Mental Health 101: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Do you know the difference between a child with ADHD and a child that's just acting out?

Do you think they are one in the same?

Well I'm here to tell you that they are not.  A child may act out for a variety of reasons...which will have to wait until another post.  I'm focusing on ADHD.

What is ADHD?  Well, it is a mental health disorder in which a person is unable to focus, hyperactive, or a combination of both, and it negatively affects their quality of life. Remember, a mental illness is not a mental illness until symptoms affect a person's functioning (work, school, relationships, etc.). A person with ADHD may appear all over the place, possibly on purpose, however that is not the case.

ADHD is the most common childhood disorder and 70% of children with ADHD will have symptoms into adulthood.  ADHD runs in families oftentimes and can be present with other disorders.  ADHD affects parts of the brain such as the frontal lobe and frontial striatal, which acts as the brain's screen. The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for ADHD is either six or more symptoms of inactivity or six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and either have to be present for at least six months and to the point that it is detrimental to the person.

Inattention symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Not paying attention to details or making careless mistakes
• Difficulty maintaining attention on tasks on activities
• Doesn't seem to be paying attention when someone is talking to them directly.
• Does not follow instructions or fails to complete schoolwork or work duties

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Fidgeting with hands or feet.
• Often getting up from their seat.
• Has trouble enjoying leisure activities quietly.
• Often "on the go".
• Talks excessively.
• Has trouble waiting their turn.

Treatment for ADHD are psychological treatment such as social skills training, time management, and coping skills training. Medications, mostly stimulants, can also be used to treat ADHD.  As with most mental health disorders a combination of both psychotherapy and medication works best with ADHD.  

If you or someone you know have symptoms of ADHD or if you're not sure, you can do some more research then reach out to your local psychologist or psychiatrist to get screened.  Here are some resources to help you online.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml

http://www.adhd.com/index.html

Hope you learned a basic understanding of ADHD :)

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Take care,

-Kimmy

PhD Program Application...going big!

Hey guys!

I just started my application for my PhD program...I decided to get it online at Capella University mainly because I plan on private practice both in person and online and to do both I need to get my LMHC, which I'm eligible for already.  The PhD is a personal goal of mine and I'm almost there already and I have nothing better to do right now anyway.  I'm going to pay the application fees when I get paid later this week.  My Capella application is my birthday present to myself. 

To update you on my progress on starting my LMHC, apparently I'm (inadvertently) in the middle of some office politics at my 9-5...messed up I know but I'm not too concerned about it because I'm applying for my PhD program!  I've devised a plan B to get clinical supervision with the help of my Linkedin account so I hope to start that process soon although I'm going to pay out of pocket for supervision now.

I'm going to need your support more than ever!  Please check out the ads on my blog and Twitter (despite the annoyingness) so I can get paid and use the money to pay for my LMHC supervision.  Once I get licensed, I can officially and legally do therapy online...I'm talking individual and group therapy services online.  It's gonna be awesome!

I plan on adding to my mental health 101 series now that I know where my DSM-IV and other references are in my house...February was one of the best months I've had in a very long time thanks in part to you guys! I have 75 views on this blog, which is pretty awesome!  If I can get to 100 views by my birthday in a couple of weeks, I'm going to tell my friends and family about what I've been up to for the past couple of months...I'm a sneaky little thing am I?

Again thanks for checking out the blog and keep an eye out for big things coming!

Take care,
-Kimmy :)

Sacrifices

In the spirit of Mardi Gras and Lent, let's talk about sacrifices some. Catholics observe Lent to show their devotion to God however people sacrifice desires to improve their life everday. Parents sacrifice their personal desires for their children everyday. Military of all nations sacrifice their time, health, and ultimately their lives to keep their homelands safe from harm. People sacrifice everyday whether they want to or not because they have the big picture in mind.
Do you have a goal or change you want but requires you to give up some things to achieve it? Remember the big picture and your sacrifices are temporary in most cases. Talk to family and friends about what you want to do and get their support. The most important thing to remember is that when all is said and done, the sacrifices are so very worth it!

Slacking...

I haven't been on the ball lately...I realize that entrepreneurship thing is a 25/8 deal...I've been busy with the 9-5 and some family stuff. I'm taking a very much needed mental health vacation then I'll be posting regularly again. Again I apologize for slacking and I'll be back in action soon...but you know what, I do have a post in mind...

Fighting Over a Man/Woman

Getting into it with another person over a man/woman is the dumbest thing ever because it's pointless to fight for someone who was never yours or who does not want to be yours because if they did, there wouldn't be another person in the picture in the first place...PERIOD! If someone wants to fully commit to you they will not consider anyone else so if there are other people, your potential partner doesn't want to commit to you. Talk is cheap, actions speak volumes! If that person doesnt see you as the person for them you need to let them go...don't bring yourself down to the drama of fighting over anyone! Work on being a better person and bide your time until the person you don't have to fight for comes along.

That is all...

Take care,
-Kimmy

Cheaters...

Why do people cheat? Well, for many reasons...most of the time it's because one partner is not getting what they want/need in the relationship due to of lack of communication. There are some people who are just bad seeds. Despite the why, being cheated on sucks. It sucks because the trust is broken and with STDs running rampid and becoming more difficult to treat, it's also a health issue.

If you been cheated on, the first thing you need to do is get checked out for STDs. Use condoms everytime you have sex until you get the all clear from the doctor. After you take care of the medical, you have to decide whether you want to forgive your cheating partner. If you decide to end the relationship, that's okay. If you decide to continue to remain in the relationship, that's perfectly fine too as long as you and your partner commit to communicating and working on what's wrong in the relationship. Go to couple's therapy if you need help with that. In addition as much as you want to, don't ask for details of the affair or the other person. That has nothing to do with your relationship and details do more harm than good. Although you have been wronged, you have to work on forgiving your cheating partner for YOU! Holding in resentment or taking in out on people who don't deserve it does much more harm than good and life is too short to have such negative feelings boiling within.

If you're the cheater, after you've been tested for STDs and ended all communication with the other person (phone, text, Facebook, and Twitter), you need to decide if you want to be in the main relationship in the first place. You need to think long and hard about this because it is not good to drag someone along in something you're not going to put 100% in. If you want to end the relationship, that's fine. If you want to continue the relationship, you need to tell your partner what you were not getting in the relationship or what caused them to stray and what you need to tell them what they need to do to satisfy that. If the other partner is unable or unwilling to give you what you need, the relationship needs to be ended. You may also need to so some soulsearching if what you want or need cannot be fulfilled by another person (i.e
Mom/Dad issues). A therapist can help you wifh personal issues if need be. Don't expect forgiveness and trust within a short period of time. You may never be forgiven or trusted again and you must accept that because it's the other person's right to give you that privlege and you MUST EARN IT BACK!

If you're thinking about cheating, you need to do one of two things, tell your partner what you are unhappy about and give them the opportunity to fix it or end the relationship (for good) and find what you're looking for. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

I hope this post helps people in this situation...

Take care,
-Kimmy

Love is in the air: Why stay in a bad relationship?

One thing I learned in one of marriage and family therapy classes was "People stay in a relationship because they're getting something out of it."  I've found this statement to be very true.  Have you wondered why one of your friends hasn't left that loser or crazy person yet?  Well it's because they're getting something they value in return and it's enough to stay.  I've kept very bad friendships and relationships because the things I was getting out of them was good enough for me at that time...needless to say I'm no longer in those situations.

Are you in a bad relationship?  Think about friendships, family members, and colleagues when you answer this question.  Now, despite the drama, what are you getting out of the relationship?  Think long and hard about this question...you may have to dig deep.  The answer may make you feel crappy.  Remember, people remain in relationships because they're getting something out of it.  The next question is, can the thing that is keeping you in the drama be found somewhere else?  This is where you have to be honest with yourself.  If the answer is yes, what do you need to do to end the relationship and find the thing keeping you around somewhere else?  Again, think long and hard about this.  Write it down if you need to.  Then, take action!

Have you just gotten out of a crappy relationship or friendship?  It feels crappy and good at the same time doesn't it?  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, moving on is a difficult process.  I mean this person was a very important to you and there were in your life for however long, you don't forget that overnight.  You're going to miss that person and doubt yourself but as time passes you'll see that things do get better, little by little, some days in tiny baby steps.  You have to stay strong and stick to your guns in keeping this person out of your life.  Remember in my earlier post just because you forgive someone's wrongdoings does not mean they remain a part on your life. Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist if it seems too difficult to stay out of that bad relationship.

Remember that no relationship should have drama or make you feel bad about yourself in any way. 

Take care,
-Kimmy

Technorati

I'm trying to add myself to the Technorati directory and I believe they're looking for this code:   Y7HADYV8P2PG

Love is in the air: Online Dating

Valentine's Day can be hard for some people because they currently have no valentine or never had a valentine.  A lot of single people say that good men/women are hard to find.  It's partially true but you also have to know where to look.  One good place is the Internet.

The Internet!?  Yes! The Internet!  There are so many kinds of dating websites you can try...most let you look for free but you're going to have to pay if you want to communicate with them.  Some people may not want to pay but you're spending the same amount of money getting your hair and nails done, buying outfits to look your best, and paying for cover, food and drinks.  You might as well spend the money chatting on the online dating sites relaxing in the comfort and safety of your own home in your pajamas.  Your odds are the same either option you choose!

When you create your online profile, the most important thing is to be honest!  Tell them who you are...the real you...and put on there what kind of person you really want.  If you don't want a booty call, put it on there!  If you just want to make friends, put it on there!  Be specific in the type of person you want so that way if they truly read your profile ther are no surprises.  Please. please, PLEASE put an recent photo, BY YOURSELF on your profile even if you're a little on the heavy side or not on your A game at the moment...again, honesty is the best policy!  Then get yourself together and update your pictures accordingly.

Online dating may be a good idea for those who are shy, don't have the time or energy to go out to the bar/club, or aren't the clubbing type.  Although you're in the safety in your own home, you can still come across some psychos online so don't give out your phone number or home address until you've met them in person in a very public place preferrably while the sun is out.  If you have the bad feeling in your gut about someone, stop communicating with them online!  If you're with them in person, make up an excuse and leave!  Before you go out on your date, make sure you tell a trusted friend or family member where you're going and give them the other person's name and phone number so they can provide it to the police in case they don't hear from you after a certain time.  These rules are good ideas regardless of where you meet the person...trust your intuition!

In online dating, hell dating period, you win some and you lose some.  More likely than not you're not going to meet your soulmate the first day you're on the online dating site or with the first person you connect with online.  Use online dating as an opportunity to have fun and meet new great people. You may like it better than the bar scene!

Before you engage in online dating or any kind of dating, be sure you love yourself a lot and have come to terms with past relationships good or bad...baggage shows in online dating profiles and it's not cute.  If someone clearly has baggage, keep it moving!  For the love of baby Jesus DO NOT "SAVE" THEM!! Their issues are for them and their therapist to fix, not you.

Here are some sites to start:

http://www.match.com/
http://www.eharmony.com/
http://www.zoosk.com/
http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/ (if you're down with the swirl)
http://www.christianmingle.com/ (if you're on Team Jesus)
http://www.latinpeoplemeet.com/
http://www.blackpeoplemeet.com/

And Google is your friend...type in (whatever you want) dating sites and see where Google takes you!

With that said, sign up and start looking!  Have fun and be safe!

Take care,
-Kimmy

Love is in the air: Self love is the best love

Do you love yourself?  Well, how does one know that they love themselves? To answer that, ask yourself these questions:  Do you thing you're beautiful although you're not society's definition of beautiful?  Are you okay with your weight?  Do you think you're a good person?  Do you believe that you deserve good in your life?  Do you accept your faults?  Do you not take crap from people, especially in a relationship?  If you answered yes to any of these questions then I'd say you love yourself.

If you answered no to any of the above questions, maybe it's time to take a long look in the mirror and start working on what you don't like about yourself.  Some things you can change, i.e., your weight and some aspects of your personality...some things cannot be changed such as life experiences and anything genetics controlls.  If it is something you can change, get to work!  If there is something about yourself you don't like that is beyond your control, learn to accept and love that about yourself.  If you cannot do that on your own, a counselor or therapist can help you.

Why is it important to love yourself?  In the wise words of RuPaul, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell can you love somebody else?"  Loving yourself will protect you (in most cases) from bad relationships, friendships, and bad life decisions.  You'd probably stay away from using substances because you feel good anyway.  You won't use sex to feel good about yourself because you know that you need more than sex to be satisfied.  You're less likely to have bad people in your life because you know that you deserve good people in your life and drama doesn't do you any good.  If you love yourself, you won't settle for being the friend with benefits or the side chick.  You won't let your partner hurt you in any way:  physically, emotionally, psycholgically.  If you love yourself, you'll walk away even though it's going to hurt like hell for a long time.  Self love is the best shield from harm and drama.

This Valentine's Day, be your own Valentine regardless of your relationship status.  Make a commitment to love yourself and see how things change for the better in your life.

Take care,
-Kimmy

Getting back in the game...mental health game...

Yesterday I was finishing up at the 9-5 and I thought to myself "I really miss being in a clinical setting"...I miss seeing the different mental health disorders and diagnosing them, treatment planning, writing progress notes...I miss being around all that stuff.  It's been over a year since I finished my internship at the mental hospital and I'm going through some serious withdrawals.  Thank goodness I'm going back to school later this year otherwise I'd be in bad shape. 

I'm still looking for a supervisor so I can start formally studying for the LMHC exam.  It looks like I'm going to have to pay out of pocket.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some. 

I also requested some mental health time off and I'm going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras then I'm going to a concert out of town.  I'm working on some more Mental Health 101 posts so those will be coming soon.  Also be on the lookout for my relationship posts now that it's February.

I hope everyone's New Year's resolutions are working out.  If you already fell off the wagon, tomorrow is always a good time to try again.

Until next time...

Take care,
-Kimmy