At True Life Center, our mental health treatment staff is ready to help give you the tools and tips you need to cope with anxiety and free yourself from the symptoms that are getting in the way of your life. We believe that our anxiety disorder treatment program provides people with the support they need to begin their road to recovery. Learn more about signs of anxiety and how we can help by calling 858.202.1822 or filling out our online form.

Symptoms and Signs of Anxiety

There are many different signs and symptoms of anxiety, and it can affect anyone at any time in their life. Traumatic events and stressful situations act as frequent triggers. It is crucial to identify and understand these triggers to better understand how to treat them.

One of the major signs of high-functioning anxiety includes excessive worrying that can become intrusive enough to make it difficult to concentrate on work or daily tasks. A person experiencing anxiety may also be agitated or feel a sense of imminent danger or threat. This jolts the body into fight-or-flight mode to prepare for a dangerous situation and can have you feeling on edge. Anxiety also prevents your brain from being able to concentrate and can interrupt your memory as well, negatively impacting your work life or productivity.

Anxiety manifests in other parts of the body besides the brain. Hidden signs of anxiety such as fatigue and muscle tension may begin to arise more and more regularly. Additionally, you may have trouble sleeping. Many people who suffer from these subtle signs of anxiety report that they have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to racing thoughts or worries.

Another significant and debilitating symptom of anxiety includes panic attacks, which create an overwhelming sense of fear that can result in:

• Shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilating
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Elevated heart rate
• Weakness or dizziness
• Chest pain

How You Can Reduce Your Anxiety

There are many ways that you can reduce your anxiety or learn to cope with your symptoms. Maintaining mental and physical health is a key component of recovery and ongoing wellbeing. Make sure you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of daily exercise. Limit caffeine and stay away from substances like alcohol or drugs, which contain substances that can increase your anxiety. Additionally, many professionals use mindfulness, yoga therapy, and meditation to decrease symptoms of anxiety.

We also encourage you to seek professional help from a caring staff of trained experts to give yourself the best chance to manage and overcome your anxiety. Professional mental health treatment centers like True Life Center can give you the tools and resources you need not only to survive but to thrive in spite of your struggles.

Mental Health Treatment at True Life Center

Our True Life Center team believes that proper mental health treatment includes a range of options so that each person can receive the exact level of care they require in recovery. We will work with you to determine which of our mental health treatment options would be best for you.

Some of these mental health treatment options include:

• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Neurobiological integration approach
• Trauma therapy
• Mood disorder treatment

Also, we provide choices for specialized anxiety treatment, including:

• Acute stress disorder treatment
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment
• Panic disorder treatment
• Social anxiety disorder treatment

Our treatment programs ensure that people have the tools they need to heal from mental health disorders. If you are interested in learning more about how our team can help you or someone you care about find the strength to deal with mental health disorders, reach out to True Life Center today.

Choose True Life Center to Help You Treat Anxiety

At True Life Center, our staff and professionals are here to help you overcome signs of anxiety so you can focus on improving all areas of your life. We will help you manage your anxiety through therapy programs custom-tailored to you, your symptoms, and your goals. Our mission as dedicated caregivers is to help you find ways to stop anxiety from interfering with your daily life. Do not suffer on your own any longer. Contact True Life Center by completing our convenient online form or calling 858.202.1822 for more information about our treatment facility and the programs we offer to get you to a place of calm and true fulfillment.

The post Signs of Anxiety appeared first on True Life Center.

Myth: “I enjoy a few glasses of wine each night to unwind from work. My wife seems to have a problem with my drinking habits, and lately, she’s been throwing around the word ‘alcoholic.’ I’m a very successful businessman and a good father, there is no way I’m an alcoholic.”

A problematic drinking habit often begins innocently: as a way to relax or transition from work to home, as the most common drug people use to fall asleep, to have sex, to reduce social anxiety, and to enjoy themselves. So before we ask loved ones to stop drinking altogether, we must first understand what role alcohol is playing in their lives. Drinking problems are defined not only by how much and how often someone drinks, but also by the effect drinking has on a person’s health, home, social, legal, or work life. It’s helpful to avoid shame-inducing terms like “alcoholic,” but if your drinking is having a real and negative impact on one or more of your primary relationships, a wise next step would be to talk with your doctor or therapist in a supportive environment about the role alcohol is playing in your life and if an alcohol addiction treatment program could be right for you.

Myth: “My college-aged daughter confided to me that she has, on occasion, blacked out after drinking too much at a party. But that’s just part of the college experience these days, not an indication of a larger problem.”  

I want to first commend your courage for even exploring the idea that your child could have a problem with alcohol. For many parents, underlying fear keeps them in denial. Binge-drinking (defined as 4 or more alcoholic drinks within a few hours for women, 5 or more for men) is a part of the college experience for more than 40% of students, according to some estimates. My concern for those students, and for your daughter, is safety. The dangers of binge drinking include alcohol poisoning, unsafe sex, sexual assault, drunk driving, legal or academic consequences, and serious or fatal injury. Binge-drinking could certainly be an indication of an alcohol use disorder. It could also be a symptom of an underlying mental health issue like anxiety or depression. It would be in your family’s best interest to continue this conversation with a professional who can help you make informed decisions about wisely and compassionately supporting your daughter.

Myth: “Alcoholics just lack willpower. With discipline, someone could easily get their drinking under control on their own.”

This is the kind of myth that breaks my heart because it might prevent someone from seeking or receiving much-needed help. Alcohol use disorder is a biological, brain-based disease. It is my job as a physician, and our society’s job as a whole, to treat addiction with the compassion and medical attention it deserves. Consider a disease like cancer or diabetes; you would never suggest that someone battling those illnesses should simply will him or herself to overcome the illness overnight. Additionally, sudden and severe withdrawal could cause painful physical symptoms leading to hospitalization or death. In my experience, so many people suffering from addiction want to change, but they don’t know how. Safe, supportive, and effective treatment is the bridge between the desire to change and the ability to change.

Benefits of Addiction Treatment at True Life Center

Hopefully, Dr. Roybal’s words have given you hope. True Life Center provides outstanding comprehensive addiction treatment. Some of the benefits of our treatment programs include:

• Enhanced sense of self-esteem
• A support system of peers also in recovery
• Strategies to avoid your triggers
• Aftercare support options
• Personalized treatment plans

Our team of experts, including Dr. Roybal, will give you the tools that you need for genuine, long-lasting recovery.

Choose True Life Center to Begin Your Recovery

True Life Center for Wellbeing is an integrative mental health and addiction treatment center located in La Jolla’s UTC area. We offer an Intensive Outpatient Program as well as outpatient psychiatry and therapy appointments. If you or a loved one feels ready to prioritize wellness and end your drinking problem, please contact us today at 858.202.1822.

The post Ask the Psychiatrist: Do I Have A Drinking Problem? Alcohol Use Fact vs. Fiction appeared first on True Life Center.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzos are drugs that have a sedating effect. Often, doctors may prescribe Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), or other benzos for insomnia or anxiety. However, people often misuse these drugs to take advantage of their relaxing, hypnotic effects.

The longer someone takes benzos, the higher a chance of dependency. Also, withdrawal symptoms will more likely occur in those who take these drugs for several months than those who temporarily use them. Benzo harm reduction starts with stopping the use of these drugs on a tapered schedule to prevent problems caused by use and minimize withdrawal.

The Dangers of Benzo Use  

Both short and long-term effects can occur from benzo use. For example, immediately after taking these drugs, the user will feel tired and have problems completing complex tasks. Additionally, other side effects of taking benzos include:

• Dizziness
• Slowed breathing
• Needing to take more to get the same effects
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Overdose

If an overdose occurs, it is a medical emergency. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher that you suspect a benzo overdose. First responders should have a medication, flumazenil, to treat overdose from benzos. However, after an overdose, the person should seek benzo addiction treatment to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.

Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawing from benzos also causes problems. Some people may experience anxiety, sleeplessness, psychosis, muscle spasms, hypersensitivity, or seizures. Professional assistance with tapering off the drug can reduce these withdrawal symptoms. Plus, when getting benzo addiction treatment, you learn methods to break from your dependence on the drugs psychologically.

Benzo Addiction Treatment

Benzo harm reduction requires addiction treatment with experts who know how to help you stop these drugs. A benzo taper program will help ease your transition to sobriety. By customizing the tapering to suit your needs, you can enjoy the best treatment possible for your case.

When you slowly taper off these drugs, you can avoid the most serious side effects of stopping cold turkey. Plus, when you eventually stop taking these medications after completing the tapering program, you can eliminate benzo harm from your life.

Since all addictions have physical and mental components, treating them requires an integrated approach. Therefore, at True Life Center, we use our unique neurobiological integration (NBI) approach to address the mental issues that plague those with addiction while promoting lifelong mental health. Components of this include various treatment programs such as:

• Acute stress disorder treatment
• Anxiety disorder treatment program
• Bipolar disorder treatment
• Depression treatment program

By combining treatment for diagnosed mental health concerns and helping you through the physical effects of benzo withdrawal, our team at True Life Center can help you to feel in control of your recovery.

Connect with True Life Center for a Unique Approach to Benzo Addiction Treatment

If you have an addiction to benzodiazepines, you need help to lower the effects of these drugs. Benzo harm extends through the withdrawal period, too. Therefore, you will need extra support to keep you on track when you quit. Contact True Life Center to find out about our treatment options for addictions, mental health issues, and more. We have several means of treating those in our program to help them overcome their addiction and reduce the harm done to their body and mind from the drugs. Start your way on a healthier path today by calling True Life Center at 858.202.1822 or completing our secure online form.

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Q.) When I bring up my struggles with depression to loved ones they either encourage me to “snap out of it” and “cheer up,” or remind me of the many things I have to be grateful for – which only makes me feel guilty for not feeling better. Are they right? Am I “too blessed to be depressed”? 

A.) I’m so sorry that you are struggling, and that your loved ones aren’t responding with the sympathy you expected. Unfortunately, depression is largely misunderstood, and though your friends and family may have the best intentions, they are likely unaware of the complexity and severity of the disease. Similar to chronic illnesses like cancer or autoimmune disease, depression does not discriminate. It can affect anyone at any time, even those who are otherwise “blessed.” Depression is a biological, brain-based disease, and it requires proper care. If you haven’t already, please seek professional help. A great practitioner or center will not only provide you with that compassionate support you are seeking, but also help you in educating those around you.

Q.) Ever since my dad’s death last year, I’ve felt hopeless, restless, and can’t sleep through the night. My primary physician recommended antidepressants, but I declined. I’m just grieving, I’m not depressed…right?

A.) My condolences on the passing of your father. Losing a parent is never easy, and there is no right way, or right length of time, to grieve. It is certainly true that grief can turn into depression, just as pre-existing depression can complicate grief, and the symptoms are nearly identical: despair, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate, and loss of interest. Personally, I’m much less concerned with whether grief or depression is causing your suffering, than I am with the fact that you are suffering. One year of struggling with sleep, energy, and motivation has probably been incredibly disruptive to your sense of wellbeing. You might find that talking with a mental health professional about your loss, and exploring options for healing that may or may not include medication, helps you adjust to this new reality and find the strength to return to a full life.

Q.) A close friend recently confessed that she has depression. This came as a shock to me as she consistently optimistic and cheerful. Is there anything I can or should do to support her through this?

A.) You’re a good friend to ask this question. Depression can be an extremely isolating illness, more so when loved ones shy away in fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Often the most powerful thing you can do is to simply be there. That might mean holding your friend’s hand while she cries, offering to drop by with dinner, or leaving her a sweet voicemail. Don’t be afraid to ask her if there’s anything you can do to make her feel better. I would also recommend that you learn as much about depression as you can. Popular myths about depression, including the idea that those who present as optimistic and cheerful can’t be inwardly depressed, can be harmful and minimizing.

If you have questions about depression or want to learn more about treatment of depression or other mental health issues, please contact us. We would be happy to provide information, resources, and support.

The post Ask the Psychiatrist: Depression appeared first on True Life Center.

Q.) I worry a lot…about my job, my kids, my weight, the growing piles of laundry on top of the washer…. do I have anxiety?

A.) We all experience stress and anxiety from time to time, and in certain situations, like moving to a new city, taking a test, or attending a job interview, that anxiety is not only normal but beneficial. Generally, the difference between healthy anxiety and an Anxiety Disorder is the amount of time you spend in that anxious state, and the severity of the feeling. If your anxiety is preventing you from living a full and satisfying life in any way, I would encourage you to seek help. The laundry can wait.

Q.) A friend suggested that my unexplained stomach problems and migraines might be anxiety-related, but I don’t feel particularly anxious. Is it possible for anxiety to be physical?

A.) Not only is it possible, it’s very common! I often see patients who have been suffering from the physical symptoms of anxiety – which include insomnia, upset stomach or nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, muscle tension and more – long before they receive an anxiety diagnosis. Often, individuals will visit their primary care doctor for help in addressing the symptoms, while the root cause remains unaddressed. That’s why generalized anxiety disorder treatment at True Life Center includes holistic services like acupuncture, yoga, and meditation. Mental health affects more than just the mind, and true healing requires attending to someone’s whole health – mind, body, and spirit.

Q.) What should I do if I suspect that I have an anxiety problem, but I’m too anxious to talk to a professional about it?

A.) You aren’t alone in being hesitant to seek help. Unfortunately, only one-third of those suffering from Anxiety Disorders receive treatment. Others delay treatment for years while numbing themselves with alcohol or prescription medication, spending excessive time on social media, or distracting themselves with work or with food. Many times I see patients who put off getting help because they fear that consciously facing the source of their anxiety will make things worse. And it might get a little worse before it gets better. But sharing and processing, thoughtful medication when necessary, and learning the tools and resources for self-care can provide immense relief. I encourage you to ask a trusted friend or loved one to support you in getting the help you need. This can mean assisting with research, helping you make phone calls, or holding you accountable for attending that first appointment.

If you have questions about anxiety disorders or want to learn more about treatment for anxiety or other mental health issues, please contact us today at 858.202.1822. We would be happy to provide information, resources, and support.

The post Ask the Psychiatrist: Anxiety Disorders appeared first on True Life Center.