By Jennifer Love, MD
As time marches on, and we try to adjust to seeing masks on people everywhere we go (will we ever really get used to that?), COVID-isolation is growing. Yesterday at my neighborhood market a shopper was wearing a gas mask, which totally freaked me out since I recently watched Season 3 of The Tunnel on PBS Passport. But that aside, I observed two extremes at the store that day.
First, I noticed an eerie solitude, a somber atmosphere, with people disconnected from faces, from expressions, from smiles. People turned inward, watching the scene in silence, avoiding eye contact. The atmosphere was heavy, anxious, apocalyptic.
Then a woman rode up on her bicycle and started talking to the people in line as she removed her helmet and locked up the bike. I made a place for her in the long line in front of me. Behind her homemade bandana mask was a smile. No one could see it, but it was obvious. What makes her so different from the rest? And how can we learn to be more like her?
As I’ve been caught up in my own COVID-isolation—feeling challenged every day to avoid feeling the impact of not having hugged another human being in a month, keeping myself busy seeing patients, writing, making my environment cozy—I’ve discovered a new type of creative connection. And once I opened myself up to these new COVID-connections, I felt less isolated and less lonely.
***
I’ll admit my first attempt was a little rough around the edges. I read a post online written by a doctor in Michigan about the importance of social distancing before it was really catching on. My office was still open at the time, so I reached out, introduced myself, and thanked him for the info. I communicate with doctors and researchers all the time, but this time this introvert uncharacteristically (and quite frankly nervously) added a postscript: “I requested to follow you on Instagram. I’m not a crazy stalker—it’s my non-professional page I use to connect to non-work things.” (OMG!)
What ensued were a few days of engaging conversation, ranging from COVID safety to jokes about alcohol consumption, to graphs of sleep patterns (his, not mine, but clearly, I had found a fellow nerd). After about a week it petered out; we’re busy doctors after all. But it was my first COVID connection.
***
Soon following were messages from a friend I knew and adored in high school, who is now a traveling hospice nurse in rural Montana, helping people die with love and grace and the support of her kind and gentle spirit, in the comfort of their homes, without a single piece of personal protective equipment. We’ve been discussing her fears, her asthma, her daughters, her vulnerabilities, and I’m trying to remind her of her strengths and resilience. I’m also sending her my emergency N95 mask. She needs it more.
***
My best friend’s brother-in-law is also a physician. His life is overflowing with work and family and responsibilities, but as a sensitive human, he saw through my humor into my isolation and started making me laugh via text. He’s a musician in a band, and I call him Sgt. Pepper. He sends me tracks from his band, and they’re really weird and creative. They are also always appreciated.
***
A woman I’ve known since we were in Brownies together in kindergarten (!) recently moved to Morro Bay with her wife and opened a coffee shop called Skippers Brew. They were just hitting their stride when social distancing started, and soon California was put under “shelter in place” orders. They were scrambling—limiting their hours and taking on side jobs to stay afloat. But instead of thinking only about themselves, they started a campaign for people in their community who suddenly couldn’t afford the luxury of stepping out for a coffee-to-go. Did they ask for donations? You betcha! But not for themselves.
They started a “skip it forward coffee giving campaign” so that when people go online and pay for a drink option, a coupon for that drink is posted on the wall. So all anyone has to do is walk in, take a coupon, and enjoy a latte or cappuccino thanks to the kindness of another human. Even during this time when small businesses are crashing, these women are trying to make it work and supporting their community in the process.
It’s COVID-kindness at its best.
***
Yesterday I was contacted by a stranger online (always sketchy—I mean, look what I said to the Michigan doc!), who had a package of cookies delivered to her door for someone who shares my last name (I use a different name on my private social media accounts). She wanted to know whether I knew this person, so she could have the cookies redirected. She said she kept them on her porch in case she found the rightful recipient, so they could easily be picked up and redirected with minimal handling. I referred her to a second cousin of mine, who lives in this woman’s area. She signed off with, “Thank you so much for answering me, and stay well with your loved ones,” with a little heart emoji. Just a kind stranger from across the country, trying to help a neighbor get her cookies.
***
Two nights this week I stayed up texting until one in the morning with a friend from high school I haven’t seen or heard from since the early ’90s. It was completely random, unexpected, and ended up being quite heart-fulfilling.
***
Are you experiencing COVID-isolation? It certainly isn’t easy. But as my own experience shows, it is possible to connect while sheltering at home. Here are a few strategies that even introverts like me can try:
Go ahead, create some COVID-connections. I’d love to hear about them!
Dr. Jennifer Love is board-certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Love is an award-winning researcher and international speaker, interested in the interface between cultural and spiritual factors and overall mental health. She is also suboxone certified. Dr. Love’s work focuses on restoring life balance, brain and body health, and helping her patients improve their functionality and satisfaction in life. She considers a wide range of interventions including nutraceuticals, medication, exercise, yoga, psychotherapy, and sleep/relaxation training. Her specialties include mood disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, anger and irritability, behavioral addictions, co-occurring pain, and opioid dependence.
Dr. Love is the co-author of When Crisis Strikes: 5 Steps to Heal Your Brain, Body, and Life from Chronic Stress. Stay up to date by following @dr_author_jennifer_love on Instagram.
If isolation and loneliness are causing you to feel depressed or suicidal, or if it’s causing you to relapse or to think about relapsing, Amen Clinics is here for you. We offer remote clinical evaluations as well as mental telehealth sessions to help you. 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.
Note: If you are suicidal, in the U.S. you can call 9-1-1, or text the word “home” to 741741, or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for support.
During a pandemic, mental hygiene is just as important as washing your hands. In these unprecedented times, the spread of the coronavirus has also led to the spread of unhealthy thinking patterns and an assault on brain function and physiological health.
Disinfecting your thoughts—killing the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that steal your happiness—is so important for your overall well-being at this time.
Whenever you find yourself feeling mad, sad, nervous, or out-of-control, write down what you are thinking. Challenging negative thoughts (killing the ANTs) takes away their power and gives YOU control over your thoughts, moods, and behaviors.
Learning how to kill the ANTs and developing an internal ANTeater has been shown in scientific studies to be as effective as antidepressant medications to treat anxiety and depression!
Whenever a negative thought pops into your head, use this wonderful strategy created by my friend Byron Katie and challenge the thought with these 4 questions:
Is it true?
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
How do I react when I think that thought?
Who would I be without that thought? How would I feel?
To help you learn how to talk back to your ANTs, let’s work through 10 of the most common anxious thoughts people are having due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Is it true?
Very unlikely.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
No, the vast majority of people recover from the coronavirus. According to the CDC, the fatality rate by age group is as following:
85 and older (10%-27%)
65-84 years (3%-11%)
55-64 years (1%-3%)
20-54 years (<1%)
19 or younger (no fatalities)
How do I react when I think that thought?
My heart races, my breathing gets shallow, and I feel scared. It makes me think there’s no point in taking care of myself if I’m going to die anyway.
How would I feel without that thought?
Calmer and more empowered to make staying healthy a priority.
Is it true?
You can’t know that.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
Again, the statistics from the CDC show that most people who become infected with the coronavirus recover from the illness. And if you practice social isolation, you reduce the risk of exposing yourself and your family to the virus.
How do I react when I think that thought?
Terrified. I let my children see that I’m panicked and that makes them feel panicky too.
How would I feel without that thought?
I would be a better role model for my children and would be able to focus on what we can do to help them stay healthy.
Is it true?
Maybe.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
Although the stock market is taking a hit, historically it has always rebounded. Even though I’ve been furloughed from work, there are some programs being put in place to prevent evictions and foreclosures at this time.
How do I react when I think that thought?
Useless, helpless, and like a failure. I’m too paralyzed to do anything to improve my situation.
How would I feel without that thought?
I would be able to focus on re-evaluating my financial situation and goals. I would also be better able to concentrate on updating my resume and taking advantage of job programs and financial assistance opportunities that are available.
Is it true?
Yes.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
I have had problems with family members in the past, but that doesn’t mean we are destined to always have problems.
How do I react when I think that thought?
Trapped, victimized, like I’m in the zombie apocalypse and my family are all zombies trying to eat my brain. It makes me want to hide in my room, which makes me feel even more isolated.
How would I feel without that thought?
Massively relieved and freer. I would be more open to trying to find some common ground with my family so we can all help each other get through this trying time.
Is it true?
Yes.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
Well, they aren’t doing their homeschooling, and they are getting on my nerves, but I’m not really going crazy or having a mental breakdown.
How do I react when I think that thought?
I’m worried I might lash out at them, and I feel like I’m the worst parent and worst homeschool teacher ever.
How would I feel without that thought?
I wouldn’t hold myself or my kids to such lofty expectations, and I would forgive them and myself as we try to cope with an unprecedented situation.
Is it true?
No.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
According to the FDA, there are no food shortages. Hoarding just deprives others of getting the food and supplies they need.
How do I react when I think that thought?
Stressed, “us vs. them” mentality, guilty for taking from others.
How would I feel without that thought?
I would feel better about myself, more giving, and more like we’re all in this together.
Is it true?
No.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
Grocery stores are continually restocking fresh produce and other good-for-you foods.
How do I react when I think that thought?
I start craving cookies, cereal, pasta, and all the simple carbohydrates that increase anxiety and depression. It gives me an excuse to load up on ice cream, frozen pizza, and other bad foods.
How would I feel without that thought?
Motivated to seek out foods that fuel my body and brain, that boost immunity, and that enhance moods.
Is it true?
No.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
No. There are so many ways to stay active that don’t require a gym—fast walking in the neighborhood, downloading an exercise app, or watching fitness videos online (like these from nurse and bestselling co-author of The Brain Warrior’s Way, Tana Amen).
How do I react when I think that thought?
I feel like a weak couch potato with zero energy.
How would I feel without that thought?
Stronger and more powerful. I would find creative ways to get active that would help blood flow to my body and brain to boost my moods, increase attention, and help me make better decisions.
Is it true?
Yes.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
No, drinking alcohol might make me feel better in the short-term, but it will make me more anxious in the long-term. There are many other brain healthy ways to calm my anxiety and depression.
How do I react when I think that thought?
Powerless, like a loser, like I can’t cope with my issues without a crutch.
How would I feel without that thought?
I would feel empowered and in control. I would be motivated to seek out more healthy ways to feel better.
Is it true?
Yes.
Can I absolutely know it’s true?
No. I may be in social isolation, but I am still needed by my extended family, circle of friends, and colleagues.
How do I react when I think that thought?
I feel depressed and don’t reach out to anyone, which makes me even more lonely.
How would I feel without that thought?
I would make more of an effort to connect with people, which would make me happier.
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.
By Jennifer Love, MD
If you’re like me, scrolling through old photos is taking up a large part of your quiet time during this challenging season of social isolation. I ran across this favorite from a night of olive-oil tasting in Tuscany. I distinctly remember taking this picture, and how I felt in that moment. But when I ran across it this week, strangely enough, my heart sank.
My mind immediately saw a path leading to a dark place with no way out. The photo ignited within me a heavy feeling of hopelessness, of claustrophobia. I saw an inescapable tunnel leading to an ominous unknown end. Was it a sign of my own unspoken fears about the coronavirus pandemic? Dreaded feelings about being in self-isolation that I hadn’t even acknowledged within myself?
This experience shocked me because it was so different from how this photo had always made me feel in the past. I remember stumbling across this tunnel as I explored the tiny stone village. In the excitement of the moment, I wanted to both savor the experience by touching every old stone, and to run all the way to the end like an excited child so I could see where it would take me. It’s hard to see from this angle, but there are holes (windows) cut into the stone that offered views of the rolling hills of Tuscany bathed in the light of a nearly full moon.
I remember the feeling of history…of authenticity…that magic feeling you get when you walk a path people have walked for hundreds and hundreds of years. I imagined what it was like before the modern lighting when I suppose torches were used to light the way. Perhaps it was a secret meeting place for lovers or a spot where children played in the afternoon to escape the summer heat. I wondered whether their boisterous voices carried out of the windows and onto the vineyards where their parents worked. In this space my imagination was ignited; I felt alive, curious, excited. Happy.
The discrepancy between these two experiences, then and now, silenced me for a while. I was struck by my change in perspective. You see, during this time of social isolation, I’ve worked hard to maintain a pretty good attitude. I’m Zooming with my friends. I’m productive with work. I’m bringing flowers in from the garden. I’m FaceTiming friends and family, sleeping well, doing yoga, paying attention to the fresh ocean breezes. Even so, with all of my mindfulness, with all of my psychiatric training, with all of my support, this happened, and it happened without my noticing it. When did this start? How am I really feeling? Am I just going through the motions? Am I okay? Thus started my internal inventory of all my thoughts, feelings and emotions.
In this unprecedented time, we may not always feel okay, and that’s okay. In trying to stay busy, in trying to keep the kids occupied so they don’t glitter-glue the dogs, in cleaning up after the dogs have been glitter-glued, it’s important to take time each day to check in with yourself.
I’ve added a short mantra to my mornings, as I sleepily take the first few sips of my coffee:
Today I choose positivity.
I will breathe it in and allow it to flow from me.
I will remember the long game while playing the short.
The temporary loss of social contact will create relationships with greater life, greater passion, and longer hugs when this is over.
So today I play my part in focusing on the welfare of others, from the security of my home, for which I am grateful.
What’s your mantra for the day? Do you choose kindness? Patience? Forgiveness? Reflection? I would love to hear from you—my community—how you manage your attitude, maintain perspective, and what you do when you realize your brain has shifted. How do YOU get yours back? Comment below!
Dr. Jennifer Love is board-certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Love is an award-winning researcher and international speaker, interested in the interface between cultural and spiritual factors and overall mental health. She is also suboxone certified. Dr. Love’s work focuses on restoring life balance, brain and body health, and helping her patients improve their functionality and satisfaction in life. She considers a wide range of interventions including nutraceuticals, medication, exercise, yoga, psychotherapy, and sleep/relaxation training. Her specialties include mood disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, anger and irritability, behavioral addictions, co-occurring pain, and opioid dependence.
Dr. Love is the co-author of When Crisis Strikes: 5 Steps to Heal Your Brain, Body, and Life from Chronic Stress. Stay up to date by following @dr_author_jennifer_love on Instagram.
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.
In these unprecedented times as the coronavirus spreads across the globe, people are feeling more anxious, depressed, scared, stressed, and lonely than ever. To help you soothe your fears and nourish your soul, read these Bible verses whenever you need comfort. May God bless you and keep you healthy.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Romans 5:3-4
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
Psalm 103:2-3
When you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6
Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.”
Matthew 21:21
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
Joshua 1:5
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Revelation 21:4
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Excerpted from Stones of Remembrance: Healing Scriptures for Your Mind, Body, and Soul by Daniel G. Amen, MD. During this time of uncertainty, we are making this eBook available to you on Amazon and Google for FREE through April 15, 2020.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other issues, find out how Amen Clinics can help. For more information, 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.
Everybody worries from time to time, but some people seem to have a Ph.D. in worrying. Are you one of them? Do you spend your days (and nights) ruminating over every little thing you might have done wrong or that might go wrong in the future? Worried about the germs on every surface you touch? Worried that you should have changed that one PowerPoint slide on that big project at work? Worried that your child might get sick? Or even worse, worried that you might in some way put your child in harm’s way?
Ruminating about things you can’t control or fixating on fears of what might happen isn’t healthy. But is it normal? When worrying becomes chronic and intrusive thoughts become distressing, it can be a sign of a mental health condition that is often underrecognized and undertreated—obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Many people know that OCD can involve repetitive rituals, such as excessive hand washing, checking and re-checking that the door is locked, or extreme cleaning. What people don’t understand is that these compulsions are typically a way for people to deal with unwanted thoughts and worries that loop in the brain. And you don’t have to have physical rituals to have OCD. Some people with the condition develop mental rituals—such as praying, counting, or saying words silently to oneself—to cope with their worries.
If you’re one of the 1 in 40 adults affected by OCD or if your child is one of the 1 in 200 kids who have it, you may have repetitive thoughts and worries about:
These unwanted worries can trigger distressing feelings of anxiety or disgust. People with OCD often make a great effort to suppress or resist these intrusive thoughts and worries, but the more a person tries to control them, the more powerful they become.
Many mental health conditions can be misdiagnosed, but OCD is one of the most likely to be mistaken for other conditions because it involves so many overlapping symptoms. In fact, a 2015 study among primary care physicians found that half of OCD cases were misdiagnosed. And other research on the diagnosis and management of OCD reported that it takes an average of 11 years to receive treatment after meeting the diagnostic criteria for OCD.
OCD can be misdiagnosed as:
ADD/ADHD: People with ADD/ADHD tend to struggle focus and attention and often don’t complete tasks. People with OCD may also have trouble finishing projects, but it’s due to a need for everything to be perfect, and if things aren’t just right they don’t complete it.
Anxiety: Like people with OCD, those with anxiety may be filled with anxious thoughts and worries. The difference is that people with anxiety tend to worry about real-life concerns while those with OCD may have irrational thoughts and worries.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): People with autism may display repetitive behaviors, which can mimic some of the ritualistic patterns seen in people with OCD.
Mood disorders: In depression, people have many negative thought patterns that are also common in those with OCD.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): People with PTSD often make an effort to avoid places that bring up memories of traumatic events, while those with OCD may use avoidance to minimize the risk of triggering unwanted worries.
Psychosis or schizophrenia: These disorders are characterized by delusions. People with OCD may have irrational fears that can be mistaken for delusions. The difference is that people with OCD typically recognize that their worries are unfounded but are unable to control them, whereas those with psychosis or schizophrenia believe their delusions.
Tourette syndrome: Involuntary vocal or motor tics are the hallmarks of this condition. Some of the repetitive rituals common in people with OCD may be mistaken for Tourette.
Brain imaging studies show that the chronic worrying associated with OCD isn’t a mental health problem, but rather a brain health issue. Brain scans using SPECT imaging technology reveal abnormalities in the brains of people with OCD. In particular, SPECT scans show increased blood flow in two regions of the brain—the basal ganglia and anterior cingulate gyrus.
You can overcome chronic worrying and OCD. It starts by calming the areas of the brain that are overactive. To see some strategies you can use, read this blog on 5 simple things you can do if you have OCD.
At Amen Clinics, we take a whole-body approach to helping people overcome symptoms of chronic worrying and OCD. We perform comprehensive evaluations that include brain SPECT imaging to make an accurate diagnosis so you can get the right treatment plan for your needs. We believe in using the least toxic, most effective solutions, including helpful forms of therapy, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes, as well as medications when necessary.
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.
“No one has ever grown up in the history of humanity like Justin Bieber. No one has ever been that famous worldwide in an era of social media where every year of your adolescence you were the most Googled person on the planet.”
In Justin Bieber’s new docuseries, “Seasons,” that’s how his manager Scooter Braun describes what it was like for the superstar to grow up in the public eye. The “Baby,” “Sorry,” and “Love Yourself” artist was discovered at age 13 and shot to instant fame, becoming the world’s biggest YouTube sensation, a social media phenom, and an international chart-topper.
Despite his enormous talent and the adulation that came with fame, he faced some serious struggles like so many people do. “Being human is challenging for everybody,” he says in the docuseries. “We’re all struggling to some degree. We all have our individual pains, and fears and anxieties, worries.” Justin knows this only too well because while his career was soaring, his personal life was spinning out of control into anxiety, depression, and addiction. And his brain was under assault.
The adolescent brain is a remarkable work in progress, with billions of connections called synapses being created at lightning-fast speeds, and an important process called myelinization underway. With myelinization, brain cells are coated with a protective sheath that increases the brain’s processing speeds. The process begins at the back of the brain and works its way forward, with the prefrontal cortex (the area involved in impulse control, forethought, judgment, and empathy) the last area to gain the protective covering, usually around a person’s mid-20s.
Certain things like alcohol, drugs, and even fame can disrupt this important process. A brain imaging study appearing in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that heavy marijuana use among young adults and adolescents may affect normal brain development. The study found brain abnormalities in areas involved with decision-making, memory, and executive functions—the regions in the front of the brain that are the last to undergo myelinization.
Substance use and fame at a young age can also disrupt the reward system in the adolescent brain. In a healthy brain, whenever we do something enjoyable, it’s like pressing a button in the brain to release a little bit of the neurotransmitter dopamine to make us feel pleasure. Pushing these pleasure buttons too often or too strong reduces dopamine’s effectiveness. Eventually, it takes more and more excitement and stimulation to feel anything at all.
In the YouTube docuseries, Justin reveals he started smoking marijuana when he was just 13. Then he moved on to harder substances, including a mind-numbing cocktail of cough syrup (hydrocodone) mixed with alcohol and prescription medication. The concoction was so potent, his security team would creep into his room in the middle of the night to check his pulse and make sure he was still breathing. With the substance abuse and all those screaming fans, Justin’s reward system was getting worn out. He was addicted not only to the drugs but also to fame. And he was in a downward spiral.
It became so overwhelming for him that he canceled the final dates of his “Purpose” world tour in 2017, and the media announced that he was having issues and it seemed like he was “falling into another dark place.” They were right.
In Episode 5 of the docuseries (which is currently available on YouTube premium), Justin reveals that he has been coming to neuropsychiatrist and brain imaging expert Dr. Daniel Amen at Amen Clinics for 5 years for help with the issues he’s been struggling with.
Justin bravely opened up to Dr. Amen about the trauma and instability he experienced in his childhood, his addictions, and his anxiety and depression. To find the root causes of his issues, he underwent brain SPECT imaging. SPECT measures blood flow and activity in the brain and shows 3 things: areas with healthy activity, too much activity, or too little activity.
Before coming to Amen Clinics, Justin had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that is often misdiagnosed. In fact, 57% of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder don’t actually have the condition, according to a 2008 study from researchers at Brown University. Justin’s brain scans showed something other than bipolar disorder, and it changed the course of his care. You can see more about what his brain scans revealed in the episode.
Drawing on our brain imaging work and the latest neuroscience, Justin made the commitment to get on a path to better brain health. To help heal his brain, the young man started doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a noninvasive treatment that involves breathing 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased oxygen is picked up via the bloodstream and transported to damaged tissues to facilitate the healing process.
HBOT has been used to improve many issues including, but not limited to:
Justin has told Dr. Amen that he loves HBOT therapy so much he got a hyperbaric chamber for his home, and he uses it on a daily basis.
When Dr. Amen informed Justin how important nutrition and supplementation is if you want to change your brain and heal your mind, the musical artist cleaned up his diet and also started doing IV nutrient therapy on a regular basis. IV therapy provides more potent doses of important nutrients than oral supplements, and because it bypasses the digestive system you get 100% absorption without any gastrointestinal issues.
HBOT and IV therapy are only part of the brain-based plan that has been helping him cope with the anxiety, depression, and other issues he faces.
The artist has subsequently received a diagnosis of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can lead to a vast array of neuropsychological symptoms, including:
With a comprehensive treatment plan in place, the superstar feels like he’s on the right track to healing and getting back to the creative music-making process and performing that feeds his soul. He says it’s because he’s “in a good headspace… a better headspace.” We would say, it’s really all about being in a better “brainspace.”
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 of depression. 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.
On Sunday, January 26, my brain got hijacked. The shocking news that Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash slammed into my brain’s emotional centers, the limbic system, with a thud. As a lifelong Lakers fan and former season ticket holder, I had the privilege of seeing Kobe grow up on the basketball court and witnessed some of his most glorious achievements. I only met Kobe a few times, but my brain doesn’t care about that. Like millions of other Lakers fans, I felt like I knew him.
That’s what’s so strange about how our brains process the way we feel about icons. When we see the famous people we admire on television, at a sporting event, or at a concert, our brains can register it as a real friendship. That’s why, when tragedy strikes, we can experience profound grief, as if a loved one died.
Sadly, the news of the crash, which occurred on the way to Kobe’s Mamba Academy basketball facility, just kept getting worse. Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi,” a basketball phenom in the making, also perished in the accident. So did 7 other people—baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa who was one of Gigi’s teammates; Sarah Chester and her basketball-player daughter Payton; Christina Mauser, a Mamba Academy basketball coach; and the pilot Ara Zobayan.
They all leave behind family members whose lives—and brains—will never be the same.
The unspeakable loss of a loved one fires up the limbic system, especially the amygdala, the almond-shaped structure on the inside of your temporal lobes involved in emotional reactions. When the amygdala remains overactive, it can impair our ability to get past the pain. The grief we feel can become part of the story of our lives, the way we view ourselves and our place in this world. For some people, these stories can rob us of joy, hold us back, and lead to depression.
My friend Dr. Sharon May, a world-renowned relationship psychologist, calls the stories that interfere with our lives “dragons from the past” that are still breathing fire on your amygdala, which can drive anxiety, anger, irrational behavior, and automatic negative reactions.
She says, “All of us have dragons from the past influencing our present feelings and actions.” Unless you recognize and tame them, and consciously calm and protect your amygdala from overfiring, they will haunt your unconscious mind and drive emotional pain for the rest of your life. What blows from an ember, or small action of another, can turn into a destructive fire of anxiety and rage.
That’s how I’m feeling right now—like a dragon is breathing fire on my amygdala and igniting all my inner anxieties, fears, and negative thoughts. I know it is going to take time to calm my brain so I can process the grief and heal.
Here are 5 ways to calm the amygdala and support the grieving process:
Most people are able to overcome feelings of grief in time, but if you find yourself slipping into depression, Amen Clinics is here for you. If you need help, 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.
In 2019, for the first time in decades, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new type of drug for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The medication is an esketamine nasal spray that is derived from ketamine, a psychedelic drug that appears to have antidepressant properties and to be helpful for people with treatment-resistant depression. Only one-third of people with depression get complete relief from treatment with antidepressants, according to a 2014 study.
Despite the FDA approval, ketamine still raises questions and cause for concern. How safe is it?
The current trend in treating psychiatric illnesses is to go beyond traditional pharmaceutical medications by using psychedelic drugs, especially ketamine, but also LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy, ayahuasca, and ibogaine.
First developed in the 1960s, ketamine was administered as an anesthetic and given to soldiers during the Vietnam War. Due to its hallucinogenic effects, ketamine has a reputation as a popular and illicit party drug, going by the nickname “Special K.” It dulls pain and users often feel detached or dissociated from their own body.
In 2000, researchers started studying ketamine as a treatment for depression and discovered that it improves mood much faster than traditional antidepressant medications, and sometimes works when other drugs have failed.
More than 100 studies have shown that ketamine has antidepressant effects. For example:
Unlike antidepressants, which work by enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, ketamine is thought to change the way brain cells talk to each other—similar to a computer reboot or hardware fix. Basically, ketamine binds to receptors in the brain that trigger the production of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter that influences how neurons communicate. It is believed that this process has an impact on thinking patterns, moods, and more.
Although ketamine offers some promise, it is not a solo cure-all. Expecting a pill or nasal spray to provide a complete solution to depression is wishful thinking. To fully address any mental health condition, a comprehensive plan that factors in all the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life is critical to any treatment plan.
Ketamine is known to cause side effects, such as dissociation (out-of-body experiences), perceptual disturbances (feeling like time has slowed down, for example), high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea. In addition, some research has found the drug may be addictive.
A 2018 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry argues for caution. It showed that the antidepressant effects of ketamine were eliminated with the opiate blocker naltrexone, meaning it worked by activating the opiate centers of the brain.
A review in Neurobiology of Stress that same year concluded that “both preclinical and clinical studies indicate that repeated treatment with low-dose ketamine infusions can have addictive properties and induce cognitive deficits.”
And it remains unclear what happens when a person stops taking the drug.
In the long run, could it have similar damaging effects as other drugs of abuse and be causing more harm than good? Brain SPECT imaging has shown that opioids, benzodiazepines, and other drugs of abuse cause alterations in blood flow and activity in the brain that impair its function. More research on ketamine is needed to understand its long-term effects on the brain and to ensure its long-term safety.
At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging, which can reveal exposure toxins that are hurting the brain and impacting its function. Our brain imaging work has shown that some medications—such as benzodiazepines often prescribed for anxiety, as well as chemotherapy— have a harmful effect on the brain. We have helped many people overcome treatment-resistant depression using the least toxic, most effective therapies.
To learn more or to schedule your comprehensive evaluation, please visit us online or call 888-288-9834.
In October 2019, Instagram expanded its ban on graphic images of self-harm to include memes, drawings, comics, or graphics from films or TV. The move comes on the heels of research in New Media and Society, which found that nearly one-third of teens and young adults said they engaged in some form of self-injury after seeing self-harm [posts on Instagram.
In the study, which involved 729 young adults aged 18-29, 43% said they had seen at least one post on Instagram about self-harm. And 60% of those who saw such a post said it triggered thoughts about what it might feel like.
Self-harm is when a person intentionally causes injury to their own body. Cutting and burning may be the first things that come to mind, but some people may bang their heads against the wall; punch themselves; scratch, pick or pinch the skin; insert objects under the skin; drink bleach or other poisonous substances, or pull their hair. Typically, this type of behavior is not intended to be suicidal, but rather, it is used as a way to cope with emotional pain.
More commonly seen in adolescents, teens, and young adults, self-injury is on the rise, according to research in The Lancet Psychiatry. And it puts young people at an increased risk of suicide. Up to 40% of people who deliberately injure themselves think about suicide and estimates show that as many as 85% have attempted suicide at least once.
Researchers suggest the rise in self-harm may be tied to the increased prevalence of anxiety and depression in girls and young women, who are more likely to self-injure than males. No matter what’s driving this disturbing trend, it’s important to know the warning signs.
People who engage in self-abuse usually do it in secret and try to hide the signs from family and friends. Scars, burns, and other evidence of this behavior can be hidden under long sleeves and long pants. If you’re worried that a loved one may be practicing self-injury, look for these signs:
In addition to these telltale signs, it’s important to take note of any changes in moods, behavior, school performance, or relationships. Increasing impulsiveness, anxiousness, blue moods, a drop in grades, or social withdrawal can make someone more vulnerable to self-harm
Many people who self-harm have experienced physical or verbal abuse, bullying, childhood neglect, or sexual assault. They do it as a way to control their emotional pain, stress, and anxiety. When someone is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, cutting and other forms of self-harm can actually blunt that pain. In fact, some experts view it as a form of self-medication, similar to the way some people use alcohol or drugs to deal with emotional issues.
A growing body of scientific studies has found that self-injury is often associated with other psychiatric issues, especially anxiety and depression. Up to 89% of people who intentionally harm themselves also struggle with anxiety and up to 79% suffer from depression, according to a review of existing research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. Other common conditions seen in people who self-harm include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders.
Because self-harm is often a symptom or coping mechanism for a deeper problem, it’s imperative to get to the root of the problem and address the underlying issue.
If you suspect your tween or teen is cutting or engaging in some other form of self-harm, don’t get angry at them or punish them for their behavior. They need help. One of the best ways to handle the situation is to simply open the door to communication. Let them know you’re concerned about them, willing to listen, and ready to assist them in getting the help they need.
At Amen Clinics, we have treated many young people and adults who engage in self-harming behaviors. We use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation to uncover underlying issues of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions. This information helps our physicians identify all issues that need to be addressed so we can personalize treatment using the least toxic, most effective solutions.
Our care specialists can be reached at 888-288-9834 or you can schedule a visit online.
Did you know that the foods you eat can either fire up overactivity in your brain’s limbic system (emotional center), which brain scans show is linked to depression, or it can calm activity to promote more positive moods? Increasingly, researchers are concluding that people with mental health disorders, such as depression, are consuming diets that are lacking in key nutrients for brain health. A growing body of evidence suggests that nutritional treatment—aka, eating targeted foods—may help prevent, treat, or improve depression, as well as other conditions, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADD/ADHD.
The scientific community is finally beginning to see how food is so strongly linked to mood and mental health. In 2015, a group of 18 scientists concluded that “the emerging and compelling evidence for nutrition as a crucial factor in the high prevalence and incidence of mental disorders suggests that diet is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.”
Here are 8 foods you should include in your diet if you want to boost your mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries are “smart” carbohydrates that are packed with nutrients that balance your blood sugar and reduce cravings. Colorful berries are also full of mood benefits, providing nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A 2009 study on the impact of antioxidant therapy on depression found that people who had been treated with antioxidants for two years significantly lowered their depression score.
Your brain is comprised of 80% water and research shows that being even mildly dehydrated can negatively impact moods. In both women and men, it can make you feel more anxious, tense, depressed, or angry, in addition to sapping your energy levels and lowering your ability to concentrate. Staying adequately hydrated can help optimize moods, motivation, and energy levels. And according to a 2018 study in the World Journal of Psychiatry, drinking plain old H20 is associated with a decrease in depression and anxiety,
Lean protein—such as chicken, turkey, beef, fish, and lamb—provides essential amino acids, which are precursors for neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, which play an important role in mental health. A 2019 study on nutrition and depression in adolescents shows that low intake of amino acids has been linked to reduced synthesis of these neurotransmitters and consequently, low moods and aggression. For optimal brain health, choose hormone-free, antibiotic-free, free-range, and grass-fed animal proteins.
Did you know that 60% of the solid weight of your brain is fat? Low-fat diets are not good for your brain or your mood. Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and a wealth of research has shown that these fats can reduce symptoms of depression. A 2009 review of three studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in major depression in adults, depression in children, and depression in bipolar disorder found that EPA (a form of omega-3s) reduced symptoms in all three types of depression with no side effects. When shopping, opt for wild salmon, not the farm-raised variety.
Kimchi supports healthy gut bacteria, which is tightly linked to mood. The gut—your gastrointestinal tract (GI)—is often called the second brain because it is lined with about 100 million neurons. And 75% of the body’s neurotransmitters—including feel-good ones like serotonin— are produced in the gut. A 2017 review of the existing research suggests that treatment with probiotics can alleviate depressive symptoms.
Herbs and spices are as powerful as medicines. In multiple studies, a saffron extract was found to be as effective as antidepressant medication in treating people with major depression.
This popular green fruit contains healthy fats that fuel brainpower and is high in oleic acid. A 2009 study that followed 4,856 adults for a decade found that women who consumed the most oleic acid were less than half as likely to suffer from severe depression.
Whether you prefer kale, spinach, or broccoli, be sure to fuel up on these nutrient-dense vegetables. In addition to being chock-full of vitamins and minerals, they fight inflammation, which has been linked to depression, according to research in JAMA Psychiatry.
At Amen Clinics, our brain imaging work has helped us see the powerful impact food has on brain function and on conditions, such as depression. We take an integrative approach to diagnosis and treatment that includes looking at the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of your life to identify areas that can be optimized. This includes nutritional coaching, natural supplements, and many other of the least toxic, most effective solutions.
If you’re suffering from symptoms of depression and want a whole-person approach rather than just pills, call 888-288-9834 to talk to a specialist today or schedule a visit.