Addiction is such a difficult journey to endure, but it’s also a much misunderstood one. Friends and family members often take the perspective of, “Why can’t you just quit?” It’s not that easy; not in the least. Addiction, no matter which form it takes, presents challenges equal to that of other chronic health conditions. Barbara Lynch, patient at the Women's Hospital Center for Healing Arts, shares her experience with addiction and what she’s now doing to ensure she thrives.
Laura L, RN, Bereavement Coordinator It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. When you are grieving, it can be daunting to look towards the future. It can be hard to celebrate the year knowing the profound loss you have been through. Many people make resolutions for the coming year, some attainable and some not. This month, we look at some new grief resolutions.
Libby Brown, PsyD at Center for Healing Arts and Wellness Services Fertility treatments have come a long way since their introduction—from both a scientific and stigma perspective. Women and their partners have many more effective options to achieve their fertility goals, whether they are dealing with immediate issues or want to preserve their eggs for future use. Dr. Libby Brown, clinical psychologist and wellness and counseling expert at Deaconess the Women's Hospital, guides women along the final stages of that journey.
Elizabeth Johnson, RN, APRN, PMH-C One might not think about genetic testing in regard to mental health, but it can absolutely give physicians important clues. Elizabeth Johnson, family nurse practitioner and perinatal mental health nurse practitioner at Deaconess Hospitals Center for Healing Arts, turns to such scientific data to help guide treatment options. “Part of my niche is navigating what treatment options may be best, specific to medication, adding or subtracting, starting or stopping, based on how that person is struggling and what their need is at that time in their life,” she states.
Scott Branam, CEO of Deaconess Cross Point September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and promote suicide prevention.
Aziz Mehrzad, MD, Deaconess Primary Care for Seniors September is World Alzheimer's Month. More than 6 million people in the US suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease. Learn symptoms of the disease.
Brandi Neely, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability. Many people don’t understand autism and the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms in young children so they can get the early help they need.
After a difficult 2020, the new year is a good time to refocus your priorities on self-care and your health. Getting healthier is a marathon, not a sprint - and it's important to focus on both your physical and mental health. Learn ways that you can help yourself feel better in a minute, in an hour, in a week, in a month and in a year.
Heather Phelps, LCSW, Deaconess Cross Pointe Maybe you know someone who you think is in an abusive relationship, but you don’t know how to help her (or him). We want to help you know how to help someone you care about….what to do and say, and what NOT to do and say.
Deaconess Cross Pointe Suicide is a leading cause of death in American teenagers, and the rate of suicide in middle aged adults has gone up more than 30% in the past decade. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in mental health issues which could add an estimated additional 70,000 deaths due to despair-suicide and alcohol-related suicides.
Our “unprecedented” time continues, as we all work to live as best we can in our new and evolving “normal”. Although we are going through this pandemic together, our individual experiences are vastly different. With children, who don’t have a frame of reference, and who sense adult stresses and concerns, feelings may be even more confusing and difficult to manage right now.
We are experiencing historic and stressful times, as we are faced with a pandemic, deaths, racism, rioting, and an ever widening troublesome rip in the fabric of our community. These events can create uncertainty and a feeling of being overwhelmed and out-of-control.
Let's face it - even in the best of times, life throws many obstacles at us that challenge our attitude and mood. But now, in this unprecedented time of a pandemic, we are facing more than we could have possibly imagined in many facets of our lives - and it can make us grouchy!
No one understands a hard shift like your coworkers who experienced it with you. Here are a few tips to support each other in tense times.
If you love a medical professional serving on the front lines of the global pandemic, here are some ways to support them when they are not at work.
It’s always good practice to plan ahead for emergencies, but that planning becomes even more important when you have specific dietary needs and restrictions.
Children also experience the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance. Here are some ways to help them work through the process.
Here are some practical ways to connect with your child and still meet your own needs.
Mentally and emotionally, it is valid to feel uneasy about COVID-19. Although these emotions are normal and expected in this time of uncertainty, there are ways to cope.
Managing emotions is difficult for both children and parents during times of high stress. The technique of "connect and reflect" can go a long way in making the time at home much more enjoyable for everyone.
During times of crisis, we know children cope better when their parents cope better. Now is the time to make a plan and lay the course for the next couple of months to help your family adapt and overcome.
Deaconess Cross Pointe If you are one of the millions of Americans who finds themselves “in a funk” through the colder and darker months, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
Deaconess Clinic Downtown Probiotics and prebiotics—these are some health and nutrition “buzz words” right now. But do you know what they mean, and how pre-and-probiotics may affect your health?
The holiday season can be very difficult for someone grieving the loss of a loved one. An expert from Deaconess VNA Hospice shares tips on making the holidays easier for yourself, or for someone you love.
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Holiday-related stress and depression are common, particularly among women who are always feeling that they need to be “everything to everyone.” As a result, we neglect our own emotional and even physical well-being. Here are some tips on how to prevent and deal with stress and depression over the holidays.
Deaconess Cross Pointe Discussions about the opioid crisis are everywhere. You may have heard stories on the news, read articles posted on social media, or had first-hand experience with a friend or loved one. Learn about a program at Deaconess Cross Pointe that helps people addicted to opioids (heroin, prescription pain pills, etc.) and move into recovery.
Amanda Bohleber, MD, Medical Director, Deaconess Clinic A doctor—and mom—shares her tips for choosing the right care at the right time at the right place.
Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown Your doctors’ appointments are an important and valuable time to connect with your doctor, share your perspective and information, and learn from your doctor’s expertise. The best appointments happen when patients are very prepared.
Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown Chronic fatigue is a condition that causes someone to be extremely tired—to the point that they can’t function in their daily life. It is also often misunderstood.
Michelle Galen, MD; Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic A feeling of sadness that doesn’t seem to go away. Unexplained weight gain or weight loss. Inability to focus. Fatigued but just can’t sleep. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing major depression episodes caused by a disease called Major Depressive Disorder or MDD. If you have MDD you’re not alone. Depression affects 15.7 million American adults.
Deaconess Cross Pointe and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation Some of the most significant predictors of adolescent and adult substance abuse, mental illness, learning difficulties and other serious social problems are ACEs—Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Dr. Pamela Rogers, MD Pediatrics Deaconess Clinic Kids and stress. Growing up can be hard sometimes, and back-to-school is a time of change, growth and yes, stress.
Michelle Galen, MD Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects the brain. It can be characterized by social interaction difficulty, behavioral differences and communication challenges.
Deaconess Cross Pointe Co-occurring disorders are very common and are characterized by a co-existing mental disorder and a chemical dependency/addiction.
Lynn Schnautz, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS, NP-C, Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist, The Heart Hospital Deaconess Cross Pointe There can be a lot of confusion about alcohol and its effects on your health. How much alcohol—and what kind—is good for you?
Holidays are supposed to be a great fun time filled with comfort & joy...holly jolly feel good time. Those dealing with depression or anxiety may not experience it that way. The holidays can bring on more difficulty for already stressed out people with the expectation to do more and more things when already feeling bad.
Deaconess Family Medicine When does drinking become a problem? The aging population is not immune to alcohol abuse. For men and women 65 years of age or older, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse considers one drink per day to be the maximum amount for “moderate” alcohol use.
Pam Pepper, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist with Deaconess Cross Pointe ADHD is a common condition, but is often misunderstood. Currently, it’s believed 9% of children ages 3-17 and 2-4% of adults have ADHD.
Deaconess Cross Pointe Heroin use is on the rise in our area and many towns across the United States because heroin is a cheaper alternative for people who are addicted to or are abusing prescription painkillers. These painkillers are becoming harder to get, and are therefore becoming very expensive if obtained illegally
Lauren Veazey, MD, Family Practice Physician Calling all (frazzled, busy) parents of teenagers! This article is about keeping your teenagers healthy. You can get so busy keeping up with your teen’s social/academic/extracurricular lives that it’s easy to forget about keeping them healthy!
Deaconess Cross Pointe Did you know that more people abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined? In the U.S., one in 20 people have used prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons. So how does a prescription drug abuse problem start?
Deaconess Clinic Behavioral Health Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a specific kind of depression that affects people seasonally. The vast majority are those who are affected during the colder/darker months. For reasons that aren't fully understood, some people develop depression that is considered to be related to less sunlight.
Deaconess Cross Pointe In part one, we discussed some of the warning signs that someone may be considering suicide. Now that you know warning signs, what should you do if you realize someone you care about is exhibiting them? Believe it or not, the single best thing you can do is ASK THEM about it; however, there are good and bad ways to do this.
Deaconess Cross Pointe Affecting nearly one-in-five adults at some level, anxiety disorders are common and can be debilitating. Anxiety disorders can range from mild to severe to full panic. Some people don’t realize they have an anxiety disorder until they end up in an emergency room thinking they’re having a heart attack, when they’re actually having a panic/anxiety attack.
Deaconess Cross Pointe We all need some stress to keep us going and motivate us in life, or we won't get anything done! Stress is what makes us get up and perform at work, get the motivation and focus to study for a test, to prepare for a presentation, etc.
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