Category: Blog

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Paul E. Keck, Jr., MD
President & CEO Lindner Center of HOPE
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, The Craig and Frances Lindner Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Executive Vice Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry

The news this week announcing the passing of legendary businessman, entrepreneur and great philanthropist Carl H. Lindner Jr. brings profound sadness.  It also gives pause to reflect on the enormous contributions Mr. Lindner made, not only to the city of Cincinnati, but our nation. Over a period of five decades his footprint has made more than a deep mark–it has touched countless lives and in so many instances, laid the foundation for care and treatment opportunities for those in  need. Carl H. Lindner Jr. represents what it means to be a visionary, an advocate and champion of social services across the spectrum.  From mental healthcare to children’s dyslexia learning centers, Carl Lindner Jr. is proof that we all have the ability to affect change.

Mr. Lindner recognized the tremendous unmet needs of people suffering with mental illness and understood that 1 in 4 Americans suffer from these biologically based brain disorders. Courageously, Mr. Lindner and his family became champions for mental health in this community, despite the stigma and unpopularity surrounding mental illness.  Without their generosity, Lindner Center of HOPE would not be here to serve more than 30,000 patients a year.

At Lindner Center of HOPE we believe the Lindner name on our facility has helped to bring mental health care into the spotlight, helping to increase understanding and awareness and lessen stigma. We will be forever grateful to have had the honor of knowing Mr. Lindner and we greatly appreciate his and his family’s foresight and generosity in establishing the Lindner Center of HOPE. Together they have made a enormous impact on the lives of people touched by mental illness in our community, in the region and nationwide.

It is our privilege at Lindner Center of HOPE to carry on Mr. Lindner’s legacy of quality care for people in need of mental health services. We hope others will join us in carrying this torch forward.

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The subject of mental illness is still considered taboo in many social circles. It remains the “elephant in the room” that those who are suffers are reluctant to discuss.

Positive strides have recently taken place to make the public more aware of the wide range of mental health issues affecting many individuals around the globe. However, stigmas and stereotypes associated with mental illness continue to have destructive repercussions that cause sufferers to keep their problems hidden instead of seeking treatment.

Society and pop culture have sensationalized mental illness within movies, news stories, books and documentaries. Extreme cases of schizophrenia and personality disorders are depicted in movies and TV shows, causing a reflexive fear within people. Countless movies have portrayed deranged or psychotic characters as villains, agents of fear and purveyors of edge-of-your-seat thrills. Images such as these reinforce negative stereotypes placed upon those suffering from mental illness.

It isn’t difficult to understand why many who suffer from mental illnesses — whether it is depression, bipolar disorder, addictions or eating disorders — feel they will be judged if “exposed.”

Steps are being taken in an attempt to diminish stigmas surrounding mental illness. One method of garnering public attention is having celebrities shed some educational and positive light on the issues.

It is also important to publicize corrections regarding misinformation on mental health disorders. For instance, most people would probably be somewhat surprised to discover only three percent of those suffering from mental illness actually turn violent.

Additionally, mental health organizations are better educating the public about mental illnesses by expanding their roles and increasing publicity about their service offerings.

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Over 400,000 infants are born each year to mothers suffering from perinatal depression. The most undiagnosed obstetric complication in the U.S., perinatal depression typically affects mothers during pregnancy or within the first year following childbirth.

Types of Perinatal Depression

At least half of new mothers develop what is known as the “baby blues.” This type of perinatal depression involves crying, anxiety and mood swings and lasts no longer than a few days following childbirth.

Affecting between 13 to 20 percent of mothers, postpartum depression can have an impact on mothers that lasts well over one year. This type of depression affects a mother’s ability to properly care for her child as well as her capability to perform simple daily tasks. In addition to having thoughts of harming herself or her child, women affected with this depressive disorder might also feel inadequate, shameful and withdrawn from friends and family.

How Postpartum Affects the Child

A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found infants residing in environments where depression was present are more likely to have impairments in their social interactions and cognitive development. If the mother’s depression remains untreated, it is less likely a strong relationship bond will develop between mother and child.

Treatment is Key

In order to reduce the impacts of postpartum on an infant, the mother must seek treatment. Methods of treatment commonly include counseling and medication. Within roughly four months of being diagnosed and treated, mothers will begin to recover from postpartum treatment.

Recognizing the Problem

Primary care providers should screen new mothers for postpartum depression and provide the appropriate resources if symptoms are found.

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Written by Paul E. Keck Jr., M.D.,  president and CEO of Lindner Center of HOPE and a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

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Abraham Lincoln, Virginia Woolf, Eugene O’Neill, Leo Tolstoy, Tennessee Williams, Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Carrie Fisher, Mike Wallace, Patty Duke, Demi Lovato, Catherine Zeta-Jones – all talented and gifted individuals, each has made unique contributions to society, are heroes to many and all have touched our lives in one way or another.

Is it surprising that these individuals have experienced a mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and/or personality disorder? It shouldn’t be. Mental illness affects one in four individuals, and five of the top 10 causes of disability worldwide are due to psychiatric illness. They strike men and women in almost equal proportions and affect people of all ages, ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels.

Although we have never had better evidence-based treatment and more achievable recovery for most psychiatric disorders, substantial stigma still exists and creates barriers for people needing and seeking treatment. Massive improvement is also needed in reimbursement for mental health care. Though these illnesses are as devastating for families as cancer and heart disease, society perpetuates disparities in support for individuals and families faced with mental illness.

Through research, great advancements in genetics, diagnosis and treatments have been made. In addition, we continue to increase awareness about the nature of suicide and the co-occurrence of mental illness and addiction.

Mental illness can be an uncomfortable topic, but when people share their stories, awareness grows and compassion is cultivated. We have an opportunity, in our community, to be leaders in improving access to high-quality mental health services, not only for humanitarian reasons, but based on economic imperatives.

Enhancing the health and well-being of our communities depends on a collective effort. No one organization, business or advocate can do it alone. I commend the nationally well-known individuals who share their stories of hope and also thank the everyday heroes in our communities who also face the effects of mental illness.

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In 1990, informal movements driven by consumers began in an effort to change the perceived problems in mental health services and to promote better communication between the provider and the patient.  A mental health “consumer” is considered a person who is undergoing treatment for a psychiatric disorder.   The term suggests that individuals have a choice in their treatment and that without them mental health providers would not exist.  Today, the word mental health consumer has expanded in the popular usage of consumers themselves to include anyone who has received mental health services in the past, anyone who has a behavioral health diagnosis, or simply anyone with a mental or behavioral disorder.

In some health care circles the movement to refer to patients as “consumers of healthcare” is being debated along with issues pertaining to “customer” service.  Some practitioners believe calling individuals “consumers” sends the message that we are “selling” them a product and that it’s an impersonal term.  And only a handful of residency programs incorporate customer service into their clinical training.  What are the implications to providers and patients?  In addition to clinical training, do we also need to learn customer service techniques?

Dr. Paul E. Keck, Jr.:

As defined by traditional terms, a patient is a person who is under medical care or treatment. And if we elaborate from a position of compassion and understanding we would add that this is someone suffering in some way and needs some form of help and HOPE. However, this should come in the form of a partnership, working together with patient and family to create improvements in quality of life, alleviate suffering and save lives.

When I think about what I do-what we do as providers of mental healthcare, I recognize that my position in this partnership is as a provider and my goal is to help patients achieve good health and lasting wellness. Do I consider them “consumers?” I think the better question here is, as a mental healthcare provider how am I delivering care? What is my customer’s perception and how is my expertise and clinical knowledge helping them achieve their goals? It’s critical to ask what patients are trying to achieve. What they are willing to contribute to achieve their goals and what can I do to support them as they work toward that outcome?

Customer service is one of the most important functions of the health care industry. We are witnessing an ever-changing healthcare environment, one in which the “customer” is better educated about their health and one in which they recognize they have many choices. Incorporating compassion, responsiveness and attention into the patient experience can set one apart from the many options available. The Journal of Healthcare Management reports that patients who receive good customer service report better health outcomes and higher levels of satisfaction with their overall healthcare.  I believe as we continue to meet the heavy demands and ever increasing needs of those seeking mental health services, we need to remember to deliver a customer service experience in line with one we would hope to receive as we visit our own healthcare provider.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can carry with it a variety of symptoms including hyperactivity, the inability to stay focused and impulsivity. Depending on the individual, these symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways.

ADHD is synonymous with the older term, “ADD,” and is commonly associated with children who have trouble paying attention and controlling their behavior. It is considered to be a mental disorder. Clinics and mental health centers across the country offer ADHD treatment to both children and adults.

More than 7.5 percent of school-aged children in the U.S. are said to be affected by ADHD, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study. If left untreated, roughly two out of three children will struggle with ADHD into adulthood and may end up suffering from depression or other mood disorders.

Treatment

Mental health treatment specialists will evaluate individuals suffering with ADHD on a case-by-case basis. Although some of the generally-accepted ADHD symptoms may exist such as inattentiveness, inability to complete tasks and extreme impatience and fidgetiness, each patient’s circumstances are unique.

A multi-faceted approach is usually employed in treating adults and children with ADHD. This can include antidepressant and stimulant medications as well as various forms of psychotherapy and behavior modification.

Learning to Harness ADHD

Despite some of the hardships experienced by those with ADHD, there are some potentially positive aspects. This is evidenced by the many achievers and famous people in our society with ADHD, such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison among many others, who believe it has benefited them in certain ways.

Many of these people attribute their energy and creativity to the symptoms associated with ADHD, in addition to their ability to apply great focus within the areas that interest them. They have turned the ADHD “weaknesses” into “strengths.”

Those with ADHD should take notice that not only can their disorder be controlled, but with focus and determination it is possible that they can use it to their advantage.

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One in every ten Americans suffers from a mood disorder. While there are many different types, some of the more common mood disorders include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymia.

Mood disorders can develop at any age, but are most likely to first appear during childhood and become more severe as individuals become adults. However, doctors are now finding more severe levels of mood disorders in children as young as six years old.

Making a Diagnosis

Diagnosing mood disorders in children can be a challenge; as symptoms such as irritability, periods of sadness and frequent mood swings are not as prominent within younger patients as they are in adults.

Treatment

When it comes to treatment options, both children and adults seem to react best to a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is an important component to an individual’s treatment plan and can occur in various forms.

A significant difference between children and adults when it comes to treatment is adults typically start on medications prior to psychotherapy, while children usually begin with therapy.

Finding the Right Treatment Center

One of the premier facilities for diagnosing and treating mood disorders is the Lindner Center of HOPE. Located in the greater Cincinnati area, the Lindner Center has both outpatient and residential facilities. In addition to featuring the latest resources and equipment available for treating mood disorders, the Lindner Center is run by Dr. Paul E. Keck and Dr. Susan L. McElroy, two of the most renowned and respected individuals in the field of psychiatry.

For more information on the Lindner Center of HOPE and its mood disorder treatment programs, call 888-536-HOPE.

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Everyone experiences some level of worry or anxiety from time to time. But when that worry or anxiousness becomes overwhelming or subsists for long periods of time, there may be a deeper issue at hand.

In a given year, anxiety disorders affect roughly 18 percent of Americans over the age of 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Following are descriptions of some of the more prominent anxiety disorders:

Panic Disorder: A panic attack is a brief period of intense uneasiness, fear or distress. The duration of these attacks can range anywhere from minutes to a few hours. While the cause is not completely clear, it is thought that the tendency toward panic attacks could be genetic or linked to a traumatic occurrence in an individual’s life. Those suffering from panic disorders display an inability to properly process stressful situations and therefore react to them with a heightened sense of fear and apprehensiveness.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Those suffering with OCD are bombarded with persistent thoughts and fears usually focusing on one area. They develop repetitive behaviors in an attempt to “control” the things causing their fears, and end up becoming obsessed with their rituals.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is the result of a terrifying or traumatic event in one’s life where they will re-experience the event and react with intense fear, anger, anxiety or even numbness. These episodes are usually brought about by exposure to a situation, thought or image reminding them of the original experience.

A combination of psychotherapy, behavior modification and medications are used for OCD treatment, PTSD treatment and the treatment of most other anxiety disorders. Mental health professionals continue to gain a better understanding of anxiety-related disorders, which has resulted in more effective methods of therapy.

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C. Stephen Edwards, Director, Adolescent Psychiatry, Lindner Center of HOPE

Teen depression is a serious problem in the United States.  One in eight teens is likely to experience depression.  Teen depression is much more than just bad moods, growing pains or even feeling down.  Depression will impact every aspect of a teenager’s life.  It can lead to problems at school and at home, drug abuse, self-loathing, and even suicide or homicide.  As a caregiver, it is vital for you to understand the warning signs of teen depression.

Here is a quick guide to the behavioral changes of which you should be aware:

  • Sadness or Hopelessness
  • Irritability, Anger or Hostility
  • Frequent Crying
  • Loss of Interest in Favorite Activities
  • Changes in Sleeping or Eating Patterns
  • Restlessness or Agitation
  • Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt
  • Fatigue or Lack of Energy
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Thoughts of Death or Suicide

When evaluating your teen or a teenager you love, consider how long these symptoms have been present, how severe the symptoms are and how much the teen’s behavior changed.

Do not assume your teen will show the same depression symptoms as an adult, as this mental illness will present itself in very different ways depending upon the age of the sufferer.  Teens are more likely to show irritability or anger instead of sadness, and may become grumpy or easily frustrated.  Teen depression can also manifest with unexplained aches and pains.   Be aware of any headaches or stomachaches that are not able to be attributed to a physical ailment.  Depressed teens will show an extreme sensitivity to criticism.  They have feelings of worthlessness, which makes them more vulnerable to criticism, rejection and failure.

If you know a teen who is exhibiting these symptoms, you can help them find treatment.  Start by talking with the teen.  Express your concerns in a comforting, non-judgmental way.  Talk about specific behaviors and why those behaviors are concerning to you.  Visit a doctor and have your teen screened for depression.  This screening will include a physical exam and blood test to rule out any medical reasons that the teen may be experiencing symptoms of depression.

If there are no physical reasons for the symptoms, ask the doctor to refer you to a specialist.  Make sure you get the teen’s input.  Your teen is an important part of this decision.  He or she needs to feel comfortable with the specialist and the treatment setting or it will not help the recovery process.  It is imperative to find someone with whom your teen can connect.  Don’t be afraid to explore a variety of treatment options – from one-on-one therapy or group therapy to medication – until you find what works best.

Never be afraid to talk with your teen about depression!  In many cases, families are unaware of the symptoms of depression and they can easily miss the subtle signs.  Many parents and caregivers can mistakenly assume their teen will show the same symptoms as an adult.  Instead, learn the unique signs and symptoms of teen depression – it could mean the difference between life and death!

 

C. Stephen Edwards, Director, Adolescent Psychiatry, Lindner Center of Hope is the author of this article on mental health clinics, teen depression and mood disorders.  Dr. Edwards is board certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and board eligible in pediatrics. As Director, Adolescent Psychiatry at Lindner Center of HOPE he oversees the adolescent inpatient and outpatient programs. He specializes in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and abuse prevention. The Lindner Center of Hope offers a level of service to patients, families and referring physicians not typically found in health care today.  The unique infrastructure provides access to cutting edge treatments years before they become widely available.

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From stress-related issues to a more acute mental illness such as bipolar disorder, psychological problems are wide-ranging in their symptoms and severity levels.

When determining which treatment route that an individual struggling with mental health problems should take, the first step should be a psychiatric evaluation conducted by a mental health professional. Once the problem is pinpointed, usually some level of “talk therapy” will ensue.

Depending on the severity of the condition, a combination of psychotherapy and medication are often central to a patient’s treatment plan.

If medications are deemed necessary, a patient might have to try several different types before finding one that adequately treats and stabilizes their symptoms.

Research and case studies have proven that medications can be a vital component in improving a patient’s mental well-being. But the importance of an experienced therapist who can guide a patient toward an improved mental outlook cannot be overstated.

Why Psychotherapy?

For many of us, it is difficult to understand how the person who seemingly has it all —

looks, intelligence and some level of “success” — can be so anguished on the inside. There could be several reasons as to why this anguish has developed, such as a phobia, major traumatic experience or genetic predisposition to a mental illness.

How Treatment Helps

One benefit some individuals who have participated in psychotherapy treatment have experienced is an increased self-awareness of their mental health problems. By having an enhanced understanding of the reason or source of their mental anguish, patients are often able to better process their thoughts, feelings and perceptions.

A good psychotherapist can lead a patient toward perspective and help them achieve a sense of peace in their lives by confronting the issues responsible for the fear, anxiety and self-doubt in question.