Psychiatry & Meditation for Daily Stress

Being healthy and well requires a level of physical and emotional awareness for ALL of us.

This is why I prescribe mindfulness as part of every mental health thrive plan for children, teens and adults.

As a board certified adult and child psychiatrist that has seen thousands of patients I view a practice of mindfulness as “exercise for the brain” that sets the foundation for optimal mental health. The long term benefits of a meditation and/or a mindfulness practice are endless and can include an improved immune system,reduced anxiety, improved mood, increased focus, improved cognition, improved compassion and more. Many people report a greater sense of connectivity to something larger than themselves and a mind that is open to more possibilities.

Did you know that 70-80% of life long mental health issues start before age 24? That is why I believe every tip, tool or strategy for mental health and thriving is important for my patients and for ALL of us. As a mother, wife, and psychiatrist my mindfulness mantra “Be loving. Be kind,” allows me to stay connected to my higher self and to recycle stress into love throughout my day.

I believe the integration of meditation as a universal wellness tool into our homes, offices and schools will have long lasting societal health benefits. Last spring I highlighted the Harvard neuroscience research on meditation in my post “Create The Best Version Of Yourself With Meditation and Mindfulness.” In another post, “The Mindfulness Prescription”, there were many tips and tools included about the practice of mindfulness. I am passionate about wellness and prevention and envision current and future generations of children having the tool of meditation as a standard “mind medicine” for wellbeing.

Last year I met Michel Pascal. Michel is a meditation teacher and author of “Meditation for Daily Stress: 10 Practices for Immediate Wellbeing”, to be released this April.

It is my goal to integrate a more formal understanding of meditation into my practice of psychiatry and to share my experience of implementing behavioral plans that include cognitive behavioral strategies and mindfulness techniques. Michel and I co-produced “Emergency Well-Being,” a video series discussing the importance of bridging psychiatry and meditation, which was released on February 17, 2017.

For more tips check out: Mental Health and How to Thrive

Pharmacogenetics with Dr. Daniel Mueller

Dr. Daniel Mueller, M.D., Ph.D (@mueller_dj) is an associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and is the Head of the Pharmacogenetics Reseach clinic at Center for Addiction and Mental Health and is a clinical psychiatrist at the Mood and Anxiety Program at CAMH.

He has published more than 160 articles with the focus of his research being on an investigation of the genetic factors that predict response to antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.

He has been awarded the Klerman Prize for exceptional Research in Clinical Brain and Behavior Science by the US based Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in 2013 and the Innovation In Psychopharmacology Award by the Canadian College Of Neuropsychopharmacology in 2016. He is a true pioneer in setting expert guidelines for patients and doctors in the area of pharmacogenetics, the branch of pharmacology concerned with the effect of genetic factors on reactions to drugs.

Instrumental Music from the song JUST SIMPLIFY
Sung by Michel Pascal
Composed by Paul Pesco
Lyrics Michel Pascal and His Holiness Dalai-Lama, from the book “Instants Sacres”
© 2016

Dr. Natalie Trent, Harvard Neuroscientist, on Mind/Body Research

Natalie L. Trent, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, sponsored by Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, at Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she investigates the mind-body practices of yoga and mindfulness on health and wellbeing. She also conducts research on Reiki, universal love, psychedelics, and other mind-body practices. Natalie is a Reiki Master Teacher and incorporates aspects of shamanic traditions into her practice. She is a key participant in the Campaign for Open Sciences and the movement toward a Post-Materialist Science. Natalie is a contributing author to The Beacon of Mind and co-editor of Expanding Science: Visions of a Post-Materialist Paradigm, both published by Param Media. You can visit her website at www.drnatalietrent.com

Instrumental Music from the song JUST SIMPLIFY
Sung by Michel Pascal
Composed by Paul Pesco
Lyrics Michel Pascal and His Holiness Dalai-Lama, from the book “Instants Sacres”
© 2016

Onward and Upward! Happy 2017!

The amount of gratitude as I start to write this post is immeasurable. Why? I met and collaborated with some amazing souls in 2016 that have ignited an “altruism momentum” that leaves me speechless. This includes ALL of you that are reading this and have been a part of this journey. Mindset is everything and your support of raising awareness of the importance of mental health leaves me inspired and humbled.

With ALL of your support and inspiration this year I launched the DrDeniseMD.com site, a podcast and released an ebook to give you tips, tools and facts about mental health and how to thrive. Thank you for your support and follows on Twitter @DrDeniseMD and on FaceBook too!

Are you ready for 2017? Many of my patients, followers, colleagues and loved ones have been anxious to move past this year and even want to “slam the 2016 door shut” after this hostile election year coupled with the many visionaries and artists that have passed away. As individuals and as a collective WE all experience life stages of being in crisis, creating a foundation of stability and reaching a place of thriving.

How can WE continue to heal and thrive in 2017? By learning to shift the energy of fear, sadness and rage into the vibration of LOVE.

How do WE do this? We can ALL pause and look in the mirror and ask OURSELVES, “What can I do to make this year the best for my own health and wellbeing as well as for my family, for my community and for the world at large?” WE can take action in large or small ways with clear intentions as every thought, word and action that we have as individuals affects our health and wellbeing.

As I was typing this post one of my dear friends texted me to wish me Happy New Year and said that after seeing “Rogue One” her new phrase for 2017 is, “I am the Force. And the Force is with me.”

This was divine timing as I was just about to write this thrive tip: Find your own phrase, song, meditation or mantra to keep you in the vibration of hope, inspiration and gratitude throughout the year.

Happy New Year to ALL of you and your loved ones!

With love~

Dr. Denise

Cyberbullying Takes Lives

As a society we are having a mental health care crisis.

According to the April 2016 Center for Disease Control and Prevention Report, the number of suicides in the United States has been on the rise every year from 1999-2014 in every age group except those 75 years and older. In 2014, 13 people out of every 100,000 took their own lives, compared with 10.5 per 100,000 in 1999.

I am sharing these facts with you to raise awareness about the importance of OUR mental health so that we can take action. It is interesting to think about the impact that the use of the internet and social media has had on societal mental health as the increased use parallels the rise in suicide completions during the same time period.

According to the CDC suicide, is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people with approximately 4400 deaths per year.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of information technology to repeatedly harm or harass other people in a deliberate manner. According to U.S. legal definitions: “Cyberbullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them.”

Did you know that 20% of kids cyberbullied think about suicide, and 1 in 10 attempt it?
     https://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/

As an adult and child board certified psychiatrist I am on the front lines every day helping individuals coping with mental health challenges that can be life threatening. This month I evaluated a 10 year old and three teenagers that each had a predisposition to depression and anxiety that were exposed to cyberbullying that triggered suicidal ideation. Our unkind words, thoughts and actions towards one another have an impact that is real and can be life threatening.

Our use of social media does not have an “etiquette filter” built into our devices and people often say mean, nasty and abusive comments to one another that they would most likely not say to one another face to face. People are verbally and emotionally abusing each other daily and OUR children are being raised in a milieu environment that is affecting their ability to attend school, their mental health and their safety.

Did you know?

  • 3 million kids per month are absent from school due to bullying
  • 24/7 bullying around the clock can happen with internet access

Here are some tips:

  • Pause before you hit send on social media.
  • Do not email, post or tweet anything that you would not say to someone’s face.
  • Remember our thoughts, words, intentions and actions can emotionally lift each other up or bring us down.

I interviewed Lauren Batchelder on my podcast last week about how she handled cyberbullying that included rape and death threats after a President-elect Donald Trump tweet in October of 2015.

Listen the podcast.

View the transcript of the interview.

Thank you Lauren for agreeing to this interview. Your resiliency, maturity and desire to make the world a better place by sharing your story is truly inspiring.

With gratitude,

Dr. Denise

Resource for Cyberbullying

For more tips check out: Mental Health and How to Thrive

Meet “The Sports Doctor”, Dr. Bob Weil

Dr. Robert Weil, aka “The Sports Doctor” (@SportsDocRadio), specializes in podiatric medicine, orthotics and sports medicine in Aurora, Illinois. He contributes articles on local and national platforms. He has decades of clinical experience and his patient list reads like the “Who’s Who” in both professional and amateur sports including Olympic Gold medalists and for players on the World Champion Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the Blackhawks and more. He hosts a weekly radio show, “The Sports Doctor” on HealthyLife.net. where he addresses current topics in medicine and sports and often include guest speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge from their various professional backgrounds.

Instrumental Music from the song JUST SIMPLIFY
Sung by Michel Pascal
Composed by Paul Pesco
Lyrics Michel Pascal and His Holiness Dalai-Lama, from the book “Instants Sacres”
© 2016

Meet Millennial Activist Simonetta Lein

Simonetta Lein (@SimonettaLein) is the “The Celebrity Wishmaker,” Huff Post Author, Influencer, Fashion Icon, and Founder of The Wish Wall Foundation. She is a best-selling author, television and radio personality, journalist, international fashion and lifestyle blogger and influencer, brand ambassador, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Her most treasured accomplishment is the establishment of her charitable organization, The Wish Wall Foundation. The foundation is a space allowing people from across the world to post their deepest wish or desire on the website’s “Wish Wall.” Simonetta and her global network, take those wishes and make incredible dreams come true. Through celebrity interviews, fashion shows and other special events she brings people into a world that they would not normally have access to. Through stories that people share with Simonetta on her blog at the Huff Post, she educates, motivates and empowers people and fashion.

Instrumental Music from the song JUST SIMPLIFY
Sung by Michel Pascal
Composed by Paul Pesco
Lyrics Michel Pascal and His Holiness Dalai-Lama, from the book “Instants Sacres”
© 2016

Post Election Stress and How to Cope

It is an important time in history for the United States of America and for the rest of OUR planet. There are a wide variety of reactions to this emotionally galvanizing election. People that have never needed to seek psychological counseling are experiencing varying degrees of adjustment disorder with depressed or anxious mood and an exacerbation of preexisting mental health challenges – more so than any other election since I have been in practice. I also realize that many people are feeling ok or even happy after the election and typically you are not the ones that are going to be seeking out my professional counsel or reading this blog post.

I was about to share the most fearful quotes I have heard as well as quotes from those that are joyous with the election results. I decided not to. I do not want to trigger a cascade of emotions that will leave you feeling worse after you read this post.

Instead I am going to give you post-election tips that will help now and always.

1) Limit your exposure to media of all types.

I am not saying “avoid”, I am saying “limit”. Choose quality over quantity. Do your research on who owns the news stations or social media platforms you choose to watch, engage with or listen to. Remember, there is bias in all forms of media. Teach your children and teens this too. You can help your children by discussing the way information is presented, “That is an unkind way of saying that.” Or… “That was clear and concise and delivered in an informative way.”

We can use examples from the media to point out life lessons in character development with our children.

Solution: Consider taking “Media mental health breaks.”

2) At family gatherings remember that discussing politics can be polarizing.

I cannot tell you how many people have been discussing in their therapy session their utter dread and fear of holiday dinner discussions this year. Some people are avoiding relatives and friends that did not vote for the same candidate. Others know that they will possibly endure discussions that are unpleasant and could get rather aggressive.

Solution: Set boundaries of what is ok to talk about with your loved ones during your holiday get together and future events. Find common ground with your friends and family on unifying topics. If you find the discussion disturbing you are allowed to speak up, agree to disagree, or choose to remove your self from the situation.

3) Use your strong emotions about the election to take action.

I was in New York just after the election and was at the Statue of Liberty. I literally had tears as I was thinking, feeling and experiencing the history of OUR great country. Lady Liberty reflects the ideals of opportunity, democracy, human rights, peace and liberty for ALL.

Solution: Every day we can choose to engage in peaceful activities that reflect our passion for what the U.S.A. stands for. Get involved in our communities. Engage in charitable acts. Do not sit still. Take action. We all have an amazing amount of power to contribute to make our country and our planet a better place!

 
 

With reverence for ALL–

Dr. Denise