By Rishi Sood, M.D.
Although there is a growing amount of research on and increased awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder, many misconceptions about PTSD persist.
PTSD and its effects on military veterans have been well documented, but other types of trauma are also known to cause the condition. For example, childhood abuse in the form of physical and sexual trauma is known to lead to PTSD. Children exposed to such trauma often struggle with mood regulation and have increased rates of self-destructive and suicidal behavior. PTSD can also occur later in life as a result of medical illnesses—such as myocardial infarctions, obstructive sleep apnea, or stroke—or due to stays in the intensive care unit, which many people have unfortunately experienced because of COVID-19.
Myth #2. PTSD develops immediately after suffering a trauma.
Symptoms of PTSD can occur 3 months after a traumatic experience, but it often occurs much later. Delayed-onset PTSD describes a situation where an individual does not develop symptoms until 6 months after the inciting event. In some cases, individuals experience PTSD years later. In a study of World War II veterans, many reported experiencing such symptoms later in life. This was thought to be brought on by major life changes such as losing a spouse. Just because someone is not affected by a traumatic event soon after does not mean that the individual is immune from being significantly affected many years down the road.
Myth #3. PTSD makes people violent.
Many individuals who experience PTSD do not display violent tendencies. In fact, many individuals with PTSD shut down and avoid situations that pose any perceived threat. This puts significant strain on personal relationships and the ability to effectively function at work. In the dissociative subtype of PTSD depersonalization and derealization are seen. Individuals who experience depersonalization feel disconnected from their body while individuals who experience derealization feel the world around them is not real.
Myth #4. PTSD is just one thing.
Individuals with PTSD can vary significantly in their presentations. As a result of trauma, some individuals can develop externalizing symptoms, which are characterized by symptoms of aggression and impulsivity. To cope, many will turn to substances such as alcohol and marijuana to calm the brain. Unfortunately, this can lead to brain injury and can worsen focus and mood. Others may develop internalizing symptoms, which are characterized by somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Individuals who were once extroverted and had a secure sense of self can become more isolated and distant.
Myth #5. PTSD isn’t treatable.
Although PTSD can have devastating effects, the great news is that effective treatment is available. Psychotherapy can be an effective tool and there are different modalities utilized. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other trauma-focused therapies can be helpful. In some cases, medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs can provide significant relief. MDMA-assisted therapy in a controlled clinical environment and in the presence of a trained therapy team is also being studied and appears promising.
Dr. Rishi Soodpractices at Amen Clinics, which offers in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Dr. Sood is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to his background in psychiatry, he is a board-certified pediatrician. Find out more about our services at AmenClinics.com. In recent times, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the use of psychedelic drugs as potential treatments for mental health issues. The excitement about the possibilities of these mind-altering substances to relieve symptoms associated with a variety of mental health conditions is reaching a fevered pitch. But does the reality live up to the hype? And just how safe are these substances?
Although it’s true that some scientific research suggests potential mental health benefits from using psychedelics in a clinical setting, there are downsides too. Extreme caution is needed. Here’s what you need to know about psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, and LSD.
Although it’s true that some scientific research suggests potential mental health benefits from using psychedelics in a clinical setting, there are downsides too. Extreme caution is needed.
The term psychedelics refers to mind-altering drugs that can expand the consciousness and impact sensory perceptions. There are many such substances—some that occur in nature while others are chemical compounds developed in laboratories.
Four of the most commonly discussed drugs currently gaining traction in the field of psychiatry are psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ketamine.
Psilocybin
Have you heard of “magic mushrooms?” These natural substances contain a psychoactive compound called psilocybin that can alter thoughts and perceptions and can cause visual and auditory hallucinations at high doses.
The psychedelic effects of psilocybin include feeling like time has slowed down, a sense of euphoria, seeing colors more vividly, thinking unusual thoughts, and seeing stationary objects appear to move.
In the 1960s, people began investigating using psilocybin for depression and addiction. In the 1970s, it was classified as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it currently has no accepted medical use, and it has a high potential for abuse.
MDMA
Commonly known as MDMA, ecstasy, or Molly, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (is a mood-altering chemical that produces enhanced sensory perception and feelings of closeness to others.
In the late 1970s, some psychiatrists began using MDMA because they believed it improved patient communications and gave patients greater insight into their mental health issues.
The DEA issued an emergency ban on it in 1985, classifying it as a Schedule I drug.
LSD
Discovered in the 1950s by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was made available to the psychiatric research community. By the following decade, over 130 studies on the substance showed that it produced positive results in a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse.
In the 1970s, however, following a surge in the recreational use of LSD and instances of “bad trips,” the drug was banned.
Ketamine
Developed more than half a century ago, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. It dulls pain and makes people feel dissociated from their body. This substance can have hallucinogenic effects and has been used as a recreational drug with the nickname “Special K.”
In the 1960s, practitioners began using the ketamine as a human anesthetic in the clinical setting. Subsequently, it has been used as a potential treatment for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain relief.
Today, ketamine is a controlled drug and is classified as a Schedule 3 substance, which means there is a risk for abuse, but the risk is lower than with Schedule 1 drugs or Schedule 2 substances. Other Schedule 3 drugs include codeine and anabolic steroids.
On October 10, 2023, the FDA issued a warning stating that it has not approved ketamine for the treatment of any mental health disorder. In this warning, the FDA clearly states that it has not determined that ketamine is safe and effective for the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
PROS AND CONS OF MICRODOSING PSYCHEDELICS
Emerging research is investigating the use of psychedelics for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and more. In the field of psychiatry, this typically involves microdosing, or administering very small amounts of the psychedelic substance.
This is intended to produce benefits without causing a “bad trip” or triggering intense hallucinatory effects. A very important caveat of microdosing psychedelics is that the drugs are administered by a trained mental health professional in a clinical setting.
The substances are used as a way to enhance psychotherapy, which is why this practice is referred to as drug-assisted therapy.
Be aware, however, that studies also point to potential downsides related to the use of mind-altering substances. This is why the use of these substances outside the clinical setting is not recommended.
Psilocybin
The research on psilocybin remains mixed. Some studies point to potential benefits for the administration of this substance in a clinical setting while others show negligible benefits.
On the positive side, a 2021 study in JAMA Psychiatry involving 24 people with major depressive disorder, found that psilocybin-assisted therapy produced “large, rapid, and sustained antidepressant effects.”
Another research paper from 2021 in The New England Journal of Medicine on people with moderate to severe depression showed that treatment with psilocybin was equally effective as treatment with a common antidepressant (escitalopram, brand name Lexapro).
On the other side, scientific research in Scientific Reports shows that although psilocybin may work in the short-term, its effects are not long term. In fact, depression returns in a majority of people four to five months after a dose of the drug.
When it comes to side effects, a 2023 study in JAMA found that participants receiving psilocybin was linked to a higher rate of adverse events and more serious adverse events compared with participants who received a dose of niacin.Downsides: Some people who ingest magic mushrooms also experience negative reactions, such as anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, feelings of fear and depression, nausea, and numbness.
MDMA
MDMA may have some benefits for people with PTSD. A 2021 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial appearing in Nature Medicine looked at the impact of MDMA-assisted therapy on individuals suffering from severe PTSD.
Following the treatment, 67% of participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The researchers concluded that “MDMA-assisted therapy represents a potential breakthrough treatment that merits expedited clinical evaluation.”
That’s the good news. The not-so-good-news comes from a 2024 review in Neuropsychopharmacology. This review found that in phase 3 clinical trials, people receiving MDMA were 3.5 times more likely to experience adverse events compared to controls.
Downsides: Anxiety, jaw clenching, blurred vision, nausea, nausea, sweating, and chills are some of the unwanted effects of taking MDMA.
LSD
In a 2020 study looking at LSD and other psychedelics as possible depression treatments, the researchers suggested that “low doses of psychedelics could play a role in depression by inducing some kind of cognitive flexibility, which might lead to decreased rumination.”
Animal studies have found that side effects of microdosing LSD can last for weeks and include hyperactivity, heightened aggression, and difficulty feeling pleasure.
Ketamine
Downsides: The effects of this mind-alerting drug are unpredictable and can vary from one person to another. In high doses,
Numerous studies point to ketamine’s positive effects on major depressive disorder. Findings in a 2013 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that in people with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine quickly triggered antidepressant effects.
Significant improvement in depressive symptoms among people taking ketamine was also noted in a 2017 review in Mental Health Clinician. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved esketamine nasal spray—a derivative of ketamine—as a treatment for depression and treatment-resistant depression.
Downsides: Ketamine may be addictive and may cause high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea.
HOW PSYCHEDELICS WORK ON THE BRAIN
Clearly, any mind-altering substance also has an impact on brain function. Here’s what the science shows so far about how psychedelics affect the brain.
Psilocybin
A 2020 brain-imaging study in the journal NeuroImage looked at brain scans of people before and after taking psilocybin and found that the drug lowers activity in an area called the claustrum.
This brain region is believed to be involved with setting attention and shifting tasks, which may explain why people taking psilocybin.
MDMA
experience feelings of connectedness and a lack of ego.
MDMA triggers the release of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Experts point to the heightened levels of serotonin as the primary basis for the feelings of euphoria that recreational users tend to experience.
After this surge of serotonin, however, levels of the neurotransmitter may become depleted, leading to negative psychological effects.
Long-term heavy use of MDMA is also associated with changes in regions of the brain associated with impulse control and attention,
LSD
working memory, visual information processing,Research shows that this psychoactive drug works on a variety of receptors in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine.
Ketamine
Research shows that ketamine alters the way the brain’s neurons communicate. The substance binds to receptors that trigger the release of glutamate, an abundant neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved in memory and learning.
A 2019 study in the journal Science suggests that ketamine promotes the growth of synapses in the brain.
IS MICRODOSING SAFE?
Although some research is pointing to potential benefits of microdosing, there isn’t enough information yet to know how microdosing psychedelics in a clinical setting will affect the brain on a long-term basis.
More investigation on the use of psychedelics as a psychiatric treatment is needed to understand their lasting impacts on brain health and to establish how safe they really are.
PSYCHEDELICS IN PSYCHIATRY
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples.Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here. When you think of psychiatry, does your mind automatically equate the field with prescription medication? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, or other issues but don’t want pills to be your only treatment option? Have you already tried conventional treatment without relief from your symptoms? Are you hesitant to see a psychiatrist because you’re interested in a more holistic approach to treatment for mental health issues? There’s a solution, and it’s called psychiatric naturopathy.
Are you hesitant to see a psychiatrist because you’re interested in a more holistic approach to treatment for mental health issues? There’s a solution, and it’s called psychiatric naturopathy.
Naturopathic psychiatry takes a holistic mind-body-spirit approach to mental health and well-being that aims to educate the patient, prevent mental illness, and provide natural solutions. This is in contrast to allopathic psychiatry (also known as conventional or traditional psychiatry), which typically looks to use medications to mask symptoms. It’s important to note that naturopathic doctors (NDs) who specialize in psychiatry are trained in conventional medicine as well as being educated in complementary medicine. They rely on science, and the therapies they recommend are backed by rigorous research.
LOOKING FOR THE ROOT CAUSES OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
Licensed professionals who practice naturopathic psychiatry look at how a person’s biology, psychology, and spirituality are connected and can contribute to mental health disorders. In addition, they seek out the root causes of psychiatric issues. A naturopathic psychiatrist may explore the following as possible contributors to mental health problems:
Gut health: A condition called leaky gut is associated with mood and anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Adrenal health: The adrenal glands, located above your kidneys, play a vital role in how your body reacts to stress. When stress becomes chronic, a cocktail of harmful chemicals can come with it and can overwhelm your body and contribute to mental health issues.
Nutritional deficiencies: People with mental health issues are more likely to have deficiencies in key nutrients, and scientific research suggests that nutritional treatment may help prevent, treat, or improve mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, addiction, and eating disorders.
Exposure to toxins: Environmental toxins impact nearly every aspect of your body and brain and can lead to a wide range of physical and psychiatric symptoms. In terms of mental health and cognitive function, exposure to toxins can increase the risk of depression, ADD/ADHD, brain fog, memory problems and dementia, learning problems, autism, temper outbursts, psychotic behavior, and suicide.
Inflammation:Research shows that chronic inflammation has been associated with a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, personality disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease
Hormonal imbalances: When hormones are out of balance you may experience symptoms typically associated with psychiatric illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, moodiness, irritability, and psychosis.
Infections: Having underlying chronic infections, such as Lyme disease, or having long-haul COVID (also known as COVID-Brain) is linked to many issues typically viewed as psychiatric problems. These include brain fog, attention issues, depression, and more.
Head trauma: The brain imaging work at Amen Clinics clearly shows that head injuries increase the risk of anxiety, panic disorders, depression, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, substance abuse, personality disorders, aggression, learning problems, and dementia. The problem is that few people, including most naturopathic psychiatrists, know this because the field of psychiatry typically doesn’t look at the organ it treats. At Amen Clinics, naturopathic psychiatrists use functional brain SPECT imaging to identify underlying brain injuries that contribute to mental health disorders.
HOLISTIC PSYCHIATRY TREATMENTS
Naturopathic psychiatrists focus on providing therapies that promote self-healing within the body and brain. As a general rule, this form of holistic psychiatry looks to use the least toxic, most effective solutions, including natural therapies whenever possible. Treatment recommendations may include psychotherapy, spiritual or marriage counseling, mindfulness techniques, non-invasive treatments, nutraceuticals, exercise recommendations, diet suggestions, and much more.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues that aren’t responding to traditional treatment or you’re interested in a more holistic approach to care, Amen Clinics is here for you. Amen Clinics has several naturopathic doctors on staff, including Kabran Chapek, ND (president of the Psychiatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians), Elissa Mendenhall, ND, and Julie Brush, ND. 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 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here. Traumatic experiences can be devastating to those who are exposed to them. They can lead to significant mental health problems and changes in how a person functions and copes—even long after the trauma has passed. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) are 2 types of diagnoses people may be given, based on symptoms that result from significant emotional and/or physical trauma.
Generally speaking, PTSD can develop after a single traumatic event that is life-threatening—or perceived to be—by the person who experiences it. Common examples of such situations include:
This condition may also be diagnosed in people who have survived other types of horrific situations, such as having been:
A prisoner of war
Subjected to torture
Kidnapped
Living in a war-torn area
A victim of human trafficking
Abused by a domestic partner over an extended period of time
Symptoms in PTSD and Complex PTSD
Right now, the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) does not separate PTSD from CPTSD in its classifications; however, the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) identifies these as 2 separate conditions. While both PTSD and CPTSD share some of the same symptoms, there are specific characteristics in complex PTSD that are not seen in regular PTSD.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have significant problems in functioning due to the following core symptoms that last for at least several weeks:
Have nightmares or flashbacks during which the fear of the traumatic event is vividly re-experienced
Avoidance of activities, situations—or even thoughts and memories—of the traumatic event
Being in a state of hypervigilance or being easily startled because of an ongoing perceived sense of threat (even though the traumatic event has passed)
A person with PTSD can also have other symptoms, such as sleep problems, difficulty with, concentration and memory, anger issues, depressive symptoms, and even suicidal thoughts.
According to the ICD-11, a person with complex PTSD is likely to have the same core symptoms of PTSD listed above, but in addition, has the following symptoms that are persistent and severe in nature:
Problems controlling their emotions
Believe they are worthless or a failure and inferior to others
Have feelings of profound shame and guilt related to the traumatic event that distorts their perspective of themselves and the traumatic event(s)
Have difficulty getting close to others and sustaining relationships
People with CPTSD may also have periods of amnesia about what happened and periods of dissociation (feeling removed from themselves). The combination of all of these symptoms can lead to significant problems functioning in many aspects of their lives, including personally, with family, socially, and at school or work.
Interestingly, there may be some mitigating factors that can reduce the number and degree of symptoms a person develops from a chronic traumatic situation. For example, some research has found that there may be protective factors for certain people, such as a genetic predisposition for resilience and/or familial support that may help a person to develop PTSD, rather than extra challenges associated with complex PTSD.
Complex PTSD vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
From a clinical perspective, there are some similarities between complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD), particularly with regard to emotional stability, and so a person may get diagnosed with PTSD plus BPD. However, as explained in a 2020 article published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, people with BPD have a fluctuating (good/bad) perception of themselves, whereas, with CPTSD, self-perception is typically only negative. Also, those with CPTSD tend to avoid relationships or have a difficult time maintaining them, while those with borderline personality tend to jump into relationships quickly and create a lot of instability with their partners.
Treatment for Trauma Makes a Difference
People with complex PTSD often have difficulty trusting others. Given the horror of what they must have gone through at the hands of another person (or multiple people), it is understandable. Finding a mental health professional who is skilled in working with CPTSD is very important so that some level of trust and emotional comfort can develop. When that happens, additional therapeutic modalities can be included in a person’s healing journey, such as:
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been one of the more successful treatments for PTSD. It involves less talking than other therapies and generally allows for traumatic memories to be addressed in a way that feels safer to the person working through them.
DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which has a strong mindfulness component, can be helpful for learning to regulate emotions as well as managing stress and self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or self-injury.
With the right kind of compassionate support and treatment, symptoms of complex PTSD and PTSD and really can get better over time.
PTSD 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 or visit our contact page here. Recently, Dr. Daniel Amen was invited to consult on a tragic case that was presented on the Dr. Phil Show. Two years ago, at age 35, Josh was intoxicated on drugs when he stole his mother’s car and credit card. She called the police and had him arrested. In the bathroom at the jail, Josh used the laces of his shoes to hang himself.
Josh physically survived his suicide attempt, but his brain was severely damaged from anoxia—a prolonged deprivation of oxygen.
The Devastation of Anoxic Brain Injuries
The brain is the most oxygen-hungry organ in the body. It uses 20% of the body’s total oxygen and it takes only a few minutes for a complete lack of oxygen to do horrible damage to the brain. Hanging and strangulation are not the only causes of anoxic brain injuries—they can also be caused by:
The length of time that the brain goes without oxygen plays an important role in the prognosis of recovery. However, with a massive brain injury like the one Josh sustained, most people become completely incapacitated with a very limited ability for any type of recovery.
SPECT surface scan that represents a case of anoxia. Notable decreases in blood flow throughout.
Josh’s case is very sad indeed. For the past 2 years, he has been in a nursing home in a persistent vegetative state, kept alive by a feeding tube. He does not move, except through the brain stem reflexes of breathing, blinking, and coughing. His nervous system is deteriorating causing an increase in seizures, his hands are tightly balled, and his arms and legs are bent but rigid.
After reviewing the medical records and learning more about the history of this terrible situation, Dr. Amen weighed in with his thoughts, based on his decades of medical practice using brain SPECT imaging. He explained that when the brain loses oxygen, brain cells quickly begin to die. Of the 170,000 SPECT scans done at Amen Clinics, the patients with anoxic injuries who have been scanned have the most severe brain damage he has seen.
Dr. Amen also pointed out that with anoxia, the earlier interventions are done, such as hyperbaric oxygen treatment, infrared light therapy, or certain nutrients, the better the chance of reversing some of the injuries. However, in Josh’s case, Dr. Amen thinks the chance for any kind of recovery at this point is less than 1%, and that even if his brain could improve a little, Josh will never be Josh again. He would likely have a very, very low I.Q. because his brain is essentially dead.
What complicates this awful situation, even more, is that Josh’s wife, Meagan, and his mother, Kelly, disagree on how to proceed after 2 years of seeing Josh in this condition. Meagan wants to bring him home, remove the feeding tube and let him pass away. Kelly, on the other hand, refuses to allow this and holds out hope that there will be some miraculous treatment that can improve his brain function.
Even though he is still alive, Josh’s family has been grieving him in a way for nearly 2 years now. Without any resolution of the situation, they all are living with the chronic stress of unresolved grief.
Grief and Loss Dragons
In his new book, Your Brain is Always Listening, Dr. Amen writes about the inner dragons that breathe fire on our emotional brain (the amygdala). There are 13 different “Dragons from the Past” that evolve from the personal stories we tell ourselves based on our earlier experiences in life.
We all have at least a few dragons, and most people have Grief and Loss Dragons. These show up as a normal reaction to losing someone we love, something important, or an attachment to ideas of what could have been. Like all dragons, they can be tamed with the right strategies, and it starts with accepting the reality of the loss and going through the healing process.
For Josh’s family, the Grief and Loss Dragons are definitely breathing fire on everyone’s emotional brain. And sadly, these dragons can’t be tamed while he’s still alive. This drawn-out process will likely spawn Hopeless and Helpless Dragons as well as the Angry Dragons until this family can come to an agreement about what is best for Josh and for themselves.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Your Brain Is Always Listening is written by psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author Daniel G. Amen, MD. In this book, Dr. Amen equips you with powerful weapons to battle the inner dragons that are breathing fire on your brain, driving unhealthy behaviors, and robbing you of your joy and contentment. Order your copy here.If you want to join the tens of thousands of Amen Clinics patients who have already tamed their dragons and overcome their symptoms of addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, speak to a specialist today at 888-609-4318 or visit our contact page here. In times of our greatest celebrations, our darkest sadness, and in the moments in between, we seek out hugs from family, friends, and loved ones. Big bear hugs make you feel safe, warm, happy, comforted and connected. But with the pandemic, people aren’t getting these much-needed embraces. That’s bad news, because hugs don’t just feel good, they come with a host of brain benefits.
BRAIN BENEFITS OF HUGS
Some of the psychological and neurological benefits of wrapping your arms around your loved ones include:
Triggers the release of oxytocin. Sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone,” oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter that promotes a sense of well-being, relaxation, and bonding. It may be best known for its involvement in childbirth and breastfeeding to strengthen the bonds between mother and baby. More recently, it has become known as “the love hormone” as it brings forth feelings of trust, security, connection, calmness, and contentment. Some research suggests that intranasal oxytocin may be used to enhance relationships interpersonal connections.
Boosts moods. Hugging increases levels of the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin to elevate moods. Receiving a hug also helps protect people from negative moods, according to findings in a 2018 study in Plos One.
Decreases the stress hormone cortisol and lowers stress levels. Hugs protect against chronic stress, which reduces “brain reserve,” the extra cushion of brain tissue you have to deal with the curveballs life throws your way. Uncontrolled stress is also associated with reduced immune system function, increasing your risk of infections and illness. To keep stress at bay, it’s a good idea to “hug it out” on a regular basis.
Lowers anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. The simple act of embracing another human has positive impacts on psychological well-being. For example, a 2013 study from researchers at the University of Amsterdam found that hugs help reduce anxiety and fears in people with low self-esteem.
FEEL-GOOD HUG ALTERNATIVES
If you’re feeling hug-deprived, try these 3 alternatives to get some of the same mental health benefits that hugging provides.
1. Wrap yourself in a weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets, which weigh up to about 30 pounds, can provide a sensation similar to a full-body hug. Weighted blankets provide a form of deep pressure stimulation, a therapy that relaxes the nervous system. Research has shown that these heavy blankets improve sleep and can reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, as well as some of the symptoms seen in ADD/ADHD and autism.
2. Learn the art of self-hugging.
If you’re on your own and yearning for a hug, do it yourself. A therapeutic self-hugging technique called havening uses touch to create calming brainwaves that promote relaxation and a sense of well-being.
Just because you can’t reach out and touch someone doesn’t mean you can’t create that same feeling. The human brain senses the world, and if you can change its inputs, you can often quickly change how you feel. Hugs activate the touch inputs, but if you can’t get a real hug you still have 4 other senses you can use to enhance positivity. Here’s how.
Hearing: Music can help to optimize your state of being. In his powerful book, The Secret Language of the Heart, Barry Goldstein reviews the neuroscience properties of music. “Music stimulates emotional circuits in the brain … releases oxytocin, the cuddle hormone, which can enhance bonding, trust, and relationships. … Listening to music can create peak emotions, which increase the amount of dopamine, a specific neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.”
Smell: Certain scents are known to have mood-enhancing effects, especially lavender oil (for anxiety, mood, sleep, and migraine headaches), rose oil, and chamomile.
Sight: Soothing images can impact your mood. Images of nature and fractals (never-ending patterns) can soothe stress. In a 2012 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, people who looked at real plants or posters of plants experienced less stress waiting for medical procedures.
Taste: Flavoring food with cinnamon, saffron, mint, sage, or nutmeg has been shown to enhance mood.
Depression, anxiety, loneliness, 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 or visit our contact page here. The year 2020 really threw the mental health field for a loop. The pandemic, economic fallout, and social unrest led to skyrocketing incidences of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—or pandemic stress disorder (PSD)—and suicidal thoughts. At Amen Clinics, and for mental health professionals across the nation and around the world, this translated into a greater need than ever for our services.
With restrictions on travel and fears about COVID-19 swirling, however, many people who desperately need our services—and yours—are opting for telemental health appointments. At Amen Clinics, where we have patients in over 150 countries, we have been using telehealth and video therapy for decades. But in the last year, we’ve learned even more about some of the challenges of virtual mental health as well as ways to make these appointments the most effective possible.
Here are 5 things you need to know about mental telehealth.
1. Get a handle on technology issues.
Technology can be a blessing or a curse. If you’re working from home like so many psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors these days, be sure to find a place in your home where the internet connection is strong. Before any appointments, be sure you’re all set with any necessary application downloads, such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or Google Meet. Always test the equipment prior to appointments so you can troubleshoot any issues. If you have important materials you’d like to show, practice sharing your screen so your clients/patients can benefit from them.
In addition, be prepared for technological problems and always have a plan B. “I’ve found it helpful to let my patients know ahead of time that if there are any issues with the video on either end that I will call them,” says Rishi Sood, MD, a psychiatrist at Amen Clinics. “For people with anxiety, it takes a bit of the pressure off. They don’t have to worry about missing their session if there’s a computer glitch.”
2. Maintain boundaries.
One of the benefits of telemental health is that clients and patients may feel more comfortable in their own surroundings than in an office setting. In some instances, being able to cozy up with a beloved pet, sit cross-legged on the couch, or have a guitar in hand may help people open up in ways they don’t in the office. In other cases, however, that comfort may creep into a gray area in terms of boundaries. Jennifer Love, MD, an Amen Clinics psychiatrist and author of When Crisis Strikes, says, “I’ve had some patients go shirtless or drink alcohol during appointments, which is a challenge. Others have been out walking, which is like watching ‘The Blair Witch Project.’” Dr. Love says it’s best to encourage clients and patients to sit in a quiet room, have a shirt on, and make space for the appointment. “They need to be present, not at the grocery store where they are distracted by 100 things.”
3. You can’t count on body language.
All mental health professionals know that reading people’s body language can offer important clues to feelings and emotions, but it can be difficult to do that on Zoom and other platforms. You may need to be more vigilant about asking clients/patients to verbalize their emotions. “I put a set of questions near my computer as a reminder to ask for clarifications when I can’t tell from their body language,” says Dr. Sood.
4. It’s a boon for couples therapy.
Seeing couples interact in their home environment can be very helpful and may provide insights you wouldn’t otherwise notice in traditional therapy settings. In addition, people having marital difficulties may benefit more from practicing communication strategies in a real-life setting. “Some of the couples I’m seeing virtually for relationship issues are responding better to the tools and techniques I’m sharing with them,” says Dr. Love.
5. Be prepared for interruptions.
When clients or patients are at home for online sessions, there’s a greater possibility for intrusions—dogs barking, kids bursting into the room, and so on. Understand that this may occur and be ready to bring them back to the session after the disruption. According to Dr. Sood, “When this happens, I have the patient take a couple of deep breaths together with me to reform a connection and re-focus.”
Dr. Rishi Sood and Dr. Jennifer Love practice at Amen Clinics, which offers 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 about our services at AmenClinics.com. Armored vehicles, stun guns, tear gas—these are some of the tools law enforcement personnel use in the field. But the National Police Association is realizing that there is one weapon in police officers’ arsenal that is more powerful than any other—the brain.
The National Police Association is realizing that there is one weapon in police officers’ arsenal that is more powerful than any other—the brain.
The National Police Association has begun encouraging all of its officers to support their brain health by following the research, advice, and books of 12-time New York Times bestselling author, psychiatrist, and founder of Amen Clinics, Daniel G. Amen, MD. A brain health expert, Dr. Amen has scanned the brains of many police officers as part of a full evaluation at Amen Clinics and has worked closely with some police departments to implement a program that promotes better brain health.
IMPACTS OF A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ON BRAIN HEALTH
A wealth of research shows that a career in law enforcement exposes officers to a variety of stressors that can have a negative impact on brain health. Here’s what the National Police Association is recommending to its officers and what you can learn from Dr. Amen’s strategies to optimize the brain.
Head Injuries
There’s a concussion crisis in law enforcement. There’s a shortage of statistics on the number of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) suffered by law enforcement personnel, however, police officers are 3 times more likely to experience a nonfatal injury than all other U.S. workers, according to a 2018 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. According to Dr. Amen, mild TBIs are a major cause of mental illness but few people know it because traditional psychiatrists never look at the brain.
Optimizing brain health: The National Police Association now recommends that officers wear protective headgear more frequently in an effort to avoid head trauma. Dr. Amen also suggests avoiding playing contact sports, wearing a helmet when biking or skiing, and holding the railing when walking down stairs.
Emotional Trauma
Approximately 10% of first responders will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to 2018 findings from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). PTSD is associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression, anger, panic attacks, addictions, and other issues. The brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics shows that PTSD is associated with too much activity in several areas of the brain, including the limbic system (the brain’s emotional center), basal ganglia (the brain’s anxiety center), and anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain’s gear shifter that helps you go from thought to thought or action to action). On SPECT scans, it typically resembles a diamond pattern. In a 2005 Amen Clinics evaluation of 6 police officers who had been involved in on-the-job shootings and who had developed PTSD, the “diamond pattern” was seen in all of their brain scans.
Optimizing brain health: The National Police Association recommends arming police officers with coping strategies for dealing with trauma and encourages seeing a mental health professional following traumatic events. One therapy Dr. Amen suggests for overcoming emotional trauma is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), a non-invasive treatment intended to remove the emotional charges attached to traumatic memories.
Mental Health Issues
Law enforcement personnel are at greater risk of mental health problems, with research showing that approximately 30% of first responders will develop some type of behavioral health condition compared to just 20% of the general population. Brain SPECT imaging shows that issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD (see above) are associated with abnormal brain activity.
Optimizing brain health: Loving and caring for the brain are foundational steps for police officers—and for everybody—to reduce symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders.
Substance Abuse
Studies have shown that police officers are at risk for drinking problems and substance abuse as a way to cope with the stresses of the job. Alcohol and drugs are toxic for the brain and impair brain function.
Optimizing brain health: The National Police Association says that introducing officers to effective stress-management techniques and addressing trauma-related issues can help them avoid turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol and drugs. According to Dr. Amen, there is hope for recovery even if drugs or alcohol have negatively impacted brain function. Before-and-after SPECT scans of Amen Clinics patients with drug or alcohol addictions show some of the most dramatic improvements.
Sleep Issues
People in law enforcement often work rotating shifts, night shifts, and long hours that lead to fatigue or lack of quality sleep. Inadequate sleep is detrimental to brain health in many ways. During sleep, your brain cleans or washes by eliminating cellular debris and toxins that build up during the day (basically taking out the neural trash), consolidates learning and memory, and prepares for the following day. The brain processes that occur during sleep are also important for the health of your immune system, appetite control, and neurotransmitter production. Over time, sleep problems can lead to a higher risk of depression, ADD/ADHD, panic attacks, brain fog, memory problems, and dementia.
Optimizing brain health: The National Police Association is recommending that officers receive adequate time off to ensure they can get the sleep they need. According to Dr. Amen, everyone should aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep each day. Creating a healthy sleep routine—shutting off electronics 2 hours before bedtime; making sure the bedroom isn’t too warm; and taking calming supplements like magnesium, melatonin, GABA, and 5-HTP—can be helpful.PTSD, concussions, addictions, and other mental health and brain health issuescan’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 or visit our contact page here. When you think of memory loss, you probably think about elderly people in nursing homes with Alzheimer’s disease. But forgetfulness can affect younger people too. It’s not uncommon for people in their 30s or 40s to start feeling the effects of faulty memory.
That’s what brought actress Jennie Garth to Amen Clinics.
Jennie is the co-host of a podcast about Beverly Hills 90210, the wildly popular 1990s TV show she starred in with her podcast co-host Tori Spelling, as well as Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, and the late Luke Perry. The 90210MG podcast has earned a healthy following, but it has brought to light an uncomfortable truth for Jennie: “My best friend who’s doing it with me can remember everything, and I can’t remember anything. And it’s really frustrating, and it’s upsetting to me.”
Throughout her long career, the actress has had to memorize thousands of scripts, which requires an excellent recall. But like many of the younger or middle-aged people who come to Amen Clinics for memory issues, Jennie says, “I feel like my short-term memory has taken over for my long-term memory.”
“I can’t remember anything. And it’s really frustrating, and it’s upsetting to me.”—Jennie Garth, actress, and 90210MG podcast co-host, who visited Amen Clinics for a brain scan to learn what’s causing her memory problems.
To address her concerns about her memory, Jennie had brain SPECT imaging studies at Amen Clinics, the global leader in brain health. As a way to help others who might be experiencing forgetfulness, the actress shared a video of her scan experience and evaluation with Daniel G. Amen, MD, the founder of Amen Clinics and 12-time New York Times bestselling author.
SPECT is a technology that measures blood flow and activity in the brain that shows 3 things:
Areas in the brain with healthy activity
Areas in the brain with too little activity
Areas in the brain with too much activity
Jennie underwent 2 SPECT studies, including a surface scan that shows blood flow, and an active scan that reveals activity levels throughout the brain. Here surface scan looked “beautiful” according to Dr. Amen, but it did show evidence of a possible head injury (perhaps from a past accident or fall?) and slightly lower blood flow near the hippocampus (an important region involved in memory).
The actress’s active scan, however, revealed a very busy brain with too much activity in areas such as the basal ganglia (a region associated with anxiety).
What does all of this mean in terms of memory?
CAUSES OF MEMORY LOSS IN YOUNGER PEOPLE
As Dr. Amen explained in his evaluation with Jennie, some things that can cause memory problems and brain fog regardless of a person’s age. Here are some of the most common.
Long-term chronic stress: Being overly stressed actually shrinks the hippocampus. In the healthy brain, 700 new nerve cells are created every day in the hippocampus, which is critical for memory formation. But being bombarded by stress can disrupt neurogenesis (the process of new cell growth), so you don’t make as many new nerve cells as you should.
Overactive basal ganglia: When this area of the brain works too hard, it is associated with anxiety and frequently feeling tense or keyed up. When emotional circuits are heightened, it can interfere with the formation of long-term memories.
Head injuries: Experiencing one or more traumatic brain injuries—with or without loss of consciousness—is a major cause of memory problems in younger people. Some of the most common causes of concussions and other types of head trauma include falls (off a ladder or a bike), playing contact sports, repeatedly hitting your head (such as heading soccer balls), getting into a motor vehicle accident, violent attacks, or explosive blasts.
Hormonal imbalances: If you’ve suffered a head injury, be sure to have a physician check your hormone levels, including thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. Head trauma often damages the pituitary gland, which regulates hormone production. Hormonal imbalances are associated with memory problems in younger people.
SOLUTIONS FOR EARLY MEMORY PROBLEMS
In younger people who are experiencing brain for or memory issues, the following strategies may help.
Practice stress-management techniques: Meditation, prayer, exercise, and deep breathing strategies can help alleviate chronic stress.
Calm the brain: Nutritional supplements, such as 5-HTP, and saffron, can help calm a busy brain.
Heal traumatic brain injuries:Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can speed the healing process in areas that have been damaged by past head trauma.
Balancing hormones: Checking your hormone levels and optimizing them if they are off can be beneficial for recall.
Memory loss, chronic stress, anxiety, 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 relationships and 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 or visit our contact page here.By Kjell Tore Hovik, PsyD, PhD
At the cusp of a hopeful New Year, a book in the Amen Clinics library will help psychiatrists, psychologists, and other clinicians and therapists better organize their therapeutic toolbox into a more powerful weapon against mental illness.
The book is written as a guide to help individuals experiencing life crises get a grip on their situation and turn their life around for the better; but mental health professionals can use the 5 steps in their practice to help their patients identify their struggles and supervise them in their effort to adapt their thought, feeling and behavior patterns in the recovery process. The end goal is improved quality of life.
Experienced therapists who have read the book and tried out the 5-step methodology have written “Drs Love and Hovik give a wonderful framework and roadmap….it really gives a step-by-step process in situations where chaos would otherwise reign”.
The 5 steps have already been piloted in a university research project with individuals and in small groups. The feedback after the courses in 2020 has been impressive. Further research is planned for 2021.
Among the techniques featured in the model are elements reminiscent of techniques used in evidence-based therapeutic traditions ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Illness Management and Recovery (IM) to sports and personality psychology, but key elements represent a fresh angle to behavior change and recovery based on recent advances in neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. The key overall organizing principle is the idea that a person’s reaction to stress and stressors is a central feature of all mental distress; it can not only trigger a mental vulnerability but will also aggravate an underlying mental condition. Identifying the stressors in one’s life and individual reactions to them is the start; then the work can begin to gain control over them and turn attentional focus to areas that will build self-confidence, a feeling of mastery, and a sense of balance.
An important feature of the model is the 8-session process approach centered around the patient setting his or her own goals and then scaffolding action on their inner motivation to make the needed changes in their daily lives to reach their desired outcome. To start with, there is a focus on what they are able to change on their own to make changes to thought, emotion, and behavior patterns, but then bring in help as needed to help them resolve struggles out of their control (for example, medication for a serious depressive or psychotic condition or EMDR for an intractable trauma condition).
Throughout, the emphasis is maintained on a person-centered care approach, and a focus on supporting the patient in avoiding avoidance and escape strategies that will only complicate their struggle to achieve their desired outcome. Among the mental health topics described in the book with concrete case examples are chronic illness, family crises, loss, trauma, and existential/spiritual crises.
The year ends with the world in the middle of a crisis of confidence, a crisis of trust, and pandemic pandemonium. But there is hope on the horizon. The time is right for When Crisis Strikes – 5 Steps to Heal Your Brain, Body and Life from Chronic Stress, Citadel Press.
The book is co-authored by Amen Clinics medical doctor Jennifer Love with three board certifications, including psychiatry, and clinical neuropsychologist Kjell Tore Hovik who is an associate professor of psychology with a Ph.D. in neurodevelopmental psychology.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. When you think of psychiatry, does your mind automatically equate the field with prescription medication? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, or other issues but don’t want pills to be your only treatment option? Have you already tried conventional treatment without relief from your symptoms? Are you hesitant to see a psychiatrist because you’re interested in a more holistic approach to treatment for mental health issues? There’s a solution, and it’s called psychiatric naturopathy.
Are you hesitant to see a psychiatrist because you’re interested in a more holistic approach to treatment for mental health issues? There’s a solution, and it’s called psychiatric naturopathy.
