Mental Health Archives - Suzanne Wallach

The Benefits of Pet Therapy for Mental Health

Animal-assisted therapy, also known as pet therapy, uses dogs and other animals, including horses, to help people as they recover from physical and mental health conditions. A professor at Western Carolina University, Psychologist Harold Herzog, is an expert in the human-animal connection, and has spent over three decades investigating the complex psychology of human interactions with other species, and established a direct connection between interacting with animals and enjoying positive health benefits. Animal-assisted therapy is rooted in the Biophilia Hypothesis, which is the “idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.” Pet therapy facilitates a human-animal bond that delivers an array of scientifically documented benefits, some of which include:

Stress Reduction:
- Interacting with animals has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. The calming presence of a pet can help alleviate feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation.
Mood Enhancement:
- Spending time with animals can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers. This can lead to an improved mood and a decrease in symptoms of depression.
Emotional Support:
- Pets provide unconditional love and support. Their non-judgmental nature can create a sense of emotional security and companionship, especially for individuals who may feel isolated or lonely.
Social Interaction:
- Pet therapy often involves social interaction, as individuals may connect with therapists, other pet owners, or volunteers during sessions. This social component is valuable for those who may struggle with traditional forms of socialization.
Reduced Feelings of Isolation:
- Pets offer constant companionship, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is particularly beneficial for individuals living alone or those who may have limited social connections.
Increased Oxytocin Levels:
- Interactions with animals can stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and social connection. Higher oxytocin levels contribute to a sense of well-being and improved interpersonal relationships.
Distraction from Negative Thoughts:
- The presence of a pet can be a positive distraction from negative thoughts and worries. Focusing on the care and companionship of an animal can shift attention away from stressors.
Improved Communication Skills:
- For individuals with communication difficulties or social anxiety, interacting with animals can serve as a bridge to improved communication. This can boost confidence and transfer into better communication with humans.
Encouragement of Physical Activity:
- Caring for a pet often involves physical activities, such as walking, playing, or grooming. Engaging in these activities can promote physical well-being and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Sense of Purpose:
- Taking care of a pet gives individuals a sense of purpose and responsibility. This can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with feelings of apathy or lack of motivation.
Therapeutic Bond:
- The bond formed between a person and their therapy animal can be a powerful source of comfort and support. This unique connection can be an essential component of the therapeutic process.

Pet therapy is used in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and mental health facilities, to enhance the overall well-being of individuals. It is important to note that while pet therapy can be highly beneficial, it is not a replacement for traditional mental health interventions. It works best when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to individual needs.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

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The Role of Spirituality in Mental Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) explains mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” There are a variety of factors that can affect one’s mental health. Spirituality, for example, can have a profound impact on one’s mental health and well-being. Spirituality, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, “involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than [oneself], something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.” Although the notion of spirituality is globally acknowledged, there is no clear consensus about its definition among health researchers. Spirituality is a broad and complex concept which varies its understanding according to different cultural, religious, and academic backgrounds. Nevertheless, a robust body of evidence-based studies underscore the role of spirituality in mental health.

Extensive research indicates that spirituality is important in treating psychological conditions. According to a review published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, “Lack of spirituality can interfere with interpersonal relationships, which can contribute to the genesis of psychiatric disturbance.” Conversely, spirituality can help address various mental health issues (e.g., poor self-esteem, low confidence, lack of self-control, fear of daily tasks, etc.), lending it to be a useful extension to mental health treatment plans. Leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality, Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD., refers to “Empirical studies of many groups dealing with major life stressors such as natural disaster, illness, loss of loved ones, divorce and serious mental illness show that religion and spirituality are generally helpful to people in coping, especially people with the fewest resources facing the most uncontrollable of problems.” Spiritual exercises, as asserted by McLean Hospital, can help people increase acceptance, decrease negative emotions, find meaning, and deepen their relationships with others. Spirituality incorporates healthy practices for the mind and body, which can yield an array of positive mental health benefits.

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Norman In Depression, Mental Health

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and BPD

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a chronic, complex psychological condition that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by a pervasive pattern of high affective instability, impulsive behaviors, unstable interpersonal relationships, and an inconsistent self-concept. Borderline personality disorder is associated with a diverse range of signs and symptoms. The cause of borderline personality disorder remains unknown. However, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) alludes to research that “suggests that genetics, brain structure and function, and environmental, cultural, and social factors play a role, or may increase the risk for developing borderline personality disorder.” Recent research has shown that 1.6% of the population in the United States has BPD, which amounts to over four million Americans.

Trauma is defined as any type of distressing event or experience that can have an impact on a young person’s ability to cope and function. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), childhood trauma is defined as “the experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” Childhood trauma may be caused by examples such as abuse (such as sexual or physical), witnessing domestic violence, neglect, accidents, chronic or sudden medical illness, a death in the family or parental illness, substance use, divorce, or incarceration. Any experience that threatens a child’s sense of security and leaves a young person feeling overwhelmed and isolated can be traumatic. Data indicates that one in four children living in the United States experiences a traumatic event before reaching adulthood.

Childhood Trauma and BPD

Empirical evidence confirms the notion that humans store memories, experience, and emotions on a cellular level. Hence, early childhood experiences play a large role in how the brain develops and functions. A report from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University asserts that childhood trauma can derail healthy development and cause damaging effects on learning, behavior, and health across the lifespan. Trauma and adversity in childhood raise the risk of numerous health problems (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, etc.) in adulthood. Further, the effects of childhood trauma have repeatedly been linked to the development of maladaptive personality traits and personality disorders. According to University of Manchester research, people with borderline personality disorder are 13 times more likely to report childhood trauma than people without any mental health problems.

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The Importance of Self-Compassion in Mental Health

Mental health refers to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Wellness is an active and dynamic process of change and growth to reach one’s fullest potential. According to The National Wellness Institute, wellness is a “process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” There are eight dimensions of wellness, and devoting time to each of these dimensions in one’s daily life, can improve one’s mental health and emotional well-being.

What Is Self-Compassion?

Self-compassion is defined as “compassion directed inward, relating to oneself as the object of care and concern when faced with the experience of suffering.” Kristin Neff, Ph.D., one of the leading researchers in this field, explains that self-compassion is comprised of the following three central components:

Self-kindness versus self-judgment: being kind and understanding toward oneself rather than being self-critical.
Common humanity versus isolation: Seeing one’s fallibility as part of the larger human condition and experience rather than as isolating.
Mindfulness versus overidentification: holding one’s painful thoughts and feelings in mindful awareness rather than avoiding them or overidentifying with them.

When these interrelated elements combine and mutually interact, we can cultivate a self-compassionate frame of mind when encountering personal mistakes, failure, perceived inadequacies, and/ or various experiences of life difficulty.

Benefits of Self-Compassion

There is an array of benefits to practicing self-compassion. Research indicates that self-compassion is strongly associated with psychological well-being. More specifically, experts assert that “higher levels of self-compassion are linked to increased feelings of happiness, optimism, curiosity, and connectedness, as well as decreased anxiety, depression, rumination, and fear of failure.” A 2021 paper in the Journal of Positive Psychology, asserts that self-compassion induces a feeling of security and calmness as it produces a chemical response by activating the parasympathetic system, which triggers the release of oxytocin (commonly known as the “love hormone”). This creates a sense of emotional safety, even in the face of uncertainty, which in turn lowers stress and stress-related behaviors. According to Michigan State University, “practicing self-compassion helps us to accept our own humanness and imperfections with kindness and increases people’s motivation to learn, to change for the better and to avoid repeating past mistakes.” Self-compassion research reveals that individuals who practice self-compassion are far less likely to suffer from mental health conditions and are more resilient. Empirical literature further indicates that self-compassion appears to reduce psychopathology through lessened automatic and negative thinking, reduced avoidance of negative emotions, decreased entanglement with negative emotions, and greater emotion regulation skills, all of which lead to greater life satisfaction and enhanced mental health.

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What Is The Most Difficult Disorder To Treat?

It would be impossible to suggest any single disorder is universally the most difficult to treat, as the effectiveness of treatment can vary widely depending on the individual, the severity of the disorder, and a range of other factors. However, some disorders are known to be more challenging to treat than others. Schizophrenia, for example, remains one of the more difficult psychiatric disorders to treat. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe neurological disorder that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by episodes in which the individual is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences.

Schizophrenia

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) explains that schizophrenia is “a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.” The distorted thinking patterns that present with schizophrenia can lead to disabling symptoms, as they can interfere with an individual’s ability to function in his or her daily life. The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person, but most commonly involve disorganized speech, visual and/ or auditory hallucinations, delusions, certain antisocial behavior patterns (e.g., involuntary movements, poor hygiene practices, catatonia, etc.), and an impaired ability to function appropriately.

Schizophrenia is estimated to affect 1.1 percent of the population, or approximately 2.8 million adults, in the United States aged 18 or older. Although its prevalence is relatively low when compared with other mental health disorders, schizophrenia is recognized as one of the most disabling diseases affecting humankind. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but long-term treatment can help an individual learn how to manage his or her symptoms and prevent the worsening of symptoms. However, treatment can be complicated as people with schizophrenia are often unaware that they have it. In any given year, an estimated 40 percent of individuals with the condition are untreated.

Anosognosia

People with schizophrenia commonly show signs of another condition called anosognosia. Anosognosia is defined as “a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.” This causes a person with schizophrenia to be incapable of recognizing that they present with its signs and symptoms, which leads them to believe that treatment would be unnecessary. Further, anosognosia can indirectly trigger schizophrenic delusions, which perpetuates an erroneous notion that those who appear to be helping them are instead attempting to inflict harm. Experts estimate that between 50% and 90% of people with schizophrenia also have anosognosia.

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The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) under the new category called Trauma- and Stressor- Related Disorders. Psychology Today explains that PTSD is a “mental health condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a distressing event involving the threat of death or extreme bodily harm.” According to the National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, of every 100 people nearly seven or eight will experience PTSD in their lifetime.

Risk Factors

Although anyone can develop PTSD at any age, research shows that some people are at greater risk than others for PTSD. Several factors have been found to increase the risk of developing PTSD, some of which include the following, provided by Verywell Mind:

Dissociation during or immediately after the traumatic event
Family history of psychopathology
High levels of emotion (e.g., fear, helplessness, horror, guilt, or shame) during or immediately after the traumatic event
History of prior trauma
Lacking social support after the traumatic event
Perceived life threat to self or others
Prior psychological adjustment problems

The leading cause of PTSD in the general population is motor vehicle accidents. Each year, millions of people are involved in car accidents. In 2020, approximately 2.3 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roads. According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, 39.2% of car accident survivors develop PTSD.

Signs and Symptoms

Each person with PTSD has the propensity to experience varying levels of severity of symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) divided the symptoms of PTSD into the following four categories:

Intrusion symptoms: The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):
1. Involuntary, upsetting memories
2. Distressing dreams
3. Flashbacks
4. Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
5. Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders
Avoidance: Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Avoiding people, places, activities, objects, and situations that may trigger distressing memories
2. Resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it
Alterations in cognition and mood: Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event
2. Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
3. Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
4. Negative affect
5. Decreased interest in activities
6. Ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
7. Feeling detached or estranged from others
8. Experiencing a void of happiness or satisfaction
Alterations in arousal and reactivity: Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1. Difficulty sleeping
2. Hypervigilance
3. Irritability or aggression
4. Difficulty concentrating
5. Risky or destructive behavior
6. Heightened startle reaction

As is outlined in the PTSD diagnostic criteria provided in the DSM-5, for a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, his or her symptoms must last for more than one month, must create distress or functional impairment, and must not be due to medication, substance use, or other illness.

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Norman In Mental Health

Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness and is classified as a mood disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that bipolar disorder “causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” It is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable, neutral moods.

Nightmares & Night Terrors

A nightmare is defined as “a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc.” They are disturbing, well-remembered dreams. In those with bipolar disorder, researchers believe that nightmares may predict upcoming mood swings. People with bipolar disorder also commonly face night terrors. A night terror is not a dream, but rather an abrupt awakening accompanied by physical symptoms. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine explains that a person experiencing a night terror will suddenly begin to exhibit signs of panic and terror while sleeping (e.g., screaming, flailing, kicking, etc.) as well as other symptoms such as rapid heart rate and breathing, flushing of the skin, sweating, dilation of the pupils, and tensing of the muscles. During a night terror, an individual awakes in a state of confused and inconsolable terror, which they may or may recall in the morning.

Signs and Symptoms

According to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences three or more manic symptoms and five or more depressive symptoms. Examples of signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder could include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following, provided by the Mayo Clinic:

Signs and symptoms during a mania or hypomania state:

- - Increased energy
  - Euphoria
  - Agitation
  - Easily distractible
  - Decreased need for sleep
  - Excessive talkativeness
  - Lack of judgment
  - Atypically upbeat
  - Difficulties at work
  - Shift in social activities
  - Psychosis
  - Relationship challenges

Signs and symptoms of a major depressive episode:

Inability to experience pleasure or loss of interest in social activities
Irritability
Crying spells (frequent and random crying throughout the day)
Depressed mood
Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of energy
Shift in sleeping habits (either sleeping too much or experiencing insomnia)
Slowed behavior
Restlessness
Feelings of excessive guilt
Inability to think clearly
Indecisiveness
Suicidal ideations
Lack of energy
Shift in appetite resulting in drastic weight loss or weight gain

As is noted in both manic symptoms and depressive symptoms, is clear that disturbed sleep is common in people who have bipolar disorder. Still, the type of sleep disturbances that may occur typically depends on whether an individual is experiencing a manic or depressive episode.

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What Does The Term ‘High-Functioning’ Bipolar Disorder Mean?

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression, is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable moods. According to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences three or more manic symptoms and five or more depressive symptoms. Bipolar disorder can develop at any age, but it is most diagnosed in individuals younger than age twenty-five. Bipolar disorder affects nearly 4.4% adults in America. A 2020 study suggests that nearly 23% of those with bipolar disorder could be considered high functioning.

High Functioning Bipolar Disorder

High functioning bipolar disorder (HFBD) is not an official clinical diagnosis. Further, there is no technical definition for the term “high-functioning” bipolar disorder, but HFBD generally refers to how well a person can deal with bipolar disorder and, in large part, mask its symptoms. Since people with bipolar disorder can experience both depression and mania simultaneously or consecutively, the same individual may appear highly productive (mania) as well as unproductive (depression) at different points in their lives.

It is important to note that although people with HFBD are able live their lives with less interference from the symptoms than a lot of other people with the same diagnosis, being labeled as high functioning has no bearing on the severity of their condition. The main difference between bipolar disorder and high functioning bipolar disorder is the person’s ability to perform under the demands of their symptoms. Most people with HFBD are highly adept at concealing their symptoms, contributing to the fact that it is not uncommon for their condition to go overlooked, undiagnosed, or untreated. The name “high functioning bipolar disorder” is both misleading and stigmatizing, which is why many now use the term “bipolar disorder with low support needs” in its place.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Anxiety, Mental Health

Postpartum Anxiety Is Invisible, But Common And Treatable

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It is the body’s natural response to stress and will manifest differently in everyone. Experiencing feelings of worry, fear, sadness, overwhelm, etc. after becoming a parent is to be expected, but when these symptoms persist and become debilitating it could be indicative of postpartum anxiety. Research findings indicate that anxiety disorders in pregnancy and the postpartum period are more prevalent than previously thought, with about 20.7% of women meeting diagnostic criteria for at least 1 anxiety disorder and 5.5% meeting criteria for at least 2 anxiety disorders. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that postpartum anxiety is reported to affect about 1 in 5 new or new again mothers, making it highly common.

Signs and Symptoms

The timeframe for postpartum anxiety is longer than many assume, as it can occur at any time within the first 12 months following childbirth. The Cleveland Clinic provide examples of common signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety some of which include:

Physical symptoms:

Disrupted sleep.

Increased heart rate or heart palpitations.

Nausea or stomach aches.

Being unable to breathe or feeling short of breath.

Loss of appetite.

Trouble sitting still.

Muscle tension.

Emotional symptoms:

Inability to relax or keep calm.

Racing thoughts, especially about worse-case scenarios.

Obsessing over irrational fears or things that are unlikely to happen.

Difficulty focusing or forgetfulness.

Irritability.

Feeling on edge or fearful.

Behavioral symptoms:

Avoiding certain activities, people, or places.

Being overly cautious about situations that are not dangerous.

Checking things repeatedly.

Being controlling.

Postpartum anxiety may interfere with a person’s ability to bond with their baby, which can negatively impact a baby’s mental and physical development. If left untreated, postpartum anxiety may lead to severe consequences such as infant neglect and, in extreme cases, infant death.

Treatment

The treatment options for postpartum anxiety reflect those used for other types of anxiety disorders. Medical News Today explains that the two main treatments for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy and medication. Further, it is becoming increasingly common to integrate traditional psychotherapeutic methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy (IPT), and more, along with holistic treatment modalities (e.g., meditation, aromatherapy, etc.) into postpartum mental health recovery plans. For some, integrating a combination of psychotherapy and medication may be recommended. The different types of medications prescribed for anxiety disorders include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). However, medication is not always needed, and for those breastfeeding it is prescribed with caution as medication can cross over from the bloodstream into breast milk and potentially harm a child who is breastfed. Anyone struggling with postpartum anxiety will require a nuanced treatment plan that carefully incorporates the best possible treatment methods specifically geared to each person’s distinct needs.

Treatment In Calabasas

Norman In Mental Health

What’s The Relationship Between Memory Loss And Driving?

Driving is a complicated skill that can be easily impaired. People that drive are expected to be in good physical health as this skill relies on and requires the combined use of many brain systems. Harvard Medical School explains how the different areas of the brain are active and engaged while driving:

The visual-object system in your occipital and temporal lobes processes the images coming in from your eyes to enable you to distinguish cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
The visual-spatial system in your occipital and parietal lobes determines where cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are in the road, how fast they are moving, and anticipates where they will be in a few seconds.
The attention system in your parietal lobes and the auditory system in your superior temporal lobe keeps you alert to car horns and other signs of danger.
The decision-making system in your frontal lobes uses this visual, auditory, spatial, and motion information to determine how fast you should be going and whether you need to turn.
The motor system in your frontal lobes then translates these decisions into how hard your foot is pressing the pedals and whether your hands are turning the steering wheel.

The typical cognitive changes that occur with ageing can directly impact driving safety, and those with age-related ailments such as dementia can be particularly dangerous. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive functioning to such an extent that it interferes with one’s daily life. The National Institute on Aging asserts that the signs and symptoms of dementia occur as a result of healthy neurons in one’s brain ceasing to function properly, which prohibits them from connecting with other brain cells and subsequently die. In the most recent nationally representative study of cognitive impairment prevalence, researchers at Columbia University found that nearly 10% of U.S. adults ages 65 and older have dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The Mayo Clinic explains that “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die.” According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2022.

It is natural for people to lose neurons as they age, but those with Alzheimer’s disease experience a far greater loss that occurs more rapidly. One study that focused on driving and Alzheimer’s disease found that people with Alzheimer’s had an average of 0.09 car crashes per year, compared to 0.04 crashes in age-matched healthy adults. Another study found that individuals in the mild stages of dementia or those with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease had driving impairments like 16-to 20-year-old drivers. Therefore, the American Academy of Neurology developed and published guidelines to help clinicians distinguish at what point individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias should stop driving.

Mental Health

The Benefits of Pet Therapy for Mental Health

Treatment In Calabasas

The Role of Spirituality in Mental Health

Treatment In Calabasas

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and BPD

Childhood Trauma and BPD

Treatment In Calabasas

The Importance of Self-Compassion in Mental Health

What Is Self-Compassion?

Benefits of Self-Compassion

Treatment In Calabasas

What Is The Most Difficult Disorder To Treat?

Schizophrenia

Anosognosia

Treatment In Calabasas

The Risk of PTSD After A Car Accident

Risk Factors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

Nightmares And Night Terrors In Bipolar Disorder

Nightmares & Night Terrors

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment In Calabasas

What Does The Term ‘High-Functioning’ Bipolar Disorder Mean?

High Functioning Bipolar Disorder

Treatment In Calabasas

What’s The Relationship Between Memory Loss And Driving?

Alzheimer’s Disease

Treatment In Calabasas

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