The Mental Health Company
RealLife Mental Health Education and Information
Hi
My name is Lance Nabers, CEO of RealLife. I have also been a practicing psychotherapist for the last 20 years. I have worked with thousands of children, adults and families from Alaska, New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut, Virginia to Colorado. Lets face it, you can get loads of information all over the internet.
At RealLife we care about providing current, quality-focused, realistic mental health information. Below you will find 3 things under the mental health topic your researching. A simple definition, OUR suggested course of action, and a button to email or call to speak with us directly. We want to offer immediate quality services to you and your family.
One more important thing to say. The information below is straight from our Team of experienced Clinical Therapists. This information is not based on any type of complex mental health research other than their own education and their own experiences. Our information is purposely short and too the point. Throughout the site we will offer links to much more extensive research and mental health educational information, but as you will find we are about Real Experiences, Real Information...RealLife.
Primary Problem
Depression
Course of Action
General Definition
The best course of action that you can take if you feel that your sadness is increasing and your ability to control is decreasing, is to start by getting a notebook and pen. Split the page in half, write down the positive things in life, then right down the things, situations, and people who are negatively impacting your life or contributing to you sadness. Then click the button below. You can contact us by phone or email. We will assess the situation and begin helping you immediately. 24 hours after your contact to us, you will get an email with three local therapists contact information who best fits your needs. RealLife therapist will provide assessment and treatment planning within that first 10 days. The usual course of action is to first make sure you are safe, begin to identify treatment objectives and link you to any other resources you are needing including primary care, medication management, case management, etc..
If unexplained or unpredictable sadness is negativley impacting your family life, social life, school or work life, theres a high probablity your experiencing some form of depression.
Most of our therpaist agreed they see primarily two forms of depression in their practice. We will call it Low-grade depression (formally Dysthymic Disorder) and Major Depressive Disorder (Every Individual is diffrent so hard to fit in a defines box). Low Grade depression can be explained as someone who feels sad for more days than not, lasting for more than two years. These individuals are typically still working, possibly socializing, but not finding any "fun" or enjoyment in many situations or activities.
More severe forms of depression, without current substance abuse or trauma history, often debilites an indivudal so much so that they have difficulty oing to work, maintaining relationships, or even make it to most therpay appontments. These individuals often have a much more phsysiological componenet makng the depression worse, thus more of a focus on medicaion managment.
Primary Problem
Depression
Depression
Course of Action
General Definition
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Primary Problem
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)
Course of Action
General Definition
The first thing you should do if you believe your child to have attention issues that are beginning to impact daily functioning in the school environment as well as noticing some areas of attention problems at home, is to immediately schedule a session with a licensed therapist who has a history of diagnosing and treating ADHD. Do not schedule that first visit with your primary care physician, does not need to be a psychologist or psychiatrist. Treating ADHD is about SKILL DEVELOPMENT. Medications definitely help, but they band-aid where attentive skills are lacking. If your an Adult and you feel like your attention problems are getting out of control, also start with a licensed mental health therapist. Treating with medications is fine, but do you really want to overcome your ADHD or find out if there is possibly something else going on, then go through an assessment with a licensed clinician. Usual course of treatment for children is to create a team around the child/adolescent including parents and school. Identify where the specific concerns are, develop a plan, parents and child attend weekly sessions to learn skills (study or daily functioning skills) then team meets to see where we are on track and where can the team be more supportive. That is the only way to treat ADHD. We have highly experienced clinicians who treat ADHD at all ages. Please feel free to hit the contact button below.
Over the last 10 years therapists on our team have observed an increasing number of false diagnosis for ADHD and even more so, a number of ADHD medications being prescribed to individuals with a history of significant substance abuse. Not all children with school problems have ADHD, just life all adults with attention problems have ADHD. There is a very specific "flavor", for individuals who truly have an ADHD diagnosis. This definition will primarily include just ADD-predominant inattentive type. Any individual who has difficulty completing a task, and often moves from one task to another. Has increasing difficulty concentrating as environmental stimuli increases. Now that could be anyone. ADHD individuals separate themselves when they can look back in their lives, whether there 10 or 46, and they can identify a trend if not completing things, multiple jobs on a resume, and these "lifestyle trends" are negatively impacting their family, social or community life.
Primary Problem
Trauma (Exposure to Traumatic Stress)
Course of Action
General Definition
The first course of action for anyone who has been traumatized is to make sure you are safe. Ok, the next thing to do is make sure you have the support system you need around you. If you could pick one person you feel safe with, you trust, and you know they will be there for you-contact that person immediately and do your best to share what your going through. If you do not have that support system, please hit the contact button below and contact us. We will be that initial support system for you. We will ensure you are safe, connect you to the therapist or resources you are needing. The only things you can do is to stay calm, be safe, and begin becoming an expert on trauma. If you are at a place where you can process what has happened please begin googling the words "mental health trauma", treatment for Trauma. Make that first session with one of our RealLife therapists, and as they are asking you questions, please ask them plenty of questions also. The more information you have, the more your trying to stay proactive during such a difficult time, the more self power, confidence and strength you can grab on to, the faster the healing will begin to set in. Therapy could last from 8 sessions to 20 sessions. It depends on the connections you make in treatment, the willingness you have to step outside of your box and of you are willing to accept help from others. If you have had a traumatic event occur within the last 10 days or 20 years, we can help you, just click that contact button below.
As with any mental health issues there are differeing degrees of severity. Trauma is tough to define because its such a personal experience and as the world grows more complex so do the number and seeverity of traumatic events that a person may experience over a lifetime. At RealLife we could write a book on Trauma, its definition, and how it affects way more than 50% percent of the population at differing degrees. We would identify someone who has a history of being exposed to a traumatic event or situation (directly or indirectly) and that event has negatively impacted ones perceptions of the world around them. More specifically that this situation has negatively impacted an individuals feelings of safety, love, intimacy, and trust. These traumatic events can range from losing a pet or a family member to having to mover away from your home or losing a long time friend. Trauma affects individuals in so many ways, that the above definitions are the primary foundation for identifying someone who has a history of Trauma and may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Primary Problem
Anxiety
Course of Action
General Definition
The first thing you can do if you feel like your anxiety is getting "out of control" is to immediately write down things, situations, activities or thoughts that are making you feel anxious. If your not sure what is making you anxious write that down. Begin getting things out of your head (where they are just overwhelming you) and write them down. Next click the contact button below and we will help you through the next step. 24 hours after you make contact with RealLife, we will send you three therapists contact information that we believe best fits what your needing. Before your first session, make sure you have a good list of what is making you feel anxiety, when does it mostly occur, and how have you been dealing with it (coping skills) thus far. Stay Proactive and diligent. If you could go out and take a walk, get some exercise or just get your blood pumping-do it. Then think about what you want out of therapy and what you need right now. Then show up for your first appointment. We will work together from there.
Anxiety can be seen as often attached to other mental health disorders, or be separate and quite pervasive if not treated. A large number of individuals suffer from Anxiety. Some who find it hard to go into crowds or big groups, some who just have unexplained anxiety resulting in panic attacks. Of course many individuals have specific triggers for there anxiety-rats, spiders, clowns... Because there are so many types of anxiety and again differing degrees of severity, the underlying definition would be that any stimuli, even cognition, that causes nervousness or feelings of being overwhelmed could be identified as Anxiety. An individual suffers from an Anxiety Disorder when the nervousness or overwhelming feelings significantly impact one's family work, school or community life.
Primary Problem
Bi-Polar
Course of Action
General Definition
True Bi-polar course of treatment involves not only treating the individual, but incorporating the existing immediate family into therapy sessions as treatment progresses. Bi-Polar is another disorder that relies on structure, skill development and a team consisting of therapist, psychiatrist and possibly case management. RealLife therapist typically spend the first couple of sessions building rapport, understanding how mood dysregulation impacts the individuals life, and their current abilities and strengths in order to use as a foundation to progress forward. If you find that your mood swings over time are characterized by significant sadness , no motivation and loss of pleasure with just about anything you do, then the next thing you know, your staying up late, experiencing boundless energy, start by getting a journal and pen. You will need to write down as much information possible in order for the therapist to be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Start with writing down when you feel depressed, what contributed to the depression. Next, write down when you feel "manic" and even what that means to you. The more information, the more the team can develop a successful treatment plan.
Bi-Polar is another disorder than can be over diagnosed and over prescribed for. Simply put, anyone who has extended periods of sadness that significantly impacts family, social, school, or work life while be intermixed with feelings of euphoria, really big ideas, unstoppable levels of energy, possible indulging in substances. Again, these keep components could be experienced by half the population at any given time. There is a specific "flavor" to individuals who suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder. When there are extensive periods of depression over a long span of time that can often be detailed by the individual, friends and family members. When the next week is spent of staying up all night cleaning, experiencing strong feeling to fly to Cuba and hang out, but instead go on a shopping spree that depletes all the credit cards you have, Bi-Polar Disorder would be a strong consideration.
Primary Problem
Substance Abuse
Course of Action
General Definition
RealLife providers only accept a select number of clients with a history of substance abuse or dependence. First, if you feel like you have a substance abuse problem, please go ahead and write down, how much you use, what you are using, when you are using, and what situations, activities or thoughts lead to use. This will hopefully help the individual understand there usage patterns, and will provide the therapist with great information to get started. If you find you are unsafe and using everyday and unable to stop, then we may need to discuss a more intense treatment program. However, if you are still functioning in your job and at home, but want to quit substances all together, please click the contact button to get started.
This ones Easy. If you are taking a substance, any substance, that is negatively impacting your work, school, family or social life then you have a substance abuse problem. If you have tried to stop, but you can not and its still significantly impacting any of those domains, then you are dependent on substances.
Primary Problem
Mood Dysregulation
Course of Action
General Definition
RealLife treats a high number of individuals who experience pervasive issues with Mood Dysregulation. The first course of action is detailing when the mood shifts occur, past attempts to manage mood, and identifying contributors to mood dysregulation. Often times mood dysregulation could be accounted for by a medical issue, chemical imbalance, or even a history of untreated trauma. RealLIfe clinicians focus on identifying mood patters and then implementing skill development exercises to help the individual have more "power" over managing their moods. If you feel like your unable to adequately manage your mood, please click the contact button below to get started.
The team at Therapists wanted to add this issue, even though there is no classification per se. Mood Dysregulation is a term used for individuals that struggle with managing moods the individual would define as negative, or excessive. This could present as frustration, sadness, despair, being unmotivated or constantly feeling as though "my moods are out of control." The term Mood Dysregulation or Mood Management are often terms associated with Mental Health Disorders and related symptoms. However, a large portion of our therapists treat mood dysregulation, without that individual having a "clear-cut" mental Health Disorder. The potential for medication or neurological functioning could also make it difficult to identify what is contributing to the mood dysregulation.
Primary Problem
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Course of Action
General Definition
The General Course of Action if an individual has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or believes they have " long-standing symptom patterns" consistent with a Borderline Diagnosis....
1. You want to find a therapist that has years of experience in treating Borderline Personality Disorder, and preferably has experience and knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Trauma Informed Care Practices. (A strong therapeutic relationship with very strong boundaries and structure would also be important).
2. Ensure that there is some form of immediate family or friends support through treatment.
3. Due to the pervasive nature of Borderline Personality Disorder, the individual and family should be prepared for consistent therapy longer than a 12 month period.
Borderline Personality Disorder is a pervasive personality disorder that can often begin to be detected during the teenage years, and then can be fully diagnosed after the age of 18. This disorder is characterized by an individual who feels more comfortable when there is "drama", conflict, relationship ups and downs, often engaging in self harm, substance abuse or risky relationships or activities. The individuals experience chronic relationship problems, big highs and low lows, but not too much in between. This disorder is one of the most difficult to treat and often goes untreated, thus creating generational family byproducts of Borderline Personality Disorder (daughters, sons). Therapist primarily see more female than male individuals who have been diagnosed with BPD.
Primary Problem
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Course of Action
General Definition
Generally the same course of action for anxiety would apply here. OCD can actually be a superpower if used correctly. Therapy should focus on identifying any behaviors, thoughts, compulsions, habitual behaviors. Then developing individualized coping skills for the compulsions (from most severe to less) should be implemented and practiced from week to week. The superhero part comes from the therapeutic relationship that contributes to not changing the individual all- together, just having more management over behaviors or cognitions that are unwanted. Order and structure is not a bad thing, when it makes you feel bad it is. RealLIfe therapist specialize in treating anxiety-based disorders. Click the Contact button to get started.
Short and Simple. A large number of individuals have repetitive daily schedules, habitual behaviors, and if they are "off schedule" feel uncomfortable and find it difficult to function. Individual who suffer OCD have these same schedules and behaviors, however if they "get off track," theres often a high propensity for individuals to then experience excessive feelings of anxiety and/or mood dysregulation. OCD can only be diagnosed when these compulsions significantly impact an individuals work, family or social life.
Primary Problem
Autism Spectrum (with mention of Aspergers)
Course of Action
General Definition
This is a difficult course of action to plot in all honesty. There are many variables that contribute to an Autism Diagnosis and it would not be appropriate for us to generalize in such a short space. However, most Autistic or "Asperger like" behavioral patterns begin as early as the age of 2 or 3.. The best thing to do is if you suspect any of the above behaviors or are researching treatment for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, if you go to your Primary Care Physician, your local community health center (often referred to as a Federally Qualified Health Center), you can ask for a referral to a local organization that assesses for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Or and even better idea. You can click the below contact button and let us help you one on one.
Autism and for that matter Asperger's (Discontinued 2015) deserves mention as a result of our therapists indicating they each regularly treat children and adults that could be identified as being on the Autism Spectrum. To be as simplistic as possible. You can think of the Autism spectrum in terms of on one end you have individuals diagnosed with Autism working on projects at NASA, while at the other end, are individuals who have pervasive challenges understanding social cues, having the ability for reciprocal social interactions with others, even their own family, and generally have difficulty functioning on a daily basis without a strong support system. Our therapist indicated a majority of clients they treat, have differing degrees of autistic features, impacting different areas of their life, but see a smaller amount of individuals with "pure" Autism due to their inability to engage in "talk' therapy.
Primary Problem
Marital or Family Issues
Course of Action
General Definition
The best course of action for any couple or family that feels like their family relationships are deteriorating is to first sit down with your partner or family and have an open and honest conversation. There will always be conflict in the family, however, if you have good communication skills, good relationships skills, and you genuinely care for each other, then conflict can actually bring you closer together. However if you do not have these skills, conflict will tear you apart. You can begin by clicking the contact button. Below. Our RealLife therapist specialize in family conflict, in fact we have several Licensed Marriage and family therapists to help you and your family today. The usual course is to meet with the family together to assess reasons for coming to therapy, meet then with individual family members or partners in the second session. Then by the 3rd session we can typically develop a structured treatment plan with the focus on skill development and building individual relationships within the family. Do not hesitate to contact us today to get started.
The RealLife team wanted to include Marital or Family Issues as a result of the high number of families accessing mental health care for "couples therapy", or "therapy for there children". However, there is a low number of families accessing care stating "we would like therapy for our whole family". All Marriages and Families have "issues" or "problems" at one point or another. Some debilitating to family cohesion, love, trust, and safety; and then some that are just part of having more than 2 people living under the same roof. Marital or Family Issues, from a mental health perspective, could be defines as problems that arise when a couple or family does not posses the skills to resolve conflict, communicate appropriately and when individual relationships within the family begin to deteriorate to the point of significantly negatively impacting family members work, school, or social life.
Primary Problem
LGBTQ and Gender Identity Issues
Course of Action
General Definition
Another series of important issues that are very difficult to plot the course of action without writing pages and pages of information. If you or a family member or friend is dealing with challenges, roadblocks, feelings, cognition or behaviors as a result of coming out as gay or bi-sexual, or going through any type of gender re-assignment, the first objective is to find a therapist that has years of experience working with adolescents and Adults with LGBTQ issues. The therapeutic relationship between the individual and/or family is the most important piece in the therapeutic process. A therapist that understands how to create and hold a safe and trusting environment is vital. As mentioned above, LGBTQ issues in themselves are not mental health disorders, however, if the individual is alone, had no one to talk to or to share ideas/concerns with, mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety are likely to arise. You can start now by clicking the contact button. Most of our Therapists have years of experience dealing with these issues and we make it a point to only allow real genuine relationship based therapist within our provider network.
The RealLife Team also has experience an increase in individuals accessing therapeutic services to address issues revolving around LGBTQ education, understand, or therapy to address issues around "coming out." We want to underline that "LGBTQ" (we maintain the Q because a number of the individuals we see are just that-questioning). Issues are not always "mental health issues." However, when these issues begin to significantly negatively impact ones ability to function on a daily basis, then just as non LGBTQ issues, one should seek mental health services. The same can be said for Gender Identity Issues. Typically our therapist treat individuals who have decided to begin exploring their gender identity, have decided to make changes in their life, whether subtle or actively exploring surgical procedures, and then those individuals that have completed surgery and are transitioning lifestyles.
Primary Problem
Child and Adolescent Issues
Course of Action
General Definition
Childhood and Adolescent Issues are significantly challenging for the parent, the family system, and more importantly for the child. If your child is having difficulty at school, challenges at home following parental directives or just having a "tough time" with life. The first thing to do is to sit down with your child and discuss with them that you will do anything to help them, that you love them, and no matter what that will never change. As parents we know we will not always get the response we are looking for, sometimes we might not get a response at all. But out of everything you do as a parent, if you can get across the message of Unconditional Genuine Love no matter what happens, and that you will always be there, one day your child or adolescent will get it, just need to keep that message alive. Second, if the problems are at school. Call a meeting with the school and anyone involved with your child to discuss the issues and then to action plan. If the problems are primarily at home, immediately seek a therapist out that specializes with children and/or adolescents. This therapist should also be able to help with school problems. To make it easy, just click the contact button below and we will get started along side you.
Childhood and Adolescent Issues could encompass pages and pages of information. To Simplify, Any parenting related issues, childhood/adolescent behavior or thought pattern is beginning to significantly negatively impact the child, the adolescent or the family system, mental health therapy should be considered. Primary issues therapist treat are school problems (conduct and academic), relationship issues with friends and/or family, oppositional behaviors, intellectual deficits, ADHD, substance abuse issues, and general "life transition issues." When the areas above negatively impacts the child or adolescents ability to function at school and/or the home, a childhood mental health disorder should be considered.