May, 2021 | depression hurts us

Stand-out grad: Mark Morris’ Taylor wants to help others overcome mental illness – The Daily News

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Post published:May 24, 2021
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Mark Morris High School senior Mikayla Taylor sees the challenges she’s overcome so far in life as the experiences that led her to today’s opportunities.

“I have a lot of memories of overcoming adversity and those experiences taught me that I’m a strong person and I am capable,” she said.

Mikayla Taylor is a 2021 Mark Morris graduate.

Mikayla Taylor, contributed

Taylor started experiencing symptoms of mental illness in her early teenage years, and her mother struggled with addiction and mental illness. While those issues caused turmoil in her life, including having to move to Longview at the end of her eighth grade school year, it also set her down a career path toward becoming a licensed psychologist with a specialization in child and adolescence psychology.

“I realized how much this had prevalence in my life. I didn’t want to fear it; I wanted to understand it,” she said. “People fear what they don’t understand, so I figured if I understood it, I wouldn’t have to fear it anymore.”

After she worked with mental health professionals who saved her life, she said she decided she wanted to “extend that same kindness to other people.”

Not only has Taylor taken advanced placement psychology, she also has given talks to middle schoolers about mental health to help break the stigma around getting aid.

‘Found my calling’

After one talk, “this young lady came up to me and told me how close she had come to the point of no hope and not wanting to exist anymore and she looked at me almost crying and said, ‘I just want to say thank you,’ ” Taylor said.

She still gets teary eyed thinking about it. “I gave her a hug and that was another moment where I had found my calling,” Taylor said.

Even after losing her grandmother during her sophomore year — “she was my best friend” — Taylor never wavered in her school work. Her involvement in writing and reading clubs, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and a 4.0 grade-point average earned her upward of 40 academic awards and more than $100,000 in scholarships.

“The best parts were taking courses that challenged me as a student and a person, but also widened my view of the world,” she said.

Mark Morris history and civics teacher Steve Kloke said that’s one thing that set Taylor apart the first time she walked into his 10th-grade AP U.S. History class.

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“Right out of the gate she separated herself in terms of her academic discipline, study habits and critical thinking skills,” he said. “I could tell after the first few weeks that we had a pretty special student.”

She went on to take honors civics and honors contemporary world problems, and Kloke said she has continued to show an ability to think deeply; come up with rational, realistic solutions to problems; and articulate her ideas at a college level.

“I would classify her as a very intelligent, curious and well-spoken student, probably one of the top five I’ve ever had,” Kloke said.

He said he also admires how Taylor is steadfast in her beliefs, but also open-minded and willing to listen to divergent views. He said he knows if an idea has really challenged her when she “spills in (to my room) at lunchtime and follows up to talk to me a little bit more about it.”

“She learns for the sake of learning,” he said.

Both Kloke and Taylor agree a better work/life balance is a goal she should strive to achieve.

“During high school I really put a lot of focus on 4.0 every semester and basically being perfect in my academics,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, it was worth it, but I believe in college I won’t be so focused on being perfect as on the experience and how much I’m learning. I want to take more time to make friends and be social.”

Kloke said while Taylor is mature beyond her years, that means sometimes she “carries the weight of everyone else’s problems.”

“She has made great strides, but I’d like to tell her that as life gets a little more complicated and time consuming with work and school, to find ways to not burden herself with having to do everything and please everyone,” he said. “But she knows that already.”

As graduation nears, Taylor looks forward to “learning about the subjects that I love in God-centered Christ focused community with like-minded people who believe in the Lord,” and to keep working toward her goal of helping other people like she was helped.

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Mental illness signs parents should look for

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Post published:May 24, 2021
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ST. LOUIS – An estimated 17.1 million children in the US have a psychiatric disorder, which’s more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. That’s according to the Child Mind Institute.

Staff with Provident Behavioral Health say in Missouri, there is an extreme shortage of psychiatric care with only Boone County in mid-Missouri having a decent amount of care, but the majority of counties have none at all, at least for children.

Alexander Davis with Provident Behavioral Health said about half of the psychiatric disorders emerge before a person is 14 years old and 75 percent of mental illnesses emerge before the age of 24.

What parents should look out for:

Excessive worry
Excessive crying
Extreme opposition or aggression
Issues with schoolwork
Fighting at school

Mental Health America of Kentucky on In Focus KY – Spectrum News 1

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Post published:May 24, 2021
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KENTUCKY — Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness.

During the month of May, many organizations are joining the national movement to raise awareness about mental health.

Here in Kentucky, each year groups are working to fight the stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

Marcie Timmerman has been the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Kentucky, since 2017 and has been a strong voice for those living with mental illness. She rejoins In Focus Kentucky to discuss information about Mental Health Month tool kit materials and upcoming awareness activities happening during the month of May.

“Our tools to thrive actually is the continuation from last year’s tool kit. It all contains a fact sheet around a specific topic. So this year we have accepting reality, adapting after trauma and stress, dealing with anger and frustration, getting out of thinking traps, so those black and white moments, those things that you’re doing that are really hurting your mental well-being by thinking and processing big changes. So, those who are dealing with the CDC changes of mask mandate, going through graduations, going through big changes in life, that’s a great one for them and taking time for yourself. There’s always a real focus on self care. We have all been through a lot in the last year and a half and I think that’s what’s important is to mention is that this is a mental wellness tool kit. It is really for everyone. There is something for everyone in there, you don’t have to have a mental illness in order to be able to use these tools,” explains Timmerman.

For more information on the tool kit, click here.

7 Ways On How To Deal With An Angry Drunk

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Post published:May 24, 2021
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“A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk.” – Charlie Chaplin

There are many intoxicated personalities that people can have. Mean drunk, happy drunk, sappy drunk, sad drunk, or angry drunk. I mean, I have met my share of mean drunks and happy drunks but what do you do when you come across an angry drunk?

How do you handle an angry drunk? One who is aggressive or violent?

In this blog, you’ll read who is an angry drunk and how to deal with an angry drunk person.

Who’s An Angry Drunk?

how to identify Angry Drunk

There are many reasons why some people are angry drunks. One of the main reasons is because they have an aggressive personality, either hidden or known. When an aggressive person gets intoxicated, the alcohol causes them to lower their shields tightly holding their anger back.

Alcohol diminishes a person’s cognitive abilities and makes it more difficult for them to weigh their options and solve problems in a healthy, constructive way.

While many people drink to release stress and unwind after a long day, for some people with aggressive personalities, alcohol use disorder, other mental health disorders, or personality disorders, drinking alcohol might have the opposite effect. For example, if your partner has an aggressive personality or, say, they simply had a stressful day at work, alcohol might lower their inhibitions and they might release their pent-up anger and frustration on you.

Alcohol also lowers your ability to judge situations and make reasons which can also affect your behavior. While it’s okay to drink a glass of wine or a pint of beer with your friends at the end of the day to unwind, it is not recommended you drink and drive.

Why An Angry Drunk?

Some reasons can make a person an angry drunk:

1. Short Temperament: One of the main reasons why someone is an angry drunk can be because they have a short temper. Naturally aggressive people are more likely to be angry drinkers.

2. Anger Suppression: Alcohol makes us drop down our shields. There are times when people hide their anger when they are sober but once they get inebriated, they lose the sober facade and become angry drunks.

3. Impulsive Behavior: People who are less likely to think about the outcomes of their behaviors are more likely to become angry drinkers. Alcohol impacts serotonin levels which means our emotions and feelings are enhanced when we’re drunk. People with impulsivity or lack of self-control are also more likely to be angry drunks.

Read: How Does Workout Help Reverse Alcohol-Induced Brain Damage

How To Deal With An Angry Drunk?

If there is an angry drinker in your life – whether they be your spouse, partner, friend, sibling, or parent, here are ways on how to handle them:

1. Stay Calm

One of the most important things when dealing with an angry drunk is to remember to stay calm. If an angry drunk is provoked, they might lash out in worse ways than just words.

If you’re agitated and angry, it will only feed their aggression. Instead of telling them to calm down, try to stay calm yourself. If you’re having trouble controlling your anger, take a deep breath, and instead of reacting, stay silent.

2. Distract Them

Not always but in some cases, distractions can help deflect a conflict fueled by alcohol. Distraction can help diffuse a negative situation from worsening. If you see your drunk loved one getting angry, distract them – start a new topic or take them away from a situation that you think is triggering their anger.

With distractions, you need to be careful and sensitive. Make sure you don’t distract them with something that will fuel their anger.

3. Walk Away

If your loved one is an angry drunk and is spoiling for a fight with you, sometimes it’s better to walk away than engage in an argument. An angry drunk person is also unable to control their emotions but a sober person can.

To avoid a situation getting more violent and aggressive, sometimes it is easier to walk away. If an angry drunk is in a fight with another person, it is recommended you take them away from the situation.

4. Focus On Yourself

If your loved one is an angry drunk, please remember that it’s not your fault and you can’t do much about it. All you can do is be there for them when they need you and make sure you’re focusing on yourself. If the situation with your loved one is affecting your mental health, then take a break.

Practice self-care, spend time with your friends and give yourself a day to relax. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of your loved one.

5. Talk To Them

It’s always a good idea to talk to your loved one about their problem whether it be alcoholism or being an angry drunk. Let them know how their actions are affecting you but remember to be gentle yet firm. Stay calm and keep a cool head. You being angry and accusing will not help your loved one.

6. Support Them

When your loved one comes to you with an alcohol addiction problem, support them. Give them a chance to explain themselves and their behavior. Instead of making excuses for their behavior, encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. Support them but don’t enable their behavior.

7. Get Help For Them

When your loved one’s drinking goes out of control, it is suggested you try and get them help. Encourage them to get help if they do express an interest in recovering from alcoholism. There are alcohol addiction recovery apps that you can download or reach out to rehab centers for recovery services.

What To Do If You’re An Angry Drunk?

If you’re an angry drunk and want to change your behavior, then you can try:

1. Identifying your triggers. Think about the situations that make you angry and lose reason. Identify where your anger is coming from and try to avoid it if you can.

2. Practice mindfulness. Regular meditating and practicing mindfulness can help you control your emotions. Practicing mindfulness will not make your anger go away but it will help you reflect on it and understand where the anger is stemming from. It can also help you watch your actions and be aware of your behavior in general.

3. Limit alcohol intake. If you are someone who doesn’t remember your actions when drunk, it is recommended you limit your alcohol intake. Sometimes, it is easier to use alcohol to deal with stress and overwhelming emotions but getting drunk can also make you explode and release pent-up anger and frustration.

If you’re an angry drunk and want to change your habits, you can reach out to professional counselors and rehab centers. You can also ask for support from your loved ones. There are addiction recovery apps that can help you in your recovery or you can help your loved ones in their recovery.

Don’t know how to deal with an angry drunk?

Read: Best Drug Addiction Rehab Centers Of 2021

For more information, you can always write to us at info@calmsage.com or follow us on our social media.

Until then, take care and stay safe!

What to eat to get a good night’s sleep

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Post published:May 24, 2021
Post category:POSTS

Whether it’s tossing and turning through the night, or not being able to drift off in the first place, lots of us struggle to wake up feeling refreshed. We’ve heard of sleep sprays and counting sheep, but could what we eat be just as important?

We all know the importance of a great night’s sleep, but for many of us it’s not easily achieved. Sleep problems are currently on the rise, with a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care showing that around a third of adults struggle with insomnia, and worry-related sleep increased from 15.7% to 24.7% this year. You might read about gadgets that can help us nod off, but what about our diet? Turns out, this can play a big part in our sleep, too.

Research has shown links between what we eat and how we sleep, for example, a study in the journal Appetite revealed that those who slept less than seven hours per night tended to eat a less varied diet, while another study found that sleep quality might be linked to our carbohydrate intake.

So, if you’re looking for that perfect eight hours, let’s take a look at some simple food swaps that could help.

1. Swap caffeine for herbal tea

Obviously, most of us know not to down a shot of espresso before turning in, but nutritional therapist Beanie Robinson suggests that your mid-afternoon latte could be an issue.

“If you consume 200mg of caffeine at 3 pm, you would still have 100mg in your system at around 9 pm,” Beanie says. “Caffeine affects the quality of our sleep, so try to think about 2 pm being the cut-off for caffeine.”

There are quite a few sleep teas on the market, but is there any science behind them? Camomile is a good place to start, as it contains a flavonoid called apigenin which can help to promote sleep and reduce anxiety.

“Herbal teas such as valerian and lemon balm can be a nice addition to a bedtime ritual,” Beanie adds.

2. Tuck-in to a tryptophan-rich evening meal

This amino acid is thought to help with the production of serotonin and melatonin, which can influence our sleep and mood. In fact, research published in the journal Age found that when people consumed high tryptophan cereals, it increased the length and effectiveness of sleep, along with helping to counteract anxiety and depression. Tryptophan is found in many protein-rich foods, such as poultry, prawns, and egg, but vegans can find it in foods such as mushrooms and sunflower seeds.

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3. Go Mediterranean

There are many benefits to the Mediterranean diet – essentially a diet that centres around eating fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seafood – but did you know it could help you sleep, better, too? Studies have shown that sticking to this diet is associated with improved quality of sleep and taking less time to drift off. Those who followed it also reported waking up feeling more rested and slept more soundly during the night. There could be several reasons for this, for example, seafoods can be high in tryptophan, and the diet is also lower in sugar and processed foods, both of which have been linked to poor sleep patterns. It could also be that those on the Mediterranean diet simply lead a healthier lifestyle, which is again reflected in their sleep patterns.

4. Magnesium-rich foods

We often talk about the health benefits of calcium, but what about magnesium – the mineral that works closely alongside it? Nutritional therapist Beanie Robinson says: “Magnesium is known as nature’s valium, and is a magic mineral that can help promote sleep quality.”

Magnesium is beneficial for relaxing the body, which is why many use it to help soothe restless legs and muscle cramps. But this super-mineral can also help to relax our mind. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggested that magnesium could help with insomnia in older adults, although it doesn’t seem to increase the length of your sleep time according to other research in Nutrients.

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The good news is it’s perfectly possible to get enough magnesium through your diet, without supplementing. “You may like to include magnesium-rich foods, such as black-eyed peas, cooked beans, almonds, flaxseeds, and organic tofu,” adds Beanie.

5. Complex carbohydrates

Swapping your carbs could be another way to reach the land of nod quicker. Processed foods contain simple carbohydrates which can cause an energy burst followed by a dip.

Complex carbs, such as brown rice and whole grains, prevent this energy rollercoaster as they have a low glycemic index.

While there’s no diet that guarantees the perfect night’s sleep, if you’re struggling with getting that elusive eight hours, it could be worth trying these simple diet swaps. Not only do they encourage healthy eating, but they may just help you sleep more soundly this evening.

To connect with a nutritionist to discuss a diet that can support better sleep, visit nutritionist-resource.org.uk