Normally, you can handle life’s everyday stressors. You keep your cool when your ADD child can’t stay focused on homework. You work through any relationship issues with your significant other. You find healthy ways to decompress from your stressful job.
But not these days.
Any little thing in your life that isn’t humming along is becoming a compounded trauma due to what you’re experiencing from the pandemic, economic shutdown, and months of physical distancing. The result?
Your nerves are frayed. You’re losing your temper with your ADD child. Your marital problems seem insurmountable. You feel like you need a Quarantini—or 2 or 3 of them—to help you cope with work stress.
What can you do about it?
During a stressful pandemic, mental hygiene is just as important as washing your hands. If your head is filled with ANTs (automatic negative thoughts), it is only adding to your stress. Learning to question your thoughts and eliminate unhelpful ANTs can help you begin to see options and come up with solutions for your everyday stressors.
Are you so focused on taking care of others—your kids, your spouse, your coworkers—that you’re neglecting your own health and well-being? When you spend all your time helping others without giving yourself the self-care you deserve, you’re left with nothing in the tank. If you’re running on empty, you don’t have the bandwidth to handle additional stress. Schedule time in your day for self-care. Make it an appointment so you’re more likely to stick with it.
When you have low blood flow in the brain, especially in the frontal lobes, it reduces your ability to problem-solve, impairs judgment and decision-making, lowers your empathy, and makes it less likely that you’ll bite your tongue before saying something hurtful to someone you care about. Simple ways to increase blood flow to this area of the brain include physical exercise, meditation, and taking fish oil supplements that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Feeling like you’re all alone with nowhere to turn for help can compound the stress you’re experiencing. Find an ally with whom you can share your feelings. This is different from complaining, which typically centers on blaming or judging others. Sharing feelings helps you get negative thoughts and emotions out of your head so you can move ahead with constructive solutions to the issues you’re facing.
If you had been coping fairly well with your temper, anxiety, or drinking, or if your child’s ADD or behavioral problems had been treated effectively, but now things have spiraled out of control, it may be time to seek help from a professional.
Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, addictions, behavioral problems, 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.
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.
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.
One of the most powerful “feel better fast” techniques Dr. Daniel Amen—a neuropsychiatrist, brain imaging expert, and founder of Amen Clinics—uses is called “Breaking the Bonds of the Past.” It stems from the belief that negative feelings and behaviors—such as anxiety and panic attacks, addictions, and angry outbursts—are often based on past memories that are either toxic or misinterpreted.
This technique requires only 5 simple steps, but it can have a powerful and lasting effect. Here’s what you do. Whenever you have a painful or disruptive memory or feeling, write out the answers to the following questions:
Here’s an example of how Dr. Amen worked through these questions during a psychotherapy session with a young patient.
Nate, 15, desperately wanted help for panic attacks but didn’t want to take anti-anxiety medication. He had several episodes a day when he felt like he was choking or drowning. His breathing became shallow, fast, and labored. His heart raced, he broke out in a sweat, and he felt as though he was dying. Nate hated these episodes. The fear of having them was so overwhelming that he stopped going to school. On Nate’s second visit, Dr. Amen went through the Breaking the Bonds of the Past steps with him.
Tell me about the last time you had a panic attack?
Nate said it was the day before. He was eating dinner when all of a sudden, he felt like he was starting to choke. He couldn’t get air, his heart started to race, he was sweating, and felt as though he was going to die.
Tell me what you were feeling at the time. Describe the predominant feeling.
Nate said he felt as though he was going to die.
In your mind, imagine yourself on a train going backward through time. Go back to a time when you first had that feeling, the feeling that you were going to die.
Nate sat there for a minute and then started to choke. I thought he was having a panic attack in front of me. I asked him to breathe slowly and tell me what was going on. He slowed his breathing, wiped his brow, and told me about a time when he was 6 years old. He was sitting at a lunch table at school and accidentally swallowed a plastic wrapper from a candy bar. He started to choke on the wrapper. Initially, no one saw him. He said he started to turn blue. He couldn’t breathe, and no one noticed. He thought he was going to die. After what seemed an eternity a teacher saw him and did the Heimlich maneuver on him, dislodging the wrapper. Nate said he had forgotten about the event until now.
After Nate had settled down and composed himself, I asked him to go back even further in his mind to see if there was an earlier time when he had the feeling he was going to die.
He closed his eyes and said he remembered a time when he was very young. He was coming out of a very dark place into a place filled with bright lights, lights that felt hot. People were moving around. He felt fear. He couldn’t breathe, and something awful covered his face. He felt as though he was going to die.
To my amazement, Nate had just described a birth experience. When he opened his eyes, I asked him if he knew anything about his birth. He said no, no one had ever talked to him about it. I asked his mother to come into the room. I asked her about his birth experience. She told me that he was a meconium baby, where the infant’s feces get into the amniotic fluid which is very dangerous for the newborn. He was born blue and had to be resuscitated by the doctor. His mother said she had never talked about it with Nate. She didn’t want to worry him.
Break the bonds of the past through an adult or parent mindset or reframe them in light of new information.
With Nate’s mother in the room, I took him back to both of those times. First, with the birth experience, I had the grown teenage Nate go back and explain to the baby what had happened. The baby was in trouble for a short time, but the doctors helped clean him up so he could breathe normally. I then took him through the candy wrapper incident and had the teenage Nate tell 6-year-old Nate that he is grateful to the teacher who helped him and that he is alive, well, and healthy (and he needed to stop eating candy wrappers).
After that session, Nate’s panic attacks disappeared. Dr. Amen saw Nate a few more times, but essentially disconnecting his present symptoms from the past sensitizing event resolved them.
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 anxiety and panic attacks. 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 Eboni Cornish, MD
Unfortunately, we do not have a cure or vaccination for COVID-19 at this time. It is continuing to spread, with over 1 million active cases of coronavirus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Although much of the media attention has focused on the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as the most at risk, we are still learning about its effects on children.
The evidence of pediatric complications of COVID-19 is newly emerging, and there are increased reports of children with Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome (PIMS). As of May 7, 2020, at least 85 children have developed PIMS. This COVID-19 linked illness is associated with a high level of severe inflammation and can mirror symptoms of other inflammatory illnesses such as toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. Symptoms include high fevers, rash, red eyes, severe diarrhea, and possible complications with the cardiovascular system.
As states start to re-open, it is imperative that we have an enhanced focus on the immune system of our children. Our society is going to be exposed to a new normal, unlike anything we have ever experienced.
Here are some things you can do:
As schools open up, we have to remind ourselves to remain cautious. Form a positive relationship with the staff at your children’s school and stay informed.
Avoid close contact with any students that have cold or flu-like symptoms.
Teach them to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; after going to the bathroom; and before eating. They can time this by singing the song “Happy Birthday” twice while washing in the sink. Also, teach your children the proper way to sneeze by covering their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow.
Monitor your children for any signs of excess fatigue, diarrhea, fever, or any other complaints. Have a very low threshold when it comes to calling your pediatrician regarding adverse symptoms in your children.
Be sure to wipe down surfaces, such as tables, countertops, and doorknobs.
Consider having your child change clothes and shower after visiting any locations where more than 10 people are gathered.
Children should eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Try to introduce a vegetable with each meal. And consider introducing morning fruit smoothies in your child’s daily routine. If you have a picky eater, try to find healthier alternatives that are similar to their favorite food.
COVID-19 is highly contagious and children should take the same precautions as adults. The CDC recommends that children 2 years and older should wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in public settings where it’s difficult to practice physical distancing. This is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) the other everyday preventive actions listed above. Do not place cloth face covering on children younger than 2 because of the danger of suffocation.
Try to avoid unnecessary play dates.
Babies are prone to put their hands and mouths on anything in their grasp. It is important that we minimize their exposure to contaminated items.
Launder items using the warmest appropriate setting for the item and dry items immediately.
In summary, we now have evidence that COVID-19 can cause serious complications in our children. Let us not ignore the research. This is a new virus and we are still learning about it. We must remember that children are vulnerable to this disease.
Let’s focus on keeping our children safe.
Dr. Eboni Cornish is an integrative/functional medicine physician with a special interest in infectious diseases at Amen Clinics. She is a board member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Educational Foundation which is responsible for training numerous physicians on the treatment of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne infections. Dr. Cornish’s approach to the treatment of chronic disease is to find the root cause of a person’s health problems by performing a comprehensive evaluation of the body’s various biological systems and taking an approach based on integrative strategies of healing.
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 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.
The threat of illness, job losses, social isolation—it’s a recipe for heightened stress, irritability, and anger. But it’s even worse for people who are trapped at home with a domestic abuser.
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic has created a sort of perfect storm for domestic violence. Reports of increases in partner abuse, child abuse, and pet abuse are emerging across the nation and around the world. According to a study in Forensic Science International: Reports, incidences of domestic violence have risen 40-50% in Brazil and are up 30% in France. In the U.K., the BBC reported that calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline saw a 25% increase since the lockdown began. And in the U.S., hotlines are reporting a spike in calls.
Abusers often use tactics, such as isolation from friends and family, as a way to control their victims. Constant scrutiny, restrictions on behavior, and limiting access to necessities (like food and using the bathroom) are other common strategies. With the world on lockdown, this has given perpetrators a stronger weapon in their arsenal.
For victims, it’s made it more challenging to be able to reach out to friends or a support network for help without their abuser’s knowledge. And it’s preventing them from escaping the situation by leaving home when things turn violent. Going to a shelter may not be an option now for fear of infection from COVID-19.
This sad situation makes you wonder what makes some people violent? The answer lies in the brain.
The added stressors of the coronavirus pandemic can be contributing to serious anger and violence issues. In some people, violent outbursts may be a sign of a mental health condition called intermittent explosive disorder (IED).
This condition is more commonly seen in people who grew up in an abusive home or in those who have suffered multiple emotional traumas. The likelihood of problems with anger or violent behavior is increased in people with other mental health problems, such as ADD/ADHD or personality disorders. In addition, conditions like anxiety, depression, or substance abuse are seen in over 80% of people who suffer from IED.
In a brain SPECT imaging study performed at Amen Clinics on people who had assaulted another person or damaged property, more than 70% had abnormalities in the left temporal lobe region of the brain. Brain imaging scans indicate that damage to the left temporal lobe or dysfunction in this area of the brain makes people more likely to struggle with irritability, anger, and violent thoughts and behavior.
The temporal lobes, situated on either side of the brain behind the eyes and underneath the temples, are involved with emotional stability, understanding and processing memories, and more. When there is abnormal activity in the temporal lobes, it can be associated with aggression (internally or externally directed), dark or violent thoughts, emotional instability, and other problems.
Temporal lobe problems can come from many sources, the most common being genetics, head injuries, and toxic or infectious exposure. Since the temporal lobes sit in a cavity surrounded by bone on 5 sides (front, back, right side, left side, and underside) they can be damaged by a blow to the head from almost any angle. In fact, the temporal lobes, along with the prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate gyrus, are the parts of the brain most vulnerable to damage by virtue of their placement within the skull.
For children, being abused or witnessing intimate partner violence can have devastating, long-term effects on the brain and mental health.
In a typical year, an estimated 4.5 to 15 million children experience exposure to physical violence at home. It’s likely that there will be an uptick in these numbers as a result of families being cooped up at home due to the pandemic. This doesn’t bode well for the future generation.
Research in a 2018 issue of JAMA Network Open found that for children, witnessing domestic abuse can cause the same damaging effects as if they had endured the abuse themselves. In addition, brain imaging studies show that childhood trauma—including physical, verbal, and sexual abuse—causes structural changes in the brain that have been linked to a greater risk of mental illness and addictions. For example, a 2016 review of neuroimaging studies in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines found that youngsters exposed to abuse experience physical changes in the following areas of the brain:
These brain changes can lead to trouble in many areas of a person’s life, including at school, at work, and in relationships.
Domestic violence can seem like a hopeless situation with no way out. But decades of brain imaging work and clinical practice at Amen Clinics have shown that there is hope for people in abusive relationships and for children who have suffered emotional trauma. Addressing underlying brain dysfunction is critical to treating IED, as well as for overcoming the lasting consequences of experiencing or witnessing abuse.
Note: If you or a loved one is in an unsafe domestic situation, also consider these resources:
If you’re struggling with issues that stem from growing up in an abusive family or you’re experiencing domestic violence, Amen Clinics can help. At Amen Clinics, we can help you—and everyone in the family unit—achieve better brain health and a stronger, more fulfilling relationship. 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.
When it comes to helping people adopt brain healthy eating habits, Zoe Davis is an expert. As the Amen Clinics resident nutrition counselor, she has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Health Psychology. And she’s completed post-graduate training in nutrition, disordered eating behaviors, and holistic obesity care. Through her brain health nutrition coaching at Amen Clinics, she’s already helped thousands of people ditch the lifelong harmful eating patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and brain fog and adopt habits that promote better moods, less stress and anxiety, and greater mental clarity.
Here, she offers some of the simplest strategies she shares with the people she helps.
This is such an easy trick, and it’s one that leaves most people saying, “Why didn’t I ever think of that?” Stop letting the refrigerator manufacturer tell you how to organize your groceries. Instead of storing veggies and fruit in that mysterious drawer at the bottom, where they’ll be forgotten because they are out of sight, out of mind, put them in glass containers at eye level. That way, every time you open the door, you’ll see the nutrient-dense brain healthy foods first.
A common suggestion among nutritionists is to bake a sheet of chicken or fish for the week so you’ll have it ready to go for dinners. But most people get bored eating the same thing night after night. This trick solves that problem. When you bake that sheet of chicken or fish, season each one differently, so that when you use them throughout the week, it’s not going to taste the same every day. You can have one seasoned with curry, one with garlic, one with ginger, and so on.
One of the most common problems Zoe sees in the people she coaches is that they aren’t getting the recommended daily servings of vegetables in their meals. In fact, research shows that 90% of Americans don’t get enough vegetables and fruits. How can you up your intake of veggies? One of the simplest ways is to add veggies to eggs for breakfast. Just toss a few handfuls of spinach, kale, or mushrooms in the eggs for a major nutrient boost.
So many of the people Zoe helps are stuck in a rut—eating the same things day in and day out. This can mean missing out on some important nutrients. The next time you go to the Farmers’ Market or to the grocery store, force yourself to try something new. For example, if you love almonds—Zoe’s personal favorite—branch out. Each nut and each seed offer slightly different minerals and vitamins. By mixing different nuts and seeds together, every time you grab a handful, you’ll be getting a greater variety of nutrients. Go for variety with seasonal vegetables and fruits too as a way to mix things up.
When you come home from the store with all your beautiful veggies, take 15 minutes to cut up a bunch of them. Have them prepped and ready to go, so you can quickly add them quickly to eggs, salads, and other meals. This cuts down on prep time for all your meals during the week and makes it more likely that you’ll actually eat those veggies you bought.
If you eat when you’re stressed or worried, it can impair the digestive process and interfere with the absorption of the nutrients in the foods you’re eating. A quick trick that can aid your digestive system to work more effectively is to take a few deep breaths before eating. This easy strategy engages the parasympathetic nervous system to create a state of relaxation, prepare your body to release the enzymes needed to break down the foods you’re about to eat, and support the absorption of nutrients. Just place your hands in your lap and take 4-5 deep breaths before you start your meal.
You can find many more brain healthy eating tricks and tips in Zoe’s free webinar “Healing the Brain with Nutrition.”
At Amen Clinics, we take a unique brain-body approach to health and healing, which includes brain SPECT imaging, as well as laboratory testing to check physical health, an assessment of nutritional deficiencies, nutritional coaching, and other important factors.
If you want to join the tens of thousands of people who have already enhanced their brain health 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.
Mental telehealth and video therapy can provide you with the vital care you need—when, where, and how you need it. At Amen Clinics, we understand that this time is very valuable to you, and we want you to get the most out of it. To make virtual mental health as effective as possible, follow these tips for before, during, and after your appointment.
If you’re used to seeing your mental health professional in their office, it may take some time to adjust to this new process. Take heart that our patients typically find video conferencing beneficial. Here’s what some Amen Clinics physicians are saying about virtual appointments:
“My patients are enjoying connecting via video conference calls. They seem to be more relaxed talking from their own home.” —Dr. Jennifer Love
“My patients have found the video conference evaluations to be meaningful and they are surprised at the level of connection that is being made.” —Dr. Robert Johnson
Make a list of the main symptoms you want to address in the conversation. Also be sure to indicate when your symptoms started, what tends to exacerbate them, and what, if anything, seems to soothe them.
Remember that mental health appointments are a two-way street. This is your chance to ask questions you have about your symptoms, brain scan, diagnosis, and treatment. Having a list of questions ready can help you remember to ask them.
Your Amen Clinics specialist may ask questions about past medical or psychological issues in addition to inquiring about names and dosages of medications you have taken. Having this information available can save precious minutes during your appointment so you can spend more time talking about how you are going to get healthy.
One of the best strategies to ensure a meaningful appointment is to eliminate distractions. Close your door, turn off the notifications on your phone, and make sure someone is watching the kids so you can focus. Being able to hear clearly is another important element of an effective mental telehealth appointment. Try to minimize any background noise, such as the TV, the washing machine, or a barking dog. In addition, it’s important that you feel comfortable in your setting during your appointment. Find a spot where you are relaxed and at ease.
Find out what technology will be used and make sure you know how to use it prior to your appointment. Are you signed up for Zoom, Skype, or another video conferencing app? Do you know how it works? If you have never used the app before, do a practice call with a friend beforehand so you can work out the kinks.
Most of us can benefit from helpful reminders and alerts from our digital calendars. Setting your calendar to send you an alert 5-10 minutes prior to your virtual session can give you the time to gather your lists and questions and to prepare yourself mentally. Reminders can be especially critical if you have a tendency to be forgetful or inattentive.
If you’re doing a phone call, make sure your phone isn’t set to block unknown callers and answer your phone at the designated time even if it shows that it’s from an unknown caller.
When you begin your call, ask if it will be recorded or if you’ll be receiving a recap of what you talk about. It’s always a good idea to take notes to help you remember the most important insights and recommendations.
Don’t hold back emotionally. Be unreservedly honest and open about your symptoms, fears, challenges, and frustrations, and be equally candid about what you’re hoping to get from treatment.
Check with your mental healthcare professional about follow-up sessions so you have a complete understanding of your treatment path.
Your virtual sessions are only part of a comprehensive treatment plan. To make the most of it, you need to stick with your provider’s recommendations and keep any follow-up appointments.
On a routine basis, remind yourself that seeking treatment for your mental health is one of the most important things you can do for your overall quality of life. And always remember that you deserve it. By taking the steps now to engage in mental telehealth, you’re setting yourself up for enhanced brain health and emotional well-being, so you can feel better fast.
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.
Have you ever blamed your child’s teacher for not motivating your child to finish their schoolwork? Thought the teacher must not be any good because your child is really smart but doesn’t do well on tests? Or assumed the teacher doesn’t know how to deal with a child with attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? (Note, in this article, we will use the term ADD since many people who have this condition do not have hyperactivity.)
With the nation’s schools closed and most of us living under some form of quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents are being forced to homeschool their kids. And for some of you, you’re getting a first-hand look at just how challenging your ADD child can be. You may finally be realizing your child’s teacher wasn’t the problem after all. And you may be struggling to get your offspring to pay attention and complete any schoolwork.
What can parents do to help create an effective homeschool environment for ADD kids?
It’s important to recognize the most common symptoms seen in children with ADD:
Short attention span: Children with ADD have trouble with boring, routine, everyday tasks and need stimulation and excitement in order to stay engaged.
Distractibility: Children with ADD tend to notice more in their environment than others, which makes them easily distracted by outside stimuli, such as light, sounds, smells, certain tastes, or even the clothes they were. Their keen sensitivity causes them to get easily off task.
Disorganization. Most children with ADD tend to struggle with organization of time and space. They tend to be late and have trouble completing tasks on time. Many things get done at the last moment or even later. They also tend to struggle to keep their spaces tidy, especially their rooms, book bags, drawers, closets, and homework.
Procrastination. Tasks and duties get put off until the last moment. Things tend not to get done until there are deadlines or someone else is mad at them for not doing it.
Poor internal supervision. Many young people with ADD have issues with judgment and impulse control, and they struggle not to say or do things without fully thinking it through. They also have a harder time learning from their mistakes.
ADD is a brain-based disorder. It tends to affect the frontal lobes, in particular, an area called the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The PFC is involved in focus, forethought, judgment, organization, planning, impulse control, empathy, and learning from one’s mistakes.
Brain SPECT imaging studies show that ADD brains work differently. SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) is a nuclear medicine study that evaluates blood flow and activity in the brain. Basically, it shows three things: healthy activity, too little activity, or too much activity.
SPECT studies show that in the healthy brain when a person concentrates, blood flow increases to the PFC. In people with ADD, however, concentration causes blood flow to decrease to the PFC. In fact, the harder someone with ADD tries to concentrate, the worse it gets. Research shows that the low activity in the front part of the brain is often due to lower levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical heavily involved with attention span, focus, follow-through, and motivation. When its availability is low, people tend to struggle in these areas.
What’s a stressed-out parent supposed to do? Here are 7 strategies to create a more effective learning environment for kids with ADD.
Kids with ADD have trouble with uncertainty and have difficulty delaying gratification. On the flip side, they are more likely to thrive in a structured environment. Be sure to post a daily schedule in the house where they can see what activities will be happening at what times.
A short attention span is one of the hallmarks of ADD, so plan homeschooling lessons accordingly. Think of teaching in short segments rather than lumping all schoolwork into one continuous block. Depending on your child’s attention span, you may do a 30-minute or 45-minute lesson followed by 15 minutes of free time, especially active playtime. Physical activity boosts dopamine and enhances blood flow in the brain, both of which can be beneficial for kids with ADD.
One of the things children with ADD have trouble with is follow-through. Because of this, you need to take an active role to make sure they know exactly what is expected of them in each school lesson and then check to make sure they have completed it on time. Check in frequently with your child to help keep them on track rather than waiting until the deadline.
ADD kids react better to positive encouragement and lots of it. Rather than pointing out what they’ve done wrong—not finishing an assignment on time, wrong answers on a test, or fidgeting—be sure to notice what they’re doing right. Saying things, such as, “Excellent job
When trying to teach your child at home, NO YELLING! Due to low levels of dopamine, children with ADD often find themselves seeking conflict or playing “let’s have a problem.” They can be masterful at making other people mad or angry at them. Don’t lose your temper with your child, which often just makes things worse.
Brain imaging studies have found that ADD is not one thing. There are 7 different types, so one treatment will never work for everyone. The 7 types of ADD are: Classic, Inattentive, Overfocused, Temporal Lobe, Limbic, Ring of Fire, and Anxious.
ADD is a generational disorder, meaning it tends to run in families. Often, when a child is suffering from the condition, one or both of the parents may also have it. In many cases, the parents may never have been tested for ADD or diagnosed with the condition, so their symptoms remain into adulthood. If you’re really struggling to manage your ADD child, it’s worth investigating if a short attention span, disorganization, procrastination, or other issues may be getting in the way of your ability to homeschool your little one. Addressing your own problems will improve your ability to be an effective home teacher. This Healing ADD at Home online course from BrainMD can be very helpful for adults with ADD.
If you’re struggling with your ADD child and it’s causing you stress, anxiety, and frustration, it’s important to address it sooner rather than later. 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, tending to your family’s mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting to get treatment is likely to make symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults and children, 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.