Mental Disorders: A Warning Sign for Dementia
               Around 43.8 million adults experience a mental ailment in a given year while roughly 10 million are living with a mental disorder. Although these numbers from the National Alliance of Mental Illness are already alarming on their own, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) notes that individuals with psychiatric disorders have an increased risk for late-life dementia.
            Having a form of mental disorder at a younger age followed by the subsequent development of dementia in a person's latter years is a common occurrence and both have proven to cause a number of problems. Mental disorders and dementia are significant contributors to higher healthcare costs, distress, and the need for professional care. While mental ailments are essentially described as cognitive disorders, some are integral to the causes of dementia in old age. In fact, studies show that dementia is often foreshadowed by schizophrenia and depression.

The Link Between Dementia and Mental Disorders
          German neuropathologist and psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer identified delusions, anxiety, discomposure amidst confusion and memory impairment, and hallucinations, as some of the major signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. This means that in the beginning, dementia was treated as a cognitive problem.
                 Like dementia, mental ailments such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are disorders of the brain and according to recent studies, they all cause problems on how a person moves, thinks, and feels. Seniors with dementia experience cognition problems which affects their problem-solving skills and memory. Further studies on dementia and mental disorder share other pertinent similarities. This includes depression, stigma, disengagement, and isolation.
              The crux of the matter are the causes of mental health problems and dementia, according to experts. While the factors are complex, dementia and mental ailment often arise due to genetics, biological changes in the brain, and psychological problems.

Dementia in the United States
              A New York Times article reports that roughly 7 million Americans are diagnosed with dementia. In fact, 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, the fifth leading cause of death in the country for seniors 65 and above. It is interesting to note that due to the similarities of dementia and mental ailments in terms of causes and symptoms, misdiagnosis is rampant. Late onset bipolar disorder, for example, has symptoms that are similar to dementia. This includes delusions, manic behavior, and agitation. Late onset schizophrenia and depression also have similar symptoms.

Mental Health Care and Dementia Care for the Elderly
            Despite mental health and dementia awareness in the United States, not all seniors receive specialized care, according to the NCBI. The report adds that there is an urgent need for this type of care to ensure that seniors with mental health or dementia get the treatment they need. If you think that your parent or grandparent is showing early signs of dementia, it is advisable to bring him to a physician immediately.

Written by guest writer - Chrissy Robinson

Can Pollution Affect Mental Health?
        The state of California has set up strict car emission standards to lower smog levels and promote healthy lung development in children, but a recent study has revealed that there is another unappreciated source of air pollution in the Golden State: fertilized soil on farmland, which emits nitrogen oxides. Researchers recommend that farmers use targeted fertilization methods, to reduce the emission of gases.
        Of course, lung development is only one issue affected by pollution. We know that nitrogen oxides and other gases worsen asthma symptoms and are associated with more frequent hospital visits and impaired heart and lung function but did you know pollution can also affect your mental health?

Air Pollution and the Mental Health of Children
         A study published in the journal BMJ Open in 2016, found that even small increases in air pollution are associated with a significant rise in mental problems. The study looked into the effect of pollution exposure on over half a million children, comparing this with records of medications prescribed for mental disease, ranging from sedatives to antipsychotics. The researchers concluded that a lower concentration of pollution (first and foremost traffic pollution) could reduce mental problems in children and teens. They noted that children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, because they are more active and their organs are still in development.

It’s Just as Bad Indoors
        Of course, smog is not the only type of pollution that plagues Americans. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside homes is generally between two and five times more polluted than the air outside. Poor indoor air quality is caused by everything from harsh cleaning products such as bleach, right through to personal care products in spray form, formaldehyde in old sofas, toxins emitted by furniture, etc. Health experts warn us to select furniture carefully, cut down on the use of chemical cleaners at home, and refrain from burning paraffin candles, which release toxins that affect respiratory health.
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Supporting Research
         The above-mentioned research does not stand alone. One major study in Hong Kong, for instance, shows that the risk of death rises sharply on days when pollution is worse. Additional research, carried out by researchers at George Washington University, found that fine particles in air (which come from many sources, including cars and factories) are linked to higher anxiety levels. Moreover, the higher the smog levels, the higher the level of anxiety experienced.
       Air pollution is far from than merely a problem for our respiratory and heart health. Studies show that children and adults alike may be more vulnerable to the effects of pollution, indicating the importance of taking steps to reduce indoor pollution at home, and pressuring the government to take a tougher stance on smog and other sources of pollution (including farming).

Written by guest writer - Chrissy Robinson

Can Exercise Help with Schizophrenia Symptoms?
             Schizophrenia, a chronic, severe brain disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population in America, is considered one of the most challenging mental diseases, since its symptoms are severe and include hallucinations, sensory alterations, an altered sense of self, and changes in emotion and behavior.
            Those with schizophrenia can find it difficult to hold down a job or other major responsibilities because of these symptoms but also because their circadian rhythms can be altered; in other words, many find that they are drowsy during the day, and alert at night.
            Health professionals are consistently on the lookout for complementary ways to soothe symptoms of the disorder, so that patients can lead as full a life as possible. In this post, we highlight the role that exercise can play in the treatment of schizophrenia.

What are Traditional Treatments for Schizophrenia?
           Preferred treatments for schizophrenia include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While there is no cure, schizophrenia is considered a highly treatable disorder, and consistency is vital when it comes to medication. Only 30% of those who take their medication religiously experience a relapse within one year of starting treatment, compared to 80% of those who neglect medication.
           The consequences of failing to receive treatment are severe, with suicide being the number one cause of death in people with this disorder.  Psychosis and severe depression can also arise if medication is not taken.

Coordinated Specialty Care
           Coordinated Specialty Care is a treatment model which integrates a number of approaches, including CBT, family involvement, and support for education and employment. Its aim is to increase a patient’s likelihood of leading a normal life, which is useful considering that only 13% of people with schizophrenia are working.

The Role of Exercise
             In a recent review published in Schizophrenia Bulletin, scientists at the University of Manchester compiled data from 10 independent clinic trials, finding that 12 weeks of aerobics training can significantly improve brain functioning in persons with schizophrenia. The research focused on those who had taken part in aerobic workouts on treadmills and exercise bikes, in addition to taking medication. Some of the areas which most benefited included patients’ working memory and ability to comprehend social situations. Evidence also showed that the more exercise was performed/the greater the fitness level achieved, the more marked were the benefits on cognitive functioning.
           The researchers noted that therapies which improved cognitive functioning were vital, because this issue was one of the biggest hindrances to patients being able to function in a work or social situation. Moreover, medications do not work on cognitive deficits. They stated that their search to treat this aspect of the illness has led them to conclude that physical exercise could be at least one solution. Lead researcher, Joe Firth noted, “Using exercise from the earliest stages of the illness could reduce the likelihood of long-term disability, and facilitate full, functional recovery for patients.”
Thus far, exercise is one complementary therapy that may be promising in helping reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. In general, important lifestyle choices currently recommended by health professionals include sticking to a routine, reducing stress through mindfulness based activities, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and drugs.

Written by guest writer - Chrissy Robinson

           
                  Virtual Reality isn’t something that is new, it’s been around for decades. Yet, virtual reality used for medical treatment is currently sweeping the nation. Virtual Reality (also known as VR) is a headset that displays a 3D simulated event that allows the user to interact in a situation, while being completely contained in a safe and controlled area.
                   When VR first emerged, one of the more popular uses was a 3D rollercoaster ride that made participants feel as though they were actually on the ride.  The University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies has since expanded that technology to address medical needs.
                   In clinical trials, VR has been proven effective in helping patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to cope with past traumatic events. Engineers can generate stress- triggering circumstances for the patient, and teach them how to cope with the situation through Virtual Reality Therapy sessions.
                   A new study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open, states that, “VR therapy could reduce depressive symptoms by boosting feelings of self-compassion and alleviating self-criticism.”  In the study, patients were extremely self-critical which caused symptoms of depression. The study was split into 3 weekly sessions. At the beginning of the sessions, the patients viewed themselves in the first person. They were to console a child who was crying in a corner.  Their responses to the child were recorded and at the end of the sessions and played back to them as they viewed themselves from the child’s perspective. Patients reported that hearing themselves being encouraging in their own voice, to themselves, helped them build their self-compassion. Patients described being able to identify when they were overly critical with themselves, and how to display self-compassion to improve their mood, which in turn lowered their depression.
                   VR has been studied in a variety of other situations as well, including treatment of phobias, ADHD, schizophrenia, anxiety, addictions (including smoking), and eating disorders. While there are a limited number of trials at this point, researchers believe with the cost of headsets declining, and the wide use of smartphones, VR will thrive. Although medical professionals need to be specially trained on how to incorporate it into the therapies of their specific practices, doctors can teach patients how to effectively utilize VR on their own time.  This also allows for affordable treatment for patients with or without medical insurance.  Hopefully, this will be a major step forward in improving treatment, and also in breaking down the wall of mental health stigma.

Resources
The Guardian - Why virtual reality could be a mental health gamechanger https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2017/mar/22/why-virtual-reality-could-be-a-mental-health-gamechanger
Huffington Post- Virtual Reality Therapy Could Be Used To Treat Depression.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/virtual-reality-depression-study_us_56c4a717e4b08ffac1273132
APA-Virtual Reality: Expanding Use in Mental Health Treatmenthttps://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2017/02/virtual-reality-expanding-use-in-mental-health-treatment​
ALPHR- Can VR help cure the mental health epidemic?http://www.alphr.com/virtual-reality/1005294/can-vr-help-cure-the-mental-health-epidemic

             In recent years, food manufacturers have been under fire. Organizations such as The American Cancer Society and The American Diabetes Foundation have made clear connections between eating habits and physical health. It is no surprise that Harvard Medical School has brought to light that what you eat can directly affect your mental health too, and they’re not the first ones! Recently, wheat manufactures have been under the microscope due to some questionable
harvesting techniques. It is becoming more and more common that wheat farmers spray their crops with a chemical active in round up, called glyphosate, seven to ten days before harvest. This practice increases the drop of seeds before harvest time, which results in yielding a greater harvest the next time. This not only makes crops more plentiful, but is more profit for the farmer. Even after going through production process to be added to common foods such as breads, cereals, chips, etc., the toxins are still present. So how does this affect us, the consumer?
            Eva Selhub, MD, explains that your brain is like the motor in a car. When you put premium gas in your car, it runs fine. Yet, when you put low grade fuel in your car, it can cause problems. The same is true for your body. Your brain is the motor of your body, and when it needs fuel, you eat. The vitamins and nutrients from the food that you consume, are absorbed into your body and make their way to your brain. Multiple studies have now found a direct connection between a poor diet and impaired brain function, causing increased symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and even memory loss.
            Studies have shown that patients who suffer from depression, can have drastic improvements in their mental health, just by changing their diet. For example, a patient in San Francisco, who wished to stay anonymous, was being treated for bipolar disorder when she was forced to change her diet after she experienced gastrointestinal issues. After beginning the popular Atkins diet, she not only found relief from her stomach issues, but also seen improvements in her mental health. She continues to eat healthy and has now been able to live stably without her medication to treat her bi polar disorder, for three years.
            While this method worked for many patients, it’s important to speak to your doctor before stopping any medications. In the meantime, eating healthy and getting exercise never hurt anyone. So perhaps the next time you chose to go through the local fast food drive thru, you may want to think twice.

​References:

Harvard Medical School
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry- your-brain- on-food- 201511168626
US National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4167107/
The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/can- what-you- eat-affect- your-
mental-health- new-research- links-diet- and-the- mind/2014/03/24/c6b40876-abc0- 11e3-af5f-
4c56b834c4bf_story.html?utm_term=.3e6a0c511d10
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/24/diet-mental- health_n_6566376.html

          The opioid epidemic is sweeping the nation, without an end in sight. Overall, the mortality rate in deaths related to opioids has more than doubled in the last 10 years.  In 2016, statistics showed that California had the nation’s highest death toll related to opioids. 2017 isn’t showing a decline in that number either.
            According to the data, 78 people die every day from opioid overdose, that translates to one person dying every 18 minutes. Since manufacturers of illegal street drugs are now cutting their drugs with the cost-effective fentanyl to bring in more profit, that number is expected to rise, yet again.  There have been increasing reports of carfentanyl (an opioid used for elephants) being found in street heroine.  Just a few specks of this lethal chemical can lead to severe respiratory depression and death.  Customs and Border Patrol officers are also reporting that they have seen a huge increase in illegal drugs being imported from countries like China, while being disguised in packaging such as chips, candy, and even cheese.
               California isn’t the only state that is feeling the effects of this growing epidemic. An Ohio coroner is seeing a surge in overdoses, resulting in him having to send bodies to funeral homes, or even renting refrigerated trucks to store the bodies because his cooler is full. Recently, The Drug Enforcement Administration stated the death toll for Pennsylvania last year will be near 4,500.
              So, with this rising death toll quickly overtaking every community, what can be done to help? Congress denied a budget increase to help fund the epidemic, and other cuts to the mental health budget didn’t help matters. This seems to leave the burden on family, friends, and medical personnel for now.  If you have a family member or friend that has an opioid addiction, reach out, and try to seek help with them. Depression seems to be linked to opioid use. Patient with addictions use drugs to “cover up” or “numb” feelings of depression. Head off the problem before it starts, and take action if you notice behavioral changes in someone that could be depressed.
          The nationwide pharmacy, CVS, will distribute the overdose reversal medication, Naloxone (Narcan), without a prescription. On-site pharmacists can teach the average customer how to recognize signs of an overdose, how to administer the drug, and about what side effects to expect. While this is a sad hail mary approach at treatment, it has been extremely effective in slowing the mortality rate amongst addicts.

Resources:

• Information About Narcan

http://patients.oregonpainguidance.org/you-can-save-someones-life-with-naloxone-narcan/

• California Has Most Opioid-Related Deaths in Nation: Report

https://patch.com/california/malibu/california-has-most-opioid-related-deaths-nation-report

• Cheap, Potent Fentanyl Fuels Opioid Epidemic

http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-atkins-fentanyl-fuels-opioid-epidemic-0416-20170414-story.html

“Just take a minute to just calm down, and breathe,” we’ve all heard it, and in a moment of despair you think to yourself, how can I possibly calm down at a time like this! According to scientific studies, not only is it possible, its recommended! Meditation is considered the act of finding balance and harmony in your body to promote relaxation. In turn you are cleansing your mind, body, and soul. We shower daily to clean our bodies, why wouldn’t you take 20 minutes a day to clean your mind as well?

According to the American Meditation Society, clinical studies that span 30 years all show significant positive effects on the mind and body.  When you take 20 minutes to meditate your blood pressure improves, your immune system gets stronger, it slows the aging process, reduces anxiety and stress, and decreases insomnia.
By improving your mental clarity, you can increase self-awareness and concentration. By improving just these two aspects of your life, you can learn to accept yourself in your own skin, make good healthy lifestyle changes, and increase your happiness.
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Where do you begin? There are several resources available for people who want to learn to meditate properly. Local gyms generally offer classes that teach meditation in conjunction with yoga, some churched offer classes, and even smart phones offer apps that guide you through meditation. Here are some simple meditation steps for beginners:

1.     Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair.
2.     Close your eyes.
3.     Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
4.     Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation.
 
Whether you’re just trying to find inner peace, or trying to overcome something more, it’s clear that meditation is a treatment that you can take with you anywhere!  So the next time that someone says “Just calm down and breathe,” Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised by the results!
 
Resources:
Instantly download some free books on meditation here:
http://americanmeditationsociety.org/media-type/free/
Find a meditation teacher in your area:
http://americanmeditationsociety.org/classes/meditation-teachers/
Watch some short clips from historical videos of Gururaj Ananda Yogi here:
http://americanmeditationsociety.org/teachings/satsangteachings/videos/

                According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness in a given year. That translates to roughly 43.8 million adults every year, with nearly 10 million living with a serious mental illness. Astoundingly, 60% of those adults didn’t receive mental health services last year, which leaves many wondering why that number is so high.
             Mental health stigma is a large contributor to blame for the lack of treatment being sought out by these adults. Mental health stigma is defined as the negative perception of a person based on prejudice and misinformation about a mental health diagnosis. These actions often lead to discrimination, social isolation, and negative attitudes towards individuals with a mental illness. As a result, patients refuse to be “labeled” and deny themselves treatment, causing a decrease in self-esteem, and possibly leading to more diagnosis as a direct result of not getting help in the beginning.
                  In a world where labels are an unconscious act, how do we decrease the stigma among us? It starts with healthcare professionals. It’s essential that healthcare providers break down the walls that seem to separate mental illness from other illnesses. Dr. Arthur Evans is the commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services and is trying to do just that.  He is making a nationwide stance for providers to open their doors to treatment programs and private offices, so that people in the community become aware of the services provided.  Offering free screenings, special events, and educational training to the members of a community provide the opportunity for them to be accepted as “part of the community, instead of just in the community.”
              So what can you do? Educate yourself, and then educate others. Some of the most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses in the United States are major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. Having less interest in favorite activities, being less energetic, feeling helpless, worthless, or hopeless are all signs and symptoms of depression. You often notice changes in people, sometimes they diminish, sometimes you distance yourself from these people because it seems like they are pushing you away. In fact, it’s the opposite, these are signs people are signaling for support in the most desperate of ways.
                  An innovative approach that is being tested by Dr. Evans is “Mental Health First Aid.”  Dr. Evans describes his one day course as a, “course that really helps the general public understand mental illness, understand or recognize when someone might be having a mental health problem and know how to support the person and/or refer the person for other help or to seek self-help.” Much like a CPR course, this one day course is aimed at giving people the knowledge and confidence to take appropriate action in the case that they see someone who is suffering from psychiatric symptoms.
             If your local community doesn’t offer a class for educating about mental health, take the initiative to educate yourself through other resources such as the local health department, accredited websites/blogs, or even visit your local psychiatrist’s office and pick up some pamphlets.  Overall, remember that having a diagnosis of a mental illness, versus a diagnosis of a physical illness are one in the same—a diagnosis neither patient asked for, but struggle with, yet with proper treatment both can be manageable.
 
Resources:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness

http://www.nami.org/

• Screening for Mental Health, Inc.

https://mentalhealthscreening.org/

• The National Institute of Mental Health

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml

• Deconstructing Stigma

http://deconstructingstigma.org/get-support

• Healthy Minds Philly

http://healthymindsphilly.org/en/

• Reach Out

http://us.reachout.com/ 

• Mental Health.Gov

 https://www.mentalhealth.gov/

            Marijuana was first legalized in California in 1996, becoming the first state to establish a medical marijuana program. A lot has happened since then, and legalization of recreational marijuana is quickly becoming a hot topic throughout the nation. Most recently, Colorado and Washington have legalized recreation marijuana, and it appears that California could soon legalize recreational marijuana on next year's ballot, in 2016. Polls seem to indicate that enough voters are in favor of the ballot, as of this time. Yet, what are the concerns with legalization of recreational marijuana? 
             I recently attended a conference for addiction medicine, and public health officials and ER physicians discussed the ramifications of recreational marijuana legalization in the state of Colorado. There have been increases in the number of ER visits secondary to unintentional consumption of marijuana products, such as food or candy that contain marijuana, but have labeling that look remarkably similar to common food products sold in a grocery store. Additionally, there have also been cases of laboratory explosions secondary to amateurs attempting to create highly concentrated forms of marijuana called hash oil, using butane gas. It is still too early in determining any increase in impaired driving secondary to marijuana use, but it would not be a surprise to find such an uptick, given the increased availability of the drug. The positives of legalization in Colorado were that there were increased revenues from the taxation of marijuana sales, and these funds have been used to educate children and adolescents of the dangers of using marijuana. In my opinion, it is still early in the legalization era to know what the long-term effects will be in each state, but it appears that the march toward legalization in many states will continue unabated.