Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is for everyone. And mental health awareness is vital for our overall health. In a fast-paced, ever-changing world, looking after our mental health is one of the most important ways for us to stay healthy and happy. However, finding help can be challenging, especially if we might not be able to identify exactly what’s wrong. Mood changes, anxious thoughts, trouble sleeping and difficulties at school or at work are all signs we may need some extra help. That’s why more and more people are taking advantage of treatments that can improve mental health symptoms, such as neurofeedback therapy.

Playa del Rey: (310) 821-3640

Santa Monica: (310) 821-3640

Redondo Beach: (424) 247-8193

Help for the Whole Family

Families all over the United States, and around the world, have dealt with unprecedented changes to their lives in recent years. So, the need for strong support networks inside and outside the classroom is greater than ever. It’s so important for us to keep ourselves and our children healthy, and although much of this can be achieved at home, there are specialists who can help you get back on track, and live your life to its fullest potential. 

Strengthening Emotional Wellbeing

A growing number of Americans now face problems with their mental health. This has become increasingly apparent after two years fighting a global public health crisis, and the effects this has had on our employment, our education, and our daily lives. Recent research indicates that there’s a clear link between increased symptoms of anxiety and depression and self-reported stress since the beginning of the pandemic.⁽¹⁾ In fact, scientists have known for many years the dangers that prolonged stress can have on the body. Studies have shown that stress can negatively affect multiple areas of functionality, including our memory, our cardiovascular system, our gastrointestinal system, our immune system, and even our ability to learn.⁽²⁾

Am I Stressed Out?

So, when should we seek help? And what can we do to strengthen our emotional wellbeing?

Common signs your mental health may need a boost:

• You feel like your heart is racing.
• You feel exhausted/burnt out.
• You frequently feel overwhelmed.
• You feel snappy or irritable.
• You feel isolated and/or lonely.
• You don’t really feel happy about anything.
• You have GI issues, stomach trouble.
• You have more aches and pains.
• It’s difficult for you to wind down at night.
• You experience muscle tension, especially in the jaw.
• You’re finding it hard to go to sleep/stay asleep.
• An existing mental health problem is getting worse.

Anxiety and the Body 

Anxiety is a short-term or long-term state of alarm that is linked to our nervous system’s fight or flight response. It can quickly induce fear and worry. We all face “healthy” anxiety from time to time, such as before a driving test or a big interview. However, for many people, anxiety disorders are diagnosable conditions that significantly impact many different areas of their life. In fact, anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders, with up to 20% of the US population affected every year.⁽³⁾

The problem is, long-term stress such as that caused by anxiety is damaging to our psychological and physical health. A stressful situation, whether environmental or psychological, can trigger anxiety. When this happens, a number of distinct changes happen in the body. A cascade of stress hormones can cause uncomfortable physiological changes.⁽⁴⁾ These can include a rapid heart rate, rashes, dizziness, and even trouble breathing.

The fact is, anxiety is treatable, whether it’s “healthy” or not. People who suspect they have an anxiety disorder should speak to a licensed mental health counselor for a diagnosis, as well as seeking out practical ways to help make life easier. 

Stress in Children

School’s hard enough for children and teenagers, even before the social and academic impact of lockdowns, distance learning, and increased isolation. This means it’s more important than ever to discuss mental health with our children. It’s just as important to increase mental health awareness with children as it is for adults. However, younger people are often less likely to be able to articulate their feelings, and may struggle to be understood by adults. This means stress can often present very differently in children. So how can we provide mental health information that’s both accessible and useful for children?

Talking to Children About Their Mental Health

The Department of Health and Human Services highlights the importance of several things when you talk about mental health topics with children and teens. These include:

• Speaking in a clear, straightforward manner about how the child feels
• Using language that’s appropriate for the child’s age and/or developmental level
• Discussing topics in a way that helps the child feel they are safe/in a safe environment
• Pausing/adjusting your conversation if the child appears upset or confused
• Listening openly and allowing the child to express their feelings or worries⁽⁵⁾

Living with PTSD

Like anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can have serious effects on our lives. It’s a condition that can cause, among other symptoms, unwanted memories of trauma (sometimes as flashbacks), nightmares, and severe anxiety. But, unlike some perceptions in the media, war veterans aren’t the only people who face PTSD. In fact, following a major traumatic event, PTSD will occur in 5-10% of the people who experienced it.

Treatment Options at NeuroZone

At NeuroZone, we want you and your family members to live the lives you deserve! That’s why we offer a wide selection of treatments for children and adults so you can promote your overall well being  and gain the tools you need to improve your mental health.

QEEG Guided Neurofeedback

QEEG stands for quantitative electroencephalogram. QEEG Guided Neurofeedback is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses electrodes on the scalp to measure brain activity. It gathers data about your brain waves, and can be used to provide neurofeedback to clients who want to improve their anxiety symptoms. Using audio or visual stimuli (such as a tv show), the treatment can retrain your brain to alter its signals. If the brain is producing undesirable signals, the stimuli may be interrupted. In this way, your brain gradually trains itself out of patterns associated with anxious thought.

Alpha-Theta Training

Train your brainwaves, remain calm, and manage your emotions more effectively with Alpha-Theta Treatment. Alpha and Theta are both brainwave forms commonly associated with relaxation, dreaming, and being “on autopilot”. But Beta waves are most prominent when we’re alert and active. Erin uses the Alpha-Theta neurofeedback protocol to guide her clients into a deep meditation. In this state, clients are able to discuss triggering situations and anxiety-inducing thoughts in a controlled way. This combination of deep state meditation and neurofeedback can enable individuals to improve anxiety symptoms and overcome mental barriers.

EMDR and Neurofeedback for PTSD

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a PTSD treatment that allows clients to talk about their traumatic experience in a safe environment while the clinician asks them to look in certain directions. Over time, this can help to reduce anxiety symptoms by inducing calmer, more measured responses to the triggering experience. This can be combined with neurofeedback training to regulate emotional responses and improve brain function.

Personal Consultation

If you or a family member are experiencing difficulties with mental health, help is at hand! Receive expert advice and take proactive steps to improve your mental health by calling NeuroZone today. We offer a free initial consultation to all clients, and we’re ready to help you deal with the stresses of life. At your appointment, we’ll ask you for some physical and mental health questions and find out about what’s on your mind. Speech Pathologist Erin Badour and her team are here to answer your questions and find the best treatment for your needs.

Cost of Anxiety Treatment in Santa Monica

The cost of your treatment at NeuroZone depends on your individual circumstances. In some cases, we may recommend multiple protocols to help you reach your mental health goals. You can discuss the cost of your treatment, and ask any questions regarding improving your mental health at your personal consultation. 

Call your nearest NeuroZone at (310) 821-3640 for our Playa del Rey and Santa Monica offices, or (424) 247-8193 for our Redondo Beach location. If you’d rather get in touch electronically, you can fill out our simple online inquiry form.

Feel free to read NeuroZone case studies and our blog for more information about the benefits of neurofeedback treatment!

Emergency Help for Mental Health

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-273-8255.

References

1. Rajkumar, R. P. (2020). COVID-19 and mental health: A review of the existing literature. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(102066), 102066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102066 
2. Yaribeygi, H., Panahi, Y., Sahraei, H., Johnston, T. P., & Sahebkar, A. (2017). The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI Journal, 16(1), 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-480 
3. Munir, S., & Takov, V. (2019). Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441870/ 
4. Chu, B., Marwaha, K., & Ayers, D. (2020). Physiology, Stress Reaction. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/ 
5. For Parents and Caregivers | MentalHealth.gov. (2019). Mentalhealth.gov. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers