The traditional image of therapy is one patient, reclined on a couch, with one counselor sitting off to the side taking notes. While this form of therapy does exist and can be very helpful, many other options are available today. Depending on a number of factors, one therapy that works wonders for your friend may have little to no effect on your mental health. If one-on-one talk therapy does not appeal to you, there are a few different options for you to treat your mental illness.
Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings like hospitals and rehabs.
Art Therapy: Family Fun as Treatment
Art therapy is an umbrella term to describe any form of treatment that utilizes the arts. Art therapy to treat addiction, for example, might mean that whenever the urge to use strikes, the person will pick up a pen and paper instead. For mental illness, hobbies and crafts are a great way to soothe the mind. Furthermore, if you are a parent with little time to attend therapy sessions, art therapy can be a great way to spend time with your kids while focusing on your treatment at the same time. Scheduling arts and crafts time each day can help battle symptoms of mental illness while positively reinforcing familial bonds.
I have a Mental Illness Pinterest board.
Animal Therapy: An Excuse to Go to the Local Shelter
Most people in the West will own a pet at some time or another. Animals usually are considered to be fun, lovable companions. However, studies have shown that dog owners, in particular, live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Pets reduce stress, alleviate depression, and if trained properly, can become service dogs to tackle larger issues relating to mental health. For example, a PTSD service dog might learn to bring its owner back from a flashback with pawing, licking, or barking.
Even if you are unable to care for an animal in your home, volunteering at the local humane society will provide the benefits of spending time with animals for those who struggle with mental illness.
It’s no secret that exercise is good for you. It keeps your body fit and healthy while providing endorphins to your brain. As therapy, exercise draws focus from things like addiction or mental illness to the moment. When you are focused on the exercise, it becomes difficult to fixate on things like anxiety or depression. Furthermore, keeping your body healthy also can improve mental wellbeing.
Regular exercise is a great way to conduct at-home treatment. Scheduling consistent, beneficial exercises that you enjoy are a very healthy treatment for coping with mental illness. Some good at-home exercise might be yoga or tai chi. Both are low-impact with a meditative or mindfulness aspect, combining relaxation and exercise.
The key is to strive for balance. The goal is to have an overall healthy lifestyle. Exercise is a great natural treatment for mental illness.
Though talk therapy plays a role in many treatment plans, it also is important that you have tools for coping at home. Your mental illness remains with you outside of treatment, and it is fully possible to have a bad day when your counselor is booked and unable to see you. So, instead of turning to negative methods of self-treatment such as alcohol or drug abuse, be sure you have options for treatment at home. Has your counselor set up a plan for art, animal therapy, or exercise? While the treatments are conducted at home, it is recommended that you have professional guidance.
Jennifer Woodson
Jennifer Woodson enjoys serving the public as a writer for PublicHealthCorps.org. The site is dedicated to putting the public back into public health by serving as a hub of reputable and useful public information on health topics.
If you are interested in Drug Addiction, Alcoholism or Mental Health, the SAMHSA site should be bookmarked as a “go-to” resource.
*Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (http://www.samhsa.gov), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (http://www.hhs.gov), sponsors National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) to increase awareness of behavioral health conditions. This observance promotes the belief that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and/or substance use disorders.
This list is quite long. So, if you are not computer savvy, here is a quick tip to make searching easier. Let us say that you want to find a resource on Drug Overdoses. This is what you do:
In Windows type Control + F and enter the search term “drug overdose” in the small window
In Safari type Command + F and enter the search term “drug overdose” in the small window
Try it now ….you will remain on the same page. If you did not know this trick, you will find this very handy to use on any website.
Resources
Many options are available to help people seek treatment and sustain recovery. Whichever path a person chooses, it is important that each individual finds the treatment and recovery support that works best for him or her. To assist individuals in reaching out, a variety of organizations that provide information and resources on mental and/or substance use disorders, as well as prevention, treatment, and recovery support services are included below. Toll-free numbers and websites are also available for people to find help, obtain information, share, and learn from others. Services and supports are available in-person, via telephone and online. Through these resources, individuals can interact with others and find support on a confidential basis.
• Healthcare.gov (http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html): Contains information on how to find health insurance options, compare providers, enroll in a health plan, and on prevention and wellness resources.
• National Dating Abuse Helpline (http://www.loveisrespect.org): Provides an opportunity for teens and young adults to receive support for dealing with an unhealthy or abusive relationship by offering online chat, telephone support, and texting with a peer advocate.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (http://www.rainn.org): Connects callers to a local sexual assault crisis center so they can receive the information and support that they need.
• Addiction Recovery Guide’s Mobile App Listing (http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/mobile_apps): Contains online recovery options, including self-evaluation, recovery programs, online treatment, and chat rooms.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (http://www.aa.org) and Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org): Contains resources for individuals suffering from alcohol or drug dependence and allows them to find and join a local chapter.
• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org): Provides support groups for families and friends of people with alcohol problems.
• Faces and Voices of Recovery (http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org): Offers resources on recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Through nationwide regions, organizes and mobilizes Americans in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs to promote their right and resources to recover.
• Mental Health America (MHA) (http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net): Offers resources about mental illness. Through their affiliates, MHA provides America’s communities and consumers direct access to a broad range of self-help and professional services.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.nami.org/): Works in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy, and support group programs.
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) (http://ncadd.org): Provides, through NCADD and its affiliate network, numerous resources and services dedicated to fighting alcoholism and drug addiction.
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) (http://www.nacoa.org): Works on behalf of children of alcohol and drug dependent parents. NACoA provides information on its website about the ways to help children of alcoholics and other drug-dependent parents and maintains a toll-free phone number available to all.
• Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory (http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms): Allows users to locate a therapist, psychologist, or counselor who specializes in mental illness by city or zip code.
• Racing for Recovery (http://www.racingforrecovery.org): Helps people sustain recovery and improve their quality of life by promoting a healthy lifestyle, fitness, and sobriety.
• SMART Recovery (http://www.smartrecovery.org): Is a self-empowering addiction recovery support group. SMART Recovery sponsors face-to-face meetings and daily online meetings.
• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) (http://soarworks.prainc.com): Increases access to Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Income for eligible adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a mental and/or substance use disorder.
Governmental Resources
• StopAlcoholAbuse.gov (https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/default.aspx): Provides a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue.
• T2 Mood Tracker (http://t2health.org/apps/t2-mood-tracker): Allows users to self-monitor, track, and reference their emotional experiences through a mobile application over a period of days, weeks, and months. The tool can be useful in self-help as well as when the person is interacting with a therapist or other health care professional.
• Young People in Recovery (http://youngpeopleinrecovery.org): Educates, recommends, and collaborates to mobilize the voices of young people in recovery.
SAMHSA Focused Resources
• SAMHSA’s Recovery and Recovery Support Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery): Provides information on how recovery-oriented care and recovery support systems help people with mental and/or substance use disorders manage their conditions.
• SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatments and Services Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment): Contains information on common mental and/or substance use disorders, and how SAMHSA helps people access treatments and services.
• SAMHSA’s Recovery Month Website (http://www.recoverymonth.gov): Provides resources, tools and materials, including print, web, television, radio and social media assets, to help communities reach out and encourage individuals in need of help, and their friends and families, to seek treatment and recovery services.
• SAMHSA’s Website (http://www.samhsa.gov): Provides numerous resources and helpful pieces of information related to mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery.
• SAMHSA’s Find Help Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help): Provides various links and phone numbers to mental and/or substance use disorder treatment and recovery services locators.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) (http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline): Provides 24-hour, free, and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org): Provides a free, 24-hour helpline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Additional Resources
• SAMHSA’s “Co-Occurring Disorders” Webpage (http://www.samhsa.gov/co-occurring): Contains information on co-occurring mental and/or substance use disorders and treatment options for these conditions.
• SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week (http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week): A SAMHSA-supported annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The National Prevention Week 2015 theme is The Voice of One, The Power of All.
• SAMHSA’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit (http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Opioid-Overdose- Prevention-Toolkit/SMA13-4742): Helps communities and local governments develop policies and practices to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Addresses issues for first responders, treatment and service providers, and those recovering from opioid overdose.
• SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) (http://www.nattc.org/home/): Provides research and information for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field. The ATTC Network is a SAMHSA-funded resource.
• SAMHSA’s Wellness Initiative and Wellness Week (http://www.samhsa.gov/wellness): Promotes the importance of the mental, emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life for well-being. Offers tools to incorporate wellness into recovery and life.
Good News – This list is not exhaustive of all available resources.
I write this blog for fun and for free. We do have a company website here.
Recovery Apps are so popular right now. They provide handy tools to help you in the sobriety process. There are so many – some help you track time, manage triggers, find meetings, contact your sponsor, receive daily inspirations and even more. There are so many to choose from — it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here is a manageable list – the focus in on the recovery of alcoholism, addiction, eating disorders, mental illness and gambling.
The Alcohol Use Predictor
This app is designed to be a screening tool. People can use it to screen their behavior for risk of alcohol dependence and harm. If the results indicate you are at risk (for an alcohol problem) it is strongly “suggested” you seek help.
Alcohol Abuse Predictor – click the photo to go to the app.
This company is also coming out with depression and anxiety apps. This is only available for Android right now. But don’ worry iPhone users, you can check out the next suggestion on the list.
RecoveryBox
Designed for accountability, recoveryBox is an IOS app tool “set” that facilitates tracking of daily life activities by easily breaking them down into your “lights”.
Green Lights = Way to Go Activities!
Yellow Lights = Warning Light Events
Red Lights = Acting Out
Recovery Box App. Click the photo.
RecoveryBox is designed to work with any addiction: drugs, gambling, pornography, alcohol or customize your own specific to your needs! All the tools included in recoveryBox can work on their own or can be used as a complete tool set to increase the chances of recovery.
Gambling Mobile Monitor Your Gambling & Urges (MYGU)
This is a very unique app. It comes from the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario. They have an anonymous website, with a host of free tools. It is really quite valuable for the problem gambler (or spouse). One of their tools is an app they designed to monitor your gambling. They say it works best if it is used every time you have an urge to gamble. That way you can learn more about when your urges to gamble occur, and how much you are winning or losing if you choose to gamble. Download the free app now for your iPhone or Android
Drug Addiction
What exactly is drug addiction and how does one become an addict? If you have trouble understanding why people use drugs, how addiction works, and how to start taking your first steps to getting out of the habit, this reference app is a great one to pick up. The app contains details on the dangers of different types of drugs and how they wreak havoc on the human body, and help you identify users with tips on the signs you need to look out for.
Drug Addiction.Click on this picture to go to their blog.
You’ll also learn a little bit about the 12 step programs available and how they help addicts; how to get family members to get involved in recovery; and how to continue to remain sober and keep your self-esteem high during this time. The app is an honest eye opener for anyone struggling to deal with addiction and offers plenty of hope and motivational quotes to fight to live a better life. Available on IOS and Android.
Recovery Record
This Eating Disorder app has a five-star rating and over three-thousand reviews. This is a well-respected and appreciated product.
Recovery Record is designed to help people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. But people with other eating, weight, or body concerns might benefit too.
Their site has eating disorder articles
You can log each meal or snack you have, as well as the feelings and thoughts associated with it. This information is compiled into an easy-to-read chart that helps you and caregivers spot patterns and see improvement. Available on the iPhone and Android.
Mood Tracker
Tracks symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, stress and general well-being. Useful to share with clinicians and chart recovery. Another excellent app developed by the Department of Defense National Center for Telehealth and Technology, for Android and iPhone.
MindShift
MindShift will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety. This app includes strategies to deal with everyday anxiety, as well as specific tools to tackle. You can download both versions at their site.
Overdose Aware
The Overdose Aware app offers information on what an overdose is, the symptoms of overdose and what to do if you suspect someone is having an overdose. The information contained in the app is not medical advice for handling any specific situation but is designed to raise awareness that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
Overdose Aware is available on the iPhone.
Sober Grid
This is an app I recently downloaded. It reminds me of a Facebook for sober people. Sober Grid is for people in recovery and people who want to live sober lifestyles, free from drugs and alcohol. The app is designed to allow sober people to easily find and connect with other sober people around them, wherever they may be. This enables people to build strong sober support networks and encourage and uplift one another. Sober Grid is a free smart phone app for Google Android and Apple IOS devices. I expect a lot of single people are using this app. But, it is also popular for folks without a car, looking for a ride to a meeting.
To Summarize
I know there are a lot of apps I did not show. I wanted to discuss some of the unique ones, you may not have heard of. I think everyone’s has a favorite version of a sobriety calendar (there are at least a half-dozen varieties). Other popular choices and meeting finders, daily inspirations and online 12-step books. What do you think ….. are you using technology to help keep you sober? What apps do you use? What did I miss?
Our 800RecoveryHub site offers free and confidential help
The ACA includes substance use disorders and mental illness as one of the ten elements of essential health benefits. This is great, but the first part is admitting you need help. Seeking recovery for mental, emotional, spiritual, or relationship issues can be particularly challenging. You must also factor in your healthcare options. What services does your healthcare provider cover? Once you find out what is covered — where do you go from there? Here are some options …. there are quite a few.
Psychologist
When many people think of a psychologist, the first image that comes to their mind is of a patient lying on a leather couch and telling the good doctor their feelings. While that does sometimes happen, psychologists do more than ask someone how they feel. Psychologists specialize in the science of behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Working in private offices, hospitals, schools, or other areas, psychologists treat a range of issues from relationship issues to mental illness through counseling.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists and psychologists often practice in the same area, but psychiatrists mainly diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through the use of psychiatric medicine, physical exams, and by interpreting laboratory tests.
Resources For Locating A Mental Health Professional
While general practice doctors can prescribe medications to help with mental and emotional problems, psychiatrists are often preferred for complicated disorders. Some psychiatrists’ specialties include addiction, forensic psychiatry, and behavioral disabilities.
Psychoanalyst
A psychoanalyst follows the theories and practice of Sigmund Freud by helping a patient explore his or her repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts. This is done through free association, dream interpretation, and the analysis of resistance and transference. While the practice has its critics, many find that it successfully explores deep psychological and emotional disturbances that could unknowingly create patterns of bad behavior.
Psychiatric Nurse
Rarely is a psychiatric nurse like Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In real life, these registered nurses who specialize in mental health are known for their positive therapeutic relationship with patients. Under the supervision of a medical doctor, psychiatric nurses perform psychological therapies, administer psychiatric medication, and often deal with challenging patient behavior (as they most often practice in mental health facilities).
Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist is a general term for a number of different mental health professionals (psychologists, therapists, etc.) that provide psychotherapy—a type of talking therapy designed to improve a patient’s mental health and well-being. There are many different schools of psychotherapy that can involve therapeutic conversations, group therapy, expressive therapy, and more. The most popular type is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), where a person learns to change bad behaviors or emotions.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselor is yet another broad term used to describe someone who provides counseling. Their titles may also include the terms “licensed” or “professional.” Since the term is vague, it’s important to inquire about a counselor’s education, experience, and types of services involved.
Some counselors specialize in job stress, addiction, marriages, families, general stress, and so on.
Family & Marriage Counselor
A family and marriage counselor specializes in common problems that occur within families and married couples: differences, arguments, and so on. The length of the therapy is normally brief, as the sessions are typically focused on specific dilemmas and reaching quick resolutions.
This type of therapy is also used on a one-on-one basis. Sometimes, if one person’s problem—eating disorders, addiction, etc.—affects people close to him or her, group sessions may be used.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors treat people with addictions. While this usually involves substance abuse alcoholism or gambling problems. It can also include less common addictions, including sexual addictions, hoarding, and others.
Addiction counseling is often done in a group setting, similar to the methods used by Alcoholics Anonymous, but can also be private or with loved ones affected by the addiction.
Art Therapist
Art therapists deal in a very specific type of therapy. This method involves using creative media such as painting, sculpture, writing, or other creative outlets to help explore and alleviate problems with depression, medical illnesses, past traumatic events, and addiction.
Proponents of this type of therapy believe it can help a patient express underlying thoughts and feelings that traditional talking therapy may not fetter out.
Religious Counselor
Religious counselors, also known as pastoral counselors, are trained to help people with a variety of problems. Their primary focus is on crises of faith, marriage and family counseling, and emotional and mental problems, all within a spiritual context.
These counselors are often leaders in area churches, or have extensive religious and mental health training. They often conduct sessions in a one-on-one basis, in groups, or in couples or family settings.
Training
A mental health professional’s training depends on their specific field and the state they practice. Psychologists often require a PhD, while psychiatrists require medical degrees. Nearly every state requires that any type of counselor have a college degree with extra specialized training.
Some things to look for in a mental health professional’s background include:
State licensing
Postgraduate degrees: masters or doctorate
Clinical experience
Published articles
Who to Choose?
A brief test that will help you determine whether you might benefit from therapy
If you think it’s time to see a psychologist or therapist, you have an important choice in front of you. Picking the right person to help you overcome any emotional or mental troubles is important. When choosing someone, factor in his or her specialty, training, methods, schedule, availability, convenience, and any other factors you consider important. Most importantly, search out someone you trust.
Social Worker
Social workers are a group of public employees dedicated to helping people cope with and solve issues in their lives. These can include personal problems, disabilities, and social problems like substance abuse, housing, and unemployment. Social workers are often involved in family disputes that involve domestic violence or child abuse. There are many subtypes of social work, including:
Child, Family & School
Medical & Public Health
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Sponsor, Peer or Mentor
This is a person who volunteers to help you because they have had a similar experience. Often they want to help you because it is part of their own recovery. This is not a medical position. It is just one person helping another ….. for fun and for free.
No Cost Rehab can check your insurance to see if you can go to a rehab for treatment of clinical disorders
Two thirds of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are likely to grow up to be adults that continue to have the condition. As a result, an estimated four percent of adults end up with ADHD.
If you were that hyperactive kid, you may find yourself calmer as a grown-up, but perhaps still working on problems with organization and impulsivity. You may want to explore medication options with your doctor to keep ADHD from impinging on your work.
Adults who suspect they have ADHD should be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional. Just beware, that the professional may need to consider a wider range of symptoms when assessing adults for ADHD. Why? Because their symptoms tend to be more varied and possibly not as clear-cut as symptoms seen in children. Also, If you are being treated for addiction or alcoholism make sure your doctor tests you for other mental disorders. It will help your rehabilitation and recovery if you have a dual-diagnosis.
Choices and Mechanisms
Adults with ADHD can take stimulant or nonstimulant medication. Both types of medication work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain. For example, scientists believe that stimulants work by blocking the reuptake in the neurons of norepinephrine, a stress hormone, and dopamine, a chemical messenger.
This is an excellent article: ADHD is a very specific neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder with signs and symptoms defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
In simpler terms, stimulants rev up people who don’t have attention deficits. But they have a calming effect on people with ADHD.
The Most Common Choice
Stimulants such as methylphenidate tend to work well for three out of four patients, according to a study at Massachusetts General Hospital led by Thomas J. Spencer. They are considered the first-line choice for treating ADHD.
Methylphenidate is sold under the brand names of Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, and Daytrana. Doctors also can prescribe amphetamine compounds, which increase dopamine. This allows you to increase your focus. Amphetamine compounds include Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse.
Atomoxetine
You can also take atomoxetine, which is sold under the brand name Strattera. This drug works to strongly increase levels of norepinephrine. It can be taken long-term if necessary. Atomoxetine, is the first nonstimulant drug approved for adult ADHD; it may lead to hepatitis or liver injury in rare cases. Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any yellowing of your skin or eyes. These are telltale signs of jaundice. Still, atomoxetine provides a valuable option if you can’t take stimulants and need a medication that allows once-a-day dosing.
Antidepressants
The FDA doesn’t officially approve them for adult ADHD, but antidepressants can help if you have a complex case. If you have ADHD and depression, bipolar disorder, or addiction to nicotine, bupropion may be able to help. Known by the brand name Wellbutrin, buproprion affects the brain chemical dopamine.
Tricyclic antidepressants also can work by increasing norepinephrine. Your doctor may prescribe a tricyclic if you have tics, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. These drugs often interact
5 Natural Remedies for ADHD
with diabetes or high-blood pressure medications.
Guanfacine and Clonidine
Guanfacine is sold under the brand name Tenex or Intuniv. Clonidine is sold as Catapres. Both take several weeks to work and come from sources used to fight high blood pressure. These medications work well for certain cases of ADHD in children and adults.
Clonidine may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, but not inattention. It may help particularly if you have Tourette’s syndrome or tics. Guanfacine has less of a sedating effect than clonidine. It lasts longer, and helps you focus better.
Managing Your Life
Medication provides just half the treatment picture for the adult with ADHD. You can also initiate calm and focus by setting up your environment effectively. Install a large bulletin board to organize your schedule and contacts. Designate specific spots to store your keys, wallet, and other items.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may help you take additional steps in mastering organizational, study, and social skills. A therapist can help you work on time management and ways to curb impulsive behavior.
Family
This might sound strange but this disorder can really upset the household. Sometimes, the whole family may need therapy. Therapists can help family members find better ways to handle disruptive behaviors and to encourage behavior changes. Finally, support groups help families connect with others who have similar problems and concerns. Groups often meet regularly to share frustrations and successes, to exchange information about recommended specialists and strategies, and to talk with experts.
One Last Thing
If you think you might suffer from ADHD click here to access this test. The Symptom Checklist is an instrument consisting of the eighteen DSM-IV-TR criteria. Six of the eighteen questions were found to be the most predictive of symptoms consistent with ADHD. (These six questions are the basis for the ASRS v1.1 Screener and are also Part A of the Symptom Checklist. Part B of the Symptom Checklist contains the remaining twelve questions.)
No Cost Rehab can check your insurance to see if you can go to a rehab for treatment of mental disorders.
One last note: Mental Illness and Mental Disorders are covered under the Affordable Care Act. If you are suffering from ADHD, you owe it to yourself to get the help you need. There is no longer the stigma, associated with treatment, recovery and rehab, there used to be. Empower yourself and get healthy and recovered!!
Health Insurance for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Quick Sheet:
Millions of people with drug and alcohol abuse problems are now eligible for treatment through the Affordable Care Act.
Under the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance plans are required to cover substance abuse treatment as one of 10 “essential health benefits” specified in the law. This elevates substance abuse services to the same level as pediatric care, cancer treatment and childbirth.
Drug and alcohol abuse should now be approached as a disease with the same protocols of screening, detection and preventative care as heart disease or diabetes.
Substance use disorders, far less severe than addiction, are now covered.
If you buy an insurance policy though the healthcare.gov site, the plan you pick will have mental health services as a part of the coverage. This is not optional, it is a mandate for the insurance policies.
If you qualify for Medicaid (which had been greatly expanded) you will also have mental health and substance treatment services available to you.
Open enrollment started November 15th.
Open enrollment (for most) closes February 15th (see sheet at bottom of article). Enrollment for Medicaid is year round.
7 million eligible people with substance abuse or mental illness, still do not have healthcare. I learned this from a training. The link is here: SAMHSA Healthcare Webinar (it’s an hour and a half long)
Here are the provisions, as told by the Affordable Care Act website.
Mental and behavioral health services are essential health benefits
Health insurance plans available in the Marketplace must cover 10 categories of essential health benefits. One of these categories is mental health and substance abuse services. (Substance abuse is also known as substance use disorder.)
These services include behavioral health treatment, such as psychotherapy and counseling. They also include mental and behavioral health inpatient services and substance use disorder treatment.
Your specific behavioral health benefits will depend on the state you live in and the particular health plan you choose. You’ll see a full list of what each plan covers when you compare plans in the Marketplace.
Mental and behavioral health and pre-existing conditions
Marketplace plans can’t deny you coverage or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing condition. This includes mental health and substance use disorder conditions.
Coverage for treatment of pre-existing conditions begins as soon as your Marketplace coverage starts.
There’s no waiting period for coverage of these services.
No lifetime or yearly dollar limits for mental health services
Marketplace plans can’t apply yearly or lifetime dollar limits on coverage of essential health benefits. This includes benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services.
Parity protections for mental health services
Marketplace plans must provide certain “parity” protections between mental health and substance abuse benefits on the one hand, and medical and surgical benefits on the other.
This means that in general, limits applied to mental health and substance abuse services can’t be more restrictive than limits applied to medical and surgical services. The kinds of limits covered by the parity protections include:
Financial — like deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limits
Treatment — like limits to the number of days or visits covered
Care management — like being required to get authorization of treatment before getting it.
Are you convinced that The Affordable Care Act provides one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation? Also required (under the law) are rehabilitative services that can help support people with behavioral health challenges. Because of the law, most health plans must now cover preventive services, like depression screening for adults and behavioral assessments for children, at no additional cost. Plans cannot deny you coverage or charge you more due to pre-existing health conditions, including mental illnesses.
If you have questions about your insurance plan, look at your plan’s enrollment materials, or any other information you have on the plan, to see what the coverage levels are for all benefits. Because of the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about your benefits including mental health benefits, which should make it easier to see what your coverage is.
All state Medicaid programs provide some mental health services and some offer substance use disorder services to beneficiaries. These services often include counseling, therapy, medication management, social work services, peer supports, and substance use disorder treatment. For additional information on Medicaid and mental health and substance use disorder services, visit: Medicaid Site
Here are three steps you can take right now:
Easy as 1-2-3
Learn more about how you, your friends, and your family can obtain health insurance coverage by visiting HealthCare.gov.
Share this infographic with your friends, family, and colleagues so more people know about the mental health benefits accessible under the Affordable Care Act.
Find out more about how the law is expanding coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits and federal parity protections: Mental Health Parity
Some important information:
You are required to enroll in a health insurance plan or you will be fined.
If you miss the deadline and do not have coverage, you could be hit with fines of $325 per adult or 2 percent of family income, whichever is higher.
The fine is actually not a bill that is sent to you, it is taken from your tax refund.
You could file taxes in a way, so that you don’t receive a refund, however, you would need to do this every year.
Why is this information unknown to people:
The new healthcare law is complicated with lots of components applied different across state lines. People with substance abuse disorder just don’t know about the range of treatment options available to them. I hope after this quick guide, you have a better understanding about your benefits.
Out of the dozens of addiction articles I have posted, the subject of self-harm is (by far) the most popular. Why does it cause so much interest?
My Theory
My husband and I watch a Showtime series called “The Affair”. It is slow TV watching at its best. If you assume it’s a drama about cheating couples, you are wrong, because the title fools you. I would describe the show as a “character-driven mystery”.
In the first few episodes, there is a scene that shows, one of the lead characters cutting her upper thigh (with a razor blade). When the camera zooms in, you see dozens of old scars, indicating, this is her “go to” method of self-medicating. It’s obvious to me this is her untreated method of coping with past trauma. However, I think that the average viewer was left confused and horrified.
What does this have to do with anything? Good question. The cutting was never brought up again. What a pity. They missed an excellent opportunity to shed life on prevalent but much misunderstood disorder. No wonder people want to read about self-injury. Nobody talks about it.
Stigma and societal shamming prevent people from getting the help they need.
Self-Abuse sufferers speak out!
More than cutting
Taking a closer look at self-injury reveals that there are many forms which include:
Hitting
Swallowing
Head-banging
Bone-breaking
Piercing
Skin-picking
Pinching
Hair-pulling
Self-medication
Starving or purging
Ingesting toxic substances
Self-Injury Has a Contagious Element
I know that sounds weird, but it can spread in a contagious like manner. However, that is not a reason not to talk. In one of the documentaries I watched (see below) the doctor said “it’s not if you talk about it, it’s how you talk about it.
There many websites and social media outlets that are dedicated to self-infliction. Some are created to help others recover but sadly some seek to promote self-injury.
What’s worrying is the online culture that allows and even encourages teens to share images of self harm. In a community where users compare self-inflicted injuries, a phenomenon can develop where users compete to have the worst scars or the deepest cuts.These communities create a disturbing bond between users, where self-worth is based on one’s ability to be the best at being unwell.
Many Myths
People who purposely hurt themselves are not seeking attention or trying to commit suicide. Self-Infliction is different from attempted suicide – it is a method to cope with pain. The severity of the wound doe not define the level of pain (or sickness). Self-injury is self-injury, regardless if it leaves a scar or not. This disorder occurs in all ages, genders, races, ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Horrific ‘Cut for Bieber’ trend urges Justin Bieber fans to self-harm to protest his alleged drug use
Many people who have a self-abuse disorder are diagnosed automatically with “borderline personality disorder” By definition, that means that the patient is extremely manipulative and anything they say is not to be trusted. It also means that the person can not distinguish between negative and positive attention. This is not true. One of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder is self-mutalation – not the other way around.
Self-infliction is not a trend or a fashion statement. Some people associate this disorder with a certain subculture. You might hear it called an “emo” thing. Emo is a goth like style, popular with young people But people have been using self-injury to deal with pain, long before these “trends” in social media started.
Trigger Warning
Many times a self-infliction article or video will have a “trigger warning”. Ostensibly, this is done so a reader will not be provoked into a relapse. These warnings have been around for a long time and are most commonly associated with trauma and abuse. The purpose is to warn readers that the article contains a disturbing theme. The author feels that the subject matter may trigger traumatic memories for sufferers. It is a little controversial. Some people view the warnings as a means of protecting the mental health of their readers or simply a common courtesy. Others find this protocol completely unnecessary and utterly annoying. An example of a trigger warning is: “TRIGGER WARNING: This content deals with an account of trauma and may be triggering to some people.”
There is another form of self-injury called Dermatillomania.
Officially accepted as a disorder in 2013, it is the compulsive habit of picking your own skin. It typically causes skin damage. People suffering from this disorder often wear long sleeves, makeup and band-aids to cover up their scarring and wounds. It is linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It occurs mostly in woman. The exact causes of skin picking disorder are unknown, but it is thought that both emotional, genetic and environmental factors contribute to such conditions.
Good News
There are many medications available. They include:
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Mood regulators
Anticonvulsants
There are also many behavioral and cognitive treatment options. The point it that you can get better. The important things is to talk to someone.
Our 800RecoveryHub site offers free and confidential help
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