Focus On: Quarantine and Regression in Children
Dr. Navjot Khinda, Psychiatric Director of High Focus Centers in Paramus, New Jersey, discusses the effects that quarantine can have on children’s behavior. A child – of any age – may be experiencing regression if you notice sudden changes in their behavior. Temper tantrums, defiance, or avoiding responsibility are all signs that a child could be struggling with stress or anxiety. Children are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Especially now, as we are practicing social distancing and quarantine, children’s schedules have been significantly disrupted. This can lead to increased feelings of helplessness and anxiety. Learn how to reduce [...]
How Does Teletherapy Work?
As our new normal continues to evolve, technology has made communicating and staying in touch with friends and family easier than ever. Through FaceTime and video conferencing, we can reach out to friends across the country or conference remotely with coworkers. This same technology and need to adapt have also had an effect on medicine, including psychiatry. You may have heard about “teletherapy” and are wondering what exactly it means, how it works, and what it looks like. We’ll explain what teletherapy is, what its benefits are, and answer questions you may have about this growing practice. What is Teletherapy? [...]
Creating Daily Structure during Quarantine: Tip of the Day
Dr. Navjot Khinda, Psychiatric Director of High Focus Centers in Paramus, New Jersey, discusses the importance of maintaining daily structure for yourself and your family during this time of quarantine and social-distancing. Healthy habits related to sleep, diet, and physical activity all have a positive effect on self-confidence and mental health.
Managing Mental and Physical Health During COVID-19
Global pandemics are rare, unprecedented events. This is an incredibly stressful time for Americans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, panic, and distress. While we all handle stress and anxiety differently, there are some vulnerable populations who are prone to experiencing an even stronger reaction to stress. This includes children and teens, healthcare professionals, and those with preexisting mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The Effects of Stress During A Pandemic Stress can be a useful tool in helping people face uncertain situations. But stress can become overwhelming and unhelpful if one obsessively engages [...]
Tips to Prepare for a Telehealth Therapy Session
With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to business closures across the country, the mental health treatment industry has had to quickly adapt to continue providing clients with much-needed counseling and care. One way that the industry has responded is by offering “telehealth” therapy sessions. Teletherapy at High Focus Centers Telehealth utilizes HIPAA-secure video conferencing platforms to allow therapists and their clients to connect without having to meet in person. Telehealth mental health treatment has become instrumental in providing continuity of care during the coronavirus pandemic, and there are some useful things to keep in mind that will make your experience a [...]
COVID-19: Maintaining Mental Health During Social Distancing
There are a number of precautions that are recommended by the CDC to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): frequent hand washing, sanitizing surfaces, and distancing yourself from other people, especially if there are cases of the virus in your community. While social distancing is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, disruption of daily routines and increased social isolation can affect our own mental health as well as the mental health of our friends and family. With many individuals already experiencing anxiety about COVID-19, it’s important to do what you can to help care for the [...]
What is Cognitive Defusion?
Cognitive defusion, also known as deliteralization, is a technique used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people cope with uncomfortable or unhelpful thoughts and feelings. It is a useful technique for people with depression and anxiety, as uncomfortable and unhelpful thoughts and feelings are often a part of their experience. Cognitive defusion involves creating space between ourselves and our thoughts and feelings so that they have less of a hold over us. How Does Cognitive Defusion Work? To understand how cognitive defusion works, hold both of your hands about two inches in front of your face. All you can [...]
6 Calming Gift Ideas for People with Anxiety
Understanding anxiety can be difficult if you don’t experience it often or intensely. Because it manifests in different ways, trying to support someone whose life is impacted by anxiety can be a challenge. You can support your loved one by learning more about anxiety's causes, symptoms, and treatment. However, the holidays can be a difficult time for someone living with anxiety or depression. No matter how the person in your life experiences anxiety, these holiday gift ideas will show you care and can help them manage their mental health. Gratitude Journal When we express gratitude, a few different things happen within [...]
Understanding the Link Between Mental Illness and Substance Use
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) estimates that over half of adults in the United States who experience a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental illness. Dealing with mental illness isn’t easy, but it’s even more difficult when you have a substance use disorder. Research shows that there is a connection between substance use and mental health disorders. When mental health disorders go untreated, substance abuse issues get worse, and vice versa. To get on the path to recovery, treatment for both disorders is needed. Which Comes First: Mental Illness or Substance Use? In many cases, those suffering [...]
How to Recognize Mental Illness in Older Adults
Symptoms of mental illness in older adults are easy to overlook, often dismissed as the result of aging. However, mental health treatment is just as important for elderly individuals as it is for younger adults. Currently, mental illness affects roughly 15 percent of older adults. That number is expected to rise as the baby boomer generation ages. As a caregiver or family member, it’s important to know the signs of common mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Depression Depression is among the most prevalent mental illnesses affecting older adults. Unfortunately, it is often disregarded as a side effect [...]
7 Effective Techniques to Overcome Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression, also commonly referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D., is a mental condition that affects many people but is often misunderstood. It is estimated that about 5% of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal depression every year, and even more experience a milder form of the condition. This condition typically affects people around the same time every year, manifesting in fall and continuing into the winter months. It can impede a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and severely impact their mood. If you suffer from seasonal depression, there are techniques and methods you can do at [...]
How to Support Your Loved One with a Psychological Condition This Holiday Season
Learning a loved one has a mental health disorder can leave you feeling a bit shaken. However, it’s important to try and be supportive and empathetic, especially towards the end of the year. The holiday season is all about spending time with friends and family, but those with mental illness can struggle with their anxiety, depression, and stress during this time of year. Here are a few tips on how you can support your loved one with a psychological condition this holiday season. Let Them Know You’re There One of the best things you can do for a loved one [...]
