Mental Health First Aid provides to those who are developing or currently experiencing a mental health problem, or who are having a mental health crisis. One can give this first aid until the crisis is resolved or once the person received the appropriate professional treatment needed

• Suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors
• Deliberate self-harm
• Panic attacks
• Traumatic events
• Severe psychotic states or effects from substances
• Aggressive behavior

Mental Health First Aid became a universal program developed in Australia, currently available in more than 25 countries. This program offers training by instructors accredited by the program, and are the ones who develop, evaluate, and run the program.
The courses will cover the following:

• How to use mental health first aid to help those who need it
• How to encourage people to seek professional help for mental health issues or disorders
• Providing mental health first aid for a suicidal individual

A Mental Health First Aider is one who went through the program and received certification after graduating from it. S/he will be the go-to person for those who are going through any mental health issues.
However, being a Mental Health First Aider does not mean you are qualified to provide therapy to those who need it. They are the ones who support individuals to help them through what they are currently experiencing and to encourage them to seek professional help if required.

Becoming a Mental Health First Aider is quite a worthy journey you’re taking! 
If you would like to begin the first steps to being a Mental Health First Aider, check if your country is part of what the program covers. You will be able to find different communities within your country that offer courses to become a Mental Health First Aider, and that is where you can begin. 
The course usually lasts for around 2 days, depending on the program you'd like to join. There are programs made for adults, youths, as well as programs made for the workplace, veterans, rural areas, higher education, and more. 
Once you have completed the course, you may also go through a certification process to become an instructor for the Mental Health First Aid if you would like to build a community in your local neighborhood and teach others about mental health and how you can support those who may have it. 
Wrapping It Up
I hope this article on mental health first aid gave insight on what the program is all about and what to expect from these first aiders.
If you have questions or want to share your experiences being a mental health first aider, comment below. I appreciate all of your thoughts.

Cocaine is a very addictive drug, a stimulant, which increases one's alertness, attention, and energy while having a myriad of  side effects. It comes from the coca plant, native to South America, having other names such as coke, crack, rock, snow, among others, coming in different forms, including a fine, white powder or solid rock crystal.  It is illegal in the United States
​

There are different ways to take cocaine. One can snort the fine, white powder into their noses, rubbing it into the gums, or dissolving it in water to inject the liquid using a needle. Other times, the rock crystal is heated to breathe the smoke.

After inhaling or consuming cocaine, the drug will then send very high levels of dopamine, which is a natural chemical messenger in the body, into the parts of your brain controlling your pleasure. This is what would cause intense feelings of alertness and energy, also known as feeling high. 

Cocaine affects people differently. Some report feeling a good high, such as feelings of intense euphoria. Others report feeling anxiety or pain, even experiencing hallucinations. 

Either way, the buildup of dopamine is the reason why people misuse cocaine to the point of abuse and/or dependence. The body is wired to fulfill the craving for that dopamine. Cocaine changes the neurochemistry, which leads to a substance use disorder. Satisfying this craving only increases the risk of the long term effects of cocaine abuse. That is why cocaine is very addictive and illegal.

So while you might think the higher levels of dopamine is a great feeling, this is only a short-term effect. The "high" feeling is intense yet short-lived, and once you are "back to normal", you may end up feeling the exact opposite. One may experience intense depression, lack of sleep and appetite, increased heart rate, convulsions, and muscle spasms. 

Cocaine users might also feel angry, anxious, hostile, and/or paranoid, even when they aren't using the drug at that time. It leaves them wanting more of the drug as an attempt to evade such negative feelings and emotions
​

• Permanent damage to heart and brain blood vessels
• Organ damage, including the kidney, liver, and lungs
• High blood pressure, increasing the chances of heart problems
• Respiratory failure if cocaine was smoked
• Destruction of nose tissue if cocaine was sniffed
• Infectious diseases and/or abscesses if cocaine was injected
• Weight loss and malnutrition
• Tooth decay
• Sexual problems and infertility
• Experiencing hallucination, delirium, depression, or psychosis
• Cocaine dependence and addiction even after taking it once

This is just the start to list all of the side effects. Continual usage and increasing to higher doses of cocaine can lead to a cocaine overdose, heart attack or other life-threatening medical emergencies. If you or someone know you exhibits these side effects and are high dose cocaine users, they should seek treatment immediately.

Wrapping It Up
Cocaine has very serious side effects, especially when taking it in large amounts and for a long time. It may even cause death from overdosing on the drug.

If you or someone you know struggles with a cocaine addiction, then do reach out to a medical professional for help and intervention immediately.

Anxiety is a normal emotion we all experience occasionally; may it be due to stress at work or fear of certain things and situations. Even the calmest and most relaxed people know what it feels like to be anxious, nervous, or worried in moments when they are taken away from their comfort zone.
 
Unfortunately, anxiety it isn’t always a routine emotion, with over 40 million adults in the United States suffering from debilitating anxiety or other forms of anxiety disorders. Not only can this be painful and uncomfortable, but it can also affect one’s way of living.
 
Here are things you need to know about how your debilitating anxiety can be treated:
 
1.Relaxation Techniques and Other Therapies
 
There are relaxation techniques one can follow on their own with the guidance of a therapist or psychiatrist to treat anxiety and recover from triggers and attacks, including:

• Yoga to help calm the mind and reduce stress
• A guided meditation that utilizes imagery and suggestion with audio tracks, so the patient is on a journey to feel deeply relaxed
• Art therapy, including drawing, painting, or sketching to express negative feelings
• Deep breathing techniques to increase mindfulness
• Mindfulness training to help reduce the distracting or disturbing thoughts, acknowledging the moment and senses, accepting the experience without further negativity
• Massage therapy can relieve stress by manipulating one’s soft muscle tissue, releasing toxins while increasing blood flow
• Aromatherapy offers various health benefits and is known to help with relaxation and reduce anxiety
• Aerobic therapy helps bodies produce serotonin and dopamine, along with release endorphins to help with stress

 
2.Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
 
This is a common form of therapy that involves practice and homework. It involves various strategies to change the response to triggers and any underlying causes of negative emotions.
 
Furthermore, it helps in identifying possible triggers, thoughts, or related actions that cause anxiety attacks. Through identifying triggers, it can help patients avoid them or work through finding ways to change negative thoughts and perspective towards the trigger.
 
CBT also includes learning coping skills and relaxation techniques to manage the severe symptoms of anxiety. See your psychiatrist or counselor for help with CBT.
 
3.Exposure through Forms of Talk Therapy
 
This type of treatment is sometimes recommended for trauma-related anxiety or phobias, which will guide patients to discuss the trauma or fear, working through it slowly. Through thinking, discussing, and feeling emotions towards the anxiety-provoking subject, or prolonged exposure to the subject can help dissipate the negative response towards it gradually.
 
 
4.Medication
 
There are medications that your doctor may prescribe to treat anxiety or panic disorders. Such medications include:

• Benzodiazepines for short-term use
• SSRI or SNRI antidepressants, either for long-term use or situational events

 
 
When one’s response to anxiety becomes excessive, it may become debilitating, affecting one’s relationships, work, and ability to function when paralyzed in fear. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as insomnia, agitation, chronic pain, or weight changes.
 
If you believe you or a loved one has debilitating anxiety, do have it checked by a medical professional for treatment. Some tools can help one recover from such anxiety disorders, and the earlier it is treated, the better.

You’ve probably felt it before- the flutter in your stomach when you’re about to speak in front of a crowd, talking with a crush, or facing a huge fear. However, the discomfort and ‘butterflies’ in your stomach can feel much worse, to the point it’s painful and can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
 
This is what we call a ‘nervous stomach’, which is one of the many prime examples of how our emotions can affect our bodies, physically. But what does a nervous stomach mean and how can we get rid of it?
 
We'll be tackling the causes, symptoms, and treatment for the nervous stomach.
 
Causes and Symptoms of a Nervous Stomach
Our gastrointestinal systems have their own nervous systems, known as the enteric nervous system. The nerve endings in our stomach respond to stress hormones that are transmitted from our brains, a part of the flight-or-fight response we have. This response causes our stress hormones to signal our stomachs to slow down, which helps more blood to pump in our hearts, lungs, and muscles.
 
High-stress levels can trigger the flight-or-fight response, causing our stomach to 'act up'. Stress levels and triggers vary from person to person, though common triggers include:

• Fear or upcoming events that trigger nervousness
• Financial issues
• Relationship or family issues
• Changes in work or school
• Moving
• Chronic illness
• Death or loss of loved ones

 
Those with a nervous stomach can give people ‘butterflies’, which is a normal and mild feeling. Sometimes, it can go as far as making the person feel like they want to vomit.
 
Other times, the symptoms can get worse, mirroring the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Here are symptoms associated with a nervous stomach:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Frequent flatulence
• Indigestion
• Fluttering or warm feeling in the pit of your stomach

 
Take note that this is different from irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. If you experience other symptoms related to the mentioned disorders, do have it checked with a doctor for immediate treatment.
 
What You Can Do About It
The first thing you should do to treat the nervous stomach is to identify your stress triggers, which can help you know how to address them and reduce the symptoms. It’s also best to have it checked with your doctor to rule out any gastrointestinal disorders.
 
Treatments for the nervous stomach include:

• Seeking professional treatment and therapy to reduce stress
• Medication for anxiety and depression
• Meditation and other stress-relieving techniques, such as breathing exercises or repeating a mantra
• Other stress-relieving activities like journaling, reading, exercising, talking to loved ones, or even listening to music
• Taking frequent breaks from work or school, if these are the main triggers of stress hormones. This can prevent the nervous stomach
• Avoiding food that can worsen an already upset nervous stomach, such as caffeinated beverages, dairy products, among others
• Using natural remedies such as ginger teas, supplements, or essential oils

 
Wrapping It Up
Having a nervous stomach can be quite painful and uncomfortable, leading to long-term issues. However, when you are more knowledgeable on its causes and identify the triggers, you can control the symptoms and reduce any pain felt when anxious or stressed. It all boils down to being aware of your emotions and performing exercises to control the negativity.
 
Take this information in mind and start learning more on how to keep your mental and physical health in check! Good luck and stay healthy.
 
For those who have questions or want to share their experiences with the nervous stomach, let us know what you think in the comments section below. Your thoughts are much appreciated!

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue caused by experiencing a traumatic event.  It can be temporary or last for years depending on the individual (not the event).  Some symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares or other sleep disorders, isolation, or avoidance of certain places or situations.  It can extremely impair normal activities and daily functions.  
​
There is no simple “cure;” however, many can find significant relief from the symptoms through professional mental health treatments.  Experience shows that without therapy and support the condition is unlikely to improve.

Physicians will perform a complete physical exam to rule out any systemic or medical problems that may be contributing to PTSD symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association has established criteria to help determine if an individual is suffering from PTSD.
This criteria includes:

• Direct experience with a traumatic event or personal witness of a traumatic event that happened to another
• Repeated exposure to graphic details of traumatic events.  This occurs in first responders.

The primary treatment is psychotherapy which may be augmented with medication. Therapy sessions help patients manage the symptoms, improve their self image, and develop coping mechanisms if the condition recurs. Therapy can also be used to treat any ancillary problems like misuse of alcohol or periods of depression.

It is important to recognize that the person experiencing PTSD is not alone. The therapist will probably start with  “talk therapy”. This helps the person recognize the patterns that trigger the unwanted feelings including the potential of a recurrence of the event. 

Exposure therapy can use virtual reality to help the individual re-experience their triggering situation in a safe and controlled environment. It is a coping technique that helps with memories as well as physical situations. 

Another valid tool is stress management.  This will help with everyday activities that can be impacted by increasing anxiety.  Relaxation techniques can help distract or calm the mind to reduce the impact of anxiety.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of therapy used to focus on the memory rather than the emotions associated with it.  This is a specialized type of therapy requiring a counselor specifically trained in this technique.  

The therapy can be one on one, group therapy, or a combination.

There are also medications that have proven effective depending on the person being treated. This includes antidepressants, anxiolytics, and Prazosin. Before starting any sort of medication, it is critical for you to have a detailed discussion with your psychiatrist.

As with all medications, you should report any unusual changes or suspected side effects. This is sometimes correctable by dosage adjustment or alternative prescriptions.
​
While there is always the possibility that symptoms will resurface, it is certainly possible for an individual to resume a normal life.

Inspiration can come from a number of sources.  As a motivation during the struggle against addiction, it can help to think of these sayings from different perspectives or to meditate on some of them that seem particularly pertinent.

1. The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. – Ernest Hemingway

When battling addiction it is important to remind yourself that our world is complicated and can wear on you. Keep focusing on rebuilding to gain new strength.

2. If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh

3. People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar

4. Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’– Audrey Hepburn
​
5. Believe you can and you are halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

6. Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear. – Mark Twain


7. My recovery must come first so that everything I love in life doesn’t have to come last.


8. No matter what the situation is, remind yourself “I have a choice.”

9. I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. – Charlotte Brontë

10.  An over-indulgence of anything, even something as pure as water, can intoxicate. – Criss Jami

11. The goal isn’t to be sober. The goal is to love yourself so much that you don’t need to drink.

12. People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them. – George Bernard Shaw

13. I am not defined by my relapses, but by my decision to remain in recovery despite them
​
14. Great acts are made up of small deeds. – Lao Tzu

15. If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking. – Zen proverb

16. Recovery is about progression not perfection.
​
17. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius 


18. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford
​

19. If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else. – Yogi Berra

20. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

21. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. – Mahatma Gandhi

22. The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost

23. Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength. – Napoléon Bonaparte

​24. Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein
​
25. Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day, begin the task anew. – Saint Francis de Sales

26. No other road, no other way, no day but today.  – Jonathan Larson

27. Recovery is not a race. You don’t have to feel guilty if it takes you longer than you thought it would.
​
28. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

29. It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela

Many of us will experience a form of loss at some point in our life, and grief is a normal reaction to any kind of loss.  Bereavement is a type of grief which involves the death of a loved one. Both bereavement and grief will give you a range of feelings, from sadness to anger or numbness.  Grief counseling can help.
 
There are different processes on how to adapt and cope with significant loss, and the process can vary from person to person. This depends on various factors, including a person's background, beliefs, and how they were related to or connected to the person that was lost.
 
While we are experiencing grief, it is good to have support from someone that can empathize with your feelings. That is where grief counseling can play a significant role.  But what is grief counseling and is it as helpful as people say it is?
 
Read on!
 
What is Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling is a form of psychotherapy to help people cope with losses of any form, may it be a loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, losing a job, home, or any number of other things.
 
This is different from bereavement counseling, which is psychotherapy to help people that cope with losses specifically to the death of a loved one. Grief counseling is a larger umbrella that tackles different forms of losses.
 
What Does Grief Counseling Do?
Grief counseling isn't an immediate fix, but it can help significantly as you go through the different stages of complicated feelings of grief. You can move through the common stages of grief with proper support and start the healthy healing process.
 
Grief counselors have studied and developed strategies for the stages of grief and techniques to help people move on in healthy ways while mourning their loss. Here are some of the common goals of grief counseling:

• Accept the reality of the loss
• Identify and deal with any trauma experienced
• Talk freely about the loss, may it be the job, loved one, among other things that may have been lost
• Experience and express emotions freely
• Overcome any feelings of guilt
• Cope with life changes
• Dealing with complicated grief
• To build a healthy support system

 
Grief counseling won't have you forget who/what you lost or bypass the painful feeling of loss, nor does it change who you are. It simply helps you through the painful process to help you heal as you go.
 
Grief Counseling Techniques
There are different steps and techniques taken during grief counseling, including:

• Talking privately in a peaceful and quiet area
• Describing the exact moment of the loss
• Discussing the funeral arrangements and plans made after the loss
• Using correct words
• Check for any signs of depression
• Talk about any losses experienced in the past
• Writing letters, journaling, and creating memory books
• Art therapy and/or reading assignments
• Visualizing resolutions of any unfinished businesses and the "Empty Chair" technique
• Roleplaying new solutions
• Having remembrance rituals
• Giving the patience the time to grieve without the feeling of guilt, weakness, or selfishness

 
Wrapping It Up
Grief counseling is a healthy way to deal with any emotions related to grief. Not many people know about the stages of grief they go through, which can make the loss painful and hard to bear. Through counseling, you can navigate through your feelings and find healthy ways to cope, heal, and open your eyes to a better tomorrow.
 
If you feel like grief counseling can help you, do find a reputable grief counselor you can see today. You can also share your experiences and insights on seeing grief counseling below, I appreciate all of your thoughts.

If you have ever wondered if you have a binge eating disorder, a Binge Eating Disorder Quiz can help you better identify your symptoms. Shortened as BED, this is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) as eating a larger amount of food compared to what the typical person consumes during similar periods and/or situations. This is one of the common eating disorders in the United States, with 3% of adults having BED, which is twice more than Americans diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia combined!

It is important to get treated for BED if you suspect that you suffer from its symptoms. This is crucial to do, so you are able to find preventative measures before it reaches a serious level. If you’re a bit hesitant or unable to head to the doctor for a diagnosis yet, then you may want to start with taking a binge eating disorder quiz.

A binge eating disorder quiz can help you recognize the presence of the disorder, which is the first step in getting the right treatment you need.
​

A binge eating disorder quiz is a test with questions related to life experiences that are common to those who are diagnosed with a binge eating disorder. These questions are also based on diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). 
You can expect these kinds of questions:

1. “Do you eat more food than what you planned?”
2. “Do you consume large amounts of food even when you don’t feel hungry?”
3. “Are you always thinking about food, your body image, or weight?”
4. “Are you ashamed of being fat or obese, or by how much you eat?”

And more.
The answers are fairly simple, and each test differs. You may be asked to answer simple “yes or no” questions, or have the options of answering:

• Never
• Rarely 
• Sometimes
• Often
• Very Often

Answering this in detail will help you to determine if you MAY have an eating disorder. 
​
If you want to find a formal binge eating disorder quiz, you can usually find them online with various rankings of severity, but if you recognize many of the symptoms in yourself, meeting with a psychiatrist is in your best interest.  ​Wrapping It Up-The Binge Eating Disorder Quiz is helpful in recognizing any patterns or symptoms you may have, but take note that this is not an official diagnostic tool. This is recommended to take if you are concerned if you or someone close to you may have an eating disorder, so you are able to know what next steps to take. 

If you take the various online quizzes, this does not necessarily mean that you are diagnosed with a binge eating disorder. This is only a baseline to find out if you will need to seek an evaluation from a medical professional. It is best to check with your doctor if you suspect you or a loved one has a binge eating disorder to get proper treatment.

​I hope that this article about the binge eating disorder quiz gave insight into what this is all about and what you can do about the results. 

Share your tips and stories regarding your binge eating journey in the comments. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be hard to identify and define.  In fact, there are different types of OCD symptoms, with clinicians and researchers suggesting that OCD is divided into different types, depending on the symptoms experienced. 
​
Read on to find out the different types of OCD to help you learn more about the condition, so you can understand yourself or loved ones who may have this disorder.
​

There are various types of OCD, which can impact any person, thought, fear, or subject.
​

This is the fear of being contaminated or dirty, worrying, and fearing that it would cause harm to themselves or those they love. Those affected with this type would most likely feel extreme discomfort with anything connected with contamination. One would clean or wash excessively as a way to reduce the distressful feeling, or even avoiding any area they feel is dirty or contaminated.
Cleaning and washing may also be done multiple times, with rituals of repetitive washing until the person feels clean. It’s done more compared to someone without OCD, to the point it impacts the person’s quality of life.
​

Hoarding is the inability to dispose of useless and/or worn-out items they own. Now, it is recognized as a distinct diagnosis under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5)
One may collect various items that are seen as a limited value to those without OCD. It can be hoarding old magazines, receipts, clothes, notes, containers, among other things. The hoarding can get so intense that the living area is consumed with clutter, making it difficult to live in.
Hoarding may come with an obsessional fear of losing things that might be used in the future or being excessively attached to hoarded items.
​

If someone experiences this obsession, you would feel a very strong need to arrange and/or rearrange items until they are “right” according to your standards. 
For instance, someone with OCD with symmetry obsessions may want to constantly arrange their clothes to organize it by color or other suitable categories.
Besides this, symmetry obsession may involve thinking or saying words over again until it is "perfect". These arranging, counting or ordering compulsions are done to avoid any potential consequences or dangers.
​

This is a type of OCD that’s usually related to unwanted obsessions of themes falling under those that are aggressive, religious, or sexual. For instance, one may have intrusive thoughts about being a criminal or attacking someone. 
People who experience this type of OCD would use mental rituals to relieve these kinds of involuntary thoughts. It can be through reciting specific words, counting, avoiding the triggers, or even praying to relieve any anxiety.
​

If someone experiences this type of OCD, they most likely experience intense thoughts of harming themselves or other people. For instance, one may imagine their house burning down, going back to their place to ensure there isn't any fire and that all fire hazards are switched off.

Learning more about the different types of OCD can help you understand the disorder better, whether you or a loved one have this condition. If you do feel like you experience any of these symptoms, check with your health provider for the appropriate treatments and medication to start recovering.  If you are within Texas and do not have a current psychiatrist, give us a call at 281-849-4080 for a psychiatric consultation.