Many adults wrongly believe that once they complete their detox treatment, they will immediately be freed from their drug or alcohol addiction. Beth Shaw, counselor, addiction intensive outpatient program at Rogers Memorial Hospital’s Lincoln Center Outpatient Center in West Allis, knows the work has just begun.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (link is external) (NAMI), about one-third (link is external) of people with mental illness also experience substance abuse—meaning that they have a “dual diagnosis.” Amy Kuechler, PsyD, attending psychologist for the adolescent dual diagnosis program at Rogers Memorial Hospital–Brown Deer, explains that teens with mental illness—such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or trauma—may be even more susceptible to substance abuse.
This Eating Disorders Awareness Week (link is external), countless people from around the country will share their stories of recovery to reduce mental health stigma (link is external), encourage others to get a screening, raise awareness and even help in their own healing process. Since anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia, and other eating disorders affect all ages, genders and races, you might already expect that each person’s eating disorder journey is as unique as they are. But you may not expect the complete mind, body and soul transformation that each person undergoes on their path to wellness.
February 21 through 29 is Eating Disorders Awareness Week (link is external), an observance organized by the National Eating Disorder Association (link is external) (NEDA). This year’s theme: “3 Minutes Can Save a Life: Get Screened. Get Help. Get Healthy.” promotes early intervention and education about the causes, dangers and treatments for eating
Imagine a 16-year-old girl sitting in her room, overwhelmed by her own emotions. She was once outgoing and involved in high school sports and clubs, but now she finds herself wanting to just be alone. She carries around thoughts in her head that confuse and exhaust her, feeling like she can’t connect with her family or friends.
When most people think of seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, they picture talking face-to-face with someone. That is getting harder with a national shortage of psychiatrists. However, more providers of behavioral health—and their patients—are turning to and accepting an alternative: telepsychiatry.
Statistics show that this time of the year, 45 percent of us are going to make a New Year’s resolution, but of that percentage, only 26 percent will maintain our resolution past the first six months. It seems as though the odds are stacked against most of us when it comes to changing our ways and making major life changes, but Sue McKenzie, co-director of Rogers InHealth (link is external), insists that achieving lasting change is possible not only for New Year’s resolutions, but for achieving mental health as well.
Experiential therapy is a hands-on experience-based approach that assists in healing and overcoming mental or emotional challenges. At Rogers, there’s a variety of experiential therapy approaches available to patients, including art and music therapy, recreational therapy, yoga, horticultural therapy and adventure therapy—which uses challenge courses at various campuses.
Michael M. Miller, MD, medical director of the Herrington Recovery Center at Rogers Memorial Hospital and attending physician for the adult dual diagnosis partial hospitalization program at Rogers’ new Silver Lake Outpatient Center in Oconomowoc, has served a leadership role in the research and writing process of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (link is external)’s (ASAM) new policy (link is external)statement on marijuana, cannabinoids and legalization. The statement was written to inform Congress, the media, the general public and especially physicians and other healthcare professionals about cannabis and cannabis products and the health impact of expanded access to these substances.
Now approaching its first anniversary of providing comprehensive residential programming to adolescent girls, Nashotah has proven to be a valuable service to patients from all across the United States who are ready to make real change. Serving about 50 patients in its opening year, the program helps young women improve their personal safety and quality of life by validating their emotions which may lead to dangerous behaviors and teaching skills to help them express their genuine feelings. While in treatment, the safety risks associated with emotional dyregulation are decreased and preventative measures are used to to help many of the girls who are at risk of developing personality disorders.
