Treatment
Counselors’ Lack of Military Knowledge Dissuades Veterans from Continuing Treatment
Veterans returning from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, and other serious mental health issues are not finding enough solace from professional counseling, say experts. These veterans face a stone wall when seeking treatment as most counselors are unfamiliar with service members’ ways of life and unique experiences, resulting in the majority of veteran patients discontinuing treatment after just one appointment.
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5 Lessons People Can Learn From Horses in Equine Therapy
By Meghan Vivo
People have sought out relationships with horses since we first laid eyes on each other. Although riding horses can be exhilarating, there’s something even more profound that draws us together.
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An Interview with Margot Chambers, Acupuncturist at Promises
By Meghan Vivo
Holistic medicine has been part of Margot Chambers’ life since she can remember. As a child, Margot had an illness that baffled western medical doctors. Her parents, who had always embraced homeopathy, brought Margot to a holistic doctor. He advised them to eliminate all sugar, nitrates and preservatives from Margot’s diet, and she never had another seizure again. This experience, Margot says, helped shape the way she sees the process of health and healing.
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“Anna Rexia” Costume Angers Eating Disorder Community
Eating disorder experts often express frustration at the lack of awareness and understanding about the serious nature of the diseases among the general public. Many people still mistakenly believe that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice, one preferred by those who are vain or fussy about their appearance.
As discussed on ABCNews, there is clear evidence that there are still many people who do not understand the seriousness of eating disorders. A costume displayed on a costume vendor’s site, Ricky’s, depicts a woman dressed as "Anna Rexia," complete with skeletal details.
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Mental Health Awareness Increases as Getting Help Decreases
Is America more comfortable with vulnerability? A soon-to-be-released study says that more Americans than ever are reporting feeling depressed and anxious along with a host of other emotional health issues. If we are ready to acknowledge our mental health struggles, then why aren’t health care professionals seeing more Americans in their offices?
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About 50% of Americans Will Have a Mental Health Problem in Their Lifetime
Ileana Arias, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says that the levels of mental illness in the United States are "unacceptably high" and that nearly 25% of adults in America reported having some sort of mental illness in the past year. Additionally, the CDC estimated the costs associated with mental illness in the year 2002 to be nearly $300 billion.
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Registered Dietitians Important Part of Treating Eating Disorders
The treatment of eating disorders is a complex process. Though they are designated as a mental disorder, there are many physical aspects of eating disorders that require the combination of both psychological treatment and physical treatment by a range of healthcare professionals.
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An Interview with Matt Eggleston, JD, Director of Admissions at The Ranch
By Meghan Vivo
Do you believe in second chances? Matt Eggleston does. And after you hear his story, you may, too.
When men and women struggling with addiction have reached their lowest point, Matt is there with a heartfelt message of hope. Once a prominent attorney and special judge in Tennessee, Matt’s addiction brought him to the brink of death. But treatment brought him back. Now sober for many years, Matt turned a decade of despair into a life of service.
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Treatment for Sexual Compulsivity Can Mirror Substance Abuse Treatments
Internet pornography and sex-based websites continue to shift the way Americans think of sex and their sexual behaviors. More view sex as a type of recreation, such as gambling, and increasing levels of sexual imagery across television and movies are making sex more casual.
For millions of adults, however, the ability to control their behaviors toward sex gets lost. They develop sexual compulsivity, especially if they can no longer manage their impulses toward sex despite the negative results of their actions. As experts collaborate on new research about sexual compulsivity and similar sexual behaviors, treatment strategies are emerging, and they often follow patterns of treatments for substance abuse.
Twelve Step Support Groups
Similar to obsessive compulsive disorders, many people with sexual compulsivity may revert to sexual acts to soothe stress, negative emotions or anxiety. One treatment for sexual compulsivity involves psychosocial elements, such as attending group sessions of Sexaholics Anonymous.
Twelve Step groups have national chapters and are based upon similar philosophies as the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Participants can find support and new levels of accountability among people who share in their struggle. One hallmark of participation in the groups is the willingness to admit that one’s sexual compulsions or obsessions have become unmanageable and that help is needed to bring the actions back under control.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment for Sexual Compulsion
Treatment for sexual compulsion is also available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. These treatment programs typically work to help the patient locate the inner beliefs or personal triggers that lead to sexually compulsive behaviors, such as obsessive sexual thoughts, excessive use of pornography or excessive masturbation. Treatment also helps the patient develop new coping skills and a set of healthy tools to manage cravings and obsessive thoughts.
Individual and Couples Counseling
On an individual basis, some patients find relief from sexual compulsion through CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy. In CBT, treatment is similar to patients with drug or alcohol addictions. The patient is guided toward discovering what spurs their sexual acts and toward new perspectives and ideas about their actions. Emphasis may be on setting up healthy life systems and habits that can help prevent a relapse into compulsive sexual activity once the person leaves treatment or life stressors return.
Because sexual compulsivity and sexual addiction affect a person’s spouse in profound ways, many patients are encouraged to attend couples-based therapy as well. In this setting, they can each address the shame, fear and anger that can keep the relationship from progressing in healthy ways at the same time the patient is working toward recovery with individual counseling.
Medication for Sexual Compulsivity
Limited research exists regarding the effectiveness of medications for treating sexual compulsivity, but some patients have been prescribed antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizing medications and anti-anxiety medications, following similar patterns as drug or alcohol addiction patients. Medications to change the way a person’s sexual hormones perform, such as anti-androgens, have also been part of treatments for some patients on a short-term basis to help curb cravings for the behavior. SSRIs have also been prescribed to patients in an effort to control the preoccupying thoughts toward sex.
Using research from substance abuse studies, some patients have seen positive results using naltrexone, typically in combination with individual counseling. The drug is used for other addiction-based conditions like addictive gambling, and may help curb cravings by dulling the euphoric response a patient gets from sexually compulsive activity.
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What Is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a present-focused, practical approach to helping people develop new coping skills that can make life and relationships more enjoyable.
REBT descends from the belief that people desire to be happy but their own irrational beliefs and habits interfere with their ability to achieve that desired happiness.
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