Warning signs of Bipolar

Warning Signs of Bipolar

As a psychiatrist practicing in Palm Beach Florida, I come across a lot of bipolar patients.  What are the warning signs of bipolar disorder? How can you recognize if someone you love or even yourself has bipolar disorder? You can’t get through an hour television program without at least 2 commercials for bipolar medications, so I thought it would be a good idea to talk about it. 

First, what is bipolar? Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder more commonly found in women that can cause dramatic changes in mood and energy levels. The term bipolar refers to the two poles of the disorder, the extremes of mood. Those two extremes of mood are mania and depression. The symptoms of bipolar can affect a person’s daily life severely as their mood can range from feelings of elation and high energy to depression. There are two types of bipolar, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is more serious and disruptive than type 2, which can also be called hypomania. 

Bipolar is sort of the Jekyl and Hyde of psychiatric disorders, with cycling of mania and depression. Manic episodes and depressive episodes have very specific signs and symptoms associated with them.

When someone is manic, they do not just feel very happy. They feel euphoric. Key features of mania include, but are not limited to:

– irritability 

– having a lot of energy
– feeling able to achieve anything
– having difficulty sleeping
– using rapid speech that jumps between topics.
– inability to follow through with ideas or tasks

– feeling agitated, jumpy, or wired
– engaging in risky behaviors, such as reckless sex, spending a lot of money, dangerous driving, or unwise consumption of alcohol and other substances
– believing that they are more important than others or have important connections
– exhibiting anger, aggression, or violence if others challenge their views or behavior
– in severe cases, mania can involve psychosis, with hallucinations that can cause them to see, hear, or feel things that are not there.

People in a manic state may also  have delusions and distorted thinking that cause them to believe that certain things are true when they are not. While I have many patients that get delusions of grandeur, I have one patient that comes to mind. Her name is Felicia. Felicia is a 32-year-old receptionist. She was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 when she was 25, which happens to be the typical age of diagnosis. Felicia is on two medications for her bipolar with mixed results. She still cycles occasionally to a manic state. Sometimes that’s a clue that she may not be compliant with her meds. Like many bipolar people, Felicia loves loves loves her manic state. When Felicia is manic, she is on top of the world. Her house is pristinely clean, the meals she makes for her family are total gourmet, and her appearance is perfect. Sounds great, right? You may be thinking ‘Where’s the downside, Dr. A?’ Well, in this manic state, Felicia absolutely positively believes that she is descended from “the true” royalty. She believes that the father of the current Queen of England, the previous King George VI, actually stole the monarchy and the crown from her father. As a result, she believes that she should be the rightful current monarch. In reality, her father is a semi-retired urban planner living just outside of Topeka Kansas. Regardless, when Felicia is super manic, she will relay this story with a voice full of indignation and a perfectly straight face. She will tell anyone this story, so people think she’s totally nuts. 

A person in a manic state may not realize that their behavior is unusual, but others may notice a change in behavior. Some people may see the person’s outlook as eccentric or sociable and fun-loving, while others may find it unusual or bizarre. The individual may not realize that they are acting inappropriately or be aware of the potential consequences of their behavior. In some cases, they may need help in staying safe when they are completely out of touch with reality. Bipolar type 1 patients can be some of the most dangerous patients in my practice, as they can be violent, prone to rage and acting out on that rage. They are chaotic. If you have an untreated or ineffectively treated bipolar 1 person in the household, you will know. One big problem is that patients enjoy the manic state of their disorder. They feel such increased energy and euphoria that they are prone to stop taking their meds. Once that happens, all hell breaks loose. 

But eventually, that mania will cycle into deep depression with all of the symptoms that go with it, and may end with suicidal thoughts or acts. Key features of depressive episodes may include, but are not limited to:

– feeling down or sad
– having very little energy
– having trouble sleeping or sleeping a lot more than usual
– thinking of death or suicide
– forgetting things
– feeling tired
– losing enjoyment in daily activities
– having a flatness of emotion that may show in the person’s facial expression
– In very severe cases, a person may experience psychosis or a catatonic depression, in which they are unable to move, talk, or take any action.

Bipolar type 2, also called hypomania, is a disorder which is sort of like type 1-light. It features episodes of depression and hypomania. Symptoms of hypomania are similar to those of mania, but the behaviors are less extreme, and people can often function well in their daily life. But if a person does not address the signs of hypomania, it can progress into the more severe form of the condition at a later time. I see type 2 patients more often in my practice, and I see them as generally being much calmer than type 1 patients. They do not get as violent, do not hear voices, do not have hallucinations, and are not disorganized in their speech or behavior. However, they are usually irritable. They talk quickly. They have trouble sleeping. They have trouble concentrating. They have trouble getting things done. They have relationship issues. They have trouble sleeping. These periods of hypomania can last anywhere between minutes to days to weeks.

So what can be done for a patient suffering from bipolar disorder, whether type 1 or 2? There are multiple drugs which can be used to balance the patient. I find my go-to drug would be lamotrigine, as it is minimal in its side effect profile, is mood stabilizing, does not put on weight, does not make you drowsy, and does not have many drug interactions. There are other drugs which can be used,  oxcarbazepine and divalproex, which are antiseizure mood stabilizers. These have some effectiveness and have various side effect profiles. In some cases, antipsychotic drugs like lurasidone are useful. Many times I put patients on at least two drugs, one to treat mania and one to treat depression. I can prescribe all the drugs in the world, but they won’t do any good if patients are non-compliant in taking them. So the biggest and most important key feature in treating bipolar is having a relationship with the patient and making sure they are compliant with medicine, because the manic state is so enjoyable to them that they may choose non-compliance. That’s really the biggest barrier to treatment. I always explain to my manic patients that while they may like the mania, they will have to pay the piper, because guess what? Next they’ll be hopelessly depressed and unable to get out of bed.

In my practice, I see many female patients with mood disorders. The way I approach treatment is to find the best tolerated drug. This may not be the best drug on the market, but may be the best drug for that patient because it is better tolerated and has a better side effect profile for that patient. If the drugs cause weight gain, make them drowsy, or cause sexual dysfunction, they won’t take them. And who would blame them? So I work very hard to explore all available pharmaceutical treatment options for each patient as an individual. The goal is to have a drug regimen which is the least invasive in that person’s life and to combine that with psychotherapy. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease, treatment should also be lifelong. If you suspect that you have bipolar or a loved one has bipolar, contact a physician for referral to a mental health professional like myself. For more information, check out my book, Tales from the Couch, available on Amazon.com

Learn More

What Ever Happened To Dating

Whatever happened to dating? I’m part of a lot of talk on this particular topic. Day in and day out, patients tell me about their trials and tribulations in the dating world, and the dialog has definitely changed over the years. So, as an unofficial-official expert, I want to talk about dating. There are discrepancies as to who hit on the idea first, but computer-assisted dating sites came into play as personal computers gained popularity in homes everywhere. Remember the Tom Hanks movie You’ve Got Mail? That romanticized the idea of online dating and spawned sites like Match in the early 2000’s. The advent of Facebook kept people checking for “friends” as a hobby, linking people all over creation. However and whomever launched what doesn’t matter much anymore, dating sites and dating apps are here to stay. The list goes on and on and on, and now sites and apps are getting more specific. They target groups: SilverSingles, OurTime, JDate, BlackPeopleMeet, and Farmers Match…if you can be grouped into a subset, you will be. So what’s the impact of dating sites and apps? They’ve changed the game. If you listen to your grandparents tell their love story, it often includes a meeting of eyes, maybe across a crowded bar or restaurant, hence love at ‘first sight.” Now, if you manage to find love, it may be more like at “first site” or “first swipe.” 

Whole movies are made of dating in the modern world. The process of meeting someone has now moved away from social contact, which is sort of oxymoronic in the age of ‘social’ media. The old rules don’t apply anymore. It used to be that to get a date, you got all gussied up to go out and attract a date. Now you can sit home on your couch in your boxers or fat pants and dangle an electronic lure to attract someone. Sadly, romance is now largely a thing of the past, replaced by an electronic algorithm. You have to be a wordsmith to get a date, not a romantic. Pickup lines aren’t spontaneous. Now someone trolling an app for a date can use a line that it took them a month to come up with, and they can use it over and over until the payoff, the date. Social media can also be very manipulative as well. When my patients tell me about failed dates arranged through social media, one of the most popular reasons they give me is that the person didn’t look like their picture. Blah blah blah… I hear that ALL the time. My only reply is usually “Duh!!! It took that guy / girl three hours to take that picture!” I marvel at how they’re shocked by not getting what they were expecting! And these sites and apps are too easy. Going out to attract a date used to require a little effort and forthought. Where am I going? What should I wear? How’s my hair? Is my breath okay? On sites and apps, it doesn’t matter. They’re a numbers game. Send a line out to enough people and you’re bound to hit on a date at some point. And what happens on that date? Social media has stripped away the art of conversation. It’s been reduced to memes, a series of easily textable phrases and lines. Those aren’t conducive toward building the foundation of a relationship. And there can be a darker side to the use of these sites and apps. Some people believe that participation on these dating sites and apps is essentially implied consent or positive acceptance of sexual advances. If you met someone In the real world, not all advances are welcome. The same is true with participation on an app or site. But the flip side of that coin are the apps where advanves are welcome. There are an increasing number of mobile apps that will let you know when a person of like mind is in the vicinity. Of like mind on these apps usually means down to hook up, which has inherant risks in and of itself. These transactional apps seeking sexual relations really take the human touch out of the whole equation. They’re all about the easy hookup, people as commodities. Phone on, date out. Social media has really changed the idea of participating with one’s community. Now you see young people with no interests beyond their phones. What’s going on in their electronic world takes precedent over what’s happening right in front of them. I discuss this at length in my book, Tales from the Couch. People miss so much of what’s going on around them because they’re buried in their phones. Human interaction goes by the wayside. Another consequence of social media is the downfall of commitment. With more relationships being non-committal, I’ve seen marriage rates among my patients go down. When I ask people about that, they essentially tell me that they’re not into commitment because why should they be? Why settle down and buy one cow when you can have all the milk from all the cows on the internet for free? 

Some of these issues can be troubling. I especially wonder what happens to the people who don’t have profiles posted everywhere, who don’t want to swipe right or left to get dates and find companionship. Are they doomed to forever be single? Will they miss out on their happily ever after? Maybe.They may need to bite the bullet and throw a line into the electronic world of dating. For all it’s foibles and downfalls, social media doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s dating today. For more on the world of social media, check out my book Tales from the Couch, available on

Learn More

The Great Marijuana Debate

Given the legalization of marijuana in many states, I wanted to have an open discussion on the ramifications and repercussions of its legalization, and why choosing to use might not be the best choice for everyone.

Marijuana is so readily accepted everywhere now, in both legal and illegal states and in any and every social circle; regardless of its legal status, its use is suggested by so many people for everyone and everything under the sun…it’s a revolution that makes Woodstock look like a quilting circle. Grandmas and grandpas, CEO’s, lawyers, actors, the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker….everyone’s using marijuana, legal or not, and they’re not afraid to tell the world. And the marijuana of today ain’t yo mama’s marijuana…today many people prefer to smoke marijuana wax rather than the green herbacious stuff, because wax is a minimum of 90% pure THC, miles away from the 15% green stuff.

The legalization of marijuana has created a slippery slope. Now it’s basically off the radar for police, meaning that most officers will give a pass for possessing up to a certain amount of it, even in illegal states. The police officers have discretion in the field, and most just confiscate it and maybe write a fine ticket for it, or maybe not…it’s not worth the time or effort for them to fight it any further, even in illegal states. If they just wrote every possessor a fine ticket for marijuana possession, they’d be buried in tickets, so imagine the paperwork if they arrested them all. I watch a live police program on weekends, and the first question an officer asks the driver they’ve pulled over is if they have any weapons or drugs in the car. They then emphasize that “honesty goes a long way” when it comes to their decision-making process in drug possession. Sometimes they’ll employ a K-9 officer to find drugs, and I swear that at least 85% of the cars they pull over contain drugs of some sort. And most times (after the officer makes it clear that they can’t get in trouble for it) a driver will readily admit that they have smoked within the last hour or minutes before getting behind the wheel, or even just smoked while driving. This is apparently due to a general consensus that marijuana doesn’t cause impairment, which is debatable; more recent studies are suggesting otherwise.   

Because marijuana has essentially vacated its spot in the illegal drug hierarchy, the next “least worse” drugs, meaning cocaine and methamphetamine, have moved up, becoming “less illegal” in a way. Now officers even have some discretion when it comes to the possession of cocaine and meth; if the possessor only has a small amount, they may not necessarily go to jail. As hard as it is to believe, I have seen it on the live police program, people issued a ticket for possessing a small amount of coke or meth. The only difference is the type of ticket issued: while a marijuana ticket is just for a steep monetary fine, the ticket for coke or meth possession is essentially an order to appear before a judge, who then decides if the offender goes to jail or gets off with just a steep monetary fine and/ or probation, community service, etc. I wonder if lawmakers ever imagined that the legalization of marijuana in some states would lead to the near decriminalization of even minute amounts of drugs like coke and meth, but it seems it has. Similar to marijuana, I think it’s likely due to the amount of time and effort it takes to haul every coke and/ or meth possessor to jail: small amounts are permissible when weighed in the face of 100% rule of law…it’s certainly faster, easier, and more profitable to fine someone through the nose (no pun intended) than to house them in our overcrowded and expensive jails.  

Enough of the legal ramifications. Of course as a physician, I see the more personal, medical side of the legalization of marijuana. I am literally asked about it by patients every day, and I am a medical marijuana prescribing physician- I jumped through all of the state’s many hoops so that I can prescribe marijuana. I believe that used properly, marijuana has definite value as a drug. The key is for whom. I think it’s good for someone with cancer, with brain tumors, for AIDS, for neurologic disease like ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), for Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, for post-traumatic stress disorder, for specific types of chronic pain, and for certain seizure types. While I don’t prescribe marijuana willy-nilly, I definitely do prefer prescribing marijuana over other controlled drugs like opiates. But as I tell patients, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s useful for everyone or even reasonable for everyone to use it. In fact, I think that for a subset of the population, up to age 30-ish, marijuana is counterproductive at best and damaging at worst. I call marijuana “the nothing drug.” If you give marijuana to a young developing mind, let’s say someone aged 14, the person belonging to that mind has their life course altered. From the day they start smoking marijuana, nothing happens. Their motivation drops off. They think a lot of good thoughts about what they can do or would like to do, but they do nothing. So nothing gets done. That’s what alters their life course. Dreams are great, but the key is to act on them. I tell my patients that when they use marijuana, nothing happens. Nothing bad, but nothing good. Nothing scary, but nothing awesome. Just nothing. Users do nothing, and if they continue to use habitually, they may amount to nothing. They may not fail, but they definitely will not excel. When you ask that marijuana-smoking 14-year-old what they’ve been up to, they’ll say ‘’nothing.’’ When you ask what they did in school that week, they’ll say ‘’nothing.’ When you ask them what they did over the weekend, they’ll say ‘’nothing.’ When you ask them what happened at the football game, they’ll say ‘’nothing.’’ When you ask them what they do when they get high, they’ll say ‘’nothing.’ Now you get the picture. Marijuana… The Nothing Drug. There’s a PSA campaign for ya’.

Using marijuana is mostly about being alone, being high, and being out of touch. You cause no problems. As a matter of fact, the last thing you want is conflict…it would harsh the mellow. My patients who smoke tell me that when they use it, they just want to keep using it, because it makes them feel so good. But there are qualities to marijuana that make people prone to isolation, where they don’t communicate with others as much. Think about it. When was the last time you went to a wild, raging party with people smoking only marijuana? Do you hear a lot of meeting and greeting, talking and laughing? Nope. But you do hear the sounds of lots of lighters striking and water bongs gurgling. And some muffled coughing- that wierd upper throat/ nasal cough that comes from people holding their breath and trying hard not to cough up the hit they just took. You may hear a woo-hoo or two, but that’ll come from the direction of the couch, which will be replete with reclining stoners. In my experience, people who smoke pot waste a lot of time doing so. It’s the kind of drug that can be used constantly, for hours and days on end, because there’s no concern of overdose. There’s a lot of time wasted, no pun intended, on thoughts not thought through and things left undone. When I warn patients about isolation, I often hear back from them that they do spend time with people, that in fact, they get high with people. I tell them that they may think they’re spending time with friends, getting high with their buddies, but that most of the time they’re getting high and playing video games or listlessly bobbing their heads to music and they just happen to all be in the same room. There’s no real interaction…it’s a very solitary pursuit, but in the presence of others, a mental masturbation marathon.

Obvi, I have many patients that complain that their lives aren’t going well, that they’re depressed and generally unhappy, and many of them smoke marijuana to “relax.” When I ask the marijuana users why they’re unhappy, they seem completely devoid of any insight as to what’s going on. I have a list of questions I ask, and it starts with “How much do you smoke?” I can probably count on one hand the number of people who tell me the truth, that they smoke a lot of marijuana; they always say they smoke “a little” marijuana. When I ask what form they use and how much “a little” is, some admit to using wax, and many tell me they use “only at night, never during the day” like that makes all the difference in the world, given that there are basically 12 hours of night in a 24 hour day.  

The best “medicine” I can dispense to these marijuana-using patients is education. I have given a version of the same talk at least a thousand times, tailored to the patient’s age and condition. It basically goes something like this: “You’re unhappy because marijuana alters you. It makes it so you’re just going through the motions of life; when you’re directed to do something, you can do it, but you never do anything of your own volition. You have no original thoughts or ideas or insight into your life, because you don’t bother to examine it. You don’t have any meaningful interactions with other people. You spend your time playing video games and eating junk food. You never see the sun, unless you have to venture out in daylight for a marijuana-related errand. You’re lacking a creative outlet, because marijuana isn’t conducive to creativity. Marijuana is robbing you of motivation, memory, ambition, desire, and energy. It blunts your emotions so that you feel nothing, so you smoke more to feel high because that’s better than feeling nothing. It’s a vicious cycle. You’re just like a rat on a wheel in a cage.” These facts are why marijuana is most damaging for people up to about age 30, because by this time at the latest they should be expending great effort trying to establish themselves and their lives, deciding where they want to go and setting goals to get there. Instead, they use marijuana and all that goes out the window. For an 80-year-old woman with cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, marijuana isn’t going to affect her life nearly as much as a 20-something-year-old looking for a job or deciding what career path they want to take.

As an example to show that using marijuana is not exclusively for the young, take my patient Frederick, who is 68 years old. He started smoked marijuana at ten and basically smoked all day, every day since. Consequently, he did nothing his whole life, so 58 years. That’s 58 years completely wasted, again no pun intended. Somehow he got on disability years ago. As far as I could tell, his only disability was that he wanted to smoke all day, that he liked to be high. I have another patient, a 23- year-old named Skylar. He’s basically a trust fund baby, living in his parents’ Palm Beach mansion full time while they spend 48 weeks of the year living up in Massachusetts. Skylar’s “job” as caretaker of the mansion, supposedly overseeing a staff of six, has always left him with more than ample time to do, well, nothing…except smoke wax. And he was a hard case, because he was able to afford the strongest wax and he smoked a lot of it- one of the handful that admitted to doing so. I saw him in my office a couple of months ago, and he told me he had wasted enough time using marijuana, he wanted off, and would I help him? Once I recovered from the shock and picked myself up off the floor, I of course told him that I’d be glad to, and I explained the deal. Most people think there’s no withdrawl from marijuana, but that’s not true. There is about a ten day withdrawl period that typically includes insomnia, restlessness, and irritability. It then takes six weeks for green marijuana to eight weeks for wax for all traces of THC to leave the body. I use medications like clonidine and trazodone to minimize the effects of withdrawal, and they make it much easier. At the two-week mark, the four-week mark, the six-week mark and the eight-week mark, patients are amazed at how they feel clearer and clearer at each point. They’re able to see how impaired marijuana was actually making them- they were totally unaware of their impairment at the time, how slow they were, how dopey and lazy. Once it’s completely out of their systems, they tell me how they’re more active, how they’re getting up in the morning and showering and getting dressed, how they’re going outside and exercising, and how things are happening in their lives. I’m happy to report that Skylar was no exception. His withdrawl from marijuana wax was uneventful, and after eight weeks, he was shocked at how different he felt, describing it as like being awake after years of being asleep. For the first time in recent memory, he was thinking, he was weighing his options (now that he had some) and he was planning his future. When I asked his greatest revelations, he said, “I have to make things happen. I have to be proactive. I have to look for and seize opportunities. No one can do that for me.” I really couldn’t have said it better than that. 

Re-reading this, I noticed that I said that marijuana is ‘robbing you’ of this and ‘taking away’ that, but really, marijuana doesn’t take things away from you, you give those things away when you choose to use. Marijuana has its place in treating certain illnesses and diseases; but remember that just because something is legal to use doesn’t make it reasonable to use it. If you’re faced with a choice to use, just think about Frederick, with 58 years wasted, no pun intended, and Skylar, who got a late start in adulting but has an unlimited future…now that he’s no longer letting marijuana limit his present.  

For lots more entertaining stories and information about marijuana and other drugs, check out my book, Tales from the Couch, available on Amazon.com. It makes for a great read and an ever better gift!

Learn More

Don’t Sleep on This ,part trios

Don’t Sleep on This, part trois

We’ve all heard the saying about waking up “on the wrong side of the bed,” but as it turns out, there’s quite a bit of truth behind this colloquialism. Americans in general are notoriously sleep deprived; lots of folks experience problems sleeping, not getting enough sleep, not feeling rested, and not sleeping well. This can lead to difficulties functioning during the daytime, and have very unpleasant effects on your work, relationships, and social and family life. Most people know firsthand that sleep affects their mental state, but do you know how closely connected sleep is to mental and emotional health? Sleep deprivation has major effects on your psychological state. The two- sleep and mental health- contribute greatly to one another, generally coexisting in a bidirectional relationship. People with mental health diagnoses are more likely to have insomnia and/ or other sleep disorders, and vice versa. Ultimately, mental health disorders tend to make it harder to sleep well, while at the same time, poor sleep and insomnia can be a contributing factor to the initiation and worsening of mental health issues. 

Insomnia and other sleep issues have clearly demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other conditions like ADHD. In fact, chronic sleep problems affect 50% to 80% of psych patients, as compared to 10% to 18% of typical American adults. Both sleep and mental health are complex issues affected by a multitude of factors, but given their close association, there’s good reason to believe that improving sleep can have a hugely beneficial impact on mental health. In my opinion, helping to ensure a patient gets good sleep is an important component of treating most psych disorders.

Why is sleep so important? If you recall from last week, brain activity fluctuates during sleep, increasing and decreasing during different stages of the sleep cycle. In NREM- non-rapid eye movement- sleep, overall brain activity slows, but there are quick bursts of activity. In REM sleep, brain activity picks up very rapidly, which is why this stage is associated with more intense dreaming. Each stage plays a role in brain health, allowing activity in different parts of the brain to ramp up or down, and this enables better thinking, learning, and memory. Research has clearly demonstrated that all this brain activity while you’re sleeping has profound effects on emotional and mental health.

Sufficient sleep, especially REM sleep, facilitates the brain’s processing of emotional information. During sleep, the brain works to evaluate and remember thoughts and memories, and a lack of sleep is especially harmful to the consolidation of positive emotional content. This can influence mood and lead to emotional reactivity, and has been tied to various mental health issues and the severity thereof. It can even lead to suicidal ideation and behaviors. The old timers thought that sleep problems were strictly a symptom of mental health disorders, but after elucidating what goes on in the brain during sleep, science has made it clear that problems sleeping are not just a consequence of mental health issues, they can also be a cause of the same.

One of the major sleep disorders that people face is insomnia, which is basically an inability to get the amount of sleep needed to function efficiently during the daytime. It may be caused by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning. About 1 in 3 Americans report difficulty sleeping at least one night per week. Short-term insomnia is very common, and has a multitude of causes: stress, lifestyle, work schedule, travel, or other life events. It can generally be relieved by simple sleep hygiene interventions, things like exercise, a hot bath, warm milk, or changing your bedroom environment. On the other hand, long-term insomnia lasts for more than three weeks, and this should really be investigated by a physician, potentially with referral to a sleep disorder specialist. 

Why? Because chronic insomnia is rarely an isolated issue, it’s usually a symptom of another illness, be it medical or psych, that requires investigation. Sometimes insomnia can be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, which has also clearly been linked to mental health issues. OSA is a disorder that affects your breathing while sleeping. With OSA, your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway, causing you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep. This leads to a drop in the body’s oxygen levels, creating fragmented and disturbed sleep. In fact, OSA can cause as many as 30 sleep disruptions per hour. Yikes. There are serious repercussions for that. The human body likes oxygen, and it can get a little pissy when it doesn’t get enough of it. People with OSA experience these abrupt awakenings, accompanied by gasping or choking, along with morning headache, daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating during the day, forgetfulness, mood changes, high blood pressure, and decreased libido. It’s not good. Unfortunately, OSA occurs more frequently in people with psych disorders, and it’s a serious issue, as it detracts from physical health while simultaneously heightening mental distress. A 2017 study found that people with sleep apnea, when compared to those without, were 3.68 times more likely to have anxiety, 2.88 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress, and 3.11 times more likely to have depression. In addition, it found that their odds of suicidal ideation were 2.75 times higher. Sadly, the same study also found these patients with OSA reported a greater lack of mental health care and support. 

Multiple studies recognize the correlation between OSA and poor mood, post traumatic stress disorder, and higher prevalence of psychosis and schizophrenia. The presence of OSA in the schizophrenic population has been found to be as high as 48 percent! Smoking and alcohol consumption further complicate this link between schizophrenia and OSA, as both are very common habits in people with schizophrenia, and both confer an increased risk of sleep apnea. And OSA isn’t just linked to schizophrenia. Existing studies note the prevalence of OSA in bipolar patients to be similar to that of schizophrenia. 

There’s also a causal relationship between OSA and depression. Decreased oxygen levels overnight, called nocturnal hypoxia, cause chronic stress, which then increases the production of corticosteroids in response. Higher levels of corticosteroids, in turn, cause mood changes and impaired cognitive function, as well as increased inflammation in the body, all of which contribute to the development of depression. Conversely, patients with depression exhibit lower levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s also linked to muscle tone of the upper airways. Decreased serotonin levels in the body increase the likelihood that the upper throat will collapse, causing even more episodes of apnea. It can create the perfect sleep storm.

Because OSA and depression share several symptoms, it can be difficult to discern the impact of one disease over the other. Both result in disturbed sleep, fatigue and lethargy, restlessness, and loss of concentration. Given those facts, it should come as no surprise that both OSA and depression are associated with increased vehicle and workplace accidents due to increased fatigue and poor concentration. 

Insomnia: Cause and Effect

How well you sleep tells a physician like me a lot. About half of insomnia cases are related to depression, anxiety, or general psychological stress. Very often, the qualities of a person’s insomnia, along with their other symptoms, can be helpful in determining the role of mental illness in their inability to sleep. This is why I always ask patients to tell me about how they’re not sleeping… just knowing you can’t isn’t enough. For instance, early morning wakefulness can be a sign of depression, especially if it comes along with low energy, an inability to concentrate, sadness, and a change in appetite or weight. On the other hand, a sudden dramatic decrease in sleep which is accompanied by an increase in energy- or the lack of need for sleep- can be a sign of mania. Many anxiety disorders are associated with difficulties sleeping, and obsessive compulsive disorder is frequently associated with poor sleep as well. Panic attacks during sleep may suggest a panic disorder, while poor sleep resulting from nightmares may be associated with post traumatic stress disorder.

Sleep and Specific Mental Health Diagnoses

The way that sleep and mental health are intertwined becomes even more apparent when you look at how sleep is tied to a number of specific mental health conditions.

Depression

It is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have depression, a mood disorder marked by feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Around 75 percent of depressed people show symptoms of insomnia, and many people with depression also suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness and hypersomnia, which is sleeping too much. Historically, sleeping problems were seen as a consequence of depression, but in reality, poor sleep may also induce or exacerbate depression, and sleep problems and depressive symptoms are mutually reinforcing. It’s essentially a negative feedback loop, where poor sleep worsens depression that then further interrupts sleep. But on the bright side of that, a focus on improving sleep may also have a corollary benefit of reducing the symptoms of depression. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

You may remember from a few months ago that SAD is a subtype of depression that most often affects people during times of the year with reduced daylight hours, typically fall and winter. It’s closely tied to the disruption of a person’s internal biological clock, or circadian rhythm, that helps control multiple bodily processes, including sleep. It shouldn’t surprise you then that people with SAD experience changes to their sleep cycles, and tend to sleep either too much or too little. 

Anxiety Disorders

Every year, anxiety disorders affect an estimated 20 percent of American adults and 25 percent of teenagers, creating excess fear or worry that can affect everyday life and create risks for other health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. Anxiety disorders- including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, OCD, and PTSD- have a strong association with sleeping problems. In these disorders, worry and fear contribute to a state of hyperarousal, when the mind is constantly racing, which is a central contributor to insomnia. Sleep problems may then become an added source of worry, creating anticipatory anxiety at bedtime, which makes it that much harder to fall asleep. It can become a vicious cycle. Research has found an especially strong connection between PTSD and sleep. People with PTSD frequently replay negative events in their mind, suffer from nightmares, and experience a constant state of being on alert, all of which can interfere with sleep. PTSD affects many veterans; at least 90 percent of U.S. veterans with combat-related PTSD have symptoms of insomnia. But sleep problems aren’t just a result of anxiety. Research indicates that poor sleep can actually activate anxiety in people who are at high risk for it, and chronic insomnia appears to be a predisposing trait among people who later go on to develop anxiety disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of extreme moods that can be both high, with mania, and low, with depression. A person’s feelings and symptoms are quite different depending on the type of episode, but both manic and depressive periods can cause major impairment in everyday life. In people with bipolar disorder, sleep patterns change considerably depending on their emotional state. During manic periods, they usually feel less need to sleep, but during depressed periods, they often sleep excessively. Very often, sleep disruptions continue when a person is between episodes. Research has found that many people with bipolar disorder experience changes in their sleep patterns just before the onset of an episode. There is clear evidence that sleeping problems induce or worsen manic and depressive periods, but that because of the bidirectional relationship between bipolar disorder and sleep, treatment for insomnia can reduce the impact of a person’s bipolar disorder. 

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder characterized by a difficulty in differentiating between what is and is not real. People with schizophrenia are more likely to experience insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, and these issues can actually be exacerbated by medications that are used to treat schizophrenia. But once again, poor sleep and symptoms of schizophrenia may be mutually reinforcing, so there are potential benefits to stabilizing and normalizing sleep patterns.

ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves reduced attention span and increased impulsiveness. While usually diagnosed in children, it may last into adulthood, and is sometimes only formally diagnosed when someone is already an adult. Sleeping problems are common in people with ADHD. They may have difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Rates of other sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome (RLS) also appear to be higher in people with ADHD. Once again, there is clear evidence of a bidirectional relationship between sleep and ADHD; in addition to being a consequence of ADHD, sleep problems may aggravate symptoms, especially in reduced attention span or behavior problems.

Substance use disorders can also cause problems with sleep. While alcohol is sedating in limited quantities, alcohol intoxication disturbs your sleep patterns and can make you wake up numerous times in the night. Some sedative medications may cause sleepiness during intoxication, but it’s far too easy to develop a dependency on them, and ultimately they’ll disturb sleep and cause serious problems sleeping in people who are misusing or withdrawing from them. Illicit drugs like LSD and ecstasy are also associated with interruptions in sleep. 

Keep in mind that many mental health conditions don’t arise in isolation, and that coexisting conditions can influence one another, as well as a person’s sleep. For example, it’s not uncommon for people to experience both depression and anxiety, and people with both conditions have been found to have worse sleep than people with “just” depression or anxiety. 

As you can see, poor sleep has clearly been shown to significantly worsen the symptoms of many mental health issues. This is down to the bottom line, that lack of sleep will change your brain, at the very least making it harder to get through the day. At the same time, severe sleep problems can decrease the effectiveness of certain psych treatments. Treatment of sleep disorders has been studied in relationship to schizophrenia, ADHD and other psych issues, and all of the scientific data shows the connection between them. Good sleep is necessary for recovery- or prevention- in both conditions. It’s a multifaceted, bidirectional relationship. Sleep has a very important restorative function in ‘recharging’ the brain at the end of each day, just like we need to charge a mobile phone. You know what happens if you don’t plug that in, right? It dies. Enough said. Poor quality of sleep may seem like a minor symptom, but if it’s chronic, it can be a sign of something much bigger. Good sleep can enhance quality of life and positively contribute to managing any concurrent mental illness. In fact, the relationship between mental health and sleep is so strong that steps to improve sleep may even form part of a preventive mental health strategy. 

Next week, we’ll talk about what you can do to help ensure good, restorative sleep. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Don’t Sleep on This , part deux

Don’t Sleep on This, part deux

Hello, people, welcome back to the blog! Last week, we started a new series on sleep, and talked about some of the theories on why we sleep and what it does for us. This week, we’re going to talk about what induces sleep, the stages of sleep, what’s happening in your brain and body while you’re sleeping, and what can happen when sleep is disrupted.

As I mentioned last week, our bodies regulate sleep in much the same way that they regulate eating, drinking, and breathing, and this is indicative of the critical role sleep plays in our health and well-being. But why do we get sleepy? What tells us when it’s bedtime? Each person has an internal “body clock” that regulates his or her sleep cycle, controlling when they feel tired and ready for bed, versus refreshed and alert. This clock operates on a 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. 

After waking up from sleep in the morning, you become increasingly tired throughout the day as it progresses. These feelings will generally peak in the evening leading up to bedtime. This sleep drive- also known as sleep-wake homeostasis- appears to be linked to adenosine, an organic compound produced in the brain. I mentioned adenosine last week. It builds up throughout the day as you become more tired, and then the body breaks it down during sleep to dispose of. 

Light influences the circadian rhythm. The brain contains a special region of nerve cells known as the hypothalamus, and a cluster of cells within it called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which processes signals when the eyes are exposed to natural or artificial light. These signals help the brain determine whether it is day or night, time to be awake, or time to sleep. As natural light disappears in the evening, the body releases melatonin, a hormone that induces drowsiness. And when the sun rises in the morning, the body will release the hormone cortisol, which promotes energy and alertness. This influence that light has on the brain cannot be underestimated, especially blue light from devices. This is the reason why I always tell patients no screen time on devices right before bed. Blue light exposure just before you want to go to sleep is a surefire way to foul up your sleep cycle. I’ll get more into that in a later blog in this series.

The Sleep Cycle

As you sleep, your brain cycles through four stages of sleep. Stages 1 to 3 are considered non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, also known as quiet sleep, while stage 4 is rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as active sleep or paradoxical sleep. These stages occur multiple times throughout the night, with a full sleep cycle generally lasting about 90 to 110 minutes. The stages are repeated four to five times during a 7 to 9 hour sleep period, with each successive REM stage increasing in duration and depth of sleep. 

Each stage has a unique function and role in maintaining your brain’s overall cognitive performance, while some stages are also associated with physical repairs that keep you healthy and get you ready for the next day. Fun fact: there used to be five stages of sleep, but this was changed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine several years ago.

During the earliest phases of sleep, you’re still relatively awake and alert. During this time, the brain produces what are known as beta waves, which are small, fast brain waves that mean the brain is active and engaged. As the brain begins to relax and slow down, it lights up with alpha waves. During this transition, you may experience strange and vivid sensations, which are known as hypnagogic hallucinations. Common examples of hypnagogic hallucinations include the sensation of falling or of hearing someone call your name. There’s also the myoclonic jerk. No, I’m not referring to the person lying next to you… Ever gone to bed and felt like you’re just about to drift off and then BAM… you’re suddenly startled awake for seemingly no reason at all? That’s a myoclonic jerk.  

NREM Stage 1

This first stage of the sleep cycle is a transition period between wakefulness and sleep that typically lasts for around 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the brain is still fairly active and producing high amplitude theta waves, which are slow brain waves that mainly occur in the frontal lobe of the brain. During this stage, your brain slows down, while your heartbeat, eye movements, and breathing slow with it. During this stage, your body relaxes, but your muscles may twitch. 

NREM Stage 2

According to the American Sleep Foundation, people spend approximately 50% of their total sleep time during this stage, which lasts for about 20 minutes per cycle. During this stage, your body prepares for deep sleep. You become less aware of your surroundings, your body temperature drops, eye movements stop, and your breathing and heart rate become more regular. The brain also begins to produce sleep spindles, which are bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain waves that are thought to be a feature of memory consolidation, when your brain gathers, processes, and filters the new memories you acquired the previous day. 

NREM Stage 3

This stage is when the brain and body repairs, restores, and resets for the coming day, so getting enough NREM stage 3 sleep is essential to feel refreshed the next day. During this stage, which lasts between 20 to 40 minutes, deep, slow brain waves known as delta waves begin to emerge, so this is sometimes called the delta sleep stage. This is a period of deep sleep where any noises or activity in the environment often fail to wake the sleeping person. During this stage, your muscles are completely relaxed, your blood pressure drops and breathing slows, and you progress into your deepest sleep. It’s during this deep sleep stage that your body starts its physical repairs: cells repair and rebuild, hormones are secreted to promote bone and muscle growth, and your body produces elements to strengthen your immunity to fight off illness and infection. During this stage, your brain is still busy too- it’s consolidating declarative memories, general knowledge, personal experiences, facts and statistics, and other things you have learned that day.

REM Sleep Stage 4

The fourth stage of REM sleep begins roughly 90 minutes after falling asleep. During this time, your brain lights up with activity, your body is relaxed and immobilized, your breathing is faster and irregular, your eyes move rapidly, and you dream. It’s during this stage that your brain’s activity most closely resembles its activity during waking hours, but your body is temporarily paralyzed. That’s a good thing, as it prevents you from acting out your dreams. Memory consolidation also happens during REM sleep, but it’s more about emotions and emotional memories being processed and stored. Your brain also uses this time to permanently cement information into memory, making it an important stage for learning.

I should note that sleep doesn’t progress through the four stages in perfect sequence. When you have a full night of uninterrupted sleep, the stages usually progress as follows:

Sleep begins with NREM stage 1 sleep.

NREM stage 1 progresses into NREM stage 2, followed by NREM stage 3. NREM stage 2 is then repeated, and then finally REM sleep. Once REM sleep is over, the body usually returns to NREM stage 2 before beginning the cycle all over again. The amount of time spent in each stage changes throughout the night as the cycle repeats. A person’s “sleep architecture” is the term used to refer to the exact cycles and stages a person experiences in a night. If you see a sleep specialist for any issues, they often do a sleep study, and will then show you your sleep architecture on what’s known as a hypnogram, a graph produced by an EEG during a sleep study.

There are any number of issues that can interrupt your sleep cycles, causing stages to be cut short and cycles to repeat before finishing. Depending on the culprit, it can happen occasionally or on a chronic basis. Any time you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, your sleep cycle will be affected. Some factors that may affect your sleep stages and that are commonly associated with interrupted sleep include:

Age: As you age, sleep naturally becomes lighter and you are more easily awoken.

Nocturia: Frequently waking up with the need to urinate. This is big for older men due to prostate issues.

Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, when breathing stops and starts during sleep, and restless leg syndrome, a strong sensation of needing to move the legs

Pain: Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to acute or chronic pain conditions, like fibromyalgia

Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder

Other health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, obesity, heart disease, and asthma

Lifestyle habits: Getting little to no exercise, cigarette smoking, excessive caffeine intake, and excessive alcohol use all affect your ability to fall asleep and/ or stay asleep. 

So how much sleep do you need? It varies a little from person to person, and it really depends on your age. The CDC suggests the following based on a 24 hour period:

From birth to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours, including naps

From 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours, including naps

From 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours, including naps

From 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours, including naps

From 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours

From 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours

From 18 to 60 years: 7 or more hours

From 61 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours

65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours

Most adults require between seven and nine hours of nightly sleep. Children and teenagers need substantially more sleep, particularly if they are younger than five years of age, as it is vital for their growth and development. 

Work schedules, day-to-day stressors, a disruptive bedroom environment, and various medical conditions can all prevent us from receiving enough sleep. Over time, not getting enough sleep and not cycling through the four stages appropriately can cause any number of health issues, along with difficulty with learning and focusing, being creative, making rational decisions, problem solving, recalling memories or information, and controlling your emotions and behaviors. Keep in mind that it’s important not just to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, but to ensure that it’s uninterrupted, quality sleep that allows your body to benefit from each of the four stages.

Without enough sleep, your body has a hard time functioning properly. Sleep deficiency is linked to chronic health problems affecting the heart, kidneys, blood, brain, and mental health. Lack of sleep is also associated with an increased risk of injury for both adults and children. In older adults, poor sleep is associated with an increased risk of falls and broken bones. Sleep deficit is even linked to an increased risk of early death. Driver drowsiness is a good example. Specific consequences of sleep deprivation can include mood changes, anxiety, depression, poor memory, poor focus and concentration, poor motor function, fatigue, weakened immune system, weight gain, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and many chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. The bottom line is that sleep keeps you healthy and functioning well. It lets your body and brain repair, restore, and re-energize. 

If you experience any of the following issues, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider, as you may not be getting the sleep you need. They can help determine the underlying cause and improve the quality of your sleep.- If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep at least three nights per week- If you regularly wake up feeling unrested- If your daytime activities are affected by fatigue or issues with mental alertness- If you often need to take a nap to get through the day- If a sleep partner has told you that you snore or gasp when you are asleep- If lack of sleep is affecting your mental well-being

That’s a good place to stop, as next week, I’ll be talking about how sleep affects your mental well-being, and vice versa. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Don’t sleep On This …

Hello, people! Welcome back to a brand new blog for a brand new year! It’s been a tough one for moi thus far, as I got the gift no one wants… covid. It’s been gnarly, but thankfully, I’m starting to feel more like myself again. This week, we’re starting a new series on a very important topic that I hear a lot of complaints about: sleep. Sleep is a vital part of life; we spend up to one-third of our lives doing it, and can’t live without it. It’s a lot like sex… everyone wants it, and some people get more of it than others. 

Don’t Sleep on this…

Lots of go getters and workaholics will say “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” But the problem is that that might be sooner than you want it to be if that’s your point of view. Why is this? Why is sleep so important? What happens in our bodies and brains during sleep? Why is it so hard for some people to fall asleep, while others are out cold before their heads hit their pillows? How can we get better sleep? How does sleep- or lack thereof- affect mental health? One of my patients recently told me about her latest sleepwalking escapades. What’s that all about? These are just some of the questions I’ll be addressing in this series. 

We’ll start with the first question: why do we sleep? At the most basic level, it makes us feel better. A sleepless night usually leads to a dull, lethargic day, but a good night of sleep makes us feel more alert, more energetic, happier, and better able to function. It is as necessary as food, and one way to think about the function of sleep is to compare it to that life-sustaining activity, eating. Hunger is a mechanism that has evolved to ensure that we consume the nutrients our bodies need to grow, repair tissues, and function properly, and feeling tired essentially serves the same purpose. Eating and sleeping are not very different, and both are regulated by powerful internal drives. Going without food produces the uncomfortable sensation of hunger, while going without sleep makes us feel overwhelmingly sleepy. And just as eating relieves hunger and ensures that we obtain the nutrients we need, sleeping relieves sleepiness and ensures that we obtain the sleep we need. But the question remains: why is it necessary? What is the function of sleep? 

Despite decades of research and many discoveries about other aspects of sleep, the question of exactly why we sleep has been difficult to answer. Scientists have developed several theories, but as is the case with so many human processes, it’s unlikely that a single theory will ever be proven correct, as sleep is necessary for many biological functions. 

Inactivity Theory, aka Adaptive Theory

One of the earliest theories of sleep, sometimes called the adaptive or evolutionary theory, suggests that inactivity at night is an adaptation that served as a survival mechanism by keeping organisms out of harm’s way at times when they would be particularly vulnerable. The theory suggests that animals that were able to stay still and quiet during these periods of vulnerability had an advantage over other animals that remained active. For example, they weren’t killed by nocturnal predators and didn’t have accidents during activities in the dark. Through natural selection, this behavioral strategy of inactivity presumably evolved to become what we now recognize as sleep. But for every yin there’s a yang, and a simple counter argument to this theory is that it may be safer to remain conscious in a dangerous environment, in order to be able to react to an emergency. So there doesn’t seem to be any major advantage to being unconscious and asleep if safety is paramount. I mean, yeah, you’re less likely to be run over by a car, but it’s easier to be eaten if you’re just laying there, conveniently waiting for the predator to get you. 

Energy Conservation Theory

The energy conservation theory of sleep suggests that a main purpose of sleep is to reduce a person’s energy use during certain periods when it’s inconvenient and less efficient to hunt for food. This is backed up in our biology, as research has shown that our metabolic rate is significantly reduced during sleep, by as much as 10 percent in humans, and even more in other species. According to this theory, sleeping allows us to reduce our overall caloric requirements by spending part of our time functioning at a lower metabolism. Although it may be less apparent to people living in societies in which food sources are plentiful, one of the strongest factors in natural selection is competition for, and effective utilization of, energy resources. The theory supports the proposition that sleep is a process of natural selection; we’ve evolved to sleep to expend less energy for a certain amount of time each day. And in fact, research suggests that humans getting 8 hours of sleep can produce a daily energy savings of 35 percent over complete wakefulness.

Restorative Theory

Another explanation for why we sleep is based on the long held belief that sleep serves to “restore” what is lost in the body while awake. The bottom line is that sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and rejuvenate itself, and many important processes happen during sleep. In fact, many of the major restorative functions in the body- like muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis, and growth hormone release- occur mostly, or in some cases only, during sleep. There is a great deal of empirical evidence collected in human and animal studies to support the restorative theory. For example, studies have demonstrated that animals deprived of sleep entirely lose all immune function and die in just a matter of weeks. All of the “sleep when you die” folks should probably read that. 

Other rejuvenating aspects of sleep are specific to the brain and cognitive function. For example, while we are awake, neurons in the brain produce adenosine, which is a by product of cellular activity. As long as we are awake, adenosine accumulates and remains in high concentrations. During sleep, the body has a chance to clear adenosine from the system, and, as a result, we feel more alert when we wake. In fact, the accumulation of adenosine in the brain is thought to be one factor that leads to our perception of being tired; scientists think that this build-up during wakefulness may promote the drive to sleep. 

Brain Plasticity Theory

One of the most recent and compelling explanations for why we sleep is based on findings that sleep is correlated to changes in the structure and organization of the brain. This phenomenon is known as brain plasticity, and its connection to sleep has several critical implications. Simply put, this theory says sleep is required for brain function. Specifically, sleep allows your neurons, or nerve cells, time to reorganize. Sleep affects many aspects of brain function, including learning, memory, problem-solving skills, creativity, focus, concentration, and decision making. Ever have trouble remembering today something you did or said yesterday if you didn’t sleep the night before? That’s because sleep contributes to memory function. While you sleep, short-term memories are converted into long-term memories, and information that is not needed is erased, so as not to clutter the nervous system. In addition, when you sleep, your brain’s glymphatic system clears out waste and removes toxic byproducts from your brain which build up throughout the day, and this allows your brain to work well when you wake up. If you don’t sleep, these things don’t happen, so if it seems like your brain doesn’t work properly when you’ve pulled an all-nighter, it’s because it doesn’t… it’s full of waste and useless info!

What else is sleep essential for?

Emotional Well-Being

Not only is sleep needed for physical health, sleep is also necessary for emotional health. Sleep and mental health are intertwined: on one hand, sleep disturbances can contribute to the onset and progression of mental health issues, but on the other hand, mental health issues can also contribute to sleep disturbances. I will cover this in more detail in another blog, but during sleep, brain activity increases in areas that regulate emotion, and this helps support emotional stability. One example of how sleep helps regulate emotions occurs in the amygdala. This part of the brain, located in the temporal lobe, is in charge of the fear response- it’s what controls your reaction when you face a perceived threat, like a stressful situation. When you get enough sleep, the amygdala can respond in a more adaptive way, but if you’re sleep-deprived, the amygdala is more likely to overreact. 

Weight Maintenance

Sleep affects your weight by controlling the hunger hormones ghrelin, which increases appetite, and leptin, which increases the feeling of being full after eating. During sleep, ghrelin decreases because you’re using less energy than when you’re awake. But lack of sleep elevates ghrelin and suppresses leptin, and this imbalance makes you hungrier, which increases the risk of eating more calories and gaining weight. Research shows that chronic sleep deprivation, even as few as five consecutive nights of short sleep, may be associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes. In addition, sleep is necessary for proper insulin function and may protect against insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose, or sugar, for energy. But in insulin resistance, your cells don’t respond properly to insulin, and this can lead to high blood glucose levels and eventually, type 2 diabetes. Basically, sleep helps keep your cells healthy so they can properly take up glucose.

Immune Health

A healthy and strong immune system depends on sleep, period. Research shows that sleep deprivation lowers immunity and can inhibit immune response, which obvi makes the body much more susceptible to germs. When you sleep, your body makes cytokines, which are proteins that fight infection and inflammation. It also produces certain antibodies and various immune cells during this “down” time, and together, these prevent sickness by destroying harmful germs. This is why sleep is so important when you’re sick or stressed, as during these times, the body needs even more immune cells. Having had covid recently, I can vouch for that.

Heart Health

While the exact causes aren’t clear, scientists have established a link between heart disease and poor sleep. It is associated with risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, elevated cortisol levels, increased inflammation, weight gain, and insulin resistance. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the average adult needs 7 hours of sleep a night. During that time, the body repairs cells and tissues, restores energy, and releases molecules like hormones and proteins, while the brain stores new information and gets rid of toxic waste, and the nerve cells communicate and reorganize. Without these processes, our bodies can’t function correctly. It’s a lot for a body to do, so give it the time it needs to do it! 

Next time, we’ll talk about more what happens while you’re sleeping. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Scariest Psych Disorders,The Finale

Scariest Psych Disorders, the finale

Hello, people… welcome back to the blog! Last week, we talked about more of the strangest and scariest psych disorders, and this week, we’ll finish that off before we take a break for the holidays. Let’s get right to it.

Kluver-Bucy Syndrome

Ever had a food craving? Maybe you want a piping hot pepperoni and mushroom pizza, with extra cheese. Sounds good, right? How about you add some dryer lint? Yum! Or maybe a little shredded phone book? Still sound good? No? How about sex… ever had a craving for that? Of course, everyone has, right? How about sex with a truck? Not in a truck… WITH a truck. Hmmm…. Maybe not so much.

Well, imagine craving the taste of that phone book, or wanting to have sex with a car. It sounds unreal, but those things are reality for people with Kluver-Bucy Syndrome, a very scary neurological disorder associated with damage to the temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in the desire to eat inedible objects, sexual attraction to inanimate objects, and memory loss. 

First described by neuropsychologist Heinrich Klüver and neurosurgeon Paul Bucy- hence the name- the story of Klüver-Bucy syndrome begins with a monkey and a cactus. Actually, it begins with mescaline, which is a chemical derived from a cactus, that causes vivid hallucinations. It was studied very thoroughly- and quite personally- by psychologist Heinrich Klüver, who noticed that monkeys that were given mescaline often smacked their lips, which reminded him of behaviors exhibited by patients with ​seizures arising from the temporal lobe of the brain. Unsure if this was due to mescaline or not, this made the two of them curious as to all of the functions of the temporal lobe, so they designed an experiment on a monkey named Aurora, who happened to be particularly aggressive. They removed a large part of Aurora’s left temporal lobe to investigate it under a microscope, and noted that when she woke, her previously aggressive demeanor had vanished, and she was instead placid and tame. 

Apparently, this drew their interest more than the mescaline, so they focused solely on the temporal lobe, performing bilateral temporal lobe surgery on a series of 16 monkeys, and afterwards noted the following symptoms:

Psychic blindness- this indicates a lack of recognition or understanding of a person, place, or thing being viewed. After the surgery, the monkeys would look at the same object over and over again, unable to recognize the form or function of the object. Even things they should fear, like a hissing snake, they didn’t recognize, much less fear. 

Oral tendencies- like a very small child, the monkeys evaluated everything around them by putting it all into their mouths, rather than using their hands, as they normally would. They would even attempt to push their heads through the bars of their cages in order to touch things with their mouths, instead of their hands. 

Dietary changes- prior to the temporal lobe surgeries, these monkeys usually ate fruit, but afterwards, the monkeys began to accept and consume large quantities of meat.

Hypermetamorphosis- this meant that anything that crossed the monkeys’ field of vision required their full and immediate attention.

Altered sexual behavior- after the procedure, the monkeys become very sexually interested, both alone with themselves, and with others.

Emotional changes- the monkeys became very placid, with reduced or even absent fear. Facial expressions were also lost for several months, but those did return after a period of time.

Not surprisingly, people with Kluver-Bucy syndrome often have the same symptoms: trouble recognizing people and/ or objects that should be familiar to them, and excessive oral tendencies, with the urge to put all kinds of objects into the mouth, whether food items or not. Hypermetamorphosis is also common, the irresistible impulse or need to explore everything that comes into view. Other symptoms include memory loss, emotional changes, extreme sexual behavior, indifference, placidity, and visual agnosia, which is difficulty identifying and processing visual information. A nearly uncontrollable appetite for food is often noted, and there may be dementia type symptoms as well. 

Klüver-Bucy syndrome is the result of damage to the temporal lobes of the brain. This can be the result of trauma to the brain itself, or the result of other degenerative brain diseases, tumors, or some brain infections, most commonly herpes simplex encephalitis.

Thankfully, this type of extreme damage is rare. The first full case report of Klüver-Bucy syndrome was reported by doctors Terzian and Ore in 1955, when a 19-year-old man had sudden seizures, behavioral changes, and psychotic features. First the left, and then the right, temporal lobes were removed. After the surgery, he seemed much less attached to other people, and was even quite cold to his family. At the same time, he was hypersexual, frequently soliciting people who happened by, whether they were men or women. He also wanted to eat constantly, regardless if the items were food or not. 

Because it is so rare, like many classical neurological syndromes, Klüver-Bucy syndrome is really more important for historical and academic reasons, rather than for its immediate applications to patients. The reports of Klüver and Bucy got a lot of publicity at the time, mainly due to their demonstrating the temporal lobe’s involvement with interpreting vision, and their work added to the growing recognition that particular regions of the brain had unique functions which were lost if that region of the brain was damaged. Science is built on the work of others- the more we know, the more we learn- and while Klüver-Bucy syndrome isn’t very common, the work that went into describing it still has an impact felt in neurology to this day.

Aboulomania

To be or not to be… that is the question. At least, that’s one of the many questions someone with aboulomania is likely to ask themselves. From the Greek a-, meaning without’, and boulē, meaning will, aboulomania is a psych disorder in which the patient displays pathological indecisiveness. While many people have a hard time making decisions, it is rarely to the extent of obsession, and that’s exactly the case in aboulomania.

In most people, the part of the brain that is tied to making rational choices, the prefrontal cortex, can hold several pieces of information at any given time. But people with aboulomania quickly become overwhelmed when trying to make choices or decisions, regardless of the importance of that decision. They come up with all the reasons how and why their decisions will turn out badly, causing them to overanalyze every situation critically. It’s a classic case of paralysis by analysis, where a lack of information, difficulty in valuation, and outcome uncertainty combine to become obsession. Often associated with anxiety, stress, and depression, as you can imagine, aboulomania can severely affect one’s ability to function socially. 

As for etiology, it’s usually extremely authoritarian or overprotective parenting that leads to the development of aboulomania; when caretakers reward loyalty and punish independence. Sometimes there’s a history of neglect and avoidance of expressed emotion during childhood that contributes to it. If someone is a victim of humiliation or abandonment during childhood, the chances for aboulomania increase, as shame, insecurity, and lack of self-trust can all trigger it. It’s sad to see, when everyday tasks become deciding questions of peoples’ lives. Simple decisions… to see a movie or stay at home, and what movie? Do I want Mexican or Italian food? Should I call John or text him? These are questions that cannot be answered by people with aboulomania without an eternity of dilemmas. 

It’s common for people with aboulomania to avoid being alone whenever they know a decision has to be made, or feel like a dilemma might come up. But this doesn’t come from a fear of being alone, it comes from the need to have someone there to make the decision for them, and assume the responsibility for said decision. Here, the fear of being alone isn’t the root of the problem, it’s just a symptom of a bigger issue. It’s important to mention that this dependency on people makes it easier for others to manipulate or lie to people with aboulomania. Some people will take advantage of their indecisiveness and use that, while others will simply leave them for not being able to make choices or ever express disagreement. 

Many times, people with aboulomania don’t recognize it, or recognize it but try to play it off, but this is a pathological level of indecision, a mental illness, not just a self-esteem or insecurity issue, so diagnosis is important. Look, being indecisive when having to make an important decision is normal, but when it starts affecting your relationships, and it makes it impossible for you to live your life, it’s a problem, so it’s time for an evaluation. Once diagnosed, the process really consists of dealing with any of the underlying anxiety, depression, or stress that usually goes with it. The idea is to then help the person develop more autonomy, self esteem, and social skills, like assertiveness. 

Paris Syndrome

Ah Paris… the beautiful city of lights, croissants, funny mimes, the Champs-Elysées, macarons, the Eiffel Tower, and art at the Louvre. Sounds fabulous. That’s what most people think of, that view that I just described, so the reality can come as a shock… McDonald’s on every corner, crime, graffiti, and rude taxi drivers and waiters, irritated by tourists who don’t speak the lingo. I mean, every place has its pros and cons, but people seem to have romantic expectations of Paris, right? Hence Paris syndrome, an extremely odd, but thankfully temporary, mental disorder that causes one to become completely overwhelmed while visiting the city of Paris. And to be clear, not overwhelmed by the beauty, but rather by the reality of Paris. 

Interestingly, Paris syndrome seems to be most common among Japanese travelers. The theory is that they’re used to a more polite and helpful society in which voices are rarely raised in anger, and the experience of their dream city turning into a nightmare can simply be too much. Of the approximately 6 million Japanese visitors to Paris each year, one to two dozen experience overwhelming anxiety, acute delusions, hallucinations, feelings of confusion and disorientation, nausea, paranoia, dizziness, sweating, and feelings of persecution that are Paris syndrome. Researchers really just speculate as to cause; because most people who experience this syndrome have no history of mental illness, the leading thought is that it’s triggered by the language barrier, physical and mental exhaustion, and the reality of Paris as compared to the idealized version.

So what can one do to prevent Paris syndrome? Simple: adjust your expectations. Ultimately, it’s like any modern metropolis- dirty, crowded, loud, and often indifferent… but beautifully so. Just don’t expect the furniture to spring to life and help you get ready for your dance with the Beast, and a trip to Paris will be exciting, and, most importantly, free of debilitating anxiety and hallucinations.

Cotard Delusion

It seems like there have been so many iterations of The Walking Dead, and like every generation sees a new zombie trend, but this isn’t all movie magic. Imagine feeling IRL that you are dead already, that your body and all of your internal organs are rotting, and that you are ceasing to exist. Well, that’s how it is for people with this very strange- and incredibly frightening- neuropsych disorder also known as nihilistic delusion, as well as walking corpse syndrome. Boy, that last one pretty much says it all, right? Named for neurologist Jules Cotard, who first described it in 1880 as “The Delirium of Negation,” Cotard delusion typically occurs in conjunction with severe depression, some psychotic disorders, and other neurological conditions.

One of the main symptoms of Cotard delusion is nihilism- the belief that nothing has any value or meaning- but can also include the belief that nothing really exists. And in fact, in some cases, people with Cotard delusion feel like they’ve never existed, never lived. But it does have a flip side, the feeling of being immortal. As for other symptoms, depression is numero uno, with anxiety a close second. Hello, I think I’d be depressed and anxious too if I thought I was rotting and my very soul didn’t exist. But depression is in fact very closely linked to Cotard delusion, with a review indicating that 89% of documented cases cited depression as a symptom. Aside from anxiety, other common symptoms include hallucinations, hypochondria, guilt, and a preoccupation with hurting oneself or with death. 

Researchers aren’t sure what causes Cotard delusion, but there are a few potential risk factors. Being female is one, as women seem to be more likely to develop Cotard delusion. Age is a factor. Several studies indicate that the average age of people with Cotard delusion is about 50, but it can also occur in children and teenagers. Interestingly, people with Cotard delusion that are under the age of 25 tend to also have bipolar depression, so that’s a risk factor. In addition, Cotard delusion seems to occur more often in people who think that their personal characteristics, rather than their environment, cause their behavior. People who believe the opposite- that their environment causes their behavior- are more likely to have a related condition called Capgras syndrome. That should sound familiar from the first installment of this series, as the syndrome causes people to think their family and friends have been replaced by imposters. Notably, Cotard delusion and Capgras syndrome can also appear together. Imagine that… believing that your body is rotting away, you are ceasing to exist, and all of the people and places in your life have been replaced by imposters! Jump on the empathy train, people. 

In addition to bipolar disorder, other mental health conditions that might increase one’s risk of developing Cotard delusion include postpartum depression, psychotic depression, schizophrenia, catatonia, and dissociative disorder. Cotard delusion also appears to be associated with certain neurological conditions, including dementia, brain infections, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraines, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and Parkinson’s disease.

As you can imagine, feeling like you’re ceasing to exist- or like you’ve already died- can lead to some gnarly complications. For example, some people stop bathing or taking care of themselves, which can lead to skin and dental issues. All of that can cause people around them to start distancing themselves, which then usually leads to additional feelings of isolation and depression for the patient. Others stop eating and drinking because they believe their body doesn’t need it, and in severe cases, this can lead to malnutrition and starvation, even death by starvation. Unfortunately, suicide attempts are very common in people with Cotard delusion. Some see it as a way to prove they’re already dead by showing they can’t die again, while others simply feel trapped in a body and life that feels hopeless and doesn’t seem real. They hope that their life will get better or that their condition will stop if they die again.

Fortunately, Cotard’s delusion is very rare, with about 200 cases known worldwide, and while the symptoms are extreme and it can be hard to get the right diagnosis, most people get better with treatment. That generally entails a mix of therapy and medication, often a combination of meds to find something that works. If nothing seems to work, ECT- electroconvulsive therapy- may be used as a last resort. Done under general anesthesia, ECT passes small electric currents through the brain; this induces a generalized seizure and causes changes in brain chemistry that may quickly reverse or resolve symptoms of certain mental health conditions. While it sounds horrifying, ECT is not the procedure depicted in old B movies, and it can be a real game changer for some people with refractory conditions… I’ve seen a single ECT session change a person’s life. 

There are descriptions of several Cotard’s cases available on the interwebs. One of the earliest recorded cases occurred in 1788, when an elderly woman was preparing a meal and felt a sudden draft, and then became totally paralyzed on one side of her body. When feeling, movement, and the ability to speak eventually came back to her, she told her daughters to dress her in a shroud and place her in a coffin. For days, she continued to demand that her daughters, friends, and maid treat her like she was dead. They finally gave in, putting her in a shroud and laying her out so they could mourn her. Even at the “wake,” the lady continued to fuss with her shroud, and even complained about its color. When she finally fell asleep, her family undressed her and put her to bed. After she was treated with a “powder of precious stones and opium,” her delusions went away, only to return every few months.

Some 100 years later, Cotard himself saw a patient he called Mademoiselle X, and she had an unusual complaint. She claimed to have “no brain, no nerves, no chest, no stomach and no intestines,” yet despite this predicament, she also believed that she “was eternal and would live forever.” Since she was immortal, and didn’t have any innards, evidently she didn’t see a need to eat, and soon died of starvation. Cotard’s description of the woman’s condition spread widely and was very influential, and the disorder was eventually named after him.

But Cotard’s delusion isn’t strictly confined to the history books. In 2008, a New York psychiatrist reported on a 53-year-old patient who complained that she was dead and smelled like rotting flesh. She asked her family to take her to a morgue so that she could be with other dead people. Thankfully, they dialed 911 instead, and the patient was admitted to the psychiatric unit, where she accused paramedics of trying to burn her house down. After a month or so on a strict drug regimen, her symptoms were greatly improved, and she was well enough to be released to her loving family.  

That seems like a good place to stop. We’ll be taking a break for the holidays, so the next blog will be in 2022! I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Happy holidays! Be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Most bizarre Psych Disorders Part 2

Hello, people! Welcome back to the blog. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I’ll tell you, anyone who doesn’t believe in global warming doesn’t live here in SoFla, because it was a warm one. It sure doesn’t feel like two weeks until Christmas. Anyway, I guess we should get to the shrinky stuff. Two weeks ago, I introduced you to some of the scariest mental disorders out there, and we talked about apotemnophilia, where people have the desire to amputate a healthy, functional limb, Capgras delusion, where people believe that the people in their lives have been replaced with duplicate imposters that are hell bent on harming them, Diogenes syndrome, better known as hoarding, and factitious disorder, where people go to great lengths to fake symptoms of real illness. This week, we’re going to continue the discussion, and things are going to get way weirder- and scarier- so buckle up, folks.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Alice in Wonderland is total fantasy, but one of Alice’s more bizarre experiences shares its characteristics with a very scary and all too real neurological disorder. Also known as Todd Syndrome, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is characterized by transient, episodic distortions of visual perception, phenomena known as metamorphopsias. There’s a scrabble word for you. Just as Alice grows too tall for the house in Wonderland, people with AIWS may see their body parts or other objects as larger or smaller than they really are, hear sounds louder or quieter than they actually are, and even lose their sense of time and velocity. They may also experience derealization and depersonalization, which are shrinky terms for mental states where you feel detached from your surroundings and where you lose your sense of self identity, respectively. 

There are three main types of AIWS, which are divided according to how the person’s perception is distorted.

Type A involves sensory distortion of oneself, and in this type, the most common issue is people feeling as though their body parts are changing size.

Type B causes more visual distortions of the surrounding environment, and includes episodes of micropsia, where objects appear too small; macropsia, where objects appear too big; metamorphopsia, where height and width of objects appear inaccurate; pelopsia, where objects appear too close; and teleopsia, where objects appear farther away than they actually are. 

Type C is a mix of types A and B. A person with Type C AIWS can perceive both the image of their own body, and that of other people or things around them, to be changing. 

AIWS can affect perception of every sense: sight, hearing, touch, and time. As you can imagine, it’s a terrifying disorder, sort of like an LSD trip without the euphoria, but thankfully it’s considered fairly rare, with fewer than 200 “clinical” cases described in the literature, meaning cases requiring medical attention. That said, I also read that “non-clinical” AIWS- meaning fleeting, transient cases not requiring medical attention- have been described in up to 30 percent of the general population. That doesn’t sound so rare to me, right? And by the way, anytime I see my body parts changing size right before my very eyes, I think I’d require medical attention. Just sayin. 

While the exact cause or etiology is still unknown, it’s most often associated with migraine, head trauma, brain tumor, fever, drug use, certain types of epilepsy, and certain infectious diseases, especially Epstein-Barr virus and varicella-zoster virus. It’s also theorized that it can be caused by abnormal amounts of electrical activity, resulting in abnormal blood flow to those parts of the brain that are responsible for visual perception and processing. Encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, often caused by infection or an allergic reaction, is the most common cause of AIWS in children, while in adults, migraine is the most common cause. Prognostically, AIWS in and of itself is generally considered relatively harmless, but clearly that depends on the underlying pathology. 

Alien Hand Syndrome

Any South Park fans here? If so, you may recognize this syndrome… Cartman claimed he suffered from this in the episode with Pancake Head. But true alien hand syndrome is a frightening neurological disorder where a discrepancy develops between one’s intentions and actions of a hand or limb, causing that hand to seemingly act on its own free will. Sometimes one leg is affected, though this isn’t as common. During these episodes, the affected hand feels foreign to its owner, as it carries out its unintentional tasks. Sometimes referred to as Dr. Strangelove syndrome, Strangelovian hand, or anarchic hand, alien hand can affect children, but usually occurs in adults.

Alien hand syndrome can be caused by several factors. Some people develop this after a stroke, brain trauma, or tumor. It’s sometimes associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and brain aneurysms as well. It’s often linked to anything that separates or affects communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, usually a division or an issue with the corpus callosum, which divides the brain hemispheres and allows for communication between the two sides. Surgeries to treat epilepsy sometimes affect the brain in this way. Lesions have also been found in the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior parietal cortex, and supplementary motor cortex areas of the brain in people with alien hand, which would affect intentional planning systems and could cause spontaneous movements.

Alien hand can be like a bad B movie… sufferers have reported their alien hand attempting to choke either themselves or others, ripping clothing, and scratching to the point of drawing blood. Yikes. Unfortunately, no cure exists for alien hand syndrome, and it’s best that those affected by it keep their hands constantly occupied, and use their other hand to control the alien hand. It’s used in some terrifying plot twists, but alien hand syndrome is hardly limited to the fictional world. 

Boanthropy

Boanthropy is a rare and serious psychological disorder in which a human being experiences a mental metamorphosis, believing they are a cow, and go so far as to behave as such. Sometimes people with boanthropy are found in fields with “other” cows, walking on all fours and chewing grass as if they were a member of the herd. This is actually how they’re identified, as a result of their behavior. But people with boanthropy not only walk like a cow, they often “talk” like a cow… they stop talking like human beings, using language, and instead prefer mooing. They often stop eating people food and develop a taste and craving for grass… they graze like a cow, eating whatever plants they see “the other” cows eating. 

Boanthropy isn’t new. It’s even referred to in the Bible, with King Nebuchadnezzar. He was king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 605 BC to 562 BC, the dude who conquered Judah and Jerusalem, and sent the Jews into exile. He was also credited with building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But he was constantly babbling about his great achievements, so he was humbled by God for being boastful. In the Book of Daniel, he basically lost his sanity, and lived like an animal for seven years. It says that he “was driven from men and did eat grass as oxen.” Lucky for him, God took pity on him and later restored his sanity, so he then praised and honored God. 

The cause of boanthropy is still unknown. Many link it with religious perceptions, while others think it’s related to witchcraft and black magic. Most likely, it’s an additional aspect of another psychological disease, such as schizophrenia. The person is probably experiencing severe delusions, and that affects their sense of self, their belief that they exist as a human being. But since the causes of boanthropy aren’t well understood, treatment isn’t exactly defined. That said, if a human is seen grazing and mooing, they clearly need help. Now, I’ve never had a patient with boanthropy, but I can tell you that some serious psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy would be in order, and the primary goal would be to treat the underlying condition, to help the individual give up the state of delusion and realize they’re human. 

I read an account online of a person suffering from boanthropy. Apparently he had stopped eating people food, despite his family’s increasingly frantic attempts to get him to do so, and he was dying. I mean, hello, malnutrition, he was only eating grass. Anyway, he was so sickly and weak, he begged to be butchered, so the villagers called the butcher, who was clearly really smart. When he came, he appraised the man’s body condition as he would any animal, and said that the man was too thin, that he must be fattened up with milk and meat for at least one year before he could be butchered. The man heard this and began to take the milk and meat, and started gaining weight. Eventually, this apparently helped him realize his delusion, and he stopped behaving like a cow and started acting like a human again. This wasn’t in a journal, just a random account on the interwebs, so I can’t vouch for the veracity of the story, but thought it was interesting. 

Ultimately, they don’t seem to realize what they’re doing at the time, but everything they do, from their behavior, to their diet, to the sounds they make, people with boanthropy moooove through life like a cow. Ha!

Clinical Lycanthropy

Like people with boanthropy, people with clinical lycanthropy also believe they can become animals, but in this case, it’s wolves and werewolves, or lycanthropes. Isn’t that a great word? Fun fact, the word lycanthrope comes from the Greek words lykos, meaning “wolf,” and anthropos, meaning “human being.” So everyone knows the legend of the werewolf, right? It’s the fearsome creature who only takes the form of a human until the night of the full moon, at which point they become a bloodthirsty beast… blood curdling scream!!!!

Clinical lycanthropy is actually another very rare and scary psychiatric syndrome involving a delusion that the affected person can transform into, or has transformed into, a wolf. Basically, these people claim that they can physically shapeshift into wolves and werewolves, and often, the symptoms include them relaying their “transformation experience” during a moment of clarity. I guess other symptoms would include howling at the moon? I joke, but this is a real thing, although exceedingly rare. Since 1850, there have been 56 original case descriptions of people who believed they were metamorphosing into an animal, 13 of which met the criteria for clinical lycanthropy. Once again, the cause is unknown, but several theories exist. Aside from being a garden variety delusion, another potential cause involves lesions or other physiological issues within the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for a person’s perception of their own body. Interestingly, studies have actually shown that when sufferers of clinical lycanthropy undergo a “transformation,” they display unusual levels of brain activity in these regions, suggesting that they may genuinely perceive themselves as other than human. It’s interesting that we’ve actually done imaging studies on people as they “transformed.” I guess it’s become a real phenomenon. 

If you search it, there are all sorts of forums and discussions on the interwebs about being a werewolf, the differences between werewolves and vampires, and how to get volunteers to “donate” their blood to lycanthropes. I remember seeing a guy on some tv show saying he had like five people that allowed him to drink their blood- he kept them in circulation- so he didn’t take too much from any one. Get it? Drank blood in circulation. Ha! He really did say that, but not as a joke. Anyway, he seemed perfectly rational as he talked about it. Again, it’s most likely a delusional state, secondary to another psych disorder, like schizophrenia or even bipolar disorder, though I’m sure he- and all those other werewolves out there- would disagree. 

Koro Syndrome

Also known as Shrinking Penis or Genital Retraction Syndrome- yikes- Koro syndrome is a delusional disorder in which a person feels that his genitals are retracting into his abdomen, and that they may totally disappear one day, and even possibly kill him… all of this without any physical proof of the retraction. It primarily strikes males, but females occasionally suffer from a variation of koro in which they believe that their nipples are retracting. Interestingly, koro often appears as an epidemic in which multiple cases are reported simultaneously within a specific geographic area. That should give you an idea of an underlying issue associated with koro… mass hysteria.

First identified in ancient China, koro almost always follows an identical pattern: the sufferer first experiences a tingling sensation in the genitals, followed by a rapid onset panic attack, which quickly leads to a sudden and pervasive fear that the genitals are disappearing. In Asia, this fear is almost always accompanied by an imminent fear of death, although interestingly, this element is often missing from reports in other parts of the world. 

Koro is clearly heavily influenced by cultural beliefs, which also helps explain why epidemics are common. Outbreaks may be blamed on any number of things, including an invading force, an individual rival, or extramarital affairs. I read that in some West African outbreaks, sufferers believed that their genitals were being stolen for occult reasons, rather than retracting into their bodies. In most cases, indigenous treatment is recommended, and that might include an exorcism, rest, herbal treatments, or other healing practices. “Defeating the foe” is sometimes the recommended treatment in some koro outbreaks. That sounds cool. Doctor, what should I do? Defeat the foe! Apparently, koro sufferers often ask friends or relatives to physically manipulate their genitals to stop them from retracting, which sometimes leads to injury. Ouch! Thankfully, the anxiety and hysteria from koro generally subsides very quickly when a culturally acceptable treatment is used. 

Koro happens around the world, including the Western world. Here, koro is treated as a specific phobia, with psychotherapy and antidepressant medications commonly prescribed. Clearly, it’s important to rule out physical causes for the koro symptoms, as pain, tingling, and similar physical symptoms that are common in koro could also indicate an underlying physiological condition. Captain Obvious says that here in the west, we would perform a full workup to determine exactly which factors are in play. Captain Obvious also says that it’s a good idea to first visit the urologist if you’re experiencing these symptoms. That’s my PSA for the day: see a urologist if your genitals are tingling.

That’s a good place to stop for today. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in officeand on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

The Scariest Mental Disorders of All Time

The Scariest Mental Disorders of All Time

Hello, people! I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving! Is everybody on tryptophan overload? I know I am, but man was the turkey great this year! And the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the gravy, the pineapple casserole… you get the idea. Anyhoo, last week and 5 pounds ago I finished up our series on the dark side of ADHD. I hope everyone learned something. Squirrel!! Again, if you don’t get that joke, check out the series. This week, I want to talk about the weirdest and scariest psych disorders out there. I remember this section from med school- it really caught my attention- you’ll see why shortly. Imagine suffering from a mental illness that causes you to believe your significant other is an imposter, hell bent on harming you, or one that convinces you that books are for eating, not reading. Or that your genitals are shrinking? YIKES!! Or the ultimate… that you have somehow become the walking dead. Pretty scary, right?

While a very small percentage of people are forced to live with these unusual disorders, 450 million people worldwide suffer from mental illness. In the United States alone, one in four families is affected. While some mental disorders, like depression, usually occur naturally, others are the result of brain trauma or other injuries. Although it’s certainly fair to say that any mental illness can be scary for those suffering from it- as well as their families- there are a few rare disorders that are especially terrifying. Those are what I’m going to talk about this week, so jump on the empathy train and buckle up, people… it’s about to get wild.

Apotemnophilia

Also known as Body Integrity Disorder or Amputee Identity Disorder, Apotemnophilia is a disorder that sort of blurs the lines between neurology and psychiatry- we aren’t certain of the origins- so I’ll call it a neuropsych disorder. Whatever it is, apotemnophilia is typically characterized by the overwhelming desire to amputate or permanently damage healthy, functional parts of the body. More rarely, affected individuals have the express desire to be paraplegic, and in some exceptionally rare cases, they seek sensory deprivation, such as blindness or deafness. Oddly enough, the first description of this condition traces back to a series of letters published in Penthouse magazine in 1972, but the first scientific report of this disorder came about in 1977 with the medical description of two cases. As happens, two have become many, and now there may be thousands of people with apotemnophilia desiring amputation. They seem to gather on the interwebs, and some even have their own websites seeking support or pleading their cases. I mean, Captain Obvious says that the vast majority of surgeons won’t just amputate healthy limbs upon request… hello, Hippocratic Oath… so some sufferers of apotemnophilia feel forced to perform amputations on their own. DIY surgery? That’s a very dangerous scenario to be sure. But there have been some cases who have had a limb removed by a doctor, and most are reportedly very happy with their decision. 

Since little was known about it, one American shrink made an attempt to further illuminate the disorder by surveying 52 volunteers desiring amputation. Thanks to his work, a number of key features were identified: there seems to be a gender prevalence, as most individuals are men, as well as a side preference, with left-sided amputations being most frequently desired. He also found that there was a preference toward amputation of the leg versus the arm. Until recently, the explanation for apotemnophilia has been in favor of a psychiatric etiology; it was thought to be a pathological desire driven strictly by a sexual compulsion. But a neurological explanation has recently been proposed, in the form of damage to, or dysfunction of, the right parietal lobe, thereby leading to a distorted body image and subsequent desire for amputation. In order to investigate this potential etiology, recent studies have utilized electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques in an attempt to identify neurological correlates of body representation impairments. That work is ongoing. What’s interesting is that, in my experience, most of these folks seek limb amputation primarily to “feel complete” as they put it, as opposed to wanting to satisfy any sexual proclivities, but the debate about the reasons behind the desire rage on as studies continue. Sounds a little oxymoronic, to remove something to feel more complete, but that’s apotemnophilia.

Capgras Delusion

Also known as imposter syndrome or Capgras syndrome after Joseph Capgras, a French psychiatrist who was fascinated by the illusion of doubles, Capgras is a debilitating mental disorder in which one irrationally believes that the people and/ or things around them have been replaced by identical imposters. Sort of like Leonardo Di Caprio in Inception, but without a totem to tell if you’re in the real world. Whether it’s a close friend, spouse, family member, pet, or even a home, people suffering from Capgras feel that their reality has been altered, that the real thing has been substituted for a fake. And if that weren’t bad enough, even worse, the imposters are usually thought to be planning to harm them. Capgras is usually transient, ranging from minutes to months, but unfortunately, also usually recurrent.  

Capgras syndrome is most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, both of which affect memory and can alter one’s sense of reality. Schizophrenia, especially paranoid hallucinatory schizophrenia, can cause episodes of Capgras syndrome, as this also affects one’s sense of reality and can cause delusions. In rare cases, a brain injury that causes cerebral lesions, especially in the back of the right hemisphere, can also cause Capgras syndrome, as that’s the area of the brain that facilitates facial recognition. Rarely, people with epilepsy and migraine may also experience temporary Capgras syndrome as well. There are several theories on what causes the syndrome. Some researchers believe that it’s caused solely by a problem within the brain, by conditions like atrophy, lesions, or cerebral dysfunction, while others believe that it’s a combination of physical and cognitive changes, causing feelings of disconnectedness. Still others believe that it’s a problem with processing information, or an error in perception which coincides with damaged or missing memories. For all we know about the brain, there is still so much we don’t. Occurring more commonly in females than males, Capgras is relatively rare, and is most often seen after traumatic injury to the brain. No matter the how and why, Capgras is upsetting for both the person experiencing the delusion and the person who is accused of being an imposter, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the scariest disorders of all time. 

Diogenes Syndrome

Diogenes Syndrome is more commonly referred to as simply hoarding, and is one of the most misunderstood behavioral disorders. Named after the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope- who was, ironically, a minimalist- this syndrome is usually characterized by the overwhelming desire to collect seemingly random items, to which an emotional attachment is then formed. In addition to uncontrollable hoarding, people with Diogenes syndrome often exhibit extreme self neglect, apathy towards themselves or others, social withdrawal, and no shame for their habits. It is very common among the elderly, those with dementia, and people who have at some point in their lives been abandoned, or who have lacked a stable home environment. Occurring in both men and women, people with Diogenes syndrome often live alone, tend to withdraw from life and society, and are seemingly unaware that anything is wrong with the condition of their home and lack of self-care. The conditions they live in often lead to illnesses like pneumonia, or accidents like falls or fires, and in fact, it’s often through these situations that the person’s condition becomes known.

Diogenes syndrome is often linked to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, dementia, and addiction, especially to alcohol. While there are defined risk factors for developing Diogenes, having one or even more doesn’t necessarily mean it will occur. In many cases, a specific incident becomes a trigger for the onset of symptoms. This can be something like the death of a spouse or other close relative, retirement, or divorce. Medical conditions may also trigger symptom onset: stroke, congestive heart failure, dementia, vision problems, increasing frailty, depression, and loss of mobility due to any number of reasons are the most common medical triggers. 

This condition can be difficult to treat, and it can be very frustrating to care for people who have it. While Diogenes syndrome is sometimes diagnosed in people who are middle aged, it usually occurs in people over 60. Symptoms usually appear over time, and in early stages, generally include withdrawing from social situations and avoiding others. People may then start to display poor judgment, changes in personality, and inappropriate behaviors. Due to the associated isolation, people typically have this condition for a long time before it’s diagnosed. Warning symptoms in an undiagnosed person may include skin rashes caused by poor hygiene, fleas or lice, matted, unkempt hair, overgrown toenails and fingernails, body odor, unexplained injuries, malnutrition, and dehydration. The person’s home generally exhibits signs of neglect and decay, with possible rodent infestation, overwhelming amounts of garbage in and around the home, and an intense, unpleasant smell. Despite all of these factors, people with Diogenes syndrome are typically in denial of their situation and usually refuse support or help. 

Factitious Disorder

Most people cringe at the first sniffle that may indicate a potential cold or illness, but not people with Factitious disorder, as this scary mental disorder is characterized by an obsession with being sick. Factitious comes from the Latin word meaning artificial, so as the name suggests, people with factitious disorders will present artificial symptoms of real medical conditions. They will often go to incredible lengths to imitate symptoms of a real medical condition, and some will go so far as to intentionally harm themselves to feign symptoms. I’ve seen people inject bacteria into their bodies, intentionally contaminate lab tests, and take hallucinogenic drugs to feign symptoms of whatever illness they’re aiming for, and they’re often willing to be hospitalized and even undergo unpleasant or painful medical tests in order to further their efforts. I should note that factitious disorders are similar to hypochondriasis, in that the symptoms or complaints are not the result of having true, tangible medical conditions, but there is one key difference between factitious disorders and hypochondriasis: people with hypochondriasis believe that they are ill, whereas people with factitious disorders know that they are not.

There are basically three types of factitious disorders. The first is Munchausen syndrome, where people will repeatedly fake symptoms of medical problems. The symptoms will usually be exaggerated, and they tend to go to great lengths to convince others that those symptoms are real. Munchausen syndrome patients have been known to undergo multiple unnecessary medical procedures, even surgeries, and they tend to go to different medical facilities so as not to be detected. The second is Munchausen by proxy, which is like Munchausen, but when by proxy, the person suffering from factitious disorder will force someone else into the patient role. Most commonly, it is the parent(s) or caregiver(s) forcing children into the proxy role, putting them through various medical procedures, making up symptoms that the child has, encouraging the child to lie, falsifying medical reports, and/or altering tests to give the appearance of a sick child. The third is Ganser syndrome, which is a rarer factitious disorder that mostly occurs amongst prisoners, whereby they’ll display faked psychological symptoms such as psychosis. At times, they know they’re not going to get anything out of it, but they’ll give it a try anyway. Psychological testing and sharp shrinks usually tell the true tale with Ganser syndrome.

It can be difficult to identify factitious disorders because the perpetrators are often very adept in feigning symptoms, and they may go to great lengths to physically cause symptoms. I had one case where a woman was admitted to a hospital complaining about vomiting blood, and she insisted on receiving surgery. When an endoscopy didn’t show any stomach bleeding or other source of blood, she shoved her fingers up her nose to make it bleed down her throat. The ruses almost always include elaborate stories, long lists of symptoms, and jumping from hospital to hospital. As you can imagine, it’s incredibly difficult to get an accurate depiction of how prevalent factitious disorders are, because many people are so masterful at faking their symptoms. The estimated lifetime prevalence in clinical settings is 1.0%, and in the general population, it is estimated to be approximately 0.1%, but it ranges widely across different studies, from 0.007% to 8.0%. In one study of patients in a Berlin hospital, it was shown that approximately .3% of hospitalized patients had a factitious disorder. I suspect that whatever the actual number is, these disorders may be much more common than previously thought. Since people with factitious disorders can be very persistent, physicians have to carefully monitor people for it. 

Experts have not identified one solid cause of factitious disorders. Some experts believe that these people suffer from a sense of inadequacy or unstable self worth, and use the factitious behaviors to get attention and sympathy, and this essentially defines their self worth. Most likely, they’re caused by a combination of emotional aspects. Such an obsession with sickness often stems from past trauma or serious illness, and it can be linked to a history of hospitalization or sickness during childhood which the patient tries to recreate, in order to return to normalization. Another possible cause is that someone close to the person really was chronically ill, and the person became jealous of the attention, and began to feign symptoms in order to get that same attention. People with factitious disorders will almost always insist that their symptoms are real, even despite clear medical evidence to the contrary, and this makes them very difficult to treat. Unfortunately, most factitious patients will steadfastly deny it and refuse any sort of treatment, but when help is sought, it’s often able to be at least limited with psychotherapy.

That’s a good place to stop for this week. Next week, we’ll talk about more weird and scary psych disorders. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

The Dark Side Of ADHD Part 3

The Dark Side of ADHD

Hello, people, welcome back to the blog! This week, we’re continuing our discussion on the dark side of ADHD, with a look at gender differences within the disorder. 

Before we get to that, I want you to imagine this: Little Janie sits quietly at her desk in second grade. She isn’t talking and she isn’t acting out. That’s great, but she also isn’t learning… anything. Her inattention and inability to focus are obvious every time her teacher asks her a question, which isn’t very often. Teachers like Miss Jones like interaction; they tend to shy away from vacant stares like the one that usually occupies Janie’s face. So Miss Jones’ gaze moves to Barbara, who’s listening attentively- she’s not a “space cadet”- she’s clearly keeping up with what’s going on. So once again, Janie is overlooked, passed over…

Janie’s fraternal twin brother, Johnny, on the other hand, gets lots of attention… though not always for the best reasons. Diagnosed with ADHD last year, he has a reputation for being a bright kid, even if he’s usually hyperactive. Treatment for his ADHD has helped him; he’s a better student than he was, and he gets along better with the other kids. He has some behavior problems, but his natural charm keeps him from getting into too much trouble. But Miss Jones can tell immediately if he’s missed his medication, because it makes all the difference in the world for Johnny. It’s been a total lifesaver. Good for Johnny. But meanwhile, Janie is in her own little world, drowning in inattention. And no one is any the wiser… especially Janie.

Unfortunately, scenarios like this play out day in, day out, all across the globe. Why? Because the vast majority of people diagnosed with ADHD are male. In fact, according to the CDC, boys are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than girls, but I’ve seen that number quoted as double that. Statistics say that during their lifetimes, an average of 13 percent of men will be diagnosed with ADHD, while just 5 percent of women will be diagnosed. Girls aren’t any less less susceptible to the disorder than boys, so why are boys three times more likely to receive a diagnosis? That’s what we’ll talk about today.

In a nutshell, it’s because ADHD symptoms present differently in girls and boys. Boys tend to show more obvious externalized symptoms, such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, while girls’ often display the inattentive aspects of the disorder, with symptoms that are more internalized and much more subtle. In general, boys’ symptoms are typically simply more pronounced and extreme as compared to girls. Captain Obvious says that hyperactive characteristics are obviously much easier to spot than more subtle symptoms like inattention. Some ADHD signs in girls can be very difficult to identify. When girls have primarily inattentive type ADHD, without hyperactivity, research indicates that up to 75 percent are undiagnosed. Ultimately, it takes a higher burden of risk factors for symptoms to be recognized in girls- the threshold for referral and diagnosis seems to be much higher than for boys- so girls are less often referred to behavior specialists for evaluation, and this leads to fewer girls being diagnosed. 

There are other theories as to why it’s more commonly diagnosed in boys. One is that there may be actual neurobiological differences. Some researchers think that girls may have a protective effect at the genetic level, that they are in some way “protected” from developing ADHD, though the jury’s still out on that. 

Another reason why boys are much more commonly diagnosed with ADHD than girls is because boys with ADHD have been found to have more obvious co-existing disorders, like conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, whereas girls do not. The girls’ internalized symptoms are less disruptive in the classroom than the aggression and rule breaking typically exhibited by boys, so this results in fewer referrals, diagnoses, and treatment in girls. The ole “squeaky wheel gets the grease” kind of thing. 

Why else? Well, yes, girls are less likely to exhibit hyperactivity, but even when they do, they’re more likely to “just” be over-talkative, or maybe a little rebellious, more of a “wild child,” so the symptoms aren’t recognized for what they are, as being caused by ADHD. Also, girls with ADHD might get noticed in school for being overly chatty, but we expect girls to be more sociable than boys, so teachers might chalk this up to the girls being immature, rather than possibly having ADHD. And girls with primarily inattentive type ADHD, who don’t have hyperactivity, might just be described as distracted or “daydreamy” or overly emotional or “sensitive.” For some reason, we just seem to attribute these behaviors in girls to other things first, whereas with boys, if they’re running around, the first thought is usually ADHD. It’s nearly automatic, and that’s a problem for both the boys and the girls. 

Another contributing factor to why so many more boys get diagnosed is that girls are better at compensating for their ADHD symptoms than boys are. Girls develop better coping strategies to make up for their ADHD-related difficulties than boys, such as working harder to maintain classroom performance. As a result, they can better mitigate or mask the impact of their diagnosis. This is similar to how girls with autism “mask” their symptoms. At one time, it was theorized that autism was strictly a “boy disorder,” but of course that’s not the case. It’s a similar situation. Girls simply tend to adapt better. Even if they are hyperactive, girls are less likely to blurt things out in class or shove the kid next to them. This is where the social or societal aspect comes in. A girl that runs around and acts aggressively would be criticized more harshly by her peers. It’s much harder for girls to behave that way, to get away with it, so they tend not to. 

All of these behaviors I’ve mentioned are signs of ADHD, but people react to them in different ways, for lots of reasons. Ultimately, not only are teachers and families less likely to notice signs of ADHD in girls, but they may even be more accepting of the signs girls often show. Parents and teachers either don’t notice girls’ inattentive behaviors and/ or seem to down play girls’ hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, while playing up those same types of behaviors in boys. Seems to be a much bigger issue when it’s a boy. 

Since girls with ADHD often display fewer behavioral problems and have less noticeable symptoms, their difficulties are often overlooked and/ or mislabeled. Many times, the behaviors are wrongly attributed to anxiety or depression. Even when girls are properly diagnosed, it happens an average of five years later than boys. This can lead to serious problems in the future, as girls with undiagnosed and late diagnosed ADHD are more likely to have problems in school, social settings, and personal relationships than other girls. Research indicates that this can have a very negative impact on girls’ self-esteem, and can even affect their long term mental health. Boys with ADHD typically externalize their frustrations, but girls with ADHD usually turn their pain and anger inward- they tend to blame themselves- and this puts them at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, panic disorders, eating disorders, chronic sleep deprivation, and substance abuse. This doesn’t just impact them long term, as adults, these things can affect them even as they enter their teenage years. 

Many late diagnosed adult women with ADHD show symptoms similar to those found in post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, where the coexisting panic and anxiety are the result of the classroom trauma they experienced during childhood from the undiagnosed ADHD. For example, if the woman dealt with low self-esteem from attention problems back in grade school, returning to school later in life may trigger those same emotions. Some women aren’t diagnosed until much later in life, around their 30s and 40s, when one of their children is diagnosed with ADHD. This happens more than you’d imagine… when undergoing the process with their children, they recognize the symptoms in themselves. Being diagnosed much later in life can lead to problems, such as the woman blaming herself for things going wrong, or believing that she cannot achieve higher goals, especially if her symptoms interfered in her school or work performance. Studies have indicated that these women are prone to financial problems, underemployment, divorce, and/ or lack of education. It’s a sad situation, and they blame themselves, as though at age seven they should’ve known they had ADHD. That’s why it’s important that everyone recognize the signs in girls and boys.

Recognizing ADHD in Girls

As I mentioned above, girls with ADHD often display the inattentive aspects of the disorder, whereas boys usually show the hyperactive characteristics. These hyperactive behaviors are easy to identify at home and in the classroom, as the child usually can’t sit still and behaves in an impulsive or dangerous manner. The inattentive behaviors are generally more subtle and can be difficult to spot. That child is unlikely to be disruptive in class, but they will miss assignments, will be forgetful, or just seem “spacey,” and this can be mistaken for laziness or even a learning disability. It’s important to know about the different ways kids can act out, and which behaviors tend to get overlooked. That awareness can help girls with ADHD get the help they need sooner, and that definitely makes for a better long term outcome.

Girls’ symptoms typically include:

-Inattentiveness or a tendency to “daydream”

-Trouble focusing

-Appearing not to listen

-Verbal aggression, such as teasing, taunting, or name calling

-Being withdrawn

-Low self-esteem

-Anxiety

-Intellectual impairment

-Difficulty with academic achievement

Recognizing ADHD in Boys

Though ADHD is often underdiagnosed in girls, it can be missed in boys as well. Traditionally, boys are seen as energetic, so if they run around and act out, it may be dismissed as simply “boys being boys.” But it’s a mistake to assume that all boys with ADHD are hyperactive or impulsive; some boys display the inattentive aspects of the disorder, and they may not be diagnosed because they aren’t physically disruptive.

Boys with ADHD tend to display the symptoms that most people think of when they imagine ADHD behavior. These include:

-Impulsivity or “acting out”

-Hyperactivity, such as running and hitting

-Lack of focus, including inattentiveness

-Inability to sit still

-Physical aggression

-Talking excessively

-Frequently interrupting other peoples’ conversations and activities

While the symptoms of ADHD may present differently in boys and girls, it’s critical for them to be treated. While the symptoms of ADHD usually lessen with age, they still tend to have adverse effects. People with ADHD often struggle with school, work, and relationships- even as adults- and they’re also more likely to develop other conditions, including anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities. If you suspect your child has ADHD, take them to a doctor for an evaluation as soon as possible. Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment will not only improve symptoms, but it can also help prevent other disorders from developing in the future.

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

The dark side of ADHD Part deuce

The Dark Side of ADHD, part deux

Hello, people, welcome back to the blog! Hope everyone had a great weekend. Last week, we started a series on the dark side of ADHD. Squirrel!! If you don’t get that, check out last week’s blog. This week, we’re going to continue the discussion, but we’re going to focus on what it’s like to have ADHD, from that person’s perspective. I’ve made a little list of things patients have told me, and I want to share that, because they tell it best; far better than I can. 

First, I just want to bust a couple more myths. Someone asked me about sugar causing ADHD, and that really put a bug in my bonnet about myths and misconceptions. There’s still so much misinformation out there, so I want to stamp it out.

“ADHD is a learning disability.”

Wrong. ADHD symptoms can definitely get in the way of learning, but they don’t cause difficulty in specific skills like reading, writing, and math, as a true learning disability does. That said, some people can have ADHD and a learning disability, but it is not one itself. Now, just because ADHD isn’t a learning disability doesn’t mean that kids can’t get help in school. And for that matter, adults with ADHD can often get support at work as well. 

“People with ADHD can’t ever focus.”

Wrong. While it’s true that people with ADHD can have trouble focusing, they can actually experience hyperfocus. If they’re very interested in something, they may focus on it very intensely, to the exclusion of everything else, even to the point that they cannot pull themselves away. That’s hyperfocus. Some kids with ADHD are very easily distracted in class but a bomb could go off when they’re playing a video game, and it wouldn’t faze them. Adults might have trouble focusing on the parts of work they find boring, but they totally pour themselves into the aspects they really enjoy.

“People with ADHD would be more successful if they tried harder.”

Wrong. ADHD isn’t an issue of laziness or lack of motivation. A person is considered lazy if they have the ability or capacity to do something, but they just don’t want to exert the effort to do it. People with ADHD are often trying as hard as they can to focus and pay attention, and they exert as much effort to get things done as those without it- and often more- but their condition keeps them from getting to the finish line because they’re so easily distracted along the way. They’ll eventually get there, it just may take a little longer. And btw, telling someone with ADHD to “just focus” is like asking someone who’s nearsighted to just see farther. It doesn’t fly. If they could, they would. The reason they struggle with attention has nothing to do with attitude… it’s due to differences in the way their brain is structured and how it functions.

“People with ADHD aren’t smart.”

Wrong. ADHD isn’t related to lower IQ. People with ADHD may be perceived to have lower intelligence because they work differently than everyone else. But the truth is, most people with ADHD are highly intelligent and creative… even more creative than their non-ADHD counterparts. They’re also more intuitive thinkers and better at managing crises. Tell Albert Einstein (yes, the theoretical physicist) that people with ADHD aren’t smart. Or Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire business mogul. Or John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. Or actor/producer/rapper Will Smith. Or actor/comedian/producer Jim Carrey. Or Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time. They all seem to do just fine. People with ADHD aren’t dumb, and kids with ADHD can grow up and be just as successful as anyone else. The factors that contribute to the success of a child with ADHD are mostly related to how their parents and teachers react. If they take the time to understand what’s going on, embrace the learning process, and help the child find ways to manage it, they greatly increase that child’s chances of success.

So what’s it like to have ADHD? Here’s what I’ve been told…

It’s rarely feeling like you really enjoy anything, because you’re always so distracted by something else.

It’s constantly coming up with great ideas, but failing to focus or work efficiently on any one of them long enough to make it a reality.

It’s knowing how long it takes to get ready in the morning, but not being able to tell how quickly time is passing until you’re already late. 

It’s being able to note every single detail of a classroom, but being unable to pay attention to the one thing you’re supposed to be looking at.

It’s struggling in every aspect of your life, but feeling that other people don’t recognize your suffering as a legitimate disorder.

It’s feeling exhausted at the end of a hectic day, but too overwhelmed with thoughts to actually fall asleep.

It’s having a conversation in a public place and hearing every noise around you… except for the voice you’re supposed to listen to.

It’s being barely focused on everything around you, or so hyperfocused on one thing that the world around you ceases to exist.

It’s hearing all the instructions, but not being able to hold them in your brain long enough to actually use them.

It’s remembering that you always need your phone, keys, and wallet before you leave the house, but still having to play hide and seek for them every single time.

It’s knowing you need to switch to another task on your to-do list, but being too hyperfocused on what you’re doing to disengage from it.

It’s being completely bored with what’s in front of you, but totally restless and jittery with excitement about all the abstract thoughts circling in your head.

It’s always trying to do too many things at once, and not multitasking efficiently enough to finish any one of them.

It’s believing you can succeed in your career, while also fearing that your ADHD will cause you to fail.

It’s knowing you need to reach a long-term goal, but lacking the planning strategies to take the right short-term steps to get there.

It’s wanting to control your intense emotions, but not realizing you need to until after you’ve had the uncontrollable outburst.

It’s having a brilliant answer to a question in the back of your head, but taking too long to communicate it, so someone else answers.

It’s knowing you’re smart, but feeling stupid all the time, because you have trouble putting your thoughts into words.

It’s knowing that you shouldn’t interrupt someone, but not being able to stop yourself from speaking out loud.

It’s working twice as hard for twice as long as everyone else, but to get just half as much done.

It’s knowing that you need a particular environment to be productive, but not wanting to ask for special accommodations.

It’s being excited to make plans with someone you love, but forgetting about them because you didn’t write them down.

It’s being focused on everything and nothing at all, which makes it feel like you’ll never get anything done.

It’s wanting to take control of your life and achieve your dreams, but feeling like ADHD will always have control over you.

As you can imagine, ADHD can cause a great deal of frustration. People can feel hopeless at times, and feeling misunderstood makes it that much worse. Misconceptions propagate in silence, and ultimately can prevent people from seeking help. By taking the time to learn more about ADHD, you’re already making an effort to beat that, so be sure to share what you’ve learned. 

That’s a good place to stop for this week. Next week, we’ll talk about gender differences in ADHD. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

The Dark Side Of ADHD

The Dark Side of ADHD

Hello, people, welcome back to the blog! Last week, I told you all about SAD, seasonal affective disorder, a depressive disorder that exhibits a seasonal pattern, usually late fall through spring, though it can have a spring/ summer pattern. I thought it was timely, since we were approaching its usual start point; symptoms seem to begin shortly after we “fall back” and winter arrives. Speaking of which, we had our first hint of winter this weekend- or at least what passes for winter here in SoFla- as temps dipped below 60 late Saturday night…. brrrrr! Sunday was kind of gray outside, but temps were really nice. Anyhoo, this week, I’m starting a new series on the dark side of ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  

When you think about ADHD, you probably think of a 9 year old boy running around in circles, laughing his head off, totally out of control. While that certainly can be the case, the real faces of ADHD may surprise you. Think of your boss, your mail carrier, or your kid’s teacher… anyone has the potential to have ADHD, even if you don’t see what you think of as the classic symptoms. What most people know about ADHD comes from pop culture… they hear ADHD and think of that 9 year old boy, or maybe Dug the talking dog from the movie Up. Remember him? He couldn’t even complete a sentence without being distracted by an imaginary squirrel. Squirrel!! It was funny, right? Squirrel!! Maybe you’ve made a joke about being ‘sooo totally ADHD’ after you’ve gotten distracted and lost your train of thought? Hey, you’ve got to have a sense of humor to get through this life, and psych disorders sometimes make easy punchlines. But ADHD is a real disorder, and it affects real people in real ways, so it’s important that you’re informed about it, that you understand it, as that’s the basis of empathy. Empathy is where it’s at, and that’s the true point of this blog, to understand what people with ADHD experience on the daily. That’s not to say we can’t laugh about it, because sometimes it’s funny. Squirrel!! But if you understand it, you’re much more likely to laugh with, and not at, and that’s the ultimate point here.

So, what is it? ADHD is a neurological disorder, typically characterized by difficulty in sustaining attention, a lack of impulse control, and impaired working memory. There are three forms of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined types. By the way, ADHD is the official, medical term for the condition, regardless of whether a patient demonstrates symptoms of hyperactivity. We used to call that condition, having an attention deficit but without hyperactivity, ADD- actually some people still do- but that’s now technically considered to be an outdated term for describing inattentive type ADHD. So they’re all called ADHD now, no more ADD, and just the type or form varies. Inattentive type ADHD is characterized by a lack of attention to details, an inability to follow or remember instructions, and getting distracted easily. Hyperactive-impulsive type is marked by the stereotypical symptoms, things like fidgeting, running around, and talking too much. And shockingly, combined type is a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD types, and people with this type can exhibit both types of symptoms. Regardless of type, ADHD symptoms impact every aspect of a person’s life, and can seriously limit a person’s ability to study or work, and this can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Prevalence statistics for ADHD vary widely, but it’s considered the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder. The symptoms of ADHD typically first appear between the ages of 3 and 6, and the average age of diagnosis is 7 years old. Squirrel!! According to the American Psychiatric Association, 5 percent of American children (ages 4 to 17) have ADHD, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the number at more than double that, stating that 11 percent of American children carry the diagnosis. In my opinion, the actual number is closer to the CDC’s statistic, but may actually be higher still. And contrary to what some people believe, ADHD isn’t just a childhood disorder. Today, about 4 percent of American adults over the age of 18 deal with ADHD on a daily basis. 

ADHD Features

People with ADHD experience hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention in varying degrees. Not everyone with ADHD is noisy and disruptive. A child may be quiet in class, for example, while facing severe challenges that they do not express. The effects of ADHD features vary widely from person to person and even within a person, as they may find that their experience of ADHD changes over time. Squirrel!! Features and behaviors also seem to vary by gender; females with ADHD tend to have more difficulty paying attention, while males tend to have more hyperactivity and impulsivity. Depending on the type a person has, ADHD will have a predominantly inattentive presentation, a predominantly hyperactive and impulsive presentation, or a combined presentation that includes both types of behaviors.

Inattention

This can manifest in innumerable ways, many you might not even realize unless you experience them. Some behaviors related to inattention might include daydreaming, being easily distracted, squirrel!, having difficulty focusing on tasks, making “careless” mistakes, appearing to not listen while others are talking, being late, having difficulty with time management and organization, difficulty completing projects, frequently losing everyday items, avoiding tasks that need prolonged focus and thought, and difficulty following instructions. 

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Hyperactivity presents in any number of ways, and can vary widely, especially depending on the person’s age. In children, impulsivity often presents as conduct issues, so we think of a child “running amok” around a classroom. With age, overt behavioral symptoms usually become less conspicuous, as adults have generally learned to restrain themselves from these telltale behaviors. But they may manifest conduct issues in other ways, like blurting out things they didn’t mean to say. Some other behaviors related to hyperactivity and impulsivity include restlessness, the person seeming to be unable to sit still, being constantly “on-the-go,” running or climbing at inappropriate times, having difficulty taking turns in conversations and activities, constantly fidgeting or tapping the hands or feet, excessive talking and/or noise making, workaholism, and taking unnecessary risks.

Causes and Risk Factors

We don’t know exactly what causes ADHD, but we do know that a large component is genetic. About 85% of people diagnosed with ADHD have someone in their family who also has it. We have identified some risk factors, and these include brain injury, fetal exposure to stress, alcohol, or tobacco during pregnancy, fetal exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy, or from a young age, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Diet may play a role, and some factors are random, just down to an individual brain’s wiring.

One question that’s asked a lot is if kids can outgrow ADHD. The answer is yes, but it rarely happens. That said, at one time, it was suggested that up to 40 percent of children outgrow their diagnosis, but recent research has proven this is wrong. Unfortunately, fewer than 10 percent actually outgrow it; the rest still meet the clinical definition of the disorder. Generally, what actually happens is that the presentation of symptoms changes as the person ages, but the underlying disorder remains. As the person matures and enters adulthood, overt behavioral symptoms usually become less conspicuous, and excessive motor activity becomes less common. Squirrel!! Hyperactivity is usually changed from being an external behavior to an internal state, so it can appear to others that the person’s ADHD has gone away, along with its most obvious symptom. But in reality, only the presentation has changed. 

In other words, a 35 year old can’t get away with the same behavior that a 9 year old can, so instead of being a 9 year old running around willy nilly, laughing maniacally, the now 35 year old has an inner restlessness, and channels that into something else, like becoming a workaholic or an adrenaline junkie. Many adults with ADHD become workaholics, they like to keep their brains in overdrive. ADHD symptoms can also change for the better depending on stress levels, environment, and the amount of support a person receives. For example, establishing a routine and having understanding family members, friends, co-workers, and colleagues that can assist or help compensate for certain issues as needed are two ways to make symptoms seemingly decrease or disappear. In addition, the person may develop coping skills that address their symptoms well enough to prevent ADHD from interfering with their daily lives. Some do it so well that it appears as though they’ve outgrown it, but in reality, they’ve found working solutions. It’s sort of like watching a duck on a pond. Or maybe a squirrel! The duck looks still and serene on the surface, everything under control, but beneath the water, its little feet are paddling furiously. 

I’ve seen many patients create their own little systems and methods to cope and compensate for their symptoms, to varying levels of success. I remember an ADHD patient that was very forgetful and terrible with time management especially. She had alarm clocks set to go off to remind her to set other alarm clocks, and her life was all color coded post its in strategic places to remind her to do whichever thing. I couldn’t understand it to save my life, much less keep up with it, but it worked for her. Pretty darn well, actually. But if the batteries in one alarm clock died- this was years ago, when people used alarm clocks, and they were radios too, imagine that- her entire life unraveled. She would get behind and it was like dominoes. But if her alarm clocks went off properly and her post its didn’tblow away, you’d be hard pressed to know she had ADHD. On the surface, she looked like she had it all under control, no problem, but below, her feet were constantly paddling, she was working overtime to keep it all together.  

The term “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” wasn’t used in medicine until the 1980s, although symptoms of the disorder were discussed in the early 1900’s. Back then, the diagnosis was typically thought to relate to the child having family members with psychiatric disorders, or the result of poor parenting. Squirrel! Strangely enough, some of these myths and stereotypes persist even today. We’ve busted some of those today, and next week, we’ll talk about what it’s really like to have ADHD, how it affects someone’s day to day life. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Hello, people… welcome back to the blog! Last week, we finished our two part series on phobias, and it seems everyone enjoyed it. I got a lot of great feedback on it, and people have been sharing their weird phobias with me even more than ever… I’ve really added to my list of doozies! This week, I wanted to talk about a topic I ran into recently, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. 

What is SAD? In the shrink bible, the DSM-5, it’s identified as a type of mood disorder. It’s not a standalone, but is specified as a major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, meaning that it happens every year at the same time, typically starting in fall or early winter and ending in spring or early summer. Because of this, some people call SAD the “winter blues,” but this is misleading, as there is a rarer form of seasonal depression known as “summer depression” that begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall. And while the two types obviously share many symptoms, interestingly, their profiles are slightly different. More on that in a moment. 

First, let’s talk statistics. In the United States, the percentage of the population affected by SAD is about 5%, but varies widely based on geographical location, from 1.4% of the population in Florida, to 9.9% in Alaska. This should give you a clue about one of the main factors associated with SAD, the amount of available sunlight. SAD may begin at any age, but it typically starts between the ages of 18 and 30, and as with other types of depression, SAD is much more common in women; they are three times more likely to be affected than men.

Calling SAD the “winter blues” makes it sound like no big deal, but people with SAD experience serious depression- the mood changes and symptoms are very similar to chronic depression- and these symptoms can have a major impact on their lives for 40% of the year, as symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months and typically improve with the arrival of spring, with January and February being the most difficult months in the US. While temporary, SAD symptoms can be overwhelming, and in some cases, it can seriously interfere with daily functioning. Thankfully, it can be treated, and that’s why I decided to cover this topic. Recognizing the disorder is very important because it can cause such serious psychosocial impairment, but it’s not just important to recognize it… getting help is key, because acute treatment can be very effective, and maintenance treatment can actually prevent future episodes. 

SAD Symptoms 

People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depression, and these can vary from mild to severe. Everybody gets bummed out from time to time, those everyday feelings of sadness or fatigue brought on by life’s ups and downs- even during the holidays- but depression is a different animal. 

Seasonal depression is marked by some specific symptoms, and these may include:

-Sleeping more than usual and still feeling drowsy and fatigued during the day

-Low energy

-Loss of interest in activities that once brought you joy

-Increase in purposeless physical activity, like pacing and hand wringing; an inability to sit still

-Slowed movements or speech, severe enough to be observable by others

-Feeling irritable and anxious

-Feeling guilty, worthless, hopeless, sad, tearful

-Decreased libido

-Desire to isolate, not wanting to see people

-Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

-Increased appetite, overeating, and weight gain

-Cravings for carbohydrates

-Physical symptoms, such as headaches

-Thoughts of suicide or death

Clearly you don’t have to have every one of these to have SAD, and as with anything else, symptoms occur on a spectrum. Some people with SAD have mild symptoms and basically feel out of sorts or cranky, while others have symptoms that totally interfere with relationships and work. As I mentioned earlier, spring and summer SAD is much less common, but still occurs. The symptom profile is a little different; instead of people eating their way through it as a result of increased appetite, it’s difficult to get summer SAD people to eat at all, as they tend to have zero appetite. In my experience, it also seems to feature more agitation, almost manic type behavior. 

What causes SAD? Like so many disorders, the cause isn’t completely understood, but we know that the body uses sunlight to regulate sleep, appetite, and mood. It’s believed that the decreased sunlight in the fall and winter months disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm. Lower light levels in winter disrupt the body clock, leading to depression and tiredness. As seasons change, people already naturally experience a shift in their biological internal clock that can cause them to be out of step with their daily schedule, so people may be more vulnerable during this time. The change in season, with shorter daylight hours, can lead to a biochemical imbalance in the brain, specifically in levels of serotonin and melatonin, two hormones that affect sleep and mood. SAD has been linked to this imbalance. There are risk factors involved as well. You’re more likely to develop SAD if you have an existing form of depression, or a relative with SAD or another form of depression. And Captain Obvious says that SAD is much more common in people living far from the equator where there are fewer daylight hours, so living somewhere where you expect months of darkness during the year isn’t the best plan if you have any of the risk factors. 

Diagnosis

The main feature of SAD is that your mood and behavior shift along with the calendar. So how do you know if you have it? If for the past 2 years, you:

-Had depression or mania that starts as well as ends during a specific season

-You didn’t feel these symptoms during your “normal” seasons

-Over your lifetime, you’ve had more seasons with depression or mania than without

I should note that sometimes it takes a while to diagnose SAD, because it can easily mimic so many other other conditions, like chronic fatigue syndrome, underactive thyroid, low blood sugar, viral illness, and/ or other mood disorders. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have it, the best course of action is to see a physician. There are online resources available as well, from the Center for Environmental Therapeutics, at cet.org. More on that at the end of this blog.

SAD Treatment

Clearly, you can’t stop the changing of the seasons, but there are some things you can do to combat SAD, including light therapy aka phototherapy, antidepressant medications, talk therapy aka cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of all three. Meds are usually brought in as adjuvants if light therapy is insufficient in reducing symptoms. Wellbutrin XL was the first drug approved specifically for SAD in the United States, and I’ve seen some success with it. Symptoms will generally improve on their own with the change of season, but it happens far more quickly with treatment. Treatment course differs depending on how severe your symptoms are, and of course, depending on whether you have another type of depression or bipolar disorder. For some people, simply increasing exposure to sunlight can help improve symptoms of SAD, and it’s recommended that people get outside early in the morning to get more natural light. If this is impossible because of the dark winter months, then phototherapy is key.

Light Therapy

As I mentioned, light affects the biological clock in our brains that regulates our circadian rhythm, a physiological function that may induce mood changes when there’s less sunlight in winter. We know that natural or “full-spectrum” light can have an antidepressant effect. In phototherapy, you mimic that by sitting about 2 feet away from a light box, usually a 10,000-lux light box specifically, so that full spectrum bright light- about 20 times brighter than normal room lighting- shines directly upon you, but indirectly into your eyes. You do this for 15 minutes per day to start, and the times are increased as necessary with a max of 30 to 45 minutes a day, depending on your response. If using a weker lightbox, such as those that emit 2,500 lux, it will require much longer, about two hours of exposure per day. 

Light therapy should be done in the early morning, upon waking, to maximize treatment response. Morning therapy also helps to specifically correct any sleep-wake cycle issues contributing to the symptoms. Please people, don’t look directly at the light source of any light box, to avoid possible damage to your eyes. I’ve heard of some practices that provide light boxes for patients with SAD. Again, the Center for Environmental Therapeutics has info on this. I’m sure you can also rent light boxes, and I know you can purchase them, but they’re expensive, and health insurance companies don’t usually cover them. But if you have SAD and live in a “dark” winter area, they can be worth their weight in gold.

Optimum dosing of light is crucial, since if done wrong it can produce no improvement, or partial improvement, and that can potentially lead to worsening of symptoms. I read some research that found that even a single, one hour light session can improve symptoms of depression in people with SAD. It varies; some people recover within days of using light therapy, most see some improvement within one or two weeks of beginning, but a few take longer. To maintain the benefits and prevent relapse, light treatment is usually continued through the winter, until you can be out in the sunshine again in the springtime. Because of the anticipated return of symptoms in late fall, I highly recommend that SAD patients begin phototherapy when fall first starts, even before feeling the effects of SAD. If the SAD symptoms don’t go away, your physician may increase light therapy sessions to twice daily. While side effects are minimal, be cautious if you have sensitive skin or a history of bipolar disorder. Common side effects of light therapy include headache, eyestrain, nausea, and agitation, but these effects are generally mild and transient, or disappear with reducing the dose of light.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT can also be an effective treatment for SAD, particularly if it’s used in conjunction with light therapy and/ or medication. CBT involves identifying negative thought patterns that contribute to symptoms, and then replacing these thoughts with more positive ones. For many of my patients, I utilize all three modalities for treating SAD, as this has shown the most benefit.

SAD Prevention

… is worth a ton of cure in this case. So what can you do to avoid SAD?

Get out! Get as much natural sunlight as you can. Spend some time outside every day, even when it’s cloudy, as the effects of daylight still help. If it’s too cold out, let the sunshine in… open your blinds, and sit by a sunny window, even at work. If trees block the sunlight, trim them. I have a SAD patient that has her trees pruned way down in early fall so she can get as much light in the house as possible.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Our diets do more than provide us with energy, they also impact our mental health. A healthy diet rich in fruits and veggies and low in processed garbage can help curb feelings of depression by reducing inflammation in the body, which is a big risk factor for depression. Pass up all those sweet starchy “foods” in favor of lean proteins and veggies. This will help you have more energy, even if you’re craving carbs bigtime. If you recall the blog on Vitamin D, research has found that people with SAD often have low levels, so people with SAD are also often encouraged to increase their intake of Vitamin D through supplementation, in addition to diet and sunlight exposure. 

Stay Active! Exercise is a great way to naturally combat the imbalance of brain neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine that can contribute to depression. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, the mood boosting hormones that counteract serotonin and dopamine deficiencies that can bring you down. Exercise for 30 minutes a day, five times a week. That doesn’t have to mean you’re tied to the gym pumping iron all the time… Do something structured, but also pick an activity you enjoy and do it. Gardening, walking, dancing, and even playing with your kids can all be good forms of exercise.

Stay Connected! Social connections can be a great defense against depression. Whether you talk on the phone, video chat, or better yet, meet in person, keep in regular contact with friends and family for a healthy and happy mind. Experiencing depression of any kind isn’t a sign of weakness and shouldn’t be dealt with alone. Social support is very important, so stay involved with your social circle and regular activities. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression that keep you in, seek help. Ask your physician what treatment options are available.

When should you call your physician? If you feel depressed, fatigued, and cranky at the same time each year, if it seems to be seasonal in nature, you may have a form of SAD. Talk openly with your physician, and follow their recommendations for lifestyle changes and treatment.

The Center for Environmental Therapeutics, CET, is a non-profit organization that provides information and educational materials about SAD, along with free, downloadable self-assessment questionnaires and interpretation guides, to help you determine if you should seek professional advice. All of that can be found on their website, cet.org. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Freaky phobias ,part deluxe

Freaky Phobias, part deux

Hello, people- I hope everyone had a great weekend! Last week, I introduced the subject of phobias, and we’ll continue that discussion today. Fear is an important evolutionary tool, allowing humans to survive dangerous encounters and develop appropriate responses to hazardous situations. But when fear becomes debilitating, when it becomes a greater threat than the actual person, place, or thing causing it, it has become a phobia. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder where a person has a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation. That leaves the field pretty much wide open, and in fact, a person can have a phobia of almost anything. They’ll try very hard to avoid that thing, otherwise they’re basically forced to white knuckle through it with much anxiety and distress, potentially to the point that it produces physical symptoms like nausea and dizziness, and possibly even a panic attack.

Everyone has something they fear to some extent, and for most people, it doesn’t affect one’s quality of life. But for patients with diagnosable phobias, the level of fear and discomfort when confronted with specific objects or situations can be exceptional, and can significantly impact their daily life. Some phobias are very specific, so this limits the impact the phobia has. As an example, a person may only fear spiders and cats- meaning they have arachnophobia and ailurophobia- and so they live relatively free of anxiety simply by avoiding spiders and cats. But some phobias pose an issue in a wider variety of places and situations, so they affect people’s lives more drastically. For example, symptoms of acrophobia- the fear of heights- can be triggered by looking out the window of a high rise office building, by climbing a ladder, or by driving over a tall bridge, just to name a few. Because it comes into play in so many places and forms, acrophobia has a much greater impact on the person’s life, and it may influence or even dictate the person’s employment type, job location, driving route, recreational and social activities, and/ or home environment.

Cause and Risk Factors 

There is always an argument about whether a particular psychological trait or symptom is genetic in origin or a product of one’s environment… the old “nature vs. nurture” debate. Most of the time, the proper answer is “both,” and in fact, that’s the case with phobias. The reasons why phobias develop aren’t fully understood, but research does indicate that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. 

Specific phobias tend to begin in childhood, a time when developing brains are still learning appropriate ways to respond to the world around them, and phobias can start in any number of ways. A child may develop a phobia of dogs after being bitten by one, but there are many more subtle ways that a child’s brain can take in information that teaches them to fear something. For example, they could learn to fear a dog by watching a movie that features a scary dog, or by watching a family member respond in fear to a dog’s bark or presence. Ultimately, fear is easily passed from one person to the next, either through watching and learning, or through genetic inheritance.

Certain phobias have been clearly linked to a very bad first encounter with the feared object or situation, though researchers don’t know if this first encounter is required, or if phobias can simply occur in people who are more likely to have them. As to what makes a person more likely to have them, there is no phobia gene- it’s never that easy- but we know that when it comes to risk factors, there is a genetic component. Research and surveys indicate that individuals with a parent or a close relative suffering from a specific phobia are three times more likely to develop that same phobia. That said, more research is needed to elucidate the genes responsible for triggering these phobias. 

In addition to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, a person’s temperament can also contribute to risk of developing phobias. A negative affect, meaning a propensity to feel negative emotions such as disgust, anger, fear, or guilt, seems to increase the risk for a variety of anxiety disorders, including specific phobias. Behavioral inhibition, often due to parental overprotectiveness, especially in childhood, is another risk factor for phobia development. A history of physical and/ or sexual abuse also increases the likelihood of an individual developing a specific phobia.

Treatment

Phobias can be debilitating, but fortunately, there are ways to treat them. One treatment method that’s used very successfully is exposure therapy. We’ve discussed this before in relation to OCD; it’s a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, aka CBT, whereby you are repeatedly presented with your phobic trigger in a controlled manner, and you challenge yourself to get through it. It’s done in the presence of a therapist, and they essentially talk you through it, discussing what you feel, why you feel it, what is happening, and what you fear may happen. Afterwards, there’s usually discussion about feared outcome versus actual outcome, and what thoughts helped you get through the exposure. It’s often done in stages, as opposed to jumping straight in the deep end. For example, let’s say you have an insect phobia; you might start by just thinking about an insect, then move to looking at a picture of one, and then maybe being close to one in a terrarium, and eventually, even holding a living one. 

Anxiety reduction techniques may also be helpful in combating phobias, things like yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness. The ultimate goal is to be mindful of the trigger, as opposed to afraid of the trigger. Unfortunately, the majority of patients don’t seek treatment for phobias, and of those who do, many don’t follow through. As a result, only 20% percent of people recover completely from them; the majority of people experience a recurrence of their phobia, which is referred to as a relapse. Captain Obvious says if you have a phobia, your best bet is to get the help of a medical professional for treatment. 

Celebrity Phobias

It might (but really shouldn’t) surprise you to hear that celebrities have phobias too. Just for funsies, here are a few I found while surfing the interwebs.

Tyra Banks has been very open about her long standing fear of dolphins. She doesn’t swim in the ocean, because she imagines them swimming near her and touching her legs.

Christina Ricci has a fear of indoor plants, botanophobia, and says that touching a dirty houseplant feels like torture.

Khloe Kardashian has a phobia of belly buttons. Her half sister Kendall Jenner revealed that she struggles with trypophobia, an aversion to the sight of holes. She says that pancakes, honeycomb, and lotus heads are too much for her to take. 

Nicole Kidman has been deathly afraid of butterflies since childhood, and would do anything to avoid having to go through the front gate of her home if even one butterfly was sitting on it.

Jennifer Aniston has a serious fear of being underwater, due to a traumatic experience she had as a child.

Billy Bob Thornton has a fear of antiques; according to him “…old, mildewy French/English/Scottish stuff, dusty heavy drapes and big tables with carved lions’ heads…” creeps him out.

Oprah Winfrey has an intense dislike for chewing gum that goes back to her childhood days. Growing up poor, her grandmother used to try to save gum to chew more than once, so she put it on the bedpost, or stuck it on the cabinet for later. Apparently little Oprah used to bump into it, and it would rub up against her, and gross her out. Evidently, she even barred gum-chewing in her offices.

Kyra Sedgwick is apparently terrified of talking food. Her husband, Kevin Bacon, actually had to turn down an apparently lucrative offer to be featured in ads for M&M’s for fear that she would leave him.

Katie Holmes has a longtime fear of raccoons, and once barked at one in an effort to scare it away. It worked… it left, but her phobia stayed.

Jake Gyllenhaal developed a phobia of ostriches while filming “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” after the animal trainers warned him not to make any noise around them, because “they’ll tear out your eyes and rip out your heart.” 

Helen Mirren has a fear of phones, and evidently never returns calls because the phone makes her so nervous. 

One of Channing Tatum’s biggest fears is porcelain dolls. Yep, Magic Mike is afraid of dolls.

Tyrese Gibson has no problem performing stunts in action movies, but he won’t get near an owl for any amount of money.

Singer Adele has a serious fear of seagulls after a scary incident in her childhood, when one flew in and swiped an ice cream she was eating. Its claw scratched her shoulder, leaving physical- and emotional- scars. 

Megan Fox can’t stand the feeling of dry paper, so when she reads through scripts, she constantly licks her finger to keep it wet.

Alfred Hitchcock lived with ovophobia, the fear of eggs. People who worked with him claimed cracking an egg made him gag, and he once told a reporter “…Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid?”

Actor, producer, and musician Johnny Depp has a phobia hat trick- three phobias- clowns, spiders, and ghosts.

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has a phobia of people with a long second toe, to the point that it influences his dating life. He must see the toe on the first date… it’s mandatory. He may not go for a kiss, but he’s definitely going to check out that second toe, to see if it’s too long.

Ellen Page has a phobia of tennis balls, and can’t even watch a tennis match on television. 

Kristen Bell is afraid of pruney fingers, specifically the feeling of pruney fingers on normal skin, and even wears gloves when she goes in the water to avoid touching herself with her own pruney fingers. 

Some fun phobia facts…

In the United States, approximately 19 million people suffer from various phobias, with varying levels of severity.

The prevalence of phobias is approximately 5% in children, 16% in teenagers, and 3% to 5% in adults.

Women are nearly twice as likely to be affected by a phobia as men are, but men are more likely to seek treatment for phobias.

Symptoms of phobias tend to begin in early to mid childhood, with the average age of onset being about 7 years old.

While specific phobias usually begin in childhood, their incidence peaks during midlife and old age. 

Phobias can persist for several years, decades, or be present throughout one’s life in 10% to 30% of cases.

The presence of a phobia is strongly predictive for the onset of other anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. 

Specific phobias can and do affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and/ or socioeconomic classes.

A part of the brain called the amygdala is responsible for triggering specific phobias.  

Unusual Phobias

There are approximately 400 specific phobias, and new ones are added to the list as necessary. Some are rare, unusual, or downright weird. Here are a few of those. 

Ablutophobia, fear of bathing

This phobia can sometimes be the result of a traumatic, water-related incident, especially if it involves bathing during juvenile years, though many sufferers will grow out of this phobia as they get older. This phobia can cause a great deal of social anxiety and friction as it can often result in unpleasant body odor. 

Anatidaephobia, fear of being watched by a duck

This is funny, but it’s for real. People with this phobia fear that no matter where they are, or what they’re doing, a duck is watching them. Not a hen, not a rabbit, specifically a duck, like Daffy. 

Arachibutyrophobia, fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. 

While this may sound like a minor issue, this phobia likely stems from a fear of choking or inability to open one’s mouth. While some sufferers may be able to eat small amounts of peanut butter, especially if it’s not very sticky, many will not eat peanut butter at all for fear of it sticking to the roof of their mouth.

Arithmophobia, fear of math

While plenty of people hated math class, arithmophobia takes this anxiety to the next level. This phobia isn’t so much a fear of numbers or symbols, as it is a fear of being forced into a situation where one has to do math, especially if that person’s math skills are subpar.

Chirophobia, fear of hands

This phobia can be a fear of one’s own hands or another’s. This is often the result of a traumatic event like a severe hand injury, or a persistent condition like arthritis.

Chloephobia, fear of newspapers

This phobia is often connected to the touch, sound, and smell of newspaper. Sufferers may become anxious at the sound of a rustling newspaper, or from the smell of newspaper ink and paper.

Eisoptrophobia, fear of mirrors

Sometimes referred to as spectrophobia or catoptrophobia, sufferers are often unable to look at themselves in a mirror. In more severe cases, this anxiety can even extend to reflective surfaces like glass or standing water. One genesis of this phobia revolves around the superstitions tied to mirrors, the fear of seeing something supernatural or breaking a mirror and being cursed with bad luck. In other cases, this phobia can stem from low self-esteem and an aversion to seeing oneself.

Geniophobia, fear of chins

This one sounds a little unreal, because how can anyone fear a chin, but people with this phobia have an aversion to chins, and cannot interact or look at people whose chins bother them. It’s unclear if this is all chins or Jay Leno chins…

Genuphobia, fear of knees or kneeling

People who have this phobia have a fear of knees, their own and/ or someone else’s. This gives me flashbacks to confirmation classes, with all the kneeling, aka genuflecting.  

Globophobia, fear of balloons

This phobia often originates from a traumatic event, often when a popping balloon causes a scare at a young age. Sufferers of this phobia can have varying levels of anxiety, with some casually avoiding balloons, while other, more severe cases are prohibited from being anywhere near a balloon. Globophobia is also often linked to the fear of clowns, coulrophobia.

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia- I kid you not- is the phobia of long words. Of course a 15 syllable word represents this fear…can people with it even say what they’re afraid of? Hmmm…

Omphalophobia, fear of belly buttons

Just like Khloe Kardashian! Sufferers will often avoid areas like the beach, where exposed belly buttons are common. This phobia can be the result of a previous infection in the umbilicus, but can also just be random. In severe cases, sufferers may cover up their own belly button with tape or a bandaid. Interestingly, this phobia may be related to trypophobia, the fear of holes that Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian’s half sister has… hello, genetics! 

Optophobia, fear of opening your eyes

This phobia is generally the result of a traumatic event, especially during childhood. This phobia can be extremely debilitating, as sufferers will often avoid leaving their homes, and naturally seek out dark or dimly lit areas.

Nomophobia, fear of not having your cell phone

This is an anxiety that so many people feel to varying extents, but it becomes a phobia when the anxiety turns into a consistent fear or panic at the mere thought of being without a mobile phone. This phobia also extends to having a phone with a dead battery or being out of service, thereby making the phone unusable. Someone with nomophobia will feel intense anxiety if they have no phone signal, have run out of data or battery power, or even if their phone is out of sight. Nomophpia is often connected with an addiction to phones and the need to be constantly connected. A recent study showed that many people under the age of 30 check their phone at least once every 10 minutes- 96 times a day- so this is far more common than you can imagine.  

Plutophobia, fear of wealth

This phobia deals less with the fear of physical monetary currency and more with the anxiety around wealth or being wealthy. Sufferers dread the responsibility and weight that accompanies wealth, and fear that they will be targeted for their wealth, and subsequently put into danger. They may even sabotage their career or money-making opportunities in an attempt to avoid feeling it.

Pogonophobia, fear of facial hair

This fear is often the result of a traumatic experience with someone who has significant facial hair or a beard. Beards also partially hide someone’s face, creating an additional layer of anxiety for those that struggle in social situations, or reading social cues. In more severe cases, a sufferer of pogonophobia may not even be able to look at a picture of someone with a beard.

Sanguivoriphobia, fear of vampires

Sufferers have a fear of vampires and blood eaters. In fact, the word literally translates to ‘fear of blood eaters’. At least people with this won’t have to sit through the torture of the Twilight movie series. 

Somniphobia, fear of falling asleep

While some people just can’t do without their regular eight hours a night, sufferers of this phobia may associate going to bed with dying, or fear losing time while asleep. 

Turophobia, fear of cheese

A fear of cheese can often be traced back to an incident with cheese, especially in early childhood. Being forced to eat cheese, especially when lactose intolerant, can create an aversion to, and anxiety towards, cheese. More severe cases can even result in fear just from the sight or smell of cheese.

Xanthophobia, fear of the color yellow

This is a difficult phobia to deal with, as some things in nature and many man made things are yellow. Sufferers may fear something seemingly benign like a flower, school bus, or wheel of cheese. This phobia could be an artifact, originating from survival-based evolution, as animals that are brightly colored, like frogs or snakes, are sometimes poisonous or venomous.

That’s a good place to end for this week, before everyone develops bibliophobia, the fear of reading! I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in officeand on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

Freaky phobias

Freaky Phobias

Hello, people… welcome back to the blog! Last week, we finished a two part series on N-acetyl cysteine, the latest and greatest amino acid supplement that’s showing major promise in helping to treat some heavy hitting psych disorders, especially bipolar depression. This week, I want to talk about a very intriguing topic… phobias.  

What is a phobia? A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause you any harm. I want to highlight the most important point here: irrational fear. Irrational, without rationale. What does that mean exactly? It generally means not thinking, but sometimes it means thinking, but without logic. So a phobia is when you’re afraid of something, often without even thinking about it, sometimes despite thinking about it- which just causes more anxiety btw- and the thing that you’re afraid of is usually nothing to be afraid of in the first place. But despite that fact, the fear can be intense. The word phobia comes from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or horror. Generally, the name of the phobia is a telling label, one basically made up as the need arises, typically by combining a Greek (or sometimes Latin) prefix that describes the phobia, along with the -phobia suffix. For example, the fear of water is named by combining hydro (water) and phobia (fear), so you end up with hydrophobia.

When someone has a phobia, they experience very intense fear of a certain object, thought, or situation. This fear is more extreme than fear in the normal everyday sense, and it develops when a person has an exaggerated or irrational perception of danger about a particular thing. But where’s the line? Being a little wary of spiders isn’t the same as being arachnophobic, right? And btw phobias aren’t always entirely irrational… some spiders ARE dangerous- they can kill you- so they should be avoided. But a phobia will assume that ALL spiders- even a teeny tiny harmless house spider- is a real threat. That’s how phobias are a little different than regular fears, because they cause significant distress, potentially enough to interfere with life at home, work, and/ or school. You’re afraid of serial killers, I’m afraid of serial killers, I imagine everyone is afraid of serial killers. Actually, are serial killers afraid of serial killers? Hmmm… don’t know. Anyway, is this a phobia? Not for most folks, but it sure is for some. What’s the difference? It has to do with interference. Why and how does that phobia, that thing, interfere with your life? Because people with phobias actively avoid the phobic object or situation- that’s another difference- they’ll do nearly anything to avoid it- or else they’ll just white knuckle through it with super intense fear and anxiety. Are you so afraid of serial killers that you avoid going to a nearly deserted truck stop diner at midnight, or so afraid of them that you refuse to leave your house… ever? If you’re the latter, you might have foniasophobia, fear of dying at the hands of a serial killer. 

Ultimately, phobias are a type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are very, very common- I see them all day long- and they’re estimated to affect more than 30 percent of U.S. adults at some point in their lives. Specific phobias affect fewer people, with an estimated 12.5 percent of American adults experiencing one at some time in their lives. You can have a phobia without having a true anxiety disorder, and you can have an anxiety disorder without having a phobia, though I can’t think off the top of my head of a patient with a generalized anxiety disorder that hasn’t told me about a specific phobia, though I’m sure there are some. 

In the shrink bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, aka the DSM-5, it outlines several of the most common phobias, and they typically fall within five general categories:

-Fears related to animals, like spiders, dogs, and insects

-Fears related to the natural environment, like heights, the dark, and thunder

-Fears related to blood, injury, or medical issues, like injections, blood draws, and medical catastrophes, like falls and broken bones

-Fears related to specific situations, like flying, riding in an elevator, being on an escalator, and driving over bridges

-Fears of other more random things like loud noises or choking

The thing is, these categories encompass an infinite number of specific objects and situations. A person can conceivably be afraid of anything they can physically do, think about, or feel. And let me tell you, I’ve heard some doozies. Some people are genuinely afraid of some weird stuff! Not even making fun… most of the time, they’ll even tell you it’s weird too. One of my patients that I’ve treated forever has a wind phobia, anemophobia, or sometimes called ancraophobia. Whatever it’s called, she hates wind… anything more than a light breeze is like nails on a chalkboard for her. What’s really wild is that this very specific, and fairly rare phobia appears to be genetic for her- it runs in her family- and she never even knew that until they all “hurricaned” together several years ago. She, her father, who evidently never really admitted it, and her aunt on her father’s side… all three of them were climbing the walls together during the hurricane. And apparently she always hated wind. As a kid, she would get up in the middle of the night… even if, maybe even especially, when it was storming… and hello, windy… and climb up on a barstool to take down her mom’s windchimes! Every one of them, and evidently she had a lot. Why? Because they drove her looney, listening to the wind blow them around… ding!! Ching ching bing!!! Ding ding da ding!!! She told me that they all made different noises, varying tones, high and low, and she said that every one of them just reminded her how bloody windy it was. For her mom, that sound was relaxing, but for her… not so much! Now, was she actually worried that the wind would blow her away, like Dorothy, off to Oz? Nope. She always knew that wouldn’t happen. She knew she was perfectly safe in her concrete block constructed house, but nonetheless, the wind made her beyond anxious. That, my friends, is a phobia. Totally irrational. And she’d tell you so herself.

Phobias come in all shapes and sizes, and because there really are an infinite number of objects and situations, the list of specific phobias is very, very long. Did you know that there’s even such a thing as a fear of fears? Phobophobia. How about that? And it’s actually more common than you might imagine. That’s one of the problems with fear, it often begets itself. If you have a panic attack because you go sailing in a 28 foot sloop in 12 foot seas, you may end up with not just a phobia about sailing, but a phobia of water and waves. And because the impact of the fear was so intense that it produced physical symptoms of a panic attack, you can even wind up with a phobia of having a panic attack. Yep, and you can be so afraid of having a panic attack that you can cause yourself to have one. Kid you not.  

While there are potentially hundreds, maybe even thousands of different types of phobias, there are some that affect the population at much higher rates than others. Here are a few of the most commonly diagnosed phobias, along with some interesting points on each.

Arachnophobia 

The fear of spiders, or arachnids, is possibly the most well-known of all phobias, and it’s estimated that arachnophobia affects roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.

Ophidiophobia 

Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. Interestingly, both ophidiophobia and arachnophobia are thought to be rooted in human evolution, meaning we evolved to fear these critters. It was a matter of survival, so humand learned it generation over generation, to the point it stuck in our DNA. Pretty amazing, no? 

Acrophobia

This is the fear of heights, which affects over 20 million people. Acrophobia can affect a person in a variety of situations, including air travel, crossing bridges, and even travelling up an escalator. It can be extremely limiting, because this fear in particular is frequently associated with anxiety attacks as well as avoidance of the phobia trigger, and this often prevents people with acrophobia from participating in activities that most of us take for granted.

Cynophobia

This is the fear of dogs, and unfortunately, often stems from a personal traumatic experience in the patient’s past, maybe a bite or an attack. I’m a dog lover, and have never had a negative experience with a dog, so while I can’t understand it from an experiential standpoint, I have great empathy for people that are so afraid of dogs for whatever reason that they miss out on the love and companionship they can provide. Cynophobia is an interesting one to me, because it is one of the most commonly treated phobias. In fact, 36 percent of all patients who seek phobia treatment actually do so for cynophobia, which gives you an idea of how much it impacts their lives.

Social Phobia 

Social phobia involves fear centered around social situations and interactions. Among the most common symptoms of social phobia is fear of public speaking, but it can center on any number of situations, like starting conversations, speaking on the phone, meeting new people, speaking to authority figures, and even eating and drinking in front of others. Social phobia typically first appears during puberty, and it can be lifelong if not properly treated.  

Agoraphobia 

Agoraphobia is the fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s home, or of being in places or situations that trigger a feeling of helplessness, or where a quick escape would be difficult, such as being on public transportation, like an airplane. Agoraphobia is its own unique diagnosis, and is often associated with panic disorder and panic attacks; roughly one-third of patients with an existing panic disorder will also go on to develop agoraphobia as a comorbidity. Statistically, it’s more prevalent in women than men, with two-thirds of patients being female.

Aerophobia 

Speaking of being on airplanes, aerophobia is the fear of flying, and it affects an estimated 8 million people. Given today’s world of travel and transportation, this one can be particularly difficult to avoid, but it can be addressed with various techniques, like exposure therapy. More on that next week.

That’s a good place to stop. Next week, more on freaky phobias; among other things, we’ll talk about how to rid yourself of them. Because while you might assume that once a person gets to the other side of their phobia and knows they lived through it, that it would go away all by itself… you’d be wrong most of the time. Wah wah waaaah. We’re going to talk about just why the hell that is. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

N-acetyl Cysteine…New Miracle for Bipolar

N-acetyl Cysteine… New Miracle for Bipolar?

Hello, people… hope everyone is well! In last week’s blog, I introduced you to N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, an amino acid supplement that’s garnering some serious attention in shrinky circles, as it has shown major potential to help treat multiple psych conditions. Recall from last week that NAC is most renowned for its ability to replenish levels of the body’s strongest antioxidant, glutathione, while it also regulates the very important neurotransmitter, glutamate, acta as an anti-inflammatory, and assists the body’s detoxification system.

The rationale for administering NAC for psych conditions is based on those roles: being a precursor of glutathione, as well as its action as a modulating agent of glutamatergic, dopaminergic, neurotropic, and inflammatory pathways. Those are the mechanics of NAC, the how and why it’s beneficial for brain function: NAC helps to produce glutathione, which, being the chief free radical scavenger, takes up all those nasties, reducing cellular damage. NAC also acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it decreases the blood levels of molecules that cause inflammation in the body and brain, such as interleukin-6, which incidentally may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depressed mood. A third mechanism of action that has been proposed for NAC involves the stimulation, increased synthesis, and release of the neurotransmitters glutamate and dopamine. Let’s talk about those two for a moment.

As the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and CNS, glutamate plays an important role during brain development, as well as helping with learning and memory. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. What is that? Excitatory neurotransmitters have excitatory effects on the neuron, meaning that they increase the likelihood that the neuron will fire a signal- called an action potential- in the receiving neuron. Because neurotransmitters can increase action potential, you can then probably imagine why neurotransmitter levels are very important. At high concentrations, glutamate can overexcitenerve cells and cause more neuronal firing. Prolonged excitation is toxic to nerve cells, and causes damage over time. So having excess glutamate, as an excitatory neurotransmitter, causes more neuronal firing, and you can actually damage cells this way. In fact, you can excite cells to death… a process referred to as “excitotoxicity.” Having too much glutamate in the brain has been associated with neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Problems in making or using glutamate have also been linked to a number of mental health disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD. Glutamate is also a metabolic precursor for another neurotransmitter called GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system- the flip-side of the coin- which decreases the likelihood that the neuron it acts upon will fire. That’s why glutamate is so important, it’s the dominant neurotransmitter used for neural circuit communication, and it’s estimated that well over half of all synapses in the brain release glutamate. 

Dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that’s strongly associated with pleasure and reward. It’s a contributing factor in motor function, mood, and decision making, and is also associated with some movement and psychiatric disorders. Dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward; when you come to associate a certain activity with pleasure, just the anticipation alone can be enough to raise dopamine levels. It could be a specific food, sex, shopping, or just about anything else that you enjoy. If your go-to comfort food is homemade chocolate chip cookies, your brain may increase dopamine levels when you smell them baking or see them come out of the oven. Then when you eat them, the flood of dopamine you receive acts to reinforce the craving, causing you to focus on satisfying it in the future. Dopamine is all about the cycle of motivation, reward, and reinforcement. Now imagine that you’ve been jonesing for those cookies all day, but your co-workers scarfed them all down while you were sidetracked by a conference call. Your disappointment might well lower your dopamine levels and dampen your mood. It might also intensify your desire for chocolate chip cookies, making you want them even more. Dopamine plays the main role in all of that, but keep in mind that dopamine doesn’t act alone. It works with other neurotransmitters and hormones, things like serotonin and adrenaline. Aside from its “feel good” function, dopamine is involved in many body functions, including blood flow, digestion, memory and focus, mood and emotions, motor control, pain processing, sleep, stress response, heart and kidney function, pancreatic function, and insulin regulation. Once again, as with all neurotransmitters, levels are important… theright amount of dopamine generally equates to a good mood. Ultimately, dopamine contributes to feelings of alertness, focus, motivation, and happiness, and a flood of dopamine can produce temporary feelings of total euphoria.

Those mechanisms I mentioned- glutathione reducing cellular damage, anti-inflammatory action, and the stimulation, increased synthesis, and release of the neurotransmitters glutamate and dopamine- are the proposed how NAC works, but why does NAC help people with varying psych diagnoses? Why might it work across so many conditions? This is the most intriguing thing to me. First and foremost, it seems to target biological pathways that are common across many mental disorders. For example, we know that patients with bipolar disorder have significantly higher levels of oxidative stress, and higher glutamate concentrations in their brains, especially during acute mania. It’s been suggested that people with schizophrenia may have the same, and that this may predispose them to changes in neuronal cell membranes and mitochondrial function that later manifest as symptoms of schizophrenia. It appears that NAC supplementation, by increasing CNS glutamate levels and reducing overall oxidative stress, may reduce the severity of these psychotic symptoms. 

A meta-analysis and systematic review of placebo-controlled studies on NAC as a stand-alone treatment of depressed mood in people diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric disorders, found evidence for “moderately improved” depressed mood and improved global functioning. In a four-month, double-blind study, individuals treated with NAC plus their usual antidepressant improved more than individuals taking a placebo with their antidepressant medication. 

In a large, six-month, double-blind study, individuals with schizophrenia who had failed to respond to multiple trials on antipsychotics were treated with 1,000 mg NAC twice daily versus a placebo, while also taking their usual antipsychotic medication. Those taking NAC experienced moderate improvements in symptoms of apathy and social withdrawal, the so-called “negative” symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as improvements in day-to-day functioning, and fewer of the abnormal involuntary movements that are commonly caused by some antipsychotic meds. 

NAC has also been investigated as a treatment for substance use disorders, with promising results. The findings of small, placebo-controlled studies suggest that NAC helped heavy Cannabis users to reduce their use, and that it may reduce the intensity of withdrawal and cravings in people in early stages of cocaine recovery. As in mood disorders, the beneficial effects of the NAC may be related to its role in restoring neurotransmitter activity that has been affected by chronic substance abuse. 

In addition to its mood-enhancing benefits, there is evidence that NAC may reduce trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) and other impulse control disorders, like nail-biting, skin picking, and pathological gambling. There was one eight-week, open-label study on pathological gamblers, and over 80 percent of them responded to NAC. They were then subsequently enrolled in a six-week, placebo-controlled trial, and continued to report “significant reductions” in gambling.

As for potential treatment targets, a systematic review of all of the evidence suggests that NAC may be effective at treating major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, drug addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse control disorders, autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and even certain forms of epilepsy, specifically progressive myoclonic seizures. NAC has also been shown to potentially reduce the severity of mild traumatic brain injury in soldiers, and animal studies show that it can improve cognition after moderate traumatic brain injury. Other disorders such as anxiety and ADHD have some interesting preliminary evidence, but require larger studies.

The jury’s still out as to the mechanism, whether NAC’s benefits are the result of glutathione reducing cellular damage, the anti-inflammatory action, or the actions on glutamate and dopamine. Even though we don’t know exactly why yet, on a clinical level, NAC seems to help with ruminations, the difficult to control, extreme negative self-thoughts. These thoughts are very common in depression and anxiety disorders, and also in eating disorders, schizophrenia, and OCD. NAC seems to help some patients when other modalities, even meds and psychotherapy, haven’t helped much. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, irrational thoughts seem to gradually decrease in intensity and frequency. Negative thoughts, like “I’m a bad person,” “Nobody likes me,” or ruminations about other people or other issues that can’t seem to be quieted by reasonable evidence to the contrary- those really pesky negative thoughts that keep intruding on someone’s awareness, hour after hour, day after day, despite all efforts to control them- seem to decrease with NAC. If they do continue to occur, they’re less distressing, and can be observed from more of a distance, and are less likely to trigger depression or other negative effects.

Overall, NAC seems pretty special. Its ability to successfully cross the blood-brain-barrier to increase CNS glutathione levels, while reducing glutamate and overall oxidative stress, in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties- all conditions linked to depression and other mental health disorders- makes it an interesting treatment candidate for many psych conditions. If you take NAC, you’re basically giving your body an efficient way to soak up excess glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter that’s not good in excess concentrations. You’re also reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by giving it glutathione. As a result, this seems to help alleviate a number of different mental health conditions: depressed mood, schizophrenia, impulse control disorders, and substance use disorders. Studies indicate that people benefit from taking anywhere between 250 mg to 500 mg daily. Lower doses are better because high doses of NAC can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain… this is not a good thing, so you obviously want to avoid that. You can take NAC with leucine, another amino acid, as taking leucine with it prevents mercury from being reabsorbed into the central nervous system. As always, please bear in mind that large placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of NAC in mental health care, and to determine safe, optimal dosages for standalone or adjunctive treatment. But if you think it might be helpful, talk to your physician to determine if NAC is a good supplement choice for you. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE

N-Acetyl Cysteine

Hello, people! Last week, we finished up our discussion on the darker side of OCD and talked about the most difficult subtype to deal with, the pure hell of pure obsession OCD, aka Pure O. As promised, we’re back this week with a new topic, N-acetyl Cysteine, or NAC. NAC is an amino acid used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair the body’s cells from damage, usually referred to as oxidative stress. Historically, NAC has been used mainly in emergency rooms to treat people who overdose on acetaminophen… I’ve ordered it innumerable times for this very purpose. These days, it can be purchased as a supplement OTC, and new studies have begun investigating its effectiveness as both a stand-alone and adjunctive treatment for depressed mood associated with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, and trichotillomania, as well as abuse and dependence on nicotine, Cannabis, and cocaine. And it has shown some promising results. 

Before we get to that, let’s talk about some things NAC does in the body. 

1. NAC is essential for making the body’s most powerful antioxidant, glutathione. Along with two other amino acids- glutamine and glycine- NAC is needed to make and replenish glutathione, which helps neutralize free radicals that can cause oxidative stress- damage to cells and tissues in your body. It’s essential for immune health and for fighting cellular damage, and some researchers believe it may even contribute to longevity. Its antioxidant properties are also important for combatting numerous other ailments caused by oxidative stress, such as heart disease, infertility, and some psychiatric conditions. More on those later.

2. NAC helps detoxify the body to prevent or diminish kidney and liver damage, helping to prevent deleterious side effects of drugs and environmental toxins. This is why doctors regularly give intravenous NAC to people with acetaminophen overdose. It’s usually organ failure that gets you in acetaminophen overdose, and NAC helps to prevent or reduce damage to the kidneys and liver, increasing the chances of survival. NAC also has applications for other liver diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. NAC helps regulate levels of glutamate, the most important neurotransmitter in your brain, and this may improve some psych disorders and addictive behavior. While glutamate is required for normal brain function, excess glutamate paired with glutathione depletion can cause brain damage. This state- excess glutamate with glutathione depletion- is commonly seen in certain psych disorders; specifically, it’s thought to contribute to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addictive behavior.

For people with bipolar disease and depression, NAC may help decrease symptoms and improve overall ability to function, and research suggests that it may also play a role in treating moderate to severe OCD. In addition, an animal study implied that NAC may minimize the so-called negative effects of schizophrenia, such as social withdrawal, apathy, and reduced attention span. NAC supplements can also help decrease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse in cocaine addicts, and preliminary studies show that NAC may decrease marijuana and nicotine use and cravings. Many of these disorders currently have limited or ineffective treatment options, so NAC may be an effective option for individuals with these conditions. More on this in a moment.

4. NAC can help relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, loosening mucus in the air passageways. As an antioxidant, NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in your lungs, and reduces inflammation in the bronchial tubes and lung tissue. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience long-term oxidative damage and inflammation of lung tissue, which causes airways to constrict, leading to shortness of breath and coughing. NAC supplements have been used to improve these COPD symptoms, leading to fewer exacerbations and less overall lung decline. In a one-year study, 600 mg of NAC twice a day significantly improved lung function and symptoms in people with stable COPD. But those with chronic bronchitis can also benefit from NAC. Bronchitis is the term for when the mucous membranes in your lungs’ bronchial passageways become inflamed, restricting airflow to the lungs. Not much fun. By thinning the mucus in the bronchial tubes, while also boosting glutathione levels, NAC may help decrease the severity and frequency of wheezing and coughing in respiratory attacks. In addition to relieving COPD and bronchitis, NAC may improve other lung and respiratory tract conditions like cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as symptoms of garden variety nasal and sinus congestion due to allergies or infections. Ultimately, NAC’s antioxidant and expectorant capacity can improve lung function in everyone by decreasing inflammation and breaking up and clearing out mucus.

5. NAC boosts brain health by regulating glutamate and replenishing glutathione. The neurotransmitter glutamate is involved in a broad range of learning, behavior, and memory actions, while the antioxidant glutathione helps reduce oxidative damage to brain cells associated with aging. Glutamate levels are subject to the three bears law: you need some, but too much isn’t good, as it’s an excitatory neurotransmitter. Because NAC helps regulate glutamate levels and replenish glutathione, it may benefit those with brain and memory ailments. The neurological disorder Alzheimer’s disease slows down a person’s learning and memory capacity, and animal studies suggest that NAC may slow the loss of cognitive ability in people with it. Another brain condition, Parkinson’s disease, is characterized by the deterioration of cells that generate the neurotransmitter dopamine. Oxidative damage to cells, and a decrease in antioxidant ability, contribute to this disease, and NAC supplements appear to improve dopamine function as well as disease symptoms, such as tremor.

6. NAC may improve fertility in both men and women. Approximately 15% of all couples trying to conceive are affected by infertility, and in nearly half of these cases, male infertility is the main contributing factor. Many male infertility issues increase when antioxidant levels are insufficient to combat free radical formation in the male reproductive system, leading to oxidative stress and cell death, culminating in reduced fertility. In some cases, NAC has been shown to combat this, improving male fertility. One condition that contributes to male infertility is varicocele. This is when veins inside the scrotum become enlarged due to free radical damage; surgery is currently the primary treatment. In one study, 35 men with varicocele were given 600 mg of NAC per day for three months post-surgery. The combination of surgery and NAC supplement improved semen integrity and partner pregnancy rate by 22% as compared to the control group with surgery alone. Another study in 468 men with infertility found that supplementing with 600 mg of NAC and 200 mcg of selenium for 26 weeks improved semen quality. Researchers suggested that this combined NAC/ selenium supplement should be considered as a treatment option for male infertility. In addition, NAC may improve fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by inducing or augmenting the ovulation cycle which is altered by the condition. 

7. NAC may stabilize blood sugar by decreasing inflammation in fat cells. High blood sugar and obesity contribute to inflammation in fat tissue. This can lead to damage or destruction of insulin receptors, which puts you at a much higher risk of type 2 diabetes. When insulin receptors are intact and healthy, they properly remove sugar from your blood, keeping levels within normal limits. When the insulin receptors are damaged, blood sugar levels are more difficult to control. Animal studies show that NAC may stabilize blood sugar by decreasing inflammation in fat cells, keeping receptors happy, and thereby improving insulin resistance. That said, human research on NAC is needed to confirm these effects on blood sugar control.

8. NAC may reduce heart disease risk by preventing oxidative damage. Oxidative damage is caused by free radicals, and this type of damage to heart tissue often leads to heart disease, causing strokes, heart attacks, and other serious cardiovascular conditions.

NAC may reduce heart disease risk by reducing oxidative damage to tissues in the heart. It has also been shown to increase nitric oxide production, which helps veins dilate, improving blood flow. This expedites circulation and blood transit back to your heart, and this can lower the risk of heart attack. Interestingly, a test-tube study showed that when combined with green tea, another well recognized antioxidant, NAC appears to reduce damage from oxidized “bad” LDL cholesterol, another bigtime contributor to heart disease.

9. NAC and its ability to boost glutathione levels appears to increase immune function, boosting immune health. Research on certain diseases associated with NAC and glutathione deficiency suggests that immune function might be improved, and potentially even restored, by supplementing with NAC. 

This has been studied mostly in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In two studies, supplementing with NAC resulted in a significant increase in immune function, with an almost complete restoration of natural killer cells, the main patrol cells. High levels of NAC in the body may also suppress HIV-1 reproduction. A test-tube study indicated that in other immune-compromised situations, such as the flu, NAC may hamper the virus’s ability to replicate; this could potentially reduce the symptoms and lifespan of the associated viral illness. Other test-tube studies have similarly linked NAC to cancer cell death and blocked cancer cell replication. Great news, but more human studies are needed. 

This is a short blog, but that’s a good place to stop for this week. Next week, we’ll talk about how NAC may alleviate the symptoms of multiple psychiatric disorders, as well as reduce addictive behavior; and we’ll talk about some preliminary study findings as well. I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it to be interesting and educational. Please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well people!

MGA

Learn More

The Dark Side of OCD

The Dark Side of OCD

Hello, people… welcome back to the blog! We had some bigtime issues with our website, so we had to take a short blog break… but our IT guy got it sorted, so we’re finally back! Our last blog continued the discussion of OCD subtypes, and I went over Scrupulosity OCD, the obsession with morality and good versus evil, and Sexual Orientation OCD, the obsession with one’s “true” sexuality. This week, we’re wrapping up the OCD subtype series with a look at Relationship OCD, or ROCD, and an overview of Pure Obsessional OCD, aka Pure O.

In Relationship OCD, obsessions revolve around one’s feelings of attraction, attachment, and love for their partner. Recall again that OCD is a disorder of doubt, so ROCD presents as a preoccupation with doubting various aspects of the relationship. The person may wonder whether their person is really ‘the one,’ and about the level of sexual attraction or general compatibility; ‘Do they really love me?’ and ‘true love’ versus ‘just lust’ are other common themes. Whatever the doubts may be, they can become so pervasive and consuming that they can easily poison otherwise entirely healthy relationships… it can be exasperating to the person’s partner, and totally devastating to everyone involved. Imagine being married to someone for a number of years, maybe even having children with them, and then one day they tell you they’re not sure if you have sexual chemistry, or are compatible, and they don’t know if you belong together. Yikes! Scary stuff for everyone. It can even be a physical trait they’re unusually drawn to, and unsure if they can live with, or a common habit. Maybe you squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube instead of rolling up the end. Jk on that last one people, though some folks, whether they have OCD or not, can be pretty particular about those kinds of things.

Sometimes people have a hard time understanding the difference between ROCD and more garden variety relationship doubts, and ROCD can even be misdiagnosed by mental health professionals if they misread the symptoms that way. Lots of people doubt their relationships from time to time, and there’s nothing wrong with taking a hard look at things and asking yourself some serious questions when choosing to settle down with a partner. We’re not talking about your usual commitment phobias here… make no mistake, people with ROCD are tortured continuously by their doubting thoughts. But the core issue with ROCD isn’t actually related to compatability or intimacy, once again, it’s about the doubt; specifically, the inability to tolerate that doubt. To draw the distinction, I’ll use a nerd word, people… ego-dystonic. For people with ROCD, the doubts they have are ego-dystonic, meaning that they are inconsistent with their actual feelings. They truly feel that they are attracted to, and compatible with, their partner, it’s just the ROCD causing them to constantly question it. Unfortunately, some clinicians and practitioners who aren’t familiar with ROCD may suggest to a person with it that “maybe you’re just not that into them” or that they “may not be right for you” or “not the one.” Worse yet, they might even tell them, “Well, maybe your gut is trying to tell you something… maybe those are your instincts, and perhaps you should pay attention to them” Alas, no. Telling someone with ROCD to listen to their doubts is the fastest way to send them into a tailspin of panic.  

Aas ROCD obsessions center on doubt, the associated compulsions center on being absolutely sure that the relationship in question is right, on ascertaining the justification for entering into or remaining in it. For the person with ROCD, attempting to arrive at this level of certainty is agonizing, and it leads to an intense and endless cycle of anxiety, because it’s impossible to arrive at a definitive answer for any length of time. The doubt can usually be assuaged for a short time by performing various mental compulsions, but it always returns with a vengeance. It’s no picnic for the partner, either. They’re forced to think about what their significant other might be willing to do to reach that goal to be sure, especially the possibility of cheating, which is the usual form it takes. For them, this often leads to constant uncontrollable guilt, fear, and distressing thoughts of what will happen.

As with all forms of OCD, compulsions must be performed in an effort to reduce the anxiety related to the unwanted obsessional thoughts. Some examples of what ROCD might look like may be a married woman who has the obsessional thought, “What if I don’t really love my partner?” so she looks at old pictures and mentally recites her wedding vows until she feels she does. Or a husband who imagines cheating on his wife, and then obsessively fears that because he imagined it, he must secretly want to be with another woman, sso he may test the theory so to speak. Maybe a guy is drawn to his girlfriend’s nose, and obsesses about whether or not he finds her attractive enough to be with her, or if he should break up with her. Whichever way he leans- stay or break up- it causes him huge anxiety, so he compares his girlfriend to other girls he sees on the street to find evidence of sufficient feelings for her. Perhaps a man is attracted to a girl he notices on the street, and he begins to obsess that this must mean that he doesn’t love his girlfriend, so he must be in the wrong relationship. This causes him a lot of distress, because he actually believes he does love her and doesn’t really want to break up with her… but the doubt persists. How about a girl who’s living with her boyfriend, and confesses that sometimes she feels turned off by the thought of having sex with him. She believes that since she’s not 100% attracted to him 100% of the time, this is proof that she’s in the wrong relationship. So she mentally lists all the things she does and does not find aattractive about him in an effort to figure it out.

Notice that these compulsions aren’t very obvious… things like mentally reciting wedding vows and making mental lists and comparisons of people can clearly go unnoticed by others, as opposed to someone washing their hands over and over or unlocking and re-locking a deadbolt 20 times to check it. These are more of a mental obsession game. In fact, all of the subtypes we’ve been discussing in this series are similar in this way- sexual orientation OCD, pedophilia OCD, scrupulosity OCD, emotional contamination OCD, and hyperawareness or sensorimotor OCD- all of these are primarily cognitive in nature. As such, they are loosely categorized under Pure Obsessional OCD, aka primarily cognitive obsessive compulsive disorder, aka Pure O. Though not a true diagnosis found in the DSM-5, Pure O is considered a lesser known manifestation of OCD, and is thought of as one of the most distressing and challenging forms of OCD, as people with it have terribly disturbing and unwanted thoughts pop into their heads very frequently, totally unbidden; and once there, they tend to stick around.

In addition to the types we’ve discussed, some other common themes of Pure O thoughts and obsessions include:

-Responsibility type, which is marked by an excessive concern over someone else’s well-being, and hallmarked by guilt over believing they have harmed them, or might, either inadvertently or intentionally.

-Health type, which is essentially a contamination type, where they have constant fear of having or contracting a disease, generally through seemingly impossible means; for example, by touching an object that has just been touched by someone with a disease. This type can also include obsessive mistrust of the medical establishment and/ or diagnostic testing. It’s important to note that this is not the same as hypochondriasis, which is an illness whereby affected individuals falsely convince themselves they are physically ill, potentially to the point that they may even manifest physical symptoms. Maybe that’s a good topic for another blog.

-Existential type, which involves the persistent and obsessive questioning of the nature and meaning of self, life, reality, the universe, and other philosophical topics… all the deep stuff.

It’s important to distinguish Pure O from a singular fleeting thought. All humans experience unwanted thoughts. However, non-clinical people, or those who don’t have OCD, are able to easily dismiss the thoughts as uncomfortable, weird, or just something their brain does. What distinguishes Pure O from a fleeting unwanted thought is the anxiety that becomes affixed to the thought, which then creates a significant amount of distress to the sufferer. As you’ve probably noticed throughout this series, the nature and type of Pure O obsessions vary greatly, but the central theme is the emergence of a disturbing, intrusive thought or question, an unwanted or inappropriate mental image, or a frightening impulse that causes the person extreme anxiety, because it’s typically oppositional to their religious beliefs, morals, or societal norms. The fears associated with Pure O tend to be far more personal and terrifying for the sufferer than those of someone with traditional OCD… scenarios that they feel would ruin their life or the lives of those around them, the stuff of nightmares. Not to minimize the fears associated with stereotypical OCD, but to illustrate the difference, think about being overly concerned about security or cleanliness, and then imagine being terrified that you’ve undergone a radical change in your sexuality, or that you want to molest your baby nephew, or stab your father. You might be a murderer, you might cause some harm to a loved one, or an innocent person, or to yourself… or maybe you are, or will go, insane. You don’t actually want to do these things, but your brain makes you doubt that, makes you think you might want to. You have to think about it all the time, just to be absolutely sure that you won’t. That’s the pure hell of Pure O.

People with Pure O understand that these fears are probably unfounded, that it’s highly improbable, or even impossible, that they would ever hurt anyone or themselves, but the anxiety they feel will make the obsession seem very meaningful and real. While people wwithout Pure O will usually instinctively dismiss any bizarre, intrusive thoughts as insignificant impulses that are part of the normal variance of the human mind, just doing its thing, someone with Pure O will respond with alarm, followed by a desperate attempt to neutralize the thought and banish it… anything to try to avoid ever having it again. Even though they usually realize that their fear is irrational, a fact which just causes even more distress btw, they’ll constantly ask themselves, “Am I really capable of something like that?” or “Could that really happen?” and they’ll continuously put tremendous effort into resolving or somehow escaping the unwanted thought. It ends up in a vicious cycle, as they mentally search for reassurance, while trying to get a definitive answer to the question(s). This is generally through creating specific mental rituals they must accomplish in order to reassure themselves their intrusive thoughts are untrue, or that they aren’t a bad person. They may repeat specific words, recite special prayers or mantras in their head, or mentally review certain images each time there’s a negative thought, in an effort to neutralize it.

People with Pure O often report that it’s these thoughts that make them incredibly anxious, that they can’t get out of their head. This is an important point: what ignites the symptoms of Pure O isn’t having the experience of intrusive thoughts, but actually the reaction to them. The more they hate the experience of the intrusive thoughts and try to repress, control, or fight them, the greater the frequency of intrusive thoughts they’ll experience. It’s the very act of trying to not have the thought(s) that guarantees they’ll resurface agaain and again. This is because Pure O is rooted in the faulty assumption that as humans, we have control over our thoughts, when in fact, not so much. The human brain has evolved to be constantly searching and seeking, aware and alert, to find interesting problems to solve, and to search for threats to safety and existence. In addition, the brain is hardwired to be particularly interested in thoughts that contain uncertainty, and OCD thoughts are the epitome of uncertainty. When the brain of someone with Pure O lands on a thought or question that’s unacceptable or fearful to the person having the thought, the fear network of the brain is alerted that something is wrong, and that something must be done about it IMMEDIATELY. It comes down to the fight or flight response, and it’s this fight or flight experience that causes the sufferer a great deal of distress.

Remember when I talked about perfectionism being a little unusual because it’s really a subtype of its own, but also a common feature of stereotypical OCD as well as the other OCD subtypes? Many people with Pure O also experience comorbid features of perfectionism. They tend to maintain a high overall standard for what their brain “should” be thinking, and the level of control they “should” have over their thoughts. Individuals living with Pure O will commonly berate themselves, saying things like “I shouldn’t be thinking this,” “These thoughts are wrong or bad,” and “I should be able to control these thoughts.” They spend a great deal of time analyzing why they’re having them, with negative self talk about what the thoughts say about them as a person. Sadly, for many sufferers of Pure O, failing to meet this self-imposed standard of control over their own brain will lead them to conclude that they are a bad person, when the truth is that they are not… their brain may be “disordered,” but this is not, and should not be, a reflection on them as a person. They’re typically their own worst enemy, and they need and deserve our empathy and understanding. 

Now you know more about the dark side of OCD- that it’s not all cleaning, straightening, and arranging- and that brings us to the end of this series. Next week, new topic… I’ll surprise you… as soon as I figure out what I’m writing about.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog, and found it to be interesting and of course, educational… please feel free to share it with family and friends. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel with all of my videos, and I’d appreciate it if you would like, subscribe, leave comments, and share those vids! As always, my book Tales from the Couch has more educational topics and patient stories, and is available in office and on Amazon. 

Thank you and be well, people!

MGA

Learn More

Obesity:What Causes It and How to Combat it.

Obesity: What Causes it and How to Combat it   

We’re nearly six weeks into the new year, and this is right about the time that most people toss their new year’s resolutions out the window. Many of them had resolved to lose weight: surveys have shown that, of the people who make new year’s resolutions, an average of 45% of them resolve to lose weight and get in better shape. So that means that nearly half of resolution-makers are overweight at least. That number seems high, but given that obesity has reached epidemic status, I guess it’s not that surprising. 

Obesity is broadly defined as the state of being well above one’s normal weight. Obesity often results from taking in more calories than are burned by exercise and normal daily activities, aka ‘eating too much and moving too little.’ A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must take into account the person’s height, age, sex, and build. Obesity has been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by utilizing a person’s BMI, body mass index. The BMI is a key index for relating body weight to height, and it is formulaic. The imperial BMI formula is weight (in pounds) multiplied by 703, then divided by height (in inches²). If you don’t feel like dealing with the math, you can google a BMI calculator. Having a BMI of 30 and above is considered obesity. Over 70 million adults (35 million men and 35 million women) in the U.S. are obese, while 99 million (45 million women and 54 million men) are overweight and at risk for becoming obese.

What are the causes of obesity? Obesity can be complex, going beyond eating too much and moving too little. Following are some other factors that cause or contribute to obesity.   

Genetics

Obesity has a strong genetic component. Genetic predisposition means that children of obese parents are much more likely to become obese than are children of lean parents. Genetics also affect the rate at which the body uses energy (burns calories) when at rest, which is called the basal metabolic rate. People with higher basal metabolic rates naturally burn more calories than other people, so they are less likely to gain weight. The opposite is also true: people with lower basal metabolic rates burn fewer calories, so they are more likely to gain weight. But these facts don’t mean that obesity is completely predetermined, that there’s no way to change it. What you eat can have a major effect on which genes are expressed and which are not. This is demonstrated when people of non-industrialized societies come to the U.S., begin a western diet, and then rapidly become obese. Obviously, their genes didn’t change, but their diet did; that changed the signals they sent to their genes, which then changed the expression of the genes. Changing the expression of the genes resulted in obesity. The bottom line is that genetics do play a key role in determining susceptibility to gaining weight and obesity, but that is only one factor of many; it is not all genetically predetermined. 

Diet: What and How You Eat

Obviously, eating an unhealthy diet is a major contributing factor in obesity. Overeating at meals and snacking throughout the day can also lead to obesity. An unhealthy diet would be high in complex carbohydrates, bad fats, and sugar, and low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and high protein lean meats. There are social factors that affect diet and therefore weight. If you spend a lot of time with overweight friends and family who eat too much of an unhealthy diet, the odds are that you’ll be overweight as well. Economic factors also play a role in obesity. If you can only afford cheap, ready-made packaged foods or fast foods from the dollar menu, you are much more likely to be obese. Economics may force you to eat a diet high in complex carbs like pastas, breads, potatoes and rice just to fill yourself up, because that is all you can afford. That type of diet greatly increases the risk of obesity. Unfortunately, eating unhealthy foods and overeating are easy in our culture today. Many things influence eating behavior, including time with family and friends, the low cost of unhealthy but filling foods, and the access to and expense of healthy foods.  

Lifestyle

If you have a lifestyle that centers on eating and/ or drinking, this can contribute to excess weight. A chef, bartender, or baker, something that requires tasting various dishes and trying new recipes for example. Also, someone who travels a lot for their job so always eats at restaurants, which are notorious for hidden calories and fat; they are more likely to be overweight and at risk for obesity. A sedentary lifestyle, where there is little to no activity or exercise is a huge contributing factor in being overweight or obese. Our modern conveniences- elevators, cars, remote controls- have cut activity out of our lives. The problem is that the less you move, the less active you are, the more likely you are to be obese. Being active helps you stay fit. And when you’re fit, you burn more calories, even when you’re resting, so you’re less likely to be overweight or at risk for obesity. 

Medical Conditions

There are a host of medical issues that can cause or contribute to significant weight gain. Some examples are hypothyroidism, diabetes, Cushing syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause, depression, and endocrine dysfunction. Some medical issues don’t cause weight gain in and of themselves, but make weight gain more likely because they limit the person’s activity. Some examples would include conditions like osteoarthritis, uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain syndromes.

Medications

The list of medications that can cause weight gain is a long one. Everyday medications like corticosteroids (Prednisone, Celestone), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hormone replacements/ birth control, and even insulin are among the culprits. Sometimes it’s not the drug itself causing weight gain, it’s a side-effect from the drug. Some drugs stimulate your appetite, and as a result, you eat more. Others may affect how your body absorbs and stores glucose, which can lead to fat deposits in your body. Some cause calories to be burned more slowly by altering your body’s metabolism. Others cause shortness of breath and fatigue, making it difficult to exercise, while some drugs cause you to retain water, which adds weight but not necessarily fat. Some medications don’t cause you to gain weight outright, they just make it more difficult to lose excess weight you may already carry. A lot of psychiatric medicines cause weight gain. The worst offenders generally include mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify), and quetiapine (Seroquel). With the exception of Wellbutrin, essentially all classes of psychiatric meds can be associated with serious weight gain. As a psychiatrist, I have to prescribe meds that may cause an unwanted side effect like weight gain. I have to weigh the cost to benefit with each patient. Unfortunately, I have patients who are trapped; they must take certain medicines to remain stable, so they have to severely alter their food intake and diet every day of their lives in an effort to avoid weight gain if possible. That’s the cost to benefit ratio- they pay the cost of a severe diet in order to get the benefit of being stable psychologically.   

Why should you care about your weight? What health issues does being overweight cause? The answer is many. Obesity leads to type 2 diabetes. It causes high blood pressure, which can cause strokes. Obesity can increase cholesterol levels and cause coronary artery disease, which is where deposits line the blood vessels that feed the heart and partially or totally block them, so the heart does not get adequate blood supply; this results in a heart attack, aka a “coronary” and this can easily be fatal. Being overweight puts excess weight on the human body, and this commonly causes osteoarthritis of major joints like the knees, the hips, and the ankles. All parts of the body are stressed and strained because they are not designed to carry around that much weight, and this limits the range of motion, mobility, and ability to walk. Obesity increases the risk of cancer to several organs and body parts: the breast, colon, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, prostate, uterus, cervix, endometrium, and ovaries.  Another common medical issue from being overweight is sleep apnea. All the weight on the chest and throat causes you to temporarily stop breathing when sleeping, until you finally noisily gasp for air. Sleep apnea is serious, and very disturbing for anyone that you share your bed with. Obesity causes a fatty liver, which then leads to liver disease and the potential to cause the liver to shut down. Obesity can cause gallstones as well as kidney disease, which can cause your kidneys to stop functioning. Obesity can also cause fertility problems in both men and women. As a psychiatrist, I get obese patients referred to me because obesity can directly cause, or indirectly lead to, various syndromes and other issues, including chronic pain syndromes, depression syndromes, isolation syndromes, social problems, self esteem issues, and difficulty dating. People who develop obesity, especially when it is the result of something beyond their control, like from a medical issue such as hypothyroidism, have all sorts of social interaction issues and work problems, and I can treat them and help walk them through it with psychotherapy. 

We defined obesity, discussed the risk factors and what can cause it, and then the issues it can cause. Now let’s discuss how we can lose weight and prevent obesity.  

Food Diary

To offset weight gain or to help work off excess weight, consider keeping a food diary tracking what you eat and when you eat. Becoming a mindful and aware eater is a great first step to managing weight. 

Eat Slowly

Another factor which helps with weight loss is eating slowly. It takes some time for your stomach to tell your brain that you’ve had enough to eat. If you mindlessly shovel huge amounts of food into your mouth, you’ll miss your cue and overeat, and that obvi will cause you to put on weight and increase the risk of obesity. Eating slowly also has the added benefit of reducing the chances of having indigestion. 

Get Physical

Become more active whenever possible. Instead of meeting someone for coffee or a movie, meet them at a park, beach, or green space and go for a walk. Ideally, you want aerobic activity; that means getting your heart rate up, when it’s harder to breathe. Aerobic activities mean constant motion, like running, biking, swimming, soccer, basketball, anything where you’re moving constantly. Constant activity is aerobic activity, and daily aerobic activity will raise your basal metabolic rate and you’ll burn more calories, even when you’re at rest.  

Resist It

Resistance training is good for targeting fatty areas on the body. Resistance training involves moving a specific muscle against resistance, either using your own body weight or using standard weights. Other activities like lifting weights, doing push-ups, and doing squats are good for reducing body fat. 

READ LABELS! 

…and make sure you understand them. If you don’t understand them, do some research, get a library book on nutrition, ask a friend if they understand, or ask your doctor what the values all mean and how much of the various components should be included in a healthy balanced diet or when dieting in an effort to lose weight. Pay close attention to calorie count, fat grams, protein grams, sugar grams, and carbohydrate count. Just because something says “light” doesn’t mean it should be included in your diet. So many people are ignorant about nutrition information on food packaging. Be sure to know what those values mean and how much you should have of each every day.

Know the Fats

Trans fats- Bad fats!

Historically, trans fats are an evil on par with Satan himself, to be avoided at all costs. The worst type of dietary fat, trans fat is a byproduct of the industrial process of hydrogenation, which turns healthy oils into solids to prevent them from becoming rancid. Eating foods rich in trans fats increases the amount of harmful LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream while reducing the amount of beneficial HDL cholesterol. Trans fats create inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. They contribute to insulin resistance, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Even small amounts of trans fats can harm health: for every 2% of calories from trans fat consumed daily, the risk of heart disease rises by 23%. Mind blowing. Though they have no known health benefits, trans fats were found in most pre-packaged garbage foods and were the main component in margarine type spreads. I say ‘were’ because recent science found there is no safe level of consumption of trans fats, and as a result, trans fats have been officially banned in the United States and several other countries.

Monounsaturated fat- Good fats!
Evidence has shown that consuming monounsaturated fats has several health benefits, including reducing general inflammation in the body. Studies have also shown that a high intake of monounsaturated fats can reduce triglycerides, decrease the risk of heart disease, and lower bad LDL blood cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol. A diet with moderate-to-high amounts of monounsaturated fats can also help with weight loss, as long as you aren’t eating more calories than you’re burning. These fats are liquid at room temperature. Good sources of monounsaturated fat include avocados, almonds, cashews, peanuts, cooking oils made from plants or seeds like canola, olive, peanut, soybean, rice bran, sesame, and high oleic safflower and sunflower oils.

Polyunsaturated fat- Good fats! 

The two types of polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 and omega-6) are essential fats, meaning they’re required for normal bodily functions, but your body can’t make them, so you must get them from food. 

Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat that, like other dietary polyunsaturated fats, can help to reduce your risk of heart disease. Omega-3s can lower heart rate and improve heart rhythm, decrease the risk of clotting, lower triglycerides, reduce blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and delay the build-up of plaque in coronary arteries.

Omega-6 is a polyunsaturated fat that lowers bad LDL cholesterol. Eating foods with unsaturated fat, including omega-6, instead of foods high in saturated fats helps to get the right balance for your blood cholesterol (ie lower bad LDL and increase good HDL). Sources of polyunsaturated fats include oily fish (like salmon, mackerel, sardines), tahini (a sesame seed spread),
linseed (flaxseed) and chia seeds,
soybean, sunflower, safflower, and canola oil, margarine spreads made from those oils, pine nuts, walnuts, and Brazil nuts.

Follow these easy ideas for getting the balance of blood cholesterol (LDL and HDL) right.

– Go nuts! Nuts are an important part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. They’re a good source of healthier fats, and regular consumption of nuts is linked to lower levels of bad (LDL) and total blood cholesterol. So, include a handful (30g) every day! Add them to salads, yogurt, or your morning cereal. Choose unsalted, dry roasted or raw varieties.

– Go fish! Include fish or seafood in your family meals 2 – 3 times a week. Fish are great sources of the good omega-3 fats. If you don’t eat fish, you can take an omega-3 supplement.

– Use healthier oils! Choose a healthier oil for cooking. For salad dressings and low temperature cooking, choose olive, peanut, canola, safflower, sunflower, avocado or sesame oils. For high temperature cooking, especially frying, choose olive oil or high oleic canola oil, as they are more stable at high temperatures. Store oils away from direct light and heat and don’t ever re-use oils that have been heated before.

Eating polyunsaturated fats in place of saturated fats or highly refined carbohydrates reduces blood pressure, raises good HDL cholesterol, reduces harmful LDL cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, and may even help prevent lethal heart rhythms.

Saturated fat- OK in strict moderation

Saturated fats are common in the American diet, and they are solid at room temperature- think along the lines of cooled bacon grease. Common sources of saturated fat include red meat, whole milk and other whole-milk dairy foods, cheese, coconut oil, and many commercially prepared baked goods and other foods. A diet rich in saturated fats can drive up total cholesterol and tip the balance toward more harmful LDL cholesterol, which can prompt heart disease from blockages formed in arteries in the heart and elsewhere in the body. For that reason, most nutrition experts recommend limiting saturated fat to under 10% of calories a day. Replacing excess saturated fat with polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils or high-fiber carbohydrates is the best bet for reducing the risk of heart disease. 

Diet Do’s

– Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber fights belly fat. When ingested, fiber goes into your system, binds to and then forms a sort of gel with the food, which slows down the absorption of food in the gut.  

– Eat a high-protein diet. Eggs are eggsellent…high in protein and low in fat. Avoid red meat. All meats should be lean and high in protein, like chicken or turkey. Nuts are also good for a protein snack.

– Eat fish, as often as 2-3 times per week for good omega-3’s. As discussed above, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in omega-3’s which are good for the brain, help to decrease weight, and have numerous other health benefits. If you don’t eat fish, take a good omega-3 supplement.

– Drink green tea; there are reports that it helps with weight loss, and it’s generally just good for you.    

Diet Don’ts

– Don’t eat sugary foods or anything with sugar in it: sodas, candies, cakes, cookies, doughnuts; those are the main culprits. It’s a major bummer, but to avoid weight gain in your life, much less to try to lose weight if you’re already overweight, you must avoid sugar like the plague. Wah wah wah… 

– Cut out the carbs! To lose weight or just to avoid putting weight on, anything with white flour must go, so say syonara to pasta and most breads. You have to cut way down on starches, if you’re allowed them at all, so there goes rice and potatoes. And while most people consider corn a vegetable, you must count it as a starch when dieting. 

– Get on the wagon! If you drink alcohol, you won’t lose weight and keep it off. Won’t happen. When you consume booze of any sort- beer, wine, liquor- the alcohol is immediately converted to sugar, and if you’ve forgotten, see Diet Don’t 1 above. There’s no point in restricting calories, fats, etc by following a diet and also drinking alcohol at the same time, even a small amount.  

Go to Bed!

Sleep is critical if you want to lose weight, so aim to sleep at least 7-8 hours each night. If you do not get proper sleep, it will be very difficult (if not impossible) to lose weight, and you will likely gain weight. This is all thanks to brain chemistry and hormones, which get all fouled up with sleep deprivation. 

Stress Less!

You have to reduce stress if you want to lose weight. When you are stressed, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol, and cortisol increases appetite and increases belly fat by selectively placing fat deposits around the stomach and middle of the body.  

A Fast Fast

We’ve always been told that starving ourselves will not result in weight loss, and that it will even result in weight gain because the body goes into ‘starvation mode.’ Well, there are some recent studies out there that conclude that intermittent fasting, 24 hours without eating, once or twice a week, actually helps with weight loss. Very interesting. 

So that’s all about obesity: what causes it, what it causes, and how to combat it. We are a fat society, and the number of cases of obesity goes up every day. It’s disturbing because it’s essentially a preventable issue. 

For more information and interesting stories on other diagnoses, check out my book, Tales from the Couch, available in my office and on Amazon.com. 

Learn More

How to Improve Social Skills

Through the years I’ve had lots of patients ask me how to interact with people and how to be social, the mechanics of it, so I want to give some rules of the road, social skills 101 if you will. First, let’s talk about why social skills are important. Social skills are the foundation for positive relationships with other people: friends, partners, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, on and on. Social skills allow you to connect with other people on a level that is important in life, a level that allows you to have more in-depth relationships with others rather than meaningless surface relationships that have no benefit to anyone. Once you understand the value of having good social skills, you need to want them for yourself and commit to working on them, because that may mean doing new things that may be uncomfortable at first.  So, how would you start to improve social skills? Well, socialization is an interaction, so you need at least one other person to socialize with. So  the first step is to put yourself among other people. Basically, you have to suit up and show up to socialize. You might feel wierd or shy at first, but don’t let anxiety stop you. If you’re not around other people to socialize with, you’re obviously not going to improve your social skills. So take a breath and dive in.

Step number two, put down the electronics. If you’ve put yourself in a social situation, you may be tempted to fiddle with your phone to avoid the awkwardness of just standing there, but when you’re around people, turn the phone off.  You shouldn’t be disrupted, you can’t be distracted, and you can’t be checking email, messages, notifications, etc. Those things will get you to exactly nowhere. When you’re distracted, you won’t pay proper attention to the social setting you’re in, and since that’s kind of the whole point, put it away and keep it there.

So you’re in a room with plenty of folks to socialize with, your phone is tucked away, so what’s next? Well, if you want to interact with people, socialize with people, you have to look like it. You can’t put yourself in a corner with your arms crossed and a disinterested look on your face. Step three is to demonstrate an open, friendly posture. You need to be inviting to others who may want to talk to you. Put on a friendly face – you’ll be surprised at how many people approach you when you look approachable. 

As they say, the eyes are the entries to the mind. Step four is to always maintain good eye contact. This is hugely important when conversing, but fleeting eye contact also comes in handy when you’re just circulating in a room or looking for someone to strike up a conversation with. Eyes can entirely change a facial expression and easily convey mood and interest. Without eye contact, there is limited communication, and social skills are compromised without appropriate eye contact. Eye contact is so integral to communication that some people say they can tell if someone they’re talking to is being honest or lying by their eye contact, or the lack thereof. 

To communicate well, you must pay attention to your equipment…your speech. So step five is remember your speech: the tone, the pitch, the volume, the tempo, the accent. Right or wrong, people will judge and label you by your voice. A man’s voice that’s too loud is a turnoff, he comes off as a blowhard. A woman’s voice that’s too soft is annoying because people have to try too hard to hear her, and people may say she’s a sexpot, a la Marilyn Monroe. If she speaks at too high a pitch, she’s a bimbo. To some, a southern accent means you’re dumb and a northern accent means you’re a hustler. Speaking too slowly or too fast is annoying, too monotone and you’ll put people to sleep. On the flip side, a singer or actor with perfect pitch or an especially unusual or dulcet tone can build a legacy based just on their voice, a voice that will be instantly recognized for all time. When it comes to the way you speak, be aware and make alterations to be distinct and easily understood. Remember voice inflection, because monotone is a tune-out and turnoff. Speech should be like a story, with highs and lows, ups and downs to hold people’s interest.

After reading step five above, you might think that developing good social skills hinges on everything you say, but that leaves out a key factor…listening. Step six on the path to developing good social skills is to be a good listener. Just listen. Eazy peazy lemon squeazy. Now, if you’ve ever in your entire life enjoyed speaking to someone who clearly wasn’t listening to anything you said, raise your hand. Any takers? Anyone? I thought not. It is annoying AF when it’s so obvious that someone’s not listening to you speak. And you don’t want to be annoying AF, do you? I thought not. Social skills aren’t just about what comes out of a person’s mouth, so listen. 

A great way to deal with nerves that may accompany you when you put yourself in a social situation and talk to people is to find commonality, so this is step seven. When you first meet someone, a sense of commonality is a great way to establish a quick rapport with them. Commonality is something you share. It could be something as simple as going to the same school, a shared interest in sports, same places where you’ve lived or hobbies in common. Step seven is to find commonality with someone; something simple to break the ice and establish a conversation. 

Once you’ve begun a conversation with someone and you want to further it, you need to go beyond just commonalities. You need to relate to the person on a deeper level. How do you do that? Through step eight, empathy. Empathy is the ability to relate to someone by putting yourself in their position in order to understand them better. If someone has a dying parent, has just lost their job, if someone is lonely, has ended a relationship, didn’t get a promotion, or experiences anything that elicits an emotional response, being empathetic is the ultimate understanding of their pain, their sorrow, or their disappointment. Step eight in improving social skills is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes in order to have genuine empathy for that person. A key word here is genuine. As a general rule, good social skills are genuine. Lip service is not part of good social skills.

Step nine is a pretty simple concept, though not so much in practice. Respect. In order to learn good social skills (and have anyone to practice them on) you must respect what other people say. I did not say agree. You can completely disagree with their opinion, but step nine is that you must respect their right to have it and include it in the conversation.  

While in theory you have the right to say anything you want in your social circle, you should watch what you say. Step ten is to consider the content of your conversation. There are certain things that shouldn’t be brought up in some situations. As they say, religion and politics are big no no’s for sure. Gossiping is also on the no list, because it’s really toxic to a conversation and leaves people scratching their heads. If you’re talking about Mary to Connie, Connie’s bound to wonder what you say about her when you’re speaking to Shelly. So it’s best to just not talk about people. But I think it was First Lady Dolly Madison who said “If you don’t have anything nice to say, sit next to me” Some people do like gossip, the jucier the better. But you have to be prepared to pay the piper. A conversation can be like a minefield, with certain subjects as the mines. You have to navigate through the whole conversation without blowing yourself to smithereens.  

In order to have appropriate social skills, you must consider the non-conversational parts of social interaction. If you’re so drunk that you can’t speak or no one can understand what you’re saying, obviously you can’t use good social skills. Same goes for drugs. If you take a Xanax to calm your nerves before the company mixer, you will not have appropriate social skills. You may not think people can tell, but you’d be wrong. Step eleven is  about intoxicants like alcohol, marijuana, benzodiazepines, and Adderall… they all make you act weird and affect your social interactions, and people pick it up right away. They may not know what drug you’re on, but they’ll know you’re on something for sure, because your social interactions will be inappropriate. Rule eleven: you cannot interact appropriately when using drugs or alcohol, so cut both out if you want to have good social skills.

If you follow these steps, you’ll definitely learn better social skills. And a breath mint wouldn’t hurt. Like with anything else, practice makes perfect when it comes to social graces. Be positive, open, honest, empathetic, clear, respectful and sober, and you’ll never be at a loss for people to talk to. You’ll navigate the waters of conversation deftly with give and take, and all included will come out feeling positive about the interaction.

Learn More