Author: pricilagran

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Kaila Busken, Lindner Center of HOPE, Licensed Independent Social Worker

One moment you are bursting at the seams with overwhelming joy. Every fiber of your being is filled with love for this tiny human being in your arms. Looking in your baby’s eyes, you feel like you have found your life’s purpose. And still, motherhood is really hard. New motherhood is sitting in the messy middle of seemingly opposite feelings. You can feel a mixed bag of emotions: sad and happy, overwhelmed, and peaceful, grief and joy, lost and found.

The transition to motherhood and its ambivalence has its own name: matrescence (pronounced like adolescence). The term was first developed by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael in 1973. This term is used to describe the bio-psycho-social- spiritual change that occurs when a woman makes the transition to motherhood. Like in adolescence, matrescence is a physical, hormonal, and emotional change all happening at the same time. Matrescence recognizes the large shift in identity that occurs when a woman becomes a mother and helps to normalize what it feels like to be in the middle of a whirlwind of emotions. Motherhood is a magical metamorphosis, because once you have a baby, nothing will ever be the same. And that is both beautiful and sad.

Around 15-20% of women who birth a child will experience postpartum mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. But matrescence is a normal part of motherhood and it is normal to feel ambivalence in this season of life.

Here are some helpful tips for coping in this new season of life:

1. Let go of expectations.
From the time a woman decides she is going to have children she hears an influx of information about what it means to be a mom and how to care for her baby. One of the biggest things a mom may hear is “you don’t have time for yourself anymore.” An important thing to remember is that you are a person worth caring for. You deserve to eat. You deserve a hot shower. You deserve to hydrate yourself. And you deserve love. You may even have a “Pinterest” perfect image in your head of what motherhood would be like. You may have pictured a blissful bubble in which you only feel complete happiness, but it is important to allow yourself to embrace the messiness and imperfection that is motherhood.

2.  Build your support system.
Just as a baby was born, you as a mother were born too. It is okay to ask for help and it is important to find a group of people who will help care for you. Look for people who will help support you emotionally while you adapt to your new role. Also look for people who will provide practical support like doing that pile of dirty dishes in your sink or the endless pile of laundry that babies create. Babies are tiny but they certainly require a village.

3.  Practice self-compassion.
Being a new mother is difficult. Suddenly this new little life is depending on you day and night and it can be exhausting.  It can be easy in this new vulnerable state to be harsh and self-critical. During this time, it is especially important to practice self-compassion and remind ourselves of our own worth. It can be easy to believe that you are a “bad” mother and that you are not providing what your baby needs. An important self-compassionate reminder is that “you are the best mother for your baby”. The goal is not for you to be a perfect mother but rather to be a “good enough” mother and embrace all the imperfection that comes with raising a baby. Perfection in motherhood is not possible and practicing self-compassion can help in remaining resilient in the face of this new role.

4.  Embrace the ambivalence.
Motherhood is embracing so much of the messy middle between seemingly opposing emotions. It can be uncomfortable to be in this place, where you want to spend every moment with your precious newborn and to crave the independence and space you had prior to having a baby. Motherhood is about the “both/and”, knowing that good and bad can exist in the same place. It is possible for you to embrace them both at the same time. You can love your baby with every fiber of your being and miss a time when you were able to sleep through the night or drink a hot cup of coffee.

5.  Allow yourself to grieve.
It is okay to grieve in this new phase of life. We tend to believe that grief is only reserved for death, but we can grieve many things in this new phase of motherhood. You may grieve your old life, previous relationship dynamics, your body and how it may have worked before, your time, your envisioned birth plan, your envisioned feeding plan, or your expectation of what you thought motherhood would be like. Allowing yourself to feel the sadness in some of these losses will help you to move on and embrace your new role as a mother.

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April 17, 2024 6p-7p EST Manor House or virtual

Nicole Bosse, PsyD, Staff Psychologist (updated)

The Silent Strain of Decision Fatigue

Participants will:

  • Learn what Decision Fatigue is.
  • Learn the negative consequences of Decision Fatigue.
  • Learn 3 coping strategies to manage the consequences of Decision Fatigue.

Click here for registration

 

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REGISTER NOW! 1 CME/CEU OFFERED

Please join us April 9, 2024
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EST

For a free webcast

Hypnotherapy & Trauma: Getting Past the Past

 

PRESENTED BY:
Chris Tuell, EdD, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, Clinical Director of Addiction Services

Participants in the webcast will be able to:

  1. Outline the basics of Hypnotherapy.
  2. Define the role of Hypnotherapy for treating the patient with Trauma.
  3. Describe the current research regarding Hypnotherapy and Trauma.

Hypnotherapy & Trauma April 2024 webcast flyer

Register here

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.

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Lindner Center of HOPE Welcomes

Heather A. Dlugosz, MD, FAPA, CEDS

Medical Director, Lindner Center of HOPE Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program

Lindner Center of HOPE is pleased to announce that Heather Dlugosz has joined the Center in the role of Medical Director for the Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program. Dr. Dlugosz is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of patients with eating disorders and their psychiatric co-morbidities including mood and anxiety disorders.

Dr. Dlugosz received her bachelor’s degree from Albion College.  She earned her M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed her adult psychiatric residency at University Hospital in Cincinnati, now the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident. She is board certified in Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).

Dr. Dlugosz returns to Lindner Center of HOPE after previously working as a staff psychiatrist and then associate medical director at Eating Recovery Center in Cincinnati, OH and as a contract psychiatrist at VERY-Virtual Eating Recovery for You which provides virtual comprehensive services for patients with eating disorders. She currently holds an academic position as Associate Professor of Clinical-GEO at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience where she helps to educate medical students and resident physicians in the treatment of eating disorders.

Dr. Dlugosz embraces a collaborative approach to the assessment and treatment of patients and her broad experience in a variety of settings is a solid foundation for providing the highest quality and compassionate care to patients at all levels of care.

The Center is excited about Dr. Dlugosz’s return and the leadership and expertise she will provide to the eating disorders treatment services.

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By Angela Couch, RN, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Lindner Center of HOPE, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Hypochondriasis has been replaced in the DSM 5 by Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) or Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), both categorized under Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders.  Previous diagnoses classified under Somatoform Disorders were often interpreted with a negative connotation, implying that the patient’s concerns were not real or valid. However, it is not appropriate to give a person a mental diagnosis for no other reason than no medical cause can be identified, nor does the presence of a medical diagnosis exclude a co-morbid mental disorder.  About 75% of persons previously diagnosed with Hypochondriasis will fall into the category of Somatic Symptom Disorder, while the other 25% will meet criteria for Illness Anxiety Disorder.  Let’s examine the differences.

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), requires the patient to have one or more somatic symptoms (that is to say, pertaining to the body), that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associated health concerns are manifested by at least one of the following: disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one’s symptoms, persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms, and excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns.  Although any one somatic symptom may not be continuously present, the state of being symptomatic is persistent, generally more than 6 months duration. Specifiers include predominant pain (formerly pain disorder), persistent, and mild, moderate or severe. High health anxiety can be a symptom of SSD but is not necessary for a diagnosis of SSD. Patients with SSD often seek care from multiple doctors and often feel their assessments were inadequate. Reassurance given does not seem adequate nor to last for these patients. Patients with SSD may worry that excessive physical activity may damage their body and may seem more sensitive to medication side effects.  The prevalence in adults may be 5-7% of the population, likely more common in females. In comparison to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the recurrent worries are less intrusive and individuals may not exhibit repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety other than seeking assessment.  Usually in OCD, the obsessions would not be confined to somatic symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), requires the patient to have a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness. Somatic symptoms are either not present or are mild in intensity. If another medical condition is present or there is a high likelihood of developing a medical condition, the preoccupation is excessive or disproportionate. There is a high level of anxiety about health and the individual is easily alarmed about their health status. The individual performs excessive health related behaviors, such as body checking, or exhibits maladaptive avoidance, such as avoiding medical assessment.  In IAD, the distress has been present for at least 6 months, though the specific illness targeted may change during that time. The preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder such as SSD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or delusional disorder. In IAD, the distress comes from the distress about the significance, meaning or cause of the complaint, not from a specific physical symptom or sensation. Most commonly, the physical symptoms exhibited are normal type sensations or considered benign or self-limiting dysfunction. Individuals who have IAD may be easily alarmed by reading or hearing about illnesses, and often will seek reassurance about illnesses through internet research or speaking to doctors or friends and family. In a smaller number of cases, the patient may be help avoidant versus help seeking. The reassurance given by medical professionals may potentially heighten the patient’s anxiety. Those who have IAD may avoid activities in order to avoid harming themselves or catching an illness from others.  The prevalence of IAD is possibly between 1.3-10% in the general population, and in ambulatory medical populations the 6-12 month prevalence is between 3-8%, and about equal across the sexes. The prevalence in OCD is also equal across the sexes. Persons with IAD may exhibit the intrusive thoughts about having a disease and may do compulsive behaviors such as reassurance seeking, but the preoccupations are usually focused on having a disease; in OCD, the intrusive thoughts are often about potentially getting a disease in the future or wanting certainty that they do not have one right now. In OCD, the obsessions and compulsions usually extend beyond disease concerns.

One study examined 118 treatment seeking patients with health anxiety, and gave them structured diagnostic interviews to assess for Hypochondriasis, IAD and SSD, as well as co-morbid mental disorders; additionally, the study looked at self-report measures of health anxiety, co-morbid symptoms, cognitions and behaviors, as well as service utilization. 45% of patients were diagnosed with SSD, 47% with IAD, and 8% with co-morbid SSD/IAD.  SSD and IAD were seen to be more reliable diagnoses than Hypochondriasis. Half of the sample group met criteria for Hypochondriasis, and of that sample, 56% met criteria for SSD, 36% for IAD, and 8% for co-morbid SSD/IAD.  SSD was characterized by higher levels of health anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and health service utilization, in addition to higher rates of major depression, panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Patients with these diagnoses often present in medical settings initially, and arrive in a mental health care setting via referral from another medical provider. It is important that medical providers validate the individual’s experience of symptoms and their anxiety, but also explain the rationale of supplementing medical interventions with mental health treatment.

Summary of Differences:

IAD                                                                             SSD

Absence/minimal distressing physical                Presence of distressing physical
symptoms                                                                  symptoms

 

High health anxiety not a requirement                 High health anxiety always present

 

Reassurance seeking common, but also             Reassurance/assessment seeking
less frequently can be care avoidant related
to anxiety

Equal across sexes                                                 More common in females

 

May engage in additional compulsions                More frequently associated with co-morbid depression, panic disorder,

higher level of health anxiety, and more utilization of medical services

To learn about anxiety disorders treatment at Linder Center of HOPE, visit https://lindnercenterofhope.org/anxiety-disorders/

References:

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition.  Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Newby, J.M., Hobbs, M.J., Mahoney, E.J., Shiu, W. and Andrews, G. DSM-5 illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder: Comorbidity, correlates, and overlap with DSM-IV hypochondriasis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 101, 31-37.

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By Peter White, M.A., LPCC, LICDC, Lindner Center of HOPE Outpatient Therapist

The problem during Bipolar Mood Disorders is a pattern of swings of the essential elements of mood between the two poles, like the North Pole and South Pole, of Mania and Depression. These swings are not moodiness, which are swings of mood throughout a day. A Bipolar swing is a distinct period of at least one week when the full spectrum of mood elements exhibits depressive and/or manic elements.

Although thought of as a subjective experience, mood deeply influences three areas. First is metabolism – sleep, appetite, libido and energy levels. Second, mood influences both motivation as well as the ability to experience pleasure and/or a sense of accomplishment. Thirdly, mood deeply influences interpretations within thoughts from positive to neutral to negative.

So, we can think of this first spectrum of mood disorder along an axis of depression to neutral to manic. Therefore, a depressed mood will depress metabolism. A person will have difficulty with sleep through either excessive or inadequate or disrupted sleep, loss of appetite or excessive eating despite disrupted appetite, loss of libido as well as loss of energy. Depression will hinder motivation making it difficult to experience the drive to initiate activities as well as hinder pleasure or the reward of activity. This is a very difficult cycle when it is hard to get active in the day compounded by not finding any pleasure or reward in the day’s activities. Lastly, depression will darken the flow of thoughts adding many themes of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness and guilt into our thought process.

Conversely, mania will elevate the same essentials. It will increase energy levels often in the face of declining sleep hours. It will increase libido, increase excessive and/or absence of appetite. It will increase motivation often leading to excessive engagement of plans or activities and will create a compounding loop of all activity feeling especially pleasurable or rewarding. Again, conversely is will paint thinking with elevated judgements of specialness, invulnerability, and inevitable positive outcomes.

The second spectrum of mood disorders, like most other behavioral health problems, is along the spectrum of severity – mild to moderate to severe. If you combine this spectrum of severity along with the first spectrum of depressive to manic, we see how varied and individualized any person’s experience with Bipolar Mood disorders can be.  Most people can relate to some degree of depression during periods of their life with perhaps a few weeks or month of low energy, noticing that they are not getting the same rewards in their regular activity as well as perhaps noticing they are thinking unusually negatively about themselves and their outlook on life. We might call this a mild, brief depressive episode. But the reality is that depression is one of the most disruptive and costly of all health conditions as recognized by the World Health Organization. This mean that depression is often moderate or severe to very severe and can disrupt functioning on every level for weeks to months if not years. A severe depression can make it difficult to get out or bed for days on end both from collapsed energy and motivation. It can destroy the pleasure and rewards of living so that all activity feels like a painful chore at best. Finally, it can turn thoughts dangerously dark with so much hopelessness, helplessness and worthless that suicidal thinking emerges nearly with a sense of relief.

Again conversely, though experienced less often by most people, Manic Episodes can present with mild, moderate, severe and very severe intensity. During a sever episode, a person with manic symptoms is often sleeping little but maintaining very high levels of energy. They are often talking very quickly and sometimes laughing excessively and outside the context of humorous things. Given the very high levels of motivation and the reinforcement of pleasure in all activities, they often initiate an excessive number of activities – starting multiple projects with little awareness of the ability to balance or complete them. They frequently initiate conversations or relationship in an open or disinhibited style very unusual for to their character. With elevated thought patterns, they might believe they have a unique or special purpose, and they are convinced that all their activities will be successful and rewarding. Give the excessive energy, motivation, pleasure and elevated sense of self and success, people in manic states will often engage in behavior patterns much riskier than typical – spending money well beyond their mean, unusually disinhibited sexual decision, reckless driving, shop lifting.

I hope it’s useful to review the way mood symptoms fluctuate along these two spectrums, because like all health care conditions, we are best off when we accurately identify what these behaviors are – symptoms. Mood symptoms are not moral challenges, personality traits or unconsciously desired behaviors. Mood symptoms are symptoms, and fortunately, there are many very effective treatments for all symptoms along both spectrums. Please know if you or a loved one or a client is experiencing any degree of Bipolar mood problems, there will be many ways to help and cope, and experience the satisfaction of effectively treating a behavioral health care condition.

 

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Proceeds from the event will go towards Lindner Center of HOPE’s “Transforming HOPE” Capital Campaign

Lindner Center of HOPE hosted its signature fundraiser, Touchdown for HOPE on Sunday, February 11, 2024 in The Bally Sports Club at The Great American Ballpark. The event drew record sponsorship support and the largest attendance post pandemic. Sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales reached $225,000 and attendance was close to 240 people.

Employees, board members, and community supporters enjoyed the tailgate and watch party surrounded by big screen TVs, an unlimited Touchdown buffet, featuring Cincinnati food favorites, and other tasty treats.

Honorary Co-host John Jackson, a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League and a Cincinnati Bengal from 2000 to 2001, welcomed the group just before kick-off, and thanked the sponsors and fans for supporting the Center. Dr. Paul Crosby also addressed attendees, sharing his appreciation of the Touchdown committee, Mary Alexander, Brock Anderson, Chrissey Barrett Haslam, Greg Harmeyer, Graham Mercurio, Gary Mitchell, Terry Ohnmeis, Jennifer Pierson, Ryan Rybolt, Carl Satterwhite, Joel Stone, John Winch and David Wyler.

Special thanks to 2024 Team Captains, Scott Robertson, John Ryan and David Tasner.

Proceeds from Touchdown for HOPE will be applied to Lindner Center of HOPE’s “Transforming HOPE” Capital Campaign, enabling the Center to add more treatment units, expand wellness facilities and add clinical staff.

A generous list of sponsors made this event possible. Sponsors included:  Bonbright Distributors, Amy and Gary Mitchell, Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, John Winch Family Foundation, American Financial Group, Inc., RCF Group, US Private Wealth Management – U.S. Bank, Ellen & Jon Zipperstein, Joseph Auto Group, The Kate and Ted Emmerich Family Foundation, Myriad Genetics, PNC, Ryan Generational Capital Advisors, Sydney Warm and David Tasner, Tier 1 Performance Solutions, Chrissey Barrett Haslam, Cintech Construction, Millbridge Metals, Warm Construction, and Wagner & Bloch, LLC.

John Jackson, honorary co-host and former Cincinnati Bengal, welcomed the crowd at Touchdown for HOPE.
Touchdown for HOPE 2024 committee members: (l-r) Carl Satterwhite, Suzy Killin, Mary Alexander, Dr. Paul Crosby, John Ryan, Terry Ohnmeis, Scott Robertson, David Tasner and Graham Mercurio.
Tier 1 Performance attendees.
(l-r) Dr. Paul Crosby, Craig Lindner and Dr. Paul Keck
Dawn and Carl Satterwhite enjoying having a 360 degree photo taken.
Almost 240 attendees enjoyed the Touchdown for HOPE watch party.

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 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.

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WHEN: Monday, March 11, 2024
9am-11am and 3pm-5pm (Bring your resume)

WHERE: Lindner Center of HOPE –gymnasium
4075 Old Western Row Road
Mason, OH 45040

We are currently hiring various positions. Check our website for openings: https://lindnercenterofhope.org/careers/

Visit our website to view more information on these positions:
https://lindnercenterofhope.org/careers/or contact HR at [email protected]

Click here for flyer

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REGISTER NOW! 1 CME/CEU OFFERED

Please join us March 12, 2024
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EST

For a free webcast

Somatic and Parts Work in Trauma Treatment

 

PRESENTED BY:
Sidney Hays, MSW, LISW, DARTT, Outpatient Therapist

Participants in the webcast will be able to:

  1. Define trauma and limitations of current DSM trauma diagnoses.
  2. Identify physiological states of being and understand how these impact perception, mood, and behavior.
  3. Articulate how trauma causes fragmenting of parts and gain

Click here for flyer

Register here

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.

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Feb 21, 2024  6P – 7:30P EST  Manor House – Mason or virtual

Megan Schrantz, EdD, LPCC, Therapist

Coping with Posttraumatic Stress:  Journey Toward Hope and Healing

Participants will:

  • Learn what posttraumatic stress is and how it can impact one’s mental health and overall functioning.
  • Learn therapeutic tasks for healing trauma.
  • Learn healthy strategies to manage symptoms and to move forward.

click here for registration