Find out how some people develop Anorexia Nervosa and the treatment for Anorexia Nervosa.

Most of us worry about our weight....many of us are overweight or obese, and would love to lose those excess pounds. But there are those who worry about just the opposite, that is "gaining weight." Many who suffer from that worry are suffering from an "eating disorder," especially Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. In Anorexia Nervosa the underlying concern is a fear of getting fat or gaining weight. There are many psychological issues associated with the fear of gaining weight, such as psychological control, perfectionism, and anxiety.

Most of those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa are females, with males accounting for only 10% of the sufferers. The onset of this eating disorder is usually in adolescense or young adulthood. Although there are many things that can start the process leading to the onset of Anorexia, it is often something quite innocuous such as someone saying something like "she is getting fat" or saying that someone quite thin looks "good."

To those predisposed to developing the problem, this can be the "last straw" that sets into motion an overwhelming pursuit of thinness, a fear of getting fat and "losing control." The behavior that goes with this concern is eating less and less -- often little more that salads and vegetables, but foods with very few calories and almost no nutritional value. The end result is a loss of weight, often to the point of development of health problems such as thinning of bones, drop in body temperature (causing a continuous feeling of cold), loss of periods in females, heart problems and sometimes death. To make matters worse, those with diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa develop a distorted body image such that although the patient's body may be dangerously thin, when they look in the mirror they see themselves as fat. This causes the disease to continue despite concern of family and friends, and even advice of physicians to change the behavior.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

It is difficult to get sufferers into treatment, but treatment is possible. Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa involves restoring the patient to a healthy weight and nutritional status, treating the psychological issues associated with the eating disorder - including the distorted body image, dealing with the behaviors involved, and treating the anxiety, guilt, control and other issues.

Other eating disorders involve: binging (eating large amounts of food in a short timespan) and purging (through vomiting, and laxative or exercise abuse) called bulimia nervosa, and binging secondary to psychological issues called Eating Disorders not otherwise specified (NOS) or "binge eating disorder."

More information about the difficulty in recovery from and treatment of eating disorders is available on the HealthyPlace Eating Disorders Community.

On the HealthyPlace TV Show on eating disorders treatment, Tuesday June 2, (7:30p CT, 8:30 ET live and on-demand on our website), we will discuss why it's so difficult to recover from Anorexia and Bulimia.

Dr. Harry Croft is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director of HealthyPlace.com. Dr. Croft is also the co-host of the HealthyPlace TV Show.

next: Treating Sexual Addiction
~ other mental health articles by Dr. Croft

Focus on why eating disorder recovery is so difficult. Other topics: bipolar depression, social anxiety, and where to find support for mental illness.

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Recovering from an Eating Disorder
• "Eating Disorders Treatment: Recovery from Eating Disorders and Why It's So Darn Difficult" On HealthyPlace TV
• More Information on Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Depression
• Followup: Extreme Shyness and Social Anxiety
• Where Can I Find Support For...? (if you're living with a mental illness)

Recovering From An Eating Disorder

SOARING numbers of young girls are being treated in hospitals for eating disorders.

A new report shows cases of bulimia and anorexia among girls under 18 have leapt by 47 percent from 2004 to 2008. In the UK, there has also been a 25 per cent rise in girls UNDER NINE being treated for eating disorders.

Recovery from an eating disorder is no walk in the park, which is why so many people suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or compulsive overeating never make it to the other side of recovery.  

Eating Disorders treatment specialist, Joanna Poppink, MFT, has been treating eating disorder patients for over 20 years. Her website, Triumphant Journey: A Cyberguide To Stop Overeating and Recover from Eating Disorders, is in the HealthyPlace.com Eating Disorders Community.

In three new articles, she discusses the journey people must take when they are serious about eating disorders treatment.

1. Eating Disorder Recovery: Living A Balanced Life
2. Getting Better and Losing Friends During Eating Disorder Recovery

"Eating Disorders Treatment: Recovery from Eating Disorders and Why It's So Darn Difficult" On HealthyPlace TV

Our guest has been battling anorexia and bulimia for over 15 years. Shannon Cutts, author of "Beating Ana," will be sharing her struggle and the issues involved in overcoming an eating disorder.

This Tuesday night, June 2. The show starts at 5:30p PT, 7:30 CT, 8:30 ET and airs live on our website.

• TV Show Blog with this week's show info

In the second half of the show, you get to ask Dr. Harry Croft, your personal mental health questions. Watch the show on-demand.

Also this month on HealthyPlace TV

• Treating Borderline Personality Disorder: Is It Possible?
• Child Abuse and Its Impact Later in Life
• Your Child's Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know

If you would like to be a guest on the show or share you personal story in writing or via video, please write us at: producer AT healthyplace.com

Click here for a list of previous HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Shows.

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More Information on Eating Disorders

• What is an Eating Disorder?
• Body Image Issues
• Eating Disorders Online Test
• Types of Treatment for Eating Disorders
• Treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia Can Be Difficult
• Eating Disorders and Their Impact on Relationships
• How to Help a Child or Friend with Eating and Body Image Issues

Bipolar Depression

When it comes to Bipolar Disorder, most people think of the manic episodes that are connected with the disorder; which is why the other flavor of Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Depression, is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. Bipolar Depression also carries a higher risk of suicide.

We have a new section on Bipolar Depression in the HealthyPlace.com Bipolar Community. It's written by award-winning mental health author, Julie Fast, who wrote the "Gold Standard of Treating Bipolar Disorder" and the "Gold Standard of Treating Depression" for HealthyPlace.com.

In easy-to-understand language, Julie provides an authoritative look at Bipolar Depression:

• Differences Between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression
• Why Bipolar Depression is Often Misdiagnosed
• Role of Mania in Bipolar Depression
• Treatment and Medications for Bipolar Depression
• Treatment Differences Between Depression and Bipolar Depression
• Bipolar Depression Management Tips
• Bipolar Depression Special Section: Table of Contents

Getting a correct diagnosis for Bipolar Depression is not easy, but it's very important. A misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment which can be hazardous to your mental health.

Followup: Extreme Shyness and Social Anxiety

Marjie Braun Knudsen's story on "How to Help Your Child Overcome Shyness and Social Anxiety" really resonated with many of our readers. For years, Marjie's daughter truly suffered with social anxiety. She was paralyzed with fear when it came to interacting with other children and handling everyday social situations.

Here are a few reader comments in response to the story:

• Mike P: "When I was in school, all the kids and teachers called me 'quiet Mike'. I sat in my chair and honestly don't remember saying a word to anyone, even when they talked to me.   I would just put my head down on the desk. I was scared to death everyday, hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me for some answer. When that happened, I would start shaking violently. I'm 27 now, taking an antidepressant and sitting alone in my cubicle at work."
• Elizabeth: "I had a counselor when I was in school and then at the beginning of eighth grade they sent me right across the street to a special school for troubled kids. All those kids had no problem talking to their peers or teachers. It was just me and I honestly thought I was the only person in the world with my problem (Social Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder) I didn't know what was wrong with me. I just knew I couldn't wait until I was old enough to quit school so those kids couldn't tease me anymore. Today, I'm so lonely. I've got no friends. All I want is my life back."
• Diana: "My son had the same problem as the author of the article. From the age of 4, he was extremely shy. His preschool and later, school teachers, would call me and say they were worried about his "brain development." We were fortunate in that his pediatrician recognized the problem and after four years of therapy I can say it's made a world of difference. He's more self-confident and can get along with others.   For other parents going through the same thing with their children, I want you to know it was a very trying time for us, but it's important to get help right away. The longer you wait and procrastinate (which we did for about a year), the more it affects your child's emotional development."

Where Can I Find Support For...?

Living with a mental illness, whether you have one or you're a parent, family member or close friend of someone who does, can be a challenge on a daily basis. It's not unusual to feel like "I'm the only one" going through this, which unfortunately can lead to depression, anxiety and isolation. Getting support, joining a mental health support group, can be so very helpful in letting you know you are not alone and giving you an outlet to safely express your feelings. There are groups for mental health patients as well as family members and loved ones.

Online, you can join the HealthyPlace Mental Health Support Network. If you're looking for face-to-face meetings for:

• Bipolar Disorder and Depression, there's the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has groups for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.
• For Anxiety Disorders, there's the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) offers support for ADHD.
• Mental Health America can also assist you in finding a support group.

Chapters of each group exist across the United States.

Also try contacting your county mental health association, local United Way and county psychological association. Usually, they can lead you in the right direction in finding a support group in your community.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Newsletter Index

Recovery describes a continuing process. To start eating disorder recovery is to start a journey.

To be on that journey is to be on your path to health and emotional and intellectual development. Your path leads to your true self, to your inner resources of courage, creativity, self respect, strength and ability to be committed and dedicated.

Recovery from bulimia or anorexia or binge eating or compulsive eating is not just about making peace with food and developing healthy eating habits. Recovery is not just about developing or forcing yourself into living with a realistic sense of your body.

Recovery involves living a balanced life. It means feeling all you can feel and digesting your feelings so they inform and enrich your entire personhood. They don't spill out for others to take care of. They don't create such distress that you need to use food or drugs or sex or shopping or high drama or manipulations or dissociation to get relief.

Recovery is about being real in the real world. It is about having the ability to live, cope, adapt, work, love, play in freedom. It means being responsible for yourself and your actions. It means respecting and honoring boundaries so you can truly take care of yourself while respecting and being in relationship with others.

It means more serenity, joy and smiles in your life. And it means being able to eat and enjoy food in freedom.

Eating disorder recovery work involves just about every dimension of your life, and that's a good thing. As you gradually let go of your problematic food related behaviors (eating too much, too little, purging, exercising to make up for a binge, laxative use etc.) you find yourself experiencing powerful and sometimes subtle physical and emotional sensations and feelings. You want them to stop and your eating disorder behaviors are no longer an option. Your task and your challenge become: How do I take care of myself instead?

This is your great guiding question that leads you to your new and better life. Follow where this question leads makes up the bulk of true eating disorder recovery work.

The question not only guides you along your path, it creates your path. For example,

Instead of compulsively eating to numb your feelings, perhaps you paint to express them, or get involved in a political movement to express them, or get into an academic program so you are more equipped to address the issues beneath your feelings like, I want to be more competent in the world, I want a job, I want a different job, I want to advance in my career, I don't want to be an assistant - I want to be the prime mover who has an assistant. You can eat or starve over your frustration and live with an eating disorder. Or you can tolerate your frustration, name it and equip yourself to rise above it. That's recovery work.

Recovery is an endless journey where life continues to get better as you go.

Joanna Poppink, Los Angeles psychotherapist, licensed since 1980 (MFT #15563), is deeply committed to bringing recovery to people suffering from eating disorders.

"When I found recovery for my bulimia I was already a psychotherapist and dedicated my private practice to eating disorder recovery. Now I find that I am writing about eating disorder recovery as part my commitment to not only heal but prevent eating disorders. Conari Press gave me a contract to write a self help book on eating disorder recovery for adult women. I love how my long held passions and commitments are coming together. I have a private practice in Los Angeles, where I specialize in working with people who want eating disorder recovery and who want a satisfying and successful life beyond recovery."

Joanna's specialized psychotherapy practice is designed to allow clients to progress through anxiety situations to ongoing recovery from bulimia, compulsive eating, anorexia and binge eating. Her primary goal is to provide people with a way to achieve thorough and long lasting healing.

http://www.eatingdisorderrecovery.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/joannapoppink

next:Getting Through a Meal With Strength and Serenity
~ all triumphant journey articles
~ eating disorders library
~ all articles on eating disorders

Summary: Relationships change as you make progress toward solid recovery. Joanna helps you understand which relationships can last and which can't so you can be sturdy and kind to yourself and proceed on your path to a new and more healthy life.

If you are recovering from an eating disorder, whether it is bulimia, anorexia, compulsive overeating or binge eating, you are probably experiencing some upheaval in your personal relationships. You may not understand why your behavior and preferences in recovery are so upsetting to people in your life. And you may be surprised, bewildered or feel guilty when you want to pull away from people who used to be close friends.

When a person is seriously ill with her eating disorder, the people who are close to her accept or are attracted to or need her as she is. That means many people are close to her, not despite her eating disorder, but because of her eating disorder.

Some people see through your symptoms to the genuine person you are. They are treasures in your life and will be loyal friends. Others need your symptoms and, therefore, need you to remain ill

Changes in recovery

Everyone who has a relationship with a person who suffers from an eating disorder is in a relationship with a sick person. If that person is you, then when you start to get well, your attitudes, choices and responses change. You are more caring and respectful of yourself. You resist sacrificing your personal resources (time, money, skills, energy) because you no longer believe that others are more important than you. You begin to use your resources to make your own dreams come true, dreams you didn't know you had because they were buried by the eating disorder.

You no longer engage in high risk behavior for thrills or because you are going along with everyone else and are numb to your fears. You feel. You regain your mind. You have opinions. You have a point of view. You matter to yourself. You say, "No," where you used to say, "Yes" or "Okay, if you want me to," or worse, not saying anything and just going along because you feel it's expected and you can't say, "No."

Objections to Health

The people in your life who wanted all the qualities that attend an eating disorder may object to the change toward health in your life. They can be ruffled, disappointed and then hurt and angry as you develop more self esteem and become more healthy. If they can grow themselves and accept your healthy attitudes then the relationships change and grow.

If they cannot grow and adapt, if they need a relationship with a person who goes numb, who says yes, who sacrifices and feels guilty and responsible for other people's needs, then they will grow both resentful and bored.

If you do not go back to how you were when you were ill so the relationship is the same as it ever was, the relationship will fall apart.

If you are truly in recovery, you will not or cannot go back to your illness to support people who require a self sacrificing person to fulfill their needs.

Getting Better and Gaining Friends

If this is you now, then just wait and live your life in recovery. People who are attracted to health will be attracted to you. People who have their own solid self esteem and are willing to be responsible for themselves will become visible to you as you become visible to them.

In recovery and growing health, you have more choices and can have more satisfying relationships based on who you are now.

Be brave. Life gets better!

Joanna Poppink, Los Angeles psychotherapist, licensed since 1980 (MFT #15563), is deeply committed to bringing recovery to people suffering from eating disorders.

Her specialized psychotherapy practice is designed to allow clients to progress through anxiety situations to ongoing recovery from bulimia, compulsive eating, anorexia and binge eating. Her primary goal is to provide people with a way to achieve thorough and long lasting healing.

next: The Basics of Eating Disorder Psychotherapy: How it Works
~ all triumphant journey articles
~ eating disorders library
~ all articles on eating disorders

Copied/pasted from an email I sent to a friend...


I have a collagen/connective tissue disorder (genetic) called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which predisposes me to easy skin tearing and I scar very easily and sometimes with lots of keloid scar tissue. Basically, this means that my liver is very likely to become cirrhotic if I am not able to get this reversed somehow. The way I understand it is that the 18+ years of having an eating disorder contributed majorly to the liver disease, as well as the Lyme disease attacking my thyroid, which lowered my metabolism SIGNIFICANTLY, which then caused my liver to not metabolize as properly as it should... plus I have a genetic predisposition towards diabetes (I don't have this yet, thank goodness!!!), but this doesn't help things either. It means if I don't get my weight down from all the hypothyroid weight gain then I am at great risk of developing diabetes, which will then make all of the liver stuff even worse.

BUT, good news is that my liver enzymes were a bit lower on the last lab results! HOORAY for something going right!

I am so tired lately it's an effort to even just breathe. How am I supposed to exercise more so I can lose weight when I can hardly do anything? I can't wait for the elementary school to be done for the year so that I don't have to babysit for the neighbor anymore, which will leave me with more hours in the day for sleep, homework, and exercise.

I was asked by my friend Carmen today if hearing all of this (that I need to lose weight in order to possibly reverse the liver damage) triggers eating disorder urges. Honestly it doesn't, because the eating disorder is the major factor that affected the problem in the first place. I think if it was just the hypothyroidism affecting the liver metabolism then I wouldn't be as bad off... but 18+ years of having an eating disorder really screwed things up.

So, if it gets better then HOORAY! If it doesn't, then that means I am more likely to get cirrhosis and then that could possibly lead to liver failure and/or liver cancer. But it's not going to go that far... because I say so :)

I just need to find some time and energy to exercise more... how on earth can I do that when I can hardly function as it is? Ugh... like I said, I just need to hold on until school is out for the kid I babysit and then I don't have to babysit him for the whole summer and that will leave me with more time for healthy stuff.

Oh, I've been researching things that help support the liver... and mainly it's exercise, lots of water, lots of antioxidants, and stuff of that nature, to help make up for where the liver is crapping out on me.

Blahblahblah...

The end.

Here you have a list of week by week information on mental health news, blogs, tv show, radio show, presented by HealthyPlace during 2015. Click here to read the latest news on mental health issues for 2016.

Focused on living with a mental illness. Includes mental health and treatment information plus happenings on the HealthyPlace.com website.

Select the HealthyPlace.com Mental Health Newsletter by date or by featured items. You can subscribe to our free email newsletter on the right.

The Relationship Between Pain and Mental Health (December 30, 2015)
	The Relationship Between Pain and Mental Health Pain Can Cause Mental Health Problems Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Coping Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing (December 24, 2015)
	Coping Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
How to Believe in Yourself When You Face Mental Health Challenges (December 16, 2015)
	How to Believe in Yourself When You Face Mental Health Challenges Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Resilience: Getting Up When Mental Illness Knocks You Down (December 9, 2015)
	Resilience: Getting Up When Mental Illness Knocks You Down What is Resilience? Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Giving Mental Health Support When Living With Mental Illness (December 2, 2015)
	Giving Mental Health Support When Living With Mental Illness Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Health Challenges Make Thanksgiving Hard to Like (November 24, 2015)
	Mental Health Challenges Make Thanksgiving Hard to Like Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
How Do You Know If You Have A Mental Illness? (November 20, 2015)
	How Do You Know If You Have A Mental Illness? Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Practicing Self-Care Is Hard But Vital For Mental Health (November 10, 2015)
	Practicing Self-Care Is Hard But Vital For Mental Health What Is Self-Care For Mental Health? Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
How Seasonal Changes Can Affect Our Mental Health (November 3, 2015)
	How Seasonal Changes Can Affect Our Mental Health Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness and Stress: A Vicious Circle (October 27, 2015)
	Mental Illness and Stress: A Vicious Circle Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Healthy Decision-Making, Life Choices, and Mental Health (October 20, 2015)
	Healthy Decision-Making, Life Choices, and Mental Health How To Make Healthy Decisions Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Emotional Responses to Traumatic Events (October 13, 2015)
	Emotional Responses to Traumatic Events Managing Emotions During A Traumatic Event Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness, Isolation, and Loneliness (October 7, 2015)
	Mental Illness, Isolation, and Loneliness How To Deal With Isolation and Loneliness Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Why Is Even Good Change Sometimes So Hard? (September 29, 2015)
	Why Is Even Good Change Sometimes So Hard? Good Change Can Produce Negative Effects Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Sleep and Mental Health Are True Bedfellows (September 16, 2015)
	Sleep and Mental Health Are True Bedfellows Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
What is the Real Meaning of “Psychotic?” (September 10, 2015)
	What is the Real Meaning of “Psychotic?” Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Sociopaths and Psychopaths! Do You Know One? (September 1, 2015)
	Sociopaths and Psychopaths! Do You Know One Sociopaths and Psychopaths Can Destroy Your Life Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness at School (August 26, 2015)
	Mental Illness at School Improving the School Experience for Kids with Mental Illness Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Stigma Lies. Mental Illness Isn’t Who You Are (August 20, 2015)
	Stigma Lies. Mental Illness Isn’t Who You Are Mental Illness Diagnosis Beginning of Facing Stigma Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness Can Zap Motivation (August 11, 2015)
	Mental Illness Can Zap Motivation Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Health and Physical Health Aren’t Separate Concepts (August 5, 2015)
	Mental Health and Physical Health Aren’t Separate Concepts Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Your Mental Health Journey Depends On This (July 28, 2015)
	Your Mental Health Journey Depends On This Your Mental Health Journey and Focusing On The Positive Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness Can Mask Who We Are (July 21, 2015)
	Mental Illness Can Mask Who We Are Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Illness Can Overstimulate Your Brain (July 14, 2015)
	Mental Illness Can Overstimulate Your Brain Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Teen Girls in 2015 Need Good Communication Skills (June 2, 2015)
	Teen Girls in 2015 Need Good Communication Skills A Teen Girl's Guide To Speaking Up Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
3 Ways To Conquer Anxiety By Changing Routine (May 21, 2015)
	3 Ways To Conquer Anxiety By Changing Routine Little Changes Can Be The Most Impactful Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Stop Feeling Jealous, Start Feeling Appreciative (April 30, 2015)
	Stop Feeling Jealous, Start Feeling Appreciative Dealing with Jealousy and Mental Illness How to Stop Feeling Jealous Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Want to Improve Your Mental Health? Try This (April 23, 2015)
	Want to Improve Your Mental Health? Try This 3 Ways To Improve Mental Health, Well-being and Get Results Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Mental Health Professionals: Stressed and Worn Out? (April 9, 2015)
	Mental Health Professionals: Stressed and Worn Out? Listen to Yourself and the Advice You Give Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Surviving Mental Illness Stigma in a Judgmental World (March 19, 2015)
	Surviving Mental Illness Stigma in a Judgmental World Focus on Yourself, Not the Negativity of Others Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
How to Offer Mental Health Support to Someone Who Rejects It (March 10, 2015)
	How to Offer Mental Health Support to Someone Who Rejects It Why Would Someone Reject Mental Health Support? Start with Small Doses of Mental Health Support Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Two Ways to Begin Discussing Your Mental Health (March 3, 2015)
	Two Ways to Begin Discussing Your Mental Health Talk in a Support Group Blog About Your Mental Illness Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Significance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 25, 2015)
	Significance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Eating Disorders are Common Show Support and Become Knowledgeable Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Stop Letting the Winter Depression Freeze Your Happiness (February 17, 2015)
	Stop Letting the Winter Depression Freeze Your Happiness Ways to Relieve Winter Depression Focus on Your Happiness – Not the Weather Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Use Valentine’s Day to Help Discover Your Self-Worth (February 12, 2015)
	Use Valentine’s Day to Help Discover Your Self-Worth Self-Love and Self-Worth on Valentine's Day Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Stop Focusing on Negative Situations (January 27, 2015)
	Stop Focusing on Negative Situations Why the Focus on the Negative? Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News
Workplace Bullying Can Trigger Anxiety and Depression (January 13, 2015)
	Workplace Bullying Can Trigger Anxiety and Depression The Result of Workplace Bullying How to Deal with Workplace Bullying Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs Stand Up for Mental Health Latest Mental Health News

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~ HealthyPlace Newsletter items for 2016
~ HealthyPlace Newsletter items for 2014

How to manage extra tension and financial stress during tough economic times.

As talk of the banking crisis, falling housing prices, rising consumer debt and declining retail sales bring up worries about the nation's economic health, more Americans feel additional stress and anxiety about their financial future.

Money is often on the minds of most Americans. In fact, money and the state of the economy are two of the top sources of stress for 80 percent of Americans, according to the American Psychological Association's 2008 Stress in America survey. Add to the mix headlines about closing businesses and job losses, and many begin to fear how they can handle any further financial crunch.

How to Manage Overwhelming Financial and Economic Stress

But, like most of our everyday stress, this extra tension can be managed. Psychologists first recommend taking pause and not panicking. While there are some unknown effects in every economic downturn, our nation has experienced recessions before. There are also healthy strategies available for managing stress during tough economic times.

The American Psychological Association offers these tips to help deal with your stress about money and the economy:

Pause but don't panic. There are many negative stories in newspapers and on television about the state of the economy. Pay attention to what's happening around you, but refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision making. Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Remain calm and stay focused.

Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes you stress. Write down specific ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. Then commit to a specific plan and review it regularly. Although this can be anxiety-provoking in the short term, putting things down on paper and committing to a plan can reduce stress. If you are having trouble paying bills or staying on top of debt, reach out for help by calling your bank, utilities or credit card company.

Recognize how you deal with stress related to money. In tough economic times some people are more likely to relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. The strain can also lead to more conflict and arguments between partners. Be alert to these behaviors—if they are causing you trouble, consider seeking help from a psychologist or community mental health clinic before the problem gets worse.

Turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change. Times like this, while difficult, can offer opportunities to take stock of your current situation and make needed changes. Think of ways that these economic challenges can motivate you to find healthier ways to deal with stress. Try taking a walk—it's an inexpensive way to get good exercise. Having dinner at home with your family may not only save you money, but help bring you closer together. Consider learning a new skill. Take a course through your employer or look into low-cost resources in your community that can lead to a better job. The key is to use this time to think outside the box and try new ways of managing your life.

Ask for professional support. Credit counseling services and financial planners are available to help you take control over your money situation. If you continue to be overwhelmed by the stress, you may want to talk with a psychologist who can help you address the emotions behind your financial worries, manage stress, and change unhealthy behaviors.

Source: American Psychological Association (PR Newswire)

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Tips on how to adapt to the bad economic climate, life-changing situations and stressful conditions.

As job losses soar and the media continues to report on falling stock prices and rising foreclosures, many people may react to the economic climate with a flood of strong emotions and a sense of uncertainty. Yet, people generally adapt well over time to life-changing situations and stressful conditions.

What helps some people "bounce back" while others continue to feel overwhelmed? Resilience, the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, which is vital in these high-stress times. Resilience is a learned skill that can help carry you through the current crisis as well as future relationship, family, or work problems you may encounter.

The current economic situation is a major stressor for eight out of ten Americans, according to a 2008 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA). With constant reminders from newspapers, television and the internet, it's hard to avoid the doom and gloom narrative about the economy. It's normal to feel overwhelmed when you seem to be surrounded by bad news that impacts your family situation or that you fear may do so in the future. However, you can handle stress in positive ways and implement tactics to help you better manage and develop your resilience. Seeing this difficult situation in a positive light can help you build and utilize your resilience.

APA offers the following tips to help foster your resilience in these tough economic times:

Accept that change is a part of life - You may have to adjust your goals, or make changes to your lifestyle as a result of the economic crisis. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed can help you focus on circumstances that you can alter.

Make connections - Good relationships with close family members, friends, or others are important. Accepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you strengthens resilience. Some people find that being active in civic groups, faith-based organizations, or other local groups provides social support and can help with reclaiming hope.

Keep things in perspective - Try to avoid the Chicken Little attitude that the sky is falling. Remember the good things you have in your life and realize that this situation will pass. Visualizing what you want, rather than worrying about what you fear, will help you craft a hopeful outlook and reduce your everyday stressors.

Look for the opportunities - People often learn something about themselves when going through a difficult situation such as the current economic downturn. Use crisis as a chance to grow professionally or personally. Look into groups in your community or on the Internet that can help foster your interests and expand your opportunities to put your top skills to good use.

Be mindful of the good things in your life - Resilient people count their blessings. You might let the people in your life know what they mean to you by writing them a gratitude letter. Or, you might spend just five or ten minutes a day reflecting on one aspect of your life that you are grateful for. Such simple techniques can be powerful in their impact.

Maintain a hopeful outlook - No one can reverse what has happened. But by being resilient, you can change how you interpret and respond to events. Try looking beyond the bad news and into the future, where circumstances may be a little better and where you can take steps toward improving the situation.

Talk to a psychologist - Sometimes dealing with stress by yourself can be overwhelming and frightening. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, you may want to talk with a psychologist who can assist you in managing your stressors and addressing the emotions behind your concerns.

Source: American Psychological Association (PR Newswire)

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Social anxiety isn't as simple as just being shy; it can be emotionally and academically paralyzing, even for children. The author writes about her daughter's struggle and victory over this debilitating problem.

Marjie Braun Knudsen is a co-author of BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory's Easy, A Story About Social Anxiety.

Description: The article deals with the issue of kids that are shy or have social anxiety, and contains a very personal story about this issue. I am a co-author with Jenne R. Henderson, Ph.D. of the new book, BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory's Easy, A Story About Social Anxiety. I feel that the issue of shy or socially anxious children does not get addressed often enough in the schools and at home.

They're quiet, don't get into trouble, and can become invisible if you let them. They don't want to participate in activities, go to school, or even birthday parties.

Daughter's Struggle with Social Anxiety

This was my daughter. Life was more of a challenge for her. The everyday tasks of interacting with peers, and talking in class were overwhelming and sometimes painful. Changes in routine, or new situations were especially difficult.

There were several times over the years that she had begged me to home school her. I knew if I went down that route, it would be the point of no return for her to feel independent. For her, home schooling would have been giving up. It would have been easy to let her slide by through life as the invisible child... the most difficult thing in the world was to not let her.

When, by fifth grade, things did not get better, I realized that if I wanted my daughter to have a chance at life, I needed to get her some help. Also, as a parent, I needed to learn how I could help her through those difficult moments. This was the turning point for my daughter, to decide to get help, instead of just letting time slide by.

Treatment for Extreme Shyness and Social Anxiety

I took her to see a psychologist. It was Jenne R. Henderson, Ph.D. who helped my daughter finally start understanding about the anxiety she was experiencing. She helped her to not feel quite so 'frozen' in fear about experiences and issues that would come up in her life. My daughter learned that it takes her more time than others to get used to new things, that it's just a part of who she is, and now that she knows that about herself she can plan for it, so she can be successful at anything she might encounter.

She also learned that being prepared ahead of time could help alleviate her anxiety, and also that exposure to those situations, although uncomfortable, would help. It was the start of the long process of her growing and learning about the way she is, and what she needs to do to help herself through her feelings.

When my daughter was younger, I purchased many books about social anxiety and shy children, although could never find a school-age book that would help her to understand someone else going through the same feelings. I wanted a story-based book on the issue that would be engaging and entertaining, something that would be memorable. I could not find that book. When mentioning this to Dr. Henderson, years later, she suggested we write one.

The message of being prepared ahead of time echoed throughout the years of the learning process about social anxiety. The book BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory's Easy, A Story About Social Anxiety, was written to include that message in the format of an entertaining chapter book. The title and message of the book uses a memorable acronym, BRAVE, which stands for 'be ready and victory's easy' because with social anxiety it helps to not only be ready but also to be brave.

It worked for my daughter. She ended up taking advanced courses in high school, was a cheerleader, and had a part in the high school musical. She is now enrolled at a large university, and I look back over the years at all the turning points and think... what if I didn't keep trying? She has told me over and over that she is glad that I never gave up.

My husband and I are constantly amazed at how far she has come. It was so important throughout the years for us to never give up, and take it a step at a time. We see that so clearly now, even though it was so difficult at the time.

It would have been so easy to let her stay invisible.

About Marjie Braun Knudsen...

Marjie Braun Knudsen is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. She is the co-author with Jenne R. Henderson, Ph.D., of BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory's Easy, A Story About Social Anxiety (Summertime Press. 2008). Henderson is a licensed psychologist in Portland specializing in childhood anxiety and depression for over 15 years.

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