likely to become seriously ill or die from COVID-19, they are experiencing the highest rate of unemployment in decades, which is likely adding to their stress. In addition, the pandemic has completely upended college life and future career prospects, throwing the younger set into an existential quandary.
The survey shows that rates of anxiousness and low moods among Americans decline with increasing age. Among people ages, 30 to 59, 31%-34% are feeling anxious and 24%-28% have depressive symptoms. Seniors over the age of 80 are the least likely to have symptoms.
Others who are more likely to be suffering include females, with as many as 41% of women experiencing symptoms of these mental health conditions compared with 31% of men, according to the Census Bureau survey. Anxiety and depression are both typically more common in women.
People across all income brackets are suffering, but the numbers are highest among the poorest. In response to one question about how many days in the previous week they had been bothered by a lack of control or an inability to stop worrying, 68% of those making less than $25,000 a year answered “at least several days” compared to 40% of those earning over $150,000 a year.
Although experts anticipate the number of Americans struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders will continue to rise, you don’t have to suffer from relentless feelings of nervousness, sadness, or hopelessness. And you don’t have to wait to start feeling better. Even in the face of a pandemic that threatens your health, your job, and your way of life, you can calm anxiousness and brighten your moods. Medication isn’t the only way to do it. There are many alternatives to antidepressants as well as natural ways to calm anxiety that you can put into practice now.
Anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting to get treatment until the pandemic is over is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples, as well as in-clinic brain scanning to help our patients. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
You might think that being a social media influencer with 40 million Instagram followers, as well as being a successful singer, actress, and model would mean your life is perfect. But not for superstar Lele Pons. She admitted in her new Youtube docuseries, “The Secret Life of Lele Pons,” that she has been battling mental health issues for most of her life.
“My deepest, darkest secret is that I have OCD,” she says in the first episode of the docuseries, adding that she also suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, and depression.
OCD, which affects about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 200 children, is a serious and debilitating disorder characterized by recurring thoughts known as obsessions and repetitive behaviors called compulsions. Pons explains it by saying, “My OCD is thoughts, very, very powerful thoughts, that make me do stuff that I don’t want to do.”
Similar to what Pons describes, people with OCD are subjected to intrusive thoughts and mental images rooted in fears that cause anxiety. Some of the common obsessions seen in OCD include the fear of germs, contamination, forbidden sexuality, violence, being out of control, religion, and a need for perfection.
In an effort to suppress or control these thoughts and the anxiety they induce, people are driven to engage in compulsive behaviors. The most common compulsions include:
In the docuseries, Pons reveals that her obsessions trigger rituals, touching, and other compulsions. “When I was little, it got to a point that I could not move from my car, and I stayed an hour there doing some rituals and touching things, and my dad had to carry me out of the car,” she says. “If I didn’t touch everything, I thought my family was going to die, so I started touching everything.”
OCD brains work differently. In people with this condition, brain SPECT imaging studies have shown excessive activity in two regions of the brain—the basal ganglia and anterior cingulate gyrus.
Unfortunately, most psychiatrists never look at the brain. They make diagnoses based solely on symptom clusters—the same way Abraham Lincoln was diagnosed with depression over 150 years ago. The problem with this is that the symptoms of OCD overlap with those seen in other mental health conditions, such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, PTSD, or even schizophrenia. This can lead to misdiagnoses. In fact, a 2015 study among primary care physicians found that half of OCD cases were misdiagnosed.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is a critical step in finding the most effective treatment. For superstar Pons, treatment has helped her overcome those times when she would get stuck. In her docuseries, her mother recounts episodes when Pons, as a little girl, would get stuck and couldn’t open a door or cross a room to get to her bed. That’s the kind of behavior that could ruin a career, Pons says. “Imagine [if]…on stage, I just get stuck.”
Superstar singers like Pons can’t afford to freeze on stage, but no one can afford to get stuck during a test at school, while making a presentation at the office, or on a date. Seeking help is key.
With the right treatment, people with OCD can get unstuck, learn to deal with the anxious and uncomfortable feelings that accompany obsessions, and put a halt to repetitive compulsive behaviors. You can get your life back.
At Amen Clinics, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating our patients with OCD. Through our brain imaging, lab work, and extensive assessment of your personal history, we are able to identify biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
If you want to join the tens of thousands of people who have already enhanced their brain health, overcome their symptoms, and improved their quality of life at Amen Clinics, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
While most people are focusing on ways to fight the coronavirus pandemic, few are prepared for the other pandemic that is already spreading more rapidly around the nation and across the globe—a mental health pandemic.
Recent reports show:
And that’s just the beginning.
An article in the April issue of JAMA Internal Medicine warns of an impending mental health epidemic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors write, “These consequences are of sufficient importance that immediate efforts focused on prevention and direct intervention are needed to address the impact of the outbreak on individual and population-level mental health.”
The outlook for our mental wellbeing is grim with spikes expected in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, and other issues.
What can you do now to avoid falling victim to this impending crisis? Start taking care of your brain and body by addressing your BRIGHT MINDS risk factors.
In Daniel G. Amen’s book The End of Mental Illness, he reveals that it’s time to discard the term “mental illness” and recognize that these conditions are actually brain health issues that steal your mind. When you understand that your brain is the organ that creates your mind, you can take the necessary steps to change your brain and heal your mind.
Low blood flow is the #1 brain imaging predictor of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also associated with depression, schizophrenia, and ADD/ADHD. Did you know that as blood pressure goes up, blood flow to the brain goes down?
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: To boost blood flow, exercise, eat foods that enhance blood flow to the brain (such as beets, cayenne pepper, oregano, and rosemary), and take supplements like ginkgo biloba.
When you stop learning your brain starts dying. The older you get the more likely you are to struggle with your memory, and as the brain deteriorates with age it leads to a greater risk of mood problems, anxiety, irritability, temper flare-ups, and irrational behavior.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: The older you are the more serious you need to be about your physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
The word inflammation comes from the Latin “Inflammare” which means “to set on fire.” When you have inflammation in your body, it’s like a low-level fire that’s destroying your organs, including your brain. Inflammation has been linked to depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, personality disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids (take a high-quality supplement like Omega-3 Power), try probiotics to promote better gut health (ProBrainBiotics), and floss your teeth to avoid gum disease.
If you have a family history of mental health problems, understand that your genes are not your destiny. Think of it as a wakeup call.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Don’t use genetic vulnerabilities as an excuse to give in to bad habits, such as overeating or excessive drinking.
Mild traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of mental illness, but nobody knows it because traditional psychiatrists never look at the brain. Head injuries are associated with depression, anxiety and panic disorders, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), drug and alcohol abuse, ADD/ADHD, memory problems, and more.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: If traditional treatment for a psychiatric condition isn’t working, consider brain SPECT imaging to see if you have underlying brain trauma that is contributing to your mental health symptoms.
Drugs, alcohol, mold, chemicals in household cleaners, and other toxins are major causes of brain health/mental health issues that traditional psychiatrists almost completely ignore. Exposure to toxins increases the risk of depression, ADD/ADHD, memory problems, autism, temper outbursts, psychotic behavior, dementia, and more.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Detoxify your home as much as possible. Read the labels of the disinfectants you’re using during the pandemic and choose products that aren’t toxic.
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain has been associated with temper outbursts, depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, distractibility, and confusion.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Avoid things that increase mind storms, such as high stress, lack of sleep, drug and alcohol abuse, and skipping meals.
Things like Lyme disease and autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) cause multiple brain health/mental health issues.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Strengthen your immune system and seek treatment for chronic infections like Lyme disease.
Hormonal imbalances of key neurohormones, such as thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone can cause symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, attention problems, and psychosis—that mimic mental health conditions.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Know and optimize your hormone levels.
Being obese and/or having diabetes is detrimental to brain health and leads to a greater risk of depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, addictions, agoraphobia, and more.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Many obese people with type 2 diabetes are able to overcome the condition with a brain healthy diet, increased physical exercise, and supplements like berberine that help support healthy blood sugar levels.
Over time, sleep problems lead to an increased risk of depression, ADD/ADHD, panic attacks, memory problems, and dementia.
BRIGHT MINDS Strategy: Make sleep a priority and aim for 7-8 hours a night.
Anxiety can’t wait. Depression can’t wait. Addiction can’t wait. Your mental health can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting to get treatment until the pandemic is over is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples, as well as in-clinic brain scanning to help our patients. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
A new study shows 4 in 10 Americans are lonelier than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic and shelter-at-home orders. Being separated from family, friends, and everyday friendly acquaintances is taking a toll on our well-being. It’s no wonder why—humans are social animals. Social connectivity is hard-wired into our brains, and when we feel lonely, it can have negative consequences for us emotionally, cognitively, and physically.
In 2017, the journal Public Health published a review of 40 studies that found consistent evidence showing that social isolation and loneliness worsen mental health. In fact, loneliness has been associated with depression, social anxiety, addictions, and hoarding.
Feeling lonely can have devastating effects on cognitive health. Research presented at the 2015 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference shows that the loneliest among us experience cognitive decline 20% faster than people who are connected to others. And a study in JAMA Psychiatry found that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease was more than twice as high in people who are lonely.
In terms of physical health, being lonely is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And the same Public Health review mentioned above also found that social isolation and loneliness are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes.
This is tough news considering much of the nation will continue to be on lockdown for the foreseeable future.
What can you do about it?
Call the people you care about or schedule video conferences or FaceTime chats to be able to see each other as you speak. If it helps you, make a schedule for regular calls. This way, when you’re feeling like you’re all alone, you can remember that you’ll be talking to someone you care about soon.
Feeling connected to your faith can be very important in helping you avoid loneliness. Many churches are conducting services online and hosting small group discussions using video conferencing. Be sure to tune in.
Take advantage of Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps to share posts and quarantine photos with your friends. You may also want to join a Facebook group where you can connect with people who have similar interests or hobbies—whether it’s your favorite dog breed, knitting, tennis, or guitar players. On your Facebook feed, simply go to Groups, click on Discover, and start exploring.
If you enjoy playing games, sign up to play Words With Friends and invite your relatives to play or play against others at your skill level. Sports lovers who are missing the action right now might want to check out virtual sports games where you can connect with fellow fans. There’s also an app called Houseparty that lets you play games online with friends in real-time.
Taking a digital course where you learn from an online instructor can be a good way to feel connected and do something beneficial for your cognitive function. Try the Change Your Brain Master’s Course taught by Daniel Amen, M.D. to learn how to boost your brain health and mental well-being.
Feeling like you are supporting others in some way can be very helpful in alleviating loneliness. Some ways to do it while still practicing safe physical distancing include checking in on any elderly or vulnerable neighbors with a call or text or donating blood to the American Red Cross, which is still encouraging donations during the pandemic.
Just taking a walk in your neighborhood can give you the opportunity to see and say hello to neighbors from a safe physical distance. Or take a cue from people around the world and start singing from your balcony (like Spanish singer Beatriz “Betta” Berodia) or clap and make noise from your windows (like they’ve been doing in New York City and San Diego, CA). You may start a trend, and it can help you feel connected.
Pets can provide comfort, companionship, and love. If you’re stuck at home and have more time on your hands than usual, think about fostering a furry four-legged friend. Petting a dog has been shown to trigger the release of the feel-good neurotransmitters oxytocin and dopamine, and studies show that having a pet can be beneficial for moods, anxiety, and stress.
It may seem like the worst time to try to meet someone new when you can’t go on a real date but think of this as an opportunity to get to know someone better before meeting in person. A video chat, while you’re both in your quarantine sweats at home, might actually be a less stressful way to connect with a special someone.
If your feelings of loneliness are overwhelming and you need support, seek treatment through mental telehealth opportunities. You don’t need to suffer or wait until the pandemic is over to get the help you need.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or other mental health issues, you aren’t alone—45% of Americans say the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their mental health. Just because you’re sheltering at home doesn’t mean you have to wait for the pandemic to be over before seeking help. In fact, during these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting to get treatment is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples, as well as in-clinic brain scanning to help our patients. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
Sleep difficulties are very common in people with depression, and both issues can wreak havoc on your ability to perform at your best—whether it’s on the field, in the boardroom, or in the classroom. Did you know that about 75% of depressed people also struggle with symptoms of insomnia? Many aspects of sleep are linked to depression. How many of the following sleep issues do you have?
Many people who are depressed want to sleep more, as it is considered an escape from their suffering. Many find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning due to reduced motivation and lack of energy, resulting in more time spent in bed trying to sleep. This worsens insomnia because the bed becomes associated with wakefulness and negative thoughts.
Although early morning awakenings are more common in depressed people, they may also be due to simply being an “early bird” or “lark.” To know the difference, think about whether you were an early riser prior to the depression setting in.
People who have a delayed sleep schedule (“eveningness” tendencies), in which they go to bed later at night, are more likely to have a lower mood in the morning and a better mood in the evening. So, they tend to delay their bedtime because they finally feel better in the evening, and they tend to postpone getting out of bed because they have a lower mood in the morning.
This often means higher alertness in bed, which can lead to an increased effort to go to sleep, which leads to more wakefulness of the mind, which perpetuates the cycle of insomnia.
Sleep apnea—which is characterized by snorting, gasping, or temporarily stopping breathing while sleeping—may be more prevalent among patients with insomnia and depression. One possibility for the connection may be because of depression-associated inactivity and weight gain, as excess weight and obesity are the most common causes of sleep apnea.
When repeated thoughts (ruminations) occur in bed at night, they will interfere with your sleep.
When you can’t sleep, it’s a good idea to get up so you don’t associate the bed with sleeplessness. However, depressed people often fail to do this because they may have low energy and less motivation, and they already use the bed for negative thinking and as an escape from “the depressing real world” (the wish for sleep to provide an escape from emotional suffering).
Surprisingly, many of these sleep problems do not resolve with psychotherapy or antidepressant medication. In fact, several antidepressants are known to contribute to sleep disruptions. Medications like bupropion and venlafaxine can be activating and keep you up at night. Common side effects of most antidepressants include a number of digestive problems, which could also affect sleep. Medications such as mirtazapine can cause weight gain and potentially worsen conditions like sleep apnea. Most antidepressants worsen or contribute to Restless Leg Syndrome, a condition that causes your legs to move involuntarily, making it difficult to get restful sleep. And most antidepressants that work on the neurotransmitter serotonin can worsen or contribute to dream enactment (REM sleep behavior disorder), thereby disrupting sleep.
In addition, when stimulants are used off-label for motivation and energy in depressed patients, they can cause insomnia. When bipolar depression is treated with medications, such as olanzapine and quetiapine, they can cause weight gain and worsen sleep apnea, which in turn causes sleep disruption.
In general, individuals with co-occurring depression and insomnia tend to have a more serious disability, greater severity of depression, and poorer depression outcomes than those without insomnia. Depressed people with disturbed sleep are also at increased risk for suicide and are more vulnerable to a recurrence of depression. This is why it’s so important to address both issues. If you’re struggling with both depression and sleep deprivation, be sure to have your insomnia diagnosed and treated in addition to treating the depression.
You can find many more common sleep saboteurs that compromise performance, in addition to solutions to optimize sleep, in Dr. Shane Creado’s book, Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes: The Cutting-edge Sleep Science That Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage.
In “Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes: The Cutting-edge Sleep Science That Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage” author Dr. Shane Creado, who is board-certified in both psychiatry and sleep medicine and is on the Board of Directors for the International Society for Sports Psychiatry, shares his unique sleep optimization program for athletes that he uses with his patients at Amen Clinics. Order your copy here.
If you or a loved one is looking for that competitive edge or is struggling with sleep problems or depression, Amen Clinics can help. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
You probably know that persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, and withdrawal from social connections are common symptoms of major depressive disorder. But there are many other signs that you may not know are associated with the condition. At Amen Clinics, we see patients every day who complain about symptoms that they don’t realize are associated with the disorder. Based on our experience with tens of thousands of patients, here are 10 signs of depression that often go unrecognized. Do you have any of these?
Many of the patients we see complain of back pain, muscle soreness, headaches, or chest pain that isn’t related to a specific injury or activity and that doesn’t go away with treatment. In most cases, it never occurred to them that it might be related to depression. But research in CNS Drugsshows that approximately two-thirds of people with depression report unexplained physical pain. Our brain imaging work using SPECT technology shows that people who experience chronic pain tend to have high activity in a part of the brain called the limbic system. When there is too much activity in this area of the brain, it is also associated with depression.
One of the things we notice in our depressed patients is that they tend to catch every cold or flu bug that’s going around. They are usually surprised to learn that depression may negatively impact your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses and infections. It can also make it harder for you to fight off infections, which means it may take you longer to get over that cold.
When negative thoughts keep swirling in your head, it’s hard to stay focused on the task at hand. A 2014 study in Plos One found that aside from sad moods, concentration problems were one of the most common and debilitating symptoms among depressed people. In our clinics, we see many people who think their problems with focus are a sign of ADD/ADHD, but their brain scans show that it’s actually depression.
Do you find yourself getting irritated at the smallest things your family, coworkers, or friends do? Are you feeling angry at the world? Research in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry shows there is a close relationship between anger and major depressive disorder. In our experience, people often don’t make the link between irritability and depression. That’s what happened with Chad. He came to see us because his wife said he needed to get anger management, or she would divorce him. She was tired of Chad getting mad at her and their kids for really insignificant things. When we scanned his brain, however, it was consistent with one of the 7 patterns of depression we have identified. Treating his depression helped him feel less annoyed and more accepting.
At Amen Clinics, many of the people we see who have memory issues are unaware that it may be related to depression. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that untreated depression significantly raises the risk of developing memory problems and cognitive impairment. For example, a 2015 study concluded that depression is associated with short-term memory loss. Other research has found that people who are depressed have a harder time recalling the intricate details of their lives, meaning you may remember general events but have trouble with the specifics.
At Amen Clinics, we know that physical health is tied to mental health, so we delve into our patients’ overall wellbeing as part of our evaluations. People are often stunned to learn that having constipation is linked to depression. According to a 2011 report, 22% of constipated people studied showed symptoms of severe depression and 13% had borderline depression levels.
Some people we see don’t think they’re depressed because they don’t feel sad or weepy. One woman, Sarah, said she didn’t feel much of anything at all and was basically devoid of any emotion. She wasn’t even sad about her child’s high school graduation. “It’s just the next step in life,” she said flatly. She mistook her lack of emotion as a sign of strength. When you don’t feel anything no matter what happens in your life, it can be a sign of depression.
These days, it seems like everybody’s perpetually tired. The majority of our depressed patients say they feel exhausted, but they often blame it on something else like not getting enough sleep. When you’re depressed, it takes so much extra effort just to get through your day, it can leave you feeling wiped out.
For some people with depression, the idea of relaxing or having nothing on your calendar can induce stress and anxiety. Our patients often say that downtime is just that—a time when the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) infest their brains and make them feel down. For example, Shailene thought she was just a type-A go-getter who liked to feel productive at all times and didn’t realize that her need to fill up her time was really just a way to avoid the negativity that would creep in when she wasn’t busy.
Some of our patients say they feel like they’re wearing a mask during the day, trying to appear cheerful and motivated. This can be a sign of “smiling depression,” in which people look like the picture of success on the outside, but they feel empty inside.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s a good idea to investigate if it might be a sign of depression.
At Amen Clinics, we take a unique brain-body approach to diagnosis and treatment that includes brain SPECT imaging, as well as laboratory testing to check physical health, and other important factors that could be contributing to symptoms. By getting to the root cause of your symptoms, we can create a more effective, personalized treatment plan for you.
If you want to join the tens of thousands of people who have already enhanced their brain health, overcome their symptoms, and improved their quality of life at Amen Clinics, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
By Zoe Davis, MA, LMHC, MS, CNC
While this is a stressful time for many, it is also an opportunity to practice mindfulness and deep compassion for ourselves and our community. Food choices may be more emotional at this time as people look to food for comfort to lower anxiety and mitigate feelings of a loss of control. I hope some of these ideas for managing stress eating will be helpful to you and will provide their own source of comfort.
When going to get something to eat, simply check in to gauge what your real need is by asking yourself: “Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?” If you’re hungry, eat some nourishing food. If you’re angry (or stressed or anxious), do something to attend to that emotion, such as journaling, meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, drawing, or coloring (even adults can do this!). If you’re lonely, reach out to a friend or family member, and make regular social engagements a priority (virtually for now). If you’re tired, rest, drink some water, do some mild stretching, or get some fresh air with a walk to replenish your energy. When we create more space between the thought of eating something to soothe our emotions and the actual consumption, we create awareness of our true need and increase the likelihood of doing something to attend to that actual need.
Low blood sugar exacerbates feelings of stress and anxiety. Make sure you’re consuming regular meals that include adequate protein, healthy fat, plenty of vegetables, and some low-sugar fruit. Don’t go too long between meals, especially if you’re prone to feeling anxious or stressed. Your brain and body need nutrients regularly throughout the day, and when we are missing key B vitamins, fiber, minerals (like magnesium), and probiotics, we can feel more amped up and have a harder time relaxing.
Take a few deep breaths before eating and chew your food thoroughly. Eating this way engages the parasympathetic nervous system and allows for better digestion and greater benefit from the foods you eat. This practice also naturally moderates the amount and types of food your body actually needs, drastically reducing the need for willpower.
Now is a great time to focus on the essentials and avoid foods that fill you up but don’t actually nourish you. Try making warm broth-based soups, roasted root vegetables, baked pear or apple with cinnamon, and gluten-free whole grains or pseudo-grains like wild rice, quinoa, and buckwheat as part of your comfort foods instead of white flour-based foods or sugary desserts.
Stimulants—such as refined sugars, too much caffeine, dyes, additives, and artificial sweeteners—can irritate or over-activate the nervous system and exacerbate anxiety, making it more difficult to experience a sense of calm.
If you live with others, take turns cooking and prepare the table where you will eat as a part of the meal to be enjoyed. Light candles, play relaxing music, and have positive conversations as part of the meal. Avoid stressful conversations with meals, and if you live alone, invite friends to a virtual dinner party via computer or phone. You can enjoy each other’s company even when not in the same space.
Consider the work that went into growing or raising your food, the incredible abundance of our planet, and the many people along the way from planting to delivery that work hard every day to keep you nourished. Gratitude keeps us focused on appreciation, which is a boost to our immune system and can significantly lower stress levels.
When we move, we’re more in touch with our physical body and tend to choose healthier food options and drink more water. Additionally, exercise is immensely beneficial for lowering anxiety, improving our immune resistance, reducing stress, and encouraging sound sleep. While much of our lives may be more confined than we would like, we can still move every day. Some ideas include going for brisk walks/hikes in our neighborhood, taking dance classes online, doing weight resistant exercises with an app, or completing a regimen of yoga poses from books or instructional videos.
Try a virtual class online, get out your paintbrushes and paper, do collage, sing, dance, write poetry or stories, learn a language (or re-learn one), play a musical instrument if you have one, sew, knit, or anything else you’d like to try. Creativity is a great way to express yourself and de-stress. When we are creative and feel ourselves expressed, we are using energy in a positive way and tend to feel less restless. Decreasing feelings of restlessness can keep us from eating out of boredom.
Volunteer in any way that is safe for you. Volunteer Match has thousands of opportunities, and you can do many of them virtually, or you can come up with your own way to help in your neighborhood. When we feel a sense of contribution and connection with our community, we tend to feel more in control and more grounded. This feeling is empowering and often leads us to take better care of ourselves (with food, movement, sleep, and more), as we feel more important to those around us.
Try to go to bed at the same time each night and limit foods at least 2 hours prior to sleep. Use blue-light filters on computers, phones, or tablets if you need to use them in the hour prior to bedtime. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep regularly helps to regulate hunger hormones, improve energy, and increase our stress tolerance.
Zoe Davis, MA, LMHC, MS, CNC is a nutrition therapist, integrative health coach, and certified Irlen screener at Amen Clinics, where she has been honored to work with patients over the last four years. Zoe has Master’s degrees in human nutrition and functional medicine, is a licensed mental health counselor, and has a post-graduate certificate in nutritional psychology. This unique combination of education in both nutrition and psychology allows her to use a mind-body approach in a deeply integrated way.
Find out more about Amen Clinics, which offers comprehensive clinical evaluations and remote therapy sessions as well as in-clinic brain scanning, by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.