Is the Economy Hazardous to Your Health?

Let me start by saying no one is immune from the disastrous economic crisis America is facing. Everyone always feels like their situation is unique, or that they are the only ones who are really struggling. The media says things are getting better, but you aren't so sure. The frustration, shame, and secrecy surrounding painful uncertain financial times, makes life feel unbearable to many.

Back in 2008 I too found myself dealing with woeful real estate investments and a difficult financial situation. With debt and a failing economy making every day a drudgery, I was shocked at how much the situation impacted my life. Every day I realized my dreams, aspirations, and dare I say self-worth, was all caught up in my finances that were rapidly slipping away. What also were dwindling away were my appetite, my sleep, and my hope for the future. I realized that I was in a battle for my own health and well being.

The good news is that for some, including myself, the major losses are over. I learned to re-group, live with less, and scale down on wants vs. needs. But for many, the tornado is still swirling around. Bankruptcies, foreclosures, and lost investments are literally taking people down. Just today I read that actor Nicholas Cage is selling both his mega mansion in Las Vegas as well as his home in Bel Air. He too is feeling the financial crunch of finances, poor investments, and over extending, despite his deep pockets. Again, no one is immune from the downturn no matter how alone in our personal mess we might feel.

With out doubt people's physical and mental health is being affected by the crunch. Many individuals who never carried a "mental health" diagnosis find themselves dealing with anxiety and depressive disorders never before experienced. Symptoms can be seen in ways such as withdrawing from the outside world, sleeping too much or too little, and decrease or increase in appetite. Unfortunately for some, one of the main outlets can be "self-medicating" from undiagnosed depression and anxiety, and the use or increased use of alcohol and drugs.

Despite the economic recession, Americans’ overall consumption of distilled spirits increased in 2008, according to a handbook released Monday by the Beverage Information Group. This is just one recent fact that has come out in regards to increase use of alcohol. While expensive brands might suffer, cheap spirits and wine sales have actually increased steadily. You see, people have the misconception that substances like alcohol and marijuana actually calm the nerves. In fact consuming even one unit of alcohol has a negative effect on the nervous system. While a glass of wine might aide the heart, for those prone to anxiety and depression, and actively dealing with the stress of severe financial loss, they would be well advised to avoid alcohol as much as possible. Certainly daily consumption will not only have drastic effects on overall mental health, it could be the rubber band that springs certain pre-disposed individuals into full alcoholism.

Not only does alcohol and marijuana directly affect the mood and functioning of a stress ridden individual, it also prevents the person from doing that which will help them deal with stress more effectively. When I see patients in my practice who are undergoing financial stress, I quickly assess their use and increased use of substances. I then check how much they are accomplishing the following four key components in fighting financial disaster and avoiding serious substance abuse and other mental health problems.

First, how much sleep is the patient getting? With out good sleep, depression, anxiety, and potentially even psychosis are possible. Alcohol directly affects the circadian rhythm, or natural sleep rhythm of the brain, not allowing one to get “restorative sleep”. Without this type of sleep, the mind can not function at optimal levels and severe anxiety can cause panic attacks and other psychological impairments in mood and functioning. One must get at least six hours of good quality sleep to maintain in a stress filled financial environment.

Second, is the patient eating properly? Has depression created a situation where the individual's diet has become poor. Are they eating at all, or are they gorging themselves? There is a direct correlation between food intake, insulin activity, and mood, and all are related when looking at diet and how it effects mental health. Those that are under high levels of stress sometimes resort to eating for comfort, or becoming so agitated they often don’t eat at all. A good diet is a key component to good mental health.

Third, exercise! I recently saw a patient who had stopped drinking daily much to his credit. After months of clinical work he realized that he had a problem and that financial difficulties were exacerbating his drinking. After he stopped, he soon realized he had tons of anxious energy surrounding his finances and that his drinking had temporarily served as a crutch to block out much of this restless anxiety, As an intervention I recommended that he return to daily activities that he liked to do. He loved biking, and since he began getting out-side getting exercise, he noted that he was not as stressed as he had once been. Oh, and did I mention he can sleep again for the first time in years since he quit his drinking?

The fourth and final component needed to weather the economic storm is support. There are many ways of getting this support, but often for those undergoing bankruptcy and foreclosure, there is a sense of shame and humiliation that often prevents people from getting their emotional needs met. This is why it is critical to be able to open up to trusted friends and family and utilize their support. If these members don’t exist, and often even if they do, it is wise to reach out to a professional. Psychotherapy can be one of the best ways to experience, deal with, and digest the depression and anxiety we feel from losses associated with layoffs, home foreclosures, and bankruptcies. These professionals can also diagnose more serious impairments and refer to psychiatrists if any medication might be needed to "get over the hump”. Therapy can also be useful to discover new talents and new outlets that might have gotten lost in the hustle of yesterday, but desperately need to be uncovered or re-discovered, to be whole, prosperous individuals tomorrow.

Financial stress is one of the most difficult stresses to hurdle. It can often cause depression and addiction, resulting in more serious problems such as divorce and even suicide. It is important to know that substance use can magnify these problems in an already difficult time. It is also critical to remember that there are steps we can all take as individuals to get through the tough times. Monetary gain and financial ruin do not define our worth and happiness as individuals. While this recent disaster might make life more difficult, it does not have to take us under. Reach out for support, cut down on drug and alcohol use as much as possible, and remember that the sun will rise again whether you live in your dream home or whether that home was repossessed. A rainbow is still a rainbow no matter where you live, or how much money you currently have in the bank. Furthermore, the only way to see that rainbow is to wait until the end of the storm; and no one can take that away from you.

If you need any further support or advice don’t hesitate to contact me. http://www.matthewbruhin.com/

What's the Deal With Teens and Oxycontin?

Every recent American generation has its drug of choice for teens and young adults. For mine it was ecstasy. The rave culture was in full swing and E was the rave. Many a peer floated along on a wave of emotion only outdone by the trance music that accompanied the high. While some deaths were traced to E, most damage was done to the serotonin receptor sending regular users into periods of diagnosable depression and anxiety.

Today, adolescents and young adults are using a drug that is much more dangerous, and potentially the most addictive substance modern addiction medicine has ever seen. An epidemic is at hand that no one could have imagined. Today young people are partying with Oxycontin and ending up in medical offices, rehabs, and morgues all over the Country.

I was saddened but not surprised when earlier this year a young girl named Haleigh died due to what allegedly was ingested Oxycontin. The five year old was reported to have possibly found a pill on the floor during a house party, where her young "partying" babysitter, and girlfriend of the child's father had taken her. While this story may be one of the more publicized, I assure you there are thousands more stories that are no less tragic to those involved. According to the World Press, from 1998-2005 some 5548 deaths resulted directly from Oxycontin use. This is almost double that of other addictive and potentially lethal prescribed opiods such as Fentanyl. With an estimated 80,000,000 taking some form of prescribed pain medication in the past year, its a wonder more deaths have not been recorded.

Despite the disturbing fatalities caused by the use and abuse of Oxycontin, a more startling trend emerges for the younger generation. This is the tale of Oxycontin addiction and one that any young user can tell you is a literal hell on earth. Most start taking the drug because they found it in their parents cabinet. A young patient of mine recounts his trip into the medicine chest in a "well to do" East coast home. "I fell in love that night", he stated. He grimaces as he recounts a failed rehab stint sitting in my office hoping he does not repeat this same experience a second time. Its just too strong, too easy, and too damn addictive. Everyone knows someone that has it, can get it, or is willing to take it, no matter what the cost. What starts as an amazing rush of warmth, energy, and a comfort hard to find in this cold world, ends in sleepless nights, muscle cramps, vomiting, and trips to the ER.

So how does one deal with a situation that started harmlessly enough, and ends up in rehab with track mark up and down one's arm? Answer, insight and support from all sources possible! Friends, family, medical practitioners, teachers, and clergy need to wake up to an epidemic that is picking people off like a sniper in the night. Look for that kid who has it "all together" good parents, money, and bright. Then understand when this person starts to loose weight, disappears in the afternoon for "hookups, keeps getting stomach cramps and itches their nose like its going to fall off. When this person starts selling things and is completely out of money for no good reason, it may be time to ask some hard core honest questions about Oxycontin use. Remember that this drug is easy to disguise and although most kids start taking it at parties on the weekend, within weeks, sometimes days, they will be using it daily to coast through life often giving only sight warning signs of use.

So how does one help someone get off of Oxy? Well, it is not easy. First, be honest, open, and non-judgemental. Realize many kids had no idea what they were getting themselves into and know they need help desperately but are so scarred of letting others down, especially when they comes from solid homes. Second, get some professional help. Many times detox is needed and there are some fantastic treatment centers and medications that help people come off of and help stay off of these drugs. Lastly, understand that this addiction is one of the worst and that it will take allot of time, effort, and support to get well.

So remember that this epidemic is a nasty one and unfortunately it's here to stay. Be proactive about looking for warning signs, and be available and open to discuss the potential dangers with your family and friends. Finally, for God's sake clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of all the old pain meds, and if you are taking them currently, lock them up! Remember a few pills found in a cabinet can lead to a life time of problems for some people, and unfortunately with Oxycontin, for some that lifetime won't be very long.

If you need any additional information, advice, or treatment referrals and reccomedations, do not hesitate to contact me. http://www.matthewbruhin.com/

"Internet Porn, The Big Lie"

"A little won't hurt you". Wrong! In the recent light of Tiger Woods and the ever growing research and glance into the world of sex addiction and more specifically Internet porn addiction, I can say without equivocation, on-line porn is one of the most damaging mediums in existence to men and their families.

A recent article in the Psychotherapy Networker by Wendy Maltz, a leader in the field, states that the government should consider creating a user warning, much like cigarettes, for the user of pornographic material. And many warnings there would be. It is estimated that 25% of men have viewed pornography in the past month according to Buzell, 2005. Additionally those using Internet porn utilize their time on line 77% of the time to look at pornographic images. This addiction essentially enters daily activity and quickly overtakes its victims, monopolizing their lives in a short amount of time.

The past argument in the psychological and humanistic communities was pornography could be a tool for partner satisfaction, an instrument for self exploration, an alternative to more risky behaviour. Well, this is no more true than snake oil containing morphine curing your illness, or using cocaine to cure your morphine addiction. Simply put, Internet porn is a dangerous toxic substance that spares no one from the eventual relational, personal, and financial demise that is associated with its easily entangling web. What starts out as moments of bliss, quickly turns into the search for greater and greater visual stimulation and further loss of time, money, and eventually those who matter most. And unfortunately for would be users, there is a never ending supply.

I have read frequently of upstanding individuals being found with child porn much to the shame and shock of those who knew the users. I believe that many a man, and one's that possibly had no intention or predisposition for pedophilia, found themselves diving into a deeper and darker hole of Internet addiction until even the most reviled and once frowned upon images have been seared into the now open craving mind. That which was once pure and pristine becomes corrupted and tainted with the ever intoxicating pull towards the never satisfying never ending realms of forbidden satisfaction.

Reading Out of the Shadows by Patrick Carnes immediately illuminates the cycle and eventual decline of those that become dependant on what once seemed to be a boyish pleasure. With clinical and professional certainty, I express to young and old alike, forgo the illusion. Certain boundaries were not meant to be crossed, and what may seem to be a moment of frivolous personal pleasure, quickly erupts into the unquenchable fire of sex addiction. Just this once, and possibly once more after that, keep Pandora's box closed as well as that adult Internet browser.

Should you need any further help feel free to visit me at http://www.matthewbruhin.com/