Author: pricilagran
WHEN: Thursday, April 20, 2023
10am-12pm and 3pm-5pm (Bring your resume)
WHERE: Lindner Center of HOPE –gymnasium
4075 Old Western Row Road
Mason, OH 45040
WHEN: Thursday, April 20, 2023
10am-12pm and 3pm-5pm (Bring your resume)
WHERE: Lindner Center of HOPE –gymnasium
4075 Old Western Row Road
Mason, OH 45040
By: Anna Guerdjikova, PhD, LISW, CCRC, Director of Administrative Services, Harold C. Schott Foundation Eating Disorders Program, Lindner Center of HOPE
Spring is in the air. More often than not during this time of year, we find ourselves determined to clean, declutter and organize. In a way, spring cleaning is very similar to New Year resolutions and the big hurray at the beginning of the school year in August when everything is new and fresh, big decisions of how we will be better are made…but not for long. We find ourselves hyper-focused on new goals and behaviors to quickly abandon them soon after as it is too hard, too slow, too boring, or life comes in the way of our good intentions. Then the guilt of “look at this mess, I should be decluttering” sets in, we continue to buy things to organize the many things we already have and this cycle continues to perpetuate both the mental anguish and the physical clutter.
To be able to consistently change a behavior, it is helpful to understand why we are resistant to the change, even if we know it will make us feel better in the end. Digging into the barriers and the reasons for our self-sabotage can help us be more self-compassionate and to get us a step closer to actually making the changes we intend and hope for.
Decluttering can be difficult and anxiety provoking. Below we summarize some of the issues and possible ideas on how to approach the solutions to avoid self-blame and feelings of failure and to finally get the ball rolling.
Issue: The job is too huge and you don’t know where to start. It gets to be too overwhelming too quickly.
Solution: Decide on decluttering small bites – a time period to declutter daily/weekly or one surface, drawer, rack, 1/3 closet at a time and don’t overdo it. Keep a very open mind and avoid rigid agenda (ex. be done with the kitchen by Sunday) no matter how tempting this is, as when the job does not get done for some reason as we have planned, we tend to abandon the whole project.
Issue: What if I need this later?
Solution: If you have not used it in 6 months, you are most probably not going to use it now. Most things in our households can be replaced quickly, thus giving yourself the permission to buy new if needed is the “get out of jail free card” that can help battle this problem. In most cases than not you will not have to use the card/buy the item again.
Issue: The guilt of life not lived. Textbooks we bought to study something we never got to, the hiking shoes to walk the Appalachian trail, the super expensive multicooker and many others representing the life we hoped to have or wished to live but never actually implemented.
Solution: Consider radically accepting yourself for who youare truly at the present moment in life instead of who you wished you were. Get rid of the expensive hiking shoes you have never put on. If you decide to hike the Appalachian trail, you will have to start by hiking the local parks and this can be done in regular sneakers for a while, then if needed you can buy some new fancy hiking shoes.
Issue: Change is hard and decluttering does not solveother issues.
Solution: Take it slow and give your brain and body time to process the change. If you get rid of a rug, the room will feel empty and sad and the most common reaction is to go buy another rug immediately. Try to give the new look time to settle, this will allow you to see the space with new eyes and can spark creativity and true change. If in a while you still feel you need the rug, go for it.
Give approaching decluttering with curiosity and self-compassion a try this spring. It is not fatal if it does not get done and beating yourself over what “should be finished” is not helpful in moving forward. Finally, decluttering our physical and digital spaces might make us more aware and mindful of our habits, but is not the “fix for our lives”. Clutter can be seen as a result of some struggles that we deal with and starting to tackle it might bring to light a plethora of challenges and this is one of the reasons why this process can be so anxiety provoking. Kindness to self, giving it all time and space to unfold and paying attention to the mental load behind the physical possessions might be helpful in promoting sustainable change.
Participants in the webcast will be able to:
Target Audience:
Psychiatrists, Primary Care Physicians, Non-psychiatric MDs, Nurse Practitioners, , Social Workers, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, and Mental Health Specialists and interested parties as well
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Cincinnati and the Lindner Center of HOPE. The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Cincinnati designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credits
commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Ohio Psychological Association under approval number P099-311067501 (2010-2012) approves the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry for 1 mandatory continuing education credit for Ohio Licensed Psychologists.
The This activity has been approved for 1 clock hour of CEU by The State of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed during the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Cincinnati. The information is presented for the purpose of advancing the attendees’ professional development.
Participants in the webcast will be able to:
Target Audience:
Psychiatrists, Primary Care Physicians, Non-psychiatric MDs, Nurse Practitioners, , Social Workers, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, and Mental Health Specialists and interested parties as well
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Cincinnati and the Lindner Center of HOPE. The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Cincinnati designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credits
commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Ohio Psychological Association under approval number P099-311067501 (2010-2012) approves the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry for 1 mandatory continuing education credit for Ohio Licensed Psychologists.
The This activity has been approved for 1 clock hour of CEU by The State of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed during the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Cincinnati. The information is presented for the purpose of advancing the attendees’ professional development.
By Jennifer Farley, PsyD,
Lindner Center of HOPE, Staff Psychologist
There are a number of reasons someone may undergo a psychological evaluation or assessment. The type of testing that is done depends on the individual’s functioning and the setting in which testing may be pursued. This article will look at the different settings of mental health assessments.
Testing from a clinical psychologist in a clinical outpatient setting can be pursued on their own or they may be referred from another clinician (such as a primary care physician or psychiatrist). This type of assessment is for patients with non-immediate mental health concerns. In this case, testing is pursued with the referral question in mind (such as whether someone has Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, depression, anxiety, a learning disorder, dementia, cognitive problems due to a medical condition, etc). The psychologist tailors the tests to help determine the person’s functioning in the areas that could be affected by a cognitive or emotional disorder. Tests can range from intellectual assessments to personality measures to behavioral questionnaires (which can be completed by the patient themselves, parents, and/or teachers) to academic achievement measures. Clinicians such as neuropsychologists and developmental psychologists can do all these tests and then add additional measures specific to their specialization (such as when documenting problems related to a head injury or when evaluating for Autism Spectrum Disorder). The psychologist can use this information to make a diagnosis and provide recommendations for treatment of the condition. Often, such as for school-age or college-age patients, recommendations for academic accommodations are also provided.
Sometimes, psychological testing is completed for patients during an acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (when the patient is in a mentally unstable condition). In these cases, testing is often used for diagnostic elucidation to help guide decisions about types of medication to use. Recommendations may also be made about additional assessments or resources to pursue following one’s discharge from the hospital. The clinical psychologist completes these evaluations within a short time, since these acute hospitalizations last (on average) about 7 days, and there are usually just a few measures that are administered. Tests are specific to the question about the individual’s diagnosis and may only include emotional/personality measures.
Another setting in which psychological testing may occur is within a residential psychiatric setting. This setting is for patients who are experiencing psychological distress that is not severe enough to warrant an acute inpatient hospitalization. Length of stay in a residential setting can vary from 10 days to several months, depending on the purpose of the stay (i.e., evaluation and/or treatment). The purpose of testing in a residential setting is to help comprehensively understand – by way of several different measures – one’s personality functioning, cognitive functioning (which can include neurocognitive skills such as attention, memory, and executive functioning), and other factors (such as external stressors, substance use, medical conditions, etc.) that have contributed to the patient’s condition(s). The patient’s internal strengths and weaknesses are explored, with the intention of making recommendations for how treatment can be tailored to work with the patient’s strengths to compensate for their weaknesses. The clinical psychologist works closely with the other members of the treatment team (such as the psychiatrist, social worker, and the therapists) to understand the patient, develop a treatment plan, and (if a longer stay) to begin implementing the recommendations. The patient’s progress is then monitored and, if needed, further testing can be done to help assess changes in the patient’s functioning as a result of the treatment.
In childhood, early observations of potential problems may come from teachers. Teachers may observe struggles in behavior such as impulsivity, talking or interrupting others during times when there is an age-appropriate expectation of silence, and/or oppositional behaviors towards others. Teachers may also be the first to wonder if a child has an underlying learning or attention disorder. If the teacher’s attempts to help the child are unsuccessful, the teacher may recommend testing in the form of a Multi-Factored Evaluation (MFE). Psychological testing may be part of this evaluation and can include intellectual testing and academic achievement testing by a school psychologist. Parent and teacher questionnaires may also be included in the MFE. Depending on the nature of the child’s observed difficulties, others (such as speech and language therapists and physical therapists) may do their own screening. If findings reveal that the student experiences problems that would make learning difficult, accommodations are then recommended and interventions and/or accommodations are then put in place through a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Plan. It is noteworthy that clinical diagnoses are NOT made from this type of evaluation and findings and recommendations are specific to helping the child learn better.
Prior to any psychological testing, the patient (and/or his/ her family) should understand the purpose of psychological assessment and how it can be useful for guiding treatment and other recommendations.
Find out more information on what psychological assessment is here and why it is a critical step of the process towards finding a diagnosis and treatment plan.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is help available. The first step would be to consult with a health care provider or mental health care specialist. To see how Lindner Center of HOPE can help you decide on the best mental health assessment setting, reach out to us today. We can help you take the next steps.
March 15 – Manor House
Kristy Hardwick, EdD, LPCC-S, Lindner Center of HOPE Outpatient Therapist
Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Today’s Youth
The presentation will cover:
Mason, OH, February 22, 2023 – Lindner Center of HOPE, Chief Research Officer, Susan L. McElroy, MD, was recently named to the Research.com “Best Female Scientists in the United States 2022 Ranking” for her contributions to the advancement of science.
This was the first edition of the Research.com ranking of top female scientists in the United States and was based upon data collected from Microsoft Academic Graph. Position in the ranking is based on a scientist’s general H-index. The inclusion criteria for scholars to be considered into the global ranking of top scientists are based on the H-index, proportion of the contributions made within the given discipline in addition to the awards and achievements of the scientists. Only top 1000 female scientists with the highest H-index are featured in the ranking. Nearly 167,000 scientists were examined for the ranking.
Dr. McElroy is internationally known for her research in bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obesity, impulse control disorders and pharmacology. She is the author of over 600 scientific papers in leading medical journals and was the 8th most cited scientist in the world published in the fields of psychiatry and psychology since 1996. She has also authored over 150 reviews and chapters in major psychiatric textbooks. Dr. McElroy is the editor or author of 4 scientific books and serves on the editorial boards of 5 journals.
As Chief Research Officer she currently oversees multiple ongoing studies in mood, anxiety, eating and impulse control disorders, genetics and psychopharmacology.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) estimates that less than 30 percent of the world’s researchers are women.
###
Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and adolescents, outpatient services and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.
Cincinnati, OH, February 17, 2023 – Lindner Center of HOPE, Associate Chief Research Officer and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Francisco Romo-Nava, MD, PhD was named a finalist in the annual Business Courier Health Care Heroes awards in the Innovator category on February 16, 2023.
Dr. Romo-Nava serves a key leadership role in driving the efforts of The Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE. Not only does he manage studies sponsored by third parties, but he himself has initiated first-of-its-kind research that can significantly impact the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
Dr. Romo-Nava’s incredibly original ideas about the brain-body relationship and its role in mental illness is directing his research beyond just treatment to a real understanding of the path of physiology of mental illness.
He was awarded a K2 Career Development Award by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for the study of a novel approach to investigate the circadian system function and its potential as a therapeutic target in binge eating disorder. This is a highly competitive award for clinician-scientists that is part of enabling the “Neuroscience of the Body Research Program” to study the role of the brain-body communication in psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Romo-Nava’s interest in the mind-body connection – the communication between the brain and the body – has also led him to explore whether altering that communication might lead to better treatment options for patients with psychiatric disorders.
He calls his research “neuroscience of the body in psychiatric disorders,” and it led the researcher to start a study, being conducted at the Lindner Center of HOPE, to examine if electrical stimulation of the spinal cord could be helpful in treating certain psychiatric conditions, like depression.
His work on this study has earned him a United States patent and could eventually lead to easier treatment options with fewer side effects for certain patients.
Dr. Romo-Nava says this patent supports the study of a method to stimulate the brain-body communication pathways in the spinal cord by using investigational devices “no larger than a shoe box with cables and rubber electrodes.”
The brain and spinal cord are components of the central nervous system, and there are neural pathways, or tracts, that connect both. These pathways are made up of nervous tissue, including neurons and other cells, and can send information from the body to the brain or from the brain to the body.
“We think that a relatively small electrical current applied through the skin, which can barely be felt by the patient and will not hurt them, will moderate the brain-body communication neural pathways in the spinal cord and will impact certain regions of the brain,” Romo-Nava says, adding they are in the beginning stages of studying this method and are trying to determine how often and long the stimulation sessions should occur.
Romo-Nava says he thinks of the interaction between the brain and the body as a self-regulating feedback circuit that is often disturbed in psychiatric disorders.
“If we can fix that disturbance, we may be able to improve both the mental and physical health of patients,” he says, adding that the initial pilot study was funded by a Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant. The foundation awards grants of the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression.
Romo-Nava says, “One of our ultimate goals is to test this out in larger clinical trials to determine the role of brain-body communication in the study of mental disorders, as well as to explore its potential as a useful therapy.”
“These are the first steps in examining this method and could be the initial steps in potentially developing a better treatment for certain patients with depression, avoiding side effects from medications and improving their overall quality of life.”
As a clinical researcher, Dr. Romo-Nava dedicates his talent and energy to the pursuit of discovering new treatment options for patients struggling with mental illnesses. He is an advocate for seeking ongoing evolution and innovation in the treatment of mental health conditions. He exudes the notion that our investment in our patients – and hope – begins with an investment in research. He is a critical leader in actively pioneering life-changing mental health research, giving rise to new and better methods to prevent, diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
The word “pioneer” accurately defines Dr. Romo-Nava, as he leads the charge in embracing the idea that there are new ways to consider the treatment of mental illnesses, we just have to imagine the possibilities.
Dr. Romo-Nava enthusiastically embraces innovation in his exploration of the causes of mental illness. His research into the application of brain-body communication in the treatment of mental illness is first of its kind and is truly innovative in the mental health arena. The use of this innovation, right here in our region, can help change the lives of those facing mental illness-thus improving the overall health and wellbeing of our community.
Dr. Romo-Nava is an outside the box thinker when it involves treatment options for patients. He understands the important role innovation plays in offering treatment alternatives to those who haven’t had great success with medications and psychotherapy.
Beyond the pursuit of new treatment options, Dr. Romo-Nava is relentless in his quest to understand the basic path of physiology of mental illness. Figuring out and understanding the mechanics of mental illness will open the doors to new treatments. He is persistent in his quest to solve this puzzle and his novel thinking will take research in directions never imagined.
Heath Care Heroes is the Business Courier’s recognition of those who have made an impact on health care in our community through their concern for patients, their research and inventions, their management skills, their innovative programs for employees and their services.
###
Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and adolescents, outpatient services and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.
By Nicole Mori, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Curse Practitioner, Lindner Center of HOPE
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex, chronic, progressive and ranks among the leading causes of disability worldwide. The underlying feature of BPD is mood instability, with alternation of manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes and, commonly, significant subsyndromal symptoms between distinct mood episodes. Depressive episodes (and residual depressive symptoms in times of remission) are responsible for much of the disability, suicidal behaviors, and exacerbation of comorbid conditions in BD. Although depression is the predominant presentation and the leading cause of morbidity in BD, it is poorly understood, and the treatment options are limited. Inadequate treatment of bipolar depression leads to residual symptoms which may drive relapse. Effective treatment is of great importance, but it depends on accurate diagnosis and appropriate pharmacotherapy. However, barriers to prompt diagnosis and treatment persist.
Research data suggest that BD is not uncommon among patients with a diagnosis of depression. In a primary care clinic, 21% of patients screened positive for BD and among these, 2/3 had not received a diagnosis of BD before. The frequency of BD is believed to be even higher among patients receiving specialty psychiatric care. In a NIMH study which followed clinical course for at least a year, 25% of participants initially diagnosed with MDD experienced a manic/hypomanic episode which led to a revision in diagnosis to BPD. These findings suggest that figures may be underestimating true prevalence of BD in the population. Differentiating between unipolar and bipolar depression is difficult for both primary care and psychiatric providers. There are no substantial differences in the presentation of depressive episodes between individuals with bipolar disorder and those with unipolar depression. Misdiagnosis is common due to lack of thorough screening and comprehensive evaluation and history to rule out BD in patients presenting with depression.
Misdiagnosis is a significant barrier to recovery because response to treatment and clinical course largely depends on the selection of appropriate pharmacotherapy that addresses the mood instability underlying bipolar depression. Antidepressant therapy- in the absence of mood stabilizing medication- has not demonstrated efficacy in bipolar depression. Current treatment guidelines recommend antidepressant use only as an adjunct to mood stabilizing agents. In general, data show that antidepressants are not particularly effective in bipolar depression (either as single or adjunctive therapy) and there are safety concerns for cycle acceleration and induction of mania among some patients. In addition, initiation of ineffective treatments can prolong the time the patient is symptomatic, with impaired function and lower quality of life.
The diagnosis of BD in depressed patients presents unique challenges to healthcare providers. The depressive phase of bipolar disorder presents many similarities with unipolar depression, and the correct diagnosis can only be made after careful screening and history. Although there are several validated instruments to diagnose major depressive episodes, the options available to primary care providers remain limited. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a screening questionnaire that can be used in combination with a thorough history, can improve the chances of identifying individuals with BD if used in combination with a through history. Clinicians should be alert to features suggestive of underlying bipolar disorder such as the presence of subthreshold hypomanic symptoms, a history of multiple failed antidepressant trials, symptoms of ADHD, or comorbid substance abuse (particularly when early in onset). Validating information from the patients’ family members can aid in accurate diagnosis.
Depressed patients with BD have significant unmet needs. Residual morbidity and symptoms are quite common, even among treated patients. The treatment of BD often requires complex pharmacotherapeutic regimens. Most effective mood stabilizing medications are associated with challenging adverse events, which limits their tolerability and requires watchful monitoring. In addition to the burden of adverse events, patients with BD can experience loss of response or depressive symptoms that fail to improve after multiple medication trials. Additional medication options are needed. Research for novel pharmacotherapies should focus on developing potential, better-tolerated treatments for Bipolar depression.
Sources
McIntyre RS, Calabrese JR. Bipolar depression: the clinical characteristics and unmet needs of a complex disorder. Curr Med Res Opin. 2019 Nov;35(11):1993-2005. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2019.1636017. Epub 2019 Aug 5. PMID: 31311335.
Stiles BM, Fish AF, Vandermause R, Malik AM. The Compelling and Persistent Problem of Bipolar Disorder Disguised as Major Depression Disorder: An Integrative Review [Formula: see text]. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2018 Sep/Oct;24(5):415-425. doi: 10.1177/1078390318784360. Epub 2018 Jun 28. PMID: 29952230.
Lindner Center of HOPE is grateful to have been named Best Medical Specialist Mental Health as part of Mason + Deerfield Lifestyle Readers’ Choice 2022.
Winners of the Reader’s Choice 2022 were recognized at a special dinner on January 27. 2023.
Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and adolescents, outpatient services and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.