Depression. Bipolar disorder. Anxiety disorders. Post traumatic stress. Addiction. These are illnesses that are misunderstood by many and are surrounded by stigma. The negative perceptions that people have are far from reality. The fact is, these are real, treatable medical conditions just like diabetes or heart disease. They are not weaknesses or character flaw
Guest post by Abigail Strubel, MA, LCSW
One of the most revered medical works of the Middle Ages was the Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum, or “Salernitan Guide to Health.” Written in verse, it addresses proper hygiene, diet and sleep practices, along with several outdated treatments such as bloodletting. While much of the text has been discredited, one verse in particular stands out:
“Use three physicians still; first Doctor Quiet, Next Doctor Merry-man and Doctor Diet.”
In other words, rest and appropriate nutrition are important to healing—and so is laughter. (more…)
Meditation is a centuries-old practice that can significantly enhance one’s physical and emotional wellness, imparting an improved ability to cope with stress, frustration, anger, insomnia and chronic pain. Research has shown that regular meditation practice can increase brain capacity in areas related to learning and memory, and decrease the volume of areas that are related to anxiety and stress.
Meditation can seem like a mysterious and intimidating practice, but it doesn’t have to be. Guided meditation, also known as guided imagery, helps you concentrate and focus by giving you detailed instructions—essentially a script you can follow—for what to think about so you aren’t just sitting quietly and trying not to think about your worries and concerns.
Some guided imagery seeks to engage the five senses by vividly describing sights, sounds, aromas, and physical sensations, thus involving all aspects of your imagination. One guided imagery I like to lead with clients is imagining a day at the beach—the soft sand shaping itself to the contours of your body as you lie on your towel, the echoing cries of seagulls, the salty tang of the sea air, the cool water lapping at your feet, the warmth of the sun on your skin.
By engaging all your senses, the practice trains your abilities to concentrate and focus your mind. After 20 minutes of detailed imagining, you’ve created a mental refuge—an intensely detailed memory that you can return to in stressful times for momentary relief, almost like a mental bubble bath.
The Internet is a terrific resource for people seeking to learn more about how to practice meditation, including numerous free audio downloads of meditation practices.* Here are some good sources:
• Kaiser Permanente has links to audiocasts for physical and mental well-being on everything from allergies, insomnia and chronic pain to addressing anger, self-confidence and grief.
• Fragrant Heart offers meditations for relaxation and stress relief, weight loss support, social anxiety and healing.
• Tara Brach, a leading psychologist and practicing Buddhist, offers a number of free meditations on such topics as embracing life, being present in the moment and accepting life on life’s terms.
• Things to make you say “Om” offers an extensive list of links to free meditation resources.
• Dr. Emmett Miller, another leading psychologist and meditation specialist, offers free meditations on such topics as changing habits, addictions and behaviors.
• Belleruth Naparstek’s Health Journeys, from a pioneer in the guided meditation field, has a free 15-minute guided imagery download.
You can also find many free or inexpensive guided imagery meditation downloads on iTunes, such as:
• The Meditation for Health podcast
• Dr. Miller’s guided imagery
• Belleruth Naparstek’s guided imagery
How Meditation May Change the Brain (New York Times)
Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress (Mayo Clinic)
The Benefits of Meditation (MIT News)
Reduce Anxiety and Depression with Guided Imagery (Huffington Post)
* Beth Israel Medical Center is not responsible for, does not endorse, and cannot assure the accuracy of information on these outside web sites.
Substance use and dependency directly and indirectly affect many families in the community. These issues are complex with an impact on social behavior and physical and mental health.
Education, understanding and supportive services can be helpful moving those affected towards recovery and healing. I often hear these common misunderstandings and myth about chemical dependency and addictions counseling:
MYTH: Chemical dependency is an individual problem.
FACT: There are 40 million illnesses and injuries every year in the US caused by chemical use that affects individuals, families, employers and communities.
MYTH: Chemical use is a choice that can be stopped by the person.
FACT: The net cost to society is $484 billion per year in treatment, lost wages and criminal involvement. Compare this to cancer at $171 billion and diabetes at $131 billion. Professional intervention is necessary.
MYTH: Treatment is costly and hard to get.
FACT: Continuum Health Partners offer a wide range of psychiatric and chemical dependency services in nationally recognized centers with a focus on treating the individual and affected family. Obtaining treatment and addictions counseling can simply be a matter of application and hospital assistance to obtain necessary care.
MYTH: Treatment doesn’t usually work.
FACT: Evaluation of treatment outcomes clearly show that at any given time up to 60% of chemical users recover for periods of years.
MYTH: The chemical user has to make an individual decision to stop using and recover.
FACT: Chemical users make bad decisions based on a distortion in perception and thinking. Educationally supportive intervention can help chemically dependent individuals make a choice to enter treatment and achieve recovery.
Edward Walsh is a Social Worker at The Addiction Institute in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals.
Guest blog post by Heidi Ross, Senior Social Worker in the emergency department at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Social workers are hospital employees who work with the entire Emergency Department team to provide patients the best care possible. We work with older adults, adults, children and adolescent patients. Here is an overview of social work in the Emergency Department:
Interviews and Assessments
The first thing we do in the Emergency Department is interview the patient and/or the family to gather important background information to determine the patient’s social and medical needs and help plan for coordination of care if the patient is admitted. We may immediately offer the patient supportive counseling, intervention and some education on what is going on and what will be happening in the Emergency Department.
In-Hospital Services
If a patient is going to be admitted, we can help prepare him or her for admission and provide continuity of care by linking the patient to another social worker on the inpatient unit who will continue to provide supportive interventions and assessment. We often refer patients to other services within the hospital, as needed, such as financial counseling and help with medical insurance matters.
Outpatient Services
When patients are discharged from the Emergency Department, we refer them to appropriate and needed services outside the hospital such as legal advocacy agencies, benefit and entitlement programs, mental health and substance abuse programs, and many more. We also often refer patients to one of Beth Israel’s family practices for follow up.
Here to Help
Whatever the situation, the social workers in the Emergency Department can handle a wide range of concerns. Whether our patients are in crisis and need acute intervention, or need assistance planning long-term needs for themselves or their loved ones, we are here to help. We work collaboratively with all the other healthcare professionals in the Emergency Department. If you have any questions, just ask!
Heidi Ross is a Senior Social Worker in the emergency department at Beth Israel Medical Center.