Mental Health Archives

High-Functioning Anxiety Disorder

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

High-functioning anxiety is a subset of generalized anxiety disorder that often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed. It occurs when a person has anxiety symptoms, but rather than retreating from situations or interactions, they work hard to face their fears and are skilled at covering up symptoms.

There are many emotional and physical symptoms of high-functioning anxiety disorder, including:

Emotional symptoms
- Fear of criticism or significant self-criticism
- Fear of looking inadequate or foolish to others
- Feeling on the edge or on the verge of losing control
- Feeling a sense of impending doom
- Experiencing significant stress
Physical symptoms
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling off-balance or lightheaded
- Headaches or migraines
- Intestinal discomforts, such as diarrhea or ulcers
- Muscle tension
- Racing heart rate
- Tired, jelly-like legs
- Sleep disturbances
- Tingling or numbness in toes or fingers

The intensity of these symptoms varies depending on a person’s level of functioning. People with high-functioning anxiety can appear to be:

Perfectionists
Punctual, or always early
Highly organized
Overachievers
Detail-oriented
Proactive

However, they often internally struggle with:

Overthinking/overanalyzing
The fear of disappointing or angering others
Self-doubt
Obsessively double-checking details
Racing thoughts
The inability to relax

There are many treatments available for high-functioning anxiety, including:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Solutions-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
Deep-breathing exercises
Medication

To learn more about our outpatient mental health services at Flushing Hospital Medical Center or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Healthy Aging Month

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

September is recognized as healthy aging month. The observation was created to encourage people to focus on their health and take steps to help them face the challenges that come with aging.

As we age, we become aware of changes in our mental and physical health, and changes in our social needs. You can take charge of your well-being by taking steps to age with a healthy mind and body. Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to offer these tips to help boost your health as you age:

Get moving
- It is important to consult your doctor before exercising. Start slow, know your limitations, and modify activities if needed
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activities each week
Maintain a healthy diet
Eat proper portion sizes
Avoid excess processed foods
Stay hydrated
Stay socially active
- Stay in touch with friends and family
- Try doing something new that interests you
Balance your body and mind
- Keep a positive attitude
- Keep your mind active by reading or doing puzzles
- Keep your body active with yoga and stretches
Be proactive
- Receive regular checkups, physicals, and medical tests when needed
- Take vitamins, supplements, and medications as prescribed or needed

Healthy aging month is a time to celebrate life and the positive aspects of growing older. Healthy living is healthy aging. Developing and maintaining healthy aging practices throughout your life contributes to greater resilience and opportunities to thrive as we age. Making small changes in your daily life can help you live longer and better.

If you have questions about any medical issues that may arise as you age, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

Back to School Anxiety

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A new school year is fast approaching. And with it comes lots of excitement, but it can also cause anxiety for children.

Starting a new school or being away from parents can cause much anxiety in children. That anxiety fades for most children as the year progresses. But for others, it doesn’t. Here are some examples of behaviors that may indicate your child is continuing to struggle with anxiety:

Continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated, worried questions despite receiving an answer

Tantrums when separating from parents or caregivers before going to school
Increased complaints of experiencing headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue in the absence of an illness
A significant change in their sleep pattern, such as taking an hour to fall asleep, or waking you up with worries during the night when they might typically sleep well
Difficulty getting along with family members or friends
Avoidance of normal activities in and outside of school

Here are some tips to help ease back-to-school anxiety:

Approach anxiety instead of avoiding it
Practice school routines
Model behavior you’d like to see
Ensure they are getting enough sleep
Check-in with stress levels
Talk to school mental health professionals
Blend back to school with fun activities so the transition is less sudden

To learn more about our outpatient mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

Dementia

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Dementia is a general term that represents a group of diseases and illnesses that cause the loss of cognitive functioning to the point that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.

Cognitive changes they may experience include:

Memory loss, usually noticed by someone else
Problems communicating or finding words
Trouble with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
Problems with reasoning or problem-solving
Trouble performing complex tasks
Trouble with planning and organizing
Poor coordination and control of movements
Confusion and disorientation

Some people with dementia can’t control their emotions, and they may also have psychological changes, such as:

Personality changes
Depression
Anxiety
Agitation
Inappropriate behavior
Hallucinations

Dementia is caused by damage to your brain, affecting its nerve cells and destroying the brain’s ability to communicate with its various areas. Dementia can also result from blocked blood flow to your brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain tissue dies.

Progressive dementias get worse over time. Types of dementias that worsen and aren’t reversible include:

Alzheimer’s disease (the most common cause of dementia)
Vascular dementia
Lewy body dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Mixed dementia

Other disorders linked to dementia include:

Huntington’s disease
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Parkinson’s disease

Some causes of dementia-like symptoms can be reversed with treatment including:

Infections and immune disorders
Metabolic or endocrine problems
Low levels of certain nutrients
Medicine side effects
Subdural bleeding
Brain tumors
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus

Many risk factors can contribute to dementia, including:

Age
Family history

A healthcare provider must recognize the pattern of loss of skills and function to be able to diagnose the cause of dementia. No single test can diagnose dementia, therefore, a series of tests may be conducted to determine a diagnosis. These tests include:

Cognitive and neuropsychological tests
Neurological evaluation
Brain scans
- CT or MRI
- PET scans
Laboratory tests
Psychiatric evaluation

Most types of dementia can’t be cured, but there are ways to manage your symptoms including:

Medications
Therapies

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with dementia, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Art Therapy

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Art therapy is a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative processes, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

Art therapy is facilitated by a clinician with a master’s-level or higher degree trained in art and therapy who helps patients interpret, express, and resolve their emotions and thoughts. Art therapy uses integrative methods and engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways distinct from verbal articulation alone.

During a session, an art therapist works with clients to understand what is causing them distress. Then the art therapist guides the client to create art that addresses the cause of their issue. During a session, art therapists will:

Describe the goal of art therapy
Explain that clients don’t have to think of themselves as creative or artistic to benefit
Help the client choose and use a medium, such as drawing, sculpture, collage, or painting
Guide the client through expressing themselves through art, usually by asking questions
Discuss the results of both the work of art and what the client felt
Plan for another session or for the client to work on their own

Art therapists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in diverse settings, including:

Hospitals
Schools
Veteran’s clinics
Private practice
Psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities
Community clinics
Crisis centers
Forensic institutions
Senior communities

There is growing evidence that art therapy helps conditions that relate to mood, such as anxiety and depression, trauma, low self-esteem, and similar disorders. It is also effective for people with a serious health condition, such as cancer, and for people working to develop effective coping skills, including prison inmates. Art therapy can also help people who are experiencing physical pain during hospitalization. Evidence also shows that it can be effective for post-traumatic stress disorder.

To find out more about our outpatient mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) During Summer

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is triggered by the changes of the seasons. SAD is commonly referred to as winter depression because symptoms typically occur during the late fall and early winter months.

Although most people living with SAD experience symptoms during the onset of winter, 10% of individuals with the disorder experience the reverse where symptoms present during late spring into early summer. This is known as summer depression.

The symptoms of summer depression can include:

Poor appetite
Weight loss
Trouble sleeping
Mood swings
Lethargy
Feeling agitated
Feeling anxious
Increased irritability
Violent or aggressive behavior

The cause of SAD in summer is not yet known; however, it is believed that the following are contributing factors:

Disruptions in routine schedules due to summer vacations or children being out of school
Changes in sleep routine
Body image issues
Excessive heat and humidity
Allergies
Longer days (which can interfere with melatonin production)

There are a few ways one can manage summer depression. Managing symptoms may involve:

Medications
Psychotherapy
Stress management
Getting adequate sleep
Staying cool by avoiding the heat as much as possible
Establishing and keeping a routine
Practicing self-care
Practicing mind-body techniques such as yoga, mindfulness, or meditation

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms associated with summer seasonal affective disorder, seek assistance by connecting with loved ones and talking to a mental health provider who can offer a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment.

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It is important to understand what Alzheimer’s is and what steps you can use to take care of your brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms like memory loss and the loss of other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain.

Different types of dementia include:

Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease
Frontotempotal Dementia
Huntington’s Disease
Korsakoff Syndrome

There are many signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, here are 10 early signs and symptoms:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time and place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality

Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other types of dementia, there are many preventative measures you can take to care for your brain.

Here are five ways to care for your brain:

Breaking a sweat: regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Fueling up right: Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets like Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may help.
Catching some ZZZs: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.
Taking care of your mental health: Some studies have linked a history of depression with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Seek medical treatment if you have experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.
Stumping yourself: Challenge and activate your mind. Try building a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play a strategy game. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Coping With a Difficult Medical Diagnosis

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Being diagnosed with a serious or chronic medical condition can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. You might feel sad, angry, anxious, or any number of different emotions, possibly all at once. This can be challenging to deal with on top of the symptoms you already experience as a result of your condition. However, there are effective strategies you can use to cope with this diagnosis and maintain as stable and positive of a state of mind as possible. These include:

Accepting your illness: It may be tempting to ignore the diagnosis or try to make yourself forget about it. While it’s important not to excessively dwell on your condition at every moment, it’s also important to consciously accept the current situation and do the best you possibly can.

Developing a plan: Once you’ve come to terms with your diagnosis, one of the most helpful steps you can take is to develop a plan of action. No matter what kind of condition you’ve been diagnosed with, part of this plan should involve working with your doctor to find an appropriate treatment plan that can improve your symptoms or potentially lead to a full recovery. If your condition is terminal, it’s also important to determine what steps you’ll need to take to ensure your family has future financial security and support.

Forming a support network: You may find it helpful to have trusted people to talk to about your thoughts and feelings regarding your diagnosis. These people could be loved ones, friends, or other important people in your life.

In addition to these steps, you may find it beneficial to speak with a licensed psychiatrist, who can provide you with a safe space to talk about your condition and help you to learn useful coping mechanisms to work through your thoughts and emotions in a healthy way. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5316.

Depression in Older Adults

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Older adults face a higher risk of experiencing depression than younger people. However, this does not mean that depression is a normal part of aging. Like many other health problems that can develop as we get older, depression is a medical condition that needs to be managed and treated under the direction of a doctor.

It may not always be clear whether what you’re experiencing is depression. It’s normal to feel sadness over things such as major life changes, difficulty coping with long-term medical conditions, or the loss of loved ones as we get older, even if that sadness lasts for a long period of time. However, this feeling of sadness is not necessarily the same thing as depression. Some signs that you may be depressed include:

Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
Frequent negative feelings, such as hopelessness, guilt, or low self-esteem
Fatigue and difficulty with thinking and concentrating
Overeating or loss of appetite
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Frequent aches and pains that do not improve with treatment
Thoughts of suicide

While most older adults do not experience depression, those who experience chronic health conditions are significantly more likely to develop it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 5% of older adults in general are depressed, but this number rises to 13.5% in people who require home health care and 11.5% in those who are hospitalized.

Healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and frequent socialization are all helpful for preventing depression or coping with its symptoms as we age. Additionally, most older adults who experience depression respond positively to treatment that includes psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or both.

You can receive treatment for depression from a psychiatrist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5562.

Holiday Loneliness

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

For a variety of reasons, many people may feel particularly lonely during the holiday season. In some cases, it can be due to the loss of a loved one who they would normally spend the holidays with; for others, it may be due to illnesses or other circumstances that isolate them from friends and family members.

No matter your personal situation, there are steps you can take to help either yourself or someone else feel less lonely during the holidays. Some of these steps include:

Calling family members or friends you don’t talk to often: If you feel disconnected from family members or friends during the holiday season, this may be a great time to give them a call and check in on them.

Joining a community or volunteer group: If you don’t have any plans or expectations of seeing anyone during the holidays, you may be able to find opportunities to participate in local community events. You may also be able to volunteer your time either at these events or at other needed places during the holidays.

Finding activities to enjoy on your own: It’s perfectly okay to enjoy the holiday season on your own doing things that you enjoy, whether it involves activities at home, going out to enjoy activities.

Loneliness during the holidays may be harder for some people to cope with than others; don’t be afraid or ashamed of seeking help from a mental health professional. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.