Alan Zupka, Author at AZupkaCounseling

October 9, 2022 by Alan Zupka

The Three Types of Stress

Stress is a normal part of life. And a little bit of stress can actually be a good thing. For instance, when we lift weights, we are stressing our muscles, helping them to become bigger and stronger. Similarly, little bits of mental stress can help us become more skilled and resilient.

But too much of any type of stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and overall health. The following are the three main types of stress according to the American Psychological Association:

Acute Stress

Acute stress occurs suddenly and out of the blue. Your boss may throw you a big project to finish under a tight deadline. Or you just barely missed a bad car accident. You will experience an elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and perhaps a migraine for a short period.

Episodic Acute Stress

These are mini-crises that happen to some people on a fairly regular basis. Some people take on too much responsibility or are somehow overburdened in their life, and so they live in a constant state of tension.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress results from serious life problems that wear us down for months or years. There is really no let up with this type of stress. Chronic stress has been linked to heart disease and stroke.

Chiropractic to Help Beat the Effects of Stress

Seeing a chiropractor won’t magically make you immune from stressful events in your life. But regular chiropractic care can help your body deal with the effects of stress on your body. Whether you need help with tense muscles, ease headache symptoms, or get a better night’s sleep, we can help you hold onto your health and well-being.

If you’d like a free consultation, please give us a call or stop by our office.

October 5, 2022 by Alan Zupka

When is it Time to Ask for Help?

Depression is a complex mental health issue that varies widely between individuals. This is why it can be difficult for some people to recognize what may be a situational discomfort that may pass on its own and what may be more serious and require professional help.

The Difference Between Mild and Serious Mental Health Issues

To measure the seriousness of a mental health issue, most mental health professionals look at what impact it has on the person’s everyday life. They also take into account the events that led to the issue.

Mild mental health issues are typically less persistent and disruptive to an individual’s everyday life. On the other hand, serious mental health issues are often so severe that they negatively impact a person’s relationships and performance at school and work.

For example, feeling pressure at work about an upcoming deadline will make most individuals feel stressed and anxious. But if your anxiety becomes so great that you begin calling in sick to work to avoid the project and responsibilities, that would be seen as a disruption in your everyday life. Severe anxiety can lead to panic attacks, which is a reason to seek support.

Something else to keep in mind is the context around the mental health issue. It is perfectly normal to grieve after losing a loved one or to feel anger and resentment after discovering your partner’s infidelity. While it can definitely be helpful to speak with someone during these times, you may not necessarily be experiencing a severe mental health crisis that would warrant help.

It is important to mention that the events of one’s life need not be “serious” for you to reach out for help. Whatever it is that you are going through and whatever feelings you are experiencing, they are valid.

Warning Signs of a Serious Mental Health Crisis

The following are some red flags of a mental health crisis that warrant asking for help:

Feeling sad or “down” for long periods (particularly without an inciting incident)
Noticeable mood swings from very high, like euphoria, to very low, deep sadness or depression
Excessive worry
Feeling empty or apathetic about life
Engaging in self-harming behaviors, like cutting
Withdrawing from friends and family
Changes in appetite, sleep, or sex drive
Constant fatigue
Thoughts of suicide

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to seek help. While the days seem dark right now, they can and will get brighter. I’d love to help you get there, so please get in touch with me so we can set up a time to speak.

SOURCES:

https://www.counseling.org/news/aca-blogs/aca-counseling-corner/aca-counseling-corner-blog/2018/03/01/knowing-when-to-ask-for-help#:~:text=If%20you’re%20facing%20a,to%20seek%20out%20professional%20help

https://jedfoundation.org/resource/mental-health-warning-signs-and-when-to-ask-for-help/

https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sponsor-story/burrell-behavioral-health/2022/05/02/mental-health-matters-knowing-when-ask-help/9558636002/

February 27, 2022 by Alan Zupka

CBIT therapy for Tics and Tourettes

Living with a tic or Tourettes Syndrome (TS) can be a significant struggle for most people, as there can be a lot of shame and embarrassment involved. Up until very recently, there weren’t many good forms of treatment that offered lasting relief. But new science is showing that cognitive-behavioral intervention therapy (CBIT) can help sufferers of TS and tics.

How Does CBIT Work?

Though TS is a neurological disorder and tics are somewhat involuntary, the urge for both is highly sensitive to the surrounding environmental stressors. Those with TS and/or tics usually experience a specific situation that brings their TS or tics on or worsens them.

CBIT helps children and adults be able to identify those environmental factors that may worsen their symptoms. It also teaches them new skills that will help them predict and manage their symptoms.

Is CBIT Really Effective for TS and Tics?

Complete elimination of tics and TS symptoms can occur with CBIT, though those occurrences are fairly rare. CBIT can, however, significantly reduce the severity of tics and TS symptoms on more than half of people who undergo the therapy, according to National Institutes of Health-funded studies. For instance, one recent study found that 87% of participants who experienced great results after initial therapy continued to do well six months after treatment.

CBIT should not be thought of as a cure for tics or TS but rather as a tool to help people manage their symptoms and greatly improve their quality of life.

Getting Started with CBIT Therapy

If you are interested in experiencing CBIT therapy for yourself, it’s important to find a therapist who has been trained and certified in CBIT with a proven track record. Your therapist can begin to help you identify triggers and offer management solutions for symptoms.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please give my office a call.

SOURCES:

February 23, 2022 by Alan Zupka

Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors and Treatment Options

According to the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the term body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) describes a group of behaviors thought to be related to anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The behaviors can include hair pulling, skin picking, nail-biting, knuckle cracking, and tooth grinding, to name some.

Treatment Options

The question of why people engage in these repetitive behaviors has challenged mental health professionals for many years. While we don’t know the exact reasons or mechanisms for development, we now recognize specific treatments that have been proven effective.

It’s important to mention that professional help should be received from a mental health provider that has been specially trained to treat BFRB’s. This can be the difference between receiving treatment that has little or no impact and treatment that is very helpful.

The biggest treatment recommendation for BFRBs is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals deal with repetitive behaviors by helping them identify the triggers that cause the behavior in the first place. Once the trigger has been identified, therapy focuses on changing the reaction to the trigger, or the behavior.

Another treatment option that may prove effective is called Habit Reversal Training. This therapy helps people recognize their patterns and manage any negative emotions associated with them.

To reiterate, finding a mental health professional who is well-versed in using behavioral science and behavioral interventions is key. When looking for therapists in your local area, be sure they have experience with BFRB treatments. Get on the phone with them and don’t be shy about asking them some questions.

If you or someone you know is suffering from BFRBs and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.