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26 Jan 2022

Category: self controlCategory Archives:

This is a PRO Tobacco Use Argument in Mental Health Settings

The growing trend in most mental health centers is banning tobacco products and their use on campuses that deliver treatment and other supportive programs.

This trend defies the age-old image of ‘mentally ill’ folks pacing around outside their treatment center or a hospital smoking like chimneys. What is the result and impact of these bans on the folks in my image?

When I first entered the mental health system in 2003, I was an adolescent in an inpatient unit in New York State, and smoking was already banned for adolescents. After all, you would be hard-pressed to find a smoking section in a restaurant anymore. Adults still could smoke, but only in certain restricted areas and at certain times.

Before the banning, adolescents could smoke outside the building when they were granted outdoor privileges, similar to adults. The rationale, staff told me at the time, were minors weren’t allowed to purchase cigarettes in the community. They shouldn’t be smoking in the hospital. 

I accepted with a giant grain of salt. After all, I was a smoker, irritable, but appreciative enough of logic in a place and time where reason wasn’t readily available. 

However, when I was hospitalized in the New York State Psychiatric Center in upstate New York a mere five years later, smoking was banned for all patients, staff, and visitors on the hospital campus. At this point in my inpatient career, I drew a line in the sand and took issue. 

As an adult in the hospital, I wasn’t just agitated. I was dysregulated, manic, and psychotic. I needed something to self-soothe, and meds and therapy were not cutting it. 

Given how bewildered, uncomfortable, and upset I was back from new active schizophrenia symptoms, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to smoke cigarettes.

I needed relief and quickly. To be even blunter, I needed a cigarette. 

My theory about smoking in the hospital is straightforward. My idea is also within the margins of psychology and elementary logic. When a person is so far from a baseline that all previously learned coping skills don’t work anymore, why deny people the use of their existing mechanisms for finding relief in the most challenging moments of perhaps their life? Why take away the only coping skill that has been working to date? Why must we throw additional barriers in someone’s way to deescalating and finding a moment of peace in a disordered mindset when someone is so sick? 

I understand the need and push to ban tobacco use in community health settings. Sure, teach people to access coping skills free of tar, toxins, and health-compromising chemicals. Instead, we need people to learn how to lean on healthier supports and access community resources. In this vein, I am not suggesting pushing cigarette smoking on people who do not already smoke. We certainly cannot allow tobacco companies to come into the hospital and hand out products to vulnerable people and get them addicted to another chemical they will need to manage moving forward discharge. 

However, for people with existing habits and already smoke. Why limit, restrict, and agitate these folks further when they could be enjoying a smoke outside like at their own home and maybe feel the impetus to work towards discharge to do just that. 

People at the out-patient level are more likely to use other coping mechanisms to find relief instead of smoking or waiting until they get back home at the end of their session or program. Still requiring research is the threshold, that space where the risks of smoking outweigh the benefits of non-smoking and wearing a nicotine patch until that is ultimately discontinued, especially for highly disordered, chronic, and comorbid smokers. 

In my opinion, this new shift in so-called healthier practices and wellness overlooks a part of human nature, personal freedom, and introductory psychology. Some people with cognitive deficits and symptoms are so intense that learning new skills will not outpace the cravings or pleasure of puffing a cigarette. 

These people will not learn new coping skills fast enough to benefit from not smoking and will be even more uncomfortable and agitated during a tremendously already agitating point in their mental health.

When people are pushing freedom and personal choice in treatment, I am genuinely shocked the hospitals were so fast to embrace the smoking ban. I have been so sick that I wouldn’t get out of bed for days at a time. It wasn’t a pill or the promise of deep breathing that motivated me to get out of bed. It was a cigarette and coffee.

When a person is genuinely symptomatic, in terms of coping skills, it is genuinely about going back to the basics and clinging to what works, what you know, and what you feel will make you feel better in the moment. I genuinely hope the hospitals discontinue this movement and revert, at least in part, to an earlier time when life’s pleasures weren’t removed or banned without consent or our choice.

 

 

Working with a Mental Health diagnosis/disorder

During the early phases of my recovery from Schizophrenia, two things were important to me that I was unwilling to compromise because of a significant mental health disorder: working and further healing.

I was tired, not just from the impact of my symptoms or side effects from medication, but from laying in bed and feeling useless.

My parents, specifically my mother and father, were critical in dispelling the idea that my future was limited because of illness. They reminded me to take outstanding care of myself, and my career would follow. Well, they were right on the money. 

With the help of my therapist and a good psychiatrist, all reinforcing the concept of self-care, I went back to graduate school in social work. Within two years, I graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a master’s (Masters in Social Work). The same college I had my initial ‘break’ from first-episode psychosis (ultimately diagnosed as Schizophrenia). 

As a young licensed social worker, I taught my clients about self-care as well. Later on, I would teach self-care at the level of education. Specifically, I taught social work education to new social work students as an adjunct professor at Fordham University at their Manhattan campus. I had come just about full circle since my initial illness. 

When my illness was first blossoming, I was an English major at Binghamton University with dreams of becoming a professor. One decade later, I was teaching young therapists how to be future social workers. In some cases, these future social workers would be future therapists, reinforcing the importance of self-care to their patients, similar to how my therapist did ten years ago.

Today, I am confident, knowledgeable, and polished in my education and skills. But, this wasn’t always the case. Schizophrenia had struck me at the most inopportune time, right the peak of intellectual ability and personality development. Research indicates Schizophrenia often becomes diagnosable at this point in the development of young adults. This fact about Schizophrenia is sad and difficult for many people to manage (and understand), but it doesn’t have to be the terminal point in your career or education. 

There are few things to keep in mind as you pick up the reigns of your education again, or for the first time:

  • You are in charge of how far you take your education, with or without a mental health disorder.
  • The limits of your career and skills are where you set them.

So, when you go back into the classroom, remember that you choose the career you want. Please, don’t let your symptoms, as tricky as they may be to deal with while going to school or to work, dictate what you want to do in life.

Should work or education prove to be ‘too much’ or triggering, look inward, and ask yourself: are you taking the best possible care of yourself as possible? If you cannot identify the reason or roadblock that triggers or activates your symptoms and makes it difficult to work or study, consult with a therapist. Troubleshoot with a psychiatrist. 

Just don’t give up or throw in the towel because of a label. A Mental Health disorder is only as disabling as the power you give it to rule over your life. Sure, there will be days when you can’t make it to work because of your symptoms, but that is OK. 

Just like the flu, some signs make it too uncomfortable to go in and do our job correctly. Heck, going to work or school in such cases might even be a bad idea, should you be contagious from the flu or tired from depression to get your work done correctly. But these are blips and moments and should not influence your potential for lifetime achievement!

Cooling Off From the Heat

One hot summer day, we are basking in the sunshine with SPF30 lotion all over our bodies, but it is not enough. Temperature is approaching 95 degrees, and the humidity is about the same. Sun is vital at this hour. Going in and out of the pool, the lake, or even perhaps the ocean cool off. We proceed to lather ourselves with more and more lotion, and when you are in ultraviolet rays, it is critical to be mindful of the sun. Monitoring ourselves becomes increasingly difficult when we return to the water and repeat this routine of lathering and water play all afternoon. What can we do?

President Harry Truman popularized this idiom, 

“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

Harry Truman

Surprisingly, this has nothing to do with summer’s heat or even when it is hot from cooking or baking in the kitchen. We must get out and leave. An unspoken idea here is that removing oneself from the complicated situation makes room for someone else who can deal with the pressure or difficulties to take control.

Back into the hot and humid weather of summer, we need not overexert ourselves. However, we are only walking from our lounge chair to the water and back. In addition, we applied cream each time we got back to our lounges. Our mission is to prevent various heat or sun-related health issues like sunburns that can lead to heat prostration or worse. Heat prostration is the overheating of our body due to extreme weather conditions. 

These health issues happen more often with the very young, the elderly, and people with various physical and mental health concerns. Many of the medications we take can cause increased sensitivity to the sun; therefore, all individuals have to check all our prescriptions for warning labels about extended sun-times. Also, it might be a good idea to consult with one’s Primary Care Physician about any questions or concerns.

Often people can avoid this by moderating their involvement in outdoor physical activities or doing any at all. Keep well hydrated during this time because sweating causes us to need additional fluids when we exert ourselves more. Water is the best fluid to have. Try to drink a glass of water before starting doing something strenuous. Follow this hourly with another sip. Another way is to keep citrus fruits handy, like sliced lemon and sliced oranges, to maintain good health.

Sunburn prevention and heat prostration continue to be essential for keeping healthy, especially during the summer. Have fun in the sun in small increments, about an hour, and sunscreen lotion also applied. The higher the sun protection factor (S.P.F.). After any perspiration or each time we get out of the water from swimming, reapply as needed.

Other than sunscreens, prevention can be by wearing sunglasses and or sun hats. All of these protect us from heat prostration and or prevent sunstroke. Sunstroke (or heatstroke) is more occurring severe when our body temperature increases over 104 degrees. Many symptoms include red skin, severe headaches, dizziness, and different forms of confusion and disorientation.

Too much sun can also lead to a series of issues like sunburn. Sunburn may cause or contribute to skin conditions or damage from overexposure to the sun or any ultraviolet lights. When repeated, exposure can lead to an increased risk of other skin disorders. These can include deep reddening of the skin and possibly itching, which often turns into blisters, wrinkles, and dark spots. In addition, one can develop different skin cancers.

When we return inside to a cool, dry air-conditioned place, our bones and muscles need time to adapt, but this can lead to other issues. This means it would be wise to also bring some clothing items with a long sleeve, like a sweater or jacket. This tends to stop our bodies from getting too cold, and a condition called being “chilled.” Often our skin can be raised and is called “goosebumps.” If this gets worse, it can turn into a fever.

What is also vital to assist in our body recovering is to shower as soon we can when we are having a fun day in the sun. When spending the day swimming or jumping in the saltwater in the ocean or lake can increase our sunburn risks and dry out our skin. All of these behaviors make it more susceptible to blisters and infections. I do not want that. Furthermore, showering after perspiring can significantly eliminate developing rashes, and other irritates from appearing on our physiques.

All of us out there want and deserve to have a healthy and enjoyable summer with a long, satisfying life. Spend time outdoors, take in the sun, but not too much, put on the correct type and amount of sun lotions, drink plenty of fluids or liquids, mostly water (not liquor, nor beer), and keep calm. 

Most importantly, remain safe six feet apart, wear masks where necessary, and limit crowding. Remember, safety first.

See you in the news blogs.

 

My life as an Artist with Psychosis

The funny thing about my musical and artistic sides: these parts of me did not start to surface until around the same time as my diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

I was about 16 years old: an adolescent gripped by raging hormones.

At the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, my elder sister, by three years, brought home a classical guitar. With some sheet music and some instructions from my music major sister, I became engrossed in methods of playing the guitar.

I had dreams of playing on the stage with a rock band. I learned Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead and increased my classic rock CD collection. Led Zeppelin was my usual go-to for listening, as well as Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead.

Although there were times out with drama club and occasional trips with friends who performed punk music, I felt less connected with peers.

As “Dust in the Wind” by Kanas plays in the background, I reflect on how sad it is that my dreams of being a rock and roll star never came to fruition. The reason this never materialized is a story that is at least as sad as this song.

The last two years of high school brought friends who got me further involved in playing rock music both in parties, and on stage.

Going to college brought an upheaval for me, newly diagnosed with bipolar illness with psychotic features. Conflicts between my party life, romantic life, and study life made it impossible to manifest a balanced lifestyle. However I burned extra energy by exploring my artistic side, and by producing professional level work for my drawing teacher.

Later on, in my early twenties, unfinished with undergrad, I moved into the city to live independently of my parents. For the first three years of life in Buffalo, I had the luxury of a car, which allowed me to make it out to music shows and get involved with local musicians.

Most of my music was solo, although there was some collaboration with friends I met on  alternative rock and folk music. My songs, performed solo on acoustic guitar, were praised by musician friends for their  expressive and theatrical dynamics.

My time playing was plagued by paranoia and hallucinations in the meantime.

My theatrics while performing guitar was replaced with shame and fear of public performances. I projected my self-destruction during that time.

I entered into a mixed manic and depressive episode in between performing live music followed by a year and a half of hospitalizations.

I still don’t have a car, as additional diagnoses make it more challenging to focus.

After ten years of group homes and supervised apartment living, I started the crawl towards further independence…

Derangement

Compulsive helpers understand ‘derangement’ to mean that things have not been arranged very well. We then set about sorting them out and putting things right.

To apply the word ‘derangement’ to our own state of mind, would be something we are extremely reluctant to contemplate.

We are totally sane. We think clearly. We feel compassionately. We act in a principled manner. We are certainly not deranged, insane, in any way.

Yet how else would we describe our compulsive helping?

We have a sense of compulsion to make the world a better place. That seems unchallengeable until it is pointed out to us, painfully at times, that maybe the world in general prefers to be as it is.

And maybe some people in particular, don’t want to change according to our grand design and master plan.

We would find it highly offensive if we were to be described as interfering busybodies. Yet what else typifies compulsive helping when we are on a crusade to change other people’s lives, whether or not we are asked to do so?

And how else, other than insane, would we describe our disregard of our own wishes, needs and even safety?

And if we can’t see these behaviours in ourselves, how would we describe them in other people? Courageous? Virtuous? Principled? Or nuts?

Coming to challenge our deranged nature is as challenging for us as it is for any other addict.

Yet this is what we have to do if we are to live happily, creatively and constructively – especially as we put our lives together again after the shattering caused by coronavirus – and if we are to learn how to be genuinely helpful to others and to ourselves.

We learn to allow other competent people to care for themselves. And we do the same for ourselves.

Feed Your Head (says Grace Slick)

It was not until tonight that I realized “no one here gets out alive.”

Fleeing, escaping and running away are not good answers.  There is good and bad wherever you go.

The trick is managing your own head.

I played my playlist over and over during the past few weeks.  I had to endure a weekend in the country with husband and brother-in-law. It all seemed very middle class, and, if somewhat boring, at least within the confines of normal living.

In dealing with my head I believe change of environment is very important to perspective. For the mental Health consumer, switching off environments can be helpful in avoiding panic attacks, angst, and other symptoms.

There needs to be a balance of familiarity and novelty in environments.  Some people think this isn’t always possible. I found, for myself, when in desperate straits for a change in surroundings and perspective, that looking out different windows in the apartment,  or changing up the room plan, or just moving from room to room periodically can help boredom in a pinch.

Going away for the weekend, or hopping a plane to Somewheresville, USA is even better.

As you get older symptoms get harder to handle, especially if you’ve achieved the prize of living independently in the community with little professional intervention.

So, the weekend in the country? It was tough as a mother because of interactions.  Just as a balance between the familiar and the strange is important in gaining perspective, there has got to be a balance of solitude and interaction for the mental health consumer.

The playlist is important in feeding the head, as are visuals like TV and movies. Reading books, blogs and articles are good for the gray matter as well.  If there are tasks and work to do, so much the better.

If you write blogs, feeding the head is paramount.  If you are a consumer struggling with symptoms like catatonia and depression, a good diet for the head gets the mental wheels turning and keeps them well oiled.

I love my flights into fantasy, my magic carpet rides. I struggle with demons anyway.  Change of environment, a balance of interaction, music, visuals and the written word are all part of what the Red Queen said-

“Feed your head, feed your head...”

Found Meditation

Meditation continues to be a go-to for all experts in Mental Health. For us pandemic parents, we need all the stress relief we can get.

Stressed? Meditate. Depressed? Meditate. Anxious? Meditate.

I’ve attempted meditation, and felt like I was quite inept at the process. Which, in turn, made me feel quite inept as a human. How can one screw up sitting and doing nothing?

What I didn’t understand, was that meditation is actually something you have to do with intention. The mind cannot literally draw a blank until you’ve mastered the art.

Certainly many of you in the wild have heard of and even often enjoy guided mediation. This would be where a mediation coach would present imagery or some other form of thinking while performing meditation. For example, one form would be when the leader teaches you to tense and then relax muscles, training your brain to focus on that project instead of your daily worries.

For years I have attempted free mediation and guided meditation, and it’s only made me hate meditation. If you have had the same duress, this post might help you.

I’ve accidentally meditated through music. As is the theme of my blog, music is my solution to all life issues. Relaxation is definitely a part. You see, in absolute silence, my brain likes to default to the negative. Let’s remember every problem that ever existed in eternity. How calming is that?

No. Music helps me to relax, and then presents an uplifting mood to make the meditation effective. My brain apparently needs a helping hand to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Lately, a viral video has been “Vibing Cat”. People have been cheering themselves up from the monotony of this lockdown. They have taken a cat, who is jamming to the music, and changed the song, the visual, the people dancing with the cat, so on and so forth. I have found this to be a delight.

One of my favorites is “Cat Vibing to Ievan Polkka”. Many versions of this video can be found on YouTube to anyone’s enjoyment. Mr Ievan Polkka is playing the Bongos at a beachside park, and Cat is living the dream. I put on the one that loops for ten hours, and I am happy as a clam. Someone started a series with the Cat, Biden on the Bongos, and Trump having a dance-off. While we know such unity is not possible in reality, it is nice to see everyone acting mature as once. I was pleased to see people took to it, and started adding other people in the video, including an adorable doggo rocking out in the bottom right.

I never expected to like such a video. The music isn’t my usual rock, pop, or classic flavor, and yet I can’t get enough. The repetitive drum beat literally resets my brain waves, causing them to find strength. The joyous chanting causes me to feel suddenly successful and enlightened. Throw in the crowds “enjoying” the music with me, and I feel on top of the world. In addition, my two year old automatically says “Cat! Meow.” once I turn the video on, so she joins in the fun.

Jazz music is often what I turn to when I need to be relaxed yet productive. Here again, the delightful rhythms attract my brain waves, causing my mind to actually function properly. In the mornings I wake up wondering why we have to. Pop on a live morning jazz session, and suddenly my day begins.

After a long, good, productive day, I try to get my child to sleep. “Birdland Jazz Lullabies” are excellent tunes to get her in the sleepiest of moods. The videos Birdland posts also include gorgeous and adorable pictures that go with the songs, making the bedtime routine happy.

I often get addicted to playlists, bopping to the same ten songs in those moments I need a boost of energy. The other day I decided to break it up, and asked Alexa to put on “70s Easy Listening Music”. She did not disappoint. The happiest of moods came over me as I was listening to “What A Wonderful World”, “A Lovely Day”, a group of Stevie Wonder Hits, and of course the good old Carpenters. Just had to say to myself what I always say to myself, why do the times have to keep getting harder? To which I respond, the times aren’t harder, you’re just turning into an old woman.

I could most certainly sit down with some headphones on, and do happy visualization to some 70s tunes.

From a day to day standpoint, meditation is tough to squeeze in. By the time we get done work, cleaning, cooking, time with our friends and loved ones, on top of basic needs and then that 5 minutes of “Me Time”, it’s already tomorrow. If you can, pop on some of these musical blends or similar productions, and maybe the repetitive, upbeat, and relaxing sounds will produce the same effect.

Here’s to a Happy 2021!

Originally published here

Addressing Anger at its Source

So many horrible events have happened in ‘modern’ history.

It seems to me that many of these tragic events have originated from outbursts of uncontrolled or misunderstood rage.

Are tragic events bound to happen in our lifetime?
Or could they have been prevented with the influence of counseling?
By learning restraint?
Perhaps divine or professional intervention?

These are legitimate questions to ask. Since mental health issues are prominent in the news and popular culture today, we should use air time to explore such ideas in exploratory writing and conversation. Shootings occurring on college campuses and high schools can be attributed to bullying and other psychological distress forms. Sometimes the taunting of an aggressive student intimidating his or her peers.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Taunting is vicious.

When taunting occurs, it can have a drastic effect on the ‘bullied’ or object of the taunting. Cruel words and other maligning language and microaggressions are even more offensive.

Abuse takes place in our elementary and high schools. How does bullying impact a person’s person’s life and psychological spirit over the life span?

Violence can be impactful, I believe. Inadequate outlets for frustration and distress can create a lot of repressed emotion. Left without an empathetic source to vent to, an affected person can internalize sorrow into a rage.

The good news is that these problems are treatable if caught early. Suppose a child feels it is safe to tell parents or a teacher what their feelings are concerning intimidations against them. In that case, professional or parental action to mitigate the progression of a potential mental health problem can be put into place and implemented—children faced with bullying are serious. I know in many cases, the intimidations faced by children go unassessed.

The debate on the origins of mental illness rages on in academic circles. Some argue that it is a brain condition, while others believe in life circumstances’ influence on someone’s mental illness. In any case, the implicit need for counseling should be encouraged by influential in a child’s life. No doubt, encouragement can lead to excellent outcomes.

From my experiences in mental health, addressing the problem at its source can prevent further collateral damage. Addressing mental health and mental illness requires honesty and openness to real-life conditions. Concerned parties should be willing to put their guard down and be open to discuss the issue at hand upfront.

Studying societal norms make it evident that prevention is possible to violent tragedies.

#stop the stigma.

Lack of caring can create unthinkable tragedy

Throughout my life, I have done and said things that I regret.

From self-inflicted injuries to other people, I find it problematic to count all the regrets I have had throughout my life.

I feel accountable for each of these regrets, which have deeply hurt the people I care for in my life.

I think of my days growing up filled with joy and how they contrast to the stark worlds I encountered in later adolescence to adult years.

The inner world of jubilation and joy I once experienced as a kid lifted as I approached my teenage years and made life more complicated. I felt utterly lost as I left a life of innocence to a dark cloud. Spontaneity and freedom of life were no longer present as early as 16 years old.

Now at 39, I have more than half of my life to look back on.

Best described as bipolar or schizoaffective illness, which has been a significant player in the changes I experienced throughout my life. Other factors are rooted in abuse issues from peers or lack of recognition for counseling or additional support.

In any case, is it a return of an earlier version of myself that I need? Or is it perhaps something at a higher level- the love of others and a higher spiritual level that I could connect to more fully?

However, the placement of extreme moods in my daily life has made it difficult to arrive at this peace of mind. Additionally, the interaction of these moods with medicine and mental health practitioners complicates my level of functioning.

Therefore, the importance of counseling and mental health to help others emotionally must be made clear to those who need the help. To make statements like “pick up your bootstraps” or ‘be strong’ is simply the wrong approach. If mood and behavior issues are present, it is essential to address the problem, not exacerbate using inappropriate language.

In my case, I spent well over five years in my childhood suffering in silence before being able to talk to a mental health professional about my thoughts and feelings. I had no idea what it meant for me to be experiencing what I was.

The trauma of these unaddressed concerns left me in the wrong position the second half of high school. The effect of my unaddressed needs as an adolescent was to leave me hospitalized repeatedly and in an unconscious state at 25.

So, yes, I feel bad for the wrongs which I have committed. However, I think it’s fair to say that most of this did not need to happen. The biggest culprit is untreated mental illness. It is the delay in treatment that had the worst effect on events, even years later. Also, this is true for countless others.

When treatment is stigmatized and the reality of severe mental illness is not recognized, there will continue to be instances of heartache and preventable tragedy.

A loved one’s heartaches need to be listened to by people who care. Lack of caring can create unthinkable tragedy.

Preventing, Predicting, & Dismantling Problems Ahead

In my experience, the worst thing in the world is to have the opportunity to fix or resolve a problem and sit my hands. Passively sitting back and letting a chance pass by to make amends and find a solution is one of the biggest mistakes anyone can drive through inaction. Sometimes, being passive and not taking action is the most prominent folly people can make in taking responsibility in their lives and for their future.

Issues can sometimes take us by complete surprise, e.g., breakthrough symptoms, new symptoms, or unexpected circumstances. These situations in which you will find yourself completely blindsided are truly rare. Most of the time, when it comes to coming across a problem in need of fixing, we see it coming from so far away we get comfortable and sit back, and the chance to address it slips past us. These can be distressing moments because we had identified the issue. When resolving the problem, we got too comfortable in our time window to be idle and not respond as quickly and as firmly as possible.

 Let’s be completely honest with ourselves and our window for action. My days are relatively busy. When the time window presents itself to do something productive, I take it because another opportunity might not be so readily available in the future. My first recommendation to taking greater responsibility in your life and future is to rethink how you understand being accountable for your behavior. In terms of promoting vetted strategic behaviors, try being as solutions-focused and resolution-driven as possible. Seek to identify the most significant issues first and take the necessary steps to correct the problems.

A simple three-step accountability action plan works just across the board in every situation needing your attention. 

1)Identify,2) mark, and 3) act. Before a small, seemingly minor problem metastasizes and overwhelms you. First circle the issue, then jot down and record the problem, and then when you are ready, move to action dont hesitate. As we discussed before, windows of opportunity to address issues pass us by sometimes without warning, unexpectedly, or because we are too focused on being passive players in a busy world.

There are additional steps to being accountable in the more unusual situation where the problem isn’t glaringly apparent to the naked and untrained eye. Complete a diagnostic assessment in your immediate surroundings. Similar to finding a sizeable forked utensil to handle without help. We all need an early warning system. Systems that check weak points in our mental health need to be revised all the time. Review problem areas ahead. Be sure to reinforce deficits in your mental status now and practice! Your best bet to avoid free fall and collapse is practice.

Why do we need a system? Your early warning radar needs to adapt to new conditions in your life. The point is to have a procedure you review and process daily. Problems can occur at any time. Skipping a day here or there to look over potential issues on your radar can make the difference between a perfect day and a living nightmare that you could have avoided if you kept to your plan.

How do you know how to identify a problem area? You don’t need to be a therapist to know your strengths and areas to improve further. While it is only a problem if it’s a problem for you, the only person who would say, “Yes, this is an issue for me,” is you. So don’t be shy or hesitant to Identity your problems. You can always change your mind at a later time and work on a more pressing issue. There is no issue so benign it cannot benefit from further improvement.

Remember, minor problems can turn into cancers that will attack our innermost souls and unleash a world of demons in our life. There is no Pandora’s box when fine-tuning your early warning system. You cannot open the proverbial can of worms and unleash hell without intending to do so just because you went into the unknown and made a wrong turn. Instead, by confronting a situation head-on, you’re more likely to prevent a build-up of whatever social, economic, or psychological pathogen is waiting to attach you when you least suspect it. Does this seem like too big a feat to maintain daily?

Having an intelligent and creative early warning system also knows the weak points in your ability to predict specific problems. Ask yourself: “What issues seem to pop up consistently?” So, upon identifying the weak point in your early warning system, go ahead and make accommodations!

The truth about being an expert in your skin is that none can be an expert about everything. However, the more problematic areas requiring additional attention or help are essential to creating a real forgiving world that is proficient in learning to best advocate for their fellow candidates. 

What kind of accommodations will I need? 

Accommodations can include:

  • Asking a friend for help.
  • Going to a counselor regularly for guidance.
  • Engaging in self-help and self-management techniques to fine-tune your existing skills.

Mr. Guttman should plan the materials required to fix certain situations in some of our complex lives to conserve energy means calling for assistance in the AM. Also, regularly and without pause to ensure you manage the areas in your life that seem to spin out regularly.

Mental Health Affairs 2022

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